Shen Xihe glanced up at Xiao Huayong through the mirror, her exasperation evident. This man was always trying to provoke her, at every moment, never missing an opportunity.

Xiao Huayong chuckled softly. After drawing her eyebrows, he carefully studied her face, considering several shades of rouge before selecting a peach color.

Adding a touch to her lips and blending it, it bloomed like a peach blossom: “A face like peach blossoms, my Youyou, how beautiful.”

After speaking, he gently blended a light pink shade on her cheekbones. Then, at her brow, his brush hesitated. After a moment’s consideration, he smiled slightly before applying it.

Shen Xihe had been somewhat hesitant, her brow twitching involuntarily, sensing he had some mischievous intent.

She instinctively raised her hand to stop him, but it froze mid-air before slowly lowering.

Catching her movement from the corner of his eye, Xiao Huayong couldn’t help but smile.

When had it begun, he wondered, that even knowing he might tease her or challenge the boundaries of her proper upbringing, she no longer firmly refused but instead indulged him, even in matters she had never experienced and instinctively resisted?

Xiao Huayong drew a small flower design at her brow center, its stem so fine it was nearly invisible unless examined closely. From afar, it appeared like a tiny butterfly about to take flight.

“Done,” Xiao Huayong stepped back, gazing at the mirror with satisfaction.

Shen Xihe slowly raised her long lashes. The reflection showed a beauty like autumn waters reflecting lotus blossoms, her eyes bright and captivating, incomparably beautiful.

She truly hadn’t expected Xiao Huayong to create such a stunning look. She couldn’t help but smile, pressing her lips together.

“Is Youyou satisfied?” Xiao Huayong bent down, holding her shoulders, his head appearing beside hers in the mirror, their temples touching.

Shen Xihe, never one for insincere words, nodded slightly: “Mm.”

After studying her for a moment, Xiao Huayong’s gaze fell on her full, soft lips: “Still missing something.”

Before Shen Xihe could react, he bent down and captured her plump lips, deliberately taking away all her lip rouge before releasing her.

“You!”

“Tomorrow Youyou can seek His Majesty’s permission to search for Father-in-law in Liangzhou,” Xiao Huayong quickly explained before she could grow angry.

Shen Xihe’s anger immediately shifted, forgetting how Xiao Huayong had taken advantage: “Didn’t you say we needed to wait a few more days for the timing to be right?”

“Today presented an opportunity. His Majesty no longer suspects you of acting, and will be more inclined to grant your request,” Xiao Huayong said softly.

“What opportunity?” Shen Xihe was suspicious.

A mysterious opportunity appeared out of nowhere – she instinctively knew Xiao Huayong must have done something.

Xiao Huayong stepped back, coughing lightly behind his hand: “If I tell you, promise not to be angry or upset with me?”

Hearing this, Shen Xihe knew he must have done something outrageous yet cunning. She narrowed her eyes slightly: “Tell me.”

Without her promise, Xiao Huayong dared not speak easily. He didn’t necessarily need to tell her, but if he didn’t say it now, it would soon spread throughout the palace anyway.

Who knew how the story would be twisted by then? Better to be honest now.

“Promise me you won’t be angry, Youyou,” Xiao Huayong insisted. “This wasn’t intentional, truly an unexpected benefit.”

Shen Xihe frowned, pondering before saying: “I won’t be angry.”

In truth, Shen Xihe knew that even if Xiao Huayong didn’t tell her, she could have people investigate and learn something about what happened. But that would show a lack of trust and tolerance toward him.

He hadn’t done it intentionally and wasn’t trying to hide it, showing willingness to be honest – why should she be overly harsh? If she insisted on distrusting him, he might hide things from her in the future.

Xiao Huayong touched his neck: “Today all the civil and military officials saw my injuries and assumed you had caused them.”

Shen Xihe didn’t immediately understand – so what if they thought she had caused them? What would that prove?

Xiao Huayong coughed lightly behind his fist and whispered in her ear to explain. As she listened and recalled last night’s indulgence, her face immediately flushed pink like the dawn.

She was indeed upset, though from embarrassment rather than anger.

Such matters… such matters, that these people would speculate about these things, it was enough to make anyone flush with mortification.

“These officials, thinking of such things in broad daylight – they’re too idle!” Shen Xihe finally managed to say after a long pause.

Xiao Huayong couldn’t help laughing at her words.

“What are you laughing at!” Shen Xihe shot him a coquettish glare through the mirror.

She rarely showed such charm, leaving Xiao Huayong momentarily stunned, his thoughts turning intimate again.

To control himself, Xiao Huayong looked away, picking up the rouge again to carefully apply it to her lips.

“This works in our favor. Haven’t you always been unconcerned with others’ thoughts?” Xiao Huayong spoke softly while working carefully.

Fortunately, Shen Xihe hadn’t blamed him or thought it was due to his lack of discretion, so he naturally quickly diverted her attention.

“Such matters…” How could she not care?

Slander and false accusations she could face calmly, but such private matters being speculated about – Shen Xihe truly wanted to teach these gossiping people a harsh lesson.

“Be careful when you leave the capital this time,” Xiao Huayong bent slightly, carefully examining her red lips.

After a moment’s silence, Shen Xihe said: “His Majesty will send people to follow me.”

Xiao Huayong’s lips curved up, his smile reaching his eyes: “My Youyou, truly quick-witted, understanding with just a hint, or even without one.”

His Majesty would certainly send people – not because this ambiguous situation made him completely trust her, but because lacking better options, he might as well let Shen Xihe go and have people watch her closely to see if there was any deception.

Shen Xihe smiled composedly: “What kind of people will His Majesty send to follow me?”

Xiao Huayong raised his eyebrows: “What kind of people would Youyou prefer?”

Though Xiao Huayong couldn’t control whom Emperor Youning would send, he could insert his people among them. If the Emperor was overly cautious, he could find ways to mix someone in along the way, aiming to ensure Shen Xihe’s safety.

Now it seemed Shen Xihe wanted to handle the Emperor’s people herself. He always wanted to protect her, forgetting she was never a delicate lady needing protection.

Sure enough, hearing Xiao Huayong’s words, Shen Xihe smiled faintly: “Leave His Majesty’s people to me. You need not interfere.”

Chuckling softly, Xiao Huayong spoke with gentle indulgence: “Very well, I’ll watch eagerly as my wife demonstrates her abilities.”

Shen Xihe gently pushed Xiao Huayong away and stood up: “While you’re in the palace, don’t act rashly. No matter what news you hear about me, don’t believe it. I can protect myself.”

His Majesty likely had dual intentions: using her to search for Shen Yueshan while also using her to test Xiao Huayong.