"This is your best choice." Shen Xihe nodded, agreeing with her guess.
"Why don't you make this choice?" Princess Yaoxi asked back.
Their situations are actually similar, aren't they? Shen Xihe knew that the Crown Prince was poisoned by a strange poison that was difficult to cure, so why did she choose the Crown Prince
Is it just for love
Princess Yaoxi didn't believe it. Her father was in poor health, and she was the one handling many Tibetan affairs on his behalf. She had met too many people, and it was obvious at first glance that Shen Xihe was not a woman trapped in love. She had an aloofness that looked down upon all the other women, and was detached from the mundane world.
Shen Xihe's flower-like soft lips slightly lifted: "I am more noble than you, I cannot choose your path."
One third of the military power was in the hands of Shen Yueshan, who controlled the Turks above and Tibet below.
If Emperor Youning wanted to marry her, he had to open the Suzaku Gate and welcome her into the harem as the queen mother.
Not to mention that Emperor Youning vowed not to appoint another empress in his lifetime, even without this vow, Emperor Youning would not have allowed her to become empress.
If Your Majesty agrees, the Queen Mother of this dynasty will have the right to participate in government affairs, which is definitely not as simple as the previous dynasty where she only managed the harem.
Therefore, she could only marry the prince, and choosing Xiao Huayong was just a coincidence.
Shen Xihe naturally would not tell Princess Yaoxi the reason.
Seeing that Princess Yaoxi still didn't understand, Shen Xihe said, "Your Majesty doesn't dare to take me as a concubine, nor does he dare to marry me as a queen."
Taking her as a concubine would be an insult to Shen Yueshan, who would certainly refuse on the grounds that he and His Majesty were sworn brothers and it was against etiquette. Shen Yueshan would also not agree to marrying her as his queen, but if she herself was willing, Shen Yueshan would not be able to stop her.
Princess Yaoxi was someone who had handled Tibetan government affairs and was politically sensitive. She understood the meaning of this sentence and believed what Shen Xihe said.
"Your Majesty will not marry me as your queen." Princess Yaoxi seriously considered Shen Xihe's suggestion, "If I become your majesty's imperial concubine, your majesty... If I have no children, I will be sent to the temple according to the rules of your heavenly dynasty."
By then, she will have no power or status in the Celestial Empire, and her brother will be in danger as well.
As long as Princess Yaoxi is willing, everything will be fine. Shen Xihe extended his hand and asked Princess Yaoxi to sit down: "If Princess is willing, we can find another way to cooperate."
"Please speak." Princess Yaoxi took a seat.
Shen Xihe poured her a cup of tea and said, "Whether His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can accompany me to the end, Princess Yaoxi should know that I have no way out and I must be the final winner. Whether His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne or my flesh and blood ascends the throne, I will let you enjoy wealth and honor in the palace and make the Xiazha family dare not act rashly."
This is double insurance. When His Majesty is alive, she is His Majesty's imperial concubine; when His Majesty is gone, Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong will support her.
Compared to marrying Xiao Huayong, she could at least protect the prince's brother by herself before His Majesty passed away. Of course, there were risks, that is, Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong did not become the final winners. This risk was common when marrying any prince.
Princess Yaoxi was indeed tempted, but she did not agree immediately because she knew that once she agreed, she would become Shen Xihe's spy next to His Majesty, and might even conspire with Shen Xihe to assassinate the king in the future.