Chapter 516: I'll Obey You in Everything
This incident had caused quite a stir. Shen Yueshan had agreed to it only because Xiao Huayong was overseeing the overall situation, and out of trust in Xiao Huayong. But with such a perfect opportunity, why not make full use of it?
There must be a spy planted by His Majesty within the Northwestern Army. This person was deeply concealed, and the loss of Defense Commissioner An's Defense Map was undoubtedly connected to something even more intricate. Since then, Shen Yueshan had maintained a calm facade, treating his soldiers with impartiality as always. Yet, he no longer joined his generals in occasional bouts of drunken revelry, using his longing for his daughter as an excuse to decline. Later, when Xue Heng brought Xue Jinqiao along, and with his son about to marry, a father naturally had to rein in his indulgences.
In truth, he had grown somewhat wary of those who had once braved dangers alongside him. The Youning Emperor's meticulous nature left no room for carelessness. But to distance himself so abruptly from comrades who had shared life-and-death struggles on the battlefield—where it was often unclear who had saved whom more times—left Shen Yueshan deeply sorrowful.
Though these men might seem rough and straightforward, their instincts were keen. They had already sensed his deliberate aloofness. If this continued, they would inevitably grow estranged from him, making them easier targets for manipulation by others.
Xiao Huayong had proposed setting a trap, with the goal of allowing Shen Xihe to witness her only brother's wedding in person. At the time, Shen Yueshan thought Xiao Huayong had gone mad—to stir up such turmoil, and even risk catastrophic consequences, just so Shen Xihe could attend Shen Yungan's wedding.
Even if he had the capability, Shen Yueshan deemed it unworthy. Shen Xihe herself would never permit such a massive upheaval.
Yet Xiao Huayong remained stubbornly determined to make it happen. He said, "Father-in-law, I know both you and Youyou are clear-sighted and weigh gains and losses meticulously. I also know that Youyou longs to see Brother get married, yet she would reject my proposal. That is why I must first persuade you."
"You cannot persuade me," Shen Yueshan had refused outright and decisively at the time.
But Xiao Huayong was not the least disheartened. "Father-in-law, this is a perfect opportunity—a chance to purge the Northwestern Army."
These words completely won Shen Yueshan over. He began earnestly considering the feasibility and realized it was indeed a rare and invaluable plan. After hearing Xiao Huayong's full arrangements and confirming that he could guarantee Shen Xihe's safety, Shen Yueshan finally agreed.
To reassure Shen Yueshan, and also because he himself was less familiar with these regions than Shen Yueshan, Xiao Huayong left everything in Liangzhou to Shen Yueshan's discretion—including the disguised Turkic raids and their concealment in this village.
Xiao Huayong did not interfere even in these matters, let alone the situation within the Northwestern Army. Naturally, he remained entirely in the dark about it. Nor would he meddle out of curiosity, as that would be disrespectful to Shen Yueshan. However, if Shen Yueshan was still unwilling to leave now, it could only mean that the Northwestern Army had indeed uncovered something significant—something so widespread that even Shen Yueshan dared not act rashly.
Shen Xihe believed Xiao Huayong's conjecture was the truth. Unable to sit still any longer, she rose to ask Shen Yueshan, but Xiao Huayong grasped her hand. "I suspect Father-in-law may not be entirely certain yet. If you go ask him now, he won't tell you. Why don't we wait a day or two and decide based on how the situation develops?"
After a moment's thought, Shen Xihe nodded and sat back down.The evening meal was hosted at the village chief's home, where they were treated to fine wine and dishes. Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong had changed into attire more befitting common folk. Watching Shen Yueshan drink heartily with the village chief, his face radiant with delight, Shen Xihe felt somewhat reassured.
The next day, when Shen Xihe awoke, Shen Yueshan had already departed, leaving only a servant to inform her that he would return by evening. Shen Xihe knew it must be related to the affairs of the northwest and grew somewhat concerned.
Xiao Huayong took her hand to comfort her: "What is meant to come will come. Father surely wouldn't want you to worry for him. We've finally made it to these wild mountains—if we don't take a stroll, wouldn't our trip be in vain?"
"Beichen, you don't understand," Shen Xihe lowered her gaze. "If Father must be so cautious, repeatedly verifying details and not daring to act rashly for fear of misjudgment, then the person in question must be someone who once fought alongside him through life and death, sharing a bond as close as brothers."
"If things have reached this point with Father, it means this person didn't betray him from the start. At the very least, the shared trials of life and death they once endured were genuine. He must have turned his back on the northwest—his homeland—and on Father and the other comrades who fought alongside him, just as the region was flourishing. Such a betrayal affects not only Father but also those around him. Once such a person emerges, their unity will shatter…"
If even one of those uncles and elders has turned traitor, how will the others cope? How will they face her father in the future? Will they fear that, because of this one person, Father will no longer trust them? Will they become apprehensive, easily swayed by discord?
Shen Xihe truly wanted to know what immense price the Youning Emperor had paid to make this move—a move that was utterly fatal to Shen Yueshan.
Even if they had detected his betrayal early and minimized the crisis, Father and those uncles and elders could never return to the past, where they were united, trusting implicitly, and willing to entrust their lives to one another.
"Youyou, people in this world are exceedingly complex. Everyone has desires in life, and when a particular desire becomes uncontrollable—when neither family, close friends, nor even oneself can satisfy it—and only one other person in the entire world can, even if that person is an enemy, even if it's clear they will discard you after use, even if their intentions are malicious, even if indulging this desire may lead to being abandoned by all and left with nothing… one will still cling to a sliver of hope, like a moth drawn to flame."
Xiao Huayong's words were heavy, cruel, yet undeniably true. Shen Xihe had no rebuttal. After a moment of silence, she asked, "I am not such a person. What about you?"
"I am," Xiao Huayong replied without hesitation.
Shen Xihe stared at him in astonishment, meeting his dark eyes, shimmering like silver, gazing deeply at her with tender affection.
"My lifelong desire is you," Xiao Huayong said with an exceedingly gentle smile. "If there ever comes a day when your survival depends on our enemy, I would not hesitate to join them, no matter the cost."
Her heart leaped. Shen Xihe gripped Xiao Huayong's hand tightly. "I… I forbid you to do such a thing. If you ever do, I will end my own life."
She forbade it not out of weighing pros and cons, but because, in her heart, everyone—especially those of their status, whose decisions often determined the lives and stability of thousands—must have a bottom line.It wasn't that she was righteous, but bearing such a heavy price would trouble her conscience. Living might be more painful than dying.
"Beichen, we must know what should be done and what should not."
"Alright, teach me then. What should be done and what should not? I'll listen to everything you say, as long as you stay by my side. I'll follow all your words."
Good night, see you tomorrow.
(End of Chapter)
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