Xiao Huayong’s intuition was indeed half correct. Were it not for the fact that they would share a pillow and a future, Shen Xihe would never have taken the initiative to seek an imperial marriage decree. Her preferred approach would have been to muddy the waters, forcing the Emperor, after careful consideration, to reluctantly marry her to Xiao Huayong. Only then would His Majesty’s wariness toward them diminish to its lowest.
It was only out of regard for Xiao Huayong’s affection that Shen Xihe compromised, demonstrating sincerity to forge an alliance between their families.
Had Xiao Huayong not developed feelings for Shen Xihe, their thoughts would have aligned perfectly, and their cooperation would have been seamless. Yet, once emotions entered the equation, everything changed.
“Is the poison Xun Wang ingested fatal?” Shen Xihe had no desire to dwell further on matters of the heart.
“It won’t be fatal within a month or two if left untreated. However, many foods must be avoided, as they could aggravate the internal toxin, causing a burning agony in his organs and unbearable suffering,” Xiao Huayong replied truthfully.
Shen Xihe nodded. “How much time does the Old Dowager have left?”
Xiao Huayong: “At least three to five days, at most around ten.”
“In that case, even if Xun Wang could leave the capital, he might not be willing to.” Moreover, he currently couldn’t depart—not only because Xiao Huayong refused to let him go, but also because the Youning Emperor was unlikely to permit it easily.
“If you plan to intervene in this matter, be cautious. Xun Wang did not return to the capital alone; he brought four guards, each a top-tier expert,” Xiao Huayong reminded softly.
He knew he couldn’t stop Shen Xihe or persuade her to rely on him entirely. Their earlier conversation had made it clear that she disliked dependence. She would seek help when truly overwhelmed—a sign of humility, not arrogance. But when confident in her abilities, she would act independently, never idling simply because others could share her burdens.
She deeply despised placing hope in others—a trait she shared with him.
“I understand.” Anyone capable of escaping the trap Xiao Huayong had laid could not be underestimated. “What antidote does he need if the poison remains untreated?”
Xiao Huayong withheld nothing, and Shen Xihe memorized each detail. After speaking with him a while longer, she took her leave.
Upon exiting the Eastern Palace, Shen Xihe avoided the route where she had previously encountered Xiao Changgeng’s entanglement with Princesses Changling and Yangling. Yet, she heard mournful music.
“It’s coming from the Fourth Princess’s palace. His Majesty has erected a cenotaph for her, and several consorts and princesses will pay their respects,” Zhenzhu whispered.
She had overheard the news and specifically inquired further.
Princess Changling had died tragically, with not a trace of her remains recovered. The Emperor had ordered the Giant Serpent dissected, but only decayed flesh was found—nothing identifiable as the princess. Now, with the ancestral temple fire and rumors of Xun Wang’s resurgence, the Emperor was preoccupied with greater affairs and unable to hold a proper funeral.
Moreover, following the successive deaths of the Sixth Prince, Xiao Changying, and Liang Zhaorong, the palace was in no state for lavish mourning rites. Thus, the court was instructed to erect a memorial tablet for Changling, ensuring she would not become a wandering ghost.
Shen Xihe had no wish to be seen. Although no one could trace Princess Changling’s death to her, the incident felt eerie. The princess had schemed against her, only to end up haunted, leaping into water—a outcome too bizarre to ignore. If Shen Xihe were spotted passing by, it would inevitably spark unnecessary gossip. Since the Emperor had not issued an official decree, she feigned ignorance.Having deliberately taken a secluded path, she unexpectedly overheard an argument: "Third Sister, Changling is already dead. Will you truly deny me any chance of survival?"
It was Fifth Princess Yangling, quarreling with Third Princess Anling?
"Fifth Sister, you incited Changling to harm Zhaoning, which led to Changling's tragic end. Her body was never found, and she died disfigured beyond recognition. Shouldn't you atone for this?" Princess Anling demanded.
"I did no such thing. You misheard," Princess Yangling denied.
"Oh? I misheard? Then why are you blocking me from seeking an audience with Father?" Princess Anling sneered.
"Third Sister! Don't think I'm unaware—you've taken a fancy to some impoverished scholar and plan to use me as leverage to gain Father's favor for your marriage proposal? Weren't you always at odds with Fourth Sister before?" Princess Yangling shrilled. "If you dare falsely accuse me, I'll have that Meng fellow killed first!"
It turned out that Princess Yangling had been burning paper offerings for Princess Changling today, but the cold wind kept extinguishing the flames. Guilt-ridden and frightened, and recalling how Princess Changling had screamed about ghosts before her death, she grew increasingly terrified. In her panic, she muttered some incriminating words about how she had instigated Princess Changling to oppose Shen Xihe, which happened to be overheard by Third Princess Anling. Originally, the Youning Emperor had intended to betroth Princess Anling to Bu Shulin, and she had harbored some affection for him. However, after witnessing Bu Shulin pounce on Cui Jinbai and even bite his chin, Princess Anling's illusions were shattered.
Yet at seventeen, even as an emperor's daughter, she worried about marriage. While princesses held noble status—requiring husbands and in-laws to pay respects to them, forbidding consorts, and controlling marital visits—many proud scions of noble families refused to marry imperial princesses.
Moreover, any achievements by a princess's husband would be dismissed as nepotistic. Most men of integrity resented this implication, making princesses difficult to wed. Even the Emperor deliberated carefully over arranged marriages to avoid alienating his meritorious officials.
Additionally, during the previous emperor's reign, several princesses had been notoriously promiscuous, taking lovers after marriage while their husbands suffered in silence. This severely damaged the reputation of princesses, leaving almost no noble sons willing to seek their hands.
Those who desired to marry them lacked the qualifications. Noble Consort Rong had hosted numerous banquets for the princesses, yet none had found matches. Only her own daughter, Sixth Princess Pingling, had a childhood sweetheart due to Xiao Changqing.
Recently, while accompanying Princess Pingling out of the palace to visit her brother at the Wang residence, Princess Anling encountered a brilliant, dashing, and exceptionally handsome scholar from a humble background. She fell for him instantly, but his status was too low—unless he topped the imperial examinations, their union would be impossible.
Though Princess Anling trusted her judgment that he would succeed, she still feared mishaps and planned to secure the Emperor's favor as insurance. By pleading for justice for Princess Changling—knowing the Emperor doted on her—she could earn his gratitude and perhaps even redirect his affection toward herself.
Shen Xihe did not pause. Only after they left the palace did Zhenzhu remark, "My lady, you've never interacted with Fifth Princess nor held any grudges. Why would she incite Fourth Princess to oppose you?"One must always act with some benefit in mind—what purpose does the Fourth Princess have in doing this? Surely it can’t be that she envies the Fourth Princess for being favored, knows Shen Xihe is no pushover, and thus deliberately sows discord between the Fourth Princess and Shen Xihe, waiting for the Fourth Princess to meet a bad end?
That seems far too far-fetched.
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