Chapter 497: The Unyielding Stance Between Husband and Wife
"Oh?" The Youning Emperor looked at Shu Fei with interest.
"The Northwest King has always doted on the Crown Princess. If he learns she's in danger, how could he remain indifferent? He would surely reveal himself voluntarily." Shu Fei's clever eyes shifted meaningfully.
The Youning Emperor gazed at her deeply after hearing this: "My consort speaks wisely."
By this time, Shen Xihe and Zhenzhu had already returned to the Eastern Palace. Xiao Huayong had gone to handle government affairs with the ministers. The court didn't hold daily assemblies; on non-assembly days, many matters assigned by the emperor were delegated to the Crown Prince, and officials would assist him in administrative duties.
Shen Xihe had deliberately chosen to seek an audience with the Youning Emperor when Xiao Huayong couldn't accompany her, to prevent the emperor from entertaining unnecessary suspicions in the Crown Prince's absence.
"Your Highness, will His Majesty consent?" Zhenzhu couldn't discern the emperor's stance.
"He will." Shen Xihe's tone was certain. "This is a perfect opportunity."
To use her to test Xiao Huayong's depths, to use her to determine whether Father had truly disappeared or if it was merely a pretense.
Zhenzhu's expression turned grave: "Your Highness, I fear His Majesty won't act so easily."
If this weren't handled meticulously, it would directly push the Northwest King toward rebellion. For an emperor to secretly assassinate the Crown Princess—how horrifying would that sound if it spread?
"His Majesty has beside him a Shu Fei who 'hates me to the bone'." Shen Xihe smiled mysteriously.
Even before entering the palace, the former Princess Yaoxi, now Shu Fei, had endured that hardship precisely to cement their antagonistic relationship in everyone's minds.
"Your Highness, the Second Young Lady has come again." As soon as Shen Xihe stepped into her bedchamber, Biyu came to report.
Since news of Shen Yueshan arrived, Shen Yingluo had repeatedly sought an audience, but Shen Xihe had refused each time, having previously feigned serious illness: "Bring her here."
Now that she had already seen His Majesty today, it would be inappropriate not to meet Shen Yingluo at least once.
However, meeting Shen Yingluo would be futile, as Shen Xihe naturally wouldn't disclose these matters to her.
"Greetings, Crown Princess."Shen Yingluo hurriedly performed the etiquette, dark circles under her eyes." Though her makeup made her appear spirited, the fatigue and anxiety in her eyes were still visible.
"Rise, take a seat." Shen Xihe sat to one side, indicating a position.
Shen Yingluo sat down and immediately asked: "Elder Sister, is there any news of Father?"
"I still don't know Father's whereabouts." Shen Xihe didn't lie to Shen Yingluo; she truly didn't know where Shen Yueshan was.
Where Xiao Huayong had arranged for Shen Yueshan to stay, what he was currently doing, or whether he was simply waiting for her somewhere—Shen Xihe knew none of it. She didn't wish to inquire too much, trusting both Xiao Huayong and Shen Yueshan.
Xiao Huayong wouldn't deceive her, and even if he did, Shen Yueshan wouldn't be easily fooled.
"Father, he..." Shen Yingluo's eyes instantly reddened.
Shen Xihe glanced at her twice: "Father will be fine. I will go search for him soon."
"Elder Sister, you're going to find Father?" Shen Yingluo was astonished, then hope dawned in her eyes.
Shen Xihe's expression turned slightly cold: "I won't take you with me."
This time, it involved confronting the emperor. She was already taking risks herself; how could she bring Shen Yingluo along? Wouldn't that mean worrying about Shen Yingluo's safety as well?
"Remain well in the capital and wait. I'll have the guards I left at the Shen residence keep an eye on you. If you dare flee the capital privately and follow me, I'll order them to break your legs." Shen Xihe warned.Shen Yingluo immediately bit her lip in grievance.
Yet she dared not say more. She had never been close to Shen Xihe and knew that aside from sharing the same surname, they had no other bonds. When Shen Xihe said she would break her legs, it was no empty threat.
"Zhenzhu, escort her back to the residence yourself," Shen Xihe commanded. "And remind the guards stationed at the Shen residence—if they cannot even keep proper watch over her, I have no use for incompetents by my side."
Shen Yingluo was reluctantly forced to leave. Just as she was about to board her carriage at the palace gates, she happened to see Xiao Changfeng entering the palace. He approached to greet her, and after they exchanged pleasantries, Xiao Changfeng clearly noticed her despondency. "County Lord, you seem..."
"I'm just worried about Father," Shen Yingluo replied evasively. With a hurried curtsey, she entered her carriage.
Xiao Changfeng watched her carriage depart until it vanished from sight before turning to enter the palace.
Not long after Shen Yingluo left, Xiao Huayong returned to the Eastern Palace. He found Shen Xihe standing by the stone table in the garden, trimming flower branches.
She truly adored plants and flowers. The garden full of rare blossoms had been transplanted and cultivated bit by bit because Xiao Huayong felt the Eastern Palace lacked vitality. It also served to show others his apparent devotion to such hobbies, though in truth, he didn't care for them much himself.
But Shen Xihe genuinely loved them to the extreme. Since marrying into the Eastern Palace, she had spent most of her time tending to these plants.
Xiao Huayong naturally approached and embraced her from behind.
Shen Xihe struggled slightly. It wasn't out of coyness—they had shared more intimate moments—but in broad daylight, with palace maids and eunuchs present, she never grew accustomed to Xiao Huayong's open affection when others were around.
Xiao Huayong didn't release her, leaning close to her ear to whisper, "They know their place. No one's watching."
Shen Xihe pushed him away more firmly, her cool gaze sweeping over him. Did he truly not know why no one was around?
If anything, this made it seem like they were indulging in impropriety in broad daylight.
Xiao Huayong rubbed his nose and smiled appeasingly. "When you visit His Majesty tomorrow, he'll surely pretend a while longer. Return the day after, and he'll certainly agree."
"Mm." Shen Xihe had reached the same conclusion.
With Shu Fei urging him on, even if the Youning Emperor hesitated to make this move, he would follow her suggestion and test the waters.
This time, she must deliver a stinging slap to His Majesty's face—how else could she repay the "grand gift" he had bestowed upon her the day after her wedding?
Testing Xiao Huayong by setting ancestral tablets ablaze was also meant to make people believe she wasn't accepted by the Xiao family ancestors, hence the fire.
She never sought trouble, but she never swallowed grievances in silence either.
"I've arranged for you to leave the capital through the underground palace," Xiao Huayong continued. "I'll send people to secretly escort you to Father-in-law while someone impersonates you departing from the capital."
"No." Shen Xihe flatly refused. "I must go personally."
Xiao Huayong's eyes narrowed. "I forbid it."
This scheme was of his design, and everything had proceeded according to his plans so far. The Emperor would send people to target Shen Xihe, but the severity was unpredictable—how could Xiao Huayong bear to let her take such risks?
If anything happened to her, wouldn't he regret it for life?
Therefore, he had long prepared a secure alternative.
"For His Majesty, this operation must succeed. He will strike with full force," Shen Xihe reasoned. "If an imposter falls into His Majesty's hands, the consequences would be unthinkable." She didn't mention her plan to ensure none of the Emperor's men returned alive.
How could she command the operation without being present herself?"Since you are aware that Your Majesty is not treating this matter lightly, you must not take the risk yourself." Xiao Huayong's stance was resolute.
For the first time, the couple found themselves at an impasse, with neither willing to compromise.
See you tomorrow
(End of Chapter)
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