The Pei family was nearly wiped out during the Annan Rebellion years ago, leaving only Xiao Changyan's maternal uncle, Pei Zhan. Pei Zhan had only one son named Pei Ce, who had been serving as Xiao Changyan's military advisor and deputy general over the years, guarding Annan City.
With Pei Zhan's death in the northwest, His Majesty could not possibly leave the sole heir Pei Ce in Annan City. As Pei Zhan's nephew, Xiao Changyan would inevitably return for matters like his uncle's burial. The fact that he remained in the capital indicated he would not be returning to Annan City.
"What does Eighth Brother wish to ask?" Xiao Huayong inquired gently, adopting the posture of a caring elder brother.
Xiao Changyan met Xiao Huayong's gaze: "Where did my uncle die, and what was the cause?"
"That day, Minister Pei came to see me, saying His Majesty had ordered him to handle affairs outside. I didn't inquire further and granted him permission. Exhausted from travel, I took to bed upon reaching Tingzhou. The next day, I heard Minister Pei had been ambushed at Danxia and tragically killed," Xiao Huayong spoke slowly. "I ordered Xun Wang to prepare Minister Pei's remains. As for why Minister Pei left and how he died, I am unaware."
"Why did Your Highness go to Tingzhou?" Xiao Changyan pressed.
"It's a long story..."
Xiao Huayong sighed deeply before explaining how Shen Yueshan had accidentally discovered his right-hand man's betrayal. To maintain northwest stability by capturing this traitor, Shen Yueshan had to feign death. Shen Yungan, being privy to the plan, had followed Geng Liangcheng to Tingzhou.
Given the secrecy of the matter, the Shen father and son hadn't informed anyone. When the heir apparent went missing, everyone grew anxious. Someone reported sighting the heir, and with the urgent situation, Shen Xihe had to remain in the royal city, so Xiao Huayong had pursued the lead.
He hadn't originally planned to bring Minister Pei along—it was Minister Pei who volunteered.
Xiao Changyan remained expressionless. A veteran of the battlefield, even standing still, he resembled an upright sword—honed by bloodshed, radiating sharpness and intimidation without effort.
"I've heard of General Geng. Since he betrayed, the Northwest King and heir apparent's elaborate measures are understandable," Xiao Changyan conceded, then pivoted sharply. "The Crown Princess, being married out, and given the secrecy, it's reasonable not to inform her, even to maintain deception."
"But if the Northwest King and heir apparent were so cautious? The heir knows the northwest intimately. Shouldn't his route to Tingzhou have been meticulously planned? Yet his tracks were discovered? Were they not afraid this would reach Geng Liangcheng's ears, allowing him to see through the scheme early?"
Listening nearby, Shen Xihe slightly raised her eyebrows, thinking how sharp Xiao Changyan's mind was.
From the incident's occurrence till now, numerous clever people had been involved, yet none noticed this slightly illogical flaw. Only Xiao Changyan could pinpoint it with precision.
Xiao Huayong seemed to ponder seriously: "I don't know why that was. Perhaps the heir deliberately leaked it to someone trustworthy at the palace, or maybe someone greedy for reward stumbled upon it by accident? With time pressing, I had to believe it rather than dismiss it."
Xiao Huayong's two explanations were quite reasonable. Shen Yungan couldn't openly disclose such crucial records, so finding ways to hint at them wasn't unreasonable. If it truly was Shen Yungan's setup, since he dared to do it, he likely had methods to keep it hidden from Geng Liangcheng.As if accepting the answer given by Xiao Huayong, Xiao Changyan did not press further on the matter and immediately posed another question: "Geng Liangcheng is a seasoned veteran and a fierce general of the northwest. He once garrisoned Tingzhou. If he had colluded with the Turks, he would not have failed to find a way to capture Tingzhou but instead allowed the enemy to enter through the city gates.
Moreover, if he had colluded with the Turks, he should not have pretended to fall into their hands immediately upon arriving in Tingzhou without making any preparations!"
"Your point is well taken, Eighth Brother," Xiao Huayong replied with his usual composure. "Regarding this, after Geng's wife sacrificed her life to prove his innocence, the Northwest King, together with the Protector-General of Tingzhou and several senior generals, investigated the matter. Geng Liangcheng's collusion with the Turks occurred after his capture. In truth, he had long secretly pledged allegiance to our elusive and mysterious elder cousin."
Xiao Changyan's gaze darkened. "So, Crown Prince, are you suggesting that Jiachen Crown Prince masterminded this from behind the scenes? Geng Liangcheng was turned by him, the Northwest King feigned death to lure the enemy out, and then Jiachen Crown Prince incited the chaos in Tingzhou, with General Geng volunteering to join forces with him?"
"That is my interpretation," Xiao Huayong nodded.
Xiao Changyan studied Xiao Huayong for a long moment before clasping his hands in salute. "Thank you, Crown Prince, for enlightening me. I shall not disturb you further and beg your leave to retire."
"Eighth Brother, as you wish," Xiao Huayong made no attempt to detain him.
After Xiao Changyan had departed, Shen Xihe remarked, "I had thought Prince Xin was resourceful and Xiao Changtai cunning, but it seems Prince Jing is the one who has been hiding his true depths."
Xiao Changyan's every word just now had been probing, yet his tone and demeanor showed no hint of suspicion toward Xiao Huayong. Still, each point struck at the heart of the matter.
"Without me, those three could have staged quite a spectacle," Xiao Huayong chuckled softly.
If Xiao Changtai had not fallen into his hands, he would not have been forced into this predicament so early. In the entire court, perhaps only Xiao Changqing had any inkling of Xiao Changtai's disguise, but exposing it would not have been easy.
With a three-way standoff, if Xiao Changqing were also determined to claim the throne, it would inevitably lead to a thrilling struggle.
Xiao Huayong's words carried a tone of effortless ease in dealing with these individuals. Under normal circumstances, Shen Xihe would have reminded him not to become overconfident, but now she could not be bothered. Neither His Majesty nor Xiao Changtai had gained any advantage over him.
Considering herself intelligent, Shen Xihe could not help but wonder how this man's mind worked, truly capable of turning clouds with one hand and rain with the other, treating the realm as his chessboard and all under heaven as his pieces, acting as he pleased.
"Is Prince Jing planning to remain in the capital?" Shen Xihe asked.
"Yes," Xiao Huayong nodded. "The Pei family now only has his younger cousin left. If he doesn't stay, he fears Pei Ce will become the next Pei Zhan."
"So he's willing to relinquish control of Annan City just like that?" Shen Xihe felt it was not that simple.
Xiao Huayong smiled faintly. "If your father-in-law came to the capital with your elder brother, could the northwest fall into someone else's hands?"
"Not for two or three years," she replied. Over a longer period, it might be uncertain.
"He has already cultivated enough trusted aides in Annan City; his presence is no longer necessary. Now that his wings are fully grown, if he does not return to the capital, there will be little room for him to maneuver here. Moreover, Pei Zhan's death also presents an opportunity for him." Xiao Huayong smiled mysteriously.Shen Xihe did not need to inquire further; with just a slight thought, she could figure it out: "The Minister of War."
The Minister of War had been used by Xiao Changqing to cause trouble for Your Majesty, and the matter remained unresolved to this day. Your Majesty felt guilty about Pei Zhan's death, while Xiao Changyan had military achievements to his name.
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