"Sister Xihe, it's this fool who ambushed you!" Xue Jinqiao rushed to Shen Xihe's side, signaling the guards to force a dark-skinned man in gray clothes before them.
Shen Xihe glanced at Moyu, who vaguely recalled the figure. "Looks like him."
"It is him!" Xue Jinqiao was dissatisfied with Moyu's response.
Having finally shaken off the rigid formalities of the Xue family today, she had gone to the Princess Manor and learned from Hongyu that Shen Xihe and Shen Yungan had come here to hike. She immediately followed, spotting Mo Yuan and Mo Yao with the carriage at the mountain foot, confirming Shen Xihe's group had ascended.
When she caught up, she saw Moyu chasing someone. Thinking she could find Shen Xihe by following Moyu, she was surprised when Moyu turned back midway. She initially intended to follow but sensed something amiss, so she sent guards to continue the pursuit while she also turned back, arriving just a step later than Shen Yungan and Moyu.
Fortunately, the guards managed to capture the person Moyu had been chasing, and she promptly came over.
"Why are you arresting me? Arresting people arbitrarily in broad daylight—is there no law?" The captured man immediately began shouting, "Help! Help! The nobility are killing people!"
"You—" Xue Jinqiao was so enraged she wished she could end him with one slash, but since they were in front of Shen Xihe, she refrained from acting rashly.
His loud cries, however, alarmed the surroundings. With many people already at the mountain foot, a crowd quickly gathered.
Though Xue Jinqiao and Shen Xihe both wore veiled hats, their luxurious attire made onlookers hesitant to speak up, though they whispered among themselves.
Shen Xihe calmly let him continue his wailing until more people gathered, then she gave Mo Yuan a meaningful look.
Mo Yuan immediately punched the man in the chest, sending him sprawling to the ground, clutching his chest and coughing violently.
"Hel—help—"
Mo Yuan followed with a swift kick, sending the man tumbling several times before he curled up on the ground.
The surrounding crowd stepped back, many disturbed by the scene but too afraid to intervene, unwilling to provoke Shen Xihe and her companions.
Mo Yuan stomped on him again, causing him to spit blood, then pressed him down with his foot. "Who sent you?"
"Cough, cough, cough—" The man coughed up more blood. "I—"
"Though County Princess Zhaoning is not of royal blood, she is a county princess personally enfeoffed by His Majesty. Such actions—publicly tormenting commoners—do you not fear disgracing the Northwest King and tarnishing His Majesty's reputation?" A firm female voice suddenly rang out.
It was a young woman wearing a lapel robe. Nowadays, women often dressed in male attire for convenience when going out, with lapel robes being particularly favored.
She wasn't pretending to be a man but simply wore men's clothing with light makeup and finely drawn eyebrows, exuding a heroic aura.
Shen Xihe recognized her—she was Jiang Baiyan, daughter of Jiang Bashi, the Minister of the Imperial Stud. It was said her riding and archery skills rivaled those of men.
"Lady Jiang, whom did you see just now?" Shen Xihe suddenly asked.
Jiang Baiyan was taken aback, confused by the question. She instinctively frowned. "Why do you ask?"
"Perhaps the last person you saw or the words you heard before speaking up for justice?" Shen Xihe pressed further.
"What are you trying to say?" Jiang Baiyan was completely bewildered.
"Today, my elder brother and I were hiking when someone released snakes to kill me, alarming many other hikers," Shen Xihe said calmly. "This man is the one who released the snakes."
"Slander—pure slander—" The man on the ground strained to refute through his pain."What evidence do you have?" Jiang Baiyan glanced at the man before asking Shen Xihe.
"He caught snakes and applied realgar powder to his hands to prevent being bitten," Shen Xihe signaled Mo Yuan to bring the man forward. Had she not noticed the yellow realgar powder on his hands, she wouldn't have ordered Mo Yuan to act without investigation.
It wasn't that she distrusted Xue Jinqiao, but with so many climbers on the mountain, confusion was inevitable. Yet, why would an ordinary climber coat both hands with realgar?
As Mo Yuan forcefully spread the man's yellowish hands open, Jiang Baiyan heard curses from the crowd—those who had been startled earlier—and realized Shen Xihe's words were likely true. She clasped her hands in apology, "My apologies, Your Highness." I accused you rashly without verifying the facts."
Shen Xihe didn't dwell on it. "There's no need for self-reproach, Lady Jiang. I deliberately had my subordinate use harsh methods earlier, and you weren't the only one who thought me cruel. I acted this way because I suspected the mastermind behind this must also be among the climbers here." As she spoke, her gaze swept around with her turn. This man had seized an opportunity; he couldn't have predicted they would rest in the pavilion and planned ahead. If he had, he wouldn't have sent only the pawn—he would have come personally to direct the scheme against her.
"This person is meticulous. If not for Seventh Lady's presence this time, I might not have caught him." Shen Xihe glanced at the man rendered speechless by the realgar evidence. "Seeing his pawn captured, the mastermind would grow anxious. By having my subordinate beat him, I aimed to provoke righteous individuals into outrage, so he would seek someone to stand up for justice."
Ordinary commoners, no matter how upright, would prioritize self-preservation when facing nobility like Shen Xihe—those of humble origins naturally hold awe for the aristocracy. Anyone used to confront Shen Xihe would need considerable status, a chivalrous yet not overly sharp mind, or perhaps some preexisting bias against her.
Jiang Baiyan's public apology showed she held no prejudice against Shen Xihe—it had to be the former.
"It was the Second Lady of the Rong family!" Jiang Baiyan was furious—to commit wrongdoing and then exploit her! "Second Lady Rong claimed you were ostentatious and mistreated commoners."
A slight smile touched Shen Xihe's lips. She had been worried about lacking evidence.
"Mo Yuan, take him to the Capital Prefecture. Biyu, invite all the young ladies startled in the pavilion today to testify at the prefect's office." After giving orders, Shen Xihe took Moyu's arm and boarded her carriage.
The entourage marched grandly to the Capital Prefecture. Last time, she went to the Dali Temple because it involved sons of high ministers, and she wanted to see if Cui Jinbai would appear. This case concerned commoners and ministers' household members, so Shen Xihe decided to grant the Capital Prefect some face.
In truth, the prefect wished this ancestor would ignore his dignity and head straight to the Dali Temple!
Shen Xihe had the Northwest King backing her, while the Rong family was supported by the Imperial Consort, Prince Xin, and Prince Lie!
If only Shen Xihe were of the imperial clan, he'd gladly pass this hot potato to the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs!
"Li Erlang, the princess accuses you of being instigated to release snakes with intent to harm lives." Do you confess?" the Capital Prefect asked with a pained expression.
"Your Honor, I am wronged! My family has passed down snake-taming skills for generations. I only went up the mountain today to catch snakes," the man had concocted an excuse in the short time given.
"Preposterous! Coating your hands with realgar to catch snakes—do you take me for a fool?" the Capital Prefect rebuked sharply."I applied realgar after catching the snake, fearing I might be harmed by the venomous serpent," Li Erlang argued.
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