HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 592: Waiting for the Crown Princess to Turn Force Against Force

Chapter 592: Waiting for the Crown Princess to Turn Force Against Force

“Beichen, what clever craftsmanship,” Shen Xihe played with the box in her hands.

The box’s connecting axis was ingeniously made. It wasn’t loose – turning the box upside down wouldn’t make it flip; nor was it too tight – a gentle push would make it turn over. The incense ends were tied together with thin strings in bundles of about ten, to be drawn from the top when needed.

“Just common street performance tricks, nothing worth mentioning,” Xiao Huayong said with smiling eyes.

“Do you know street performance arts?” Shen Xihe moved her gaze from the box, asking curiously.

She asked because she felt Xiao Huayong seemed to know everything.

However, street performance was truly something Xiao Huayong didn’t know, but he wouldn’t admit defeat: “Not yet…”

Not knowing wasn’t a problem; he could learn: “In a while after I’ve studied it, I’ll demonstrate for Youyou.”

She extended her hand, holding the box in front of Xiao Huayong. He reached for it, but instead of placing it in his hand, she moved the box away and grasped his hand: “You are the Crown Prince. Your hands are for wielding the brush, defeating enemies, and ruling the empire. There’s no need to study such things. We can simply invite performers to the Princess’s manor one day.”

It wasn’t that Shen Xihe looked down on these skills – if she did, she wouldn’t want to see them. She just felt Xiao Huayong shouldn’t waste time on such things. If people of their station had to personally master everything and dabble in all matters, life would be too exhausting.

“I only put in effort and consideration for you,” Xiao Huayong clasped her hand in return.

“Perfect then, I forbid it, so you must listen,” Shen Xihe raised her chin imperiously.

Since Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe had known each other, she had mostly been sensible, knowing when to advance and retreat, understanding priorities – a person so rational she seemed cold-blooded. Later, she learned to smile, progressing from distant, indifferent smiles to genuine ones under Xiao Huayong’s gradual guidance.

This was the first time she had so unceremoniously ordered him around, finally showing him a hint of the spoiled behavior she displayed with her father and brothers. This made Xiao Huayong gaze at her with uncontrollable tenderness.

Catching Xiao Huayong’s look, Shen Xihe couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: This fool…

She waved her hand in front of his eyes: “Did my words reach your ears?”

Coming back to his senses, Xiao Huayong’s lips curved into a smile, soft and pure as clouds unfurling, pressing her hand to his chest: “Not just my ears, but every word reached my heart.”

Seemingly accustomed to his glib tongue and ready sweet talk, Shen Xihe shook her head helplessly, but the indulgent smile at her lips betrayed the warmth in her heart.

While they were sharing this tender moment, on the other side, Emperor Youning had returned to his assigned meditation chamber in a thunderous rage. Had they not been on temple grounds, blood might truly have been spilled today. As for whose blood, that would depend on who dared to come knocking.

Everyone knew His Majesty must be suppressing great anger, and all wisely kept their distance, most afraid of being summoned by His Majesty.

Liu Sanzhi kept his head down. Though he attended to Emperor Youning, he knew His Majesty wouldn’t take his anger out on him, so he quietly waited to see if anyone foolish would deliver themselves to the door. If not, he couldn’t be blamed for dragging in those who had erred to let His Majesty vent his anger.

However, Liu Sanzhi never expected Consort Shu would be the one to come. When he heard she was requesting an audience, he frowned, knowing His Majesty truly favored her. After some thought, he stepped forward: “Your Majesty, Consort Shu requests an audience.”

Emperor Youning, face cold and eyes stern, glanced at Liu Sanzhi: “Send her away.”

Liu Sanzhi had guessed right – His Majesty had some genuine care for Consort Shu and didn’t want her to bear his anger at this moment.

But before he could dismiss her, Consort Shu burst into herself. Seeing her push through the door, Emperor Youning immediately slammed the table, standing up to rebuke: “How dare you!”

Consort Shu dropped to her knees with a thud: “This consort knows Your Majesty is displeased. If Your Majesty has frustrations, take them out on this consort. This consort belongs to Your Majesty – if it were someone else, they would inevitably criticize Your Majesty’s volatile temper in their hearts.”

“You-“

Emperor Youning’s anger flared, but seeing Consort Shu’s stubborn face raised toward him, the concern in her eyes dispersed much of the fury in his chest. He sighed, stepping forward to help her up: “Go back. We have ruled for over twenty years. If We couldn’t handle this much anger, We would have passed away long ago…”

“Your Majesty, please don’t speak such words. This consort cannot bear to hear them.” Consort Shu’s full, lustrous fingertips gently pressed against Emperor Youning’s lips, her brows knitting with worry. “Though this consort hasn’t accompanied Your Majesty long, she has long heard of Your Majesty’s martial prowess from the Empress Mother. In this consort’s heart, Your Majesty is the sovereign of the celestial empire, surely destined for ten thousand years of supreme authority.”

“You… are like a child.” Emperor Youning sighed softly, his expression slightly relaxed.

“Your Majesty, actually, this consort… just thought of a solution,” Consort Shu said hesitantly.

“A solution?” Emperor Youning raised his eyebrows. “You’ve thought of a way to restore Our reputation?”

All that talk about the human emperor, being equal to Heaven, and deities not daring to accept his worship was just a way to save face. Emperor Youning had performed many ceremonies in previous years, but this was the first time such a thing had happened. Forcing such explanations wouldn’t silence the common people; it would only make them more skeptical.

Emperor Youning wasn’t too worried about whether the common people believed these explanations – as long as the nation remained peaceful and prosperous afterward, it would soon be forgotten. What concerned him was that someone might use this to create trouble, manufacturing some great disaster to validate this prayer ceremony mishap.

It was because of these traces of plotting, not knowing what these people would do next, that Emperor Youning was so angry.

“May Your Majesty forgive this consort’s offense before she dares speak,” Consort Shu said cautiously.

Seeing her timid manner, Emperor Youning couldn’t help but smile: “Speak freely, We forgive you in advance.”

Consort Shu’s beautiful face bloomed with a smile as bright as the proud sun: “This consort has heard about the prayer ceremony. Why do those old ministers only think of interpretations that disadvantage Your Majesty? When the incense behaved strangely, why must it mean Heaven doesn’t bless Your Majesty? That the heavens refuse Your Majesty’s worship?”

Her enchanting eyes glancing about, Consort Shu said somewhat angrily: “Why couldn’t it be Heaven’s warning that someone means harm to Your Majesty?”

This statement awakened everyone from their dreams.

When the strange incident with the incense occurred, everyone, including Emperor Youning himself, saw it as an ill omen, even thinking it was meant to damage his reputation.

Why couldn’t they view this incident from a different angle? He was the Son of Heaven – if he faced great danger, naturally Heaven would warn him. This would better prove he was following Heaven’s mandate. Emperor Youning suddenly understood, grasping Consort Shu’s shoulders and pulling her into his embrace: “You truly are Our understanding flower.”

“This consort merely thought of it this way, unworthy of Your Majesty’s praise,” Consort Shu said modestly.

This was what Shen Xihe had taught her – she couldn’t have thought of such things herself. Shen Xihe wanted to see if Emperor Youning would pin this “person meaning harm” on her. If he did, it would be perfect to turn force against force in dealing with Noble Consort Rong.

When that time came, it would truly be an earth-shattering show.

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