The reason for her likeness being carved on the cup goes back to two days ago.

When Xiao Huayong ordered one cup to be sent, Tian Yuan, after retrieving it, felt compelled to remind his master: “Your Highness, I’ve learned that the Princess doesn’t enjoy drinking. I fear she might give this cup to the Prince.”

Xiao Huayong: …

Just imagining someone else using a matching pair of cups darkened Xiao Huayong’s face: “Bring me the cup!”

To prevent this from happening, Xiao Huayong, risking Shen Xihe’s displeasure, made a few light strokes on the cup’s surface, subtly capturing Shen Xihe’s likeness.

Carved items were common, with ordinary people carving wooden figures, so having a portrait on a cup wasn’t unusual.

Though Xiao Huayong, in his self-deception, believed his carving was flowing and natural without any obvious intent, Shen Xihe immediately recognized her silhouette.

Her fine eyebrows slightly furrowed as she held the cup in silence.

Beiyu glanced at the pattern: “Princess, shall we put it away?”

Since the figure on the cup resembled the Princess so closely, she naturally couldn’t give it to others. But seeing Shen Xihe’s reaction, Beiyu sensed her displeasure, meaning she probably wouldn’t use it either. It would have to be stored away, wasting such a fine item.

“No need.” Shen Xihe suddenly smiled, gently placing it back in the brocade box. “My father, brother, and I will be separated in the future. This would be perfect to give to Father, to remind him of his thoughts of me.”

Beiyu’s eyes lit up.

Indeed, while it couldn’t be given to outsiders, it could go to the King. When he missed the Princess, he could look at the cup.

Shen Xihe lowered her eyelids, the smile lingering on her lips.

She didn’t know Xiao Huayong’s intentions in giving her this gift. They’d had pleasant conversations at the Eastern Palace days ago, both understanding each other’s needs – a win-win situation. But she didn’t want him to presume too much. Someone aspiring to rule the world shouldn’t be bound by romantic sentiments.

Giving this item to the Northwestern King was also a warning to Xiao Huayong – if he didn’t want her father to see him as someone preoccupied with romance, he should think twice about such gifts.

The day before Zhengyi Month, Shen Yunʼan arrived in the capital travel-worn, appearing exhausted before Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe was reading in the courtyard, with Duanming circling its feet, when a voice suppressing joy called out from behind: “Youyou!”

Shen Xihe’s body stiffened, the book unconsciously falling from her hands. She suddenly stood and turned, facing Shen Yunʼan in his snow-blue collared robe, his tall figure blocking much of the sunlight at the moon gate.

His joyful smile revealed white teeth, creating fine lines at his eyes’ corners, with deep affection about to burst forth from their depths.

He opened his arms, and Shen Xihe lifted her skirts and ran to him.

Shen Yunʼan strode forward, embracing her fully, lifting and spinning her once. Mindful of her weak constitution, he restrained himself and set her down, his rough, thick, warm hands gripping her shoulders: “Let brother have a good look at you.”

The siblings were spiritually connected – today Shen Xihe also wore a moon-white upper garment with a snow-blue embroidered skirt.

She had changed, becoming more confident, elegant, and bright, making Shen Yunʼan’s expression relax: “Youyou have grown more beautiful.”

“Brother has grown darker,” Shen Xihe said, suppressing a laugh.

Shen Yunʼan shared some resemblance with Shen Xihe. He was handsome and dignified, but the northwestern wind and sun had darkened and roughened him, making him quite different from the capital’s men. Years of training had made him burly – when not smiling, his stern stance might frighten timid young ladies to tears.

“Naughty,” Shen Yunʼan lightly tapped her nose. “Come, let’s go inside and talk. Brother has brought you many things…”

Shen Yunʼan chatted continuously. He’d brought several carriages of items, but couldn’t wait for them, riding ahead alone. The Emperor had graciously allowed him to return home after the Double Ninth Festival, letting him stay for over half a month.

“I could have come earlier, but the Anxi matter just got resolved…” Shen Yunʼan’s smile faded slightly.

“The Anxi matter?” Shen Xihe asked with concern. “Tell me about it, brother.”

“Your letter arrived just in time, otherwise the consequences would have been unthinkable.” As usual, Shen Yunʼan skipped details to spare his sister’s weak constitution, changing the subject, “Father had just arranged things when Prince Lie arrived. According to Father’s information, Prince Lie threatened you with the defense maps, but when he visited, his words suggested he deliberately warned you. What happened?”

“He just gave me the maps, I don’t know his intentions. After seeing the defense maps, I avoided meeting him to raise his suspicions,” Shen Xihe said fairly.

Xiao Changyingʼs only threat was insisting on seeing her or he’d visit her chambers at night – he hadn’t mentioned using the defense maps.

Shen Xihe never slandered anyone, even enemies. She knew Shen Yueshan and Shen Yunʼan had once favored her marriage to Xiao Changying, but she wouldn’t distort facts or deceive even her closest family just because she didn’t want to marry him.

Shen Yunʼan fell into thought: “If so, without his help, this matter would have been hard to resolve.”

Shen Xihe neither agreed nor disagreed: “Who leaked the northwestern defense maps?”

“The Anxi Deputy Protector.” Shen Yunʼan’s eagle-like eyes flashed coldly. “Father has executed him.”

Shen Xihe: “Did you find out who was behind it?”

“He was born in the Northwest, enlisted at fifteen, achieved many merits over thirty years to become Deputy Protector, never leaving the Northwest. After his arrest, a recently favored concubine took poison and burned many things.”

Shen Yunʼan’s expression darkened: “Further investigation revealed this concubine was a servant bought into the household ten years ago.”

Such a deeply planted chess piece – trying to trace who had arranged the sale now would be like searching for a needle in the sea.

Thus, the trail ended there.

“It wasn’t His Majesty,” Shen Xihe first eliminated the Youning Emperor.

If it had been him, he would have known as soon as the defense maps were stolen and would have acted immediately.

Seeing Shen Xihe’s sharp insight, pain showed in Shen Yunʼan’s eyes: “Youyou have grown up.”

The capital was truly a place that devoured people – his sister had become so astute in just a few short months.

Knowing Shen Yunʼan’s misunderstanding, Shen Xihe smiled lightly: “I was always like this, just had no use for it in the Northwest.”

“Yes, yes, yes, it’s Father’s and my fault for holding back my sister’s talents,” Shen Yunʼan laughed indulgently.

Shen Xihe snorted softly, then asked seriously: “Could you learn from Prince Lie how he obtained the maps?”

This was the only breakthrough point for investigating the matter.

Shen Yunʼan looked gently at his peerlessly beautiful sister: “Youyou, do you truly have no intention of marrying him?”

“None.”

“Have you set your heart on the Crown Prince?”

Shen Xihe shook her head: “He’s just temporarily more appealing to the eye.”