After just one night of consideration, Prince Zhao Xiao Changmin agreed. During this time, he visited Yu Zao in prison and specifically sent Bu Shulin out for a medical examination under the pretext of bringing a royal physician.
This matter needed to be handled quickly, arranging everything before anyone realized they could use such a method to turn the tables.
"Let it be as the Junzhu suggests. Since Worldly Son Bu’s severe poison has not yet been neutralized, it would be best for the Junzhu to take him back to the capital early to avoid delaying the detoxification," Xiao Changmin said meaningfully. "As for the Yu family matter, I’ve troubled the Junzhu greatly. Regardless of the outcome, I will report the truth to you."
This was his way of telling her that she need not intervene further—he would handle it himself. In doing so, Shen Xihe would have no evidence to hold against him, making it impossible for her to use this as leverage in the future.
"I await good news from His Highness Prince Zhao," Shen Xihe replied smoothly.
She had never intended to use this as a means to grasp Xiao Changmin’s weakness. If she wanted to deal with someone, she had plenty of methods at her disposal.
Shen Xihe took Bu Shulin and left Henan Prefecture. Without the commandant fanning the flames, Tang Juan declared that Bu Shulin had been framed, and the one who framed him was none other than their Yuzhou governor—a higher-ranking official whom they all trusted.
The statistics on tomb raiding from various regions had been compiled, and none had as many cases as Yuzhou. It was clear where the problem lay, and everyone eagerly awaited the outcome. Three days later, Prince Zhao presided over the trial, where Yu Zao confessed without hesitation.
Just as Prince Zhao was about to have Yu Zao sign his confession and send him to the capital, two escorts suddenly rushed into the courtroom, claiming that Yu Zao was not the real Yu Zao but an imposter from their hometown!
This revelation caused an uproar. Prince Zhao interrogated Yu Zao, who insisted he was the genuine article. Ultimately, the fellow villagers mentioned that Yu Zao had a birthmark, but upon examination, while no birthmark was found, there was a burn scar—clearly an attempt to cover it up. The burn appeared to be over twenty years old, sparking widespread discussion among the people.
By this time, Shen Xihe had already returned to the capital. She brought Bu Shulin back to the Bu residence and, for appearances, summoned Xie Yunhuai to detoxify him, since the poison had been formulated by Xie Yunhuai in the first place.
The royal physician Xiao Changmin had brought took the poison for testing but could not immediately produce an antidote.
Shen Xihe did not allow Bu Shulin to be detoxified immediately, aiming for perfection by having the royal physician go through the motions.
"Avoid raw, cold, and spicy foods these next few days," Xie Yunhuai advised after administering the antidote to Bu Shulin.
Bu Shulin looked down at the small incision on his fingertip where poisoned blood had been drawn, holding it up to Shen Xihe to play the victim: "I’ve been bled—shouldn’t I be nourished to recover?"
Shen Xihe glanced at it. The cut was on his palm, slender but shallow, already bandaged and stopped bleeding: "If you look at any scar on my brother, it’s countless times deeper and longer than this. Why are you so delicate?"
Bu Shulin: …
At this moment, she remembered she was a woman. She nearly blurted it out but caught sight of Xie Yunhuai and her eyes lit up with an idea: "Isn’t it only right to appear delicate in front of Doctor Qi? To evoke the physician’s pity. Doctor Qi truly has the grace of a jade immortal."
Xie Yunhuai didn’t mind Bu Shulin’s widely rumored preference for male companions. Since he was Shen Xihe’s friend, he was naturally his friend as well. He was about to respond when he noticed Cui Jinbai being ushered in by a servant. Seized by a mischievous impulse, he asked, "How does he compare to Cui Shaoqing?"Bu Shulin lay to one side, blocked from view and completely unaware of the person present. She blurted out without hesitation: "Doctor Qi is as refined and luminous as jade, as radiant and serene as the moon, while Cui Shitou is nothing but a dull and useless stone. How can one compare precious jade to a mere rock?"
Shen Xihe, hearing her speak without restraint, glanced over and spotted Cui Jinbai standing at the doorway. The usually dignified man couldn't suppress a soft chuckle.
"Many thanks for the Young Master's high praise." Xie Yunhuai's smile was as clear and bright as moonlight, yet it carried an inexplicable hint of mischief. He picked up his medicine chest and stepped aside, allowing Bu Shulin and Cui Jinbai to lock eyes.
The frivolous smile that had been playing on Bu Shulin's lips gradually froze.
Shen Xihe shot a glance at Xie Yunhuai. A noble young master moves silently—while she hadn't been aware of his position, Xie Yunhuai couldn't have been ignorant. His spot directly faced the moon gate leading into the courtyard, and his deliberate question had clearly been a trap set for Bu Shulin.
Xie Yunhuai continued to smile with an ethereal elegance. Even without feigning surprise, others would perceive it as mere coincidence.
"Since your poison has been neutralized, Doctor Qi and I shall take our leave." Ignoring Bu Shulin's frantic eyebrow signals, Shen Xihe departed with Xie Yunhuai.
Jinshan stood outside, watching Cui Jinbai pause at the threshold. His young master sat up, somewhat awkwardly bowing her head, as an uncomfortable, suffocating tension filled the air.
After a moment, Bu Shulin cleared her throat lightly: "I was merely complimenting our guest, with no intention to belittle you. It's just that we're so familiar with each other, I inevitably speak without ceremony."
Cui Jinbai remained stern-faced but said, "As long as you're unharmed."
With that, he turned and left.
"Hey, hey, hey..." Bu Shulin chased after him to the doorway, watching Cui Jinbai depart without a backward glance. She pursed her lips and leaned against the doorframe. "Jinshan, what's wrong with that guy?"
The comment seemed random, with no indication whether he was genuinely ill.
"Assistant Minister Cui likely feels responsible for your trip to Henan Prefecture. Upon hearing of your return, he came immediately to check on you." Jinshan was also uncertain. "Seeing that you're fine, he must be relieved. The tomb robbery case remains unresolved—the Court of Judicial Review must be quite busy."
After brief consideration, Bu Shulin found this reasoning sound: "Didn't he arrange for Prefect Tang to assist? I don't blame him. Go select some local specialties I brought back and deliver them to him, along with my message."
Bu Shulin had initially believed Prefect Tang's claim that her father had done him a favor—why would anyone fabricate a debt of gratitude without cause? But after Shen Xihe's reminder, she actually wrote to inquire, only to receive several pages of scolding from her father: "Believing whatever others say—it's a miracle you've survived this long!" The letter concluded with one final sentence: "I don't know any surnamed Tang."
On the day she left Henan Prefecture, she specifically asked Tang Juan, who confessed to acting on an old acquaintance's request from the capital. After some thought, she could only conclude it was Cui Jinbai, and upon discovering the historical connection between the Cui family and Tang Juan, she became even more certain.
"Acknowledged."
Jinshan carefully selected numerous local products and personally delivered them to Cui Jinbai, relaying the entire message.
Cui Jinbai listened and laughed in exasperation: "Doesn't blame me?"
Jinshan sensed displeasure in the Assistant Minister's smile but couldn't pinpoint its source, replying cautiously: "Yes."
With a light scoff, Cui Jinbai accepted the gifts: "Return and tell your young master I've received these items."Jinshan waited a moment longer, but there was nothing more to be said, so he cupped his hands in salute and returned. Upon his return, he discovered Bu Shulin rummaging through things.
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