"Youyou, are you truly alright?" Shen Yungan was more concerned about Shen Xihe's condition. Her still pale and bloodless face worried him greatly.
"Brother, I'm fine." Shen Xihe's eyes softened gently. "The Imperial Hospital was deceived because I had prepared in advance. Tomorrow I'll introduce someone to you."
Up until now, Shen Xihe hadn't let Shen Yungan meet Xie Yunhuai. Each time she took medicine was when Shen Yungan was out. She didn't want him to see her suffering after taking the Bone Shedding Pill - her deathly pale appearance after medication would distress him.
Yesterday when Shen Yungan went to arrange the matter of hiding people in Hibiscus Garden, Shen Xihe took her medicine and asked Xie Yunhuai for a drug that could temporarily disrupt pulse readings. Though it had some impact on the body, it wasn't seriously harmful. Concerned about her weak constitution, Xie Yunhuai insisted on a follow-up examination tomorrow.
"Is it that Doctor Qi?" Shen Yungan guessed.
"Yes." Shen Xihe nodded lightly.
Shen Yungan gazed intently at Shen Xihe, making her feel puzzled: "Brother, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Doctor Qi is young and accomplished, and quite handsome..."
"Brother."
Before Shen Yungan could finish, Shen Xihe already knew what he was thinking. Close relatives tend to be particularly sensitive when their loved ones reach marriageable age. Whenever an outstanding person of the opposite sex appears, they can't help but speculate.
"Doctor Qi and I are sincere friends. Men and women can interact as gentlemen would."
Shen Xihe's gaze remained clear and steady. Shen Yungan felt both relieved and anxious - relieved that his sister hadn't been deceived by any young man's sweet words, anxious because he increasingly felt his sister was truly a young woman with a heart as calm as still water.
He had some understanding of Doctor Qi. After all, he made it a habit since childhood to investigate everyone Shen Xihe frequently contacted. His sister was too delicate and charming to be approached by those with ulterior motives.
The incident with Linglong had made him even more cautious. He had thoroughly investigated Doctor Qi's background and was fully aware of his character, appearance, talent, and knowledge.
His sister had been in the capital for quite some time. The imperial princes were all outstanding, Doctor Qi was also exceptional among men, and she was just at the age when romantic feelings first awaken. Yet surprisingly, no one had moved her in the slightest.
"Brother, the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs!" Just by looking at Shen Yungan's expression, Shen Xihe knew what he was pondering and had to urge him.
Sighing softly, Shen Yungan said: "Brother will go supervise personally right away. I guarantee no one will be able to come and go unnoticed."
Only then did Shen Xihe give him a pleased smile.
Her smile glowed like jade under the carriage's hanging night-luminescent pearl, radiating subtle brilliance that made Shen Yungan's eyes dazzle. He couldn't help but reveal a doting smile.
Since his sister was so happy, he naturally had to handle matters well to make her even happier.
After seeing Shen Xihe back to Princess Manor and watching the carriage enter the estate, Shen Yungan turned around, his tall figure disappearing into the night.
Though Shen Xihe's health was improving, she hadn't suddenly become as strong as an ordinary person. Today had truly exhausted her. Returning to the manor, she couldn't wait for Shen Yungan. After bathing and washing up, she fell into deep sleep.
Among all the nobles and officials in the entire capital, she was the only one who could sleep peacefully tonight.
Civil and military officials were all pondering this matter. Those friendly with Prince Kang were busy recalling whether they had left any evidence with him, or whether in their interactions they might have unknowingly become involved in Prince Kang's private weapons manufacturing affair.Those who were at odds with Prince Kang, or had political rivals aligned with him, began exerting all efforts to fan the flames and add insult to injury.
The study rooms in the mansions of various princes were brightly lit late into the night, as they pondered whom Prince Kang had been serving, contemplated the vacancies left by his downfall, and strategized how to maneuver the situation for maximum personal gain...
In the Eastern Palace, Xiao Huayong sat behind the desk in the Warm Pavilion of the main hall, reading the letters delivered that day.
The lamplight flickered, casting a warm and gentle glow, as delicate and hazy as mist.
His jade-like face softened into a faint, tender smile, while his silver-bright eyes shimmered with waves of growing admiration and delight.
"I always knew she was clever, yet I still underestimated her," he murmured softly in the quiet night, his voice imbued with boundless appreciation. It was widely known throughout the court that the Crown Prince’s health was frail. At the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, he had only stayed briefly to pay his respects before being repeatedly urged by both the Empress Dowager and His Majesty to return to the Eastern Palace. He had expected the banquet to be uneventful, never anticipating it would conclude with such a stunning turn of events.
"What a pity. Had I sensed it earlier, I should have found an excuse to return and witness the commotion firsthand," Xiao Huayong sighed with genuine regret. His Majesty’s expression at that moment must have been a sight to behold.
Tianyuan stood behind Xiao Huayong like a wooden post, waiting for him to finish his reflections.
Xiao Huayong raised his hand, a black chess piece gleaming brightly under the lamplight between his fingertips, his expression growing even more tender. "One must never underestimate a woman," he mused.
Xiao Huayong had long been aware that His Majesty was secretly manufacturing weapons and assembling elite troops, draining the national treasury in the process. Fortunately, the years had been prosperous, or the Minister of Revenue would have been forced to take the blame for His Majesty’s actions. He had been investigating the matter but had found no leads.
He never expected His Majesty to entrust the weapons to Prince Kang, that incompetent fool.
Even more surprising was that this fool had allowed his concubine, Yu Xiaodie, to uncover the secret and expose it.
But what astonished him most was how Shen Xihe, upon obtaining the information, had remained utterly composed, skillfully orchestrating a step-by-step plan. She had leveraged the situation effortlessly, exposing the matter without lifting a finger!
She had not lost a single soldier or resource, nor had she revealed any of her own influence. Even His Majesty would not suspect her of acting deliberately.
"Tianyuan, don’t you think the County Princess’s wisdom is unparalleled?" Xiao Huayong’s lips, tinged with a faint peach blush, curved into a smile, his eyes bright and gentle.
"Any lady who earns Your Highness’s special regard is naturally peerless," Tianyuan promptly praised.
Although he privately believed that if Zhaoning County Princess were a man, she would be the Crown Prince’s most formidable rival, he dared not withhold his praise at this moment!
"Special regard..." Even Tianyuan’s heartfelt admiration failed to satisfy Xiao Huayong. He softly repeated the phrase and pressed a hand to his chest.
Just moments earlier, as he read the detailed account of Shen Xihe’s intricate scheme, he had distinctly felt an unusual flutter in his heart—a subtle, fleeting sensation, yet enough to make him realize that Shen Xihe had stirred his emotions.
Here we go again, here we go again! His illustrious and majestic Highness was wearing that entranced, captivated expression once more, this time even more dazed than usual, as if drifting in a sea of wine, utterly intoxicated!
Tianyuan made a sour face. "Your Highness, timing is of the essence."
The Prince Kang incident was nothing short of a thunderclap from a clear sky, stunning everyone into disorientation and catching His Majesty completely off guard.
If they didn’t seize this opportunity to exploit the situation now, then when would they?Yet his wise and decisive Highness seemed to have forgotten it all, his heart and eyes entirely filled with admiration for the County Princess's brilliant strategy!
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