Shen Xihe never expected that when she and Xiao Huayong departed at first light, they would encounter Gu Qingshu and Yu Sangning at the entrance of the palace residence, limping and supporting each other while leaning on their maids.

It surprised her that they hadn’t sent anyone back to the palace residence for help, instead forcing themselves to walk back.

Casting them a glance, Shen Xihe’s carriage went straight inside to her courtyard. After a simple meal and washing up, she lay down to catch up on sleep. Gu Qingshu and Yu Sangning weren’t so fortunate – these delicate noble ladies had walked for three to four hours (两个时辰), their feet covered in blisters. The Imperial Physician was called to lance the blisters and apply medicine.

While Yu Sangning could grit her teeth and bear it, Gu Qingshu’s tears kept falling. When the medicine was applied, the stinging pain finally made her break down sobbing. Yu Sangning was taken home by the Yu family, and after court, Xiao Changqin, having heard about the incident, came personally to visit.

“Brother-in-law, Princess Zhaoning went too far!” Overwhelmed by grievance, pain, exhaustion, and lingering fear, Gu Qingshu could no longer contain her resentment and anger upon seeing Xiao Changqin.

Xiao Changqin frowned slightly: “Weren’t you and Second Lady Yu going to the temple in town to pray for blessings? How did you end up in such a state? And what does Princess Zhaoning have to do with it?”

“Princess Zhaoning also went to town. On the way back, I don’t know what grievance she had with Anin, but she damaged my carriage and nearly made us fall off a cliff to intimidate Anin…” Gu Qingshu told Xiao Changqin everything in detail.

She still didn’t know what conflict existed between Yu Sangning and Shen Xihe, but that was their dispute – why should she suffer such an unwarranted disaster because of it?

Xiao Changqin watched Gu Qingshu cry tearfully in grievance, letting her sob for quite a while without speaking.

No comfort, no support, no consolation.

Gu Qingshu raised her head to look at Xiao Changqin, whose dark eyes were calm but devoid of warmth or emotion. Her heart caught, her breathing hitched, and she found herself unable to cry anymore.

When Gu Qingshu stopped crying, Xiao Changqin finally spoke: “Second Lady Yu is deep and calculating. I told you long ago to keep your distance from her. But since you rarely find close friends, I didn’t interfere. After Qingqing passed, there was naturally more distance between us, and it wasn’t my place to restrict you.

“Princess Zhaoning has a magnanimity not inferior to men and would never quibble over minor matters. Second Lady Yu must have done something unforgivable for Princess Zhaoning to give her this light punishment. Your involvement surely came from unwittingly committing wrongs while secretly helping Second Lady Yu.”

Gu Qingshu’s tear-filled almond eyes widened as she stared at Xiao Changqin in disbelief.

Xiao Changqin was defending another woman!

For all these years, he had always sided with family regardless of right or wrong. He was extremely protective of his own, and except for his sister, no one could change his ways. Yet now he was taking Shen Xihe’s side!

His words were full of praise and understanding for Shen Xihe, which Gu Qingshu found difficult to accept or comprehend: “Brother-in-law, she harmed me like this, won’t you stand up for me?”

“Stand up for you?” Xiao Changqin let out a soft, derisive laugh. “Do you know who she is?”

Gu Qingshu opened her mouth but said nothing, biting her lip stubbornly.

“When Changling and Yangling tried to trip her up, it reached His Majesty and His Majesty made Yangling bow and apologize to her,” Xiao Changqin said flatly. “Do you think I’m more capable than His Majesty, or that you’re more noble than a princess?”

These blunt and piercing words made Gu Qingshu uncomfortable. Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched tightly as she lowered her head in silence.

Xiao Changqin shook his head almost imperceptibly: “You’d best forget today’s events. Don’t provoke Princess Zhaoning, or even I won’t be able to protect you.”

With that, Xiao Changqin stood and left.

His only connection to Gu Qingshu was that thin blood tie to Gu Qingzhi. Had Gu Qingshu been Gu Qingzhi’s full sister, he might have shown more affection and care, but they were only half-sisters, and their features barely resembled each other, which didn’t stir his protective instincts.

The person he tried to save years ago couldn’t be saved, leading to the loss of his beloved. Gu Qingshu was the only one he managed to save, but her survival couldn’t keep Gu Qingzhi with him. He wanted to arrange for Gu Qingshu to be far away, far from this chaotic and dangerous capital, fulfilling this obligation and doing his last duty to his late wife.

Yet fate was cruel, and she had returned here.

He would protect her within his means, but if she took this as a license to act willfully, he would show no mercy.

After leaving Gu Qingshu’s courtyard, Xiao Changqin sent people to investigate what Yu Sangning had done.

The death of Young Master Shu had already been reported to the authorities and the case closed, as the suicide by poison was obvious. Xiao Changqin quickly learned of this and reviewed the case files. Though the suicide seemed without suspicion, he found it strange that it coincided with Yu Sangning and Gu Qingshu’s trip to town.

He summoned the shadow guard assigned to Gu Qingshu and finally learned what Yu Sangning had done.

“Investigate Second Lady Yu thoroughly.”

Shen Xihe was independent by nature, neither chivalrous nor one to meddle in others’ affairs. This incident alone wouldn’t have prompted her to act against Yu Sangning – at most, she would have kept her distance in the future.

Shen Xihe was unaware of Xiao Changqin’s private actions. She had enjoyed a good sleep, and when she woke, Xiao Huayong was already sitting in her bedroom, separated by a screen. She could see his tall figure reclining on the couch by the table, holding a teacup in one hand and reading a book with the other.

Anyone who didn’t know better might have mistaken them for husband and wife!

Shen Xihe’s good mood instantly vanished. Her movement in rising alerted Zhenzhu and Biyu, who hurried forward to attend her. Though Xiao Huayong heard, he didn’t turn around, continuing to read his book – perhaps this was the last trace of gentlemanly behavior he could maintain.

“Your Highness, you show such disregard for propriety and avoiding suspicion. Do you know what consequences there could be if this spreads?” Shen Xihe dressed properly and came out to question him directly.

Xiao Huayong closed his book and looked up at her, his deep ocean-like eyes swimming with amusement: “Only Youyou and I know of this. Youyou’s people are all tight-lipped – no one else will know.”

If not for this, he wouldn’t dare act so unbridled. He wasn’t afraid of others using this to attack him, but he didn’t want anyone to slander her.

“You’re just burying your head in the sand,” Shen Xihe said coldly. “Your Highness knows this will bring me criticism, so why do you persist in doing as you please?”

Xiao Huayong propped his face on one hand, tilting his head to look at Shen Xihe, his smile taking on a playful edge: “Naturally, it’s to help Youyou get used to how we’ll interact after our wedding.”