Appointing the Minister of War to Xiao Changyan not only compensated the Bei family but also allowed His Majesty to see if those stirring up trouble behind the scenes could tarnish Xiao Changyan’s reputation as well.
“Prince Xin probably didn’t expect that after all his hard work, Prince Jing would be the one to benefit,” Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows.
“The Fifth Brother has caused His Majesty enough trouble for so long that his mind is at ease now. He has no interest in this position, so it doesn’t matter who gets it,” Xiao Huayong didn’t think Xiao Changqing would be upset.
“What about you?” Shen Xihe’s bright eyes met Xiao Huayong’s gaze. “Prince Jing is so young yet already one of the Six Ministers. Isn’t that the biggest threat to your position?”
“Threat?” Xiao Huayong tasted these words in his mouth. “In this world, I only allow you to pose a threat to me. As for a mere Minister of War, he can have it if I’m willing. If I’m not willing, he won’t get to keep it.”
Listen to how arrogant he was! He didn’t take Xiao Changyan’s impending position as one of the Six Ministers seriously at all.
“Among all my brothers, except for the Second Brother, none of them should care,” Xiao Huayong added.
Capable people don’t harbor jealousy – they either climb up themselves or pull down those in their way. Only those who can neither climb up nor pull others down would feel bitter and complain about unfairness.
Mentioning Prince Zhao, Shen Xihe thought he was quite remarkable. He was His Majesty’s eldest surviving son and the only Prince with an heir. When the Crown Prince wasn’t viewed favorably, he should have been the most advantageous candidate worthy of attention. Yet unless deliberately mentioned, even Shen Xihe would unconsciously overlook him.
When Xiao Huayong said he lacked ability, Shen Xihe didn’t think Xiao Huayong misjudged. This was just Xiao Huayong’s conclusion about himself. In Shen Xihe’s view, Prince Zhao was extremely skilled at concealment – silent and seemingly uninvolved in competition, but advancing steadily step by step.
Mentioning Prince Zhao reminded Shen Xihe of another matter: “Prince Zhao should be getting married soon.”
Last year, Xiao Changmin was betrothed to Yu Sangzi. The wedding, arranged through the Ministry of Rites, was set for July to avoid conflicting with the Crown Prince’s wedding – just about a month away now.
Yu Sangning couldn’t possibly let Yu Sangzi become a Prince’s consort, otherwise, she would have no chance to marry into the royal family, even if it meant marrying Xiao Changfeng. The Yu family didn’t have the same status as the Shen family, nor did they have any political value for Emperor Youning to utilize.
Because of Shen Xihe, Xiao Changfeng was temporarily sent to the Northwest by His Majesty. Yu Sangning missed her opportunity to gain Xiao Changfeng’s favor. Now that His Majesty wanted to betroth Shen Yingruo to Xiao Changfeng, Yu Sangning could only scheme about Yu Sangzi, planning to replace Yu Sangzi by marrying Xiao Changmin.
As a casual conversation between husband and wife, Shen Xihe mentioned this matter to Xiao Huayong.
“A mere concubine-born daughter of a Marquis? Does she have such ambition? Royal marriages cannot be trifled with. Does she think she can just replace someone as she wishes?” Xiao Huayong laughed upon hearing this, not believing Yu Sangning had such capability.
After all, Xiao Huayong was still a man with typical male characteristics. It was just that his tolerance and vision far exceeded ordinary men of the time, making him appear particularly exceptional. He had never paid attention to the ladies of the capital and was only reasoning based on royal marriage rules.
Xiao Changmin was a Prince, not some character in a novel where the bride could be switched right before entering the bridal chamber and had to be accepted. Not to mention that in the current dynasty’s royal weddings, the bride’s face wasn’t even covered with a veil but only a round fan, making it impossible to switch people. Even if she somehow managed to switch places after entering the bridal chamber, it would be the crime of deceiving the emperor. This was an imperial arranged marriage – how could it be treated so frivolously? If this concubine-born daughter had ambition, she should have the brains to know such actions would be enough to cost the entire Yu clan, including herself, their heads.
Even if her elder sister met with misfortune before the wedding, it wouldn’t fall to her, a concubine-born daughter, to fill the position. When a royal prince wants to take a wife, who couldn’t he marry?
“Don’t underestimate women. Some ladies can accomplish even the most difficult tasks if they set their minds to it,” Shen Xihe felt that based on her intuition and her assessment of Yu Sangning’s inability to resist power and wealth, Yu Sangning would succeed.
“Since Youyou is so confident, why don’t we watch together how this concubine-born daughter of a Marquis will turn things around and become our sister-in-law?” With nothing better to do, why not watch a show? Although Xiao Huayong rather disdained women’s drama, he was happy to accompany his wife since she enjoyed it.
“Why don’t I make a bet with Your Highness? I bet she’ll succeed. If I win, Your Highness owes me one favor,” Shen Xihe’s eyes gleamed as she spoke.
She didn’t particularly care whether Yu Sangning would succeed, nor did she have anything specific to ask of Xiao Huayong. The idea just suddenly struck her, so she voiced it.
Xiao Huayong’s first instinct was to say “I’ll do anything you ask, no need for a bet,” but fortunately he didn’t speak those words. His usually not-so-quick mind suddenly became sharp when faced with his wife’s enchanting smile: “If I win, will Youyou grant me one favor as well?”
“We can only be observers, no interference allowed.” She didn’t want Xiao Huayong to meddle just to win.
“Deal, this is interesting.” Now Xiao Huayong was truly intrigued.
Yu Sangning had no idea that she had become entertainment for the Eastern Palace couple in their idle time.
She thought the same as Shen Xihe – feeling disappointed about not having more interaction with Xiao Changfeng during this time. She had also heard palace news that His Majesty intended to betroth the County Princess of Huaiyang to Xiao Changfeng. But Xiao Changfeng was her best choice, and she wasn’t willing to give up just like that. She wanted to make one last effort.
She found out Xiao Changfeng’s usual route after his duties and waited for him one day.
“Does Second Lady Yu have business here?” Due to the matter of Yu Sangning’s cat, Xiao Changfeng couldn’t ignore her without greeting them.
“I specifically came here to wait for Your Highness,” Yu Sangning spoke somewhat nervously.
“Is there something you need this prince’s help with?” Xiao Changfeng asked.
Yu Sangning looked at Xiao Changfeng, seemingly gathering her courage before speaking: “I have admired Your Highness for a long time. I wonder if I might have the fortune to stay by Your Highness’s side.”
Xiao Changfeng was surprised. He looked at Yu Sangning, whose small face was flushed red. Though her legs were tense and her back stiff with anxiety, she still tried to maintain composure.
Current social customs were liberal – young men and women could take the initiative in expressing their feelings, with ladies being particularly bold and unrestrained. However, ladies from noble families were still bound by propriety. Many ladies admired Xiao Changfeng, but Yu Sangning was the first to stand before him and speak so directly.
Xiao Changfeng responded courteously: “Thank you for your misplaced affection, Second Lady Yu, but this prince already has someone in mind.”
Just earlier, His Majesty had mentioned his marriage to Shen Yingruo. To say he had someone in mind about Shen Yingruo would be somewhat false, but when His Majesty mentioned it, he didn’t object. He thought marrying her wouldn’t be bad, so he agreed.
“Is… is it the County Princess of Huaiyang?” Yu Sangning asked, face pale.
“Yes.”
Yu Sangning closed her eyes, two crystal tears falling. She forced a smile: “Then… then I wish Your Highness fulfillment of your wishes and endless fortune…”
With that, Yu Sangning turned and left. As the distance between her and Xiao Changfeng increased, darkness gradually appeared in her eyes.
At this point, she only had one path left.