Shen Yueshan had agreed to this significant undertaking naturally because Xiao Huayong was in control of the overall situation, trusting in him. But why not take advantage of such a good opportunity?

There must be His Majesty’s confidant within the Northwestern Army, though this person was deeply hidden. The loss of Commander An’s defense maps must also have deeper implications. Since then, though Shen Yueshan maintained his outward demeanor and treated all soldiers equally, he no longer joined the commanders in their occasional drinking bouts, always declining with the excuse of missing his daughter. Later, when Xue Heng brought Xue Jinqiao, he had another excuse—that with his son about to marry, a father naturally couldn’t be so indulgent any more.

In his heart, he had developed a hint of wariness toward these men who had fought alongside him through fire and water. Emperor Youning’s subtle mindset made him unwary to let down his guard, but suddenly distancing himself from these brothers-in-arms, with whom he’d shared countless life-and-death situations on the battlefield, deeply saddened him.

These rough men, despite their outward appearance, were extremely sensitive. They had already vaguely noticed his deliberate distancing, and over time, this would inevitably lead to their estrangement, making them more susceptible to others’ manipulation.

When Xiao Huayong proposed setting up this scheme, to let Shen Xihe witness her only brother’s wedding, Shen Yueshan initially thought he was mad. Creating such a commotion, and risking such a precarious situation, just to let Shen Xihe attend Shen Yun’an’s wedding seemed worthless, even if he had the capability. He believed Shen Xihe herself wouldn’t allow such a grand gesture either.

Yet Xiao Huayong had stubbornly insisted on making it happen, saying: “Father-in-law, I know both you and Youyou are clear-minded people who can weigh gains and losses precisely. I also know that while Youyou yearns to see her brother’s wedding, she would reject my proposal. Therefore, I must first convince you, Father-in-law.”

“You can’t convince me,” Shen Yueshan had refused promptly and decisively at the time.

But Xiao Huayong wasn’t discouraged at all: “Father-in-law, this is an excellent opportunity—an opportunity to purge the Northwestern Army.”

These words thoroughly moved Shen Yueshan. He began seriously considering its feasibility and found it indeed to be a rare opportunity. After hearing Xiao Huayong’s complete arrangements and confirming he could guarantee Shen Xihe’s safety, he finally agreed.

To reassure Shen Yueshan, and because he truly didn’t know these areas as well as Shen Yueshan, once they reached Liangzhou, everything was arranged by Shen Yueshan himself, including the fake Tujue raid and hiding in this village.

Since Xiao Huayong hadn’t interfered even with these matters, he naturally knew nothing about the situation within the Northwestern Army. He wouldn’t rashly interfere out of curiosity either—that would be disrespectful to Shen Yueshan. However, if Shen Yueshan was still unwilling to leave, it could only mean that this time they had truly uncovered something in the Northwestern Army, something with far-reaching implications that even Shen Yueshan couldn’t act hastily upon.

Shen Xihe felt Xiao Huayong’s conjecture was the truth. She couldn’t sit still and wanted to rise to question Shen Yueshan, but Xiao Huayong caught her hand: “I think Father-in-law may not be entirely certain yet, and he wouldn’t tell you even if you asked now. Why don’t we wait a day or two and see how the situation develops?”

After some thought, Shen Xihe nodded and sat back down.

They had dinner at the village chief’s house, where he had prepared good wine and dishes to entertain them. Both Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong had changed into clothes more fitting for common people. Seeing Shen Yueshan drinking heartily with the village chief, his face full of joy, Shen Xihe felt somewhat relieved.

The next day, when Shen Xihe woke up, Shen Yueshan had already left, leaving only a servant to inform her he would return by evening. Shen Xihe knew it must be about Northwestern matters and felt concerned.

Xiao Huayong held her hand, comforting her: “What must come will come. Father wouldn’t want you to worry for him. Since we’ve come to this rural area, wouldn’t it be a waste not to look around?”

“North Star, there’s something you don’t understand,” Shen Xihe said, lowering her eyes. “If Father needs to be so cautious, to verify repeatedly, afraid to act rashly for fear of misjudging someone—it must be someone who fought alongside Father through iron and blood, someone as close as a brother.

For someone to reach such a position with Father, they couldn’t have been a traitor from the beginning. At least those shared life-and-death experiences must have been genuine. This means they only betrayed their homeland in the Northwest and turned their back on Father and their other brothers-in-arms when the Northwest was prospering, due to other reasons.

Such betrayal affects not only Father but also others by his side. Once such a person appears, their unity is broken…”

If even one of these uncles betrayed them, how would the others cope? How would they face her father in the future? Would they worry that because of this person, her father would no longer trust them? Would they become paranoid, easily susceptible to instigation?

Shen Xihe wanted to know what price Emperor Youning had paid to make this move—a move that was potentially fatal to Shen Yueshan.

Even though they had detected the betrayal early and minimized the crisis, her father and these uncles could never return to their former state of complete unity, absolute trust, and willingness to entrust their lives to each other, all because of this one betrayal.

“Youyou, people in this world are extremely complex. Living always comes with desires, and when certain desires cannot be controlled, and neither family, close friends, nor oneself can satisfy them—when only one person in the world can fulfill that desire, even if that person is an enemy… Even knowing that person will betray them, knowing their intentions aren’t good, knowing that indulging their desires might lead to isolation and losing everything, they still rush toward destruction like moths to a flame.”

Xiao Huayong’s words were heavy and cruel, yet true. Shen Xihe couldn’t refute them. After a moment of silence, she asked: “I’m not such a person, are you?”

“I am,” Xiao Huayong answered without hesitation.

Shen Xihe looked at him in shock, meeting his dark eyes filled with silvery light, gazing at her with deep tenderness.

“My lifelong desire is you,” Xiao Huayong smiled with infinite gentleness. “If one day, your life and death were in the hands of our enemy, I would do anything, even join them.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and Shen Xihe gripped Xiao Huayong tightly: “I, I won’t allow you to do that. If you do, I will end my own life.”

She forbade Xiao Huayong from doing this not because of weighing advantages and disadvantages, but because in her heart, everyone should have boundaries for their actions, especially people of their status, whose decisions often affected the lives and peace of countless people.

It wasn’t about being righteous—rather, bearing such heavy consequences would trouble her conscience, making living perhaps more painful than death.

“North Star, we must know what to do and what not to do.”

“Alright, teach me what should be done and what shouldn’t. I’ll listen to you. As long as you’re by my side, I’ll listen to everything you say.”