In the great hall, everyone bowed their heads respectfully, silent as winter cicadas, each harboring different thoughts.
When had His Majesty, normally so composed and profound, shown such visible anger? The less astute were completely bewildered, unable to comprehend why Emperor Youning was so enraged about the Heir of Bu encountering danger.
Shouldn’t the Emperor be happier the more misfortune befell the Heir of Bu? Or was it because in this prosperous era, someone dared to openly hunt down a Prince’s heir, staining the Jialing River with blood – was this a slap in the face to the imperial court? Or perhaps the Emperor was merely putting on an act?
Though their minds twisted through countless possibilities, none dared to show their thoughts.
Emperor Youning suppressed the anger in his chest, his gaze sweeping heavily across everyone, passing over Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changyan, finally settling on Xiao Huayong, who was pale-faced and furrowing his brows, clearly enduring discomfort.
For a moment, Emperor Youning felt the impulse to send Xiao Huayong personally to search for the person – he wanted to see if Shen Xihe would be willing to give up this crucial chess piece.
“What does the Crown Prince think of the Jialing River incident?” Emperor Youning asked.
As if suddenly called upon, Xiao Huayong started slightly before respectfully responding: “Your Majesty, though the Heir of Bu hasn’t inherited his title yet, he is still an important court official. That he has attracted such vicious pursuit, from outside the capital to Jialing River *cough cough cough*… has caused public anxiety, and many unfavorable words about Your Majesty have emerged from nowhere.
This son believes we should order the Shannan Western Circuit and Jiannan Circuit officials and military to clear the path and provide protection along the route, strictly checking travel permits. Any suspicious persons should be detained and thoroughly investigated, to demonstrate Your Majesty’s kindness toward the orphans of meritorious officials *cough cough cough*…”
Though Bu Shulin’s three assassination attempts hadn’t harmed civilians, rumors spread wildly, with everyone saying only His Majesty would dare act so boldly. Such rumors couldn’t be suppressed merely through force. Xiao Huayong spoke entirely from the perspective of preserving the Emperor’s reputation.
His proper, filial response only caused Emperor Youning’s recently dispersed anger to begin gathering again.
“The Qu family’s great ship sank in the Jialing River. I seem to recall the Crown Princess has connections with the Qu family. Last year’s grain supplies to Wendeng County were delivered because the Crown Princess sent someone to persuade the Qu family to deploy their ship,” Emperor Youning suddenly said, ignoring Xiao Huayong’s words. “The Qu family’s century-old business has never encountered such danger before. They’ve been implicated by court affairs, so let the Crown Princess go on my behalf to console them and calm public sentiment.”
At these words, most people in the great hall felt lost in clouds and mist, completely unable to understand His Majesty’s intention. Although the Qu family’s merchant fleet had suffered collateral damage from the pursuit of the Heir of Bu, losing one great ship, they were mere merchants. What extraordinary contribution to the country or people warranted a personal visit from the Eastern Palace consort?
Only a few who understood that His Majesty’s men were certainly among those pursuing Bu Shulin grasped his implicit meaning. He was pointing out what they had overlooked – that this brutal massacre had been orchestrated by the Crown Princess from beginning to end.
Using Bu Shulin to lure them in, she killed all of His Majesty’s men without a single survivor. This realization made many people’s hearts tremble.
“Your Majesty, they are merely merchants. An imperial decree read by the local magistrate would already be an enormous honor. If Your Majesty orders the Crown Princess to go personally, this precedent would encourage other merchants to seek similar treatment. It’s better to worry about inequality than scarcity. Your Majesty is wise and surely wouldn’t take such a hasty, partial action that would cause public discontent,” Minister Tao was the first to object to Emperor Youning’s decision.
“Your Majesty, our dynasty has imperial clan members and princes above, capable ministers and military commanders below. Unless it’s a time of national crisis with no one else available, even if Your Majesty values the Qu family and wishes to bestow favor, an imperial envoy should be sent – how could it be the Eastern Palace’s Crown Princess?” Xiao Changqing also stepped forward. “If Your Majesty doesn’t reject this foolish son’s request, I am willing to volunteer for this consolation mission.”
Xiao Huayong cast an imperceptible glance at Xiao Changqing.
Emperor Youning’s gaze also fell on Xiao Changqing. Send him to the Shannan Western Circuit? Wasn’t the situation chaotic enough?
Emperor Youning had never actually intended to send Shen Xihe. He knew how his words would be challenged – he merely wanted to remind certain people to see the situation clearly and not choose the wrong side. “Minister Tao and Prince Xin speak wisely. I was careless. As Minister Tao suggested, let the Three Departments draft a decree to be sent to Minnan to comfort the Qu family.”
After a pause, Emperor Youning continued: “Regarding the Heir of Bu’s troubled journey… let General Yu of the Valiant Cavalry Guard lead troops to the Shannan Western Circuit to search for and protect him. If necessary… the Jiannan Military Commissioner’s garrison troops may be mobilized.”
Yu Xiang, who had been demoted from Grand General to Left General of the Valiant Cavalry Guard due to Yu Sangning’s situation, had been sidelined for a long time. Being suddenly remembered by His Majesty for such a hot potato of a mission, he accepted without changing expression.
Emperor Youning announced the end of the court. The officials buzzed with discussion – the Jiannan Military Commissioner and the Prince of Shunan’s mansion were like kings who never met. Both held military power, defending against the Tibetan border, and the Jiannan Military Commissioner’s headquarters was less than a day’s journey from the Prince of Shunan’s mansion.
Tibet had always been well-behaved, unlike the northwest where wolves circled. The Turks, Khitans, and various foreign tribes were always restless. Even though the northwest territories were vast with many protector-generals and military commissioners, they were all strictly controlled by Shen Yueshan. Whenever His Majesty had any objection, Shen Yueshan would withdraw his support, and these people couldn’t possibly contain the outsiders – this led to the situation of the Prince of Northwest commanding the northwest.
The Prince of Shunan’s mansion didn’t have the natural advantages of timing, terrain, and popular support like the Prince of Northwest’s mansion. Due to that marriage alliance, Tibet never caused trouble during His Majesty’s reign, leaving Bu Tuohai without strong backing. He couldn’t directly suppress the Jiannan Military Commissioner – one misstep and he’d be charged with treason. For years, they had maintained a policy of non-interference, though their relationship wasn’t pleasant.
Emperor Youning sending Yu Xiang to search while mentioning the possible mobilization of the Jiannan Military Commissioner’s troops made people’s hearts tighten. Whether this was about protecting Bu Shulin or, depending on circumstances, potentially restraining the Prince of Shunan’s mansion was intriguingly ambiguous.
“Since His Majesty’s covert approach failed, he plans to act openly?” Shen Xihe asked Xiao Huayong after hearing the news.
“Neither overt nor covert methods will work.” Xiao Huayong turned and sat down beside Shen Xihe on the pavilion’s beauty rest, his back against her shoulder. He lifted his long legs onto the rest, head tilting back to rest against his wife, casual and at ease.
Looking down at Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe said: “We’ve caused some trouble for the Qu family.”
After His Majesty’s words, those who understood knew the Qu family had aligned with her. Those wanting to curry favor with His Majesty would naturally pressure the Qu family. Though merchants, the Qu family’s shipping business was renowned throughout the realm. His Majesty didn’t want her to have it and worried more that she might develop a navy from it.
“What use are subordinates if they can’t share your burdens?” Xiao Huayong said carelessly.
“The Qu family isn’t my subordinate.” This was precisely why Shen Xihe felt they had been implicated.
“They weren’t before, but they will be.” Xiao Huayong smiled mysteriously. “Youyou might as well prepare a congratulatory gift early.”
“Congratulatory gift?”
“For your loyal general and the Qu family’s chief.”
Shen Xihe was startled by his words: “Those two…”
She had heard of Qu Rongying, after all, thanks to her help last year they had managed to resolve Dengzhou’s urgent crisis. But Qu Rongying was seven or eight years older than Qi Pei – Shen Xihe had never considered this possibility.
“Fate works in mysterious ways.”
Hearing Xiao Huayong’s tone, Shen Xihe felt something was off and turned to examine him: “What do you mean? You think Qi Pei accepted Qu Rongying just to gather strength for me?”
The Qu family would indeed be an extremely powerful ally. With their loyalty, she could truly build an invincible navy. Even if she lost in a confrontation with His Majesty, she could lead people to set sail and escape this land.
“I said no such thing,” Xiao Huayong denied.
Shen Xihe gave him a look: “I won’t have someone of such low character around me, and Qi Pei is not that kind of flatterer.”
Xiao Huayong looked ahead, smiling without speaking.
Not wanting to argue with Xiao Huayong about this, Shen Xihe murmured: “I wonder how Alin is doing.”
How was Bu Shulin doing? Bu Shulin had sensed something was wrong in Minzhou. She felt someone watching her and made a quick decision: “Yinshan, you take half the men ahead first, Jinshan stay behind to protect me secretly.”
Bu Shulin was disguised as a merchant’s wife who had just lost her father and had to return home for the funeral while pregnant. Jinshan and Yinshan were both with her, though they followed from the shadows, making it difficult for others to notice they were traveling together.
She had only sensed something amiss and wanted to split up their group, but accidentally sending Yinshan away helped clear her of suspicion.
Once Yinshan left with his men, she noticed the followers had gone with him, which greatly confused her. Finding an opportunity to connect with Jinshan, she asked: “Who are these people? Why did they recognize Yinshan but not us?”
Logically, since all three of them were in disguise, anyone who could recognize one should have been able to recognize the other two.
“Young Master, could it be that someone following Yinshan has betrayed us?” Jinshan was also extremely puzzled.
“No.” Bu Shulin shook her head. If someone had betrayed them, they might not know her whereabouts but would certainly not have ignored Jinshan. Also, knowing that Jinshan and Yinshan had been following her all along, they wouldn’t have been completely unsuspicious even if she changed her appearance thoroughly.
Unable to figure out the reason, Bu Shulin decided not to dwell on it: “Follow them back, but be careful. If you can get word to Yinshan, you can attack from front and back, and then…”
She made a throat-slitting gesture, leaving the rest unsaid. Being pregnant now, she didn’t want additional complications – it would be best to subdue these people quietly.
“Young Master should also travel separately from this subordinate,” Jinshan suggested for safety.
Bu Shulin nodded.
She needed to investigate who could track them down and how otherwise it would lead to endless troubles.
That night, Bu Shulin stopped at a county below Minzhou, claiming she needed rest from the journey’s fatigue.
Yinshan continued along their planned route with his men, while Jinshan followed behind.
Bu Shulin soon discovered there were people following Jinshan as well – truly a case of the mantis stalking the cicada, while the oriole waited behind.
If these two groups following Yinshan and Jinshan were the same party, they must know Jinshan had detected their pursuit and would need to act quickly, preferably before they could send out any messages!