Rather bear the weight of the world than fail you.
Such a soul-stirring declaration of affection—had it been any other maiden, she would have been overjoyed beyond measure. Yet Shen Xihe fixed Xiao Huayong with an inscrutable gaze.
Could one truly treat another, unrelated by blood, to such an extent?
Was such profound affection truly possible?
How could such depth of love exist?
To Shen Xihe, this was utterly inconceivable.
Her eyes, as guileless and bewildered as a deer’s, held no concealment. Strangely, Xiao Huayong felt no irritation. Instead, the corners of his lips relaxed into a gentle curve. “One day, I will make you understand what it means to be willing, to be deeply mired, to be unhesitating.”
A faint smile touched Shen Xihe’s lips upon hearing this—not one of mockery, but one tinged with sheer absurdity.
Undeterred, Xiao Huayong clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at the sheer cliffs and perilous precipices. Amidst the winding paths and dense forests, rolling mist coiled and billowed, layering mountains and waters, entwined with countless vines. A fierce desire to conquer surged within him.
The cry of the Haidongqing intertwined with the hissing of the Giant Serpent, echoing intermittently through the peaks and mountain haze.
Sui Axi and Moyu began organizing their belongings. Though they were to remain here, they could not afford to be careless. Shen Xihe, still somewhat weakened, sat in silence. Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, and she could not help but close her eyes, tilting her head upward to bask in its warmth.
Here, tranquility and seclusion reigned undisturbed, yet the battle below was one of extreme brutality.
The Youning Emperor, heeding Xiao Changgeng’s counsel, had attempted to poison the Giant Serpent. However, the poisoned chickens, ducks, and sheep thrown into its path were merely shoved aside—the serpent neither tore at them nor swallowed them. Having ingested a small amount of the poison Xiao Huayong had administered, it grew increasingly frenzied.
Emerging from the deep pool, it rampaged recklessly, tearing at any living creature in its path. In its extreme agony, it even hurled itself against the stone walls. The Haidongqing, its wings folded, perched high upon the cliff face, observing the chaos below.
The Youning Emperor had made thorough preparations to slay the serpent. Overnight, he had summoned the Godly Crossbow Unit, ambushing them within the layered forests. These crossbows were immensely powerful, with a range of several hundred paces. A single, forceful bolt shot forth, piercing the serpent’s rigid scales and embedding itself like a nail deep into its flesh.
Yet, even so, the beast refused to fall easily. Dozens of bolts studded its body, yet it writhed and roared defiantly.
When the archers launched another assault, the serpent learned to evade, swiftly depleting their ammunition. With its maw agape, it charged forward. Xiao Huayong, having brought Shen Xihe to a safe vantage point, witnessed the scene unfold.
He retrieved a bone whistle and blew it softly. Only then did the Haidongqing, perched motionless as stone upon the cliff, spread its wings and swoop down.
Shen Xihe glanced sideways at the whistle in his hand—a polished piece of large animal bone, lustrous as white jade, its sound crisp and penetrating.
“Would you like one?” Xiao Huayong produced another and offered it to her.
Shen Xihe turned her expressionless face toward the scene below, silently refusing.
Knowing she would not accept it, Xiao Huayong tucked it away. The Haidongqing soared forth, its wings spanning ten feet.
Shen Xihe watched clearly as it swept past the serpent’s neck, sending a spray of blood droplets into the air. Circling mid-flight, it doubled back, evaded the serpent’s attack, and then clawed at its body, tearing two chunks of flesh clean from its form.An uninjured giant serpent might have stood a chance, but this one was already poisoned by Xiao Huayong and severely wounded by crossbowmen—how could it possibly contend with Haidongqing, who was well-fed and brimming with energy?
In moments, the serpent's massive body crashed to the ground. After a few convulsions, it fell completely still. Yet no one dared approach carelessly. Only when Haidongqing, under Xiao Huayong's command, swooped down and tore open the vulnerable belly did Liu Sanzhi venture forward.
"Let's return to the palace," Xiao Huayong said to Shen Xihe.
With everyone's attention fixed on the serpent, this was their best chance to slip back unnoticed. Upon reaching the palace, they parted ways. Moyu supported Shen Xihe as they headed toward her courtyard.
Bu Shulin and Xue Jinqiao were still searching for Shen Xihe. While other ministers' families, led by the Youning Emperor, waited for news in the council hall—with all guards concentrated there—only Bu Shulin and Xue Jinqiao had defied orders to look for Shen Xihe.
"Hongyu, summon the imperial physicians. Moyu, find Worldly Son Bu and Seventh Lady Xue," Shen Xihe commanded after assessing the situation.
Sui Axi's needle had left a large lump on the back of her head. She would tell the physicians she had fallen, struck her head, and lost consciousness before being found by her maids and attendants.
The physician's diagnosis would only reveal what appeared to be a blood clot from impact—identical to a fall injury. This would prevent the Youning Emperor from investigating her whereabouts or suspecting her involvement in Changling Princess's death.
The Youning Emperor had just received news of the serpent's demise when word came of Shen Xihe's discovery. Hearing she required medical attention, he immediately dispatched his most trusted physician, Doctor Zhuo.
Among the three most senior physicians at the Imperial Hospital—Chief Physician Chen, Doctor Zhuo, and Doctor Huang—only Doctor Zhuo was the emperor's confidant.
After examining Shen Xihe, Doctor Zhuo reported: "Your Majesty, Zhaoning County Princess bears numerous abrasions consistent with tumbling down a slope. The severe swelling and impact on her occiput, coupled with residual chill in her body, suggest she lay unconscious in the wilderness overnight."
"Understood. You may withdraw." The Youning Emperor waved him away.
He had suspected Shen Xihe's overnight absence was retaliation against Changling. The princess's sudden madness and drowning left him with unresolved questions, and Shen Xihe—renowned for her Bewitching Incense—was the prime suspect. Yet no traces of incense were found in Changling's chamber, making him wonder if alternative methods were used.
Now it appeared Shen Xihe wasn't the culprit. When Changling died, he had immediately sent word to Xiao Huayong, who was confirmed to be in his own chambers. If neither was guilty, could Changling truly have been suddenly possessed by some madness?
The emperor turned and retrieved a scroll depicting a woman bearing seventy percent resemblance to Changling Princess—the unattainable love of his life. His indulgence toward Changling stemmed entirely from this likeness.
Changling resembled their would-be daughter, embodying his sentimental attachment.
Now she was gone...
"Your Majesty, the Twelfth Prince requests an audience," Liu Sanzhi announced.
"Admit him." The emperor stored the scroll.
Upon entering, Xiao Changgeng glimpsed half of a woman's portrait without seeing the face and immediately lowered his head: "Your Majesty, this son suspects unusual objects beneath the pond. The water teems with venomous snakes—we must proceed with extreme caution.""I have already arranged for the aftermath to be handled." The Youning Emperor had also considered this. He asked, "For slaying the serpent this time, you have the foremost merit. What reward do you desire?"
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