Though Tianyuan had mentally prepared himself for the Crown Prince's obsessive state whenever he encountered Zhaoning County Princess, he still felt somewhat despairing. However, seeing His Highness genuinely happy brought him a sliver of comfort—though the Crown Prince's joy didn't last long.
Ever since Shen Yungan arrived in the capital, the siblings had been touring the city together daily, sampling delicacies from every renowned eatery in the capital. This left Xiao Huayong not only without excuses to meet her but even deprived him of reasons to send food boxes.
Tianyuan noticed his master growing more taciturn with each passing day and had no choice but to tread carefully alongside him.
Within days, the Anxi matter erupted as expected. Shen Yueshan investigated starting from Ye Qi. Though most evidence had been destroyed, he managed to clarify numerous suspicious points and submitted a detailed memorial listing them all.
The Youning Emperor was deeply displeased. During court assembly, he publicly reprimanded the Fourth Prince for harboring sinister intentions. To prove his loyalty, the Fourth Prince kowtowed so forcefully his forehead bled on the palace floor, swearing he knew nothing of the matter and insisting it was a frame-up.
"How did His Majesty handle it?" Shen Xihe couldn't attend court, but Shen Yungan could. As both the Northwest Prince Heir and Liangzhou Governor, he had court attendance privileges, especially since this involved the northwest.
"Father listed the suspicious points—Ye Qi certainly couldn't explain them clearly, but there's no concrete evidence. His Majesty stripped him of his position as Hexi Governor and recalled him to the capital, without specifying future arrangements." Shen Yungan reported. "The court argued fiercely over his replacement until His Majesty grew weary and dismissed the assembly."
"His Majesty is likely waiting to see them showcase their abilities, to better gauge each prince's capabilities." Shen Xihe chuckled softly.
"It's none of our concern. We'll just watch the spectacle." Shen Yungan hadn't uttered a word during that morning's court session.
"There are many capable military officers in court—this is a lucrative post." Shen Xihe anticipated prolonged strife, wondering who would ultimately outmaneuver the rest.
"The most amusing part is how His Majesty married daughters of military families to consolidate power, leaving every prince with military backing." A glint of amusement flashed in Shen Yungan's eyes. "I wonder if the Crown Prince will intervene too."
The Crown Prince's maternal clan was weak. Though the Empress's family had contributed more than any imperial consort's clan, most direct descendants died in wars before Youning Emperor's accession, and the collateral branches had produced mostly mediocrities over the past decade.
Consequently, few held high expectations for Xiao Huayong.
Since arriving in the capital, Shen Xihe noticed everyone seemed to take for granted that Xiao Huayong would die young. Even commoners discussing the princes would omit him entirely—as if he didn't exist in the capital.
"Whether he intervenes or not doesn't matter." Shen Xihe had once believed Xiao Huayong lacked capable subordinates. While she never suspected him during the Qu Yanguang incident, this time she couldn't be certain.
"The Hexi Governor borders our northwest. Aren't you worried he might defy us covertly?" Shen Yungan raised an eyebrow.
"It's not him I trust, but Father. After this affair, Father will surely become more cautious." Shen Xihe smiled faintly. "Whoever gets appointed, the outcome remains the same. If they remain dutiful, we'll coexist peacefully. If they grow greedy—they'll never enjoy as favorable an outcome as Ye Qi's."Considering Ye Qi's matter, Shen Xihe decided not to pursue it out of respect for Ye Wantang and since he wasn't the mastermind behind the incident, which had caused no losses to the Northwest.
But if it happened again, she would make sure they learned that one must not provoke a tiger's wrath!
"Youyou..."
Shen Yungan opened his mouth to persuade her otherwise, but swallowed his words at the last moment.
Never mind, if she felt happy, so be it.
Shen Xihe's eyes curved slightly, pleased with Shen Yungan's concession.
"Prince Ding is truly deep and cunning," Shen Yungan sighed softly.
After reaching adulthood, Prince Ding had shown little interest in political affairs. Following his marriage, he and his princess became an enviable couple living in blissful seclusion.
Had he truly continued such a carefree existence, no matter who ascended the throne later, he would have enjoyed lifelong wealth and honor simply as a display of imperial benevolence. But now...
"What a pity for Princess Ding..." Shen Xihe echoed with a sigh.
Ye Wantang must be utterly heartbroken at this moment.
Just as Shen Xihe had predicted, upon receiving the news in Prince Ding's residence, Ye Wantang's eyes glistened with tears, their rims slightly reddened: "Why? Why did you deceive me?"
During her grandfather's lifetime, the Ye family had always been loyal ministers—faithful to the monarch and beneficial to the people.
Her grandfather had forbidden her from marrying into the imperial family and had arranged an early engagement for her. However, her fiancé's family later committed a grave offense and was demoted. Then she met Xiao Changtai and found herself unable to extricate her heart.
When Xiao Changtai sought to marry her, he promised to take her far from the turmoil. Over the years, he had kept that promise, and she had once prided herself on that choice. Only today did she realize she had been a foolish woman kept in the dark all along.
His so-called contentment with an ordinary life was merely a disguise facilitated through her!
Now, she even began to doubt whether his feelings for her were genuine!
"Wanwan, how have I treated you all these years? You know it in your heart," Xiao Changtai grasped Ye Wantang's shoulders. "I'm just unwilling—as a prince, I believe I'm no less capable than any of my brothers. If the Crown Prince were healthy, fine, but the Crown Prince will eventually... Why shouldn't I seize this chance? Wanwan, if I don't strive once, I'll regret it for life!"
"Have you considered... what the consequences would be if you fail?" Ye Wantang's tear-filled eyes fixed intently on Xiao Changtai. "Do you even know what it would take for you to succeed?"
Meeting his wife's grief-stricken gaze, Xiao Changtai lowered his eyes.
"Let me tell you—if you fail, I and the entire Ye family will be buried with you," Ye Wantang smiled bitterly, crystalline tears spilling from her eyes and tracing down her lovely cheeks. "If you succeed, you'll have to slaughter your brothers, and perhaps even... commit patricide!"
Her lips trembling, Ye Wantang tilted her head back to hold back her tears. "Is power truly so important? Important enough for you to pay such a dreadful price?"
Xiao Changtai remained silent.
Ye Wantang shoved him away, staggering back and grabbing a chair to steady herself. Turning to see his outstretched hands meant to support her, her tears flowed even more violently.
"Wanwan..." Xiao Changtai slowly retracted his hovering fingers. "The matter has come to this. Even if I were willing to withdraw now, no one would believe me."
Ye Wantang closed her eyes in anguish. "You never intended to withdraw... Xiao Changtai, listen to me."
She opened her eyes, her tear-filled gaze locking with his. "I'm not afraid to be buried with you—that is the price I pay for my ignorance. But I will not allow my maternal family to become a tool in your quest for power."With that, she reined in her sorrow, gradually wiping away her tear stains. "Go find someone willing to strive for you. I will help you take a concubine, and if one concubine is not enough, I am even willing to vacate my position for you."
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