Chapter 498: This Realm, I Want It
"I know you're worried about me, but I believe this is an excellent opportunity." Shen Xihe remained exceptionally firm in her stance.
She had deliberately humiliated Noble Consort Rong precisely to provoke His Majesty's anger, which led to Shu Fei's fanning of the flames. This made His Majesty feel that she indeed deserved to be taught a lesson, prompting him to take action against her this time. She wanted to use this opportunity to deliver a crushing blow to His Majesty.
This was a scheme she had meticulously orchestrated herself. To abandon it so easily was unprecedented. Shen Xihe disliked this feeling of being interfered with.
"I understand what you're thinking." Xiao Huayong also tried to persuade her. "From beginning to end, you've never given up on diverting His Majesty's wariness onto yourself. That's the reason behind your painstakingly laid plans."
If Shen Xihe were to annihilate His Majesty's forces this time, His Majesty would undoubtedly view her as a thorn in his side. He would likely lose the patience to slowly probe the Eastern Palace, for what troubled His Majesty most about the Eastern Palace was Shen Xihe herself.
With just a little maneuvering from Shen Xihe, she could fully expose her original intentions before His Majesty. She had chosen him because his lifespan was limited. Her ambition was to wield power as the most revered regent empress dowager through the legitimate bloodline.
To have this realm ruled by someone of Xiao lineage, yet truly controlled by her, the regent empress dowager.
This violated His Majesty's greatest taboo!
"His Majesty's wariness of me won't increase or decrease because of this matter." Shen Xihe feared no additional suspicion from the Youning Emperor, for she bore the Shen surname—a lifelong taboo for the Youning Emperor. The Shen family and His Majesty could never coexist.
Therefore, she cared not how His Majesty viewed her—whether as a thorn in his side or beneath his notice. What Shen Xihe sought was how to maximize their benefits.
"His Majesty harbors deep suspicions toward you. Even if you evade them every time, leaving him without evidence, he still won't lower his guard. With His Majesty watching you closely, you'll inevitably be constrained at every turn." Shen Xihe reasoned clearly. "If you want him to truly believe you aren't biding your time, this is the best method. Let him know I married you precisely because you're easy to control. When he sees how powerful I am, and since I've staked my entire life on this gamble, I must have verified your weakness through some means. Only then will his guard against you be minimized."
"I don't need you covering for me!" Xiao Huayong said sternly. "I'm not afraid to break openly with him. I've only been concealing my strength for convenience in maneuvering. If this convenience requires you to disregard your safety, then it's not worth having!"
"Your Highness!" Shen Xihe called out coldly. "Don't let emotions cloud your judgment."
Xiao Huayong suddenly turned to look at her, his gaze complex and stubborn. "Do you think my willful behavior is unbecoming of someone destined for great achievements? From beginning to end, I never intended to become the ruler of this realm. Two years ago, I had already prepared for the possibility that the Unique Poison might not be cured. All my scheming has only been to fulfill my duty as a son to seek justice for the one who gave me life."
Yes, he had never wanted to become emperor. Not until he met Shen Xihe had he ever considered it.
He had built these forces so that if he were to die young one day, he could complete his filial duty. If he were fortunate enough to obtain the antidote, he naturally couldn't allow himself to be controlled by others. Becoming the ruler of the realm had never been part of his plans.It was only after encountering Shen Xihe that he began to gradually scheme for power in the court. This was also why his influence in the court was not substantial, and the Youning Emperor had never suspected him—he had made no unusual moves at all, so how could there be any trace of suspicion?
But this was Shen Xihe's desire. She wanted peace in the northwest. She wanted to take charge and appoint officials who genuinely cared for the people of the northwest to govern the region. For the Shen family to retire with honor, she needed to hold supreme power.
Shen Xihe looked at him and declared firmly, "I want it."
Xiao Huayong stiffened. Shen Xihe repeated, "This empire—I want it."
Her obsidian-like eyes were deep and piercingly bright, radiating an unyielding dominance. Xiao Huayong found himself unable to meet her gaze and lowered his eyes slightly. "So, in the end, I am merely a pawn in your game?"
For your schemes, I must suppress my feelings, cooperate with you in doing what you want me to do, and even turn a blind eye to your safety, watching you risk your life without intervention?
If I try to stop you, does that make me your enemy?
These words lingered on Xiao Huayong's tongue, too bitter to be spoken aloud.
He was such a towering and indomitable man. He had frightened the Sixth Prince into fleeing the palace, intimidated the Twelfth Prince, the Prince of Yan, into showing him utmost respect, and with a mere gesture, turned the cunning and ruthless Fourth Prince into a "dead" man.
He had manipulated the brilliant Youning Emperor like a puppet in his hands, expelled the once-powerful Wang Zheng, one of the Three Excellencies, from the capital. He could turn the tides at will, yet in her presence, he always seemed fragile and vulnerable.
His words and the restraint in his eyes made it impossible for Shen Xihe to respond harshly. "Your Highness, I have never regarded you as a pawn. It is merely that our perspectives on the situation differ. We are both strong-willed individuals, making it difficult to persuade one another."
"Between us, it is not a difference in perspective." A faint, bitterly resigned smile touched Xiao Huayong's lips. "Rather... I am devoted to feelings, while you are focused on gains."
Because he worried about her, cared for her, he dared not let her face the slightest danger. He saw her as his wife, his beloved, cradled in the palm of his hand.
In her eyes, she did not care for such things. She cared about the advantages and disadvantages of the situation. She did not even have the awareness of being a wife, or perhaps she simply did not care about his concerns.
Shen Xihe frowned slightly. She had already softened her stance, yet Xiao Huayong remained confrontational. How she felt about him had been made clear even before their marriage—what kind of person she was had been plainly revealed to him.
Why was he now criticizing her for prioritizing gains?
"Your Highness, you have long known that I prioritize gains. Why wait until now to accuse me?" Shen Xihe said with inexplicable irritation.
Xiao Huayong let out a light, mocking laugh. "Yes, I have known it for a long time. I have no right to accuse you..."
After saying this, Xiao Huayong gave Shen Xihe a deep look, turned, and walked away.
Shen Xihe took a step forward to follow but stopped immediately. Xiao Huayong paused at the threshold before stepping out and disappearing from sight.
"Crown Princess..."
"Let him go." Shen Xihe, also angered, turned and returned to her bedchamber.
She seldom lost her temper—one might say no one had ever been able to provoke her to anger.
Those who challenged her, showed her disrespect, or harmed those she cared about were met with her gaze as if they were already dead.Because she knew these people wouldn't live long, no matter how despicable and ostentatious they were, Shen Xihe remained unperturbed.
The last time she had been truly angry was likely over Linglong's betrayal, but now she clearly understood that she was genuinely furious.
(End of Chapter)
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