On a fine mid-autumn day, the azure sky stretched clear and vast. Soaring roof ridges adorned with dragons and phoenixes, and intricately carved beams depicting qilins ascending through clouds, were partially veiled amidst the brilliant yellow Eucommia leaves.
A desolate wind swept through, sending butterfly-like leaves spiraling gently downward, blanketing the ground in a golden carpet. Delicate upturned shoes crunched softly upon them, while flowing skirts brushed past, lifting a leaf or two to dance like fluttering butterflies.
Shen Xihe took her seat, and Xiao Huayong promptly brewed her a cup of Eucommia Leaf tea. Just as he had described, the tea was glossy and verdant in hue, its crisp fragrance wafting generously. The refreshing scent of Eucommia leaves, carried on the steam, enveloped her, easing the tension in her brow.
Eagerly, she lifted the cup and inhaled deeply for a moment before taking a small sip. Expecting an initial bitterness followed by sweetness, she was surprised by its smooth texture and lingering sweet aftertaste, which compelled her to take another sip.
"Your Highness has a clever touch; this tea has a unique flavor," Shen Xihe remarked. Though she typically disliked tea, she found herself inexplicably drawn to this particular taste.
"If it pleases the Junzhu, then the effort was well spent. I have plenty more here; you may take some with you later," Xiao Huayong replied, his eyes shimmering with soft, fragmented warmth.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Shen Xihe did not decline. Firstly, she genuinely enjoyed the flavor; secondly, she felt it inappropriate to ask for the brewing method—she had never intended to create distance before, and even less so now. Thirdly, she had come today to assist Xiao Huayong. She had a feeling that if she refused the tea, he might very well decline Sui Axi's offer to treat his eyes. It seemed irrational and somewhat absurd, yet she was convinced it would happen. She had no desire to test this theory, lest Xiao Huayong misinterpret her acceptance later as a sign of soft-heartedness.
Her insistence on having Sui Axi treat his eyes was driven by a wish to owe him less.
"I've come today because I've obtained some live bees, and I’ve brought A Xi to perform bee-sting therapy on Your Highness's eyes," Shen Xihe stated plainly, never one to beat around the bush.
Xiao Huayong’s gaze fell upon the specialized medicine chest Sui Axi carried, from which a faint buzzing could be heard.
"Your Highness, using live bees for acupuncture is more effective, though it may cause some pain," Sui Axi murmured softly. "Alternatively, we could use extracted needles for the acupoints."
In Shen Xihe’s presence, would Xiao Huayong admit fear of pain? Certainly not!
"Proceed with the live bees," Xiao Huayong declared.
"Please rest in the inner chamber, Your Highness."
Shen Xihe did not follow, remaining instead in the outer room to wait, nibbling on the refreshments Xiao Huayong had prepared.
She sat there for half an hour until Xiao Huayong reappeared. His eye area was now dotted with numerous small black marks, identical to the mole at the corner of his eye, lending him a somewhat comical appearance.
Shen Xihe couldn’t help but twitch the corners of her lips.
"Youyou, feel free to laugh if you wish. If it amuses you, I shan’t mind my compromised appearance," Xiao Huayong said, lightly touching the mole at the corner of his eye with his pinky. A captivating charm seemed to flow from his fingertips to the corner of his eye.
Shen Xihe suppressed her smile and adopted a serious tone. "Your Highness, was the incident at the ancestral temple meant to force Xun Wang into the open?"
"Youyou is astute; you must have already deduced the reason," Xiao Huayong nodded. "The one commanding His Majesty’s private army is indeed Xun Wang."
"Was Xun Wang forced to return to the capital by Your Highness?" Shen Xihe had long been puzzled. Xun Wang must have been stationed with the emperor’s private forces, and neither he nor the others should have been able to leave their posts without the emperor’s explicit orders."The elderly dowager is gravely ill and may not have long to live," Xiao Huayong said. "I allowed Xun Wang to receive this news. Whether he wishes to return or not is his own choice."
Xiao Huayong did not know where the Emperor's private army was stationed, nor Xun Wang's whereabouts. It took him five years to finally identify a messenger who could relay information to Xun Wang.
By letting this messenger know the elderly dowager was critically ill beyond recovery this time, the decision to return as a filial son rested solely with Xun Wang.
Torn between loyalty and filial piety, Xun Wang had faked his death a decade ago. His princess, overwhelmed by grief, passed away shortly after. His mother stubbornly sustained the Xun Wang residence, raising his son to become the current Xun Wang.
Shen Xihe had met this thirty-year-old imperial clansman who held a sinecure at the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs—a robust, exceptionally skilled man reminiscent of his father's stature. If Shen Xihe's speculation proved correct, Xiao Changfeng was the one Youning Emperor favored to take over the northwest.
"Your Highness has seized the opportune moment," Shen Xihe remarked softly.
Coinciding with the Emperor's autumn hunt, this timing was fortuitous. Under other circumstances, Xun Wang might not have taken the risk. With most nobles accompanying the Emperor, the capital was at its safest.
"Opportune moment?" Xiao Huayong chuckled lightly. "Does the Junzhu not suspect this timing was orchestrated by my hand?"
Shen Xihe lifted her gaze, obsidian eyes gleaming with intelligence as they fixed on Xiao Huayong. "Xun Wang is no ordinary man. His return confirms the dowager's illness is natural."
"Your Highness seeks information from Xun Wang, so you would never harm the dowager. Should Xun Wang fall into your hands and discover your scheme, it would become a matricidal vendetta."
"I thought the Junzhu would say my heart remains pure—that I'd never use the elderly, weak, women, or children as pawns in my designs," Xiao Huayong murmured, a faint smile gracing his lips.
"The elderly and weak? Innocent people?" Shen Xihe shook her head with a light laugh. "Your Highness, on the path to imperial power, when one person becomes involved, their entire clan is inevitably entangled."
There are no innocents in the pursuit of sovereignty. Those with tender hearts have no place on this road—a single misstep could lead not just to personal ruin, but the extermination of nine generations.
"So the Junzhu would harm the dowager to lure out Xun Wang?" Xiao Huayong asked in surprise.
He had long known she differed from other noble ladies, but never anticipated such distinctive perspectives.
"Your Highness, Xun Wang spent ten years building his Secret Army targeting the northwest. If I confirmed his leadership and had no alternative, I would resort to such tactics to draw him out," Shen Xihe stated without hesitation. "As for whether the dowager's life would be forfeit—that would depend on how easily Xun Wang could be deceived."
Conflicting interests, divided loyalties—all merely striving to survive.
"Taking such action, I'd fear no retaliation from Xun Wang," Shen Xihe added, sipping her tea again. "If someday someone uses my loved ones to trap me, they need only bear the consequences of my vengeance."
"The Junzhu sees with remarkable clarity." Xiao Huayong's eyes deepened with amusement. They were kindred spirits.
"I know you didn't cause the dowager's illness," Shen Xihe returned to the main subject.
"Indeed, no one tampered with the dowager's condition. However, I exerted considerable influence to delay this year's autumn hunt by half a month," Xiao Huayong revealed. "Thus it cannot be deemed purely opportune timing."
Had Xiao Changqing not uncovered the military funds issue, he would have presented the Emperor with another "gift" to ensure the hunt coincided with the dowager's final days."Your Highness's brilliant strategies leave Zhaoning in awe." After offering her praise, Shen Xihe asked, "Is Xun Wang in your grasp?"
Had it been before the autumn hunt, Shen Xihe would never have posed such a direct question. But now that they had decided to join in matrimony, she regarded Xiao Huayong as a companion on the same path.
OpenNovel