"When My Flower Blooms, All Others Wither" - Search for the latest chapter!
Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changying were both appalled by Xiao Huayong's shamelessness.
Could Xiao Changqing refuse?
Of course not!
It wasn't that he had no way to resolve the crisis, but the key was that his weakness was in Xiao Huayong's hands! If he wanted to find another solution, he first needed Xiao Huayong to show mercy.
If he were to leave now, Xiao Huayong would expose his leaking of the Imperial Observatory's rainfall prediction date. With these concrete evidences, even if the evidence inciting civil unrest was fabricated by Xiao Huayong later, as long as he couldn't prove he was framed by someone else, even if the evidence couldn't prove it was his doing, with no other suspect identified, His Majesty's wrath would inevitably fall upon him!
This accusation, he had to bear it whether he wanted to or not!
"How do you want me to inform His Majesty?" Xiao Changqing asked gravely.
"Palace maidens, confined deep within the palace, accumulate excessive yin energy, thus drought runs rampant." Xiao Huayong gave him seventeen characters.
Not only Xiao Changqing, but even Xiao Changying suddenly looked up.
So...
So, Xiao Huayong's elaborate schemes were all for the purpose of cleansing the Imperial Harem for Shen Xihe!
All three were deeply shaken, with Shen Xihe experiencing the mildest turmoil in her heart, because this wasn't the first time Xiao Huayong had gone to such great lengths for her - both fulfilling her needs and desires while protecting her thoroughly without any gaps.
Xiao Changqing couldn't help but think of himself. When he married Gu Qingzhi, he was still young and his wings weren't yet fully grown. He had exhausted all means to plan and strive for her benefit, but she didn't need it, didn't value it, neither refusing nor delighting in it, treating all his offerings as dispensable.
It seemed that as a husband, whether he was good or bad, it didn't affect her in the slightest.
However, he couldn't reach the extent that Xiao Huayong had, yet now he realized that such profound devotion still existed in this world.
Xiao Huayong couldn't possibly not know what kind of woman Shen Xihe was - her intelligence and methods, and Shen Xihe's purpose in choosing him as her husband was also crystal clear. Yet this wise Xiao Huayong was staking everything so recklessly, letting Shen Xihe grasp great power, completely unconcerned that one day he might become Shen Shi's stepping stone to seize the empire and overthrow the dynasty, becoming the eternal sinner of the Xiao imperial clan!
Xiao Changying's mind went completely blank. He had believed his feelings for Shen Xihe were deep, silently protecting her. Only at this moment did he understand that Shen Xihe's choice of Xiao Huayong might not merely be for the legitimate heir's status or the Eastern Palace's benefits.
Only Xiao Huayong could be so unrestrained in his wholehearted devotion to her, without being constrained by others or having to make concessions for anyone else.
He couldn't do that - he still had his birth mother and siblings. Even if he could protect her with all his might, he couldn't abandon everything for her. But Xiao Huayong could, and at this moment Xiao Changying believed it too.
Xiao Changqing snapped back to reality, noticing his younger brother's emotional state, and sighed almost imperceptibly. He stood up and said to Xiao Huayong: "I understand the Crown Prince's intention. I won't disturb the Crown Prince further."
After speaking, he left with Xiao Changying.
As Xiao Changying walked out the main gate, he couldn't help turning back for one deep look before catching up with his brother: "Brother, we are not his equal."
When he said "we," he meant his feelings for Shen Xihe, and Xiao Changqing's for Gu Qingzhi - both had believed their devotion was profound and meaningful. But compared to Xiao Huayong, they felt ashamed of their own inadequacy.
Xiao Changqing admitted this too, smiling bitterly: "Perhaps... this is why I was destined to have no lasting connection with her."After a long silence, Xiao Changqing added in a muffled voice, "But I've done my utmost."
He truly had given his all, offering everything he could to her. That he couldn't achieve what Xiao Huayong had was perhaps because he lacked Xiao Huayong's capabilities. In the end, he simply wasn't worthy of her.
Seeing his elder brother's pained and sorrowful expression, Xiao Changying felt a pang of heartache and regretted bringing up the topic. He changed the subject, "Brother, could the Crown Prince be setting a trap for you? Might this date be a deception?"
After all, Xiao Huayong had personally stated that nothing was absolute, and the Imperial Observatory had already made a mistake before. Xiao Changying was still worried.
Xiao Changqing shook his head slightly, "It's most likely true. If the Crown Prince had known about this matter earlier, he wouldn't have limited its use to just this occasion. There are many ways he could have exploited it. It must be the Crown Princess who obtained the information. She wants to grasp the palace authority and purge the Imperial Harem—this is the fastest and most effective method. She doesn't want to miss this golden opportunity."
"If she misses this chance, the Imperial Harem's intricate networks will make it difficult to clean up one by one. Not only would it be challenging, but she would also inevitably gain a reputation for being narrow-minded, cruel, and bloodthirsty."
"If my speculation is correct, it must be the Crown Princess who insisted on this course of action. The Crown Prince couldn't bear to let her take the risk, so he hastily pushed me to the forefront at the last moment."
This was also why the matter in Dengzhou had been so rushed, catching him and everyone else off guard. It didn't seem like a premeditated plan.
It wasn't arrogance on his part—even if someone had to be pushed forward, Xiao Huayong wouldn't have easily chosen him. Given ample time, the second brother would have been the best choice, or failing that, the third brother.
He didn't believe Xiao Huayong feared him, but when making a choice, everyone would pick the easiest target.
"In that case, there's still risk involved. Why don't I go instead..."
Xiao Changqing raised his hand to stop Xiao Changying, feeling a warmth in his heart, "Since the Crown Princess dares to take such a risk, it must mean the likelihood of rain on that day is very high. Am I inferior to a woman? Moreover... there are benefits to be gained from this matter..."
As the two brothers gradually walked away, Shen Xihe's gaze fell upon Xiao Huayong, her emotions momentarily complex.
"Youyou, are you moved by me?" Xiao Huayong took her hand and, with a slight tug, seated her on his lap.
Even as husband and wife, Shen Xihe disliked such intimacy during the day, especially such improper behavior. She struggled slightly, but Xiao Huayong held her firmly without relenting, stating matter-of-factly, "I'm just claiming credit and seeking a reward."
Unable to break free, Shen Xihe stiffened her body and allowed him to hold her, as if truly fulfilling his so-called "claiming credit."
Sensing her stiffness and discomfort, Xiao Huayong reluctantly released her, "I've made you uneasy. I'm not comparing you to those frivolous women, nor do I mean to disrespect you in any way. I just wish we could be more uninhibited with each other."
"I know. It's not your fault—it's mine..." The upbringing and etiquette ingrained in her over the years were difficult to break overnight. She could only take his hand actively and look at him sincerely, "Thank you.""
"Thank me for what? We're husband and wife—there's no need for thanks. Protecting you and solving your troubles is only natural." Xiao Huayong clasped her hand in return.
"No, I'm not thanking you for protecting me." Shen Xihe's luminous eyes shimmered with a soft glow, gentle and profound, as if flowing straight into one's heart. "I'm thanking you... for making me feel what it's like to be cherished and held in the palm of someone's hand."I can feel being held in the palm of your hand.
Xiao Huayong's heart skipped a beat, his throat moving as he suppressed certain emotions. "Doesn't Father-in-law and Brother do the same?"
"Father and Brother treat me with extreme caution. If what I do might harm myself in any way, no matter how slight or unlikely, Father and Brother would strictly guard against it and never allow me to proceed..."
But you're different. You would support me, help me achieve my goals, while still protecting me.
This is probably what it truly feels like to be held in the palm of someone's hand.
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