Chapter 798: Marrying You in This Life, Eternally Without Regret
The already intense battle grew even more severe. However, "Xiao Changyan" had brought four groups of men. Although these forces still distrusted one another, it didn't prevent them from first uniting against the common enemy. The valiant assassins were quickly suppressed.
"Xiao Changyan" advanced almost unimpeded, cutting his way to the Youning Emperor's side. He turned and stood guard before the emperor with his sword held horizontally.
Before the emperor could verify his identity, he began to ask, "Why are you so late..."
"Your Majesty, be careful!"
Before the emperor finished speaking, he was suddenly shoved aside. When he turned around, he saw "Xiao Changyan" with his back to him thrust his sword backward, piercing Xiao Huayong's body.
The two brothers remained standing back-to-back, the sword having penetrated Xiao Huayong's back, its tip dripping with blood.
Had Xiao Huayong not pushed him away, that sword would have undoubtedly pierced the emperor's own organs.
The Youning Emperor was the first to regain his composure. He stepped over Xiao Huayong and kicked "Xiao Changyan" away.
This sudden turn of events left everyone in the hall unprepared. "Xiao Changyan" fell but quickly rolled toward the window to escape.
"Capture Jing Wang!" It was only when Shen Yueshan shouted that everyone snapped out of their stupor.
The assassins hastily began to retreat, while the imperial guards in the hall rushed out to pursue "Xiao Changyan."
"Qilang!" The Youning Emperor supported Xiao Huayong, his expression complex. "Summon the imperial physicians!"
Although he had several suspects in mind, with Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe being the primary ones, he now felt uncertain.
The Chief Imperial Physician and the Deputy Imperial Physician stumbled forward, nearly crawling in their haste. After checking the Crown Prince's pulse, their hearts sank, and their faces turned ashen.
The Chief Imperial Physician steeled himself: "Your Majesty... the sword... was poisoned. The venom is extremely potent. His Highness..."
The Chief Imperial Physician and his deputy prostrated themselves, unable to voice the rest, but everyone understood.
At this moment, Shen Xihe lost all her usual grace and composure. She pushed everyone aside and saw Xiao Huayong collapsed in the Youning Emperor's arms.
There were no sobs, no choked cries, but tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.
She nearly fell to the ground, but Moyu quickly supported her, helping her protect her abdomen as she slowly knelt beside Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Huayong grasped her hand, his gaze lingering on her with deep affection. His glass-like eyes remained as gentle as spring water. After studying her carefully for a moment, he turned to the Youning Emperor: "Your Majesty... may this subject name the child in Youyou's womb... Balancing Pivot?"
Xiao Huayong had considered everything. Once he was gone, the emperor could appoint another Crown Prince. He had to cut off the emperor's path to establishing a different heir!
What could be more fitting than the Crown Prince dying to save the emperor? His "death" in full view of everyone would also make it easier for him to escape unnoticed.
With his "death," all the emperor's suspicions toward him would vanish. The emperor would owe Shen Xihe, owe the Eastern Palace, and owe his unborn child!
Henceforth, unless Shen Xihe was caught committing treason, the emperor could no longer move against her without drawing public condemnation.
He had promised to pave the way for her.
The name "Balancing Pivot" carried profound meaning. Had he proposed it under ordinary circumstances, the censors would surely have accused him of harboring rebellious intentions.At this moment, no one could say it was wrong—he merely wished to leave a protective talisman for the orphaned and widowed!
How difficult must life be for a Crown Princess without her husband, and for the legitimate heir of the Eastern Palace without a father?
If they were to lose the right to succession in the future, they would inevitably become thorns in the side of the new emperor.
As a son, he stepped forward to save his father at a critical moment of life and death, sacrificing himself—this was the ultimate filial piety.
As a subject, he faced death with generosity when his sovereign was in peril—this was the ultimate loyalty.
Beyond that, as a husband and father, he sought to make some arrangements for his wife and child before his death—no one could fault him for that.
Youning Emperor turned his head to look at Shen Xihe, whose tears fell like rain yet made no sound. In that moment, he wanted to pierce through and see clearly the Daughter of the Shen Family. He desperately wished to know just how capable this woman was, to make his son willing to die for her benefit!
"Your Majesty... cough cough..." Xiao Huayong seemed to be clinging to his last breath, pleading yet stubborn, "I beg... Your Majesty... to grant this."
These words appeared to drain all of Xiao Huayong's remaining strength, his entire demeanor growing ashen.
Yet he struggled to keep his gaze fixed on the Emperor, the desperation in his eyes gradually fading.
"Your Majesty, what are you hesitating for? Do you want Qilang to die with regrets?" the Empress Dowager cried out sharply.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has always been filial, respectful, loyal, and trustworthy. He has never asked anything of you—I implore Your Majesty to fulfill his final wish!" Tao Zhuanxian was the first to support Xiao Huayong.
Others, whether seeing potential gain or genuinely moved by Xiao Huayong's actions, began to echo the sentiment.
"Very well," Youning Emperor agreed immediately. "Whether the Crown Princess gives birth to a son or daughter, the child shall be named Balancing Pivot."
As if having achieved his heart's desire and released his deepest obsession, Xiao Huayong's body went limp. He gently stroked Shen Xihe's hand: "Youyou... I only hope... you never regret... marrying me."
These were Xiao Huayong's final words, and they had always been the hidden worry weighing on his heart.
Xiao Huayong, who could turn his hand to bring clouds and rain—always confident—had given all his anxiety and worries to Shen Xihe.
Xiao Huayong, who could devise strategies within a command tent and secure victory a thousand miles away—always wise—had given all his foolishness and childishness to Shen Xihe.
Xiao Huayong, who was decisive in killing and advancing fearlessly—always sharp—had given all his hesitation and conflict to Shen Xihe.
He adored her, exerting every effort to warm her cold heart, pulling the aloof and desireless her to fall in love with him.
Yet he tormented himself over the possibility of not being able to accompany her long-term, regretting that his selfish desire might grant her happiness only to leave her with lasting sorrow.
What he feared most was that in her old age, looking back on her life, she would regret knowing, staying with, and loving him.
Her future was still long, very long. He feared she would use brief happiness to mourn a lifetime of loneliness.
Shen Xihe's trembling fingertips carefully caressed his face. Through her tear-streaked cheeks, she managed a smile, her voice hoarse and strained: "In this life, marrying you—I will never regret it, not for all eternity!"
There would never be another person in this world who cherished her more than Xiao Huayong—wholeheartedly, with tenderness in his eyes, not sparing a shred for anyone else, everything devoted to her.
She once said she didn't believe in perfect marital love; now she disdained it.
Because she had Xiao Huayong. Everything he gave her had long surpassed all romantic love in this world.
Just like now—he clearly didn't have to take this sword strike. There were countless ways to fake his death, yet he chose to risk everything for her, for the Shen Family she held dear.Xiao Huayong closed his eyes with a contented smile that some would forever remember.
In the sixth month of the twenty-third year of Youning, the Crown Prince died from an assassination attempt while protecting Your Majesty, ultimately fulfilling the prophecy that he would not live past two zodiac cycles.
We'll pause here for today. This concludes the Crown Prince's role in the main storyline. What remains is the climactic showdown between Xihe and the ultimate antagonist, after which this story will conclude.
As I'm not entirely satisfied with my writing, I'll review the previous chapters to check for any unresolved foreshadowing. Updates will resume in a couple of days.
(End of Chapter)
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