In the entire world, perhaps no one hated both Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong simultaneously more than Munuha.

“Could he accomplish this alone?” Shen Xihe wasn’t underestimating Munuha, but one person couldn’t have managed this.

“Naturally, he has accomplices working with him in the capital, preparing everything,” Xiao Huayong said gravely. “As for who they are, we’ll pry it from his mouth once we catch him.”

“I thought he would hide and plot something bigger.” Shen Xihe felt that given Munuha’s situation, he should have remained hidden, and then used his strength to deliver a fatal blow to the court.

Only that way could he possibly regain a position in the Turks. She never imagined he would infiltrate back so quickly, purely for revenge against her and Xiao Huayong.

“He did plan to hide, but I didn’t give him the chance,” Xiao Huayong’s lips curved slightly.

Since receiving Shen Xihe’s painting, Xiao Huayong had mobilized half his forces to search for Munuha. However, his rescuers had already arranged his escape routes. Every time they got the news, he managed to escape. Several times they cornered him, but others intervened.

After escaping the capital, Munuha hadn’t rested. He knew that continuing like this would only end in death by his pursuers. So he devised a plan to draw away Xiao Huayong’s men, hiding among the tribute envoys before they noticed, brazenly entering the city. He had nearly succeeded in his attempt.

“The purpose of saving him…” Shen Xihe suddenly raised her head, worried, “Perhaps it was to use him to test your strength.”

Through Munuha’s extensive escape, how many of Xiao Huayong’s connections had been exposed to the mastermind?

“Don’t worry.” Xiao Huayong held Shen Xihe’s hand. “To accomplish this required more than one person. When I sent people to hunt Munuha, I knew many were involved, all trying to use him to probe my capabilities.”

With mixed forces involved, things became chaotic – unclear which belonged to him, which was muddying the waters, which were also testing him.

Once Xiao Huayong realized this, he immediately adjusted. For several days after discovering Munuha, he lured other forces to expose themselves first, reversing the probe to test their strength.

“Where is Munuha now?” Shen Xihe narrowed her eyes.

“Leave it to me.” Xiao Huayong smiled softly, turning to look at the food box on the table. “Did Youyou bring me zongzi?”

“They’re hard to digest, just one per day,” Shen Xihe cautioned.

Xiao Huayong particularly loved her cooking and would eat heartily whenever she made food. Zongzi was glutinous and not good for health if eaten excessively.

Xiao Huayong felt warmth in his heart, but after opening the box and looking carefully, as if searching for something, he asked somewhat dejectedly: “Nothing else?”

Shen Xihe asked puzzled: “What else?”

Xiao Huayong’s heart sank. He should have asked her directly – it wouldn’t have been the first time he’d shamelessly made requests. But somehow the words caught in his throat. He felt stuffy, not angry at her lack of romantic sensibility – she had always been this way.

He was annoyed at himself for becoming increasingly delicate. It seemed that detecting her slight warming towards him made him unconsciously push for more. Like this time, he had so hoped she would remember on her own, and she did, bringing zongzi voluntarily.

But these zongzi were no different from her usual festival gifts – merely polite exchanges.

Shen Xihe watched as he was upset but dared not throw a tantrum, his expression almost twisted. She had originally planned to tease him by taking out the five-colored thread, but for some reason now she didn’t want to bring it out. She watched as he silently pressed his lips together in frustration, still wanting to know if he would ask for it.

Shen Xihe feigned innocence: “Your Highness seems displeased?”

“It’s… nothing,” Xiao Huayong replied insincerely. “Some troublesome matters came up in the Eastern Palace, and with the hot weather, I’m inevitably a bit irritable.”

Tianyuan glanced at Xiao Huayong, quickly lowering his head.

What troubles could the Eastern Palace have? Who would dare trouble the Crown Prince? And irritability was impossible – the only benefit of the poison in His Highness’s body was that it kept him cool in summer.

Most likely he hadn’t received the comfort he wanted from the Princess. Since knowing the Princess, the Crown Prince had become inexplicably different. After their betrothal, he became not just inexplicably different, but often passive-aggressive.

Shen Xihe nodded, not mentioning the longevity thread at all. After having dinner in the Eastern Palace, as the palace was about to enforce the night curfew, she left with the cool breeze for company.

Xiao Huayong escorted Shen Xihe to the Eastern Palace gate, unable to resist hinting: “Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival.”

“I know.” Shen Xihe nodded. “Tomorrow I’ll watch the dragon boats. I won’t be late.”

The royal family would prepare special boat races with official families participating while commoners could watch. Throughout history, no dynasty had been like the current one, allowing commoners to enter royal gardens and cheer at royal events.

Seeing the Emperor was common for capital citizens, as he often left the palace for the Lotus Garden or training grounds.

Seeing she still didn’t understand, Xiao Huayong pressed his lips together again, his eyes somewhat resentful: “I…”

He wanted to say he wanted the five-colored thread she wove, but somehow this time he didn’t want to ask directly. He was a bit angry at himself for becoming proud after receiving a bit of her warmth, but somehow still couldn’t bring himself to ask.

“Does Your Highness have something else to say?” Shen Xihe asked.

“Rest early. See you tomorrow,” Xiao Huayong said glumly.

Shen Xihe gave a slight curtsy and left with Zhenzhu.

Xiao Huayong watched her silhouette disappear in the twilight, his eyes fixed and full of melancholy.

Tianyuan kept his head down, quiet as a mouse, afraid of drawing attention.

“Princess, you…” Zhenzhu began after boarding the carriage, but remembering Ziyu’s previous example didn’t dare laugh.

The Crown Prince was like a child denied sweets, his whole being emanating frustration. She could feel it and was certain the Princess had noticed too.

“Did you feel that His Highness’s manner just now…” Shen Xihe didn’t mind Zhenzhu’s amusement – as long as it wasn’t genuine disrespect for Xiao Huayong, she wasn’t that strict. The key was, she found it amusing herself, “Was like a child?”

“Princess, haven’t you often said His Highness is becoming more childlike?” Zhenzhu hadn’t understood before, but today she saw it. Yet somehow she found the Crown Prince’s manner inexplicably endearing, the kind of endearing that softened one’s heart.