“Oh?” the Youning Emperor looked at Consort Shu with interest.

“The Western Northern King has always doted on the Crown Princess. If he learns that the Crown Princess is in danger, how could he remain unmoved? He would surely reveal himself,” Consort Shu’s beautiful eyes sparkled cleverly.

The Youning Emperor gave her a deep look: “My beloved consort’s words are most insightful.”

By this time, Shen Xihe and Zhenzhu had returned to the Eastern Palace. Xiao Huayong had gone to handle state affairs with the officials. In this dynasty, court sessions weren’t held daily. When there was no court session, many matters were delegated by the Emperor to the Crown Prince, and officials would work with him to handle these affairs.

Shen Xihe had deliberately chosen to seek the Emperor’s permission when Xiao Huayong couldn’t accompany her, to prevent the Emperor from overthinking due to Xiao Huayong’s absence.

“Crown Princess, will His Majesty agree?” Zhenzhu couldn’t discern the Emperor’s attitude.

“He will,” Shen Xihe said with certainty. “This is a perfect opportunity.”

Using her to test Xiao Huayong’s true capabilities, using her to test whether her father’s disappearance was real or fake.

Zhenzhu’s expression turned solemn: “Crown Princess, His Majesty surely wouldn’t do this lightly.”

If this couldn’t be cleaned up properly, it would directly force the Western Northern King into rebellion. How shocking would it be if word spread that the Emperor had ordered the assassination of the Crown Princess?

“His Majesty has Consort Shu by his side who ‘hates me to the bone,'” Shen Xihe smiled mysteriously.

Before entering the palace, the former Princess Yaoxi, today’s Consort Shu, had suffered that ordeal precisely to make everyone believe they were sworn enemies.

“Crown Princess, the Second Young Lady has come again,” Biyu reported as Shen Xihe stepped into her chambers.

Since news of Shen Yueshan’s disappearance arrived, Shen Xihe had come several times seeking an audience, all of which Shen Xihe had refused, pretending to be bedridden: “Go bring her here.”

Today she had already seen the Emperor; it wouldn’t be right not to see Shen Xihe.

Though seeing Shen Xihe would be pointless – Shen Xihe naturally wouldn’t tell her about these matters.

“Greetings to the Crown Princess,” Shen Xihe hurriedly performed her courtesy. Dark circles showed under her eyes; despite being carefully concealed with makeup, the exhaustion and anxiety in her eyes were still visible.

“Rise and sit,” Shen Xihe sat to one side, pointing to a seat.

Shen Xihe sat down and immediately asked anxiously: “Sister, is there any news of Father?”

“I still don’t know Father’s whereabouts,” Shen Xihe didn’t lie to Shen Xihe. She truly didn’t know where Shen Yueshan was.

Where Xiao Huayong had arranged for Shen Yueshan to go, what he was doing now, or whether he was simply waiting for her somewhere – Shen Xihe knew none of this. She didn’t want to ask too much. She trusted both Xiao Huayong and Shen Yueshan.

Xiao Huayong wouldn’t deceive her, and even if he did, Shen Yueshan wouldn’t be easily fooled.

“Father…” Shen Xihe’s eyes instantly turned red.

Shen Xihe looked at her briefly: “Father will be fine. I will go search for him soon.”

“Sister, you’re going to look for Father?” Shen Xihe was startled, and then hope rose in her eyes.

Shen Xihe’s expression turned cold: “I won’t take you with me.”

This time was a confrontation with the Emperor. She was taking a risk – how could she bring Shen Xihe along? Wouldn’t that just mean having to worry about Shen Xihe’s safety as well?

“Stay well in the capital. I will have my guards at the Shen residence watch you. If you dare to secretly flee the capital to follow me, I’ll order them to break your legs,” Shen Xihe warned.

Shen Xihe bit her lip aggrievedly.

Yet she dared not say more. She had never been close to Shen Xihe and knew that apart from sharing the same surname, they had no other bonds. When Shen Xihe said she would break her legs, it wasn’t an empty threat.

“Zhenzhu, personally escort her back to the residence and instruct the guards there. If they can’t even watch her properly, I have no use for such incompetent people.”

As Shen Xihe was reluctantly being led away, just as she was about to board her carriage at the palace gate, she happened to see Xiao Changfeng entering the palace. After they exchanged greetings, Xiao Changfeng noticed her dejected mood: “County Lady…”

“I’m just worried about Father,” Shen Xihe replied perfunctorily, hurriedly gave a bow, and got into her carriage.

Xiao Changfeng watched her carriage disappear from view before withdrawing his gaze and proceeding inside.

Shortly after Shen Xihe left, Xiao Huayong returned to the Eastern Palace to find Shen Xihe trimming flower branches at a stone table in the garden.

She truly loved flowers and plants. All the rare flora in the garden had been gradually transplanted and cultivated by Xiao Huayong, who thought the Eastern Palace needed more vitality. It was meant to show others his supposed devotion to such things, though he didn’t particularly care for them.

But Shen Xihe genuinely loved them deeply. Since marrying into the Eastern Palace, she had spent most of her time tending to these plants.

Xiao Huayong naturally stepped forward and embraced her from behind.

Shen Xihe struggled slightly. She wasn’t being coy – they had shared far more intimate moments. But in broad daylight, with palace maids and eunuchs around, she wasn’t comfortable with Xiao Huayong being so close whenever others were present.

Xiao Huayong wouldn’t let go, bending to whisper in her ear: “They know their place. No one’s here.”

Shen Xihe struggled more forcefully to break free, giving him a cool glance. Why was no one around? Didn’t he know why?

This made it seem even more like they were being inappropriate in broad daylight.

Xiao Huayong touched his nose, smiling apologetically: “Go see His Majesty again tomorrow. He’ll pretend to consider it more, but the day after tomorrow, he’ll surely agree.”

“Mm.” Shen Xihe had thought the same.

With Consort Shu encouraging him from the side, even if the Emperor hesitated to make this move, he would try it following Consort Shu’s suggestion.

This time she had to give His Majesty a harsh slap in the face. How else could she repay His Majesty’s grand gift on her second day of marriage?

Burning the ancestral tablet to test Xiao Huayong – wasn’t that also meant to make people think she wasn’t accepted by the Xiao family ancestors, thus causing the tablet to catch fire?

She never provoked trouble, but neither did she suffer grievances in silence.

“I’ve made arrangements for you to leave the capital through the underground palace. I’ll have people secretly take you to find Father, while someone else pretends to be you leaving the capital,” Xiao Huayong added.

“Impossible,” Shen Xihe flatly refused. “I must go myself.”

Xiao Huayong’s gaze tightened: “I won’t allow it.”

This plot was planned by him, and everything up to this point had been under his control. The Emperor would certainly make a move against Shen Xihe, and the severity was unpredictable. How could Xiao Huayong bear to let Shen Xihe take such a risk?

If anything happened to her, wouldn’t he regret it for life?

That’s why he had arranged a safe solution early on.

“For His Majesty, this must succeed. He will strike with full force. If a fake me falls into His Majesty’s hands, the consequences would be unthinkable,” Shen Xihe didn’t say that she planned to ensure the Emperor’s people would never return.

If she didn’t go personally, how could she command the situation?

“Since you know His Majesty isn’t playing games this time, all the more reason you can’t risk yourself,” Xiao Huayong’s attitude was firm.

For the first time, husband and wife found themselves at an impasse, with neither willing to compromise.