Chapter 403: Contentment Brings Endless Joy
Li Yanyan’s pupils dilated, her face turned deathly pale. Terror seized her, freezing her entire body in an instant. Whether Xiao Changtian had loosened his grip or not, she broke free from him abruptly. The wine cup flew out, hitting the ground with little wine left inside.
“Spit it out! Spit it out!” Li Yanyan lunged forward, roughly pressing one hand against the back of Xiao Changtian’s neck while thrusting two fingers into his mouth, digging at his throat. She seemed possessed, chanting frantically, “Spit it out! Hurry and spit it out!”
Xiao Changtian offered no resistance, allowing her to do as she pleased. Under her forceful actions, he did vomit something, but it was not the poisoned wine.
Hot tears streamed down Li Yanyan’s face in large drops. “Xiao Changtian, spit it out! Hurry and spit it out—”
“Summon the imperial physician,” the Youning Emperor commanded coldly.
After tormenting Xiao Changtian relentlessly, Li Yanyan finally stopped when she saw him coughing up blood. She clung to him tightly, crying out, “Xiao Changtian, I hate you! I hate you—”
“Cough, cough, cough…” After a prolonged fit of coughing, Xiao Changtian endured the burning sensation in his throat. He gazed at her with a smile, tears glistening in his eyes and infinite sorrow in his expression. “I know… I know you hate me, cough, cough… From now on, we no longer need to torment each other.”
“No! I won’t allow it!” Li Yanyan held him tightly, her voice hoarse with rage. “Why? Why do you get to decide everything? You said you would marry me, and so you did. You say we won’t torment each other, and that’s it? What does my half a lifetime of suffering count for then? Xiao Changtian, if you dare to die, I will make sure you find no peace even in death!”
Xiao Changtian wearily lowered his eyelids, a bitter smile playing on his lips. All these years, she had never changed. She always loved to command him, to threaten him. He didn’t need her to yield to him; he only wished she could speak to him calmly, even just once.
Perhaps it was his tolerance and forbearance toward her that had made her so reckless, never once considering his feelings—not even for a moment.
“Yanyan… You are wonderful. I have never regretted meeting you, falling for you, or marrying you,” Xiao Changtian raised his hand to caress her face, gazing at her with infatuation. “But if there is a next life, I do not wish to meet you again…”
It was too exhausting, too painful, and too bitter. He did not want to endure such agony and weariness ever again.
I do not regret meeting you in this life, but I do not wish to encounter you in the next.
Li Yanyan’s entire body stiffened as she stared at Xiao Changtian, watching his blurred smile turn into one of relief and liberation before he finally collapsed unconscious in her arms.
The sudden weight in her arms made her tears fall instantly. Li Yanyan’s throat emitted a raspy sound, as if someone had choked her, stifling all her voice.
“Your Highness, Prince Dai is critically ill.” Before Xiao Changtian had even left the Imperial Clan Court, the news was delivered to Xiao Huayong by Tianyuan.
“What happened?” Xiao Huayong asked.
“His Majesty bestowed poisoned wine upon the Princess Consort of Dai, and Prince Dai drank it,” Tianyuan replied.
“Oh?” Xiao Huayong’s tone lifted ambiguously as he chuckled meaningfully. He stood up and said to Shen Xihe, “I am returning to the palace.”
Shen Xihe nodded. With such an incident occurring in the palace, it was only fitting, both emotionally and logically, for Xiao Huayong to return.
“Is Prince Dai gone just like that?” Biyu sighed softly.
“Prince Dai will not be gone,” Shen Xihe turned her head and smiled faintly.
“But didn’t they say he drank the poisoned wine?” Biyu and Hongyu exchanged glances.Shen Xihe smiled and shook her head. Xiao Huayong's attitude indicated that His Majesty had not truly bestowed poisoned wine. After all, he understood his own sons to some extent, and from last year until now, the Emperor had lost two princesses and two princes.
Changling Princess and Yangling Princess were dead, while Xiao Changyu and Xiao Changtai had only feigned their deaths. Yet four funerals had still been held. If Liang Zhaorong were included, that would make five funerals. His Majesty would not want the imperial family to hold another funeral.
Although Li Yanyan could not escape blame, her crimes did not warrant death. Since ascending the throne, the Youning Emperor had ruled with benevolence and righteousness. He would never sentence Li Yanyan to death merely for offending him. As for other alleged crimes, there was no concrete evidence.
The Youning Emperor indeed had not actually bestowed poisoned wine. He merely wanted to pressure Li Yanyan, knowing she desired to live. Unexpectedly, Xiao Changtian drank the wine. Though it wasn't poisoned, it was medicated wine that caused severe abdominal cramps.
When Xiao Huayong returned to the Eastern Palace, Xiao Changtian had already awakened. Xiao Changtian was sent back to his princely residence, while the Youning Emperor returned to the palace and issued two decrees: one stripping Xiao Changtian of his princely title, and another enfeoffing the twelfth prince, Xiao Changgeng, as Prince Yan.
Xiao Changgeng found it hard to believe that such sudden good fortune had fallen upon him. He was still a prince without substantial power—though he had established his residence with a chief steward and guards, no strategists or retainers had yet pledged allegiance to him.
Being enfeoffed as a prince changed everything. Not only could he increase his guard, but people would also begin to align with him.
Just as Xiao Changgeng was rejoicing inwardly, he received the first congratulatory gift from the Eastern Palace, delivered personally by Tianyuan, commander of the Eastern Palace guard: "I am here by order of the Crown Prince to congratulate Your Highness, Prince Yan. The Crown Prince has asked me to relay a message."
"Please speak, General." The elation in Xiao Changgeng's heart instantly vanished.
"Does Prince Yan like this title?" Tianyuan conveyed Xiao Huayong's words exactly.
Xiao Changgeng's gaze sharpened, and his breath hitched momentarily before he replied, "Please inform the Crown Prince that your younger brother Xiao Changgeng thanks His Highness for his guidance and promotion.The character for "Yan" (燕) carried connotations of peace and pleasure—peace first, then enjoyment. Xiao Huayong was reminding him that as long as he remained content with his lot, he could enjoy a lifetime of comfort.
Truthfully, Xiao Huayong didn't need to warn him. Ever since coming under this elder brother's notice until now, how could he dare entertain any other ambitions?
Xiao Changgeng's enfeoffment as a prince counted as a joyous event amid recent continuous misfortunes. With such rare good news, everyone naturally joined in the celebrations. Led by Xiao Huayong, all imperial princes, relatives, and officials congratulated Xiao Changgeng.
Shen Xihe also had to send congratulations. Without Xue Jinqiao around, and with Bu Shulin closely monitored by Cui Jinbai, who was staying at the Bu residence, few people visited her these days. During the intense summer heat, only Xiao Huayong regretted not being able to visit her daily.
If not for political duties and court assemblies, he would likely have tried to take up residence at the Princess Manor too.
"Your Highness travels back and forth daily. People will inevitably gossip," Shen Xihe felt compelled to advise.
"If I don't see Youyou for a day, I yearn desperately, unable to focus on official duties or court matters," Xiao Huayong began his usual frivolous talk.
Shen Xihe glanced at him before looking away, leaning lazily against the decorative railing. Resting one arm on the balustrade and her chin on her arm, she gazed at the lotus pond beside them, her expression weary.Xiao Huayong noticed she seemed unusually listless today and sat down beside her with concern, asking, "What's wrong, Youyou? Are you ill?"
He observed that she, who usually craved coolness, hadn't even placed any ice around today.
"I am not ill. Your Highness need not worry," Shen Xihe replied somewhat impatiently.
But Xiao Huayong remained unconvinced: "Youyou, you clearly don't look well at all."
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel