So it must have been Xiao Changyan who made the move, and he had likely already detected Xiao Changyan's actions, which is why he so coincidentally delivered the safety letter to Xiao Huayong the day before his disappearance. This was a preemptive hint to Xiao Huayong that he was not in danger.
"Is Jing Wang suspecting you of having ties with Prince Yan?" Shen Xihe felt that Xiao Changyan's suspicion was only natural.
Having been away from the capital for years, his control over the capital was undoubtedly insufficient. Over the past two years, Xiao Changgeng had been too smooth in his progress. It would be unreasonable to fully believe that he had no support.
"Not necessarily me." Xiao Huayong shook his head slightly.
Xiao Changyan merely speculated that Xiao Changgeng might have long since allied with someone else. His association with his elder brother, who came later, was highly likely motivated by a desire to act as a spy. However, with the decline of the Pei family following Pei Zhan's death, Pei Ce, though talented, was still young and lacked depth.
For a younger brother who was highly likely to depend on him, possessed considerable ability, had long resided in the capital, and was thoroughly familiar with it, Xiao Changyan could not bring himself to refuse. Instead, he had to resort to ruthless testing. Perhaps...
Testing was secondary; the more ruthless approach would be to force Xiao Changgeng, even if he truly had someone behind him, to break ties with them completely and henceforth serve him wholeheartedly.
"Will you go?" Shen Xihe could not discern Xiao Huayong's thoughts at the moment.
Logically, since they had already figured out Xiao Changyan's intentions and Xiao Changgeng had personally sent a letter hinting that he would handle everything himself, Xiao Huayong should not go. Yet, the impression he gave her was not one of indifference.
Sure enough, Xiao Huayong said, "I will go. I will meet Little Eighth Brother and see how much he has grown over the years."
All routes in Dengzhou were blocked by landslides, and even the Emperor's official news was delayed. Yet, the news of Xiao Changgeng's disappearance last night reached Xiao Huayong this very morning. What did this imply?
It implied that Xiao Changyan had detected someone in the vicinity and intentionally leaked the news, though he was uncertain about the identity of those sent.
If Xiao Changyan harbored imperial ambitions, he would be an obstacle to both Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong. Since he had issued a challenge, how could they not respond?
Another reason was Xiao Changgeng. Human hearts are made of flesh and blood. Although Xiao Changgeng had sent a letter hinting that he could handle the situation himself, no one could predict how Xiao Changyan would act.
Xiao Changgeng was the right-hand man Xiao Huayong had cultivated for Shen Xihe. Even if he were no longer around in the future, with Xiao Changgeng standing firm, whether Shen Xihe ruled behind the curtain or held sway over the court, there would always be someone to shield her. Whatever she was unwilling to do or unsuitable to take the blame for could be handled by Xiao Changgeng.
Therefore, he could not let such a key general become disheartened.
"Let me go." Shen Xihe stopped Xiao Huayong.
Dengzhou was currently a dangerous place, with unforeseeable risks at every turn. Shen Xihe did not want Xiao Huayong to venture into danger. Another reason was that Tao Zhuanxian was also in Dengzhou, and she could take the opportunity to look after her grandfather.
Seeing Xiao Huayong shake his head, Shen Xihe quickly added, "What reason would you use to go to Dengzhou?"
The Crown Prince, frail and sickly—what would his presence in Dengzhou bring if not chaos?
Even the Youning Emperor would not permit it, unless Xiao Huayong feigned illness again, stationed a double in the Eastern Palace, and secretly made his way to Dengzhou.
"Tianyuan and I can cover for you, but the Emperor is closely monitoring my every move now. If you pretend to be ill and go to Dengzhou as usual, it might not be so easy to deceive him."Times have changed. It was no longer feasible for Xiao Huayong to secretly leave the palace ever since she had taken charge of the palace authority.
The Youning Emperor was currently preoccupied with the disaster in Dengzhou and wary of both her and Xiao Changqing. His suspicions toward Xiao Huayong had temporarily subsided. However, since Xiao Huayong and she were husband and wife, the Emperor might still attempt to drive a wedge between them, seeking to win over or utilize Xiao Huayong through such means.
Consequently, Xiao Huayong would also attract more attention from the Youning Emperor.
"If we cannot go in secret, then we shall go openly," Xiao Huayong said with a mysterious smile. "We shall go together."
"Openly?" Shen Xihe scrutinized him, certain he had devised another cunning plan.
"Indeed. Not only shall we go, but we shall also bring Old Six along. Let us all make it a lively affair," Xiao Huayong replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow but did not press for details on how he intended to achieve this. Soon enough, the answer would reveal itself.
Xiao Huayong kept his plan to himself, savoring the suspense.
Over the next two days, Shen Xihe discreetly instructed Biyu and others to pack their belongings without drawing attention. Xiao Huayong, meanwhile, acted as though nothing was amiss. Having reported himself ill, he remained in his chambers to rest, refusing to step outside. Instead, he occupied his days by pestering Shen Xihe to play chess, paint, blend incense, or brew tea—each day filled with refined pleasures.
On the third day, the Youning Emperor sent Liu Sanzhi to summon the couple to the main hall of the court assembly. Many officials were present, and their gazes turned complex at the sight of the pair.
After the customary greetings, the Youning Emperor handed over a scroll and ordered a eunuch to unfurl it. The cloth bore characters imprinted from some uneven surface—sixteen words in total:
The sun rises in the east, the mountains and rivers remain unharmed;
The star of Beichen stabilizes the nation and the world.
Shen Xihe’s eyes froze. She abruptly turned to look at Xiao Huayong.
The literal meaning was all too clear—it practically stated outright that sending Xiao Huayong to Dengzhou to stabilize the nation would bring clear skies after rain and ensure the land remained unharmed!
This was the method Xiao Huayong had devised.
"This was delivered from Dengzhou this morning. In Huang County, a massive stone slid down from the mountain peak, and these words were carved upon it," the Youning Emperor said, his tone unreadable.
Xiao Huayong coughed lightly, appearing exceedingly frail. Leaning on Shen Xihe for support, he bowed with difficulty toward the Emperor. "The preservation of the mountains and rivers is due to Your Majesty’s benevolent rule. I am but a feeble man—how could I stabilize the nation? In my humble opinion, someone must have orchestrated this deliberately, intending to lure me to Dengzhou under the guise of disaster to harm me."
Whether such an omen was believed or not depended entirely on the Emperor’s perspective.
By voicing his thoughts, Xiao Huayong had indeed raised a plausible possibility.
The Youning Emperor prided himself on not being a tyrant. He would never act against Xiao Huayong based solely on a mysterious stone of unknown origin, lest others follow suit and throw the empire into chaos.
"I share the same view," the Youning Emperor nodded. "However, the people of Dengzhou are currently in dire straits, and this matter has stirred considerable unrest. The common folk, unaware of the truth, place their hopes in Qilang going to Dengzhou. What are your thoughts on this, Qilang?"
Xiao Huayong remained silent for a moment before lowering his head and replying, "If I can contribute even a modest effort for the people, how dare I refuse? I am willing to go to Dengzhou to dispel these unfounded rumors."
The Youning Emperor nodded. Before he could speak, Shen Xihe stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Dengzhou is fraught with peril. The relentless rain shows no sign of ceasing, and its duration remains unknown. The Crown Prince is frail and should not endure such a journey. Yet since he cannot shirk his duty to the people, I request to accompany him so that I may attend to him personally."Youning Emperor did not immediately agree but pondered for a moment before consenting: "Very well, let... Prince Xin escort the Crown Prince and his consort to Dengzhou."
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