“Youyou, are you alright?” Shen Yun’an was more concerned about Shen Xihe’s condition, her still pale, bloodless face causing him extreme worry.
“Brother, I’m fine,” Shen Xihe’s eyes were soft. “The Imperial Medical Office was deceived because I was prepared. Tomorrow I’ll introduce you to someone.”
Even now, Shen Xihe hadn’t let Shen Yun’an meet Xie Yunhuai. She had taken her medicine while Shen Yun’an was out, unwilling to let him see her unbearable pain and deathly pallor after taking the bone-dissolving pill, knowing it would distress him.
Yesterday, while Shen Yun’an was arranging to hide people in Furong Garden, Shen Xihe had taken her medicine and asked Xie Yunhuai for a drug that could temporarily disturb her pulse. Though it had some impact on her body, it wasn’t serious. Xie Yunhuai, worried about her weakness, had insisted on examining her again tomorrow.
“Is it Doctor Qi?” Shen Yun’an guessed.
“Yes,” Shen Xihe nodded gently.
Shen Yun’an gazed at Shen Xihe with a deep look, causing her confusion: “Brother, why are you looking at me like that?”
“Doctor Qi is accomplished at such a young age, and quite handsome…”
“Brother.”
Before Shen Yun’an could finish, Shen Xihe knew what he was thinking. Close relatives tend to be particularly sensitive about marriageable kin – whenever a talented and attractive person of the opposite sex appears, they tend to overthink.
“Doctor Qi and I are purely platonic friends. Men and women can interact like gentlemen.”
Shen Xihe’s gaze was clear. Shen Yun’an felt both relieved and anxious – relieved that his sister hadn’t been deceived by any young man’s sweet words, but anxious that she seemed so detached from matters of the heart.
He had investigated Doctor Qi thoroughly, as he did with anyone his sister frequently encountered. It was a habit developed since childhood – his sister was too delicate and attractive to risk letting ill-intentioned people near her.
The Lingrong incident had made him even more cautious. He had thoroughly investigated Doctor Qi’s background, character, appearance, talents, and learning.
His sister had been in the capital for quite some time. Though the imperial princes were all exceptional, Doctor Qi was also outstanding among men, and she was at the age of first love, yet not a single person had moved her heart even slightly.
“Brother, the Court of the Imperial Clan!” Seeing Shen Yun’an’s expression, Shen Xihe knew what he was pondering and had to urge him on.
Sighing lightly, Shen Yun’an said: “I’ll watch personally, ensuring no one can come and go without a trace.”
This earned him a pleased smile from Shen Xihe.
Her smile under the night pearl hanging in the carriage was like jade emanating light, diffusing spots of radiance, making Shen Yun’an’s eyes blur momentarily as he involuntarily showed an indulgent smile.
Since his sister was so happy, he naturally wanted to handle things well to make her even happier.
After escorting Shen Xihe back to the Princess’s mansion and watching the carriage enter, Shen Yun’an turned away, his tall figure disappearing into the night.
Though Shen Xihe’s health was improving, she wasn’t yet as robust as ordinary people. Today had exhausted her, and upon returning home, she couldn’t wait for Shen Yun’an’s news. After bathing, she fell into deep sleep.
Among all the nobles and officials in the capital, she was probably the only one who could sleep that night.
The civil and military officials were all pondering this matter. Those friendly with Kong Wang were busy recalling if they had left any weakness in his hands, or if they had unknowingly become involved in his private weapon forging during their interactions.
Those who were at odds with Kong Wang, or whose political enemies were close to him, were eagerly fanning the flames, adding to his troubles.
The study rooms of various princes’ residences were brightly lit as they wondered who Kong Wang was working for, contemplated the vacancy he would leave, and considered how they could manipulate this situation for their benefit…
In the Eastern Palace, Xiao Huayong sat behind his desk in the warm chamber of the main hall, reading today’s letters.
The lamplight flickered, casting warm, gentle light like mist.
A soft smile appeared on his jade-like face, his silver eyes rippling with increasing waves of appreciation and delight.
“I knew she was clever, but I still underestimated her,” his voice was warm and gentle in the quiet night, mixed with endless admiration.
Everyone knew the Crown Prince’s health was poor. At the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration, he had only stayed briefly to show his respect, then returned to the Eastern Palace at the repeated urging of the Empress Dowager and Emperor. He had thought today’s celebration would be uneventful, never expecting such a shocking conclusion.
“What a pity. Had I known, I should have found an excuse to return and witness this spectacle personally,” Xiao Huayong sighed regretfully. The Emperor’s expression must have been quite something to see.
Tianyuan stood like a wooden post behind Xiao Huayong, waiting for him to finish his musings.
Xiao Huayong raised his finger, the black chess piece at his fingertip appearing even more lustrous in the lamplight, his expression growing gentler: “The lady truly cannot be underestimated.”
Xiao Huayong had long known about His Majesty’s private weapon forging and secret army building, which had drained the treasury. Fortunately, recent years have seen good weather. Otherwise, the Minister of Revenue would have taken the blame for His Majesty. He had been investigating but found no leads.
He never imagined His Majesty would entrust the weapons to a fool like Kong Wang.
Even more surprisingly, this fool had let a concubine like Yu Xiaodie discover and investigate it.
Most astonishing was how Shen Xihe, after learning of it, had acted so naturally, carefully laying out her plan step by step, using the situation to her advantage and exposing everything effortlessly!
She hadn’t lost a single soldier, hadn’t exposed any of her power, and even His Majesty wouldn’t think she had done it deliberately.
“Tianyuan, wouldn’t you say the Princess’s strategic mind is unmatched?” Xiao Huayong’s light pink lips curved upward, his eyes bright and gentle.
“For Your Highness to regard her so highly, the Princess must surely surpass all other ladies,” Tianyuan hurried to praise.
However, he also felt that if Princess Zhaoning had been born male, she would surely be His Highness’s strongest rival. But at this moment, he truly dared not praise her any less!
“Regard her so highly…” Even though Tianyuan’s praise was sincere, it still didn’t satisfy Xiao Huayong. After softly repeating these words, he placed his hand over his heart.
Just now, after reading the detailed process of Shen Xihe’s entire plan, he had felt something different here – just one or two slight beats, but enough to make him understand that Shen Xihe had stirred his heart.
There it was again! His magnificent and imposing Highness was showing that entranced expression again, this time more dazed than ever before, as if drifting in a sea of wine, completely intoxicated!
Tianyuan made a bitter face: “Your Highness, timing is crucial.”
The Kong Wang incident was like thunder from a clear sky, stunning everyone senseless and catching His Majesty off guard.
If they didn’t seize this opportunity to act, when would they?
Yet his usually wise and decisive Highness seemed to have forgotten everything, his mind and eyes full of admiration for the Princess’s wisdom!