HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 667: Without Some Wisdom, How Would I Dare Marry You

Chapter 667: Without Some Wisdom, How Would I Dare Marry You

“You’re saying… the people who tried to assassinate me and Twelfth Brother that day were sent by Imperial Uncle? Governor Yu is truly in league with Imperial Uncle?” Xiao Changyan stood under the eaves with his hands behind his back, watching the fine rainfall like broken threads.

“Your servant dares not make hasty conclusions.” The advisor bowed his head. “But Your Highness, we need to give the Crown Prince and Crown Princess an explanation for Prince Yan’s capture and poisoning. How should we handle the aftermath?”

How to handle it? Xiao Changyan had been considering this matter. Though he hadn’t explicitly asked Xiao Changgeng to cover for him, since they had now shared a life-and-death experience, this didn’t need to be said – Xiao Changgeng would naturally protect him.

If the Crown Prince inquired, Xiao Changgeng would likely say he encountered danger that night, and that Xiao Changyan, worried by his prolonged absence, went looking for him, leading to both of them being pursued. After that, no more lies would be needed.

But the place where Xiao Changgeng was imprisoned for half a month – to completely erase those traces would require blowing up the mountain, turning everything to ash.

Blowing up a mountain without reason, especially at this crucial time, wasn’t something one person could manage. With more people involved, they might expose themselves before succeeding.

Moreover, though the rain here wasn’t as heavy as in Wenzhou County, it had been drizzling for over a month. The consequences of blowing up the mountain were unpredictable. Xiao Changyan decided not to destroy the evidence.

Since the evidence couldn’t be destroyed and couldn’t be prevented from being discovered, there was only one solution… pin the evidence on someone else.

The Governor of Dengzhou was qualified enough to be accused of kidnapping a prince. In Dengzhou’s jurisdiction, abducting a prince was somewhat plausible.

The advisor saw a flash of sharp intent in Xiao Changyan’s eyes and roughly guessed his intentions. He hesitated: “Your Highness, it might not be Governor Yu…”

If they were wrong, they wouldn’t be able to continue investigating the true mastermind.

“Whether it’s him or not doesn’t matter. Right now, our priority is to clear ourselves completely.” Xiao Changyan no longer had time to figure out all the causes and consequences. The urgent matter was to first resolve Xiao Changgeng’s disappearance in front of Xiao Huayong and especially Shen Xihe.

The advisor paused, knowing this matter couldn’t wait. If they hadn’t saved Prince Yan, there would still be time to maneuver, but now that they had alerted the Crown Prince and Crown Princess by seeking help, it became urgent.

Moreover, daring to kidnap a prince and imprison a Prince was hard to attribute to ordinary people. Under the current disaster, they couldn’t even find troublesome bandits to take the blame. After considering all options, Governor Yu was the most suitable choice.

“Your Highness, the Yu family is about to form a marriage alliance with Prince Zhao. If Your Highness moves against Governor Yu now, it’s declaring war on Prince Zhao…” The advisor still had concerns.

“Him?” Xiao Changyan sneered. “I don’t fear him.”

Among all his brothers, Xiao Changyan only disliked this eldest brother. After the Crown Prince passed away, this second brother constantly put on airs as the eldest, criticizing them and using discipline as an excuse to constantly assert his position as an elder brother.

In those years after the eldest prince died and the Crown Prince was recuperating in a Taoist temple, this brother, as the eldest remaining prince, had become incredibly smug.

Later, as he grew older, this brother learned to be more restrained, but this restraint was even more detestable. Like a snake hiding in the grass, he rarely showed his face but lurked waiting for opportunities. Though he desperately desired the throne, he put on the appearance of a virtuous prince, like a pure official focused only on affairs of state, unconcerned with fame or fortune.

Xiao Changmin had many schemes but lacked self-awareness, always unable to see his capabilities.

He was no longer the young brother who had to respect his elder brother in the Imperial Academy. If Xiao Changmin truly wanted to stand up for Yu Gong, he would face him head-on!

The advisor wanted to persuade him further but ultimately swallowed his words. Firstly, he couldn’t think of a better solution; secondly, having followed Xiao Changyan for so many years, he understood him – once Xiao Changyan made up his mind, further words would be futile.

“Little Eight has made his move.” As soon as Xiao Changyan’s people began plotting against Yu Gong, Xiao Huayong, who was watching his every move, knew.

“People act in self-interest. Prince Jing now has no choice but to confirm Governor Yu’s guilt in kidnapping Xiao Changgeng.” Shen Xihe had rarely managed to steal half a day of leisure, sitting in the room playing with her incense. “As for why Governor Yu would kidnap and imprison a prince, I’ve already thought of the reason for him.”

Connecting this matter to Xiao Juesong made perfect sense.

“Whether it can implicate the Marquis of Pingyao’s household depends on how ruthless Prince Jing is willing to be.” There was a faint gleam in Shen Xihe’s eyes.

She didn’t need to personally frame anyone – naturally, Xiao Changyan would settle the matter. If Xiao Changmin and the Marquis of Pingyao’s household wanted to hate someone, they couldn’t direct it at her.

“Youyou’s wisdom amazes me.” Xiao Huayong said, pretending to bow to Shen Xihe.

Using others to do one’s bidding – Shen Xihe had mastered it to such an extent that Xiao Huayong wasn’t just flattering her, he was truly impressed.

Neither Xiao Changyan who wielded the knife nor Yu Gong who would be cut knew they were merely pieces on Shen Xihe’s board.

Moving without a trace, killing invisibly; achieving her goals while remaining untainted, withdrawing cleanly and completely.

“Without some wisdom, how would I dare marry you?” Shen Xihe replied without looking up.

Until now, Shen Xihe had never been defeated by anyone, and the only person she couldn’t be certain of defeating was her current bedmate. If she hadn’t had some confidence in herself, even when Xiao Huayong had pushed her to that point back then, she might not have compromised.

“I’m honored that Youyou think so highly of me.” Xiao Huayong’s smile spread from his eyes to his brows, casting a soft glow over his face that was slightly paler than most people’s.

Shen Xihe turned to share a smile with him, then lowered her head to continue working with the incense. Xiao Huayong moved closer, staying by her side to hand her the tools she needed.

He always passed them at precisely the right moment, so Shen Xihe didn’t find him a hindrance and happily accepted his presence beside her. Their shadows, leaning on each other, were cast on the screen by candlelight, intimate and warm.

Xiao Changyan acted quickly. The next day, Yu Gong’s son was caught red-handed attempting to sabotage the waterway.

While digging the waterway, they created several temporary reservoirs to collect both existing water and continuing rainfall, planning to release it into the sea through the waterway once completed.

During this time, the temporary reservoirs were crucial and needed constant guarding. After such a long accumulation, if the water were released now, it would wash away all the people digging the waterway along the route, and the unstoppable water would cause flooding.

Yu Gong’s son had tried to destroy the reservoir. Shen Xihe didn’t know how Xiao Changyan managed it, but following the investigation, before Yu Gong could return from his travels, numerous pieces of irrefutable evidence against him were placed before Shen Xihe.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Chapters