Lady Shen doted on her daughter immensely and maintained a relaxed household, never having the heart to make her rise early for morning greetings.
As a result, Shen Tinghe had developed the habit of sleeping in since childhood.
Lady Shen patted the back of her hand, her tone growing more serious: “You should start tempering your nature. In two months, you will marry into the Eastern Palace and become the Crown Princess, understand?”
“If you still sleep in like this then, people will laugh at you.”
Hearing this, Shen Tinghe lay back on her pillow and mumbled, “Brother Crown Prince would never laugh at me. Perhaps after I marry him, he’ll even let me sleep later.”
It must be said that Shen Tinghe had hit the truth. In the future, after marrying into the Eastern Palace, Xie Yanzhao indeed allowed her to sleep even later, to the point she could hardly wake up…
Lady Shen: “The Crown Prince dotes on you, but after marriage, a woman can never be as free as she was in her maiden home. You must not be so willful anymore.”
Shen Tinghe, who had been feigning sleep, opened her eyes, a layer of fine unease clouding her gaze.
She turned to her side, looking at her mother seated by the bed: “Mother, what if he takes other women in the future?”
Hearing this, Lady Shen lifted her eyes to her daughter.
Shen Tinghe’s cheeks were flushed with a delicate pink, and her almond-shaped eyes, usually brimming with laughter, were now filled with anxiety.
Lady Shen couldn’t help but smile softly, stroking her face: “You, you just don’t realize how fortunate you are.”
“That child, the Crown Prince, has an aloof and stubborn nature. Who in the court doesn’t fear him somewhat? But look at how he treats you—is there any trace of coldness or hardness?”
Lady Shen’s voice was gentle yet firm, her eyes full of understanding: “Your father and I have seen it clearly. That icy heart of his has long been completely given to you.”
“His love is evident indulgence, a favor that no one else can obtain even a fraction of.”
She gently pinched her daughter’s chin, her tone carrying a touch of seriousness: “If we weren’t certain of his sincerity toward you, how could your father and I entrust you to him? This marriage contract was never because he is the Crown Prince, but only because he is someone who truly cares for you.”
“Yuan’er,” Lady Shen grasped her daughter’s slightly cool hand, warmth passing through her fingertips.
“Love can make one hesitant, make one worry about gains and losses—that’s nothing unusual. But you must understand, the Crown Prince is no ordinary man, nor is he the type who indulges in beauty and is fickle. You should trust him a little more, and trust yourself a little more too.”
She paused, her tone resolute: “My daughter came into this world to be cherished and to enjoy happiness. Just do what you wish, love whom you wish to love, without having to compromise yourself in the slightest.”
“Your father and I will always be your strongest support. If he ever has even a hint of other intentions in the future, we’ll leave him. Your grandmother is still here, isn’t she?”
Shen Tinghe gazed at the undisguised affection in her mother’s eyes, her nose tingling with emotion.
Grandmother, Princess Zhaorong.
The late emperor’s own sister, also a female general who once donned armor and fought on the battlefield.
When the late emperor was establishing the empire, her illustrious military achievements were no less than any man’s. Now, within the imperial family, her prestige is unparalleled, and no one dares show her disrespect.
Shen Tinghe’s eyes reddened, but her voice grew much lighter: “I thought, Mother, you would advise me, saying it’s common for emperors to have multiple wives and concubines, and that I should be more open-minded.”
Hearing this, Lady Shen gently patted the back of her hand, chiding: “In your heart, is your mother such a person? Would I let my precious daughter suffer any grievance?”
“Back then, Emperor Xian was able to love only Empress Yizhen throughout his entire life, leaving the six palaces empty—a tale that has become a beautiful legend. Why can’t the Crown Prince do the same? If he cannot achieve such devotion, then our Yuan’er doesn’t need him.”
The love between Emperor Chengyuan, the founding emperor, and Empress Yizhen was a romance praised by all.
Emperor Chengyuan had only Empress Yizhen as his wife throughout his life. The two supported each other through thick and thin, jointly ruling the kingdom, without ever harboring a trace of suspicion or betrayal.
The unease in Shen Tinghe’s heart melted away. She threw herself into her mother’s embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around her waist and nuzzling affectionately against the soft fabric of her robe. “Mother~”
Lady Shen lovingly held her daughter, gently stroking her dark, flowing hair, her eyes filled with tender hope.
She did not seek for her daughter to become the mother of the nation; she only wished for her to live a life of peace and well-being.
To win the heart of one person, to stay together until their hair turns white, forever carefree and surrounded by love.
The maidservants attended to Shen Tinghe as she washed and dressed. She wore an emerald-blue brocade dress adorned with floral patterns, her skin glowing, her eyes still carrying a hint of youthful innocence.
After freshening up, Shen Tinghe took Lady Shen’s arm and walked with her to the front hall.
The rosewood dining table was already set with a delicate breakfast. Crystal plates held steamed crab roe dumplings, while celadon bowls kept lotus seed soup warm.
Only Lady Shen and Shen Chengzhou were seated at the table, as Shen Xuan had not yet returned from court.
Lady Shen said gently, “Tomorrow, the Duke of Chang’s residence is hosting the Thousand Flowers Banquet. Both of you will accompany me.”
Shen Chengzhou, who had been holding a bowl and sipping soup, paused at these words, his eyes widening. “Huh? Sister and Mother can go. Why should I join in the fun?”
“Naturally, to find you a suitable match,” Lady Shen set down her chopsticks.
“You are fifteen this year, not young anymore. If we don’t start looking now, should we wait until you’re twenty to pick and choose?”
“Mother,” Shen Chengzhou tried to protest, looking pleadingly at Shen Tinghe beside him.
“Sister, please help me talk some sense into her.”
Shen Tinghe looked at her younger brother’s flustered expression and couldn’t help but curve her lips into a smile. Still, she gently shook her head, her eyes carrying a hint of helpless amusement.
In the end, it was Lady Shen who decided that Shen Chengzhou would go along.
After breakfast, Shen Tinghe returned to her Jiangxi Courtyard.
Her personal maid, Qing Xu, entered carrying an exquisite rosewood box.
“Miss, this was delivered by the Crown Prince’s guard, Jing Cang.”
Shen Tinghe took the box and opened it. Inside lay a letter, its envelope bulging as if wrapped around something hard.
Puzzled, she pulled out the letter, and a pitch-black military tally engraved with intricate qilin patterns fell into her palm.
The Qilin Tally!
It could command all guards within the imperial palace. Though not as powerful as the Tiger Tally, which could mobilize millions of troops, the imperial palace was the emperor’s residence—the most critical place in the realm. If this Qilin Tally fell into the wrong hands, the consequences would be unimaginable.
She unfolded the letter.
Xie Yanzhao’s handwriting leaped from the page—bold and powerful strokes, yet elegant and upright, a style even master calligraphers praised.
The letter contained only six short words: Yuan’er, my dearest love.
No extra words, yet they spoke more than a thousand.
Shen Tinghe understood his intention. He was giving her confidence.
Holding the Qilin Tally, she felt as if it burned her hand, her heart filled with both emotion and joy.
Shen Tinghe stood up. “Qing Xu, Qing Yu, help me change. I am going to the palace.”
With the token Xie Yanzhao had given her, Shen Tinghe entered the palace without hindrance.
When she arrived at the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince’s eunuch, Qi Lu, was already waiting outside the palace gates. Upon seeing her, he quickly bowed in greeting.
“Miss Shen, His Highness is currently handling official matters in the study. This servant will take you there right away.”
“Is he busy? If it’s inconvenient, I can wait in the west chamber.”
Qi Lu wore a gentle smile: “You jest, miss. When you arrive, His Highness has no busy matters.”