Shen Xihe tactfully expressed that she held Xiao Huayong in her heart, which delighted the Crown Prince so much he was nearly dancing with joy.
His gaze practically glued itself to Shen Xihe, as if afraid she would vanish the moment he blinked, and all that had transpired would prove to be nothing but a fleeting dream.
In the past, Shen Xihe had been extremely uncomfortable under Xiao Huayong's persistent and fervent gaze, and even now she felt the same unease. She could only sigh helplessly and strive to ignore it.
While the couple remained engrossed in each other, the Youning Emperor, separated by several courtyards, wore an expression of deep frost. He clutched a memorial in his hand—an urgent report from Jiangnan. The disaster in Dengzhou was not merely a local concern but one that resonated throughout the empire. Jiangnan, a land blessed with talent and prosperity, produced the majority of scholars selected in the triennial imperial examinations.
Scholars were adept at advocating for justice through their writings. The document in the Emperor's hand contained essays from Jiangnan literati, many already veiling criticisms—linking the Dengzhou disaster to the peculiarities of the prayer ceremonies, then connecting it to Prince Xin's kneeling plea for a general pardon in the Imperial Harem, and the Emperor's delayed response. Though not explicitly stated, anyone with a modicum of intelligence could read between the lines.
How could news travel so swiftly between distant Dengzhou, Jiangnan, and the temporary palace? Xiao Changqing had only knelt in the courtyard for a day and a night. The petition from the people of Dengzhou, bearing Shu Han's name, had just reached him, yet Jiangnan was already reacting. Since when had communication between north and south become as instantaneous as between neighbors?
Clearly, someone was deliberately manipulating events—a subtle threat to the throne. But who was pulling the strings behind the scenes?
There were many suspects, with the foremost being Xiao Changqing kneeling outside and the seemingly compliant Eastern Palace. Others could not be ruled out either.
Yet there was no time to dwell on this now. Without granting a general pardon to the Imperial Harem, he would be branded a licentious and incompetent ruler!
"Summon him inside," the Youning Emperor commanded coldly.
Liu Sanzhi hurried out and instructed two eunuchs to assist Xiao Changqing, whose legs had gone numb from kneeling day and night, into the chamber.
The Emperor fixed his gaze on Xiao Changqing, who remained composed despite his stiff knees, still kneeling upright with a straight back. "If I issue an edict pardoning the Imperial Harem and rain does not fall in Dengzhou, you will be guilty of sowing discord and destabilizing the court. Executing you would be no excessive punishment!"
Xiao Changqing showed no change in expression. His weary eyes, bloodshot though they were, still gleamed with unyielding resolve. "The people cannot wait long. I implore Your Majesty to issue the decree at once and proclaim it to the realm. If rain does not fall within three days, I am willing to atone with my death!"
This step of gambling with life and death was precisely what Xiao Huayong had been unwilling to let Shen Xihe risk.
Xiao Changqing understood the current situation clearly: Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe did not wish for his death and would not scheme against him. Yet, as Xiao Huayong had said, unforeseen changes could always occur. Even the Imperial Observatory could misjudge the weather—after all, who in this world could truly divine heaven's will correctly every single time?
Knowing this, he was still willing to stake his life in this wager with the Emperor because, should the unexpected happen, he could follow the example of the former Fourth Prince and fake his death to shed his royal identity. With Xiao Jiu still around, he could operate from behind the scenes without the constraints of his status.
There were things he could not do as Prince Xin, but as a man without title or position, he could act without restraint.
Of course, being Prince Xin had its advantages as well. Each path had its pros and cons, but in any case, the loss to him would not be significant.Youning Emperor narrowed his eyes. Earlier, he had also summoned officials from the Imperial Observatory, whose evasive responses clearly indicated they didn't believe rain would fall in Dengzhou anytime soon. He was curious about what had given his son such immense confidence and assurance.
After fixing Xiao Changqing with a sharp gaze for a moment, Youning Emperor wordlessly grabbed the imperial seal. The edict had been drafted before Xiao Changqing entered the hall. With a heavy thud, he stamped it.
"Liu Sanzhi, go proclaim the decree," Youning Emperor commanded. "Escort Prince Xin back. I shall see whether Dengzhou's drought stems from accumulated yin energy in the palace!"
Shen Xihe hadn't expected to hear good news so soon, thinking it would take until tomorrow. Besides the edict announcing reassurance for Dengzhou's people and those reckless youths in Jiangnan, there was also a directive for Shen Xihe. After all, granting amnesty throughout the Imperial Harem couldn't proceed without involving her, the Crown Princess who held palace authority.
However, Youning Emperor had kept a safeguard. Regarding matters involving the State Preceptor, he ordered both the Palace Service Department and the Imperial Clan Court to assist her. The Palace Service Department was under Liu Sanzhi's control, while the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court was the Emperor's cousin within five degrees of mourning - a member of the Xiao clan's ancestral line who naturally sided with the Emperor.
Shen Xihe was quite satisfied with this arrangement. Whether these people accompanied her or not mattered little.
Upon receiving the directive, she immediately returned to the palace overnight, accompanied by Liu Sanzhi and the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court.
Given the urgent circumstances, the "chronically ill and frail" Xiao Huayong naturally couldn't accompany her on such a rushed journey. Shen Xihe had long begun preparations for the Imperial Harem amnesty. The six bureaus and twenty-four offices, recognizing Shen Xihe as the new mistress of the rear palace, naturally came to pay their respects immediately upon her return.
When Shangyi Lan of the Directorate of Ceremonial saw that Shen Xihe had indeed successfully obtained the Power of the Imperial Harem and actually persuaded the Emperor to grant amnesty throughout the harem, she promptly presented the roster she had compiled to Shen Xihe.
If Lan wanted to leave the palace, she needed Shen Xihe's permission. Even if she weren't leaving, given Shen Xihe's intelligence and capability, she ought to pledge her allegiance.
Being astute, Lan had separately listed those who must be removed. While many met the criteria for palace release, some didn't. But Lan had either gathered compromising information or identified weaknesses, all neatly organized for Shen Xihe.
With Zhenzhu and Biyu by her side, Shen Xihe spent half a day finalizing the list of palace maids to be released. She directly submitted it to the Palace Service Department and Imperial Clan Court for review.
When Liu Sanzhi saw several of his own confidants on the list, his eyelids began twitching. He should have realized earlier that the Crown Princess never fought battles she wasn't sure of winning, but he hadn't expected her to have already discerned all the patterns. She must have long intended to consolidate control over the Imperial Harem.
The reasons for each maid's release - from reaching appropriate age to misconduct - were clearly listed and irrefutable.
They didn't dare keep these people even if they wanted to. Shen Xihe's purpose in using the Imperial Harem amnesty to purge the palace was precisely because these women were being released for the benefit of the people. Not even they themselves would dare or be able to weep and beg to stay, as that would constitute defying the imperial decree.
After sending out the roster, Shen Xihe began anticipating rain in Dengzhou. The next day was the appointed date - Xiao Changqing and Youning Emperor had agreed within three days, meaning the latest would be the day after tomorrow. But Shen Xihe still hoped rain would fall as scheduled today.From dawn till dusk, there was still no news. Even after the hour of Zi had passed, no word came from Dengzhou. Shen Xihe's heart sank. Unwilling to rest, she waited in the vast darkness of night when Haidongqing tore through the ink-black sky, swooping down to bring her good news: before the hour of Zi, torrential rain had poured down in Dengzhou.
Heavy rain would delay message delivery. Knowing Shen Xihe well, Xiao Huayong had sent Haidongqing immediately so she could receive word from Dengzhou by tomorrow.
Inside the letter was a strand of black hair—a token of affection, a habitual gesture in Xiao Huayong's correspondence with her.
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