HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 609: Your Majesty, She Has Become Wary

Chapter 609: Your Majesty, She Has Become Wary

Many people knew very little about their Crown Prince. After all, who would pay much attention to a Crown Prince who existed in name only, hanging by a thread in a Taoist temple for twelve years? Moreover, with the virtual extinction of the previous Empress’s clan – Prince Xiao Huayong’s maternal relatives on the surface – even fewer people thought of the Crown Prince.

Though Xiao Huayong had been back for two years, their strongest impression of him during this time was his frailty – fainting frequently and coughing at the slightest breeze. If they found anything commendable about Xiao Huayong, it was that he was “obedient.”

Xiao Huayong possessed neither great wisdom nor exceptional skill, but he could listen to his ministers’ advice. Thus, he handled all tasks assigned by His Majesty quite satisfactorily.

This trait was undoubtedly what court officials favored most in a ruler. The ambitious saw him as easily manipulated, while loyal patriots found him reasonable. In short, Xiao Huayong’s impression of the court officials so far was one of mediocrity – a good heir apparent who would surely become a mild-mannered ruler who heeded his ministers.

Regarding Xiao Huayong’s romantic affairs, since he had followed Shen Xihe to the Northwest despite his illness, the officials knew the Crown Prince held a deep affection for the Crown Princess, and they didn’t speculate much beyond that.

Today, seeing the Crown Prince’s extreme reaction to learning a lady admired him, clutching the Crown Princess’s sleeve like an abandoned cat, their expressions grew quite complex.

Throughout the great hall, everyone harbored different thoughts. Most were speechless, Emperor Youning maintained an unchanged expression with no one able to guess his thoughts, Xiao Changqing lowered his head to stare at his full wine cup, and Xiao Changying’s lips twitched involuntarily.

Bu Shulin held his wine cup, mouth agape, his expression somewhat comical.

Tianyuan, Zhao Zhenghao, Cui Jinbai, and others struggled to maintain normal expressions.

Only Shen Xihe lowered her gaze to the two fingers gripping her sleeve embroidered with plantain leaves, then slowly raised her eyes to meet Xiao Huayong’s still-coughing, anxious yet careful gaze, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

He was acting again.

She took out her handkerchief, handed it to Xiao Huayong, and patted his back: “I believe you.”

The couple seemed oblivious to others’ presence. If Emperor Youning were to ask again whether Xiao Huayong would accept An Zhengyi’s devotion, it would be tactless.

Taking concubines was legal in their dynasty, but elders interfering in their children’s domestic affairs was unseemly. Unless there were no heirs after many years of marriage, even the royal family wouldn’t intervene much in princes taking concubines.

Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong had only been married for a few months, far too early to doubt Shen Xihe’s ability to provide an heir. Moreover, Shen Xihe had committed no wrongs.

Xiao Huayong himself was unwilling, and given his “weak constitution,” how could a caring father burden him with more women?

“Seventh Son is unwell, he should return to rest early,” the usually quiet Empress Dowager spoke up with concern, seeing Xiao Huayong’s persistent cough, though it was weakening.

Xiao Huayong naturally stood up, half-leaning on Shen Xihe, coughing while apologizing to the Empress Dowager and Emperor Youning. He left with Shen Xihe, leaving the An father and daughter quite awkward in the hall.

Back in their palace, Shen Xihe immediately pushed away Xiao Huayong, who had been taking advantage of their closeness under the guise of illness and stared intently at his face.

Xiao Huayong grew uncomfortable under her gaze: “Why are you staring at me like this, Youyou?”

“I’m admiring Your Highness’s unparalleled beauty, which captured a maiden’s heart with just one childhood glimpse, leaving her forever pining,” Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows.

Xiao Huayong touched his handsome face: “You believe that, Youyou?”

Then his eyes shifted: “Youyou, you’re jealous.”

His midnight-black pupils were kind and full of joy and excitement. Shen Xihe gave a light laugh, shaking her head slightly, too lazy to argue with him.

After being married for so long, how could Shen Xihe not know that sometimes this man would disregard facts and twist black and white once he settled on something that pleased him?

“We’re husband and wife, Youyou needn’t be shy.” Xiao Huayong’s tall, slender frame leaned toward Shen Xihe, wearing a gleeful smile.

Shen Xihe quickly stepped back, causing Xiao Huayong to stumble, nearly losing his balance.

After retreating, Shen Xihe walked steadily inward, with Xiao Huayong hurrying after her: “Youyou, how could someone as clever as you believe her nonsense? She’s just a pawn moved by His Majesty to control you.”

Shen Xihe sat down and looked up at him: “I know. In their eyes, you have nothing but your looks.”

Xiao Huayong: …

Though Shen Xihe spoke the truth – this was indeed the impression he deliberately cultivated – hearing it from his beloved somehow didn’t sit right with the Crown Prince.

True, Xiao Huayong was the Crown Prince, but the problem was that he was a Crown Prince who wouldn’t last long, destined to die soon. Besides Shen Xihe, only someone like Xiao Wenxi, who already admired him and knew his true nature, would be willing to marry him.

Even if others wanted to marry him, their families wouldn’t agree.

Not only would they become widows shortly after entering the Eastern Palace, but they couldn’t help their families at all. When the new emperor ascended the throne, if he were petty, wouldn’t he view such marriages as their families betting on the Crown Prince, thus offending the new emperor?

These all required careful consideration, so despite Xiao Huayong’s outstanding looks and noble status, no one had designs on him.

An Zhengyi’s claim of wanting to be his secondary consort based on one childhood glimpse – she could only be a secondary consort due to her status and couldn’t reveal this before his marriage – might have fooled many, but not Shen Xihe.

Marrying Xiao Huayong meant likely becoming a living widow soon. They had all investigated what kind of person she, Shen Xihe, was. Unless An Zhengyi truly had uncontrollable, deep feelings for Xiao Huayong, why would she rush into the Eastern Palace?

But deep feelings from one childhood glimpse? How ridiculous.

For the An father and daughter to put on such a show, His Majesty must have promised them something, aiming to plant a spy in the Eastern Palace while keeping Shen Xihe in check.

Your Majesty had truly begun to fear her.

Shen Xihe didn’t take An Zhengyi seriously, but the next day rumors spread through the temporary palace, nearly driving Ziyu to violence.

“How dare they spread such tales about you, Your Highness! They’re saying Consort Xiufei also wanted to marry into the Eastern Palace but you left her stranded in the wilderness overnight, nearly killing her. Now that Miss An has publicly declared her feelings for the Crown Prince, she’s surely in for trouble, maybe even risking her life…” Ziyu nearly lost her mind with anger upon hearing these words.

What kind of monster were they making their Crown Princess out to be?

“No wonder she dared to petition me to my face.” Shen Xihe gave Xiao Huayong a faint smile.

Yesterday’s petition, today’s rumors – they were meant to prevent Shen Xihe from targeting her. If anything happened to her, it would be blamed on Shen Xihe. Such a narrow-minded Crown Princess who disregarded the bigger picture and abused her power – how could she be qualified to manage the palace?

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