HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 720: The Death of the Prince of Shunnan

Chapter 720: The Death of the Prince of Shunnan

The next day, when the Baroness of Lingwu requested an audience, Shen Xihe hadn’t expected that the Lingwu Baron’s household, which barely retained its empty title, still had clever people who could grasp this point.

Many were now wondering why Shen Xihe had personally appeared yesterday to have Yu Sangning’s maid beaten to death. Many felt there must be a deeper meaning, as Shen Xihe wasn’t one to show off or establish authority, but most were seeing through a fog.

However, with the Baroness of Lingwu coming so formally with generous gifts to express gratitude, anyone with sense could understand the connection.

Yu Sangning’s malicious intentions were also glaringly obvious.

Shen Xihe graciously received the Baroness of Lingwu and Princess Anling who accompanied her. It wasn’t that she deliberately wanted to smear Yu Sangning – Shen Xihe wasn’t that petty – but when the Baroness came seeking an audience, she couldn’t refuse.

“Though the Baron of Lingwu isn’t accomplished in either civil or military affairs, he’s most cunning. His Majesty dislikes such people, but I think His Majesty lets personal preferences cloud his judgment, losing a potentially useful person,” Xiao Huayong emerged from the side after the Princess and her mother-in-law left.

“Does Your Highness want me to use this opportunity to win over the Lingwu Baron’s household?” Shen Xihe probed.

Though neither mentioned Xiao Huayong’s lifespan anymore, he spent his days paving the way for her without hesitation.

“Why should you lower yourself?” Xiao Huayong took Shen Xihe’s hand. “When you ascend to the throne and reach the highest position, clever people will naturally look to you for leadership and submit.”

Xiao Huayong didn’t need Shen Xihe to win anyone over. She didn’t need to humble herself for anything. She only needed to stand there, and everything she wanted, he would present before her.

“Beichen, I have no desire to be Empress,” Shen Xihe raised her eyes, her bright obsidian pupils reflecting Xiao Huayong’s figure. “As a daughter of the Shen family, I only wish to protect the Shen clan. Now, I’m not just a Shen daughter, but also a Xiao daughter-in-law. I won’t end the Xiao family’s imperial power, won’t let my husband leave even a slight stain in the history books.”

No matter how heroic Xiao Huayong might be, if she overthrew the Xiao family, centuries later, he would be condemned – because she, Shen Xihe, was his wife.

She never had ambition; everything she did was to protect those she wanted to protect.

The same was true for her father and brother – the cold dragon throne in Qinzheng Hall was far less appealing than the jolting horseback rides in the northwest that brought them joy and passion.

Xiao Huayong took her hand and gently kissed its back. He lowered his head slightly, gazing deeply at her. They were so close their noses almost touched: “I know. I just hope you can live more freely. Youyou, situations change in an instant. Sometimes though we harbor no divided loyalties, fate and circumstances force us onto such paths.

I naturally hope you’ll never be forced into such a passive, helpless situation, but I want you to remember, if that day truly comes, don’t worry too much.”

How could someone who didn’t even care whether the royal bloodline continued through his own flesh and blood care about such an intangible posthumous reputation?

He didn’t want Shen Xihe to place too much weight on this, lest it become a shackle at crucial moments, affecting her decisiveness.

Shen Xihe opened her eyes, quietly returning his gaze. His eyes held earnest anticipation and infinite tenderness, as soft as silk drawn from floss, incredibly gentle, making her heart soften too. She nodded slightly: “Don’t worry, I’m not a pedantic person.”

Xiao Huayong’s face broke into a smile, like melting ice and snow, warming the world.

Infected by his mood, Shen Xihe couldn’t help smiling too.

She seemed to smile more lately as if after marrying him, her smiles had gradually increased.

In stark contrast to Shen Xihe’s contentment, Yu Sangning was suffering deeply. She had originally planned to eliminate the Lingwu Baron’s household and regain her natal family’s support, but who knew that she, who had always sailed smoothly through life, would encounter setbacks whenever she met Shen Xihe.

Not only had she failed, but many people now knew her thoughts. Everyone avoided her like a snake or scorpion. Fortunately, her pregnancy allowed her to use the excuse of prenatal care to stay in the mansion, waiting for people to forget this matter.

However, her father and brothers grew increasingly wary of her, especially as the Lingwu Baron’s household launched full attacks, finding fault with the Yu family at every turn. Previously, the Yu family’s rank had been higher than the Lingwu Baron’s, but now without their title and with Yu Xiang demoted, they were often at a disadvantage, making Yu Xiang and his sons even more dissatisfied with Yu Sangning.

The only relief for Yu Sangning was Xiao Changmin’s attitude. Perhaps because she had never pretended in front of him, Xiao Changmin had always known her true nature, so he showed little change toward her, only arranging for palace maids to care for their twin children separately.

Five days later, on a clear morning, a galloping horse raced from the city gate straight to the palace gates. The rider on the fierce steed had white cloth bound around his arm. He knelt at the palace gate and presented a death notice: “Your Majesty, the Prince of Shunnan… has passed away!”

Though commoners didn’t approach the palace gates, the galloping horse had attracted many onlookers. These people worried it might be important military intelligence or news of war breaking out somewhere, so many had gathered.

The grief-stricken soldier’s loud voice carried to everyone – the Prince of Shunnan had died.

At this time, the grand morning court was in session at Yuji Palace. When the news arrived, there was an uproar.

The news was too sudden, catching everyone off guard. Except for Xiao Huayong, no one seemed to have the slightest preparation; all were shocked.

Xiao Huayong saw Emperor Youning’s facial muscles twitch twice, obviously furious to the extreme.

The news had been announced dramatically at the palace gates, yet Shunnan’s secret watchmen had been completely unaware. Someone had traveled from Shunnan to the capital without anyone noticing anything unusual – how could the emperor not be angry?

However, by the time the court officials recovered from their shock and looked toward His Majesty, he had already assumed a grief-stricken expression and immediately waved to dismiss the court.

Bu Shulin didn’t waste a moment, changing into mourning clothes, binding white cloth, and immediately entering the palace to request His Majesty’s permission to return to Shunnan for the funeral.

Emperor Youning had no excuse to delay or detain her. The dynasty ruled through filial piety, and mourning one’s father took precedence over everything, so he had to agree.

According to plan, Bu Shulin came to the Eastern Palace to bid farewell, but the one who left was no longer Bu Shulin herself, but someone Xiao Huayong had arranged to disguise as her.

“Leave now,” Shen Xihe personally tied the black cloth to blindfold Bu Shulin.

Xiao Huayong would lead Bu Shulin through the secret passage. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Bu Shulin, but knowing fewer secrets was also good for her.

Now everyone was watching Bu Shulin. No one knew she had been switched in the Eastern Palace. The Bu heir would depart overnight, while Bu Shulin now leaving through the secret passage could get several hours’ head start, gaining a considerable distance.

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