Ziyu and the other maidservants had tears welling up in their eyes simultaneously. They all recalled the countless times Shen Xihe had stood atop the city tower, watching the womenfolk of the northwestern official residences gallop on horseback, kicking up yellow desert sands, lost in thought for what seemed like an eternity.
Biyu swiftly dashed out of the room and headed straight for Mo Yuan: "Send Linglong over immediately, and put a few venomous snakes in the vat as well!"
She detested everyone from the Kang Prince Manor. If it weren't for Xiao Shi's shamelessness, how could the princess consort have given birth prematurely? How could the princess have been born frail? And why would she have to suffer such torment today?
"Is the princess alright?" Mo Yuan, being an outsider, couldn't enter the inner quarters, but he was aware of everything concerning Shen Xihe.
"The princess is fine." After replying, Biyu gave a slight curtsy and left.
Shen Xihe woke up late. By the time Ziyu had meticulously prepared the medicinal congee and brought it to her, it was already deep into the night.
In the profound silence, Shen Xihe leisurely ate her medicinal congee, while a piercing scream erupted from the Kang Prince Manor in the city.
The sound came from the old princess consort's chamber. The Kang Prince Manor was instantly ablaze with lights, and even the residents of the neighboring courtyard were disturbed, inevitably sending servants to inquire.
When the Kang Prince rushed to the old princess consort's courtyard with his consort and children, they found the night-shift maid and the old princess consort frightened into unconsciousness, along with a ghastly vat from which a bloody human head protruded.
Chaos immediately ensued in the Kang Prince Manor. The Kang Prince ordered his guards to lift the vat, but it cracked open, releasing several venomous snakes that slithered wildly about. In the commotion, the Kang Prince's eldest legitimate son was bitten.
The Kang Prince promptly sent someone to report to the authorities. Only after calming down did he recognize that the disfigured person in the vat was Linglong!
By then, the Capital Prefect had already arrived in person with his men, and even the Chief Minister of the Dali Temple, whose residence was just a street away from the Kang Prince Manor, had come upon hearing the news.
It was too late for the Kang Prince to cover up the incident...
Shen Xihe slept soundly through the night and woke up feeling exceptionally refreshed, a comfort she had never experienced before.
In the morning, she unusually ate millet porridge and noodles, bringing Ziyu to tears of joy.
She had mastered culinary skills for the princess, but the princess had never had much appetite, leaving her talents unutilized.
Shen Xihe's increased appetite delighted all her maidservants. Xie Yunhuai came early to check her pulse.
"The princess's pulse is slightly stronger than before. The change is subtle, but it shows signs of improvement." Xie Yunhuai also breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Shen Xihe was not seriously ill; he had been worried all night.
Shen Xihe noticed the dark circles under Xie Yunhuai's eyes: "Thank you for your trouble."
"Princess..."
"Princess, the Vice Minister of the Dali Temple requests an audience." Just as Xie Yunhuai was about to say something, Biyu hurried in to announce.
"The Vice Minister of the Dali Temple?" Shen Xihe was puzzled.
If the Youning Emperor were to send someone to fetch her, it should be an official from the Ministry of Rites. The Dali Temple handled criminal cases, and she hadn't even entered the city yet. How could she be involved in a lawsuit?
"Invite him in."
Since Shen Xihe had official business, Xie Yunhuai naturally excused himself.
This dynasty, if nothing else, was abundant in talent, with countless young prodigies.
The Vice Minister of the Dali Temple held a fourth-rank position with substantial authority. The man before her was barely in his twenties, dressed in a crimson official robe, a silver fish pouch hanging from his belt, and wearing official boots. He was tall and slender, with a handsome yet stern face—a refined gentleman who seldom smiled.
Cui Jinbai, the Vice Minister of the Dali Temple, was the legitimate son of the Cui family's third branch. A child prodigy, he had gained fame throughout the capital by the age of sixteen.
Six years ago, two major events shook the capital: one was Xie Yunhuai severing ties with his family, and the other was Cui Jinbai achieving the top honors in the imperial examinations.He was only twenty-two this year but had already served as an official for six years. After leaving the Hanlin Academy, he first entered the Ministry of Personnel and was the one who exposed the Rouge Case. This year, he had just been transferred to the Dali Temple.
Despite his youth, he had become a rising star, favored by the emperor and born into a prestigious family. However, he had yet to marry, making him the most coveted noble son-in-law in the eyes of the matriarchs of Kyoto's influential households.
"Your humble official, Cui Jinbai, pays his respects to the Junzhu." Cui Jinbai performed a formal bow.
His back was straight, his figure well-proportioned, and every movement carried the refined elegance of a scion from an aristocratic family.
Shen Xihe enjoyed the treatment of a State Duke. As the Dali Temple's Shaoqing, Cui Jinbai naturally had to perform a grand salute when seeking her out.
"Shaoqing Cui, you are too courteous." Shen Xihe lightly raised her hand in a gesture. Once Cui Jinbai stood up, she asked, "Might I ask why Shaoqing Cui has come here so early in the morning?"
"Junzhu, if I may report," Cui Jinbai assumed a strictly businesslike demeanor, "Last night, someone from the Kang Prince's residence took advantage of delivering swill to bring a vat into the estate. Inside the vat was a person who had been subjected to severe torture. After verification by the Jingzhao Yin and the Dali Temple, this person was identified as Linglong—the runaway slave you had issued a warrant for in Linxiang County."
"Oh?" Shen Xihe expressed mild surprise. "This runaway slave of mine has been missing for months without a trace, yet just as I arrived outside Kyoto, she was delivered to the Kang Prince's residence. Why was she sent there?"
Cui Jinbai slightly lowered his head. "This humble official has come to inquire about some matters regarding Linglong and hopes for your cooperation, Junzhu. The elderly lady of the Kang Prince's residence remains unconscious from the shock, and the eldest son of the household was bitten by a poisonous snake inside the vat and is still in a coma. A slight misstep could cost two lives."
"Is that so?" Shen Xihe's tone was indifferent. "Biyu, explain everything clearly to Shaoqing Cui."
Shen Xihe had little desire to engage with this Dali Temple Shaoqing. In their youth, they had crossed paths at several banquets, but due to the separation between men and women, they had only exchanged greetings in the presence of elders.
However, she was well aware of Cui Jinbai's rigid and serious nature.
Leaving Biyu behind, Shen Xihe was about to step past Cui Jinbai when she suddenly halted.
Amid the refreshing fragrance of winter plum blossoms, she detected a faint trace of duojialuo incense, causing her to abruptly turn her gaze toward Cui Jinbai.
Cui Jinbai maintained a distant yet polite posture, standing straight but with his head slightly bowed. He was exceptionally tall, making it impossible for Shen Xihe to see his face—only the smooth line of his jaw.
Cui Jinbai had become an official at sixteen and, aside from rest days, was always on duty. How could he have traveled to Mount Heng and also had time to appear in Luoyang?
Was it a coincidence?
No, absolutely not!
Although Shen Xihe had not possessed such a keen sense of smell in the past and did not know what scents Cui Jinbai preferred, he was definitely not the type to use duojialuo incense.
Aristocratic families valued purity and dignity, with centuries of profound heritage, but they did not indulge in extravagance—especially someone as upright and rigid as Cui Jinbai, who strictly disciplined himself and adhered to the teachings of his family. The fragrance of winter plum suited his character and status far better!
Excellent. Not only could he infiltrate the Embroidered Uniform Envoys, but he could also blend into the Dali Temple, excelling in both civil and military affairs.
That such a capable individual existed in Kyoto, and she had been completely unaware of it until now!
Shen Xihe let out a brief, ambiguous chuckle before gracefully walking away.
Returning to the rear courtyard, she immediately summoned Mo Yuan. "Go and find out where Cui Jinbai is."
"Cu—Cui Shaoqing..." Mo Yuan turned his head in astonishment, glancing toward the outer courtyard. "Isn't Cui Shaoqing currently questioning Biyu?"
"He is not Cui Jinbai. Go and find him now. You must locate him for me!" Shen Xihe commanded.Once she found Cui Jinbai, she was determined to strip a layer of skin off him.
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