The war did not end with Geng Liangcheng's death. Shen Yungan's appearance greatly boosted the morale of the Tingzhou army, making their fight against the enemy exceptionally fervent. However, the conflict extended far beyond this. The Mongols, neighboring the Turks, took advantage of the situation to begin harassing Yunzhou.
Meanwhile, within the Northwest region, minor armed conflicts erupted in places such as Kucha and Gongyue City.
All these were personally quelled by Shen Yueshan. Yes, Shen Yueshan took charge himself. He did not go to Tingzhou but instead traveled westward from Xizhou, using this incident to conduct a thorough cleansing of the entire Northwest. Not only were Youning Emperor's spies eliminated, but the spies of others were also completely eradicated.
When the Northwest King's city learned that Shen Yueshan was not dead, the entire place erupted in celebration. Surprisingly, no one felt deceived by Shen Yueshan. They did not know why the Northwest King had returned from the dead, nor did they care to uncover the truth. All they knew was that they had not lost their God of War, their King!
As long as the Prince lived, the Northwest would become increasingly stable, and their lives would grow more secure and prosperous.
Shen Xihe left the Northwest King's city but left Xiao Changfeng behind. Since their candid conversation where masks were shed, Shen Xihe had been unrestrained in front of him. Even if Xiao Changfeng wanted to follow, Shen Xihe would not allow it.
Witnessing the city's jubilant celebrations, as lively as welcoming the New Year, was even more shocking and emotionally complex for Xiao Changfeng than the sorrow that had engulfed the city during Shen Yueshan's feigned death.
In the Northwest, the Northwest King was like a deity—an unshakable presence.
Your Majesty faced immense difficulty in trying to reclaim the Northwest. At this moment, Xiao Changfeng finally understood why Your Majesty dared not act rashly and could not easily move against the three Shen father and sons. If Your Majesty were to take action, unless it was done without a trace, even if the Northwest King did not rebel, the people of the Northwest would likely seek to establish their own territory.
He had previously told Shen Xihe that he could incite the people, and at that time, Shen Xihe had been full of mockery and scorn. Only now did Xiao Changfeng understand where Shen Xihe's confidence came from.
Standing on the city wall, Xiao Changfeng watched the surrounding laughter and joy. Some people were so excited they ran to spread the news, some knelt to kowtow in gratitude to heaven and earth, and some families even wept with joy and embraced each other.
He reflected that for Shen Yueshan to earn such deep affection from the Northwest people, he must have dedicated unimaginable effort and sacrifice to the region.
During his time in the Northwest, observing the words and actions of the Shen father and sons, they did not seem like people with rebellious intentions. If they could coexist peacefully with Your Majesty, it might be a mutually beneficial outcome.
But...
Your Majesty had his profound considerations and worries, and the Northwest King had his own constraints and concerns.
Neither was wrong; it was just that some matters had never been about right or wrong.
Shen Xihe was unaware of Xiao Changfeng's thoughts. By now, she had successfully met Ye Wantang. Ye Wantang's face was pale, her entire being exuding an air of decay, and the usual warmth and softness in her eyes had vanished.
"I knew you would find me," Ye Wantang said, a flicker of admiration passing through her lifeless eyes.
Xiao Changfeng had used force against her, fearing she might attempt suicide, and with urgent matters at hand, he had stationed many people to watch her. Yet Shen Xihe had still located her and subdued these guards.
"I told you before, I hoped you would not come seeking me," Shen Xihe said with a hint of regret.Ye Wantang was once one of the Nine Unrivaled Talents of the Capital. Born into a noble family, she was gentle, dignified, intelligent, and elegant. Had she not encountered Xiao Changtai, even if she had married a noble son who wasn't entirely devoted to her, she could have lived a comfortable life. Without the entanglements of love and hatred, there would have been no pain or sorrow, nor would she have ended up with a heart turned to ashes.
Ye Wantang lowered her head and smiled bitterly, "I should have seen through it earlier, should have sobered up sooner." It's just that my heart couldn't bear to let go, making it hard to move on..."
Many times she had opportunities to see Xiao Changtai clearly, but because she couldn't completely give up on him, she always turned a blind eye, deceiving herself and naively hoping and imagining everything in a positive light.
Shen Xihe didn't wish to discuss this with her and said, "You sought me out for a reason?"
Ye Wantang lifted her head, slowly concealing the emotions in her eyes. She gazed calmly at Shen Xihe, "I heard that the Northwest King is safe and sound. Upon careful reflection, all of this was likely part of your plan from the beginning. I don't know what your goal is, but I am certain that by now, he must have fallen into your trap. I wish to see him one last time."
"You're so sure he will be defeated?" Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow.
Ye Wantang smiled bitterly, "The fact that you can see me means his defeat is inevitable."
Xiao Changtai's people couldn't bypass Shen Xihe, and Shen Xihe's swift arrival to meet her was proof of the strength of the couple, Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong.
"When you say 'see him one last time,' you mean..." Shen Xihe asked.
Ye Wantang was lost in thought for a moment, "Regardless of whether he is alive or dead, I just want to see him once."
Shen Xihe nodded. If Ye Wantang had insisted on seeing him alive, it might have been difficult to arrange. "I will do my best."
As she spoke, Shen Xihe stood up and glanced around, asking, "Do you want to leave with me now?"
"Aren't you going to ask what I can offer?" Ye Wantang was surprised.
She had made a request to see Xiao Changtai, yet Shen Xihe had agreed without stating any conditions.
Shen Xihe turned to look at her, "Even if I don't ask, won't you still offer? You are a person who knows your limits."
Distractedly, Ye Wantang looked at Shen Xihe, feeling a sense of familiarity, and couldn't help but say, "At times, you remind me of an old friend, yet you are also very different from her."
Her former close friend Gu Qingzhi was equally intelligent and wise, but overly aloof. In Gu Qingzhi, there was more of a pride that looked down upon others and a cold detachment. In Shen Xihe, it was different—it was a composure that radiated from deep within, born of extreme self-confidence.
Shen Xihe didn't respond to this, merely looking faintly at Ye Wantang.
"He has a stash of treasure, and I know where it's hidden. Three days ago, he sent a letter to the capital, stating that the Jiachen Crown Prince is in the Turkic camp and must have connections with someone in the capital." This was all Ye Wantang knew.
Shen Xihe's gaze suddenly darkened.
Xiao Changtai had sent a message to the capital mentioning the Jiachen Crown Prince. In the capital, there was only one person who would fear Xiao Juesong—the Youning Emperor!
He must have been unable to contact the Youning Emperor directly, but he would always have people left in the capital, such as Ye Qi, who would naturally have a way to deliver the news of Xiao Juesong's whereabouts to the emperor.
If the Youning Emperor learned of Xiao Juesong's location, he would surely spare no effort to intercept and kill him. He would never allow this formidable threat to escape once again.And the fact that Xiao Juesong was impersonated by Xiao Huayong—almost instantly, Shen Xihe realized that Xiao Changtai might have already guessed. If he were to send a message claiming that Xiao Huayong was here stirring up trouble, the Youning Emperor would be half-skeptical, even if he mostly believed it, and would not take drastic action.
But if it were Xiao Juesong, the situation would be entirely different.
Xiao Changtai intended to use the Youning Emperor’s hand to silence witnesses by killing them!
She rushed out swiftly, retrieved the bone whistle, and blew it. Only by finding Haidongqing could she quickly locate Xiao Huayong!
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