His Majesty was determined to see Xiao Juesong.

Shen Xihe could understand why His Majesty was so persistent. It was because Xiao Huayong had used the people left behind by Xiao Juesong too masterfully, causing His Majesty to mistakenly believe that everything was inextricably linked to Xiao Juesong. His Majesty thought that if he could force Xiao Juesong to emerge, all the mysteries would be solved, including those who had colluded with him.

This strategy, even without knowing that Xiao Juesong was already deceased, was indeed the best approach.

“Prince Xin, how do you intend to use this to set a trap for His Majesty?” Shen Xihe didn’t immediately agree to Xiao Changqin’s plan, despite it being entirely beneficial to her. Meeting Xiao Changqin’s hesitant gaze, she continued, “His Majesty must not perish before I give birth.”

His Majesty clearly couldn’t wait to force Xiao Juesong out. By her calculations, she still had over two months until full term. If Xiao Changqin wanted to move against His Majesty, he would have to act quickly, or His Majesty would soon grow suspicious about Xiao Juesong’s continued absence.

Shen Xihe couldn’t let Xiao Changqin cause His Majesty’s death at this time.

“Crown Princess, you’ve presented me with quite a challenge,” said Xiao Changqin, who was determined to engage in a life-or-death struggle with His Majesty.

Shen Xihe had guessed as much. Her hand rested on her swollen belly, gently caressing it. “Prince Xin, a dead person knows nothing. Isn’t it more satisfying to watch your hated enemy linger in suffering, filled with resentment yet powerless to change their fate?”

In truth, Shen Xihe didn’t prefer this approach. She liked to eliminate threats cleanly and decisively, with Yu Sangning, whom she kept hidden in the secret passage, being the exception because he still had a crucial use to her.

“Such an approach would indeed be more satisfying, but when the target is the Son of Heaven, achieving such an effect would be incredibly difficult.” This was even harder than killing His Majesty outright.

“I happen to have a method that might work,” Shen Xihe’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“Please enlighten me, Crown Princess.” Xiao Changqin trusted Shen Xihe’s strategic abilities.

“His Majesty wishes to see Imperial Uncle because Imperial Uncle escaped right under his nose back then, leaving him with unresolved resentment. Over these years, not only has Imperial Uncle avoided disgrace, but he has grown influential and repeatedly disturbed His Majesty’s peace.” Although all of this was Xiao Huayong’s doing in Xiao Juesong’s name, in Emperor Youning’s view, it was all fuel for his rage against Xiao Juesong.

“His Majesty must have harbored this anger for long, otherwise he wouldn’t disregard face to such an extent, willing to disturb our ancestors’ peace to force someone out.”

Back then, even when His Majesty ascended the throne, he hadn’t gone so far as to dig up graves and move Noble Consort Jia, whom he despised, out of the imperial tomb. Now that he was willing to go to such lengths to force Xiao Juesong to appear showed his desperation. Perhaps it was also due to Xiao Huayong’s poison and Shen Xihe’s ink corroding His Majesty’s internal organs day and night, making him since his time was limited and growing more urgent.

Xiao Changqin nodded, agreeing with Shen Xihe’s analysis.

“His Majesty is currently bottling up his anger, waiting to unleash it on Imperial Uncle,” Shen Xihe continued. “But how would His Majesty feel if he learned that Imperial Uncle was no longer alive?”

“You want to let His Majesty know that Imperial Uncle has passed away?” To make His Majesty regret it deeply.

“That alone wouldn’t be enough,” Shen Xihe took a sip of water to moisten her lips before continuing. “We need to let His Majesty know that Imperial Uncle passed away just a month ago, that he was simply one step too late.

Moreover, Imperial Uncle died without any regrets, having accomplished his wishes.”

“Accomplished his wishes?” Xiao Changqin vaguely sensed what Shen Xihe was planning, but couldn’t fully grasp it.

“For instance, he had already poisoned His Majesty long ago and had His Majesty use a type of ink that could cause deterioration. This wasn’t poison, but it was irreversible. He merely went ahead first to wait for His Majesty.” The smile in Shen Xihe’s eyes grew deeper.

Since Xiao Huayong’s departure, she had worn mostly plain-colored clothing with her hair half-pulled up, adorned with only a white silk flower. She would wear simple, elegant jewelry only when paying respects to His Majesty and the Empress Dowager.

At this moment, her cascade of black hair was half-up, with a plain silk flower among the cloud-like tresses. She looked plain, almost bland, except for a gold butterfly-like ornament on her forehead that conveyed dignity and nobility. Combined with her smiling eyes, she should have appeared graceful and noble, but instead seemed too sharp, making others unable to meet her gaze.

The poison was administered by Xiao Huayong, though he had used Xiao Juesong’s people, making it somewhat legitimate. However, the ink still needed to be dealt with. Shen Xihe had been considering how to handle it when His Majesty either passed away or suddenly discovered it, ensuring she could emerge unscathed even if His Majesty didn’t suspect her or tried to frame her deliberately.

This was now a heaven-sent opportunity. If His Majesty learned that he had fallen into Xiao Juesong’s trap, and knew the cause but could not reverse it, only watching himself wither away day by day unstoppably.

What torment this would be for an emperor who held absolute power over life and death!

And the person who had condemned him to this living death had already died peacefully. His Majesty’s internal struggle would never find release!

As he grew weaker day by day, his accumulated grief and pain would deepen. Even if he stopped using the ink, it would achieve the effect Shen Xihe had calculated.

This was truly killing the body to destroy the spirit!

Xiao Changqin became serious. He had always respected and thought highly of Shen Xihe, but had never placed her on the same level as Xiao Huayong. Now, he realized he had underestimated the Crown Princess. Her cunning, skill, and strategic wisdom were truly comparable to the Crown Prince, whose mind was as full of schemes as a sieve with holes.

“No wonder, no wonder the Crown Prince could leave with peace of mind,” Xiao Changqin understood now.

How could Xiao Huayong, who was willing to take an extra knife wound for Shen Xihe’s sake, leave so hurriedly just because the poison in his body couldn’t wait? It was because he knew that even without him by her side, she could handle any crisis.

“Crown Princess, this plan is excellent,” Xiao Changqin agreed. “But who should we use to reveal this? Who could make His Majesty believe it all?”

Xiao Juesong must have had a co-conspirator for the story to be believable. At this point, there weren’t many people who could convince His Majesty, that he would be the best choice.

But Xiao Changqin felt Shen Xihe wouldn’t do this. If they were opponents, no, even if they weren’t allies, just on different sides, Shen Xihe wouldn’t hesitate to make him a scapegoat. If he couldn’t see through it, that would be his failing, and Shen Xihe wouldn’t feel guilty.

But they were now conspirators, and though Xiao Changqin didn’t know much about Shen Xihe, he felt she was straightforward enough not to easily harm any ally.

“Why must His Majesty know who the co-conspirator is? Wouldn’t one more source of anguish be better?” Shen Xihe smiled faintly. “To make His Majesty believe, we don’t necessarily need to reveal ourselves. We know Imperial Uncle had no heirs, but His Majesty doesn’t know that.

We can create a fictional heir. As long as their bearing and knowledge can convince His Majesty, that’s enough.

This person, Your Highness can arrange.”