Shen Xihe never expected Bian Xianyi to die right before her eyes like this.
Bian Xianyi—that resilient young woman who never bowed her head. Even when the Bian family committed crimes and she was sent to the Imperial Prison for Women, she struggled to carve out a path of her own. How could someone who valued her life so much die so easily?
Shen Xihe couldn't understand it, yet Bian Xianyi had indeed perished in the bloom of her youth.
The palace maid attending Bian Xianyi discovered the scene and let out a scream, drawing countless other maids from the surroundings. Soon, Imperial Palace Guards, eunuchs, and imperial physicians arrived, followed by Noble Consort Rong, who managed the Imperial Harem, bringing Princess Pingling with her.
"What happened?" asked Noble Consort Rong.
Bian Xianyi's death was gruesome. Those who saw her blood-covered face were deeply shaken, mistakenly thinking Shen Xihe had poisoned someone deep within the palace. Thus, everyone trembled with fear, not daring to speak.
"Physician Fang, what caused Bian Dajia's tragic death?" Noble Consort Rong questioned the physician who had rushed over.
"Your Highness, Bian Dajia ingested poison. This poison is refined from a type of poisonous mushroom, causing immediate bleeding from the seven orifices and damage to the five viscera. Even a Great Taoist Immortal could not save her," the physician replied.
"Why would Bian Dajia be poisoned? How could such poison exist within the palace?" Noble Consort Rong's sharp gaze swept around, causing everyone to fall silent, not daring to make a sound. Finally, her expression softened as she turned to Shen Xihe. "Why is Zhaoning County Princess here?"
"Your Highness, I entered the palace today to seek answers from Bian Dajia. She took poison and ended her life in front of me." As she spoke, her gaze fell on the teacup Bian Xianyi had used. "If I'm not mistaken, there is poison in that teacup.Under Noble Consort Rong's indication, Physician Fang immediately went to examine the teacup and indeed found poison inside.
Shen Xihe had initially thought only Bian Xianyi's cup was poisoned, while hers was not—this would have made it easier to frame her. However, her own teacup also contained poison, and further investigation revealed the poison was in the teapot.
The teapot had been personally prepared by Bian Xianyi, witnessed by many palace staff in the tea room. Afterwards, she had been accompanied by others all the way back.
They helped her bring over the tea snacks she had made today, and she had been waiting here ever since, knowing someone would bring Shen Xihe to her.
Shen Xihe had been there for less than half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea—there was no possibility she could have sent Bian Xianyi away and secretly poisoned the tea behind her back.
"Today, Bian Dajia seemed to know the County Princess would come, ordering this servant to wait outside," whispered the palace maid who had guided Shen Xihe.
"Bian Dajia also said some strange things today," another maid added. "She said she might not be able to have tea with us anymore."
"This servant went to the tea room today just as Bian Dajia finished brewing tea. Bian Dajia's tea-making skills are exceptional, and she's usually kind to us, so I shamelessly asked for a cup. But today, Bian Dajia refused, saying, 'This tea cannot be drunk,'" yet another maid reported.
Her words were met with agreement from many others.
Thus, it became clear that Bian Xianyi had died by suicide, but why would she take her own life? Could she have been forced into a corner with no way out? Since the matter involved Shen Xihe, Noble Consort Rong did not dare to make a rash judgment and could only report it to the Youning Emperor.
The Youning Emperor summoned them all to the Hall of Bright Governance to inquire about the incident.At this point, Shen Xihe could no longer conceal the truth and briefly recounted the events: "Zhaoning has always been frail and under constant medical care. During her treatments, she must not be disturbed. On the eleventh day, someone impersonated a guard who had left with my brother, entered the manor, and while Zhaoning was receiving treatment, shouted that my brother had been ambushed..."
Afterward, Shen Xihe nearly lost her life. The perpetrator was captured by the Princess Manor's guard commander. They discovered he had consumed a pot of Jiannanchun Wine and, based on his habits, deduced his identity. They secretly sought Cui Shaoqing's assistance in the investigation, which led them to Bian Xianyi.
Shen Xihe revealed everything but deliberately omitted any mention of Xie Yunhuai.
After hearing this, the Youning Emperor summoned Cui Jinbai. Cui had submitted a memorial two days earlier, stating that someone had used a death row inmate to commit murder. The Emperor already had some understanding of the matter.
When Cui Jinbai arrived, the person who had helped Bian Xianyi deceive Fu Jin into meeting Zhang Zhuo in the prison confessed. Bian Xianyi indeed possessed Jiannanchun Wine, and Zhang Zhuo had indulged in a pot of it at the residence of this admirer, staying overnight.
The admirer found the Jiannanchun Wine pot particularly elegant and, since it was a gift from Bian Xianyi, cleaned and kept it. It now served as evidence.
Thus, the entire sequence of events became clear: Bian Xianyi had attempted to harm Shen Xihe first, and upon learning that Shen Xihe had uncovered her involvement, she took responsibility and committed suicide.
"Your Majesty, there are still inconsistencies in this case," Shen Xihe objected, unwilling to let the matter rest so easily. "Zhaoning had no conflict with Bian Dajia. What motive would Bian Dajia have to harm Zhaoning?"
"The palace maid said Bian Dajia had been waiting for Zhaoning since early morning. Zhaoning only discovered her involvement this morning. At the time Bian Dajia was waiting, Zhaoning had not yet entered the palace. How did she know so quickly that Zhaoning would definitely come to the palace to seek her out today?"
"Being inside the palace, how did she so swiftly learn that the person she had entrusted outside the palace had been found?"
"Her actions were meticulous and discreet. Why would she leave such a significant clue?"
Finally, Shen Xihe's gaze swept over the admirer. She did not mention the person surveilling outside the manor. Since that person had been silenced, why would she spare this admirer, who adored her, only to expose herself?
If she had been equally ruthless and silenced this person as well, without witnesses or physical evidence, even if Shen Xihe suspected her, could she have directly pinned the crime on her?
The Youning Emperor also found it suspicious, and since Shen Xihe was the victim, he instructed Cui Jinbai: "This matter is entrusted to you for a thorough investigation."
"I obey your command," Cui Jinbai bowed.
"Zhaoning, you have suffered," the Youning Emperor consoled Shen Xihe. "If you encounter such matters again in the future, come directly to the palace and seek me out. I will ensure justice is served."
"Zhaoning thanks Your Majesty."
The Youning Emperor personally stopped Shen Xihe from bowing: "You have narrowly escaped death; there is no need for such formalities. Return to your manor and rest well. If you lack any medicines, come to the palace to retrieve them."
Shen Xihe expressed her gratitude again.
The Youning Emperor suddenly added: "Zhaoning, you have only recently arrived in the capital, yet someone has repeatedly provoked and attempted to harm you. This is my oversight. I will assign two female historians to serve you. Henceforth, if anyone dares to disrespect you, they shall impose punishment on my behalf."
Shen Xihe's eyes flickered, but her expression remained unchanged as she accepted with a smile: "Your Majesty's favor leaves Zhaoning overwhelmed. From now on, I can rely on these two female historians."
When Shen Xihe left the palace, she was accompanied by two female historians, both around fifty years old and seasoned palace veterans. These were not ordinary palace maids but officials responsible for managing affairs within the Empress's main palace in the Imperial Harem.Many people speculated wildly about the origins of these two Female Historians. Some claimed the Youning Emperor intended to use Shen Xihe for a wedding to revive the unconscious Xiao Huayong, while the most absurd rumor suggested the Emperor planned to appoint Shen Xihe as Empress to bring her into the palace.
Shen Xihe paid no mind to the rumors outside. She knew full well these two were sent by the Youning Emperor to monitor her.
Her investigation into Jiannanchun Wine and her request for Cui Jinbai to look into the prison had aroused Your Majesty's suspicion and vigilance.
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