Not only did Xiao Changwen send people to pursue and kill, but he also brought two Imperial Censors assigned by Emperor Youning.

Though Zhao Zhenghao wasn’t among them, this still didn’t escape Xiao Huayong’s intelligence network.

With the Crown Prince dying young, Xiao Changwen naturally became the eldest among the adult princes. Yet despite his abilities in both civil and military affairs, he hadn’t distinguished himself among his exceptional brothers.

His maternal clan wasn’t prestigious and lacked outstanding figures. After coming of age, he was hastily married to a wife of an unremarkable family background.

Whether considering his qualities or support from his maternal and marital families, he had no advantages and naturally couldn’t gain His Majesty’s trust.

Finally given an important task by His Majesty, even with Xiao Changgeng’s confirmation, Xiao Changying’s interference and the Shen family’s control of the situation meant that intervening now would either bring glory and prestige if successful or if defeated…

Xiao Changwen didn’t consider the price of failure, because he knew this time only success was permitted, failure was not!

So he led people, following his search traces toward Bu Shulin.

Yinshan was dead, and he’d lost that advantage, but the location of events and the clear situation all pointed to Bu Shulin’s escape route. He would quickly find his target.

As soon as Xiao Changwen left the capital, Xiao Huayong learned of it. He had gradually handed over his years of cultivated power to Shen Xihe, slowly pushing these people closer to her. None of his orders could be hidden from her.

Xiao Huayong rarely forced his “sick body” to attend small court meetings with the Three Departments and Six Ministries. Hearing Tianyuan’s report, Shen Xihe remained silent for a long time.

Pomegranate blossoms blazed like flames reflected in the clear waves, matching the lotus leaves emerging from the pond. Occasional dragonflies skimmed past, causing ripples in the pool.

Only seeing these gentle ripples did Tianyuan feel that this windless midsummer hadn’t frozen with the Crown Prince’s consort’s silent, expressionless depth, easing the pressure in his heart.

He couldn’t say which side he favored now. Though the Crown Prince’s approach seemed to lack humanity, this had always been his style.

The Crown Prince had learned imperial ways from youth, prioritizing ruler-subject relationships. To be a qualified ruler, one couldn’t show too much favoritism or be bound by personal feelings, especially since Bu Shulin had little personal connection with the Crown Prince.

Bu Shulin was close to the Crown Prince’s consort. It seemed reasonable for the Crown Prince’s consort to be angry at the Crown Prince for putting Bu Shulin in such danger, suggesting the Crown Prince’s consort was a loyal follower.

Naturally, the Crown Prince was also worth following, but Tianyuan felt another phrase was more appropriate: the Crown Prince was someone worthy of submission.

“I understand.” As Tianyuan’s thoughts wandered anxiously, Shen Xihe’s cool voice reached his ears.

He looked up, carefully studying Shen Xihe’s expression, yet couldn’t detect any joy or anger. Though he’d waited here so long, not knowing why she remained silent, he hadn’t sensed any emotional fluctuation from her…

This was probably why the Crown Prince was obsessed with her – they were similarly unfathomable people, despite different temperaments and methods. At their core, they were the same type.

“Does Your Highness have any instructions?” Tianyuan asked respectfully.

Her eyes, like black obsidian – brilliant yet detached – fell on the pomegranate tree as she raised her head. She suddenly said: “I’ve been in the Eastern Palace for years but never hosted a flower-viewing banquet. Spread the word that tomorrow there will be a flower banquet in the Lotus Garden.”

“Ah? Oh! This servant will arrange it immediately.” Tianyuan was startled for a moment before quickly composing himself.

Shen Xihe had a cold temperament. Before marrying into the Eastern Palace, she rarely attended grand feasts unless invited by the palace.

After becoming mistress of the Eastern Palace, she still didn’t do such things, never using them to socialize with noble ladies.

At this somewhat inappropriate time, Shen Xihe suddenly wanted to host a flower banquet. Tianyuan’s mind was full of questions he dared not ask, only waiting to mention them when the Crown Prince returned.

Xiao Huayong heard and was startled, then nodded: “Just handle your duties well.”

When news spread that Shen Xihe wanted to host a flower-viewing banquet at this time, everyone was bewildered.

The next day wasn’t a major court session, but it couldn’t stop censors from submitting memorials harshly criticizing Shen Xihe’s lack of compassion for the people, with hundreds of commoners dying unjustly at Min River while she focused on frivolous entertainment.

However, these disciplinary memorials never reached His Majesty’s hands. Xiao Huayong openly intercepted them without hiding them from Emperor Youning.

But even he didn’t know Shen Xihe’s intention: “Youyou, what sudden interest made you want to host a flower banquet?”

Shen Xihe changed into an elegant apricot-colored palace dress, her hair coiled high, golden hairpins on both sides, fine gold chains hanging with thin Pingzhong leaves cascading to her earlobes.

The Pingzhong leaves’ veins were visible, as exquisite as her makeup: “The Crown Prince and I are both politicians.”

Xiao Huayong raised an eyebrow, stepping back to make way for Shen Xihe as she stood up after finishing her grooming.

Shen Xihe wore a transparent golden-flecked shawl, taking delicate steps forward: “Husband and wife are one. Since Your Highness has schemed to this point, I should naturally lend my assistance.”

Watching his wife’s retreating figure, Xiao Huayong’s dark eyes misted with amusement, full of anticipation. He even wanted to shamelessly follow Shen Xihe to the flower banquet.

However, since Shen Xihe had summoned noble ladies, he worried his presence might arouse unnecessary suspicion from His Majesty and ruin her plans, so he suppressed the urge.

Shen Xihe’s flower banquet today was aimed at Yu Sangning, but summoning Yu Sangning alone would certainly raise His Majesty’s suspicions.

Using the flower banquet, Shen Xihe created deliberate confusion. She called forward anyone of sufficient rank to talk, explaining that since taking charge of the inner palace, she had never paid attention to these noble ladies, so she took this chance to converse with them.

Her behavior indeed followed this pattern, leaving everyone puzzled, unable to understand her intentions even as they left.

Only Yu Sangning, returning to her manor, turned pale. She received a letter, her hands trembling as she held it.

The letter detailed how Shen Xihe had eliminated the Kang Prince’s manor step by step.

Just as Xiao Changwen left, Shen Xihe showed her this, telling her the Zhao Prince’s manor would be the next Kang Prince’s manor!

She tried hard to stay calm, knowing Shen Xihe suddenly told her this must have a purpose if only she followed the course of action expected after being intimidated.

If the Zhao Prince’s manor was to be destroyed, what should she do knowing in advance? Naturally, escape? Not just herself, but the Yu family too must escape, otherwise she would have no support.

The Yu family…

In an instant, Yu Sangning understood Shen Xihe’s intention – her father was at Min River!

This was Shen Xihe giving her a choice: either share the Zhao Prince’s manor’s fate and ignore this warning letter, or let Shen Xihe settle accounts later and spare her life by helping persuade her father on the battlefield about to ignite at Min River.

The Jiannan Military Governor, her father, and the Jing Prince – these three surrounding forces were all His Majesty’s trusted allies. Even if the Jing Prince had other thoughts, in this battle he had to fight wholeheartedly for His Majesty.

Therefore, they would be focused on fighting. If at this time, one side’s resolve wavered, it would create a breakthrough.

How daring of Shen Xihe – wasn’t she afraid Yu Sangning would outwardly comply while secretly opposing, taking the chance to report to His Majesty and lure Shen Yunan into a trap?

These thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant before Yu Sangning suddenly collapsed into her seat.

The Eastern Palace was so confident because even if they lost this game, it wouldn’t be a devastating blow.

Everyone said Shen Yunan had reached Min River, and His Majesty had made great moves because of this, but what if Shen Yunan was at Min River?

What could His Majesty do even if he won and captured Shen Yunan? If Shen Yueshan said this wasn’t Shen Yunan, as long as he could produce another Shen Yunan, the court’s hope of using this to convict the Northwest Prince and shake the Shen family’s foundation was pure fantasy!

Just like this letter in her hand now – even if presented to His Majesty, it couldn’t harm Shen Xihe at all.

Before absolute power, even the emperor had to show some tolerance.

As long as the Shen family remained, if she truly chose to show loyalty to His Majesty, Shen Xihe would ensure she died without a burial place!

Of this, she had no doubt!

So she had no choice but to persuade her father, while avoiding giving His Majesty any leverage, to open convenient paths for Shen Yunan and the Shunan Prince’s manor!

After this battle, with His Majesty’s defeat, the Eastern Palace would likely grip his throat.

Their Yu family couldn’t claim credit, but if they acted carefully in the future, they might survive in the cracks between the Emperor and Eastern Palace’s struggle.

“Youyou, you want to use the Yu family.” Xiao Huayong was somewhat surprised. “Can she sway Yu Xiang?”

“She can!” Shen Xihe believed Yu Sangning had this ability!

Yu Sangning was an extremely selfish person who valued her life. There were only two paths before her – one leading to life, one to death.

Shen Xihe wasn’t just threatening her. From the moment Xiao Changwen accepted His Majesty’s orders and personally led Imperial Censors to ambush Bu Shulin, Xiao Huayong wouldn’t let him live much longer!

Xiao Changwen went in force; with Bu Shulin’s current manpower, this would be a desperate battle with slim chances of survival.

If Bu Shulin failed the test and died in Tibet, Xiao Huayong would avenge her by killing Xiao Changwen, using this to win the hearts of Shunan’s people.

If Bu Shulin survived and escaped Xiao Changwen’s pursuit, Xiao Huayong would still kill Xiao Changwen to appease the general who had just joined his forces.

Thus, Shen Xihe said: they were both politicians!