But it didn't stop her from being angry, nor from taking the opportunity to kick someone who was already down!
With Jiang Baiyan tearing away their fig leaf, both Rong Changxun and Rong Mizhen lost face. Rong Changxun attempted to mediate: "Your Highness—"
"Second Master Rong, the appropriate course of action has already been stated by both of us earlier, with Lord Zhang as witness." Shen Xihe had no desire to engage in further discussion with him.
Rong Changxun choked back his words but was unwilling to give up easily: "Your Highness, my daughter is young and ignorant. I beg Your Highness to show mercy. The Rong family will surely remember this kindness."
Shen Xihe let out a low chuckle: "The Rong family's gratitude is not worth my peace and quiet. If I spare her today, everyone will think I'm easy to bully—that as long as no one gets seriously hurt, they can be forgiven. Would I ever have a peaceful day again?
I don't bully others, but I don't easily forgive either."
Shen Xihe's stance was clear. The Capital Magistrate turned to Rong Changxun: "Second Master Rong, do you wish to settle this privately or proceed with a public trial?"
The earlier agreement was a private one. Rong Changxun could go back on his word and refuse to comply, at most earning a reputation for being untrustworthy.
If Rong Mizhen were truly bitten by a venomous snake and then forced to jump off the cliff, she might very well lose her life. Though the offense was severe, since Shen Xihe hadn't actually caused serious injury or death, the law would at most impose a few days of detention or a beating.
Settle privately: preserve reputation but risk the daughter's life.
Proceed publicly: lose reputation but save the daughter's life.
Rong Changxun took a deep breath: "The Rong family's word is as good as gold. This foolish daughter, first scheming against Your Highness, then deceiving her own father, deserves to be punished."
After speaking, he cupped his hands toward the Capital Magistrate, cast a deep glance at Rong Mizhen, turned, and strode away.
"Father! Father!" Rong Mizhen tried to rush after him, but the Capital Magistrate had her restrained and handed over to Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe inquired about the type of snake that had been used, then sent Mo Yuan to capture one. She didn't directly have the snake bite Rong Mizhen. Instead, Rong Mizhen was made to sit in the same spot Shen Xihe had occupied earlier, while Mo Yuan stood in Li Erlang's position and threw the snake toward her.
Whether it bit her or not would be left to fate.
As it turned out, she was lucky—the snake didn't bite her. In the end, Rong Mizhen was pushed off the pavilion but did not die. She only broke both legs and scratched her face. Whether she had other injuries, Shen Xihe didn't know, as she was taken home by the Rong family.
"Sister, why did you spare her life?" Xue Jinqiao was somewhat displeased.
A wretch like her ought to be done away with.
It was indeed luck that Rong Mizhen wasn't bitten by the snake, but the reason she didn't die from the fall was that Shen Xihe had specifically instructed for her to be pushed toward a tree branch. The resistance and support from the branch saved her.
"If she died, people would think she was pitiable and I was cruel." Shen Xihe glanced at Xue Jinqiao, who had switched to calling her "sister" again.
"Does Sister care about such things?" Xue Jinqiao felt she was being brushed off. Shen Xihe was just like her—neither of them cared about others' opinions.
"I don't." Shen Xihe slowly curved her lips. "Her living in suffering ensures people won't forget what the Rong daughter did. The Rong family also can't trouble me excessively. But if she died, it would be different."
"I see." Xue Jinqiao propped her cheek with one hand, gazing at Shen Xihe with an adoring look and a charming, rippling smile.
Shen Xihe simply ignored her infatuated expression and allowed her to follow back to the Princess Manor. There, she took out two types of fragrant spices: "Nine Harmony Incense and Nine Truths Incense. See which one you prefer."Xue Jinqiao's eyes sparkled as she asked about both options, though she actually preferred the scent of Nine Truths Incense—lingering yet restrained. "Does the 'harmony' in Nine Harmony Incense refer to the 'he' in Sister's given name?"
Shen Xihe immediately understood her intention and directly locked away the Nine Harmony Incense. "Nine Truths Incense suits you better."
"Sister~" Xue Jinqiao pouted, dragging out her words in a coquettish whine.
"I have matters to attend to today and cannot keep you. Return home early—it's the Double Ninth Festival, don't make your family worry," Shen Xihe advised.
"Sister!"
"Moyu!"
At Shen Xihe's call, Moyu entered and lifted Xue Jinqiao by the back of her collar, carrying her away. Throughout the entire process, Xue Jinqiao stared fixedly at Shen Xihe, her pout growing more pronounced.
"Is the Princess still planning to keep her appointment with the Crown Prince?" Hongyu asked, noticing Shen Xihe seated before her dressing mirror.
"A promise must be kept." Shen Xihe selected a pair of wide gold-thread hair ornaments adorned with dangling pearls.
The injury on her left forehead, initially a large red patch, had faded to a faint crimson. These hair ornaments would perfectly conceal it. After settling Rong Mizhen's affairs, Shen Yungan returned to find Shen Xihe dressed in splendid attire, instantly feeling jealous. "Where is my sister going, dressed so captivatingly?"
Whenever Shen Yungan sulked, he would address her formally as "sister" instead of using her milk name.
"These hair ornaments demanded suitable attire," Shen Xihe replied, lightly flicking the semicircular pearl strands dangling near her eyebrows.
The ornaments were crafted from a bowl of premium fish-eye pearls Shen Yunnan had acquired for her.
As expected, Shen Yungan was appeased. "Youyou looks truly beautiful."
Shen Xihe smiled wryly. "Let's go, we should depart."
"We?" Shen Yungan pointed at himself uncertainly.
"Naturally. Though I have an appointment with His Highness, I never said I wouldn't bring company." Shen Xihe reckoned that if she ascended the city tower alone with Xiao Huayong, she'd never hear the end of it from her brother. Bringing him along was the wiser choice.
"I'll go change immediately!" Shen Yungan spun around and dashed out.
After the evening meal, as dusk settled, Shen Xihe and Shen Yunnan arrived at the palace gate. The city tower they were to ascend was not at the city entrance but the one above the palace gates.
Xiao Huayong wore a black round-collar robe exquisitely embroidered with silver-white eucommia leaves and simple auspicious patterns. A silver-white cloak draped over his shoulders, and his hair was tied with a silver crown, presenting an image of noble elegance without aloofness.
"I heard the Princess was injured—cough cough..." Xiao Huayong gazed with concern at Shen Xihe's forehead.
Having deliberately publicized the incident, everyone who needed to know in the capital was already aware. Xiao Changying had even visited the Princess Manor, though she had refused to see him. Her intention to make a scene was also a clear statement—to draw a line between herself and Prince Xin and Prince Lie.
"A minor injury. I appreciate Your Highness's concern," Shen Xihe replied calmly.
Xiao Huayong coughed several more times before accepting a small box from Tianyuan. "This contains a fragrant balm—highly effective for abrasions and bruises."
Before Shen Xihe could reach for it, Shen Yungan intercepted it. "On behalf of my sister, I thank Your Highness for your kindness."
Just then, the last glimmer of daylight vanished, and a brilliant firework shot up and exploded above them. The multicolored light illuminated the faces of the two tall men, both holding the same box together.
The scene felt strangely peculiar.
Tianyuan slowly retreated. His Highness had invested considerable effort to create this atmosphere, only to have the Young Master intrude at the critical moment.He inexplicably felt the urge to laugh, but not daring to do so, he could only suppress it with effort.
Xiao Huayong's smile faltered momentarily before he calmly withdrew his hand and made way for the path up the city tower: "Prince, Princess, please."
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