“Send Prince Li to the Northwest?” Tianyuan’s eyelid twitched as he quietly sought confirmation.

“Is there a problem?”

Xiao Huayong gently lifted the parasol tree leaf, holding it toward the incoming light. Looking at the exquisite silhouette in the soft glow, his eyes seemed to blend with the rosy light, warmth rippling through them as his lips curved upward.

“Your Highness, when Prince Li was being hunted down and fled to the Princess’s presence, the Northwestern King’s manor also played a part…” Tianyuan reminded him nervously, shrinking his neck.

When Consort Wei’s family had ordered Xiao Changying’s death over the rouge case, various factions had shown their capabilities. The Northwestern King had also acted, secretly protecting Xiao Changying without directly saving him, creating an opportunity for Shen Xihe to rescue him instead.

This indicated that Shen Yueshan had thoughts of arranging a match between Shen Xihe and Xiao Changying.

Now, sending Xiao Changying to the Northwest – if he won the Northwestern King’s favor, Tianyuan feared his master would regret it.

Xiao Huayong’s smile faltered briefly before he let out a short laugh through his nose: “He has no chance.”

Xiao Huayong understood Shen Yueshan’s plans. He wanted to support Fifth Brother – Fifth Brother and Ninth Brother were born of the same mother and shared a deep brotherly bond. If Fifth Brother ascended the throne, Xiao Changying would be second only to the emperor. Considering this brotherhood, as long as Shen Yueshan didn’t cling to power, the Shen family would have a good ending, and Shen Xihe wouldn’t have to be trapped in the palace’s scheming.

For Shen Xihe, his precious pearl, Shen Yueshan had calculated every step. Without abandoning his responsibilities as Northwestern King or betraying the peace of the Northwest region, he had chosen what he thought was the best path for Shen Xihe.

Unfortunately, Shen Xihe hadn’t taken to Xiao Changying.

Thinking of this, Xiao Huayong couldn’t help feeling pleased, his lips curving up again. Though he didn’t know why Shen Xihe disliked Xiao Changying, he was certain that Shen Yueshan would never force her against her will.

Therefore, Xiao Changying had no chance.

Once Xiao Changying went to the Northwest, he would have someone subtly inform Shen Yueshan about how Xiao Changying had tried to threaten Shen Xihe with the defense map. Then he’d see how Xiao Changying could win Shen Yueshan’s favor.

Sensing his master’s strong displeasure, Tianyuan had done his duty as a subordinate by speaking up. Having said what needed to be said, he quickly slipped away.

While Shen Xihe was dealing with Xiao Changying, news of the missing Anxi Protectorate defense map spread in limited circles the next day. The rumors were detailed but lacked evidence.

The source of these rumors was unknown, but Emperor Youning convened the ministers of the Three Departments and Six Ministries to discuss it. Some believed there was no smoke without fire and that Shen Yueshan should be summoned to the capital immediately to explain.

Others suggested it might be a ruse to drive a wedge between the emperor and the subject. If His Majesty summoned Shen Yueshan, leaving the northwest undefended, enemies might attack. Who would take responsibility if the northwest fell while unmanned?

As the two sides argued, Emperor Youning summoned his adult sons to hear their opinions.

At this moment, Xiao Changying was troubled. He had an intercepted defense map but couldn’t confirm its authenticity. If it were fake and he presented it, he would bear the blame for any plot to remove Shen Yueshan.

It wasn’t the right time to step forward.

He also knew that if he didn’t present it now, he could never do so later, as that would suggest deception toward the emperor.

No, he had another way!

So amid the ongoing argument, he stepped forward: “Father, I have a suggestion.”

“Let’s hear it.” Emperor Youning was getting a headache from the two sides arguing. These old foxes deliberately argued without offering solutions, knowing the gravity of the situation and fearing punishment if they gave the wrong advice.

“Both sides make valid points. Why not let me go to the Northwest to secretly investigate whether this is true?” Xiao Changying volunteered.

This way, if the defense map was genuine, he could find a legitimate way to handle it; if fake, he could investigate who had gone to such lengths to deliver a false map to him and why.

In the end, the ministers unanimously supported Xiao Changying’s proposal, though they debated who should go. After considering everyone’s calculations for a while, Emperor Youning still feared sending Xiao Changying.

“Your Highness…”

Since the news from the palace arrived, Shen Xihe had been standing in the small pavilion holding Duanming, silent for a long while. Biyu waited anxiously.

“Someone is helping us,” Shen Xihe said softly.

This person’s methods were superior to hers – making the real seem false and the false seem real, making something likely true become impossible to verify. The thief of the defense map probably wasn’t even sure if they had stolen a genuine map.

This made Emperor Youning carefully consider how to respond, questioning not only the map’s authenticity but also why someone would steal it or spread such rumors. The more he thought, the more uncertain he became.

In the Northwest, once Shen Yueshan heard the rumors, he would naturally have countermeasures.

And the map’s thief, aiming to deal with Shen Yueshan rather than commit treason, wouldn’t cause external chaos.

At this point, unless they sent the real map to enemies who then captured Anxi, there would never be proof that this map was genuine, as Shen Yueshan had enough time to respond.

“Who could it be?” Biyu felt relieved – they had overcome the major crisis regarding the defense map.

“I don’t know…” She should have been isolated in the capital, with only Bu Shulin possibly helping her.

But Bu Shulin certainly didn’t possess such wisdom…

“Your Highness, Guard Cao has brought food,” Hongyu led Tianyuan to the entrance.

Shen Xihe turned to see Tianyuan carrying a food box, stopping outside the pavilion: “Your Highness, the Eastern Palace served crab and pheasant today. The crab is rich, the pheasant tender. His Highness had orange stuffed with crab and pheasant soup prepared. His Highness is weak and can’t eat much, so he asked me to bring some to you.”

After speaking, Tianyuan presented the food box, which Shen Xihe gestured for Biyu to take.

Tianyuan added: “Your Highness, His Highness asked me to relay a message to you.”

Shen Xihe looked at Tianyuan, understanding. She stepped down from the pavilion and walked to his side. Tianyuan moved closer and respectfully said: “His Highness says that regarding the Anxi matter, Your Highness need not worry.”

Having delivered the message, Tianyuan immediately stepped back, bowed respectfully, and withdrew.

Shen Xihe’s heart stirred – this had been Xiao Huayong’s doing!

Of all people, she hadn’t considered Xiao Huayong.

It seemed his power and wisdom far exceeded her previous assessment.

By helping her like this and openly acknowledging it, he was showing his stance and sincerity, telling her he was willing to ally.

She felt his sincerity, but his strategy and capabilities had exceeded her expectations. She would need to carefully reconsider everything.