Compared to the cold-hearted Gu Qingzhi, Shen Xihe possessed an additional measure of iron-willed ruthlessness.

Understanding Xiao Changqin’s implications, Xiao Changying had to face this issue he’d been avoiding: “You know our mother well. If I try to persuade her now, it will only anger her more.”

Patting Xiao Changying’s shoulder, Xiao Changqin said: “She’s still our mother. I’ll protect her life, but for everything else, see how much you can do for her. If you’re truly troubled, seek out Pingling – Mother listens to him the most.”

Xiao Changqin didn’t want to make an enemy of Shen Xihe – firstly because he had other matters and didn’t want to create powerful enemies, and secondly, because Shen Xihe was Gu Qingzhi’s old acquaintance. If they couldn’t be friends, it was best not to be enemies either.

Xiao Changying fell into distress, as he was least equipped to handle such matters.

“Should I lie here in the Eastern Palace like you?” After the imperial physicians had come and gone, Xiao Huayong still kept Shen Xihe confined to bed, not allowing her to rise easily.

“You must trust my words. Only after a few days can we gain His Majesty’s trust and leave early for the Northwest.” Xiao Huayong sat beside the bed just as Zhenzhu brought in medicinal soup – though it appeared to be medicine, it was a nutritious broth that merely carried a medicinal scent from afar.

Xiao Huayong reached out to take it, intending to feed Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe felt uncomfortable and sat up: “I can drink it myself.”

“Youyou, you must remember that you’re currently suffering from shock, weak, and listless. You can’t be careless even when alone,” Xiao Huayong avoided her hands reaching for the bowl. “Wasn’t I like this at the temporary palace?”

Shen Xihe silently stared at him. He had the nerve to mention the temporary palace, where he had simply used illness as an excuse to be shameless and have her attend to him. It wasn’t about constantly remembering to act like a seriously ill person to avoid exposure.

Now he spoke so righteously, yet still sought to take advantage of her!

Her eyes, bright and clear as black jade, showed sharp insight that saw through him completely. Xiao Huayong ignored this entirely, maintaining his serious demeanor: “Youyou isn’t good at deception, so she should be especially careful. We just need more practice.”

As he spoke, he brought the soup to her lips. Shen Xihe watched him for a good while, but he continued smiling patiently, waiting for her to drink.

Finally, Shen Xihe surrendered and opened her mouth, though she kept her gaze fixed steadily on Xiao Huayong.

Such a stare would unsettle anyone with a guilty conscience, but Xiao Huayong had his interpretation: “Though your husband is indeed devastatingly handsome, even I can’t withstand such hungry gazing from my wife.”

Having been somewhat corrupted by Xiao Huayong’s influence, Shen Xihe didn’t shift her gaze at his words. She remained silent and expressionless, continuing to stare at him.

When the bowl was empty, Xiao Huayong took a handkerchief to wipe the soup from her lips. As he wiped, his head drew closer and closer until he finally couldn’t resist pressing forward. No matter how he teased and provoked, Shen Xihe seemed completely unmoved.

Finally, Xiao Huayong gently bit her once before whispering in her ear: “Your husband is a feast for the eyes. With my wife staring so intently, could it be that you’re hungry…”

The last three words were drawn out significantly, full of suggestive meaning.

The warm breath sliding across her neck made Shen Xihe turn away uncomfortably, pushing him back.

Xiao Huayong allowed himself to be pushed back onto the edge of the bed, propping up his head with one hand and winking at Shen Xihe with his mole-marked eye: “I’m yours for the taking.”

Shen Xihe took a deep breath, glanced at him, and then lay down directly, turning away to ignore him.

Xiao Huayong had a mischievous streak and enjoyed teasing her, watching her helpless reactions to him.

Believing he had achieved another overwhelming victory when nighttime came and he lay down, Xiao Huayong naturally reached out to draw his wife into his embrace. However, Shen Xihe pushed him away with both hands, smiling without warmth: “Your Highness, I must remain cautious and remember that I’m seriously ill. Your Highness has never been lustful, and would never do anything to disturb a seriously ill person, right?”

After speaking, Shen Xihe gave him a bright smile and separated their blankets.

For the first time since their wedding, they slept under separate covers. His wife’s sweet fragrance lingered in the air, yet his arms were empty.

Xiao Huayong had never imagined that one day he would hoist himself by his own petard.

Shen Xihe slept especially sweetly. Xiao Huayong was extremely clingy – since their marriage, she hadn’t had a single night of peaceful sleep. He always had to hold her, even if properly behaved. Fortunately, it was spring and not too hot, so Shen Xihe respected his wishes and let him be.

Today she could finally wrap herself freely in her quilt, and Shen Xihe was overjoyed.

Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, the Crown Prince, unable to bear the loneliness, stealthily extended two fingers like a thief, creeping from his blanket toward her exposed hands. Shen Xihe swatted them away as if shooing away mosquitoes, but he persisted, gently tickling her palm: “Youyou…”

Even with Shen Xihe’s good temperament, she was annoyed at having her sleep disturbed just as she was dozing off. She suddenly opened her eyes: “If you keep making trouble, neither of us will get any sleep tonight.”

Xiao Huayong pouted pitifully, lowering his eyes like an abandoned child.

Shen Xihe gave a light snort and turned over to face away from him, though she usually preferred sleeping on her back.

Having failed to soften Shen Xihe’s heart, Xiao Huayong had to withdraw his pitiful expression. After pondering for a moment, he also turned to face Shen Xihe’s direction, watching her back and listening to her steady breathing. His silver-bright eyes once again lit up like the morning sun as he carefully moved closer, gently encircling her in his embrace.

Breathing in the sweet fragrance of her hair, he fell asleep with a smile.

When Shen Xihe woke early to find herself in Xiao Huayong’s arms near the edge of the bed, she was puzzled. Traditionally, husbands slept on the inner side and wives on the outer, but Shen Xihe preferred the inner side, and since their marriage, she had always slept there.

Shen Xihe was perplexed – she always slept still and never moved around. This was Xiao Huayong taking advantage of her deep sleep to embrace her.

Opening her sleepy eyes to meet Shen Xihe’s questioning gaze, Xiao Huayong suddenly became alert. After surveying their surroundings and understanding the situation, he immediately gave her an ingratiating, placating smile.

Far from being angry, Shen Xihe smiled with extreme gentleness: “Your Highness, since I’m often shocked and can’t sleep well, I fear disturbing your rest and affecting your daily duties. We should sleep in separate beds.”

Xiao Huayong’s jaw tightened as he hurriedly said: “Youyou, I don’t think the shock is such a serious matter. A good rest should cure it.”

Shen Xihe leisurely lay back on the bed: “I don’t think it can be cured so quickly.”

Xiao Huayong’s face looked as if he’d eaten a handful of bitter herbs.