Chapter 695: The Crown Princess Who Had Never Been This Angry
Shen Xihe stared at him abruptly—he actually wanted her to feign pregnancy!
As if unaware of the earth-shattering words he had just uttered, Xiao Huayong smiled faintly, a trace of gentle reverence in his eyes. "Counting the days, I might still get to see the child."
"Xiao Beichen!" Shen Xihe gritted his name through clenched teeth.
Having mustered his courage again and composed himself, Xiao Huayong looked at Shen Xihe and said, "Youyou, Ruo Gu said that those afflicted with this poison find it difficult to conceive. I'm afraid I cannot give you a child of your own flesh and blood.
This might be for the best. We can announce a pregnancy now, and in eight months, bring in a baby boy. Since he won't be your biological child, if he proves obedient and sensible, and you don't wish to exert yourself, we can nurture him well. If he turns rebellious or unfilial, you need not show any mercy.
I've thought it through—there are countless commoners who give birth but lack the means to raise their children. I will arrange everything properly. The child will have no birthmarks, and as he grows, A Xi can adjust his bone structure to ensure he bears no resemblance to his biological relatives. It will suffice if he shares a slight resemblance to me in the eyes or brows."
After realizing he might not be able to stay by her side for life, Xiao Huayong had pondered deeply. Shen Xihe must have a child, and it must be a son. This way, before his departure, he could secure the child's status as the Crown Grandson. With a Crown Grandson in place, there would be no need to establish another Eastern Palace, allowing Shen Xihe to remain in the palace alongside the Crown Grandson.
She would still be the mother of the legitimate heir, and her position would not become precarious. The only drawback was that she would have to fight alone in the future, which would be more taxing. Xiao Huayong firmly believed that none of this would hinder her determination to protect the Northwest and her loved ones. Ultimate victory would undoubtedly belong to her.
Whether it was His Majesty or any other insolent individuals, he would clear the path for her in his final days.
"Do you have any idea what you're saying?" Shen Xihe had never been so furious—so enraged that even drawing a breath felt like swallowing knives, scraping every part of her body.
"Confusing the royal bloodline?" What others would not dare to contemplate was spoken by Xiao Huayong with such nonchalance, as if it mattered not at all. "Hasn't the royal bloodline always been about capability over lineage?"
The Xiao family was not the first royal clan, nor would it be the last.
Before Emperor Taizu seized the throne, the Xiao family were merely subjects. It was only during the turmoil of the realm, when the Xiao family overpowered all rivals in the struggle for supremacy, that they became the imperial house.
Xiao Huayong also firmly believed that even if future emperors remained of Xiao blood, who could predict how many generations the Xiao royal line would endure?
As long as the realm was entrusted to the capable—those who could bring prosperity to the people, plead for the masses, and ensure the dynasty's flourishing—what did it matter if the child was not his own flesh and blood?
He trusted that anyone Shen Xihe raised would not be lacking. And even if they were, Shen Xihe would still be there.
Countless times, Xiao Huayong had felt bitter and frustrated that his wife was too intelligent and resilient, often leaving him struggling to gain a sense of accomplishment from her. But in this moment, he was immensely grateful that his wife was Shen Xihe. Whether he was there or not, she would stand proudly between heaven and earth, living out the glorious life she deserved.
Perhaps this was the very reason she truly captivated him, making him unable to extricate himself.
Shen Xihe's gaze gradually turned sharp and cold. "Xiao Beichen, what right do you have to strip me of my right to be a mother?"Xiao Huayong's body jolted. His pupils were panicked and pained as he closed his eyes, turning away from Shen Xihe. His hands behind his back clenched and unclenched repeatedly. After a long moment, he finally spoke in a soul-lost voice, "I... didn't deprive you of your right to be a mother..."
The breeze carried these words to Shen Xihe's ears. In that instant, blood rushed to her head. The always dignified and elegant Shen Xihe was so enraged she forgot all propriety. With both hands, she pushed Xiao Huayong into the river: "Go die right now!"
After saying this, she turned in anger and left without looking back.
He actually suggested she find another man to remarry and have children with!
This infuriated her, absolutely infuriated her!
In all her grown years, Shen Xihe had never been this angry. So angry her chest heaved uncontrollably, so angry everything looked displeasing, so angry she wanted to scold everyone she saw, so angry she wanted to destroy everything in sight.
But after all, she was the Crown Princess. She couldn't act this way, yet she couldn't suppress her rage either. She rushed straight to the palace stables, took her horse, and without caring that her attire was unsuitable for riding, mounted and galloped away.
Xiao Huayong fell into the water and immediately surfaced, still somewhat dazed. Watching Shen Xihe storm off in rage, he hurriedly climbed ashore to pursue her. Realizing his current state was inappropriate for chasing after her, he ordered Tianyuan to quickly follow while he rushed to change clothes. Donning his outer robe while fastening his belt, pale-faced and flustered, he hurried after her.
Many palace servants witnessed this, and soon rumors spread through the Eastern Palace that a maid had climbed into the Crown Prince's bed and been caught by the Crown Princess.
When Xiao Huayong brought a horse to pursue her, Zhenzhu stopped him. While the Crown Prince could ride a horse, galloping at full speed was a different matter: "Your Highness, if you chase after her like this, I'm afraid Her Highness the Crown Princess will be even harder to appease."
Though unaware of what had transpired between Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe, Zhenzhu believed that if Xiao Huayong acted recklessly and aroused suspicion, the situation would only worsen.
Xiao Huayong was too anxious to care about such concerns. After all, he only had eight months left in his plan to "pass away," and he didn't mind if people speculated. If anyone dared to probe, he wouldn't hesitate to make them guilty of assassinating the Crown Prince.
However, just as he mounted his horse, hoofbeats were heard. The palace riding grounds weren't large, and Shen Xihe had completed a lap. Seeing Xiao Huayong made her even angrier. She rode straight toward him, and as her horse brushed past, she forcefully pushed him off again. Zhenzhu and others below hurried to catch him.
Shen Xihe didn't ride far, just continued circling the grounds.
Such commotion naturally attracted many people, including the Youning Emperor arriving with Shu Fei, followed by several princes.
They saw Shen Xihe galloping on horseback, her face dark with anger.
Xiao Huayong, supported by Eastern Palace guards, watched Shen Xihe with eager eyes, appearing both guilty and intimidated.
"We heard the Crown Princess stormed from the Eastern Palace to the stables, and you chased after her in panic. What act are you two performing?" the Youning Emperor asked as he approached."Who has been spreading rumors before Your Majesty?" Shen Xihe immediately reined in her horse and dismounted upon seeing the Youning Emperor, quickly approaching to pay respects. Hearing the Emperor's words, she promptly refuted, "It was merely a sudden whim of mine to go horseback riding. The Crown Prince had just returned to the palace, so I asked him to rest. I suppose when he heard I had gone to the stables to ride, he grew concerned I might accidentally injure myself and hurried after me."
"Precisely so, Your Majesty." Xiao Huayong naturally echoed Shen Xihe's words.
It was no secret that Xiao Huayong had taken people out of the palace to the Cui residence, and he had indeed just returned not long ago. The idea that he would take in a palace maid at such a time made little sense.
"It is my failure in managing the palace strictly, allowing someone to disturb Your Majesty with fabricated matters. I will thoroughly investigate and punish those responsible without leniency." Shen Xihe added another sentence, her gaze coldly sweeping past Liu Sanzhi standing beside the Youning Emperor.
She was currently filled with pent-up anger with nowhere to direct it.
After the last general pardon released palace maids, the Palace Service Department had been overlooked. This presented a perfect opportunity to make an example of them.
The Crown Prince would not tell Shen Xihe he intended to seek a cure, not because he unilaterally decided it was for her own good, but because the method came at too great a cost and had virtually zero chance of success. That was why he made this choice. Had there been even a thirty percent chance of success, he would have been forthright. The purpose will become clear later—the Crown Prince will undoubtedly be fine, as this must have a happy ending.
(End of Chapter)
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