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Chapter 810: On the Verge of Breaking with the Emperor
Shen Xihe was not one to make baseless claims. Since this matter involved whether Shen Xihe's plans would succeed and whether the Shen clan would emerge victorious in the end, Xiao Changqing had no reason to doubt her.
"His Majesty might have been secretly harmed," Xiao Changqing had another consideration. "Currently, neither of us can reach into the Hall of Diligent Governance, making it extremely difficult to obtain news about His Majesty."
"If Prince Xin did not have concrete information, why would he inform me that a storm is brewing?" Shen Xihe asked.
Xiao Changqing fell silent. When it came to his own forces, even though he and Shen Xihe were currently allies, he would not lay all his cards on the table. Just as Shen Xihe would not tell Xiao Changqing that among the Embroidered Uniform Envoys trusted by His Majesty, there were Xiao Huayong's confidants.
The Embroidered Uniform Envoys took turns standing guard in the shadows at night to protect His Majesty, but it was not yet Zhao Zhenghao's shift, which was why Shen Xihe still could not ascertain the situation in the Hall of Diligent Governance.
"Prince Xin was heavily relied upon by His Majesty in the past, so he must have cultivated many informants," Shen Xihe could actually guess—it was likely that one of His Majesty's trusted aides had become his man. "How can we be sure this informant was not planted by His Majesty?"
It was not that Shen Xihe underestimated Xiao Changqing's abilities, but before the loss of his wife, Xiao Changqing had held deep reverence for His Majesty. His rapid rise among the princes, even surpassing them all, was undoubtedly due to his skills and methods, but it also had to be acknowledged that His Majesty had deliberately cultivated and provided him with advantages.
His Majesty appeared tolerant, but in reality, he was profound and inscrutable. Otherwise, why would someone as exceptionally intelligent as Xiao Huayong have to wait for the right moment to truly strike hard at His Majesty?
He had even concealed his talents and bided his time for many years.
"The Crown Princess makes a valid point," Xiao Changqing did not deny that this possibility existed. "If His Majesty were feigning unconsciousness, he could have chosen to collapse during a court assembly. There was no need to do so at Princess Pingling's wedding banquet, which would appear deliberate."
"I also just considered why His Majesty did not collapse during a court assembly but chose the princess's wedding instead," Shen Xihe's eyes gradually darkened, and she did not keep him in suspense. "His Majesty indeed wants to provoke us into action, but he also wants to lure another person into making a move."
How clever Xiao Changqing was! He had not thought of this earlier, but with Shen Xihe's mention, he immediately understood: "Imperial Uncle!"
Xiao Juesong was absolutely Youning Emperor's greatest hidden threat!
Youning Emperor did not know that Xiao Juesong had long since died of illness and that all his forces had been handed over to Xiao Huayong. Xiao Huayong had done many things under the guise of Xiao Juesong, often leaving traces everywhere to pin the blame on Xiao Juesong.
Whether it was the matter of Xiao Changyan, Xiao Changmin, or even the earlier incident where Li Yanyan was instigated by Yu Sangning, it was clear that someone was stirring trouble. After much thought, His Majesty believed that the one capable of such deeds and likely to carry them out was probably Xiao Juesong!
If he collapsed during a court assembly, Xiao Juesong's people might not have infiltrated to the level of being qualified to attend court—otherwise, they would not need to operate so covertly—and it might not be enough to convince Xiao Juesong.
Since Xiao Juesong was monitoring his every move, if His Majesty personally attended his daughter's wedding banquet, Xiao Juesong would surely keep watch, ready to seize any opportune moment.
It might not necessarily deceive Xiao Juesong, but it was certainly more convincing than collapsing during a court assembly!
"In that case, it does make sense," Xiao Changqing now leaned toward Shen Xihe's speculation. Thus, the person who had passed him the message, whom he trusted, was indeed a turncoat sent by His Majesty.A cold laugh echoed in her heart, but Xiao Changqing did not mention this first. Instead, he said to Shen Xihe, "Your Highness, Crown Princess, even if we understand His Majesty's intentions, we cannot truly remain unmoved."
Her obsidian-black eyes turned to Xiao Changqing.
"Why has His Majesty grown so impatient to lure the Imperial Uncle out?" Xiao Changqing asked tactfully.
"Although His Majesty is not in immediate danger, his days are indeed numbered," Shen Xihe stated truthfully.
Xiao Huayong had given His Majesty only so much time—at most, two months after she gave birth at full term.
Calculating it this way, it was less than half a year left!
As for Father, Shen Xihe did not know what His Majesty still planned to do, or whether he had already decided to abandon him...
Wait, if Xiao Juesong were truly still alive, and His Majesty lured him out, captured him, and then used Xiao Juesong to fabricate charges of secret collusion between Xiao Juesong and Shen Yueshan—then it would not be impossible for him to move against the Shen family!
The more Shen Xihe thought about it, the more plausible it seemed!
Xiao Changqing, however, had not guessed how deeply Shen Xihe was thinking, because he did not know that Xiao Juesong was dead and had fallen into Xiao Huayong's hands. He only vaguely sensed that the Eastern Palace and Xiao Juesong were intricately connected.
"His Majesty's days are numbered," Xiao Changqing nodded. "Therefore, aside from being eager to fulfill his wishes, His Majesty is likely more desperate for the antidote."
Shen Xihe's gaze froze. Despite all her careful planning, she had overlooked this point!
Indeed, His Majesty believed everything was Xiao Juesong's doing. The poison His Majesty suffered, the impostor from that day who was truly Xiao Juesong's man, the old grievances that led to His Majesty's ambush—all of these should only be known to Xiao Juesong. His Majesty likely had three purposes in luring Xiao Juesong out:
First, to eliminate Xiao Juesong; second, to frame Shen Yueshan; third, to obtain the antidote.
If they showed no reaction at all, wouldn't that expose their certainty that His Majesty's critical condition was feigned?
Who would be so certain that His Majesty was pretending to be critically ill? Naturally, the one who poisoned him!
After all, this was a life-and-death game. Even if they truly suspected His Majesty was feigning critical illness, they should operate on the principle of "better safe than sorry" and prepare for a desperate fight.
Because even the slightest possibility of it being true, if unprepared, could lead to utter destruction.
No wonder Xiao Changqing wanted to see her—this warning was necessary.
"His Majesty's schemes run deep!" Shen Xihe sighed softly.
Connecting the dots, Shen Xihe had fully grasped the implications of His Majesty's move.
No matter what, His Majesty would achieve some of his goals.
For someone like Shen Xihe, the poisoner, there were two choices: either remain unmoved and risk exposing herself as the poisoner, or realize the trap and pretend not to be the poisoner, which would require mobilizing forces and preparing for a fight to the end.
In doing so, all their movements would be observed by His Majesty's hidden watchers, effectively exposing their strength in advance.
There was even another possibility: His Majesty was forcing her to induce labor early!
To give birth to a weak imperial grandson with no chance of inheriting the throne!
Imagine, if she were not the one controlling His Majesty's health, faced with today's situation, she would undoubtedly risk inducing labor early.
Having figured it all out, Shen Xihe's expression remained calm. "Your Highnesses should make preparations accordingly."
She would not make a single move. Exposing some of her strength was not something Shen Xihe feared, but inducing labor early was absolutely out of the question.This is the only flesh and blood she shares with Beichen—no one shall harm him!
Since His Majesty already intends to frame Shen Shi for colluding with Xiao Juesong, why not let him believe it is true?
After all, even without evidence, His Majesty would fabricate it, just like the trap set for Shen Shi in Hibiscus Garden!
In that case, why should she continue to conceal it!
I had written about eight thousand words earlier, only to realize after finishing that if Xihe remained unmoved at such a critical moment without falling into the trap,
His Majesty should have deduced that Xihe’s unwavering confidence stemmed from knowing his physical condition, leading him to suspect that the one who poisoned him was either Xihe or someone in collusion with her—this would avoid making the plot seem contrived.
I had overlooked this point in my earlier draft, where Xihe resolved the crisis too easily, which is why I deleted it and rewrote. I returned too late yesterday, so I quickly wrote four thousand words to provide an update.
(End of Chapter)
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