“I think the timing was just right.” Shen Xihe smiled faintly. “At eight years old he contracted a strange illness, forcing the Crown Prince to leave the palace for treatment. All these years of poor health made the court officials treat him as a mere figurehead. Not only was he too weak to study literature or martial arts, but no faction supported him either. How much trouble did this save His Majesty?”

If they had waited until the Crown Prince grew up to act, it would not only have been harder to move against him but would have caused more factional turmoil in court.

“The royal family is heartless.” Shen Yun’an sighed softly, looking at Shen Xihe with tender concern. “Youyou, if you have no feelings for him, after you marry him, you might as well find him an easily controlled consort, and raise any children she bears…”

Childbirth was already like crossing the threshold of death, and Shen Xihe was physically frail. If they could avoid matters of continuing the bloodline, it would be better.

She also wouldn’t have to experience the heart-wrenching pain of royal family members turning against each other for power.

“We’ll see about that later…” Shen Xihe replied noncommittally.

She didn’t want to snatch another’s child – it would be too cruel. Moreover, being such a cold person herself, she would certainly put her heart into teaching her child, but she couldn’t generate genuine feelings for someone else’s child.

If her body allowed it, she still wanted to give birth to her flesh and blood. As for the royal family’s heartlessness, if one day her flesh and blood turned against their birth mother for power, she couldn’t complain – it would mean she had failed in raising them properly.

Unaware of Shen Xihe’s thoughts, Shen Yun’an wondered if her attitude meant she might have some feelings for Xiao Huayong.

His emotions were mixed. He wanted to speak ill of Xiao Huayong but remembered Shen Xihe’s previous indifference to love, and feared that if he pushed too hard, she might become a passionless nun.

Saying nothing, just thinking about how his sister might develop feelings for Xiao Huayong in the future and possibly be hurt by him made Shen Yun’an want to take up his sword and kill Xiao Huayong right now!

The internal struggle in his mind made Shen Yun’an extremely frustrated.

“What’s wrong now?” Shen Xihe looked at Shen Yun’an in confusion – his emotions, which had just been calmed, were inexplicably agitated again.

Unable to express his true concerns, Shen Yun’an made up an excuse: “Thinking about who’s behind the An Xi matter.”

“For this matter, only Prince Lie could provide new clues.” Shen Xihe had thought carefully about it today.

“He’s probably just waiting for us to ask him.” Shen Yun’an snorted coldly.

When Xiao Changying went to the Northwest, his words suggested concern for Shen Xihe, but he never mentioned how he intercepted the defense map.

This matter concerned the Northwest’s peace and was especially important to Shen Yueshan – they couldn’t ask about it.

“No matter, I’ll meet with him.” Shen Xihe’s lips curved.

“Youyou…”

“Brother, I’ve already sent him an invitation.” Shen Xihe said preemptively. “Don’t worry, I’m not one to be taken advantage of.”

Concerning the Northwest, Shen Xihe didn’t want to delay. Both Xiao Changying and Shen Yun’an arrived in the capital yesterday. Yesterday Xiao Changying had already reported back, and because of his involvement, the Shen family couldn’t claim the lost map was fake without owing him a favor.

Today when Shen Yun’an met Emperor Youning, not only did he not reprimand Shen Yueshan for his oversight, but he thoroughly reassured Shen Yun’an.

He knew that a reprimand would be ineffective since nothing major had happened – there wasn’t much he could do. He could only note it down, waiting for the day Shen Yueshan fell from power when this would become one of the charges against him.

Throughout history, when powerful ministers fell, their countless crimes were accumulated this way.

It would then demonstrate the emperor’s benevolence and the fallen’s impenitence.

Shen Xihe arranged to meet Xiao Changying at the Duhuo Tower, also to personally check out the situation there.

Naturally, Shen Yun’an wouldn’t let his sister meet Xiao Changying alone. The two waited in a private room at the Duhuo Tower for a quarter-hour before Xiao Changying arrived precisely on time.

His red robes were like fire, the round-necked robe exuding nobility, his hair bound with a gold crown, appearing rather spirited and proud.

“To receive an invitation from both the World Son and Princess is truly an unexpected honor.” Xiao Changying’s tone was peculiar.

Shen Xihe personally poured tea, gracefully making a welcoming gesture.

Xiao Changying glanced sideways: “Princess, this tea isn’t poisoned, is it?”

“No need for poison – I can still make Your Highness talk.” Shen Xihe smiled faintly.

Her confident composure was always imposing, no matter when. Xiao Changying smiled and lifted the teacup, smelling the tea’s fragrance before taking a sip: “Please, Princess, I await your instruction.”

“Regarding the An Xi matter, all leads are dead ends. There’s one thing I’ve been puzzling over.” Shen Xihe’s clear, cold eyes looked directly at Xiao Changying. “Since they activated a hidden piece that had been buried for ten years, they must have been confident. Even if the defense map wasn’t delivered, there shouldn’t have been any movement at all. Knowing the map was intercepted, how could they be so content with all their scheming coming to nothing?”

Shen Xihe’s words made both Xiao Changying and Shen Yun’an thoughtful.

Indeed, those behind this were too quiet. Someone able to reach so far shouldn’t sit idle, helpless after the defense map went awry.

Shen Xihe also took a small sip of osmanthus drink: “Therefore, I have reason to suspect this was all staged by Prince Lie.”

As soon as Shen Xihe’s words fell, Xiao Changying’s gaze darkened, staring intently at her, anger substantial in his eyes.

“Your Highness needn’t feel wronged. Everything has a purpose, and in this matter, Your Highness benefited the most.” Shen Xihe smiled lightly, her eyes sparkling. “So, please give our Shen family and the Northwest an explanation.”

Hearing this, Xiao Changying’s forehead veins twitched: “Princess truly has a silver tongue.”

“Is what I say unreasonable?” Shen Xihe turned her clear eyes toward Shen Yun’an.

Shen Yun’an’s heart softened – whatever Shen Xihe said must be reasonable!

“Prince Lie, please explain.”

Xiao Changying was amused by the siblings’ shamelessness: “Princess thinks this will force me to talk?”

“Of course, it’s not that simple.” Shen Xihe smiled gracefully. “But if I tell His Majesty that I learned about the lost defense map from Your Highness, I wonder what His Majesty would think?”

News of the lost map hadn’t spread yet, but Xiao Changying had obtained it, and Shen Xihe had seen it in his possession.

If this didn’t infuriate Emperor Youning, he would at least think Xiao Changying had no respect for his royal father!

“His Majesty isn’t so easily provoked, and you siblings would find it harder to gain his trust.” Xiao Changying sneered.

Shen Xihe sighed softly with regret: “I wonder if Your Highness has given His Majesty the defense map you retrieved from the Northwest?”

Xiao Changying’s eyelid twitched as he scrutinized Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe opened her delicate white fingers: “Things that pass through my hands always leave traces that others find hard to detect.”

The defense map was now something Xiao Changying had retrieved from the Northwest – Shen Xihe, who had stayed in the capital, shouldn’t have seen it.

If she could prove she had seen the map, Xiao Changying would surely lose the emperor’s favor completely, possibly even having his title stripped!