“Has the Crown Princess made up her mind?”
Shen Xihe’s response seemed both unexpected and logical to Xiao Changqing.
In his view, Shen Xihe was rational, calm, decisive, and understood what sacrifices to make.
At seven months, survival was uncertain; at eight months, chances improved. Inducing labor now, before eight months, would only result in a slightly weaker child compared to full-term birth, with no other drawbacks.
His Majesty was “unconscious,” and they were all in the capital – childbirth would naturally be safe. Who knew what unfavorable events might occur in the coming months?
As for being weak, with careful nurturing afterward, as long as the birth went smoothly, the child wouldn’t follow her fate.
But Shen Xihe refused – quickly and decisively.
Perhaps it was because she had become a mother, or because the child in her womb was ennobled by its father, earning more maternal protection, or perhaps both.
“Yes,” Shen Xihe answered firmly.
Xiao Changqing fell silent, then after a moment said: “His Majesty is still His Majesty. With the Crown Princess still with child, I don’t support armed confrontation.”
Even if they won, it would be a pyrrhic victory.
“Prince Xin worries too much. Unless necessary, such extreme measures won’t be taken,” Shen Xihe noticed her emotions had shown too clearly, causing Xiao Changqing’s misunderstanding, so she composed herself. “Early labor is impossible. Let’s first delay His Majesty and see what he truly intends…”
If there was no other choice, armed confrontation would be their only option!
But His Majesty’s disappearance was one thing; once weapons were drawn, careful planning would be needed. The Shen family was known for their loyalty – she couldn’t let them be branded as traitors under her leadership.
Xiao Changqing hesitated several times before finally standing: “Since the Crown Princess has a plan, I won’t disturb you further. Farewell.”
Shen Xihe had Tianyuan see them out.
She returned to her study and sat at her desk, her gaze falling on the yellow-leaved Pingzhong bonsai: “If you were here, how would you break this deadlock?”
Thinking carefully, given Xiao Huayong’s style, he would likely insist on staying by the sickbed, personally tasting the medicine.
If Liu San refused him entry, he would surely kneel outside the palace without rising. Everyone knew the Crown Prince was frail – dragging his weak body to care for His Majesty.
Demonstrating his filial piety, occasionally fainting, causing public anxiety – wouldn’t everyone be unsettled with an unconscious ruler and a Crown Prince on the verge of collapse?
If His Majesty didn’t wake, it might cost the Crown Prince’s life. If the Crown Prince truly died from exhaustion, His Majesty couldn’t very well wake up then – wouldn’t that reveal he was deliberately feigning illness to torment the Crown Prince?
This was exactly like Xiao Huayong’s method.
But such a bloodless strategy that could break the deadlock could only be used effectively by Xiao Huayong – no one else could manage it or make it work.
Thinking of that person who had unknowingly entered her heart, deeply embedded in her core and constantly in her thoughts, Shen Xihe couldn’t help but smile.
With His Majesty “critically ill,” Shen Xihe and Xiao Changqing’s group reached a consensus and began making preparations, showing appropriate hesitation and suspicion. Their actions were both cautious and particularly secretive.
In essence, they openly displayed the cards His Majesty could see while keeping others hidden.
Xiao Changqing even spread rumors outside about His Majesty’s poor condition, stirring up the common people while making local officials anxious.
His Majesty had chosen the timing perfectly. The Northwestern King had pacified the northern desert, removing the greatest threat. Even if neighboring countries were restless at the news of His Majesty’s critical condition, they lacked the strength to interfere.
Internally, His Majesty was waiting for those with wolfish ambitions to reveal themselves. Yet during his five days of claimed illness, the Three Departments and Six Ministries managed the court orderly, consulting the princes when uncertain. The princes discussed and resolved matters efficiently.
It seemed as if the court could function smoothly even without His Majesty.
Meanwhile, Shen Xihe also spread rumors in the palace, suggesting that the court could handle matters whether His Majesty was present or not.
She was waiting to see how long His Majesty could endure!
On the sixth day of His Majesty’s claimed illness, news came from the imperial tombs: lightning had struck the late Emperor’s Noble Consort Jia’s tomb at night, causing it to collapse.
“His Majesty is learning Prince Xin’s methods!” When Shen Xihe heard the news, her obsidian-black eyes held a trace of mockery.
The late Emperor’s Noble Consort Jia was Xiao Juezong’s birth mother. She had enjoyed the late Emperor’s full favor, causing him to banish the Empress and two legitimate sons to the harsh Northwest.
She had died of illness before the current Empress Dowager and her two sons fought their way back. The late Emperor had given her a grand burial, declaring he would be buried with her after death.
If Empress Dowager and her sons hadn’t been approaching the capital with their army, the late Emperor might have buried Noble Consort Jia with the title of Empress.
This matter brought Shen Xihe and Xiao Changqing’s group together again, under the banner of concern for His Majesty, to inquire at the Eastern Palace.
“His Majesty wants to see Imperial Uncle,” Xiao Changqing said directly.
“Impossible,” Shen Xihe lowered her eyes, gently blowing on the hot water in her cup. “He was buried in the imperial tombs three months ago.”
Xiao Changqing was shocked. Three months ago, three princes had died, but only one was buried in the imperial tombs – even Xiao Changzhen wasn’t buried there.
Though Xiao Changqing had vaguely guessed Xiao Huayong wasn’t dead, confirmation still startled him: “May I ask where the Crown Prince is?”
If Xiao Huayong were here, he wouldn’t let Shen Xihe be so passive – many things would be more convenient for him to handle than for her.
“He set sail to purge the strange poison from his body,” Shen Xihe didn’t conceal it. “Imperial Uncle passed away more than two years ago.”
So Xiao Juezong hadn’t allied with the Eastern Palace – he had handed his people to them before his death!
All these years, from pacifying the Northwest to the Northwestern King’s escape, and finally the Battle of Min River, Xiao Juezong’s shadow was everywhere – all were the Eastern Palace’s deliberate misdirection!
No wonder – no wonder their brilliant Majesty couldn’t unravel these secrets.
Even though he knew Xiao Huayong’s true nature and suspected their alliance might be one of mutual benefit, he never could have imagined that the person His Majesty deeply feared had already departed this world two years ago!
Thinking of this, interest flickered in Xiao Changqing’s eyes: “Crown Princess, would you consider handing over Imperial Uncle’s remaining people to me?”
Shen Xihe suddenly looked at him.
Xiao Changqing didn’t avoid her gaze: “His Majesty’s desire to see him is unshakeable. He even disturbed Noble Consort Jia’s tomb. If Imperial Uncle still doesn’t appear, His Majesty might guess he’s no longer alive.
Rather than let His Majesty dig deeper, why not let me use Imperial Uncle’s people to satisfy His Majesty’s wishes? This would also avoid a standoff with His Majesty.”
“Does Prince Xin understand the consequences if His Majesty mistakenly believes you conspired with Imperial Uncle?” Shen Xihe had to remind him.
She had also been considering finding a scapegoat, but all the suitable princes were already dead, and ordinary people lacked the status to convince His Majesty.
“I understand fully. The Crown Princess need not worry – I will do my utmost to emerge unscathed. If the worst happens…” Xiao Changqing paused, then said, “It would be my life.”
Shen Xihe understood – Xiao Changqing wanted to use Xiao Juezong to set a trap for His Majesty, to settle things with him once and for all!