To Xiao Changying, her choosing the Crown Prince was like five thunderbolts striking him at once, with dense waves of pain spreading throughout his entire body.

“Brother, is the Crown Prince truly not feigning illness?” Xiao Changying’s voice was controlled yet hoarse.

“I cannot be certain either,” Xiao Changqing replied after pondering for a moment. “However, given that Princess Zhaoning insists on marrying His Highness the Crown Prince, I rather think the Crown Prince’s health might genuinely be poor.”

“Why?” Xiao Changying asked, puzzled.

“Though I haven’t interacted with Princess Zhaoning many times, from the few matters concerning her, I can see that Princess Zhaoning is shrewd and composed. Although she frequently visits the Eastern Palace to see the Crown Prince, I’ve never seen any love for him in her eyes.”

Most obvious was today – she stood to the side watching the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony, her gaze remaining flat throughout, without a single ripple of emotion.

This wasn’t feigned restraint, nor was it suppressed affection – it was a genuine lack of any love for the Crown Prince. Otherwise, Xiao Changqing wouldn’t have allowed his younger brother to continue pursuing Shen Xihe.

If this was the case, Princess Zhaoning’s desire to marry the Crown Prince wasn’t for love – when marriage isn’t for love, it must be for gain.

“For gain?” Xiao Changying didn’t believe it. “If the Crown Prince truly won’t live beyond three to five years, after she marries him, who will help protect the entirety of the Northwest? As a former Crown Princess, who would ascend the throne and still tolerate her presence?”

“What if she bears a legitimate grandson?” Xiao Changqing countered.

Xiao Changying fell silent, and then his pupils contracted: “You mean she…”

“Yes, what she seeks was never to be the mother of the nation,” Xiao Changqing had only vaguely guessed Shen Xihe’s intentions today. “If she becomes the mother of the legitimate grandson, even if the Crown Prince passes away, her son would still have a stronger claim to inherit the throne than any of us.”

Throughout history, legitimate children of the primary consort have always been most noble.

“How could His Majesty allow someone with Shen family blood to inherit the throne?” Xiao Changying thought Shen Xihe was being too naive.

“Brother, don’t underestimate women.” Xiao Changqing used to be prejudiced against women too, always thinking of them as weak and short-sighted, but Gu Qingchi made him understand that a woman could have the ability to overturn mountains and rivers.

“There’s no Empress in the imperial harem, and His Majesty has sworn not to establish another. If she marries into the Eastern Palace, wanting to control the six palaces as Crown Princess would be reasonable. When the entire harem falls into her hands, just watch – watch how she manages the harem and removes all obstacles from the root.”

Xiao Changqing didn’t think Shen Xihe’s scheming was far-fetched. Though this path seemed twisted and difficult, once successful, the Northwest would have no more worries, and the Shen family would truly become unshakeable.

This way, no one could challenge her authority – even if she wanted her son to become Emperor, it wouldn’t be difficult.

This was much cleaner and more straightforward than relying on a man – even becoming Empress would require constant maneuvering with one’s husband.

After hearing Xiao Changqing’s words, Xiao Changying was completely stunned. He stared blankly at one spot for a long while before giving a miserable smile: “So… this is where I lost.”

“Brother, I’m not advising you to give up because I fear you might become enemies with Princess Zhaoning through competition,” Xiao Changqing let out an almost inaudible sigh. “Rather, if Princess Zhaoning’s thoughts are as I suspect, she’s someone who won’t be moved by worldly emotions.”

Xiao Changqing thought meeting Gu Qingchi was already remarkable enough, but Shen Xihe was even more formidable than Gu Qingchi – more daring in both thoughts and schemes.

He had rushed like a moth to flame toward Gu Qingchi, believing he could move her heart. Shen Xihe was even more resolute than Gu Qingchi – his younger brother would have even less chance of moving Shen Xihe’s heart.

The autumn wind was cool. Suddenly, a muffled thunder shocked the sky, prompting Xiao Changying, who had been silent for long, to ask: “Brother, do you have ambitions for the throne?”

Xiao Changqing, who was about to raise the clay ocarina to play, paused. He looked thoughtfully at Xiao Changying: “You want to help her?”

Xiao Changying remained silent, offering no denial.

Xiao Changqing lowered his head and remained quiet for a moment: “I once had such ambitions, but now I feel only hatred for that supreme position.”

He looked back at Xiao Changying: “Don’t think that because I have no desire for the throne, you can assist her. Even if the Crown Prince’s life is truly short, he’s no ordinary person. I haven’t even figured him out yet – he may not tolerate your intentions.

Also, you must be prepared… to give without regret or resentment.”

Back then, he hadn’t understood this point, which was why she never showed the slightest emotion for him, even until death.

The human heart is made of flesh – it feels pain, grows weary, suffers, and fears. Where in this world is there giving without regret or resentment, affection that seeks absolutely no return?

He didn’t want his only brother to end up like him – exhausted, weary, hurt, and in pain, heart riddled with countless wounds and broken to pieces, yet unable to feel a hint of warmth, becoming unrecognizable through self-loathing and torment, ultimately hurting himself and pushing her away, leaving only lifelong regrets that could never be remedied.

“If only I could grow weary…” Xiao Changying murmured, then raised his head and poured more wine from the wine pot into his mouth.

Xiao Changqing paused, brought the clay ocarina to his lips, and a gentle melody poured forth, carried by the wind along with falling leaves toward the distance.

Xiao Huayong was still unaware that someone was already hoping for his early death and planning to help take care of his wife and children. Having finally sent away the Emperor and the Imperial Physician-in-Chief, he eagerly asked Tianyuan: “Where’s the gift Youyou sent me? Quickly bring it!”

That day when Difang returned, he recounted with an incredulous expression how His Highness had personally requested a birthday gift. Tianyuan gave his brother a contemptuous look for his short-sightedness and lack of worldly experience but kept the matter in mind.

Among all the congratulatory gifts that required his inspection and counting, he specifically set aside those from the Princess’s mansion and brought them to Xiao Huayong first.

The gift boxes were stacked from large to small, quite a pile – birthday gifts for the Eastern Palace couldn’t be just one item. Xiao Huayong scanned through them and precisely pulled out the third-to-last one, carrying it to his bed to open. As he untied the red silk ribbon, he took a deep breath.

Although he thought it highly likely that Shen Xihe, unable to find a suitable special birthday gift, would fulfill his wish and sew him a pillow, Xiao Huayong still felt there was a chance it might not be – but if it was, it had to be this box, given its size.

Holding his breath, he carefully opened the box to find a dark-colored medicinal pillow embroidered with gold and silver threads in a pattern of herb leaves.

Xiao Huayong’s expression lit up as he gazed at it, reaching out to gently stroke it. The cool, soft touch made his smile grow even broader, his mouth nearly splitting to his ears. He picked up the medicinal pillow and took a deep breath of its cool fragrance.

Immediately throwing aside the pillow on his bed, he carefully and gently placed his new pillow, then slowly lay down, closing his eyes as the fresh scent of herbs filled his nostrils. After savoring the moment, Xiao Huayong sat up and hugged the pillow to his chest, showing a gentle and somewhat foolish smile.

After smiling, he showed a worried expression: “If I use it too long, won’t it wear out?”

Tianyuan: …