The people are bound to petition for clemency. From the beginning of spring until now, for over half a year, Dengzhou has not seen a single drop of rain. The populace was already anxious, and after the Imperial Observatory's erroneous prediction shattered their hopes, they now resemble people tossed by towering waves in the deep sea—desperately clinging to even the faintest glimmer of hope.
To the common folk, granting amnesty to the Imperial Harem merely means releasing some palace maids, yet it might very well bring about a life-saving downpour that delivers millions from suffering. Even if it's not a certainty, it is still worth attempting.
This reasoning is clear to everyone, and naturally, the Youning Emperor understands it as well. From the moment Xiao Changqing proposed this amnesty for the Imperial Harem, the Emperor had no choice but to grant it, whether he wished to or not.
"His Majesty intends to ascertain whether Prince Xin is truly the one fanning the flames in Dengzhou," Shen Xihe instantly grasped the situation.
The people of Dengzhou couldn't have learned of Xiao Changqing's proposal so quickly. Among the court officials, those with influence know their limits and would not interfere at such a time, preferring to protect themselves. Those without influence wouldn't dare step forward, and perhaps couldn't even fathom the Emperor's deeper intentions.
"Fifth Prince is no fool. His Majesty is destined to be disappointed." Xiao Huayong took the scissors from Shen Xihe's hand, bent down, and began trimming the Eucommia Leaf bonsai before her.
This bonsai was a gift from him to Shen Xihe before their marriage, and she cherished it deeply. Even when they moved to the temporary palace, she brought it along. Since their wedding, she had personally taken care of it—pruning its branches, watering it daily—never entrusting the task to anyone else. Only Xiao Huayong was permitted to touch it.
He didn't dwell on whether her attachment stemmed from her love for Eucommia Leaves or because it was his gift. He simply assumed the latter—that her treasuring of this object was equivalent to treasuring the affection he held for her.
Shen Xihe shifted her position to give Xiao Huayong more space to work. As autumn set in, the Eucommia Leaves began shedding their green attire, donning golden hues instead. Occasionally, the gilded edges enveloped traces of green emerging from the central veins, creating a uniquely pleasing sight.
"This is your way of giving Prince Xin a chance to vindicate himself." Xiao Changqing must have already arranged for someone to widely disseminate his words in Dengzhou today, stirring the hearts of every commoner there. However, he intended to use others as proxies to create confusion.
This way, even if Prince Jing Xiao Changyan and the Emperor had already uncovered evidence suggesting that Xiao Changqing was likely behind the leak of the Imperial Observatory's rain prediction and the ensuing civil unrest, the emergence of a third party would cast doubt—leaving them uncertain about who was truly pulling the strings.
Xiao Changqing had not guarded against Xiao Huayong and, having not engaged in any major schemes in Dengzhou, had grown complacent. Xiao Huayong seized on a minor issue, exaggerating it until Xiao Changqing had no choice but to personally propose the amnesty for the Imperial Harem on Shen Xihe's behalf, in exchange for Xiao Huayong backing down.
Although Xiao Huayong withdrew, the traces of his earlier actions in Dengzhou remained. To completely cover his tracks and leave the Emperor uncertain whether he had been involved in the affairs in Dengzhou, the only option was to seize the opportunity to shift the blame onto someone else.
If Xiao Changqing's proposal to pray for rain through the amnesty of the Imperial Harem were spread by others, it would muddy the waters, effectively clearing his name. This was far preferable to allowing the Emperor to harbor suspicions toward him due to the earlier incident with the Imperial Observatory."We shall simply watch from the sidelines." With a crisp snip, Xiao Huayong trimmed away an excess branch, his profound eyes catching the light yet remaining so silent it was intimidating. Setting down the shears, he picked up the fallen leaves, twirling them between his fingers. "Youyou, remember this—you have me, and the people I've entrusted to you. Both I and those I've nurtured are at your disposal, and others can be utilized as well."
Xiao Huayong never doubted Shen Xihe's intelligence. He had noticed early on that her actions mirrored her personality—solitary and independent, never relying on others, always handling matters personally.
Take this recent amnesty in the Imperial Harem, for instance. The beneficiary would inevitably be her. If Shen Xihe had proposed it herself, the Youning Emperor would not have readily agreed. For her to achieve her goal before the rains came, she would likely have had to confront the emperor directly or place herself in a passive and perilous position.
Shen Xihe was not blind to these risks, yet she still chose to act alone, never considering leveraging others as he did.
It wasn't that she lacked the courage, wisdom, or capability to orchestrate such maneuvers—it was simply her ingrained way of operating.
She seemed averse to alliances, averse to enmities, and especially averse to entanglements with others. She relied solely on her own strength—not out of stubborn pride or reckless bravery, but as a deeply ingrained habit. Xiao Huayong found it puzzling. Typically, such a solitary approach stemmed from a life of isolation, where cruelty and indifference taught one to trust and depend only on oneself, forsaking all hope in others.
By all accounts, Shen Xihe had been doted on by Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan. How had she developed such a heartbreakingly aloof self-reliance?
Shen Xihe paused slightly, lowering her lashes like butterfly wings. "Father and Brother are often away. If I asked, they would surely indulge me, but I am already a burden to them. I could only strive to handle things myself."
In her youth, Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan were rarely home. Amidst the Beacon Fires, relentless foreign threats, and endless warfare, she always watched them don their gleaming armor and depart, only to return stained with blood.
Countless needs lodged in her throat, unspoken—she dared not and could not bear to voice them. Gradually, she learned to scheme alone, growing accustomed to managing major affairs without troubling others.
"But you're right to remind me," Shen Xihe conceded. "This habit of mine is flawed. I will change it in the future." She had her shortcomings, but until someone pointed them out, she hadn't even been aware of them.
Her prompt admission and promise to improve left Xiao Huayong swallowing the words on his tongue. He grasped her hand solemnly. "Youyou, I hope you remember—you are my wife. I know you are not a woman who clings to a man, but I still wish for you to lean on me, to trust me. I am different from your father and brother. They bear the weight of guarding the nation's gates, whereas I can devote myself entirely to your welfare.
And naturally, if I ever have requests of you, I will voice them without reservation."
From this moment on, could she begin to acclimate and remember that there was someone standing behind her?
This entirely novel notion, reflected in his bottomless eyes, inexplicably struck Shen Xihe as not so difficult to accept. Her gaze softened. "Very well."
Xiao Huayong admired this about Shen Xihe—her candor and integrity, her willingness to follow her heart without deceiving others or herself.Due to the urgency of the situation, the commoners in Dengzhou began stirring restlessly that very afternoon. Villagers from various regions indeed submitted a joint petition requesting Your Majesty to grant amnesty to the Imperial Harem. The astonishing speed of this mobilization suggested it had been prearranged.
Xiao Changyan observed the endless stream of citizens kneeling along the streets, completely blocking the thoroughfares. He had no choice but to deliver the petition to the imperial lodge while discreetly apprehending the ringleaders. After intense interrogation, it was revealed these individuals were under Zhao Wang Xiao Changmin's command.
Thus Shen Xihe learned that Xiao Changqing had chosen Xiao Changmin as the scapegoat.
[Note: The promotional paragraph about the novel has been omitted from translation as it falls outside the narrative content.]
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