"Beichen, what ingenious craftsmanship." Shen Xihe toyed with the box in her hand.
The box's connecting axis was cleverly designed—neither too loose, preventing it from flipping when turned upside down, nor too tight, allowing it to turn over with a gentle flick. The incense sticks were neatly bundled at the ends with fine strings, making them easy to retrieve from the top.
"Merely folk tricks, hardly worth mentioning," Xiao Huayong replied with a smile in his eyes.
"Do you know how to perform such tricks?" Shen Xihe shifted her gaze from the box, asking out of curiosity.
She asked because she felt Xiao Huayong seemed capable of everything.
However, Xiao Huayong truly did not know any tricks, but he would never admit defeat: "Not at the moment..."
It didn't matter if he didn't know—he could learn: "In a few days, after I've studied it, I'll put on a show for Youyou."
She reached out, offering the box to Xiao Huayong. When he extended his hand, she didn't place it in his palm but moved it aside, instead grasping his hand with her other hand: "You are the Crown Prince. Your hand can wield a brush, defeat enemies, and rule the world. There's no need for you to delve into such things. Simply invite skilled performers to the Princess Manor on a chosen day to showcase their art."
Shen Xihe wasn't looking down on these skills—if she were, she wouldn't have wanted to watch. She simply felt that Xiao Huayong needn't waste his time on them. If those in high positions had to handle everything personally and dabble in every field, their lives would be far too exhausting.
"I only devote my thoughts and efforts to you," Xiao Huayong countered, clasping her hand in return.
"Good. Since I forbid it, you must obey," Shen Xihe declared assertively, tilting her chin slightly.
Since Xiao Huayong had first met Shen Xihe, she had mostly been composed, knowing when to advance and retreat, understanding what was important—a person so rational she seemed almost cold-blooded. Later, she learned to smile, from distant and faint smiles to genuine ones, all gradually nurtured by Xiao Huayong.
This was the first time she had so unceremoniously issued him a command, finally showing a trace of the willfulness she reserved for her father and brothers. Xiao Huayong gazed at her, his eyes overflowing with tenderness.
Meeting his lingering gaze, Shen Xihe couldn't help but sigh inwardly: This fool...
She waved a hand in front of his eyes: "Did you hear what I said?"
Snapping out of his reverie, Xiao Huayong's lips curved into a soft, clean smile, like clouds gently parting. He pressed her hand against his chest: "Not only did I hear it, but every word resonated in my heart."
Seemingly accustomed to his smooth-talking and effortless sweet nothings, Shen Xihe shook her head in resignation. Yet, a hint of indulgent smile at the corner of her lips betrayed the warmth in her heart.
While tenderness flourished on one side, on the other, the Youning Emperor returned to his assigned meditation room in a furious rage. Had it not been a sacred Buddhist site, blood would surely have been shed that day. As for whose blood, it would depend on who was unfortunate enough to cross his path.
Everyone knew the Emperor was suppressing his fury and wisely kept their distance, most fearful of being summoned by His Majesty at such a moment.
Liu Sanzhi kept his head bowed, obediently attending to the Youning Emperor. He understood that the Emperor wouldn't vent his anger on him, so he waited silently to see if anyone would foolishly present themselves. If no one did, he wouldn't hesitate to pick out those who had erred and offer them up to appease the Emperor's wrath.However, Liu Sanzhi never expected that the person who had rushed over was actually Shu Fei. Upon hearing the announcement of Shu Fei’s request for an audience, Liu Sanzhi frowned. The Emperor truly favored Shu Fei. After a moment’s thought, he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Lady Shu Fei requests an audience."
The Youning Emperor, his face cold and his expression imposing, glanced at Liu Sanzhi. "Send her away."
Liu Sanzhi had anticipated this. The Emperor held a genuine affection for Shu Fei and did not want her to bear the brunt of his anger at this moment.
Unfortunately, before he could step out to dismiss Shu Fei, she barged in on her own. At the sight of her pushing the door open, the Youning Emperor slammed the table, stood up, and rebuked her, "How dare you!"
Shu Fei fell to her knees with a thud. "I know Your Majesty is displeased at this moment. If you are upset, vent your anger on me. I am Your Majesty’s person, after all. If it were someone else, they might secretly criticize Your Majesty for being unpredictable in your moods."
"You—"
The Youning Emperor was enraged, but Shu Fei stubbornly lifted her face. The concern in her eyes for him dissipated much of the anger in his chest. He sighed, stepped forward, and helped her to her feet. "Go back. I have been on the throne for over twenty years. If I couldn’t endure even this much frustration, I would have passed away long ago..."
"Your Majesty, do not speak such words. I cannot bear to hear them." Shu Fei pressed her soft, delicate fingertips gently against the Emperor’s lips, her brows furrowed with worry. "Although I have not been by Your Majesty’s side for long, I have long heard from the Empress Dowager of Your Majesty’s valor. In my heart, Your Majesty is the sovereign of this great dynasty, destined to reign for ten thousand years."
"You... are like a child," the Youning Emperor sighed softly, his expression softening slightly.
"Your Majesty, I... have just thought of a solution," Shu Fei said hesitantly.
"A solution?" The Youning Emperor raised an eyebrow. "You’ve thought of a way to restore my reputation?"
What nonsense about the Son of Heaven, about being equal to the heavens, about deities and buddhas not daring to accept his worship—it was all just a pretext. In previous years, the Youning Emperor had performed numerous rituals without incident. This was the first time such a thing had happened. Forcing such explanations would not silence the people; instead, it would make them even more skeptical.
In truth, the Youning Emperor was not overly concerned about whether the people believed these words. As long as the nation remained prosperous and peaceful, the uproar would eventually subside. What worried him was that someone might exploit this incident to fabricate some major disaster or calamity, using it to validate the idea that the prayer ritual had gone awry.
It was precisely because the clues were vague and he had no idea what these people would do next that the Youning Emperor was so infuriated.
"Your Majesty must pardon my offense before I dare to speak," Shu Fei said cautiously.
Seeing her timid demeanor, the Youning Emperor couldn’t help but laugh. "Speak freely. I pardon you."
A radiant smile, bright as the sun, spread across Shu Fei’s beautiful face. I have heard about the prayer incident. Why do those old ministers only think of words that harm Your Majesty? Why must the anomaly with the incense be interpreted as the heavens not protecting Your Majesty? Why must it be that the heavens refuse Your Majesty’s worship?"
Her enchanting eyes sparkled with indignation as she continued, "Why can’t it be a warning from the heavens that someone intends to harm Your Majesty?"
Her words struck him like a wake-up call.
The bizarre incident during the incense offering had led everyone to believe it was an ill omen. Even the Youning Emperor himself had thought it was an attack on his reputation.Why can't they view this matter from a different perspective? As the Son of Heaven, when he faces great calamity, it is only natural that Heaven would send him warnings. This further proves he follows the Mandate of Heaven. The Youning Emperor suddenly saw the light and grasped Shu Fei by the shoulders, pulling her into his embrace: "You truly are my understanding blossom."
"This humble consort merely thought this way in my heart. I do not deserve Your Majesty's praise," Shu Fei replied modestly.
This was what Shen Xihe had taught her—she would never have thought of such things herself. Shen Xihe wanted to see whether the Youning Emperor would pin the blame for this unfavorable incident on her. If he did, she could use that very force to counterattack and deal with Noble Consort Rong.
When that time came, it would surely be an earth-shattering spectacle.
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