"When My Flower Blooms, All Others Wither - New" Find the latest chapter!
Xiao Huayong disliked Shen Xihe compromising with anyone, even in collaboration.
Shen Xihe's thoughts aligned with what Xiao Huayong had expressed. Xiao Changmin's wicked intentions remained undeterred—he would surely investigate thoroughly. Even if he was rebuffed by Shu Fei this time, to avoid exposing Shu Fei's alliance with her, Shen Xihe could not take any action that would let Xiao Changmin know she was already aware of the matter.
Thus, Xiao Changmin would continue seeking someone else. Who he might approach next was uncertain. By enlisting Shu Fei's help, she could both gain the benefits promised by Xiao Changmin and conceal their interactions with her. Moreover, this would allow them to keep the situation under their control.
"Alright, I will send a message to Shu Fei immediately."
Having taken charge of the palace administration and dismissed a large number of palace maids, Shen Xihe now held the Imperial Harem firmly in her grasp. Communicating with Shu Fei had become much more convenient than before.
"How do you plan to resolve this?" After handing the message to Zhenzhu, Shen Xihe turned and asked Xiao Huayong.
"The best approach is to have Worldly Son Bu marry," Xiao Huayong replied, lowering his gaze as his fingers gently brushed the Eucommia Leaf in the nearby potted plant.
Shen Xihe was unsure if she had heard correctly. "Hmm?"
Lifting his eyes, Xiao Huayong's gaze steadied. "Arrange for someone to marry Worldly Son Bu. This will conceal his identity and perhaps even allow us to maneuver so that he can safely give birth."
Xiao Huayong had never approved of preserving the child in Bu Shulin's womb—the risks were too great. However, Cui Jinbai had served him loyally and was his trusted confidant. Given the current circumstances, Xiao Huayong had to prepare for the worst. This might be Cui Jinbai's only descendant, so he had begun devising the safest method to minimize risks.
Additionally, Xiao Huayong could see that Shen Xihe was reluctant to abandon Bu Shulin and held a trace of compassion for the unborn child. Since that was the case, he had no choice but to invest more effort.
"A Lin is the Shunan Prince Heir. The chosen person cannot be of too low status—Your Majesty would not permit it. Nor can they be of too high status—Your Majesty would also object. Moreover, we must find someone willing to cover for A Lin, with absolutely no risk of betrayal. Where can we find such a person?" Shen Xihe mentally reviewed the eligible young ladies in the capital but found no suitable candidate.
Since the person would need to help conceal the truth, they would have to pretend to be pregnant when Bu Shulin gave birth and afterward treat the child as their own. Thus, it was impossible to keep them in the dark.
Which daughter of a prominent family could achieve this?
"Finding such a person is not difficult," Xiao Huayong said, already having someone in mind.
"Who is it?" Shen Xihe asked.
"She could be considered my cousin," Xiao Huayong did not hide it from Shen Xihe.
The Xiao imperial clan was vast. Over the years, there had been incompetent rulers but no tyrants, and no large-scale purges of kin. The Xiao lineage had flourished through generations. The cousin Xiao Huayong referred to was a distant relative, descended from the elder brother of the founding emperor. Her branch had produced three ancestors who served as clan leaders and held the position of Minister of the Imperial Clan Court.
However, only an orphaned girl and her young brother remained now. Though they bore the Xiao name and received care from the clan, they lived only slightly better than ordinary commoners.
"Why have I never met her?" Shen Xihe asked. In principle, female relatives of the clan should appear during festive occasions."She lost her father three years ago and has been in mourning ever since. She appears gentle but is strong-willed inside. As her mourning period is about to end, her clan has already begun arranging marriages for her." Xiao Huayong briefly explained, "As long as Worldly Son Bu is willing to take in her younger brother and raise him together, she will surely be profoundly grateful."
The candidate was suitable—having a weakness made her easier to control. Yet, Shen Xihe frowned slightly. "Beichen, this concerns a young lady's entire life. We must inquire more thoroughly."
Marrying Bu Shulin meant a lifetime of widowhood from the wedding day onward, growing old alone. Wasn't that itself a form of cruelty?
"Aside from widowhood, she would become the mistress of the Shu Southern Royal Manor. Her 'child' would be the future Prince of Shunan. She would enjoy endless wealth and honor, wield absolute authority in the manor, and receive utmost respect from both Worldly Son Bu and the Prince of Shunan. Even her younger brother would receive the finest education—what great scholar could they not hire? Even the Imperial College would be accessible if he wished to attend."
"Worldly Son Bu would also pave his way to success, coupled with the gratitude of the Cui clan." Xiao Huayong considered this a tremendous opportunity that only a foolish woman would refuse.
"Once the child is born, will they be sent back to the Cui family or remain in the Shu Southern Royal Manor?" Shen Xihe suddenly thought of another matter.
If anything were to happen to Cui Jinbai, this would not only be his only offspring but likely Bu Shulin's sole child as well.
"They will stay with the Bu family. The Shu Southern Royal Manor needs an heir, and the Cui lineage won't die out." Xiao Huayong had clearly thought this through. "Even if Zhi He were to choose, he would make the same decision."
Sending the child back to the Cui family would require explaining the birth mother, creating another tangled mess. As long as the child lived, regardless of surname or given name, they remained the flesh and blood of their parents—a continuation of the bloodline. Xiao Huayong saw no need to be rigid about such matters.
Shen Xihe also felt this was better: "No matter how favorable you believe this path to be, you must still ask the young lady's opinion. I do not wish for her to marry A Lin out of coercion or desperation to escape her current predicament. Otherwise, she might not resent it now, but who knows if she might cause trouble later?"
Although Shen Xihe trusted Xiao Huayong's ability to control someone easily, it would still require extra effort.
"Youyou need not worry about this." Xiao Huayong's lips curved into a meaningful smile.
It would only be a matter of a few years. Once the empire changed hands, even if she felt discontent and exposed the truth, what could she do? It would only be seeking her own demise.
Shen Xihe did not know that at this moment, Xiao Huayong had grown weary of the Youning Emperor's reign and had truly begun plotting to seize the throne.
Since Xiao Huayong already had a plan, Shen Xihe did not interfere further, allowing him to proceed. She inquired daily about Cui Jinbai's condition.
The next day, a special guest arrived at Shen Xihe's residence.
The young lady wore her hair in double buns, with flowing ribbons drifting alongside her jade-green ruqun. Three layers of light gauze sleeves conveyed both nobility and grace. Her steps were silent, elegant, and captivating.
"This humble girl pays her respects to Your Highness." The beauty bowed gracefully, her demeanor humble.
Shen Xihe reached out to help her up. "There is no need for such courtesy, Lady Xiao."
Xiao Wenxi, daughter of Princess Ruyang. After her father, Consort Wei, was implicated in the Rouge Case, Princess Ruyang divorced him. By imperial edict, her children were granted the surname Xiao.
Xiao Huayong had once impersonated her elder brother, Xiao Fuxing.
Calculating the time, three years had passed since the Rouge Case. Xiao Wenxi had also just completed her mourning period."Today I have taken the liberty of requesting an audience with the Crown Princess, as I wish to seek your approval for a marriage proposal." Xiao Wenxi wasted no time on pleasantries and got straight to the point after exchanging only a few words of courtesy with Shen Xihe.
OpenNovel