“How would Youyou like to deal with him?” Xiao Huayong asked.

Shen Xihe rested her hands gently on her knees, looking up at Xiao Huayong with an ambiguous smile: “I can handle him however I wish?”

“How about displaying his corpse at the city gates?” Shen Xihe threaded a new needle.

“It would be difficult, but not impossible,” Xiao Huayong considered seriously.

Shen Xihe suddenly raised her head: “Your Highness, do you understand the deeper implications?”

Mu Nuha was a Turkic prince – displaying a Turkic prince’s corpse at the capital’s gates could trigger a war between the nations.

“Your words need no deeper meaning to me. I only wish to fulfill your desires. Whatever consequences it brings, whatever it affects – I’m here, so you need not worry.” His voice was gentle, like a camellia peering over a wall, its delicate petals swaying in the breeze, releasing a subtle fragrance.

“As long as I’m here, you can act without restraint, living however makes you happy.”

Who doesn’t like hearing sweet words? Shen Xihe had grown accustomed to Xiao Huayong’s constant affectionate speech. While not averse to hearing it, her rationality wouldn’t be dissolved by honeyed words: “Your Highness, no one is invincible in this world. Just as dynasties peak and decline, have you considered what we’d do if one day our reckless actions exceeded our ability to maintain stability?”

“What’s so difficult about that?” Xiao Huayong smiled carelessly. “Neither of us is the type to cling to a wretched existence. If that day truly comes, I’d gladly journey to Yellow Springs with you.

Everyone dies eventually. To live freely and die without regrets – that’s a life well lived.”

Perhaps only someone like him, who had known from very early on that he might die young, could view life and death so lightly.

“Your Highness, some say if Xiang Yu had crossed the river, perhaps the mighty Han wouldn’t have risen,” Shen Xihe said softly. “Sometimes, retreating to lie low allows for a greater comeback.”

“Each person has their way of living,” Xiao Huayong smiled. “King Wu achieved his ambitions through enduring hardships; Xiang Yu’s death at Wu River was equally heroic.”

Shen Xihe considered and nodded in agreement: “I leave Mu Nuha to Your Highness’s disposal. The talk of displaying his corpse was just jest.”

Indeed it was just jest. Initially, she had her father and brother prepare troops against the Turks, hoping to pressure the Emperor, but someone interfered, freeing Mu Nuha, and the plan failed. Three months had passed, and the northwest had lost its chance for preemptive action – better for Mu Nuha to die quietly.

As for why she spoke thus to Xiao Huayong, she merely wanted to see his reaction. That he hadn’t considered the implications at all, simply agreeing with her, left her both amused and exasperated.

Understanding Shen Xihe’s true meaning, Xiao Huayong nodded: “Mm.”

“Since Mu Nuha won’t talk, does Your Highness suspect anyone?” Shen Xihe asked.

Xiao Huayong took a sip of the Pingzhong tea Shen Xihe had specially brewed, setting down the cup with refined movements: “Actually, it’s quite obvious.”

Her bright eyes turning toward him, Shen Xihe showed she was listening attentively.

“This person’s goal was to test me, using Mu Nuha to expose me,” Xiao Huayong explained methodically. “This means they suspect me. Though Mu Nuha planted suspicions with His Majesty first, few truly doubt me.

Fifth, Ninth, and Twelfth Brothers need no testing – I hide nothing from them.

Second Brother has been busy pursuing positions in the Court of Judicial Review and as Imperial Censor.

Third Brother values self-preservation – even if suspicious, he’d remain uninvolved.

Eighth Brother is far from Annan City. Though he has people in the capital, they couldn’t execute something this flawlessly.”

Xiao Huayong mentioned everyone except Fourth Prince Xiao Changtai, who had gone to the imperial tombs, finally giving Shen Xihe a meaningful smile.

Shen Xihe quickly understood: “On Lantern Festival, the Fourth Prince secretly returned to meet Princess Consort Dai, likely also at the East Tower. He must have seen Your Highness, perhaps followed you. He might have seen more than the Imperial Guards that Wang Zheng led away.”

Seeing Xiao Huayong’s martial skills and hearing what Mu Nuha told Emperor Youning, his wariness toward Xiao Huayong peaked.

He understood that with Xiao Huayong present, all his schemes would be futile. While he had to grow his power in secrecy, Xiao Huayong could do so openly under everyone’s noses – such disparity would unbalance him.

Yet lacking evidence, rashly exposing Xiao Huayong would only reveal his suspicions, leading to a fate similar to Mu Nuha’s. Thus he used Mu Nuha instead.

He first freed Mu Nuha, getting him out of the capital before anyone could react – not to help him, but knowing Xiao Huayong wouldn’t let him live and would pursue him.

This way, he could observe from the shadows as Xiao Huayong’s people hunted Mu Nuha, occasionally helping him escape, thoroughly revealing Xiao Huayong’s power network, growing more alarmed with each discovery.

Yes, Fourth Prince Xiao Changtai was the most suspicious and most capable of orchestrating this.

Realizing this, Shen Xihe suddenly discovered an impressive scheme: “The powder ball…”

Silver light spread in Xiao Huayong’s eyes, sparkling with his smile: “The powder ball was specially prepared for Third Brother.”

Regarding the powder ball shooting, since the brothers participated by age order, he knew Second Brother’s skills well – he’d likely miss, and even if by chance he hit it, Xiao Huayong could prevent him from consuming it.

Third Brother had always been skilled at powder ball shooting, often demonstrating in previous years. Though not seeking fame, he wouldn’t deliberately show weakness to avoid contempt. As long as he didn’t guard against water, his chances of missing were nearly zero. Even if heaven didn’t favor this plan, Xiao Huayong couldn’t help it.

Prince Dai Xiao Chenzhen hit the powder ball and consumed the poison. Princess Consort Dai and Fourth Prince were allies – she would know about Fourth Prince’s alliance with Mu Nuha, learning her husband was poisoned by a Turkic herb.

She would understand Fourth Prince Xiao Changtai had collaborated with Mu Nuha against Xiao Huayong, letting her husband become collateral damage. Caring for Prince Dai, if Fourth Prince and Mu Nuha truly conspired together, she would certainly confront Fourth Prince Xiao Changtai.

Though Xiao Huayong was certain Fourth Prince Xiao Changtai was responsible, like her, he wouldn’t act on mere suspicion.

Once Princess Consort Dai sought out the Fourth Prince, it would prove Xiao Changtai had conspired with Mu Nuha.

Xiao Huayong must have people watching Li Yanyan.

“Has Princess Consort Dai made any moves?” Shen Xihe asked softly.