Though Changling Princess was arrogant, domineering, and willful, she was not entirely without cunning. Having resided in the palace for years, the guards now searching for Shen Xihe were all palace personnel—it was highly likely some were acting under Changling’s orders.
"One should never underestimate those of the imperial family," Shen Xihe murmured weakly, leaning against Xiao Huayong’s shoulder.
Xiao Huayong’s shoulders stiffened. Pressing his lips together, he remained silent and quickened his pace, carrying her away.
Shen Xihe parted her lips as if to speak, but before any words could form, she succumbed to the engulfing darkness that followed her momentary relief, fainting in Xiao Huayong’s arms.
With all paths back to the temporary palace guarded, Xiao Huayong chose to take Shen Xihe up the mountain. Behind a rocky cliff stood an extremely secluded and dilapidated thatched hut. He brought her inside, immediately lit a fire, and gazed at her unconscious form, drenched from head to toe.
Removing his outer robe, he swiftly memorized Shen Xihe’s attire. Then, closing his eyes, he carefully untied her waistband and, relying on memory, removed all her wet garments. Only after wrapping her in his own robe did he reopen his eyes.
Noticing her pale, trembling lips, he gently cradled her in his arms, adding more wood to the fire. Before passing through the rocky crevice earlier, Xiao Huayong had already sent a signal.
Tianyuan dispatched men to find Moyu and Sui Axi, handing them a prepared bundle and guiding them to the location. The entire process took merely an hour, yet Xiao Huayong’s expression grew as dark as stormy waters while waiting.
Just as murderous intent began to stir within him, Moyu and the others arrived. Xiao Huayong laid Shen Xihe down and stepped outside, instructing, "Change Youyou’s clothes."
Xiao Huayong had sent an ice-blue signal—Tianyuan recognized it indicated exposure to water and had prepared dry clothing and cold-relief pills, including the highly effective Zixue Dan for reducing fever.
The clothes were Xiao Huayong’s, appearing overwhelmingly large on Shen Xihe. Sui Axi checked her pulse and determined she had suffered severe chill. Fortunately, he was skilled in acupuncture and highly proficient at dispelling cold energy; otherwise, Shen Xihe might have developed chronic ailments.
"Your Highness, this maid will take the princess back to the temporary palace," Moyu offered once everything was settled.
How is the princess's condition?" Xiao Huayong asked Sui Axi.
Your Highness, the princess has contracted a severe chill. Already physically weak, the cold has further depleted her vitality. She requires careful nurturing. The superficial wounds are not serious and will not scar," Sui Axi replied.
"Would recuperating here pose any problems?" Xiao Huayong pressed.
Sui Axi hesitated briefly. "If this servant prepares a list and has Lady Moyu make another trip, it should be manageable."
He understood why Xiao Huayong wanted Shen Xihe to remain on the mountain for a day: to let everyone know Changling Princess had brought Shen Xihe to the brink of death. The longer the delay, the more fear and anxiety would spread, ensuring harsher punishment for Changling Princess.
Moreover, it would allow Shen Xihe to rest undisturbed. Though the place was humble, once tidied, it might prove safer than the treacherous temporary palace.
"Take this to Tianyuan. He will arrange all necessary items," Xiao Huayong handed Moyu a Jade Pendant.
Moyu departed again with Xiao Huayong’s men, leaving Sui Axi and Xiao Huayong behind. Sui Axi meticulously cleaned the area and scattered medicinal powder at the entrance to ward off wild animals.
An hour later, the cry of a Haidongqing echoed from beyond the steep cliffs. Carrying a large bundle in its talons, it flew to the cliff’s edge and, upon spotting Xiao Huayong, dropped the bundle down.Sui Axi glanced at Xiao Huayong and, upon receiving his signal, went over to unpack the bundle. Inside were bedding, and nestled within the bedding were a hanging pot, medicinal herbs, ingredients, a water pouch, bowls, and chopsticks. Sui Axi could barely lift it all. He had long heard that Haidongqing could carry a full-grown deer, and today he learned the rumor was true.
Sui Axi immediately busied himself with brewing the medicine. Xiao Huayong kept Shen Xihe cradled in his arms, watching her condition closely.
When Sui Axi brought in the medicine, Xiao Huayong took it and carefully fed it to her sip by sip. Shen Xihe, though still somewhat dazed, was able to swallow on her own. Sui Axi then went to prepare congee.
Moyu arrived just as Sui Axi finished cooking the congee, carrying two rabbits. She reported to Xiao Huayong, "The Fourth Princess has been punished to kneel in the hall where His Majesty holds court at the retreat palace. Many witnessed Haidongqing battling the Giant Serpent, and rumors are spreading that the County Princess fell into the deep pool and was devoured by the serpent."
Xiao Huayong listened expressionlessly. Haidongqing had delivered the bedding, and he wrapped Shen Xihe tightly in it.
"His Majesty intends to send men to slay the serpent," Moyu added finally.
The appearance of such a colossal creature in the imperial hunting grounds, witnessed by so many, would inevitably breed fear of the area in the future. With the campsite located at the foot of the mountain, if the Giant Serpent were to descend, the consequences would be unimaginable. Moreover, rumors were circulating that Zhaoning County Princess had died in the serpent's jaws.
If Shen Xihe could not be found, this would serve as a plausible explanation.
Xiao Huayong showed no reaction, as if he had anticipated this all along.
Once the Giant Serpent had been exposed, the Youning Emperor would not allow it to live. Such a massive creature was prone to sparking superstitious rumors, especially with so many witnesses. If not curbed promptly, gossipmongers might incite endless speculations about the imperial hunting grounds.
While harm to individuals was one thing, the greater fear was harm to the emperor and the stability of the realm.
Xiao Huayong, however, was thinking that the serpent must be at least a century old—and he happened to need a century-old serpent's gallbladder.
"When does His Majesty plan to slay the serpent?" Xiao Huayong asked.
"No later than tomorrow," Moyu replied. These were Tianyuan's words, relayed because he had anticipated Xiao Huayong would ask.
"Take good care of Youyou," Xiao Huayong instructed Moyu before leaving.
That night, while most were still searching the mountains for Shen Xihe, the warehouse at the retreat palace caught fire for unknown reasons. Since it stored all the provisions, except for a team left to guard the Emperor, all the palace staff rushed to fight the blaze.
Changling Princess, dizzy and weary from kneeling, noticed her guards had vanished and tried to sneak a break. Suddenly, a figure wearing a Kunlun slave mask appeared, startling her into a sharp scream: "A ghost!"
Before she could scream again, she was knocked unconscious and swiftly abducted. From the bushes emerged a woman of similar stature and attire, who rushed out limping, disheveled, and frantic, darting past the maids and guards who had been alerted by the princess's scream and were returning.
They chased after her, only to see her seize a horse and gallop away, ignoring the guards' shouts. She raced to the waterfall, abandoned the horse, and leaped into the pool. The pursuers heard a loud splash and saw water spray into the air.
"Quick, report to His Majesty—the Princess has jumped into the water!"
Chaos ensued. Some rushed back to report, others hurried downstream to search, none noticing a figure emerging from the side and slipping away unnoticed.Changling Princess was jolted awake by a basin of cold water. Recognizing Xiao Huayong standing before her, her face paled dramatically. She tried to scream but discovered she had been struck mute.
Xiao Huayong gave her a smile so tender it was unnerving, sending chills down her spine. He personally forced several wax pellets down her throat: "His Majesty plans to slay the serpent tomorrow. You shall perform a final service for Your Majesty."
Each wax pellet contained lethal poison. Once she was thrown into the abysmal pool, the Giant Serpent would inevitably be poisoned after devouring her.
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