Chapter 18

The aloof crown prince's nemesis (Chapter 18)

Gentle morning light filled every inch of the corridors and eaves of the Quiet Reflection Pavilion in the Eastern Palace.

The confinement had been lifted completely, and the oppressive chill of the past days had dispersed.

Shen Zhiwei stood quietly before the steps, her white robes bathed in light, her delicate features soft. From afar, she watched the black-robed figure she had longed for day and night approach through the sunlight. The bitterness, fear, and hurt that had weighed on her heart for so long all melted into searing warmth.

Xiao Heng strode into the courtyard. Gone was the solemnity of his court robes; only tenderness and devotion meant for her alone remained in his eyes.

He hurried to her side. Before she could bend her knees in greeting, he reached out and firmly supported her arms, his palms warm and strong.

"No need for formalities."

He lowered his eyes to hers, his voice deep and gentle, carrying the reassurance of dust finally settled.

"It's all over."

Those few simple words shattered every last shred of composure Shen Zhiwei had struggled to maintain.

Turmoil at court, fabricated evidence, poisoned well water, one deadly trap after another, endless rumors... she had endured it all alone for months.

From the orphaned daughter of a disgraced official, despised by everyone, she had finally shed every stain on her name and seen the long injustice brought to light.

Her nose prickled, and tears welled in her eyes as she asked softly, "Your Highness... is it really all over?"

"Yes."

Xiao Heng raised his hand and brushed the faintly reddened corner of her eye with his fingertip, his touch so gentle it was almost reverent.

"The evidence against Su Wan is conclusive. She has been confined to her family's convent for life and will never set foot among people again. The Su family has been punished for its involvement and no longer has the power to trouble you in the slightest."

"The Three Judicial Offices have thoroughly reviewed the old case. Today, my father issued a decree before the court-the case against the Shen Family was entirely the work of officials who framed and wrongfully executed them. Every charge has been overturned, the Shen Family's good name restored, and its loyal members granted posthumous honors."

The verdict fell with thunderous finality!

The injustice against her family that had weighed on Shen Zhiwei's heart for years was swept clean in a single day!

She stood rooted to the spot, her eyes instantly reddening, her heart aching and burning as tears threatened to fall.

For generations, the Shen Family had served loyally, guarding the nation's borders, never harboring the slightest thought of treason. Her father and brothers had died brutally, her entire family had suffered injustice, and she had wandered alone, struggling to survive at every step.

Today, at last, their innocence could return to the world.

Watching her tremble as she fought to hold herself together, Xiao Heng's heart ached unbearably. He reached out and gently drew her into his arms.

His embrace was broad and steady, shutting out every storm in the world.

"You've suffered so much, Zhiwei."

"From now on, you are no longer the daughter of a disgraced official."

"You are the descendant of loyal servants of the realm, the woman I, Xiao Heng, love, the girl I want to protect for the rest of my life."

Sunlight fell on their embracing figures, tender and lingering, as though the years ahead held only peace.

Shen Zhiwei leaned against his chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, and every last trace of unease faded.

She gently lifted her hands and wrapped them around his waist, whispering, "Your Highness... thank you."

She thanked him for refusing to believe the rumors, for insisting on protecting her, for declaring his love before everyone despite criticism from court and country, and for doing everything in his power to restore her innocence before the world.

Warmth surged through Xiao Heng's chest. He tightened his embrace and lowered his head against the crown of hers, his voice so tender it was almost a whisper:

"No need to thank me."

"Protecting you is something I do willingly, and I will never regret it in this lifetime."

That afternoon, the imperial decree officially spread throughout the Capital City.

A single clear edict proclaimed the truth to all beneath heaven.

The old case against the Shen Family was completely overturned, the late emperor's past mistake corrected, and the family's reputation for loyalty restored. Court and country were shaken, and everyone sighed with emotion.

The powerful nobles who had once mocked Shen Zhiwei and called her origins base and tainted all fell silent. No one dared utter another word against her.

The orphaned girl who had lived under the Eastern Palace's roof, enduring cold looks and criticism, saw her standing reversed overnight and glory bestowed upon her.

News that the crown prince had publicly asked to marry Shen Zhiwei at court and declared his love for her spread even faster throughout the Capital City.

The whole city knew-

The aloof, seemingly unfeeling crown prince of the Eastern Palace, pure of mind and restrained in desire, had rooted himself deeply in love, devoted to one woman alone.

At dusk, sunset clouds filled the sky.

Crabapple blossoms flourished in the Eastern Palace's rear garden, their fallen petals dancing through the air.

Xiao Heng led Shen Zhiwei on a leisurely walk through the garden. The evening breeze was gentle, and the fragrance of flowers enveloped them.

The tension of the past days finally eased. Their steps were unhurried as they stayed quietly beside each other.

"Zhiwei."

Xiao Heng suddenly stopped and turned to look at her earnestly.

The setting sun fell across his sharply defined features, stripping away every trace of imperial coldness until only tenderness and sincerity remained.

"What I said at court today was no passing impulse."

"I want to marry you, not to make amends, and not out of pity."

"It is because, from the moment my heart first stirred, my feelings have deepened each day. Long ago, you became the only one I could ever want."

Shen Zhiwei raised her eyes and met his deep, burning gaze. Her heartbeat abruptly lost its rhythm, and her cheeks flushed scarlet.

At the sight of her shy, gentle expression, the corners of Xiao Heng's lips lifted into a faint but utterly genuine smile.

That smile outshone the sunset, its tenderness enough to captivate a city.

He raised his hand and gently took her small, soft hand, intertwining their fingers.

"Once an auspicious day has been chosen, I will request an imperial decree for our wedding."

"From then on, you alone will be the crown princess of the Eastern Palace."

"My realm stretching ten thousand miles, every year of the life I have left-all will be yours."

Shen Zhiwei gazed at the devotion in his eyes, hers alone. Starlight glittered in her own as she nodded gently, her voice soft and tender:

"I trust you, Your Highness."

"I will wait for you, Your Highness."

The breeze brushed the crabapple trees, and petals fluttered down, carpeting the space around their closely nestled figures.

They had endured schemes, false accusations, separation, storms, and trials of life and death.

At last, they had parted every shadow and cast off all their forbearance and restraint.

The villains had left the stage, the injustices had been washed clean, and the rumors had scattered.

From then on-

The crown prince had a wife, and the world held tenderness.

Year after year, they would never part or abandon each other.