Xiao Huayong suddenly came to his senses and threw the book away as if scalded. Staring at it lying on the floor, he was lost in thought before finally bending down to pick it up. After a wry laugh, he returned it to its place.

The next day when Xiao Huayong visited Shen Xihe, he appeared normal, though she glanced at him several times during their casual conversation. This made him feel she had something to say: “Youyou, speak freely. Though I’m as handsome as Pan An and refined in manner, I can’t bear you stealing such glances.”

This was the Crown Prince whom court officials saw as humble, cultured, and gracious – yet before her, he knew nothing of restraint or modesty. Shen Xihe could only shake her head helplessly, unaware of how indulgent her expression was.

“Your Highness forgets my keen sense of smell. Yesterday when I was speaking with Prince Xin, you were nearby.” He had arrived early, and she was certain he had heard everything Xiao Changqin said, yet he showed no reaction.

In their six months together, Xiao Huayong had not only abandoned propriety before her but would become emotional over trivial matters. If he had heard Xiao Changqin’s words, he couldn’t possibly have remained unmoved, nor could he have concealed his feelings if troubled.

“I was somewhat shocked,” Xiao Huayong answered honestly. “I even foolishly went to read some books of strange tales.”

Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to continue.

“Then I thought about how Fifth Brother has gone mad – should I follow him into madness?” Xiao Huayong laughed. “If I were to doubt you over his baseless talk, how could we speak of a future together?”

There will undoubtedly be more people trying to drive them apart in the future.

After a moment of silence, Shen Xihe asked with a faint smile: “Your Highness, what if Prince Xin’s words were true?”

His deep, ocean-like eyes, gleaming like stars, gazed at her intently: “I’ve traveled far and wide, seen countless strange occurrences. Some things in this world truly can’t be explained by ordinary logic. But it’s you I love, you I wish to spend my life with. As long as it’s you, nothing else matters.”

At that moment, Xiao Huayong realized he loved Shen Xihe herself, attracted to her inside and out – not Princess Zhaoning, not the Western King’s beloved daughter. Status and position didn’t matter; she did.

Shen Xihe laughed softly, her obsidian eyes clear and pure: “Your Highness, I will always be just myself.”

This was a subtle explanation and reassurance. Xiao Huayong beamed – her bringing up the matter was enough to make him happy: “The sun isn’t too harsh today. Shall we go mushroom hunting?”

Mushrooms were starting to appear in June. Shen Xihe loved such delicacies but had never gathered them herself. Intrigued, she gladly agreed, changing into light men’s clothing and bringing her bow and arrows. Though she still lacked strength and accuracy despite never neglecting Xiao Huayong’s archery lessons, she enjoyed it nonetheless.

Xiao Huayong knew many types of mushrooms, many of which Shen Xihe had never seen.

“When I visited Nanzhao, they had even more varieties and many ways of preparing them. I’ll have Jiuzhang make some for you to try later.” Xiao Huayong had once wanted to learn cooking himself but ultimately gave up, admitting no one could be perfect at everything.

“What are the customs and culture of Nanzhao like…” Shen Xihe followed behind Xiao Huayong, wearing a sachet to repel snakes and insects.

Since the tiger incident, they often went out alone, though Tianyuan and others followed at a distance. On steep terrain, Xiao Huayong would climb up first, then turn and extend his hand to Shen Xihe, who now took it naturally.

Both dressed simply, they added a poetic touch to the summer as they walked on the green grass, discussing distant lands amid laughter.

Who would have thought these two casual figures carrying bamboo baskets through the forest were among the most noble in the world?

Watching them, Tianyuan and Zhenzhu felt these two possessed an innate vitality – they could be lofty and decisive, yet also peaceful and approachable.

Before they knew it, they had walked far. The two sat on clean rocks, drinking from water skins when suddenly they heard the clear cry of the goshawk circling high above. Shen Xihe looked up: “It always follows you. His Majesty might grow suspicious.”

During last autumn’s hunt, Emperor Youning had wanted to capture this goshawk, but his attention was diverted by the giant snake.

“It doesn’t matter. Even if His Majesty suspects, can’t I keep a bird?” Xiao Huayong wasn’t concerned.

Shen Xihe said no more. Although the goshawk was revered as the king of birds with extraordinary significance, unlike common birds, Xiao Huayong had his plans. She needn’t worry.

One benefit of being with Xiao Huayong was that she didn’t need to worry about him.

“When does His Majesty plan to act?” Shen Xihe changed the subject.

“Not soon. His Majesty likes to strike unexpectedly.” Xiao Huayong turned to smile at her.

With three to four months left at the temporary palace, His Majesty had plenty of time to plan. He wasn’t in a hurry – the longer he waited, the more his prey would let down their guard.

Shen Xihe nodded in understanding. Just as she was about to speak of other matters, Duanming darted out from the forest where it had been foraging, rushing straight toward her. Xiao Huayong quickly caught it by the scruff of its neck – knowing they were going to the mountains, Shen Xihe had brought it for training, but after all its jumping around, it was filthy, and she was fastidious about cleanliness.

Restrained by Xiao Huayong, Duanming made angry sounds from its throat.

Shen Xihe tapped its head and signaled to Xiao Huayong: “Your Highness can release it.”

Once freed, Duanming didn’t jump on Shen Xihe, but they seemed unhappy. Just then, hearing the goshawk’s cry, it jumped onto a high rock and tilted its head back, howling at the sky like a wolf.

Shen Xihe didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Xiao Huayong was also amused: “Where did it learn such arrogance?”

“Perhaps… it was like this before meeting me,” Shen Xihe wondered what made Duanming so lacking in self-awareness.

The goshawk circled for a while as Duanming continued its ignorant barking. Seemingly annoyed, the goshawk soon disappeared into the forest. Not seeing it anymore, Duanming called out twice more, its voice proud.

Just then, worried it might fly out again, they saw the goshawk with a struggling rabbit in its talons.

When Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong looked up, they saw the goshawk, perhaps deliberately, drop the rabbit, only to catch it again with lightning speed in mid-air.

Duanming watched in stunned silence, its head tilting further and further back until it quietly retreated, curling up by the rock at Shen Xihe’s feet.

“Hahaha…”

Their joyous laughter echoed through the forest at this scene.