Chapter 537: The Northwest King Returns to Heaven
After exchanging nods, Shen Xihe stepped aside, allowing Sang Yin to approach. Sang Yin checked Shen Yueshan's pulse, steadied his mind, and said, "Young Master, do not worry. I have devised a prescription over the past two days and will now try it on the King."
Sang Yin had already brought the prepared herbs and insisted on decocting the medicine himself. The formula was concocted by Xie Yunhuai. After Shen Yueshan took it, he would temporarily exhibit symptoms of red and blue discoloration all over his body that night. At that point, Shen Yueshan would feign breathlessness, creating a false death.
Subsequently, Sui Axi would use silver needles to acupuncturally seal his meridians. Even imperial physicians would be unable to detect any anomalies.
Geng Liangcheng was extremely cunning, and Sang Yin feared he might have backup plans, such as poisoning the medicine. Hence, he remained by the stove throughout the decoction process. His actions would not alert Geng Liangcheng to suspicion but would instead make him believe Sang Yin was being cautious or guilty, further convincing him that Sang Yin was poisoning the King.
As Sang Yin anticipated, Geng Liangcheng did send people to the Northwest King's residence. However, due to the close brotherhood between them, such visits were commonplace, and the servants were accustomed to them, never suspecting any ulterior motives.
Unfortunately for Geng Liangcheng, Sang Yin stood guard the entire time, leaving his men no opportunity to interfere. By the time the medicine was ready and Sang Yin personally destroyed the dregs, they had failed to tamper with it and could only return to report.
Upon hearing this, Geng Liangcheng was not angered but smiled, convinced that Sang Yin's caution confirmed the success of their plan.
Thus, he went directly to the Northwest King's residence, timing his arrival to meet Sang Yin departing at the main gate. He asked, "When?"
Sang Yin did not reply but merely gestured. Geng Liangcheng understood the timing and entered satisfied. As they passed each other, it appeared to onlookers as nothing more than a casual greeting between acquaintances, revealing no conspiracy.
Geng Liangcheng pretended to visit Shen Yueshan but did not stay long. Soon, his arranged subordinate came to fetch him, claiming urgent matters required his attention, and he left promptly.
He went to the place where he had previously been abducted by Xiao Huayong, seeking the man he believed to be Xiao Juesong.
Xiao Huayong, already aware of his return, had disguised himself and was waiting.
"The deed is done. Shen Yueshan will not survive the night. When will you act?" Now only Shen Yungan remained as a thorn in his side, but he could not eliminate him personally and had to rely on the man before him.
Xiao Huayong took a sip of tea. "No rush. When the men sent by Your Majesty enter the city, that will be the time to ambush Shen Yungan."
"With Shen Yueshan's death today, Shen Yungan will surely be occupied with funeral arrangements at the residence. How will you abduct him?" Geng Liangcheng frowned, his eyes filled with doubt and impatience. He knew the Northwest King's residence would be chaotic with mourners, leaving no chance for action.
Xiao Huayong looked up from his tea, his gaze deep and oppressive. "I will say this for the last time: how I conduct my affairs is none of your concern. You need only wait patiently."
"I..." Geng Liangcheng suppressed the anger in his chest. "I am merely concerned that when the imperial envoys arrive, it will be even harder to act."
Xiao Huayong sneered. "If Shen Yungan disappears before the imperial envoys even reach the Northwest, and he dies by the unique methods of the Embroidered Uniform Envoys, who could they possibly argue with?"To enter the royal city, the inspection of travel permits and household registrations was no less stringent than entering the capital. If someone had infiltrated, it would be like slapping their own face, proving that the defenses of the Northwest King's city were lax—essentially handing a weapon to Your Majesty.
Geng Liangcheng realized he had acted too hastily, driven by fear of being outmaneuvered by the man before him. He took a deep breath, clasped his fists, and said, "I was reckless. I beg the Crown Prince's forgiveness."
"If there is nothing else, you may leave." From start to finish, Xiao Huayong maintained the demeanor of a superior toward Geng Liangcheng.
This deeply displeased Geng Liangcheng, but he knew that impatience could ruin grand plans. Now was not the time to turn hostile. With a stiff expression, he silently withdrew.
The moment he turned away, Xiao Huayong added, "Using my name this time, I will let it slide. If there is a next time... I will make it a reality."
Geng Liangcheng's heart trembled. He had secretly abducted his own family and Sang Yin's under the guise of Jiachen Crown Prince's orders, a move he believed was undetectable—even Meng Hu and others hadn't noticed. Yet Xiao Juesong knew!
Suddenly, Geng Liangcheng felt as if a pair of eyes hidden in the shadows were watching his every move, making him uneasy, yet he couldn't pinpoint where Xiao Juesong's gaze lurked.
Returning to his residence, he grew anxious and restless. Xiao Juesong seemed too dangerous, but without him, Geng Liangcheng had no one to rely on. Only by allying with Xiao Juesong could he achieve his ambitions in the northwest. However, he doubted whether he could break free from Xiao Juesong's control after becoming the Northwest King.
Summoning his trusted aide for counsel, the aide advised, "General, we are on the brink of success. We must not falter now. No matter how cunning Xiao Juesong is, he has his weaknesses. Once you control the northwest and command the same fear as the king did from His Majesty, you can join forces with the emperor to eliminate him. Then, the northwest will be entirely yours."
These words reassured Geng Liangcheng.
Xiao Huayong was unaware of this. Had he known, he would have laughed at the delusions of the master and servant. After dismissing Geng Liangcheng, he swiftly left the city to reunite with his double and resume his own identity.
By the time he switched back at the nearest relay station to the Northwest King's city, dusk had fallen. Suddenly, he grew intensely uneasy and insisted on traveling through the night. Despite the persuasion from his companions, they had no choice but to ride swiftly with him.
Just as their group reached the city gates, they heard the mournful blare of a long horn. Three blasts, and the entire Northwest King's city lit up as bright as day. Every household ignited oil lamps, and even nearby villages, upon hearing the sound, lit lamps they usually spared.
Three long horn blasts signaled the death of the commander.
Their king, the god of the northwest, the backbone of the region, was gone.
Before even entering the city, Xiao Huayong heard waves of weeping and wailing. Reining in his horse, he looked up to see the guards at the gate kneeling, tears streaming down their faces in an instant. Their eyes were dazed, as if struggling to process the news of the Northwest King's passing, yet grief overwhelmed them uncontrollably.
This was Shen Yueshan's stature in the northwest—such citywide mourning, such deep-rooted reverence. Even the emperor's death in the capital might not evoke such a scene.Xiao Huayong charged toward the city gate, revealed his identity, then galloped all the way to the Northwest King's residence. The entire route was brightly lit, with nearly every household hanging white lanterns. Those without white lanterns hurriedly removed the ones hanging at their doorways.
The crowd surrounding the entrance to the Northwest King's residence stretched for miles ahead, leaving not the slightest gap to squeeze through. Beneath the night sky, mournful cries of grief swirled in desolate sorrow.
Good night, see you tomorrow.
(End of Chapter)
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