Chapter 530: The Fish Takes the Bait
"This item alone proves nothing." Sang Yin remained highly vigilant. While the scented sachet indeed came from Shen Xihe's hands, it could have been stolen by this man.
"Leave the sachet with Uncle Sang. You may later verify my identity personally with Youyou." When facing those respected by Shen Xihe, Xiao Huayong spoke with amiability, even adopting the demeanor of a junior. "Today's visit serves two purposes: first, to inform Uncle Sang that Father-in-law is not seriously ill. The current situation has other reasons, which will be explained by the person responsible."
Following Xiao Huayong's gaze, Sang Yin saw another ethereally elegant young man emerge from the shadows behind him. His heart jolted in alarm—his residence housed numerous elite guards, with the gatekeepers being veterans who had retired due to severe battlefield injuries.
Not just his residence, but all prominent households in the Northwest followed this practice. These soldiers who had served with merit yet received little recognition, left disabled by war, remained in the generals' mansions as guards. Despite their physical limitations, their senses far surpassed those of ordinary guards.
That these two young men could move freely through his residence at such a young age... if they meant harm, everyone would be in grave danger.
"Uncle Sang, the Prince's hidden injury recurred after taking medicine I prepared. This is the treatment method, and my medicine..." Xie Yunhuai unreservedly shared the invaluable prescription with Sang Yin.
Their timing in approaching Sang Yin was deliberate: after today, Shen Yueshan's pulse would stabilize, something Sang Yin would inevitably detect. Additionally, they needed Sang Yin's assistance to help Xiao Huayong successfully abduct the target.
"Brilliant!" Sang Yin's eyes shone with admiration after hearing Xie Yunhuai's explanation, then sighed in respect. "Such boldness in youth commands this old man's admiration."
This method—first using potent medicine to aggravate the hidden injury, then treating it as a fresh wound—was something he had never considered. Though a lengthy process, it proved remarkably effective.
By now, Sang Yin largely believed Xiao Huayong and Xie Yunhuai. Xie Yunhuai had described Shen Yueshan's pulse with precise accuracy impossible without direct examination. Since Shen Yueshan's return, only Sang Yin had treated him.
Yet these two could infiltrate his residence—they might equally breach the Northwest King's mansion. Sang Yin needed personal verification.
"Uncle Sang, if you trust us, please place this incense in General Geng's bedroom today." Xiao Huayong presented Shen Xihe's benzoin incense.
The wooden container held a eucommia leaf at its end—Shen Xihe's characteristic touch. "The incense prepared by the Junzhu..."
Suddenly, Sang Yin connected all the overlooked details: If these two spoke truthfully, why hadn't the Prince been straightforward? Why let the Junzhu mislead them into believing Jiachen Crown Prince injured him? Why feign mortal illness?
This could only mean a deliberately laid trap for specific targets—and that target turned out to be...
Sang Yin refused to believe it!
He thought anyone might betray the Prince except Geng Liangcheng. Their bond was brotherly, longer than anyone else's allegiance to the Prince. The Geng family, like the Mo family, had supported the Shen clan for generations.
"Uncle Sang, you'll understand after visiting Youyou personally." Xiao Huayong declined further elaboration. As an outsider, his words alone couldn't convince Sang Yin.Thus, Sang Yin hurriedly went to the mansion again. His anxiety over Shen Yueshan’s illness made his haste seem unremarkable—at most, Geng Liangcheng and others assumed he had thought of another method to try, and they simply awaited the outcome.
When Sang Yin arrived at Shen Yueshan’s quarters, Shen Xihe was keeping vigil there. Not seeing Shen Yungan around and fearing eavesdroppers, Sang Yin only revealed the scented sachet to Shen Xihe while re-examining Shen Yueshan’s pulse, casting her an inquiring glance.
Upon seeing the sachet and meeting Sang Yin’s tense, evasive gaze, Shen Xihe slowly but firmly nodded.
That nod made Sang Yin’s feet slip, nearly causing him to stumble. Fortunately, Zhenzhu was nearby and steadied him in time.
A stalwart man who had remained calm through countless patients and bloody scenes, Sang Yin, for the first time, could not hold back his heart-wrenching tears.
Sang Yin left the Northwest King’s mansion weeping and returned to the Sang residence, shutting himself away. When news of this spread, Geng Liangcheng became convinced that Shen Yueshan was truly beyond saving and began scheming to send Shen Yungan away.
Upon returning home, Sang Yin found Xiao Huayong still there, though Xie Yunhuai had already departed. Xiao Huayong had stayed only to retrieve his scented sachet. He answered none of Sang Yin’s urgent questions but said before leaving, “Uncle Sang, if your family is captured by General Geng, do not worry—we will protect them.”
Without giving Sang Yin a chance to respond, Xiao Huayong vanished.
Clutching the benzoin in his hand, Sang Yin understood deeply: Xiao Huayong’s parting words meant Geng Liangcheng would use his family as leverage to force him to act against Shen Yungan.
If anyone could discreetly manipulate the fierce generals around Shen Yungan, it was Sang Yin. Whether veterans in their households or close aides, many owed him favors, and his character and relationships made him uniquely positioned to interfere undetected.
That night, as Geng Liangcheng fell into a deep sleep induced by the benzoin, Xiao Huayong personally arrived with Tianyuan to abduct him. The general, who had once dominated battlefields, showed no awareness of being moved—nor did his wife beside him stir.
With everything arranged outside, Xiao Huayong silently took Geng Liangcheng away.
Geng Liangcheng awoke shortly after, his neck aching as if he had been knocked unconscious, his body weak and powerless. Lifting his head, he saw a man seated before him.
Having accompanied Shen Yungan to protect Qian Wang’s mother and children in the capital, Geng Liangcheng had met Xiao Juesong before.
“General Geng, it has been a while,” said Xiao Huayong, impersonating Xiao Juesong. His voice, hoarse and weathered, differed significantly from the real Xiao Juesong’s, but Geng Liangcheng had never encountered the elder version.
The voice matched the expected age. Geng Liangcheng coldly retorted, “Why have you captured me?”
“To propose a transaction,” Xiao Huayong replied, smiling at him. “Since you could pledge allegiance to Your Majesty, why not to me? His Majesty may let you control the northwest, but I can make your dreams come true instantly.”
“What nonsense are you spouting? Do not try to sow discord…”"Hah." Xiao Huayong let out a light laugh, his eyes filled with mockery. "Without the Shen family, it's only natural for His Majesty to send someone to take over the Northwest. By then, you'll have to feign cooperation with the person appointed by His Majesty under the guise of assistance. You know very well that with the Shen family's precedent, even if you've made great contributions in overthrowing them, His Majesty won't allow you to become a second Shen Yueshan.
But if I first kidnap Shen Yungan, and you end Shen Yueshan's life earlier, with no one to lead them, you'll naturally step up."
"Even so, how do I become the Northwest King?" Geng Liangcheng questioned. "You said it yourself—His Majesty won't let me become the second Northwest King."
"But what if, at this moment, Shen Yungan dies tragically at the hands of His Majesty's men, say, through the distinctive killing methods of the Embroidered Uniform Envoys?" Xiao Juesong retorted.
If Shen Yungan were to die by the Embroidered Uniform Envoys' signature techniques at this time, they could rightfully demand an explanation from the court. How important are Shen Yueshan and his son in the Northwest? As long as His Majesty doesn't want to incite a rebellion in the Northwest, he'd have no choice but to provide a clear account.
Then, by adding fuel to the fire, he could force His Majesty to let him step in to pacify the situation. To entrust him with this task, he'd have to be granted the authority.
End of the three chapters. Good night, everyone. Tomorrow will bring a big update—at least ten thousand words, and as many as possible.
(End of Chapter)
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