The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

Another day, the early spring sunshine shone into Qingyi Palace.

Shen Qingruo sat at her desk by the window, pen in hand, carefully copying the calligraphy from the open book.

She wore a pale yellow, belted long dress, with a light, plain gauze shawl over it, her black hair half-up, looking graceful and beautiful.

This is the scene that Shen Wangxi saw when she walked in.

He didn't have the eunuch announce his arrival. He took a few steps closer and his gaze fell on the Xuan paper she had spread out. The handwriting was bold and sharp, with sharp corners, clearly imitating his own handwriting.

Upon seeing him, Shen Qingruo hurriedly put down her pen and stood up, trying to hide the paper filled with writing, her movements revealing her embarrassment at being caught.

"Father," she said, a little nervously.

Shen Wangxi didn't press her about why she was imitating his handwriting, and simply asked, "Practicing calligraphy?"

"Yes," Shen Qingruo said earnestly. "Aruo is foolish; she just thinks Father's handwriting is very beautiful."

Looking at her like this, Shen Wangxi felt a strange sensation in his heart once again.

He had seen too many people fawn over him, or take things for granted like Shen Jingyan, but he had rarely seen such almost devout admiration.

Shen Wangxi walked to the desk, picked up the brush she had just used, dipped it in ink, and casually wrote the four characters "still waters run deep" on the blank paper.

His calligraphy is more steady and powerful, penetrating the paper.

"When writing, you need a calm mind and a steady wrist." He put down his pen, his voice more patient than usual.

Shen Qingruo looked at the four characters carefully, then at him, and nodded vigorously: "Aruo has memorized it."

Shen Wangxi shifted her gaze to the few early cherry blossoms quietly blooming in the courtyard outside the window.

He lowered his head and looked at the princess who had been longing for his company. "Spring is here and the weather is getting warmer. There's no need to stay indoors all the time. Come with me for a walk in the Imperial Garden."

Shen Qingruo blinked and looked at him obediently, somewhat happy. Shen Wangxi was surprised by her beauty and couldn't take his eyes off her for a moment.

Spring is just beginning to show in the Imperial Garden.

Shen Qingruo followed quietly beside Shen Wangxi, her movements graceful and swaying like a willow in the breeze.

Shen Wangxi didn't say much to her, but she could sense that he had deliberately slowed down his pace to accommodate her.

Just then, a bright voice rang out: "Father!"

Shen Jingyan, dressed in riding attire, strode briskly along another flower path, a smile on her face. She seemed to have just returned from riding, with a thin layer of sweat on her forehead and a radiant expression.

Her gaze first fell on Shen Wangxi, then, as if she had just noticed Shen Qingruo, her face showing concern: "Little sister, you're out too? Are you feeling much better?"

She stepped forward with a smile, but her gaze subtly swept over Shen Qingruo.

Although Shen Qingruo was wearing a simple light yellow dress and had no makeup on, her small face was excessively delicate, with fair and flawless skin.

The cinched waist dress accentuated her slender waist and pert breasts and hips. Despite her frail appearance, her figure exuded an indescribable charm and allure.

Jealousy flashed across Shen Jingyan's eyes. When did this sickly girl develop such a complexion?

Regardless of what she was thinking, Shen Jingyan's smile remained unchanged as she affectionately took Shen Wangxi's arm.

"Father, what brings you here to stroll in the garden today? I was just about to come find you! I've just tamed a magnificent Akhal-Teke horse; may I ride it for you tomorrow?"

Her quick and easy speech instantly drew Shen Wangxi's attention.

Shen Wangxi looked into her eldest daughter's bright eyes and smiled slightly: "Yes, be careful."

"Got it!" Shen Jingyan smiled even more brightly and began to vividly describe the details of training the horse, her words full of confidence.

Shen Qingruo stood there, watching the father and daughter's natural and affectionate interaction, feeling like an outsider who couldn't get a word in edgewise.

As Shen Wangxi listened to Shen Jingyan speak, he caught a glimpse of the quiet girl beside him out of the corner of his eye.

She had her head down, so his expression was obscured, but her restrained demeanor and the loneliness surrounding her made him feel uneasy.

Shen Wangxi was sensitive to people's emotions. He noticed the intimacy that Shen Jingyan deliberately created, and the subtle exclusion of Shen Qingruo beneath that intimacy.

He understood Shen Jingyan's little scheme; she simply didn't want anyone else to take away his attention. However, he didn't point it out, nor did he push Shen Jingyan away.

Ultimately, Ah Yan was the daughter he had doted on since childhood.

As for Aruo, she is indeed well-behaved and hardworking. Bringing her out today was partly out of a desire to make amends.

Since Ayan doesn't like it, then let it go. We can find another reason to make it up to her later.

Thinking of this, Shen Wangxi withdrew her attention and turned her gaze back to the radiant Shen Jingyan, responding calmly to her chatter.

Shen Qingruo stood quietly to the side, her face pale with sadness.

Only after Shen Jingyan and Shen Wangxi walked away, chatting and laughing, did she slowly raise her head, watching the two receding figures. Her face was expressionless, but her heart gradually grew cold.

And so it is; no matter how hard she tries, in his heart, she will always be the one who can be abandoned.

He has never shown favoritism towards her even once.