Yangling Princess felt somewhat intimidated by Cui Jinbai's expressionless face. Knowing she was in the wrong and fearing the matter might reach Youning Emperor, she could only leave unwillingly.
Bu Shulin clung to the doorframe, peeking out with just her head visible. Only after watching Yangling Princess depart did she step out fully, leaning against the door with crossed arms. "Tsk tsk tsk, the ever-principled and sincere Cui Shaoqing actually telling a stream of lies now."
Even Cui Jinbai's page boy couldn't stand Bu Shulin's shamelessness. Just moments ago she'd accused their Fourth Young Master of kicking away the ladder after crossing the bridge, yet look at Worldly Son Bu's demeanor now - as if she didn't realize their Fourth Young Master had lied for whose sake.
Cui Jinbai turned and entered the room, fixing Bu Shulin with a heavy gaze.
Bu Shulin grew somewhat guilty under his stare, edging along the door as she prepared to make her escape. But Cui Jinbai seized her shoulder in an iron grip.
"Cui Shitou, what are you doing? Dragging me into your room in broad daylight? So impatient? At least let me bathe first!"
"Silence!" The exasperated Cui Jinbai snapped coldly. "One more word and I'll throw you to Fifth Princess."
The retort already on her lips, Bu Shulin immediately covered her mouth with her hand.
Cui Jinbai dragged her into the room and handed her the case files he'd been reviewing earlier. "I didn't lie. You really do need to assist me with this case."
Bu Shulin sneaked a few glances at the documents. When she saw the words "tomb robbery," her interest was immediately piqued. She set aside her playful demeanor, recognizing this as intelligence Cui Jinbai had specifically gathered - a compilation of tomb robbery reports from various regional case files.
The collection revealed something startling: from three years ago to present, local cases of grave desecration and tomb robbery had actually exceeded the total of the previous thirty years combined. Though each location only had one or two cases, making the pattern easy to miss.
Some records showed cases that had been reported then withdrawn, clear evidence of someone backing the perpetrators and pressuring local officials. This was definitely no minor matter.
After reading, Bu Shulin closed the files and eyed Cui Jinbai without speaking.
"The princess is hounding you now. You discovered this case first. I don't think His Majesty intends to arrange a marriage between you and the princess anyway. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to investigate thoroughly - I'd be watched the moment I leave the capital. Your departure from the capital would be perfect." No one would question Bu Shulin's whereabouts.
Bu Shulin remained silent.
Cui Jinbai's sword-like brows slightly furrowed. "I'll get His Majesty's permission. Leaving the capital would also help you avoid the princess's harassment."
Bu Shulin still didn't speak.
Cui Jinbai's expression darkened. "Going out to lay low while refreshing your mind. You've been trapped in the capital for years - don't you want to see the outside world?"
Bu Shulin stared at him, still silent.
Cui Jinbai finally lost his temper. "What exactly do you mean?"
Bu Shulin took up a brush, spread out paper, and wrote a single character: "Approved."
"Have you gone mute?" Cui Jinbai glared at her intensely.
Undaunted, Bu Shulin continued writing: You told me not to speak another word.
A vein throbbed at Cui Jinbai's temple. "Get out!"
"Tsk, such a fine gentleman with no manners whatsoever. Not a trace of the virtue, composure, and humility expected of a scion of noble family to be seen on you." Bu Shulin immediately needled Cui Jinbai the moment she opened her mouth. Facing Cui Jinbai's storm-cloud-dark expression, she acted as if she hadn't noticed. "Tell me, why did you suddenly become so invested in this matter?"
Bu Shulin's tone turned teasing. "When I came to find you earlier, you didn't take it seriously. But the moment you saw the county mistress personally visit the silver shop, you got anxious, you got invested. Tsk."
"Get out."Before Bu Shulin could finish speaking, Cui Jinbai snatched the paperweight from the desk and hurled it at him, startling Bu Shulin into leaping aside.
Feeling rather unkind for deliberately provoking Cui Jinbai—knowing full well he was suffering from unrequited love destined to end in vain—Bu Shulin spoke amiably, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. I'll leave right now, right now."
As Bu Shulin reached the main gate and saw Yangling Princess's carriage still parked outside, he immediately turned on his heel and scaled the wall to escape through the side. The officials at the Court of Judicial Review had long grown accustomed to his frequent wall-scaling exits.
Not daring to linger at the Court of Judicial Review, Bu Shulin headed to the Princess Manor. He had been seeking out Shen Xihe frequently because he realized Yangling Princess would pester him anywhere—even brothels held no fear for her—except the Princess Manor.
Recalling Shen Xihe's past formidable achievements, he assumed Yangling Princess simply didn't dare cause trouble in front of Shen Xihe.
"Youyou, you truly have a way. I went to the Court of Judicial Review, and Yangling Princess was driven away by Cui Shitou," Bu Shulin grinned so widely his eyes disappeared.
"What happened to make you so delighted?" This wasn't just about Cui Jinbai driving away Yangling Princess once—something else must have sparked such unrestrained joy.
"I saw Cui Shitou organizing case files. Grave robbing has been rampant in recent years, and it's no trivial matter. He's retrieved the archives, which might have already alerted certain people. Since he can't leave the capital to investigate, he plans to recommend me to Your Majesty for the task. After all, I was the first to notice something amiss." Though he occasionally feigned illness to leave the capital, nothing compared to the freedom of an official assignment.
The mere thought of breaking free from this gilded cage and soaring unrestrained made him wish he could down three thousand cups in celebration.
This matter likely involved certain princes. Even if not directly, it concerned high-ranking court officials who might be intricately connected to royalty. Your Majesty was unlikely to dispatch a prince for investigation.
"I'm still somewhat worried His Majesty won't permit me to go." Had it not been for Cui Jinbai's recommendation, Bu Shulin wouldn't have held any hope.
"Why wouldn't he permit it?" Shen Xihe asked.
"Aren't they afraid I might flee midway?" Bu Shulin's eyes shifted slyly. "What if I fake my death first, then return to the royal manor to 'resurrect'?"
Shen Xihe looked at him as if he were an idiot.
Deeply offended, Bu Shulin argued defensively, "I know! If I die, His Majesty would have grounds to revoke the Prince of Shunan's title. But I could have his agents attempt to kill me, then catch them red-handed. Let's see if His Majesty still cares about saving face."
Shen Xihe glanced skyward. "The sun hasn't set, yet you're already dreaming."
"Youyou, you're always like this! It annoys me!" He hated how she constantly disparaged his schemes.
"Let me enlighten you: His Majesty will certainly allow you to go. Don't bother setting traps or trying to frame him for attempted murder—you'll never obtain evidence. Just focus on surviving His Majesty's assassination attempts and returning to the capital alive." Shen Xihe laughed coldly.
"He still hasn't given up?" Bu Shulin frowned.
"Given up?" Shen Xihe chuckled softly. "Tibet's envoys will return empty-handed this time. His Majesty even sacrificed Xun Wang, which means his Invincible Army has matured. He intends to attack Tibet, which lies between the northwest and Shunan.
He'll first replace either the northwest or Shunan forces with the Invincible Army to lull Tibet into complacency."
"His Majesty wants to attack Tibet?" Bu Shulin's expression turned grave. "Youyou, how do you know this?""The Crown Prince speculates," Shen Xihe looked at her calmly, "Northwest or Southern Shu, which do you think His Majesty will choose?"
OpenNovel