"When One Flower Blooms, a Hundred Others Wither (New)" - Search for the latest chapter!
In all matters, someone must take the lead. Once there is a leader, those who follow will naturally fall in line and behave properly.
"This is the worst-case scenario. I'd rather not have to use it." Shen Xihe gazed at the golden lotuses swaying gently in the pond under the bright sunlight outside the window, a trace of melancholy flashing in her eyes. She could only hope the heavy rain in Dengzhou would cease soon.
Xiao Huayong nodded in agreement. For a moment, the atmosphere between the married couple grew heavy, both preoccupied with concerns about the situation in Dengzhou.
Yet Heaven seemed determined to torment Dengzhou. The downpour persisted for seven days. The Water Guards sent to monitor water levels never returned, and court messengers dispatched to maintain contact with Dengzhou gradually lost communication. The submitted reports became increasingly delayed, indicating the severity of the situation had reached a critical point.
"Little Twelve is missing." Xiao Huayong frowned slightly.
Unlike the court's reliance on human messengers, Xiao Huayong possessed hawks and Haidongqing. His agents, originally sent to Dengzhou to set traps for Xiao Changqing, remained stationed there. His intelligence continued to reach him unimpeded by wind or rain. Even the suffering citizens of flood-ravaged Dengzhou might not understand the local situation as thoroughly as he did.
Due to the prolonged prior drought and severe desiccation, the ten consecutive days of rainfall hadn't yet reached catastrophic flood levels. Moreover, the Minister of Works and Tao Zhuanxian had safely arrived in Dengzhou, taking personal command. They were directing local officials and laborers in drainage and preventive measures, keeping the situation from spiraling out of control.
The court's communication breakdown stemmed from severely dried-out mountain ranges where the ground had cracked extensively. The sudden sustained rainfall softened the soil, causing landslides that blocked several messenger routes, preventing dispatches from getting through.
"Did he encounter danger?" Shen Xihe inquired with concern.
To some extent, Xiao Changgeng could be considered Xiao Huayong's man, albeit through forced allegiance. Shen Xihe's assessment of Xiao Changgeng was that he knew when to advance and when to retreat, possessing both capability and flexibility.
Such a person couldn't be simply labeled good or bad. If controlled by someone who could thoroughly suppress him, he would become an unstoppable sword. But if his master lacked sufficient dominance, even early submission during his fledgling state would inevitably lead to future betrayal.
Both Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe possessed the confidence to suppress Xiao Changgeng, hence they had incorporated him into their faction.
"The circumstances are suspicious." Xiao Huayong knitted his brows, his gaze unfocused as if lost in contemplation. "I just received his message last night confirming he had withdrawn from the danger zone and was staying at the county government office. Yet this morning he vanished without trace."
"The news comes from my stationed agents, reporting he encountered a landslide on his return journey and is currently missing."
"Could he have left the county government on urgent business late at night?" Even as she spoke, Shen Xihe recognized the unlikelihood of this scenario.
Given Dengzhou's dire conditions, having just evacuated, Xiao Changgeng wouldn't recklessly endanger himself again. Local officials wouldn't dare let him take such risks either. When imperial princes traveled, they required substantial protection - not only consuming manpower but creating unbearable accountability should any mishap occur.
As demonstrated by Xiao Changgeng's current disappearance, everyone from the county magistrate to the prefectural governor and regional inspector would be thrown into panic. The relentless rainfall already stretched local officials to their limits - how could they permit such an incident to happen?Xiao Changgeng's recall was also considered to avoid burdening the local government. Given this, it was impossible that he would still trouble Xiao Changgeng when he was already safe.
"The county office unanimously claimed that Little Twelve never entered the county office and encountered danger during the evacuation." Xiao Huayong looked up at Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe's gaze darkened. Xiao Changgeng would not deceive Xiao Huayong, which meant he had indeed returned to the county office. The county officials were lying. To avoid being held accountable for any harm to Xiao Changgeng, they had likely been monitoring him closely, never expecting that Xiao Changgeng could still send a letter of safety via the eagle trained by Xiao Huayong.
Had this letter not been received, by the time Xiao Changgeng met with disaster and the roads in Dengzhou were cleared for an investigation into the cause, all evidence would have been buried in the heavy rain.
"Was it the local officials who acted, or were they ordered by someone else?" Shen Xihe asked.
Xiao Changgeng, ranked twelfth, had only recently begun participating in politics. Though he had handled a few commendable tasks, he was far from being the most prominent figure. In terms of seniority, he was the least noticeable.
With Xiao Huayong, the legitimate Crown Prince, standing firm, followed by the highly capable and popular Prince Xin, Xiao Changqing, and the meritorious and influential Prince Jing, Xiao Changyan, and then Prince Zhao, Xiao Changmin, holding the position of the eldest son—all of them still alive and well—and given Xiao Changgeng's diplomatic nature, having never provoked any of the deeply entrenched major families, it was unlikely that any of them would target him.
If local officials acted, it could only mean that some grave secret had fallen into Xiao Changgeng's hands. If he did not die, they would surely face utter ruin. Coupled with the rampant disaster, this possibility was not small.
If they were ordered by someone else, the most suspicious would be Prince Jing, Xiao Changyan.
Xiao Changgeng had actively sought closeness with Xiao Changyan. Xiao Changyan, a man forged in the fires of battle, either trusted completely or not at all. If he were the one behind it, this would be a profound test and trial for Xiao Changgeng. Only by passing this hurdle could Xiao Changgeng earn his trust.
Comparing the two possibilities, Shen Xihe hoped it was the latter. As long as Xiao Changgeng remained steady, Xiao Changyan would not harm his life. But if it were the former, the situation would be dire.
"Little Twelve is in Muping County. I will investigate. None of the successive officials in this area have any connection to Little Eight." Xiao Huayong habitually touched the Five-Colored Thread on his wrist.
"You don't think it was Prince Jing who acted?" Shen Xihe frowned. "But I believe it was him."
"Oh?" Xiao Huayong smiled with interest, looking at Shen Xihe. "I'm all ears to hear Youyou's insightful view."
Shen Xihe glanced at him but did not bother to argue. "Whether it's Zhao Zhenghao or Hua Fuhai, no matter who investigates, they have no connection to you. Yet, don't they still follow your orders?"
If Xiao Huayong had such ability, why couldn't Xiao Changyan?
The corners of his lips curling slightly deeper, Xiao Huayong nodded. "That is indeed reasonable."
"The most compelling evidence is the letter of safety Prince Yan sent you." Shen Xihe added.
Hearing this, Xiao Huayong couldn't help but chuckle softly. "My wife is as sharp as a needle. Your husband is deeply impressed."
Being with someone intelligent was always so effortless and comfortable.Since Xiao Changgeng had been chosen by Xiao Huayong, he was certainly no ordinary individual. If he couldn't even detect hostility from local officials, he wouldn't have been worthy of Xiao Huayong's notice in the first place.
If a mere county magistrate could trap him, it would betray the capabilities he had developed while growing up isolated in the deep palace. To facilitate your next reading, you can click the "Bookmark" below to save this reading session (Chapter 631: Even My Husband is Convinced) and see it when you open your bookshelf next time!
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