Chapter 68: Deep Entanglement

Xiao Yuxi felt a slight shock in his heart upon hearing Meng Hongchang's request. Although he knew Meng Xuexian harbored feelings for him, he had not expected Meng Hongchang to bring up the marriage so directly. Pondering for a moment, he slowly said, "Old Meng, Xuexian is a good girl, but I am currently caught in the vortex of a political storm. The court is shifting unpredictably, and the Crown Prince is eyeing us like a tiger watching its prey. If I marry her, I fear I will only implicate her."

Hearing this, Meng Hongchang's expression darkened as he lowered his voice, "Your Highness, that child Xuexian has a stubborn nature and has long since given her heart entirely to you. If you do not marry her, I fear she will never marry another for the rest of her life. As for the affairs of the court, this humble servant is willing to protect her with his life and will never let Xuexian suffer the slightest grievance."

Xiao Yuxi chuckled and said with a smile, "Old Meng, I wanted to find a way to deflect the Crown Prince's fixation on Xuexian, but isn't your approach a bit too direct?"

"Are you certain she has given her heart completely to me? We were clearly like siblings before. Saying something like this is somewhat..."

Hearing Xiao Yuxi speak thus, a faint flush appeared on Meng Hongchang's face. He was often away from the manor, and he knew his daughter well; she was certainly not the type to play the devoted and forlorn maiden. However, the situation was urgent, and Xiao Yuxi was the most suitable candidate. There was simply no time for the two of them to slowly cultivate mutual affection. As for sending her to the Crown Prince, it would be no different from binding the entire Meng family to the ambitious and restless Crown Prince, which was truly not a sound strategy.

Being as intelligent as he was, Xiao Yuxi's earlier remark about implicating her was merely a probe. At this point, the only way to continue binding himself to the Imperial Eldest Son was through this very method. Taking advantage of the Emperor's lingering affection for him, as long as the Emperor did not refuse, the matter would be easy to handle.

Considering this, Meng Hongchang spoke in a deep voice, "Reporting to the Imperial Eldest Son, while I cannot claim my child Xuexian possesses dignified and refined manners, she is exceedingly beautiful and possesses a straightforward disposition. Entrusting her to Your Highness is what gives this humble servant the greatest peace of mind. With Your Highness's protection, this humble servant will die content even a myriad of times hereafter."

Xiao Yuxi understood Meng Hongchang's meaning. The current situation was indeed urgent, and there was likely no time left for the two to cultivate feelings gradually. On one hand, the Crown Prince was glaring like a tiger, and on the other hand, the indescribable external forces could no longer offer any accommodation. The political marriage he once detested the most was now understood to be the quickest way to resolve the crisis.

Xiao Yuxi sighed, his heart a tumult of complex emotions. He understood Meng Hongchang's intent; Meng Xuexian's affection for him would simply have to be cultivated over time, and he could only wrong this free-spirited and untrammeled woman.

However, he was all too aware of his current status and predicament; the slightest misstep would plunge him into eternal damnation. After pondering for a long time, he finally nodded and said, "Very well, I agree. Once I have dealt with the immediate matters at hand, I shall marry Xuexian."

Overjoyed, Meng Hongchang hurriedly kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your benevolence!"

Xiao Yuxi helped Meng Hongchang up and said in a deep voice, "Old Meng, there is no need for such formalities between us. The most important matter now is how to counter the threat from the Crown Prince's faction. You mentioned earlier that the Crown Prince has massive influence in the court, but he must have adversaries, surely?"

Meng Hongchang nodded and replied, "Although the Crown Prince's faction is powerful, the court is not entirely devoid of those who dare to contend with him. The faction of the literati, headed by Grand Chancellor Li Yuanfu, has always been at odds with the Crown Prince. In addition, Minister of War Zhao Wuji, Censor-in-Chief Wang Shouren, and others are also greatly dissatisfied with the Crown Prince. It is just that these individuals usually act with utmost caution and are unwilling to easily come into direct conflict with the Crown Prince."

A sharp glint flashed across Xiao Yuxi's eyes as he spoke in a low voice, "That being said, if we can unite these people with us, it may not be impossible to match the Crown Prince."

Meng Hongchang nodded in agreement. "What Your Highness says is true. However, these men are all old foxes; without sufficient benefits or threats, I fear they will not easily choose a side."

Xiao Yuxi smiled faintly and said, "As for benefits and threats, I have my own methods. Old Meng, you shall secretly contact these individuals and sound out their attitudes. As for the Crown Prince's side, I shall go and meet him in person."

Startled by these words, Meng Hongchang hurriedly tried to dissuade him, "Your Highness, you must not! The Crown Prince is ruthless and merciless. If you go rashly, I fear you will be in danger!"

Waving his hand dismissively, Xiao Yuxi said with indifference, "No matter, I know what I am doing. Besides, if the Crown Prince truly wished to move against me, he would not do it openly. What he fears most right now, I suspect, is the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion in my hands."

Hearing this, Meng Hongchang felt somewhat reassured, though lingering worries remained. Just as he was about to advise caution once more, Xiao Yuxi had already stood up and said, "The hour is late. You should return and rest first. Early tomorrow morning, I shall return to the capital alongside my Imperial Father and Imperial Noble Consort."

"My current identity indeed makes it inappropriate for me to linger here for too long."

Helpless, Meng Hongchang could only bow and take his leave.

"Old Meng, as for Wu Jiwen, you must have certainly heard of her actions in Su City," Xiao Yuxi said coldly just as Meng Hongchang reached the doorway.

Meng Hongchang let out a long sigh. "Alas, everything was brought upon herself by her own doing. This humble servant has no face left to plead with Your Highness on her behalf."

Xiao Yuxi waved his hand and said, "Handle it as you see fit; I trust you have a sense of propriety."

Bowing in assent, Meng Hongchang backed out of the room and carefully pulled the door shut.

For the first time, Xiao Yuxi experienced the intoxicating taste of supreme power. Wu Jiwen, who had previously plotted against him and oppressed him in every possible way, now faced a fate of life or death that hung entirely upon a single word from him. Yet, he chose to leave the matter to Old Meng.

Upon arriving in the capital, Xiao YuLong led Xiao Yuxi to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay homage to their ancestors, and then ascended the Altar of Heaven to offer sacrifices to the heavens, expressing gratitude for bringing Xiao Yuxi back to his side. Finally, Xiao Yuxi was brought before the Empress, who beamed with joy as she offered felicitations to Xiao YuLong and Imperial Noble Consort Chen.

Xiao Yuxi understood that all these gestures from the Empress were merely superficial; openly, she would not make a move against him for the time being.

Taking advantage of this peaceful period, Xiao Yuxi thoroughly reorganized the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. As the top scholar who excelled in both civil and military examinations during the imperial examinations, his literary talent and martial prowess were already renowned throughout the world, coupled with his status as the Imperial Eldest Son. When he raised his arms in a call for all well-read scholars in the world to have a promising and proper destination, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion flourished dynamically within a mere month. Xiao Yuxi's silk stockings became a product frantically fought over by women throughout the Great Li Dynasty, with the spinning wheels in Su City working until they smoked—truly earning ten thousand gold pieces a day. Supported by the dual forces of wealth and fame, the rise of Xiao Yuxi's influence was remarkably swift. In terms of martial strength, he held the capital's Defense Garrison, commanded by his prospective father-in-law Meng Hongchang, as his trump card.

No faction in the court dared to underestimate Xiao Yuxi.

The Empress and the Crown Prince's faction even felt a twinge of regret that the speed of their layout simply could not keep pace with Xiao Yuxi's rapid growth.

The Crown Prince had been serving as regent ever since Emperor Xiao YuLong embarked on his southern tour. Many veteran officials in the court believed that Crown Prince Xiao Yujin would undoubtedly be the heir apparent. Even after the Emperor returned from the southern tour, the Crown Prince did not entirely relinquish these affairs; ministers still privately consulted the Crown Prince on state matters. Instead of avoiding this, Xiao Yujin rather enjoyed such exceptional honor, behaving with a near-total disregard for Emperor Xiao YuLong's reactions.

Xiao Yuxi always felt something was amiss with this entire affair, finding it far too contrary to reason.