"Lady..." Bu Shulin greeted with a playful grin.
Shen Xihe glanced at her briefly before standing before the cell of Governor Yu. She said nothing, simply standing there in silence.
Bu Shulin looked between Shen Xihe and Yu Zao. The two of them were engaged in a contest of silence, making the already quiet, dark, and oppressive prison even more uncomfortable. After enduring it for a while, Bu Shulin finally said, "Lady, what's so interesting about a man in his fifties?"
She then cupped her smiling face with both hands. "Look at this handsome, dashing face instead—much more pleasing to the eye."
Shen Xihe gave her a faint glance before speaking. "Governor Yu, if I can guarantee the safety of your entire clan, would you be willing to reveal the mastermind behind this?"
Yu Zao abruptly looked up, his eyes flooding with a mix of shock, doubt, and excitement.
Bu Shulin was so astonished her mouth hung open. After a moment, she exclaimed, "Lady, you mustn't act recklessly!"
Yu Zao had committed a crime punishable by the extermination of his entire clan. Such a crime could not be easily pardoned, not even by His Majesty, let alone Shen Xihe.
Ignoring Bu Shulin, Shen Xihe stood calmly, her serene gaze resting steadily on Yu Zao.
The prison remained silent. Both Yu Zao and Bu Shulin were considered high-profile prisoners, and for their safety, no other inmates were held nearby. Shen Xihe could hear Yu Zao's heavy breathing—he was agitated, tempted to believe her but afraid to trust too easily.
"His Majesty has appointed Prince Zhao to oversee your case," Shen Xihe said proactively. "If you are willing to name the mastermind, I can arrange for you to assume a new identity before Prince Zhao arrives."
"A new identity?" Yu Zao seized on the key point.
Shen Xihe nodded gently. "I reviewed your records last night. In your youth, you traveled abroad to study, were severely injured, and were sent back home. After returning, you suffered from memory loss for some time. I have already sent people to make arrangements. As long as you cooperate, you will no longer be Yu Zao. You will merely be someone who stole Yu Zao's identity. Since you are the one who committed the crime, the Yu family need not be implicated."
Both Bu Shulin and Yu Zao stared at Shen Xihe with expressions of utter disbelief, as if they had witnessed something beyond comprehension.
"This... this is actually possible..." Bu Shulin struggled to find words to describe the turmoil in her heart.
Truly, there was nothing Shen Xihe wouldn't dare to do, and nothing she wouldn't dare to imagine!
A faint glimmer of hope ignited in Yu Zao's lifeless eyes. After careful consideration, he realized that although the plan was risky, it was feasible. If it succeeded, he would no longer be the one who brought ruin upon the Yu family.
Suppressing his surging emotions, he scrutinized Shen Xihe with forced calm. "Lady, this is a matter of the court. You do not involve yourself in court affairs, and this matter does not harm the interests of the Northwest. Why would you take such a great risk merely to get to the bottom of things?"
Shen Xihe adjusted her flowing sleeves, crossing her arms over her chest. She stood as straight and proud as a white peony, elegant and refined yet dignified and noble. "Such large-scale embezzlement must be the work of a prince. His goal is naturally to raise an army and seize the throne. My ambition lies with the Eastern Palace. Since I aspire to become the Crown Princess, the enemies of the Eastern Palace are my enemies."
Bu Shulin listened with an envious expression, muttering under her breath, "The Crown Prince must have accumulated eight lifetimes of virtue."
Youyou hadn't even married into the Eastern Palace yet, but she was already thinking of him at every turn, going to such great lengths to eliminate his enemies.
Still, when she thought about the mastermind behind this grave-robbing and tomb-raiding scheme, she realized how formidable he was. A venomous snake like this lurking in the shadows was indeed a grave threat.Yu Zao, however, was not easily convinced. "The County Princess has yet to have a marriage contract with the Crown Prince, yet you are so certain you will marry into the Eastern Palace?"
"What I desire to accomplish, I have never failed to achieve." Shen Xihe cast him a faint glance. "Just as I can give you a new identity."
Yu Zao was startled and doubtful. He remained unconvinced, though tempted by Shen Xihe's proposal, his rationality still intact.
"What are you hesitating for? The County Princess's word is as good as gold, far more trustworthy than you foul men." Bu Shulin stared at Yu Zao with disgust, as if he were an ingrate. "This is the only way you can save the Yu family. Under heaven, aside from the County Princess, who else would be willing to scheme so thoroughly for you?"
Moyu brought a chair, and Shen Xihe gracefully sat down. "Governor Yu is cautious. Your reluctance to speak freely stems from your belief that I am taking too great a risk—that one misstep could make me your accomplice, even implicating the entire northwest, all for an enemy who is not yet an adversary. Is that not worth it?"
Yu Zao: "Should I not think so?"
"You should, exactly so." A faint smile touched Shen Xihe's soft, cherry-blossom-pink lips. "But Governor Yu, you are mistaken. The idea of changing your identity is mine, but the one who will carry it out is His Highness Prince Zhao."
Bu Shulin: !!!
Yu Zao's pupils dilated in shock.
"This plan is feasible. His Highness Prince Zhao should be willing to take the gamble." Shen Xihe said softly, "The extermination of the Yu family's nine clans is an indelible stain on Prince Zhao's reputation. If the investigation stops with you, Governor Yu, it matters not what the civil and military officials think. What matters is what the common people think. If Prince Zhao does not clear his name of this accusation, he will have no chance at the throne.
By saving the Yu family, Prince Zhao saves himself and his reputation."
Killing Yu Zao here would not only cost Prince Zhao the throne but also, in his attempt to prove his innocence by ruthlessly executing his wife's clan—even if the Yu family deserved it—would make people perceive him as cold-blooded and heartless. It would then be difficult for Prince Zhao to secure another advantageous marriage.
Cultivating power would become even more impossible. The Emperor has many sons, and quite a few are capable and virtuous. Why would anyone follow a man destined to have no competitive strength to the bitter end?
As long as Prince Zhao has any ambition, he cannot refuse the proposal Shen Xihe has given him.
Not only can he not refuse, but those who have already pledged allegiance to him and share his interests cannot refuse either.
"The County Princess's schemes are truly fearsome," Yu Zao said, his words heavy with meaning.
His heart trembled with awe at the intelligence of the woman before him.
She had calculated every person's motives, daring to conceive and act in ways no man in the world would dare.
She achieved what she sought, and Prince Zhao obtained what he desired. Yet, if there were the slightest flaw in this plan and it were exposed, it would be Prince Zhao who would be left vulnerable, with no connection to her at all.
Bu Shulin also swallowed hard. She had long known Shen Xihe was clever and wise, but this was the first time she had been struck to the core by her shrewdness. Previously, Shen Xihe had only displayed minor tricks.
"Governor Yu, are you willing to make this deal?" Shen Xihe asked with a smile.
"The County Princess should first persuade His Highness Prince Zhao," Yu Zao said, showing some flexibility.
As long as he was flexible and had desires, it was good. Shen Xihe gave a faint smile. "Then wait for Prince Zhao to speak with you."
With that, Shen Xihe stood up. Bu Shulin, seeing that she wasn't even looking at her, stretched her hand out of the prison cell. "County Princess, County Princess, did you bring me any food? I'm hungry...""Starving for a while might just make you smarter." With these words, Shen Xihe leisurely walked away.
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