Dai Yi, who stood behind Xiao Chang Geng, fell to his knees trembling in terror.

Xiao Chang Geng glanced at him, refusing to bow his head: “Crown Prince has been lying low for so long, and if you want to kill someone by borrowing another’s knife, you’ll eventually expose your tracks. Is the Twelfth Prince so fortunate that Your Highness would risk exposing yourself just to end his life?”

“You’re still too naive,” Xiao Hua Yong softly laughed and shook his head. “If I wanted you dead, why would I need to make such a fuss? Everyone knows I have at most three to five years to live. What do you think would happen if, starting today, I began interfering in court affairs, amassing power, and openly showing my intention to groom you?”

The Crown Prince was still the Crown Prince – no one could strip away his rightful authority. In previous years, he had voluntarily stepped back citing poor health, but from today if he chose not to step back, no one could object. If he were to take Xiao Chang Geng under his wing and handle everything perfectly, then let everyone outside know these were all Xiao Chang Geng’s doing.

How could such a person, heavily supported by the Eastern Palace’s Crown Prince who was desperate to cultivate a successor before his flame extinguished, not draw suspicion? How could he avoid being pushed to the precarious edge?

Using others’ knives to kill, without spilling a drop of blood, while concealing his obvious ambitions.

Xiao Chang Geng couldn’t help taking a step back.

“I’ll tell you one more thing,” Xiao Hua Yong said softly. “Your Sixth Brother isn’t dead. He only chose to flee early because he feared me. Do you know why he feared me so?”

Xiao Chang Geng’s face turned pale.

He had always thought Sixth Brother Xiao Chang Yu only loved beauty and not power. He had doubted his brother’s death because it was too coincidental that Lady Bian also died. He hadn’t imagined that his Sixth Brother’s decisive action wasn’t just because of beauty, but more because the Crown Prince before him had made him so desperate and fearful that he didn’t dare harbor even the slightest thought of claiming the throne.

“Because… seven years ago, he witnessed me strangling your First Brother to death…” Xiao Hua Yong lazily and lightly revealed an earth-shattering secret.

Xiao Chang Geng could no longer maintain his composure, stumbling several steps before steadying himself against a palace pillar.

First Brother was caught in an illicit affair in the palace and executed by His Majesty – why was the Crown Prince saying he strangled him?

Seven years ago, First Brother had already come of age at twenty, while Crown Prince was only twelve years old, he…

He not only strangled First Brother to death with his bare hands but also meticulously arranged everything to deceive heaven and earth, such that until now no one knew First Brother’s true cause of death.

That year Sixth Brother was also only twelve years old – what circumstances had made him, an eyewitness, keep this matter buried in his stomach, not daring to stand up and accuse the Crown Prince?

All these years, the Crown Prince knew Sixth Brother was privy to this information, yet never made a move against him – what kind of confidence was this?

This news dealt Xiao Chang Geng a shock far beyond what he could bear.

This revelation also presented him with one fact – that Xiao Hua Yong had already killed a prince before, and he had done it with such casual indifference.

“Tian Yuan, escort the Twelfth Prince to the prepared Ju Yue Palace,” Xiao Hua Yong resumed his languid tone.

“Yes,” Tian Yuan respectfully acknowledged, turning to face Xiao Chang Geng, “Twelfth Prince, please follow this servant.”

Though his face showed defeat, Xiao Chang Geng hadn’t forgotten his manners. He bowed to Xiao Hua Yong before forcing himself to calmly follow Tian Yuan’s steps.

His reaction earned him a look of approval from Xiao Hua Yong. After his figure disappeared, Xiao Hua Yong expressed some regret: “What a shame…”

Such promising talent, wasted until today – if he had been cultivated earlier, he could have already been capable of handling matters independently by now.

Tian Yuan quickly returned because he had received another message: “Your Highness, the Princess, and Young Master Bu have gone out for an excursion…”

After speaking, Tian Yuan immediately shrunk his neck, ready at any moment for Xiao Hua Yong’s thunderous anger.

Since returning from Tianshan, His Highness had been particularly concerned about the Princess. Anyone who got even slightly close to her suffered consequences.

The Ninth Prince was now busy as a spinning top, with duties that required leaving the capital, almost no longer seeming like a resident of the capital.

The Twelfth Prince was still a child – look how frightened His Highness had made him.

Young Master Bu, you’d better pray for your fortune.

Contrary to Tian Yuan’s expectations, although Xiao Hua Yong’s smile faded, he didn’t become angry. He clenched his jaw and pondered for a moment: “So be it. I can’t accompany her in recreation right now anyway. If someone keeps her company and she’s happy, that’s fine.”

Was Xiao Hua Yong jealous?

Of course!

He not only disliked men getting close to her but women as well. Yet he forcefully controlled his possessiveness, knowing deeply that if he was too domineering, they would have no possibility of joining in marriage.

He had long known Bu Shu Lin was female – he couldn’t deprive her of the right to make friends.

As long as she’s happy, that’s fine – even if that happiness wasn’t brought by him.

Xiao Hua Yong closed his eyes and tried to convince himself repeatedly, but ultimately failed. He suddenly stood up: “I’m going out of the palace.”

He could endure her finding joy from others, but he couldn’t bear not seeing her joy himself.

Shen Xi He was truly very happy today. She had mounted a horse, initially led by others, but gradually as the horse became familiar with her, she had Mo Yu let go, allowing her to guide it slowly herself. Although she couldn’t gallop wildly, she could still ride by herself. This long-held wish finally being fulfilled filled her heart with indescribable delight.

“Seeing you so happy, shall I accompany you horse riding often in the future?” Bu Shu Lin rode her horse to her side, watching the bright and lively sparkle in her eyes. Even the earthy scent in the air seemed to become fresh, infected by her smile.

“Yes,” Shen Xi He agreed without hesitation.

Bu Shu Lin noticed a strand of hair stuck to her lips, and being close and natural, reached out to brush it away. Shen Xi He, knowing she was female and truly treating her as a friend, didn’t shy away.

Xiao Hua Yong, wearing a different face, arrived on horseback with several young masters from noble families, just in time to witness this scene.

The sky was high and clear, yellowing branches swayed gently in the wind, and distant streams flowed with a gentle murmur. The world was filled with softness.

Two fine horses rode side by side, with the slightly taller Bu Shu Lin and Shen Xi He leaning toward each other. Bu Shu Lin lowered her head, tenderly brushing away Shen Xi He’s hair strand, her eyes gentle and focused, her lips curved in an indulgent smile.

Anyone watching would see a scene of romantic harmony between lovers. Even Xiao Hua Yong, who knew Bu Shu Lin was female, showed some displeasure.

Cui Jin Bai, who came with Xiao Hua Yong, looked even more black-faced.

“What’s the matter with Young Minister Cui? Could it be that Young Master Bu has taken another’s fancy, making you jealous?” A young lord beside them noticed Cui Jin Bai’s dark expression and flaring nostrils, and couldn’t help but tease.

The voice was neither loud nor soft, but both Shen Xi He and Bu Shu Lin heard it. They turned their heads together, with Shen Xi He first noticed a gentleman wearing a dark blue turned-collar robe with a jade belt at his waist.

When he looked at her, his eyes gathered a silvery light, as deep as an abyss or ocean.