Shen Yueshan did not spell it out, but Shen Xihe understood the hidden worry in his eyes.
He feared that everything Xiao Huayong did for her, including his favors, was merely a calculated scheme. Though thinking this way might seem like judging others with a petty heart, the true nature of a person is hard to discern. Living in a family that treads on the edge of a blade, they could only assume the worst of everyone to remain vigilant and protect themselves.
He feared that he might waver amidst these acts of kindness and ultimately fall into irredeemable ruin.
Shen Yueshan moved his lips, finally letting out what seemed like a soft sigh, saying nothing more, with a hint of helplessness as if unsure how to express himself.
"Father can rest assured. If he does not scheme against me, I will not scheme against him either. Nor will I covet power and act against him." Shen Xihe misunderstood Shen Yueshan's concern.
As for Xiao Huayong, she had chosen him from the beginning because he was the legitimate heir, and also...
But she had never considered poisoning him to end his life if he lived a long life.
"Youyou... Father only wishes for your well-being." In the end, Shen Yueshan spoke softly, his words simple yet profound, leaving much to ponder.
Like Shen Yungan, he knew her heart was as firm as a rock at this moment, difficult to sway. But after all, she was just a young girl. How could she understand the intensity of a man truly pouring his heart out to win a woman's favor? How could a living, flesh-and-blood person truly remain unmoved?
He hoped his daughter would find peace and happiness in the future, with someone to shield her from the wind and rain, protect her, and stand by her without hesitation, so she could live more freely and joyfully. Yet he also feared the fickleness of human hearts, and that once she understood these things, she might suffer, grow weary, or be wounded by love.
A parent's worries for their children are likely never-ending.
In the end, Shen Xihe still entered the palace. Xiao Huayong brewed Tibetan tea, a warm tea made with fresh milk that, with a single sip in the cold wind, could dispel all the chill.
"Thank you for gifting the pearls today, Your Highness. Such a precious gift—I cannot accept it without merit. However, it would be discourteous to refuse Your Highness's generous gesture. Thus, Zhaoning has also prepared a gift in return, and I hope Your Highness will accept it." Shen Xihe personally took several exquisitely crafted boxes from Zhenzhu and handed them to Xiao Huayong. "Would Your Highness like to see if you like them?"
Xiao Huayong opened them to find a set of fine tea bowls. They were as white as snow, thin and lustrous, crafted with exquisite skill. Even Xiao Huayong, who owned countless tea bowls, could not help but praise, "Fine tea bowls indeed."
"Zhaoning is not skilled in the art of tea. Such items are only worthy when gifted to Your Highness, so they will not go to waste." These were gifts from a Xing kiln artisan who had been rescued by Shen Yueshan years ago. Since then, the artisan had gifted a set of Xing kiln ware every year, most of which Shen Yueshan gave to Shen Xihe.
"Youyou is too courteous. Youyou gifted me scented coal, and I gifted the Northern Pearl to the princess. It was merely an exchange of courtesies. Now that Youyou has gifted me tea bowls, I am at a loss as to what to gift the princess in return." Xiao Huayong did not mention past favors, only stating that the Northern Pearl was a return gift for the scented coal.
This made Shen Xihe seem overly polite, but she did not mind. "The scented coal is not worth much. In the past, Your Highness has helped Zhaoning greatly, and I should be grateful. In previous years in the northwest, with no other female elders in the household, I was in charge of the household affairs. When the household acquired rare items, I would gift some to those close to our family."
She made it clear to Xiao Huayong that her actions were merely ordinary social courtesies—treating him not as a stranger, but not truly thinking of him in every matter either.Xiao Huayong was far too intelligent not to grasp the implication, yet he had already prepared himself mentally for a gradual and persistent approach.
"Youyou, let's not recount all the past events, or we might never reach an end," Xiao Huayong said with a light laugh. "Did you come all this way just to return the courtesy?"
"There is one matter I wish to bring to Your Highness's attention," Shen Xihe said solemnly. "Duke Xue may be in poor health. He has entrusted Xue Qiniang to my elder brother."
The word "entrusted" subtly hinted that Xue Heng might not have long to live.
Xiao Huayong's smile vanished instantly. "Do you know the cause?"
He had seen Xue Heng just two days prior—the man had appeared ruddy-cheeked, spirited, and robust for his age.
"A matter of the heart. He grieves excessively for his late wife, consumed by sorrow," Shen Xihe sighed.
Xiao Huayong trusted that unless the information was certain, Shen Xihe would not have informed him. He had initially considered summoning Linghu Zheng to examine Xue Heng. Xue Heng was a capable minister, and his passing would be a significant loss to the state, likely causing turmoil in the court upon his demise.
But if it was a matter of the heart, even an immortal would be powerless to save him—this was a case of a man who no longer wished to live.
"Have you ever considered having Censor Tao join the Three Departments?" Xiao Huayong asked.
Shen Xihe raised her brows. She had never once contemplated seeking career advancement for her maternal grandfather. Her clear, obsidian-like eyes gleamed with an enigmatic depth, as if veiled by a thin mist, making them difficult to read. She stared directly at Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Huayong's lips curved into a gentle smile, his gaze clear and sincere. "I have no intention of testing you. Censor Tao is an upright man. With him in the Three Departments, it would undoubtedly usher in a new era."
Shen Xihe shook her head. "A tall tree attracts the wind. Moreover, given our marriage, His Majesty would never allow my grandfather to hold a key position."
"Even if His Majesty is unwilling, it may not be impossible," Xiao Huayong remarked with casual ease. "Everything can be strategized. Below the Three Departments are the Six Ministries. Xue Hui of the Ministry of Personnel seems the most advantageous, but His Majesty has long disliked the Xue and Cui families acting in concert, constantly overshadowing Wang Zheng and restricting his actions."
"The Minister of Revenue has only recently taken office and won't be moved. That leaves the Ministries of War, Justice, Works, and Rites."
Xiao Huayong picked up a handful of stones from the nearby go bowl and placed four on the board. "The Ministry of Rites is ineffective. The Minister of Works is already advanced in years. As for the Ministers of War and Justice, if we can shift these two, it will necessitate promotion from outside the Six Ministries."
In that case, Tao Zhuanxian would be the ideal candidate.
Shen Xihe understood—Xiao Huayong did not intend to force the Youning Emperor's hand but to leave him with only one choice.
"High rank carries heavy responsibilities, and my grandfather is also elderly. I must ask him how he feels about this," Shen Xihe said, unwilling to make decisions on Tao Zhuanxian's behalf. If Tao Zhuanxian was willing, she could collaborate with Xiao Huayong to give it a try. If he was not, then they would stop.
"Censor Tao will surely agree," Xiao Huayong stated with certainty.
Tao Zhuanxian was a man of ability and courage, no less capable than Xue Heng. However, his integrity and the fact that the Tao family was not a major influential clan meant that, without support, he had likely reached his ceiling at the third-rank position of Censor-in-Chief. Otherwise, he would not have been unable to break into the Six Ministries for so many years.
His lack of political maneuvering did not mean he lacked ambition.
Moreover, with his granddaughter soon to become the Crown Princess, he would undoubtedly prefer to wield greater authority to better protect Shen Xihe.Shen Xihe understood what Xiao Huayong meant. Seeing him gather the chess pieces while noticing a black piece still lying not far away, she deliberately changed the subject: "Your Highness, you've missed one piece."
Xiao Huayong and Tianyuan simultaneously turned to look. Tianyuan's heart sank—this was His Highness's treasured piece! If it were tossed back into the chess container, how could they ever distinguish it again among identical pieces?
The smile froze at the corner of Xiao Huayong's lips.
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