"Update for 'After My Flowers Wilt, All Blooms Shall Perish' at the fastest pace!
'Youyou, Yu Xiang has been His Majesty's trusted aide for thirty years.' Xiao Huayong had never considered persuading Yu Xiang to switch sides—not because he thought it impossible, but because the risks were too great, and Yu Xiang wasn't worth the effort.
Even after several upheavals, especially last year's incident involving Yu Gong, the Yu family had their Pingyao Marquis title revoked, and Yu Xiang lost his position as Grand General, clearly marginalized from the Youning Emperor's inner circle.
But decades of ruler-subject ties were bound not merely by ordinary loyalty; their interests were deeply intertwined. Perhaps some of the emperor's unspeakable affairs had passed through Yu Xiang's hands.
If Yu Xiang were to betray him, he would inevitably face the emperor's wrath. With the threat of his clan's extermination looming, even if the Yu family had some cleverness, it would be difficult to shake Yu Xiang's resolve.
Shen Xihe did not refute Xiao Huayong's reminder. Instead, her bright eyes sparkled with amusement as she gazed at him. 'Beichen, let's make a bet. In this game, victory will belong to me.'
Her glance back was like starlight shimmering in her eyes. The confidence radiating from her very bones brooked no doubt.
Today, she wore hairpins adorned with dangling pearls at her temples, their brilliance enveloping her, her demeanor dazzlingly radiant.
'Since it's a bet, there must be a stake.' Xiao Huayong feigned contemplation for a moment. 'All that I possess already belongs to you. What in my humble possession could possibly serve as a wager for Youyou?'
Shen Xihe looked at him deeply—profoundly, silently, even with a sharp, piercing intensity—without uttering a word.
Xiao Huayong's heart inexplicably skipped a beat. From their first meeting until now, she had never looked at him this way. Even in their initial encounters, when her gaze held assessment and curiosity, it was never like this—as if she intended to dissect him with her eyes, to see every bone in his body clearly.
'Youyou...'
As Xiao Huayong began to speak, Shen Xihe withdrew her gaze and spoke simultaneously with him, 'Beichen, if I win, you must promise me one thing, and you cannot go back on your word.'
After studying Shen Xihe carefully for a moment, Xiao Huayong opened his mouth but ultimately refrained from probing further. He didn't understand the reason behind her earlier gaze, but he had a clear conscience regarding her and saw no need for unease.
'Youyou, if you have any need, you may speak directly. There's no need for a bet; I would still exhaust all my efforts to fulfill your wish.'
Shen Xihe gently shook her head. 'One matter at a time. I wish to make this bet with you, with your promise as the stake.'
Xiao Huayong's eyebrows lifted slightly. After a moment's thought, he agreed, 'How could I dare spoil your mood? I accept. If Youyou loses, you need only promise me one thing in return.'
'Agreed.' Shen Xihe promptly consented.
Suddenly, they exchanged a smile. Though nothing tangible had solidified between them, it was as if thick clouds had dispersed, allowing the sunlight to grow noticeably brighter.
At this stage, Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong had arranged all they could. What remained was to observe the pieces they had placed on the chessboard and see which were stronger or weaker.
Three days after Xiao Changyan departed from the capital, Bu Shulin, to avoid standing out and arousing unnecessary suspicion, waited until more and more people were blocked at the pass and discontent grew, with many demanding travel permits to withdraw. She then followed the trend and retreated with the crowd.
However, after withdrawing from the pass, she followed the border line, bypassing Minzhou and heading straight for Maozhou. The day before entering Maozhou, she was intercepted by men brought by Xiao Changgeng.""Worldly Son Bu, it has been a while since we last met." Xiao Changgeng's gaze was fixed not on the heavily pregnant Bu Shulin, but on Shen Twenty-Seven, who had contorted his bones to impersonate Bu Shulin.
"Is Prince Yan attempting to obstruct my return to Shu'nan to mourn, as decreed by the imperial edict?" Having spent considerable time by Bu Shulin's side and learning from his every mannerism, Shen Twenty-Seven had mastered his speech, expressions, and even minor habits to perfection.
Bu Shulin, concealed behind a veil and standing at the back of the crowd, appeared as an uninvolved bystander. They had rehearsed this scenario numerous times: at the first sign of trouble, Jin Shan would lead the others in drawing their swords and closing ranks around Shen Twenty-Seven.
Only such instinctive protection would convince everyone that Shen Twenty-Seven was indeed Worldly Son Bu!
"Worldly Son Bu, beyond Maozhou lies the Min River. The journey ahead is perilous. May I personally escort you?" Xiao Changgeng smiled warmly. Young in years and with a boyish face, he resembled a sunlit youth.
Bu Shulin was unaware that Xiao Changgeng was aligned with Xiao Huayong, assuming instead that he was either in league with Prince Jing Xiao Changyan or dispatched by His Majesty.
She knew he would show no mercy.
"Has Your Highness left the capital with an imperial decree?" Shen Twenty-Seven challenged loudly.
Xiao Changgeng merely smiled, his expression dark and brooding as he stared at Shen Twenty-Seven.
"Your Highness has left the capital without authorization—it seems you are here for me." Shen Twenty-Seven took two steps back. "If that is the case, further words are unnecessary."
Bu Shulin discreetly signaled, and Hidden Guards rushed from the distance. The accompanying guards drew their blades without hesitation, charging toward Xiao Changgeng's men.
With a wave of his hand, Xiao Changgeng's followers brandished their weapons, meeting the assault with icy determination.
Steel clashed against steel, flashes of cold light gleaming in the air.
The sounds of battle echoed through the empty valley.
Across the tangled fray of combatants, Xiao Changgeng and Shen Twenty-Seven locked eyes, each fixated on the other.
Shen Twenty-Seven cast a subtle glance toward Bu Shulin, who was pretending to be an innocent commoner hiding behind the bamboo grove, clinging to the stalks. He then bolted in the opposite direction, with Xiao Changgeng swiftly in pursuit!
Aside from Bu Shulin, there were several others in the group whose identities could be verified—guards disguised as civilians accompanying Bu Shulin. To all observers, their presence was meant to cover for Shen Twenty-Seven.
Xiao Changgeng's men were not bloodthirsty and had no intention of harming these unarmed individuals.
By luring Xiao Changgeng away, Shen Twenty-Seven created an opportunity for Bu Shulin and the others to flee quickly.
How could Bu Shulin not understand? She immediately scrambled away in another direction.
Jin Shan, anxious yet unable to retreat toward Bu Shulin's escape route, had to lead his men in pursuit of Shen Twenty-Seven's direction. He could only hope in his heart that Bu Shulin would make it safely.
Unfortunately, Bu Shulin's luck was poor. Xiao Changgeng had made a conspicuous arrival because he had received word that Xiao Changmin was approaching with the Embroidered Uniform Envoys. Although Xiao Changyan had instructed him to share intelligence with Xiao Changmin, the latter remained wary of him.
Xiao Changmin had pursued them without leaking any information. If not for Xiao Changgeng's early detection and preemptive commotion, Bu Shulin's party would have been caught off guard and slaughtered by Xiao Changmin.
Even so, Xiao Changgeng could only offer a vague warning—Xiao Changmin and the Embroidered Uniform Envoys arrived too swiftly.
Bu Shulin, leading a few others, ran straight into Xiao Changmin.
Xiao Changmin had already thoroughly investigated Bu Shulin's group and was secretly laying a trap. Xiao Changgeng's rash actions had forced him to hastily coordinate with Xiao Changgeng to prevent Bu Shulin's escape.Xiao Changmin didn't recognize Bu Shulin, but thinking these people had been following them all along, he didn't want to let them go. He immediately ordered, "Arrest them!"
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