Chapter 493: Only Want to Be Your Good Husband
Gazing at the slender wound on his neck, Shen Xihe couldn't tell whether her feelings stemmed from genuine remorse or from some inexplicable boundless indulgence she held toward Xiao Huayong.
And so, she let him have his way once again.
Gentle caresses and slow twines, soft and intimate;
Low moans and heavy breaths, entwined in endless whispers.
Dew settled on branch tips, flower buds blossoming;
The moon shifted west, clouds and rain dissipating.
After a night of passionate entanglement, Shen Xihe awoke to find Xiao Huayong no longer by her side. There was a court assembly today, and he had left for the morning session.
Unbeknownst to Shen Xihe, the Crown Prince had worn a turned-collar robe with a low-necked inner garment, almost as if deliberately displaying the scratches on his neck for all to see.
The court discussion today primarily revolved around the matter of the Northwest King, and many officials occasionally cast glances toward Xiao Huayong.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Princess has been so overwhelmed with grief over the Northwest King's disappearance that she has taken ill and remains bedridden... I implore Your Majesty to grant permission for me to dispatch the Eastern Palace guards to Liangzhou to search for him." This was already the third time Xiao Huayong had made such a plea.
How could the Eastern Palace guards be casually sent to a strategic military location? Without the Emperor's approval, it could easily be construed as an act of rebellion.
The Youning Emperor also noticed the scratches on his neck, his gaze inscrutable: "We have already dispatched the Embroidered Uniform Envoys. The Eastern Palace guards have always been responsible for your protection and have never been to places like Liangzhou. How could they be more efficient in searching for someone than the stationed troops in Liangzhou?"
Just as Xiao Huayong was about to speak further, the Youning Emperor announced the adjournment of the court. Left with no choice, Xiao Huayong could only relent. As he stepped out of the main hall, Tao Zhuanxian caught up with him.
"Crown Prince, may I have a word in private?" Tao Zhuanxian gestured to the side.
Xiao Huayong strode over and said respectfully, "Please speak, Grandfather."
Hearing himself addressed so honorably, Tao Zhuanxian bowed slightly: "I am undeserving of Your Highness's regard and dare not presume to be called your grandfather. Yet, I have a word of advice, and I hope you will bear with me."
"Grandfather need not be so distant. Youyou and I are bound in marriage, and it is only right that I show filial respect to you," Xiao Huayong replied with even greater deference.
Seeing this, Tao Zhuanxian spoke frankly: "Youyou has a strong-willed nature, and with her father's misfortune, it is inevitable that she is excessively burdened with worry. If she has been disrespectful or negligent toward you in any way, I beg Your Highness to show her compassion and leniency."
Xiao Huayong was left bewildered by Tao Zhuanxian's words. Even the astute Crown Prince found it difficult to grasp the underlying meaning.
Noting that Xiao Huayong seemed more puzzled than angered, and considering the delicacy of speaking too bluntly, Tao Zhuanxian—who had also been young once—could only add: "Your Highness and Youyou are newlyweds, yet there should still be moderation and restraint."
With that, Tao Zhuanxian cupped his hands and departed.
Left behind with a tense expression, Xiao Huayong wondered: How could Tao Zhuanxian know about matters within the Eastern Palace?
As Xiao Huayong left the main hall, he encountered Tianyuan. Not feeling comfortable discussing such matters directly with him, he instead asked obliquely: "Today, many people have been giving me strange looks. What do you think is the reason?"
Tianyuan glanced at Xiao Huayong, noticing the scratches on his neck. After a moment's thought, he replied: "Perhaps it is because of the wounds on Your Highness's body?"
Being an innocent young man untouched by such experiences, Tianyuan's reasoning was straightforward: The Crown Prince was the heir apparent, and injuries to a vital area like the neck were no trivial matter. It was only natural for it to attract attention.
Initially, Xiao Huayong didn't think much of it, as his own experience was similarly limited. But then he recalled Tao Zhuanxian's words and unconsciously reached up to touch the scratches on his neck.The Crown Prince remained silent for a long while. Tianyuan glanced up at him, only to see His Highness suddenly break into a smile—somewhat ambiguous and unclear—before walking away in a cheerful mood.
Utterly bewildered, Tianyuan had no choice but to follow.
Xiao Huayong had deliberately exposed his neck to stir Shen Xihe's guilt, intending to secure some benefits for himself before the wound healed. Little did he expect that others would misinterpret it as scratches inflicted by Shen Xihe.
Judging by Tao Zhuanxian's tone, he probably even assumed that Xiao Huayong had made advances, been rejected, and disregarded Shen Xihe's wishes, leading to the scratches on his neck. Xiao Huayong was astounded by their vivid imaginations.
However, by a stroke of luck, His Majesty had long harbored suspicions that they were plotting something. Whatever Xiao Changqing could deduce, His Majesty could as well—and likely with even deeper insight.
He must have suspected Shen Xihe was putting on an act, which was why the Imperial Hospital had been so diligent in its daily consultations. Yet, with Sui Axi's single acupuncture needle, simulating a pulse of excessive fright and anxiety was all too simple. How could the Imperial Hospital possibly detect any flaws?
His Majesty should now be somewhat convinced, especially given the severity of the injury from his supposed lustful advances being rejected.
Fortunately, the wound was in an unusual place like the neck. Had it been on the arm, they might have grown even more suspicious that Shen Yueshan's disappearance was a ruse. It seemed he would have to be more careful in the future to avoid leaving such ambiguous marks.
By the time Xiao Huayong returned to the Eastern Palace, Shen Xihe had just finished her morning meal and was seated before the dressing table, preparing to apply her makeup.
She had been exceptionally hungry that morning, so after washing up, she had draped her long black hair over her shoulders and eaten first.
Xiao Huayong saw her sitting on a low stool in a madder-red high-waisted dress, the light from the window spilling over her, casting her in a painting-like serenity and beauty.
Xiao Huayong stepped forward and took the eyebrow pigment from Hongyu's hands, intending to apply her makeup for her.
Exhausted, Shen Xihe sighed helplessly, "Your Highness, please don't tease."
"Youyou, have you forgotten that I am a master of disguise? How could I not know how to apply makeup?" Xiao Huayong replied with great confidence.
Shen Xihe looked at him with a mix of doubt and curiosity. Of course, she hadn't forgotten his skill in disguise, but such matters didn't necessarily require him to know personally. As the Crown Prince, especially with his capabilities, he had plenty of people at his disposal.
She had always assumed Xiao Huayong had a skilled disguise artist by his side, but only now did she realize that he himself possessed such talent.
"Let Youyou witness my abilities," Xiao Huayong said, dismissing Hongyu and the others before confidently picking up Shen Xihe's makeup tools. Shen Xihe glanced down at his technique—indeed, it was practiced and skillful.
Reassured, she closed her eyes. Xiao Huayong chuckled softly and said, "Youyou, yesterday you asked me whether the Turks would take action. In truth, the Turkic royal court has been in turmoil recently, which is why I made this move. I have no desire to provoke war between our nations. Regardless of victory or defeat, the common people are innocent."
As he spoke, Xiao Huayong leaned down to shape Shen Xihe's eyebrows. "I have no ambition to be a ruler who expands territory through conquest. I have traveled far and wide, witnessed too much suffering among the people. Life is already hard enough for them; I do not wish to plunge them into the chaos of war. If other nations do not provoke conflict, I will not engage in battle."
Shen Xihe understood his meaning: for the sake of the people, he would not be warlike, but for the same reason, he would not shy away from war either.
"Your Highness will undoubtedly be the finest ruler," Shen Xihe murmured softly.
Such a Xiao Huayong earned even greater admiration from Shen Xihe. He possessed the qualities of a benevolent sovereign—one who truly understood the hardships of the people, cared for their well-being, and sought to protect them.Her praise excited and delighted him more than anything else. Xiao Huayong's lips curved slightly as he whispered softly, "Rather than being a good ruler of the world, revered by all, I would rather be a good husband to you alone, earning your praise alone."
To protect you from worry, to share endless joy with you.
Damn, this chapter got stuck, I couldn't update it for so long. Could it be because of the poem???
(End of Chapter)
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