Shen Zhaoli hurried forward to support Song Yingwu, who was about to kneel, her eyes filled with respect.
“Old General Song, there is no need for such formalities. Without the Song family fighting on the battlefield, how could this princess sit securely as the eldest princess?”
Song Yingwu laughed heartily, his impression of Shen Zhaoli improving somewhat.
“Princess Changle, you flatter me. Protecting our home and defending our nation are duties that we generals should fulfill.”
Glancing at the carriage behind Shen Zhaoli, Song Yingwu suddenly remembered that Princess Changle was also a renowned talented woman.
“Is Your Highness heading to the Wenyuan Pavilion?”
Shen Zhaoli knew what Song Yingwu wanted to say and couldn’t help but smile lightly.
“Old General Song, you want me to help you find General Feiyu, don’t you? I will do this, but whether I can persuade him, I dare not guarantee.”
Song Yingwu’s face lit up with joy as he cupped his hands and bowed to Shen Zhaoli.
“It doesn’t matter. I only ask Your Highness to convey a message to my unruly son.”
“Your Highness, please tell him that if he still refuses to return home, his mother and I will directly decide on his marriage for him.”
Shen Zhaoli couldn’t help but chuckle, but thinking of the Song family’s sparse lineage, she felt a tinge of melancholy.
“Old General Song, rest assured, I will certainly convey your message.”
Song Yingwu bowed in gratitude, and Shen Zhaoli led Mi Ning into the Hanmo Garden.
After walking around the courtyard, she didn’t see Song Chen anywhere.
Suddenly, a few plum blossoms drifted down. Shen Zhaoli looked up and saw Song Chen leaning against the corridor eaves.
Dressed in a black brocade robe, his dark hair tied high, a navy blue hair ribbon fluttering gently.
The corners of his lips curved upward, his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes gleaming like constellations.
“Song Chen pays his respects to Your Highness. A necessary measure, I hope Your Highness will forgive me.”
Shen Zhaoli was slightly taken aback. No wonder she hadn’t seen anyone—he was hiding here.
“It’s fine. Old General Song asked me to convey a message: if the young general still refuses to return home, he will arrange your marriage for you.”
Song Chen flipped over and jumped down from the wall, landing steadily in front of Shen Zhaoli.
“Your Highness may not know, but Song Chen already has someone he admires and does not wish to delay another young lady.”
Shen Zhaoli pursed her red lips, feeling somewhat awkward.
She and Song Chen didn’t seem familiar enough to discuss such matters.
But looking at Song Chen’s handsome face, which showed a hint of grievance, she hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“If that’s the case, why doesn’t the young general speak frankly? I imagine Old General Song is not a rigid person.”
Song Chen’s starry eyes fixed on Shen Zhaoli’s, the corners of his lips slightly raised, his ears flushed red.
“The person I admire is of noble status. I fear I am unworthy of her and dare not speak openly.”
Shen Zhaoli’s heart skipped a beat, and she unconsciously averted her gaze.
“With the young general’s status, how could there be a woman you are unworthy of?”
Song Chen withdrew his gaze and handed the red plum blossom in his hand to Shen Zhaoli.
“Your Highness is right. Perhaps I should let her know my feelings.”
Looking at the blooming plum blossom before her, Shen Zhaoli was slightly stunned, vaguely sensing that Song Chen seemed to be implying something.
Just as she was about to refuse, she heard Song Chen’s candid voice.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for covering for me. I have nothing to repay you with, so I offer this flower in gratitude.”
Shen Zhaoli raised an eyebrow slightly before accepting the plum blossom.
Song Chen took two steps back, bowed to Shen Zhaoli in gratitude, then turned and leaped away, his sleeves fluttering, the navy blue hair ribbon tracing a perfect arc in the air.
In the blink of an eye, Song Chen had disappeared from the Hanmo Garden.
Handing the red plum blossom to Mi Ning for safekeeping, Shen Zhaoli didn’t dwell on it further and turned to enter the Wenyuan Pavilion.
Meanwhile, at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the Xie family.
Since Xie Yuheng was injured, he had been recuperating at home for several days in a row and had not attended court.
Seeing that his injuries were almost healed, Shen Zhaoli still hadn’t come.
Xie Yuheng’s mood grew worse with each passing day.
What exactly was Shen Zhaoli doing? Knowing he was so severely injured, yet she never came to see him.
Su Qingxi had never seen Xie Yuheng look so grim for anyone before. She pursed her thin lips, forcing a faint smile.
“Qinggui Brother, the dining hall is ready with food. Let me help you over.”
Xie Yuheng’s face remained cold. Though still somewhat pale, he could already move on his own.
“No need.”
Rising from the bed, Xie Yuheng walked toward the door.
Su Qingxi’s delicate face showed a hint of grievance as she followed closely behind him.
“Qinggui Brother, perhaps I should go explain things to Princess Changle. Once it’s all cleared up, Her Highness might come to see you.”
Hearing this, Xie Yuheng’s expression grew even colder, a trace of irritation lingering in his heart.
“You haven’t done anything wrong. There’s no need to explain to her.”
Listening to Xie Yuheng’s slightly chilly tone, Su Qingxi’s eyes reddened. “But Qinggui Brother is unhappy because of this. Xi’er doesn’t want you to suffer.”
“It was me who upset Her Highness. As long as I apologize and accept punishment, she won’t treat you so coldly anymore.”
Su Qingxi’s humble, submissive demeanor made Xie Yuheng feel a pang of pity. He paused his steps and comforted her gently.
“This is between Shen Zhaoli and me. It has nothing to do with you, and there’s no need for you to blame yourself.”
A flicker of surprise flashed in Su Qingxi’s eyes, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand.
How could Qinggui Brother say it had nothing to do with her?
Xie Yuheng didn’t notice Su Qingxi’s unusual reaction and led the way to the dining hall.
As soon as he entered, he saw Old Madam Xie full of anger, her expression displeased. Xie Yuheng frowned slightly, feeling a wave of annoyance.
“What’s wrong now?”
Old Madam Xie stood up and walked over to Xie Yuheng, pointing at the food on the table and scolding loudly.
“Look for yourself! What kind of things is the kitchen serving every day? Is this fit for people to eat?”
Xie Yuheng glanced at the dining table. On the lacquered red huanghuali round table were four or five dishes of plain porridge and simple vegetables—though not lavish, they were refreshing.
“This looks fine.”
Xie Yuheng stepped forward and sat down, not siding with Old Madam Xie.
Seeing this, Su Qingxi gently patted Old Madam Xie’s back and helped her sit down.
“Aunt Xie, if you don’t like these dishes, just have the kitchen prepare something more to your taste. Don’t let anger harm your health.”
Old Madam Xie sat down, but hearing this only made her angrier.
“Haven’t I said so already? I’ve been craving that Jade Belt Qilin for so long. I’ve told the kitchen countless times, but it still hasn’t appeared on the table.”
“And that’s not all—there isn’t even a hint of meat on this table. How is anyone supposed to eat this?”
Hearing this, Su Qingxi couldn’t help but purse her lips.
The meals these past few days had indeed been too bland, and even she found them hard to swallow.
But seeing Xie Yuheng’s expression, Su Qingxi sat quietly without a word.
Xie Yuheng naturally preferred light flavors, and with his recent recovery, his diet had been even plainer. He didn’t see any problem with the food. Instead, he frowned at Old Madam Xie.
“Mother, can you please stop making a fuss? That Jade Belt Qilin uses rare ingredients—it’s not an everyday dish. Since when have you become so picky?”
The Jade Belt Qilin was originally a palace dish, requiring meat from the Jade Qilin beast that lived atop snowy mountains as its main ingredient.
Its meat was exceptionally tender and had high medicinal value.
But because of its rarity, only the masters of the palace could enjoy it.
Back then, it was only because Shen Zhaoli had granted special permission and even sent the cook Cui, who knew how to prepare jade-belt kylin, into the household that they could enjoy the dish twice a year. Now, not to mention that the meat of the jade kylin is impossible to obtain.
Even if it could be obtained, without Cook Cui, the dish would still be out of reach.
In the past, when he was studying diligently, the family was poor, and even wild vegetable soup tasted delightful. Having simple porridge and side dishes like now was already quite good.
Currently, the household’s assets are not abundant. With his injury causing him to miss court duties this time, his salary would likely be docked, making next month’s days even more difficult.
Why couldn’t his mother understand the hardships he faced?