Because of the rebellion of Prince Chen, the entire palace is now under martial law.
Xue Shen and Shen Youying waited a short while before the imperial guards at the gate allowed them to pass. The two were then led by a young eunuch to the East Palace.
As the young eunuch led the way, he explained, "The Ciyuan Palace and the surrounding palaces were destroyed by fire. Now only ruins remain and are still being cleared. For the convenience of holding meetings, Your Highness is staying in the East Palace."
Xue Heng was originally the deposed crown prince, so it was actually unreasonable for him to live in the Eastern Palace. However, he rushed back from the imperial mausoleum to save the emperor, and since Emperor Cheng'an was unconscious at the time, he was the only one in the palace who could take charge of the situation, so everyone tacitly agreed to his return to the palace.
Xue Shen, sitting in a wheelchair and being pushed by a guard, saw Xue Heng striding towards him from afar.
He was still wearing his ordinary Taoist robe, his posture upright, but his expression was somewhat haggard. Xue Shen looked at the person who approached, patted his arm, and sighed, "I never expected that such a big thing would happen in just half a month since I left the capital."
Xue Heng nodded slightly to Shen Youying, dismissed the guards, and personally pushed him into the hall: "It's better that you're not here. If you were in the capital, given your tense relationship with Prince Chen, you might have suffered." He paused here and sighed, "He even went so far as to harm the Empress."
Xue Shen smiled dismissively: "If I were in the capital, I might have noticed his abnormality sooner."
He then asked, "How is Your Majesty now? Has Prince Chen been captured?"
Xue Heng shook his head, looking worried: "He woke up once in the middle of the night. The imperial physician said that he was overwhelmed by anger and fright, and showed signs of a stroke. They are still doing their best to save him."
"The Emperor is a lucky man, and Heaven will surely bless him," Xue Shen said, offering words of comfort.
Xue Heng nodded, led the two to a seat, and ordered the palace servants to serve tea before speaking of Prince Chen: "Prince Chen took advantage of the chaos to leave the palace that day and disappeared without a trace. I sent people to search Prince Chen's residence and found Zhou Zhenrong. According to her, Prince Chen only took Shen Muyu with him when he left. Even if you hadn't come to the palace, I would have gone to ask my sister-in-law to see if I could find any clues."
His gaze fell on Shen Youying's face, and seeing the look of surprise on her face, he frowned again: "Did Prince Chen only take Shen Muyu with him when he escaped?"
Xue Heng nodded: "This matter is indeed a bit strange. Prince Chen could even poison his own mother, and his concubines in the backyard were also almost poisoned. There is no way he would be lusting after beauties when he is in such a predicament. He must have something in mind."
Shen Youying pondered for a moment, then shook her head: "I really can't figure out the reason either."
Seeing that she couldn't provide any clues, Xue Heng sighed and changed the subject, as if trying to ease the heavy atmosphere: "Did you go to Longquan Manor this time?"
Xue Shen hummed in agreement: "My father-in-law went to war, and Zhao Zhao was worried. The atmosphere in the capital was also not good, so I took her out for some fresh air."
As he spoke, he looked at Xue Heng, who looked much more haggard, and said, "The medicinal spring in Longquan Manor has health benefits. If you have time, you can stay there for a while. I see that you look much more haggard since you came back this time."
Xue Heng smiled wryly: "With one thing after another, who knows when I'll have a moment to spare?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Shen also sighed.
As the two were talking, a eunuch came to report that Emperor Cheng'an had woken up and wanted to see the Crown Prince.
Since the father and son had something to say to each other, Xue Shen took the initiative to say goodbye and left the palace first with Shen Youying.
The two left as they had come. Once back at Tingmei Pavilion, Shen Youying couldn't help but ask, "Why did Prince Chen specifically take Shen Muyu with him? Does Your Highness know their whereabouts?"
For some reason, she always felt that Xue Shen would know the reason.
Xue Shen squeezed her fingers, pondered for a moment, and then decided not to hide it from her any longer: "This is her own choice. Right now, they should already be on their way to Jinzhou."
Shen Youying lowered her eyes and remained silent for a long time.
He assumed Shen Youying was worried about Shen Muyu, so he explained, "My men are secretly following her. When the time is right, they will help her escape. However... she herself may not want to come back."
Upon hearing this, Shen Youying raised her eyes and said softly, "Is this also part of the Prince's plan?"
Xue Shen paused for a moment, and after a long while, he nodded.
He saw Shen Youying purse her lips, her lowered eyelashes trembling slightly. He pinched her chin with his fingers and lifted it up, looking directly into her eyes as he asked, "Is Zhaozhao scared? Or is she resenting me?"
Shen Youying shook her head, unsure how to describe the complex feelings in her heart: "I just... I just..." She frowned and hesitated for a long time before finally expressing her true feelings more accurately: "I just need some time to adjust..."
Knowing that Xue Shen was a man of great ambition, she didn't deliberately hide many of the things he did in secret from her later. Shen Youying wasn't stupid; she vaguely guessed some of it.
But the feeling is completely different when you're standing on the sidelines, looking at things through a fog, versus when you find yourself in the thick of it.
Moreover, a question slowly surfaced, pricking her heart like needles, not painful, but constantly reminding her.
Xue Shen observed her expression and sighed softly.
Although I knew this day would come, I was still somewhat apprehensive when I actually faced it.
He recalled that just before returning to Beijing, Zhao Zhao had nestled obediently on his lap, offering him immense comfort and companionship.
He was never afraid when he was secretly plotting everything, but now, seeing her avoidance of eye contact, it felt as if a crack had opened in his chest, and a gust of wind was blowing in, which almost made him afraid.
She was afraid that Shen Youying would change her mind.
Xue Shen's eyes darkened slightly. He pulled her face to face and held her on his lap, forehead to forehead, not giving her a chance to escape: "Zhao Zhao, if there's anything else on your mind, you can say it."
Shen Youying's body tensed up subconsciously, but then slowly relaxed under his gentle touch.
They were an inseparable couple, having shared countless nights and days in bed together, their bodies had long since become accustomed to and accepted each other.
Shen Youying nestled weakly into his broad, reassuring embrace, the familiar, faint sandalwood scent emanating from him filling her nostrils. Like a helpless little animal, she rubbed against his chest, burying her face in it, and whispered, "Why did you marry me in the first place?"
Sure enough, Xue Shen sighed.
He removed the pearl hairpin from her hair, gently ran his fingers through her hair, and tenderly stroked it: "I married you because I remembered my father-in-law's contributions to the Great Wei, and I couldn't bear to see him and his family humiliated..."
He clearly hadn't finished speaking, but strangely he stopped.
Shen Youying didn't look up at him, and asked in a muffled voice, "Anything else?"
"Furthermore, you are your father-in-law's most beloved daughter. If I marry you, I will have a greater chance of winning over the Shen family in the future."
Xue Shen's voice was somewhat hoarse and deep, and he fell silent after speaking.
It's like waiting for Shen Youying's judgment.
Shen Youying buried her head in his arms, greedily inhaling his scent. After a long while, she raised her head, looked at him, and asked, "Does Your Highness still think the same way?"
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