"Send Prince Lie to the Northwest?" Tianyuan's eyelids twitched as he asked again in a low, uncertain voice.
"Is there any problem?"
Xiao Huayong gently picked up the wutong leaf, holding it toward the direction of the incoming light. Gazing at the lifelike silhouette in the faint glow, his eyes seemed infused with sunset hues, warm ripples swirling within them as the corners of his lips curved upward.
"Your Highness, when Prince Lie was chased to the Junzhu's presence that day, the Northwest King's estate also played a role..." Tianyuan hunched his shoulders as he reminded.
Xiao Changying had been targeted for elimination by Imperial Consort Wei and others due to the Rouge Case. Various factions demonstrated their capabilities, and the Northwest King also contributed by secretly protecting Xiao Changying without actually rescuing him—creating an opportunity for Shen Xihe to save Xiao Changying.
This indicated that Shen Yueshan had intentions of betrothing Shen Xihe to Xiao Changying.
Now sending Xiao Changying to the Northwest—if he gained the Northwest King's favor—Tianyuan feared his master would regret it deeply.
Xiao Huayong's smile faltered briefly before he let out a short laugh through his nose: "He stands no chance."
Xiao Huayong understood Shen Yueshan's plan—he wanted to support the Fifth Prince. The Fifth Prince and the Ninth Prince were born of the same mother, already sharing deep fraternal bonds. If the Fifth Prince ascended the throne, Xiao Changying would become second only to the emperor. Considering this brotherly affection, as long as Shen Yueshan didn't cling to power, the Shen family would have a peaceful ending, and Shen Xihe wouldn't need to become entangled in the Imperial Harem's schemes and intrigues.
For his treasured daughter Shen Xihe, Shen Yueshan had calculated every step—without abandoning his responsibilities as Northwest King or betraying the peace of the Northwest region—he had chosen the best path for Shen Xihe.
Unfortunately, Shen Xihe hadn't taken a liking to Xiao Changying.
Thinking of this, Xiao Huayong couldn't help but feel pleased, his lips curling upward again. Though he didn't know why Shen Xihe didn't favor Xiao Changying, Xiao Huayong firmly believed that if Shen Xihe was unwilling, Shen Yueshan would never force her.
Therefore, Xiao Changying stood no chance.
Once Xiao Changying went to the Northwest, he would discreetly arrange for news of Xiao Changying using the Defense Map to threaten Shen Xihe to reach Shen Yueshan's ears. Then he'd see how Xiao Changying could possibly win Shen Yueshan's favor.
Tianyuan sensed his master's strong displeasure. Having fulfilled his subordinate's duty by saying what needed to be said, he quickly made himself scarce.
While Shen Xihe was dealing with Xiao Changying, news of the lost Anxi Protectorate Headquarters Defense Map began spreading on a small scale the next day. The rumors were vivid and detailed, yet completely lacking evidence.
No one knew where the rumors originated. The Youning Emperor even summoned important ministers from the Three Departments and Six Ministries to discuss the matter. Some believed there's no smoke without fire, suggesting it might be true and that Shen Yueshan should be immediately summoned to the capital to provide an explanation.
Others thought it might be deliberate misdirection aimed at driving a wedge between ruler and subject. If His Majesty summoned Shen Yueshan, it would be a case of luring the tiger away from the mountain. If the Northwest were then attacked on a large scale with no one in command, who would bear the responsibility for this?
With both sides arguing relentlessly, the Youning Emperor also summoned several adult princes to ask for their opinions.
At this moment, Xiao Changying was deeply troubled. He possessed an intercepted Defense Map but couldn't verify its authenticity. If it were fake and he presented it, fulfilling someone's scheme to draw Shen Yueshan away from his post, the responsibility would inevitably fall on him.
During such critical times, it was unwise to stand out.
He also knew that if he didn't present it now, he couldn't present it later regardless of its authenticity—otherwise it would appear as deception toward the emperor.
No, he still had another method!Amidst the ongoing dispute between the two sides, he stepped forward: "Your Majesty, your son has a proposal."
"Let's hear it." The Youning Emperor was plagued by headaches from the quarreling factions. These old-timers deliberately argued without offering solutions, knowing the gravity of the matter and fearing punishment if their suggestions proved misguided.
"All the ministers' arguments hold merit. Why not allow your son to travel to the northwest and investigate the truth of this matter in secret?" Xiao Changying volunteered.
This way, if the defense map was genuine, he could legitimize its acquisition; if it was fake, he could uncover who had painstakingly delivered a counterfeit defense map to him and for what purpose.
In the end, the ministers reached a consensus and approved Xiao Changying's proposal. However, they inevitably debated over who should be sent. After observing their calculations for a while, the Youning Emperor still feared letting Xiao Changying go.
"Your Ladyship..."
Since the news from the palace arrived, Shen Xihe had been standing in the small pavilion for a long time, holding Duanming in silence. Biyu waited and waited, growing increasingly worried.
"Someone is helping us," Shen Xihe said softly.
This person's methods surpassed her own—turning reality into illusion and illusion into reality, making a likely genuine matter indistinguishable from falsehood. Even the thief who stole the defense map might now be uncertain whether they had taken a real one.
As a result, the Youning Emperor had to deliberate repeatedly on how to respond. Not only was there the question of the defense map's authenticity, but also the motives behind stealing it or spreading such a rumor. Overthinking would lead to indecision.
In the northwest, Shen Yueshan, upon hearing the rumors, would naturally have countermeasures ready.
The thief who stole the defense map aimed to target Shen Yueshan, not to betray the country to the enemy, so it wouldn't provoke external chaos.
At this point, unless the thief delivered the real defense map to the enemy, allowing them to invade and capture Anxi, there would be no evidence to prove the map's authenticity. Shen Yueshan now had ample time to respond.
"Who could it be?" Biyu felt relieved, as they had mostly overcome the crisis regarding the defense map.
"I don't know..." She should have no allies in the capital. The only one who might help her was Bu Shulin.
But Bu Shulin certainly lacked this level of wisdom...
"Your Ladyship, Guard Cao has brought the food box." Hongyu led Tianyuan to the moon gate from outside.
Shen Xihe turned and saw Tianyuan approaching with a food box, stopping outside the pavilion. "Your Ladyship, today the Eastern Palace served crab and pheasant. The crab is plump, and the pheasant is tender. His Highness had them prepared as orange-stuffed crab and pheasant soup. As His Highness is frail and cannot eat much, he ordered me to bring some to you."
After speaking, Tianyuan handed over the food box, and Shen Xihe motioned for Biyu to accept it.
Tianyuan added, "Your Ladyship, His Highness has a message for you."
Shen Xihe glanced at Tianyuan, understood, and stepped down from the pavilion to approach him. Tianyuan leaned in slightly and said respectfully, "His Highness said, regarding the matter of Anxi, Your Ladyship may rest assured."
Having delivered the message, Tianyuan immediately stepped back, bowed respectfully, and withdrew.
Shen Xihe's heart stirred with waves—it was actually Xiao Huayong who had done this!
She had considered everyone but never thought it would be Xiao Huayong.
It seemed that Xiao Huayong's influence and intelligence far exceeded her previous assessments.
By helping her in this way and confessing openly, he was demonstrating his stance and sincerity. He was telling her that he was willing to ally with her.She could feel his sincerity, but his strategies and tactics exceeded her expectations, forcing her to reconsider carefully.
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