“Youyou!” After Tian Yuan’s silhouette vanished into the night, Shen Yun’an cast over a resentful, accusatory glance.

“Yesterday’s treats can’t compare to freshly made ones,” Shen Xihe could only coax him, “They’ll surely become stale if left until tomorrow. If brother wants to eat them tomorrow, I’ll make fresh ones for you.”

Though aware his sister was merely sweet-talking him, since she was willing to comfort him, Shen Yun’an was easily appeased. He broke into a grin, choosing to view it as the Crown Prince getting his leftovers, and his mood improved.

Yet looking at this lantern, it seemed increasingly jarring no matter how he viewed it.

“Biyu put it away,” Shen Xihe understood his meaning and smiled helplessly as she handed it to Biyu.

This wasn’t a gift from someone of unknown origin – it wouldn’t be appropriate to casually give it away or discard it like the previous lantern.

Shen Yun’an watched with wide eyes until Biyu carried the lantern into storage, only then feeling satisfied. “Shall we go to the Pingzhong Garden tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow I need to visit Xiangguo Temple. I’ve finished preparing the Zhati flower incense I promised to Master Xuqing.”

“I’ll escort you there. Xiangguo Temple also has two Pingzhong trees that are said to be over a hundred years old.” Shen Xihe loved Pingzhong trees, but they were difficult to grow in the northwest. In previous years, they only received some from their uncle’s family at the end of autumn.

Shen Xihe gladly agreed.

In the morning after breakfast, Shen Xihe and Shen Yun’an first visited the Tao family to pay respects to their maternal grandfather, uncle, and aunt. She rarely visited normally, only sending people over when she made new delicacies or received interesting items.

She and her brother were prominent figures exposed to danger, and frequent visits to the Tao family might bring them unwanted trouble.

Magistrate Tao was so pleased to see his granddaughter that he was unwilling to let her leave. Only after Shen Xihe repeatedly explained her prior appointment with Master Xuqing did she manage to break free from her uncle’s home.

Delivering the Zhati flower incense to Xiangguo Temple, Shen Xihe made no attempt at discretion. She had the Duhuo Pavilion manager arrange for people early in the morning to carry the incense covered with red cloth. The quantity needed for Buddha statue casting was enormous – six people walked in perfect formation through several streets before entering the foot of the mountain where the Huguo Temple stood.

When Shen Xihe led them into Xiangguo Temple, news spread quickly that Duhuo Pavilion’s incense would become the fragrance for Xiangguo Temple’s Buddha statue. This led even those who had complained about the high prices to grit their teeth and make a purchase, while Duhuo Pavilion’s regular customers felt a sense of shared pride.

“The fragrance is excellent.” Xuqing personally came to inspect it and was thoroughly satisfied, expressing deep gratitude to Shen Xihe, “Many thanks, Princess.”

“Master is too kind,” Shen Xihe replied modestly with a bow. “I’ve loved Pingzhong trees since childhood. I heard Xiangguo Temple has hundred-year-old Pingzhong trees – might my brother and I be permitted to view them?”

The Pingzhong trees at Xiangguo Temple were personally planted by Emperor Taizong. If the dynasty had passed its centennial, the Pingzhong trees had also exceeded a hundred years, making them Xiangguo Temple’s greatest treasure. Apart from the Emperor and Master Xuqing, ordinary people were not allowed casual access.

Those wanting to catch a glimpse could only look down from the high mountains, barely making out a distant silhouette.

Master Xuqing hesitated for a moment before saying: “There is currently a patron in the Pingzhong courtyard. If the Princess doesn’t mind, this humble monk can guide you there.”

“That’s fine, as long as they don’t mind our intrusion,” Shen Xihe only wished to admire the scenery, having no desire for exclusivity.

“Please follow me, Princess.”

Xuqing led them to the Pingzhong courtyard. From afar, they could see an orange-yellow canopy covering the entire courtyard above, like a golden sunset glow on the horizon. Up close, yellow leaves carpeted the ground, dreamlike as butterflies, mesmerizing to behold.

Among the golden scene stood a tall, snow-white figure. Shen Xihe paused at the courtyard’s moon gate.

The person wore flowing white robes with black trim at the waist, cuffs, and hem. A white hair ribbon bound a waterfall of dark hair. He tilted his head slightly upward, gazing intently at the ginkgo tree. Occasionally, leaves would silently drift down to rest on his shoulders with utmost gentleness.

Shen Xihe hadn’t expected to encounter Xiao Changqin under such circumstances.

At the Defining Princess’s birthday banquet, he had not attended, citing his period of mourning.

In this dynasty, it was decreed that husbands should observe one year of mourning for deceased wives. Nobles and royal family members would typically wait a year before remarrying, but very few wore mourning clothes for the full year due to court duties and official business that made it impractical.

The mourning period typically ranged from seven days to three months, but though over four months had passed since Gu Qingchi’s death, Xiao Changqin was still wearing mourning clothes.

Seemingly sensing their arrival, Xiao Changqin turned to look their way. His gaze fell on Shen Xihe and froze momentarily.

This was his first time seeing Shen Xihe. An overwhelming sense of familiarity struck his mind, leaving him somewhat dizzy.

When they approached, Xiao Changqin composed himself, and they exchanged formal greetings.

Xuqing didn’t identify Xiao Changqin, and Xiao Changqin didn’t reveal Shen Xihe and her brother’s identities. Everyone treated it as a casual encounter between strangers exchanging courtesies.

“Brother, what are you doing?” Shen Xihe watched as Shen Yun’an gathered many fallen leaves.

“Taking them back to make you a fragrant pillow,” Shen Yun’an selected intact, attractive leaves while scattering the rest on the ground.

The autumn wind was desolate, with many leaves swaying in the breeze. Shen Yun’an busily stooped to sort through the thick carpet of leaves on the ground, selecting clean and undamaged ones.

She loved Pingzhong leaves, and Shen Yun’an had once galloped a thousand li to bring her a bag of ginkgo leaves. Touched by his thoughtfulness and not wanting the Pingzhong leaves to wither, she had devised a method to dry them and fill pillows with them, using them until they could no longer serve their purpose.

“Let’s gather more and make one for brother too,” Shen Xihe smiled contentedly, disregarding etiquette to crouch down and sort through leaves alongside Shen Yun’an.

The siblings carried on as if no one else was present, even discussing the leaves, occasionally showing each other particularly large or beautiful specimens for mutual appreciation.

Xiao Changqin stood on the other side, watching the chattering siblings with a silent laugh.

Just moments ago when he first saw Shen Xihe, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, and even felt an involuntary stab of pain in his chest.

But now, watching Shen Xihe lift her skirts and crouch down, revealing embroidered shoes, he was certain that his obsession had created an illusion.

His wife, a woman who had propriety and etiquette carved into her bones, would never have made such casual, uninhibited gestures.

Qingqing, I’m nearly going mad missing you…

Xiao Changqin turned and silently left the courtyard.

His departure didn’t affect the siblings at all, as they continued happily gathering leaves as before.

“I wonder where Princess Zhaoning and the Western Northern Prince’s heir have gone?”

Just as the siblings were in high spirits, a strange woman’s voice sounded from beyond the Pingzhong courtyard wall.

Shen Xihe and Shen Yun’an exchanged glances, both looking toward the solid wall opposite the moon gate. Presumably knowing the Pingzhong courtyard was a restricted area of Xiangguo Temple, they had dared to arrange their secret meeting near its walls.

“I’ve been worrying myself sick for your sake. The Northwest is desolate, no noble lady wants to marry there. Your status gives you this opportunity – you must seize it,” the woman urged further.

“Aunt… everyone says the Western Northern Prince’s heir kills people like scything grass. I…” a delicate female voice responded, sounding very troubled.