HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 527: Perhaps We Can Work with Fifth Brother Once

Chapter 527: Perhaps We Can Work with Fifth Brother Once

Geng Liangcheng’s caution was within Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe’s expectations. Regarding how Shen Yueshan could have been injured so severely by Xiao Juexong, it was a trap set up by Xiao Huayong himself. Geng Liangcheng would find no flaws in his investigation.

Xiao Huayong couldn’t appear openly for now. His body double was still evading those sent by the Emperor to track him. According to the Emperor’s intelligence, he supposedly hadn’t yet entered the Northwest. However, with Shen Yueshan’s situation causing such an uproar, he should be heading this way.

At night, after repeated urging from Shen Yun’an, Shen Xihe returned to her chambers to rest, her face filled with grief. As soon as she entered, she detected Xiao Huayong’s unique scent – a fragrance blended from agarwood and pingrui leaves that only she knew how to make.

“All of you withdraw,” Shen Xihe dismissed everyone.

As soon as the door closed, a warm body pressed against her from behind, embracing her. He tilted his head slightly to nuzzle her hair as Xiao Huayong said, “Don’t worry, Father-in-law’s injuries are all within our calculations.”

Xie Yunhuai had frequent contact with Shen Xihe in the capital. It wasn’t convenient for him to appear now to avoid suspicion, but before taking action, while they might not have known every step of Shen Yueshan’s changes intimately, things hadn’t strayed from their control.

Shen Xihe couldn’t help but soften, leaning against Xiao Huayong. She had never doubted Xie Yunhuai, but still needed reassurance. Xiao Huayong’s words were undoubtedly that reassurance.

Feeling Shen Xihe’s exhaustion, Xiao Huayong’s heart ached slightly. He bent down to lift her horizontally, placing her on her bed. “Do you have any calming incense?”

“Yes…”

When Shen Xihe tried to get up to fetch it, Xiao Huayong pressed her shoulder down: “Tell me where it is, I’ll get it.”

Her bright eyes looked at him, tinged with a faint smile: “My dressing table…”

After Shen Xihe told Xiao Huayong the specific location, he found and brought it, lighting it on the incense burner. He returned to sit on the edge of the bed, holding her hand: “Rest early, I’ll stay with you.”

Shen Xihe had entered her chambers after a simple washing up, already planning to rest. Though exhausted, she wasn’t particularly sleepy. She lowered her eyes to look at Xiao Huayong’s hand holding hers, and after a moment’s contemplation said, “Geng Liangcheng won’t act rashly. I’m worried he’ll harm my brother.”

To achieve his goals, with Shen Yueshan gone, Shen Yun’an would become the obstacle.

Shen Xihe wanted to tell Shen Yun’an the truth so he could be prepared, but Shen Yun’an was constantly watching over Shen Yueshan, and their uncles were also concerned, taking turns accompanying Shen Yun’an. This left Shen Xihe no opportunity to speak even a word or two with him.

“I’ll keep an eye on your brother. With me here, leave it to me.” Xiao Huayong’s gaze, tender and loving, locked onto Shen Xihe. His hand cut through light and shadow to caress her cheek, gently smoothing her loose hair. “Tomorrow I’ll give him some reassurance too.”

In the gentle fragrance of the calming incense, Shen Xihe’s eyelids had grown heavy, but this statement suddenly dispersed her drowsiness: “What are you planning to do?”

“Father-in-law is renowned throughout the land for his martial prowess. Others only know him by reputation, but Geng Liangcheng and the others truly know his capabilities. Even with all the city’s physicians and military doctors being helpless, and my arrangements in Liangzhou being thorough, neither he nor Xiao Changfeng could find any flaws.”

Xiao Huayong patiently explained to Shen Xihe: “Observing his words and actions today, there wasn’t a single mistake. His caution might exceed our expectations. If so, why not resolve his doubts?

Tomorrow night, I’ll have someone infiltrate the Geng mansion to kidnap him, then disguise myself as Crown Prince Jiachen to meet him.”

Xiao Huayong revealed his entire plan to Shen Xihe: “First, let him know that if Crown Prince Jiachen can silently kidnap him from his mansion, injuring his Father-in-law to this extent isn’t surprising. Second, I’ll pretend to be Crown Prince Jiachen and cooperate with him, having him leave your brother to me to handle. This way we can ensure your brother’s safety.”

“The Geng mansion is heavily guarded, and he’s a battle-hardened general, more vigilant than wandering warriors with superior martial arts skills. The slightest disturbance would alert him.” How easy would it be to kidnap him undetected from the Geng mansion?

“That’s why I came to see you today.” Xiao Huayong smiled, “Don’t worry about anything else. My people can get past the Geng mansion’s guards. I’ve already figured out their patrol schedules these past two days. Getting past them isn’t difficult. The challenge is approaching Geng Liangcheng without him noticing.”

Their eyes met, and with just one look, Shen Xihe understood Xiao Huayong’s meaning: “I have a sleep-inducing incense that I specially developed for young soldiers first experiencing battle and bloodshed. One whiff and they sleep soundly until dawn.”

The battlefield is a terrifying place. Many who experience it suffer from insomnia night after night, unable to sleep even when exhausted. Even if they manage to doze off, they wake instantly. When Shen Xihe was studying incense-making, she was determined to develop this fragrance.

After succeeding, it was widely used in the army. Since it was used extensively and provided free of charge, Shen Xihe used common herbs and fragrances. Though the medicinal effects were ordinary, they still helped treat these young soldiers gradually.

She also made a version using precious medicines, which she had only tested on herself and her maids, not even Shen Yueshan had used it. This fragrance was more potent, with a different scent from the military version. Even Geng Liangcheng wouldn’t be suspicious if he smelled it.

After obtaining the Immortal’s Sash, Shen Xihe improved it further. The Immortal’s Sash was miraculous for incense-making, seeming to make all fragrances purer. With Immortal’s Sash, while each fragrance remained the same, its effectiveness increased severalfold.

She had brought some with her this time, originally intended for dealing with troublemakers, but now it could be given to Xiao Huayong.

As for how to light it in Geng Liangcheng’s bedroom and how to make him inhale it since Xiao Huayong was confident, Shen Xihe didn’t interfere.

“Give it to me tomorrow. Now listen to me and close your eyes to rest.” When Shen Xihe tried to get up again to fetch it, she was once more firmly pressed down by Xiao Huayong. He bent down to brush her lips, “If you don’t rest now, I can’t guarantee I won’t do something else to tire you out…”

Before Xiao Huayong finished speaking, Shen Xihe immediately closed her eyes.

This made Xiao Huayong chuckle softly.

With the calming incense and without Xiao Huayong chatting with her, Shen Xihe quickly fell asleep. Xiao Huayong waited until she was sound asleep before lying down beside her fully clothed.

But he didn’t sleep, thinking about this matter and how not involving the Emperor would waste such a heaven-sent opportunity.

Perhaps they could work with Fifth Brother once – he would surely be delighted to set a trap for the Emperor.

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