Life at the temporary palace was quite pleasant for Shen Xihe. She exchanged letters with her father and brothers, and while Xiao Huayong visited her almost daily, Bu Shulin could only come occasionally.

Shen Xihe spent most of her time reading, making incense, and discussing state affairs with Xiao Huayong as he showed her various government matters he was handling. She also enjoyed cooking and playing with Duanming and Baisui. Her days passed peacefully like flowing water.

The noble ladies constantly sent her invitations – today for a tea party, tomorrow for a flower banquet, and the day after for poetry gatherings. Though the invitations arrived without fail, she never attended a single one. Given her noble status, secured position as the future Crown Princess, and her strong, commanding personality, no one dared criticize her for this.

During this time, Xiao Changqin hadn’t disturbed Shen Xihe, though he had managed to obtain the letters exchanged between her and Gu Qingchi through his methods, giving him some understanding of their connection. However, like the praying mantis hunting the cicada unaware of the oriole behind, shortly after he obtained them, Xiao Huayong’s people retrieved the letters from him. While Xiao Huayong was reluctant to investigate Shen Xihe himself, his curiosity got the better of him. Knowing Xiao Changqin would investigate thoroughly, he simply reaped the benefits – this way, he wasn’t technically investigating her himself.

When the letters were returned and placed on his desk, he didn’t open them. Though the envelopes bore no names, they each had distinct markings – those belonging to Gu Zexiang were marked with a fish, while Shen Xihe bore a Pingzhong leaf. The Pingzhong leaf was drawn by Shen Xihe, but Xiao Huayong, unfamiliar with Gu Qingchi, couldn’t determine if the fish was her mark, though Fifth Brother’s reaction suggested it was. Therefore, knowing Shen Xihe was Shen Xihe and Gu Qingchi was Gu Qingchi, he left the letters unopened and brought them back to Shen Xihe.

“Your Highness, you…” Shen Xihe was surprised to see these items. She had expected Xiao Changqin might return them, but never imagined it would be Xiao Huayong.

“I took them from Fifth Brother,” Xiao Huayong explained. “I was curious, but also didn’t want your belongings in his hands.”

Seeing his cautious manner, afraid she might doubt his trust in her, Shen Xihe smiled slightly. “I intentionally let Prince Xin obtain these letters to resolve his doubts, and also…” her smile deepened, “to test his influence.”

Gu Qingchi never interfered with Xiao Changqin. The Gu family’s fate was chosen by their patriarch, and she had always quietly waited for judgment, never struggling or resisting. Naturally, she never concerned herself with Xiao Changqin’s power base. Thus, Shen Xihe didn’t know Xiao Changqin’s true capabilities. Since they might clash in the future, she wanted to understand more.

“If Youyou wanted to know his capabilities, you could have just asked me. Why set up such a scheme?” Xiao Huayong said softly.

He was jealous again about a lady’s letters, especially custom-made ones, falling into others’ hands, particularly a man’s. Though he tried to keep his tone neutral, how could Shen Xihe miss the sourness in his voice?

“I also wanted to know how Prince Xin would manage to infiltrate my residence,” she explained. If anyone around her had been bought, it would have been extremely dangerous, and this way she could have eliminated such threats early.

Xiao Changqin was indeed capable. Though he hadn’t managed to buy any of Shen Xihe’s people, despite the Princess’s mansion being heavily guarded and even with Moyu and Mo Yuan absent, he had employed a highly skilled wandering warrior. This warrior was rumored dead, having been absent from the jianghu for many years, but had unexpectedly become Xiao Changqin’s shadow guard.

Hearing this explanation, Xiao Huayong’s expression finally softened. He craned his neck to look at the drink beside Shen Xihe: “What new refreshment has Youyou made?”

The color was deep and clear, something he hadn’t seen before.

Shen Xihe poured him a cup: “Apricot Kernel drink, made by brewing eleven medicinal ingredients including apricot kernel, Peucedanum, Schisandra, Pinellia, white mulberry bark, ginseng… It helps regulate yang energy, stops night sweats, improves appetite, and reduces meridian heat. How does Your Highness find the taste?”

This was Shen Xihe’s first time brewing it. She had planned to taste it before sharing it with Xiao Huayong, but he happened to visit today.

Xiao Huayong tasted it – cool and refreshing, as thirst-quenching as plum juice: “Excellent. Youyou’s maids are truly capable.”

Given the numerous medicinal ingredients involved, Xiao Huayong assumed Zhenzhu had figured it out, so he glanced at her with praise.

Shen Xihe smiled gently: “This is Doctor Qi’s recipe, obtained by chance…” she paused briefly before continuing, “Your Highness has traveled far and wide, haven’t you encountered such drinks before?”

Xiao Huayong’s face, which had just brightened, immediately clouded over. He spoke with an odd tone: “Indeed, I’ve traveled across the land but never heard of such a fine drink. This recipe must have been kept quite secret.”

He didn’t believe it was simply well-hidden. What coincidental discovery? It was probably carefully concocted by certain people who were too embarrassed to admit it. He remembered how Xie Yunhuai had given Shen Yunan miraculous wound medicine recipes and Shen Yueshan treatment for internal injuries. Such attentiveness exceeded even his own as the future son-in-law.

Shen Xihe looked strangely at the sulking Xiao Huayong, utterly helpless: “Doctor Qi and I are close friends.”

She wasn’t insensitive – she could tell when someone had feelings for her, like Xiao Changying and Xiao Huayong himself. Xie Yunhuai was caring, friendly, and casual with her, but he maintained proper boundaries and etiquette. While he admired her, there was no desire.

“You may view him as a close friend, but who knows what he thinks,” Xiao Huayong snorted softly.

Shen Xihe watched him silently, saying nothing.

Xiao Huayong felt somewhat guilty under her gaze but didn’t want to back down on this matter.

After a moment of deadlock, Shen Xihe said: “If it bothers you, I will be more mindful of making male friends in the future. However, my friendship with Doctor Qi began before our engagement. It would be uncouth to coldly dismiss someone who has shown me kindness simply because of you. Of course, I will be mindful of maintaining appropriate boundaries with Doctor Qi in the future.”

Though she had conceded, somehow his heart felt even more blocked. Faced with her frankness, her magnanimity, her grace – he felt a sense of helpless despair, as if full of strength but with nowhere to direct it.

After she finished speaking calmly, Shen Xihe noticed Xiao Huayong still had a stern expression and was quite puzzled: “Is there something else bothering Your Highness?”

His heart caught, and Xiao Huayong took a deep breath: “I don’t want you to restrict yourself because of me, but I also don’t like you being so good to others. I know this isn’t appropriate, but I can’t control it.”