Chapter 19

The aloof crown prince's nemesis (Chapter 19)

The injustice was overturned, and every shadow dispersed.

Ever since he had openly declared his feelings at court that day, the atmosphere throughout the Eastern Palace had softened.

Its former severity and cold silence gradually faded. Everywhere, palace servants moved with quiet steps and smiles in their eyes. Even the breeze in the courtyards had grown soft and gentle.

The restrictions on the Quiet Reflection Pavilion were lifted entirely. Xiao Heng simply issued a verbal decree, having Shen Zhiwei move into the warm chamber in the main courtyard so she could stay beside him day and night.

Her formal status remained unsettled, but their hearts were already clear.

Everyone in the Eastern Palace understood-

Miss Shen, who had weathered so many storms, would be their one and only crown princess.

At dawn, the first light glimmered, and warmth filled the chamber.

Shen Zhiwei woke early. Draped in a light, plain-colored outer robe, she stood alone by the window, watching the morning flowers newly opened in the courtyard.

After months of tension and fear, she could finally sleep peacefully.

Soft, unhurried footsteps sounded behind her.

Long arms, carrying a trace of the morning chill, gently swept around her and drew her securely into an embrace.

Xiao Heng had just finished washing. His dark hair was still half wet, his handsome features gentle. Without the cold sharpness he wore at court, he seemed a little more languid, a little more touched by the warmth of ordinary life.

"Why are you awake so early? Won't you sleep a little longer?"

He lowered his head, his breath brushing her ear, his voice low and tender.

Shen Zhiwei leaned back against his chest, a faint smile in her eyes. "I've slept enough. Now that my heart is at ease, I naturally sleep soundly."

Before, she had guarded against hidden attacks every night, every whisper of wind and cry of a crane an alarm. Now, with him beside her, she found safety everywhere.

Xiao Heng's heart softened. He rested his chin lightly on the crown of her head, his fingers gently caressing her slender waist.

"From now on, I'll make sure you sleep peacefully every night."

No one will ever dare disturb even a moment of your rest again.

From that day onward, life in the Eastern Palace became a daily tale of the crown prince doting on his wife.

The crown prince, once so unapproachable and sternly disciplined, had changed completely.

His three daily meals had once been simple and bland, governed by strict restraint. Now, the kitchens prepared delicate pastries and lightly sweet soups every day, each one suited to Shen Zhiwei's tastes.

He had once disliked strolling about or lingering in the rear courtyard. Now, the first thing he did after finishing his duties each day was return to the warm chamber to find her.

The palace servants whispered among themselves-

His Highness had hardly just brought his beloved home. He had placed his entire heart, whole and unreserved, into Miss Shen's hands.

The afternoon sunlight was lovely.

Shen Zhiwei sat beneath the covered walkway reading, her fingertips brushing lightly over the pages, quiet and gentle.

A young descendant of one of the Shen Family's former retainers heard that the family had been exonerated. He specially sent a visiting card to the Eastern Palace, hoping to see Shen Zhiwei, reminisce, and ask after her.

The young man was refined and courteous. Standing outside the courtyard, he offered respectful greetings, his words filled with sympathy and admiration.

"Miss Shen, you've suffered so much. It is truly a blessing that this long-standing injustice has finally been cleared. If you ever have need of your family's former retainers, we would face ten thousand deaths without hesitation."

Shen Zhiwei smiled faintly and answered in a gentle voice, her manner gracious and composed.

At a nearby turn in the covered walkway.

Xiao Heng stood in the shadows with his hands behind his back, his gaze resting lightly on the young man.

His face remained calm, but the faintest trace of jealousy slipped through his eyes.

He knew the visitor was a loyal descendant of the Shen Family's former retainers and had done nothing improper.

But-

The sight of his beloved smiling gently and speaking so warmly was still something he wanted all to himself.

A little later, the young man bowed and took his leave.

Shen Zhiwei had barely drawn back her gaze when someone suddenly wrapped her tightly in his arms from behind.

His hold was just a little firmer than usual, carrying His Highness's deeply concealed, utterly endearing possessiveness.

Shen Zhiwei paused in surprise, then laughed softly. "What's wrong, Your Highness?"

Xiao Heng buried his face in the curve of her neck. His voice was even, with a barely perceptible note of grievance.

"You looked very happy smiling just now."

Shen Zhiwei understood at once. Her eyes curved, and she could not help laughing softly.

"He's from a family that once served the Shen Family. He only came to ask after me."

"Mm." Xiao Heng's reply was muffled, and he still refused to let go. "You still aren't allowed to smile so beautifully at anyone else."

"Your gentleness, your smiles, the way you look-only I may see them."

The lofty crown prince, so cool and restrained, was adorably childish when he fell in love.

Sweetness softened Shen Zhiwei's heart. She reached back to embrace him gently and coaxed him in a tender voice.

"All right. From now on, I'll smile only for Your Highness."

That single sentence instantly soothed every sour little pang in the crown prince's heart.

Xiao Heng lifted his eyes, tenderness and affection returning to them, and lightly pinched her cheek.

"Zhiwei."

"Yes?"

"I've already instructed the Ministry of Rites to discreetly choose an auspicious date for our wedding and arrange the betrothal gifts according to protocol."

Shen Zhiwei looked up sharply, surprise and joy filling her eyes.

"So soon?"

"I don't want to wait even one more day." Xiao Heng's gaze was earnest and burning, every word sincere. "I want to marry you openly and properly as soon as possible, and protect you from worry for the rest of your life."

There would be no need to hold back, no need to avoid suspicion, no need to endure anyone's gossip.

He would let the entire world know that Shen Zhiwei was Xiao Heng's only true love in this life, his only wife.

Shen Zhiwei's heart burned with warmth. Tenderness shimmered like water in her eyes as she nodded gently.

Night fell.

Clear moonlight spilled across the main courtyard of the Eastern Palace.

Xiao Heng sat beneath the lamplight, attending to official business while turning now and then to look at the young woman seated quietly beside him.

She obediently held a cup of hot tea and kept him company, neither fussing nor making noise, gentle and serene.

Perhaps this was the finest scene the world had to offer-

After the wind and rain, peace year after year, his beloved beside him, lamplight warm and welcoming, and a lifetime worth looking forward to.

Xiao Heng set down the documents and reached out to draw her onto his lap.

His arms held her securely as he lowered his head and gazed deeply into her eyes.

"Zhiwei."

"We've made it through all the hardest days."

"For the rest of our lives, there will only be sweetness, no more bitterness."

Shen Zhiwei nestled in his embrace, her expression tender, and answered softly.

"Yes. Every year of the rest of our lives will be sweet."

The evening breeze drifted through the window, and the moonlight was gentle.

The road ahead, once thorny at every step, with life and death uncertain, was now strewn with flowers, tenderness everywhere they looked.

The aloof crown prince's nemesis had at last become his lifelong salvation, the one he would cherish above all others for the rest of his days.