The silver incense ball was held in Xiao Changyu's hand. Originally an item for imperial use, it had become quite popular in the capital in recent years, sold in both silver shops and perfumeries, with every noble young lady owning one.
After examining it carefully and finding nothing unusual, Xiao Changyu placed the paper scroll back inside and handed it to Sui Axi. "A Xi, find an escort agency to send this back to the Princess Manor in the capital.""
Sui Axi accepted it but hesitated for a moment before suddenly kneeling before the surprised Xiao Changyu, kowtowing. "Sixth... Sixth Brother, A Xi wishes to carry on the Sui family's acupuncture techniques. A Xi wants to return to the capital and serve under the County Princess."
Xiao Changyu watched him silently for a while before helping him up. "A Xi, there's no need for this. The County Princess will not pursue matters further with me and Xianyi."
Shen Xihe had told them to "take care," which might imply she knew what he had done. She had truly settled the matter cleanly.
"No, Sixth Brother. A Xi does not distrust the County Princess. Moreover, given the County Princess's methods, if she truly intended to fight to the death, A Xi would not be enough to change her mind. A Xi sincerely wishes to serve her," Sui Axi insisted.
Seeing this, Xiao Changyu sighed softly. "In the past, I saved you; today, you saved me. Our debts are settled. You are not my servant and are free to come and go as you please. Zhaoning County Princess is decisive, fair in rewards and punishments, and a good master."
Besides, behind Shen Xihe stood Xiao Huayong, who could turn clouds and rain with a flip of his hand.
"Sixth Brother, take care, Miss Bian." Sui Axi bowed to both of them. "May your journey ahead be as vast as the sky and clouds, peaceful and carefree."
And so, Sui Axi bid farewell to Xiao Changyu and his wife, carrying the incense ball, and turned back toward the capital.
"County Princess, the Sixth Prince did not succumb to the poison..." Mo Yuan, who had been keeping watch, reported to Shen Xihe as soon as Xiao Changyu awoke.
"Didn't I also survive thanks to Doctor Qi's treatment?" Shen Xihe said calmly. "The poisoned wine I prepared was genuine. If he had the skill to escape death, that's his ability. I said the debts are settled, so they are. Let them be."
She had shown no mercy toward Xiao Changyu and Bian Xianyi. If Xiao Changyu could anticipate her use of poisonous mushroom toxin and preemptively consume a counteracting substance, that was his capability. To pursue further would be no different from outright murder.
Moreover, at this point, unless she killed both Bian Xianyi and Xiao Changyu, she would plant seeds of hatred in the survivor's heart, leading to endless revenge until death.
Bian Xianyi had indeed targeted her to be with Xiao Changyu, but Xiao Changyu was unaware of this. Shen Xihe was someone who distinguished grievances and favors clearly and would not blame Xiao Changyu for it. Since Xiao Changyu had drunk the poisoned wine she prepared on Bian Xianyi's behalf, the debt had been repaid.
In the Eastern Palace, Xiao Huayong had learned earlier than Shen Xihe that Xiao Changyu would not die. Tianyuan inquired, "About the Sixth Prince..."
"She dislikes others interfering in her affairs, even to avenge her," Xiao Huayong could only wait and observe.
After Xiao Changyu and Bian Xianyi left the capital, Tianyuan asked again, "Should we not investigate the person who directed Bian Dajia?"
"Do you know why I didn't give Xiao Changyu a chance to seek Bian Xianyi's confession in the first place?" Xiao Huayong tapped his finger lightly on the smooth table. "Whoever used Bian Xianyi would not have let her know anything. Asking would be futile. If Bian Xianyi had known something, Youyou might not have let her drink that cup of poisoned wine."Such a golden opportunity, used as a bargaining chip—though Shen Xihe would not let accomplices off the hook, she would still consider mitigating their accountability.
By this point, Bian Xianyi had not spoken up, knowing she lacked concrete evidence to convince Shen Xihe. Saying more would only sound like making excuses.
Then who in the palace wants the princess dead?" Tianyuan couldn't figure it out.
"Not His Majesty." Xiao Huayong first ruled out the Youning Emperor.
If Shen Xihe were to die mysteriously in the capital, the Youning Emperor would have no way to explain it to Shen Yueshan and would surely lose sleep over it.
Even Xiao Huayong couldn't immediately guess who was behind it. Shen Xihe hadn't obstructed anyone's path or provoked anyone's envy.
Her only sworn enemy was the Kang Prince Residence, but it had already fallen into ruin and couldn't possibly possess such influence.
If the Kang Prince Residence had such capability, they wouldn't have resorted to other methods to target Shen Xihe back then. "Nor is it the Fifth Prince or the Ninth Prince."
The tax grain incident was entirely stirred up by the Fifth Prince. He had no time to scheme against Youyou. Moreover, the Ninth Prince had clearly taken a liking to Youyou, so the Fifth Prince wouldn't risk turning brothers against each other.
The palace's power dynamics were intricate. While it seemed no one would target Shen Xihe, everyone remained a suspect.
Shen Xihe still didn't know that Bian Xianyi's sudden attack wasn't timed to coincide with the Sixth Prince's feigned death at Tianshan. Instead, someone had threatened Bian Xianyi. It was only several days later, when she met Sui Axi again, that she learned the whole truth.
Sui Axi personally handed the incense burner ball to Shen Xihe. Shen Xihe merely glanced at the note—the paper was ordinary, the handwriting unremarkable, and the incense burner ball was of common craftsmanship and material. Such items could be found everywhere in the capital, numbering at least eighty or ninety.
She held the incense burner ball and carefully sniffed it, detecting a faint residual fragrance: "Sanyun Jian."
Sanyun Jian was a unique blend of fragrant spices including borneol, musk, and premium eaglewood, exuding an exquisite and luxurious aroma.
Due to its precise formula and costly ingredients, ordinary people wouldn't use it for incense. Since Bian Xianyi had obtained it in the palace, and even palace maids and eunuchs couldn't afford such luxury, Shen Xihe ordered, "Mo Yuan, have our people in the palace investigate which consorts use this incense."
So, the mastermind behind the plot against her was still hiding.
After Mo Yuan left, Shen Xihe turned her gaze to Sui Axi. "Why have you returned?"
The item could have been sent back through any escort agency, but Sui Axi chose to deliver it personally, indicating he intended to stay.
"A Xi wishes to serve you, Princess." I hope you won't find me unworthy," Sui Axi offered himself.
Shen Xihe had already guessed his intentions, but those around her needed both talent and loyalty. "What are you seeking?"
"My grandfather's dying wish was to promote the Sui family's acupuncture techniques. I took the acupuncture examination at the Imperial Hospital but faced envy and nearly lost my life. I survived only because the Sixth Prince saved me. Without support in the Imperial Hospital and with others coveting the Sui family's techniques, I wish to pledge myself to you, princess, and find another path."
Sui Axi lifted his head, his gaze sincere.
He made it clear he sought fame and fortune.
"Why did you hide in the herb garden while serving the Sixth Prince?" Shen Xihe asked.
"Princess, I never served the Sixth Prince." I only repaid his kindness. The Sixth Prince has no interest in fame or fortune, so I had no choice but to hide, diligently studying acupuncture while waiting for an opportunity to fulfill my ambitions," Sui Axi replied."You skillfully poisoned Lady Bian and brilliantly cured the Sixth Prince's poison." Shen Xihe gently rotated the incense ball with his thumb. "You helped two of my enemies, yet you expect me to employ you?"
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