Your Majesty's intention?
Shen Xihe's lips curved slightly, a faint smile fleeting across her face: "Grandfather need not worry. I have some speculation about His Majesty's thoughts and will certainly remain vigilant."
Tao Zhuanxian saw her confidence and understood she was aware of his concerns yet could not reveal anything. Knowing Shen Xihe's purpose, he parted his lips only to let out a long, soft sigh.
He would charge into battle for his granddaughter without regard for himself, but he was not alone. He had descendants, a daughter-in-law, and her entire clan behind her. He could not endanger the whole family for the sake of personal courage.
"Grandfather, Youyou will not lose." Shen Xihe grasped Tao Zhuanxian's hand firmly, her obsidian-dark eyes gleaming with resolute determination.
Tao Zhuanxian smiled, patted her hand, and departed silently.
Maple leaves fell, ice crystallized after snow.
In the lingering chill of early spring, the capital usually stood firm amidst wind and snow. Today was a rare clear day, with feeble sunlight filtering through thick, yellowish clouds like old cotton batting, striking the icicles on branches and refracting into dazzling prismatic colors.
This splash of color bloomed amidst the silver-white landscape, flowing into Shen Xihe's eyes and softening her exquisite features: "His Majesty has made his move. Some people will grow restless too. The time is ripe to decide the outcome."
Tianyuan and Zhenzhu straightened up, exchanging a glance: "As you command."
Shen Xihe had arranged all that needed arranging. Though some matters couldn't be predicted step by step—such as His Majesty's decree to enfeoff the Imperial Grandson—these were minor issues that couldn't sway the overall situation.
The palace bustled with preparations for Xiao Junshu's enthronement ceremony. Tianyuan and Zhenzhu also grew busy, using the cover of the grand ceremony to implement Shen Xihe's arrangements methodically.
The Imperial Observatory soon calculated the date for the coronation: mid-spring March, an auspicious day for all endeavors. As the date approached, neither the imperial court nor the Imperial Harem knew peace. Everyone had their own calculations, everyone speculated what storm this ceremony might stir—some sought to risk all for merit, others strove desperately to stay clear.
All human dramas surged violently beneath seemingly tranquil days.
"Your Highness, Yu Sangning has disappeared."
On this day, as Shen Xihe watched spring return to the world while trimming her Eucommia Leaf bonsai, Biyu hurried in.
Her words elicited no reaction from Shen Xihe, as if unheard. But Biyu knew the Crown Princess had heard—it was only because she had long anticipated this day that her response was so placid.
Setting down the shears, Shen Xihe brushed the leaves with her fingertips, as if searching for wayward branches: "Send the first letter to Tan Shi."
"Tan Shi?" Biyu momentarily failed to grasp the reference.
Shen Xihe turned her gaze to her: "Tan Shi, who serves by Xun Wangfei's side."
Only then did Biyu understand, chiding herself for needing the Crown Princess' reminder: "What message shall I convey, Your Highness?"
"Her debt to my mother is repaid."
Only eight words. Biyu didn't understand why, while discussing Yu Sangning, Shen Xihe had shifted to Tan Shi, but she dared not ask further. Obeying Shen Xihe's instruction, she swiftly went to prepare.
"Youyou receives boundless blessings, the deer cries remember this."Baisui suddenly started squawking at the top of its lungs, and Shen Xihe couldn't resist teasing it. She had once been someone who cherished tranquility, but ever since Xiao Huayong left, she had grown fond of Baisui. The bird seemed to have been fed countless phrases by Xiao Huayong, always coming up with something new.
Yet when she actually tried to engage it, it wouldn't utter those words. Sometimes it would repeat the same few phrases for long periods, and just when she thought it had run out of new material, it would unexpectedly blurt out another one.
"Your Highness, His Majesty coughed up blood again today," Sui Axi reported as he returned from outside, spotting Shen Xihe teasing Baisui under the covered corridor. He hurried over.
He had just come from the Hall of Diligent Governance. The Emperor had been frequently coughing up blood recently, a fact he never concealed, causing widespread anxiety. His Majesty seemed increasingly urgent in his search for remedies. Whether it was Sui Axi or renowned physicians from among the common people, as long as they passed the screening set by the Imperial Hospital and proved their genuine skill, they would be summoned to the palace. Whether they could cure the Emperor mattered little—they would still receive a reward of ten gold pieces.
Thus, the Emperor had made his impending demise known to all, spreading the news far and wide.
"In your estimation, how much longer does His Majesty have?" Shen Xihe asked.
"This subordinate dare not make a determination," Sui Axi replied in a hushed tone. "But Duke Xie has given a deadline of five days."
The current Duke Xie was Xie Yunhuai. Not only had the Emperor not overlooked Xie Yunhuai's alternate identity as a physician, but he actually appreciated and trusted him more than others, summoning him almost daily.
"Five days..." Shen Xihe chuckled softly. "What an auspicious timing."
The coronation ceremony for Xiao Junshu was scheduled six days later. If the Emperor were to pass within five days, the ceremony would have to be postponed. The Imperial Observatory had indeed chosen an auspicious date. Without formal coronation, he still wouldn't be the legitimate Crown Prince.
From the next day onward, the Youning Emperor claimed illness and ceased holding court. Everyone could see the Emperor's deteriorating condition. When he suddenly became bedridden, all civil and military officials grew deeply concerned. After three consecutive days without court sessions, rumors spread that the Emperor could neither drink nor speak, spending more time unconscious than awake.
With just one day remaining until the Crown Prince's coronation ceremony, as the last rays of sunset were swallowed by darkness, the recently closed gates of the Eastern Palace were knocked upon. It was Liu Sanzhi himself who had come, his attitude respectful: "This servant comes by His Majesty's command to request Crown Princess's presence at the Hall of Diligent Governance.""
Shen Xihe hadn't yet retired for the night. Dressed simply and elegantly—as it hadn't been a full year since the Crown Prince's passing, she was still in mourning—her jet-black hair cascaded like a waterfall, adorned only with simple white pearl accessories, a white flower still pinned at her temple.
She brought Tianyuan and Hongyu with her to accompany Liu Sanzhi to the Hall of Diligent Governance. Upon reaching the entrance to the imperial bedchamber, both Hongyu and Tianyuan were stopped by Liu Sanzhi: "His Majesty summons only Crown Princess.""
Shen Xihe slightly turned her head, giving them both a meaningful glance, then followed Liu Sanzhi inside.
The bedchamber was filled with the heavy scent of medicinal herbs, so potent that Shen Xihe's sensitive sense of smell was momentarily overwhelmed, nearly causing her to faint.
As the door closed behind them, Liu Sanzhi didn't withdraw. Instead, he personally drew aside the bed curtains. The glow of night pearls suspended above the bed illuminated the peacefully lying Youning Emperor, who currently appeared to be experiencing a final rally—his complexion ruddy, demeanor calm, and gaze clear.
"Your Majesty." Shen Xihe performed a proper, formal bow.
The Youning Emperor, whose spirit seemed to belong to no particular realm, focused his eyes. He didn't look at Shen Xihe but rather stared at the canopy above the bed. "We know our end is near, yet numerous perplexities remain in our heart. Would you be willing to resolve them for us?""Your Majesty asks, and I shall hold nothing back, speaking all that I know without reservation," Shen Xihe replied respectfully.
"At this moment, I only wish to hear the truth," the Youning Emperor added.
"How would I dare deceive Your Majesty?" Shen Xihe responded impeccably.
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