After sending a bowl of wontons, Shen Xihe still decided to personally visit and express her gratitude the next day.
“Your Highness, your hands…” Shen Xihe noticed several of Xiao Huayong’s fingers wrapped in cloth and grew curious.
Standing behind Xiao Huayong, Tian Yuan hurriedly lowered his head, forcefully suppressing his unruly upturned lips.
He had followed the Crown Prince since he was five years old. His Highness was intelligent and perceptive – whether it was astronomy, geography, calligraphy, or martial arts, he learned everything more quickly and with greater understanding than others. Tian Yuan had always thought Xiao Huayong could master anything with ease.
Who would have thought he’d be defeated by a kitchen knife?
Xiao Huayong looked at his bandaged fingers, his gaze faltering briefly before speaking casually: “The weather has turned cold… *cough* *cough* *cough*. When I was young, I developed chilblains at a Taoist temple. When the weather turns cold… *cough* *cough* *cough*, they easily recur.”
Shen Xihe turned her head slightly. Outside the carved window lattice, maple leaves were red, osmanthus fragrance was thick, and chrysanthemums were in full bloom.
She had never had chilblains herself, though she’d heard they could recur in cold weather, but she vaguely felt it wasn’t quite that early in the season.
Meeting Shen Xihe’s half-believing gaze, Xiao Huayong coughed lightly before adding softly: “I’m physically weak…”
So it was because of his weak constitution that they recurred easily?
Still somewhat doubtful, Shen Xihe didn’t pursue the matter further: “I came today to thank Your Highness for your assistance.”
“Such a small matter… the Princess need not concern herself…” Xiao Huayong’s voice was feeble, then he added with a hint of suggestion, “Princess *cough* *cough* *cough*… the wontons the Princess made yesterday were quite… delicious.”
Shen Xihe pretended not to catch his meaning: “I’m glad Your Highness didn’t find them disagreeable.”
“How could I find them disagreeable…” Xiao Huayong hastily objected, triggering a bout of urgent coughing. After a while, he finally settled down, “I’ve loved wontons since childhood… *cough* *cough* *cough*… but somehow, when others make them, just the smell makes me feel *cough* *cough* *cough*… greasy.”
Tian Yuan: …
His master was shameless enough to lie just to get another taste of the Princess’s wontons!
If Jiu Zhang, who carefully prepared His Highness’s meals, heard this, wouldn’t he cry?
Shen Xihe hadn’t expected Xiao Huayong to be so direct. She could only say: “Zhaoning will write down the recipe for Your Highness.”
“*Cough* *cough* *cough*… much obliged, Princess.” Xiao Huayong seemed to have been waiting for just this.
Tian Yuan cleverly had palace servants prepare writing materials.
Shen Xihe asked seriously: “Besides expressing gratitude, I have another question about my presumptuous visit today.”
Xiao Huayong: “Please ask, Princess…”
“How did Your Highness learn of the Anxi matter?” This was Shen Xihe’s main purpose.
Since Xiao Huayong had expressed wanting to work together with her, she didn’t bother trying to figure it out or make inquiries elsewhere, instead asking him directly.
Shen Xihe figured that for Xiao Huayong to know so quickly, he either had people in the Northwest or was watching Xiao Changying. Either way, it proved Xiao Huayong had many useful people at his disposal.
However, given that Xiao Huayong only acted after Xiao Changying approached her, the latter seemed more likely.
“To be honest with the Princess…” Xiao Huayong’s sickly face showed a weak smile, “I have my people in every prince’s residence.”
Shen Xihe’s eyes flickered – he had said “prince’s residence,” not “Fierce Prince’s mansion!”
Meaning he had people in every prince’s household!
For someone who had left the palace at age eight to achieve this was truly astounding.
“Your Highness…” Shen Xihe raised her eyes, fixing her gaze on his sickly appearance, “what are your thoughts on the Northwest?”
The corners of Xiao Huayong’s lips curved into a smile: “The Northwest King is valiant and skilled in warfare… the heir is invincible in battle *cough* *cough* *cough*. As long as the Turks are not eliminated, the Northwest cannot do without fierce generals. Separate civil and military administration is unsuitable for the Northwest at present.”
“In past years, weren’t the three Protectorate Generals and three Area Commands ruling jointly quite good?” Shen Xihe smiled lightly.
Xiao Huayong shook his head gently: “Mutual restraint is suitable for the capital and localities, but not for frontier territories *cough* *cough* *cough*… Everyone has private interests… Some pursue profit with utter ruthlessness… The frontier people are the ones who suffer…”
Before Shen Yueshan, the Northwest was governed by six divided Protectorate Generals and Area Commands. Though they hadn’t lost territory to foreign enemies, there were frequent conflicts. Foreign tribes easily provoked troubles, leading to constant warfare. The Northwest people’s suffering was unbearable.
After Shen Yueshan became the Northwest King, directly governing all six commands and unifying the Northwest’s development with equal emphasis on civil and military affairs, the Northwest finally gained true peace and recovery from warfare.
“Your Highness also says everyone has private interests. The Northwest King’s power is enough to establish an independent state – how can a monarch tolerate this?” Shen Xihe said.
It was understandable that the Youning Emperor couldn’t tolerate Shen Yueshan. Shen Yueshan had reorganized the Northwest, making it increasingly prosperous. Foreign enemies trembled at his name. The common people were simple – they didn’t care who was emperor, only respecting whoever kept them fed, clothed, and living in peace.
Shen Yueshan was like a god in the Northwest. The people gradually forgot the Youning Emperor’s existence. Though Shen Yueshan had no greater ambitions, who could guarantee Shen Yun’an wouldn’t? Even if Shen Yun’an didn’t, could anyone guarantee his sons wouldn’t either?
The Northwest – the entire Longyou Circuit – hadn’t it been an independent country’s territory during the time of the Five Services and Sixteen States?
Moreover, the Northwest bordered Qin Prefecture to the east, extended beyond the flowing sands to the west, connected to Shu and Tibet in the south, and bordered the northern desert. Passing through the Northwest, one could directly take the Central Plains.
Who could rest easy letting someone’s family control it generation after generation?
If they encountered someone with ambition, it would be like nurturing a tiger – the empire would be in danger.
“Eliminate the Turks, reorganize the army, strengthen the imperial guards, reform internal governance.” Xiao Huayong gave Shen Xihe twelve characters.
Eliminate the Turks so the Northwest would have no strong external threats. Reorganize the army for unity, centralizing military power in the emperor’s hands.
Strengthen the capital’s imperial guards’ training, and build an army stronger than the Northwest army, so even if Northwest military leaders had the heart for rebellion, they wouldn’t have the courage.
Clean up the Northwest’s internal governance, appointing officials who truly understand governing the Northwest and prioritize its people’s welfare.
After speaking, Xiao Huayong said softly: “The key is using the right people.”
With the right people, the Northwest would naturally be peaceful and loyal to the court.
“It can’t be accomplished in a day,” Shen Xihe sighed lightly.
She gained new insight into Xiao Huayong. He was a crown prince with a grand vision and ambition. If he could become emperor, he would surely become a wise ruler praised in song and story.
“Your Highness, do you know what I seek?” Shen Xihe raised her warm teacup and took a small sip.
“The Shen family’s safety and well-being, and the Northwest… to remain undisturbed,” Xiao Huayong smiled slightly.
His gentle smile bloomed on his pale face, instantly making people feel close to him while involuntarily feeling regret.
“Can Your Highness provide this?” Shen Xihe asked.
“Yes.” His answer was clean and crisp, resounding with certainty.
Shen Xihe looked at him quietly, her calm eyes showing no emotion. Suddenly she smiled: “Your Highness, I am someone who doesn’t trust others, nor will I entrust my fate to others.”
She didn’t say she didn’t trust him, only telling him what kind of person she was.
Xiao Huayong’s pale lips spread into a wider smile, and he said to her: “What a coincidence, I’m the same.”