Looking at the fine, long scratches on his neck, Shen Xihe wasn’t sure if it was truly out of guilt, or perhaps her inexplicable indulgence of Xiao Huayong.

Either way, she let him have his way again.

[Poetic intimacy scene elegantly described through classical Chinese imagery of flowers, moon, and clouds]

After their intimate night, when Shen Xihe awoke, Xiao Huayong was no longer beside her. He had gone to attend the morning court session.

What Shen Xihe didn’t know was that today, the Crown Prince wore a turned-down collar robe and a low-necked undergarment, practically displaying the scratch marks on his neck for all to see.

At court, the matter of the Prince of the Northwest dominated discussions, with many eyes occasionally glancing toward Xiao Huayong.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Princess is so distraught over the Prince of the Northwest’s disappearance that she’s become bedridden… *cough cough*… I beseech Your Majesty to allow me to send the Eastern Palace Guard to Liangzhou to search.” This was Xiao Huayong’s third such plea.

How could the Eastern Palace Guard be casually dispatched to such a militarily strategic location? Without the Emperor’s permission, it could easily be construed as treason.

Emperor Youning noticed the scratch marks on his neck, his gaze unfathomable: “We have already dispatched the Imperial Censors. The Eastern Palace Guard has always protected your safety and has never ventured to Liangzhou and such places. How could they be more effective at searching than the Liangzhou garrison?”

As Xiao Huayong tried to speak further, Emperor Youning announced the end of the court. Xiao Huayong could only resign himself as he stepped out of the main hall, where Tao Zhuanxian caught up with him.

“Crown Prince, might we speak privately?” Tao Zhuanxian gestured to one side.

Xiao Huayong strode over, respectfully saying: “Please speak, Maternal Grandfather.”

Regarding Xiao Huayong’s respectful address, Tao Zhuanxian bowed: “I’m honored by Your Highness’s regard, though I dare not claim such a position. However, I do have something to say, and I hope Your Highness will be understanding.”

“Grandfather need not be so formal. Youyou is my wedded wife, and I should naturally show filial respect to her grandfather,” Xiao Huayong responded with increasing deference.

Seeing this, Tao Zhuanxian spoke directly: “Youyou has a passionate nature, and with her father’s misfortune, she’s bound to be overwrought with worry. If she shows any disrespect or negligence toward Your Highness, I ask for your mercy and forgiveness.”

Xiao Huayong was completely bewildered by Tao Zhuanxian’s words. Even with his exceptional intelligence, the Crown Prince struggled to grasp the true meaning.

Seeing that Xiao Huayong appeared confused rather than angry, Tao Zhuanxian found it difficult to be more explicit. Having been young once himself, he could only say: “Your Highness and Youyou are newlywed; there should be moderation and restraint.”

With that, Tao Zhuanxian clasped his hands and departed.

Left behind was a tight-faced Xiao Huayong, wondering how Tao Zhuanxian knew about their Eastern Palace matters.

When Xiao Huayong met Tianyuan after leaving the main hall, he couldn’t directly discuss such matters with him, so he asked indirectly: “Today, many people were giving me strange looks. What do you think could be the reason?”

Tianyuan looked at Xiao Huayong, noticing the scratch marks on his neck, and after some thought replied: “Perhaps it’s because of Your Highness’s injuries?”

Still innocent as a young chicken, Tianyuan’s thoughts were pure. Since Xiao Huayong was the Crown Prince, an injury to such a vital area as his neck couldn’t be a minor matter, so it was natural that it drew attention.

Xiao Huayong initially didn’t think much of it either, as he was similarly inexperienced. But remembering Tao Zhuanxian’s words, he unconsciously touched his neck.

As the Crown Prince remained silent, Tianyuan glanced up at him. Suddenly, the Crown Prince smiled… somewhat ambiguously, and walked away in high spirits.

The puzzled Tianyuan could only follow.

Xiao Huayong had deliberately exposed his neck to provoke Shen Xihe’s guilt, planning to gain more benefits before the wounds healed. He hadn’t expected others to mistakenly assume Shen Xihe had scratched him.

From Tao Zhuanxian’s tone, they probably thought he had been rejected while seeking intimacy and, disregarding Shen Xihe’s wishes, had gotten his neck scratched as a result. Xiao Huayong was amazed at their powers of imagination.

However, this misunderstanding worked in his favor. His Majesty had always suspected they were plotting something – whatever Xiao Changqin could think of, His Majesty could too, and likely even more deeply.

He must have suspected Shen Xihe was acting, which was why the Imperial Physicians were so diligent in their daily examinations. However, with Axi’s acupuncture, creating pulse symptoms of excessive worry was simple – how could the Imperial Physicians find any flaw?

His Majesty should believe it somewhat now since his lustful advances were rejected and he was injured so severely.

Fortunately, these marks were on his neck, an unusual location. If they had been in his arms, they might have been more suspicious of Shen Yueshan’s disappearance being a ruse. It seemed he would need to be more careful in the future, avoiding such suggestive marks.

When Xiao Huayong returned to the Eastern Palace, Shen Xihe had just finished her morning meal and was sitting at her dressing table preparing to apply makeup.

She had been too hungry, so after washing up, she had eaten first with her hair still loose.

Xiao Huayong saw her in a scarlet chest-high skirt, sitting on a low stool, with sunlight streaming through the window falling upon her, rendering her as beautiful as a painting.

Xiao Huayong stepped forward to take the eyebrow pigment from Hong Yu’s hands, wanting to apply her makeup.

Shen Xihe, quite tired, said helplessly: “Your Highness, please don’t jest.”

“Has Youyou forgotten that I’m an expert at disguise? How could I not know how to apply makeup?” Xiao Huayong was extremely confident.

Shen Xihe looked at him half-believingly. She certainly hadn’t forgotten his disguise abilities, though such skills didn’t necessarily require him to be personally proficient. As Crown Prince, especially one with his capabilities, he would have plenty of people at his disposal.

She had always thought Xiao Huayong had someone skilled in disguise arts by his side, only recently realizing that he possessed such abilities.

“Let Youyou witness my talents.” Xiao Huayong dismissed Hong Yu and the others, confidently beginning to arrange Shen Xihe’s cosmetics. Shen Xihe lowered her eyes to watch his technique, which was indeed skillful.

She closed her eyes trustingly, and Xiao Huayong said softly with a laugh: “Yesterday Youyou asked if the Türks would make a move. There’s been internal strife in the Türkic court recently, which is why I took this action. I don’t want to provoke a war between our nations – regardless of victory or defeat, the common people would suffer needlessly.”

As he spoke, he leaned down to draw her eyebrows: “I don’t wish to be a king who expands territory through conquest. I’ve traveled many roads and seen too much human suffering. The common people’s survival is already difficult enough; I don’t want them caught in warfare. If other nations don’t provoke war, I won’t engage in conflict.”

Shen Xihe understood his meaning – for the sake of the common people, he wouldn’t be warlike, but equally, for their sake, he wouldn’t fear war either.

“Your Highness will surely be the finest ruler,” Shen Xihe said softly.

This side of Xiao Huayong made Shen Xihe admire him even more. He had the bearing of a benevolent ruler – someone who truly understood the hardships of the common people, thought of their welfare, and knew how to protect them.

Her praise excited and delighted him more than anything else. Xiao Huayong’s lips curved upward as he whispered: “Rather than being a good ruler for all under heaven, respected by all people, I would rather be a good husband to you alone, worthy of your praise alone.”

To protect you from worry, and share long-lasting joy with you.