The Ministry of War was assigned to Xiao Changyan to appease and compensate the Pei family, while also allowing His Majesty to see whether the person stirring up trouble behind the scenes could tarnish Xiao Changyan's reputation as well.
"Prince Xin probably never expected that after all his efforts, Jing Wang would reap the benefits," Shen Xihe remarked with a raised eyebrow.
"After causing His Majesty so much frustration for so long, the Fifth Prince has long since vented his displeasure. He has no interest in this position, so it matters little to him who ends up with it," Xiao Huayong, however, did not believe Xiao Changqing would be resentful.
"And you?" Shen Xihe's luminous eyes met Xiao Huayong's gaze. "Jing Wang, despite his youth, has become one of the Six Ministers. He poses the greatest threat to your position."
"Threat?" Xiao Huayong savored the word. "In this world, I only allow you to be a threat to me. As for a mere Minister of War—if I am pleased, he may have it; if I am not, he can forget it."
Listen to how arrogant he sounded! He did not even regard Xiao Changyan's imminent appointment as one of the Six Ministers as worthy of attention.
"Among my brothers, aside from the Second Prince, none are likely to care," Xiao Huayong added.
Those with true capability do not harbor jealousy—they either climb up on their own or pull down those who stand in their way. Only those who can neither advance nor remove obstacles will feel bitter and complain of injustice.
Mention of Zhao Wang reminded Shen Xihe that he, too, was a notable figure. As the eldest surviving son of the Emperor and the only prince with offspring, he was clearly the most advantaged candidate, especially when the Crown Prince was viewed unfavorably. He ought to have been in the spotlight, yet unless deliberately brought up, even Shen Xihe would inadvertently overlook him.
Xiao Huayong claimed he lacked ability, but Shen Xihe did not think Xiao Huayong had misjudged him. That assessment was merely Xiao Huayong's conclusion relative to himself. In Shen Xihe's view, Zhao Wang was exceptionally skilled at remaining hidden—silent and seemingly unambitious, yet steadily and methodically advancing step by step.
Bringing up Zhao Wang, Shen Xihe was reminded of another matter: "Zhao Wang should be getting married soon."
Last year, Xiao Changmin and Yu Sangzi were betrothed by imperial decree. The wedding, arranged by the Ministry of Rites to avoid clashing with the Crown Prince's nuptials, was scheduled for July—now just a month away.
Yu Sangning would never allow Yu Sangzi to become a princess, as that would eliminate her own chances of marrying into the imperial family. Even marrying Xiao Changfeng was out of the question—the Yu family lacked the prestigious status of the Shen family and held no political value for the Youning Emperor to exploit.
Due to Shen Xihe's influence, Xiao Changfeng had been temporarily transferred to the northwest by the Emperor. Yu Sangning, having missed her chance to win Xiao Changfeng's favor, now found the Emperor intending to betroth Shen Yingluo to him. Her only recourse was to scheme against Yu Sangzi and take her place in marrying Xiao Changmin.
As couples often engage in casual conversation, Shen Xihe shared this matter with Xiao Huayong as idle chatter.
"A mere concubine-born daughter of a marquis household? And she has such ambitions?" Xiao Huayong laughed upon hearing it, disbelieving that Yu Sangning possessed such capability.
Ultimately, Xiao Huayong was still a man, sharing common male traits, though his tolerance and vision far surpassed those of ordinary men, making him exceptionally distinctive. He had never paid attention to the young ladies of the capital, merely reasoning based on the rules of imperial marriages.Xiao Changmin is a prince and imperial clansman, not some character from a storybook where a bride can be swapped right before the wedding and accepted once the bridal chamber is entered. In our dynasty's grand weddings, brides do not wear veils but only hold round fans to cover their faces, making it impossible to substitute anyone. Even if she had a way to swap after entering the bridal chamber, it would be a crime of deceiving the sovereign. An imperial marriage treated so frivolously—if this illegitimate daughter has ambition, she should also have the brains to know that such actions would be enough to cost the entire Yu clan, including herself, their heads.
Even if her elder sister met an unfortunate fate before the wedding, it would not be this illegitimate daughter's place to fill in. If a royal prince wishes to marry, who could he not wed?
"You must not underestimate young women. Some, if they wish to accomplish something, will succeed no matter how difficult," Shen Xihe, however, felt that based on her intuition and her judgment of Yu Sangning's inability to resist the lure of power and wealth, Yu Sangning would surely succeed.
"Youyou, since you have such confidence, why don't we watch together how this illegitimate daughter of the Marquis' household stirs up trouble and becomes our imperial sister-in-law?" Having nothing better to do, watching a play—though Xiao Huayong held little regard for women's dramas—was something he was willing to indulge in since his wife enjoyed it. "How about we make a bet, Your Highness? I bet she will succeed. If I win, you owe me one favor." Shen Xihe's eyes sparkled as she spoke.
She didn't particularly care whether Yu Sangning succeeded, nor did she have any real request for Xiao Huayong. It was just a sudden whim that made her say it.
Xiao Huayong instinctively wanted to say, "I'd do anything for you without a bet," but fortunately, he held his tongue. His usually slow-witted mind suddenly sharpened in the face of his wife's charming smile: "If I win, will Youyou also grant me one favor?"
"Both of us can only be spectators, no interference." She didn't want Xiao Huayong meddling just to win.
"Deal. How amusing." Xiao Huayong was genuinely intrigued now.
Yu Sangning had no idea that her affairs had become a pastime for the bored Eastern Palace couple.
In truth, she thought much like Shen Xihe—somewhat disappointed that she hadn't interacted more with Xiao Changfeng during this period. Hearing palace rumors that His Majesty intended to bestow County Lord Huaiyang upon Xiao Changfeng in marriage, yet Xiao Changfeng remained her best choice, she was unwilling to give up so easily. She resolved to make one final effort.
She found out the route Xiao Changfeng took after his duties and picked a day to wait for him.
"Second Miss Yu, is there something you need here?" Because of the civet cat incident, Xiao Changfeng felt obliged to greet her when he saw her.
"I came here specifically to wait for Your Highness," Yu Sangning spoke with some trepidation.
"Is there something you need my help with?" Xiao Changfeng asked.
Yu Sangning looked at Xiao Changfeng, as if mustering her courage: "I have long admired Your Highness. I wonder if I might have the honor of staying by your side."
Xiao Changfeng was somewhat surprised. He looked at her small face flushed red, her legs stiff with unease, her spine rigid, yet she still feigned composure.
In these liberal times, young men and women often took the initiative in confessing feelings, with young women being particularly bold and free-spirited. However, noblewomen were still bound by etiquette. Though many young women admired Xiao Changfeng, Yu Sangning was the first to stand before him so bluntly.
Xiao Changfeng responded courteously: "Thank you for your misplaced affection, Second Miss Yu. I already have someone in my heart."Just moments ago, His Majesty had mentioned his marriage arrangement with Shen Yingluo. To say he was fond of her would be insincere, but when His Majesty brought it up, he did not reject the idea. Feeling that marrying her wouldn't be a bad match, he agreed.
"Is... is it County Lord Huaiyang?" Yu Sangning asked, her face pale.
"Yes."
Yu Sangning closed her eyes, two crystal tears tracing down her cheeks. She forced a faint smile: "Then... then I wish His Highness achieves all his desires and enjoys endless blessings in the future..."
Having said this, Yu Sangning turned and walked away. As the distance between her and Xiao Changfeng grew, a shadow of gloom gradually surfaced in her eyes.
Now, she had only one path left.
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