The horse neighed, and in the gently swaying carriage, Xiao Huayong lowered his gaze to his slowly opening hand. His hand was broad and thick, carved like ivory with clear lines, exuding an aura of strength.
"Making you vanish from this world without a trace would be as easy as turning my hand for me."
"Your Highness, I have no doubt of that." Xie Yunhuai remained composed and unruffled. "But would you?"
Xiao Huayong abruptly lifted his eyes, his sharp gaze piercing straight into Xie Yunhuai.
Xie Yunhuai replied calmly and gently, "If Your Highness intended to kill me, the best opportunity would have been just now."
Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe worked in perfect coordination. Shen Xihe had bought enough time for Xiao Huayong to set his plans in motion at the Xie residence, and then she caused a public disturbance there, almost pinpointing the areas where someone could be hidden.
When Shen Xihe arrogantly arrived at the palace with the Golden Decree, she created an opportunity for Xiao Huayong to launch a surprise attack.
However, Xun Wang was no ordinary man. He had grown wary the moment Shen Xihe entered the ancestral hall and, as a precaution, decided to flee. He happened to run into Xiao Huayong’s men, who had infiltrated the ancestral hall and subdued the guards.
Had it been a moment later, Xun Wang would have preferred to cause a commotion and fall into the hands of His Majesty rather than be captured by Xiao Huayong.
This time, it was Xiao Huayong himself who acted, swiftly subduing Xun Wang. But he was in the hands of Xun Wang’s subordinate.
Xie Yunhuai unconsciously touched the sword mark on his neck. At that moment, Xun Wang’s subordinate had demanded that Xiao Huayong release Xun Wang, or else he would kill Xie Yunhuai.
What kind of man was Xiao Huayong? No one understood him better than Xie Yunhuai. Even Xiao Changyu and Xiao Changgeng had only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg, while Xie Yunhuai had seen it all. He knew Xiao Huayong would not compromise.
The Crown Prince never compromised with anyone, not even the current Emperor.
If Xie Yunhuai died here, it would have nothing to do with Xiao Huayong. No one would know why he died, and the blame would fall solely on Xie Ji.
What he never expected was that Xiao Huayong actually released Xun Wang.
As Xun Wang retreated toward his subordinate, Xiao Huayong's ambushers swooped in, targeting Xun Wang directly. The man holding Xie Yunhuai instinctively moved to protect Xun Wang. In that split second, before Xie Yunhuai could even see how Xiao Huayong struck, warm blood splattered across his face.
The assailant who attacked Xun Wang was severely wounded by him. Xun Wang let out a loud shout, alerting many of the Xie residence guards who rushed over. Xie Yunhuai immediately dashed out to intercept them, claiming he had been detained by Xie Ji. The guards were all drawn to him, attempting to capture him, which gave Xiao Huayong the chance to seize Xun Wang once more.
It was a close call—Xiao Huayong had nearly allowed Xun Wang to escape in order to save Xie Yunhuai’s life.
Xiao Huayong indifferently withdrew his gaze as the carriage turned into an empty alley and came to a stop. He stepped out of the carriage. "That was not the best opportunity just now. I will not allow you to become an indelible mark in her heart."
Given Shen Xihe’s intelligence, she would soon understand why Xie Yunhuai had risked his life. If Xie Yunhuai had died in the Xie residence, even if she remained unaware or did not blame Xiao Huayong for standing by, she would still feel guilt toward Xie Yunhuai.
As long as a person lives, anything can change. But once they die, it becomes difficult to erase certain traces.
"If that is the case, then it will not be easy for Your Highness to kill me." Xie Yunhuai lifted the carriage window curtain, his gaze meeting that of the tall and poised Xiao Huayong. "I and the Junzhu consider each other lifelong confidants."
Xiao Huayong glanced at him sideways.Xie Yunhuai continued, "No matter when I die, the Princess will be deeply grieved and will remember me every Tomb Sweeping Day."
Xiao Huayong raised his palm and struck the carriage shaft, the powerful force sending Xie Yunhuai crashing against the opposite shaft. Clutching his bruised arm as he sat upright, he heard Xiao Huayong's emotionless voice.
"Killing you is easy. Concealing the news of your death forever is equally effortless for me." Xiao Huayong walked away calmly, his voice fading into the distance. "I simply choose not to deceive her, not that I cannot deal with you."
Only after Xiao Huayong's figure disappeared into the alley did Xie Yunhuai let out a soft laugh.
"Doctor Qi, are you returning home?" the eunuch driver outside asked.
Xie Yunhuai replied, "To the Princess Manor."
If he returned home, Shen Xihe would surely come looking for him anyway. It was better to wait for her return at the Princess Manor. Upon arriving, Xie Yunhuai had Sui Axi administer acupuncture and prepared some medicine. Soon after, Shen Xihe returned with Zhenzhu and the others.
"Are your injuries severe?" Shen Xihe asked with concern.
"If I say they're not, you likely wouldn't believe me entirely. Since Axi treated my wounds, you may ask him instead," Xie Yunhuai replied with a smile.
Shen Xihe indeed turned to Sui Axi, who said, "Do not worry, Princess. Doctor Qi only suffered superficial wounds and minor internal injuries, which are less serious than the impact on his arm. His arm is bruised, but I've applied acupuncture. It may hurt tomorrow but should heal by the day after."
Upon hearing this, Xie Yunhuai instinctively touched his arm.
Shen Xihe felt relieved and said seriously, "Thank you for this."
Though she didn't know how Xie Yunhuai had learned about Xun Wang, his previous ability to uncover the matter of Jiannanchun Wine showed he had connections in the capital. Shen Xihe didn't probe further.
But she could deduce that Xie Yunhuai must have known the person Duke Xie asked him to treat was likely Xun Wang, which was why he went—to help her find Xun Wang. Xie Yunhuai had no personal grudge against Xun Wang; if not for assisting her, he would never have agreed.
"There is no need for thanks, Princess," Xie Yunhuai said with an elegant smile. "While it's true I went because I knew it was Xun Wang, it wasn't entirely to help you."
Shen Xihe looked at him puzzled.
Xie Yunhuai explained tactfully, "I heard Xie Ji has been stripped of his military authority."
"Is this what you sought?" Shen Xihe seemed to understand.
"Indeed, I knew you intended to capture Xun Wang, and I also wanted to deal with Duke Xie. It benefits both of us, and I'm not without personal motives," Xie Yunhuai admitted frankly.
Shen Xihe thought it over and agreed. In this matter, Duke Xie had also suffered misfortune. But she said, "If that were truly the case, you should have let His Majesty know he was sheltering Xun Wang."
"That would certainly enrage His Majesty," Xie Yunhuai shook his head with a smile. "As you likely know, Xie Ji is cunning and eloquent. Firstly, I cannot see His Majesty. Secondly, even if His Majesty knew Xun Wang was in his residence, Xie Ji could easily deny it, claiming he was coerced by Xun Wang. Thirdly, Xun Wang's death was only feigned, so sheltering him isn't a major offense. His Majesty might not even dismiss him openly, and as for arousing suspicion, Xie Ji has ways to dispel it."
Weighing it all, the current outcome was preferable. Xie Ji, who had schemed and manipulated for years without ever being outwitted, had now tasted the bitterness of being calculated against. That was likely more painful than mere dismissal."In that case, it was I who took advantage of the princess."
Shen Xihe chuckled lightly: "There's no need to debate your original intentions. What matters is we've both gained something from this arrangement."
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