The person who came to lodge a complaint was escorted out, leaving only Shen Xihe, her maid, and Xiao Changqing in the main hall.
Xiao Changqing cast a deep glance at Shen Xihe: "The Crown Princess and the Crown Prince are truly... a perfect match."
After uttering these meaningful words, Xiao Changqing felt profound sympathy for Xiao Changyan in his heart.
He could see through the situation because he had long been aware of Xiao Huayong's true nature, and his knowledge of Xiao Huayong's real character was thanks not only to his initial wavering suspicions but also to Xiao Huayong himself revealing it to him intentionally.
Xiao Changyan was worse off because he had been deceived.
No, it wasn't just Xiao Changyan who was deceived—everyone had been fooled by the couple.
This was because Shen Xihe displayed ambition, intelligence, and cunning strategy, along with a firm and intimidating demeanor, while Xiao Huayong deliberately restrained himself, perfectly concealing his true self behind her.
No one would believe that a rational, strong-willed, and decisive woman like Shen Xihe would be hindered by romantic sentiments. Instead, they would instinctively wonder why such a woman would choose to marry Xiao Huayong.
Given her intelligence and meticulousness, if she chose to marry him, it must be because she was certain everything was under her control—that Xiao Huayong was exactly the kind of short-lived man she wanted, one who would leave her a smoother path.
Especially after the feigned death of Shen Yueshan in the northwest, everyone knew that the Shen family had a great physician capable of making people "die" or "live" at will, with extraordinary skills that could deceive an entire city's doctors.
With such a person at her disposal, Xiao Huayong could not possibly be pretending to be ill—otherwise, he would not have escaped Shen Xihe's notice.
Some might think that Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe had reached some kind of mutually beneficial agreement.
But the Shen family's precarious situation dispelled such doubts. Except for Xiao Changqing, who had personally experienced the taste of love and was even willing to sacrifice everything for his wife, few would believe that if Xiao Huayong were truly pretending and biding his time, someone as astute as Shen Xihe would dare to make a pact with a wolf.
Following this line of thought, Xiao Huayong indeed appeared to be a pitiful figure—short-lived yet infatuated with her, serving as her stepping stone.
However, how many could foresee that Xiao Huayong was no less formidable than Shen Xihe?
"Thank you for your praise, Prince Xin. I also wish you an early reunion with a good match," Shen Xihe calmly accepted Xiao Changqing's compliment, as if completely unaware of his underlying meaning.
"I take my leave. Should the Crown Princess or the Crown Prince have any instructions, simply send someone to inform me," Xiao Changqing said with a clasped-hand salute.
Shen Xihe did not detain him, watching as his figure disappeared into the curtain of rain.
Turning back, she entered the bedroom, picked up a watering can, and sprinkled water on the potted plants in the room. She missed her Eucommia Leaf bonsai, but the journey to Dengzhou had been arduous, with many places inaccessible by carriage, so she had not brought many things—including her Duanming.
After watering the plants, Shen Xihe gazed out the window at the rain beating against the banana leaves, lost in thought.
A few rooms away, after listening to Xiao Changyan's report on the general situation in Dengzhou, Xiao Huayong took a sip of hot tea to moisten his throat before saying, "Eighth Brother, having been in Dengzhou for several months, you naturally understand the situation here better than I. Let us brothers work together to restore peace and stability to the people as soon as possible."
His words implied that, although Xiao Changyan would not officially lead the relief efforts, he would still be involved in practice.After hearing this, Xiao Changyan couldn't help but have a flicker in his eyes as he looked at Xiao Huayong, who had lowered his head again to sip tea: "Twelfth Brother occasionally mentioned the Crown Prince, speaking of how deeply devoted His Highness is to the Crown Princess. Today, I've truly witnessed it with my own eyes."
The smile at the corner of Xiao Huayong's lips deepened, and a gentle glimmer shone in his eyes: "Youyou is young and straightforward. I hope Eighth Brother will be lenient with her."
When he mentioned Shen Xihe, it was as if he were speaking of a precious treasure—his words protective, his tone even carrying a softness and adoration.
Straightforward?
Xiao Changyan's lips twitched. How blind would one have to be to consider Shen Xihe straightforward?
"Your Highness, allow this subject to be presumptious—the Crown Princess's intentions are plain for all to see."
The tenderness on his face vanished instantly, and the smile at his lips disappeared in a flash. Xiao Huayong's gaze darkened as he looked at Xiao Changyan: "Choose your words carefully."
"Your Highness..."
"The heavy rain has yet to cease, and there are still commoners seeking justice. I imagine you must have many matters awaiting your attention. Do not delay your duties—I shall not keep you today." His demeanor shifted abruptly as he directly issued the dismissal.
Xiao Changyan also realized his words had overstepped. He and Xiao Huayong were not close, and he should not have spoken so frankly: "This subject takes his leave."
Only after Xiao Changyan had departed did Xiao Huayong rise. His steps were steady as he strode toward the bedchamber, where he happened to see Shen Xihe half-reclining against a high-backed chair, propping her cheek with one hand, gazing absently at the torrential rain outside the window.
Her expression was serene, her face as pale as porcelain, making even the jade vase holding flowers beside her seem to lose its luster. Delicate incense smoke curled from an exquisite burner, drifting past her lovely face and rendering her beauty almost ethereal—as if she might vanish with a wisp of fragrant mist.
Xiao Huayong hurried to her side and grasped her shoulder. The warmth of her skin against his palm finally grounded his restless heart.
He always felt he hadn't truly captured her—that she might leave him at any moment. Around her, he was always tense and anxious, even lacking in confidence.
"Finished deceiving people?" Shen Xihe tilted her head and remarked.
Xiao Huayong couldn't help but chuckle softly: "So this is how Youyou sees me? It turns out I'm a swindler."
"It seems the Crown Prince lacks some self-awareness." Shen Xihe didn't know when it had started, but she had grown accustomed to bantering freely with Xiao Huayong.
There wasn't a single aspect of Shen Xihe that Xiao Huayong disliked. He sighed deeply: "If I could truly become the swindler in Youyou's eyes, that would be fine. It's just a pity that after spending so much time with Youyou day and night, I still haven't managed to steal your heart."
He was being frivolous again. Shen Xihe had no time to indulge him now: "Jing Wang appears steady and mindful of the bigger picture, showing no edge whatsoever, but in reality, his mind is quite shrewd. The act we just put on—he may not have believed it entirely."
"Whether he believes it or not, what can he do?" Xiao Huayong turned and sat in the chair opposite Shen Xihe, separated by a small table, leaning toward her side. "Regardless of what he believes, the next step is to entrust you with the responsibility of providing for the people's food and clothing."
In truth, there was no need for Xiao Changyan to stir the waters much. Xiao Huayong had already grasped the entire situation in Dengzhou—it was nearly time for relief efforts. Xiao Changyan's willingness to concede so readily was partly because he wanted to rid himself of this hot potato.
Of course, it was also due to Xiao Huayong's adept handling of the situation. Otherwise, even if Xiao Changyan were inwardly eager, he would have put on a show of arguing his case.
Shen Xihe produced a memorial and handed it to Xiao Huayong: "It's been prepared long ago."This is a petition requesting imperial support, though the court itself cannot fill this deficit. However, Shen Xihe had drafted a method to rally volunteers across the land to aid Dengzhou.
Written in Xiao Huayong’s handwriting but in Shen Xihe’s tone, it solidified before His Majesty that Xiao Huayong was merely a tool in her hands.
Xiao Huayong accepted it with a smile, his eyes brimming with profound, lingering tenderness.
He treated all under heaven as chess pieces, yet willingly became a pawn in her hand.
OpenNovel