Chapter 789: Beichen, Our Child and I Await You
"Beichen, I regret it. We—"
"Youyou." Xiao Huayong gently pressed his index finger against her soft, rosy lips. "The arrow is already on the bowstring—it must be released."
Seeing her eyes redden slightly, Xiao Huayong let out a long sigh and pulled her into his embrace. "There's no difference. Youyou, you know there's no difference. Let me leave without regrets, alright?"
An intricate web of pain tightly constricted Shen Xihe's heart. She never knew a person could hurt to such an extent—surpassing the limits of physical suffering, as if every tendon were being ripped out and every bone scraped clean. With every breath, Shen Xihe felt not air entering her body, but hurricane winds laden with blades, tearing through her internal organs with excruciating force.
"Mm..." A sudden cramp in her abdomen forced a muffled groan from Shen Xihe.
"Youyou!" Xiao Huayong swept her into his arms and shouted hoarsely toward the door, "Zhenzhu!"
By the time Xiao Huayong laid Shen Xihe on the chaise lounge, a panicked Zhenzhu had already rushed in. Seeing Shen Xihe's pale face, she bypassed formalities and immediately began checking her pulse. The dangerous readings made Zhenzhu's expression shift dramatically. While retrieving silver needles, she instructed Moyu who had followed her in: "Quickly summon A Xi!"
Zhenzhu swiftly began acupuncture treatment. Fortunately, Sui Axi had taught her everything without reservation. Though she hadn't yet mastered Sui Axi's essence, she could at least manage sudden critical conditions.
Halfway through her needle treatment, Sui Axi—who was originally coming to administer Xiao Huayong's acupuncture—arrived at the palace entrance and was dragged inside by Moyu.
After checking the pulse on Shen Xihe's other wrist, Sui Axi solemnly told Zhenzhu: "I'll take over."
He then picked up a silver needle and continued where Zhenzhu left off.
Gradually, the look of agony on Shen Xihe's face eased, and the sweat on her forehead slowly disappeared.
Only then did Xiao Huayong unclench his unconsciously tightened fists. As his long-tensed nerves suddenly relaxed, darkness clouded his vision and he nearly collapsed, saved only by Tianyuan's quick reflexes catching him.
Motioning for Tianyuan to stay silent, Xiao Huayong steadied himself before slowly approaching Shen Xihe.
Sui Axi hadn't yet removed the needles when he turned to Xiao Huayong. "Your Highness, the Crown Princess must not experience such extreme emotional fluctuations like today again."
Shen Xihe had suffered from congenital heart weakness since childhood. Although the Bone Shedding Pill restored her to normal health, a body that has been ill—no matter how well recovered—can never surpass one that was always strong.
Had Shen Xihe not lived in privileged comfort and prioritized wellness maintenance, such a violent shock today would have highly likely caused a miscarriage.
Xiao Huayong took a deep breath and walked unsteadily to the chaise lounge, collapsing onto it with a thud. Only at this moment did he realize he could be frightened to the point of his legs giving way.
Looking weakly at him, Shen Xihe reached out with effort to grasp his hand. "I'm sorry for frightening you earlier."
She herself was still shaken. Her emotions had completely escaped her control earlier. When forced to confront that today might be their last day together, overwhelming despair and sorrow had instantly enveloped her, leaving her suffocated and terrified."It was my fault..." Xiao Huayong's voice carried a tinge of bitterness as he squeezed her hand. The crimson gathering at the corners of his eyes gradually receded as he restrained his emotions. "Youyou, I didn't want you to learn this tomorrow—I feared you wouldn't be able to bear it. That's why I'm telling you early, so you can prepare yourself. Promise me that after tomorrow, you won't grieve for others anymore, alright?"
Shen Xihe tilted her head back, gazing at the ceiling, yet tears still slid from the corners of her eyes. She wept silently.
Each teardrop felt like scalding water as it traced paths down her cheeks, falling upon Xiao Huayong's chest, burning his heart.
"Youyou, I'm actually leaving with Ruogu to undergo detoxification treatment." Driven by impulse, Xiao Huayong finally revealed the secret in his heart. The aura of despair surrounding her, like the fading light of a setting sun, filled him with worry and dread.
"Truly?" Tears blurred Shen Xihe's vision, preventing her from seeing Xiao Huayong clearly. Her grip on his hand unconsciously tightened.
Though her eyes were brimming with tears, the doubt within them was unmistakable—she must have thought he was deceiving her.
"I'm sorry, Youyou. I originally intended to keep it from you because the detoxification process is extremely lengthy, and I don't know if it will succeed. I worried about giving you false hope, making you wait in vain and waste your life..." Under Shen Xihe's gradually cooling gaze, Xiao Huayong's voice weakened until it faded entirely.
"Aren't you afraid that if you're injured during the treatment, I might remarry someone else?" Shen Xihe deliberately spoke sharply to provoke him.
Xiao Huayong could only admit his fault with a contrite attitude: "It was my lack of consideration."
Was it truly his lack of consideration?
Did he think she didn't know what he was thinking?
It was merely that the chances of the detoxification method succeeding were minuscule, leaving him with no confidence. He didn't want her to wait endlessly. If he went to the treatment site and there was a real possibility of recovery—he had Haidongqing, after all—how easy would it be to send her a message?
If he went and confirmed there was no hope of recovery, then she would be spared the grief of mourning him again.
After turning it over in his mind, he realized he had been considering her all along. The pent-up frustration in Shen Xihe's chest dissipated.
Their time together was already limited—why waste it on anger? "Beichen, the child and I will wait for you."
Her smile was like sunshine after the rain.
Shen Xihe's Prenatal Qi had been disturbed, and tomorrow held further dangers. Xiao Huayong had initially planned to summon the imperial physician with great fanfare, but Shen Xihe stopped him, insisting with unusual determination: "I must be there!"
Unable to sway her, Xiao Huayong had no choice but to agree.
Originally unaware of Xiao Huayong's impending departure, Shen Xihe had made no preparations. As for arrangements after her passing—since things hadn't reached that point, she refused to dwell on it, let alone prepare in advance.
Now that Xiao Huayong was preparing to leave, Shen Xihe became restless, treating him as if he were embarking on a long journey and thoughtfully packing his luggage.
Xiao Huayong didn't stop her. Watching her come alive again eased his heart. He followed her around, helping with the preparations, even playfully causing mischief at times—enough to make her glare at him in anger. When she was truly furious, she would throw clothes or scent satchels at him.
Thus, the atmosphere in the Eastern Palace became harmonious and joyful. In contrast, the Jing Wang's residence was steeped in tension.
Jing Wang had already confirmed his suspicions through Shen Yingluo—the Eastern Palace indeed had plans for tomorrow morning as well.He caressed the jade pendant in his hand, slowly winding up the tassel attached to it before placing it into a box. Pressing it down over a stack of letters, he closed the lid and handed the box with both hands to Xiao Changgeng: "Twelfth Brother, tomorrow's outcome is uncertain. I entrust these items to you. In the future..."
After a moment's thought, Xiao Changyan smiled self-deprecatingly: "Never mind. I only hope Twelfth Brother will take good care of himself in the days to come."
Xiao Changgeng looked down at the box without accepting it, instead asking: "Eighth Brother, why must you wade into these troubled waters?"
(End of Chapter)
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