"Does the Junzhu mean that Chief Attendant Gu was sent by His Highness?" Biyu and the others widened their eyes in astonishment.
"Since everyone in the palace has been silenced by His Majesty, there should be no one who slipped through the net." Shen Xihe chuckled lightly. "Even if there truly was someone who slipped through, they would absolutely not dare to speak of such palace secrets. Yet Zexiang described it in such detail. Apart from someone who personally experienced it, I cannot think of anyone else who could remember it so clearly."
"What does His Highness mean by this?" Hongyu and the others, who had always considered themselves reasonably intelligent while in the Northwest, found that since coming to the capital, dealing with ordinary people was manageable, but when it came to the exchanges between the Crown Prince and the Junzhu, they felt as if they desperately needed two more brains.
"What does he mean?" Shen Xihe recalled the words he spoke when he came to bid farewell before leaving the capital—he said he wished for mutual honesty. "Honesty."
Was this his way of showing sincerity toward her? Was he also implying that if she wanted to know anything, she could directly ask him, and he would hold nothing back?
Contemplating this idea, Shen Xihe couldn't help but laugh to herself. Even if he truly held nothing back, how much of it would be the truth?
The next day, Cui Jinbai brought someone to Shen Xihe: "Junzhu, Fu Jin was commissioned by this person to handle matters for him in prison."
"And this is?" Shen Xihe looked at the tall, slender man dressed neatly.
"An admirer of Bian Dajia," Cui Jinbai replied.
"So it really is her." Shen Xihe was somewhat surprised.
Based on her understanding of Bian Xianyi, she shouldn't have taken such action against her. Could someone be behind this?
"I will go to the palace," Shen Xihe decided to seek answers personally.
The Crown Prince had been "ill" for so long, and due to the sudden change, she had not yet visited him. Although those who went to see him were unable to meet him, it was important to show her regards.
"Junzhu, it is not advisable for you to enter the palace." Biyu went to consult Xie Yunhuai, and Xie Yunhuai specifically came to stop her.
Shen Xihe's carriage could only go as far as the palace gate. From the gate to the Eastern Palace, it was a long walk for an ordinary person, and for Shen Xihe, it would be even more strenuous. Moreover, as a young lady, she could not go directly to the Eastern Palace upon entering the palace; at the very least, she had to pay respects to the Empress Dowager first.
"The Empress Dowager is at the Eastern Palace," Shen Xihe said with a smile. "I know my limits."
Xie Yunhuai stood in front of Shen Xihe, displeased that she was not taking better care of her health.
Doctors often get frustrated with disobedient patients. Shen Xihe had no choice but to lower her voice and say, "Doctor Qi, my illness not only prevents me from overexerting myself but also from straining my mind. If I don't get to the bottom of this matter, it will weigh on me, which would be even more detrimental to my condition."
Unable to persuade Shen Xihe, Xie Yunhuai had no choice but to accompany her. He waited in the carriage parked outside the palace, ready to find a way into the palace if anything unexpected happened to Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe did not try to dissuade him and accepted his kindness.
When she arrived at the Eastern Palace, the Empress Dowager looked at her with a hint of scrutiny. "What is the matter, Zhaoning?"
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, I was greedy for coolness a few days ago, and my old illness relapsed..." Shen Xihe replied softly.
Her voice sounded weak and strained, causing the Empress Dowager to frown slightly. She immediately summoned the Chief Imperial Physician to examine her. The physician concluded that it was due to physical weakness and that she needed gradual recuperation, with no quick cure available.
Shen Xihe could sense a trace of worry in the Empress Dowager's expression. "The late autumn in the capital is cold, Zhaoning. You must take good care of yourself."
"I have troubled the Empress Dowager with concern. Zhaoning is at fault and will surely focus on recuperating properly," Shen Xihe replied meekly."The Crown Prince is still unconscious. Zhaoning, you are thoughtful, but you should return to your residence early to rest," the Empress Dowager instructed.
"I have some matters I wish to discuss with Bian Dajia. After meeting with her, I will leave the palace," Shen Xihe reported to the Empress Dowager.
"If you wish to see her, simply send word for her to come to your residence to receive instructions. Why must you make the trip personally?" the Empress Dowager chided slightly.
"Zhaoning will remember this and will not repeat it," Shen Xihe replied with a gentle, obedient smile.
Seeing how pale she looked, the Empress Dowager did not insist on keeping her and allowed her to go quickly and return soon. After Shen Xihe left the Eastern Palace, the Empress Dowager asked the Chief Imperial Physician, "With Zhaoning County Princess's health so frail, will it affect her ability to bear children?"
The Chief Imperial Physician lowered his head with a pained expression. He truly did not want to answer. Everyone knew the Crown Prince wished to marry Zhaoning County Princess, but both of them were extremely weak. If he said it would be harmful, he would likely be the next one to make the Crown Prince faint with anger.
Xuanping Marquis had already been executed, and Palace Attendant Wang had been dismissed and forced to repent. How could a minor official like him, the Chief Imperial Physician, withstand the Crown Prince's temper?
But the one asking was the Empress Dowager—how could he dare to be evasive?
"Your Majesty, having children depends on fate. Even among commoners, there are healthy couples who never have children in their entire lives."
The Empress Dowager glanced at the physician skillfully avoiding the question but ultimately did not press him further. She knew her grandson well—once he set his mind on someone or something, he would never change. How could she possibly stop him?
The living quarters for palace maids were located in the Side Court Palace or behind it. Palace maids like Bian Xianyi, who excelled in dance and served as lead performers, had their own private rooms. Today, she had not gone to the Office of Music to practice but had claimed to be unwell and returned to her room to rest.
A palace maid led Shen Xihe to her residence. Shen Xihe saw her sitting in the courtyard outside her room, with some tea and snacks laid out on the stone table, as if she were waiting for someone.
When she saw Shen Xihe, she stood up to greet her: "County Princess, I have been waiting for you for a long time."
Shen Xihe glanced at her. Today, she was wearing a crimson long skirt, with bright red rouge applied and a vivid Hua Dian adorning her forehead. She looked truly radiant and stunning.
"It seems you know why I have come to find you," Shen Xihe said as she approached.
Bian Xianyi gestured: "County Princess, please sit."
Shen Xihe was also tired and sat down without hesitation.
Bian Xianyi took a seat opposite her and poured each of them a bowl of drink: "Does the County Princess wish to know why I attempted to harm you?"
Shen Xihe watched her silently.
Bian Xianyi smiled radiantly, breathtakingly beautiful, and raised her tea bowl: "First, I must apologize to the County Princess."
After saying this, she lifted the bowl with both hands and drank it all in one go.
Shen Xihe remained unmoved.
Bian Xianyi set down the tea bowl, placed her left hand over her right, and rested them gracefully on her lap, maintaining an elegant posture: "The County Princess is so intelligent and perceptive—you must know this was not my intention."
"Who ordered you?" Shen Xihe asked calmly.
Bian Xianyi's smile deepened, her soft red lips curling into an enigmatic grin. She shook her head slightly, causing the pearl chains of her hairpin to sway with a dazzling light: "I beg your forgiveness, but I cannot say."
Shen Xihe narrowed her eyes: "Bian Dajia, do you think just because you are deep within the palace, I cannot touch you?"
"The County Princess is noble and esteemed, while my life is as insignificant as an ant. Even if the County Princess were to have me killed outright, no one would hold you accountable," Bian Xianyi replied, her smile still bright. "This, I know, the County Princess knows, and the one who gave me the order knows as well."
"You..."Shen Xihe was about to say something when she looked up and saw blood trickling from the corners of Bian Xianyi's mouth, eyes, nostrils, and ears.
Still smiling at Shen Xihe, she opened her mouth and spat out more dark blood: "Your Highness, be careful..."
Before she could finish her words, Bian Xianyi collapsed.
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