She kept herself calm and clear-headed. She had never doubted that his feelings were sincere from beginning to end, nor suspected that his current show of deep affection masked ulterior motives. At the very least, she acknowledged his feelings and neither grew weary of him nor avoided him.

The word “forever” was simple to say, but forcing a rational person to believe in it easily was truly asking too much.

Only those who had truly grown old together had the right to look back and say they had deep faith in it.

“Your Highness, I believe in your sincerity because I know that with your capabilities, you need no ulterior motives regarding me,” Shen Xihe’s expression was gentle, her gaze soft. “I dare not easily believe in forever also because I know that with your capabilities, should we become enemies one day – if I stay vigilant, while I may not be your equal in power, I would at least have the strength to break free.”

Xiao Huayong laughed helplessly: “Is this not a case of the same Xiao He both making and breaking?”

If he weren’t so powerful that he needed to scheme for the Northwest, first showing weakness to the Shen clan before ambushing them, Shen Xihe wouldn’t believe his current sincerity. Yet it was also because he was so powerful that she worried about becoming deeply entangled – if one day the Northwest became an obstacle to him, she would become the stepping stone to destroy both the Northwest and her loved ones.

“Your treatment of me – I am not made of wood and grass, naturally I am grateful,” Shen Xihe had never been so open with Xiao Huayong about her feelings before. “Sometimes I think deeply – if one day I come to love Your Highness, could it be as constant as the rising sun and setting moon, unchanging for all time?

I dare not promise this. Life brings too many encounters, ups and downs, and we never know what changes tomorrow might bring. How can one promise for an entire lifetime?

I cannot even ensure that I won’t change – how can I deeply believe that others won’t change with time?”

“You speak truly.” Xiao Huayong nodded in agreement. “I was too eager before. I will no longer speak to you of such distant matters. We are to be husband and wife, spending our days together year after year, morning and night. Let us simply live well each day.”

Shen Xihe smiled slightly. This version of Xiao Huayong felt more real and more approachable to her.

Her hand stroked the jade mat: “I accept Your Highness’s generous gift.”

She didn’t mention returning the favor, and Xiao Huayong’s heart sweetened – she was no longer so formal: “His Majesty plans to retreat to Linyou Palace to escape the heat. The decree will come in the next few days, so make your preparations early. Linyou Palace has no scorching heat in summer, it’s cool and pleasant, with green mountains and clear waters, bright and beautiful.”

“Linyou Palace?” Shen Xihe was somewhat tempted – the capital was truly too hot.

When she first arrived at the capital last year it had been somewhat hot, but not for long. Now it was just reaching the height of summer, with two long months still to go…

“Mm, shall I arrange for us to live as neighbors?” he asked softly.

“For me to be Your Highness’s neighbor, the other princes…” Shen Xihe’s concern wasn’t about Xiao Huayong himself, but rather that since they weren’t yet married, bypassing the other princes might not be appropriate.

“If they have the ability, they’re welcome to try taking what’s in my hands,” Xiao Huayong said carelessly.

The summer palace had been built for a hundred years, constructed at the founding of the dynasty. Initially, apart from His Majesty’s main hall, the rest were just cooling pavilions, but the previous emperor had feared heat and was extravagant, so he had the summer palace extensively renovated. Still, there were differences in quality.

Last year’s autumn hunt had left His Majesty wary of the hunting grounds, so this year he didn’t plan to go there, just to Linyou Palace. This meant staying from the fifth to the ninth month, and he would bring the officials along, leaving only a few to guard the capital.

For such a long stay, comfort was particularly important. Not only did they need to make arrangements up and down, but now all the officials had started moving about, hoping to secure comfortable lodgings within their permitted status.

“The officials will all bring their wives.” Xiao Huayong wore a mischievous expression as if watching a show. “Grandmother intends to use this summer retreat to let the princes spend time with the selected ladies, so they can propose marriage themselves after returning to the capital.”

Not every prince’s marriage was decreed by imperial edict. Of course, princes’ marriages were handled by the Imperial Clan Court and Ministry of Rites, but the process was similar to that of regular noble families.

Shen Xihe lowered her head and smiled – Xiao Huayong was determined to see his brothers married.

“They can all interact with ladies, so there’s no reason why I, the Crown Prince with an officially decreed engagement, cannot spend more time with my future Crown Princess.” Xiao Huayong spoke of using his power for personal gain with complete righteousness.

“Your Highness, has His Majesty not grown suspicious of you lately?” Shen Xihe worried.

She had gently reminded Xiao Huayong once a few days ago, and now he was maneuvering again. Shen Xihe felt His Majesty was too calm. This matter actually had traceable clues – for instance, Xiao Huayong was ambushed first, then came the Dragon Boat Festival powder ball incident involving the Third Prince, which led to Li Yanyan and Xiao Changtai falling out, resulting in Li Yanyan kidnapping Ye Wantang who had returned to visit her birth mother, forcing Xiao Changtai into the capital.

It seemed to have nothing to do with Xiao Huayong, yet after his return to the capital, he was somehow involved in every incident, always appearing as the victim. Too many such occurrences gave a sense of unreality.

How could His Majesty, with his deep thoughts, have taken no action until now? Was it truly indifference or was he biding his time?

If it was the latter, His Majesty would likely make no small move once he acted.

Shen Xihe could think of all this – she didn’t believe Xiao Huayong couldn’t. Yet here he was, like a carefree rabbit unaware of the forest’s dangers, dutifully doing his duties each day while constantly running to her side.

“If I’m not mistaken, he will test me at Linyou Palace,” Xiao Huayong’s gaze grew deep. “That’s why I want you by my side.”

“You’re worried His Majesty might use me to expose you?” Shen Xihe suddenly understood.

Xiao Huayong smiled mysteriously: “No, I’m counting on Youyou to protect me.”

Shen Xihe: …

Facing Shen Xihe’s silent stare and loss for words, Xiao Huayong said: “I am a weak, bullied Crown Prince, not long for this world and all alone. I have neither faction nor power. Fortunately, I’m blessed with a fiancée of noble status, clever and resourceful, with strong generals and elite soldiers under her command. I can only beg Youyou to protect me somewhat.”

He spoke half in jest, but Shen Xihe understood his meaning: “What if I’m unwilling?”

“If even Youyou won’t protect me, I can only entrust my fate to Heaven, hoping Heaven will take pity and spare me from disaster.” Xiao Huayong spoke with increasingly pitiful tones as if abandoned by the whole world.

Shen Xihe quietly watched his act.

Xiao Huayong finally grew serious: “I’m not using Youyou as cover, but rather want to entrust some of my people to Youyou, to be at your command from now on. You in the light, me in the shadows – husband and wife of one mind, conquering the world together.”

Speaking thus, Xiao Huayong handed Shen Xihe a small booklet he had prepared.

It was a register of names – all his personnel, handed over to her without reservation.