Like countless flowers crackling into bloom in his heart, Xiao Huayong excitedly gripped Shen Xihe’s hand in return, his voice trembling slightly: “You… Youyou, are you saying that you… care about me?”

The final three words emerged in an extremely low voice as he gazed into her eyes, which rippled with silver light while flickering with uncertainty.

“Yes, Your Highness is someone I care about,” Shen Xihe responded without any hesitation.

If she hadn’t cared, how could she have stayed by his side through the night when she mistakenly believed him poisoned that day? For the proper and decorous Shen Xihe, such behavior had been quite extraordinary.

Xiao Huayong spread his arms and embraced Shen Xihe fully, exclaiming with excitement: “Youyou, I am overjoyed!”

Shen Xihe had never before uttered the words “care about.” Her reserved and rational nature often left him feeling powerless and helpless. In his dreams, he had hoped to one day become irreplaceable and indispensable to her. Hearing her say she cared about him was like obtaining a priceless treasure, his joy overflowing beyond expression.

Shen Xihe allowed him to hold her as she said softly: “I made wontons for Your Highness.”

Xiao Huayong’s love for wontons was genuine, not merely due to their connection with Shen Xihe. He had loved them even before knowing her, though this fondness had only deepened after their acquaintance.

Since wontons shouldn’t be left sitting too long, Xiao Huayong reluctantly released Shen Xihe. She brought out the wontons and placed them before him.

Xiao Huayong gazed at the white wontons floating in the soup bowl and ate them with a smile, not leaving a single drop of soup behind.

The Crown Prince’s mood quickly improved, and he took Shen Xihe to see their wedding chambers. The rooms were almost completely furnished. Shen Xihe noticed that all the chairs were carved with Pingzhong leaves – some freely spreading, some clustered together like blooming flowers, and others floating like dancing butterflies.

Xiao Huayong had also created an incense room especially for her, fully equipped with all necessary tools and many rare fragrances. Outside the room stood two Pingzhong trees, their golden leaves falling in the wind. When the window was opened, the fresh, subtle fragrance of Pingzhong leaves would drift in.

“Your Highness, you needn’t accommodate me to such an extent,” Shen Xihe said after seeing everything. Though she liked it, she felt that every detail reflected her preferences without considering Xiao Huayong’s own needs.

“I only want you. When you’re here, I see nothing else,” Xiao Huayong said tenderly.

With her present, everything else was merely decorative – as long as it was functional and viewable, that sufficed.

“Your Highness, don’t you have any particular preferences?” Thinking carefully, Shen Xihe realized that besides knowing Xiao Huayong’s love for wontons, she hadn’t discovered any other special preferences of his.

“Before I was eight, I loved candied cherries,” Xiao Huayong said, his smile fading. “It was precisely because of that preference that I couldn’t resist eating that bowl of candied cherries. Since then, I’ve never again indulged myself.”

Only by having no preferences could one be without joy or sorrow, and avoid falling easily into traps.

Shen Xihe suddenly felt heartache. She understood that this was how the strong should be, which was why powerful people were often lonely. When a person has no likes or dislikes, they lose the flavor of life. He had probably even faced the prospect of a short life with composure.

“It didn’t matter that I had none before, but now I do,” Xiao Huayong looked down at their clasped hands, raising hers. “Youyou is my preference.”

This was the first time Xiao Huayong’s words of affection weren’t met with Shen Xihe’s speechlessness or intentional avoidance. She said: “I am deeply honored.”

In Shen Xihe’s view, a living person should have their preferences – only then could they truly be vibrant and have the motivation and joy to live. She felt deeply honored to become the preference of someone like Xiao Huayong, a man who commanded heaven and earth.

She allowed Xiao Huayong to hold her hand as they strolled through every corner of the Eastern Palace. Unlike previous times when she would quietly listen, Shen Xihe now actively offered her suggestions and expressed her requirements. This made Xiao Huayong even more delighted, remembering every word she said clearly, and asking for her thoughts at each location they visited.

Shen Xihe stayed at the Eastern Palace until having the evening meal before departing. On her way back, the sunset’s remaining light outlined the bustling crowds. The capital’s streets remained extremely lively, with restaurants at their busiest hour.

“Princess, it’s Second Young Lady and Second Young Lady Yu,” Hong Yu was also looking outside when she spotted Yu Sangning and Shen Xihe together, apparently engaged in pleasant conversation.

Shen Xihe looked in the direction Hong Yu indicated, seeing them at a silver shop. The two seemed to be discussing jewelry, appearing to share similar interests.

“Isn’t this Second Young Lady Yu from outside? How does she know about hairpins and pearls?” Bi Yu asked in surprise.

“She’s been in the capital for a year,” Yu Sangning had arrived in the capital around the same time. Though Yu Sangning might not have had anyone to teach her before, in this past year, especially after her dance performance, Yu Sangzhi had helped her in every way. Being clever and hardworking, these things weren’t difficult for her to learn.

“Princess, Second Young Lady Yu is cunning and devious. Should we warn Second Young Lady?” Zhenzhu asked.

Although Shen Xihe didn’t care about Shen Xihe or interfere with her affairs, Yu Sangning was different. This was a young lady whose hands were stained with several lives. If she intended to harm Shen Xihe, Shen Xihe would certainly have to intervene.

“No need,” Shen Xihe rejected softly. As the carriage moved forward, leaving Shen Xihe and Yu Sangning behind, she continued, “She isn’t as easily bullied as you imagine. Second Young Lady Yu wouldn’t dare to harm her.”

Yu Sangning had long feared her, and after that time at the temporary palace, she had been thoroughly frightened. Though she might still dare to approach people connected to Shen Xihe, she wouldn’t easily scheme against them.

“Princess, Prince Zhao favors the Second Young Lady, and we don’t know if the Second Young Lady still has feelings for Prince Zhao. Now that First Young Lady Yu has been bestowed marriage to Prince Zhao, and as you’ve said, Second Young Lady Yu has long had her eyes on this marriage…” Zhenzhu continued, “This servant worries that Second Young Lady Yu might incite First Young Lady Yu and Second Young Lady into fighting each other.”

“Fighting each other?” Shen Xihe slightly pursed her lips. “That won’t happen.”

Shen Xihe’s certainty left Zhenzhu confused.

“First Young Lady Yu is already dissatisfied with this marriage, and she (Shen Xihe) has already given up her feelings for Prince Zhao,” If she hadn’t given up, last year when Shen Yueshan was present and they both fell into the icy lake when Prince Zhao offered to take responsibility, Shen Xihe wouldn’t have firmly refused.

How could there be a fight when neither person had any interest in Prince Zhao?

As long as Yu Sangzhi wasn’t foolish, she wouldn’t plan such a thing.

“Second Young Lady Yu has shown no movement yet, this servant can’t help but overthink,” Zhenzhu said.

“There’s no rush,” Shen Xihe said softly. “Neither of their wedding dates has been set – they must wait until after my wedding to the Crown Prince. She has plenty of time to plan slowly. Moreover… she may have already made moves where we cannot see.”

After a pause, Shen Xihe continued: “She’s likely waiting for Shen Xihe’s coming-of-age ceremony.”