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Chapter 771: Dying So... Unjustly
Xiao Changmin had returned several days ago. Since his return, he had secluded himself indoors, and both Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe seemed to have forgotten about him. Everything appeared calm on the surface.
In reality, it was merely a matter of using resources where they were most needed—Xiao Changmin's life was to be utilized to its fullest potential.
As for Xiao Changyan, whether he survived this disaster depended on his fate. At this point, it was impossible for them to mobilize forces and eliminate him completely. The Emperor had already suffered a significant shock, and they would not leave any evidence behind.
Moreover, Xiao Changfeng was likely by Xiao Changyan's side. While killing both of them wouldn't be difficult, the challenge lay in doing so without leaving any traces.
In any case, if Xiao Changyan returned, he would be punished by His Majesty. Why create additional complications?
The couple shared an unspoken understanding. When they arrived at the Hall of Diligent Governance, the Chief Imperial Physician and several other medical officials had just finished examining the Emperor.
Apart from the attendants, only the Empress Dowager and the young prince, Xiao Changhong, were present in the main hall. Others, such as Shu Fei, were barred from entering.
Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong were permitted to enter the inner chamber. Xiao Huayong asked the Chief Imperial Physician, "How is His Majesty's health?"
The Chief Imperial Physician replied with a worried expression, "Your Highness, His Majesty suffered a sudden surge of anger that caused his blood to rise, leading to his fainting. With some recuperation, he should recover in a few days..."
In truth, the Youning Emperor had been poisoned. However, this poison only caused a slow and balanced decline in his internal organs, mimicking the natural deterioration of old age.
The imperial physicians could not detect it. By the time the toxins accumulated and manifested fully, it would be beyond remedy.
Shen Xihe was highly confident in her fragrant ink. It had been repeatedly refined and verified by Xie Yunhuai, Zhenzhu, and Sui Axi, ensuring it would be difficult to detect before the poison took effect—especially in elderly individuals, where it could easily be mistaken for natural aging.
"It is good that His Majesty is unharmed." Xiao Huayong's pale face relaxed slightly.
The Youning Emperor had not yet awakened. After sitting for a short while, they were dismissed by the Empress Dowager.
With the Emperor unconscious, state affairs still needed to be managed, and the Crown Prince was busy.
The first matter he took up was the Min River incident. Xiao Huayong had received news quickly, but it lacked precision. Official reports over eight hundred li provided specific numbers: according to several government offices, the bodies recovered so far had already exceeded two thousand five hundred.
This did not include those still in the river, which had not been counted. Government ships had been dispatched to retrieve them. Although many faces were blurred by the river water, their clothing varied widely. Aside from government patrols and imperial soldiers, there were also individuals of unclear identities.
The residents along the middle and lower reaches of the Min River were panicked. The large number of bodies washed ashore by the waves had terrified them, and they anxiously awaited an official announcement from the court to understand what had happened.
Therefore, this matter required immediate attention. The Crown Prince had always possessed only one virtue: he listened to all sides to discern the truth. He rarely made independent decisions on major court matters, and such a significant event naturally required him to heed the opinions of his ministers.
"The Min River incident has caused panic among the people and cannot be left unresolved for long. What wise counsel do you esteemed ministers have to offer?"
This was not a formal court assembly; only key ministers were summoned for discussion. Most of them understood that, at its root, the Min River incident had nothing to do with river bandits—it was all aimed at the Northwest Prince Heir.The Northwest King's intention to protect the Shunan Prince Heir was clearly directed by the Eastern Palace. As they faced the gentle Crown Prince, their hearts pounded with unease.
Most wondered whether the Crown Prince was truly ignorant and completely kept in the dark, or if he had been playing the fool all along, secretly masterminding everything from behind the scenes.
The mere possibility of the latter sent chills down their spines.
Considering how extensively the Emperor had mobilized his forces this time—how many men could the Northwest Prince Heir, hidden in the shadows, possibly have? Yet, despite such an impenetrable net, the Emperor had suffered a total defeat. Who among them dared to speak up?
They had come to understand clearly: in the struggle between the Emperor and the Eastern Palace, regardless of whether the Crown Prince was genuinely mediocre or ruthlessly cunning, the outcome remained unpredictable. It was wiser for them to prioritize self-preservation.
In the end, it was Tao Zhuanxian who spoke: "Your Highness, this matter is of grave importance. According to urgent reports, the identities of most casualties remain unverified, and the reason for the official ship's entry into the river last night cannot be determined. It is too early to draw conclusions. Would it not be better to order an investigation first to avoid misjudgment and protect the court's credibility?"
Xiao Huayong glanced at the assembled officials. No one objected, nor did anyone offer further suggestions. Seemingly at a loss on how to handle such a thorny issue, he adopted Tao Zhuanxian's proposal and dispatched investigators in a conventional manner.
After dismissing the court officials, Princess Ruyang arrived with Xiao Wenxi requesting an audience. Xiao Wenxi had received news of her husband's safe arrival in Shu and that he had sent someone to fetch her. She earnestly pleaded with the Crown Prince for permission to leave the capital.
Xiao Huayong naturally did not obstruct her and granted the request. By the time the Youning Emperor awoke and learned of it, there would be no grounds left to prevent Xiao Wenxi's departure.
"Yu Xiang has taken his own life," Shen Xihe informed Xiao Huayong upon his return to the Eastern Palace, relaying the news she had received.
Raising an eyebrow, Xiao Huayong remarked indifferently, "Finally, a wise move."
Given the role Yu Xiang had played at the Min River, returning to the capital would have guaranteed the Emperor tearing him limb from limb!
If not for him, how could the Emperor and Xiao Changyan have been so thoroughly defeated?
Now that Xiao Changyan was missing, should he be found and reveal that Shen Yungan had impersonated Yu Xiang to get close to him, all blame could be shifted onto Shen Yungan!
Yu Xiang had hoped that Shen Yungan would eliminate Xiao Changyan, allowing him to twist the truth and pin all crimes on Xiao Changyan. Unaware that his own cowardice had long sealed his fate, even if Xiao Changyan had died by Shen Yungan's hand, Xiao Changfeng remained in the background.
Many details could no longer withstand scrutiny. By taking his own life now and creating the appearance that he had been captured by Shen Yungan and silenced, even if Xiao Changyan returned, he could not accuse Yu Xiang of betraying the Emperor.
With no living witness to testify against him, the masterstroke was a letter in Yu Xiang's possession—written by Shen Xihe—that clearly outlined Shen Yungan's plans. In reality, Shen Yungan had indeed followed this plan, but after Yu Xiang reported it to Xiao Changyan, the latter had distrustfully dismissed the intelligence Yu Xiang had painstakingly gathered through great hardship.
The entire debacle was the result of Xiao Changyan's arrogance and conceit!
"I also had someone forge Yu Xiang's handwriting and send a letter to the Jiannan Governor," Shen Xihe added with a faint smile directed at Xiao Huayong.
The letter informed the Jiannan Governor of their plans, detailing how Yu Xiang had feigned cooperation with Shen Yungan to uncover his movements.
It cautioned the Jiannan Governor to remain vigilant and take precautions...This is the ironclad proof that Xiao Changyan's cleverness backfired, leading to the complete annihilation of his troops. When Xiao Changyan returns to the capital, the Jiannan Governor will present this letter to avoid taking responsibility.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Huayong couldn't help but laugh: "Yu Xiang's death was truly... unjust!"
(End of Chapter)
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