A woman like Shen Xihe would live a smooth life if she married any ordinary man.
She doesn't care about her husband's feelings, and she doesn't need her husband to give her the authority of a mistress; she can establish it on her own.
If her husband is polite and abides by the rules, they will naturally live in peace; if her husband does not know the rules and wants to embarrass her, she has plenty of ways to make herself a widow and be the master of the house.
This premise must be ruthless, just like ordinary couples respect each other like guests. What Xiao Huayong wants is her heart and her love.
"Your Majesty, Yong has never failed to conquer anyone in his life." Xiao Huayong also said frankly, "Your Majesty, please rest assured that Yong's desire for Youyou is not a man's desire to conquer her, but a sincere desire to be with her forever."
"Your Highness is here in person today and is willing to take risks to help me. I believe in your love for Youyou." Shen Yueshan nodded, "But people's hearts are changeable. Can Your Highness guarantee that he will always be consistent?"
Xiao Huayong's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness when he heard this: "Your Highness has been widowed for many years, how come he has remained single until now?"
"Do you think I have never wavered?" Shen Yueshan did not care how Xiao Huayong viewed him, "There is not much long-lasting love in this world. Although I have feelings for my deceased wife, my love is not so deep that I would wait for her all my life after her death.
What's more, I am of noble status, and the girls who have come and gone with me over the years are of all kinds, some of whom are better than my late wife."
"But the prince has not taken this step." Xiao Huayong said.
"It's not that I have deep feelings or great determination." Shen Yueshan picked up a stick and poked the fire, "but in my heart, Youyou and Buwei are more important. When I feel shaken, I will ask myself, if I bring such a woman home, can I afford the price of being separated from my children?"
The answer is no, he can't afford it. Shen Yun'an is his eldest son, the heir he has devoted all his heart and soul to cultivate, and Shen Xihe is his beloved daughter. Because of his negligence, she was born weak, and all his guilt and pity are poured on her.
I raised her from a little lump of flesh to a graceful young lady. When she was young, she was so tiny that her cries were intermittent, like tears rolling down. No continuous cry could be heard. I was afraid that she would cry to death, so I treasured her especially.
This kind of care as she grew up, watching her stand on her own feet little by little under his careful care, the sense of accomplishment was like conquering a city, and slowly became his habit, getting used to taking care of her emotions, getting used to seeing her smile...
It was this habitual preference, the joy and warmth she brought him as she grew up, that made him value her more and more, so much so that he couldn't bear to see her sad and was able to restrain the urge to do anything that would make her sad.
"I am a father and I am still like this, let alone you are just a husband." Shen Yueshan is sharper and more realistic than Shen Yun'an. "If I hadn't seen her grow up day by day, become more considerate, more well-behaved, and more lovely over the years, I might not be able to do this."
At Shen Yueshan's age, he no longer believes in vows or everlasting love. He believes in the give-and-take between people.
He wondered if Shen Xihe had not grown up like this over the years, but had become unruly and willful, disobedient and unfilial, and only knew how to take from him and Shen Yun'an without caring about them, would he still be able to be the good father who obeys her in everything and protects her everywhere. Shen Yueshan's words made Xiao Huayong silent, and a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes.