The Crown Prince was her choice, which struck Xiao Changying like a thunderbolt, sending waves of excruciating pain coursing through his entire body.
"Brother, is the Crown Prince truly not feigning illness?" Xiao Changying's voice was restrained and hoarse.
"Even I cannot be certain," Xiao Changqing pondered for a moment before replying. "However, since Zhaoning County Princess insists on marrying the Crown Prince, I suspect His Highness's health might indeed be frail."
"Why?" Xiao Changying was perplexed.
"I have not interacted with Zhaoning County Princess on many occasions, but from the few incidents related to her, it is evident that she is intelligent and composed. Although she frequently visits the Eastern Palace to see the Crown Prince, I have never detected any affection for him in her eyes."
The most telling instance was today, when she stood aside watching the Crown Prince's capping ceremony—her gaze remained placid throughout, without the slightest fluctuation.
This was neither concealed restraint nor suppressed emotion, but genuine indifference toward the Crown Prince. Otherwise, Xiao Changqing would not have permitted his younger brother to pursue Shen Xihe further.
Thus, Zhaoning County Princess's decision to marry the Crown Prince was not driven by love. In matters of marriage, if not for affection, then it must be for gain.
"Gain?" Xiao Changying found it hard to believe. "If the Crown Prince truly does not live beyond three to five years, who will protect the northwest for her after she marries him? As a former Crown Princess, which successor to the throne would tolerate her?"
"What if she bears the legitimate heir?" Xiao Changqing countered.
Xiao Changying fell silent, his pupils contracting sharply: "You mean she—"
"Indeed, what she seeks has never been to become the Empress." It was only today that Xiao Changqing began to vaguely grasp Shen Xihe's intentions. "If she becomes the mother of the legitimate heir, even if the Crown Prince passes away, her son would still hold a stronger claim to the throne than any of us."
Throughout history, the legitimate offspring of the primary consort have always held the highest status.
"Would Your Majesty ever allow someone with the bloodline of the Shen clan to inherit the throne?" Xiao Changying thought Shen Xihe was being naive.
"Little brother, do not underestimate women." Xiao Changqing himself had once held biases against women, considering them fragile and shortsighted. But Gu Qingzhi had shown him that a woman could possess the power to overturn empires.
"With no Empress in the Imperial Harem and His Majesty vowing never to appoint another, if she marries into the Eastern Palace, it would be reasonable for her, as Crown Princess, to oversee the six palaces. By then, the entire Imperial Harem would fall into her hands. Watch and see how she manages the harem and executes her plans with precision." Xiao Changqing did not consider Shen Xihe's scheming to be far-fetched.
Though this path seemed tortuous and arduous, once successful, the northwest would have no more worries, and the Shen clan would truly become unshakable.
Thus, no one could undermine her authority. Even if she aspired to emulate a female emperor, it would not be difficult for her.
This approach was far more straightforward than depending on a man—even as Empress, one would still have to engage in hollow diplomacy with one's husband.
After hearing Xiao Changqing's words, Xiao Changying was utterly stunned. He stared blankly into space for a long time before letting out a bitter laugh: "So... so this is where I lost."
"Little brother, I urge you to let go not because I fear you might turn Zhaoning County Princess into an enemy through rivalry," Xiao Changqing sighed almost imperceptibly, "but because if her intentions are truly as I suspect, she is someone who will never be swayed by worldly emotions."
Xiao Changqing thought his encounter with Gu Qingzhi was lamentable enough, but Shen Xihe was even more formidable—more daring in her aspirations and more meticulous in her scheming.Like a moth darting into the flame, he had thrown himself at Gu Qingzhi, believing he could move her. Shen Xihe was even more unattainable than Gu Qingzhi—how could his younger brother possibly win Shen Xihe’s heart?
The autumn breeze carried a chill, and suddenly, a muffled thunderclap echoed in the sky. After a long silence, Xiao Changying asked, "Brother, do you have any intention of seizing the throne?"
Xiao Changqing, who had been about to raise the ocarina to his lips to play, paused. He looked thoughtfully at Xiao Changying. "You want to help her?"
Xiao Changying remained silent, neither confirming nor denying.
Xiao Changqing lowered his head and stayed quiet for a moment. "I once had such ambitions, but now I feel nothing but disgust for that supreme position."
Then he looked back at Xiao Changying. "Don’t think that just because I have no interest in the throne, you can assist her. Even if the Crown Prince truly has a short lifespan, he is by no means an ordinary man. I have yet to fully understand him, and he may not tolerate your intentions."
"Moreover, you must be prepared to give without any regrets."
It was because he had failed to grasp this truth back then that, even in death, he had never managed to move her heart in the slightest.
Human hearts are made of flesh—they ache, grow weary, suffer, and fear. In this world, where is there selfless giving without expecting anything in return? Where is affection that asks for no repayment?
He did not want his only younger brother to end up like him—exhausted, wounded, and in pain, with a heart riddled with scars and shattered to pieces, yet feeling not a trace of warmth. To become disfigured by self-loathing and torment, ultimately hurting himself and pushing her further away, leaving behind a lifetime of regret.
"If only I could grow weary of it too," Xiao Changying murmured softly, then lifted his head and took another swig from the wine jar.
Xiao Changqing hesitated for a moment, then brought the ocarina to his lips. A soft melody flowed out, carried by the wind, sweeping up fallen leaves and drifting into the distance.
Xiao Huayong was still unaware that someone was already hoping for his early demise so they could help take care of his wife and child. Having finally managed to send away the Youning Emperor and the Chief Imperial Physician, he eagerly asked Tianyuan, "Where’s the gift Youyou sent me? Hurry and bring it to me!"
That day, when Difang returned, he had recounted with a bewildered expression how the Crown Prince had openly asked for a birthday gift. Tianyuan, looking down on his younger brother’s narrow-mindedness and lack of worldly experience, had taken note of the matter.
All the congratulatory gifts had to be reviewed and recorded by him. He had specifically set aside the one from the Princess Manor and now promptly brought it to Xiao Huayong.
There was a large stack of gift boxes, ranging from big to small. A birthday gift for the Eastern Palace could not consist of just one item. Xiao Huayong scanned them and accurately pulled out the third from the bottom, carrying it to his bed to open. As he untied the red silk ribbon, he took a deep breath.
Although he felt that Shen Xihe would most likely, in her search for a suitable special birthday gift for him, fulfill his wish and sew him a pillow, Xiao Huayong still thought it might not be the case. But if it had to be this box, it was because the size was about right.
Holding his breath, he carefully opened the box. Inside lay a medicinal pillow, black in color, embroidered with golden threads and silver patterns of eucommia leaves.
Xiao Huayong’s eyes lit up with delight as he gazed at it. He reached out and gently stroked it, the cool and soft texture making his smile widen, almost stretching to his ears. He lifted the medicinal pillow, took a deep breath of its refreshing herbal scent, and immediately tossed the pillow on his bed aside.
Carefully and gently, he placed his own pillow in its spot, then slowly lay down. Closing his eyes, he breathed in the fresh fragrance of eucommia leaves and medicinal herbs. After savoring the moment for a while, he sat up, hugged the pillow to his chest, and revealed a tender, somewhat foolish smile.After laughing, she then showed a worried expression: "If you use it as a pillow for too long, won't it get damaged?"
Tianyuan:
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