HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 560: They Reaped All the Benefits

Chapter 560: They Reaped All the Benefits

This imperial edict was evidence that His Majesty bore the greatest responsibility for Pei Zhan’s death – it was His Majesty who had wronged the Pei family!

“Keep it, and send it back to the capital along with Minister Pei’s remains,” Xiao Huayong commanded with casual indifference.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Tianyuan immediately withdrew to make arrangements.

Xiao Huayong was eating while deep in thought. When Shen Xihe brought in some honey cakes, she saw his contemplative expression and placed them before him, asking, “What are you thinking about?”

“The position of Minister of War is vacant again,” Xiao Huayong came back to his senses and smiled meaningfully.

Shen Xihe understood – that Xiao Huayong was planning to manipulate the court again. Previously, Dong Biquan, His Majesty’s confidant, had been Minister of Revenue before being removed. Minister of Personnel Xue Kui was also removed, and replaced by former Chief Justice Xue Cheng.

He seemed to pay little attention to the Ministry of Rites. The Minister of Works would retire in at most two years, and the Minister of Justice had only recently been replaced due to the Qi Pei family matter. Thus, in these three years, almost all six ministries had been completely changed.

“His Majesty must compensate the Pei family,” in Shen Xihe’s view, even if the Pei family had no one suitable to take over the position, it would surely go to someone closely connected to either the Pei family or Prince Jing.

“Then let His Majesty compensate the Pei family,” Xiao Huayong picked up his medicine bowl, furrowed his brows, and rather reluctantly took a small sip. He showed an expression of incredible distaste, secretly glancing at Shen Xihe, before finally putting on a resigned face and downing it in one gulp.

Shen Xihe couldn’t stand his theatrics. As he put down the medicine bowl, she picked up a honey cake and brought it to his lips.

Having achieved his goal with his performance, Xiao Huayong’s eyes crinkled with joy as he stretched his neck to bite the soft, melt-in-your-mouth honey cake from Shen Xihe’s fingers. Whether intentionally or not, his warm tongue brushed against her finger.

He swallowed the cake with obvious enjoyment, then licked his lips afterward.

Shen Xihe wasn’t overthinking it – Xiao Huayong’s actions demonstrated one thing: seduction!

Yes, Shen Xihe was certain that Xiao Huayong was trying to seduce her!

She felt somewhat annoyed, but looking at his still-pallid face, she couldn’t bring herself to scold him.

Taking a deep breath, she finally said, “We caused quite a commotion this time. His Majesty suffered heavy losses, so we shouldn’t make any more moves.”

This time, Xiao Huayong’s scheme had been exceptionally clever. His Majesty couldn’t find any evidence against them, yet the Northwest had gained all the benefits. Shen Yueshan had successfully eliminated Geng Liangcheng, his formidable adversary, without causing any internal turmoil. Shen Yunan had likely conspired with Xiao Huayong early on, laying traps in the Turks’ homeland while they were approaching Tingzhou.

That’s why he could so easily strike at the Turkic royal camp. This would likely force the Turks to suffer grievously, cede territory, and pay reparations. Not only would this expand the Northwest’s territory and intimidate neighboring regions, but they could also request rewards from His Majesty for their service.

Shen Xihe could imagine His Majesty’s contorted expression when Shen Yunan’s memorial requesting rewards would reach the imperial desk. Though seething with hatred, he would have no choice but to bestow rewards. The Northwest had grown more powerful again, and not only could he not show anger, he would have to lead the praise.

His Majesty had been planning to control the Northwest for an unknown time – perhaps since the fall of the eunuchs, or even earlier, possibly when he was first exiled to the Northwest. In any case, Xiao Huayong had destroyed years or even decades of his careful planning in one stroke, enough to make His Majesty cough blood.

Moreover, he had lost Pei Zhan in the Northwest, and he needed to appease Prince Jing Xiao Changyan’s faction…

Just thinking about His Majesty’s current situation made Shen Xihe feel thoroughly satisfied.

Shen Yueshan’s fake death was due to discovering someone colluding with the Turks – His Majesty couldn’t punish him for that, as it was an emergency measure under the principle that commanders in the field may act without imperial orders.

Pei Zhan’s killer was Xiao Juesong, who had disappeared. His Majesty’s fury had no outlet for release; he could only swallow it. Even during the height of eunuch power, the emperor who ruled all under heaven had probably never suffered such a helpless defeat.

The emperor’s rage was unimaginable, but what of it? He could find no outlet. Hopefully, His Majesty wouldn’t fall ill from suppressing it.

“I’ll listen to Youyou,” Xiao Huayong replied with apparent docility.

He had no real intention of controlling the Six Ministries – they didn’t need his people. At most, he just wanted to use the Minister of War position to stir up more trouble and give His Majesty more headaches.

“If you have any thoughts, you can share them with me,” Shen Xihe said. Xiao Huayong had specifically mentioned the Minister of War position before changing the subject, and she didn’t want him to change his plans just because of her words.

“I just wanted to use this to irritate His Majesty,” Xiao Huayong admitted frankly, but his dark eyes flickered, “However, I suddenly realized someone else would enjoy this more than me. We’ve gained so many advantages already, might as well take a break and watch the show.”

“Who?” Shen Xihe felt Xiao Huayong was up to no good.

“Fifth Brother.” No one was more eager than Fifth Brother to annoy His Majesty.

For instance this time, His Majesty wouldn’t have been able to send orders to Pei Zhan so quickly without Fifth Brother’s instigation.

Fifth Brother’s information hadn’t been wrong either – it was just that His Majesty’s chosen man proved inadequate. There was no way to suspect Fifth Brother.

“Prince Lie has helped us after all…” Shen Xihe felt it wasn’t quite right.

“Fourth Brother also incited the Mongols to rebel this time. I did Fifth Brother a favor by giving him some hints. The Mongols were defeated so quickly because Rong Ce had made thorough preparations early on – it will surely be counted as a great merit,” Xiao Huayong felt he hadn’t shortchanged either brother.

Therefore, he righteously demanded of Shen Xihe: “When others urge me to be more lenient with those two brothers, I might listen. But Youyou must never say such things in the future, or I’ll deliberately make things difficult for them.”

Though he said “them,” he meant Xiao Changying. Xiao Huayong disliked how Xiao Changying hung around his sister-in-law, but since Xiao Changqing was very protective of his full brother, dealing with Xiao Changying meant involving Xiao Changqing as well, hence “them.”

Though he knew perfectly well she had no connection to Prince Lie, Xiao Huayong still righteously displayed his displeasure. Yet somehow when he did this, it didn’t feel domineering or unreasonable to her.

His expression looked just like Duanming baring his teeth when provoked by Zhenzhu – trying to look fierce but lacking any real threat. It made Shen Xihe laugh out loud, but her laughter caused Xiao Huayong’s expression to sour, so she quickly controlled herself: “Alright, I won’t mention Pri-“

“Hmm?”

She hadn’t even finished saying “Prince Lie” when Xiao Huayong’s face darkened again. Shen Xihe smiled helplessly: “I won’t mention it, I won’t mention it.”

The Crown Prince was satisfied and leaned back comfortably: “Xiao Changtai – how do Youyou want to handle him?”

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