The human heart is a strange thing—it can be as small as the eye of a needle, yet also vast enough to be a bottomless pit.
Admittedly, Li Jing’s situation could transform him from a criminal into a meritorious individual with just a word from her. It would be seamless, harm no one, preserve the Li family’s dignity, and avoid any potential resentment between the Li family and Third Cousin.
But what if letting him off so easily only made Li Jing grow more reckless?
In a family, the concern is not scarcity but inequality. If the wrongdoing of Third Cousin’s brother-in-law can be quietly erased this time, and she and her uncle allow it, what about the in-laws of First, Second, or Fourth Cousin in the future? Should their offenses be erased too?
If not, how would their wives react? And if she shielded them all, what would that make her?
An enabler for those who act with impunity and scorn the law!
Letting them escape consequences for minor misdeeds would only embolden them. With each accumulation, they might one day bring about a catastrophic disaster.
Xiao Huayong propped his cheek on one hand, a faint smile on his lips as his deep, thoughtful gaze rested on Shen Xihe.
“Why does Your Highness look at me like that?” Shen Xihe felt somewhat perplexed.
“I was wondering how the Northwest King raised Youyou to possess such foresight,” Xiao Huayong voiced his curiosity aloud.
Shen Yueshan was a rough, chivalrous man full of passion, and Shen Yungan did not seem to be the refined, profound type either. Yet the young lady raised by these two from childhood possessed such remarkable vision.
Many people are not lacking in intelligence, nor are they blind to the bigger picture. It is often personal feelings, attachments, and face that hold them back, preventing them from considering matters deeply—especially when they themselves are involved, clouding their judgment.
Even he was no exception. When it came to those he cared about, concepts like fairness, righteousness, and benevolence became meaningless.
But Shen Xihe was different. She was someone who could maintain profound impartiality, whether toward herself or others.
Understanding Xiao Huayong’s meaning, Shen Xihe chuckled softly, “Perhaps it’s just that Li Jing isn’t important enough?”
How could anyone be entirely without bias?
Shen Xihe was also a living, breathing person. She had her own partialities—it was just that very few could evoke them. That was why, most of the time, she could approach every matter and every person with rationality and equality.
“I truly wish,” Xiao Huayong’s smile deepened, “to become someone Youyou shows favor to.”
Some people do not easily give their hearts, but once they do, it is with unwavering devotion—like him.
Some people do not easily show partiality, but once they do, it turns their world upside down—like her.
To earn her favor would surely make one the most fortunate person in the world.
“It’s getting late, Your Highness should go and rest,” Shen Xihe did not want to dampen his spirits. After all, he was her benefactor and the one she had chosen to marry. She decided to give him some face and changed the subject.
“As Youyou wishes.” Xiao Huayong gave a light laugh, his eyes shifting. “But there are no inns around here, and my constitution is too cold to sleep in a carriage.”
His implication was strong—he wanted to rest here. The place had only two rooms, one of which was occupied by Hongyu and Moyu. It would be improper to have the Crown Prince sleep in a room used by maids.
He wanted to sleep on the bed she had used.If the Jade Flower were to bloom tonight and she were to leave tomorrow, Shen Xihe wouldn't mind indulging his wish. However, uncertain whether she would still need the bed tomorrow, she wouldn't let him have his way so easily. "I've already had Mo Yuan prepare a room with freshly changed bedding and lit repelling-cold incense. Your Highness, please."
Xiao Huayong deliberately heaved a heavy sigh to express his disappointment before slowly rising and following the waiting Mo Yuan out the door.
"His Highness acts like a child begging for candy in front of the princess," Hongyu couldn't help but laugh.
Zhenzhu glanced at her. Though the remark was somewhat inappropriate, Zhenzhu felt the same.
Having often accompanied Hongyu and Ziyu reading romantic novels and listening to those poignant love stories, she had always thought romantic love was something earth-shattering. But now, having witnessed the Crown Prince's behavior, Zhenzhu truly understood how a man regards the one he favors.
In the Crown Prince's eyes, there seemed to be a light belonging solely to the princess—it only brightened when his gaze fell upon her. That night, when Shen Xihe went to watch over the Jade Flower, Xiao Huayong tagged along for the excitement. Shen Xihe prepared a censer for him to hold. As they kept watch together, Xiao Huayong chatted incessantly with Shen Xihe, first sharing amusing childhood anecdotes and occasionally asking about hers.
At first, Shen Xihe didn't realize what was happening. Only after unwittingly revealing many childhood experiences did she grasp that he was subtly probing into her past, wanting to understand her better.
"How does Your Highness plan to handle the tomb robbery case?" Not wishing to continue the personal topic, Shen Xihe changed the subject.
Xiao Huayong knew when to stop. "The case has severe repercussions and shouldn't be escalated. We'll identify the mastermind and punish them with equivalent charges for other crimes."
Based on confessions, their activities over the past three years, especially this year, if made public, would likely incite civil unrest given the number of families affected by tomb robberies. The outrage was too great to be appeased merely by bringing the criminals to justice.
It would severely damage trust in the court's public security and local officials' competence. Moreover, since the robbed tombs mostly belonged to wealthy and influential families, the implications ran deeper. One misstep could trigger official oppression leading to public rebellion and widespread turmoil.
"I know this is unfair to the victims of the tomb robberies, but it's the only way," Xiao Huayong added in explanation.
"Your Highness's decision earns Zhaoning's admiration," Shen Xihe said sincerely.
It was such a perfect opportunity to strike against the Youning Emperor.
Under His Majesty's rule, such a vile and far-reaching scandal would become an indelible stain on his reign. Actually, quelling public resentment was simple—if His Majesty issued an Edict of Self-reproach, everything could be resolved smoothly.
One might even fan the flames and force His Majesty to abdicate.
"His Majesty's abdication or issuing an Edict of Self-reproach might pacify the people's anger, but it would be hard to rally their hearts. Once they develop discontent toward the court, they'll resist local officials. When officials and citizens are not united, it spells the beginning of a raging fire," Xiao Huayong had no desire to use such means against His Majesty.
Though Xiao Huayong didn't want the matter blown out of proportion, others thought differently.
That very night, as he accompanied Shen Xihe guarding the Jade Flower, explosions rocked the imperial mausoleum in the capital. News of someone attempting to blast open the imperial tombs spread throughout the capital overnight. The Youning Emperor had no time to contain it—like a spark carried by the wind, it spread beyond the capital in a wildfire.Xiao Changying rushed breathlessly to Prince Xin's Residence: "Brother, have you gone mad! You actually blew up the imperial mausoleum!"
"If the Crown Prince can burn down the ancestral temple, what's the big deal about me blowing up an imperial mausoleum?" Xiao Changqing replied with utter nonchalance.
Xiao Changying stared at him in frantic anger: "Was it you who masterminded the tomb robbery case!"
Somehow word had leaked out—a band of audacious tomb raiders had been plundering graves everywhere, not even sparing the imperial mausoleum, throwing various regions into complete chaos.
"I only blew up the imperial mausoleum." The corners of Xiao Changqing's lips lifted. "I only make enemies with Your Majesty."
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