The dazzling light fell softly on the ground, making it appear coated in silver. A barely perceptible breeze blew, with unspoken warmth floating between the two.

Shen Xihe smiled gently: “I believe you.”

His frequent declarations of love had taken her from discomfort to acceptance to resignation, yet none had changed his ways. Since nothing else worked, she decided to acknowledge his sincerity, hoping he might become more restrained.

The radiance of the sun, moon, and stars seemed to merge in Xiao Huayong’s eyes at that moment. His gaze was startlingly bright as he looked at her with an enchanted smile.

She believed him, and he believed her trust was genuine. He would ensure she’d always believe, until one day she’d trust that this heart and these feelings would last for eternity.

Completely unaware of Shen Xihe’s thoughts, he resolved to find more opportunities to steadfastly express his feelings to her.

With this in mind, his food tasted even better. As he ate, his gaze never left Shen Xihe. A sesame seed stuck to the corner of his mouth, though he remained oblivious.

Shen Xihe noticed but didn’t mention it at first, assuming he would wipe it away after eating. However, even when he did wipe his mouth, it remained.

She didn’t know that those two glances had revealed everything to Xiao Huayong – he had left it there intentionally.

Finally resigned, Shen Xihe handed him her handkerchief: “Your Highness, at your lip.”

Xiao Huayong took it and wiped it, clearly missing the spot despite his efforts.

Shen Xihe pointed to the corner of her lips: “Here.”

After looking, Xiao Huayong wiped again: “Is it still there?”

“Yes,” Shen Xihe replied.

Xiao Huayong’s eyes twinkled as he handed the handkerchief back to her.

The plain handkerchief embroidered with flat bamboo leaves floated before her. Understanding his intention and meeting his eager, childlike gaze, Shen Xihe swallowed her words and slowly took back the handkerchief.

Xiao Huayong immediately leaned his handsome face closer, afraid she might change her mind.

Her lips curved upward, unaware of how doting, indulgent, and tender her gaze had become.

Through the cicada-wing-thin silk, the warmth of her fingertips reached his lips, delicate and gentle. He lost himself in her gaze, unable to return to reality.

After wiping away the sesame seed, Shen Xihe withdrew her hand, but he caught it and pulled her into his embrace.

Shen Xihe felt her waist tighten as he held her and spun her around. In the next breath, he set her down, and by the time she steadied herself, he had already retreated, taking her handkerchief with him.

Triumphant Xiao Huayong wore a mischievous smile, backing away while waving the handkerchief: “It’s dirty now, I’ll wash it.”

Shen Xihe took two steps after him but stopped at the pavilion’s edge as the harsh sunlight struck her. Somewhat annoyed, she demanded: “Give it back!”

The one she had given him was meant for him, but this one was her item.

Having run past the moon gate, Xiao Huayong poked his upper body back through the foliage, waving the handkerchief: “After washing, I’m keeping it.”

With that, Xiao Huayong vanished.

His flight wasn’t just about taking another of her possessions. He had come for his morning meal, knowing Shen Xihe would likely prepare it. Having finally cultivated her habit of keeping meals for him on court days, he naturally intended to maintain it come rain or shine.

In truth, he had many matters to handle. Xiao Changqin surely knew by now that he was being watched and would change his strategy.

When Xiao Huayong returned to the Eastern Palace, Xiao Changqin was indeed at his residence, planning Xiao Changtai’s departure: “The Crown Prince has secured the Cui family.”

“The Cui family?” Xiao Changying was slightly shocked. “Noble families typically remain neutral, hoping the royal family would fight among themselves. Why would they take sides?”

“That was the noble families of the past, who stood above royal power,” Xiao Changqin’s dark pupils flashed with a trace of deep light. “Times have changed.”

Before this dynasty, emperors’ fates lay in noble families’ hands. Even the Grand Chancellor under Emperor Taizong, who refused to marry a princess, expressed on his deathbed that his only regret was not marrying a noble family’s daughter.

This showed how revered noble families were.

With the fall of the Gu family, noble families crumbled. The confidence of noble sons was shattered after the Gu family’s execution. Gradually, fewer deeply rooted great clans united to challenge official authority in various regions.

Today’s noble families still commanded deep, admirable heritage but no longer wielded wings that soared above royal power.

Cui Zheng understood this best. After the Gu family’s fall, the Cui family led the noble families, with him as their leader. Yet these families no longer dared pressure the Cui family as they had the Gu family, fearing the Cui family might share the Gu family’s fate, leaving noble families leaderless, scattered, and eventually extinct.

The Gu family’s defeat had awakened them and made them withdraw and bow their heads. Cui Zheng inherited today’s noble families. Since things had reached this point, and it was no longer the era where they decided on monarchs, they naturally had to follow those seeking wealth and glory by choosing sides early.

“His Majesty had just dealt with the Gu…” Xiao Changying glanced at Xiao Changqin, skipping the sensitive term. “For the next hundred years, the royal family needs noble families.”

Though many commoners showed talent and were being promoted, a lack of heritage meant a lack of rules. Despite Xiao Changying’s distaste for noble families’ gentlemanly ways, finding them pedantic, he had to admit: that without rules, there was no order. Only with noble families’ support and influence could scholars maintain their integrity.

Seeing Xiao Changqin didn’t object, Xiao Changying continued: “Even I understand this principle, and surely our brothers do too. Lord Cui could easily remain neutral – whoever gains the throne would rely on him. By backing the Crown Prince now, if the Crown Prince… Even if a new emperor needs noble families and the Cui family, they needn’t keep Cui Zheng.”

Supporting the Crown Prince now seemed disadvantageous, which made Xiao Changying suspicious.

Hearing this, Xiao Changqin toyed with the seal hanging at his wrist, looking up at the cloudless blue sky: “The Crown Prince should be at the Princess’s residence now.”

Xiao Changying’s heart seized, somewhat displeased: “Brother, you can’t just hurt me when you can’t win an argument.”

Xiao Changqin chuckled softly: “I mean to say, Princess Zhaoning is such a composed person, a remarkable woman who wants legitimate status. Yet now, doesn’t she allow the Crown Prince to come and go freely at her residence?”

If even someone like Shen Xihe could be won over by the Crown Prince, how much easier would Cui Zheng be?

“In this world, it seems there’s nothing and no one beyond the Crown Prince’s reach,” Xiao Changqin sighed, his tone carrying admiration and… envy.