Xiao Huayong's laughter hovered over the East Palace, spreading far away, as if he wished that everyone in the palace knew how happy he was at the moment.
Shen Xihe stood silently, looking at him with joy.
After being happy enough, Xiao Huayong looked at Shen Xihe deeply and said, "Yoyo, you will never know how lovely your every move is to me."
"Your Highness, your unbridled and powerful laughter is not suitable for the East Palace." Shen Xihe couldn't help but remind him.
Xiao Huayong immediately stopped smiling, clenched his fist and put it to his lips and started coughing. He turned around and blinked at Shen Xihe: "I'll listen to you."
Shen Xihe remained unmoved.
Xiao Huayong didn't care. He took Shen Xihe's hand, ignored her struggle, and led her into the East Palace.
He led her by the hand and trotted away like a young boy, leaving the palace servants far behind: "I have vacated this courtyard. After our wedding, we will live in this courtyard."
He took her to see the place where they would live in the future. He did not ask Shen Xihe how to decorate it, because he knew that Shen Xihe would not tell him even if he asked. He decorated it according to his preferences and his understanding of her, and took her into the empty bedroom: "Open this window, and you can see the two Pingzhong trees. There is a long couch here, and a desk on the couch. You can eat and read here in the future, and you can see your favorite scenery when you look up..."
"This is divided into a small study. There is also a small room next to the small study, which can be used as an incense room for you. It is decorated with fragrant woods, and you can adjust the incense and play the piano here. There is a window in the room, and outside the window is a flower garden. In summer, flowers are in full bloom, and you can use local materials..."
"This is where our bedroom is connected. I ordered people to dig a hot spring pool and set up a fireplace on the wall. It is warm in winter and cool in summer..."
He spoke excitedly about the planning and furnishings, from how to arrange the colors to what materials to use for each piece of furniture and what patterns to carve. When he said these words, the light in his eyes was clearly full of yearning and expectation.
Xiao Huayong had been leading Shen Xihe for most of the day in planning the bedroom where they would live in the future. Shen Xihe was not someone who would put herself in a difficult position, so if Xiao Huayong asked her about anything, she would still give her suggestions and discuss things with him. Perhaps no unmarried couple in the world could do that.
After the discussion, Shen Xihe sat for a while and then left the East Palace. Xiao Huayong saw her off as usual and stared at the direction where her figure disappeared for a long time.
Shen Xihe returned to Yong'an Palace where the Queen Mother lived. After hearing that the Queen Mother had given a banquet, the girls left on their own. Shen Xihe still went to pay his respects to the Queen Mother before leaving Yong'an Palace. He did see quite a few girls along the way, and it seemed that they had just left.
As they were walking in groups of three or four, Shen Xihe saw Shen Yingruo walking in front of him from afar. Beside Shen Yingruo were two familiar girls, Yu Sangzi and Yu Sangning from the Pingyao Marquis Mansion.
The sisters have been inseparable ever since their last dance performance, as close as twin flowers.
Shen Xihe didn't intend to care who Shen Yingruo was interacting with. She just looked up and happened to see it. Just as she was about to look away, she saw Princess Anling coming from the opposite direction in anger, rushing straight towards Shen Yingruo.
Before anyone could react, he raised his hand and slapped Shen Yingruo in the face.
Shen Xihe stopped and narrowed his eyes.