If she kept pursuing Xiao Huayong, it would inevitably appear as Shen Xihe had warned – in His Majesty’s eyes, she would become someone infatuated with Xiao Huayong.

“Princess need only act accordingly. When the time comes, I will naturally do my part without hesitation.” She quite enjoyed playing the villain.

Besides, didn’t Xiao Huayong always think she didn’t care enough about him? Well, then she could please him a little.

“Please inform His Highness the Crown Prince first, County Princess,” Princess Yaoxi reminded her.

If Xiao Huayong remained unaware, he might move against her before Shen Xihe could act. She had no wish to follow Munuha’s fate. If she approached Xiao Huayong herself, he likely wouldn’t cooperate in this performance – only the person before her could succeed.

Shen Xihe smiled gently. “Rest assured, Princess. I will instruct His Highness the Crown Prince.”

With matters settled and no particular friendship between them, Princess Yaoxi took her leave.

Shen Xihe waited a moment after her departure before visiting Nongwa Court for a brief inspection. After leaving there, she found a quiet courtyard to sit in. As the sister of today’s celebrant, she couldn’t leave too early.

She sent Zhenzhu and Biyu to keep watch at the front, instructing them to notify her immediately of any developments.

After sitting for about fifteen minutes, she heard footsteps. Exchanging a glance with Moyu, she noted they came from a small courtyard beyond a hanging flower gate. Just as she was about to rise and look, she heard Shen Yingruo’s voice: “Your Highness’s intentions in coming here are clear to Huaiyang. Your Highness has no wish to marry me, nor do I wish to marry Your Highness. I will personally request His Majesty to decline this marriage.”

Prince?

Shen Xihe was puzzled. From the conversation, it seemed the Youzhen Emperor had arranged a marriage between Shen Yingruo and some prince, hence having him come before her coming-of-age ceremony, perhaps to express intent or allow them to meet.

“County Princess, this humble prince means no disrespect. It’s just that I haven’t established my career yet and have no thoughts of marriage these next two years.” This was a young, deep, magnetic voice, not belonging to any of the Youzhen Emperor’s sons she knew. Could it be Prince Jing whom she hadn’t met?

The thought was quickly dismissed by Shen Xihe. Prince Jing couldn’t secretly return to the capital – any imperial summons would be public and official. Otherwise, leaked whereabouts would constitute a serious crime.

If not Prince Jing, then it must be Prince Xun, Xiao Changfeng.

The Youzhen Emperor wanted to marry Shen Yingruo to Xiao Changfeng!

“Your Highness need not worry. As I said, I have no intention of marrying you.” Shen Yingruo smiled candidly. “Besides, among the countless people in this world, each has their aspirations and preferences. Your unwillingness to marry me doesn’t mean I’m inadequate; my unwillingness to marry you doesn’t mean Your Highness is lacking – we simply aren’t fated for each other. Therefore, Your Highness needn’t feel guilty or waste effort finding excuses to spare my dignity.”

Xiao Changfeng gazed at the graceful young woman before him. They were quite familiar, having studied at the same place despite their seven or eight-year age difference. Yet he hadn’t realized how the once rosy-cheeked little dumpling had blossomed into a charming young lady until His Majesty suddenly proposed matching her with him.

He had never given thought to his future princess consort. Having just lost his father – though others didn’t know – he couldn’t disregard propriety. Three years of mourning was a son’s filial duty.

Otherwise, this vivacious, forthright, and radiant young woman might have made an excellent choice for a wife.

“County Princess… perhaps in two years…” Halfway through his words, Xiao Changfeng shook his head with a self-deprecating smile, leaving the sentence unfinished.

Shen Yingruo didn’t press for the rest. She gave Xiao Changfeng a proper curtsy and gracefully departed – as today’s celebrant, she had been absent too long.

Shen Xihe waited until after Xiao Changfeng left before crossing the hanging flower gate to stand in the courtyard, gazing at the osmanthus-laden trees above, their fragrance subtle and elegant.

“His Majesty shows genuine care for her indeed,” Shen Xihe hadn’t expected the Youzhen Emperor to arrange such a match for Shen Yingruo.

Besides the princes, Xiao Changfeng held the highest status. Compared to the princes, his position was more secure. Marrying him would ensure stability – as long as he remained loyal to His Majesty, his position as Prince would be safe regardless of whether His Majesty or Xiao Huayong prevailed.

After all, loyalty to His Majesty was expected – he would simply be a pure official without partisan ties.

Xiao Changfeng was also Shen Yingruo’s cousin, and they were childhood friends. If they married, they might well achieve marital harmony.

Marrying Xiao Changfeng carried no political implications – it was purely hoping for Shen Yingruo to make a good match.

His Majesty probably hadn’t shown such consideration even to his daughters.

When Shen Xihe emerged, she thought Xiao Changfeng would have left, having waited a while. Yet she found him in the small courtyard with Yu Sangning, who was bandaging a cat while Xiao Changfeng stood awkwardly to the side.

A glimmer of amusement flickered in her obsidian-like eyes as Shen Xihe approached Moyu: “What happened?”

Yu Sangning, who was bandaging the cat, instinctively flinched at Shen Xihe’s voice.

With Shen Manor’s maids present and Shen Xihe being the manor’s mistress, she naturally had the right to inquire. The maid quickly answered in a low voice: “Second Miss Yu’s cat ran away. This servant accompanied Second Miss Yu in pursuit, and the cat was leaping toward Prince Xun. His Highness, perhaps thinking it was an ambush, injured the cat…”

“What a coincidence,” Shen Xihe remarked with an ambiguous smile.

Standing close enough, Shen Xihe detected the scent of spider incense on Xiao Changfeng. Spider incense was an herb from Maozhou in Western Shu. When processed, it could become a powerful hallucinogenic, and its fragrance was particularly attractive to cats.

Anyone wearing this scent would inevitably draw cats to pounce on them.

This spot was right before the moon gate. If a cat leaped through it, a martial artist like Xiao Changfeng would instinctively react with considerable force. Looking at the dying cat on the ground, everything became clear to Shen Xihe.

Biyu and the others didn’t understand why Yu Sangning wasn’t competing with Yu Sangzi for the position of Prince Zhao’s primary consort, instead currying favor with Shen Yingruo at this time – but now it was obvious.

Yu Sangning had already learned that Shen Yingruo might marry Xiao Changfeng. Compared to Prince Zhao who already had a legitimate son, the tall and handsome unmarried Prince Xun, who would enjoy wealth and status regardless of who ascended the throne, was far superior to Xiao Changwen.

While an emperor’s son wouldn’t marry a concubine’s daughter, with a nephew… though her status remained humble, if Xiao Changfeng insisted on the marriage, how could His Majesty forcefully prevent it?

Most importantly, becoming Prince Xun’s consort meant not becoming Shen Xihe’s enemy. Yu Sangning must have thought this through and changed her target accordingly.

Shen Xihe wouldn’t expose the spider incense because she wouldn’t reveal her secrets to Xiao Changfeng. Yu Sangning was fortunate in this regard.