Regardless of any underlying discord, in the grand scheme they were allies. By actively harming the interests of her marital relatives without a justifiable reason, wouldn’t Shen Xihe fear causing her followers to become wary and guarded?
Moreover, she was about to marry into the Eastern Palace and would soon represent it. How could she act so recklessly, unafraid of drawing suspicion upon herself or implicating the Eastern Palace in alienation?
Though he had limited interactions with Shen Xihe, Xiao Changqing could tell she was steady and astute—hardly the type to be so impulsive. She kept to herself, disliking deep connections with others. Such a person neither enjoyed being implicated nor implicating others.
This move would undermine the Eastern Palace’s authority—it was not something Shen Xihe should do. What reason could have made her cast all this aside?
This was an exceptionally sensitive time. Why had she chosen to act now, of all moments? How could Xue Hui have suddenly offended her?
Shen Xihe was never one to harm others without cause. Unless Xue Hui had crossed a fundamental line, why would she abruptly disregard their families’ marital ties and target him directly?
What, then, was the taboo Xue Hui had violated?
Instinct hinted it might relate to the Gu family, but reason told him this intuition was absurd and laughable.
Shen Xihe was an aloof person. She had no ties to the Gu family—to claim she acted out of a sense of justice? He wasn’t belittling her; on the contrary, he admired her. A woman with ambitions as grand as any man’s, seeking to influence the realm through the Crown Prince, would not be driven by such impulsiveness or naive righteousness.
Those born into extraordinary circumstances like them had cold hearts. Apart from those they acknowledged, the lives and grievances of others meant nothing. Had it been any family but the Gus, he too would have turned a blind eye.
With these suspicions in mind, Xiao Changqing left the prince’s residence, mounted his horse, and rode out of the city to a temple. He entered through the back gate and ascended the mountain, where a secluded estate stood. In its tranquil, elegant courtyard, clusters of hydrangeas bloomed.
Pushing open the courtyard gate, he saw a slender figure standing silently before the hydrangea bushes. The sound of the door drew her attention. She turned, and upon seeing him, smiled radiantly. Dressed in a jade-colored ruqun with a cyan silk shawl, she appeared both refined and charming.
Her dark hair was styled in a cloud-like chignon, with delicate strands framing her forehead. A crimson dot adorned the space between her brows, and her smiling cheeks were tinged with pink.
"Brother-in-law," the young woman approached Xiao Changqing and greeted him softly.
This was none other than the sole surviving descendant of the Gu family—Gu Qingshu, the illegitimate younger sister of Gu Qingzhi.
Having lost her mother in childhood, she was raised under Madam Gu’s care until the age of seven, growing up alongside Gu Qingzhi. She was the only relative Gu Qingzhi ever regarded with particular affection.
When Xiao Changqing discerned His Majesty’s intentions, he had already begun planning a covert substitution. Taking charge of the execution was meant to facilitate this. He could have saved Gu Zhao, but Gu Zhao refused to cooperate, missing the critical window. In the end, he only managed to rescue Gu Qingshu.
The Gu family’s name had been cleared, but his act of secretly replacing a death row inmate during the execution was a grave offense. Gu Qingzhi could not yet reappear before the world. Xiao Changqing had no intention of letting her remain hidden forever. His original plan was to select one or two dependable candidates from the spring imperial examinations, arrange a good marriage for Gu Qingshu, and have her wed far from the capital. Where no one knew her, she could live freely, beyond all worries.
But the spring examinations had gone awry, and the plan fell through. Gu Qingshu was already sixteen—he could delay no longer."Come, walk with me." Xiao Changqing led Gu Qingshu away from the estate, strolling along the mountain path. "Did your elder sister have any acquaintance with Zhaoning County Princess?"
Gu Qingzhi lowered her eyelids, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the perfumed fan. "I knew little about my sister and have already told you everything, brother-in-law."
He saved her because of her sister. He had only visited her three times since rescuing her - the first when she had just awakened, the second to inquire about her sister's past, and today again to ask about her sister.
Her sister had never cherished feelings for him, yet he remained steadfast in his devotion, blind to anyone else.
Xiao Changqing paused upon hearing this, gazing wistfully at the lush forest ahead, a sea of verdant green. "It seems I didn't know her deeply enough."
He had allowed too little time between them, been too impatient with her. They were both too young then.
If he were to meet her now, would he be more patient?
The mountain forest remained tranquil, the breeze gentle, offering no answers.
"I came today to inform you that I've arranged for someone to escort you to Jiangnan. There, you'll have a new identity..."
"Brother-in-law!" Gu Qingshu suddenly exclaimed, then realizing her impropriety, lowered her head. "I don't wish to leave the capital."
"If you don't leave the capital, you'll have to remain hidden here forever. Even hiding here isn't safe - young men and women on spring outings might still come here," Xiao Changqing explained patiently.
"Brother-in-law, could you take me to the rear residence of your princely manor? I only wish to stay by your side," Gu Qingshu pleaded urgently.
Xiao Changqing abruptly stepped back, creating distance between them, all warmth vanishing from his expression. "Prince Xin's Residence will not welcome any new additions."
Gu Qingshu's eyes widened. "Brother-in-law, you..."
He actually intended to remain devoted to her sister for his entire life!
"Return," Xiao Changqing uttered coldly, escorting her back to the estate. "Pack your belongings. I'll send someone to take you away the day after tomorrow."
After walking a few steps, Xiao Changqing paused. "My treatment of you is solely out of regard for your sister. If you remain proper, I'll naturally treat you well. But if you entertain any petty schemes, I won't hesitate to wrong your sister once more."
Xiao Changqing was in a foul mood. He had come to ask some questions but ended up detecting Gu Qingshu's feelings for him. With a cold expression, he rode back toward the imperial city. As he approached, he happened to see Shen Xihe's carriage emerging from the palace. When the wind lifted the carriage curtain, giving him a fleeting glimpse, his heart inexplicably tightened.
Almost as if possessed, he went to stop Shen Xihe's carriage. When Shen Xihe lifted the curtain again, he saw a completely unfamiliar face, one that didn't even share the slightest resemblance in aura.
"Prince Xin, is there something you require?" Shen Xihe asked.
Regaining his composure, Xiao Changqing felt an indescribable sense of loss. "County Princess, might I trouble you for a discussion at the teahouse? This humble prince has some perplexities he wishes you might help resolve."
"Regarding what matter or person?" Shen Xihe inquired.
"Xue Hui," Xiao Changqing replied directly.
Shen Xihe understood. Since Xiao Changqing had moved against Xue Hui, he would naturally investigate him thoroughly, seeking charges more severe than shielding those who falsified military reports. Therefore, his men must have gone to Huayin County and learned that she had made similar moves.
He was puzzled about why she had suddenly acted against Xue Hui, especially at the very moment Xue Hui had offended the Gu family.
Regarding her correspondence with the Young Lady of the Gu Family, Shen Xihe saw no need to mislead Xiao Changqing - not because she feared he would discover it was a lie, but simply because it was unnecessary."Zhaoning was merely standing up for someone from the Shen family," Shen Xihe said calmly.
Someone from the Shen family naturally couldn't refer to the Northwest King, his heir, herself, or Shen Yingluo—that left only Xue Jinqiao.
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