Xiao Huayong’s face darkened, his deep pupils like bottomless abysses as if something world-destroying churned within them.

Shen Xihe had never been one to show fear. She faced him with a cold expression, their eyes locked, refusing to yield an inch.

After a moment of tension, Xiao Huayong finally conceded, explaining in a low voice: “I’m just taking precautions. You and I both know the current situation in Dengzhou. If we don’t address the flooding, countless lives among Dengzhou’s hundreds of thousands of citizens will be lost. Even those lucky enough to survive will be left with nothing.”

“The flood must be controlled, and I agree with Maternal Grandfather and Second Uncle’s method. Don’t evade the issue – I disagree with you taking the lead,” Shen Xihe stared at him. “Once you step forward, everything we’ve done before will be wasted.”

She had spent considerable effort making everyone believe Xiao Huayong was her puppet, that all Eastern Palace strategies came from her, keeping Xiao Huayong hidden behind her so no one would scrutinize him too deeply.

If he forcefully took the lead this time, everything would be exposed.

“It’s not that I want to force my way forward or deliberately disrupt your plans, but this matter requires someone of my standing to take responsibility,” Xiao Huayong explained gently.

This wasn’t an ordinary matter – Shen Xihe’s title as Crown Princess couldn’t be involved. If this reached His Majesty’s ears, he would certainly reject it. He could try to act first and report later, but the implications would be impossible to hide once he ordered the mobilization of people to dig waterways.

With Xiao Changyan and Xiao Changqin in Dengzhou, and the Prefecture Governor being Xiao Changmin’s future in-law, this news couldn’t be hidden from the court and His Majesty, no matter his abilities. His Majesty would surely rebuke and strongly oppose it.

To convince the common people and mobilize Dengzhou’s officials and military guards who stood ready despite imperial pressure, only his authority as Crown Prince carried enough weight. If he couldn’t withstand His Majesty’s questioning, even if people believed in the method, they wouldn’t dare act. Digging channels for water diversion wasn’t a task for one or two people – it required thousands working in unison.

Without being able to mobilize people, they could only wait for disaster to strike, equivalent to awaiting death.

“I understand all of this,” Shen Xihe gripped his wrist, her bright eyes fixed firmly on his. “If you trust me, hand everything over to me after this. I guarantee I can handle His Majesty’s pressure and keep you hidden. Perhaps… abandoning this plan might make Prince Jing and His Majesty more convinced that I’m truly running the Eastern Palace.”

Xiao Huayong opened his mouth but could only manage a helpless sigh.

He couldn’t describe his feelings at being so thoroughly protected by someone. Those who hadn’t experienced it couldn’t understand the emotional surge, like warm gentle streams enveloping his heart, making it float like a petal on clear waters, comfortable and free.

Yet alongside his gratitude and warmth came helplessness. His wife’s intelligence was extraordinary. Between them, neither could consistently take the lead. Even when he wanted to exhaust himself planning for her, she firmly refused. He couldn’t persuade her – once she made up her mind, he had to yield.

It left him feeling both warm and powerless. Finally, he could only set aside these tangled thoughts and let her have her way.

Even as Shen Xihe was persuading Xiao Huayong, a complete plan had already formed in her mind. After they returned from the coast the next day, Shen Xihe had Xiao Huayong pretend to be sick with a cold, bedridden. She immediately had Mo Yuan hurriedly bring Sui Axi over.

Bringing Sui Axi wasn’t really to treat Xiao Huayong, but to apply acupuncture or prescribe medicine to make it appear he truly had symptoms of a cold.

Shortly after Sui Axi returned, news of Xiao Huayong’s severe cold spread. Xiao Changqin naturally came to visit out of duty, while Xiao Changyan not only visited but brought his advisor.

“Hearing Crown Prince Brother is gravely ill, my advisor has some medical knowledge, more skilled than ordinary physicians. Please allow him to check Your Highness’s pulse,” Xiao Changyan spoke earnestly.

They wanted to verify not just if Xiao Huayong truly had a cold, but more importantly, if he was dying.

Xiao Huayong was well-prepared. The poison in his body created false symptoms of weakness. This rare poison, unless specifically identified as the cause, would appear from the pulse alone as a signs of early death.

“Two heads are better than one. I’ve already called for a physician who has prescribed medicine, but I’d like to hear what Prince Jing’s doctor might add,” Shen Xihe answered.

It seemed that except for when he first returned to the capital and visited the Eastern Palace to investigate his uncle’s death, when Shen Xihe had stood quietly beside Xiao Huayong like a proper helper, she hadn’t shown any courtesy since.

She appeared to be making all the decisions for Xiao Huayong, regardless of time or place.

Xiao Changyan furrowed his sharp brows. Before he could speak, Xiao Huayong habitually cooperated with Shen Xihe, extending his hand. His heart clenched – he had never seen any man so submissive to his wife.

Though Xiao Huayong shared no brotherly bond with him, he was still his half-brother and the Crown Prince, superior in status. Xiao Huayong’s submission to Shen Xihe made him feel an inexplicable loss of face.

He nodded to his advisor and stepped back, preferring not to watch.

The moment Xiao Changyan’s advisor felt Xiao Huayong’s pulse, his eyebrows shot up and his eyes widened. He couldn’t help but hold his breath to check more carefully, growing increasingly horrified at the results.

“What’s with that expression?” Shen Xihe said displeased. “Is the Crown Prince terminally ill?”

Though not terminal, it wasn’t far from it.

This thought crossed the advisor’s mind as he steadied himself and stammered: “This humble one apologizes for the reaction. His Highness’s cold is very severe and requires bed rest…”

Xiao Changyan glanced at his speechless advisor and covered for him: “Since Crown Brother is so ill, regarding the disaster relief, I dare not trouble Brother further. Perhaps…”

“Prince Jing is still under punishment. Even if the Crown Prince cannot oversee the disaster relief, don’t we still have Prince Xin?” Shen Xihe interrupted.

She wanted to say she was there, but while her intentions could be obvious, they couldn’t be stated directly. No matter how apparent, without explicit statements there was no evidence to use against her. Besides, deflecting to Xiao Changqin worked just as well – he already understood the true nature of their marriage.