Xiao Changfeng had never guarded against Shen Yingluo. He never expected that Shen Yingluo would scheme against him at this moment—just when she had told him he was about to become a father for the first time.
Outside, Lu Bing, who had been waiting anxiously and could delay no longer, went to the inner courtyard to find Xiao Changfeng. There, he encountered Tan Shi. "Guard Lu," she said, "the Prince suddenly fainted. The Princess Consort has already summoned a doctor to examine him."
"Suddenly fainted?" Lu Bing's eyes flickered. He insisted on seeing Xiao Changfeng.
Neither Tan Shi nor Shen Yingluo stopped him. They didn't know how many people were loyal to His Majesty, and blocking him might backfire. Lu Bing successfully entered and saw Xiao Changfeng lying on the bed. The doctors, having been warned by Shen Yingluo, dared not speak carelessly and only said they couldn't determine the cause of the unconsciousness.
Lu Bing was not the real Lu Bing—he was the first person Sui Axi had selected through bone-reading years ago. Over time, he had become Xiao Changfeng's trusted confidant. He could roughly guess why Xiao Changfeng was lying there.
Shen Yingluo didn't want Xiao Changfeng to get involved. She had secretly plotted against him. If Shen Xihe won, all would be well. If His Majesty won, Xiao Changfeng would have been schemed against, not truly betraying his sovereign, so the punishment wouldn't be fatal.
But if Xiao Changfeng participated, regardless of who won, he would either lose his life or be forced to separate from his wife. In the end, Shen Yingluo had developed feelings for Xiao Changfeng and wanted a perfect outcome for both.
However, Shen Yingluo didn't understand that some things are more important than life itself. If Xiao Changfeng didn't go today, he would be seen as betraying his lord. He was a man deeply loyal to his sovereign, ingrained to the bone—such was the family teaching of Xun Wang's household. Even if he escaped this calamity, it would shatter his backbone. He would live on in misery, plagued by regret, and after death, be ashamed to face his ancestors.
"Princess Consort," Lu Bing said, "the Prince ordered that as long as he has a breath left, I must take him away from the residence." Lu Bing wouldn't reveal his true identity to Shen Yingluo. Though her heart leaned toward the Shen family, her foresight paled in comparison to the Crown Princess's.
The more critical the moment, the more cautious he had to be.
"How dare you!" Shen Yingluo's face darkened.
"Princess Consort," Lu Bing reminded her, "why not ponder why the Prince gave me such an order?"
Why such an order?
Shen Yingluo froze, then her face turned pale. It meant Xiao Changfeng had long known what choice she would make and that she might act against him. Yet he hadn't taken precautions or countermeasures, allowing her to succeed.
What was he thinking?
Did he hold onto a last shred of hope that she wouldn't harm him? Or had he developed such deep affection for her that he needed this to sever his feelings?
Seeing Shen Yingluo's reaction, Lu Bing surmised that the couple had fallen in love. In truth, these words weren't actually instructed by Xiao Changfeng. Xiao Changfeng probably knew what Shen Yingluo would choose but believed he wouldn't fall victim to her schemes.
Ah, well. After all, she was from the Shen family and loyal to it. Lu Bing decided to stir the pot further: "The Prince intended that if he didn't return from this journey, you wouldn't have to bear guilt or... lingering attachment."
With that, he stepped forward and helped the unconscious Xiao Changfeng away.
Shen Yingluo didn't stop him. She stood rooted to the spot, as if spellbound.
No need for guilt—because his death would have nothing to do with her. She had done her utmost to protect him. This path was his own choice.No need for concern, it was because he had entrusted his unguarded back to her, yet she chose to strike against him, leaving no room for trust thereafter.
Scalding tears gushed forth uncontrollably.
Shen Yingluo felt a dense, piercing pain in her chest, a vast and hollow emptiness.
She had always believed she held no affection for him. Their marriage was by imperial decree—he was His Majesty's loyal subject, she was a daughter of the Shen clan. Sooner or later, they would find themselves on opposing sides.
After marriage, she remained vigilant against him at all times, offering only superficial attentiveness. To outsiders, they appeared an inseparable, deeply devoted couple, but inwardly, she never truly let down her guard.
For some unknown reason, hearing Lu Bing's words made her heart ache inch by inch.
Lu Bing took Xiao Changfeng away and naturally found a physician. Shen Yingluo had no intention to harm him, having used only a sedative drug. Counteracting its effects was not complicated, and Xiao Changfeng soon regained consciousness, immediately asking, "What time is it?"
"The fourth watch has passed," Lu Bing hurriedly replied.
"Let's go." Despite his lingering dizziness, Xiao Changfeng strode out of the clinic, mounted his horse with Lu Bing, and led him to mobilize the ten thousand Invincible Army troops stationed outside the city.
In addition to the mobilization order, there was a Hidden Command—only Xiao Changfeng's personal presence could relocate the troops. This was why Lu Bing had no choice but to revive him.
By the time the army entered the city gates and fought their way to the palace entrance, they encountered Xiao Changgeng and Xie Yunhuai.
The Golden Guard and the Capital Garrison stationed within the capital were already locked in chaotic combat. Xiao Changfeng could no longer distinguish friend from foe. Xiao Changgeng led not only Xiao Changqing's men but also remnants left by Xiao Changyan, while Xie Yunhuai commanded mostly forces left behind by Xiao Huayong.
Each side fought with fierce brutality, and for a time, the battle intensified dramatically. In contrast, the Golden Guard and Capital Garrison troops were swiftly overpowered.
Xiao Changfeng sought to break into the imperial city to rescue the emperor, but Xiao Changgeng and Xie Yunhuai, aware that the situation had shifted, learned from Xiao Changqing's men—who had regrouped around them—that the Hall of Diligent Governance remained under Shen Xihe's control. Thus, they focused all efforts on blocking Xiao Changfeng.
The Empress Dowager's forces were no match for the privately trained troops of Xiao Changqing, Xiao Changyan, and Xiao Huayong, and had long been cut down. The palace gates had already been seized from the Empress Dowager's men by Xiao Changgeng and Xie Yunhuai.
Multiple factions clashed fiercely within the four gates, locked in a stalemate.
It became clear that continuing this slaughter would most likely result in mutual destruction.
"Your Highness, a secret passage has been discovered," reported a soldier dressed in Invincible Army attire.
Amid the chaotic fighting, the tense battle, and blood-smeared faces, Xiao Changfeng could not possibly recognize every one of the ten thousand Invincible Army soldiers. The man before him was not truly one of them—he had donned the uniform of a fallen soldier.
The secret passage had been mentioned in a message from His Majesty just two days prior. However, the emperor had learned of it too recently to pinpoint its entrance or exit.
Earlier, when mobilizing the Invincible Army outside the city, a secret decree had been passed via note to high-ranking officers.
Unsuspecting, Xiao Changfeng immediately withdrew with a small contingent. Seeing this, Xiao Changgeng received a signal from Lu Bing and attempted to break through to intercept them.
After a bloody struggle, Xiao Changfeng, under the cover of the Invincible Army, managed to escape with Lu Bing, two trusted aides, and the man who had reported the secret passage, rushing toward the hidden route.“I had my elder sister-in-law inform Duke Xue of the secret passage, allowing the news to reach Your Majesty through Duke Xue’s lips, all to await this very move.” Though Shen Xihe had not witnessed the battle outside with her own eyes, she had accurately predicted every step.
(End of Chapter)
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