His Majesty’s intent?

Shen Xihe’s lips curved slightly, a faint smile vanishing in an instant: “Grandfather need not worry. I have some speculation about His Majesty’s thoughts, and will certainly be careful and vigilant.”

Seeing her confidence, and also knowing she wouldn’t reveal even a hint despite his concerns, Tao Zhuanxian understood Shen Xihe’s meaning. Opening his mouth, his words transformed into a long, soft sigh.

He could charge recklessly forward for his granddaughter, but he wasn’t alone – he had children and grandchildren, daughters-in-law, and their families behind them. He couldn’t endanger the entire clan with one person’s bravery.

“Grandfather, Youyou will not lose.” Shen Xihe gripped Tao Zhuanxian’s hand firmly, her obsidian-like deep eyes flashing with determined brilliance.

Tao Zhuanxian smiled, patted her hand, and left silently.

Maple leaves fell, and ice formed after snow.

In this bitter early spring, the capital mostly stood in wind and snow. Today was rarely clear, with weak sunlight filtering through thick, slightly yellowed clouds like old cotton wadding, striking the icy branches and refracting dazzling five-colored light.

This burst of color blooming amid the silver-white landscape merged into Shen Xihe’s vision, softening her beautiful features somewhat: “His Majesty has made his move. Some people should be getting restless. When the time is ripe, we shall determine victory or defeat.”

Tianyuan and Zhenzhu tensed, exchanging a glance: “Yes.”

What needed to be arranged, Shen Xihe had already arranged. Though some things couldn’t be precisely predicted, like His Majesty ordering the Imperial Grandson’s investiture, these were minor matters that couldn’t affect the overall situation.

The palace became busy, preparing for Xiao Junzhu’s investiture ceremony. Tianyuan and Zhenzhu also grew busy, using the ceremony’s cover to implement Shen Xihe’s arrangements step by step.

The Astronomical Bureau quickly calculated an auspicious date for the investiture – the third month of spring, an extremely favorable day. As this date approached, neither the outer court nor the inner palace had any peace. Everyone had their calculations, everyone speculating what storms this ceremony might stir up. Some wanted to risk seeking merit, others strove to stay prudently uninvolved.

Life’s hundred forms surged violently beneath seemingly peaceful days.

“Your Highness, Yu Sangning has disappeared.”

This day, as Shen Xihe watched spring return to the earth while trimming the branches of a Pingzhong leaf bonsai, Biyu came hurriedly.

Her words drew no reaction from Shen Xihe as if she hadn’t heard. But Biyu knew the Crown Princess had heard – she had long predicted such a day would come, hence her utterly calm reaction.

Putting down the scissors, Shen Xihe’s fingertips brushed the branches, seemingly searching for any wayward growth: “Send the first letter to the Tan family.”

“The Tan family?” Biyu momentarily failed to understand.

Shen Xihe turned to look at her: “The Tan family serving Prince Xun’s wife.”

Biyu finally understood, somewhat frustrated that she needed the Crown Princess’s reminder to remember: “What message should I convey?”

“The debt for my mother’s kindness has been repaid in full.”

Just eight words. Biyu didn’t understand why, when discussing Yu Sangning, Shen Xihe had brought up the Tan family. But she dared not ask more, quickly going to carry out Shen Xihe’s instructions.

“Youyou’s blessings, deer’s cry remembering this.”

Baisui suddenly raised its voice in a cry. Shen Xihe couldn’t help teasing it. She had once been someone who especially loved quiet, but after Xiao Huayong left, she’d grown fond of Baisui. Who knew how many phrases Xiao Huayong had taught it – it always had fresh ones to spring out.

When she tried to tease it, it wouldn’t speak. Sometimes it would repeat just a few phrases for long periods, and just when you thought it had no new words, it would unexpectedly pop out with something new.

“Your Highness, His Majesty coughed blood again today.” Sui Axi, returning from outside, saw Shen Xihe teasing Baisui in the rain corridor and hurried forward.

He had returned from the Hall of Diligent Government. His Majesty had been frequently coughing blood lately, something he never concealed. It left people’s hearts unsettled. His Majesty seemed somewhat anxious too – whether Sui Axi or famous civilian doctors, as long as they passed the Imperial Medical Office’s assessment proving genuine skill, they would be invited to the palace. Whether they could cure His Majesty didn’t matter; they would receive ten gold pieces as a reward.

Thus, His Majesty made his approaching death known to all and spread throughout the realm.

“In your view, how many days does His Majesty have?” Shen Xihe asked.

“This servant dares not say definitively.” Sui Axi lowered his voice, “But the Duke of Xie gave a five-day limit.”

The current Duke of Xie was Xie Yunhuai. His Majesty not only hadn’t overlooked Xie Yunhuai’s other identity as a physician but appreciated and trusted him more than others, summoning him almost daily.

“Five days…” Shen Xihe laughed softly, “What a good day indeed.”

Six days later would be Xiao Junzhu’s investiture ceremony. If His Majesty passed away within five days, the ceremony would have to be delayed. The Astronomical Bureau had truly calculated well – without formal investiture, he still wouldn’t be the legitimate Imperial Grandson.

The next day, Emperor Youning claimed illness and didn’t hold court. Everyone had seen Emperor Youning’s growing frailty. When he suddenly took to his bed, all civil and military officials were deeply worried. For three consecutive days, he didn’t hold court, and it was even said His Majesty could hardly drink, couldn’t speak, and spent more time unconscious than awake.

With just one day until the Imperial Grandson’s investiture, as the last rays of sunset were swallowed up, the recently closed Eastern Palace gates were knocked upon. It was Liu Sanzhi personally coming, his manner respectful: “This servant brings His Majesty’s command requesting Her Highness the Crown Princess to the Hall of Diligent Government.”

Shen Xihe hadn’t retired yet. She wore plain clothes – the Crown Prince had been dead less than a year, and she was still in mourning. Her black hair fell like a waterfall, adorned only with some simple white pearl ornaments, white flowers still at her temples.

She brought Tianyuan and Hongyu to follow Liu Sanzhi to the Hall of Diligent Government. At the door to the emperor’s chambers, Liu Sanzhi stopped both Hongyu and Tianyuan: “His Majesty summons only the Crown Princess.”

Shen Xihe turned her head slightly, giving them a look before following Liu Sanzhi inside.

The bedchamber was filled with a dense medicinal fragrance, nearly overwhelming Shen Xihe’s keen sense of smell.

The door closed, and Liu Sanzhi didn’t withdraw. He lifted the bed curtains. Under the hanging night pearls, Emperor Youning lay still, currently appearing somewhat like the brightness before death – his complexion ruddy, expression peaceful, gaze clear.

“Your Majesty.” Shen Xihe performed a proper bow.

Emperor Youning, his spirit seemingly undiminished, focused his eyes, though not on Shen Xihe but on the canopy: “We know Our time is near, yet many doubts remain in Our mind. Are you willing to resolve them for Us?”

“When Your Majesty asks, this child will speak without concealment and hold nothing back,” Shen Xihe respectfully replied.

“At this time, on this day, We only wish to hear the truth,” Emperor Youning added.

“How dare this child deceive the emperor?” Shen Xihe’s response was watertight.