This is an excellent plan indeed.
"Will you arrange for A Lin to depart first or follow later?" Shen Xihe asked.
Bu Shulin had entered the palace to express gratitude, then went to the Eastern Palace to bid farewell, but ended up staying there. The substitute returning from the Eastern Palace to the residence couldn't possibly depart on the same day either.
This created a time gap, allowing Bu Shulin to set off that very night, ahead of the main contingent, or to follow later, trailing behind.
Both options had their pros and cons. Departing first made it easier to avoid pre-set ambushes but carried certain risks—not knowing where the ambushes were laid or whether one might inadvertently stumble into a trap.
Following later could completely avoid the ambushes, but once it was discovered that the person wasn't the real Bu Shulin, the pursuers would likely become more cautious, leaving people behind to lie in wait.
"Let her depart first." Xiao Huayong had already made his decision. He turned his head and gave Shen Xihe a faint smile. "No one knows she was swapped out in the Eastern Palace, so no one would guess she could leave ahead of schedule. By the time everyone realizes the person they're watching is a fake Worldly Son Bu, they'll be convinced that the real Bu Shulin is still behind or has taken an alternate route, roughly matching their timeline."
Moreover, even if they guessed that Bu Shulin had already left earlier, they might not be able to catch up.
As for Shen Xihe's concerns, they couldn't be entirely avoided. If they did happen to encounter trouble, it would simply be a matter of bad luck, and they would have to rely on their wits to handle the situation.
Shen Xihe nodded. Xiao Huayong's arrangements had already been extremely detailed and thorough. Once they left the capital, the rest would depend on Bu Shulin's own capabilities.
Though worried about her close friend, Shen Xihe had no intention of intervening in this matter. Firstly, more people would only increase the risk of exposure, potentially backfiring.
Secondly, this matter was of great importance. If Bu Shulin couldn't overcome this hurdle herself and her true gender was exposed, and if their own people were traced, it would implicate them as well.
At this time, the Emperor was powerful, and the various princes were watching like tigers. Even if Xiao Huayong wasn't afraid of confronting the Youning Emperor, such a battle could result in a pyrrhic victory or mutual destruction, with Xiao Changqing or Xiao Changyan ultimately benefiting from the aftermath.
Therefore, they couldn't give the Youning Emperor a legitimate reason to take action against them.
Thirdly, Bu Shulin needed to prove her capabilities if she were to become a regional commander in the future.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be worthy of the carefully trained guards Xiao Huayong had sacrificed for her.
Xiao Huayong could certainly force the deployment of his men, but if the sacrifices were too great, and Bu Shulin made those following Xiao Huayong feel she didn't deserve such sacrifices, it would damage Xiao Huayong's authority and shake the loyalty of his subordinates.
"Youyou, there's no need to worry. Although I cannot send my own trained men, don't forget that I still have the card of my imperial uncle in hand."
Xiao Huayong chuckled softly to reassure Shen Xihe. "We must still allow certain things to play out naturally. After all, my imperial uncle is a rebel. If he were to protect Worldly Son Bu from the start, it would be a disaster for Shu Nan."
Only when Bu Shulin was on the brink of life and death could Xiao Juesong's men intervene. Even if His Majesty detected clues, he wouldn't be able to pin the label of rebel collaborator on them.
On the contrary, His Majesty would have to promptly offer reassurances, believing that Xiao Juesong was seizing an opportunity, which would stir His Majesty's desire to compete and contend with Xiao Juesong.
The court officials would also demand an explanation. If His Majesty handled it improperly, the officials would become apprehensive. If Xiao Juesong wanted to target someone, he could deliberately protect them. With Bu Shulin's case as a precedent, could His Majesty afford to treat others differently?"Beichen, you played a brilliant move that day." Shen Xihe couldn't help but admire Xiao Huayong's masterstroke in securing Xiao Juesong's allegiance, which had facilitated many of his operations and perfectly concealed his identity.
"It was merely a stroke of luck, coinciding with my royal uncle's impending demise." Xiao Huayong felt fortune had played a significant role in this matter.
Everything aligned perfectly—he wasn't the Emperor's biological son, Xiao Juesong harbored deep hatred for His Majesty yet lacked the strength to challenge him, allowing Xiao Huayong to seize the opportunity.
"Opportunity favors the capable." Shen Xihe believed Xiao Huayong was being overly modest.
Would Xiao Juesong so easily abandon his life-or-death struggle against His Majesty? Even knowing it was a futile fight, with death approaching, he likely wouldn't have cared about the consequences.
Death renders everything meaningless. Even if Xiao Huayong truly made the Emperor die with regrets, Xiao Juesong wouldn't witness it. Such resentment would be impossible for an ordinary person to overcome.
Yet Xiao Huayong could—this was his true capability!
Reflecting carefully now, Xiao Juesong leaving his followers to Xiao Huayong might have been intended for them to monitor him. If Xiao Huayong broke his vow, they might turn against him!
"Did you make any promises to Xiao Juesong that day?" Shen Xihe asked urgently.
"I merely provided him with some evidence to verify my identity." Xiao Huayong reassured Shen Xihe. "He wouldn't easily disclose this proof, as he relies on me to fulfill his final wish. If I betray his trust, he'd have no choice but to engage in a desperate battle against His Majesty."
Once his identity was exposed, either the royal family would exile him, or he'd overthrow the Emperor and ascend the throne himself. Either way, his ultimate goal would be achieved.
Silver light gathered in his profound, gleaming eyes as Xiao Huayong's lips curved into a deeply calculating smile. "Unfortunately, he underestimated me. While his followers serve me, they also watch me. I've already identified whom he entrusted with the evidence I gave him..."
Originally, he hadn't planned to eliminate this person—keeping them under control avoided disrupting the loyalty of Xiao Juesong's remaining followers.
But now...
He lowered his gaze to Shen Xihe, gently smoothing a stray lock of her hair before drawing her into his embrace.
He had to take action. After his departure, these people might not trust Shen Xihe. If they chose someone else to fulfill Xiao Juesong's final wish, they would inevitably turn against her.
Fortunately, the matter with Bu Shulin presented the perfect opportunity! Confronting His Majesty's elite forces, any mishap would appear natural, arousing no suspicion among others.
"You..."
Sensing something, Shen Xihe began to ask, but a warm, slender finger pressed against her lips. "Let's not discuss this," Xiao Huayong said. "We mustn't influence our son, lest he become a brooding little old man."
Xiao Huayong hoped for a son. If he were to remain, he'd wish for a clever, beautiful daughter like Shen Xihe, whom he'd raise to be bold and unrestrained.
But he wasn't so fortunate, so he prayed for a son—one who could protect, accompany, support his mother, and grant her... everything she desired.
"He's still so small! How could he understand our conversation?" Shen Xihe chided Xiao Huayong with an exasperated glance.As for the child, she did not argue. She also hoped for a boy, for in this world, men lived with fewer constraints than women.
"I understand. Our child will undoubtedly be the most intelligent person in this world!" Xiao Huayong had always been brimming with confidence. Every night before holding Shen Xihe to sleep, he would spend nearly half an hour chattering to their yet-unformed child in Shen Xihe's womb.
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