As a woman herself, she knew this world was already unjust enough towards women. Why must they resort to selling their bodies like Jade Butterfly just to secure a chance at survival?
Women are inherently tender-hearted. They often develop some affection for men with whom they've shared intimacy, unless those men have harmed them. If no harm was done, forcing them to choose between loyalty and emotion—wasn't that an exceptionally cruel dilemma?
"I prefer using men rather than exploiting women." Shen Xihe's lips curved slightly.
Sending a woman to Xiao Changfeng would at most make her his bedmate. Not every man would let down his guard around a lover or confide his secrets. But it was different with men who'd shared life-and-death bonds—they'd earn appreciation, important positions, even heartfelt confidences!
Moreover, Xiao Changfeng's father had just passed away. Although he'd already observed the three-year mourning period a decade ago, as a filial son Shen Xihe suspected he might observe it again. Even if not for his father, his grandmother didn't have long to live, which would require another year of mourning.
How could he easily be swayed by feminine charms at such a time?
"The princess is absolutely right."" Zhenzhu suddenly realized her perspective wasn't as far-reaching as her mistress's. "Shall this maid go find Mo Yuan to arrange for someone?"
"No, we cannot use our own people." Shen Xihe vetoed.
Zhenzhu was astonished: "If we don't use our people, how can we ensure they'll work for us?"
After pondering momentarily, Shen Xihe rose and went to the study. Without needing instructions, Zhenzhu began grinding ink while Biyu laid out paper. Shen Xihe painted a portrait of a man in his thirties, expressionless with a full beard.
"Lu Bing!" Only Zhenzhu recognized this person.
This was a wandering martial artist they'd encountered two years ago. He'd been critically injured and near death. As Zhenzhu knew medicine, Shen Xihe had instructed her to examine his wounds. But Zhenzhu couldn't save him. Before dying, Lu Bing begged them to bury him and gifted Shen Xihe a flexible sword along with his main weapon.
Shen Xihe had him properly buried and later gave the flexible sword to Shen Yungan. His primary weapons had been a pair of maces.
Lu Bing had entrusted Shen Xihe to find a suitable person to inherit them, not wanting the treasures to gather dust.
Shen Xihe still hadn't found such a person and had brought the maces to the capital.
After finishing the painting, Shen Xihe brought it to Sui Axi: "I need you to use bone restructuring to recreate this man's appearance. How long would it take?"
"That depends on how similar the subject is to him. The closer the resemblance, the easier it will be," Sui Axi replied.
Shen Xihe had long wanted to witness Sui Axi's bone restructuring skills. She sent Mo Yuan with Sui Axi to personally select candidates.
Then she wrote to Shen Yungan, asking him to carefully question those who had prepared Lu Bing's burial about any birthmarks the man might have had.
She intended to create a "Lu Bing" to send to Xiao Changfeng—a master martial artist with no family ties, disillusioned with the martial world's dangers, a wandering drifter. She didn't believe Xiao Changfeng could resist such a person!
Sui Axi selected one of Shen Xihe's guards, claiming he could complete the transformation within three months.
Soon after arranging this matter, Xiao Huayong's capping ceremony arrived.
The Crown Prince's capping ceremony was extremely grand, held at the imperial ancestral temple which the Ministry of Rites had specially renovated for the occasion.
A Crown Prince's capping wasn't ordinary—this was no simple ceremony. For the Crown Prince, receiving his crown was like an emperor assuming personal rule. Only after the capping ceremony could he officially begin exercising power.Shen Xihe had originally believed this capping ceremony would inevitably be disrupted, but whether Xiao Huayong was simply too skilled at feigning composure or not, neither the Youning Emperor nor any of the princes showed any intention of sabotaging the event.
It was crucial to understand that if Xiao Huayong’s capping ceremony failed, even if the Youning Emperor were to suddenly pass away and Xiao Huayong ascended the throne smoothly, the lack of a proper capping ceremony would render him a puppet emperor. Ministers would rightfully use ritual propriety as a constraint to legitimately strip him of his imperial authority.
He wore the ceremonial robe with nine insignias—five on the upper garment and four on the lower, layered over a white gauze underrobe, fastened with a leather belt and golden hook.
The crown atop his head, adorned with nine strands of white pearls reserved exclusively for the Crown Prince, obscured half his face, concealing the sharpness in his eyes.
This was Shen Xihe’s first time seeing Xiao Huayong in full ceremonial attire. His steps were steady,
and as he moved, the white pearls dangling from his crown swayed gently, shimmering with a radiant glow that accentuated his pale, exceptionally handsome face. This was likely also the first time the entire court had truly regarded the Crown Prince with seriousness. They now realized that, adorned in the imperial crown and robes, the Crown Prince stood tall and slender, his face as fair as jade, exuding a noble and dignified aura unique to the imperial heir—a presence unmatched by any other prince during their own capping ceremonies.
The final part of the ceremony involved the Grand Guest bestowing a courtesy name upon Xiao Huayong. As the Crown Prince, his name could only be granted by His Majesty, and the Minister of the Imperial Clan, serving as the Grand Guest, was merely conveying it.
"The rites are now complete. On this auspicious day, we proclaim your courtesy name: Beichen."
The moment "Beichen" was spoken, it sent a tremor through everyone present.
The Analects of Confucius state: "He who governs by virtue is like the polestar, which remains in its place while all the other stars revolve around it!"
To rule the world through virtue, like the polestar, standing in the supreme position, with all stars encircling it.
What lofty expectations! Fortunately, Xiao Huayong was the Crown Prince, the legitimate heir. Otherwise, this name alone would have thrust him into the center of a storm.
The ministers collected their thoughts, inwardly weighing the Emperor’s determination to pass the throne to Xiao Huayong. Should they truly begin considering early allegiance to the Crown Prince?
Just as everyone’s minds were racing with these thoughts, Xiao Huayong suddenly broke into a violent cough, as if overcome with emotion, his handsome face flushing red. Finally, he choked on his breath and collapsed.
The courtiers who had been slightly swayed immediately crushed any improper thoughts upon seeing the Crown Prince in such a state!
Chaos ensued. The Youning Emperor strode forward to support Xiao Huayong, who struggled to speak, his eyes filled with gratitude and even seeming to glisten with tears. "Your son thanks Father for bestowing this name."
"Say no more," the Youning Emperor reassured Xiao Huayong before shouting, "Chief Imperial Physician!"
There were still some concluding rites, such as exchanging greetings with his brothers, but the Crown Prince was clearly unable to continue. The Emperor shot a sharp glance at the Minister of Rites, who promptly declared the capping ceremony complete, with the formal acknowledgment of the Crown Prince scheduled for the next day in the Hall of Diligent Governance.
After the Crown Prince’s capping, it was customary for him to stand at the base of the coiling dragon staircase in the main audience hall, where all court officials, including imperial clansmen and princes, would perform the four bows of great respect.
Shen Xihe watched as the Youning Emperor escorted Xiao Huayong back to the palace. As a woman, she was not supposed to attend the ceremony and was only permitted to join the banquet later. However, Xiao Huayong had specifically invited her, so she had disguised herself in male attire to witness the entire capping ceremony. From this day forward, he was no longer a youth but a true man!
"Princess, by so openly observing the Crown Prince’s capping ceremony, have you left yourself no room for retreat?" As soon as Shen Xihe stepped out, she encountered Xiao Changying, who was staring intently at her."So in Prince Lie's eyes, Zhaoning is nothing but a fickle-minded woman?" Shen Xihe gave a faint smile. "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, for the Heart of Zhaoning remains ever constant."
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