Chapter 536: You Are the Best in This World
The phoenix mouthpiece held a pearl, its chain dangling long enough to brush her earlobes. The swaying pearls cast shimmering halos of light, accentuating her peerless beauty and causing Xiao Huayong to gaze at her with uncontrollable infatuation.
Yet Shen Xihe didn't notice his expression, her entire attention captured by Xiao Huayong's remark about inevitably clashing with Prince Jing. "It seems His Highness Prince Jing is also unwilling to remain subordinate to others."
When conflict arises between the Crown Prince and other princes, armed confrontation inevitably stems from contention for the throne.
"As imperial sons, having mastered both literary and martial arts, how many could resist developing ambitions?" Xiao Huayong actually understood these brothers quite well. Were he an ordinary prince instead of the Crown Prince, he might not have been willing to submit either.
Shen Xihe could also comprehend this perspective - it could be seen as a form of ambition. Moreover, any prince possessing both virtue and talent, with extraordinary intelligence, must have compelling reasons for lacking interest in the throne. It could only mean something more important occupied his pursuits, something he deemed more worthy than imperial power.
"Does His Majesty currently favor Prince Jing more?" Shen Xihe turned her head, lifting her chin to look up at Xiao Huayong as she asked.
This question gave Xiao Huayong pause. He lowered his gaze in contemplation before responding, "Youyou, I bear the murder of my father against him, and I disapprove of many of his methods and actions. But if you're asking whom His Majesty favors as successor, I truly cannot discern his intentions."
The Youning Emperor was an exceedingly peculiar ruler. He didn't concern himself with who would emerge victorious in the end, focusing instead on his personal achievements during his reign - whether he could become a widely praised enlightened monarch. As long as the empire didn't fall or get usurped by treacherous subjects, he seemed willing to accept any prince ascending the throne.
Xiao Huayong even faintly suspected that even himself, as long as he didn't overstep during the Emperor's reign, would be acceptable as successor. This might be one reason why the Youning Emperor could so calmly accept him as Crown Prince.
Shen Xihe stared in astonishment, her eyes widening as she regarded Xiao Huayong with disbelief.
Amused by her adorable expression, Xiao Huayong couldn't resist leaning down to briefly touch his lips to hers. "Do you find it hard to believe? I've been pondering His Majesty's mindset all these years, and when I reached this conclusion, I too questioned myself."
"His Majesty truly is an extraordinary man." Shen Xihe couldn't help but sigh. If she had to decipher such a person, she feared she would never grasp his thoughts. Her gaze toward Xiao Huayong held genuine admiration. "In understanding and judging people, I fall far short of you."
"Youyou has her own methods for calculating human hearts. Where I surpass you is merely having traveled more places and encountered more people over the years." He only prevailed in life experience.
Shen Xihe couldn't help lowering her head with a suppressed smile. She actually felt she had numerous shortcomings, yet in Xiao Huayong's eyes, she appeared flawless as jade. Even her weaknesses, he could explain away with countless reasonable justifications.
"Don't doubt it - in my eyes, you are the best in this world." Xiao Huayong cradled her face in his hands, devoutly kissing the spot between her eyebrows where the Hua Dian rested. "I must take my leave now. In two days, I can rightfully remain by your side."
The decoy leading His Majesty's men had already departed from Liangzhou. With two more days of travel, they would naturally reach the Northwest King's residence.
Though reluctant to part, Xiao Huayong departed resolutely. The slightest hesitation might have made him unable to lift his feet, unwilling to leave her side.Shen Xihe watched him climb out the window and leave, then couldn't help but stand up and walk to the window to see how he came and went so freely without being detected by the Northwest King's mansion guards.
Only when she stood by the window did she realize her courtyard was in the inner residence—the area with the weakest patrols. The patrols were sparse for two reasons: first, men and women were kept separate to avoid offending her; second, everyone knew her maids were all skilled in martial arts, with Moyu even capable of taking down many warriors in the military camp. Anyone who broke in would inevitably alert Moyu, who guarded Shen Xihe's room, followed by Zhenzhu, Biyu, and others on duty.
Harming Shen Xihe was even more difficult than harming the heir, because one first had to pass through layers of patrols to reach the inner residence, then simultaneously evade the dual protection of Moyu and Zhenzhu. Yet Xiao Huayong had slipped through unnoticed.
Avoiding patrols was his specialty. As for reaching Shen Xihe, as long as Shen Xihe gave no orders, Moyu would simply pretend not to see her own young master climbing through the window.
Shen Xihe lowered her head and chuckled softly, then instructed Moyu to rest. After having a bowl of bird's nest soup, she took Zhenzhu to Shen Yueshan's sickroom. As expected, today Sang Bo would make his move against Father.
She saw Shen Yungan again, who had kept vigil by Shen Yueshan's side all night. Looking at his haggard appearance and furrowed brow, she felt the urge several times to tell him the truth but held back.
Father said this was a trial the heir must endure to grow into a qualified family head. Only by experiencing such pain and despair—even if it was fabricated—could he remain unshaken and resilient in the future if someone tried to disturb his mind on the battlefield.
"Brother..." Shen Xihe picked up a bowl of still-warm meat porridge from the wooden tray held by a maid beside her. "Brother, have something to eat. Seeing you like this makes Youyou's heart ache."
Shen Yungan met Shen Xihe's worried and pained gaze, then looked at his father's worsening complexion. Realizing she was as worried about their father as he was, yet still had to care for him, he felt like a wretched older brother.
He quickly took the porridge Shen Xihe offered and gulped it down in a few large mouthfuls. After finishing, before Shen Xihe could take out a handkerchief, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve and forced a smile. "Youyou, don't worry. Brother won't collapse."
He couldn't collapse. If Father truly couldn't pull through this time, he would be his sister's only support.
A glimmer of tears flashed in Shen Xihe's eyes. In this life, having such a father and brother completely made up for the regret of never having met her mother. To her, her mother was distant—someone to respect and be grateful for—but just like Xiao Huayong's feelings toward Qian Wang, she felt no attachment whatsoever.
Yet she was different from Xiao Huayong. She had received such meticulous care from her father and brother that she never felt the lack of a mother's love was a great loss. Xiao Huayong, on the other hand, had experienced too many life-and-death struggles. He had grown indifferent to everything, becoming so strong that he no longer desired anything, which was why he remained so composed.
Thinking this, Shen Xihe suddenly felt a pang of heartache for Xiao Huayong. She felt she ought to be kinder to him. Perhaps she was the only desire in the life of the seemingly omnipotent Crown Prince.
"Heir, Crown Princess, the military physician has arrived," someone reported from outside.
Shen Xihe slowly raised her eyes, her obsidian pupils gleaming with a dark light.Shen Yungan had long been waiting with unbearable anxiety. He personally rushed out to greet Sang Yin and happened to meet him at the entrance. Grabbing Sang Yin’s arm, he strode inside: "Uncle Sang, I noticed Father’s condition has worsened. Please examine him quickly."
As Sang Yin entered, his eyes met Shen Xihe’s. With just one glance, they saw through each other’s thoughts.
(End of Chapter)
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