As dawn’s light emerged faintly, the wind carried the fragrance of flowers.

Xiao Huayong turned to meet Shen Xihe’s startled gaze. His wife was perfect in every way, except she was too detached from worldly struggles.

He trusted that no matter when or where she had the wisdom to protect herself and escape trouble. But she lacked an inner drive, staying aloof from all conflicts. If not for the people and things she wanted to protect, she might have lived with complete emotional detachment.

This rare temperament also had its drawbacks.

She didn’t fear the Xiao Changqin brothers and knew that once Xiao Changqin harbored thoughts of seizing the throne, they would inevitably fight to the death.

However, as long as these brothers hadn’t caused her trouble or become her true enemies, she never wanted to strike first. It wasn’t that she was merely going with the flow, but rather that she lacked aggression and killing intent in her bones. If peaceful coexistence was possible, she didn’t want to wage war.

Shen Xihe understood Xiao Huayong’s meaning but smiled slightly: “Beichen, perhaps being born into the imperial family, you’re right. However, my nature is such that my way of doing things is deeply ingrained in my bones, not something that can be changed overnight.”

“No hurry, it’s enough that you understand,” Xiao Huayong smiled gently, his eyes rippling.

She adapted quickly to her environment, but sometimes she didn’t recognize the transformation of her identity and her personality’s shortcomings in dealing with imperial affairs.

Xiao Huayong had noticed this early on but never wanted to remind her or force her to adapt or change anything. Because he could shoulder everything, she only needed to let time pass while keeping her original heart unchanged.

But now his time with her was short, and he didn’t know if heaven would show mercy and allow him to return to her side. He had to make her see everything clearly, fearing these things she overlooked might become fatal weaknesses when he couldn’t accompany her.

Her obsidian eyes were soft and moist, and Shen Xihe’s entire being was surrounded by a gentle, water-like radiance. She smiled: “Mm.”

Their shared smile contained clear skies and peaceful times.

In stark contrast, at Prince Xin’s mansion, Xiao Changqin sat expressionlessly on the edge of the couch, fingers rubbing the seal on his wrist. His gaze seemed to fall on Xiao Changying lying still on the couch, yet appeared unfocused, his thoughts drifting elsewhere.

As the sun set and the moon rose, the daylight in the room quietly changed to flickering candlelight before the unconscious Xiao Changying finally awoke in pain, letting out a slight groan that drew Xiao Changqin’s focused gaze as he slowly looked over: “Awake?”

Looking around, familiar arrangements told Xiao Changying where he was. He pressed his lips together and lowered his head: “The men Elder Brother assigned to me, all… perished.”

He felt very guilty. These weren’t ordinary men – clearly, Xiao Changqin had invested much effort in training them.

“They were meant to protect you. Soldiers trained for a thousand days are used in one hour – don’t mind it,” Xiao Changqin said calmly. “The Crown Prince’s men brought you back.”

“Mm.” Xiao Changying nodded and smiled bitterly. “He knew our every move. He must have had someone following me all along. This person’s martial arts were extraordinary – I didn’t notice at all. The Crown Prince’s men brought me back to the capital in just two days.”

This speed left Xiao Changying astonished. Even as a seriously injured man, at every stop people were waiting with carriages, traveling day and night. This alone showed how many capable people the Crown Prince had under him.

“Have you thought about why you were wounded?” Xiao Changqin asked.

“It was Eighth Brother’s men.” Mentioning this energized him. “Elder Brother, I met Qian Zong!”

Qian Zong should have been dead already. Xiao Changyan had who knew how many such ‘dead’ men under him. These men were not only useful but any crimes they committed could be dissociated from him.

Moreover, these people had experienced many hardships and harbored resentment, making them ruthless and decisive in action. They were especially grateful and loyal to Xiao Changyan who pulled them from darkness. Even if captured alive, they wouldn’t betray him.

Xiao Changqin wasn’t interested in whom Xiao Changyan recruited. Seeing his brother didn’t understand his meaning, he had to speak directly: “It was the Crown Prince who led Qian Zong to find your trail.”

Xiao Changying was stunned: “Why… why?”

Xiao Changying didn’t doubt his brother’s words, but couldn’t understand why Xiao Huayong would do this.

Xiao Huayong could have ignored his plight – they couldn’t criticize that. But by leading men to ambush him, Xiao Huayong was making enemies.

“The Crown Prince’s thoughts are unfathomable. I’ve only just understood a bit,” Xiao Changqin had been thinking about this while watching Xiao Changying. “The Western Prince’s heir has gone to Minjiang to help the King of Southern Shu. His Majesty won’t miss this opportunity.

From beginning to end, this was a trap set by the Crown Prince – anyone could see this was a life-or-death battle. His Majesty naturally has some understanding of our various forces and won’t sit by watching yourself and the Shen clan fight while we reap the benefits.

Whether to eliminate future troubles or preserve strength, His Majesty will drag us in.

Weighing both sides, His Majesty likely fears me more than Eighth Brother. Thus, no later than tomorrow, His Majesty will create disturbances around Minjiang, legitimately ordering you to lead troops there.”

Once Xiao Changying reached Minjiang, he would inevitably have to fight Shen Yun’an, and he would certainly protect Xiao Changying.

In this battle, Xiao Changying couldn’t lose – that would be a serious crime – and couldn’t deliberately lose – that would be a conspiracy to rebel.

“The Crown Prince doesn’t want conflict with Elder Brother and me,” Xiao Changying felt relieved.

Xiao Changqin glanced at him: “The Crown Prince wants to establish the relationship between ruler and subject with us.”

Not involving them in this conflict was telling them he was willing to treat them as his people. Deliberately leading Xiao Changyan to strike at Xiao Changying was also telling them who was the ruler and who was the subject.

“Elder Brother, what do you mean?” Xiao Changying asked carefully.

His brother had no desire for the throne. In the future, whoever gained the throne, would naturally be subjects. For Xiao Changying, this wasn’t hard to accept.

What worried Xiao Changying was his brother. Once, his brother had ambition, but that ambition had caused him heart-wrenching pain. More than once he had regretted not taking Fifth Sister-in-law to roam freely through mountains and rivers, staying out of worldly affairs earlier.

If they had, even when the Gu family fell, they could have avoided it. Perhaps the Fifth Sister-in-law wouldn’t have been so resolute.

“The Crown Prince and we have been rulers and subjects since birth,” Xiao Changqin viewed the Crown Prince’s position very calmly. “I just vaguely feel the Crown Prince is too hasty this time.”