When the Northwest King was severely wounded during the intense fighting, those in court had various thoughts. Most felt it was regrettable – with the Northwest King’s unstoppable momentum, they might have achieved unprecedented merit if they had pressed on.

Just when everyone thought the tide of war would turn, the Northwest King retreated to the rear, and the Northwest Prince who had been steadily holding the rear took his place.

If the Northwest King was like a fierce tiger descending from the mountain with undiminished vigor, then the Northwest Prince was a lone wolf advancing with unstoppable momentum. No one expected that the Northwest King’s battle wound not only didn’t affect morale, but Shen Yunnan used it to inspire the fighting spirit of the Northwestern troops.

On the seventeenth day of the sixth month in the twenty-third year of Youning’s reign, Shen Yunnan led three hundred thousand troops across the northern desert, completely crushing the allied forces of the foreign tribes, capturing the Mongol Khan, and burning the Turkic Khan’s tent.

In this battle, Shen Yunnan’s cavalry reached Mount Guyan – a glory unmatched by the Champion Marquis of the Han Dynasty!

The entire Northwest celebrated with pride. When the victory report reached the court, most civil and military officials felt genuine joy and pride. Many scholars took up their brushes to write praises for Shen Yunnan, their words overflowing with admiration.

Streets and alleys buzzed with tales about the Northwest King and Prince. Not just in the Northwest – even people in the capital showed deep respect when mentioning the Northwest King’s father and son, or the Shen family.

Even though Shen Xihe kept to herself in the Eastern Palace focusing on her pregnancy, this news drifted in like snowflakes…

Regarding those restless foreign tribes in the northern desert, Shen Yueshan had conducted countless drills, long harboring the intention to annihilate them in one stroke. However, His Majesty was deeply suspicious of the Northwest. Shen Yueshan dared not act rashly, first worrying that too much merit would alarm the ruler, forcing His Majesty to disregard even the last bit of face and destroy the Shen family.

Secondly, he worried His Majesty would cause trouble from behind, resulting not in achievement but in the destruction of his lifetime’s reputation and bringing disaster to his descendants.

Before Shen Xihe came to the capital, she had heard several times when Shen Yueshan chatted with his generals about his regrets and disappointments. He had always thought this battle wouldn’t happen in his lifetime, not knowing if Shen Yunnan would have the chance.

However, Shen Yueshan never imagined his son-in-law would help fulfill this wish. This thoroughly satisfying battle went so smoothly, showing how many times father and son must have practiced deployments and scouted the territory in private.

This battle went so smoothly firstly because His Majesty had suffered a heavy blow and couldn’t secretly send people to cause trouble. Secondly, due to Xiao Huayong’s planning over the years, those outside the Northwest wouldn’t restrict the Shen family. Even Tibet dared not act rashly because of the King of Southern Shu. The first frontier commander controlling the Northwest fortress was Prince Xin Xiao Changqing’s uncle.

Noble Consort Rong’s words no longer carried weight. One letter from Xiao Changqing could make Commander Rong lean toward him.

He had already made clear to the Rong clan leader that he would no longer compete for the throne. Xiao Changying was neither talented nor interested in becoming Emperor. The Eastern Palace’s ascension was imminent – why not curry favor early for future support?

Thus, in this contest of multiple forces, without spies among the Northwest King’s army, and openly defending against foreign enemies rather than actively provoking war, the Shen father and son could fight so valiantly without worries.

“Beichen, thank you.” Inexplicable emotions welled up in Shen Xihe’s heart.

Since marrying Xiao Huayong, he had moved her countless times, each deeply touching. But this time, her gratitude was beyond words.

This should have been her task to complete. She had thought that when she controlled power over life and death in the future, she would let her father and brother fight this battle. Regardless of life or death, victory or defeat, she couldn’t let them live with regret.

But her father was aging. Shen Xihe had always worried that by the time she held great power, would he still be able to take the field and personally kill enemies, rather than standing in the rear sighing at the vastness of the sea.

“The timing was right. I’m also happy to fulfill Father’s wish.” In his lifetime, to fulfill Father’s wish.

Originally, if not for Xiao Changyan’s plot against him, Xiao Huayong wouldn’t have moved so quickly to this step. He had wanted more time to create more footprints and memories with Shen Xihe.

But now was the best opportunity. His Majesty was restricted on all sides. The princes he could use had all been eliminated by them. Even for the mission of representing the Emperor to praise the Northwest, only Xiao Changgen and Xiao Changying competed for it.

His Majesty naturally favored Xiao Changgen, but Xiao Changgen’s forces were too weak to contend with Xiao Changqing. He had to withdraw reluctantly. Xiao Changying went to the Northwest, following His Majesty’s instructions to show great concern for the Northwestern campaign.

Upon entering the Northwest, he immediately became sworn brothers with Shen Yunnan. Their perfect cooperation added wings to the Northwestern army. With Xiao Changying representing the court, the Northwestern troops’ hearts grew more steady and united. The plan went even more smoothly than Shen Yueshan father and son had anticipated.

At today’s morning court, the usually quiet Xiao Changqing, presumably happy for his brother, eloquently praised the Northwest King father and son’s brilliant attacks and his brother’s brave fighting in the great hall.

Though Xiao Huayong hadn’t attended morning court, he could imagine how each word from Xiao Changqing was like a knife stabbing His Majesty’s heart, yet His Majesty had to praise his words before the court officials!

Xiao Huayong shared these amusing court matters with Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe didn’t care whether His Majesty was depressed – she took no pleasure in it. But Xiao Huayong was radiant talking about it, and she couldn’t help but smile: “You’re forcing His Majesty’s hand.”

Since the Minjiang incident, everything has gone wrong for His Majesty. He was also poisoned, the toxins still not cleared. His inner turmoil was imaginable. At this time, the Northwest’s unlimited glory thoroughly wounded His Majesty’s eyes.

“It’s not enough. We need to add more fuel to the fire.” Only then would the Emperor of twenty-plus years snap that last thread of wisdom.

His gaze turned, and the sharpness in Xiao Huayong’s eyes completely faded as he looked at Shen Xihe with deep affection: “For the remaining matters, I must ask Youyou’s help.”

Exchanging smiles with Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe nodded gently: “I understand.”

Although Xiao Huayong hadn’t told Shen Xihe his ultimate goal, she could see from the situation that he was forcing His Majesty to discard his face and try to destroy the Shen father and son, or endless trouble would remain.

Since Xiao Huayong wanted to force His Majesty to act, she would naturally help him under these circumstances.

“Dream of Thoughts” was a fragrance created by Shen Xihe, named for thoughts by day becoming dreams by night.

The fragrance itself was harmless, but because it contained two ingredients that could make people restless, though its scent was peaceful and subtle, it could lead people into nightmares.

These nightmares were of matters over-contemplated during the day.