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Chapter 770: Time to Settle Accounts with the Second Brother
In the deep of night, Shen Xihe woke up from a nightmare with a start. Xiao Huayong instantly opened his eyes, quickly sat up, and grasped her shoulders: "Nightmare?"
As he spoke, he took out a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from Shen Xihe's forehead, then carefully tucked the quilt around her.
Shen Xihe pressed a hand to her inexplicably racing heart: "I suddenly feel a tightness in my chest."
There had been no bad dream, yet she had woken up inexplicably, flustered and unsettled, for no apparent reason.
"Zhenzhu!" Xiao Huayong immediately summoned her.
Before Shen Xihe could stop him, the Eastern Palace was thrown into chaos once again. Zhenzhu quickly came to check Shen Xihe's pulse but found nothing amiss.
She could only say: "Her Highness the Crown Princess might be affected by her pregnancy."
Shen Xihe was three months pregnant and had not yet experienced morning sickness, but emotional instability was common for pregnant women.
"I'm fine, don't worry..." Shen Xihe held Xiao Huayong's hand.
Xiao Huayong could only wrap his arm around her shoulders, letting her lean against his chest, and kissed her forehead: "You've been through so much."
Shen Xihe said nothing, simply smiling as she nestled in his embrace. Soon, drowsiness overcame her again.
When she woke next, it was to a brilliantly sunny day. Not seeing Xiao Huayong, she knew he had gone to court. He returned only after she had finished her morning meal, his expression grave.
"What happened?" Shen Xihe also grew serious as she asked.
Xiao Huayong approached and held her. Though reluctant to tell her, he knew hiding it would shake her trust in him. Squeezing her tender white hands, he said: "Last night, there was a storm with high winds and waves on the Min River. Brother chose last night to move against Little Eight. This morning, fishermen found many bodies washed ashore and reported it..."
The court's urgent dispatch had not yet reached the capital; Xiao Huayong had received the news by eagle messenger.
"And Brother?" Shen Xihe gripped Xiao Huayong's hand in return.
"Brother was injured but has been found. Little Eight and Xun Wang are missing." Xiao Huayong replied.
Shen Xihe breathed a sigh of relief: "As long as he's alright."
"His Majesty's Invincible Army and the court's dispatched forces suffered heavy losses." Xiao Huayong hadn't expected Shen Yungan to utilize the timing and terrain to decimate all of His Majesty's men in the Min River in one stroke.
"I specifically told him to choose a day." Shen Xihe said softly.
Back then, she had considered how to strike a heavy blow against His Majesty and Xiao Changyan despite being outmatched.
Their own forces were actually limited, and there were few ways to win against greater numbers. The only option was to use timing and terrain to their advantage. Fortunately, the Qu clan had experienced people for this, and heaven helped by providing the right opportunity. Otherwise, given more time, while Shen Yungan could afford to wait, Xiao Changyan would not.
"Youyou, I'm truly grateful that you and I never became enemies." Xiao Huayong sighed sincerely.
Even now, he couldn't be sure—if he and Shen Xihe had met as adversaries, with no affection between them, who would have emerged victorious?
"Such gratitude is only for our present circumstances." Shen Xihe smiled faintly. "Had you not fallen for me, you might have considered having an opponent like me one of life's great pleasures."
Seeking defeat in solitude is an indescribable melancholy and loneliness, but meeting one's match in a contest could be a thrilling life-and-death struggle—fortunate to live, joyful even in death.
"Heh heh heh..." Xiao Huayong chuckled lowly, finding it hard to disagree with Shen Xihe's words.Watching his cheerful demeanor, Shen Xihe said, "Beichen, do you still remember the bet between us?"
"Naturally, I remember. Youyou, you've won." Xiao Huayong nodded readily. "Just tell me what you want me to do, Youyou."
Shen Xihe smiled, taking Xiao Huayong's hand to her incense room. Zhenzhu immediately brought over a tray containing paintbrushes, needles of varying lengths, and golden pigment...
"Youyou, this is..."
"Paint a never-fading Hua Dian for me."
Like a tattoo, deeply piercing the skin, impossible to wash away, etched between her brows—just as he had taken root in her heart, never to be erased or replaced.
Almost instantly, Xiao Huayong understood Shen Xihe's intention. His throat tightened, and his voice grew hoarse: "Youyou, you shouldn't be bound."
If one day he could no longer stay by her side, he would rather she gradually forget him, let him go, break free like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, and seek a new life.
"A bet is a bet." Shen Xihe's gaze was calm yet resolute. "Beichen, you must understand: if the heart is steadfast as a rock, no constraint can move it; if the heart is like willow catkins, it will drift even without wind."
So, this was not a constraint or a promise—it was merely her way of expressing her heart and his place within it.
Lowering his head to stare at Shen Xihe's hand clasped in his for a long moment, Xiao Huayong finally looked up and gave her a radiant smile. "Alright."
Did it hurt when the pigment was needled into the skin?
Naturally, it did. But from start to finish, Shen Xihe never once furrowed her brow. The design was two intertwined eucommia leaves, a pattern Shen Xihe had drawn on paper.
The vibrant gold resembled a golden butterfly from afar, wings spread across her brow, adding an indescribable nobility and grace to her ethereal beauty.
While the couple shared their tender moments in the Eastern Palace, news from the Min River arrived at the palace by noon. The Youning Emperor was so enraged that he saw black and genuinely fainted!
"His Majesty has fainted?" Shen Xihe was astonished upon receiving the news.
This incident had indeed struck a heavy blow to His Majesty, but how could he be so easily shaken?
"I used your fragrant ink for His Majesty." Xiao Huayong adjusted Shen Xihe's collar and whispered in her ear.
With the Emperor unconscious, they had no choice but to pay a visit.
The fragrant ink Shen Xihe developed, when used over time, would slowly erode the body through its diffuse scent.
Since his time was limited, he would do everything in his power to clear the obstacles for Shen Xihe.
Before the Emperor fell, he had to take down the ambitious ones. Xiao Changyan would inevitably earn the Emperor's disdain this time, but the forces behind him were not to be underestimated. By ensuring Xiao Changmin didn't die at Cui Jinbai's hands and returned alive, Xiao Huayong prevented the Emperor from suspecting Xiao Changgeng, who had accompanied them.
Xiao Changyan would also push Xiao Changgeng into the spotlight. To balance the princes, it was most appropriate for Xiao Changgeng to rise now, allowing him to take over the forces behind Xiao Changyan.
As for keeping Xiao Changmin alive, there was another purpose.
"Worldly Son Bu has safely arrived in Shu. The priority now is to send his consort to reunite with him." Xiao Huayong suddenly remarked.
"His Majesty won't let this go easily." Shen Xihe worried for Xiao Wenxi.
Although Xiao Wenxi's pregnancy was fake, her delicate nature was entirely different from Bu Shulin's.
"Therefore, we must create an opportunity for her, so His Majesty has no time to concern himself with her." Xiao Huayong's lips curved slowly into a smile. "Not just His Majesty—we must make sure no one dares to act recklessly.""What do you intend to do?" It sounded like Xiao Huayong was determined to stir up major trouble.
"It's time to settle accounts with Second Brother and give Worldly Son Bu and Zhi He the explanation they deserve."
Under the blazing summer sun, this imposing man—as dazzling and unapproachable as the scorching sun—spoke each word with a bone-chilling coldness that plunged listeners into the depths of winter!
Let's end here for today. This story will conclude on the 31st, without carrying over into the new year.
(End of Chapter)
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