Shen Xihe didn't know what expression to make toward Xiao Huayong. His self-praising words were spoken with such a matter-of-fact tone, yet his noble demeanor and composed countenance made one unconsciously feel his words were indisputable.
Though clearly noticing Shen Xihe's speechless expression, Xiao Huayong pretended not to see it and instead seriously countered, "Youyou finds my words inappropriate?"
Taking a soft, deep breath, Shen Xihe truly had no way to refute him. While she found him somewhat self-satisfied, she had to admit he had the capital to be proud. Shen Xihe could only say stiffly, "Your words are absolutely right."
Her expression carried a trace of woodenness, as if she had spoken against her conscience—a look Xiao Huayong had never seen before. Remembering her usual calm intelligence, which seemed completely unlike her current self, made Xiao Huayong's fingers inexplicably itch. He pinched his fingers, restraining himself, but ultimately couldn't resist reaching out to pinch her cheek.
The delicate touch at his fingertips made Xiao Huayong suddenly realize his impulsive action. For a moment, he felt at a loss—both lingering over the warmth and softness and anxious about her reaction.
This was the first time Shen Xihe had her face pinched like this, at least within her memory, leaving her momentarily stunned.
By the time she reacted, Xiao Huayong had already retracted his offending hand and was solemnly holding a teacup, taking a shallow sip.
Watching Xiao Huayong drink tea with such composure, Shen Xihe even wondered if the cheek-pinching had been an illusion. Unconsciously, she touched her cheek, where the warmth from his fingertips seemed to linger.
Warm and heated, yet it made Shen Xihe feel somewhat flushed.
Strangely enough, the poison in Xiao Huayong's body was of a cold nature, becoming severe in winter, yet his body wasn't particularly cold. Only from late autumn to early spring did he feel exceptionally chilly. After early spring passed for quite some time, he seemed as if he weren't poisoned at all. Because of this, Shen Xihe had specifically discussed with Sui Axi and others whether Xiao Huayong's poison might be heat-averse.
Both Sui Axi and Xie Yunhuai agreed with this speculation, but no matter how they experimented, they couldn't make further progress. They could only obtain poisoned blood from Xiao Huayong's body. Xie Yunhuai believed they needed to obtain the actual poison to clearly identify it.
"Late autumn is approaching." Thinking of this, Shen Xihe couldn't help but sigh softly, setting aside what had just happened as she looked at Xiao Huayong with concern.
Xiao Huayong's birthday was also approaching. After this birthday, he would be twenty-two. Rumors outside claimed he wouldn't live past two cycles—these words weren't entirely false. If the poison in his body remained unresolved, then he...
Her mood plummeted abruptly.
With a perceptive heart like Xiao Huayong's, how could he not understand what she was thinking?
Leaning forward, he took her hand, his eyes gentle: "Youyou, what birthday gift have you prepared for me this year?"
"What do you want?" Shen Xihe's gaze fell on their intertwined hands, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly. She gripped his hand in return, looked up, and asked softly, her obsidian-like eyes clear and tender.
"Anything I want?" Xiao Huayong's eyes shifted, a mischievous smile curling at the corners.
Shen Xihe didn't speak, but without hesitation and with unwavering firmness, she nodded.Her solemnity made Xiao Huayong shed his playful demeanor. He let out an almost imperceptible sigh: "Youyou, as the saying goes, the wicked live a thousand years. I've never considered myself a good man. We have plenty of time ahead—why should we grieve over passing seasons?"
"If you believe we have ample time, then why are you pressing forward step by step with such impatience?" Shen Xihe countered.
A complex smile touched Xiao Huayong's lips—one tinged with both joy and bitterness: "I knew it. I could never keep anything hidden from you."
He had already begun setting his plans in motion. This trip to Dengzhou was fraught with hidden dangers at every turn, forcing Xiao Changyan to proceed exactly as he had calculated, while he himself followed Xiao Changyan's movements to smoothly arrive in Dengzhou.
Dengzhou was an extremely perilous place where assassination wouldn't be difficult. He could even exploit natural disasters and human tragedies to eliminate both Xiao Changyan and Xiao Changqing in one fell swoop. With those two gone from the court, no one would remain as Shen Xihe's match.
There was still time. As long as he sent His Majesty away at the final moment, the path he paved for her would be completely clear.
"Beichen, please don't do this," Shen Xihe said, unable to identify the source of the suffocating feeling in her chest.
In her childhood, her weak constitution often caused such sensations. She couldn't run hurriedly, couldn't travel extensively, couldn't withstand shocks, couldn't brood excessively—otherwise she might suddenly lose her breath, faint, and perhaps never wake again.
After taking the Bone Shedding Pill, she had never experienced this feeling again, until now.
Xiao Huayong remained silent.
Shen Xihe gazed at him: "Beichen, how confident are you in succeeding? No, perhaps I should ask—what sacrifices must you make to achieve this?"
That Xiao Huayong could accomplish this, Shen Xihe didn't doubt. But what would it cost to reach this point? Neither Xiao Changqing nor Xiao Changyan were ordinary men. If truly confronted, even victory would come at devastating cost.
Both men were protected by highly skilled martial artists, and they themselves possessed considerable martial prowess. Xiao Huayong would inevitably have to take action personally. If a life-or-death struggle ensued and Xiao Huayong's poison flared up midway, the consequences would be unthinkable.
"You tell me to set my mind at ease, yet you arrange everything as if preparing for the end..." As she spoke, a faint soreness spread from the corners of Shen Xihe's eyes. "You truly are... a man who says one thing but means another."
A faint crimson tinged the outer edges of her eyes, making Xiao Huayong's heart constrict with guilt. He felt he deserved death ten thousand times over. Flustered, he hurriedly said: "This is my fault. I'm the one who says one thing but means another. I'm the one who acts without consulting you. Scold me, be angry with me, hit me—I'll willingly accept any punishment. Just don't be sad."
Shen Xihe was a woman of strong character. Though she felt some distress, it lasted only a moment—let alone shedding tears?
Though he clearly sensed her sorrow, he could find no visible traces, no evidence. Xiao Huayong grew so anxious he didn't know what to do with himself, unsure how to comfort her with words, and could only repeatedly admit his faults.
"Don't take action in Dengzhou. The people of Dengzhou have suffered enough. As those in power, we shouldn't add to their hardships," Shen Xihe said softly.
Drought, landslides, and floods already taking shape—this year would be remembered by Dengzhou's people as a lifetime of disasters. She didn't want the battles of power struggle and contention to deal another heavy blow to their already burdened shoulders, perhaps crushing them completely.
"Alright, alright, I promise," Xiao Huayong agreed repeatedly."Beichen, I am not a benevolent person, nor dare I claim that to this day, I have never harmed an innocent soul." Shen Xihe paused in thought before continuing, "To survive, to protect those dearest to me, there are times when I've indulged my own selfish desires. I simply wish to carry as little guilt as possible."
For those like them, bound by the chains of power, there is no privilege to possess a soul untainted.
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