HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 626: I Will Plan Everything Wholeheartedly for You

Chapter 626: I Will Plan Everything Wholeheartedly for You

The commoners would certainly petition. From spring until now, not a single rainfall has blessed Dengzhou for over half a year. The people’s hearts were already anxious, and after experiencing the Imperial Astronomers’ miscalculation and their hopes being dashed, they were like people tossed into deep seas, tumbling among giant waves – they would desperately grasp at even the smallest hope for survival.

To the common people, pardoning the palace women merely meant releasing some palace maids in exchange for the possibility of rain that could save countless lives from suffering. Even if it wasn’t certain, it was worth attempting.

This point was clear to everyone, and Emperor Youning naturally understood as well. From the moment Xiao Changqin proposed this palace pardon, His Majesty had no choice but to grant it, whether he wished to or not.

“His Majesty wishes to see if Prince Xin is truly stirring up trouble in Dengzhou,” Shen Xihe instantly comprehended.

Dengzhou’s people couldn’t have learned of Xiao Changqin’s proposal so quickly. The capable court officials all had their measures and wouldn’t involve themselves at this time, preferring to stay clear of the situation. Those lacking capability wouldn’t dare to take the lead, and perhaps couldn’t even grasp His Majesty’s deeper intentions.

“Fifth Brother isn’t a fool. His Majesty is bound to be disappointed,” Xiao Huayong took the scissors from Shen Xihe’s hands, bending down to trim the Pingzhongye bonsai before her.

This bonsai was his gift to Shen Xihe before their marriage. She particularly treasured it, even bringing it to the temporary palace. Since their marriage, whether trimming or daily watering, Shen Xihe wouldn’t let others handle it – only Xiao Huayong could touch it.

He never deeply pondered whether this was due to her excessive love for the Pingzhongye or because she valued it as his gift. He simply assumed the latter, taking her treasuring of this item as treasuring his feelings for her.

Shen Xihe shifted her position to make it easier for Xiao Huayong to work. After autumn began, the Pingzhongye started shedding its green attire for the golden dress. Occasionally, the golden edges would wrap around traces of green showing through the central veins, creating a uniquely pleasing sight.

“This is your chance to give Prince Xin a way to clear himself.” Xiao Changqin must have already arranged for someone to widely spread his words throughout Dengzhou, stirring the hearts of every citizen. However, he needed to use others’ hands to create this smokescreen.

Thus, even though Prince Jing Xiao Changyan and His Majesty had already discovered that the person who leaked the Imperial Astronomers’ rain prediction and caused the civil unrest was likely Xiao Changqin, the emergence of a third force would create uncertainty about who was really behind it all.

Xiao Changqin hadn’t been guarding against Xiao Huayong and hadn’t done anything major in Dengzhou, thus growing careless. This led to Xiao Huayong making a big deal out of small matters, forcing Xiao Changqin to personally help Shen Xihe propose the palace pardon in exchange for Xiao Huayong’s withdrawal.

Xiao Huayong had indeed withdrawn, but his previous actions in Dengzhou had left traces. To completely move past this and ensure His Majesty couldn’t determine if he was behind the events in Dengzhou, he could only take this opportunity to frame someone else.

If Xiao Changqin’s words about pardoning the palace women to pray for rain were spread through others’ mouths, it would muddy the waters and instead clear his name. This was better than having His Majesty harbor suspicions about him due to the earlier Imperial Astronomers’ incident.

“We shall simply observe from the sidelines,” With a snip, Xiao Huayong cut off an excess branch, his deep gaze tinged with light, appearing so profound it inspired awe in observers. Setting down the scissors, he picked up the fallen branch, twirling it between his fingers. “Youyou, remember, you have me, and you have the people I’ve given you. Both I and the people I’ve trained are at your disposal, and others can be used by you as well.”

Xiao Huayong never doubted Shen Xihe’s intelligence. He had noticed early on that her actions matched her personality – she operated independently, never utilizing others, always handling matters personally.

Just like this palace pardon – though she would be the beneficiary if Shen Xihe had proposed it herself, Emperor Youning certainly wouldn’t have easily agreed. For Shen Xihe to achieve her wishes, especially before the rain came, she would likely have had to directly confront Emperor Youning or place herself in a passive and dangerous position.

Though Shen Xihe could see all this, she still chose to act personally, never considering using others’ hands as he did.

It wasn’t that Shen Xihe lacked the courage or wisdom, nor that she could not make it happen – it was simply her usual way of doing things.

She seemed to dislike associating with others, dislike making enemies, and dislike excessive entanglements with others. She would only rely on her strength – not out of stubbornness or solitary courage, but as if it were a behavioral habit carved into her bones.

This puzzled Xiao Huayong. Generally, people who developed such behavioral patterns were those who walked alone in a world, where cruelty and indifference taught them to trust and rely only on themselves, never hoping for anything from others.

Logically, Shen Xihe had grown up cherished by Shen Yueshan and Shen Yun’an – how had she developed such a heartbreaking solitude?

Shen Xihe paused slightly, lowering her butterfly-wing-like long lashes: “Father and Brother were away for years. If I had requests, they would certainly fulfill them, but I was already their burden – I could only handle things myself as much as possible.”

In her youth, she rarely saw Shen Yueshan and Shen Yun’an. Amidst beacon fires and wolf smoke, with endless foreign enemies and unending warfare, she always watched them depart in bright armor and return covered in blood.

Many needs remained stuck in her throat – she dared not and could not bear to speak them. She could only slowly plan things herself, gradually becoming accustomed to handling major matters without troubling others.

“But your reminder is right – this isn’t good, I’ll change in the future.” Shen Xihe naturally had flaws, but until someone pointed them out, she hadn’t realized them herself.

Because she actively acknowledged her mistake and said she would change, Xiao Huayong swallowed the words that had reached his throat. He solemnly held her hand: “Youyou, I hope you’ll remember, you are my wife. I know you’re not a woman who depends on men, but I hope you’ll rely on me, trust me. I’m different from your father and brother – they have national gates to guard, but I can plan wholeheartedly for you.

Naturally, whenever I have any requests of you, I’ll also speak them without reservation.”

Would she begin to get used to and remember that there was someone behind her from that moment on?

This unprecedented thought, when meeting his unfathomably deep eyes, somehow made Shen Xihe feel it wasn’t so hard to accept. Her gaze softened: “Alright.”

Xiao Huayong liked this about Shen Xihe – she was straightforward and sincere, willing to follow her heart, neither deceiving others nor herself.

Perhaps due to the urgency of time, that very afternoon the people of Dengzhou began stirring in large numbers. Villagers from various areas indeed jointly petitioned His Majesty to pardon the palace women. The speed was astonishing as if it had been arranged in advance.

Seeing the masses of people kneeling in the city, filling the streets as far as the eye could see, Prince Jing Xiao Changyan had no choice but to send the joint petition to the temporary palace. Meanwhile, he discreetly captured some of the leaders, and after severe interrogation, discovered these people belonged to Prince Zhao Xiao Changmin.

Thus Shen Xihe learned that Xiao Changqin had chosen Xiao Changmin as his scapegoat.

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