The next day, when Shen Xihe and Xue Jinqiao, who had slept well, saw their husbands, they noticed dark circles under both men’s eyes.
“Brother An, what happened to you?” Xue Jinqiao immediately rushed to Shen Yunan’s side, tilting her head to examine his eyes carefully, even wanting to reach out and touch them.
Her hand was caught by Shen Yunan, who glanced at Xiao Huayong: “Didn’t sleep well last night.”
That wasn’t true – it was from being hit by Xiao Huayong, who had specifically targeted his eyes while avoiding other areas. He had tried every method early in the morning but still couldn’t hide the marks.
“And you?” Shen Xihe looked at Xiao Huayong with an ambiguous smile.
Though Xiao Huayong knew Shen Xihe wasn’t easily fooled and probably already knew the reason, he said without blushing: “Without my wife’s company, I tossed and turned all night.”
Xiao Huayong’s injuries weren’t severe, nowhere near as dark as Shen Yunan’s. In terms of martial arts, they were evenly matched, but Xiao Huayong was more cunning, often using feints to trick Shen Yunan badly.
Xue Jinqiao looked thoughtfully between the Crown Prince and Shen Yunan, wondering if all married men became this miserable when separated from their wives.
Xue Jinqiao was pure white paper in certain aspects. Her childhood experiences had left her in a closed-off state in many ways, not accepting outside things or people. There were many things she didn’t understand and could only comprehend through her intelligence.
Thinking of this, and remembering how Shen Yunan had readily let her spend the night with Shen Xihe, she felt guilty and took his arm, saying: “I’ll never leave you to sleep alone again.”
Shen Yunan’s resentment instantly vanished as he looked down at his young wife’s sincere eyes. He broke into a smug grin, even raising his eyebrows to show off to Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Huayong wouldn’t admit he was jealous, but he still cast longing glances at Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe pretended not to notice. She could never be as coquettish as Xue Jinqiao, nor could she act with such pure innocence.
“Envious?” Shen Xihe asked with a smile, noticing Xiao Huayong’s constant staring.
Xiao Huayong nodded, honestly admitting it.
Shen Xihe’s beautiful eyes turned: “You might want to think about whether you could handle it if I acted like that.”
Xiao Huayong seriously considered it. Imagining Shen Xihe behaving like Xue Jinqiao made him shudder involuntarily. Why was that?
Such behavior came naturally to Xue Jinqiao, making it pleasing to see. But Shen Xihe was dignified, rational, calm, and composed. If she were to act like that…
Xiao Huayong’s first reaction would probably be to wonder what he’d done wrong to make his wife change so drastically…
Seeing that Xiao Huayong understood, Shen Xihe gave him a sweet gesture, taking his hand without avoiding Shen Yunan and the others: “Let’s go have breakfast, we shouldn’t delay our journey.”
Xiao Huayong’s eyes fell on her hand holding his, his lips curling into a smile. As he walked with Shen Xihe, he turned his head to provoke Shen Yunan.
However, his provocation annoyed not just one person but both husband and wife. Before Shen Yunan could act, Xue Jinqiao let go of him and rushed to hold Shen Xihe’s other hand, letting out a light snort.
Xiao Huayong: …
Shen Yunan: …
Shen Xihe couldn’t help but laugh. The Northwestern sky was especially blue, and the atmosphere in the Shen family was particularly warm.
But no matter how warm and sweet it was, they still had to part. The Shen Yunan couple accompanied Shen Xihe and the others almost to Liangzhou. On their final day together, Xue Jinqiao clung to Shen Xihe crying inconsolably, wailing that she wanted to return to the capital with her.
After much persuasion and a promise to exchange letters every ten days, they finally bid farewell to the sniffling Xue Jinqiao.
They had left the capital in March and returned in June.
From when willow branches sprouted tender buds until clouds and trees separated them, though only three months had passed, perhaps because of everything that had happened, it felt to Shen Xihe as if they’d been away from the capital for a very long time.
June in the capital was already quite hot. Under the scorching heat, it seemed especially quiet, a silence like the calm before a storm, with a hint of oppression lingering in the air.
Fortunately, the Eastern Palace had been well maintained. After the stuffiness of their journey, they were met with cool air upon their return.
Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong’s first task after returning was to tidy themselves and pay respects to Emperor Youning. They had kept abreast of developments in the capital – Xiao Changqing had used the vacancy of the Minister of War to nearly throw the entire court into chaos. The position remained unfilled; whenever someone was proposed or the Emperor considered appointing someone, some problem would arise with the candidate. Now many people considered the position cursed, and rumors about it being hexed had spread.
They expected Emperor Youning, who should have been overwhelmed with problems, to scold them, but surprisingly, he was pleasant, only putting on a serious face when mentioning Xiao Huayong’s secret departure from the palace, giving a few stern reminders before readily dismissing them.
Leaving Mingzheng Hall, they exchanged glances. The Emperor’s unusual behavior suggested something more complex was at play.
They would face whatever came their way. They just smiled at each other and went to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.
The next day, naturally, there were noble ladies sending cards requesting to see Shen Xihe. She chose to meet with some, including Shen Yingruo. After the others left, Shen Xihe kept Shen Yingruo behind: “When will His Majesty arrange the marriage?”
“In the next few days,” Shen Yingruo replied.
His Majesty wouldn’t issue the decree while Xiao Changfeng was away. Ostensibly, he needed to inform Xiao Changfeng first, but Shen Yingruo knew the Emperor was determined, and Xiao Changfeng wouldn’t be able to refuse.
“Live your life well in the future, don’t get involved in these matters,” Shen Xihe advised.
“Yes,” Shen Yingruo nodded.
Shen Xihe had nothing more to say, and Shen Yingruo didn’t want to remain in this awkward silence, so she took her leave, which Shen Xihe granted.
Just after Shen Yingruo left, Prince Jing Xiao Langyan came to the Eastern Palace seeking an audience, naturally with Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Huayong had Tianyuan invite Xiao Langyan in. When Shen Xihe first saw Xiao Langyan, she noticed he was the darkest-skinned among all the princes, as was common for men who spent years in the military. His eyes were as deep as cold stars, his features stern, and he carried himself with a soldier’s bearing. His chiseled features looked particularly heroic, and he wore a navy blue reversed-collar robe and a jewel-inlaid gold crown, exuding nobility.
Like an unwavering mountain, he commanded respect, carrying an unshakeable presence.
“Greetings to Crown Prince Brother and Sister-in-law,” Xiao Langyan’s voice was deep and solid, not particularly forceful but inherently powerful.
“Eighth Brother, please dispense with formalities,” Xiao Huayong smiled warmly.
Xiao Langyan stood straight, looking ahead, and without any pretense, spoke directly: “I’ve come today regarding my uncle’s death in the Northwest, to inquire about some matters from Royal Brother.”