"Your Highness possesses an unyielding spirit, unafraid of torture and interrogation. My petty tricks would be useless against a man of iron like you." Shen Xihe genuinely admired Xun Wang's perseverance; in this world, those who could withstand Xiao Huayong's torment were few and far between.
"Thus, I must seek another method. I shan't conceal from Your Highness that I excel in perfumery, capable of blending fragrances that cloud the mind and distort memories." Shen Xihe's voice turned ethereal. "I can use bone-shifting techniques to disguise someone as Your Highness, then confuse their memories. Even if your son were exceptionally clever, he'd find it difficult to discern the truth from someone who genuinely believes themselves to be you."
"Why tell me this?" Xun Wang's tone was icy.
"Why take circuitous routes when swift solutions exist?" Shen Xihe replied mildly, turning to exchange a glance with Xiao Huayong.
A peculiar smile touched Xiao Huayong's lips: "Uncle, you scheme for the sake of Xun Manor. Ten years ago, His Majesty was in his prime. Ten years later, you should consider this—your nephews and brothers have all come of age. Have you considered what might become of your cousin if I were to ascend the throne one day?"
Xun Wang shuddered. The reason he hadn't immediately taken his own life to thwart Xiao Huayong's plans wasn't due to any hope of rescue, but rather his uncertainty about Xiao Huayong's identity and capabilities, wishing to probe them personally.
Confronting this exceptionally handsome nephew, he saw silver light gathering in his eyes—deep as abysses, unfathomable as oceans, impossible to gauge. He should have guessed his own hidden fears earlier, yet Xiao Huayong hadn't directly addressed them from the start, instead demonstrating his abilities and methods through delay.
By waiting until the final moment to strike decisively, he eliminated any chance for negotiation.
"His Majesty has many sons, each accomplished in both civil and martial arts. Though Your Highness is formidable, you may be overconfident," Xun Wang refused to yield easily.
"Of course I am confident—I am the legitimate heir.Xiao Huayong timely revealed his identity.
Xun Wang's pupils contracted, his purplish lips trembling slightly. He had speculated about all of Xiao Huayong's possible identities, except one—the Crown Prince!
The Crown Prince, His Majesty's Crown Prince. Everyone knew of his existence, yet no one ever took him seriously.
He moved like a shadow, never drawing attention to himself in any affair. What terrifying capability must that require?
"Today, I offer you a choice, Uncle," Xiao Huayong's voice was soft in the confined underground chamber. "Will you take the lead, having your cousin bring Xun Manor to my side? Or will you gamble that I'll be the one to fall, and that Xun Manor will be preserved?"
There wasn't a trace of threatening coercion in his tone—he spoke with effortless calm, yet carried an innate regal authority.
Shen Xihe's gaze passed over the flickering candlelight to rest upon the tall, imposing figure before her.
Someone once told her that some people were born to rule—indescribable, yet unmistakable when encountered. In his every gesture, he moved with serene composure, holding the universe in his grasp, commanding the winds and clouds, decreeing life and death.
One choice: remain loyal to His Majesty, or secretly pledge allegiance to Xiao Huayong. Xun Wang found himself trapped in a dilemma, torn between two paths.Seeing Xun Wang's hesitation, Shen Xihe pressed on: "Your Highness, if your son pledges allegiance to the Crown Prince, His Highness has always been lenient toward his subordinates. He would not immediately move against the Invincible Army, nor would your son incur His Majesty's suspicion and disdain. Before the Crown Prince ascends the throne, your son will remain in His Majesty's favor. After the succession, your son will be credited with supporting the new sovereign."
"Ha...hahahaha—" Xun Wang suddenly burst into laughter, starting low and rising to a near-hysterical pitch before abruptly cutting off. "Crown Prince, was the destruction of Kang Prince's Manor orchestrated by your hand?"
"No." Shen Xihe stepped forward. "I laid the trap for Kang Prince's Manor."
Xun Wang's bloodshot eyes fixed on Shen Xihe, turning gloomy and scrutinizing.
Shen Xihe met his gaze calmly. "I presume Your Highness already knows who I am and understands why Kang Prince's Manor and I could not coexist. I also know your question stems from wondering whether the Crown Prince would eliminate rivals without regard for kinship."
"I can answer on His Highness' behalf: throughout history, how many emperors haven't ascended the throne stepping over their siblings' blood?"
"Is that also Your Highness' view?" Ignoring Shen Xihe, Xun Wang stared directly at Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Huayong's gentle gaze shifted from Shen Xihe. "Uncle, would you believe me if I said no? At this point, what use is asking? I've no need to deceive you—Kang Prince's Manor fell by Youyou's hand. Even had she not acted, I wouldn't have spared them."
"Why? Why wouldn't you accept Kang Prince's surrender?" Xun Wang persisted.
"Kang Prince differs from you, Uncle. I hold him in no esteem," Xiao Huayong replied mildly.
Xun Wang nodded vaguely, then threw back his head with a deep sigh. "I thank Your Highness for your regard. I beg you to spare Xun Prince's Manor."
As Xun Wang lowered his eyes and slowly bowed his head, a faint metallic scent brushed Shen Xihe's nostrils. Her face paled. "No!"
Xiao Huayong flashed forward, but too late—Xun Wang had bitten off his tongue.
Perplexity flickered in Shen Xihe's eyes. Why would Xun Wang choose suicide now, when he'd shown signs of relenting? "Why?"
Xiao Huayong sighed softly. "I was careless."
Shen Xihe started slightly. "What do you mean?"
"With Xun Wang exposed, His Majesty must have already dispatched troops to relocate the Invincible Army. Xun Wang surely knew this—perhaps the army isn't solely under his command as we assumed." Because revealing a location would only lead to an empty base, possibly with ambushes awaiting them.
Xun Wang withheld the information to prevent Xiao Huayong walking into a trap, using it as leverage to spare his household.
Had Xiao Huayong not demonstrated absolute power today, Xun Wang would have handed him a death warrant.
"His Majesty plays a deep game," Shen Xihe worried. "If Xun Wang hid at Duke Xie's residence... could His Majesty have known?"
If so, were she and Xiao Huayong exposed?
"No." Xiao Huayong grasped her hand. "Had survival been possible, Xun Wang wouldn't have chosen death. Xie Ji was likely his only escape route—blocked by Xie Yunhuai."
Shen Xihe glanced at Xiao Huayong in surprise. Was it her imagination, or did his tone shift oddly when saying "Xie Yunhuai"?"Don't look at me with such eyes." Xiao Huayong raised his hand to block her gaze. "I am jealous. I know you have no romantic feelings for Xie Yunhuai, and he likely feels the same toward you. Yet I cannot help but jealousy. I know you must dislike me like this, thinking me unreasonable and overly sentimental. I dislike being this way too, but I cannot control myself.
I don't mean to blame you. I just want to speak my mind, even if you remain indifferent or even annoyed. I must say it aloud."
OpenNovel