The Xun Prince was crucial to the security of the Northwest, so Shen Xihe had to take this seriously. She felt that Xiao Huayong might not easily get information from the Xun Prince’s mouth, but perhaps she could help somehow.

However, Xiao Huayong said: “I must disappoint Youyou – the Xun Prince escaped the trap I laid.”

Shen Xihe sighed internally at the lost opportunity. This had been a rare chance – indeed, the only chance. The next time, the Xun Prince wouldn’t fall for it, and nothing else could draw him in.

Even if Xiao Changfeng died, though the Xun Prince would be filled with hatred, he wouldn’t appear in person.

“Though he escaped, he’s still in the capital,” Xiao Huayong added. “He’s severely wounded and can’t leave the city. These past few days, I’ve had people watching all the medicine shops and doctors.”

“It’s been four days since the ancestral temple fire, yet still no movement?” Shen Xihe wasn’t optimistic.

Xiao Huayong’s eyes were faint as he said: “We don’t know where he’s hiding. The poison he was struck with can’t be treated by ordinary people. We can only be certain he hasn’t left the city.”

“Could he… go seek His Majesty?” This was Shen Xihe’s greatest worry. If the Xun Prince sought out the Emperor, he would surely escape death.

“Not necessarily,” Xiao Huayong couldn’t be certain either. “He would only seek His Majesty as an absolute last resort. As long as he has even a thread of hope, he won’t go to His Majesty.”

The Xun Prince had returned to the capital privately this time, already violating one of His Majesty’s great taboos. And now being so gravely wounded, how His Majesty would deal with him was unknown.

Judging from His Majesty’s daring to move against Bu Shulin, the private army had likely already become a significant force. His Majesty might not need the Xun Prince anymore.

Though the Xun Prince had long known his fate from the day he chose to agree to His Majesty’s demands, and perhaps had never thought to escape it, he wouldn’t resign himself to death just yet. He had to personally witness his son Xiao Changfeng lead the army he had so carefully trained to pacify the Northwest before he could close his eyes in peace.

“Let us hope so.” Shen Xihe also knew that unless necessary, the Xun Prince probably wouldn’t seek out His Majesty. But anything was possible, especially with someone as complex as the Xun Prince.

“Youyou, don’t worry,” Xiao Huayong said gently. “Even if he escapes this time, I can still prevent His Majesty from turning his spear toward the Northwest.”

Hearing this, Shen Xihe only smiled faintly: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“I know the Northwest King and Crown Prince are both brave and skilled in warfare, but I’m still willing to add flowers to brocade,” his eyes were soft and clear, wrapped in threads of gentle light. “In the future, we’ll be family.”

He spoke those three words “We’ll be family” with particular tenderness and intimacy.

Meeting his bright eyes that held hidden anticipation, Shen Xihe showed a slight smile: “Your Highness needn’t be so careful. My father, my brother, and I don’t think Your Highness’s help means you believe us incapable, needing to rely on Your Highness to survive.”

Xiao Huayong felt both joy and dejection in his heart – joy that she was open-minded and reasonable, not requiring him to be cautious with every word and action for fear of displeasing her, and dejection that her response to his words showed not even a trace of shyness.

Marriage to her was as ordinary as eating daily meals or sleeping in bed – nothing more.

No expectations, but also no dissatisfaction – it left him feeling utterly powerless.

“Youyou, after you come of age, I will request His Majesty to decree our marriage,” Xiao Huayong said in a tone of discussion.

When she wasn’t by his side, he always felt a kind of panic, worried that in the next moment, she would fly off somewhere unknown and he would never find her tracks again.

Since they couldn’t be mutually in love before marriage, then after the wedding, he could stay by her side constantly, living every moment for her.

Shen Xihe: “I will make the request.”

Xiao Huayong froze, staring at Shen Xihe somewhat blankly, as if unsure of what he’d heard.

“Before I entered the capital, Father told me that if I didn’t agree, His Majesty wouldn’t force a marriage decree,” Shen Xihe’s eyes were calm. “If Your Highness requests the marriage, His Majesty will become suspicious of you.”

Any prince who sought to marry her would become a thorn in the Emperor’s side.

Even for Xiao Huayong, years of careful disguise would be torn away in an instant.

But if she actively sought the marriage, it would be different. Emperor Youning would only speculate about her and her father’s intentions, becoming more convinced that the Crown Prince’s life was limited and he was isolated without support. He would believe their goal was to prop up the Crown Prince as their pawn.

His Majesty might even try to draw closer to the Crown Prince while driving a wedge between her and him. If that happened, it would be even harder for the Crown Prince to reap benefits as a bystander.

The smile on Xiao Huayong’s lips froze for a moment before gradually fading: “In my life, I have schemed countless times, using everything and everyone I could manipulate. But with our marriage, I don’t want it tainted by any calculations. Youyou, I want to become your husband, a man who can shoulder everything for you – this is my proper responsibility.”

Shen Xihe slightly furrowed her brows, and after a moment asked: “Does Your Highness see Zhaoning as someone dependent on you?”

“That’s not what I meant at all!” Xiao Huayong said urgently.

“If so, why does Your Highness feel that Zhaoning’s actions would damage your face?” Shen Xihe asked again. “Your Highness, Zhaoning will never become a virtuous wife and good mother. I won’t refuse to bear and raise children, but bearing and raising children won’t be my entire life.

These words, Zhaoning must make clear to Your Highness early. If Your Highness cannot accept such a Zhaoning, then Zhaoning can also just maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with Your Highness, only hoping that in the future Your Highness can be lenient toward the Shen family.”

“Youyou!” Xiao Huayong’s expression changed. “I was wrong. If you feel you should request the marriage decree, then you shall do so. Whenever you wish to make the request, that’s when it shall be. If you have any dissatisfaction with me in the future, you must also speak directly like this. Just one thing… in the future, please don’t speak of only having a mutually beneficial relationship with me… alright?”

“Your Highness, I’m not threatening you, nor am I disregarding your face by relying on your current affection for me,” Shen Xihe didn’t like Xiao Huayong’s bottomless concession. “What I said truly was considering the bigger picture. If Your Highness feels it’s inappropriate, you can also speak up, and we can debate it, or perhaps both make concessions and find a middle ground that we can both accept.”

Shen Xihe didn’t believe she was always right, or that her thoughts and considerations were the most comprehensive. She was someone who could accept opposition and suggestions – as long as what the other person said was truly reasonable and indeed more beneficial, she would naturally listen and follow.

Xiao Huayong smiled bitterly. How could they find a middle ground? He prioritized emotions while Shen Xihe prioritized benefits. How could she understand when he spoke of feelings?

He had been impulsive earlier. He had only wanted their marriage to be free of any entanglement with benefits, forgetting that if not for benefits, how would Shen Xihe marry him?

“I was emotional earlier. What Youyou said is right. We’ll do as Youyou suggests,” Xiao Huayong sincerely corrected his attitude.

Shen Xihe hadn’t made him participate in scheming against his brothers, letting His Majesty actively weigh the benefits and bless their union – this was already showing great sincerity and consideration for his feelings. He shouldn’t push his luck.