At that moment, everyone’s gazes fell simultaneously on Xiao Huayong, some meaningful, some ambiguous, and some deeply probing.

Xiao Huayong maintained his customary pallor, responding with composure, “Princess Yaoxi must have mistaken me for someone else. Though I indeed lived in Luoyang for over ten years, I rarely left the Taoist temple. I don’t recall ever meeting the Princess.”

The Crown Prince’s complete candor made people instinctively believe him somewhat.

Yaoxi hadn’t expected Xiao Huayong to deny their past meeting so blatantly, and she was momentarily stunned.

Before she could speak, Xiao Huayong touched his face thoughtfully and said, “Princess Yaoxi isn’t the first person to speak to me this way upon first meeting.”

His tone and gestures led everyone to connect with Princess Yaoxi’s earlier words – that she was purely coveting the Crown Prince’s beauty, boldly using this to try to forge a connection between them.

Most young men, faced with such an expression of interest from a noble and exceptionally beautiful young woman, would have graciously accepted, making it a romantic tale while preserving the lady’s dignity. Yet Xiao Huayong remained insensitive to the situation.

Yaoxi’s expression changed from stunned to embarrassed anger. Her Chinese cultural education had been excellent – she understood Xiao Huayong was saying she lacked a maiden’s propriety, lusting after a handsome young man!

He knew they had met before, yet showed no fear of her revealing the truth.

Princess Yaoxi stared at Xiao Huayong for a moment before breaking into silver bell-like, hearty laughter. Speaking somewhat playfully, she said, “How embarrassing that Your Highness saw through my little scheme.”

She instead gracefully admitted to being attracted by his looks, diffusing the awkward situation while showing her forthright nature.

“Hahaha…” Emperor Youning laughed with pleasure. “All of my sons have their charm, like spring flowers and autumn moons. But the Seventh Prince most resembles me.”

The Empress Dowager also helped smooth things over: “When Your Majesty was young, many ladies pursued you.”

Youning Emperor and Xiao Huayong did indeed share some resemblance. Shen Xihe thought perhaps Emperor Youning also looked like Prince Qian, but Prince Qian had been dead for twenty years, spending most of his time before death in the Northwest. The court had changed many people in twenty years – even Prince Qian’s old subordinates now found their memories of his appearance eroded by time.

Looking at Emperor Youning, and then at Xiao Huayong, she did feel they truly shared some similarities.

This small interlude at the banquet wasn’t taken seriously by anyone, including Shen Xihe.

From the second day onward, Xiao Huayong waited for Shen Xihe to come to ask him about it. He couldn’t believe someone as clever and perceptive as her wouldn’t sense something strange about it – after all, a lady had openly tried to get close to him, surely she should feel some concern.

After returning to the capital, Shen Xihe usually entered the palace every five days. The next scheduled day, Shen Xihe didn’t come, but Zhenzhu seemed to have something she wanted to say.

“If you have something to say, just say it,” Shen Xihe noticed Zhenzhu’s lips moving several times, words reaching her mouth before being swallowed back. She was quite surprised. “Is it about your upcoming marriage to Axi?”

Shen Xihe could hardly imagine what else could make Zhenzhu so hesitant to speak.

The feelings between these two, right under her nose, couldn’t be hidden at all.

Zhenzhu blushed and hurriedly said, “This servant must accompany the Princess into the Eastern Palace. Please don’t tease me, Princess.”

The Eastern Palace was where dangers lurked. How could Shen Xihe do without her? She had to at least wait until Shen Xihe had established a firm footing in the palace before she could marry with peace of mind. Fortunately, Axi was also loyal to the Princess – even after marriage, she could still serve at Shen Xihe’s side.

“Eastern Palace, Eastern Palace, Youyou, Youyou!” Baisui started singing again.

Shen Xihe smiled at it, and then Zhenzhu said, “Princess, about Princess Yaoxi’s matter last night – won’t you go to the Eastern Palace to ask about it?”

“Why should I ask?” Shen Xihe was puzzled. “There’s nothing between His Highness and Princess Yaoxi.”

She could see this clearly, and since she knew there was nothing between them, why should she go asking questions? It would seem rather unreasonable.

Zhenzhu: …

Zhenzhu had thought Shen Xihe didn’t ask because she didn’t care, or felt her position wasn’t secure enough, given she wasn’t yet married to Xiao Huayong. Now she understood – Shen Xihe saw no need because she trusted Xiao Huayong.

Perhaps the Crown Prince didn’t need this trust or didn’t know whether to find this trust bitter or sweet.

Since Shen Xihe wasn’t unconcerned, Zhenzhu didn’t feel right pressing further.

As Zhenzhu had guessed, the Crown Prince was indeed craning his neck in anticipation. From sunrise to sunset, Tianyuan watched the Crown Prince’s face grow increasingly dark, nothing going smoothly, everyone displeasing him, keeping everyone on edge.

Tianyuan considered whether to send someone with a message requesting the Princess to visit, but couldn’t think of any proper pretext. If he falsely conveyed the Crown Prince’s message, even if the Crown Prince was placated, he wouldn’t receive praise; if things went poorly, wouldn’t he be the first to face punishment?

After weighing the pros and cons, Tianyuan decided to carefully shrink his neck and endure the Crown Prince’s dark looks.

On the second day, Shen Xihe still didn’t come, but instead, someone who shouldn’t have come arrived. Tianyuan reported softly, “Your Highness, Princess Yaoxi requests an audience.”

“Denied!” Xiao Huayong snapped out the two words irritably.

“Yes…”

“Wait.” Before Tianyuan could turn around, Xiao Huayong called him back. He looked down at the five-colored thread on his wrist, a glimmer of deep light crossing his eyes. “Please invite the Princess in.”

Though puzzled, Tianyuan sensed Xiao Huayong’s poor mood. He dared not ask more and hurriedly withdrew to invite Princess Yaoxi in.

Princess Yaoxi wore the Tubo royal family’s clothing, colorful and adorned with exquisite jewelry, looking noble but not extravagant.

“Greetings to Your Highness,” Princess Yaoxi performed the Tubo greeting.

“Princess.” Xiao Huayong returned the greeting politely. “Please be seated.”

After they sat, palace maids served tea and refreshments. Then Xiao Huayong asked, “What brings the Princess to see me?”

“Your Highness, we met before in Tubo,” Princess Yaoxi said instead of answering.

Xiao Huayong lowered his long black lashes: “And so?”

“Your Highness keeps a low profile, surely not wanting others to know your true face,” Princess Yaoxi said with a probing tone.

Xiao Huayong’s lips curved slightly upward, but he remained silent as if he hadn’t heard Princess Yaoxi’s words.

Princess Yaoxi gripped her dress hem, waiting quietly for a moment before saying, “I know that even if I speak of it, no one will believe me. Your Highness surely has many ways to make people think I’m speaking nonsense. But my admiration for Your Highness comes from the bottom of my heart.”

Xiao Huayong’s slight smile instantly vanished.