Xiao Huayong had never felt so embarrassed in his life. He could only try to salvage the situation: “If one lives without any aspirations or pursuits, wouldn’t that be like a walking corpse?” As he spoke, his expression naturally softened, his gaze becoming ambiguous as he deliberately moved closer to Shen Xihe. “Let Youyou know, my thoughts of you drive me mad, my longing for you turns me delirious.”

When it came to shamelessness, Shen Xihe had to admit defeat. She could only surrender and change the subject: “Did Your Highness come today just to specially deliver a parrot to me?”

“Youyou deer calls, hearts forever entwined…” the white parrot started reciting again, and Shen Xihe handed it to Zhenzhu.

Xiao Huayong watched as the parrot reciting his words was carried away. Returning his gaze, he spoke seriously: “My people have discovered Fourth Brother’s whereabouts.”

“Xiao Changtai.” Shen Xihe was slightly surprised. “He’s truly impatient.”

She figured he must have planned everything when His Majesty decreed the visit to Linyou Palace, intending to act today. However, he hadn’t anticipated the Ye Jia case would emerge today, causing His Majesty to rage during court and postpone the summer retreat. Otherwise, he would likely have acted by now.

“If the journey started today, it would have been the perfect opportunity.” The day of departure was always the most chaotic, with travelers busy with preparations and packing, having no attention to spare for other matters.

Shen Xihe thought this made sense, and a thought struck her as she looked at Xiao Huayong: “Did Your Highness anticipate his actions, and thus had Prince Yan expose the Ye Jia case this morning?”

He had predicted that Xiao Changtai would sneak into the capital to find Ye Wantang, and anticipated His Majesty’s reaction to the Ye Jia case, catching Xiao Changtai off guard.

Now that Xiao Changtai had infiltrated the capital but His Majesty hadn’t departed, Xiao Changtai must be extremely anxious. Having been accused of witchcraft, if he showed himself now, it would prove he had faked his death to escape punishment. He would certainly be brought before His Majesty, and death would be his only outcome.

“Since Youyou was concerned about him, I naturally had to pay extra attention.” He knew about Shen Xihe’s visit to Xiangguo Temple to find Ye Wantang. Since Xiao Changtai made her uneasy, he wanted to deal with him early. He had made other arrangements, but after learning of the Ye Jia case yesterday, he decided to make use of it.

“I’m grateful for Your Highness’s thoughtfulness, but I don’t wish for Your Highness to be too considerate.” She didn’t want her influence on Xiao Huayong to run too deep, making him prioritize her in everything and losing his original decisiveness and efficiency.

Perhaps one day, because of her, he might be implicated, and she would feel guilty for it.

“Don’t worry, Youyou. I know you’re clever and may not need my help.” Xiao Huayong smiled. “You’re also worried that if I make big moves in the capital, His Majesty might notice or find something to hold against me.”

He was in a delicate period now, with His Majesty watching him more closely than when Mu Nuha had suspected him. His Majesty had sat firmly on the throne for many years and had many useful people in the capital. The slightest disturbance could expose their tracks.

Shen Xihe was worried he might lose more than he gained.

“It’s good that Your Highness understands.” Since Xiao Huayong had thought of this, she assumed he had made contingency plans.

“I haven’t made any moves, which is why I lost track of him as soon as he entered the capital.” He couldn’t determine Xiao Changtai’s current location, which was why he came specially to warn Shen Xihe to be cautious.

“His target must be the Ye family.” Shen Xihe was certain.

At this moment, nothing except Ye Wantang would be worth Xiao Changtai sneaking into the capital while injured.

His wealth and power in the capital had been transferred out during the year he was banished to the Imperial Tomb. His plan to go into hiding had been brewing for a long time.

“Ye has returned home, we can only have people watch the Ye residence.” Xiao Huayong wasn’t optimistic; Xiao Changtai was extremely skilled at disguise and concealment.

“He’s likely to seek help from others.” Shen Xihe considered Xiao Changtai’s past behavior patterns of creating diversions and using others as cover, whether it was using Li Yanyan during the tomb robbery case or involving Prince Zhao Xiao Changmin when he last infiltrated the capital.

“Youyou and I think alike.” Xiao Huayong’s smile carried a hint of sweetness, his eyes gleaming with obvious joy.

“Just don’t know which prince he’ll seek out…” Shen Xihe couldn’t guess how many cards Xiao Changtai had left to play. “Prince Zhao, Third Prince, and Prince Xin are all possibilities.”

Xiao Huayong raised an eyebrow hearing this: “Why couldn’t it be Little Nine?”

Two months ago, Shen Xihe wouldn’t have detected the jealousy, but now she could understand a bit of Xiao Huayong’s thoughts, especially since he was eager to arrange marriages for several princes, with Xiao Changying being a particular focus.

The reason was simple: when she first came to the capital, Xiao Changying had been chosen for her by Shen Yueshan and Shen Yun’an, and she was someone who greatly valued her father and brothers. Thus, even though she had no feelings for Xiao Changying, it still made Xiao Huayong uneasy.

“Prince Nine is straightforward. Though he has many secrets, most have been approved by His Majesty. Even if Xiao Changtai caught hold of something, Prince Lie wouldn’t fear it. If I can know these things, how could he not?” Shen Xihe explained patiently.

She didn’t believe Xiao Huayong couldn’t figure this out himself; he just wanted to hear her explain it clearly.

Though satisfied inside, the Crown Prince still grumbled: “Youyou seem quite familiar with Little Nine.”

Seeing his sour expression, Shen Xihe found it extremely childish. She suddenly felt mischievous: “Your Highness doesn’t know, but before coming to the capital, I did research on all the princes.”

This wasn’t false. Shen Yueshan had investigated everything he could about the princes, including Xiao Huayong, though what was discovered was only surface-level. This led to her misjudgment, resulting in her current situation where she could no longer extricate herself.

However, this mistake turned out well, as she now felt marrying Xiao Huayong was excellent – he understood her so well.

Xiao Huayong’s jealousy completely spilled over. He suddenly stood up, walked to the railing, and took several deep breaths facing the pond where pink lotus flowers swayed. After composing himself for a moment, he turned back with his jaw set, returning with displeasure written all over his face.

His expression didn’t frighten Shen Xihe; instead, it amused her. She even developed a kind of pathological pleasure she didn’t quite understand – she particularly enjoyed seeing Xiao Huayong worked up like this. It was just… extremely adorable.

“I’m fine. If Youyou want to laugh, go ahead.” Xiao Huayong spoke stiffly.

“Hahahahaha…” Shen Xihe finally couldn’t hold back her laughter, laughing uncontrollably.

She was usually reserved by nature, calm and collected, rarely laughing so freely. But she couldn’t help it – just one look at Xiao Huayong made her unable to stop laughing.

As she laughed, Xiao Huayong, who had been very angry, couldn’t maintain his composure and joined in her laughter.