Bu Shulin:...
She stared pitifully at Shen Xihe. Seeing Shen Xihe remain unmoved, she grabbed the poison, poured out a pill, threw her head back and swallowed it, then hung her head dejectedly: "This isn't entirely my fault. I've been keeping close watch on this court official, being extremely cautious in every way. He definitely didn't set a trap for me from the start. There must have been a slip-up elsewhere, and I was temporarily lured in to become the scapegoat."
Bu Shulin felt genuinely wronged. She had been truly vigilant, making sure this court official didn't know why she had come. After all, this matter was of great importance, and given her identity, His Majesty would never trust her with such responsibility.
Shen Xihe slightly lifted her head upon hearing this: "So it seems you were trapped by two parties."
"Two parties?" Bu Shulin lowered her gaze in contemplation. She wasn't foolish. "His Majesty indeed doesn't trust me."
Everything was clear now. His Majesty had never actually entrusted this matter to her - she was merely a decoy to divert attention. It was only because she had been indulging in food, drink, and pleasure here, frequenting brothels daily, that she had remained safe until now.
His Majesty probably kept her around because she still served a purpose. The person truly assigned to investigate this case hadn't yet obtained evidence, which was why they hadn't moved against her. Later, when the tomb robbery case blew up, they simply had no time to deal with her. But having gone through the trouble of getting her out here, it would be a waste not to make use of such a perfect opportunity.
So the person His Majesty secretly sent to investigate the tomb robbery case had set her up, leaking her purpose here to others. That was how they learned of her intentions. Seeing that Shen Xihe had captured people and Xiao Changqing had blown up the imperial mausoleum, escalating the situation, they decided to go all the way and deliberately lured Bu Shulin to the already exposed court official's residence to catch her red-handed.
Shen Xihe: "Not entirely unjustified, then."
"Right? With multiple forces scheming against me alone, even if I grew wings I couldn't escape. Fortunately, Prefect Tang owes my father a favor." Bu Shulin looked relieved.
"Did Prefect Tang tell you that himself? That he owes your father a favor?" Shen Xihe asked.
"Exactly." Bu Shulin nodded.
Shen Xihe laughed: "You should write to your father and ask if Prefect Tang truly owes him any favors."
One was a military officer of noble birth guarding Shunan; the other was a civil official from humble origins, diligent and conscientious.
Shen Xihe had already investigated Tang Juan. He did have experience serving in Shu, but his post was several commanderies away from the Shu Southern Royal Manor. Shen Xihe didn't believe they had any connection.
Moreover, if Bu Shulin had such connections here while investigating such a dangerous case, Bu Tuohai would have certainly informed her.
When Tang Juan passed the imperial examinations years ago, his chief examiner was from the Cui family. Shen Xihe suspected that Cui Jinbai had assigned Bu Shulin here precisely because Tang Juan was present, giving him the confidence to act so boldly.
And Tang Juan was clever - he didn't show excessive favoritism, handling everything by the book. Before the inspector general arrived, he indeed had full authority to act on grounds of suspicion, which saved Bu Shulin from falling into the commandant's hands.
It had to be said that with Tang Juan here, Bu Shulin was completely safe here. Just look at how Tang Juan could arrest Bu Shulin and place her in a cell, then leave to handle official business without worrying about anyone taking advantage to harm her - this showed how thoroughly Tang Juan controlled the prefectural office from top to bottom.
If she hadn't arrived first today, Cui Jinbai would likely have found some way to ensure Bu Shulin's safety. He had truly gone to great pains for Bu Shulin."Hmm?" Bu Shulin's eyes darted, sparkling with light. "Youyou, is Tang Juan your person?"
Shen Xihe:...
She shouldn't have overestimated Bu Shulin's intelligence.
"Figure it out yourself." Shen Xihe stood up as she spoke and left the prison cell.
Since Inspector Yu was about to arrive, Shen Xihe naturally needed to properly confront him.
No sooner had Shen Xihe stepped out of the prison than she encountered Tang Juan, who was rushing over in haste. Tang Juan bowed to Shen Xihe: "Your Highness."
Shen Xihe returned the gesture: "Prefect Tang."
"Your Highness, Inspector Yu will arrive at the government office in one ke (15 minutes)." Tang Juan reported.
Hearing this, Shen Xihe became even more certain that Tang Juan was Cui Jinbai's person—otherwise, why would he trust her so implicitly? This was clearly to allow her time to prepare.
Though Tang Juan assisted Cui Jinbai, he had his own considerations and position to maintain, making it impossible for him to openly confront his direct superior.
"Prefect Tang need only handle matters related to the tomb robbery case. Leave the rest to me." Shen Xihe offered Tang Juan reassurance.
Tang Juan visibly relaxed and bowed to Shen Xihe with clasped hands once more.
Shen Xihe sat in the main hall, leisurely sipping Eucommia Leaf tea—a packet left for her by Xiao Huayong before his departure, intended to make her think of him through the tea. She accepted the tea, but as for missing the person... not particularly.
After sitting for approximately one ke, the neighing of horses indeed sounded outside the government office. Soon, three men strode in, led by one wearing purple official robes—in this dynasty, only officials of the third rank or higher were permitted to wear purple.
Regional inspectors were divided into three grades: upper-grade inspectors held rank 3b, middle-grade inspectors held rank 4a, and lower-grade inspectors held rank 4b.
After exchanging greetings with Tang Juan, Inspector Yu entered the main hall and noticed Shen Xihe rising slowly to her feet. Regardless of actual authority, by protocol hierarchy, even a regional inspector with substantive power must first pay respects to Shen Xihe: "Your Highness."
Shen Xihe responded with humble courtesy: "Inspector Yu."
"What brings Your Highness here?" Inspector Yu inquired with a smile, adopting a conversational tone.
"That is not convenient to disclose to the Inspector." Shen Xihe replied mildly.
Inspector Yu showed no trace of displeasure, maintaining his courteous smile: "It must be Your Highness's private matter. This official misspoke. In that case, I shall not disturb you further—I have urgent matters to attend to."
"Would those matters involve Worldly Son Bu's connection to the tomb robbery case?" Shen Xihe asked.
"Indeed." Inspector Yu nodded.
"This case occurred within this jurisdiction. Though it carries significant implications, it should rightfully be presided over by Prefect Tang." Shen Xihe remarked casually.
Though Inspector Yu was Tang Juan's superior, each region operated under its own regulations. Unless Tang Juan had petitioned for higher intervention, for Inspector Yu to exercise his authority so directly—despite having the right—appeared rather unseemly. One must consider that a single prefecture typically governed five to six, sometimes over ten, subordinate commanderies. If superiors routinely conducted themselves this way, how would these prefects be expected to react?
"Your Highness may not be aware, but this case involves grave consequences. The entire prefecture is in turmoil. If we can provide answers sooner, we may ease His Majesty's concerns and reassure the populace sooner." Inspector Yu declared with lofty rhetoric.
Shen Xihe studied Inspector Yu for a moment before chuckling softly: "Is Prince Zhao aware of how urgently Inspector Yu attends to His Majesty's worries and the people's anxieties?"
The deceased principal wife of Prince Zhao, née Yu, was the biological granddaughter of Inspector Yu's own younger brother.
Shen Xihe didn't believe Prince Zhao was behind this affair—too many details defied logical explanation. Yet Inspector Yu insisted on forcing his involvement. Shen Xihe doubted this was about claiming credit; rather, it seemed clear Inspector Yu was assisting another party for unrelated reasons, intending to implicate Prince Zhao.Actually, it wasn't really framing Prince Zhao. As long as Bu Shulin committed suicide out of guilt, Prince Zhao wouldn't be implicated.
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