She had forgotten about Xiao Changqin’s existence. Xiao Changqin had already defended Gu Zhao in court, and being someone who never let a slight go unpunished, he certainly wouldn’t let Xue Kui off.
“How does Prince Xin plan to deal with Xue Kui?” Shen Xihe had forgotten that Xiao Changqin would take action against Xue Kui. She had been busy preparing her trap for Xue Kui these days, so she had no idea how Xiao Changqin would respond.
“Four years ago, during the Annan War, someone falsely reported military intelligence, which led to the Pei family’s heavy losses. Xue Kui had interfered in this matter,” Xiao Huayong told Shen Xihe. “Fifth Brother doesn’t even need to act personally. He just needs to pass the evidence in his hands to Minister of War Pei Zhan, and Xue Kui’s death will be certain.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Xihe suddenly asked, “Your Highness, if you had possessed such evidence back then, would you have kept it for future use, or would you have brought such a person to justice immediately?”
“Delayed military intelligence cost how many loyal soldiers their lives? If the evidence had been in my hands, Xue Kui would have paid the price four years ago,” Xiao Huayong said solemnly.
He wasn’t saying this to please Shen Xihe, knowing she was from a military family and valued soldiers’ lives. Nor was he particularly righteous – he kept some people’s weaknesses in hand without rushing to use them, like how Xiao Changqin had bombed the imperial tombs. If Xiao Changying hadn’t saved Shen Xihe’s life, that evidence would have been saved for when it was needed.
But for major crimes like this that endangered national security and people’s lives, there was no reason to hold back.
“I am the Crown Prince, my perspective is different. I don’t know if I would do the same were I a prince,” Xiao Huayong wasn’t trying to belittle Xiao Changqin’s actions – different positions led to different considerations.
“Your Highness, though my hands are also stained with blood, I still hope you will always know what to do and what not to do in the future,” Shen Xihe said softly.
“Youyou has decided not to save Xue Kui’s life then.” Shen Xihe’s response wasn’t disagreeing with Xiao Changqin’s actions, but rather subtly telling him that given Xue Kui’s unforgivable crimes, she didn’t approve of Xiao Changqin letting him go free for so long out of personal interests, and naturally wouldn’t save Xue Kui for personal reasons either.
Upon learning that Xue Kui had protected someone who falsified military intelligence, in Shen Xihe’s eyes, Xue Kui was already a dead man.
Shen Xihe smiled without speaking, and Xiao Huayong understood her meaning.
“It’s good for Xue Kui to fall now.” Originally, considering Xue Heng and Shen Xihe’s relationship, Xiao Huayong hadn’t planned to move against Xue Kui, but since Xue Kui was rushing to his death, he could only face the consequences of his actions.
“Although Xue Kui deserves his punishment, Xue Heng has rendered great service. In His Majesty’s eyes, with him about to retire and if the Xue family withdraws from the court, the Cui family will become too powerful. His Majesty doesn’t want another Lord Gu to emerge.” So His Majesty needed balance, and Shen Xihe said, “Chief Minister of Justice Xue Cheng would be the best choice to replace Xue Kui.”
Xue Cheng was from a branch of the Xue family and wasn’t particularly close to the main line, but with Xue Kui and Xue Heng gone, the main line would have no choice but to rely on Xue Cheng. This way, Xue Cheng could use the Xue family to balance against the Cui family, but their alliance wouldn’t be as unbreakable as before.
His Majesty would break up another noble family. The Xue family would ultimately share the same fate – after the fall of the Gu family, they too would inevitably decline.
“If Xue Cheng becomes Minister of War, does Your Highness plan to let Deputy Minister Cui take the position of Chief Minister of Justice?”
“If Zhihe becomes Chief Minister of Justice now, His Majesty will become wary of him within a few years. If he achieves more merit, he’ll have to be moved to the Six Ministries or Three Departments. Besides, he’s only been Deputy Minister of Justice for two years – his experience is still insufficient.” Xiao Huayong shook his head slightly.
Then his eyes crinkled with a smile: “Your younger uncle did great merit in the tomb robbery case in Linchuan Prefecture…”
They could completely recall Tao Cheng taking over the Ministry of Justice.
“No,” Shen Xihe refused. “Your Highness thinks of everything for my benefit, and I’m very grateful, but my younger uncle doesn’t like official positions in the capital.”
Tao Cheng was an unrestrained and free-spirited person who would be happier in local government. The capital’s complex situation would be constraining for him – he had said as much when she was in Linchuan Prefecture.
“Is that so?” Xiao Huayong hadn’t expected Tao Cheng to be someone with no ambitions for the capital. “If he doesn’t return to the capital when your cousins marry in the future, won’t you have to travel again?”
Xiao Huayong felt uncomfortable at the mere thought of being separated from Shen Xihe again.
Shen Xihe: …
“We’re getting married next year, and I’ll be the Eastern Palace Consort. How could I leave the capital as freely as I do now?” Shen Xihe questioned irritably.
Xiao Huayong said softly: “That’s still a year away – who knows if any of his sons will marry this year?”
Shen Xihe was both amused and annoyed by Xiao Huayong: “I attended Third Cousin’s wedding because I had already agreed before receiving news to come to the capital. I haven’t promised to attend any other cousins’ weddings. Besides, I wasn’t just fulfilling a promise – I was also looking for jade orchids along the way.”
Xiao Huayong’s face immediately lit up with joy: “Youyou, so you left the capital last time for my sake.”
Shen Xihe: …
How had this intelligent and wise prince chosen to ignore the words “along the way”?
In an instant, Shen Xihe realized – he had changed his tactics! He had deliberately led her to mention the jade orchids!
Heavens, what sin had she committed in her previous life to be tormented by someone with so many schemes in this one?
“The cherry cake Youyou made for me was soft and delicious, sweet but not cloying. I’d like to have some today too,” Xiao Huayong said, beaming with delight.
Looking at his expression, she strangely found it reminiscent of how Duanming would try to curry favor with her.
This bizarre association startled Shen Xihe. She stood up: “I’ll go make it for you.”
Xiao Huayong propped his smooth chin in his hand, watching Shen Xihe’s retreating figure with an even deeper smile.
When he turned to look at Tian Yuan, who stood submissively to the side, his smile instantly vanished. The speed at which his expression changed left Tian Yuan trembling in fear.
The Eastern Palace was filled with gentle breezes and fragrant flowers, a scene of perfect harmony.
At Prince Xin’s mansion, Xiao Changqin had just handed over his evidence to Minister of War Pei Zhan. Although Pei Zhan knew Xiao Changqin was using him to deal with Xue Kui, to avoid His Majesty’s suspicion about his strong desire for revenge, he couldn’t refuse – his father and brothers had died tragically!
If Prince Jing hadn’t stood up for them, the Pei family might have been destroyed in bitter resentment long ago.
Satisfied with Pei Zhan’s inability to refuse, Xiao Changqin returned to his mansion only to hear the news: “Princess Zhaoning sent people to Huayin Prefecture?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the subordinate bowed his head and replied. “Princess Zhaoning is moving against the Prefect of Huayin. The Prefect has no previous connection with the Shen family; he became prefect through Xue Kui’s corrupt evaluations.”
“You mean Princess Zhaoning is reaching out to the Huayin Prefect to deal with Xue Kui.” Xiao Changqin rarely found himself so confused. “Why is she suddenly moving against Xue Kui?”
Xue Kui was Xue Jinqiao’s birth father, and Xue Jinqiao was betrothed to the Crown Prince of the Northwest – they were to be in-laws.