Chapter 456: Is Your Majesty Satisfied?
Xiao Huayong had no choice but to jump into the river. Even if he refused, the suspension bridge wouldn't hold much longer. With the river separating both banks and no way to cross directly, this confrontation wouldn't end easily. The only solution was to plunge into the water.
However, the rapids were extremely dangerous. There was no telling where they would be swept after falling, or whether they would crash against submerged rocks...
If not for these numerous uncertainties, the Youning Emperor and Xiao Huayong would have already jumped into the river by now.
As Shen Xihe moved downstream, Xiao Changying's gaze subtly followed her for a moment. This was noticed by Xiao Juesong, who had been closely watching him. Xiao Juesong recalled the intelligence report submitted earlier: when their men went with Xiao Huayong's followers on the rescue mission, Xiao Changying had been together with Xiao Huayong.
This trap had been set by the Youning Emperor specifically for Xiao Huayong. While Xiao Huayong had allowed himself to be captured as part of his plan, why had Xiao Changying pursued so relentlessly?
Was this truly brotherly affection?
Xiao Juesong's eyes shifted between Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changying—these were blood brothers, while Xiao Huayong...
As this thought crossed his mind, he aimed his crossbow at Xiao Huayong. Xiao Changying's pupils constricted, his grip on his bow instinctively tightening. Noticing this subtle reaction, Xiao Juesong's eyes narrowed meaningfully. He drew the crossbow, and Xiao Changying immediately released an arrow. But at the critical moment, Xiao Juesong halted the bolt.
Without firing that shot, he swiftly redirected his aim toward the Youning Emperor. Xiao Changying had no time to nock another arrow, could only watch in horror as he shouted: "Your Majesty—"
The moment Xiao Changying's arrow shot past him into empty air, Xiao Huayong understood Xiao Juesong's true intention. Before Xiao Juesong could loose his bolt, Xiao Huayong swung his body and released the rope he was holding. He launched himself from beneath the bridge toward the Youning Emperor nearby, just managing to grab the Emperor's dangling legs. The momentum dragged the Emperor—who still had half his body on the bridge—downward. Xiao Juesong's crossbow bolt grazed the Emperor's shoulder, drawing a spray of blood.
Had Xiao Huayong not pulled him down in time, that bolt would have pierced his chest.
Both men tumbled into the river. Massive waves crashed over them as turbid water flooded their mouths and noses, swiftly separating them. Within mere blinks, they disappeared into the churning currents.
With the Emperor and Xiao Huayong gone, the imperial forces were no longer constrained. Teams of excellent swimmers who had been prepared beforehand leaped into the river, while others quickly gave chase along the banks. The remaining forces focused entirely on ambushing Xiao Juesong.
Xiao Juesong immediately severed the suspension bridge, and his men rapidly retreated to the mountain villa behind them. The Youning Emperor had previously sent covert teams to infiltrate from alternative routes, though the detour was considerable. It remained uncertain whether they would arrive in time to intercept Xiao Juesong.
Shen Xihe had been the first to head downstream. Halfway there, Zhenzhu caught up with her, driving a carriage with a young commoner. "My Lady, His Highness and His Majesty have fallen into the river! Quickly, get in the carriage!"
Shen Xihe boarded immediately with Moyu. The carriage raced down the official road, kicking up clouds of dust along the way. After approximately the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, they reached a downstream location where their guide brought them. They discovered the river curved here—if fortunate, someone might be caught at this bend; if unlucky, they would continue being swept away.Shen Xihe found neither Xiao Huayong nor the Youning Emperor here. The current should have carried them here faster, not slower. If Xiao Huayong wasn't here, it could only mean both he and His Majesty had been swept further downstream. Even though the current here was less turbulent than upstream, Shen Xihe grew increasingly anxious.
Zhenzhu asked the local villagers if there were other possible locations, but the man shook his head nervously. Zhenzhu then instructed Mo Yuan to escort him back.
"County Princess, do not worry. His Highness must have prepared for this," Zhenzhu comforted Shen Xihe.
"He's injured," Shen Xihe replied. Such river water would worsen his wounds. Once swept into such a raging torrent, there were too many uncontrollable factors. No matter how meticulous his arrangements, what if something went wrong?
"County Princess, please remember that you and His Highness first met in a river," Biyu quickly added. "His Highness emerged unscathed then, meaning he must be an excellent swimmer."
Shen Xihe glanced at them both. Indeed, Xiao Huayong was a strong swimmer. A nasal injury wouldn't render him helpless. At the very least, he still had Haidongqing, who could locate him wherever he was. Somewhat reassured but unwilling to give up the search, Shen Xihe continued downstream along the path.
The carriage proceeded downward and soon encountered Zhao Wang Xiao Changmin, who was waiting with several boats. It appeared not only had Xiao Huayong made preparations beforehand, but the Youning Emperor had also taken precautions.
As Shen Xihe approached, she noticed the Youning Emperor had already been rescued. She hurriedly asked, "Where is the Crown Prince?"
"County Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince is over there," Xiao Changmin pointed toward another small boat.
Xiao Huayong lay pale and unconscious, surrounded by imperial physicians. The Youning Emperor, still conscious, sat on the boat allowing physicians to bandage his wounds. "Zhenzhu!" Shen Xihe commanded.
At her order, Zhenzhu immediately boarded the boat. The imperial physicians were familiar with this medical maid from Zhaoning County Princess's entourage and didn't obstruct her. After checking the pulse themselves, they made way for Zhenzhu.
Zhenzhu's expression turned grave. She turned to Shen Xihe and reported, "County Princess, His Highness appears to have been poisoned again."
Not only Shen Xihe, but even the Youning Emperor's expression changed as he looked over. The Emperor immediately turned to the physician attending him, who hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, rest assured, you have not been poisoned."
The Youning Emperor's expression eased slightly. He summoned the physician who had examined Xiao Huayong. "The Crown Prince has been poisoned again?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty," the physician replied truthfully, "His Highness the Crown Prince was already... physically weak. Now injured by a poisoned arrow, it's truly adding frost to snow."
The Youning Emperor instructed Liu Sanzhi, "Escort the Crown Prince back to the palace. Return immediately."
Amid the chaos, most personnel escorted Xiao Huayong back to the temporary palace. Shen Xihe followed closely. At the temporary palace, Sui Axi was already waiting. Sui Axi needed to continue administering acupuncture to Xiao Huayong. For this trip to the temporary palace, he had come directly with the Eastern Palace party under the Eastern Palace's quota.
Shen Xihe waited anxiously outside. Before long, the Empress Dowager arrived.
She had no energy to comfort the anxious Empress Dowager. She didn't know whether Xiao Huayong's poisoning was accidental or his own doing. She was truly worried about his health. About half an hour later, the Youning Emperor returned to the temporary palace, and only then did the imperial physicians and Sui Axi emerge.
"How is the Crown Prince?" the Empress Dowager urgently asked.
The imperial physicians remained silent with bowed heads. Sui Axi, catching Shen Xihe's gaze, finally spoke, "Two potent toxins are conflicting within His Highness's body. Whether he can wake up remains unknown."The Empress Dowager stumbled backward, and the Youning Emperor quickly reached out to steady her. She looked up, recognized him, and shoved him away, collapsing into the arms of her palace maid instead. With a gaze full of profound sorrow, she stared at the Youning Emperor and asked, "Is Your Majesty satisfied now?"
(End of Chapter)
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