“Little Eight’s people have entered the city and will arrive shortly.” Xiao Huayong watched Xiao Changyan’s movements closely, having received news almost as soon as Xiao Changyan’s people set out.

Past the fifth watch period, as dawn was breaking, Shen Xihe rose early to dress. Xiao Huayong stood behind her, naturally taking the comb from Biyu’s hands and brushing through Shen Xihe’s loose black hair with measured strokes.

Shen Xihe sat properly, her eyes bright and clear, fingertips playing with a hair ornament: “Prince Jing is different from you. He will save Prince Yan.”

Xiao Huayong’s hand paused briefly, but resumed as if nothing had happened: “Do Youyou think Little Eight is more benevolent than me?”

Though his tone seemed emotionless and unperturbed, Shen Xihe knew he was displeased. She raised her eyes to the mirror: “Am I wrong? If it were Beichen here, Prince Yan would already be a corpse.”

Whether or not Xiao Huayong, caught in this trap, realized everything was a conspiracy, he would act decisively and turn Xiao Changgeng into a dead man. With a ready scapegoat already found, what was there to fear about taking action?

Once Xiao Changgeng was dead, he would never be put in a passive position.

“Youyou truly know me well.” Xiao Huayong’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Seeing him force such an ugly smile, Shen Xihe lowered her head with a gentle smile: “I don’t think you’re heartless or cruel. You’re different from Prince Jing. Prince Jing had his birth mother’s companionship in his youth, then his maternal family’s devoted protection, and later fought battles in An’nan City. He has a sense of righteousness in his bones. When Prince Yan took a fatal blow for him, it would remind him of fighting alongside his commanders on the battlefield, touching the loyalty in his heart.

You’ve been alone since childhood. You’re used to fighting alone, not needing anyone’s help, and won’t trust others. For you, these attachments aren’t arms and legs to rely on, they’re just burdens.”

If Xiao Changqin was an agile leopard and Xiao Changyan was a fierce wolf, then Xiao Huayong was undoubtedly an indolent tiger. Tigers don’t like to associate with any other species – they’re accustomed to solitude and enjoy it. They’ll mercilessly destroy any living thing that approaches, even if it shows goodwill.

Different environments naturally lead to different ways of doing things.

In an instant, Xiao Huayong’s handsome face changed from cloudy to clear. His fingers deftly arranged Shen Xihe’s hair into a bun: “Youyou is wrong about one thing. I will trust one person, trust them with my life.”

As he spoke, he took the hair ornament from her hand and inserted it into her hair, securing the bun.

“I’m grateful for Beichen’s deep affection. I hope I won’t disappoint your trust.” Shen Xihe smiled candidly.

Xiao Huayong’s hand trembled, catching on the ornament and pulling it from her hair. The ornament fell to the ground with a clear sound, though fortunately being silver-handled, it wasn’t damaged.

Shen Xihe bent down to pick it up and handed it back: “People will arrive soon, Beichen should hurry.”

“Ah? Oh!” Xiao Huayong took the ornament with slightly shaking hands, redoing the bun, and inserting the ornament. His tumultuous emotions gradually calmed.

From disbelief to acceptance, this was the first time Shen Xihe had responded to his countless declarations of devotion. Though her words were indirect, the meaning was that she trusted him. Understanding this, Xiao Huayong couldn’t help but smile, his smile as sweet as flowers swaying in the spring breeze, bright and warm.

By the time Xiao Changyan’s people knelt before them, pale-faced and soaked through, Xiao Huayong was still somewhat dazed.

“How was Prince Yan injured?” Shen Xihe had sent Axi rushing over on horseback, keeping back the person who came seeking medical help to learn the cause.

The messenger lowered his head and prostrated himself: “Reporting to the Crown Princess, this humble one doesn’t know. I only know that His Highness and Prince Yan passed through in the rain late at night. Prince Yan was ambushed and lost consciousness. The local office called for the county’s best physician, but the doctor didn’t know what poison Prince Yan was afflicted with. The situation is critical, so I was sent to seek help from the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.”

This person was quite articulate. Shen Xihe could tell Xiao Changyan must have given specific instructions, so further questioning would be futile. She waved for him to withdraw.

Wenzhou County couldn’t be left unattended, and it wasn’t appropriate for Xiao Huayong to travel, so Shen Xihe couldn’t go visit.

This was also within Xiao Changyan’s expectations, which was why he had saved Xiao Changgeng without hesitation. When Axi arrived, it would naturally be a case of the right medicine curing the illness. The poison wasn’t actually on the arrow – that would have been too dangerous, risking Xiao Changgeng’s life if something went wrong. Since these were Xiao Huayong’s people, Shen Xihe wouldn’t take such a risk.

The poison had been on Xiao Changgeng’s hand all along. He had taken it himself after being hit by the arrow. The poison wasn’t lethal and wouldn’t harm his internal organs; at most it would cause diarrhea and vomiting, and even had the effect of cleansing the digestive system. It was created by Xie Wunhuai.

“Twelfth Brother, are you still feeling unwell anywhere?” As soon as Xiao Changyan heard Xiao Changgeng was awake, he immediately came forward with concern, having not slept all night himself.

Xiao Changgeng had vomited several times and was very weak. He had just managed to drink a bowl of thin rice porridge and regained some energy: “Don’t worry, Eighth Brother. I’m fine.”

Xiao Changyan studied him for a moment before saying guiltily: “It’s my fault. When I discovered you were missing, I shouldn’t have been so arrogant. I should have reported to His Majesty immediately. Then you wouldn’t have suffered so much and nearly lost your life.”

“Eighth Brother needn’t feel guilty. The situation was critical – even if His Majesty had been informed early, he couldn’t have sent anyone to save me.” Xiao Changgeng was very understanding. “It would only have driven my kidnappers to desperate measures, which would have been worse for me.”

“Does Twelfth Brother have any suspicions about who kidnapped you?” Xiao Changyan asked.

Xiao Changgeng lowered his head and pondered for a moment before slowly shaking it: “They imprisoned me but didn’t torture me or question me. They didn’t even skimp on food. I can’t figure out their purpose…”

As if suddenly remembering something, Xiao Changgeng abruptly said: “These days I’ve been thinking there’s one person who’s very likely.”

“Who?” Xiao Changyan stared at him intently.

Xiao Changgeng looked outside to confirm no one was there before saying: “Has Eighth Brother heard of the Imperial Uncle?”

Xiao Juesong?

Xiao Changgeng’s thinking of this person was outside Xiao Changyan’s expectations.

“The person who ambushed me that day had exceptional martial skills, definitely not ordinary. After kidnapping me they made no other demands. I suppose they were waiting for Eighth Brother to seek help from the court, which would then incite civil unrest and defame His Majesty…” Xiao Changgeng reasoned logically.

“If it’s him… the Crown Prince has been here for half a month. Why hasn’t he made a move yet?” Xiao Changyan considered the possibility of Xiao Juesong being here.

“The Crown Prince Brother is in Dengzhou?” Xiao Changgeng was surprised, then continued, “Perhaps the Imperial Uncle isn’t here himself, but only has agents hiding here who dare not act rashly.”

Xiao Changyan pondered this, thinking of the news he’d just received – the clues about that arrow pointed to Yu Gong, the Prefecture Governor of Dengzhou.