Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changying were truly disgusted by Xiao Huayong’s shamelessness.
Indeed, their mother had initiated the conflict, and after her defeat, they had accepted the outcome without harboring resentment – this already showed their magnanimity and reasonableness. How many others could avoid holding a grudge in such circumstances?
Yet Xiao Huayong dared to demand they feel indebted.
Shen Xihe’s gaze swept over Xiao Huayong. She had initially thought his earlier comment about Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changying owing gratitude was just a jest, as it seemed out of character for him. She hadn’t expected him to voice it seriously.
Not only were the Xiao brothers speechless, but even she found it hard to respond.
However, in front of others, regardless of how unreasonable Xiao Huayong’s logic was, Shen Xihe naturally defended him: “I did indeed show mercy to Noble Consort Rong. The Prince of Xin and Prince of Lie are not easily fooled. Let me be frank – there was no mutual destruction because firstly, Your Highness the Prince of Xin is not someone easily dealt with. To take Noble Consort Rong’s life would mean first taking the Prince of Xin’s life.”
Xiao Changying’s expression changed.
However, Xiao Changqing maintained his usual smile, taking it as Shen Xihe’s compliment and acknowledgment of him.
“Secondly, after the Northwestern incident, His Majesty became wary of both the Eastern Palace and me. This matter involved me, and I was ultimately the beneficiary, so I didn’t want to escalate things and completely sever ties with His Majesty.
Thirdly, if the situation became too large, more people would be involved. This would introduce more variables, and inevitably lead to casualties. My and Bei Chen’s people shouldn’t be sacrificed here.”
The third point was Shen Xihe’s greatest concern. Assassinating Emperor Youning might not succeed, and making such a big move without success would waste carefully cultivated personnel. Shen Xihe would feel distressed about that – Noble Consort Rong’s life wasn’t worth sacrificing for her people.
“Therefore, regarding showing mercy to Noble Consort Rong, it’s not appropriate to ask Your Highnesses for gratitude,” Shen Xihe said steadily, then changed her tone, “However, didn’t I resolve Your Highnesses’ greatest concern?”
Xiao Changqing was stunned.
He truly couldn’t refute this statement. If anyone was his greatest obstacle and worry, it would be his mother.
The debt of bearing and raising a child – how could one simply sever it without being considered heartless and ungrateful?
He couldn’t let go of the things his mother had done, and as long as she held a high position and remained loyal to His Majesty, she would continue to do things that put him in difficult positions. Now she was still alive, still enjoying wealth and honor, but confined to Hanzhang Palace – for Xiao Changqing, this was truly a great blessing.
If Xiao Huayong’s words were uncomfortable strong-arming, then Shen Xihe’s words undoubtedly struck his heart. There were several ways to show mercy – sparing a life didn’t necessarily mean maintaining current honor and wealth.
Xiao Changqing’s eyes flickered, remembering when His Majesty was dealing with his mother, Noble Consort Su had spoken up for her, leading to the current outcome of emerging unscathed. Moreover, Shen Xihe hadn’t pursued things further – this grasp of moderation was just right.
Any more lenient, and his mother might interfere with him again; any stricter, and his mother would certainly have become a complete outcast.
“The Crown Princess has excellent insight and skill,” Xiao Changqing sighed in admiration. “Given the Crown Princess’s mercy, how might this humble prince be of service?”
“The Crown Princess has me by her side and does not need Fifth Brother’s service. Fifth Brother need only remember the Crown Princess’s kindness,” Xiao Huayong spoke first before Shen Xihe could respond, his voice mild.
Xiao Changqing’s probing gaze fell on Xiao Huayong, who met it frankly. After a moment, Xiao Changqing withdrew his gaze: “This humble prince will keep the Crown Princess’s helpful kindness in heart. As it’s getting late and we must depart, we’ll take our leave.”
Neither Shen Xihe nor Xiao Huayong stopped them. Xiao Changying followed Xiao Changqing, though he looked back once before leaving, but didn’t linger, striding away with Xiao Changqing.
“Why did you say those things to the Prince of Xin and Prince of Lie?” Shen Xihe asked, puzzled.
She hadn’t intended for these two to feel any gratitude toward her. In truth, she hadn’t done them any favors – everything was calculated based on her interests. How Xiao Changqing and his brother felt about it didn’t concern her. Even if they harbored resentment, it didn’t matter – it would just mean facing them in secret conflict.
Xiao Huayong held Shen Xihe’s hand, just holding it, silently gazing at her tenderly, without explaining.
After waiting a while without getting his answer, Shen Xihe could only think it through herself. Xiao Huayong certainly wasn’t afraid of the Xiao brothers holding grudges – there was nothing in this world he feared.
Thinking of how Xiao Huayong had said he was by her side and didn’t need Xiao Changqing, then needing Xiao Changqing would mean…
“Bei Chen.” Shen Xihe instinctively gripped his hand in return. “Have I ever told you that I don’t like to plan too far ahead? Life is but one lifetime, full of unpredictable changes. This life might have decades more, or it might end tomorrow.
I never scheme too far ahead, not because I’m overly cautious, but because I believe that even a thousand-li journey must be taken step by step, steadily, to reach a good end.”
Xiao Huayong was worried about meeting with misfortune, so he was paving the way for her. Even his deliberate unreasonableness was to highlight her later reasonableness. How could someone as clever as he does not think of using Noble Consort Rong’s current situation’s benefit to Xiao Changqing to move him?
“I never cared about life’s length before meeting you – being alive was neither here nor there to me.” Xiao Huayong raised Shen Xihe’s hand to his cheek, slowly closing his eyes. “I never feared aging, sickness, or death before meeting you – the pain had long since become numbness to me.
But now I care and I fear. In my heart, I’ve never given up and have always believed I could overcome this tribulation. Yet every time I see you, beneath my joy, I can’t help but feel fear born of love, and can’t help but think of future dangers.
My self-control, which I took pride in, crumbles because of you. I can’t help but think: if I truly were gone, what could I do for you? What could I leave for you? How could I reduce my regrets?”
Shen Xihe’s heart suddenly ached, as if stuffed with cotton – warm and soft yet constricting: “Bei Chen…”
He was such a confident, powerful, and carefree Crown Prince – this was the first time Shen Xihe had felt such intense anxiety from him.
He had spoken countless sweet words to her, but these words moved her heart more than any others.
The usually quick-witted Shen Xihe found herself momentarily speechless, not knowing what to say to him.
“Don’t think too well of me.” Xiao Huayong opened his eyes, his black pupils locking onto hers. “I, knowing my fate is uncertain, still can’t bear to let you go; knowing my future is unclear, still want to tease you…”
He gave a self-mocking smile: “In the end, I’m just a selfish, ordinary man.”
He actually shouldn’t have pursued her, at least not before resolving the strange poison in his body. Even if she couldn’t wait until then and had to marry, he should have let her maintain her peaceful heart. That way, she wouldn’t grieve when he was gone.
But he couldn’t do it – his heart wasn’t under his control.
“Bei Chen, let’s have a child.”