Over ten li of lotus ponds stretched out, clear winds reflecting on the water. Suddenly, a thunderclap echoed through the clouds. Looking up, dark clouds had gathered densely, and fine rain began falling like delicate threads, creating rippling circles on the pond and producing muffled sounds as drops hit the lotus leaves.

Shen Xihe couldn’t help walking to the railing, her eyes gleaming with joy as she watched the misty rain suddenly descend.

Xiao Huayong stood beside her, and as the cool breeze swept past, their flowing robes tangled together.

“Why does Youyou enjoy the rain so much?” Xiao Huayong turned slightly to look at her brightened eyes, unable to resist asking.

Shen Xihe stretched out her hand, feeling the cool refreshing sensation of fine rain on her palm: “I’ve loved rain since childhood. Father and Brother have asked me why, but I can’t explain it.”

Whether it was a downpour, heavy rain, or drizzle, Shen Xihe particularly loved rainy days. On rainy nights, she would sleep especially soundly to the sound of rain on her pillow. During the day, listening to the rain seemed to disperse her worries like clouds parting to reveal the sun.

“I understand,” Xiao Huayong suddenly smiled, his gaze tender. “Just as my heart delights in Youyou.”

Unable to explain why one’s heart is captivated – you simply feel joy upon seeing them.

Shen Xihe couldn’t help giving him a meaningful sideways glance as she withdrew her wet hand. Before she could turn to get a handkerchief, her wrist was caught by strong fingers. Xiao Huayong had already pulled out a handkerchief from his robes, covering her palm. His movements were gentle, his gaze focused as he carefully wiped away the rainwater.

The handkerchief was decorated with butterfly-wing-like Pingzhong leaves – the one she had given to Xiao Huayong.

“The rain is cold, and you’re delicate. Even if you enjoy it, don’t harm yourself,” Xiao Huayong said after drying her hands. Feeling her cold fingertips, he held her hand between his palms as if to warm them.

Shen Xihe struggled briefly but couldn’t break free, so she simply let him be.

Noticing she was becoming more tolerant of his touch and closeness, Xiao Huayong felt a sweet warmth rising in his heart. However, his joy didn’t last long as Zhenzhu arrived with an umbrella, bringing two cloaks.

As Zhenzhu moved to drape the cloak over Shen Xihe, Xiao Huayong reluctantly released her hand. The other cloak was handed to Biyu, but when she tried to help Xiao Huayong put it on, he waved her off and donned it himself. It fits perfectly.

Xiao Huayong couldn’t help looking down and fondly touching the cloak before asking excitedly: “This cloak…”

“I made it for my brother. Your Highness and he are similar in build,” Shen Xihe’s words shattered Xiao Huayong’s fantasy.

Shen Yun’an and Xiao Huayong were about the same height, though Shen Yun’an was more robust while Xiao Huayong was simply more proportionate.

Xiao Huayong immediately felt awkward. Shen Xihe noticed and thought he was uncomfortable sharing with others, so she said: “The cloak is newly made and hasn’t been sent northwest yet. Your Highness need not worry.”

Moving his lips silently, Xiao Huayong couldn’t express his discomfort to Shen Xihe. Being jealous of his brother was one thing – Shen Xihe might appreciate his care for her – but being jealous of her cousin would seem unreasonable.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he couldn’t help smiling again.

Shen Xihe noticed his momentary melancholy even after her explanation and was still pondering the reason when his expression suddenly brightened. She found men’s thoughts as unfathomable as finding a needle in the ocean – impossible to see or understand.

Xiao Huayong stayed with Shen Xihe, chatting about various topics. Both were extremely knowledgeable – one from reading countless books, the other from traveling thousands of miles. They discussed world curiosities and local customs, with Shen Xihe asking Xiao Huayong to verify if things were as described in books until the rain stopped.

Shen Xihe instructed Zhenzhu: “Prepare the evening meal…”

“I should return to the palace.” Surprisingly, Xiao Huayong didn’t try to stay for a meal and refused Shen Xihe’s invitation.

The last time Xiao Huayong left so proactively was when he had stolen her handkerchief, which made Shen Xihe suspicious. Today, since his arrival, he had stayed by her side the whole time, surely not taking anything of hers.

If there were urgent matters at the Eastern Palace, Tianyuan hadn’t come to report. Perhaps he suddenly remembered something?

Though thinking this, Shen Xihe didn’t ask. She saw him on the screen wall. Xiao Huayong gave her a deep look, walked to the doorway, and before stepping over the threshold, turned and grabbed the cloak: “Youyou, since I’ve worn it, it wouldn’t be appropriate to give to the World Son anymore. You worked hard to make it, and it would be a shame to waste it. Why not give it to me? I won’t have the Eastern Palace return it.”

After speaking, Xiao Huayong winked at her with his beauty-marked eye and strode away contentedly.

Shen Xihe couldn’t help but laugh and shake her head after he disappeared.

So he wanted to claim the cloak. Indeed, now that Xiao Huayong had worn it, she wouldn’t give it to Shen Yun’an. If Shen Yun’an knew, he would surely gnash his teeth at Xiao Huayong. But she hadn’t planned to give it directly to him, nor had she decided what to do with it.

Since he liked it, she might as well give it to him.

Their tender interaction stood in stark contrast to what was happening between Ye Wantang and Xiao Changtai at the Ye residence.

Neither Xiao Huayong nor Shen Xihe had anticipated that Xiao Changtai hadn’t arranged everything, nor sought accomplices, but had gone directly to Ye Wantang first.

Despite Shen Xihe’s prior warning, Ye Wantang’s feelings were mixed when she saw Xiao Changtai, her gaze complex.

She looked at him without joy, suspicion, or resentment, yet somehow with all of these, making Xiao Changtai’s heart tighten: “Wanwan, I didn’t mean to keep you in the dark. I didn’t want this either. I was forced into this strategy, causing you heartache. It was my fault. You can be angry, hate me, hit me, curse me – I’ll accept any punishment. Just please don’t look at me like this?”

Ye Wantang looked extremely haggard, her eyes showing deep exhaustion. Her voice was hoarse and slightly mocking: “Just heartache?”

It was more than heartache. Her entire heart had been dismembered piece by piece, becoming a bloody mess until she couldn’t feel the pain anymore.

“Wanwan, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have deceived you, but my feelings for you are genuine. Do you still doubt my heart for you?” Xiao Changtai stepped forward to grasp Ye Wantang’s hand. His hair was disheveled, his frightened eyes bloodshot, his chin showing stubble.

Ye Wantang had never seen Xiao Changtai so disheveled. After looking him over, her heart softened halfway.

She hated herself for this, remembering Shen Xihe’s conviction that day.

Those frost-misted eyes, like sharp swords, had pierced straight to her heart, seeing the heart she couldn’t even control herself.

Sensing Ye Wantang’s softening, Xiao Changtai’s heart relaxed.