Sui Axi and Zhenzhu worked together to keep Shen Yueshan breathing, but they were helpless against the injuries to his internal organs.
Shen Yueshan, having survived countless major and minor injuries over the years, woke up even before Shen Xihe. As soon as he regained consciousness, he demanded to see Xiao Changfeng.
He said to Xiao Changfeng, "Send me back to the Northwest, the sooner the better..."
The words seemed to drain all his strength, and his breathing grew heavier.
"Your Highness, who harmed you?" Xiao Changfeng did not comply but instead said, "Your Highness should not be moved at this moment. I have already sent word to the heir. He will surely arrive in time."
Shen Yueshan tilted his head, half his face pressed against the pillow, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Xiao Changfeng with an intense and penetrating gaze.
Xiao Changfeng met his gaze calmly at first but eventually lowered his head under the piercing stare of those fierce, tiger-like eyes. Still, he did not yield: "I am only thinking of Your Highness's well-being. I have already issued notices across Liangzhou seeking renowned physicians."
"My father wants to return to the Northwest, so we shall set off for the Northwest." Shen Xihe stood at the doorway, her face slightly pale but her gaze toward Xiao Changfeng cold and sharp.
"Your Highness must not act recklessly..."
"Prince Xun, you are only responsible for my safety. You have no right to restrict my father's or my movements and decisions." Shen Xihe cut him off coldly, stepping closer to Shen Yueshan as she spoke.
She grasped Shen Yueshan's hand, her eyes reddening. Her father was truly foolish, letting himself end up in such a state.
"Don't... cry. Father... is fine..." Shen Yueshan forced the words out through gritted teeth.
She had not expected his injuries to have weakened him to this extent. Tears instantly streamed down her face, a testament to how deeply the hidden injuries pained her.
He always waited until his wounds had fully healed before returning home. To her younger self, her father had seemed an indomitable figure.
"Back... to the Northwest," Shen Yueshan repeated.
"Alright, Youyou will take Father back to the Northwest." Shen Xihe took a deep breath and turned to instruct Zhenzhu and Moyu, "Pack our belongings. We depart today."
"Crown Princess, even if you disregard everything else, consider His Highness's current condition." Xiao Changfeng did his utmost to dissuade her.
At this point, he did not doubt the severity of Shen Yueshan's injuries. In his view, no feigned injury could deceive all the physicians in the city. With so many unanimously declaring the Northwest King beyond saving, he was convinced.
Precisely because he believed it, he could not allow Shen Yueshan to return to the Northwest. The letter he had sent to His Majesty would take at least three days to arrive. Xiao Changfeng was well aware of the Emperor's desire to take control of the Northwest.
As a loyal subject, he believed it was only natural for the Emperor to assert authority over the realm. This was the perfect opportunity. If the Northwest King did not return to the Northwest, many matters would remain unresolved. The Shen family might decline as a result, and the powerful clans of the Northwest would undergo a major reshuffle. However, since the Emperor and the Northwest King had not yet openly clashed, the Emperor would not exterminate the Shen family or those in the Northwest who followed the Shen clan.
This was the most bloodless way to resolve the deadlock."Your Highness Xun Wang, my father was born in the Northwest, raised in the Northwest, and has guarded the Northwest." Shen Xihe turned around, her obsidian-dark eyes sharp as blades tempered by wind and frost. "We are but one step away from the Northwest now. Would you have him carry lifelong regret?"
"This humble prince never intended..."
"Your Highness Xun Wang, the Northwest's soil is thick and solid—not everyone has the capability to tread upon it." Shen Xihe's expression grew increasingly stern. "Your Highness likely doesn't know that many become dizzy upon entering the Northwest, unable to adapt, some even finding it difficult to walk upon Northwestern soil."
Though seemingly cryptic, Xiao Changfeng understood perfectly—Shen Xihe knew his intentions and was telling him that not everyone was qualified to garrison the Northwest year-round, nor did everyone possess the ability to stand firm on this land.
Xiao Changfeng had exhausted all permissible words and actions. With Shen Xihe's near-explicit warning, further obstruction would inevitably lead to armed conflict. When she ordered preparations to bring Shen Yueshan back to the Northwest King's residence, he could no longer intervene. Though he wished to remain and investigate yesterday's clues, as the person responsible for Shen Xihe's safety, he could only leave his capable subordinate to conduct the investigation while accompanying them.
Half of Liangzhou belonged to the Northwest. Traveling from Liangzhou to the Northwest King's residence at a pace Shen Yueshan could endure, they arrived in four days.
Xiao Changfeng had indeed sent word to Shen Yungan, but Shen Xihe dispatched an additional letter. Shen Yungan, who was to be married in just one month, had remained at the residence awaiting Shen Yueshan's return. His face etched with anxiety, he met Shen Xihe's party at the city gates. The matter had been entirely handled by Shen Yueshan, who had revealed nothing to Shen Yungan from beginning to end.
Shen Xihe dared not meet Shen Yungan's gaze, which—to him and others—only reinforced the impression of Shen Yueshan's grave condition.
When Shen Yueshan was carried into the residence, the military physician was summoned immediately. His condition had actually worsened over the past two days—the hidden injuries intensified by Xie Yunhuai's medication became more pronounced. After taking Shen Yueshan's pulse, the physician's hand trembled uncontrollably. As if disbelieving, he checked again, making Shen Yueshan's personal guards—who had rushed over upon hearing the news—hearts sink.
"Uncle Sang, how is my father?" Shen Yungan's voice held a tremor he himself didn't perceive.
The Northwest Army had a physician named Sang Yin, who had grown up with Shen Yueshan's generation. Fond of medicine since childhood and too frail to join his brothers on the battlefield, he devoted himself to medical studies, becoming the stabilizing rear guard for his comrades. Shen Xihe's survival in her childhood was largely thanks to him. His medical skills were revered throughout the Northwest as divine.
In all these years, none had ever seen Sang Yin so distraught. He seemed tongue-tied, unable to utter a word, while his hands shook uncontrollably.
"Old Sixth, speak! How is His Highness?" an impatient general urged.
Sang Yin seemed to snap awake, pushing through the crowd and stumbling toward his home, muttering: "There must be a way... There must be a way..."
His reaction plunged all present into an icy dread. Shen Yungan's legs went weak, nearly collapsing had Mo Yao not caught him from behind.Shen Xihe closed her eyes even tighter upon seeing Shen Yungan like this.
The reactions of the siblings made it truly difficult to imagine what hidden intricacies lay within. Geng Liangcheng, standing at the forefront, had a flicker in his gaze.
Upon returning home, Geng Liangcheng immediately asked his confidant, "Have you found out why His Highness was injured?"
Xiao Changfeng had stirred up the entire Liangzhou to treat Shen Yueshan's injuries, and they had received the news two days prior. Geng Liangcheng had already dispatched people to investigate.
"It appears he was wounded by the concealed Jiachen Crown Prince," the confidant reported the findings.
"In that case, it cannot be fabricated..." A strange glint flashed in Geng Liangcheng's eyes.
"General, should we..."
Before the confidant could finish speaking, Geng Liangcheng raised his hand to interrupt. "His Highness has long established his authority in the northwest. We must not act rashly. Although the entire matter seems reasonable on the surface, both you and I are well aware of His Highness's martial prowess. How could Xiao Juesong have inflicted such severe injuries upon him? We must investigate thoroughly. Other matters also require careful planning. The heir is by no means ordinary, and the Crown Princess has brought Xun Wang with her..."
This was a significant affair, and every step had to be meticulously planned.
OpenNovel