Chapter 809: Conspiring in Plain Sight
With the emperor critically ill and the Crown Prince absent, anyone eligible to inherit the throne should begin preparations—even those without imperial ambitions.
Xiao Changqing had urgently notified Shen Xihe only after obtaining concrete information that the Youning Emperor's condition was deteriorating.
It would be better for Shen Xihe to deliver the child early. If necessary, inducing labor prematurely was preferable—a seven-month-old fetus stood better chances than waiting until eight months.
He feared that if Shen Xihe's child were born after the emperor's passing, who would support an unborn infant of unknown gender and uncertain survival?
Even if all the imperial princes perished, there remained collateral branches of the imperial clan.
For Shen Xihe to contend for the throne, she must first give birth to the imperial grandson!
The message Shen Xihe sent back made Xiao Changqing frown.
"Brother, what does the Crown Princess mean by this?" Xiao Changying, who had also attended their sister's wedding banquet, was present with Xiao Changqing.
After the emperor suddenly fainted and was rushed back to the palace, the Empress Dowager had forbidden all imperial princes from visiting the palace—clearly intending to conceal the cause of the emperor's collapse.
Yet Xiao Changqing had immediately uncovered the truth: the emperor had long been poisoned, thanks to that creature Xiao Changmin had unleashed.
That was why he had promptly notified Shen Xihe.
Compared to their anxiety, Shen Xihe remained remarkably calm and assertive.
After pondering deeply, Xiao Changqing said, "The Crown Princess was born prematurely and was exceptionally frail in her childhood. She likely refuses to risk an early delivery or let her child inherit her weak constitution."
Xiao Changying accepted this explanation and was dismissed after a few more words from his brother.
Some truths could not be shared with this younger brother who still retained his childlike innocence.
Despite learning of the emperor's critical condition, Shen Xihe could boldly declare that the fate of the realm rested in her hands. This meant she either could prevent the emperor's death or was certain he would not die so soon...
The former was absurd—even divine physicians could not truly snatch lives from the King of Hell. Even if possible, Xiao Changqing doubted Shen Xihe would expend such effort or expose such a person before the emperor.
That left only the latter: Shen Xihe knew precisely that the emperor was not at death's door. Who could be certain of the emperor's remaining lifespan?
Only the one who had poisoned him.
Moreover, the incident involving the second prince clearly had a mastermind behind it—Xiao Changqing had long believed the Eastern Palace was responsible.
Now he had confirmation.
His younger brother still cherished feelings for the Crown Princess. Unlike himself, who harbored hatred for the emperor, Xiao Changying shared blood ties with the ruler. If he learned Shen Xihe had poisoned the emperor, he would struggle with how to treat her.
He would surely torment himself with anguish. Having protected this wholeheartedly devoted younger brother all his life, Xiao Changqing could not bear to see him suffer.
Nevertheless, he needed to meet Shen Xihe privately.
"Prince Xin wishes to see me?" Shen Xihe was slightly surprised when Tianyuan delivered the message.
Though Xiao Changqing might respect and admire her, she clearly understood that the one he truly feared was Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Changqing had no interest in the throne, focusing solely on opposing the emperor. This kept him from clashing with the Eastern Palace. Otherwise, even against the formidable Xiao Huayong, Xiao Changqing would not shy from battle—just like Xiao Changyan, who would rather fight to the death without regrets than live forever in discontent.Now, the reason Xiao Changqing stands by her side, aside from the aforementioned reasons, is also because His Majesty does not wish for her child to inherit the throne, and Xiao Changqing deliberately opposes His Majesty.
Thus, Xiao Changqing's genuine loyalty to her is limited. Unless it is a matter of great importance, given his temperament, he would never seek to see her.
"Does Your Highness the Crown Princess wish to see Prince Xin?" Tianyuan inquired after noticing Shen Xihe had been lost in thought for a long time.
"I do wish to see him, but the question is how..." Shen Xihe pondered this.
She had just lost her husband, and Xiao Changqing was her elder brother-in-law. The imperial family was not without precedent for a brother marrying his deceased brother's wife.
Especially given their sensitive positions—due to the balancing pivot, even if her child had not been born, they would still be strong contenders for the throne, particularly since Xiao Huayong was the legitimate heir.
Moreover, Xiao Changqing was a prince renowned for his virtue and exceptional abilities, now the rightful eldest surviving prince.
Countless eyes were watching them. Any slight movement between them would inevitably be twisted into slanderous rumors. Reputation—something she had previously considered only for herself and never cared about—now became precious to her as she thought from the perspective of Xiao Huayong's wife.
"Your Highness, why not leave the palace secretly through the secret passage to meet him?" Zhenzhu suggested softly.
Shen Xihe immediately rejected this: "There is a ninety percent chance His Majesty was not ambushed but deliberately feigned unconsciousness."
His Majesty leaving the palace without reason to honor his daughter might appear to civil and military officials as favoritism toward Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changying, especially since His Majesty has few surviving sons, and these two are full brothers.
But Shen Xihe knew that His Majesty would never elevate Xiao Changqing. He would pass the throne to Xiao Changying, Xiao Changgeng, or even Xiao Changhong before ever considering Xiao Changqing.
Xiao Changqing had failed His Majesty's test, and his current actions were not those of a future emperor.
His Majesty did not hold princesses in high regard, so his personal attendance at Princess Pingling's wedding was highly suspicious. Shen Xihe had reason to believe he used the occasion to feign collapse.
The purpose of pretending to be critically ill could only be to lure out those who were restless and impatient.
At this time, he would likely be secretly monitoring everyone—the Eastern Palace, the Sixteen Princes' Residences, and even trusted ministers...
Shen Xihe did not want to risk exposing the secret passage to His Majesty.
"Send a message to the Prince of Yan and have him seek out Prince Xin and the Prince of Lie tomorrow to come see me at the Eastern Palace," Shen Xihe suddenly decided.
Since they could not act in secret, they would do so openly. Since His Majesty was feigning illness, he would certainly not wake tomorrow.
With His Majesty unconscious, several princes visiting the Eastern Palace together—whether to sound each other out or gather information—would not appear deliberate to outsiders.
If Xiao Changgeng took the initiative to seek out Xiao Changqing, even if His Majesty found out, he would not suspect her of conspiring with Xiao Changqing, because His Majesty did not know that Xiao Changgeng was truly aligned with the Eastern Palace!
The next day, His Majesty did wake briefly, issued a few orders, and then fell unconscious again.
Upon hearing the news, Xiao Changgeng and Xiao Changqing, along with the Three Departments, Six Ministries, and imperial clan, requested an audience but were turned away by Liu Sanzhi. The three brothers then proceeded to the Eastern Palace.
Shen Xihe met with all three.
As instructed, Xiao Changgeng took Xiao Changying aside, leaving only Xiao Changqing and Shen Xihe in the elegant chamber, with Zhenzhu and Tianyuan in attendance. Xiao Changqing had not brought any attendants inside.
"Your Highness the Crown Princess, are you certain His Majesty is not in serious condition?" Xiao Changqing asked directly.Shen Xihe nodded: "I will not let anything happen to Your Majesty before I give birth."
The poison in Your Majesty's system was difficult to cure but not fatal. The poison was merely a decoy, masking the scented ink Your Majesty used daily. The daily consumption was recorded, making it easy for Shen Xihe to access. Through the consumption amounts, she could roughly deduce Your Majesty's physical condition.
(End of Chapter)
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