The Dali Temple issued an official document, making this a formal procedure. Even imperial relatives had to cooperate with the investigation—they couldn’t refuse or ignore it. Doing so would either constitute obstructing official duties or showing contempt for the law, and attempting to flee would be the serious crime of resisting arrest!
Thus, Bu Shulin reluctantly stuffed the sesame cake into her mouth, pulled a long face, and headed to the Dali Temple.
Since the Dali Temple could issue such a document, it was no fabrication. Someone had indeed filed a complaint against Bu Shulin, revolving around her past misdeeds: flirting with respectable young women, dining and drinking with a group of idle rich youths without paying the bill, and arbitrarily seizing others’ crickets and fighting cocks…
Every day, someone lodged a complaint against her; every day, she was summoned to the Dali Temple by Cui Jinbai; and every day, Cui Jinbai would handle other cases first, dragging things out until nearly the end of the workday before dealing with her matters.
All these incidents were his doing—who else could dig up so many of her old misdeeds? Who else could incite these people to file complaints?
“What exactly do you want?” Bu Shulin asked, worn down and devoid of temper.
“I just want to see you every day,” Cui Jinbai replied, lifting his gaze with gentle eyes.
Bu Shulin: …
This conversation felt all too familiar, reminiscent of the time she had pestered Cui Jinbai relentlessly. Back then, worn down by her antics, he had asked what she wanted, and she had batted her eyelashes at him, saying she only wished to see him every day.
What karma! If her crimes were unforgivable, she’d rather be struck dead by lightning than endure this torment. Wailing inwardly…
“Cui Zhihe, Cui Jinbai, Cui Shaoqing…” Bu Shulin pleaded with a pained expression, “I admit my mistakes. Please spare me, let me go.”
“If I let you go, who will let me go?” Cui Jinbai asked softly, his tone unchanged. “Back then, I didn’t find you annoying or bothersome, but now I adore you. Even if you find me irritating now, it doesn’t matter. In time, you’ll feel the same way I do.”
She had always been the frivolous one, either driving people away with anger or disgust. But now, she didn’t dare utter a single improper word to Cui Jinbai. She feared that if she so much as hinted at wanting to sleep with him, he would immediately start undressing right in front of her.
Now, she was the one afraid of Cui Jinbai!
“If you don’t let me go, I’ll go on a hunger strike!” Bu Shulin threatened.
“When you’re too weak to resist, I’ll feed you mouth-to-mouth,” Cui Jinbai replied calmly.
Bu Shulin: …
“If you summon me to the Dali Temple every day, I’ll turn the place upside down!” she tried another threat.
“Feel free to cause as much chaos as you like,” Cui Jinbai indulged her. “If it’s minor, I can handle it. If it’s major, Your Majesty has been looking for a reason to punish you. If you’re sentenced to death, I’ll follow you in death. If we can’t share a bed in life, we’ll share a coffin in death. Though I have Father still alive, and he has my younger brother to care for him in old age, it’s only the prince who’ll be pitied…”
“Cui Jinbai!"Bu Shulin was on the verge of collapse." “Are you trying to drive me insane?”
Cui Jinbai gazed at her intently. “Even if you go mad, I won’t abandon you. Perhaps you’ll even become more obedient.”
Bu Shulin: …
Never in her life had she regretted anything so much. Had she known it would come to this, she should have married the princess! At worst, she’d have angered the princess into living separately—still better than provoking this madman!
Thoroughly subdued, Bu Shulin decided to rein in her emotions and resist through silence and ignoring Cui Jinbai. Unfazed by her coldness, Cui Jinbai continued to find ways to bring her to the Dali Temple every day. The two would spend the entire day in silence, locked in a battle of endurance.Cui Jinbai and Bu Shulin were locked in a stalemate from both sides, while between Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong, it was a one-sided standoff initiated by Xiao Huayong.
He continued sending delicacies to the Princess Manor as usual, and Shen Xihe accepted them all without returning or reciprocating.
However, from that day onward, Shen Xihe never visited the Eastern Palace again. Though spring had arrived with occasional sunny days bathed in warm sunlight, Tianyuan felt the Eastern Palace growing increasingly cold and desolate.
Haidongqing had been dispatched for over two months and returned with a box of Northern Pearls. Xiao Huayong held the box in one hand while twirling a pearl between his fingers, lost in thought for a long while. No one knew what was on his mind.
Tianyuan dared not make a sound, fearing he might provoke Xiao Huayong and bring misfortune upon himself.
"Tianyuan, I miss her," Xiao Huayong murmured as if still dazed. It had been several days since he last saw her.
"Your Highness, the Princess's heart is as firm as stone," Tianyuan felt indignant on behalf of his master, thinking of how well the Crown Prince had treated her.
Xiao Huayong suddenly snapped back to reality and scolded, "Nonsense! She is not heartless—she merely bears too many burdens."
He believed every word Shen Xihe had spoken that day was sincere, without a hint of pretense or deception. She had said that if she were alone in this world, she would surely seize the moment for joy, plunging into love with him without questioning the future or consequences.
This proved her heart had stirred for him, even if only for a fleeting moment. Had she not carried such heavy responsibilities, perhaps she wouldn't remain so vigilant at all times.
Tianyuan: ...
He obediently lowered his head and discreetly slapped himself.
You and your big mouth! How dare you speak recklessly and slander the Princess before His Highness!
After another moment of contemplation, Xiao Huayong asked, "How has Wang Zheng been these past few days?"
"Minister Wang acted exactly as Your Highness predicted. After being cautious for a few days, we deliberately investigated several other princes to mislead him into thinking you suspected them of orchestrating the Lantern Festival incident," Tianyuan reported seriously. "He has now let his guard down."
"In two days, during the polo match, we shall deliver a grand 'gift' to Minister Wang." Xiao Huayong placed the Northern Pearl back into the box and rested his hand on the lid, tracing the carved Eucommia Leaf pattern. "Then I can see her again."
"Understood," Tianyuan responded. The arrangements had long been prepared.
Every year when envoys came to the capital to pay tribute, a spring polo match was held, pitting the envoys' team against the imperial team. If the envoys feared the imperial team's coordination, teams could also be formed by drawing lots.
This match served as a farewell event. After the polo game, the envoys would gradually depart the capital and return to their homelands.
Shen Xihe gazed at the tree branches sprouting new buds. "The polo match is about to begin. It's time to make a move against Yangling Princess."
"This servant will relay the message to the palace immediately," Zhenzhu replied.
Just then, Qi Pei arrived at the manor to withdraw one hundred gold pieces. He was leaving the capital and vowed to earn Shen Xihe a full thousand gold by the same time next year.
Shen Xihe brought him to see Xie Yunhuai for a follow-up examination. Xie Yunhuai confirmed his recovery was progressing well and that he could travel far. Shen Xihe did not stop him but assigned two guards to escort him home.
When she returned, Zhenzhu was also back and brought news: "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is preparing the Spring Day Banquet. She invites you to the palace tomorrow, along with other noble ladies, likely to gather ideas and make the banquet more entertaining. Will you attend, Princess?"
Since it was merely an invitation from the Empress Dowager and not an imperial edict, Shen Xihe could decline if she wished.
"I will go. I am not avoiding him," Shen Xihe replied with a faint smile.She would never deliberately avoid Xiao Huayong, no matter what she should or would do.
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