Chapter 53: Loving Her

A man as strikingly handsome as Shen Hezhi flirting with her—no matter the reason, even physiology alone would draw her in.

“Because... I’ve fallen for you.”

“What?” Yan Heru stared at Shen Hezhi in shock.

But all she got in response was Shen Hezhi bursting into laughter. “Ha! Who would have thought that a fairy could be so bad at seeing through lies! Ha! Fairy, hurry and eat. I have things to do—I’ll come back later.”

With that, Shen Hezhi stood and left, giving Yan Heru no chance to retort.

Yan Heru narrowed her eyes as she watched him go. She certainly did not believe a word he had just said.

The immortal Shen Hezhi mentioned likely existed, but he didn’t believe her story. For reasons unknown, though, he hadn’t pressed further.

Yan Heru couldn’t help but marvel at the depths of Shen Hezhi’s mind.

Still, faced with the feast before her, she felt it would be a shame to let such fine food go to waste.

After leaving the courtyard, Shen Hezhi made his way to the Hua estate.

Jiang Canxing lounged on a second-floor chair, watching the performances below, when Shen Hezhi, face dark, approached him. “You’re watching song and dance so early in the morning—can your health really take it?”

“I’m just watching! Your Highness, what brings you here at this hour? Did you miss me?” Jiang Canxing fluttered his lashes at Shen Hezhi, earning himself an eyeroll.

“Rolling your eyes like that does grave damage to your noble image,” Jiang Canxing teased with a laugh.

Shen Hezhi didn’t want to bicker further. He shoved Jiang Canxing’s legs aside and sat in their place, saying, “I’ve already tested her at the palace. She isn’t the Sixth Miss Yan.”

Jiang Canxing shot to his feet in alarm, his playful demeanor vanishing. “She isn’t? Then who is she? Did she seek you out on purpose—does she mean you harm?”

“Probably not. She claims to be a fairy,” Shen Hezhi replied, unconsciously allowing a blissful smile to bloom as he spoke.

“You like her?” Jiang Canxing blurted out.

“Hm? Why ask me that?” Shen Hezhi frowned.

Jiang Canxing immediately leapt up. “Look at you! If I asked this about any other woman, you’d have beaten me on the spot. And just now, mentioning your little princess bride, you were positively beaming with happiness. That can’t be faked.”

Shen Hezhi’s face grew serious, his brow smoothing. “Don’t talk nonsense. I merely find it amusing that she calls herself a fairy.”

“There are plenty of amusing women. You never acted this way before. Clearly, you’ve already fallen for your little princess bride.” Jiang Canxing propped his chin on his hand and nodded with certainty.

The result…

“Ow! You—”

“Ow what? Isn’t this what you were hoping for, to get beaten up by me? Wish granted.” Shen Hezhi shrugged with feigned indifference.

“My lord, why won’t you admit it to yourself?” Jiang Canxing clutched his head, wary of another blow.

“Admit what? What’s there to admit? Must I do everything you say just because you talk nonsense?” Shen Hezhi sipped from his tea and turned his gaze to the performance below.

His demeanor made it clear he didn’t wish to continue the conversation, but Jiang Canxing pretended not to notice and pressed on.

“When did you fall for your little princess bride? Weren’t you always enamored with Cen Changjing before? But to be honest, she’s not half as good as your new bride. If she weren’t Changxiao’s sister, I’d have no patience for her at all,” Jiang Canxing said, curling his lip.

Shen Hezhi offered no answer, his eyes never leaving the stage below.

Yet Jiang Canxing refused to give up. “I—”

“There you both are.”

Just as Jiang Canxing was about to pester him further, Cen Changxiao arrived, silencing him at once.

Seeing Jiang Canxing fall silent, Shen Hezhi glanced at him sidelong with a mocking smile.

Jiang Canxing wanted to retort, but with Cen Changxiao present, he couldn’t very well criticize his sister to his face. Swallowing his frustration, he felt thoroughly aggrieved.

“Well, what is it?” Shen Hezhi replied coolly.

He was well aware of recent events in the capital and deeply dissatisfied with Cen Changjing’s actions—his attitude toward Cen Changxiao had grown colder as a result.

Cen Changxiao, however, noticed nothing amiss. After all, Shen Hezhi’s moods were never easy to read—sometimes cheerful, sometimes angry, no one could ever guess what he was truly feeling.

“The emperor has summoned me to the palace…”

“What?” Both men’s attention snapped to him, and Jiang Canxing was the first to speak. “How did His Majesty discover your identity?”

“He hasn’t—my cover remains intact. This summons seems to be because of Princess He’an…” Cen Changxiao answered helplessly.

At the mention of Princess He’an, Shen Hezhi exhaled in relief. “She’s pestering you again?”

“Yes… I worry this time I’ll be summoned for a marriage decree…” Cen Changxiao sighed, his face clouded with worry.

Jiang Canxing burst out laughing. “If it’s a marriage decree, why not just accept it? It’s Princess He’an, after all—everyone knows how dearly the emperor dotes on her.”

“Jiang Canxing! Are you looking for trouble?”

Jiang Canxing only laughed harder, clutching his stomach as he lounged in his chair.

“Spare us your sarcasm and help him figure out what to do,” Shen Hezhi intervened, ending their bickering.

“I don’t have any solutions! I can’t come and go from the palace at will—and I have no desire to chat with that old emperor anyway. This is really up to you, Your Highness,” Jiang Canxing replied smugly.

His satisfaction only deepened Shen Hezhi’s displeasure, who shot him a dark look.

Of all the princes, Shen Hezhi was the one the emperor liked least. Though father and son, there had never been a trace of paternal responsibility.

Other princes might visit the palace several times a year, but he…

Shen Hezhi recalled that, ever since he’d acquired his own residence, he’d been to the palace only once. He hadn’t even paid his respects the day after his wedding.

“Jiang Canxing, stop making trouble!” Cen Changxiao glared at him.

The two of them were complete opposites, always at odds when together, though there was no real enmity between them.