Chapter 739: She Will Not Remarry
"Too hasty?" Xiao Changying pondered carefully and also felt it was somewhat rushed. The Crown Prince seemed eager to create an opportunity to eliminate all threatening individuals. "Brother, the Crown Prince is already twenty-three this year..."
Rumors outside claimed the Crown Prince would not live past twenty-four. They had always believed this was a rumor spread by the Crown Prince himself to feign weakness for self-protection. But how shrewd was their Majesty? If this rumor were completely baseless, would His Majesty have taken no action at all?
Therefore... the Crown Prince truly would not live past twenty-four, which logically connected his current behavior.
His younger brother's expression was extremely complex, a mix of half joy and half worry.
Xiao Changqing could understand his thoughts at this moment. The joy came from the possibility that if something happened to the Crown Prince, he might still have a chance to fulfill his wish, even if the opportunity was extremely slim. The worry was that Shen Xihe might not be without feelings for the Crown Prince. After all, the Crown Prince had paved the way for her to this extent—even a stone would warm up over time. Thus, the Crown Prince's death would cause her pain.
"The Crown Princess must have feelings for the Crown Prince.Xiao Changqing had to pour cold water on his brother's hopes, making him face reality clearly.
Glancing at Xiao Changying's slightly stiffened body, Xiao Changqing said leisurely, "The Crown Prince has always been far-sighted. If he had known early on that his lifespan was short, our imperial family would not be as calm as it is now. This battle came so hastily, which can only mean the Crown Prince only recently accepted his fate and came to terms with his short lifespan.
At this moment, the Crown Prince has abandoned the Xiao family, wholeheartedly planning and paving the way for the Crown Princess. They have been married for nearly three years. If the Crown Princess were completely unmoved, the Crown Prince would not have gone to such lengths."
No one understood better than him the agony of deeply loving someone, yearning for even the slightest response—a glance, a fleeting smile—and how excruciating that pain could be.
Xiao Changying clenched his jaw, remaining silent.
Xiao Changqing seemed not to notice his resistance and continued, "The Crown Princess must have known early on that the Crown Prince was not long-lived. She resolutely married into the Eastern Palace for the sake of legitimate succession and to avoid the pain of marital discord in the future. The Crown Princess is someone who values family and state over personal romance.
Regardless of whether she already has feelings for the Crown Prince, even if she did not, she would not remarry after the Crown Prince's passing."
Therefore, you had better give up this idea as soon as possible.
Xiao Changqing did not want his brother to harbor delusions, just as he himself had once done. It was because the fantasies were too beautiful that he exhausted all efforts to cling to them, like a kite flying away—the harder he pulled, the more it slipped away. In the end, his joy turned to emptiness, leaving him unable to accept it and regretting it for life.
"She wants to seize that position. If the Crown Prince dies, how will she compete for it?" Xiao Changying was unwilling to give up.
Xiao Changqing chuckled lightly, "The Crown Prince is still alive. They will eventually have children, or perhaps... the Eastern Palace already has joyful news."
Xiao Changying's face turned pale, his lips pressed tightly together, resisting emotionally, "Even if she is pregnant, how can you be sure it will be an imperial grandson!"
"It will definitely be an imperial grandson." Xiao Changqing said each word with absolute certainty.
For others, it might be a fifty-fifty chance, but for Shen Xihe, if she becomes pregnant, it will inevitably be an imperial grandson. Even if it were not, the Crown Prince would find a way to substitute it.
"The Crown Prince, he..." Xiao Changying understood the implication in Xiao Changqing's words and was deeply shaken. He could not digest or accept this fact.Bloodline inheritance and imperial legitimacy are of utmost importance, yet Xiao Huayong was willing to risk tainting the royal bloodline for Shen Xihe!
"This is precisely why he could win the Crown Princess's heart," Xiao Changqing struck a heavy blow to Xiao Changying.
Xiao Changying completely collapsed, his eyes darting about in disarray, his mind in utter chaos.
To be fair, since he had never faced such a choice, he wasn't sure if he could have done what Xiao Huayong did when the moment came. Such an act completely overturned his principles and sense of propriety, challenging his fundamental moral values...
Seeing Xiao Changying's disoriented state, Xiao Changqing patted him on the shoulder, gave it a gentle squeeze, sighed softly, then turned and walked away with his hands behind his back.
This time, it was Xiao Changying who had rushed to be used by Xiao Huayong. Given the Crown Prince's frankness, Xiao Changqing saw no point in awkwardly pursuing the matter of the Crown Prince targeting Xiao Changying. Had the Crown Prince truly intended to harm Xiao Changying, he wouldn't have returned alive.
Having abandoned his ambition for the throne, if Shen Xihe's young son were to ascend, Xiao Changqing could peacefully withdraw from this turbulent circle—a mutually beneficial outcome.
Crucially, by not contending with Shen Xihe, he would spare Xiao Changying from being torn between them.
Since that was the case, why not plan early to stabilize the situation? That way, he could attain freedom sooner.
Returning to his study, Xiao Changqing wrote furiously, dispatching sealed letters one after another. Before dawn the next day, before the morning court assembly, news exploded in the capital: pirates had massacred fishermen along the Min River.
Lamps lit up in official residences as civil and military officials hurriedly straightened their attire and rushed to court.
A memorial detailing the bloody massacre of an entire village was presented to the Youning Emperor. Enraged, the Emperor ordered the Jiannan Governor, along with the defenders of Hanzhou and Yazhou, to thoroughly investigate the matter. The Shu Southern Royal Manor was bypassed under the pretext of handling funeral arrangements.
Someone immediately proposed in court that due to the rampant piracy, the Emperor should dispatch forces to suppress them.
The Youning Emperor adopted the suggestion and promptly named Xiao Changying for the task. Xiao Changqing responded on his behalf: "Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince was attacked on his way home last night and is severely injured. I have not yet had time to report this."
"A royal prince attacked in the capital region?" The Youning Emperor grew even angrier. "The Dali Temple shall investigate this strictly!"
The Chief of Dali Temple accepted the order, while Xiao Changqing lowered his gaze and returned to his position.
Since Xiao Changying had already been nominated, appointing another general at this point would be unwise. Immediately, someone stepped forward to suggest that Xiao Changyan lead the troops. Xiao Changyan had no desire to be a pawn in this game, and his supporters argued vehemently to exempt him. However, after a power struggle among various factions, he was ultimately appointed commander, tasked with leading five thousand naval troops to Minzhou.
After the court session, Xiao Changyan deliberately intercepted Xiao Changqing: "Fifth Brother, you are exceedingly shrewd. Do not become someone else's weapon."
Xiao Changqing lifted his eyes slightly, his smile not reaching them, and gave a faint, insincere bow. "Eighth Brother, you are brave and skilled in battle, with elite troops and fine generals under your command. I wish you a swift victory and further achievements from afar."
"Fifth Brother, a tripod stands firm on three legs. When the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold!" Xiao Changyan reminded him gravely.
"I am not as learned as you, Eighth Brother. I know nothing of tripods standing firm. I only know: one monk carries water to drink, two monks carry water together, but three monks... have no water to drink." Xiao Changqing offered a hollow smile. "Since too many people leave everyone thirsty, surely one of them shouldn't exist, should they? Eighth Brother.""It seems Fifth Brother has chosen his water-carrier. I wish you success in your endeavors." Xiao Changyan let out a cold laugh.
"Eighth Brother must return triumphant soon, lest I worry you might miss the opportune moment and fail to witness..."
Xiao Changqing's words, neither harsh nor gentle, made Xiao Changyan storm off in a swirl of sleeves.
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