Half an hour ago, Cui Jinbai had entered the medicinal garden. While this matter wasn't particularly significant in itself, the garden's steward, concerned about potential future complications, reported it nonetheless.
Such incidents were commonplace, and the Youning Emperor usually paid them little heed. This time, however, was different. What made it different was that shortly thereafter, Shen Xihe's maid entered the palace to request a token for access to the medicinal garden.
The Emperor grew attentive, knowing that Shen Xihe had earlier sent for the imperial physician who had diagnosed Bian Xianyi the previous day.
The Emperor summoned the physician to inquire about Shen Xihe's purpose in calling for him. Upon hearing the physician's truthful account, if the Emperor couldn't deduce what they suspected or were investigating, he wouldn't have maintained his throne until today.
More importantly, just after he had dispatched someone with a token to accompany Shen Xihe's maid, news arrived from outside the palace that Cui Jinbai had gone to the Princess Manor. This essentially confirmed his suspicions, prompting him to send people to the medicinal garden preemptively.
Since they had apprehended an apothecary named A Xi, he directly ordered the Embroidered Uniform Envoys to search A Xi's residence.
It was through this chain of events that Bian Xianyi was secretly brought before the Youning Emperor.
The Emperor stood behind his imperial desk, reviewing memorials: "Why did you feign death?"
Though her limbs were weak and her throat dry and painful, Bian Xianyi knelt properly: "Your Majesty, this humble servant attempted to harm the County Princess. When the County Princess discovered this, I was filled with fear and anxiety, leading me to commit the crime of feigning death."
As a palace dancer who feigned death to escape, her crime was equivalent to that of a runaway slave—punishable by death.
The Emperor continued writing without pause: "Why did you attempt to harm Zhaoning?"
Bian Xianyi had already considered what questions the Emperor might ask before falling into the hands of the Embroidered Uniform Envoys. A perfectly timed expression of discomfort crossed her face: "This humble servant admires the Sixth Prince." When His Highness praised Zhaoning County Princess, I became jealous and acted foolishly in a moment of confusion."
The Emperor paused his writing and lifted his head, his gaze bearing down on Bian Xianyi with implicit authority: "I had always thought you were someone who understood propriety and knew your place."
The Emperor's disbelief was within Bian Xianyi's expectations. She bowed deeply, her forehead touching the back of her hands folded above her head: "Having disappointed Your Majesty, this humble servant deserves death ten thousand times over."
The Emperor's sharp eyes were profound and oppressive.
Kowtowing on the ground, Bian Xianyi felt as if needles were pricking her back, yet she had to maintain extreme composure, revealing no flaws.
She knew the Emperor didn't believe her motive for targeting Shen Xihe, but she couldn't reveal the true reason. Once spoken, she would lose all value and face certain death.
Moreover, she had to consider the Sixth Prince—her own death didn't matter, but she mustn't implicate him further.
The Emperor watched Bian Xianyi for several breaths before withdrawing his gaze and lowering his head to continue reading memorials: "What did Old Six promise you that gave you such presumptuous ideas? You should know that even without Zhaoning, you could never become the Sixth Prince's consort."
"Your Majesty, please investigate clearly. This humble servant's devotion to the Sixth Prince stems from His Highness's consistent kindness toward me. I mistakenly believed the Sixth Prince had feelings for me..."
At this point, Bian Xianyi's voice choked slightly, dropping in tone to express ineffable grief and bitterness: "It was only recently that I learned His Highness is merely compassionate by nature and felt some pity for me. I was being presumptuous. Therefore, when I suddenly heard His Highness praise the County Princess, my heart felt as if cut by knives. Blinded by jealousy, I committed this grave error. I beg for Your Majesty's punishment."
The Emperor listened as if he hadn't heard, offering no response.The great hall was silent, making the rustling of paper from flipping through memorials particularly distinct. The low, steady sound tormented Bian Xianyi, who gritted her teeth to maintain composure.
She knelt for a full hour before collapsing from exhaustion.
"Your Majesty, she has fainted," reported a eunuch after checking on her.
"Summon Imperial Physician Shi Wei," commanded the Youning Emperor, setting aside one reviewed memorial and picking up another.
...
Shen Xihe returned empty-handed from the herb garden. She knew Bian Xianyi must have hidden there previously, but someone had gotten there first.
She had her suspicions about who it was.
She didn't believe anyone else in the capital could have guessed Bian Xianyi's death was feigned, ruling out other pursuers.
The only one who might have detected something was His Majesty.
Having firmly held the throne for twenty years, gradually consolidating power and eliminating faction after faction, the Emperor's depth of cunning was immeasurable as the ocean. Particularly telling was how Cui Jinbai had first found an excuse to search the herb garden, followed immediately by her own attempt to visit—this coincidence would inevitably draw the Youning Emperor's attention.
Upon returning to the Princess Manor, she encountered Female Historians Sun and Qian, who immediately lowered their eyes and bowed. Shen Xihe paused as she passed them.
"You—kneel here," Shen Xihe pointed at Female Historian Sun.
She understood clearly: Cui Jinbai's and her consecutive visits to the herb garden, coupled with her summoning Physician Fang earlier, would only arouse the Emperor's suspicion. But Female Historian Sun, who had reported Cui Jinbai's visit to the manor to the Emperor, had provided corroborating evidence.
The Emperor wouldn't suspect Cui Jinbai—after all, investigating Bian Xianyi was a task he had assigned to Cui Jinbai. There was nothing inappropriate about Cui Jinbai contacting her, the victim.
Punishing Female Historian Sun wasn't about venting anger—only the incompetent took out frustrations on the weak.
She wanted His Majesty to know she strongly disapproved of his actions!
"Princess, what offense has Female Historian Sun committed..."
"You kneel too." When Female Historian Qian tried to intercede, Shen Xihe cut her off.
Female Historian Qian froze: "Princess, this humble servant is—"
Thud. Before Qian could finish, Female Historian Sun dropped straight to her knees.
Qian shot Sun a glare as if looking at a traitor, but with Sun's submission setting the precedent, she dared not speak further and reluctantly knelt as well.
"Learn from her. Aren't you both seasoned palace veterans? Have you grown so accustomed to leisurely retirement in the central palace that you've forgotten your place?" Shen Xihe looked down at them with indifferent eyes. "Were you going to say you were assigned by His Majesty? If you dare utter those words, I'll immediately enter the palace to ask whether you were sent to serve me or to be my masters. Do I need to pick an auspicious day and reason to discipline you?"
With a light scoff, Shen Xihe strode away.
"Princess, did Female Historian Sun informing His Majesty lead to him taking the person first?" Biyu rarely saw Shen Xihe bother with subordinates like this.
Having witnessed Sun noticing Cui Jinbai's departure with Shen Xihe, she had her suspicions.
"Even without her report, His Majesty would still have taken Bian Xianyi before me," Shen Xihe replied.
She could only blame unfavorable timing—A Xi had hidden the person in the herb garden where unauthorized entry was forbidden. Had it been any other ministerial residence, she could have forced her way in.
But the herb garden belonged to the imperial family, guarded by elite soldiers. Forcing entry might not succeed and could escalate the situation beyond control.Taking the main gate and having a reason meant I ended up being one step behind Your Majesty.
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