Xiao Changmin had been back for several days, staying behind closed doors since his return. Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe seemed to have forgotten about him, everything appeared calm and peaceful.

In reality, they were simply spending resources wisely – Xiao Changmin’s life would still be put to full use.

As for Xiao Changyan, whether he survived this calamity depended on his fate. They couldn’t mobilize forces to pursue and kill him now – the Emperor had received quite a shock, and they wouldn’t leave behind any evidence.

Moreover, Xiao Changyan likely had Xiao Changfeng with him. While killing them both wouldn’t be difficult, doing so without leaving traces would be.

Besides, when Xiao Changyan returned, he would face the Emperor’s punishment anyway – why create additional complications?

The couple shared this unspoken understanding. When they arrived at Qinzheng Hall, the Imperial Physicians had just finished examining the Emperor’s pulse.

In the great hall, apart from the servants, only the Empress Dowager and young Prince Xiao Changhong were keeping watch. Others, like Noble Consort Su, were kept outside.

Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong were allowed into the inner hall. Xiao Huayong asked the Chief Imperial Physician: “How is His Majesty’s condition?”

The Chief Imperial Physician looked worried: “Your Highness, His Majesty fainted due to sudden anger causing his qi and blood to surge upward. With some rest, he should recover in a few days…”

In truth, Emperor Youning had been poisoned, but the poison only caused his internal organs to slowly deteriorate, so gradually and evenly that it mimicked natural aging.

The Imperial Physicians couldn’t detect it. By the time the accumulated poison took effect, it would be too late to save him.

Shen Xihe was very confident in her ink. It had been thoroughly researched by Xie Yunhuai, Zhenzhu, and Sui Axi, ensuring it would be nearly undetectable before taking effect, especially in older people where symptoms could be easily confused with aging.

“It’s good that His Majesty isn’t seriously ill.” Xiao Huayong’s pale face softened.

With the Emperor still unconscious, they sat briefly before the Empress Dowager dismissed them.

With the Emperor unconscious, someone needed to handle important state affairs, keeping the Crown Prince busy.

The first matter was the Min River incident. Though Xiao Huayong’s news came quickly, it lacked precision. The official report provided specific numbers – according to several local governments, over 2,500 bodies had been recovered.

The river hadn’t been fully searched yet. Officials had dispatched boats to retrieve bodies. Though many faces were unclear after exposure to river water, their clothing varied greatly. Besides official patrols and imperial troops, some bodies were of unclear identity.

People along the middle and lower Min River were panic-stricken. The numerous bodies washing up terrified them, and they anxiously awaited an official announcement explaining what had happened.

Therefore, this matter couldn’t be delayed. The Crown Prince was known for only one virtue – listening to all sides. He rarely showed initiative in major state affairs, naturally following his ministers’ opinions in such matters.

“The Min River incident has left the people anxious. We cannot leave it unresolved. What are your thoughts, ministers?”

This wasn’t a regular court session – only senior officials had been summoned. Most understood that the Min River incident had nothing to do with bandits; everything targeted the Northwest Prince’s heir.

The Northwest Prince protecting the South Shu Prince’s heir was the Eastern Palace’s doing. Now facing the mild-mannered Crown Prince, they all felt uneasy.

Most wondered whether the Crown Prince was truly ignorant, completely deceived, or if he had been playing dumb all along, actually being the mastermind.

Just considering the latter possibility sent chills down their spines.

The Emperor had mobilized significant forces, while the Northwest Prince’s heir operated from the shadows with limited manpower. Yet even with such a tight net, the Emperor’s forces were completely defeated. How dare they speak up?

They understood now – in the struggle between the Emperor and Eastern Palace, whether the Crown Prince was truly mediocre or secretly ruthless, the outcome remained uncertain. Better to stay neutral.

Finally, Minister Tao spoke: “Your Highness, this matter is serious. According to urgent reports, most victims’ identities remain unclear, and we cannot determine why official ships entered the river that night. It’s too early for conclusions. We should investigate first to avoid misjudgment that could damage the court’s authority.”

Xiao Huayong looked at everyone – no one objected or made other proposals. Appearing uncertain about how to handle this thorny issue, he accepted Minister Tao’s suggestion and properly dispatched investigators.

After dismissing the ministers, Princess Ruyang brought Xiao Wenxi to seek an audience. Having received news of her husband’s safe arrival in Shu and that people were coming to escort her, she begged the Crown Prince’s permission to leave the capital.

Xiao Huayong naturally didn’t obstruct this, and when Emperor Youning awoke to learn of it, he had no grounds to stop Xiao Wenxi.

“Yu Xiang has committed suicide,” Shen Xihe told Xiao Huayong when he returned to the Eastern Palace.

Raising an eyebrow, Xiao Huayong spoke flatly: “He finally showed some wisdom.”

Yu Xiang’s role in the Min River incident would have been enough for the Emperor to have him torn to pieces upon returning to the capital!

Without him, how could the Emperor and Xiao Changyan have been so easily defeated?

Now with Xiao Changyan missing, if he were found and revealed that Shen Yun’an had impersonated Yu Xiang to approach him, everything could be blamed on Shen Yun’an!

Yu Xiang thought he could point fingers while Shen Yun’an killed Xiao Changyan, but his cowardice had already left him no way out. Even if Xiao Changyan died at Shen Yun’an’s hands, Xiao Changfeng remained.

Many things wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny. By committing suicide now, making it appear as though Shen Yun’an had captured and silenced him, even if Xiao Changyan returned, he couldn’t accuse Yu Xiang of betraying the Emperor.

Dead men tell no tales. Best of all, Yu Xiang had a letter from Shen Yun’an clearly outlining their plan. Shen Yun’an had indeed followed this plan, but when Yu Xiang told Xiao Changyan, he didn’t trust the intelligence gained through such patient effort.

Everything resulted from Xiao Changyan’s stubborn arrogance, leading to this disastrous defeat!

“I also had someone forge Yu Xiang’s handwriting to send a letter to the Jiannan Military Commissioner,” Shen Xihe smiled gently at Xiao Huayong.

This letter informed the Commissioner of their plan, describing how Yu Xiang pretended to go along with Shen Yun’an to learn his movements.

It warned the Commissioner to stay vigilant…

This was iron-clad proof of Xiao Changyan’s overconfidence causing total defeat. When Xiao Changyan returned to the capital, the Commissioner would present this letter to avoid responsibility.

Hearing this, Xiao Huayong couldn’t help but laugh: “Yu Xiang’s death was truly… unjust!”