Chapter 787: This is the Father-Son Relationship in the Imperial Family
Shen Xihe had already considered all this, so she knew Xiao Huayong would not take His Majesty's life at this moment.
As intelligent as she was, she vaguely had a speculation in her heart, yet it was something she absolutely could not voice aloud.
"Beichen..." She opened her mouth slightly, countless words stuck in her throat, ultimately condensed into a soft, whispered call of his name.
"Youyou." Xiao Huayong called her name in return, his gaze as gentle as the warm spring sun. It seemed he too had a thousand words to say, yet in the end, he said nothing. Silently, he simply drew her into his embrace.
Both were exceptionally perceptive individuals. Some matters needed no explicit words; each understood them in their hearts.
Ever since the Emperor's decree was sent to the Northwest, Xiao Huayong had fallen ill. Using this as a reason, Shen Xihe remained in the Eastern Palace, never stepping outside its gates. Apart from the Empress Dowager and His Majesty, almost no one who came to visit the Eastern Palace could gain entry.
The couple secluded themselves, refusing visitors, and devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their own quiet life together. These days were warm, peaceful, yet fleeting...
On the 25th day of the 23rd year of the Youning era, Shen Yueshan, along with his son and the valiant Prince Xiao Changying, returned in triumph. The Emperor commanded Prince Xin, Xiao Changqing, to greet them at the city gates on his behalf. From the city gates all the way to the palace gates, the common people lined the streets to welcome them. Flower petals, scented sachets, and silk kerchiefs flew through the air, creating a scene even more bustling than the parade for the top scholar in the imperial examinations.
After all, a top scholar emerges every three years, but a true hero appears only once in a century.
The Youning Emperor himself waited at the palace gates to welcome them into the palace. On the surface, the monarch and his subjects appeared harmonious and joyous. The Youning Emperor was unstinting with his lavish praise and generous rewards of gold, silver, jewels, and treasures, as official positions and high ranks were already beyond what could be further bestowed upon Shen Yueshan and his son.
After taking their leave from the Emperor, Shen Yueshan and his son received special permission to proceed directly to the Eastern Palace to visit Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe, now four months pregnant, found that even her light summer dress could no longer conceal her slightly fuller figure. Her black hair was simply styled into a casual chignon, held by a single white jade hairpin carved with a Eucommia Leaf design. Two temple ornaments adorned her forehead, dangling round, polished white jade beads that reached her eyebrows, lending her entire countenance a noticeably softer and more gentle appearance.
"Father! Brother!" Shen Xihe hurried forward a couple of steps before Xiao Huayong's soft cough reminded her of her pregnancy, preventing her from instinctively rushing into her father and brother's arms as she almost did.
Instead, Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan strode swiftly forward, each grasping one of Shen Xihe's hands. Shen Yueshan, a man who could slay enemies on the battlefield without blinking, now felt a lingering fear. "You're about to be a mother, yet you're still so impulsive."
"Youyou, are you well? Have you experienced any discomfort?" Shen Yungan immediately followed up, asking urgently.
Shen Xihe felt both helpless and amused. She had merely walked a little quickly, not even breaking into a run, yet it had frightened her father and brother so much that their faces were tense, their eyes fixed intently on her abdomen as if she might disturb her Prenatal Qi at any moment.
"Father, I am perfectly fine, and your grandson is well too," Shen Xihe said, glancing sideways at Xiao Huayong. "Beichen takes very good care of me."
Rosy, radiant, and brimming with energy, her every glance filled with lightness and soft laughter – this version of Shen Xihe was rare even back in the Northwest.
It was evident the influence and change Xiao Huayong had brought about in her. Shen Yueshan should have been delighted, but then he thought of Xiao Huayong's current physical condition...
The surge of joy had not yet had time to rise up before it was immediately suppressed by a welling up of sorrow and worry.
"Father, Brother." Instantly noticing the change in the father and son's expressions, Xiao Huayong hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects.Neither Shen Yueshan nor his son dared to accept the bow, hastily stepping aside. While Xiao Huayong showed them respect, the distinction between ruler and subject remained clear. Shen Yueshan firmly grasped Xiao Huayong's arm: "For Youyou to marry you is her fortune. For our Shen family to gain a son-in-law like you is our blessing."
This was likely the highest praise and affirmation Shen Yueshan could offer as a father-in-law to his son-in-law.
Long before Shen Yueshan deployed troops, Xiao Huayong had fully disclosed his plans and physical condition. Though Shen Yueshan knew Xiao Huayong would soon leave the capital with an uncertain future and unpredictable survival—potentially leaving his beloved daughter widowed young—he still recognized Xiao Huayong's worth, which greatly pleased the latter.
The Eastern Palace had prepared a family banquet with all dishes personally selected by Shen Xihe. Had Xiao Huayong not forbidden her from cooking, she would have prepared some dishes herself for her father and brother to taste.
Under Shen Xihe's watchful gaze, the three men who wished to drink freely could only take small sips. Xiao Huayong was strictly limited to tea instead of wine. Exchanging glances, the three men shared looks of mutual understanding mixed with mild disdain.
A father afraid of his daughter, a brother afraid of his younger sister, a husband afraid of his wife.
In that moment of shared understanding, their bond inexplicably deepened.
The meal was thoroughly enjoyable. After eating and drinking, Xiao Huayong personally brewed tea while Shen Xihe prepared easily digestible pastries. The four dismissed the servants and remained in the fragrant Warm Pavilion.
"In three days, it will be Xun Wang and the County Lord of Huaiyang's wedding. Recently, the Feathered Guard Army has been unusually active in private mobilizations. From my observations, His Majesty likely intends to place the Feathered Guard Army under Eighth Brother's command." Xiao Huayong sat near the charcoal brazier, eyelids slightly lowered. "This creates an opportunity we can exploit."
Xiao Huayong turned his gaze to Shen Yueshan and his son.
They all understood what opportunity he meant. Xiao Changyan had just been punished and couldn't be officially entrusted with major responsibilities next year—unless it was an emergency appointment, which would lack proper troop transfer procedures.
His Majesty would certainly brief the Feathered Guard Army's general in advance, ordering him to follow commands.
"His Majesty certainly trusts Prince Jing immensely," Shen Yungan remarked with a mix of sarcasm and irony.
Xiao Changyan had just made a colossal mistake at Minjiang, yet His Majesty still dared to entrust him with an army.
"Prince Jing's reputation for bravery and skill in battle isn't unearned," Shen Xihe glanced at Xiao Huayong, their eyes meeting with shared amusement. "The Minjiang incident was due to his carelessness and overreliance on the Soul-seizing Art, combined with our prior knowledge and calculated planning. While this greatly disappointed His Majesty, it's not enough to make him completely abandon Prince Jing." She paused, then added, "Naturally, His Majesty has no other choice."
Over the years, Xiao Huayong had systematically removed all those His Majesty could entrust with important tasks. Those remaining were either incompetent or unqualified. Xiao Changyan not only had capability but, most importantly, held enough hatred toward them—at least in dealing with them, Xiao Changyan would show no mercy.
"There's another reason," Xiao Huayong chuckled lightly, adding, "Though His Majesty has made thorough preparations, he cannot be certain of success. When Father came to the capital years ago, didn't the Xiao family matter ultimately end in failure?"
"This time, unexpected developments may still occur. Should any complications arise..."
Xiao Huayong left his sentence unfinished, only offering a meaningful faint smile.
Everyone present understood perfectly well what remained unsaid.If there were any mishaps and the plan failed, someone would have to take the blame. After all, we can't truly expect His Majesty to atone with his life, can we?
"This is the bond between the imperial father and son," Shen Yungan sneered.
Shen Xihe glanced at Xiao Huayong. "It's a matter of mutual consent."
(End of Chapter)
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