Shen Xihe couldn't help but shake her head with a wry smile.
He then proceeded to discuss serious matters, having discovered that military funds across various regions had been tampered with this year. It likely wasn't done by Your Majesty's order but was connected to the recent autumn grain theft. Currently, except for the Northwest, military garrisons everywhere were discussing whether to secretly submit a joint petition exposing the military fund issue.
They hesitated because they couldn't determine how many people were involved or whether Your Majesty had tacitly approved it. No one dared to take the lead, fearing they would become the target, hence the prolonged indecision.
Such an important matter was only briefly mentioned by Shen Yunnan in a few sentences. Had Shen Xihe not been clever, she might not have grasped the deeper implications.
Shen Yunnan wrote this way not because he feared their letter would be intercepted, but because his top priority was reassuring his younger sister. Thus, he first reported his safety, followed by his jealousy, which he felt she needed to deeply understand and reflect upon—this occupied seventy to eighty percent of the letter.
Just after finishing Shen Yunnan's letter, Shen Yueshan's letter arrived. In it, he expressed his longing for her, his delight in the gifts she sent, and urged her not to overwork herself. He advised her not to fear anyone in the capital and never to compromise her own well-being for others.
As for whom she wished to marry, he would support her decision as long as it brought her happiness.
These scattered thoughts filled half the letter, while the remaining half was devoted to belittling and criticizing his son. Shen Yueshan often took pleasure in disparaging his son in front of his daughter, as if doing so would diminish Shen Yunnan's standing in Shen Xihe's heart.
Regarding Shen Xihe's intention to marry Xiao Huayong, Shen Yueshan only mentioned it in passing without any hint of jealousy, indicating that he did not take Xiao Huayong seriously.
Presumably, he had already learned from Shen Yunnan the reason Shen Xihe wanted to marry Xiao Huayong. In his eyes, Xiao Huayong was merely a pawn for Shen Xihe to use, so he saw no reason to object.
However, at the end of the letter, Shen Yueshan shamelessly added, "During the New Year festivities, your father could also come to the capital."
This was a clear jab at Shen Yunnan for accompanying her during the Duanyang and Chongyang festivals, reminding her to think of her father next time such an opportunity arose.
Shen Xihe felt a warm glow in her heart as she read the letter, smiling uncontrollably from start to finish.
Shen Yueshan was simply jealous of his son. She could almost imagine the coming days when the father and son would clash again, with Brother likely ending up mucking out horse stables for at least half a month.
Meanwhile, at the Northwest King's residence, Shen Yueshan caressed the wine cup his daughter had sent him. In front of his son, he poured a cup of fragrant Western Region wine and deliberately slurped it loudly, ignoring his son's intense glare. Swinging his crossed leg, he said, "I've long heard that the Tengshi Xiang cup makes wine mellow and lasting, allowing one to drink a thousand cups without intoxication. Youyou is truly the most thoughtful."
Shen Yunnan swallowed hard. "Father, let me have a sip."
"This is your father's cup. How can we share it?" Shen Yueshan declared righteously.
They were both rough men—what was with the sudden fastidiousness? In the military camp, sharing water pouches, cups, and even bedding was commonplace.
"Father, did you know? Youyou has grown taller, and her complexion is rosier. She held onto my arm as we wandered the streets of the capital. When she saw a vendor selling candied hawthorns, she tugged at my sleeve and begged me to buy her some. Her voice was so sweet and soft..."
Shen Yueshan suddenly found the wine tasteless. His gaze toward his smug son shifted, no longer looking at him as a beloved child but more like a sworn enemy.Shen Yunnan showed no fear; what was there to dread about being punished? Accustomed to his rough and thick skin, he was determined to strike a blow to his father's heart first: "While I was in the capital, she prepared my morning meal every day and even stuffed a Eucommia Leaf pillow for me. Resting my head on it each day, I never wanted to get up."
Unable to bear it any longer, Shen Yueshan slammed his palm on the table, leaped to his feet, and swung a blow toward Shen Yunnan: "You wretched fool! Your sister is frail, and all you know is to let her toil without a care for her well-being!"
Shen Yunnan swiftly dodged, parrying each move while casting a scornful glance: What "without a care for her well-being"? Isn't it just because these things weren't done for you?
The prince and his heir were at it again, yet the servants in the manor remained utterly composed, carrying on with their duties as if nothing were amiss.
In the end, the heir was soundly thrashed by the prince, who then punished him for his lack of skill and declining martial prowess by sending him to the Pasturage Bureau to shovel horse dung. Shen Xihe's gaze seemed to pierce through thousands of miles, settling on the northwest. The scenes of her father and brother's antics materialized in her mind, making her chuckle involuntarily at the thought.
Biyu and the others were also delighted. In this world, only the prince and the heir could make the junzhu laugh so enchantingly and radiate such vitality.
Meanwhile, Xiao Huayong had been transported to Luoyang. After taking his pulse, the Sacred Healer Linghu Zheng's expression turned grim.
Holding back his frustration, he first tended to Xiao Huayong's other injuries before speaking: "Your Highness, this old man is a physician, not a deity. If you persist in neglecting yourself like this, why not let me prepare a dose of poison? One swallow, and you'll drift into an eternal slumber, sparing yourself further suffering."
Knowing he was at fault, Xiao Huayong remained remarkably composed: "I apologize for troubling you, Master Linghu."
"Don't mention it. This old man is but a nameless pawn running errands for Your Highness—hardly worthy of such courtesy," Linghu Zheng retorted sarcastically, his white beard trembling. "Perhaps I've overstayed my welcome. If I'm an eyesore, why not grant me a cup of poisoned wine? Let me depart cleanly, rather than be driven to an early grave by Your Highness's recklessness."
"The fault is mine, for squandering your efforts over the years. I beg your forgiveness," Xiao Huayong humbly conceded.
After all, he was the Crown Prince, a brilliant young man Linghu Zheng had watched grow up. The healer softened his tone: "Your Highness, this recent flare-up of the toxin was perilous. The poison is now nearly uncontrollable. The only way to suppress it is to release some of it."
"How is it released?" Xiao Huayong asked.
"One of the seven meridians and eight vessels, or one of the five viscera and six bowels, must be damaged. The choice is yours," Linghu Zheng stated coldly.
After a long silence, Xiao Huayong deliberated with Linghu Zheng and opted for the method causing the least damage to expel some of the toxin.
To retain his ability to wield martial arts freely in the future, Xiao Huayong ultimately sacrificed his eyesight. He did not go completely blind, but after the toxin was released, he could no longer perceive colors.
"This is already the best outcome," Linghu Zheng expressed profound relief. "If a cure is not found, Your Highness will gradually lose not only sight but also smell, hearing, and the other senses. Eventually, your internal organs will fail."
"How much time do I have?" Xiao Huayong asked calmly.
"Without another crisis like this, with my efforts to delay, you might hold on for three to five years. But if another acute episode occurs, do not seek me out again—I will refuse to see you," Linghu Zheng warned implicitly.Xiao Huayong listened, waiting until Linghu Zheng had departed before opening the jade case containing the Snow Lotus. He gently brushed the petals that appeared dull and gray to his eyes, then commanded: "Dispatch this urgently to the capital."
OpenNovel