Sunlight filtered through layers of plane tree leaves, their illuminated surfaces connecting like scattered golden gauze, painting the sky in shades of orange-yellow.

The wind blew softly, leaves drifted silently, and time passed quietly. It seemed like an eternity had passed, yet also just a moment, before Xiao Huayong’s violent coughing finally subsided. “I remember when the Princess asked me that day… if I was content?”

His loosely clenched fist pressed against his lips. “As the Crown Prince, if I cannot ascend to the throne, no successor would tolerate the presence of the legitimate heir. Although… my health is poor, in five or six years, who knows what changes might occur? As long as I live another day, I should plan for that day.”

She was telling him that he had the power to protect himself. He too worried that should an opportunity arise and his health improve, he would be unable to protect himself.

For one who had been Crown Prince, there were only two paths: victory or defeat.

As he said, no emperor who ascended the throne could tolerate the existence of a brother who was once the legitimate heir.

This was an indirect acknowledgment that he had his power base.

“Your Highness, might the Bone-Shedding Pill be of use to you?” Shen Xihe asked.

She didn’t doubt that Xiao Huayong was feigning illness – he certainly couldn’t have deceived Emperor Youning without reason. Something must have happened eleven years ago that truly damaged his foundation, and Emperor Youning must have been convinced he wouldn’t live long, which was why he hadn’t rushed to depose the Crown Prince even now.

The person who had impersonated Hua Haihai could also impersonate Zhao Zhenghao and take three heads with one sword, showing remarkable martial arts skills.

She didn’t doubt this person was Xiao Huayong but rather suspected this person was Xiao Huayong’s trusted confidant.

Since Xiao Huayong had considered his future and cultivated his power base, he must desperately want to recover, just like her!

Since the Bone-Shedding Pill had worked for her, it would surely work for Xiao Huayong as well – how could he possibly remain unmoved?

“Is the Princess referring to Old White’s treasure?” It would have been too suspicious to claim ignorance. Xiao Huayong’s voice was weak. “I sent people to search for the Immortal’s Sash but found nothing. We also inquired about the old man’s whereabouts, but the item had already been taken by someone.”

“Did Your Highness not pursue who had taken it?”

“The old man wouldn’t say. In this vast world, where would one even begin to search?” Xiao Huayong shook his head gently. “I imagine whoever wants this item needs it as desperately as I do to save their life. They certainly wouldn’t be willing to give it up, so why bother investigating further *cough cough cough cough*…”

After another bout of coughing, Xiao Huayong lowered his eyelids: “Isn’t everyone’s life equally precious? I want to live, but so do others. I cannot abuse my authority to forcibly seize it.”

“Your Highness is the Crown Prince.”

“I am the Crown Prince and therefore should love the people as my children. If today I disregard others’ lives to save my own, tomorrow I would likewise disregard the people’s suffering for my desires. If that’s the case, it would be a blessing for the common people if such a Crown Prince never ascended to the throne.” Xiao Huayong spoke with sincere conviction.

“So, Your Highness’s virtue leads you to accept the gamble’s outcome.” Shen Xihe suddenly smiled.

Xiao Huayong revealed just the right amount of confusion: “What does the Princess mean by this?”

Shen Xihe lifted her chin slightly, meeting Xiao Huayong’s gaze. Her eyes, seemingly shrouded in a layer of cold mist, held penetrating power.

In Xiao Huayong’s eyes was complete bewilderment, and a hint of panic – not the panic of guilt, but rather the confusion of not knowing what wrong one has committed.

“Crown Prince, the Bone-Shedding Pill is in my possession,” Shen Xihe lowered her eyes. “When I obtained it, I encountered a mysterious person who first impersonated His Majesty’s Embroidered Uniform Guard, then a wealthy merchant, then a scholar heading to the imperial examinations, and finally the Junior Lord of the Court of Judicial Review…”

Shen Xihe raised her eyes to see Xiao Huayong’s grave expression: “What kind of person does Your Highness think could achieve such transformations?”

“An extraordinary individual,” Xiao Huayong coughed lightly as he fell into contemplation. “It must be someone from the imperial family.”

This dynasty had passed its centennial – it couldn’t be someone from the previous dynasty seeking revenge.

To be able to carefully place people in such positions must indicate grand schemes. With the court’s strength, neither civil nor military officials would dare harbor thoughts of rebellion. Only princes vying for succession would do such things.

“Indeed, it must be someone from the imperial family.” Shen Xihe watched him quietly. “I’m not well acquainted with the princes. Does Your Highness have any suspicions?”

“*Cough cough cough cough*…” After coughing several times, Xiao Huayong replied somewhat embarrassedly, “I left the palace at age eight and didn’t grow up with my brothers. I don’t know much about them either.”

Shen Xihe nodded meaningfully: “To be honest with Your Highness, due to certain circumstances, I made a deal with him. We agreed not to conflict, for now, waiting until everything is cleared up before determining a winner. Therefore, regarding this An Xi matter, I didn’t think he should know about it, or he would have informed me beforehand.

I promised him the northwestern market. If the An Xi situation couldn’t be resolved well and the northwest changed hands, it would hurt his interests too.”

Xiao Huayong listened attentively.

Shen Xihe continued: “I originally thought he didn’t know the inside story, but after the An Xi matter was settled, I felt he must have had a hand in pushing things along.”

“What makes you say that?” Xiao Huayong’s expression was serious.

“I believe the defense map was stolen by someone from the former Hexi Military Commissioner, and I also believe Prince Xin was behind the scenes manipulating this person to do so. Prince Xin’s goal was primarily to arrange for someone to be placed in Hexi…”

Shen Xihe gazed steadily at Xiao Huayong: “Precisely because Prince Xin’s planning was so meticulous, he would never have blatantly arranged for his uncle to become the Hexi Military Commissioner at such a crucial step. That doesn’t match Prince Xin’s character of keeping a low profile.”

“So the Princess believes someone caught Fifth Brother off guard, and this person is the one the Princess hasn’t yet found *cough cough cough cough*…” Xiao Huayong followed Shen Xihe’s reasoning to its conclusion.

“Yes.” Shen Xihe nodded slightly. “So he was involved in this matter, but why didn’t he think to do me a favor by informing me? What does Your Highness think?”

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Huayong said: “Perhaps… he knew the Princess would find out anyway?”

“I think so too. This person, like Your Highness…” She deliberately paused before continuing, “learned about the loss of the An Xi defense map very quickly after I did. If it had been any later, there wouldn’t have been time to arrange such an intricate plot.”

Since Shen Xihe had spoken so directly, Xiao Huayong naturally couldn’t continue playing dumb: “Does the Princess suspect that I am that person *cough cough cough cough*… the one with such far-reaching influence whom the Princess is wary of?”

Shen Xihe quickly glanced up at Tian Yuan behind Xiao Huayong.

Tian Yuan’s face showed incomprehension and confusion, as if ready to burst out asking how the Princess could make such a suspicion.

As Shen Xihe unexpectedly looked at Tian Yuan, a trace of a smile flitted across Xiao Huayong’s lips.

If he truly were such a person, his confidants would certainly know. No matter how deep his schemes ran, those close to him would inevitably reveal tells when caught off guard.

Had she come to investigate him before checking the Imperial Guard, she might have succeeded.

But now that she had come, he had already guessed her intentions and had prepared Tian Yuan accordingly.