CFSSIR

‧₊˚ 57 ‧₊˚

The procession of Princess Yonghe traveled swiftly along the official road and arrived in Lingnan after just a few days.

Shen Qingyao had never expected to meet Princess Yonghe under these circumstances and in this place. She felt somewhat pitiful. Therefore, on the day Princess Yonghe entered the city, following Lu Zhao's advice, she rose early and went to the city gate to welcome Princess Yonghe.

However, what surprised her beyond Princess Yonghe's arrival was another unexpected person.

From afar, Shen Yushu saw several figures standing at the city gate. Unable to contain himself, he hurriedly swung his riding crop and rushed forward. After days of relentless travel, he appeared dusty and tired, yet his eyes were gentle and determined. Upon turning around, he opened his arms towards Shen Qingyao with a gentle smile on his face.

"Eldest Brother!" Shen Qingyao had never imagined that her own Eldest Brother would be the one escorting Princess Yonghe's southward journey. Caught off guard, tears welled up in her eyes. Disregarding everything else, she ran towards Shen Yushu, lifting her skirts, and gave him a big hug.

Shen Yushu embraced her gently, patting her on the back teasingly. "Yaoyao, you've gained weight. It seems Lu Zhao has been taking good care of you."

"Eldest Brother, why do you have to tease me as soon as you arrive!" Shen Qingyao playfully hit Shen Yushu on the shoulder. "And why didn't you send a message in advance? I had no idea you were coming! Luckily, I woke up early today, otherwise I would have missed welcoming you into the city!"

Shen Yushu was puzzled. "But I did send a message!"

He even received a reply from Lu Zhao!

"What?" Shen Qingyao furrowed her brows in confusion, suddenly realizing something. She turned her head to glare at Lu Zhao disapprovingly. So that was why he unexpectedly suggested they come together last night!

Both brother and sister took turns glaring at Lu Zhao, who cleared his throat awkwardly and rubbed his nose. "Well, I thought... I wanted to surprise Yaoyao!"

"Hmph! You were just afraid that Yaoyao would pay more attention to me once I arrived, weren't you?" Shen Yushu scoffed, not mentioning Lu Zhao's petty jealousy. "If we're talking about surprises, I was the one who gave her a surprise. What does it have to do with you?"

Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow, glancing at Shen Qingyao's hand resting on Shen Yushu's shoulder, finding it rather annoying. He reached out, took her hand, and pulled her back a few steps, saying earnestly, "You've been rushing all the way here and haven't had time to freshen up. Yaoyao just recovered from illness; be careful not to make her relapse."

...Am I some kind of virus? Shen Yushu rolled his eyes, but he understood that his dusty appearance was not suitable for his sister. He reluctantly withdrew his hand and stood aside.

At that moment, the procession escorting Princess Yonghe finally arrived.

The carriages stopped, and a guard ran up to the most splendid carriage, saying something. It seemed that the princess could not enter the city with her entourage, so they were requesting her to disembark. Seeing this, Shen Qingyao released Lu Zhao's hand and stood obediently to the side.

For a while, there was no movement from the carriage. Everyone waited patiently until finally, the pearl curtains inside were drawn back. Princess Yonghe, now veiled and dressed in a dark red palace dress embroidered with golden threads, slowly emerged from within. She kept her eyes lowered, carefully stepping down from the carriage. Her usually sharp and proud gaze in the capital now appeared somewhat cold.

The current Princess Yonghe seemed like an empty shell to Shen Qingyao, as if her spirit had departed. To put it in Shen QIngyao's own words, her eyes were lifeless, her heart dead.