Chapter 755: Beichen, Thank You
"Youyou…"
A sigh, laden with countless unspoken emotions.
Xiao Huayong's expression was desolate and melancholy. Even with his silver tongue, he found himself at a loss for words, unsure how to begin.
No matter how capable they were of overturning clouds and rain, of covering the sky with one hand—when faced with life and death, they were equally helpless.
Some words were like scars; they both knew where they lay, carefully avoiding them, yet that didn't mean they didn't exist or worsen.
At this moment, Xiao Huayong truly wished Shen Xihe weren't so perceptive and intelligent. Perhaps then he could have kept it from her a little longer. But as soon as the thought arose, he couldn't help but mock himself—wasn't it her calm composure and profound wisdom that had captivated him, drawing him deeper into her?
The gloom was fleeting, quickly reined in by Xiao Huayong's formidable self-control. His expression returned to its usual composure as he lifted his wrist, revealing a five-colored longevity thread entwined with a black chess piece: "I have never underestimated your abilities, nor do I believe that as a man and your husband, I must confine you to the inner chambers and shield you from everything.
I simply wish to treat you better.
To give you all I have, hoping for your smooth journey."
He couldn't help but want to ease her worries, to anticipate her thoughts and even those she hadn't yet considered.
He acted on impulse, driven by the knowledge that these were her desires.
He knew that even without him, whatever she sought, she would surely achieve.
Yet he couldn't resist offering everything he had, laying it before her, hoping to grant her more ease and comfort.
Her long, dense lashes cast shadows as she lowered her gaze. No one knew what Shen Xihe was thinking—not even Xiao Huayong, who held her in his arms.
Her silence, her restrained emotions, made his heart pound like a drum. A faint unease crept in. Though he didn't believe he was at fault and knew she wasn't one to rage unreasonably, he couldn't suppress his worry.
Such is the anxiety born of love.
After what felt like an eternity, just as Xiao Huayong was about to speak, Shen Xihe lifted her head. Her obsidian-dark eyes were clear, bright, and resolute: "Beichen, it has been nearly five years since we met. I have received countless kindnesses from you, yet I have never sincerely thanked you…"
"Youyou…"
"Let me finish." As Xiao Huayong urgently tried to speak, Shen Xihe pressed her fingertips to his lips. "I want to thank you.
Thank you for descending from the heavens into my world.
Thank you for your persistence in breaking through my defenses.
Thank you for your honesty—I never knew a love like Pan and Yang's could be so intoxicating.
Thank you for giving your heart so fully. Because of you, my life is without regret."
Her faint smile was pure yet delicate, piercing his eyes deeply. Xiao Huayong had always thought himself impervious to weakness, but at this moment, he couldn't hold back the redness in his eyes. He pulled Shen Xihe tightly into his embrace, the tremors in his chest echoing through his shuddering frame, betraying his loss of control.
A thousand words swirled within him, yet he couldn't utter a single one.
She had acknowledged it—she had finally acknowledged him, acknowledged his love.
This was what he had dreamed of, yet now that it had arrived, joy and sorrow intertwined. Sweetness and a dull ache flooded his heart, clogging his throat and rendering him momentarily speechless.
Shen Xihe, however, slowly curved her lips into a smile, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and nestled into his embrace.The soft rays of sunlight crept in, casting the tightly entwined figures onto the screen like an eternally hazy painting, tender and beautiful.
All joys and sorrows needed no further words.
The affairs of the capital could not affect the battlefield of the Min River.
As the highest-ranking official, Xiao Changyan had been appointed by His Majesty as the chief investigator of the "river bandits' village massacre," assisted by the Jiannan Governor and Yu Xiang. Holding the authority to deploy troops, Xiao Changyan devised a strategy of gradually tightening encirclement to search for Shen Yungan's traces. Meanwhile, he had received word from Xiao Changgeng that Bu Shulin had escaped their pursuit.
Thus, Shen Yungan must be here to rendezvous with Bu Shulin. Since he would come from Minzhou, Xiao Changyan stationed men along all routes approaching the Min River to ensure Bu Shulin and Shen Yungan could not meet.
As for Xiao Changmin's certainty that Bu Shulin was a woman, for unknown reasons, he had not informed Xiao Changyan. This led to several miscalculations by Xiao Changyan—something Xiao Changmin was unaware of and would not have cared about even if he knew. Their alliance was merely a temporary convergence of interests against a common enemy!
After several days of searching along the Min River, every inch had been scoured without finding any trace of Shen Yungan. Just as Xiao Changyan began to doubt whether Shen Yungan had truly come here, clues finally emerged.
However, following these leads proved difficult—Shen Yungan repeatedly evaded them. Yet as long as he was here, Xiao Changyan remained patient, determined to capture him.
One day, upon learning of Shen Yungan's trail, Xiao Changyan personally joined the pursuit. Though he lost track of Shen Yungan again, after pushing through a patch of reeds, he spotted Yu Xiang!
Yu Xiang, who had just parted ways with Shen Yungan, turned to see Xiao Changyan standing at the bow of a boat, hands clasped behind his back against the wind, his dark eyes fixed intently on him.
As the boat drew nearer, Xiao Changyan asked, "General Yu, would you care to explain why I, pursuing a suspicious figure, ended up finding you here?"
Thoughts racing, Yu Xiang instinctively considered fabricating a lie. But under Xiao Changyan's stormy, oppressive gaze, he decided to confess: "Your Highness, may we speak in private?"
Xiao Changyan reined in his intimidating aura and gestured assent before boarding Yu Xiang's boat. Yu Xiang personally rowed the boat farther away. After stopping, he lowered his voice: "Your Highness, I encountered the Northwest Prince Heir two days ago. It began when the Crown Princess sent a letter to my daughter…"
Yu Xiang held nothing back. He revealed everything: receiving Yu Sangning's letter (even producing it for Xiao Changyan to inspect), his own plans, how Shen Yungan had been probing him for deployment details these past few days, and that Shen Yungan had left someone by his side. Finally, he affirmed his loyalty: "Your Highness, please understand—I am merely using myself as bait to lure the Northwest Prince Heir. If we can capture the Crown Princess in one move, it would resolve everything permanently."
After reading the letter, Xiao Changyan fell into deep thought. So this was how Shen Xihe had used the Emperor's own blade to eliminate Prince Kang—the Emperor's right-hand man—and even deceived the Emperor into offering consolation! This woman's cunning was enough to terrify any man! No wonder she dared to marry into the Eastern Palace, aiming to contend with them as the mother of the legitimate imperial grandson!
He returned the letter to Yu Xiang—keeping it served no purpose, as it could not be used as evidence against Shen Xihe.Xiao Changyan said, "I believe in General Yu's loyalty. You've endured the burden of feigning cooperation with the Northwest Prince Heir. Once we capture the treacherous rebels, I will certainly testify on your behalf to preserve your integrity."
Though Xiao Changyan spoke these words, in his heart he felt that Yu Xiang was not the self-proclaimed bait, but rather resembled the fish!
(End of Chapter)
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