Shen Xihe nodded and entered the carriage. She carefully recalled her earlier time estimation. The reason she had come personally this time was to determine exactly how many hours it took for the flower to bloom to its peak. She judged its fullest bloom by its fragrance.
The floral scent had layers as it brushed past her nostrils. When it gradually intensified, it indicated the flower was still blooming; when it slightly faded, it meant the flower was beginning to wither. This subtle distinction only applied to her—others couldn't discern it—but she had translated it into precise timing.
Although each flower might vary slightly, the difference shouldn't be significant. Shen Xihe described her observations while Pearl recorded them. If this method proved effective, she would assign the task of harvesting to her subordinates in the future.
Xiao Huayong sat nearby, listening to her calm and measured tone. Each word seemed to bloom like a flower in his heart. Her focused and serious expression was incredibly beautiful, especially since this dedication was for him, making him gaze at her with growing infatuation.
Ahem! Pearl knew she shouldn't make a sound—it was somewhat disrespectful to His Highness—but his gaze was too intense and blatant. Only the princess could remain indifferent to it; both she and Hongyu found it unbearable.
"Your Highness should return to the capital. I will take a detour through Henan Prefecture," Shen Xihe said, not wanting to travel with Xiao Huayong.
Her heart was steadfast, and Xiao Huayong's influence on her was minimal, but his presence greatly affected those around her.
"I..."
"We don't know how long this flower can be preserved," Shen Xihe interrupted before Xiao Huayong could refuse. She placed the box containing the Jade Flower in his hands. "Take it back with you, Your Highness, and use it soon. That way, my sleepless nights won't have been in vain."
The box felt light in his hands, but her words carried the weight of a thousand pounds, leaving him no room for rebuttal.
If he insisted on accompanying her and the flower withered by the time they returned, wouldn't her efforts be wasted?
How could I betray Youyou's thoughtful gesture? I will hasten back to the capital tomorrow," Xiao Huayong had no choice but to compromise.
Shen Xihe nodded in satisfaction. "I will have Mo Yuan escort General Wei and the others to the capital to be handed over to Your Majesty.""
Was this to ensure he returned to the capital? To prevent him from sneaking back to her midway?
Xiao Huayong sensed that this might be Shen Xihe's intention, but he also knew these prisoners needed to be delivered to the capital without delay. Delaying their arrival could lead to unforeseen complications and arouse the Emperor's suspicion about why they had taken a detour.
Her detour could now be justified: traveling from Linchuan to Liyang was to lure out the General Wei and his men; going from Liyang to Henan Prefecture was to avoid potential ambushes along the way. She would never admit it was specifically to visit Bu Shulin, as she had no intention of interfering in court affairs.
"Be careful when you reach Henan Prefecture," Xiao Huayong gently reminded her.
"Didn't Your Highness assign people to protect me?" Shen Xihe chuckled softly.
Xiao Huayong laughed quietly. "Nothing escapes Youyou's sharp eyes. Still, open arrows are easy to dodge, but hidden ones are hard to guard against. You must remain cautious."
"Your Highness need not worry," Shen Xihe replied calmly but did not ask him to withdraw his guards.
She knew he wouldn't comply even if she asked. Even if he pretended to recall them, he would still secretly have people follow her. By mentioning it, she wasn't blaming him but letting him know she was fully aware of everything, so he needn't worry about her.
"I will await your return in the capital."
I will await your coming-of-age ceremony.Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong had only rested for two hours before receiving news of the imperial mausoleum being bombed. Being far from the capital, they couldn't determine the exact situation. However, the news spread like a snowball gathering momentum, clearly indicating that someone with similar intelligence had made covert arrangements long ago, leading to this uncontrollable situation.
When Shen Xihe went to the inn for a meal, she heard that several wealthy families had reported to the local authorities. The reason was that upon hearing rumors of tomb raiding early in the morning, they immediately inspected their family graves and indeed found signs of disturbance.
Xiao Huayong did not depart. He wanted to stay and observe the local reactions. Knowing this wasn't an excuse, Shen Xihe didn't urge him. She also didn't immediately head to Henan Prefecture but stayed to watch developments for a day.
After finishing the meal, an eagle landed nearby. Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow—this wasn't Haidongqing, but an ordinary male eagle.
It turned out someone had sent a message via eagle. This was Shen Xihe's first time seeing eagle-delivered mail. Eagles weren't like pigeons—pigeons were used as messengers because they deeply imprinted on their rearing location and never strayed, unlike eagles.
"It's actually Fifth Prince," Xiao Huayong remarked with a raised brow.
Shen Xihe's contemplation was interrupted. She looked up at Xiao Huayong: "Was the imperial mausoleum incident Prince Xin's doing?"
Xiao Huayong appeared surprised: "Why didn't Youyou assume I meant the tomb raiding cases were Fifth Prince's work?"
After a pause, he added: "Or that both the imperial mausoleum incident and the tomb raiding cases were Fifth Prince's doing."
"Prince Xin is in the capital," Shen Xihe calmly stated these five words.
She offered no further explanation, merely following the logic that Prince Xin was in the capital. Xiao Huayong nodded. He felt sensitive whenever she mentioned any man, especially those unmarried brothers of his—each one a potential rival.
He wondered if he should fill all his brothers' principal wife positions after returning.
"Your Highness?" Shen Xihe softly called when Xiao Huayong suddenly fell into deep thought.
Snapping back to reality, Xiao Huayong smiled: "Youyou guessed correctly. The imperial mausoleum incident was Fifth Prince's work."
"Prince Xin's influence shouldn't be underestimated," Shen Xihe remarked, surprised that Xiao Changqing could spread rumors throughout the prefectures around the capital overnight, even reaching Liyang Commandery.
"This was scheduled long ago," Xiao Huayong explained. "He stationed people in various commanderies and prefectures, using signals as triggers. After taking action, he released the signal, then others outside the capital relayed it further." Without these signals, Xiao Huayong wouldn't have identified Xiao Changqing's involvement so quickly.
"This still requires considerable manpower," Shen Xihe noted. It only accelerated transmission speed. "Prince Xin must have uncovered the tomb raiding cases long ago."
"He was once His Majesty's favored candidate for Crown Prince," Xiao Huayong gazed at Shen Xihe. "His Majesty wanted to temper him into an iron-fisted ruler by marrying him to the Young Lady of the Gu Family. Unexpectedly, the tempering broke him. Though His Majesty was greatly disappointed and ceased valuing him, the methods learned during those years and the influence cultivated through imperial favor remain."
"His Majesty used the Gu Family and the late Consort of Prince Xin to temper Prince Xin. What about you, Your Highness?" Shen Xihe looked back at him.
"His Majesty won't temper me," Xiao Huayong's lips curved. "In his heart, I'm destined not to be his final successor."
"What about in three to five years?" Shen Xihe asked again.For the next three to five years, Your Majesty naturally wouldn't suspect anything. But if Xiao Huayong remains alive and well after that period, could Your Majesty still maintain such composure?
"If I haven't managed to strip Your Majesty of real power within three to five years, I might as well succumb to poison earlier." Xiao Huayong spoke the most arrogant words in the most placid tone.
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