During the rapid descent, Xiao Huayong hid the hand clutching the Tianshan Snow Lotus behind his back to protect it from the impact of the snow surge.
Haidongqing swept horizontally through the raging snow waves, spreading its wings to forcefully flap Xiao Huayong's body, helping him escape the storm and avoid the tragedy of being buried deep under thick snow.
Man and bird tumbled together out of the most dangerous section of the avalanche, crashing heavily into a snowbank on the mountain. Xiao Huayong rolled some distance further before coming to a stop. Throughout it all, he kept his hand holding the snow lotus outstretched, ensuring it remained intact.
His internal organs felt as if they had shifted positions. Xiao Huayong lay exhausted on the snowy mountain, breathing heavily and with difficulty. Gazing at the high-hanging sun, he felt as if a black shadow covered its halo.
Extremely fatigued, he wanted to fall unconscious, yet he knew that if he did, he might never wake again. Struggling to stay conscious, it took him a while to gather a sliver of strength. He retrieved a signal flare from his chest, fumbling as he slowly brought it to his mouth. Biting down hard, he aimed it at the sky.
The serene snowy sky blossomed with a brilliant firework as enchanting as Manjusaka.
Haidongqing's massive form perched beside Xiao Huayong. Though not severely injured, its sharp eyes scanned the surroundings like a guarding soldier, steadfastly protecting the one it wished to defend.
Daring to venture where no one else would—the peak of the snowy mountain—Xiao Huayong had made thorough preparations. His men waited below, and upon seeing the signal in the sky, they would know his location and success, immediately rushing to his aid.
During this time, Haidongqing drove away two snow leopards and a golden eagle before the rescue team arrived. Xiao Huayong was safely escorted to a herdsman's home at the mountain's base, where the finest doctor treated his wounds.
"His Highness must be taken to Luoyang at the fastest speed—the poison in his body has activated," the doctor said with a grave expression.
Luoyang housed two Sacred Healers: one was the Old Man with White Hair who had recently passed away, and the other was a retired Apricot Forest Family. Due to Xiao Huayong's master's connections, they had been working tirelessly on the unknown Unique Poison within him.
As Xiao Huayong was urgently transported to Luoyang, news of A Xi's death also reached Bian Xianyi's ears.
She had been placed by His Majesty in a secluded location outside the palace to recover from her injuries. She couldn't fathom why the Emperor had spared her life, well aware that he was not a lustful man. Though she possessed some beauty, had he been interested, she would have been taken into the Imperial Harem years ago.
The more unfathomable the Emperor's intentions, the more anxious she became. Recently, His Majesty had been preoccupied with the case of the missing tax grain, utterly overwhelmed, as if he had forgotten about her entirely.
She moved freely within the courtyard, with meals delivered morning and night, but she was forbidden to leave the premises.
How did she learn of A Xi's death? Having been in the capital for many days, she had her connections. She had long instructed someone to keep an eye on A Xi's movements, to protect her on her behalf. If protection proved impossible, they were to inform her of A Xi's safety.
Her not bidding farewell to this person meant she was either no longer alive or still trapped in the capital.
If he had news of A Xi, he would set off fireworks on the highest hill—three white ones signifying death.
That night, while lost in thought in the courtyard, she happened to see three connected white fireworks in the western sky. Though no one knew her exact whereabouts, she didn't believe it was a coincidence—it must be the person she had made the agreement with.
Stumbling to the gate, she knelt and begged the guard: "I implore you, sir, to inquire for this humble woman about Sui A Xi."The guard reported to the palace that His Majesty was furious about the grain that had yet to be recovered, and Liu Sanzhi directly refused the request.
Bian Xianyi found various items in the courtyard and made a Sky Lantern. Choosing a night with favorable winds, she secretly lit and released it behind the backs of the guards stationed outside the door, hoping to send out the message that she was trapped here.
"Your Highness, it's been five days. Will Bian Dajia really come?" Ziyu asked her daily question as usual.
"She will come once she escapes and gathers news of A Xi." Shen Xihe patiently played with the freshly cleaned Duanming. Only at such moments did Shen Xihe enjoy being close to it.
After figuring out the reason, Duanming often jumped into water jars or ponds and came back dripping wet. Later, being met with disdain and cold rejection, it gradually understood that its owner preferred it clean after being bathed at home and then perfumed. Now, after every wash, it would circle the incense burner, drying its fur and absorbing the fragrance before immediately dashing to Shen Xihe.
Once perfumed, it only allowed Shen Xihe to touch it. Anyone else who dared approach would be bitten or scratched.
It resisted as if anyone other than Shen Xihe would taint it and make it smelly.
"If she comes, will Your Highness take her life?" Ziyu suddenly asked again.
Shen Xihe's hand paused. She lifted her eyes to Ziyu. "What do you think I should do?"
"She's so wicked, Your Highness shouldn't let her off easily." Ziyu seemed conflicted. "But I've heard that excessive killing disrupts the harmony of heaven. Perhaps..."
"Perhaps what?" Of all her maids, Shen Xihe was most patient with Ziyu.
Those with deep, complex minds often found themselves unwittingly lightening up and relaxing around someone innocent and endearing.
"Perhaps Your Highness need not give the order. Let Ziyu handle it—kill her to vent Your Highness's anger." Ziyu said with a stern little face.
That way, if there were any sin in killing, it would fall upon her. Would it still harm the heavenly harmony of Her Highness?
Shen Xihe pursed her lips and smiled gently. "I believe not in fate, not in Buddha, not in heaven—only in myself."
Matters like sin and karma never concerned her.
The truly powerful never fall into the cycle of cause and effect. When undertaking any action, one must sever all potential consequences. How, then, could evil outcomes arise?
After speaking, Shen Xihe chuckled softly. "She values her life above all. Even if she seeks us out, she will find a way to atone. Whether I choose to spare her or not—that is my affair."
Bian Xianyi dared to use such methods against her. If she showed up, she would undoubtedly die. Shen Xihe would never give her any chance to escape.
"Your Highness." Mo Yuan's voice sounded from outside.
"Enter." Shen Xihe summoned him.
Mo Yuan entered and handed Shen Xihe a letter from the northwest with both hands.
It was an urgent message from Shen Yungan. First, he reported his safe return to the northwest, then pitifully accused Shen Xihe of giving their father a cup engraved with her miniature portrait. He complained that she hadn't been fair—treating Father better than him.
He expressed being heartbroken, pained, and jealous, insisting that only an identical gift for him could appease him!
If she didn't coax him, he would go without vegetables for three months!
Shen Xihe:
Her brother was three years old at most, no older.Shen Yunan was a meat-lover who detested vegetables. Yet Shen Xihe, with her delicate health and emphasis on wellness, knew that a diet without greens and only meat was harmful. Back in the northwest, it was always Shen Xihe who kept an eye on him, using both threats and coaxing to make him eat without pickiness.
Now he was actually using this to threaten her.
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