“What merit could I possibly have?” Shen Xihe couldn’t help but laugh at his words. She hadn’t made any substantial contributions to the people of Dengzhou yet, and even the grain stockpiled by Hua Fuhai and Qi Pei hadn’t been delivered to the people.

“If I say you have merit, then you do.” Xiao Huayong lifted her feet onto his legs, which were already covered with a soft, fine cloth. He wrapped her feet with the cloth and used his strong hands to dry them with just the right amount of pressure.

Then he lifted her and carried her to the bed, pressing down on her shoulders to prevent her from getting up. “Rest for a while. Tomorrow Zhenzhu and the others will join us.”

After tucking in the blanket corners, Xiao Huayong turned to tidy the room.

Through the screen, she could see his figure bending to carry water. Shen Xihe couldn’t help but stare.

How could such a man exist in this world? Usually so noble he seemed to dwell among the clouds, making common people think he must not eat grain like mortals, as if he were a banished immortal.

His status was truly so noble that he could remain untouched by the mundane world, yet he was filled with the air of everyday life, so vivid that one couldn’t sense any distance. He was different from all other men she had known.

With an extremely critical eye, Shen Xihe tried to find any flaws or defects in him but discovered that aside from sometimes being as stubborn as a child, she couldn’t find anything she found truly intolerable.

This seemingly perfect, unreal person somehow made her feel his flesh and blood vitality – extremely contradictory.

Perhaps due to the cold-dispelling herbs, drowsiness overcame her, and Shen Xihe dozily fell asleep.

Though Xiao Huayong said he would handle this matter, Shen Xihe hadn’t asked how he would intervene, but she hadn’t stopped collecting information about Dengzhou’s current situation.

Without Zhenzhu and the others by their side, to avoid detection, Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong hadn’t brought guards to secretly follow them on this journey, but Shen Xihe still had her channels, though the news would come more slowly.

The next day, when Prince Xin escorted the “Crown Prince couple” into the city, even the citizens who had shut themselves indoors couldn’t help but show some joy. They were helpless against this weather that gave people no way to live, and all their hopes were pinned on that mysterious stone.

Since the heaven-sent stone said the Crown Prince could control this great rain, they naturally believed it. Thus when the Crown Prince entered the city, they wished they could line the streets to welcome him and set off firecrackers in celebration.

Xiao Changqing and the others were arranged to stay at the post station, about a half-hour walk from where Xiao Huayong and his group were staying.

“How do we get back?” Shen Xihe asked Xiao Huayong, thinking he must have arrangements.

Xiao Changqing must have known the escorted people were impostors and might have guessed Xiao Huayong’s mischievous intentions. Although Xiao Changyan’s caution had prevented him from suffering on the journey, he might still be unhappy and would naturally guard strictly against letting them switch back.

“Wait,” Xiao Huayong said with a smile.

At noon, despite the heavy rain, Shen Xihe hadn’t expected the “Crown Prince couple” to escape from Xiao Changqing and come to an inn not far from where they were staying – an inn that was sheltering disaster victims.

Xiao Huayong led Shen Xihe to change their clothes and enter through the back door. Under the innkeeper’s cover, they easily switched places with their doubles. Just after the switch, they heard a commotion outside.

“This subject heard Crown Prince Brother and Sister-in-law were here, so I came specially to welcome you.” It was Xiao Changyan’s voice.

Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe exchanged glances. Xiao Huayong coughed lightly and raised his hand slightly. Shen Xihe instinctively moved closer, holding his wrist to support him as they walked out.

The doubles had come in disguise, and though the citizens inside who saw them had their suspicions, they dared not speak of it. Xiao Changyan’s grand gesture of exposing the couple’s identity made the citizens sheltering there very anxious.

As Shen Xihe supported Xiao Huayong outside, all the citizens prostrated themselves in respect.

Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong could guess somewhat at Xiao Changyan’s purpose in doing this – it was nothing more than exposing their faces to the public, preventing them from going out privately and mixing with the crowds to hear things or do things in secret.

After Xiao Changyan’s display, unless the couple disguised themselves, they couldn’t conceal their identity anywhere they went.

“Eighth Brother, no need for formalities.” Xiao Huayong’s voice was weak. “In such heavy rain, you’ve troubled yourself to come through it.”

“Crown Prince Brother takes it too seriously. Brother bears the responsibility for the people’s peace, not sparing his sick body to travel thousands of li. I am deeply moved. Even for the sake of Dengzhou’s people, we must prioritize Brother’s safety,” Xiao Changyan said seriously.

“Eighth Brother’s words sound as if I’m being negligent, unable to protect the Crown Prince.” Before Xiao Huayong could speak, a voice rang out first from outside.

Standing in the rain curtain, wearing a rain cape and bamboo hat, his straight posture still couldn’t conceal his pine-and-cypress bearing – Xiao Changqing. The dense rain was like a light gauze, making his expression unclear.

When he passed through the rain screen and his face became clear, there was only a faint, elegant smile, as if his previous words had been mere jest.

“I spoke wrongly, Fifth Brother, don’t be angry.” Xiao Changyan yielded.

“I was also just joking, Eighth Brother, don’t take it to heart.” Xiao Changqing seemed intent on explaining.

The two brothers smiled at each other seemingly amicably.

“Cough, cough, cough…” Xiao Huayong broke into a violent fit of coughing.

“It’s cold by the door, Your Highness must not stand in the wind,” Tianyuan stood in front of Xiao Huayong to block the wind.

“I was negligent. Crown Prince Brother, shall we call for a physician?” Xiao Changyan hurried to say.

“I have a physician by my side,” Shen Xihe said quietly as she supported Xiao Huayong to a sheltered spot, while Axi and Zhenzhu came forward.

Shen Xihe stepped back to the outer circle and, after looking around, said to Xiao Changyan: “Along our journey, we saw Prince Jing’s capable governance and proper arrangements are admirable. Today when the Crown Prince and I saw the people you’ve settled, they have everything from food and medicine to moisture-proof and cold-resistant items. The Crown Prince also highly praises Prince Jing.”

Xiao Changyan said modestly: “It is my duty, unworthy of praise from the Crown Prince and Sister-in-law. If there are any oversights, I hope you and Brother will instruct me.”

“Prince Jing is too modest.” Shen Xihe smiled slightly, then changed the subject. “After seeing how the people are settled, I do have some thoughts.”

“Please speak, Sister-in-law.”

“The rain continues endlessly, the cold wind gathers, and many people have caught colds. Your Highness sending medicine and physicians shows your love for the people, clear as the sun and moon.” Shen Xihe first praised, then continued, “However, colds are contagious. If the sick and healthy are not separated, the cold will spread rampantly, and Your Highness’s medicine will be wasted in vain.”

Xiao Changyan looked up at Shen Xihe, then cupped his hands: “Sister-in-law’s words are right. I will arrange it right away.”