Shen Xihe: …
“You don’t care about your reputation anymore?” Shen Xihe lowered her eyes to look at him.
Xiao Huayong’s meaning was clear – he wanted to maintain their “strong wife, weak husband” dynamic for life.
“Reputation?” Xiao Huayong laughed softly. “When have I ever cared about such intangible things? As long as Youyou doesn’t mind.”
However in the future, with Shen Xihe openly holding power, his reputation would suffer, and she might be labeled as a hen ruling over the rooster.
Shen Xihe suddenly felt a tightness in her chest: “Why do this?”
“For our future peace.” Xiao Huayong squeezed her hand. “If you hold power, no one will dare move against the Northwest. Even if you later have the Shen family step down and send others to manage the Northwest, as long as you live, whoever’s in charge will give it their all. If I ruled, their thoughts would be quite different, perhaps even harboring inappropriate ideas, trying to drive a wedge between us.”
They weren’t an ordinary couple. An Emperor and Empress carried too many attachments, things that would drive countless people to exhaust every means for their interests.
Xiao Huayong could ensure that amidst these schemes and plots, he would steadfastly trust Shen Xihe, but he couldn’t guarantee she would do the same for him. Even if she truly would, he didn’t want others to force her into choosing between family and husband just because they appeared equally matched.
Though these concerns seemed distant, Xiao Huayong had to take them seriously. While their intelligence made them hard to deceive, he didn’t want such situations to arise at all – even if they couldn’t be separated, it would wear on their relationship.
Better to kill such possibilities from the start. Let the throne be something Shen Xihe seized from His Majesty, with him just a puppet emperor supported by his wife’s family. With real power in the Empress’s hands, people would naturally favor Shen Xihe.
Understanding his thoughts, the pressure in Shen Xihe’s chest grew more uncomfortable: “Do you know… what you’re saying? Have you considered the consequences?”
“I’m perfectly clear-headed.” Xiao Huayong’s eyes were as gentle as a spring breeze. “Youyou, I know our greatest obstacle is the future.”
The future was unpredictable, hearts could change easily, and they stood at the very center of power. Though this pained Xiao Huayong, he understood Shen Xihe’s concerns. In her position, he would feel the same.
“You dare not trust, but I want to believe.” Xiao Huayong’s dark eyes were firm and profound.
Let him be the one who believed unwaveringly that no matter what honors or power she gained, Shen Xihe wouldn’t be consumed and erased by power, and wouldn’t become someone who abandoned him for power.
A fleeting sourness passed through her eyes, and Shen Xihe’s spirit trembled. She stared at Xiao Huayong, somewhat dazed: “You…”
“I’m willing to be your puppet, controlled by you.” Xiao Huayong’s large fingers enveloped her hand, his tone carrying solemn trust.
For a moment, Shen Xihe didn’t know what to say. Her mouth opened, but countless words disappeared at her lips.
“These are just my hopes and plans for our future. Youyou needn’t think too deeply about it. When the time comes and I fulfill my words, you can decide how to treat me then.” Xiao Huayong was skilled at winning Shen Xihe’s heart. Seeing her confusion and hesitation, he retreated to advance: “But for that chance to come, we must be the last ones standing. Otherwise, it’s all empty talk. Given the current situation, Youyou has already created this dynamic to protect me. Let’s continue down this path.”
To protect Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe had gone all out against His Majesty, showing court officials and royal relatives her intentions and attitude. This situation wouldn’t change until everything settled.
Xiao Huayong’s words left even the normally clear-headed Shen Xihe’s mind blank. If he had said these things before their marriage, she would have dismissed them as passing words.
Somehow, she had begun to believe his words. When he had once spoken of Pan-Yang’s friendship, she could laugh it off. Now when he spoke such words, her instincts told her Xiao Huayong meant every word, and her understanding of him told her he would truly act this way in the future. Yet her reason still pulled at her, telling her to stay clearheaded.
Shen Xihe, whose heart was usually as calm as a still lake, was thrown into chaos by Xiao Huayong’s words. She couldn’t speak words of trust, nor could she express disbelief as she once would have. This was perhaps the clearest change in her feelings toward Xiao Huayong.
She could only follow his suggestion to set it aside. They had many days ahead, and these were matters for the distant future. She shouldn’t worry about them now.
His Majesty had given An Zhengyi poisoned wine. Shen Xihe sent Zhenzhu to accompany Doctor Liu to personally witness An Zhengyi drink it. Zhenzhu checked his pulse, and An Zhengyi’s body was returned to An Jingnan. An Jingnan was demoted and left the temporary palace, claiming he had lost face to stay.
With the An Northern Protector position vacant, many began jockeying for position, watching the Eastern Palace’s reaction. Shen Xihe paid no attention, letting them compete.
Emperor Youning, for whatever reason, didn’t immediately appoint a new Protector, focusing instead on the disaster in Deng Prefecture, even passing the Mid-Autumn Festival hastily.
The twentieth of August was when the Imperial Astronomers calculated rain would fall in Deng Prefecture, differing by several days from the date Shen Yueshan had given her. Both Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong were watching for news from Deng Prefecture.
“If there’s no rain in Deng Prefecture today, there might be civil unrest,” Xiao Huayong whispered in Shen Xihe’s ear.
Whether Deng Prefecture would have rain was unknown, but the temporary palace certainly would. Heavy black clouds covered the sky above, and the gloomy sun made many uneasy, even dampening His Majesty’s mood.
“Why would there be unrest?” Shen Xihe didn’t pay much attention to state affairs, let alone local matters.
“Sixth Brother has been spreading the word about rain today in Deng Prefecture. Many commoners have sought confirmation from officials. Though Eighth Brother hasn’t personally confirmed it, he hasn’t denied it either. The court astronomers’ prediction of rain today has spread throughout Deng Prefecture.” Xiao Huayong stared at the threatening dark sky, his dark eyes seeming tinged with heavy clouds, making his thoughts unreadable.
“What is he doing? Does he know someone who can read the heavens and has predicted it won’t rain today?” Otherwise, why make this useless effort?
Xiao Huayong shook his head slightly: “Astronomical matters are profound mysteries. No one can predict with absolute certainty. The court astronomers have been wrong before. He’s just spreading rumors. If their prediction is right, it won’t harm him, if they’re wrong…”
Both His Majesty and Prince Jing Xiao Changyan would suffer.
The people had endured for half a year, hanging by a thread waiting for this day. If that thread snapped…
“Youyou, perhaps we should postpone releasing the palace servants.” Xiao Huayong worried that the expert known to the Shen family might make a mistake.
His Majesty was currently anxious for an opportunity to move against Shen Xihe.