After lying low for eight years to eliminate the eunuchs and enduring nineteen years to dismantle the noble families, pacifying the Turks and conquering Tubo—what difference would another ten years make?
His greatest desire wasn't territorial expansion, but consolidating military power. Only when all the troops under heaven were firmly in his grasp would he begin his campaigns of conquest.
"So that's how it is," Bu Shulin suddenly understood. "If we can't lure him into the palace, we must draw the princess out. But the princess is in confinement after her miscarriage—how can she leave the palace?"
"With His Majesty and the imperial consort both outside the palace, who could stop her if she wished to leave?" Shen Xihe's lips curved slightly. "She knows better than anyone whether she was truly two months pregnant. This is precisely when she's suffering in silence. If someone were to inform her of a drug that can simulate pregnancy, do you think she'd rush out of the palace to seek it? To prove her innocence?Only Princess Yangling herself knew the depth of her grievances and hatred. With all the imperial physicians diagnosing her as two months pregnant, she must be frantic with anger, especially after being forcibly aborted.
If she learned she'd been misdiagnosed by the physicians and framed, she would certainly seek evidence to clear her name. Otherwise, the stains of promiscuity and shamelessness would never wash away, inevitably incurring His Majesty's disgust.
"I am in admiration," Bu Shulin clasped her hands in respect.
Shen Xihe paid her no mind, instead turning to signal Mo Yuan who was guarding the periphery.
At that moment, unprecedented cheers erupted from the field. Drawn by the noise, Shen Xihe looked over to see the team led by the imperial princes had scored.
The previously unstoppable envoy team was now completely suppressed by the seamless coordination between Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changying, unable to mount any counterattack.
True to being blood brothers, a single glance between them conveyed mutual understanding.
Xiao Huayong had arrived at some point unnoticed by Shen Xihe. But he paid no attention to the game, sitting slightly angled with his gaze fixed on Shen Xihe, a faint smile playing on his lips as if he could never look his fill.
After watching for a while, he noticed Shen Xihe seemed captivated by the match. Following her line of sight to the field, after repeated confirmation, he determined her eyes were tracking the Xiao brothers. His face immediately fell.
With displeased lips, he turned to Tianyuan who was watching with great enthusiasm. "Is the polo match that fascinating?" Xiao Huayong asked coolly.
"Extremely—" Tianyuan answered instinctively before sensing something amiss. Turning, he indeed met Xiao Huayong's chilling smile. His mind raced until he incidentally noticed Shen Xihe watching with keen interest beside them.
Suddenly comprehending, he quickly amended: "This subordinate hasn't seen such a match in long while, hence the momentary fascination. It's actually quite ordinary. Surely the Junzhu, having been in the northwest, has never witnessed such lively polo, thus becoming absorbed like myself."
Thinking his explanation perfect enough to smooth his master's ruffled feathers, Tianyuan was startled to hear Xiao Huayong lightly chide: "Youyou prefers tranquility. How could she be as uncultivated as you? When was she ever absorbed?"
Tianyuan: ...
"This subordinate erred in presuming about the Junzhu," Tianyuan bowed his head in apology.
Inwardly praying: Junzha, please stop watching and look at our prince instead, or I won't know how to placate him anymore.
Shen Xihe naturally couldn't hear Tianyuan's prayers. In truth, she was merely following the ball with her eyes—it just happened that the ball remained almost exclusively under the control of the Xiao brothers. Xiao Huayong was pointlessly brewing vinegar in his own pot without cause.When another goal was scored, even Bu Shulin couldn't help but cheer loudly. Yet Shen Xihe remained calm and composed. As she lifted her teacup, she seemed to sense something and glanced toward Xiao Huayong's position, just in time to meet his somewhat resentful gaze.
Shen Xihe frowned slightly. When had she provoked him again?
Unable to recall, she didn't dwell on it and simply nodded faintly in acknowledgment before turning her attention back to the match.
Xiao Huayong's expression darkened further. "I want to join the game too."
What was so special about it? It was just polo. If he were on the field, these players would be like amateurs showing off before experts!
"Your Highness, please don't—" Tianyuan was on the verge of tears.
Could the Crown Prince take part? Absolutely not. If anyone were to detect his skills, everything would be exposed.
Even if he left on some pretext and disguised himself as someone else, his dominance on the field would attract His Majesty's attention. The mere thought of His Majesty summoning him for questioning made Tianyuan feel as if the sky were falling.
Before Xiao Huayong could speak again, Tianyuan hurriedly added to dissuade him, "The County Princess is planning to take action today. Shouldn't Your Highness lend her a hand?"
Xiao Huayong's impulse was suppressed. He cast a melancholy glance at Shen Xihe and said gloomily, "She doesn't need my help."
Seeing an opportunity, Tianyuan quickly replied, "Whether the County Princess needs it or not is a testament to her capability, but Your Highness's willingness to assist is a reflection of your sincerity."
Xiao Huayong finally took Tianyuan's words to heart and fell silent.
Tianyuan let out a long sigh of relief.
After sitting for a while longer, Xiao Huayong grew bored again. Noticing the fruit platter in front of him, he picked up a citrus fruit, peeled it, arranged the segments neatly on a clean plate, and handed it to Tianyuan with a raised eyebrow.
Tianyuan immediately took it and brought it to Shen Xihe. Engrossed in the match, Shen Xihe was startled by Tianyuan's sudden offering. She turned to look at Xiao Huayong, who responded with a warm, spring-like smile.
Shen Xihe maintained her faint smile, nodded in acknowledgment once more, and accepted the citrus.
"I... I think I'll leave first," Bu Shulin said, sensing the situation and feeling that her presence might be displeasing to the Crown Prince. For the sake of her own safety, she decided to make a quick escape.
Shen Xihe didn't stop her. As for the citrus Xiao Huayong had sent, Shen Xihe would have eaten a segment or two if she had felt like it.
After the citrus, Xiao Huayong sent over pastries, tea, and even some snacks bought from outside—hardly pausing for a moment.
Xiao Huayong's attentive behavior caught everyone's attention. It was clear to all that the Crown Prince cherished Zhaoning County Princess as if she were the apple of his eye. Some noble ladies couldn't help but feel envious as they gazed at the exceptionally handsome, though pale-faced, Xiao Huayong.
Their families had warned them that the Crown Prince was not long for this world and forbade them from setting their sights on the Eastern Palace. Yet, such a man—even if they could only bask in his focused attention and devoted care for three or four years—would be enough to cherish for a lifetime.
Xiao Huayong's actions affected more than just these dreamy-eyed young ladies. Xiao Changying, who was on the polo field, was also distracted. He even fumbled once when he inadvertently caught sight of Xiao Huayong's tender, affectionate smile directed at Shen Xihe, eliciting sighs of regret from the crowd.
Xiao Huayong turned to see this and snorted coldly. "Still refusing to give up."
Ever since he had used Xiao Changqing's weakness against the brothers, they had become much more compliant. Xiao Changying no longer persistently tried to approach Shen Xihe, saving Xiao Huayong the effort of having to assign him tasks elsewhere.Suddenly, a thought occurred to him: "Tianyuan, do you think any of my brothers are hoping for my death so they can covet Youyou?"
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