Regarding offspring and inheritance, while it remained of paramount importance to Shen Xihe, her mindset had undergone a complete transformation from before.

Previously, she had harbored thoughts of keeping the son while dispatching the father. Though she wouldn’t have actively harmed Xiao Huayong if he didn’t oppose her, she had genuinely hoped for his downfall.

Now, she wished for their bloodline to continue, to give him more attachments, more reasons to hold onto life.

Xiao Huayong was stunned. A young man in his prime who had survived countless near-death experiences, he had never shed tears before, yet at this moment his eyes grew slightly moist. He pressed his fingers against the corners of his eyes, forcing back this sudden, bewildering vulnerability.

“Youyou, the time isn’t right,” Xiao Huayong held Shen Xihe’s hand. “We will have children, but not now.”

“Are you worried that if I become pregnant, His Majesty will show no mercy?” Shen Xihe’s bright eyes gazed at him, like black obsidian reflecting his image, holding him captive in their depths.

Xiao Huayong nodded: “Not just that. With an heir in the Eastern Palace, we would be thrust into the eye of the storm.”

The Eastern Palace wasn’t currently a target because everyone believed the prediction of his early death. Once the Eastern Palace had an heir, it would become everyone’s target – throughout history, the direct line had always been the primary inheritor.

Even if he were gone, with a legitimate eldest son, the inheritance rights would supersede those of uncles with children born to concubines. Moreover, Shen Xihe was the daughter of the Northwestern Shen family, representing military might and authority. Many would likely flock to the Eastern Palace – this wouldn’t be good for them.

Additionally, Shen Xihe had just obtained authority over the imperial harem. If she didn’t gain complete control over it first, a pregnancy would put her in danger from all sides.

During these years Xiao Huayong spent in the Taoist temple, to avoid His Majesty’s suspicion, he had only maintained control over the Eastern Palace’s immediate territory. The imperial harem had become a place of chaos.

After stabilizing the harem, there was still His Majesty, the court officials, the various princes… none of them were easy to deal with.

Xiao Huayong didn’t want his child born into such an environment surrounded by tigers and wolves.

Regarding children, Shen Xihe was determined to have them – if only for the Shen family, she must have a son, one qualified to inherit the throne. But this wasn’t just her child alone. She respected Xiao Huayong equally, and since he had made this decision, she nodded in concession: “Then we’ll wait two more years.”

In two years, Xiao Huayong would be twenty-three, very close to when he was predicted to die young. Whether or not the strange poison in Xiao Huayong’s body could be cured, she would need to be pregnant by then.

Hearing this, Xiao Huayong laughed softly: “Aren’t you afraid it might be a girl?”

“If it’s a girl…” Shen Xihe’s gaze suddenly seemed covered in frost, “I’ll just have to work harder…”

As long as she had offspring, she could establish herself in the Xiao family. Not having a legitimate eldest son wasn’t insurmountable – this dynasty had precedent for an Empress regnant. As long as she cleared away the obstacles in front and held enough power over life and death, she could still stand above all others.

For the Northwest, for her family, for her father and brothers, she would fight with all her might!

He understood her so deeply that just a determined look in her eyes, a flash of cold light, was enough for him to know her thoughts. His heart ached inexplicably, and he couldn’t help but tighten his grip on her hand: “Youyou, I won’t let you fight alone!”

His wife was resourceful and clever, but she wasn’t a qualified politician, nor should she become one.

He didn’t want to turn her into a caged bird, confined to the inner palace with clipped wings, but he also didn’t want her to fight alone against tigers and wolves. Just thinking about how without him, she would have to expose her sharp edges and exhaust herself to protect everything she wanted to preserve – it felt like a steel knife piercing his bones, a splitting pain spreading throughout his body.

He would never allow such an outcome!

“I don’t expect someone to depend on, nor do I desire someone to protect me,” Shen Xihe spoke slowly, each word clear and distinct. “I hope for someone to support each other with.”

She didn’t need dependence or protection, but she needed someone who would stand with her in mutual support.

Xiao Huayong’s heart warmed, and he responded firmly: “Good.”

Neither of them was an emotional person, and that moment of melancholy instantly dissipated. Zhenzhu came to inform them they could depart, and they accompanied Emperor Youning to Ganquan Palace.

While Linyou Palace had no scorching summer heat, with its hills, ravines, and verdant mountains and waters, Ganquan Palace was surrounded by four mountains, with spectacular peaks and waterfalls. The Black Water Valley stretched for nearly forty li, a magnificent sight.

There was also the famous Xianyou Temple here, and the palace was more spacious than Linyou Palace. Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong had their elegant small courtyard, with dense shade of bamboo and three Pingzhong Ye trees.

In the scorching heat of the sixth and seventh months, the Pingzhong Ye leaves remained a deep green, releasing a subtle fragrance when the clear breeze blew.

Shen Xihe greatly enjoyed this place. Moreover, with her control over palace affairs, all movement through the Department of Internal Affairs had to be approved by her. Everyone was especially attentive and cautious, fearing her initial display of authority as a new official. Whether loyal or treacherous, their performance satisfied her greatly, and for the moment she had no worries.

“How do Youyou plan to clean up the imperial harem?” The couple sat chatting under the Pingzhong Ye trees.

They weren’t in the palace, so Shen Xihe had no way to establish her authority, nor could she immediately investigate the palace accounts. His Majesty sending Noble Consort Rong back early likely wasn’t without intention to let her deal with the aftermath.

“I hear that from the fifth month until now, there has been no rain in the Deng Prefecture?” Rather than answering Xiao Huayong’s question, Shen Xihe brought up another matter.

Xiao Huayong thought Shen Xihe didn’t want to discuss harem affairs and was more concerned about the common people, so he nodded solemnly: “The governors of Deng Prefecture, Lai Prefecture, Mi Prefecture, and other areas have reported no rain to date. Agriculture has been delayed, and the court is making early preparations.”

This was already a matter of utmost importance. Emperor Youning was very concerned about these issues and had organized countless meetings. Although the national treasury had been replenished with the Princess Imperial’s private wealth after the Rouge Case, if there was widespread drought, it would likely empty the treasury again.

“My father knows an extraordinary person with some skill in reading the stars and determining dates. I’ve already asked my father to find him and request that he calculate when rain might fall in Deng Prefecture and the other areas.” Shen Xihe didn’t believe in Buddhism or Taoism, but she believed in people with real ability.

“I’ve heard of such talented individuals before, but never found one.” Xiao Huayong’s eyes brightened slightly.

The Imperial Astronomers included many who could divine and calculate, but they weren’t always perfectly accurate.

“This master my father knows has never made an incorrect prediction to date.” Shen Xihe trusted this person greatly. “Once the master calculates the drought situation, firstly, we can prepare early and put Xiao Changtai’s batch of wealth to good use, sparing the common people some hardship. Secondly…”

Her lips curved upward, a gleam passing from the corner of her eye to her brow as Shen Xihe said: “I will use this to have His Majesty grant a general amnesty, releasing all age-eligible palace maids from the palace.”

Shen Xihe never dawdled. She would resolve everything at once, removing all obstacles, regardless of who they were!