HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 506: Everything Related to You Is Crucial

Chapter 506: Everything Related to You Is Crucial

Xiao Huayong stood and moved behind Shen Xihe, one hand resting on her chair’s armrest, the other on her shoulder: “Youyou’s fragrances are so varied, truly impossible to guard against.”

Previously, Xiao Huayong hadn’t truly appreciated the dangers of incense, remembering mostly sleeping incense and aphrodisiacs. After meeting Shen Xihe, he learned about scents that could attract or threaten venomous snakes and fierce beasts. Now married, his eyes were opened even wider.

Shen Xihe lifted her head slightly, her bright eyes showing a trace of amusement: “I have lethal fragrances too. Would Your Highness like to try?”

“Oh? How lethal?” Xiao Huayong, as if mesmerized, slowly leaned down until their temples touched.

Shen Xihe stood up, pushed him away, and walked behind the screen. From her luggage, she took out a palm-sized porcelain container for rouge and powder: “This is improved from a Western Regions formula that triggers asthma. It smells cool and refreshing; those with lung problems would become addicted. Even healthy people would love it when anxious or worried. The fragrance contains a poison that spreads through the respiratory system.

It shows no effects initially but gradually causes coughing and sore throat, then bleeding coughs, and finally death. It corrodes the lungs through breath, and even the most skilled physicians can’t understand how the poison only damages the lungs.”

Xiao Huayong stepped forward, took the small porcelain dish from her hands, opened it, and was about to take a light sniff when Shen Xihe snatched it away, glaring at him angrily.

“Do you have a death wish?” Shen Xihe scolded.

His lips curving into a smile, Xiao Huayong couldn’t help asking: “This fragrance wasn’t originally prepared for me, was it?”

Given his severe cough, if such a fragrance were used, who would suspect anything if he coughed blood and died?

“Is that how you see me in your eyes?” Shen Xihe asked with a cold smile.

She admitted that initially, she chose to be with Xiao Huayong because his short life expectancy would minimize the impact on her, and his legitimate status made him the most valuable marriage choice.

That was because he was already destined for a short life. If she had intended to kill the son while sparing the father, would Xiao Huayong have been her choice?

She never planned too far ahead because distant plans couldn’t account for all involved parties. Some people had never actively harmed her, and unless it truly became a matter of life and death, she wouldn’t develop murderous intentions without cause. She wasn’t benevolent, but neither was she bloodthirsty.

Without reason, why would she plot to kill her husband?

If her husband hadn’t yet married but she had already prepared to assassinate him at any time, and he discovered and opposed her murderous plot, wouldn’t she have brought trouble upon herself? What right would she have to claim betrayal?

“That’s not what I meant,” seeing Shen Xihe’s misunderstanding, Xiao Huayong hurried to explain, “I meant to ask if you would treat me this way if we weren’t of one mind after marriage.”

Shen Xihe’s expression softened slightly: “That would depend on the extent of our disagreement. If we each had our aims but he didn’t interfere with me, why would I harm him? If he became my enemy, I naturally wouldn’t show mercy.”

Chuckling softly, Xiao Huayong said: “My Youyou is truly kind.”

He didn’t know about others, but compared to him, Shen Xihe was far more benevolent.

Shen Xihe glanced at him and started putting away the cream, but Xiao Huayong stopped her: “Give it to me, Youyou.”

“Give it to you?” Shen Xihe examined him.

Xiao Huayong smiled innocently: “I know its potency and won’t let it harm me.”

As husband and wife, Xiao Huayong had always been attentive and protective of her. Since he rarely asked her for anything, Shen Xihe couldn’t refuse. However, thinking of his past misdeeds, she said leisurely: “If I don’t give it to you, will Your Highness take it without asking again?”

He had stolen her handkerchief and the cloak she made for Shengyun. Xiao Huayong wasn’t afraid of being teased and even pretended to consider seriously before saying: “That depends on Youyou’s mood. If Youyou is happy that day, I’ll take it.”

Shen Xihe didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at his response and simply placed it in his hand: “Here.”

The porcelain dish seemed to still hold the warmth of her fingertips. Looking up, she had already walked away, her flowing clothes leaving a faint trace of fragrance that made Xiao Huayong unconsciously close his eyes, smile, and take a deep breath.

After breakfast, Shen Xihe left the inn wearing her veil. Though Xiao Huayong had arranged a residence here, Shen Xihe didn’t move in and instead sent Xiao Huayong there himself.

Her first step was to have Moyu send a message to Zhenzhu, letting her expose the suspicious nature of the Shen Xihe at the post station to Xiao Changfeng. After Xiao Changfeng began investigating the people at the post station, Shen Xihe would then let him know her location.

Things had to be done step by step, not rushed. Shen Xihe finished her evening meal and was preparing to read before retiring when Xiao Huayong, whom she had banished, appeared again. It was late at night, and given Xiao Huayong’s lack of self-control in seeking intimacy, Shen Xihe couldn’t help but warn instinctively: “Don’t be reckless!”

Xiao Huayong actually had business to discuss, otherwise, he wouldn’t have agreed to not disturb her only to come up suddenly. Seeing Shen Xihe’s defensive posture, romantic thoughts rippled through his mind briefly, but he had more important matters this time and knew that if he acted recklessly again, she might truly deal with him harshly.

Coughing lightly, Xiao Huayong asked: “Is there anything you haven’t told me?”

Shen Xihe gave him a suspicious glance, confirming he wasn’t just trying to distract her attention, then thought carefully but couldn’t think of anything she’d forgotten to tell him: “I don’t know what you’re referring to, and I don’t like guessing. Just tell me directly.”

Xiao Huayong felt a bit disappointed. He had hoped she would tell him about the assassination attempt herself. It wasn’t that she didn’t care about him, but rather that she didn’t consider the matter significant. To her, anything she could handle herself wasn’t worth mentioning. He needed to change this habit of hers.

He didn’t need her to become dependent on him, but he hoped she would grow accustomed to sharing everything with him.

“I know you’ve handled the assassination attempt cleanly, but I still want to hear about it from you directly. This way I won’t worry needlessly about whether you were injured and hiding it.” Since she wanted directness, he would be direct.

Shen Xihe indeed felt these were already resolved matters, not worth discussing: “Are these things all so crucial to you?”

Xiao Huayong nodded firmly: “Everything related to you is crucial to me.”

Seeing how serious he was, Shen Xihe yielded: “Very well, I’ll remember that.”

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