Chapter 457: Never Imagined You Would Worry About Me to This Extent
Is Your Majesty satisfied?
Everyone present except Shen Xihe lowered their heads at these words.
The Empress Dowager's accusatory tone was too evident. Combined with Xiao Juesong's earlier statements and the two Hidden Guards exposed by Yu Sangzi and Liyang County Princess, they all subtly hinted at an undeniable truth that was becoming increasingly clear.
They had never considered this possibility before, but now reflecting upon it, the Emperor's scheme to assassinate Qian Wang and frame Jiachen Crown Prince on the day the latter submitted his surrender letter had indeed achieved multiple objectives with one move.
Back when Qian Wang was suddenly assassinated, they dared not entertain such thoughts—firstly because Qian Wang and the Emperor had always shared a deep brotherly bond, and secondly because the Empress Dowager had testified in support.
But now, thinking back, could brotherly affection truly outweigh the ultimate imperial throne? In those turbulent times, if the Empress Dowager had not endured the pain to support the Emperor, what fate would she have faced?
"Mother, it is my fault for failing to protect Qilang," the Emperor murmured with guilt.
"Strip him of his title. Let him live out his remaining days in peace," the Empress Dowager said sorrowfully, closing her eyes as if she had exhausted all her strength. Leaning on her lady-in-waiting, her tone seemed to carry a hint of pleading.
But at this moment, what reason could there be to depose the Crown Prince?
His frailty? After such a major incident, no matter how noble the reason given for deposing the Crown Prince, the fact that the Crown Prince was not his biological son and his past act of fratricide to seize the throne would inevitably be exposed.
How would the court officials view him? How would the commoners present today spread the news?
Moreover, Xiao Juesong had escaped. Was he waiting for this outcome to seize the opportunity to spread rumors and plot to usurp the throne?
There were too many factors to consider. The Crown Prince could not be deposed.
"Mother, Qilang will be fine. As long as he lives, and as long as I am here, he will remain the Crown Prince—my only legitimate son," the Youning Emperor declared before everyone.
The Empress Dowager opened her eyes and stared coldly at him for a long, long time before letting out a cold laugh and entering the room.
Shen Xihe had already gone inside earlier. She now sat by the bedside, gazing at Xiao Huayong, whose face was as pale as paper. She watched quietly, her thoughts unknown to anyone.
When the Empress Dowager and the Youning Emperor entered, she stood up and performed the proper courtesies, appearing respectful on the surface. Yet, everyone could sense the underlying perfunctoriness and dissatisfaction in her demeanor, though no one could openly criticize her.
Inside the bedchamber, silence prevailed. The Youning Emperor, burdened with countless affairs of state and the matter of Xiao Juesong to handle, was the first to leave. The Empress Dowager wished to stay longer, but her advanced age made it difficult for her to endure. After repeated urging from the palace maids, she eventually departed as well.
The moon climbed over the western tower, but Shen Xihe did not leave. She remained in the bedchamber. Only after everyone had gone did she ask, "Has he truly been poisoned again?"
"Yes," Zhenzhu and Sui Axi replied simultaneously, lowering their heads.
Shen Xihe said nothing more. She stayed by Xiao Huayong's side, keeping vigil. Xiao Huayong awoke in the dead of night when all was silent and saw Shen Xihe asleep with her head resting on the edge of the bed. He froze for a moment, squeezed his eyes shut, and reopened them. In the hazy, fragmented glow of the lamplight, she still lay there quietly. He quickly sat up and carefully moved to hold her, but his movement startled her awake.
Meeting her drowsy gaze before she could fully react, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
As he embraced Shen Xihe, Xiao Huayong's gaze grew distant, fixed on some point in the room. He didn't even notice that Shen Xihe hadn't struggled at first."Let go of me!" Shen Xihe had never been held so tightly before, as if he wanted to press her into his very bones. She could barely breathe, and no matter how she hit him, this seemingly frail man had a sturdy frame. He didn't seem to feel any pain—instead, her hands hurt from the effort.
Suddenly snapping back to reality, Xiao Huayong loosened his grip slightly but didn't let her break free. He still held her, clutching her tightly: "I'm sorry, Youyou..."
His murmuring voice was thick with worry and guilt.
Shen Xihe frowned, unable to understand why he was suddenly acting so erratically.
He nuzzled against her, repeating those five words over and over: "I'm sorry, Youyou..."
Shen Xihe felt helpless. If not for the poison needles concealed in the bracelet she wore today, she would have gladly given him a dose!
"If you don't let go of me now, I promise you'll never see me again." Shen Xihe detested being trapped like this, surrounded by the intense, masculine scent that made her deeply uncomfortable. She had no choice but to threaten him.
The threat worked effectively. Startled, Xiao Huayong released her so abruptly that he nearly pushed her over. Fortunately, he realized in time and caught her, then gave her a sheepish, foolish grin to make amends.
Shen Xihe shook off his hand and stood up, only to find her legs numb and weak from sitting too long on the footstool. Her knees buckled, and she stumbled forward. Xiao Huayong, quick as lightning, caught her in his arms.
Holding her soft, warm form against him, Xiao Huayong couldn't help but break into a wide smile.
"Let go," Shen Xihe snapped.
Under normal circumstances, he would have clung to her shamelessly and refused to release her. But sensing her anger, Xiao Huayong obediently let go. As Shen Xihe turned to leave, he hastily grabbed her wrist: "Youyou, you can be angry with me, resent me—anything but ignore me, please?"
What he feared most was her cold indifference. Her aloofness terrified and pained him more than ten thousand arrows piercing his heart.
"The Crown Prince manipulates everyone like pawns. How would I dare be angry with you?" Shen Xihe retorted coldly.
"You say you're not angry, but your words betray you," Xiao Huayong muttered under his breath. Feeling her struggle to pull away, he softened his voice: "I didn't mean to hide it from you, nor did I want you to play along in this charade to deceive others. It's just... I never imagined you would worry about me and personally stay by my side.
If I had known I held such importance in your heart, I would have told you sooner. It's true that I was poisoned, but this poison wasn't meant to harm me—it was to counteract the unique poison in my body..."
Only Linghu Zheng and he knew about this; even the Chief Imperial Physician was unaware.
The reason his unique poison had somewhat improved in recent years was that Linghu Zheng had found this potent toxin. Each year, he used it to fight poison with poison, suppressing the unique poison within him. When this new poison entered his body, it created a clash between the two toxins.
No one would suspect it was meant to counteract another poison. Xiao Huayong did this to eliminate the last of His Majesty's suspicions about him. Since he was poisoned again, His Majesty would never believe he would go to such extremes to put on an act.
In this scheme, there was no chance he could be seen as a participant.
Shen Xihe stood by the window, looking down quietly at the man seated on the bed. Though he was usually cunning and resourceful, his gaze now was as clear and innocent as a child's. His radiant smile outshone even the moonlight outside, putting the moon itself to shame.He winked at Shen Xihe: "The one who's poisoned isn't me, but..."
The words "Your Majesty" formed silently on his lips, accompanied by his occasional smug yet sinister and wicked smile.
I failed to stay home yesterday, and today I still have to go out. The family business is too busy, and the weather is lethally hot—I'm practically melting. Not sure how many chapters I can update today, but I'll try my best.
(End of Chapter)
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