Rouge smeared with sweat by the temples, the bed curtains swaying in passionate battle;

Spring’s colors embrace the joy of intimate union, warm fragrance penetrates deep along flowered paths.

After the clouds cleared and the rain ceased, Shen Xihe had lost her voice, falling asleep from exhaustion at some point. Upon waking, Xiao Huayong was still there, his long arms holding her tightly in his embrace. She couldn’t help but recall last night’s abandon, causing two patches of red to quickly spread across her face.

Xiao Huayong opened his eyes at that moment, startling Shen Xihe. She pushed him away hastily, quickly trying to climb over him and off the bed, but her legs were weak and she nearly fell. Fortunately, Xiao Huayong’s quick reflexes caught her.

“Let go of me,” Shen Xihe commanded in a low, hoarse voice.

Xiao Huayong’s eyes darkened slightly. Knowing this wasn’t the Eastern Palace and time was pressing, he couldn’t indulge himself. He could only squeeze her soft waist once before reluctantly releasing her.

“Zhenzhu, prepare for washing,” Shen Xihe called out after steadying herself.

Zhenzhu had been guarding outside the door all night and naturally knew what had transpired. She brought in the washing items she had prepared earlier. With many eyes in the Northwest King’s mansion and uncertainty about who might be deceived by Geng Liangcheng, Zhenzhu dared not prepare two sets. Xiao Huayong waited for Shen Xihe to finish before using her items, showing no disgust but rather seeming to enjoy it, even making pleased sounds in his throat.

It was somewhat provocative, earning him two secret glares from Shen Xihe before he finally showed some restraint.

“In two days, I’ll have people kidnap my brother,” Xiao Huayong said, standing behind Shen Xihe at her dressing table and personally applying her makeup. “We’ll act after His Majesty’s people enter the Northwest.”

“Will His Majesty truly send people to the Northwest?” Shen Xihe had wanted to ask this last night, but then…

His Majesty’s shrewdness was no less than their own. With just Xiao Changfeng here alone, he wouldn’t act rashly. If he sent people, it would leave no room for retreat. If anything went wrong, the court would be at fault.

This matter had seemed unusual from the moment Shen Yueshan disappeared. Although Xiao Huayong had used Prince Jiachen’s influence to provide a seemingly reasonable explanation for Shen Yueshan’s attack and critical condition, wouldn’t His Majesty worry this might be a play orchestrated by Shen Yueshan and Xiao Juexiong together?

“I had people add fuel to the fire, so His Majesty naturally sent people, though disguised as a merchant caravan entering the Northwest.” Xiao Huayong smiled, his expression triumphant.

“Who?” Shen Xihe couldn’t imagine anyone being able to convince Emperor Youning on this matter.

“Fifth Brother,” Xiao Huayong replied with a smile.

When Emperor Youning received Xiao Changfeng’s message about Shen Yueshan’s critical condition and how no doctor in the city could treat him, he felt little joy. He was no longer an impetuous youth unable to remain calm. Having survived so many life-and-death struggles over the years, he remained victorious precisely because of his composure and rationality.

Shen Yueshan was a mountain weighing on his heart, someone he had feared for so many years. With all other enemies over the years, he had some grasp of how to deal with them – the arrogant eunuchs, the overly righteous Gu Yun – he could detect their weaknesses and apply targeted remedies.

Only Shen Yueshan, whom he had known longest, who appeared as a rough, uncouth giant unconcerned with details, was the one whose weaknesses he could never find. He had finally managed to keep Shen Xihe, Shen Yueshan’s weakness, confined in the capital, only to discover she was no easier to control, exactly like Shen Yueshan – resourceful and keeping her abilities hidden.

“Changfeng says the Northwest King’s days are numbered,” Emperor Youning said to Liu Sanzhi.

Liu Sanzhi was startled: “Who could wound the Northwest King to such an extent?”

“According to Changfeng’s intelligence, it was Xiao Juexiong,” Emperor Youning said.

“This…” Liu Sanzhi dared not make hasty judgments. Prince Jiachen had already attacked the temporary palace, openly challenging His Majesty. It seemed his wings had grown strong, so ambushing the Northwest King made sense – after all, the Northwest King was the main culprit who had cost him the throne.

“What We cannot understand is how Our Royal Brother, being so intelligent, wouldn’t realize that eliminating the Northwest King now would remove Our greatest worry?” Based on this point alone, Emperor Youning felt something was amiss.

This would accelerate his unification of power. Once he held complete authority, where could Xiao Juexiong hide? Where could he stir up trouble?

Once the Northwest was pacified, he would spare no effort in searching every corner to find Xiao Juexiong.

It was precisely because the Northwest wasn’t under his control that some officials, relying on the Northwest’s influence, could pay lip service to imperial edicts while secretly defying them, preventing his orders from achieving immediate compliance – a fact that stuck in the emperor’s throat like a fishbone.

“This slave is too stupid to understand such mysteries,” Liu Sanzhi said with a bow.

Such matters were not for him to comment on. If true and he questioned it, then something happened in the Northwest, he would bear His Majesty’s wrath. If false and he claimed it was true, influencing His Majesty’s thoughts and leading to setbacks, his crime would be unforgivable.

Emperor Youning hadn’t expected Liu Sanzhi to say anything meaningful. He ordered, “Command the Imperial Censor to rush to the Northwest with the Imperial Physician-in-Chief.”

As an emperor showing concern for his officials, sending the best physician to the Northwest upon learning of a minister’s critical condition was natural. As for the truth about Shen Yueshan, let the Imperial Censor investigate secretly.

“Yes,” Liu Sanzhi accepted the command and was about to withdraw.

“Where is the Crown Prince?” Emperor Youning suddenly asked.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has entered Liangzhou and will reach the Northwest in a few days…” Liu Sanzhi reported the intelligence from those following Xiao Huayong.

“Still in Liangzhou?” Emperor Youning asked without revealing any emotion.

Liu Sanzhi could only say: “Forward reports indicate that His Highness, on his way to the Northwest, first learned of the Crown Princess’s assassination attempt on the boat, then heard of her abduction at the courier station. Several times his anger affected his health, nearly confining him to bed. He had to travel by carriage, but his body couldn’t withstand the strain, causing repeated delays…”

Emperor Youning seemed lost in thought after hearing this, unconsciously nodding before waving Liu Sanzhi away.

Just as Liu Sanzhi withdrew, an attendant came to report: “Your Majesty, Prince Xin requests an audience.”

“Summon him.”

Emperor Youning didn’t know why Xiao Changqing had come. Since Lady Gu’s death, Xiao Changqing rarely sought audiences – the last time was for Lady Gu’s half-sister. When he was born, he was named Changqing, and unexpectedly the name proved prophetic, as he became a person of lasting affection.

“Your Majesty, son received a secret report from Uncle that the Northwest’s Grand General of National Pacification appears to have treasonous intentions.” Xiao Changqing handed over the secret letter.

The Northwest had only one Grand General of National Pacification – Geng Liangcheng.

Emperor Youning finally realized what had been bothering him – regarding Shen Yueshan’s matter, not a single word had come from Geng Liangcheng to the capital!