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Chapter 812: Her Wisdom Rivals That of the Crown Prince
His Majesty was determined to see Xiao Juesong.
Shen Xihe could understand why His Majesty was so persistent. It was because Xiao Huayong had utilized the people left behind by Xiao Juesong so masterfully that His Majesty mistakenly believed everything was inextricably linked to Xiao Juesong. As long as Xiao Juesong was forced out, all the mysteries would be resolved, including those who colluded with him.
This idea, even without knowing Xiao Juesong had passed away, was indeed the best strategy.
"Prince Xin, how do you intend to set a trap for His Majesty with this?" Shen Xihe didn't immediately agree to Xiao Changqing's plan, which was entirely beneficial to her. Meeting Xiao Changqing's hesitant gaze, Shen Xihe said, "His Majesty must not be harmed before I give birth."
His Majesty clearly couldn't wait to force Xiao Juesong out. At most, she still had over two months until full term. If Xiao Changqing wanted to act against His Majesty, he had to do it quickly; otherwise, His Majesty would soon become suspicious about Xiao Juesong's prolonged absence.
Shen Xihe couldn't allow Xiao Changqing to cause His Majesty's death at this time.
"Crown Princess, you've presented me with quite a dilemma." Xiao Changqing was determined to fight His Majesty to the death.
Shen Xihe had guessed as much. She placed her hand on her swollen abdomen, gently stroking it: "Prince Xin, death brings nothing but oblivion. Wouldn't it be more satisfying to watch someone you hate struggle on in agony, filled with resentment yet powerless to change their fate?"
Actually, Shen Xihe didn't prefer this approach. She liked clean, decisive solutions to permanently eliminate threats. The exception was Yu Sangning, whom she kept in the secret passage because Yu Sangning still served a crucial purpose for her.
"While this would indeed be satisfying, the person we're scheming against is The Supreme One. Achieving such an outcome is far more difficult than killing His Majesty?"
"I do have a method that might succeed." A faint smile appeared on Shen Xihe's lips.
"Crown Princess, please enlighten me." Xiao Changqing trusted Shen Xihe's strategic wisdom.
"His Majesty wants to see our imperial uncle because he escaped right under His Majesty's nose back then, leaving His Majesty resentful. All these years, instead of living in disgrace, our imperial uncle has built influence and repeatedly disturbed His Majesty's peace." Although these were all deeds done by Xiao Huayong under Xiao Juesong's name, in Youning Emperor's view, they were all grievances caused by Xiao Juesong.
"His Majesty must have been accumulating anger for a long time, otherwise he would never be so reckless as to disturb our ancestors' peace just to force someone out.""
When His Majesty ascended the throne, he didn't even dig up graves or move the despised Consort Jia out of the imperial mausoleum. Yet now he disregards all this to pressure Xiao Juesong into appearing, showing His Majesty's urgency. Perhaps it was due to the poison administered by Xiao Huayong, combined with the daily erosion of His Majesty's organs by Shen Xihe's scented ink, making His Majesty vaguely sense his time was limited, thus growing increasingly impatient.
Xiao Changqing nodded, acknowledging Shen Xihe's analysis.
"His Majesty is currently gathering momentum to vent his anger on our imperial uncle."Shen Xihe continued, "But if His Majesty learns that our imperial uncle is no longer in this world, wouldn't he feel unbalanced?""
"You want to let His Majesty know that our imperial uncle has passed away?" To make His Majesty regret it.
"Merely that wouldn't achieve our goal." Shen Xihe picked up her water cup, moistened her lips, then continued, "We need to make His Majesty realize that our imperial uncle died just a month ago - that he arrived one step too late."And the Imperial Uncle passed away without any regrets, for he had already fulfilled his heart's desire."
"Fulfilled his heart's desire?" Xiao Changqing vaguely sensed what Shen Xihe intended to do, yet hadn't fully grasped her plan.
"For instance, he had long poisoned Your Majesty, and had long made Your Majesty use a fragrant ink that causes irreversible physical decline. Though not a poison, its effects cannot be reversed. He merely went ahead to await Your Majesty below." The smile in Shen Xihe's eyes grew more pronounced.
Since Xiao Huayong's departure, she had mostly worn plain-colored dresses, her hair half-tied up. Apart from a white silk flower, she only wore some simple and elegant accessories when paying respects to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager to show solemnity.
At this moment, her cascading black hair was half-tied up, a plain silk flower nestled in the cloud-like tresses. Though her appearance seemed simple and even bland, a golden, butterfly-winged Hua Dian at her forehead added solemnity and nobility, complementing her smiling eyes. It should have exuded grace and luxury, yet it seemed too sharp, making one dare not meet her gaze.
The poison was administered by Xiao Huayong, though it was done using Xiao Juesong's people, making it an overt act. However, the fragrant ink still needed to be dealt with. Shen Xihe had been pondering how to handle it after Your Majesty's passing or sudden discovery, ensuring she could retreat unscathed—even if Your Majesty didn't suspect her, she couldn't allow herself to be falsely implicated.
Now, however, presented a heaven-sent opportunity. If Your Majesty knew he had fallen into Xiao Juesong's scheme, and though aware of the root cause, could no longer reverse it, only to wither away day by day without hindrance—
What torment would this be for an emperor who held the power of life and death?
And the one who made him suffer so unbearably was already dead, having passed away peacefully. The resentment in Your Majesty's heart would have no outlet!
As he grew weaker day by day, the accumulated resentment and pain in his heart would deepen. Even without further use of the fragrant ink, it would achieve the effect Shen Xihe had anticipated.
What is killing both the body and the spirit?
This is it!
Xiao Changqing couldn't help but straighten his expression. He acknowledged and held Shen Xihe in high regard, but he had never placed her on the same level as Xiao Huayong. At this moment, however, he realized he had underestimated this Crown Princess. Her cunning, methods, wisdom, and strategy were enough to rival that sieve-like, shrewd Crown Prince.
"No wonder, no wonder the Crown Prince could leave with peace of mind." Xiao Changqing understood now.
For Shen Xihe, Xiao Huayong would rather endure an extra stab to pave the way. How could he leave hastily just because the poison in his body could no longer be delayed? It was because he knew that even without him by her side, Shen Xihe could handle all crises.
"The Crown Princess's method is exquisite." Xiao Changqing agreed. "But who should be used to expose it? To make Your Majesty firmly believe it is all true?"
There ought to be a conspirator behind Xiao Juesong to make it plausible. At this point, there were few who could be presented to convince Your Majesty, and he himself was the best choice.
But Xiao Changqing felt Shen Xihe wouldn't do that. If they were opposed—no, even if not opposed, merely not aligned—Shen Xihe wouldn't hesitate to make him the scapegoat. If he couldn't see through it, it would be his lack of skill, and Shen Xihe wouldn't feel guilty.
Yet now they were conspirators. Though he didn't know Shen Xihe well, Xiao Changqing felt she was upright enough not to easily betray any ally."Why must His Majesty know the identity of this accomplice? Wouldn't it be better to leave him with one more knot of suspicion?" Shen Xihe smiled faintly. "To make His Majesty believe, we need not expose ourselves. We know the imperial uncle left no heir, but His Majesty does not.
We can fabricate a descendant, so long as their demeanor and knowledge can convince His Majesty.
This person shall be arranged by Your Highness."
(End of Chapter)
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