"Xiao Ba's men have already entered the city and will arrive here soon." Xiao Huayong had been closely monitoring Xiao Changyan's movements, receiving news almost immediately after Xiao Changyan's men set out.
Halfway through the Mao hour, as dawn approached, Shen Xihe rose early to dress and style her hair. Xiao Huayong stood behind her, naturally taking the comb from Biyu's hands, gently yet firmly combing through Shen Xihe's loose black tresses.
Sitting upright, Shen Xihe's clear eyes sparkled as she toyed with a hairpin. "Prince Jing is different from you. He will definitely save Prince Yan."
Xiao Huayong's hand paused for just a moment before resuming his task as if nothing had happened. "Does Youyou think Xiao Ba is more righteous than I am?"
Though his tone seemed emotionless and unbothered, Shen Xihe knew he was displeased. She lifted her gaze to the mirror. "Is what I said incorrect? If it were Beichen in this situation, Prince Yan would already be a corpse."
Whether Xiao Huayong saw through the conspiracy or not, he would have taken the opportunity to eliminate Xiao Changgeng permanently. With a ready-made scapegoat prepared, what would stop him?
As long as Xiao Changgeng died, Xiao Huayong would never be at a disadvantage.
"Youyou truly understands me." Xiao Huayong's smile didn't reach his eyes.
He must have struggled to produce such an awkward smile. Shen Xihe lowered her head with a soft chuckle. "I don't think you're heartless or ruthless. You and Prince Jing are different. Prince Jing had his birth mother's companionship in childhood, then his maternal family's devoted protection. When he went to Annan City, he fought on the battlefield. Deep down, he possesses a sense of loyalty. When Prince Yan risked his life to block a fatal blow for him, it would remind him of fighting alongside his comrades on the battlefield, touching that sense of righteousness within him."
"You grew up alone, accustomed to fighting solitary battles. You don't need anyone's support, nor do you trust others. To you, such bonds aren't assets—they're burdens."
If Xiao Changqing were an agile leopard and Xiao Changyan a fierce wolf, then Xiao Huayong was undoubtedly a languid tiger. Tigers don't enjoy company; they're accustomed to solitude and even relish it. Any living creature that approaches, even with friendly intentions, would be mercilessly eliminated.
Different upbringings naturally lead to different ways of handling situations.
In an instant, the gloom lifted from Xiao Huayong's handsome face. His fingers deftly styled Shen Xihe's hair into a bun. "Youyou is wrong about one thing. I would trust one person—with my life."
As he spoke, he took the hairpin from her hand and secured it in her newly arranged hair.
"I'm honored by Beichen's affection. May I prove worthy of your trust." Shen Xihe smiled candidly.
Xiao Huayong's hand trembled, catching on the hairpin and pulling it from her hair. The hairpin fell to the ground with a clear ring. Fortunately, it was silver-handled and undamaged.
Shen Xihe bent to pick it up and handed it back to him. "They'll be here soon. Beichen should hurry."
"Ah? Oh!" Xiao Huayong took the hairpin with slightly shaking hands, restyled her bun, and secured the hairpin in place as his turbulent emotions gradually settled.
From disbelief to not refuting—this was the first time Shen Xihe had given him a clear response after his countless declarations of affection. Though her words were indirect, their meaning conveyed trust. When Xiao Huayong realized this, he couldn't help but smile—a smile as sweet as flowers swaying in the spring breeze, radiant and warm.Until Xiao Changyan's man knelt before them, face pale and drenched through, Xiao Huayong still hadn't fully regained his composure.
"Why was Prince Yan injured?" Shen Xihe had dispatched Sui Axi to rush over posthaste, keeping the messenger who came seeking medical help to inquire about the details.
The messenger bowed his head, prostrating himself on the ground: "Reporting to the Crown Princess, this humble one does not know either. I only know that His Highness and Prince Yan were traveling through the rain late at night when Prince Yan was ambushed and fell unconscious. The local authorities summoned the county's best doctor, but the doctor couldn't identify what poison Prince Yan had been afflicted with. Given the critical situation, I was sent to seek assistance from His Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess."
He was an articulate speaker. Upon hearing this, Shen Xihe knew Xiao Changyan must have given specific instructions, and further questioning would yield nothing, so she waved her hand to dismiss him.
Wendeng County couldn't be left unattended, and Xiao Huayong wasn't in a condition to travel. Shen Xihe couldn't go to check on them personally.
This was also within Xiao Changyan's expectations, which was why he had rescued Xiao Changgeng without hesitation. When Sui Axi arrived, he naturally administered the antidote promptly. The poison wasn't actually on the arrow—that would have been too risky, as any mishap could have cost Xiao Changgeng his life. Since he was Xiao Huayong's man, Shen Xihe wouldn't take such a risk.
The poison had been in Xiao Changgeng's possession all along. After being shot, he had taken it himself when he found an opportunity. This poison wasn't fatal and didn't harm vital organs; at most, it caused diarrhea and vomiting, even having a cleansing effect on the digestive system. It was developed by Xie Yunhuai.
"Twelfth Brother, are you still feeling unwell anywhere?" As soon as Xiao Changyan heard that Xiao Changgeng had regained consciousness, he rushed forward with concern. In truth, he hadn't slept all night either.
Xiao Changgeng had vomited several times and was now very weak. After managing to drink a bowl of thin rice porridge, he finally mustered a bit of energy: "Eighth Brother, don't worry. I'm fine."
Xiao Changyan studied him for a moment before saying remorsefully, "It's my fault. As soon as I discovered you were missing, I shouldn't have been overconfident. I should have reported it to His Majesty immediately. Then you wouldn't have suffered so much and nearly lost your life."
"Eighth Brother, there's no need to blame yourself. Given the urgent situation, even if you had informed His Majesty earlier, he wouldn't have been able to send anyone to rescue me," Xiao Changgeng replied reasonably. "It would only have provoked my kidnappers to act desperately, which would have put me in greater danger."
"Twelfth Brother, do you have any suspicions about who kidnapped you?" Xiao Changyan asked.
Xiao Changgeng lowered his head in thought for a moment before slowly shaking it: "They imprisoned me but didn't resort to torture or interrogate me. They didn't even skimp on food. I can't figure out their motives..."
As if suddenly remembering something, Xiao Changgeng said, "Over these past few days, I've been thinking that there's one person who is highly likely."
"Who?" Xiao Changyan pressed, staring intently at him.
Xiao Changgeng glanced outside to ensure no one was eavesdropping before saying, "Eighth Brother, have you heard of our Imperial Uncle?"
Xiao Juesong?
That Xiao Changgeng would suspect this person was beyond Xiao Changyan's expectations.
"The person who ambushed me that day was highly skilled, definitely not an ordinary assailant. After kidnapping me, they made no further demands. I suspect they were waiting for Eighth Brother to seek help from the court, intending to incite civil unrest and slander His Majesty..." Xiao Changgeng reasoned logically.
"If it were him... why hasn't the Crown Prince taken action yet, since he's been here for half a month?" Xiao Changyan pondered the likelihood of Xiao Juesong being in the area.
"The Crown Prince is in Dengzhou?" Xiao Changgeng exclaimed in surprise, then added, "Perhaps Imperial Uncle isn't here personally, but only has underlings lurking about, not daring to act rashly."Upon hearing this, Xiao Changyan fell into deep thought, recalling the recent news he had received—the clue to that hidden arrow pointed towards Yu Gong, the Prefect of Dengzhou.
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