HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 540: You Are My Obsession

Chapter 540: You Are My Obsession

Shen Xihe was moved by his words – he was always so meticulous, considering every aspect thoroughly.

“From bringing you back for your brother’s wedding, everything has been my plan. I naturally cannot let Father-in-law and you suffer losses because of this.” Xiao Huayong held Shen Xihe’s hand, smiling as he said, “Things have developed to this point – it’s no longer an ordinary matter, but a game between His Majesty and me.”

Initially, they had simply wanted Shen Xihe to witness Shen Yunan’s wedding, with testing the Northwest’s loyalty being merely incidental. They hadn’t expected to reach this point, with the situation constantly changing, forcing them to take such dramatic measures to conclude matters.

Shen Xihe looked down at their touching fingertips, gripping his hand in return: “I heard the Turks have internal strife. Though they’ve temporarily reconciled because of Father, they might not easily launch a sneak attack.”

“The Turks will attack.” Xiao Huayong’s lips curved upward, silver light gathering in his eyes, the gleam of confidence and certainty dazzling.

“What has Your Highness arranged?” Shen Xihe asked curiously.

Xiao Huayong smiled, his whole being seeming to radiate brilliance: “I did nothing. My presence here naturally means someone will help me achieve my wishes.”

“Who?”

“Fourth Brother.”

Xiao Changtai – Shen Xihe was somewhat surprised.

“Xiao Changtai hates me to the bone. He couldn’t touch me in the capital, but now that I’m in the Northwest, how could he let such an opportunity pass?” Xiao Huayong raised his brows. “Back at the imperial tomb, I gave him a small picture book showing how Munuha died miserably. He had worked with Munuha before and likely has some of Munuha’s tokens. Just sending these to the Turkic court – could their Khan swallow such an insult? Even if the Khan could endure it, he would find ways to make sure the Khan couldn’t.”

Given Xiao Changtai’s current abilities and how many major defeats he had suffered at his hands, he wouldn’t dare act rashly despite not wanting to miss this chance. The best method would be to use Shen Yueshan’s “death” to start a war, throwing the entire Northwestern Prince’s city into chaos, then strike at him amid the confusion.

This would not only hide his involvement but also maximize his chances of escaping unscathed, making the Crown Prince’s death mysterious.

With the Crown Prince dead, various factions in the capital could appropriately reveal their ambitions. In the struggle for the position of heir apparent, each would display their abilities while he watched from the shadows, fishing in troubled waters.

Someone whose clan had been executed by Emperor Youning naturally couldn’t ascend to the throne, but their youngest brother was still learning to speak. As long as there was no one else in the dynasty, by controlling this young brother, he could still be the true power behind the throne.

“He really won’t give up.” Shen Xihe couldn’t help but sigh.

People like Xiao Changtai had a life force as vigorous as green grass – with even the slightest chance, they would exert everything, stopping at nothing to advance toward their goal until their final moment.

Never resting until achieving their aim – in this, he was extremely similar to His Majesty.

“One shouldn’t develop obsessions. Once obsessed with something or someone, it’s easy to become deranged and unable to extricate oneself. For Fourth Brother, being emperor is his obsession.” Xiao Huayong spoke while lowering his gaze, looking deeply at Shen Xihe. “And you are my obsession.”

“Your Highness speaks unreasonably,” Shen Xihe returned his gaze. “I am already Your Highness’s wife. You have already obtained me, so how can I still be an obsession?”

Xiao Huayong smiled faintly, then gazed at her intently: “Youyou, have I truly obtained you?”

What he wanted was never just a person, a physical form, but her heart as well.

“Sincerity can pierce stone – Your Highness, please continue your efforts.” This time Shen Xihe neither avoided nor advised, instead encouraging him teasingly.

Xiao Huayong was indeed greatly encouraged. He held Shen Xihe close, pressing his forehead against hers, lightly inhaling the fragrance of her black hair as the couple shared an intimate moment.

The next day, Pei Zhan and his men indeed arrived at the city after riding hard, travel-worn from their journey. No one went to receive them, nor had they sent word ahead. Before reaching the city, they had received news of the Northwestern Prince’s death, spurring them to ride through the night without rest.

Pei Zhan was nearly fifty but looked several years older than Shen Yueshan and Emperor Youning. However, his tall and imposing frame moved with vigor. Arriving at the main hall, he first offered incense, and after paying respects, requested to bid farewell to Shen Yueshan.

Whether sincere or wanting to verify that the man in the coffin was genuinely Shen Yueshan, Shen Xihe, and the others wouldn’t refuse his request. The coffin lid remained unsealed, with the top section open to show the peaceful Shen Yueshan.

Seeing Shen Yueshan lying quietly in the coffin, Pei Zhan’s expression was complex. Among these old generals, there were too many entanglements – admiration, former enmity, and sighs over such an abrupt end to a generation’s war god. In any case, no one could precisely analyze Pei Zhan’s emotions.

After offering incense, Pei Zhan naturally stood with Xiao Changfeng while the mansion continued handling funeral matters in an orderly fashion.

That night, Shen Xihe slipped medicine into Shen Yunan’s tea cup. Halfway through the vigil, Shen Yunan became dizzy and eventually collapsed. Zhenzhu immediately came forward to check his pulse, concluding: “The Young Master is exhausted and needs proper rest.”

As Shen Xihe’s personal maid skilled in medicine and respected by many in the Northwest, no one doubted Zhenzhu’s words. Shen Yunan’s exhaustion since Shen Yueshan’s return had been evident to all.

Shen Xihe quickly ordered people to help Shen Yunan back to his room to rest while she remained to keep vigil.

Unexpectedly, an hour later, servants from Shen Yunan’s courtyard came running in panic: “Princess Consort, Princess Consort, the Young Master… the Young Master is missing!”

Shen Xihe suddenly stood up, almost losing her balance from rising too quickly. Xiao Huayong’s quick hands steadied her.

“Explain clearly, what you mean the Young Master is missing!” Shen Xihe demanded.

“This servant doesn’t know. The Young Master was sent back to his room to rest. We servants guarded outside his room, no one entered, and there was no sound at all. When General Mo Yuan came with the calming incense that Princess Consort ordered, this servant let him enter, only to discover the Young Master wasn’t in the room!”

Hearing this, everyone dropped everything and rushed to Shen Yunan’s room. The Northwestern Prince’s heir mysteriously disappearing from his own home was a shocking matter – everyone wanted to investigate.

Fortunately, today Sang Yin was on rotation duty. While everyone followed Shen Xihe, he followed the previous arrangement, having Sui Axi apply acupuncture to Shen Yueshan, who soon regained consciousness, though somewhat weak from two days without water.

They quickly left the memorial hall, with a prepared corpse placed in the coffin.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Chapters