Shen Xihe stared at him sharply – he wanted her to fake a pregnancy!

As if unaware of the shocking nature of his words, Xiao Huayong smiled gently, his eyes showing a trace of tender reverence: “By my calculations, I should live to see the child.”

“Xiao Beichen!” Shen Xihe ground out his name through her teeth.

Having gathered his courage and composed himself, Xiao Huayong looked at Shen Xihe and said: “Youyou, Master Gu said those afflicted by this poison rarely conceive. I fear I cannot give you a child of your flesh and blood.

This works well – we’ll announce your pregnancy now, and after eight months we’ll bring in a male infant. Though not of your blood, if he’s well-behaved and sensible, and you don’t wish to trouble yourself, you can nurture him well. If he’s rebellious and unfilial, you need not show mercy.

I’ve thought it through. Many commoners birth children they cannot raise. I’ll arrange everything carefully – the child will have no birthmarks, and during his growth, we’ll have Axi examine his bone structure to ensure he bears no familial resemblance, just one or two features similar to mine.”

Contemplating a future where he might not accompany her for life, Xiao Huayong had considered many things. Shen Xihe must have a child, specifically a son. This way, before his departure, he could establish the child’s position as Imperial Grandson. With an Imperial Grandson, no new Crown Prince would be appointed, and Shen Xihe could remain in the palace with the child.

She would remain the legitimate mother, and her situation wouldn’t become difficult, though she would have to fight alone and work harder. Xiao Huayong firmly believed these challenges wouldn’t hinder her determination to protect the Northwest and her loved ones. The final victory would surely be hers.

He would clear away all obstacles for her in his remaining days, whether from the Emperor or other troublemakers.

“Do you know what you’re saying?!” Shen Xihe had never been so angry – so angry that each breath felt like knives slicing through her body.

“Confusing the imperial bloodline?” What others wouldn’t dare think of, Xiao Huayong spoke of so casually, completely unconcerned. “Hasn’t the imperial bloodline always belonged to those capable of ruling?”

The Xiao family wasn’t the first royal clan, nor would it be the last.

Before the founding emperor seized power, the Xiao family were merely officials. Only during the chaotic times did they rise above others in the struggle for power to become the royal family.

Xiao Huayong firmly believed that even if future rulers remained of Xiao’s blood, who could predict how many generations the Xiao royal line would continue?

As long as the realm was given to someone capable, who could benefit the common people, speak for the masses, and make the dynasty prosper – what did it matter if they weren’t his flesh and blood?

He trusted whoever Shen Xihe chose wouldn’t disappoint, and even if they did, Shen Xihe would still be there.

Countless times before, Xiao Huayong had felt frustrated that his wife was too clever and resilient, making it difficult for him to feel accomplished through her. Now he was incredibly grateful that his wife was Shen Xihe – whether he was present or not, she could stand proudly between heaven and earth, living out her destined glory.

Perhaps this was what truly attracted him to her, what made him so hopelessly devoted.

Shen Xihe’s gaze gradually became sharp and cold: “Xiao Beichen, by what right do you strip me of my qualification to be a mother?”

Xiao Huayong’s body trembled, his eyes confused and pained. He closed his eyes and turned away from Shen Xihe. His hands clasped behind his back tightened and loosened repeatedly. After a long while, he spoke in an almost soulless voice: “I… am not stripping you of your qualification to be a mother…”

The breeze carried these words to Shen Xihe’s ears, and her blood surged. The usually composed and elegant Shen Xihe was so enraged she forgot everything else. She pushed Xiao Huayong into the river with all her might: “Just die now!”

After speaking, she turned and left without looking back.

He suggested she remarry and have children with another man!

It infuriated her, absolutely infuriated her!

In all her life, Shen Xihe had never been this angry – so angry her chest heaved continuously, so angry everything looked wrong to her eyes, so angry she wanted to rebuke everyone she saw and destroy everything she touched.

But she was still the Crown Princess – she couldn’t behave this way, yet couldn’t suppress it either. She rushed straight to the palace stables, took her horse, and despite her unsuitable attire for riding, mounted and galloped away.

Xiao Huayong fell into the water but quickly surfaced, still somewhat dazed. Watching Shen Xihe storm away in anger, he hurriedly climbed ashore to chase after her. Realizing his current state was inappropriate for pursuit, he ordered Tianyuan to follow her while he quickly changed clothes, putting on his outer robe and tying his belt, pale-faced and flustered as he gave chase.

Many palace servants witnessed this, and soon rumors spread that the Crown Princess had caught a palace maid in bed with the Crown Prince.

When Xiao Huayong brought a horse to chase after her, Zhenzhu stopped him. While the Crown Prince could ride horses, galloping was a serious matter: “Your Highness, if you chase after her like this, I fear it will only make the Crown Princess more difficult to appease.”

Though unaware of what had transpired between Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe, Zhenzhu believed that if Xiao Huayong acted recklessly and invited suspicion, the situation would only worsen.

Xiao Huayong was too anxious to care about such things. Since he planned to “pass away” in eight months anyway, he didn’t care if anyone harbored suspicions. If anyone dared to test them, he wouldn’t mind turning them into criminals who had attempted to harm the Crown Prince.

However, just as he mounted his horse, he heard hoofbeats. The palace grounds weren’t large, and Shen Xihe had completed a circuit and returned. Seeing Xiao Huayong made her even angrier. She charged straight at him, and as her horse passed by, she pushed him off his mount again. Those below, including Zhenzhu, quickly caught him.

Shen Xihe didn’t ride far anymore, just circling.

Such commotion naturally drew many onlookers, even Emperor Youning came with Noble Consort Shu, and several princes arrived in succession.

They saw Shen Xihe riding at full gallop, her expression dark.

Xiao Huayong, supported by Eastern Palace guards, watched Shen Xihe anxiously, his face showing guilt and distress.

“We heard the Crown Princess rush angrily from the Eastern Palace to the stables, and you pursued in panic. What drama are you two performing?” Emperor Youning asked as he approached.

“Who would dare spread such rumors before Your Majesty?” The moment Shen Xihe saw Emperor Youning, she reined in her horse, dismounted quickly to pay her respects, and immediately refuted his words. “It was merely that I suddenly wished to ride, and since the Crown Prince had just returned to the palace, I told him to rest. I suspect he heard I had gone to the stables to ride and, worried I might hurt myself, hurried after me.”

“That’s exactly right, Your Majesty,” Xiao Huayong naturally supported Shen Xihe’s explanation.

It wasn’t a secret that Xiao Huayong had gone to the Cui mansion, and he had indeed just returned. The rumor about taking a palace maid didn’t make sense.

“It is my fault for not managing the palace strictly enough, allowing such baseless matters to disturb Your Majesty. I will thoroughly investigate and severely punish those responsible,” Shen Xihe added, her cold gaze sweeping past Liu Sanzhi at Emperor Youning’s side.

She had a surplus of anger with nowhere to direct it.

The last amnesty had released palace maids but overlooked the Department of Internal Service – perfect timing to make an example of them.