He had a premonition that if he asked that question, he would receive an unhesitating affirmative answer.

“I did benefit from my sister’s influence,” Shen Yun’an touched his nose and chuckled self-deprecatingly.

After watching the direction where they disappeared one last time, Shen Yun’an pulled his horse’s reins and rode back.

Shen Xihe received news of Shen Yueshan’s impending arrival to the city in late December, before the year’s end. Like last year, she waited early at the city gate that day. The orderly yet powerful sound of horse hooves made her, wearing a hooded cap, turn to look.

Through the swirling snow, figures gradually became clear. Leading the group was that tall and sturdy man, wrapped up like a bear emerging from snow-capped mountains, robust and imposing. His eyes appeared even brighter and sharper than the previous year.

“Father!” Shen Xihe ran towards Shen Yueshan, who dismounted and strode forward, worried his daughter might trip.

However, another figure moved even faster than him, sweeping past Shen Yueshan like the wind and embracing Shen Xihe fully.

Even as she was held in Xue Jinqiao’s arms, looking past her at Shen Yueshan standing behind with open arms, Shen Xihe was still slightly dazed.

“Sister, Qiao’er misses you, misses you so much!” Xue Jinqiao not only hugged Shen Xihe tightly but couldn’t resist nuzzling against her.

After a moment’s bewilderment, seeing Shen Yueshan frozen not far ahead through the swirling snow, Shen Xihe couldn’t help but laugh. She hugged Xue Jinqiao back, patting her back: “I missed Qiao’er too.”

“Sister, I brought you so many gifts,” Xue Jinqiao grabbed Shen Xihe’s hand and walked forward. “The wind and snow are heavy here, you should quickly take shelter. What if you catch a cold?”

Shen Xihe was thus pulled away by Xue Jinqiao, helplessly looking back at Shen Yueshan, who stood in the cold wind with hands on his hips, wanting to be angry but unable to express it.

“Qiao’er!” Xue Hang, catching up from behind, couldn’t help but scold when he saw Xue Jinqiao pulling Shen Xihe away.

Xue Jinqiao heard but ignored it like the wind. She was now part of the Shen family and wouldn’t stand on ceremony with her father-in-law. She married into the Shen family to make Sister hers, and finally, she could openly be close to Sister. Sister didn’t reject her, which made her extremely happy.

Moreover… moreover, Sister was already a grown lady, how could she be too intimate with her father and brother? Now it was better – she could take over such things in the future, thus protecting Sister’s reputation, right?

Xue Jinqiao thought gleefully, completely throwing aside the customs of the Northwest. The current dynasty had discarded old traditions and was particularly tolerant of male-female separation. If an unmarried daughter had occasional intimate gestures with her father or brother for good reason, it was not improper as long as it conformed to etiquette.

Xue Jinqiao pulled Shen Xihe into the carriage. The two sat inside while Shen Yueshan rode alongside on horseback for protection. Upon entering the city, Shen Yueshan had to see His Majesty immediately. Instead of returning to the academy with Xue Hang, Xue Jinqiao kept Shen Xihe to herself, pouring out everything she had seen and experienced in the Northwest over the past year like spilling beans, continuing even after Shen Yueshan returned.

During the evening meal, she even declared in front of Shen Yueshan: “Tonight I want to share a bed with Youyou.”

Shen Yueshan wouldn’t be sharing a bed with his daughter anyway, so he didn’t mind that part as long as Shen Xihe was willing. What displeased him was how Xue Jinqiao followed Shen Xihe like a shadow, going wherever she went, completely denying him any chance to have a heart-to-heart talk with his daughter.

Finally, unable to endure anymore, Shen Yueshan ordered Mo Yu to take her back to the Xue family.

Only on New Year’s Eve could he spend time with his daughter. Last year he had already left by then, but this year he could enter the capital early to stay up with Shen Xihe on New Year’s Eve and remain until after her wedding in March when she would visit her maiden home. This was largely thanks to Xiao Huayong’s arrangements, which had made Shen Yueshan view him more favorably.

However, this favorable impression disappeared without a trace when Xiao Huayong arrived silently while the father and daughter were staying up and chatting on New Year’s Eve.

“On New Year’s Eve, Your Highness leaves the palace without permission. Aren’t you afraid of His Majesty finding out?” Shen Yueshan made his unwelcome attitude obvious.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency. I have my arrangements and won’t arouse His Majesty’s suspicions,” Xiao Huayong responded humbly, showing proper junior respect. “Youyou invited me to come, saying she would make laowan for me.”

Shen Xihe was startled and glared at him. This fellow was incredibly bold, now daring to speak such nonsense in front of her. When had she ever said he should come on New Year’s Eve? When had she ever said she would prepare laowan for him?

He was counting on her to cover for him, wasn’t he?

Faced with Shen Xihe’s glare, Xiao Huayong remained perfectly calm, as if putting his life in her hands – whether he lived or died was up to her to decide.

When Shen Yueshan cast an inquiring look, Shen Xihe still instinctively protected Xiao Huayong: “His Highness said he had never eaten laowan during New Year’s Eve, so I invited him to come…”

Shen Xihe wasn’t good at lying; this was her first time lying to Shen Yueshan, and her expression was extremely unnatural.

However, Shen Yueshan didn’t suspect his precious daughter was lying, assuming she was just reserved and feeling embarrassed.

But he didn’t believe Xiao Huayong: “Your Highness is noble, how could you have never eaten laowan on New Year’s Eve? Don’t treat Youyou like a little girl to be fooled.”

“Your Excellency speaks truly. I simply wanted to get a bowl of laowan from Youyou, so I used both coaxing and deception. It was my fault,” Xiao Huayong frankly admitted, not forgetting to express his fondness for Shen Xihe.

“Your Highness should return to the palace early. Remember, those who walk the night path too often will meet ghosts. Don’t ruin the bigger picture by following your whims,” Shen Yueshan, not wanting to waste words with this little rascal, directly gave a dignified order for the guest to leave.

But Xiao Huayong was thick-skinned and said seriously: “Actually, I came tonight to discuss something with Your Excellency. Please step into the study.”

Shen Yueshan looked suspiciously at Xiao Huayong, wondering what matter was required to keep Shen Xihe in the dark. Unable to figure out what he was up to, yet not daring to be presumptuous – perhaps this matter would truly trouble Shen Xihe – he could only stand and walk to the study.

Winking at Shen Xihe with his beauty-marked eye, Xiao Huayong smiled and followed Shen Yueshan.

Shen Xihe didn’t find anything inappropriate about them discussing matters without her, nor did she feel uncomfortable. These two men wouldn’t do anything against her interests; if they weren’t telling her, perhaps they didn’t want her to worry. Since that was the case, she wouldn’t ask, and instead turned to go to the kitchen.

The long night stretched on, and after the hour of zi passed, it would be the next day – perfect timing for a hot bowl of laowan.

For some reason, Shen Xihe was certain Xiao Huayong could make Shen Yueshan let him stay, perhaps related to what he wanted to discuss. Therefore, she unhesitatingly made an extra portion.

Sure enough, after less than half an hour, Xiao Huayong came out with Shen Yueshan. Over Shen Yueshan’s shoulder, he triumphantly raised his eyebrows at her.