Xiao Changying, for some unknown reason, had locked horns with Xiao Changmin, drawing the curiosity of Xiao Changtian, Xiao Changyan, and Xiao Changgeng. Xiao Changqing, however, stood ramrod straight, appearing completely detached and making no move to intervene.
Only Xiao Huayong glanced at him, his mind as clear as a mirror.
Xiao Changqing, Xiao Changyan, Xiao Changying, and even Xiao Changgeng all knew that Xiao Changmin was targeting the Crown Princess. Xiao Changying, who had always harbored feelings for Shen Xihe, naturally found Xiao Changmin grating at this moment.
"Ninth Brother, I have done nothing to offend you. Why must you make things difficult for me?" Xiao Changmin finally snapped.
"I have a straightforward nature and enjoy speaking the truth. If Second Brother finds my words unpleasant, you are welcome to refute them," Xiao Changying replied with a roguish smile.
"You—"
"Enough!" The Youning Emperor cut short the brothers' squabble, sweeping a stern gaze over them. "Although Ninth Lang's words are harsh, they hold some truth. Second Lang, if you seek to prove your innocence, I grant you permission to investigate alongside the Minister of the Imperial Clan and the Minister of Justice. Let us see how you intend to clear your name!"
Having temporarily resolved one side, the Youning Emperor turned his attention to Bu Shulin and Xiao Wenxi. "Since the two of you have already consummated your relationship, I shall bestow upon you a marriage decree. Regarding today's events, I will provide an explanation to the Shu Southern Royal Manor and the Eldest Princess's residence."
With the Emperor having spoken thus, no one dared to press further. Thus, when His Majesty dismissed them, they had no choice but to withdraw.
"Beichen, you were right. I underestimated A Lin," Shen Xihe said casually as they entered the Eastern Palace.
Bu Shulin had managed to evade Xiao Changmin's incense because she wore a scented sachet given to her by Shen Xihe—one specifically designed to counteract bewitching or aphrodisiac fragrances. Shen Xihe had noticed it earlier.
She had deliberately played along with the scheme. If she had suddenly requested a marriage decree from the Emperor, or waited until His Majesty began suspecting Bu Shulin's identity before devising a plan to marry Xiao Wenxi, the Emperor's doubts would not have been dispelled by Xiao Wenxi marrying Bu Shulin without questioning the latter. Instead, he would have suspected Xiao Wenxi and Bu Shulin of colluding, which would have bred distrust toward the Eldest Princess's residence as well.
Therefore, the marriage between Bu Shulin and Xiao Wenxi was best neither initiated proactively nor accepted passively after the Youning Emperor grew suspicious. Either approach would have seemed like a cover-up.
This opportunity to go with the flow was a perfect solution. The marriage between Xiao Wenxi and Bu Shulin was forced by framing. Even if Xiao Changmin had not seen the upper half of Worldly Son Bu's body confirming his masculinity today, he would not dare to spread rumors lightly in the future.
Xiao Wenxi and Bu Shulin had consummated their relationship at Prince Zhao's residence, and Xiao Wenxi had always been an intelligent young woman. Unless the Eldest Princess's residence had some grave secret held by the Shu Southern Royal Manor, Xiao Wenxi would never endure such humiliation and pretend to be involved with Bu Shulin if the latter were not a man.
The intricacies of the situation were naturally lost on everyone. At this point, anyone who claimed Bu Shulin was not a man would be met with scorn.
"Although Worldly Son Bu is no fool, I cannot allow others to claim credit for my efforts," Xiao Huayong said, stopping in his tracks and fixing his gaze on Shen Xihe. "Cutting the problem at its root, solving it once and for all, and eliminating future troubles—this was my strategy."Under his surveillance, Xiao Changmin took the fragrant spices to seek appraisal from others. No matter how much he pondered, Xiao Huayong had already discerned Xiao Changmin's intentions upon learning the purpose of these spices, and subsequently decided to play along.
As for how to smuggle in the decoy and properly extract the person afterward—these were entirely Bu Shulin's own capabilities.
"You told me not to worry, yet you meddled quite a bit yourself," Shen Xihe shot him a glare.
"It's all Youyou's fault. When you worry, I grow anxious. And when I'm anxious, I can't help but interfere..."
Xiao Huayong would never admit to Shen Xihe that while he had advised her to spare herself the trouble—and though he trusted Bu Shulin's abilities—he feared any unforeseen mishap, lest Shen Xihe end up blaming him.
"Fine, it's all my fault for making you fret, is that it?" Shen Xihe snorted lightly and turned to leave.
Xiao Huayong hurried after her: "I—I didn’t mean it that way... I—I was only joking..."
"Pfft!" Shen Xihe couldn’t hold back her laughter. The Crown Prince always stammered whenever he grew nervous around her.
It was hard to imagine that a man who could overturn clouds and rain, secure victory from afar, and hold the universe in his hands could also have such a foolish side.
"Ah, Youyou, you’re teasing me again!" Realizing he’d been tricked, Xiao Huayong feigned anger, but Shen Xihe had already dashed ahead. He quickly gave chase.
The couple chased each other around the courtyard, frolicking for over an hour. From a distance, Zhenzhu, Tianyuan, and the others watched with expressions of bemused disbelief.
These two, usually so profound and composed, had suddenly transformed into this state—they needed time to adjust.
Had Biyu not arrived with the results of the investigation Shen Xihe had tasked her with, the two might have continued their playful antics for much longer.
After reading the letter Biyu handed her, Shen Xihe let out a short, derisive laugh.
Xiao Huayong raised an eyebrow and leaned over to look. "Shu Fei has rather grand ambitions."
Xiao Changhong’s fall into the water was not, as Consort Song had claimed, due to drinking too much and needing to relieve himself. Rather, Consort Song had allowed Xiao Changhong to play with nephews from her maternal family of similar age. To encourage closeness among the children, she had assigned only one eunuch to supervise.
The eunuch later lost track of Xiao Changhong, leading to his fall into the water.
If this news reached His Majesty’s ears, given his affection for Xiao Changhong, and with Shu Fei whispering suggestions, Consort Song would likely lose her right to raise him.
Xiao Changhong was only five years old and still needed a mother. The custody of a prince involved many considerations, and in the Imperial Harem, Shu Fei was indeed the most suitable candidate.
Shu Fei had no maternal family, so her raising a prince would not fuel the ambitions of external relatives.
"Lately, Shu Fei and Consort Song have been interacting frequently." The Imperial Harem was entirely under Shen Xihe’s control.
If Consort Song failed to recognize Shu Fei’s role in this affair and lost custody of her foster son as a result, Shu Fei could further sway Consort Song—perhaps by promising more opportunities for her to spend time with Xiao Changhong—and Consort Song might even willingly choose Shu Fei as the foster mother.
Shu Fei was a princess of Tubo. His Majesty would never allow her to bear a child—a princess would be welcomed by all, but a prince would be highly problematic, as Tubo might seek to interfere in the court’s affairs. Shu Fei understood this well.
From the moment she decided to follow His Majesty, she had relinquished any right to bear children.
But now, unwilling to accept this, she desired a prince to secure her future. Thus, Xiao Changhong was the perfect choice."Do you think she's merely preparing for old age, or..." Shen Xihe gazed pensively at Xiao Huayong.
The Crown Prince isn't destined for longevity, while Your Majesty remains in his prime. A five-year-old prince might still outlive his elder brothers—this is far from wishful thinking.
"Why dwell on such thoughts? We simply need to foil her schemes." Xiao Huayong smiled faintly.
Some matters need not be probed for underlying intentions. Regardless of the purpose, rendering it futile suffices.
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