Xiao Huayong had always been insatiable in his desires, and they hadn’t particularly tried to avoid it. Although Shen Xihe no longer harbored her initial thoughts of hoping for Xiao Huayong’s early passing so she could raise a young son while dealing with the wolves at court, she still wanted to have a child soon.
A child that would belong to her and Xiao Huayong. If Xiao Huayong could safely survive his crisis, having an heir would help stabilize their position. If he couldn’t survive it, at least he would have experienced the joy of fatherhood in his final days, perhaps leaving him with fewer regrets.
Unexpectedly, Shen Yueshan misunderstood his daughter’s meaning and blurted out, “Could it be that His Highness the Crown Prince is truly… unable?”
Tianyuan, who had heard that his father-in-law had returned and was supporting Xiao Huayong as they were about to knock on the door: …
Shen Xihe froze, then angrily exclaimed, “Father, what nonsense are you spouting!”
In the Northwest, where customs were more uninhibited, such talk wasn’t as taboo as it would be in the capital. Shen Xihe was angry that her father would groundlessly doubt Xiao Huayong’s…
Shen Yueshan, never having been shouted at by his daughter like this, felt somewhat wronged: “I… I just noticed his delicate skin, and face as white as powder…”
Before he could finish, he received his daughter’s death glare, and Shen Yueshan sheepishly fell silent.
Standing at the doorway, Xiao Huayong couldn’t help touching his face, then lifted his arm to examine his skin, finding himself unable to refute his father-in-law’s words.
He wanted to turn and leave, but he knew that with Shen Yueshan’s keen hearing, he was already aware of his presence. Leaving now would only make things awkward, so he signaled to Tianyuan, who then knocked on the door.
Mo Yuan, guarding the room, announced: “My Lord, Princess Consort, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
He was also somewhat afraid, having heard the conversation inside, but since the Crown Prince was approaching and wasn’t an outsider, he had planned to announce him when he reached the door. Who knew the Lord would raise his voice with such a comment?
Shen Xihe was about to scold Shen Yueshan when she heard the announcement and immediately felt her face flush. Even though Xiao Huayong was supported by Tianyuan, she wouldn’t meet his eyes.
Shen Yueshan, however, showed no awareness of what he’d said: “This time, we owe everything to your planning.”
“It was my duty to do so,” Xiao Huayong replied modestly.
Neither showed any awkwardness as if the earlier words had never been spoken or heard.
“How are your injuries?” Shen Yueshan asked with concern.
He already knew how Xiao Huayong had been injured, including details about his martial arts abilities, all vividly reported to him by Mo Yuan. It wasn’t that he had asked Mo Yuan to spy; rather, he was concerned about the situation here, and Mo Yuan’s reports were all sent with Shen Xihe’s permission.
“Thank you for your concern, father-in-law. I’m quite alright,” Xiao Huayong answered submissively. Noticing Shen Xihe’s discomfort, he added, “Youyou, I have some matters to discuss privately with my father-in-law.”
Shen Xihe, already unsure how to face Xiao Huayong, took the opportunity to leave: “I’ll go check on the kitchen.”
She wasn’t curious about what the two men needed to discuss privately. Men always had things they couldn’t discuss in front of women, and with one being her doting father and the other her husband whom she trusted with her life, she had no reason to be suspicious.
After Shen Xihe left, Xiao Huayong frankly told Shen Yueshan: “Father-in-law, I must inform you that Youyou and I won’t have children in the next few years.”
Although Shen Xihe knew about herbs and spices, she wasn’t well-versed in medicine. The pregnancy-preventing medicine Xiao Huayong had obtained from Linghu Zheng was used on himself, and even Zhenzhu didn’t know about it.
“What do you mean by this?” Shen Yueshan asked.
“The palace isn’t safe, and there are already rumors about my short lifespan. If Youyou bear my child, they will become targets. Moreover, Master Linghu can’t confirm whether the toxins in my body would affect the child,” Xiao Huayong explained, showing shame.
There were too many uncertainties about his condition. He shouldn’t have selfishly kept her by his side, as he might not even be able to give her a healthy child. But he couldn’t bear to push her away, nor could he endure watching her marry someone else. This was his deep guilt towards Shen Xihe.
“You mean to say that you truly have strange poison in your body? And the rumors about your short life aren’t false?” Shen Yueshan’s eyes suddenly turned sharp.
“Yes,” Xiao Huayong bowed his head.
“You—” Shen Yueshan raised his hand in anger, wanting to strike him.
But he didn’t follow through. His mind was in chaos. Despite his verbal criticism of Xiao Huayong, he had approved of him, and after learning of his martial arts skills, he had naturally assumed, without verification, that these were all part of Xiao Huayong’s disguise, mere false rumors. Now learning that it was all true, he was angry at Xiao Huayong but more furious with himself!
His daughter’s lifelong happiness, and he had been so negligent!
“Does Youyou know?” Shen Yueshan demanded.
“I have hidden nothing from Youyou,” Xiao Huayong answered.
Shen Yueshan’s anger deflated instantly. How could he not know his daughter? Shen Xihe knew everything yet still married Xiao Huayong without hesitation. Perhaps initially she had indeed valued his position, but now watching coldly, he could see that his daughter’s feelings for her husband weren’t as calculating as she had first claimed.
“Is there a cure for the poison in your body?” Whether in the beginning or now, Shen Yueshan didn’t want his daughter to become a young widow.
“Doctor Qi says he has some leads,” Xiao Huayong said.
Shen Yueshan had just personally experienced Xie Yunhuai’s abilities, and he knew something of his character. If he had no confidence, he wouldn’t have said such things. This gave Shen Yueshan some comfort.
“Fine, you young people, I can’t control you,” Shen Yueshan decided to let it go and leave them be.
He knew his daughter well; she wasn’t some fragile woman who couldn’t handle life and death. Besides, this world was full of unexpected events – even healthy people might meet with sudden misfortune tomorrow. Rather than worry about what might happen in three to five years, better to focus on the present.
“About the Turks, how long do you intend to have Yun’an keep them surrounded?” Shen Yueshan changed to official business. Shen Yun’an was still besieging the Turks.
“That depends on brother-in-law’s intentions,” How long to besiege the Turks was entirely up to Shen Yun’an’s judgment; Xiao Huayong hadn’t made any arrangements.
The Turks had internal unrest that wasn’t yet settled. When they heard the “news” of Shen Yueshan’s death and were provoked by Xiao Changtai, they couldn’t resist his enticements and rashly sent troops, essentially digging themselves into a big hole. Shen Yun’an had created internal chaos for them from behind while besieging them from the front, and now they were fish on a chopping block.
But destroying them wasn’t realistic; there were many political considerations.
Shen Yun’an probably wanted to get the most benefits possible, such as war horses and tributes!