Chapter 788: The Arrow on the Bowstring Must Be Released
Could Xiao Changyan be unaware of the Emperor's intentions? Could he not know that once he undertook this task, success might allow him to bring down the Eastern Palace while earning merit for suppressing rebellion—potentially becoming a second Eastern Palace—while failure would brand him a criminal who harmed meritorious officials and attempted to disrupt the court?
One step to heaven, one step to hell.
Yet he would still choose to gamble.
"Imperial power and the underworld—truly, they lead to the same end." Shen Yungan had no ambition; compared to schemes and plots, he preferred the battlefield where blades fell swiftly. Thus, he couldn't understand those who would rush toward the underworld for the sake of imperial power.
Xiao Huayong chuckled at this and changed the subject: "I will handle the Feathered Guard Army. The Golden Guard will likely be assigned to Xie Ji that day, and Xie Ji has someone to deal with him. Father and Brother need to guard against the Imperial Guard..."
This situation was orchestrated by Xiao Huayong himself. How the Emperor would move was largely within his control. He explained everything in detail until the sunset glow was swallowed by the mountains, and only then did Shen Yueshan and his son take their leave.
"Brother, is Qiao Qiao well?" Seeing her father and brother off at the Eastern Palace gate, Shen Xihe couldn't help but remind him.
When the Emperor dealt with Father back then, his downfall lay in Tao Shi, whom he had never regarded—a woman on the verge of childbirth. How similar this situation was to the last! Xue Jinqiao was also pregnant, already seven or eight months along. If anything went wrong, she might give birth prematurely...
"Granduncle is by her side. She's no longer in the residence but in a sufficiently safe place awaiting childbirth." Shen Yungan winked at his sister.
How could he let the tragedy of their mother repeat itself with his own wife?
Shen Xihe smiled radiantly, watching her father and brother disappear into the towering palace walls as the night deepened.
Everyone had made all necessary preparations, all awaiting the grand wedding on the 28th.
On the day before the wedding, Shen Yingluo, the bride-to-be, came to the Eastern Palace to pay respects to Shen Xihe. Though extremely surprised, Shen Xihe still received her.
Shen Yingluo had blossomed into a graceful young woman, her figure delicate and poised. Dressed in a goose-yellow silk skirt with a light green shawl, she stood in the vibrant, colorful garden, appearing exceptionally elegant and refined amidst the floral splendor.
"You're getting married tomorrow. Why come to me today?" Shen Xihe raised her hand, indicating that formalities were unnecessary.
Shen Yingluo still performed the proper salute before rising. Her face showed no joy of a bride; instead, she hesitated, gazing at Shen Xihe for a long moment before saying, "Xiao Changfeng rescued Prince Jing at Min River. Prince Jing returned to the capital to take revenge on the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is now... in a very bad state, isn't he?"
Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"
"Prince Jing often visits Xun Wang to see Xiao Changfeng. It's common for them to drink heavily under the moon. I overheard by chance." Shen Yingluo replied.
Shen Xihe lowered her gaze, watching the elegant lotus swaying in the wind. "You've even forgotten honorifics—clearly, you hold great resentment toward Xun Wang. What? Do you think that if he hadn't rescued Prince Jing, the Crown Prince wouldn't be bedridden as he is now?"
Since being ambushed by Xiao Changyan, Xiao Huayong had claimed illness, creating the false impression of being critically ill—though it wasn't entirely false.
"Is that not the case?" Shen Yingluo retorted.
Shen Xihe gently shook her head. "No."Turning to face Shen Yingluo, whose eyes were filled with disbelief, Shen Xihe said, "The matter of the Min River is a contest between me and His Majesty. Whether it is Jing Wang or Xun Wang, they are both officials acting on orders. This is a public affair.
Jing Wang suffered defeat and sought revenge against me and the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was caught off guard and fell victim to a covert attack. This was due to our negligence and cannot be blamed on others. It has nothing to do with your marriage to Xun Wang."
"How can it have nothing to do with it?" Shen Yingluo was furious. They were family, but she couldn't bring herself to say it aloud. Instead, she spoke recklessly, "Elder Sister, you are truly self-restrained and wise. Even when the Crown Prince is in such a critical state, you show no trace of resentment. Your magnanimity is something I, a mere coarse mortal, cannot hope to match."
Shen Xihe paid no mind to her anger, knowing she had spoken without thinking. Shen Yingluo was merely trying her best to act as a daughter of the Shen family, uniting against external threats and sharing their grievances.
"The imperial decree has ordained this marriage, and it cannot be altered. As for the Crown Prince's vendetta, we will not let it rest," Shen Xihe could only say this much to Shen Yingluo. "You may return. Xun Wang is loyal to the sovereign. If you do not wish to remain caught in a dilemma after marriage, focus on being a proper Xun Wangfei and enjoy the luxuries and honors that come with it."
"I..." Shen Yingluo was left speechless.
She knew Shen Xihe's words were for her own good. Everyone saw her status as glamorous on the surface, but in reality, she was nothing more than a pitiful wretch. Yet, whether it was her father, brothers, elder sister, or maternal uncle, none were willing to drag her into their conflicts.
By marrying Xun Wang, no matter which side emerged victorious, she would remain the Xun Wangfei, wanting for neither wealth nor status.
She also understood that her father, brothers, and elder sister did not need her assistance. The best way to repay them was to remain obedient and stay out of their sight. It wasn't that she wanted to draw closer to them, but sometimes certain matters made it impossible for her to turn a blind eye.
Indeed, no matter the circumstances, she was always shut out.
"I have disturbed Elder Sister," Shen Yingluo said dejectedly, bowing before taking her leave.
As she reached the moon gate, Shen Xihe suddenly called out, "Tomorrow, bring more maids skilled in martial arts."
Shen Yingluo halted in her steps, turning around in pleasant surprise, only to see Shen Xihe's retreating figure already far away. Her smile faltered for a moment before brightening again. Lifting the hem of her skirt, she fluttered away gracefully.
"Your Highness, the Second Young Lady..." Zhenzhu didn't know how to describe Shen Yingluo.
They despised the Xiao family, yet they couldn't bring themselves to dislike Shen Yingluo.
Shen Xihe shook her head, unwilling to say more.
The rift between her and Shen Yingluo lay in the Xiao family. It wasn't that Shen Xihe couldn't let go of her grudges or that she hated the crow for the sake of the house, but rather that she had been the one to end Xiao Shi's life.
"What did the County Lord of Huaiyang come to the Eastern Palace for?" Xiao Huayong asked as soon as Shen Xihe returned to the room.
"It was quite a peculiar matter," Shen Xihe recounted the incident in detail to Xiao Huayong. "I'm just not sure whether he was truly drunk or merely pretending."
It just so happened that Shen Yingluo overheard it. Given Xiao Changyan's temperament, why would he openly discuss such matters with Xiao Changfeng?
"It seems that tomorrow's events have made Little Eight apprehensive," Xiao Huayong smiled faintly.
This was a roundabout way of testing them—trying to gauge their reaction to determine whether they had detected tomorrow's plans or had known about them all along.
However, at this point, the arrow was already on the bowstring and had to be released. Even if they openly told Xiao Changyan, what could he do? Aside from increasing his vigilance, could he possibly retreat at the last moment? If he truly did, they wouldn't even need to lift a finger—His Majesty would be the first to ensure he paid the price!"Tomorrow..." Shen Xihe actually didn't want tomorrow to come. Her gaze flickered slightly, resting on Xiao Huayong with urgency and worry, "Tomorrow... you'll be alright, won't you?"
Xiao Huayong smiled without speaking.
Shen Xihe's heart sank to the depths.
The finale didn't capture the feeling I wanted to convey. I'll stop here for today and keep working on it. Within three days, regardless of the outcome, I'll upload the update.
(End of Chapter)
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