Tao Shi had grown up bound by the conventional constraints placed upon women, yet in managing her husband, raising her children, and strategizing within the household, she was far from ordinary. Just as when she first heard about Xiao Shi and, unable to steady her emotions, went into premature labor—though she could have been saved and lived another three to five years—she resolutely chose to die.
She knew that only her life could forever shame Xiao Shi, turn His Majesty from righteous justification to culpability in this matter, and to the greatest extent protect the future interests of her children for the rest of their lives.
She had thought of everything back then. Since Shen Yueshan and Xiao Shi had already consummated their relationship, and though the chance of pregnancy was slim, it could not be ignored. Thus, she made arrangements early on.
Tan Shi owed Tao Shi a life-saving favor. Tao Shi had rescued her from her husband’s abuse, facilitated her divorce to escape the Devil’s Lair, and even arranged for her to work in a wealthy household to support herself and learn skills.
On her deathbed, Tao Shi sent a letter to Tan Shi: if Xiao Shi was not pregnant, so be it; but if she was, Tan Shi must use her skills to enter the Shen residence and become the child’s wet nurse. Regardless of the child’s gender, there was no need to harm or ruin them—only to teach the child to distinguish right from wrong.
"Mother..." Shen Xihe felt as if something had struck her chest fiercely. She was deeply shaken, no less than when she had learned that Tao Shi could have lived but chose to sacrifice three to five years for the long-term benefit of her, her father, and her brother.
Three to five years might have brought a turnaround, but she had never considered any such possibility.
"Father said that by doing this, Mother did not hate this child. Since we are Mother’s children, we ought to have her magnanimity," Shen Yungan said, somewhat ashamed. "In this regard, I am not as good as Youyou."
From beginning to end, Shen Xihe had never hated Shen Yingluo or felt the slightest resentment. But before learning the truth, Shen Yungan had been unable to cross that psychological barrier.
"Youyou takes after her mother," Xiao Huayong sighed in admiration of his mother-in-law’s wisdom, foresight, and broad-mindedness.
"To forgive others is to forgive oneself," Shen Xihe recalled a piece of calligraphy left by her mother, six characters written in Tao Shi’s own hand.
Unless it reached a life-or-death struggle, forgiving others was ultimately forgiving oneself.
Just like Shen Yungan—before knowing the truth, he could not accept Shen Yingluo’s existence. Yet, bound by his shared bloodline with Shen Yueshan, he could do nothing to her, only tormenting himself inwardly. What good did that do him?
But once he crossed that barrier and no longer resented Shen Yingluo’s presence, his own heart felt lighter, and he was no longer troubled.
"When will Youyou take me to pay respects at Mother’s grave? I, as her son-in-law, have yet to formally visit her," Xiao Huayong seized the opportunity to voice what had been weighing on his mind since the conversation turned to Tao Shi.
He ought to offer incense to Tao Shi. Though she was buried in the Northwest, he had hoped Shen Xihe would take the initiative to suggest it. Yet, after several days here and with all matters resolved, she had not mentioned it, leaving him somewhat disheartened.
If the mountain won’t come to me, then I must go to the mountain.
"I originally planned to wait until after Brother’s wedding, as we would take Qiao Qiao to pay respects as well. We can go together," Shen Xihe had genuinely intended this.
The reason for this arrangement was Xiao Huayong’s special status as the Crown Prince. Traditionally, when a Crown Prince visits his wife’s family, it is the parents-in-law who bow to their son-in-law, not the other way around—how could parents-in-law receive bows from the Crown Prince?Shen Xihe valued propriety and had never considered specifically bringing Xiao Huayong to kowtow and offer incense. However, not offering incense at all was unacceptable, so she devised a compromise: they would accompany her elder brother and sister-in-law. In this way, neither Xiao Huayong nor she would be the main focus, and simply offering incense would suffice, leaving no room for dissatisfaction.
The unresolved tensions between the Northwest and the court meant that while Shen Yueshan’s generals had accepted Xiao Huayong, they still could not fully embrace his identity as the Crown Prince. If Shen Xihe deliberately took him to pay respects to her mother, it would be acceptable if Xiao Huayong knelt in reverence. But if he did not, the uncles and elders would inevitably interpret it as the court looking down upon the people of the Northwest.
Although Shen Xihe believed Xiao Huayong would certainly kneel, she was unwilling to take the risk of potential conflict.
"A daughter-in-law is a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law is a son-in-law." After a moment's thought, Xiao Huayong understood Shen Xihe’s dilemma and considered everyone’s perspective. "Here, I am not the Crown Prince—only your husband." Having heard this, Shen Xihe said, "I will have Zhenzhu make the preparations. Tomorrow, I will take you to meet Mother."
Xiao Huayong was satisfied.
At the same time, Shen Yingluo received replies from both Shen Xihe and her father, each containing only a single sentence.
Shen Yueshan: "Marriage concerns a lifetime matter. I hope you will deliberate with care and gravity."
As a father, whether it was Shen Xihe or Shen Yingluo, he did not interfere in whom they wished to marry. The choice was entirely their own.
Shen Xihe: "A daughter of the Shen Family does not yield to coercion, does not settle for less, and does not act against her conscience."
After reading Shen Yueshan’s letter, Shen Yingluo stared at Shen Xihe’s words for a long, long time, until tears welled in her eyes. In the end, she did not let them fall.
Not yielding to coercion, not settling for less, not making choices against one’s will—this was the privilege of a daughter of the Shen Family.
Her elder sister was telling her that as long as she bore the surname Shen, the family would stand behind her.
While Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong enjoyed their blissful days in the Northwest, the court was in turmoil. Several candidates poised to succeed as Minister of War encountered successive scandals, with their secrets and flaws exposed. Before Pei Zhan’s body had even grown cold, the court was already embroiled in fierce contention.
One morning court session, the Youning Emperor nearly fainted from rage.
Someone was stirring up trouble, yet no one could discern who it was. No one appeared to be benefiting from the chaos, nor was anyone conspicuously agitating. It seemed as though someone was merely using the vacancy of the Minister of War to provoke conflict, without any apparent motive for personal gain.
No one believed that anyone would create such turmoil without aiming to secure the position of Minister of War. This effectively concealed the mastermind, Xiao Changqing.
Xiao Huayong was in no hurry to return, wishing to avoid involvement in the foul and chaotic affairs. He allowed Xiao Changqing to stir up chaos, ensuring that the Emperor could not assign the matter to him for resolution.
By the fifth month, as Shen Yungan’s wedding approached, the entire Northwest King’s city was adorned in red, filled with jubilant celebrations. To the uninformed, it seemed as though every household was simultaneously celebrating a wedding.
Standing atop the city wall, Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe observed the scene. He remarked, "Our wedding could not compare to your elder brother’s."
"You already put great effort into our wedding," Shen Xihe replied, satisfied with the ceremony. After all, given the Crown Prince’s status, certain protocols had to be followed.Xiao Huayong held Shen Xihe's shoulder: "Though I was slightly outshone by my elder brother at the grand wedding, my betrothal gifts are certainly beyond his match."
"Betrothal gifts?" Shen Xihe pondered and realized it was true—no one could surpass the Crown Prince's betrothal gifts except the Emperor and Empress.
Knowing she misunderstood, he lifted his gaze toward the thriving northwest: "Clearing the northwest is my betrothal gift to you. Are you pleased?"
Facing the wind at the city gate, Shen Xihe looked at Xiao Huayong—tall, poised, with calm and restrained features—and smiled gently: "Pleased, very much pleased."
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