After this small interlude, even the thick-skinned Crown Prince finally ceased his persistent advances toward Shen Xihe, and they soon arrived at the residence where Prince Xun was being held.
The residence appeared utterly ordinary, just like any common dwelling in the capital. Shen Xihe recalled that even their carriage had been similarly unremarkable. Upon entering, Shen Xihe, who possessed some knowledge of the mystical arts of Qimen Dunjia, could detect that formations had been laid throughout the courtyard.
“Princess, remember my footsteps,” Xiao Huayong cautioned.
Mo Yu and Zhenhu waited inside the entrance while candlelight flickered throughout the courtyard. Shen Xihe watched attentively, following Xiao Huayong inside. They proceeded to the bedroom, opened the secret chamber, and descended into it. Within the chamber stood a youth holding a precious sword, as still as a statue.
At last, Shen Xihe laid eyes upon Prince Xun, who rivaled her father in reputation. He was bound by heavy shackles on his feet and thick iron chains around his hands. His hair was somewhat disheveled, though his clothing remained clean and neat. His complexion, however, was extremely pale, his lips tinged with an alarming shade of purple.
“Uncle,” Xiao Huayong called out softly, his tone still carrying a hint of respect.
From the moment Xiao Huayong appeared, Prince Xun had been staring at him intently. Having been “dead” for ten years, His Majesty’s princes had all forgotten his appearance, and children changed daily—he truly couldn’t identify who Xiao Huayong was at first glance.
“Your Highness surpasses your predecessor, quite formidable indeed,” Prince Xun’s voice was weak and strained, yet he showed not the slightest trace of frailty.
Prince Xun swept his gaze over Shen Xihe as well, but despite her striking beauty, he merely glanced at her before looking away. There wasn’t even a flicker of amazement in his eyes—at his age, physical beauty had become meaningless.
“Uncle surely knows why I had to bring you here,” Xiao Huayong said without revealing his identity.
Prince Xun gave a light chuckle. “Your Highness need not trouble yourself. I won’t divulge even half a word of what Your Highness wishes to know.”
“Won’t Uncle at least hear what I have to offer?” Xiao Huayong maintained his composure without any trace of anger.
“Regardless of what you offer, you won’t let me leave here alive,” Prince Xun replied.
“I believe Uncle is not so naive,” Xiao Huayong’s eyes remained calm. “Now that Uncle has seen my face, how could there be any path to survival?”
“If that’s the case, what’s the point of further discussion?”
“Why did Uncle risk entering the capital?” Xiao Huayong asked.
Prince Xun, who had remained unmoved until now, showed a flicker in his eyes.
“Great-grandmother doesn’t have many days left. I can allow Uncle to pay final respects and fulfill your filial duties,” Xiao Huayong said.
Prince Xun’s expressionless face went blank for a moment before a helpless and slightly mocking smile appeared. “Your Highness, I have already seen Mother and bid her farewell. Your Highness need not waste effort. If you wish to honor our blood ties, then grant me a quick death—that would not disgrace the fact that you called me Uncle.”
“Why must Uncle be so stubborn?” Xiao Huayong turned to look at him.
Prince Xun merely lowered his head and fell silent.
“Is Your Highness worried about the Prince Xun Manor?” Shen Xihe suddenly spoke up. Prince Xun raised his head, fixing her with a penetrating gaze.
Shen Xihe maintained her composure: “Your Highness is concerned that once your private army becomes known to us, any unusual movement will surely alert His Majesty. If word leaked from Your Highness, it would surely bring harm to the Prince Xun Manor.”
“Who are you?” Prince Xun asked.
“Me? Your Highness need not know who I am,” Shen Xihe smiled faintly. “Does Your Highness think that now that you’ve fallen into our hands, if we don’t get satisfactory answers from you, we won’t move against Xiao Changfeng?”
Prince Xun narrowed his eyes, his gaze becoming dangerous.
Shen Xihe continued undeterred: “Beyond wanting to engage the Northwestern Army in battle, Your Highness’s feigned death to serve His Majesty was largely to secure the long-term future of the Prince Xun Manor.
When His Majesty informed Your Highness of this matter, while your death preserved your dignity, His Majesty couldn’t openly do anything to Prince Xun Manor. However, the manor would become a mere shell of itself—His Majesty wouldn’t employ its services, and even without deliberate suppression, others would read the situation and create difficulties.
Therefore, Your Highness had to swallow your pride and fake your death to build a divine army for His Majesty. But an army personally trained by Your Highness would hardly submit to another’s command. If Your Highness were to die, having Xiao Changfeng take command would satisfy everyone’s needs.
His Majesty would have his divine army, Xiao Changfeng would have military authority, and the Prince Xun Manor would retain its glory.”
Prince Xun scrutinized Shen Xihe for a moment before suddenly laughing softly: “The capital truly nurtures talent. I’ve been away for ten years, never imagining its young ladies would possess such keen insight.”
This was an admission, and having admitted it, there was nothing more to hide. Prince Xun continued: “Having fallen into your hands, I dare not underestimate your capabilities. But Changfeng is different from me—he has inherited the title and is a first-rank prince. If you wish to move against him, you’ll need His Majesty’s approval.
Act rashly, and you’ll expose yourselves before His Majesty.”
He paused briefly before adding: “If Changfeng falls to you, it will be because his skills were inferior. As his father, I’ve paved all the roads I could for him. His future now depends on his abilities.”
Prince Xun proved even more unyielding than they had anticipated. Worthy of being a battle-hardened war prince who had weathered blood and steel on the battlefield, it seemed Xiao Huayong had already tried every method at his disposal, yet the prince remained impervious to both threats and persuasion.
Shen Xihe glanced at Xiao Huayong—faced with such an adamant individual, she too was at a loss.
“If Uncle won’t speak, that’s fine. I’ll simply have your body and those of your guards dissected for examination,” Xiao Huayong spoke softly. “People who live in one region for extended periods develop distinct physical characteristics from the local diet and climate.”
The inquiry was met with complete indifference.
“If that reveals nothing, so be it,” Xiao Huayong continued. “I’ll have no choice but to use Uncle’s corpse to sow discord between His Majesty and Cousin Changfeng. I wonder if His Majesty will still trust Cousin Changfeng then, or if Cousin Changfeng might begin to suspect His Majesty’s involvement in Uncle’s death.”
Hearing this, Shen Xihe smiled. “Your Highness, I have a plan.”
“Oh? Do tell,” Xiao Huayong showed great interest.
“Why not keep His Highness permanently imprisoned like this, neither dead nor truly alive,” Shen Xihe’s eyes glinted. “I have a subordinate skilled in bone manipulation techniques. We could find someone of similar build to His Highness, reshape them to look exactly like him, then arrange for the current Prince Xun to coincidentally encounter this ‘amnesiac father.’ Once he gains Your Highness’s cousin’s trust, our grand plan cannot fail.”
“Bone manipulation techniques?” Xiao Huayong had heard of this. The person who taught him the art of disguise had mentioned that while disguises could be convincing, they were easily exposed. Bone manipulation was the most undetectable form of transformation.
Once bones were reshaped according to a specific model, the resemblance would be permanent and perfect.
“You—” Prince Xun’s expression finally darkened as he listened to them discuss how to deal with Prince Xun Manor and his personally trained eldest son. He could distinguish between empty threats and genuine capabilities.
The two of them working together were certainly not bluffing!