Many in this world seek his assistance, yet none have ever found him a hindrance—Shen Xihe is undoubtedly the first.
"Your Highness overthink. It is not that you are in the way, but with you present, this play cannot unfold properly," Shen Xihe explained.
"Alone in the Eastern Palace, I have only the cold snow for company, feeling utterly desolate. Youyou puts on a performance, yet you won't allow me to watch..." Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Huayong lowered his gaze, his long lashes casting a shadow like a veil, his expression deeply forlorn.
He sat by the window, the small pane slightly ajar. Occasionally, a snowflake or two drifted in with the wind, echoing his lonely demeanor, making him look like a pitiful soul abandoned in a frozen wasteland.
"Your Highness wishes to know my intentions, but I do not wish to reveal them at this moment," Shen Xihe said with a light laugh.
If he were to learn what Munuha planned to do, he would likely behead Munuha himself without her needing to lift a finger.
Now that His Majesty watches his every move, he cannot act rashly. A single misstep would expose everything to His Majesty's scrutiny, which would greatly hinder their future plans. Shen Xihe did not want to take that risk.
"Youyou has seen right through me," Xiao Huayong straightened up. "Very well, I promise Youyou I will not go to the Dai Prince's residence the day after tomorrow."
Having persuaded Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe stayed in the Eastern Palace for another quarter of an hour before leaving. Xiao Huayong reluctantly escorted her to the palace gate, as he always did whenever she visited—unless he was feigning illness or unconsciousness—and watched her depart with a lingering gaze.
Shen Xihe was accustomed to this and did not stop him, turning away without a trace of attachment.
Once outside the Eastern Palace grounds, Zhenzhu whispered softly while supporting Shen Xihe's arm, "Someone is watching."
A faint smile touched Shen Xihe's lips. In the past, no one had ever spied on her visits to the Eastern Palace—not because there was no interest, but because those with influence in the palace could observe discreetly without detection.
Today's exposure could only mean the watcher lacked skill, likely not trained by anyone within the palace. It was almost certainly someone bribed by Munuha. His arrival was welcome; she had feared he wouldn't come.
Shen Xihe walked to a frozen lake and instructed Biyu, "Go invite the Fifth Princess. If she refuses, ask if she wishes to know how Liang Zhaorong died."
"As you command."
The winter wind cut like a blade. Even with hand warmers, Shen Xihe felt a chill. Snow blanketed the lake's surroundings, but the surface remained unfrozen—a special measure taken daily by the palace staff to keep the water flowing, for only living water carries vitality.
Yangling Princess, bundled up like a dumpling and clutching a hand warmer, approached slowly with two personal maids. Her pale face turned toward Shen Xihe, eyes filled with resentment and grievance. "Why have you summoned me?"
"Your Highness still refuses to reveal who instigated you to harm me, is that correct?" Shen Xihe asked leisurely.
In the bitter cold, her words trailed white mist, obscuring her face and eyes.
"I've said I don't know," Yangling Princess remained tight-lipped.
"Your Highness, my patience is limited. I have shown you the utmost leniency," Shen Xihe tilted her head, gazing at her indifferently.
Yangling averted her eyes. "I told you I don't know!"
"Very well." The moment Shen Xihe's cold reply fell, Zhenzhu flicked a small bead from her fingertip, striking Yangling Princess's knee.
Yangling's leg went numb, and she immediately stumbled toward the lake. But Shen Xihe swiftly grabbed her, while her two maids were blocked by Zhenzhu and Biyu.Shen Xihe asked again, "Will you speak or not?"
"I don't know..." Princess Yangling sobbed, "Please let me go, won't you spare me..."
"County Princess, someone is coming," Zhenzhu suddenly warned.
Shen Xihe quickly released her grip on Princess Yangling's wrist. With a splash, Biyu jumped into the water, appearing to rescue the princess while actually making her swallow several mouthfuls of freezing winter water.
Just as Noble Consort Rong arrived in the courtyard with her entourage, she happened to see Biyu pulling Princess Yangling out of the water.
"What is this..." Noble Consort Rong, accompanied by two palace consorts and Princess Pingling, looked at the scene with confusion.
"Noble Consort, Zhaoning County Princess pushed our princess into the water!" One of Princess Yangling's maids immediately knelt before Noble Consort Rong to accuse.
Instead of defending herself, Shen Xihe instructed Zhenzhu, "Take Biyu to change clothes and have the Eastern Palace prepare a bowl of cold-dispelling medicinal soup."
"Acknowledged." Though Biyu wasn't seriously affected—since Shen Xihe had planned everything in advance and Biyu wore oilcloth undergarments—the cold was still severe and required caution.
"Zhaoning, what do you have to say?" Noble Consort Rong inquired.
"Noble Consort, it's more urgent to take Princess Yangling back to the palace and summon the imperial physician first. As for whether I pushed the princess into the water or her maids neglected their duties, causing her to fall, we can determine the truth after the princess wakes up," Shen Xihe replied calmly.
Her composure made Noble Consort Rong somewhat convinced, especially since she had witnessed Shen Xihe's maid rescuing Princess Yangling—not jumping in after their arrival but having entered the water earlier to save her.
Shen Xihe followed them openly back to Princess Yangling's bedchamber. After the imperial physician diagnosed her, prescribed medicine, and the decoction was prepared, the Youning Emperor and Xiao Huayong arrived. Only then did Princess Yangling slowly regain consciousness.
"Yangling, how did you fall into the water?" the Youning Emperor asked upon seeing her awake.
Princess Yangling looked up and saw Shen Xihe standing beside the emperor, smiling at her with a chill like an icy wind. Steeling her heart, she declared, "It was Zhaoning. Zhaoning pushed me into the water."
Everyone turned to Shen Xihe, who wore a puzzled expression. "Could the princess explain why I would push you, given that we have no grievances between us?"
"You... it was you who sent your maid to invite me to the small pavilion. Many people in my palace witnessed it!" Princess Yangling only wanted to publicize her discord with Shen Xihe, so that if anything happened to her in the future, Shen Xihe would be the prime suspect.
"I did invite the princess, but only to ask on behalf of Worldly Son Bu whether the princess truly wishes to marry him," Shen Xihe explained unhurriedly. "The princess told me it was none of my business and angrily left, but slipped on the wet ground and fell into the water. Her two maids were too afraid to rescue her, so I ordered my maid to jump in and save her."
After speaking, she bowed gracefully to the Youning Emperor. "Your Majesty can send someone to investigate. There must be traces on the ground where the princess fell."
Traces, of course, existed—but they were man-made, deliberately left by Biyu when she entered the water.
The Youning Emperor, his face stern, ordered Liu Sanzhi to investigate personally. Liu Sanzhi not only found the traces but also brought two eunuchs. "Your Majesty, these are the servants responsible for cleaning the small pavilion."
The two hurriedly bowed. The Youning Emperor asked, "Did you see the County Princess and the princess?""Your Majesty, this humble servant saw..." a young eunuch said tremulously, "the princess slipped, and the princess consort reached out to pull her but failed to hold on, causing the princess to fall into the water."
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