The moment the words "beloved" were uttered, Xiao Changyu's face turned ashen with disbelief.
Xiao Huayong, whose heart was as cold as snow and blood as frigid as ice, had actually developed genuine feelings for Zhaoning County Princess.
He had always believed that someone like Xiao Huayong was destined never to understand what love meant. He was too lofty, beyond anyone's reach; too aloof, never willing to lower himself for anyone. How could such a person ever find someone to stand beside as an equal?
He was even stingy with his appreciation. Though he never showed it, Xiao Changyu knew that Xiao Huayong viewed everyone as nothing more than clowns.
Beneath his calm and detached demeanor lay absolute indifference to all things in heaven and earth.
A sharp cry from Haidongqing snapped Xiao Changyu out of his thoughts. Steadying himself, he said, "Seventh Brother, there is a misunderstanding here."
A faint smile touched Xiao Huayong's lips, devoid of any mockery yet easily conveying a sense of light disdain.
"I am not weaving lies to deceive you," Xiao Changyu said seriously. "As you suspected, from the moment I left the city gates for Tianshan, I had no intention of returning. But Xianyi and I had an agreement: I would escape first, find a suitable place to settle, arrange everything, and then notify her. To avoid suspicion, we agreed that she would wait at least six months before finding an opportunity to escape."
These were not excuses but facts.
Bian Xianyi's decision to advance the plan was certainly not a whim.
Xiao Huayong's expression remained impassive, but his aggressive demeanor softened considerably. Cui Jinbai had written a detailed account of what had happened in the capital.
After reading it, Xiao Huayong could discern Bian Xianyi and Xiao Changyu's intentions. This couple, devoted to each other unto death, made it particularly puzzling why Bian Xianyi would suddenly set a trap for Shen Xihe and so easily sacrifice her life.
Xiao Huayong could only venture to guess that she had faked her death. Considering that Xiao Changyu seemed to be lingering deliberately in Tianshan, he refused to believe it was merely to search for the Tianshan Snow Lotus. It had to be to wait for the right moment to fake his death.
In this way, the two could disappear and live as an ordinary couple.
Seeing that Xiao Huayong believed him to some extent, Xiao Changyu continued, "When the County Princess entered the capital, you appeared at the Dali Temple to support her. Given your temperament, she must possess extraordinary qualities to earn your favor. To confirm this, I deliberately tested her.
It was not to lure you into targeting me, but to gauge the extent of your protection toward her.
Although I did not realize then how important the County Princess was to you, I knew you intended to shield her.
All these years, I have avoided you at every turn, never extending my influence into the court. I declined any assignments I could, not because I had resolved to leave, but because I knew that once I got involved, I would inevitably become a pawn on your chessboard, unable to control my own fate."
Xiao Huayong raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised that this unassuming brother, born in the same year as him, understood him so deeply.
Xiao Changyu did not feel ashamed to admit his inferiority. Why pretend when the truth was plain?
"I fear you to such an extent that, knowing you intended to protect the County Princess, I specifically warned Xianyi not to provoke her," Xiao Changyu said, falling into deep thought. "Xianyi would not advance the plan we agreed upon, nor would she use the County Princess in a scheme, unless..."
Unless she had no choice, unless someone forced her to this point, compelling her to advance the plan and use the long-prepared fake death drug."Seventh Brother, you can predict events with divine accuracy, discerning our thoughts and actions, but not everyone in the capital is like you. Xianyi must have escaped by now. Once I reunite with her, I'll make her reveal the mastermind. I only beg you to spare our lives." Xiao Changyu pleaded earnestly.
"Do you think... she could truly escape?" Xiao Huayong slowly raised his hand. Haidongqing, circling high above, turned its head, sharp eyes locking onto Xiao Changyu. "As long as you're in my grasp, would she dare not surrender?"
Xiao Huayong never negotiated with anyone. In this world, only Shen Xihe was permitted to coerce and tempt him—all others could only submit and obey.
As his words fell, his naturally curved finger, raised toward the sun, twitched slightly. Across the vast snow plains under the clear sky, it seemed to draw a trail of icy light. Receiving the command, Haidongqing spread its wings and shot toward Xiao Changyu like a sharp arrow.
Xiao Changyu had no time to speak further, swiftly evading. Though agile, how could he match the king of the skies? This Haidongqing could even repel leopards and subdue stags in a single swoop—a fierce raptor of unmatched ferocity.
The snow-capped mountains towered, piercing the clouds, their peaks adorned with silver-white blossoms. Sunlight scattered in delicate fragments across the endless expanse.
Amidst the majestic heavens and earth, encircled by towering peaks, a figure stood tall and straight as a treasured sword, as if propping up the sky and the land.
He watched calmly as Xiao Changyu, battered and bruised under Haidongqing's assault, continued to resist stubbornly.
Knowing he was outmatched, Xiao Changyu retreated step by step toward the cliff's edge. Sensing his intent, Xiao Huayong moved to intercept him when suddenly, the roar of a bear echoed. He swiftly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the charging giant bear.
Seeing this, Haidongqing abandoned Xiao Changyu and dove toward the black bear, streaking like an arrow.
While Haidongqing tangled with the brown bear, Xiao Huayong glanced over and turned to attack Xiao Changyu. Already wounded and weary, Xiao Changyu failed to dodge in time. A palm strike from Xiao Huayong sent him sprawling to the ground.
Looking up, Xiao Changyu saw the black bear—clearly no match for Haidongqing—beginning to retreat. He knew that once the bear fled, he stood no chance of escape. He could not fall into Xiao Huayong's hands, or neither of them would survive.
Gritting his teeth, Xiao Changyu rolled down the snow peak. By the time Xiao Huayong rushed forward, he saw only a diminishing black dot. His eyes darkened as he waved to Haidongqing, who had driven off the bear. "Pursue!"
Haidongqing obeyed, diving downward. Its speed far surpassed Xiao Changyu's rolling descent. Seeing this, Xiao Changyu clenched his teeth, leveraging momentum to roll toward a protruding rock. With a harsh impact, he changed direction and plummeted into the valley's river below.
Xiao Huayong watched coldly as he crashed into the icy waters.
Having failed to capture his target, Haidongqing returned, fluttering its wings obsequiously around Xiao Huayong with low, mournful cries.
Xiao Huayong retrieved the paper scroll Haidongqing carried, scratched out the characters for Bian Xianyi, and returned it to the bamboo tube. Tying it to the bird's leg, he patted its wing. Haidongqing soared upward and vanished in an instant.
While Xiao Huayong dealt with Xiao Changyu, Shen Xihe finally thought of a possibility and urgently summoned Xie Yunhuai. "Doctor Qi, is there any medicine that, after ingestion, causes Bleeding from Seven Orifices yet allows the person to be saved?"
She had been blinded by Bian Xianyi's horrifying death. No one would believe one could survive bleeding from seven orifices—but what if it were possible?After pondering the question, Xie Yunhuai replied, "Bleeding from Seven Orifices is mostly caused by head injuries, though some poisons can also induce it. Why does Your Ladyship ask about this?"
Shen Xihe had not informed Xie Yunhuai about the incident in the palace, nor had Xie Yunhuai inquired about it.
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