Chapter 750: He Trusted Her Deeply
The fact that Cui Jinbai could investigate the Blackwater Tribe's illegal mining at this time was undoubtedly an opportunity granted by Xiao Huayong. Without Xiao Huayong's cover-up, he would never have been able to leave the capital and chase all the way to Maozhou to rescue someone.
Moreover, Bu Shulin was only five months pregnant, with another five months until delivery. Adding postpartum confinement, that would total half a year. Regardless of how long it took to uncover the truth about the illegal mining, officials would still need to supervise the mining operations afterward—this was not a matter of days or even months. Shen Xihe believed Xiao Huayong would surely ensure Cui Jinbai became the supervisor. Remaining in the Blackwater Tribe for an extended period, far from the emperor's reach, would make it easy for Bu Shulin to give birth peacefully.
For both Cui Jinbai and Bu Shulin, this was a blessing. One could even call it a mix of kindness and authority.
Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow. "The Blackwater Tribe matter... such a coincidence?"
Knowing what she was thinking, Xiao Huayong didn’t hide it. "I had suspicions about this years ago and only confirmed it recently. However, the reasons behind it remain unclear."
"What kind of ore is it?" Shen Xihe pressed.
Regardless of the ore, according to dynasty law, all mines belonged to the court. Only the court had the right to mine. Illegal mining was equivalent to treason, punishable by the extermination of nine clans.
Xiao Huayong’s lips, neither thin nor thick, parted. "Gold!"
A gold mine—that meant gold and silver. Hoarding large amounts of gold and silver was not something an ordinary person would dare to do. It was unclear whether it was due to the greed of local officials, involvement of the royal family, or the complex dynamics of the Blackwater Tribe. With several Protectorate Headquarters balancing each other and numerous foreign tribes, the situation was undeniably murky.
"Beichen’s ambitions surely don’t end here," Shen Xihe said, her obsidian-like eyes clear and penetrating as she looked at Xiao Huayong, her gaze sharp yet subtle.
"What is Youyou thinking?" Xiao Huayong asked, as if feigning ignorance, a teasing smile on his face as he leaned closer.
Shen Xihe averted her gaze, looking up at the azure sky. "Haidongqing was tamed by you after relentless pursuit in the Blackwater region. Beichen, you’ve long had plans for the Blackwater Tribe... no, for the entire Northeast."
By sending Cui Jinbai there now, ostensibly to investigate illegal mining, he was actually laying the groundwork to target the Northeast.
The Northeast was originally under the control of Xiao Changfeng’s father. Later, to train the Invincible Army for His Majesty, the old Xun Wang faked his death and left. The military power in the Northeast was divided among three Protectorate Headquarters, all led by His Majesty’s trusted aides. For years, the balance remained unbroken until the An family attempted to marry their daughter into the Eastern Palace, only to be thwarted by Shen Xihe, who diminished their influence and demoted the official, seemingly disrupting the equilibrium.
"Youyou knows me best," Xiao Huayong admitted with a smile. "But the confidence I have today to act freely in the Northeast is all thanks to Youyou breaking the deadlock and leveraging the An family. I’ve benefited from your efforts."
"When I dealt with the An family, you were quite upset!" Shen Xihe rarely brought up old grievances, referring to the time she agreed to let An Zhengyi enter the Eastern Palace and requested His Majesty’s decree for the marriage, which infuriated Xiao Huayong to the point of storming off.
Xiao Huayong showed no embarrassment. Instead, he argued confidently, "How could I have known Youyou’s ulterior motives? It’s only because Youyou seldom showed concern for me that I dared not hope you would go to such lengths for my sake. And it’s my fault for being overly sensitive, unable to bear hearing such words, which made me lose my composure."Listen to these words—first complaining that she doesn't care enough about him to put his mind at ease, then saying it's precisely because he cares too much about her that his usual calm and wisdom instantly vanish, leaving no room for composure or rationality.
Shen Xihe couldn't be bothered to argue with him over such matters. With Bu Shulin now out of danger, she felt somewhat relieved inside.
Noticing her relaxed brows and cheerful mood, Xiao Huayong said, "I've exhausted all my efforts for Youyou. Shouldn't Youyou reward me a little?"
Exhausted all his efforts?
Shen Xihe looked utterly bewildered.
She knew Xiao Huayong was paving the way for her—even this test for Bu Shulin was designed to make her come out looking entirely good. In the past, Shen Xihe would have assumed Xiao Huayong was fishing for credit, but now she didn't think so. Xiao Huayong wouldn't stoop to such tactics.
That meant he was referring to something else. Hesitant, she felt she could never catch up to Xiao Huayong's thoughts when it came to matters of love, so she refrained from speaking rashly.
"Given my usual way of handling things, Worldly Son Bu wouldn't have gotten off so easily, nor would I have facilitated opportunities for her to be intimate with her beloved general. All of this was done for Youyou's sake," Xiao Huayong murmured.
Shen Xihe choked back her words, wanting to refute him but finding no grounds to do so. Yet if she didn't refute him, this sly man with his bright, thievish eyes would easily seize the opportunity, and who knew what he might ask for in return!
When discussing serious matters, the Crown Prince was insightful and meticulous, but when it came to non-serious topics—especially when seeking praise—he was utterly shameless, often directing his mischief toward matters between the sheets.
Just thinking about his past misdeeds made Shen Xihe unable to concede.
"If Youyou doesn't want to acknowledge it, that's fine. After all, it's just my one-sided wish..." Xiao Huayong, instantly reading Shen Xihe's thoughts, adopted a retreat-to-advance strategy and began brewing tea. "Youyou need not feel guilty. I did it all willingly. Even if I feel lonely inside, I won't hold any resentment..."
Shen Xihe stared intently at this two-faced man. Though he claimed not to resent her, the bitterness in his tone and eyes was almost palpable.
If she weren't the one involved, Shen Xihe would have thought, upon seeing Xiao Huayong like this, that the woman sitting across from him, who had provoked such an expression, was a heartless villainess who had toyed with his affections!
Shen Xihe: ...
He was putting on another act!
Taking a deep breath, Shen Xihe calmed her emotions and revealed a soft, gentle smile. "Beichen, you've worked hard. Since you shielded A Lin for my sake, as a token of gratitude, I will take charge of the Min River campaign remotely. This battle will be fought by me, sparing you the burden of harming your own kin and carrying that guilt."
Xiao Huayong was stunned. He hadn't expected Shen Xihe to counter him like this.
Harming his own kin? His relationship with Your Majesty and Xiao Changyan was one of life-and-death enmity. Though Shen Xihe phrased it so righteously, he couldn't refute it.
Just as he had used his actions toward Bu Shulin and Cui Jinbai—clearly to win people over—but insisted on dragging Shen Xihe into it.
He instantly suppressed his smile. "Youyou, are you truly determined to take action yourself?"
"Truly," Shen Xihe nodded, her expression calm and devoid of any jest.
Xiao Huayong pondered for a moment. "Very well, I'll wait and see Youyou display her skills while I remain an obedient Crown Prince."
The Min River campaign was of immense importance. The slightest misstep could lead to endless consequences.
Although Xiao Huayong had laid many plans, it was Shen Xihe who had Shen Yungan make a surprise move as bait, creating such a massive momentum that forced Your Majesty and Xiao Changyan to commit all their forces.With Bu Shulin alone, such an effect could not be achieved. Xiao Huayong had full confidence in Shen Xihe's capabilities and methods, and did not hesitate to entrust her with the matter despite its gravity.
He immediately relinquished control, handing over full authority to Shen Xihe to devise and execute the strategy.
(End of Chapter)
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