Only by capturing them all in one fell swoop could he rest easy. Only when they were all married would they cease to harbor designs on his people.
Shen Xihe was unaware of Xiao Huayong's actions in the capital. Over in Henan Prefecture, Prefect Yu was clearly making a desperate last stand. The next morning, the county government office was besieged by a dense crowd of commoners, all clamoring for the severe punishment of the true culprits.
"County Prefect Tang, we all know it was the Northwest King who sent people to desecrate our graves, plundering wealth to fund a rebellion!"
"County Prefect Tang, you cannot shield such a scoundrel who brings calamity to the nation and its people."
"County Prefect Tang, my family's ancestral graves... I don't know how I can face my ancestors... If you protect these damned criminals, I'll hang myself and my entire family at the entrance of this government office..."
When Shen Xihe arrived, she witnessed this scene, though she didn't know who had spread the rumors.
"Where is the Commandant?" Shen Xihe asked.
"They say a merchant convoy was robbed early this morning, and the Commandant took men to pursue the culprits," Zhenzhu replied.
"How convenient," Shen Xihe let out a brief, ambiguous laugh.
"Your Highness, should we intervene?" Mo Yuan requested instructions.
Shen Xihe lifted her gaze to the three layers deep crowd in front of the government office, with more commoners gathering by the minute. If these people were to storm the office, they could trample the guards into dust.
"County Prefect Tang is no incompetent." Shen Xihe turned and found a food shop, leading Zhenzhu and the others inside where she ordered some Henan delicacies.
Soon, deafening gong strikes resounded at the government office entrance. The Registrar was beating the gong, and the crowd quieted down before Tang Juan emerged: "Fellow villagers, I, Tang Juan, was appointed here in the thirteenth year of Yuening. Starting as a county magistrate, I earned your trust and the court's recognition, eventually becoming County Prefect. Over these six years, how I've conducted myself as a person and as an official - you all have your own measure.
The multiple grave desecrations in our county are my failure, causing you shame before your ancestors. Though no graves in my own family were violated, I too detest those who commit such heinous acts to the utmost. Please believe me when I say that if we identify the perpetrators, I will not show leniency.
However, we must not let grief and anger lead us to be manipulated into wrongly punishing the innocent. This matter involves the Shunan Prince Heir and our Yuzhou Prefectural Governor. Neither is within my jurisdiction to judge. I have already memorialized His Majesty, and imperial envoys will arrive soon to handle the case.
I guarantee that before His Majesty's envoys arrive, no suspicious person, regardless of identity, will escape the county jail."
Tang Juan spoke with sincere earnestness. His official reputation must have been good, as the commoners were quickly persuaded. Some stepped forward expressing their willingness to trust him and left first, while others hesitated briefly before departing as well.
Those who were unwilling gritted their teeth at this but had no choice but to leave.
"Mo Yuan, have someone follow those two." Shen Xihe gave a meaningful glance and issued the order before lowering her head to enjoy the food that had been served.
After she finished her meal, the men Mo Yuan had sent out returned to report: "They made contact with the Commandant."
"No wonder Henan Prefecture is the most rampant with this - from top to bottom, civil to military, they're all involved." Shen Xihe rinsed her mouth with tea, wiped her lips with a handkerchief, then ordered Mo Yuan, "Capture him."
She had initially thought the Commandant might have just accepted some bribes to conspire with Prefectural Governor Yu, but now it appeared he was more deeply involved than mere bribery. Otherwise, with matters having reached this point, he should have wisely chosen to protect himself by staying out of it."Proceed in secrecy. After capturing him, there is no need to bring him before me. Find a hidden place to imprison him," Shen Xihe instructed further.
If even Prefect Yu could remain tight-lipped, then this commandant might not yield any useful information either. It would be better to let people know he had disappeared to create confusion—perhaps that would yield some gains.
After giving these orders, Shen Xihe entered the prefectural office. Seeing Tang Juan, she remarked, "Prefect Tang is deeply cherished by the people."
Incidents like the one earlier couldn't be resolved with just a few words by everyone—it depended on one's standing among the populace.
"You flatter me, Your Highness," Tang Juan said modestly. "Do you have any further instructions, Your Highness?""
"I shall go see Prefect Yu and Worldly Son Bu again," Shen Xihe replied.
Bu Shulin had already been revived. Tang Juan hadn't shown any special treatment, still keeping her imprisoned in the same cell as Prefect Yu.
"Hey, old man Yu, you're getting on in years—why be so stubborn? Don't you think of your wife and children? Your siblings? If you atone by revealing information, perhaps the princess could plead for sparing a couple of your clans?" Bu Shulin lay on the stone bed, hands behind her head, swinging her crossed leg as she glanced at Yu Zao in the adjacent cell.
Prefect Yu sat on his stone bed, head bowed in silence. He had maintained this posture for a long time.
Bu Shulin's eyes shifted craftily. "Old man Yu, I know you're aware that your crimes can't be pardoned, and even naming the mastermind won't redeem you. This 'heroic sacrifice' to protect others—claiming loyalty to your lord at the cost of your nine clans—I don't buy it. Let me guess... do you have an illegitimate child in their grasp?"
Yu Zao stirred slightly but still didn't respond.
Noticing this, Bu Shulin—who had initially found Shen Xihe's speculation unlikely—stopped swinging her leg. She sat up and leaned toward the neighboring cell. "Good heavens, you really are doing this for a bastard child?"
When Prefect Yu remained unresponsive, Bu Shulin sat leaning against the iron bars separating them, facing him. "Aren't you curious how I guessed? Since I figured it out, I can dig up that lone sprout of yours. You didn't hesitate to frame me for rebellion—wouldn't it be fair for me to track down your son for compensation?"
Prefect Yu suddenly looked up, his gaze deathly fixed on Bu Shulin.
Unfazed, Bu Shulin casually tucked back a stray lock of hair. "Old man Yu, you're utterly foolish. You're dying to cover for someone—do you really think your accomplice won't fear raising an ungrateful viper? If I were profiting from the dead, I wouldn't show mercy to some brat. Killing them would end all future troubles, wouldn't it?"
Yu Zao continued staring at Bu Shulin, a menacing glint in his eyes.
Bu Shulin mimicked his expression, staring back. "Look at me—this is what you look like now. You'll be an ugly ghost when you die. Not that you were much to begin with. The previous emperor must've had poor eyesight to appoint someone with your looks to office."
She squinted. "Let me memorize your features clearly. If I ever run into your whelp someday..."
Before she could finish, Prefect Yu lowered his head again.
Bu Shulin snorted coldly. "I've got it memorized, old man. Your brat better not fall into my hands, or else..."Bu Shulin made a slicing motion across her own neck with a "crack" sound, but she twisted her neck too forcefully and ended up wrenching it with a "crunch." When Shen Xihe entered, he saw her clamping her head and chin with both hands before forcefully cracking it back into place.
Shen Xihe:...
After shaking her head to confirm she wasn't injured, Bu Shulin spotted Shen Xihe and covered her embarrassment with a foolish grin.
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