Men are always concerned about things women can never comprehend, and for Xun Wang, this might just be an insurmountable hurdle.
When His Majesty sought him out and tasked him with forming a Secret Army, claiming it was to deal with Shen Yueshan, Xun Wang would undoubtedly be overjoyed.
Moreover, since His Majesty had already approached him, refusal was not an option unless he chose death to prove his loyalty. Since death was inevitable either way, why not resolve this lingering grievance before dying? As long as the Secret Army he forged could annihilate the Northwest Army and defeat Shen Yueshan, he would die without regrets.
"Tsk, His Majesty is truly cunning," Bu Shulin gasped in shock.
He must have long seen through Xun Wang's resentment, which is why he sought him out. After promising Xun Wang numerous benefits to protect his descendants and giving him a chance to resolve his inner turmoil, Xun Wang—being the one who knew Shen Yueshan best—would meticulously forge an Invincible Army destined to be the Northwest's nemesis.
"You must warn the Northwest King to be cautious," Bu Shulin couldn't help but urge.
Shen Xihe felt a warmth in her heart: "I knew they were targeting the Northwest the moment I learned His Majesty was forming a private army."
Bu Shulin nodded, then suddenly asked: "So, the ancestral temple fire wasn't an accident but arson?"
"Rare for you to grasp that," Shen Xihe remarked mildly.
Bu Shulin:
Pouting, Bu Shulin eyed Shen Xihe warily: "Don't tell me this was the Crown Prince's doing?"
Shen Xihe slowly nodded: "No one but him could have exposed Xun Wang so precisely."
After learning of His Majesty's private army, Shen Xihe and Shen Yungan had repeatedly scrutinized suspects at court, investigating both the living and the dead. They had suspected Xun Wang too, but investigations confirmed he was truly deceased.
What they couldn't uncover, Xiao Huayong did. Not only did he uncover it, but he must have been surveilling for a long time to seize this rare opportunity to force Xun Wang into the open.
At this thought, Shen Xihe added: "I suspect Xun Wang may have already fallen into the Crown Prince's hands."
Bu Shulin's eyes widened, her body stiffening. After a long pause, she swallowed nervously: "Youyou, quick, think—have I ever offended the Crown Prince before!"
None of His Majesty's sons are simple. She had always thought Prince Xin, with his cunning mind, was the most formidable. Only today did she realize the Crown Prince, whom she had never taken seriously, was a hidden dragon lurking in the depths—she had failed to recognize a towering figure!
"Oh, nothing much. You just called him 'sickly' a few times," Shen Xihe said nonchalantly.
Bu Shulin's face paled: "No, no! The Crown Prince enjoys boundless longevity, may he live as long as the heavens and endure like the mountains, immortal and eternal—"
"You only said it in front of me. Why panic?" Shen Xihe interrupted, unable to bear it.
"Oh right, why am I panicking?" Bu Shulin immediately straightened her posture.
Shen Xihe gave her a feigned smile: "So, how much hush money are you planning to give me?"
Bu Shulin:
"Aren't we closest friends?" Bu Shulin appealed to their bond.
"But the Crown Prince and I are about to marry," Shen Xihe mused. "Between husband and wife, and closest friends, there is a distinction in intimacy."
Bu Shulin:
"You're not married yet! Surely I'm closer to you," Bu Shulin argued confidently.
Shen Xihe nodded: "You're right."Bu Shulin smiled, but before her grin could fully form, Shen Xihe added, "Then wait until I marry into the Eastern Palace and settle accounts with you as the Crown Princess."
Bu Shulin:
Resignedly closing her eyes for a moment, Bu Shulin wore an expression of heroic sacrifice. "Go ahead, what do you want?"
"What do you have that could move me?" Shen Xihe countered.
"I—" Bu Shulin stammered for a long while but couldn't come up with anything.
"How much do you owe me again?" Shen Xihe put on a magnanimous air. "Just let it remain on credit."
"One life, two favors..." Bu Shulin counted on her fingers, nearly popping her eyes out. "Do I owe you two lives and three favors now?"
Shen Xihe had saved her once more. If the hush money also turned into a favor, that would make two lives and three favors.
"Just owe it for now. In the future, you'll repay by following my orders." Shen Xihe said calmly, picking up her book to continue reading.
Bu Shulin no longer dared to disturb Shen Xihe, her mind still calculating: with so much debt, wouldn't she have to sell herself to repay it all? Her appetite for enjoying delicious food vanished, leaving her deeply depressed and wearing a bitter expression.
Finally, peace returned to Shen Xihe's ears as they quietly arrived back in the capital.
As they stepped down from the carriage, Bu Shulin said, "I harvested a beehive—lots of bees and honey. I handed it over to a beekeeper; he'll deliver it to you tomorrow."
The depressing part was that this couldn't offset any favors either—it was something she had already promised Shen Xihe earlier.
"Mmm." Watching Bu Shulin's gloomy demeanor lifted Shen Xihe's spirits. "Go back and rest well. If you need any medicine, come to me. Don't go to the palace or buy from pharmacies—avoid exposing your identity."
Bu Shulin beamed again. "I knew Youyou cared for me—"
"Two lives, four favors." Shen Xihe interrupted her with a smile.
Bu Shulin's grin froze at the corners of her mouth. She turned woodenly and strode away.
Biyu and the others couldn't help but laugh. For some reason, they loved seeing how thoroughly the Princess had Bu Shulin wrapped around her finger.
"Princess!" An excited cry came from behind.
Shen Xihe turned to see Zhenzhu standing before the Princess Manor gate, dressed in a pearl-white silk skirt with pearl flowers woven into her hair, tears glistening in her eyes.
She hurried over to bow to Shen Xihe. "Zhenzhu pays her respects to the Princess."
Shen Xihe steadied her. "You've grown thinner."
"Has the Princess recovered her health?" Zhenzhu asked tearfully, carefully studying Shen Xihe. She had been back for two days and had learned much from Ziyu, who had stayed behind, about what had happened to Shen Xihe since arriving in the capital—news that filled her with both joy and worry.
"Sister Zhenzhu is back, so the Princess won't favor me most anymore," Biyu pretended to pout, lightening the mood.
"When have I ever favored you most?" Shen Xihe retorted.
Biyu immediately covered her eyes and began to whimper dramatically, making Zhenzhu laugh through her tears.
With Zhenzhu's return, Shen Xihe noticed she had changed greatly—exuding a newfound confidence and radiance from within, like a pearl finally shining with its long-concealed luster. It seemed her months away had been filled with many experiences.
"Zhenzhu, make a copy of the old man's notes. When Doctor Qi comes tomorrow, give it to him." This was the reward Shen Xihe had long intended for Xie Yunhuai.
"This servant has already copied them." Zhenzhu had spent the past two days in the manor doing just that. No matter how long she was away, upon her return, she would always remain the Princess's most devoted confidante.Shen Xihe took the copied notes she handed over and smiled with relief, "The day after tomorrow, I must enter the palace to see the Crown Prince. You and A Xi shall accompany me."
OpenNovel