After sending Mo Yuan back, Shen Xihe had instructed him to carry out a disguised assassination. Originally, this matter could have been executed flawlessly, but Gu Qingshu overheard it and informed Xiao Changqing. That was an extremely concealed matter, and it was impossible for her, having grown up in the northwest, to have known about it.
"Youyou, are you alright?" Xiao Huayong grasped Shen Xihe's hand and asked softly.
Shen Xihe looked at him, her gaze calm and steady for a moment, then gently shook her head: "Let us follow as well."
Xiao Huayong had brought Xiao Changqing before the Youning Emperor, and it was inevitable that they would have to argue right from wrong. As parties involved, they had to follow.
Before they even reached the Youning Emperor, the emperor had already learned the general details from the eunuch. After all, this was no small matter—Prince Xin had gone mad and barged straight into Shen Xihe's residence. If not handled properly, the rumor of "two dragons fighting for a pearl" would not sound as pleasant as its name implied.
"Prince Xin, what explanation do you have?" the Youning Emperor questioned Xiao Changqing directly.
Xiao Changqing had now calmed down. Ignoring the emperor's gaze, he turned his head to look at Shen Xihe, his deep eyes filled with astonishment, suspicion, and confusion. However, he only looked for a moment before Xiao Huayong subtly stepped forward, blocking his line of sight.
"Prince Xin." Seeing this, the Youning Emperor's tone grew slightly heavier, carrying a hint of warning.
Lowering his eyes, Xiao Changqing's expression returned to its gentle composure. He spoke calmly, "Your son was suddenly struck by the realization that Zhaoning County Princess bears many similarities to my late wife. Thus, I acted impulsively and disturbed the county princess. I beg for her forgiveness."
Xiao Huayong abruptly turned his head, his sharp gaze, unshielded and cold, fixed intently on Xiao Changqing.
Xiao Changqing acted as if he noticed nothing, bowing his head in silence.
The Youning Emperor's gaze shifted between his two sons, who appeared calm on the surface but were actually locked in a tense standoff. Finally, his eyes settled on Shen Xihe, and his expression softened considerably. "Zhaoning, Prince Xin has disturbed you. How would you have me handle this matter?"
This incident was not a major issue, but it was clearly inappropriate for the emperor to dismiss it outright.
Holding onto such a matter relentlessly was unnecessary. It was not that Shen Xihe was particularly magnanimous, but if she truly wanted to take action against Xiao Changqing, she could not rely on such a minor issue. "Prince Xin has not harmed Zhaoning. However, Zhaoning has also heard of the grace and elegance of the Consort of the Prince Xin. May I ask in what ways Zhaoning resembles her?"
The Youning Emperor's gaze followed Shen Xihe's and settled on Xiao Changqing. This time, Xiao Changqing did not look at Shen Xihe but merely said in a low voice, "County Princess, you may not understand that when one longs for someone to the point of madness, even if there is no resemblance, one may see similarities everywhere."
Shen Xihe did not refute him but nodded slightly. "Prince Xin's devotion is profound. Let this matter rest here. However, if Your Highness's longing leads to illness, Zhaoning advises you to cultivate your mind and live in seclusion. Should an incident like today occur again, and if Zhaoning feels fear and acts disrespectfully or harms Your Highness, may Your Majesty bear witness that Zhaoning acted solely in self-defense."
Such an incident was enough to happen once—it must never happen again.
The Youning Emperor smiled. "I will bear witness for you. If Prince Xin acts recklessly again as he did today, you may defend yourself as you see fit. I will not hold you accountable."
Shen Xihe bowed gracefully. "Thank you, Your Majesty."The Youning Emperor symbolically reprimanded Xiao Changqing a few times, then ordered Xiao Changqing to apologize to Shen Xihe, and thus the matter was laid to rest. Xiao Huayong had remained silent throughout, later quietly accompanying Shen Xihe as they left the Emperor's quarters. Due to the urgency of their departure, Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe parted ways at the gate.
The next two days were spent traveling. Xiao Huayong still came each morning to share the morning meal with her, as if nothing had changed. He remained his usual self, never missing an opportunity to tease her, his attitude unchanged from before. He never mentioned the incident from that day, contrary to Shen Xihe's expectations.
Two days later, they arrived at the Lin You Imperial Villa. Under Xiao Huayong's arrangements, Shen Xihe was lodged in a small courtyard adjacent to the Crown Prince's quarters. It was a tiny compound with only three rooms, but she was the only young woman to have her own private courtyard.
No matter how spacious the Lin You Imperial Villa was, it couldn't provide individual courtyards for everyone. Whether ministers' families or the ministers themselves, they all shared accommodations with other ladies and court officials. Even Princess Anling and Princess Pingling shared a courtyard.
Despite this, everyone's faces were beaming with smiles. The place was genuinely cool without being cold. The young ladies could gather to play ball, swing, or hide-and-seek without worrying about breaking into a sweat with every movement. The ministers also felt their minds were much clearer.
"Your Highness, why haven't you asked me about that day's incident?" Shen Xihe asked Xiao Huayong, who had just finished handling official business and was stretching his limbs.
"What incident from which day?" Xiao Huayong asked with a faint, knowing smile at his lips.
"Your Highness is feigning ignorance," Shen Xihe called him out.
"No, I have no right to inquire," Xiao Huayong corrected. "We are merely engaged. I can help solve your problems, but I cannot interfere in your private matters. Clearly, what happened between you and the Fifth Prince wasn't a private affair, so how could I have the right to question you about it?"
He hoped that their engagement, and their future marriage, would never become constraints to her.
Although he desperately wanted to know, he respected her even more.
Despite his serious demeanor, his tolerant words, and his understanding nature, Shen Xihe somehow detected a hint of unspoken grievance and restraint in his tone. Was she being overly suspicious, judging a gentleman by her own petty standards?
Meeting his tolerant and gentle gaze, Shen Xihe felt that her suspicion of him employing reverse psychology was somewhat excessive.
"Xiao Changtai has successfully left the capital," she said. The reason she brought this up today was because Mo Yuan and Moyu had returned. They had pursued along the river, attempting several ambushes, but Xiao Changtai had already arranged an escape route, so they hadn't succeeded.
"Hmm," Xiao Huayong responded. This time, he had been outmaneuvered by Xiao Changqing. He didn't particularly care about success or failure personally, but in front of Shen Xihe, he still felt somewhat embarrassed.
"Your Highness need not take it to heart," Shen Xihe comforted, sensing his mood. "Anyone would have been deceived by Prince Xin's scheme. Prince Xin knew of a hidden route out of the capital..."
"Youyou knows," Xiao Huayong said."Yes, I am aware, and I became aware early on, which is why I sent Mo Yuan and Moyu to intercept. However, Xiao Changtai is cunning. He likely feared that Prince Xin would have a backup plan, so he did not fully adhere to Prince Xin's arrangements and instead chose an escape route early on." Xiao Changtai's wit and methods were no less formidable—otherwise, he could not have stirred up so much turmoil.
"Unfortunately, he still managed to escape."
However, by bringing Ye Wantang back to the capital this time, he suffered heavy losses.
"These people were never ones he truly wanted." Xiao Huayong sneered; this was a tactic Xiao Changtai often employed.
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