There was no need for her to remember insignificant people; she had people around her for that. Zhenzhu and Biyu were responsible for such matters—one kept track of the noble sons of the capital, the other of the distinguished young ladies from prominent families.
"Wang Erlang, the eldest grandson of Chief Secretary Wang of the Chancellery," Zhenzhu replied.
"I understand." Xiao Huayong was planning to deal Wang Zheng a fatal blow. Not long ago, Xiao Huayong hadn't intended to completely move against Wang Zheng. Wang Zheng already had the stain of incompetence and could no longer replace Xue Heng. Xiao Huayong wouldn't target Wang Zheng again without reason.
After all, Wang Zheng was a trusted confidant of the Youning Emperor. Acting against Wang Zheng so early would arouse the emperor's suspicion.
Xiao Huayong was by no means someone who acted so carelessly. If he was moving against Wang Zheng ahead of time, he must have a plan to ensure that even if Wang Zheng were eliminated, the Youning Emperor wouldn't suspect him.
Unless...
"Wang Zheng made the first move against him!" That was the only possibility. Wang Zheng had a history of such actions, and Xiao Huayong was confident he could make Wang Zheng suffer in silence, unable to voice his grievances, and even make the Youning Emperor believe it wasn't a scheme of his own.
Just as the Youning Emperor was about to leave, he turned back abruptly and shouted, "Physicians! Summon the imperial physicians!"
What followed was a scene of chaos. Two major incidents had occurred simultaneously: someone witnessed the Turkic prince committing murder, and when the Capital Prefect arrived with his men, he discovered the victim was no ordinary person—it was actually a princess of the court.
The other incident was the Crown Prince being openly attacked during the polo match—the ball had been filled with poison powder!
"How is the Crown Prince?" the Youning Emperor anxiously awaited the outcome.
The Chief Imperial Physician exchanged glances with two Deputy Imperial Physicians before stepping forward. "Your Majesty, fortunately, His Highness did not inhale or ingest the poison. Otherwise... it would have been beyond saving."
The Youning Emperor's face turned terrifyingly grim upon hearing this.
"Although His Highness did not inhale the poison, the powder got into his eyes," one of the Deputy Imperial Physicians added, inwardly cursing the Chief Imperial Physician for leaving the most critical and potentially enraging part for him. "His Highness... may lose his sight."
A murderous glint flashed in the Youning Emperor's eyes. "Liu Sanzhi, take them to prison and interrogate them under severe torture. I want to know who the mastermind is!"
"As you command." Liu Sanzhi immediately acknowledged and left to carry out the order.
The Youning Emperor waited anxiously for a while, but Xiao Huayong showed no signs of waking. He had no choice but to leave guards behind and attend to the other matter.
The various princes and Shen Xihe were waiting outside. When the emperor emerged with a dark, furious expression, not even glancing at them as he strode away, they all took note.
Seeing the emperor depart, Shen Xihe went inside to check on Xiao Huayong—it was only proper, both emotionally and logically.
The other princes, wary of the Crown Prince's delicate condition and not daring to approach him, thought of those who had gotten close to him aside from Shen Xihe—none had met a good end. They gradually dispersed.
Only Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changying remained behind. Xiao Changqing said to his brother, "Wang Zheng... is finished."
"Brother, the Crown Prince... he actually moved directly against Wang Zheng!" Xiao Changying, who had previously only been cautious and respectful of Xiao Huayong, was truly shocked this time.
That was the emperor's confidant! How dare he act so blatantly, without even avoiding suspicion, implicating himself in the process? Was he so confident the emperor wouldn't suspect him?
"That is why he is the Crown Prince," Xiao Changqing replied with a meaningful smile before turning to leave.He was reflecting on how naive he had once been, believing that with the Emperor's cultivation, the throne was inevitably his for the taking.
Only now did he realize that the imperial throne wasn't necessarily something the Emperor could bestow upon whomever he wished.
Shen Xihe entered the room. The Youning Emperor had taken the two deputy imperial physicians with him, leaving the Chief Imperial Physician on duty. Upon seeing Shen Xihe, Tianyuan and the Chief Imperial Physician discreetly withdrew. Zhenzhu accompanied Shen Xihe inside, where Xiao Huayong, who had been unconscious, suddenly opened his eyes. His pupils shimmered with silver light, appearing spirited and alert.
"Your Highness's feigned fainting grows increasingly skillful," Shen Xihe remarked lightly.
"Youyou is here—even if I were truly unconscious, I would wake," Xiao Huayong replied, resting his hands behind his head as he lay on the couch, gazing at Shen Xihe.
"What act is Your Highness performing this time?" Shen Xihe asked.
"I don't believe Youyou is unaware," Xiao Huayong said with a smile.
"Aren't you concerned His Majesty will grow suspicious?" Shen Xihe found a seat and sat sideways, facing him.
"His Majesty won't be suspicious," Xiao Huayong stated confidently. "Because he will soon learn that my eyes were injured by poisonous powder, leaving me unable to distinguish colors."
Shen Xihe's gaze sharpened.
How could a Crown Prince be disabled? Xiao Huayong's inability to differentiate colors was sufficient grounds for dismissal.
How could the Emperor believe that Xiao Huayong would pay such a price to deal with Wang Zheng? If the condition proved incurable, wouldn't it mean forfeiting any chance at the throne? Moreover, with this weakness in the Youning Emperor's hands, he could depose Xiao Huayong at any time.
"Your Highness's methods are truly masterful," Shen Xihe couldn't help but applaud.
In the current political climate, the Emperor had no desire to depose the Crown Prince, lest court officials prematurely fixate on the Eastern Palace's succession, leading to scheming and discord. He still needed to deal with Shu Nan and the Northwest. Thus, as long as Xiao Huayong merely struggled with color distinction and wasn't blind, the Emperor wouldn't remove him.
Just as when the Crown Prince was first appointed, the Emperor needed Xiao Huayong to remain in that role for now.
Secondly, since Wang Zheng was responsible for this incident, the Youning Emperor would hardly comply with the ministers' wishes, allowing them to override his authority.
Thirdly, by handing this vulnerability to the Youning Emperor, the slight suspicion the Emperor had begun to harbor toward him would be completely dispelled.
Fourthly, the Emperor would never believe that Xiao Huayong would risk his life or eyesight merely to frame Wang Zheng. He would thus be convinced that Wang Zheng was the culprit. Once the Emperor confirmed that Xiao Huayong genuinely couldn't perceive colors, all suspicion would vanish, and he would never entertain the idea that Xiao Huayong had orchestrated this to implicate Wang Zheng.
Fifthly...
"Your Highness must be close to full recovery," Shen Xihe observed, studying Xiao Huayong.
Since discovering Xiao Huayong's identity, Shen Xihe had refrained from asking Sui Axi about his condition.
"Once Your Highness recovers, if the Emperor later turns against you and uses this as grounds for dismissal, he will only expose his own intolerance and reveal his waning authority. The officials will perceive the Emperor as weakening, his influence declining, and thus grow suspicious, doubting the Crown Prince's strength."
Shen Xihe's smile widened. "Sowing discord between ruler and ministers, forcing them to either vacillate, uncertain whether to follow Your Highness or the Emperor, or remain neutral to avoid offending either side."
Xiao Huayong's eyes brimmed with deep affection. "Youyou, you are the only one who can decipher my every intention."
Even Xiao Changqing and others might not grasp the fifth point, as it was too far-sighted.
"Your Highness flatters me," Shen Xihe replied indifferently. "If I didn't ponder deeply, how would I dare stand by Your Highness's side?"
A man with such profound cunning was the most dangerous in the world.For with a mere snap of his fingers, he could claim anyone's life.
"You needn't be like this, Youyou. My heart... has long belonged to you."
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