Xiao Huayong didn’t press the matter, and even felt a touch of envy – he had never seen such a loving relationship in a noble family.
Most noble households were filled with schemes and calculations. For the sake of benefits, people would even strike deadly blows against their closest kin.
“Youyou, let’s just have one son and one daughter in the future,” Xiao Huayong suddenly said.
Shen Xihe froze momentarily – how could someone discuss such matters so openly?
She didn’t know how to respond to such words.
Absorbed in his thoughts, Xiao Huayong didn’t notice Shen Xihe’s discomfort and continued: “The mutual love between you, Father-in-law, and Brother truly makes me envious. I also want such harmony.
I think the Shen family’s success comes partly from Father-in-law’s guidance and care, and partly because you and your brother have no conflicting interests.”
Like his father and His Majesty with the Empress Dowager – weren’t they once loving family members? Yet in the face of power, such family bonds ultimately proved fragile. If His Majesty had been born female, would his father have suffered such bone-deep torment?
Seeing the melancholy in Xiao Huayong’s eyes, Shen Xihe set aside her discomfort about discussing children. She knew he was thinking of his background, so she took his hand: “Beichen, I disagree. I believe whether children get along in the future depends on their parents’ guidance.”
Though Shen Yueshan protected her while being extremely strict with Shen Yunan, he never neglected Shen Yunan. With each strictness, he would explain the reason to Shen Yunan. Besides training, Shen Yueshan often had childlike arguments with Shen Yunan, making Shen Yunan both respectful and close to him.
Shen Yueshan was skilled at raising children, which was why Shen Xihe and Shen Yunan remained as close as siblings.
“It seems Father-in-law is quite skilled at raising children,” Xiao Huayong smiled.
Shen Xihe didn’t want to discuss children further and was about to change the subject when Mo Yu entered with a letter for her.
She opened it in front of Xiao Huayong – it was from Xie Yunhuai: “Doctor Qi is also in Liangzhou.”
The smile instantly fell from Xiao Huayong’s face: “His letter – how did it reach your hands?”
“Doctor Qi and I have always corresponded,” Shen Xihe said frankly. “Hearing news of my disappearance, he sent a letter to the Princess’s mansion, which was forwarded here. By my calculations, he should have reached Liangzhou.”
Upon hearing of “her” disappearance at the post station, Xie Yunhuai sent a message by carrier pigeon to the Princess’s mansion, explaining he would search in Liangzhou and provide an address there.
“I’ll reply to him now. We could ask Doctor Qi if he has any solutions for Father’s situation. If he does, we wouldn’t need to trouble Divine Doctor Linghu, and we could save some time,” Shen Xihe looked up to see Xiao Huayong pressing his lips together, his displeasure evident.
She simply handed him the letter: “You reply then.”
Xiao Huayong wouldn’t take it, just showing his jealousy openly.
Shen Xihe sighed: “I have no private relationship with Doctor Qi. Our correspondence is because I asked him to find medicine for the strange poison in your body. Doctor Qi has stated clearly that he harbors no improper thoughts toward me.”
For a moment, Xiao Huayong almost blurted out that he’d rather not be cured than have them correspond.
He swallowed the words, not knowing why his heart had become so narrow that he couldn’t bear her being close to others, especially men. Even though he knew her relationship with Xie Yunhuai was pure.
Seeing Xiao Huayong still sulking, Shen Xihe added: “Doctor Qi is no different to me than Young Master Bu.”
Both were close friends.
“I know,” Xiao Huayong replied sullenly.
“But you still have misgivings,” Shen Xihe said directly.
Xiao Huayong nervously averted his gaze, avoiding eye contact: “I… I know I shouldn’t mind, shouldn’t have misgivings, but I can’t control myself…”
He disliked these moments when he couldn’t control himself.
He didn’t know why his possessiveness had grown to such an unimaginable degree.
“With Doctor Qi, unless necessary, I never initiate contact. He sometimes writes once a month, sometimes once in several months, always about progress in finding the antidote,” Shen Xihe spoke sincerely. “I do not enjoy socializing. Even with close friends, they usually seek me out more. Beichen, I don’t have many friends, just a few, but I only have one husband.
Doctor Qi has helped me greatly, and I need his help now. I can’t just discard this friendship.
If it bothers you, I won’t make any new male friends in the future.”
This was the most Shen Xihe could offer. She and Xie Yunhuai had nothing between them – they helped each other and considered each other confidants, rarely contacting privately. Their current three to five letters per year were all because of the strange poison in Xiao Huayong’s body.
Once this matter was resolved, unless necessary, she would at most send generous gifts during festivals and pay attention to rare herbs or related items to give him.
Shen Xihe couldn’t abandon a friend she had known before marriage just to accommodate Xiao Huayong’s feelings.
But since he minded her male friendships so much, she would avoid making new male friends in the future.
Xiao Huayong strode forward and embraced Shen Xihe tightly: “I’m sorry, Youyou. It’s my fault, I’ll change.”
Shen Xihe wasn’t angry, nor did she blame Xiao Huayong. She said softly: “Beichen, we’re husband and wife. Between spouses, one person shouldn’t always yield. If you dislike something, you can say it, and I’ll do what I can if possible. If I can’t, I’ll tell you.
I’m a person bound by rules and propriety. Someone like me might be boring in many ways, but I also know proper conduct.
Whoever I associate with, male or female, I maintain proper boundaries. I just hope you can trust me.”
“I trust you.” He had never doubted Shen Xihe’s propriety – her upbringing would never allow her to be fickle or violate moral principles. “I… I just want to be the most important person in your heart. If… if you treat me better, I won’t mind these things…”
Xiao Huayong could speak any flirtatious words easily, yet this sentence made him somewhat embarrassed.
Treat him better?
Shen Xihe was puzzled: “Am I not treating you well?”
She thought she had been treating him well enough – what more could she do?
“You are,” Xiao Huayong quickly replied. “But I’m greedy, I want you to treat me even better.”
Shen Xihe thought for a moment, then nodded: “I’ll remember that. I’ll try to treat you even better.”
Just this one sentence immediately made Xiao Huayong forget about Xie Yunhuai.
He wasn’t bothered by Xie Yunhuai – he just wanted reassurance from her.