“You…” Xiao Huayong was stunned for a moment.

He knew that Shen Xihe’s acquiescence to their wishes surely had her purpose, but he never imagined she was waiting until after the formal arrangement was set to put His Majesty in an awkward position.

This was different from the Consort Su matter. After all, Consort Su hadn’t gone through official channels. His Majesty taking Consort Su was one thing, but An Zhengyi being officially betrothed to the Eastern Palace by His Majesty himself, then climbing into the dragon bed before the wedding – such a thing would be shocking even in common households, let alone the imperial family.

Raising her eyes slightly, her stunningly beautiful face remained calm and unperturbed, but her deep gaze revealed a frightening ruthlessness: “I said, I dislike matters going back and forth endlessly. Better to settle everything at once.”

After this incident, she believed His Majesty would learn his lesson. With the disaster situation so urgent, yet still having the mind to come to make things difficult for her – even if this had been arranged before the disaster, it was enough to make Shen Xihe disgusted.

This was always how she handled matters. She never actively started conflicts, nor was she one to uphold moral standards. For instance, though she looked down on Yu Sangning’s methods and conduct, as long as Yu Sangning didn’t cross her path, she wouldn’t extend her hand, because at her core she was a solitary person.

The injustices of the world and the good or evil of irrelevant people had nothing to do with her.

Yet such a person was accustomed to striking swiftly and fatally against enemies who came at her.

The cool breeze by the stream carried the fragrance of trees on both sides, lifting her hair. Her beautiful face showed an innate pride that left Xiao Huayong entranced.

Against the green mountains and blue waters, she wore a moon-white short gown, her cyan-colored shawl billowing in the wind as if merging with the landscape, causing Xiao Huayong to lose himself in sight.

“How do you plan to proceed?” Scheming against His Majesty was no ordinary matter – His Majesty was vigilant himself, surrounded by imperial guards and Liu Sanzhi.

In earlier years when eunuchs held power, every kind of poison had been attempted. For His Majesty to survive until today, how could he be easily schemed against? Moreover, to scheme against His Majesty without leaving any trace of evidence was even more difficult.

“His Majesty will be wary of covert plots, so we’ll use overt schemes instead.” Shen Xihe’s eyes, dark and brilliant like black obsidian, sparkled with hints of amusement that could instantly captivate one’s soul.

Taking the dazed Crown Prince’s hand, Shen Xihe led him back: “Let’s return, His Majesty is waiting for our response.”

Back before His Majesty, Xiao Huayong instantly sobered. He was once again that frail Crown Prince wearing an expression of embarrassment and compromise. Emperor Youning stared at him for a while before asking: “Are you truly willing to take Lady An as your secondary consort?”

After a moment of silence, Xiao Huayong reluctantly bowed and said: “I defer to Your Majesty’s judgment.”

He still couldn’t bring himself to say he was willing, but Emperor Youning wasn’t expecting him to. With things as they were, he couldn’t demand that he treat Lady An well – everything would wait until Lady An entered the Eastern Palace with her official status.

That day, seemingly to give An Jingnan face, His Majesty indeed personally issued an edict bestowing An Zhengyi to Xiao Huayong as a secondary consort, with the formal acceptance to take place after returning to the imperial palace.

When the news broke, Xiao Changying was the first to lose composure. His face turned ashen as he wanted to seek out Xiao Huayong, but was stopped by Xiao Changqin: “This matter was forced upon the Crown Prince by the Crown Princess’s agreement. The one who should feel wronged is the Crown Prince!”

With his own heart set on Shen Xihe, hearing this news made him view the Crown Prince as unfaithful.

Xiao Changying’s breath caught, and he stopped in his tracks, his whole body stiffening. After a long while, he asked in confusion: “Brother, does she truly not care at all?”

How could there be such a woman in this world who would force her husband to take a concubine for the sake of her disliked half-sister? This shouldn’t be how someone as proud and aloof as Shen Xihe would act. She shouldn’t allow herself to be taken advantage of, and shouldn’t compromise!

“I don’t know if the Crown Princess cares or not, I only know that Lady An has stirred up a hornet’s nest this time.” Xiao Changqin had quite the mindset of wanting to watch the drama unfold.

If Shen Xihe had struck back immediately, perhaps it would have only been a flesh wound. This time she seemed to compromise, but that meant it wouldn’t end well. Just wait and see – this matter wouldn’t end without causing an earth-shattering commotion.

Only, he wondered how Shen Xihe would proceed. Xiao Changqin was rather looking forward to it.

From his brother’s tone, it was clear he was certain this was a move in Shen Xihe’s strategy. Xiao Changying finally calmed down completely and no longer planned to go out.

Not only was Xiao Changying suspicious, but the An father and daughter were also dubious. An Zhengyi had thoroughly investigated Shen Xihe’s proud nature that never yielded, and she had originally planned to use Shen Yingruo to advance her plans step by step. She never expected Shen Xihe would easily give way for Shen Yingruo’s sake – this didn’t match her assessment of Shen Xihe.

“Father, we must keep watch on the Crown Princess. I just feel she won’t let this go so easily.” An Zhengyi didn’t believe Shen Xihe was waiting for her to enter the Eastern Palace to then torment her.

“We don’t need to watch her, His Majesty will naturally keep an eye on her,” An Jingnan reassured his daughter. “You just focus on preparing for the wedding.”

An Zhengyi lowered her head: “Yes.”

If she hadn’t been schemed against by her stepmother and lost her ability to bear children, becoming completely useless, how would she need to travel thousands of miles to the capital to become a pawn, marrying a short-lived Crown Prince?

She should have had a more brilliant and bright life!

Of those who had experienced Shen Xihe’s methods, none believed there wasn’t some trick to how easily she agreed to this marriage. Everyone watched her, yet she seemed to have forgotten about this matter, neither warm nor cold towards Lady An. Several days passed, and she continued as usual, doing whatever she normally would do. Many people, seeing no drama unfold, stopped wasting effort watching Shen Xihe.

However, Consort Su seemed to have found an ally, frequently visiting An Zhengyi after her injuries stabilized.

On this day, Shen Yingruo seemed to have heard some rumors and angrily sought out Consort Su. Both dismissed their maids, and no one knew what was said, only vaguely hearing intense arguments.

Faintly, it seemed there were rumors outside that Consort Su had helped An Zhengyi scheme against Shen Yingruo, leading to Shen Xihe’s concession.

“Sister said that in the Xianguo Temple matter, you advised His Majesty, and when Noble Consort Rong was framed, although His Majesty didn’t openly test you, with His Majesty’s depth, he must have had suspicions about you. This time, Sister helped you completely clear away those suspicions.” Under cover of Consort Su’s loud retorts, Shen Yingruo passed Shen Xihe’s message to Consort Su, along with a letter.

Consort Su took it, then called out: “Someone come, escort the County Princess of Huaiyang!”

The door was pushed open, and Shen Yingruo, face ashen, glared darkly at the arrogant Consort Su for a moment: “This matter isn’t over!”

With that, not waiting for the palace servant to come forward to escort her, Shen Yingruo stormed off.

Having heard these rumors, Shen Xihe threw a handful of fish food into the pond, watching the fish swim over happily, competing for the food. She lifted her head to look at the bright sky: “Everything is ready, just waiting for the east wind.”

As Xiao Huayong opened his mouth to speak, Baisui received a signal first and spoke before him: “Everything is ready, just waiting for the east wind, Youyou can’t escape my grasp even with wings!”

Xiao Huayong: …