In the forest, Xiao Changtai could have been killed along with his subordinates, yet Shen Xihe brought him out alive, clearly intending something else.
"At someone's request," Shen Xihe said, instructing Zhenzhu to fetch a box. While Zhenzhu was away, she relayed Ye Wantang's words to Xiao Huayong. By the time she finished, Zhenzhu had returned with the box, which Shen Xihe handed to Xiao Huayong. "This contains the location of Xiao Changtai's remaining hidden wealth, along with the key and map to retrieve it."
Xiao Huayong took the box. Both he and Shen Xihe knew the money was ill-gotten. The tomb-raiding case had already been closed and couldn't be reopened to compensate the families, especially since most of the funds had been squandered by Xiao Changtai, making full restitution impossible. Given the money's dubious origins, neither of them wished to keep it for themselves.
Naturally, Xiao Huayong wouldn't leave this hot potato in Shen Xihe's hands. Holding the box, he pondered for a moment before saying, "Let's use it for charitable donations. It can accumulate merit for the desecrated tombs' families."
This was the best solution Xiao Huayong could devise, and Shen Xihe agreed it was the safest approach. "But under whose name?"
Shen Xihe had no intention of using her or Xiao Huayong's name, as that would still seem like profiting from it.
"Leave it to Hua Fuhai. He'll handle it properly," Xiao Huayong felt such a minor matter didn't require his personal attention.
Shen Xihe suggested, "I'll have Qi Pei assist Hua Taoyi, so he can learn more."
"You honor my people by entrusting them, Youyou. I'm delighted," Xiao Huayong was more than pleased with this arrangement, as it gradually merged their influence, blurring the lines between them.
The less formal Shen Xihe was with him, the happier he became.
Shen Xihe smiled and discussed other matters briefly before urging Xiao Huayong to rest further. Having exhausted his energy and fought Xiao Changtai through the night without sleep, Xiao Huayong obediently complied.
Once Xiao Huayong was sound asleep again, Shen Xihe lit some Tranquilizing Incense and quietly left the room.
Outside, Zhenzhu reported that Xiao Changtai had woken up: "Ye Shi sent someone to ask when she can see him."
"What has Ye Shi done since arriving here?" Shen Xihe inquired.
"Nothing at all. She's been staying quietly, not even speaking half a word to anyone." Her only communication was to request an audience with Xiao Changtai.
Shen Xihe paused, thought for a moment, sighed deeply, and said, "Have Mo Yuan escort him over."
Mo Yuan administered a Tendon-softening Drug to Xiao Changtai before untying him and delivering him to Ye Wantang's room. Prior to this, Ye Wantang had sent another request to Shen Xihe for a feast and a pot of fine Yichun Wine.
Yichun Wine was Xiao Changtai's favorite—a tribute wine since the Jin Dynasty, continuing as such into the current dynasty.
Acquiring fine Yichun Wine was difficult, especially in the northwest. Shen Xihe ordered Zhenzhu to ask Tianyuan, who promptly procured a pot of excellent Yichun Wine rivaling the tribute quality.
"Grant any further requests she has," Shen Xihe instructed Zhenzhu as she moved to another room to handle follow-up matters.When the Yichun Wine was brought to the bedchamber, Ye Wantang made no further requests. Once Xiao Changtai was escorted into the room, she dismissed the servants, leaving only the two of them inside.
Xiao Changtai leaned weakly against the side, his face pale and devoid of strength, unable even to stand. Hearing the rustle of the beaded curtain, he lifted his gaze to see Ye Wantang, adorned in lavish attire, part the beads and step gracefully toward him.
She was truly beautiful—her hair elegantly swept up, adorned with gold hairpins embedded with jewels, draped in fine silks, her movements measured and graceful. The long train of her gown flowed behind her, exuding an air of nobility that made him reminisce about the day she had married him in a grand procession ten miles long, just as captivating then, holding his gaze spellbound. "Wanwan..." Xiao Changtai's voice was faint and feeble.
A delicate Hua Dian adorned the center of her forehead, accentuating her clear, gentle eyes. She studied him for a moment before settling beside him, arranging dishes for him. Sensing that he might not even have the strength to hold chopsticks, she rolled up her sleeves and brought his favorite dishes to his lips.
But Xiao Changtai did not open his mouth.
Ye Wantang smiled self-deprecatingly, placing the food from the chopsticks onto her own plate. Picking up her own chopsticks, she ate in front of him, chewing slowly as she watched his disheveled state. "Did you think that, seeing you fallen, I would kill you to claim credit?"
"I never meant that..." Xiao Changtai would never doubt Ye Wantang; he simply did not trust anyone else in this place.
Understanding his meaning, Ye Wantang's smile deepened. "In our current situation, if someone wanted us dead, why would they bother with poison?"
Xiao Changtai remained silent.
Ye Wantang did not press further. Instead, she began feeding him again, and this time, Xiao Changtai ate whatever she offered. Only after he had eaten his fill did Ye Wantang begin her own meal, lost in thought as she ate.
Noticing her unusual expression, Xiao Changtai waited until she had nearly finished before speaking. "Wanwan, you should return to the capital..."
His words made her arm stiffen. She paused, set down her chopsticks, and met his gaze with gentle eyes. "I can't go back..."
From the moment she had risked everything to leave with Xiao Changtai, she had known it would be the final decision of her life. If she had chosen correctly, they would forget the past and live freely, enjoying the remainder of their days in peace. If she had chosen wrongly, it would be a path of no return.
"Wanwan..."
"I lied to you." Before Xiao Changtai could speak, Ye Wantang interrupted him. She picked up the wine jug and poured two cups. "That day, when I said I regretted marrying you, it was merely words spoken in anger. Even now, I cannot let go of you."
Her smile turned sorrowful. "I hate myself for being like this. How did I become this person? Before I married, I thought that if I married the wrong person, I could withdraw in time. Even if I couldn't divorce, I would protect my heart..."
Tears welled in her eyes as she slowly turned her gaze away from Xiao Changtai, staring vacantly ahead. "Only now do I realize how naive and foolish I was back then. Some feelings are etched into the marrow of your bones. Unless you carve out the flesh and scrape the bones, how can you break free?"
"Wanwan." Xiao Changtai's eyes reddened as well.
"I truly...truly love you deeply, unable to extricate myself. I keep thinking, why couldn't you have been crueler to me? Since you love power, why not take more concubines to strengthen your influence? If you had, perhaps I would have seen things clearly sooner and freed myself earlier..."Startled by a sudden realization, Xiao Changtai was engulfed in overwhelming dread: "I refuse to take a concubine only to keep Your Majesty from prematurely detecting my ambitions—not out of the sincere devotion you imagined!"
Tears that had been welling in Ye Wantang's eyes now streamed down uncontrollably. She lifted the wine cup before her: "I never wished for you to contend for the Dragon Throne in the Hall of Bright Governance, because... what you see is the path to supreme imperial power; what I see is the deepest tomb of the netherworld."
Having spoken, Ye Wantang threw her head back and drained the cup in one swift motion.
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