Chapter 201

Xiao Jingyuan and Yuan Zhenfeng have no blood relation, yet emotionally they are as close as father and son.

Xiao Jingyuan looked at the lone grave before him, curled his lips slightly, and said, "I have now slain my enemy; that should comfort your spirit in heaven." After speaking, he kowtowed three times.

Shen Shuangning also knelt beside him without a word and kowtowed three times.

She did this both out of sincere reverence for this loyal minister who died for the country, and to acknowledge her marital relationship with Xiao Jingyuan.

After kowtowing, she said, "Uncle, rest assured, I will take good care of him."

Hearing this, Xiao Jingyuan turned his head to look at her; the chill in his eyes completely melted away, replaced by an indescribable tenderness.

He firmly held her hand, curled the corners of his mouth, and softly said to the lone grave, "Uncle, this is Ningning, the only woman I have ever loved in my life; rest assured, I have found my home."

He said those last words while looking at the woman beside him.

Shen Shuangning's eyes welled up uncontrollably; seeing she was about to cry, Xiao Jingyuan smiled and brushed away the tear hovering at the corner of her eye.

Forehead against hers, his voice tender beyond words, yet the corners of his eyes were red: "Don't cry, I'm already content."

With his great enemy avenged and she by his side, Xiao Jingyuan felt happy at this moment.

After burning the spirit money, the sky had grown completely dark.

They did not return to the Prince Yan's mansion, but went to the residence Xiao Jingyuan had purchased before their marriage, the plaque above the gate reading "Xiao Manor."

As they entered, the gatekeeper respectfully called out, "Master, mistress."

Xiao Jingyuan stopped, saying lightly, "From now on, you need not call me master."

The gatekeeper stared, but Xiao Jingyuan had already taken Shen Shuangning's hand and walked away.

After parting at Yuan Zhenfeng's grave, Xiao Jingyuan submitted a resignation to the palace, voluntarily asking to relinquish his position as heir of the Prince Yan's mansion and his post as commandant of the garrison.

The emperor agreed, yet specially bestowed upon him a more exalted title: Duke of Pacifying the State.

At twenty-four, Xiao Jingyuan was arguably the youngest duke of Dai Liang, yet his military exploits were outstanding; having rendered great service in quelling the rebellion, the entire civil and military establishment admired him, all saying, "His fame is well deserved."

On the day of his investiture, Xiao Jingyuan took Shen Shuangning's hand and entered the palace to give thanks.

Faced with Emperor Xuānwén's rewards, he neither refused nor felt any joy.

Having finished the rites of thanks, he directly took Shen Shuangning and left, unwilling to utter an extra word.

As their silhouettes vanished outside the hall, Hai Gonggong cautiously approached and whispered, "Is the Duke resentful that Your Majesty refuses to acknowledge him?"

Hai Gonggong knew Xiao Jingyuan's origins.

"How could he possibly be blaming me for not recognizing him?"

Emperor Xuānwén spoke with bitterness: "If this had happened before, upon learning his lineage he might have blamed me for sending him to be raised by the Prince Yan, for failing my fatherly duty. But now that he understands everything, he likely wishes to stay far from this palace, fearing I would pass the throne to him..."

He knew Xiao Jingyuan well—this child had never coveted power from youth; previously, burdened by hatred, he would enter the court for revenge, but now that his great enemy is vanquished, he only wishes to bring Shen Shuangning to a peaceful place and live a tranquil life.

Xiao Jingyuan had long since relinquished all duties, even handing over the garrison command he personally oversaw; today's visit to the palace to give thanks was likely his final footfall within these walls.

Upon hearing this, Hai Gonggong finally understood, yet could not help feeling regretful.

Now the borderlands blaze with war, and the court has few usable persons; if the Duke were to take the field, with his ability and prestige he would surely quell the hostilities smoothly.

Yet this cannot be forced; the Duke's health is frail, and he has already given much to Dai Liang.

Fortunately, Young Lord Xie has returned; with him, the Jurchen state dare not encroach upon Dai Liang even a step.

"... After all, it is I who lost him."

As he spoke, Emperor Xuānwén suddenly erupted in a violent cough, instinctively covering his mouth; when the cough eased slightly, his open palm was stained with bright red blood.

He was accustomed to such a sight, but Hai Gonggong beside him panicked, hastily producing a handkerchief to gently wipe the blood from his palm, his eye sockets reddening.

Leaning on the dragon throne, Emperor Xuānwén said self-mockingly: "The sons I have raised in the palace, for this throne, have fought until their heads are broken and blood flows, even sparing no fratricide, wishing to drive me from this seat."

"But him alone—my own son whom I gave to others to raise—would not even glance at the throne if I placed it before him."

Hai Gonggong truly did not know what to say, and could not help sighing.

Now the eldest and second princes are dead; the third prince, Zhai Ji, has become a helpless addict, good for nothing. There remains a fourth prince, but he is still young and of mediocre talent, unable to bear great responsibility.

No matter how one looks at it, Xiao Jingyuan seems the only suitable candidate.

Yet, unfortunately, they look down on him. Seeing this situation, it is truly more than ordinary vexation.

After forcing his ailing body to attend to state affairs, Emperor Xuānwén pinched his brow and asked how the empress was.

Empress Wang's rebellion failed; she has been imprisoned by Emperor Xuānwén in the Kunning Palace, and though she remains nominally empress, she is effectively a deposed one.

The court officials cannot tolerate her; she is certain to die. The emperor spares her life only to let her linger a few more days.

After that day, the emperor had not yet gone to see her, and she remained quiet, neither begging for mercy nor, like other consorts on their deathbed, scheming to gain an audience with the heavenly countenance.

When the empress was mentioned, Hai Gonggong's eyes flashed with hatred as he replied, "Her Majesty the Empress still refuses to eat."

After Xiao Jingyuan became a hands-off manager, he was completely idle.

He did not even go to the manor granted by the emperor, instead settling with Shen Shuangning in the Xiao residence.

Because the Duke of Rong's mansion lay next door, the couple could visit at will, and the two families interacted frequently.

Shen Xiuci temporarily took over the garrison command, busy to the point of having no time to touch the ground, yet upon returning he saw this person leisurely strolling about his own manor, practically steaming with anger.

Shen Xiuci did not know that Xiao Jingyuan had been poisoned, and the Shen family were unaware of it as well.

Xiao Jingyuan appears at the duke's mansion because Shen Shuangning is there; these days, wherever she goes, he follows.

Wherever Shen Shuangning is, Xiao Jingyuan is sure to be seen within ten paces; others follow the husband's lead, but here it is the wife who leads, and he feels no shame.

These days, aside from occasional visits to his father-in-law's home, Xiao Jingyuan unfailingly takes his medicine each day.

The medicine personally prepared by Mu Yu can suppress the spread of toxins in his body; with Shen Shuangning watching, he obediently drinks it.

That night, after bathing, Shen Shuangning had just lain down when Xiao Jingyuan gently embraced her from behind, his chin resting on her crown, his breath carrying a faint scent of soapberry and warmth.

Afterwards, he raised his upper body, his cool fingers tightly gripping her chin, and kissed her deeply.

Shen Shuangning's black hair spread across the pillow, she tilted her head, her breath slightly uneven, the front of her garment slightly open, revealing a half curve of her bosom, full as a peach, immensely alluring.

Xiao Jingyuan unintentionally glanced at it, his eyes darkening, his breath growing a little heavier; while kissing her, he reached his hand forward.

Yet he merely smoothed her clothing, taking no further step.

Shen Shuangning had her eyes closed, but upon sensing his movement she opened them and stared at him, somewhat puzzled.

In the dim light, she could clearly see the restrained desire in the man's eyes.

Actually after reuniting in Unified Prefecture, Xiao Jingyuan seemed to have changed his temperament; aside from daily kisses on her face and collarbone, he engaged in no other frivolous or wanton behavior, even sleeping properly.

These past few days have been the same, leaving Shen Shuangning somewhat unaccustomed.

She couldn't help wondering: as husband and wife for two lifetimes, does she no longer have any allure for him?

Shen Shuangning was about to say something when Xiao Jingyuan released her, tucked her in, and lightly kissed her cheek, saying, "Sleep."

Having said that, he lay back down, closed his eyes, and behaved so properly it was utterly unlike him.

Shen Shuangning turned her head to stare at him, and an inexplicable anger welled up in her heart.

Perhaps her gaze was too intense; Xiao Jingyuan opened his eyes and asked, "What are you staring at me for?"

Shen Shuangning gritted her teeth and said, "You've grown tired of me, haven't you?"

Xiao Jingyuan blinked, hesitated only a moment, then saw her turn away in a huff, apparently quite angry.

Xiao Jingyuan tried to pry her hand loose, but she shook him off; when he tried to hug her, she slipped away like a slick loach, completely uncooperative.

Xiao Jingyuan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, and finally had no choice but to press her beneath him, firmly gripping her waist.

Shen Shuangning's dark, grape-like eyes glared at him, her chest heaving violently; after all that commotion, even the tip of her nose had broken out in a light sweat.

Xiao Jingyuan suddenly found her appearance irresistibly charming and cute, and unable to resist, he kissed her; the kiss left both of their breaths disordered.

Finally, Xiao Jingyuan leaned close to her ear, his voice low, and said, "Do you really want to leave me a seed just like that?"