Even though Tian Yuan was mentally prepared for His Highness the Crown Prince’s obsessive state whenever matters concerned the Zhaoning Princess, he still felt somewhat despondent. However, seeing the joy in His Highness’s heart gave him some comfort, though this happiness didn’t last long.
This was because after Shen Yun’an arrived in the capital, the siblings spent every day exploring the city together. They sampled every renowned restaurant in the capital, leaving Prince Xiao Huayong without any excuse to see her, even depriving him of reasons to send food boxes.
Tian Yuan noticed his master becoming more taciturn with each passing day and had no choice but to tread carefully himself.
Within days, the An Xi matter indeed erupted. Shen Yueshan investigated through Ye Qi, and although most evidence had been destroyed, many suspicious points were still uncovered and submitted to the throne in a detailed memorial.
Emperor You Ning was greatly displeased. During the morning court session, in front of all civil and military officials, he berated the Fourth Prince, Prince Ding, for his treacherous intentions. To demonstrate his loyalty, Prince Ding kowtowed until his forehead bled on the floor, vehemently swearing he knew nothing of this matter and declaring someone attempted to frame him.
“How did His Majesty handle it?” Though Shen Xihe couldn’t attend court, Shen Yun’an could. Not only was he the Western Prince’s heir, but he was also the Military Commander of Liangzhou, and this matter involved the Northwest.
“Father listed the suspicious points, and Ye Qi certainly couldn’t explain them clearly, but there was no substantial evidence. His Majesty stripped him of his position as Military Commissioner of Hexi and recalled him to the capital, though what happens after wasn’t specified,” said Shen Yun’an. “The court argued endlessly about who should replace the Hexi Military Commissioner position. His Majesty grew weary of the noise and dismissed the court.”
“His Majesty is likely deliberately waiting to see how the princes demonstrate their abilities through this matter,” Shen Xihe laughed softly.
“It’s none of our concern. We should just watch the show,” Shen Yun’an hadn’t uttered a single word during the morning court session.
“There are many capable military officials in court; this is quite a lucrative position,” Shen Xihe felt there would be quite a show, just waiting to see who would make the winning move.
“The most interesting part is that back then, to consolidate power, His Majesty married daughters from military families, resulting in every prince having powerful backing,” Shen Yun’an’s eyes flickered with an amused smile. “I wonder if the Crown Prince will also try to intervene.”
The Crown Prince’s maternal clan was weak, and the Empress’s family was unfortunate. Their achievements couldn’t compare to the maternal families of other imperial concubines. Before Emperor You Ning ascended the throne, the direct line had perished in warfare, and the collateral branches had mostly been mediocre these past ten years.
This was precisely why Xiao Huayong was not favored by others.
Since she had been in the capital for so long, she sensed that almost everyone seemed to take it for granted that Xiao Huayong would die young. Even common people on the streets would discuss the various princes, exclusively omitting Xiao Huayong—he seemed like a non-entity in the entire capital.
“Whether he will or won’t doesn’t matter.” Once, Shen Xihe had thought Xiao Huayong had no supporters. During the previous Qu Yanguang incident, she had never doubted Xiao Huayong, but this time she dared not be so certain.
“The Hexi Military Commissioner position borders our Northwest. Aren’t you worried about them paying lip service while harboring other intentions?” Shen Yun’an raised his eyebrows.
“I don’t trust him, but I trust Father. After this incident, Father will certainly be more cautious,” Shen Xihe smiled gently. “Whoever it is, the result will be the same. If they behave properly, we can all live in peace; if they’re greedy, they won’t get as good an outcome as Ye Qi did.”
Considering Ye Wantang’s feelings and the fact that he wasn’t the mastermind behind this incident, and since it hadn’t caused losses to the Northwest, Shen Xihe wouldn’t pursue the matter.
But if it happened again, she would make them understand—you don’t provoke a tiger!
“Yu yu…”
Shen Yun’an opened his mouth to offer some advice but swallowed his words.
Never mind, as long as she was happy.
Shen Xihe’s eyes curved slightly, pleased with Shen Yun’an’s concession.
“This Prince Ding truly has deep schemes,” Shen Yun’an sighed lightly.
After coming of age, Prince Ding showed an attitude of disinterest in political affairs, and after marriage, he and his princess consort appeared to be a perfect couple living in domestic bliss.
If he had truly continued living such an unambitious life, regardless of who ascended the throne, his lifelong prosperity would have been assured if only to demonstrate benevolence. But now…
“Such a pity about the Princess Consort…” Shen Xihe also sighed.
Ye Wantang must be devastated right now.
Inside Prince Ding’s residence, upon receiving the news, Ye Wantang was indeed as Shen Xihe had predicted. Her eyes glistened with tears, rims reddened: “Why? Why did you deceive me?”
When her grandfather was alive, the Ye family had always been pure officials, loyal to the monarch, and beneficial to the common people.
Her grandfather hadn’t allowed her to marry into the royal family and had arranged a marriage for her early on. However, her fiancé’s family later committed a grave error and was demoted, and then she met Xiao Changtai and fell hopelessly in love.
When Xiao Changtai sought to marry her, he promised to keep her away from political intrigue, and he had indeed done so all these years. This had been a choice she was once proud of, but today she realized she had been a fool kept in the dark all along.
His so-called contentment with mediocrity was merely using her as a disguise!
Even now, she began to doubt whether his feelings for her had ever been genuine!
“Wan Wan, you know how I’ve treated you all these years.” Xiao Changtai gripped Ye Wantang’s shoulders with both hands. “I simply cannot accept this. As a prince, I consider myself no less capable than any of my brothers. If the Crown Prince were healthy, that would be different, but the Crown Prince will eventually… Why shouldn’t I take this chance? Wan Wan, if I don’t try this once, I’ll regret it for life!”
“Have you considered… what the consequences of failure would be?” Ye Wantang’s tear-filled eyes fixed intently on Xiao Changtai. “Do you know what it would take for you to succeed even if you won?”
Meeting his wife’s grief-stricken gaze, Xiao Changtai lowered his eyes.
“Let me tell you—if you fail, I and the entire Ye family will perish with you.” Ye Wantang gave a bitter smile as crystalline tears escaped her eyes, trailing down her beautiful face. “If you succeed, you’ll have to kill your brothers, maybe even… commit patricide!”
Her lips trembling, Ye Wantang tilted her head back to force back her tears: “Is power truly so important? Important enough that you would pay such a terrible price for it?”
Xiao Changtai remained silent.
Ye Wantang pushed him away forcefully, stumbling backward herself, only steadying herself by grabbing a chair’s back. She turned to look at his hands reaching out to support her, and her tears flowed even more violently.
“Wan Wan…” Xiao Changtai gradually withdrew his fingers suspended in mid-air. “Things have come to this point. Even if I wanted to stop now, no one would believe me.”
Ye Wantang closed her eyes in anguish: “You never intended to stop… Xiao Changtai, listen well.”
She opened her eyes, her tear-filled gaze meeting his: “I’m not afraid to perish with you—that’s the price I pay for my ignorance. But I will not allow my maternal family to become a tool in your power grab.”
As she spoke, she suppressed her grief and gradually wiped away her tears: “Go find those willing to fight for you. I’ll help you take concubines, and if concubines aren’t enough, I’m willing to give up my position.”