After returning home, Xu Huixin was extremely uneasy and her mind was in complete turmoil. She didn't know what to do.
She and Hengnian were husband and wife, and they loved each other so much. She should have told them about Song Xia looking for her, but she was really worried that the child in her womb wouldn't grow up safely.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Hengnian, but rather that every step of Hengnian's previous plans had been part of the royal family's calculations, and now Hengnian was at a disadvantage, which made her hesitant to gamble with her child's future.
Xu Huixin touched her belly. She was willing to die with Heng Nian, but the child was not yet born and was innocent.
"What are you thinking about?" Si Hengnian appeared silently behind Xu Huixin, startling her.
"Why were you so quiet? What if you scared the child?" she asked, her face pale and tinged with reproach.
"It's my fault." Si Hengnian hugged her, but his eyes darkened slightly. "You still haven't told me what you were thinking just now."
"I'm thinking about the baby in my belly, but I don't know if it's a boy or a girl."
Si Hengnian was even more disappointed. He really wanted to tell Huixin that Huixin had a habit of blinking frequently and pursing her lips unnaturally when she lied. Why did Huixin hide it from him after meeting Madam Song from the General's Mansion?
"Boys or girls, they are all our children."
"Yes, we just hope he can have a smooth life and not have to live in constant fear like we do."
Si Hengnian pondered the meaning behind Hui Xin's words. Could it be that Hui Xin was beginning to regret marrying him? Did she not want to leave the capital with him? Besides that, he couldn't think of any other reason why Hui Xin would hide the fact that she had gone to see Madam Song from the General's Mansion.
"With me here, he will surely live a peaceful and prosperous life. Moreover, he will no longer have to worry about everyone like we do."
Xu Huixin bit her lip and asked, "Is this the only path we can take? What if we fail? What will happen to the child?"
Si Hengnian frowned: "Huixin, don't you believe in my abilities?"
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, but do you think all 200,000 soldiers over there will listen to you? Feng Shao is quite capable, and besides, the First Prince and the Second Prince have already gone there. Why don’t we just live our lives as they are now? As long as we don’t make any mistakes, you will still be the esteemed Prince Xun.”
"It's not a question of whether we want to or not, but whether His Majesty can tolerate me. Huixin, have you forgotten what happened to the Prime Minister's residence so quickly? Don't you want to avenge your father-in-law and mother-in-law?"
“I…” Xu Huixin’s face was filled with unbearable pain. “Of course I want to avenge my parents, but I don’t want you and our future child to take any risks.”
"No, I know those 200,000 soldiers won't all listen to me, but I can persuade the Mirror Kingdom to cooperate with me. The Mirror Kingdom has a harsh living environment, and if things go well, it's not impossible to give them a few cities."
"You want to betray the country?" Xu Huixin couldn't help but exclaim. "What will happen to the people inside the city once the Mirror Kingdom occupies it?"
“I will negotiate the terms with the Mirror Kingdom myself, Huixin, you don’t need to worry about that. Besides, these terms are only temporary. Once my foundation is solid, I will take it back.”
Although Si Hengnian spoke with great confidence, even if Xu Huixin didn't understand military affairs, she knew that it wouldn't be easy to execute.
First of all, why would the Jing Kingdom agree to your conditions? Even if they do agree, wouldn't it be a feigned agreement with ulterior motives? Would Your Majesty just stand by and watch this situation develop? Our dynasty isn't without troops besides these 200,000 soldiers. In the end, won't the Jing Kingdom and Your Majesty reach another agreement to turn around and besiege Heng Nian?
Regardless of the outcome, Xu Huixin felt that it was extremely dangerous and the chances of winning were slim. However, judging from Heng Nian's appearance, he didn't seem like someone who would listen to advice. Could it be that she had no choice but to agree to Madam Song's conditions?
"You get some rest, we'll set off the day after tomorrow."
"Hmm." Xu Huixin answered absentmindedly, unaware that Si Hengnian had given instructions after returning home that all her actions and words must be reported, and all her orders must be carried out only after obtaining his permission. Of course, this was only given in secret, and Xu Huixin was not informed publicly.
But Hsu Hui-hsin isn't stupid; over time, she'll eventually notice something's wrong.
For example, the departure was originally scheduled for the third day, but it was changed to the next day, and her maid had already packed everything, as if she already knew.
"Why so suddenly?" Xu Huixin was hurriedly pulled into the carriage, her heart filled with fear and unease.
"We changed the plan at the last minute because we were afraid of a mole." Si Hengnian held her hand. "Don't worry, most things were arranged in advance, there won't be any problems."
"Hengnian, is there really no other choice?"
"His Majesty forced me to do this, Huixin. You don't need to ask any more questions. Just follow me and trust me."
Xu Huixin had been anxious the whole way, but she made it out of the city gate safely in the carriage. Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, she gently lifted the curtain and saw Madam Song looking at her with a smile from among the crowd by the city wall.
Hsu Hui-hsin's face turned pale instantly, and her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her chest.
She knew that Madam Song knew everything, otherwise why would she be here? And Heng Nian seemed completely unaware.
Sure enough, His Majesty knew exactly what Heng Nian was planning. Releasing Heng Nian now might be a legitimate reason to get rid of him!
"Hengnian, shall we go back?" Xu Huixin grabbed Si Hengnian's hand. "Aren't you surprised that we were able to leave the city so easily?"
"Of course it's because I've already taken care of everything." Si Hengnian frowned and got out of the carriage and onto his horse. "Don't be so suspicious anymore. Just trust me quietly."
“But…” Xu Huixin wanted to say something more, but Si Hengnian ignored her and, using the excuse that he had other things to deal with, rode his horse to the front of the group.
The group was impersonating a merchant caravan. In the past, Xu Huixin would never have thought much of it, but now, looking at the vigilant servants, a sense of unease arose within her. What kind of merchant caravan was like this? No wonder everything was under someone else's control.
At the city gate, Qi Jiejing, also known as Song Lingling, smiled at Song Xia and said, "Godmother, you are right. Princess Xun has begun to waver. We don't need her to do anything. As long as she and Si Hengnian become estranged, it will be to our advantage. Love and affection have always been the biggest hindrances, and since they love each other so much, Si Hengnian doesn't seem like he can completely give her up."
Song Xia sighed softly: "It's not that talking about love is bad, but it's wrong to only care about yourself and hurt others. It's a pity for their loyal guards and servants."
Song Lingling snorted lightly: "It's no pity. They work for Prince Xun willingly. Didn't they take the benefits Prince Xun offered them? Aren't they also trying to gamble on that immense wealth?"
Song Xia nodded: "You're right, everything will proceed according to plan."
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