In the end, Xie Yunhuai’s reply letter was penned by Xiao Huayong. When Shen Yueshan returned that night, Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong informed him of what the two had discussed during the day. Shen Yueshan did not object.
Xiao Huayong began making arrangements immediately. The first task was sending a letter to the capital, specifically to Prince Xin’s residence.
Xiao Changqin soon received an anonymous letter, the envelope containing evidence of Rong Ce’s crimes.
The fact that these incriminating documents hadn’t been sent directly to the emperor meant the sender had no intention of using them against Rong Ce. The absence of any written message in the envelope also indicated there was no attempt to blackmail him for favors. Since it was neither a trap nor a threat, it could only be a warning.
Rong Ce’s transgressions weren’t major crimes—they were more like the unsavory practices that most officials couldn’t entirely avoid. Reporting them wouldn’t result in severe punishment, but if someone were to push the matter behind the scenes, Liangzhou would no longer be able to retain its garrison.
Liangzhou…
These two characters alone told him that this letter must have come from the Crown Prince.
Just like the previous times when His Highness the Crown Prince had restrained him—each instance involving different leverage, from the imperial tomb explosion to the prisoner substitution—His Highness’s methods might seem unchanged, yet he had countless ways to control people. It was truly chilling.
In this world, few people could easily obtain evidence of crimes committed by high-ranking officials, and even fewer would possess such evidence without malicious intent.
Rather than a warning, this was more like a bribe from His Highness the Crown Prince. It seemed His Highness was indeed planning something in Liangzhou… or perhaps some major operation in the Northwest, and wanted him to stay out of it.
Xiao Changqin returned to his study, wrote a letter, and sent it to Rong Ce in Liangzhou.
With Xiao Changqin handled, Xiao Huayong became even more unrestrained and skillful in making arrangements.
Xie Yunhuai arrived at their lodgings the next day. After more than a year apart, the young man still maintained his elegant bearing, as refreshing as a cool breeze under bright moonlight.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Crown Princess,” Xie Yunhuai bowed.
“Doctor Qi, you’re too formal.” Xiao Huayong reached out to support Xie Yunhuai’s arm. “Having asked you to come here this time, we must trouble you further.”
“As I am friends with Her Highness the Crown Princess, it is only natural that we help each other. Your Highness is too kind,” Xie Yunhuai replied, neither servile nor arrogant.
Xiao Huayong glanced at him. “The Crown Princess and I are husband and wife. Even when friends help each other, thanks must be given. So I’ll thank you first on Youyou’s behalf—saying ‘thank you for your trouble’ is not excessive.”
Xiao Huayong was asserting his authority. Xie Yunhuai secretly smiled. Though he had once harbored feelings for Shen Xihe, he now had no thoughts of coveting her. Having no regrets, he naturally didn’t wish to engage in verbal sparring with Xiao Huayong, lest it put the Crown Princess in an awkward position. “Your Highness’s thanks, this humble one dare not accept, as I do not yet know if I can be of assistance to Your Highness and Her Highness.”
“Doctor Qi’s willingness to come this far already merits these thanks,” Shen Xihe interjected. “However, Doctor Qi need not be so formal with us. Let’s go inside, and we’ll explain the matter to you.”
For safety reasons, although Xiao Huayong had replied to Xie Yunhuai, he had Xie Yunhuai go to his location first, where his men escorted him. The exact reason for inviting him hadn’t been detailed.
After they entered, cups of Pingzhong leaf tea that Shen Xihe carried were poured, and once seated, Xiao Huayong explained everything to him. Since Shen Xihe trusted Xie Yunhuai so completely, Xiao Huayong had nothing to hide.
Moreover, even if Xie Yunhuai developed ulterior motives, he could make him understand the devastating consequences of betraying him and harming his loved one.
After listening, Xie Yunhuai pondered for a moment. “I do have a solution, but it would require Axi’s assistance. Also…”
“Doctor Qi, please speak freely,” Shen Xihe said, noticing his hesitation.
Xie Yunhuai’s brows furrowed slightly as he looked up with a solemn expression. “To create a convincing deception, the Northwestern King will have to endure some suffering.”
No one could make a perfectly healthy person appear terminally ill through acupuncture or medicine alone.
“Could you elaborate?” Shen Xihe’s expression grew serious.
“The King has some hidden injuries that could be healed, but treating them would be like mending broken bones—the bones must first be broken again,” Xie Yunhuai explained. “I can use this opportunity to heal some of his internal injuries, but we must first damage his internal organs with potent medicines, then treat them together. This way, we can create a convincing deception, and with Axi’s acupuncture, we can fool any number of physicians.
The King cannot wield weapons for half a year and must recuperate carefully. I will remain in the Northwest to monitor his condition until he fully recovers.”
“This is a good plan,” Xiao Huayong strongly approved. “It’s perfect for giving Father-in-law proper time to recover, and it will appear perfectly reasonable to others.”
They had claimed to others that Shen Yueshan had escaped after enduring torture. To convince Geng Liangcheng, Xiao Huayong had begun laying the groundwork. It would be best if their schemes against Geng Liangcheng didn’t reveal themselves as their machinations, as this might arouse His Majesty’s suspicions and make him think they were in collusion with Xiao Yueyong—how else could they have planned everything so meticulously?
If Shen Yueshan needed to recover for over half a year, it could be attributed to Xiao Yueyong’s persecution. Only after escaping did they discover Geng Liangcheng’s disloyalty and turn the situation to their advantage.
“I’ll discuss this with Father,” Shen Xihe believed Shen Yueshan wouldn’t object.
Xie Yunhuai had previously offered to treat Shen Yueshan’s hidden injuries, but when Shen Yueshan heard it would require at least half a year of recovery without fighting, he couldn’t agree. As the Northwestern King responsible for guarding the frontier’s safety, he couldn’t put personal matters above the greater good. If Tubo or Tujue caused trouble during this period, he would be duty-bound to take the field, only aggravating his injuries.
Now that they had official sanction, with Xiao Huayong watching both Tubo and Tujue, Shen Yueshan could naturally have enough time to recover from his injuries.
As expected, Shen Yueshan didn’t refuse. They each began their respective tasks. Sui Axi was originally meant to stay with Xiao Huayong to continue treating his eyes—although Xiao Huayong had regained his ability to distinguish colors, the poison in his body remained a major concern.
Xiao Huayong had mentioned early on that he would come seeking her, so Shen Xihe simply took Sui Axi with her, following Zhenzhu and the others.
The next day, they all left the village, but in different directions. Xiao Huayong went to arrange the details of the entire affair. Shen Yueshan first followed Xie Yunhuai to take medicine that would trigger all his hidden injuries. Shen Xihe went to Liangzhou to find Zhenzhu and the others.
After Xiao Changfeng handled matters—Xiao Huayong hadn’t left him any evidence, and all the people he had brought out were gone without a trace—His Majesty could only furiously assign him new personnel. Knowing the kidnapped person was a decoy, Xiao Changfeng was confident that Shen Xihe was safe.
He rushed to Liangzhou with Shen Xihe’s maids and subordinates, spent two days making inquiries without finding anything suspicious, and just as he was preparing to venture deeper into the Northwest, Shen Xihe appeared on her own.