Chapter 534: Setting a Trap for His Majesty
Rouge smeared upon glistening temples, the canopy swayed with the creaking bed;
Spring's hues embraced in blissful union, warm fragrance deepened along the winding path.
After the clouds dispersed and rain ceased, Shen Xihe could no longer utter a sound, having succumbed to exhaustion in slumber at some point. Upon waking, she found Xiao Huayong still there, his long arm tightly encircling her. Unbidden, memories of last night's abandon surfaced, swiftly painting two blushes across her cheeks.
Just then, Xiao Huayong opened his eyes, startling Shen Xihe into a tremble. She pushed him away, scrambling over him to rise from the bed, only to nearly collapse from weakened legs. Fortunately, Xiao Huayong's quick reflexes caught her.
"Release me," Shen Xihe hissed, her voice hoarse.
Xiao Huayong's gaze darkened, knowing they were not in the Eastern Palace and time was pressing. He could not indulge recklessly. Reluctantly, he gave her soft waist a gentle squeeze before letting go.
"Zhenzhu, prepare the washbasin," Shen Xihe steadied herself and called outward.
Zhenzhu had kept watch outside the door all night, well aware of what had transpired. She brought in the long-prepared washing utensils. With many eyes and ears in the Northwest King's residence, and no telling who might be deceived by Geng Liangcheng, Zhenzhu dared not prepare two sets. Xiao Huayong waited for Shen Xihe to finish, then used hers without disdain—indeed, he seemed to relish it, even emitting a pleased sound from his throat.
Somewhat provocative, Shen Xihe shot him a few covert glares before he tempered his demeanor.
"In two days, I will send men to abduct your elder brother," Xiao Huayong walked behind Shen Xihe, who sat at the dressing table, and began applying her makeup himself. "We will act only after the men sent by His Majesty enter the northwest."
"Will His Majesty truly send men to the northwest?" Shen Xihe had wanted to ask last night, but then...
His Majesty's shrewdness was no less than theirs. With only Xiao Changfeng here, he would not act rashly. If he indeed dispatched men, there would be no turning back—any mishap would place the court at fault.
From the moment Shen Yueshan went missing, this affair had seemed unusual. Though Xiao Huayong leveraged the forces of Crown Prince Jiachen to provide a seemingly plausible explanation—that Shen Yueshan was ambushed and critically injured—could His Majesty not fear this was a play orchestrated by Shen Yueshan and Xiao Juesong together?
"I had someone fuel the flames, so naturally, His Majesty sent men," Xiao Huayong smiled faintly, his brow radiating triumph. "They merely entered the northwest disguised as a merchant caravan."
"Who?" Shen Xihe doubted anyone could persuade the Youning Emperor in this matter.
"The Fifth Prince," Xiao Huayong replied with a light laugh.
When the Youning Emperor received Xiao Changfeng's message—that Shen Yueshan was critically ill, and no doctor in the entire city could save him—he felt little joy. No longer the impulsive youth of his past, decades of life-and-death struggles had taught him that composure and rationality were what made him the perpetual victor.
Shen Yueshan was a mountain weighing on his heart, a threat he had dreaded for years. Against all other foes, he had some measure of confidence—whether the arrogant eunuchs or the overly righteous Gu Yun—he could discern their weaknesses and prescribe the right remedy.Only Shen Yueshan, the man he had spent the most time with—seemingly a tall, burly, and rough-mannered fellow—was the one from whom he could find no weakness. It had been difficult enough to detain Shen Xihe, Shen Yueshan’s most treasured person, in the capital, only to discover that Shen Xihe was no easy target either. She was remarkably like Shen Yueshan: resourceful, shrewd, and unfathomable.
"Changfeng reports that the Northwest King’s days are numbered," the Youning Emperor said to Liu Sanzhi.
Liu Sanzhi was startled. "Who could have injured the Northwest King so gravely?"
"According to the intelligence gathered by Changfeng, it was Xiao Juesong," the Youning Emperor replied.
"This..." Liu Sanzhi hesitated to speculate further. The Jiachen Crown Prince had already marched on the imperial retreat and openly challenged His Majesty, suggesting his forces were now formidable. Ambushing the Northwest King seemed entirely plausible, especially since the Northwest King was the very one who had cost him the throne.
"I cannot understand," the Youning Emperor mused. "My elder brother is so astute—how could he not realize that eliminating the Northwest King now would only remove a thorn in my side?" This alone made the Emperor suspect something was amiss.
By doing this, Xiao Juesong was accelerating the unification of imperial authority. Once the Emperor consolidated his power, where would Xiao Juesong find refuge? Where could he still stir up trouble?
Once the northwest was pacified, the Emperor would spare no effort, scouring every inch of land to root out Xiao Juesong.
Precisely because the northwest was not yet under his control, some officials relied on its influence to feign compliance with imperial decrees while secretly defying them. This prevented his orders from being met with immediate and universal obedience—a thorn in the Emperor’s side.
"This humble servant is too dull to grasp the intricacies of the matter," Liu Sanzhi said with a bow.
Such affairs were not for him to comment on. If it were true and he voiced doubts, only to have something happen in the northwest, he would bear the brunt of the Emperor’s wrath. If it were false and he affirmed it, misleading the Emperor’s judgment and causing setbacks, his crime would be unforgivable.
The Youning Emperor did not expect Liu Sanzhi to offer any insights. "Order the Embroidered Uniform Envoys to escort the Chief Imperial Physician to the northwest at top speed," he commanded.
As an emperor who cared for his subjects, it was only fitting that upon learning a high minister was critically ill, he send the finest physician to the northwest to demonstrate imperial concern. As for the truth of Shen Yueshan’s condition, the Embroidered Uniform Envoys could investigate discreetly.
"As you command," Liu Sanzhi acknowledged, bowing as he prepared to withdraw.
"Where is the Crown Prince?" the Emperor asked abruptly.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has entered Liangzhou and will arrive in the northwest in a few days..." Liu Sanzhi reported the updates from those shadowing Xiao Huayong.
"Still in Liangzhou?" the Emperor’s tone was unreadable.
Liu Sanzhi had no choice but to explain, "Reports from the front indicate that His Highness, while journeying northwest, first learned of the assassination attempt on the Crown Princess’s ship, then heard of her abduction at a relay station. Repeated bouts of rage and distress left him so unwell he could scarcely leave his bed. He has been traveling by carriage, but his health cannot endure the strain, hence the repeated delays..."
The Youning Emperor fell silent, lost in thought, then nodded absently and waved Liu Sanzhi away.
No sooner had Liu Sanzhi withdrawn than a eunuch entered to announce, "Your Majesty, Prince Xin requests an audience."
"Admit him."
The Emperor wondered what had brought Xiao Changqing. Since Lady Gu’s death, Xiao Changqing had rarely sought an audience voluntarily. The last time was for the sake of Lady Gu’s younger half-sister. When he was born, the Emperor had bestowed upon him the name "Changqing" ("enduring love"). Little did he expect the name would prove prophetic, shaping him into a man of profound and lasting affection.
"Your Majesty, your son has received a secret report from his maternal uncle. It seems the Great General Who Guards the Nation in the northwest is plotting rebellion," Xiao Changqing said, presenting the confidential letter to the Youning Emperor.There is only one Great General Who Guards the Nation in the northwest, and that is Geng Liangcheng.
The Youning Emperor finally realized what had been nagging at him—regarding the matter of Shen Yueshan, Geng Liangcheng had not sent a single word to the capital!
(End of Chapter)
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