She had forgotten about Xiao Changqing's existence. Xiao Changqing had defended Gu Zhao during the court assembly, and being someone who never forgot the slightest grievance, he would certainly not let Xue Hui off.
"Your Highness Prince Xin, how do you plan to deal with Xue Hui?" Shen Xihe had forgotten that Xiao Changqing would take action against Xue Hui. Having been busy these days setting traps for Xue Hui, she had no idea how Xiao Changqing intended to respond.
"Four years ago, during the Annan campaign, someone falsified military intelligence, causing the Pei family to suffer heavy casualties. Xue Hui had a hand in this," Xiao Huayong told Shen Xihe. "The Fifth Prince doesn't even need to lift a finger himself. He merely needs to submit the evidence in his possession to Minister of War Pei Zhan, and Xue Hui will undoubtedly face execution."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xihe suddenly asked, "Your Highness, if you had obtained this evidence back then, would you have kept it for future use or brought such a person to justice?"
"Delaying military intelligence cost the lives of countless loyal soldiers. Had the evidence been in my hands, Xue Hui would have paid the price four years ago," Xiao Huayong replied solemnly.
He wasn't saying this to please Shen Xihe, knowing she came from a military family and valued soldiers' lives. Nor was he claiming to be particularly upright—if he obtained leverage over some people, he might bide his time, such as with Xiao Changqing's bombing of the imperial mausoleum. Had Xiao Changying not saved Shen Xihe's life, that evidence would have been preserved for use at an opportune moment.
However, for major crimes that endangered national security and human lives, there was no reason to withhold evidence once it fell into his hands.
"I am the Crown Prince, so my perspective differs from his. I don't know if I would act the same way were I a prince." Xiao Huayong wasn't criticizing Xiao Changqing's actions—different positions led to different considerations.
"Your Highness, I too have blood on my hands, but I still hope you will always know what should and shouldn't be done," Shen Xihe said softly.
"Youyou has no intention of saving Xue Hui's life." Shen Xihe's counter-question wasn't disapproval of Xiao Changqing's actions, but rather a subtle way of telling him that Xue Hui's crime was so heinous she couldn't approve of Xiao Changqing letting him evade justice for so long for personal gain—nor would she save Xue Hui for personal reasons now.
Because from the moment she learned Xue Hui had shielded those who falsified military intelligence, Xue Hui was already a dead man in Shen Xihe's eyes.
Shen Xihe smiled without speaking. Xiao Huayong understood everything she meant to convey.
"Perhaps it's better for Xue Hui to fall now." Originally, out of consideration for Xue Heng and Shen Xihe, Xiao Huayong hadn't planned to move against Xue Hui. But since Xue Hui was rushing to his own doom, he would have to reap what he sowed.
"Although Xue Hui deserves his punishment, Xue Heng has rendered meritorious service. In His Majesty's eyes, with Xue Heng about to retire, if the Xue family withdraws from court, the Cui family will become dominant. His Majesty doesn't want another Lord Gu to emerge." Therefore, the Emperor needed counterbalance, so Shen Xihe suggested, "Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Xue Cheng is the best candidate to replace Xue Hui."
Xue Cheng was from a collateral branch of the Xue family, never particularly close to the main line. But with the main line losing Xue Hui and Xue Heng, they would have to rely on Xue Cheng. This way, Xue Cheng could use both the Xue and Cui families for balance, without forming the unbreakable alliance of the past.
The Emperor had dismantled another prominent family. The Xue family ultimately shared the fate of lips perishing when teeth grew cold—following the fall of the Gu family, they too were destined to decline.
"If Xue Cheng is promoted to Minister of War, will Your Highness let Cui Shaoqing take the position of Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?""If Zhi He were to become the Chief Minister of Dali Temple now, within a few years, Your Majesty would become wary of him. Once he achieves more merits, he would have to be transferred to the Six Ministries or Three Departments. Moreover, he has only served as the Deputy Minister of Dali Temple for two years—his experience is still shallow." Xiao Huayong gently shook his head.
As he spoke, a smile touched his eyes: "Your maternal uncle made significant contributions in the Linchuan County tomb robbery case last time..."
He could easily transfer Tao Cheng back to take over Dali Temple.
"No." Shen Xihe refused. "Although I deeply appreciate Your Highness's thoughtful planning for me, my maternal uncle dislikes the official tokens of the capital."
Tao Cheng was an unruly and free-spirited man who found greater contentment in local postings. The complex political landscape of the capital felt like a constraint to him. When she was in Linchuan County, Tao Cheng had explicitly expressed this sentiment.
"Is that so?" Xiao Huayong hadn't expected Tao Cheng to be someone with no ambition for the capital. "If he doesn't return to the capital, won't you have to travel again when your other cousins marry?"
The mere thought of being separated from Shen Xihe again made Xiao Huayong feel unsettled.
Shen Xihe: ...
"We are to be married next year. Once I become the Crown Princess, would I still be able to leave the capital as freely as I do now?" Shen Xihe retorted impatiently.
Xiao Huayong muttered softly, "But there's still a year until then. Who knows if any of his sons might marry this year?"
Shen Xihe was both exasperated and amused by Xiao Huayong. "I attended my third cousin's wedding because I had promised to do so before receiving the summons to the capital. I made no such commitments to my other cousins. Moreover, my trip wasn't solely to fulfill that promise—I also went to search for Jade Flowers."
Xiao Huayong immediately beamed with delight. "Youyou, so your previous departure from the capital was for my sake."
Shen Xihe: ...
How did this intelligent and perceptive crown prince manage to overlook the words "also went"?
In that instant, Shen Xihe understood—this fellow had changed tactics! He had deliberately led her to reveal the matter of the Jade Flowers!
Heavens, what sins had she committed in her past life to be tormented by someone with more schemes than a sieve?
"The Cherry Blossom Cakes you made for me, Youyou, were soft, glutinous, sweet but not cloying. I'd like to have some today," Xiao Huayong said with a radiant smile.
Watching his expression, she inexplicably associated it with Duanming trying to curry favor and snuggle up to her.
This bizarre connection startled Shen Xihe. She stood up abruptly. "I'll go make some for you."
Xiao Huayong rested his chin on his elegantly sculpted hand, watching Shen Xihe's retreating figure with a deepening smile.
When he turned to Tianyuan, who stood respectfully with bowed head, his smile vanished instantly. The swift change in expression made Tianyuan tremble with fear.
In the Eastern Palace, a gentle breeze carried the warmth of spring and the fragrance of flowers, creating an atmosphere of perfect harmony.
Meanwhile, at Prince Xin's Residence, Xiao Changqing had just handed evidence to Minister of War Pei Zhan. Although Pei Zhan knew Xiao Changqing was using him to deal with Xue Hui—to avoid arousing the Emperor's suspicion about his intense desire for revenge—he couldn't refuse. His father and brother had died tragic deaths!
Had it not been for Prince Jing stepping forward, the Pei family might have long perished in bitterness.
Satisfied with Pei Zhan's inability to refuse, Xiao Changqing returned to Prince Xin's Residence only to hear news: "Zhaoning County Princess sent people to Huayin County?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, yes," his subordinate replied with bowed head. "Zhaoning County Princess intends to take action against the Governor of Huayin County. The governor has no prior connections with the Shen residence. He obtained his position through Xue Hui's corrupt evaluation system.""You mean, Zhaoning County Princess targeted the Huayin County Magistrate to deal with Xue Hui," Xiao Changqing rarely showed such confusion. "Why would she suddenly move against Xue Hui?"
Xue Hui is Xue Jinqiao's biological father, and Xue Jinqiao is already engaged to the Northwest Prince Heir—this makes them relatives by marriage.
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