Sunlight filtered through layers of Eucommia leaves, the light and foliage intertwining like golden gauze unfurling across the sky, painting the world in shades of orange and yellow.
The breeze whispered softly, leaves drifted quietly, and time passed in stillness—it felt both like an eternity and merely a moment. After a fit of violent coughing, Xiao Huayong gradually regained his composure: "I still remember the question you posed to me that day, Princess... Was I resigned to it?"
His loosely clenched fist pressed against his lips: "As Crown Prince, if I cannot ascend the throne, no emperor would tolerate a legitimate heir. Although... my health is frail, no one can predict what changes five or six years may bring. As long as I live, I must plan for each day."
She was telling him he possessed the means to protect himself. He too feared that even if an opportunity for recovery came, he might lack the ability to safeguard himself.
Those who have been Crown Prince have only two paths: become king or be defeated.
As he said, no monarch who ascends the throne could ever tolerate a brother who was once the legitimate heir.
This was an indirect admission that he had his own forces.
"Your Highness, might the Bone Shedding Pill be of use to you?" Shen Xihe asked.
She didn't suspect Xiao Huayong was feigning illness—without reason, he could never have deceived the Youning Emperor. Something must have happened eleven years ago that genuinely damaged his constitution. The Youning Emperor was certain he wouldn't live long, which was why there had been no rush to depose the Crown Prince.
The imposter who disguised himself as Hua Fuhai could mimic Zhao Zhenghao and behead three men with a single sword stroke—proof of exceptional martial skill.
She didn't suspect this person was Xiao Huayong himself, but rather that he was Xiao Huayong's trusted subordinate.
Since Xiao Huayong had considered his future and cultivated his own power, he must desperately desire recovery, just like her!
If the Bone Shedding Pill worked for her, it would surely work for Xiao Huayong too. How could he remain indifferent?
"The princess speaks of the legacy treasure of the Old Man with White Hair?"" It would be too disingenuous to claim ignorance. Xiao Huayong's voice was weak: "I sent people to search for the Fairy Ribbon, but found nothing. I also inquired about the old man's whereabouts, but the item had already been taken away."
"Your Highness never pursued who took it?"
"The old man was unwilling to say. In this vast world, where would I begin to search?" Xiao Huayong shook his head gently. "I imagine whoever possesses it must need it as urgently as I do to save their life. They would surely be unwilling to part with it. Why then should I press further—cough cough cough..."
After another bout of coughing, Xiao Huayong lowered his eyelids: "Whose life is not precious? I wish to live, and so do others. I cannot abuse my power to seize it by force."
"Your Highness is the Crown Prince."
"As Crown Prince, I should cherish the people as my own children. If I disregard others' lives to save myself today, I would likewise ignore the suffering of the people for my own desires tomorrow. A Crown Prince like me would be a blessing to the people if he never ascended the throne." Xiao Huayong spoke with sincerity.
"So, it is Your Highness's benevolence that makes you accept defeat gracefully." Shen Xihe let out a sudden cold laugh.
Xiao Huayong revealed just the right amount of confusion: "Why does the princess say that?""
Shen Xihe slightly lifted her chin, meeting Xiao Huayong's gaze. Her eyes, shrouded in a haze of frost, seemed piercingly perceptive.
Xiao Huayong's eyes were filled with utter bewilderment and a trace of panic—not the guilt of someone caught, but the fluster of one who doesn't know what wrong they've committed."Your Highness, the Bone Shedding Pill is in my possession." Shen Xihe lowered her gaze. "When I obtained the pill, I encountered a peculiar individual—utterly mysterious. This person successively impersonated before me one of His Majesty's Embroidered Uniform Envoys, then a wealthy merchant, followed by a candidate for the imperial examinations, and finally, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review..."
Shen Xihe lifted her eyes to see Xiao Huayong's grave expression. "Your Highness, who do you think could achieve such unpredictable transformations?"
"An extraordinary individual." Xiao Huayong coughed lightly and fell into contemplation. "It must be someone from the imperial clan."
Our dynasty has endured for over a century—there cannot be remnants of the previous dynasty seeking trouble.
Anyone who would painstakingly plant agents in these positions must harbor grand ambitions. With the court strong and prosperous, neither civil nor military officials would dare entertain thoughts of rebellion. Only a prince contending for the throne would commit such acts.
"Indeed, it must be someone from the imperial clan." Shen Xihe watched him calmly. "I am not well acquainted with the various princes, including Zhaoning. Does Your Highness suspect anyone in particular?"
"Cough, cough, cough..." After several coughs, Xiao Huayong replied somewhat apologetically, "I left the palace at age eight and did not grow up with my brothers. My knowledge of them is limited."
Shen Xihe nodded meaningfully. "To be frank with Your Highness, due to certain circumstances, I previously made a deal with him. We've temporarily avoided conflict, agreeing to settle our score after everything is cleared up. Therefore, regarding this Anxi matter, I believe he shouldn't have known about it—otherwise, he would have informed me in advance."
"I promised him the Northwest Trading Market. If the Anxi situation isn't resolved properly and the northwest changes hands, his interests would also suffer."
Xiao Huayong listened attentively.
Shen Xihe continued, "I initially thought he was unaware of the details. But after the Anxi matter was settled, I began to suspect his hidden involvement in fueling the events."
"What makes you think so?" Xiao Huayong asked cautiously.
"I believe the Defense Map was stolen by someone from the former Hexi Governor's faction. I also believe it was Prince Xin who orchestrated this behind the scenes. Prince Xin's crucial objective was to place his own people in Hexi..."
Shen Xihe gazed intently at Xiao Huayong. "Precisely because Prince Xin is so cunning, he would never blatantly appoint his own maternal uncle as the Hexi Governor at such a critical juncture. That would contradict his character of concealing his ambitions and biding his time."
"Thus, you suspect someone caught Fifth Brother off guard, and this person is the one you haven't yet identified, cough, cough..." Xiao Huayong deduced from Shen Xihe's reasoning.
"Correct." Shen Xihe gave a slight nod. "So he participated in this matter, yet he didn't think to do me the courtesy of informing me. Your Highness, why do you think that is?"
Xiao Huayong pondered for a moment before speaking. "Perhaps... by the time he learned of it, you already knew?"
"I think so too. This person, like Your Highness..." Shen Xihe deliberately paused, "...became aware of the Anxi Defense Map's theft almost immediately after I did. Any later, and he wouldn't have had time to devise such an intricate scheme."
With Shen Xihe being so explicit, Xiao Huayong could no longer play dumb. "You suspect that I am the one you fear, cough, cough... the one with far-reaching influence?"
Shen Xihe quickly glanced up at Tianyuan standing behind Xiao Huayong.
Tianyuan wore an expression of confusion and bewilderment, nearly voicing aloud, "How could the Lady suspect such a thing?"As Shen Xihe unexpectedly went to investigate Tianyuan, a faint smile flickered across Xiao Huayong's lips.
If he truly were such a person, his closest confidants would undoubtedly know. No matter how deep his schemes ran, those around him would inevitably reveal clues in unguarded moments.
Had she come to him before investigating the Golden Guard, she might have achieved her goal.
But now that she had arrived, he had already guessed her intentions and had long since given Tianyuan proper guidance.
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