Xiao Changying was summoned back to the princely residence because his timely arrival at the Solitary Garden with his men had aroused the Youning Emperor's suspicion. The delay of the yamen guards suggested possible bribery from the Yang residence, prompting the Emperor to order Prince Lie to conduct a thorough investigation.
As the Crown Prince, Xiao Huayong was no ordinary prince. His personal visit demanded Xiao Changying's immediate return, unless matters of life and death were at stake.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince. May Your Highness be blessed." Xiao Changying arrived together with Xiao Changqing.
The Lie Prince's household, fearing they couldn't locate Xiao Changying promptly and wishing to avoid disrespecting Xiao Huayong, had invited Xiao Changqing from the neighboring residence.
"We are brothers. Fifth Brother and Ninth Brother need not stand on ceremony." Xiao Huayong maintained his perpetually gentle and humble demeanor.
"What instructions does the Crown Prince have for this visit?" Xiao Changying, already distant from Xiao Huayong and further estranged by Shen Xihe, had no desire for pleasantries.
"I have just returned from the Princess Manor. The Princess entrusted me to convey her gratitude for Ninth Brother's rescue." Xiao Huayong smiled faintly.
Xiao Changying's fingers clenched unconsciously beneath his robes: "Your Highness, this is a matter between the Princess and myself."
"I am aware." Xiao Huayong replied calmly. "Though Ninth Brother has done the Princess a kindness, propriety between men and women must be observed. The Princess wishes to avoid suspicion, hence her request for me to express thanks on her behalf."
Xiao Huayong raised his hand, and Tianyuan presented several letters to Xiao Changying: "This is my gratitude. Ninth Brother would do well to examine them carefully before deciding whether to refuse."
Xiao Changying, who had intended to refuse outright, hesitated upon hearing this and suspiciously accepted the letters, emptying their contents.
A small ring fell out among the letters, causing Xiao Changqing's expression to darken.
Before Xiao Changying could react, Xiao Changqing pressed down on his hand and addressed Xiao Huayong: "Your Highness's strategic prowess is formidable, but this gratitude is too heavy for my brother to bear."
As he spoke, he gently took the envelope from Xiao Changying's hand. When the corner of the envelope brushed Xiao Changying's fingertips, he tightened his grip and snatched it back before Xiao Changqing could react, unfolding it immediately.
Inside was evidence of Xiao Changqing's bombing of the imperial mausoleum!
If this evidence reached the Emperor, Xiao Changqing would face certain death.
Xiao Changying closed his eyes briefly. His hands trembling, he refolded the letter. When he opened his eyes again, they were calm and unreadable. He clasped his hands toward Xiao Huayong: "This humble brother is deeply grateful for Crown Prince's generous gratitude."
"Xiao Jiu!" Xiao Changqing said sternly.
Xiao Huayong's gaze swept over the two brothers, his smile ambiguous: "What you brothers intend to do is none of my concern. However, my people and my possessions - anyone who dares covet them shall meet their end without a burial ground."
After delivering this warning, Xiao Huayong strode away.
Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changying turned and bowed to his retreating figure: "We respectfully see off the Crown Prince."
Only when he had disappeared from view did Xiao Changqing speak: "You need not yield to his coercion. This evidence is not conclusive."
"Though not conclusive, you cannot explain it away either," Xiao Changying retorted. "You are my brother. Our fates are intertwined."
The Emperor needed no conclusive evidence. For a crime like bombing the imperial mausoleum, the Emperor's suspicion alone was enough to be fatal. This was no longer just about Xiao Changqing's life - having forced the Emperor to issue an Edict of Self-reproach, he, his mother, and Pingling would all incur the Emperor's disdain.
"Do you understand what accepting this means?" Xiao Changqing lowered his eyes.He had guarded against everyone, confident that his defenses were impenetrable, yet Xiao Huayong still managed to peel back the layers and uncover a faint trace of evidence. Even if it wasn't ironclad proof, falling into the hands of the Youning Emperor would be a grave taboo. For ordinary matters, the Youning Emperor might consider familial bonds, but this incident was the greatest humiliation since his ascension to the throne.
"It doesn't matter." Xiao Changying let out a light, bitter laugh. "I couldn't refuse."
What Xiao Huayong had given him, he couldn't refuse—not just for Xiao Changqing's sake, but for his own, and for their mother and sister as well.
When the Crown Prince left the palace at eight, Xiao Changying was only six, just beginning his education. After that, he had no further interaction with the Crown Prince and never personally experienced his methods. Today was the first time, and it made him deeply aware that the Crown Prince simply chose not to act. He knew everything, had countless methods at his disposal, and when he did act, it was a fatal blow.
"It's my fault for involving you," Xiao Changqing said with self-reproach.
By accepting this evidence, Xiao Changying could no longer entertain any improper thoughts about Shen Xihe in the future.
"She never had any interest in me to begin with," Xiao Changying replied, his heart aching but without resentment toward Xiao Changqing. "Over the years, if not for your protection, I wouldn't be where I am today. We are brothers born of the same mother. Even without the imperial mausoleum incident, I suspect the Crown Prince would have found other leverage to make me back down."
"He... didn't come to express gratitude. He came to lay his cards on the table and intimidate us."
He clearly displayed the Crown Prince's capabilities and methods before them, making them see the reality and consciously assess the situation.
If they hadn't yet become his enemies, today's warning might not have occurred. Instead, he might have directly exposed them to the Emperor.
"The Crown Prince..." Xiao Changqing murmured under his breath.
These three words felt utterly unfamiliar to them. Among all the brothers, Xiao Changqing could see through and accurately predict each one, as they had grown up together and understood one another. Only Xiao Huayong remained an enigma—they knew nothing about him.
Yet Xiao Huayong understood them inside and out. The feeling was truly chilling.
If he had begun scheming since he left the palace at eight, what a terrifying person must he be? All these years, he had remained outside the storms, observing the turmoil, perhaps even stirring the winds and rains himself. If he kept such a close watch on them, one could only imagine how deeply he had entrenched himself in the court. Even the Emperor likely didn't know the full extent of his capabilities.
No, no one knew his depths. Even when he revealed himself before them, what they saw was only what he didn't mind them seeing. His true influence was unfathomable.
At this thought, Xiao Changqing couldn't help but let out a low chuckle. For some reason, he felt a strange sense of pleasure. He eagerly anticipated the day when their wise and astute Emperor, who believed he had every son under his control, would be defeated by the Crown Prince he never guarded against. What a spectacular expression would he wear?
Not long after Xiao Huayong left, Shen Qing arrived with a congratulatory gift from the Princess Manor. Seeing the gift, Xiao Changying's gloomy expression brightened like clouds parting after a storm. "Go back and inform the Princess that I have already accepted the Crown Prince's token of gratitude."
Shen Qing had no choice but to return with the gift. Xiao Changying glanced toward the direction of the Eastern Palace. "You were right, Brother. She was only interested in the legitimate heir of the central palace."
He should have known earlier—a woman like her would never easily give her heart.
So, he hadn't won her affection, and the lofty Crown Prince was merely pining alone.Otherwise, how could she have made Xiao Huayong, who had personally come all this way, lose face so completely?
"Our brothers have both fallen for the same kind of woman." Xiao Changying inexplicably felt a sense of shared suffering with his elder brother.
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