Chapter 811: Hand Over Xiao Juesong's Men to Me
"Has the Crown Princess made up her mind?"
Shen Xihe's reaction struck Xiao Changqing as both unexpected yet reasonable.
In his view, Shen Xihe was a rational, calm, decisive person who understood when to yield.
With the saying "seven months may live, eight months may not," inducing labor before reaching eight months would only result in a weaker child compared to full-term birth, but carried no other disadvantages. His Majesty was "unconscious," and they were all in the capital, so childbirth would naturally be safe. Who could predict what unfavorable events might occur in the coming months?
As for physical weakness, careful nurturing afterward would ensure the child wouldn't follow in her footsteps as long as the birth proceeded smoothly.
Yet Shen Xihe refused—resolutely and decisively.
He didn't know if it was because she had become a mother, or because the child in her womb had gained greater maternal protection due to its father's status, or perhaps both.
"Yes." Shen Xihe's reply was firm and unwavering.
Xiao Changqing fell silent for a moment before saying, "His Majesty is, after all, the emperor. The Crown Princess is still with child. I do not advocate resorting to arms."
Even if they won, it would undoubtedly be a pyrrhic victory.
"Prince Xin overestimates the situation. We will not resort to such a last resort unless absolutely necessary." Sensing that her emotional display had led to misunderstanding, Shen Xihe reined in her feelings. "Inducing labor is absolutely out of the question. For now, we should delay His Majesty and observe what he truly intends."
If all else failed, they would have no choice but to take up arms!
However, while His Majesty's disappearance was one matter, once blades were drawn, careful planning would be essential. The Shen family had a long-standing legacy of loyalty—she could not tarnish their name under her watch.
Xiao Changqing hesitated, on the verge of speaking, but ultimately rose. "Since the Crown Princess has a plan, I shall not disturb you further. Farewell."
Shen Xihe instructed Tianyuan to see them out.
She returned to her study and sat at the desk, her gaze falling upon the potted Eucommia Leaf plant with its brilliantly yellow leaves. "If you were here, how would you resolve this?"
Upon reflection, if it were Xiao Huayong's approach, he would likely insist on attending to His Majesty at his sickbed, personally tasting his medicine.
If Liu Sanzhi barred him from entering, he would undoubtedly kneel outside the palace for hours. Everyone knew the Crown Prince was frail—to see him tending to His Majesty in such a state would highlight his filial devotion. Occasionally fainting would stir panic: with the sovereign unconscious and the heir apparent precarious, how could the court remain calm?
If His Majesty did not wake, it would risk the Crown Prince's life. If the Crown Prince were truly worked to death, His Majesty would find it difficult to awaken later—otherwise, wouldn't it seem he had feigned illness just to torment the Crown Prince?
This tactic was quintessentially Xiao Huayong—achieving victory without bloodshed, a strategy only he could employ effectively, as others would neither use it nor succeed with it.
Thinking of the man who had unknowingly entered her heart, nestled deep within her, and whom she constantly missed, Shen Xihe couldn't help but let a smile touch her brows.
With His Majesty "critically ill," Shen Xihe, Xiao Changqing, and others reached a consensus and began preparations. However, their actions also reflected the hesitation and suspicion expected in such circumstances—proceeding with extreme caution and deliberate secrecy.
In essence, they openly revealed the cards they could show His Majesty without reservation, while withholding those they couldn't.
Xiao Changqing even spread rumors abroad that His Majesty was not doing well, stirring unrest among the common people and causing local officials to grow anxious.Your Majesty had chosen the perfect timing. With the Northwest King having pacified the northern deserts, the greatest hidden threat was eliminated. Even if the Celestial Empire's Emperor fell critically ill, neighboring forces—though restless—lacked the strength to intervene.
Internally, His Majesty had been waiting for those with wolfish ambitions to reveal themselves. Yet despite his five consecutive days of feigned illness, the three ministries and six departments managed court affairs with impeccable order. When truly uncertain, they consulted the princes, who resolved matters through discussion and cooperation.
It almost seemed as though the court could function perfectly well without the Emperor.
Simultaneously, Shen Xihe spread rumors within the palace, all implying that the court could handle affairs perfectly with or without the Emperor.
She waited to see how long His Majesty could endure!
On the sixth day of the Emperor's pretended illness, news came from the imperial mausoleum: the tomb of the late Emperor's Consort Jia had been struck by lightning at night, causing the burial chamber to collapse.
"His Majesty is actually imitating Prince Xin's methods!" Shen Xihe remarked upon hearing the news, her obsidian-dark eyes flickering with sarcasm.
The late Emperor's Consort Jia was Xiao Juesong's birth mother. Doted upon exclusively by the previous emperor, she had caused the empress and two legitimate princes to be exiled to the harsh northwestern borders.
She died of illness before the current Empress Dowager and her two sons fought their way back. The late emperor gave her a magnificent burial and vowed to be interred with her after his own death.
Had the Empress Dowager and her sons not been nearly at the city gates, the late emperor might have even buried Consort Jia with empress honors.
This incident prompted Shen Xihe and Xiao Changqing to meet again under the pretext of concern for His Majesty's health, visiting the Eastern Palace to inquire.
"His Majesty wishes to see our imperial uncle," Xiao Changqing came straight to the point.
"That's impossible." Shen Xihe lowered her gaze, gently blowing on the hot water in her hands. "He was buried in the imperial mausoleum three months ago."
Xiao Changqing started. Three months ago, three princes had died, but only one was buried in the imperial mausoleum—not even Xiao Changtian had received that honor.
Xiao Changqing had vaguely suspected Xiao Huayong wasn't dead, but having it confirmed still shocked him: "Might I ask presumptuously—where is the Crown Prince?"
If Xiao Huayong were here, he wouldn't let Shen Xihe face such passive situations. Many matters were easier for him to handle than for her.
"He set sail overseas to eradicate the Unique Poison from his body," Shen Xihe didn't conceal the truth. "Our imperial uncle actually passed away over two years ago."
So Xiao Juesong hadn't allied with the Eastern Palace—he had merely handed his remaining forces to them before his death!
All these years—from pacifying the northwest rebellions, to the Northwest King's escape, to the final Min River campaign—every instance bearing Xiao Juesong's signature had actually been the Eastern Palace creating deliberate misdirection!
No wonder, no wonder even his brilliant and majestic Emperor couldn't unravel these mysteries.
Even he, who knew Xiao Huayong's true nature, had only guessed they might share common interests. Never would he have imagined that the man His Majesty deeply feared had actually departed this world two years earlier!
At this realization, a spark of interest flashed in Xiao Changqing's eyes: "Crown Princess, would you consider transferring our late uncle's remaining forces to me?"
Shen Xihe abruptly looked up at him.
Xiao Changqing met her gaze steadily: "His Majesty's determination to see him is unshakable—he's even disturbed the tomb of the late Emperor's Consort Jia. If our uncle still doesn't appear, His Majesty will surely deduce he's no longer among the living.
Rather than letting His Majesty investigate deeply, why not let me bring our uncle's men to satisfy His Majesty's wish? This would also prevent a prolonged stalemate."
"Does Prince Xin realize what would happen if His Majesty mistakenly believes you've conspired with our late uncle?" Shen Xihe felt compelled to warn.She was actually pondering the matter—pushing a scapegoat forward would only work if all eligible imperial princes were already dead. An ordinary person’s status would be insufficient to gain Your Majesty’s trust.
“I naturally understand. Crown Princess, rest assured—this prince will do everything possible to emerge unscathed. If the worst should happen…” Xiao Changqing paused, then said, “it would simply be this prince’s fate.”
Shen Xihe understood now—Xiao Changqing intended to use Xiao Juesong to set a trap for Your Majesty, bringing about a final confrontation with His Majesty!
This segment was truly difficult to write. As an important male supporting character, I needed to make Xiao Changqing more well-rounded, so I had to give him more scenes. But having Xiao Changqing dominate everything would overshadow the main characters, and I was afraid you might think Xihe became weaker without the Crown Prince.
I was also somewhat resistant to writing about the two collaborating. After much internal conflict, I finally compromised—I’ll write about their cooperation tomorrow.
Also, regarding excerpt three mentioned by some readers in the introduction—that was part of the original plot setting. This chapter subtly alluded to it, and the foreshadowing within the main text won’t be omitted. As for excerpt three, there’s nothing that can be done about it now.
(End of Chapter)
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