One’s choice of address can reveal their attitude towards the Northwest and the imperial court.
Shen Xihe returned a junior’s courtesy bow: “I have heard what all my uncles have said. I rushed here from the capital, guided by dreams to find Father. Father was in critical condition yet insisted on returning to the Northwest. He was barely conscious during the journey, only mentioning that he was harmed by Crown Prince Jiachen’s people, and said nothing more.”
“Crown Prince Jiachen?” This result was both unexpected and logical.
If not for Shen Yueshan, the current Emperor wouldn’t be sitting on the throne – it would have been Crown Prince Jiachen. His hatred for Shen Yueshan and desire for his life was understandable.
“We should have eliminated the entire threat back then!” Meng Hu struck his fist with his palm, full of regret.
The events of that year were too bizarre. Crown Prince Jiachen feigned surrender while secretly ambushing Prince Qian, diverting everyone’s attention before escaping from the imperial palace, leading to the current Emperor’s hasty ascension.
They all knew Crown Prince Jiachen would deeply hate the Wang, and had asked if they should pursue him, but the Wang said: “He hates His Majesty more.”
Yes, His Majesty obtained Crown Prince Jiachen’s throne, but Wang’s contributions were crucial to His Majesty’s success.
They were still worried, but Shen Yueshan forbade them from investigating.
They naturally didn’t know that Crown Prince Jiachen was merely a scapegoat for His Majesty’s fratricide and usurpation. Even then, Shen Yueshan had sensed His Majesty’s ruthlessness, which was partly why he hadn’t dared to release control of the Northwest all these years.
What they needed was to retreat to the Northwest and avoid involvement in other matters, to avoid drawing His Majesty’s attention.
With eunuchs and noble families in the capital, His Majesty couldn’t move against the Northwest for ten years. They had to use these ten years to firmly control the Northwest, otherwise their fate would be concerning.
The later incident with the Xiao family further confirmed Shen Yueshan’s predictions – His Majesty’s desire for power surpassed everything else. Whoever stood in the way of his control became a thorn in His Majesty’s side.
In these years, Shen Yueshan’s greatest regret was personally leaving the city that year. If he had stayed by Prince Qian’s side, given Prince Qian’s benevolence, the Shen clan could have withdrawn completely, and they wouldn’t have had to worry about people being eliminated one by one after his departure.
Fortunately, Prince Qian had left behind bloodlines. The Empress Dowager, being far-sighted and likely having seen through her younger son’s ruthlessness, had positioned Xiao Huayong as Crown Prince to preserve his life.
As Shen Yueshan’s mind cleared, thinking of Xiao Huayong reminded him of their first meeting thirty years ago. Even though the young man had been exiled and wore tattered clothes like a beggar, with two or three toes visible through his worn cloth shoes, he still stood straight in the wind and snow like a pine tree unaffected by frost. Such bearing wasn’t something all members of the royal family could possess.
“Should we report this matter to His Majesty?” After hearing Shen Xihe’s words, Geng Liangcheng suddenly asked.
“This is our Northwest’s affair. Tell His Majesty? Can His Majesty immediately send people to search for that old traitor Xiao Juasong?” Meng Hu wouldn’t even use honorific titles. “I heard that last year, that old traitor Xiao Juasong even outmaneuvered His Majesty, nearly causing his death in the river. Didn’t His Majesty fail to capture him then?”
“But the Wang’s condition…” Geng Liangcheng said worriedly.
“How many times has the Wang been at death’s door? When has the King of Hell dared to take him? The Wang will surely turn danger into safety this time too!” Meng Hu said stubbornly. In his life, he respected Shen Yueshan the most. Shen Yueshan had elevated him from a ridiculed cook to his current position as a third-rank general, giving him a life of dignity.
Others hadn’t expressed their position when Wei Ya, who usually played peacemaker among them, spoke up: “Although the Wang is unconscious and his fate uncertain, we still have the World Son. When the World Son wakes up, let him make the decision.”
Shen Xihe glanced at Wei Ya. Nearly fifty years old, Wei Ya was a famous scholarly general with kind eyes and a gentle smile. Meeting Shen Xihe’s gaze, he smiled at her and said: “Don’t worry, Princess. With the Wang and World Son here, those from the capital must show you respect.”
This was telling Shen Xihe that even without Shen Yueshan, there was still Shen Yun’an. As long as Shen Yun’an was there, they stood behind him. They would always be her backup, ensuring no one in the capital could bully her.
“Thank you, Uncle Wei.” Shen Xihe gave a proper bow.
With Wei Ya’s statement, others realized that at this moment, the princess whom they had cherished needed their reassurance most.
“Princess, as long as I, Da Hu, live, I will protect you and the World Son. Even if I fall, I still have my son!”
“Princess, just rest assured. With us here, the Northwest won’t fall into chaos, nor will we allow others to interfere.”
“Princess…”
As Shen Xihe listened to her uncles’ reassurances, her gaze inadvertently passed over Geng Liangcheng. He remained very composed, his expression no different from the other uncles, appearing to firmly support Shen Yun’an just the same.
In this situation, for Geng Liangcheng to become the Northwest’s Wang, Shen Yun’an would have to meet with misfortune, and then these people would have to promote him. This wouldn’t be easy. Shen Yun’an spent his days in the wang manor – how could one eliminate him without exposing oneself? It was extremely difficult.
The entire Northwest knew Shen Yun’an was Shen Yueshan’s heir. From age eight, Shen Yun’an had entered the military camp, progressing step by step from a child to a soldier to the now universally acknowledged World Son. He had achievements and abilities; no one in the Northwest would harm him.
While some subordinates in the Northwest wang manor might be unvigilant, there were no traitors. Bribing servants would be extremely difficult.
Shen Yun’an himself was highly skilled in martial arts, and beside him was Mo Yao, whose martial arts were supernatural, specially trained by masters Shen Yueshan had sought out.
But without eliminating Shen Yun’an, Geng Liangcheng couldn’t take power. Shen Yun’an was young and strong; he couldn’t outlast him. He had to use this rare opportunity of Shen Yueshan’s condition to send both father and son away together.
After much consideration, Geng Liangcheng felt only Sang Yin could help him.
However, Sang Yin was loyal to Shen Yueshan. Even threatening his entire family’s lives might not make him submit, which made Geng Liangcheng hesitate.
While Geng Liangcheng was thinking about using Sang Yin, he didn’t know he had already fallen into Sang Yin’s trap.
Before they left the wang manor, Xiao Huayong had gone to the Sang residence to see Sang Yin. Sang Yin had forbidden anyone from disturbing him as he still refused to give up, wanting to review these medical classics one more time, which happened to convenience Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Huayong hadn’t come alone; he brought Xie Yunhuai.
“Uncle Sang, I am Youyou’s husband.” Xiao Huayong subdued Sang Yin and introduced himself thus, then released him.
Sang Yin quickly retreated, watchfully staring at the elegant and noble young man before him. He had never met the Crown Prince and eyed him with suspicion.
Xiao Huayong took out the sachet from his waist, made by Shen Xihe. Shen Xihe had given similar ones to her uncles in previous years, so Sang Yin could recognize them at a glance.