Xiao Huayong had always been extremely possessive regarding matters concerning her—this was something Shen Xihe had noticed early on. However, he always maintained boundaries and never crossed her bottom line. His possessiveness manifested in daily life matters, which Shen Xihe accepted as natural between husband and wife. Just like his current request that she shouldn’t give her leftovers to others, Shen Xihe didn’t find it particularly troublesome.

Shen Xihe had always been methodical in her actions, rarely having excess. Today’s waste was solely due to Xiao Huayong’s doing.

“Alright,” she agreed promptly.

Now it was Xiao Huayong’s turn to feel somewhat awkward. He thought for a moment and asked, “Does Youyou has any requests for me?”

It seemed that he had always been the one making demands of her, while she had never asked anything of him. This made Xiao Huayong feel somewhat uneasy.

A hint of amusement spread in Shen Xihe’s eyes as she looked up at him: “If I make a request, will you comply?”

“Of course—” He was about to answer readily, but catching the teasing look in Shen Xihe’s eyes, he remembered how she disliked his constant flirting. Heaven knew he didn’t do it intentionally—it was involuntary, and he really couldn’t change that.

Swallowing his original response, he smiled and said: “Naturally, I’ll consider it case by case.”

Such a clever response of “considering case by case” left Shen Xihe both amused and exasperated.

While he dwelt on these harmless little matters, she went to wash up. When she returned, Xiao Huayong had finished eating. Earlier, he had been so focused on watching her eat that he had left himself hungry. It was precisely because of such behavior that Shen Xihe could accept his naturally taking her used plate.

Between husband and wife, he truly maintained no barriers or distance from her, as if they were one. Since this was the case, she ought to change herself to respond to him. To give him everything he asked for that she could provide.

“You should rest early. I want to walk around,” Shen Xihe said, having slept all day and feeling no trace of drowsiness.

“I want to take you stargazing,” Xiao Huayong had let Shen Xihe rest during the day specifically so she could watch the stars with him at night.

The night sky here was densely packed with stars, like silver powder scattered across black silk. Looking up, the stars shimmered brilliantly.

This was a sight unseen in the capital, but for Shen Xihe who grew up in the Northwest, such scenery was familiar. Especially since she hadn’t been suited for playing with others, and after developing a quiet nature from childhood, listening to rain, watching stars, and tending to flowers had become significant parts of her growing years.

However, seeing Xiao Huayong’s enthusiasm and feeling no sleepiness herself, she said: “How could I refuse Your Highness’s invitation?”

Xiao Huayong revealed his bright white teeth in a smile, mounted a horse, and extended his hand to Shen Xihe. She hesitated briefly before giving him her hand. This was her first time riding with someone else—such intimacy, her back inevitably touching his solid chest, broad and warm, giving her a strong sense of security.

“I know you grew up in the Northwest. The beauty of the Northwestern night sky, though ever-changing, you must have taken in completely over more than ten years. But watching alone is surely different from watching together,” Xiao Huayong said as he rode uphill.

Finally stopping at a mountaintop, the night sky was quiet and brilliant, the stars seeming close enough to touch.

Beautiful scenery could always improve one’s mood, and Shen Xihe was no exception. Though she had seen countless night skies, never had she felt so close to the stars—so close that she couldn’t help reaching out her hand, feeling the cool air brush her fingertips before coming to her senses and laughing at herself.

As she was about to lower her outstretched fingers, Xiao Huayong suddenly caught her hand and pressed it firmly against his heart: “These stars are ethereal; even if obtained, they serve no purpose.”

Lowering his head, he pressed her hand more firmly against his heart: “But this heart in your palm remains constant through the ages.”

The night was silent, the mountain wind cool; the Milky Way swayed, covering the heavens and earth.

Here, there were only the two of them, their silhouettes nestled together in the moonlight, their hair intertwining in the cool breeze.

Xiao Huayong had spoken many sweet words to her before, which Shen Xihe had always dismissed with a smile. But at this moment, whether due to the beauty of the misty night or the glow of the brilliant stars, she felt a warmth flowing from her palm pressed against his heart, through her arm, and directly into her own heart.

Although she had interacted with Xiao Huayong before, she had never seen how he behaved in front of others. After marriage, during several court discussions in the Eastern Palace, he had always sat properly above like a gentleman, refined yet maintaining authority.

She now realized he had never shown such youthfulness in front of others, nor had he ever displayed his dignity as Crown Prince before her.

She finally understood that he wasn’t naturally frivolous—he simply showed his true nature unguardedly before her. He was the person meant to spend his life with her; perhaps he could pretend for a while, but not forever. Thus, from beginning to end, he had exposed his most authentic self to her.

Thinking of this, for the first time, she didn’t find his words uncomfortable. Instead, she gently curled her fingers, fingertips lightly pressing against his heart, smiling softly: “Yes, this heart, I accept it.”

Never expecting such a response, Xiao Huayong was momentarily stunned with joy. After a moment, he regained his senses, his lips spreading into a smile that nearly reached his ears. He pressed her hand more firmly, as if truly wanting to press it into his flesh to touch his heart: “Now that you’ve accepted it, you must treat it well.”

“Fortunate to receive your heart, I’ll treasure it as a rare gem; if it can last, we’ll grow old together,” Shen Xihe met his gaze without hesitation.

Though they had only been married for a short time, he had already done so much for her. She hadn’t denied his sincerity before marriage and still believed in it now. As for how long this genuine feeling would last, they would see as time went on.

“From black hair to white hair, Youyou, I’ll remember these words,” Xiao Huayong pulled Shen Xihe into his embrace. Looking at the starry sky before him, he felt everything in sight was brilliantly bright, making him want to howl with joy.

She had promised him a lifetime together, though, in this promise, her trust exceeded her love for him. But this was progress—he was quietly occupying her heart, and one day, she would see only him in her heart and eyes.

That night, they watched the stars until late, sitting side by side, speaking freely.

They didn’t discuss politics, didn’t deliberately talk about romance, and didn’t even have fixed topics. They discussed whatever came to mind. As two well-informed individuals, they could share their views on any topic, allowing their hearts to quietly draw closer.

Afterward, Xiao Huayong didn’t linger long. They quickly reached Liangzhou, and when they arrived at the part of Liangzhou closest to the Northwestern territory, Shen Xihe saw Shen Yueshan playing with children in a small village, his tall figure standing out like a bear.