Chapter 363: Drenching with Horse Urine
Xiao Changqing knew little about Xue Jinqiao's affairs. It was common in prominent families for children to have strained relationships with their parents and siblings. Without deliberate investigation, the extent of such conflicts remained unclear.
"Princess, isn't it excessive to stand up for your future sister-in-law like this?" Xiao Changqing wasn't criticizing Shen Xihe, but he felt that intervening in Xue Jinqiao's past grievances with Xue Hui—especially since Xue Jinqiao hadn't yet married into the Shen family—was unlike her usual conduct.
"Is Prince Xin condemning Zhaoning?" Shen Xihe feigned ignorance of Xiao Changqing's suspicions. "Compared to Your Highness, I'm merely administering a minor punishment. You, on the other hand, take lives."
Xiao Changqing's gaze deepened. However, seeing the imperial city behind her and realizing she had just come from the palace—likely having met Xiao Huayong—he understood how quickly she had learned about his actions against Xue Hui. "Since the Princess is aware, yet shows no intention of offering assistance."
"Your Highness, whether I assist or not requires no explanation to you." Shen Xihe lowered the carriage curtain and ordered the coachman to proceed.
Xiao Changqing watched Shen Xihe's carriage depart, his eyes contemplative, his thoughts unknown to anyone.
The next day during court assembly, Pei Zhan indeed confronted Xue Hui abruptly, leaving him unprepared. Pale-faced, Xue Hui could only plead innocence, with no other recourse. The Youning Emperor ordered his detention, bypassing the Dali Temple for investigation since its minister, Xue Cheng, was also from the Xue family.
The case was handed over to the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate for joint investigation. The Xue family began scrambling to save Xue Hui.
Xue Jinqiao had not visited the Princess Manor these past few days, wishing to avoid implicating Shen Xihe. However, Xue Jinqiao's mother, Madame Wan, arrived with her young son Xue Ji, seeking an audience. Shen Xihe refused to see them, but Madame Wan stood at the gate until she eventually fainted.
"She fainted?" Shen Xihe paused while feeding the fish, hearing Ziyu's displeased report.
"Zhenzhu has rushed over. I suspect it's a feigned faint," Ziyu snorted.
Shen Xihe's hand, holding fish food, halted mid-air. After a moment of silence, she released her slender fingers, letting the scattered bait create ripples on the lake's surface. Setting down the porcelain plate, she adjusted her shawl and walked toward the main gate.
"I heard the Xue Minister offended someone and got framed. Isn't the Shen family betrothed to the Xues? They're begging the Princess for help."
"The Shens refused, ignoring the marriage alliance and shutting out the Xues. That's why Madame Wan collapsed from the heat."
"How could they do this? They're in-laws—shouldn't they show some compassion?"
"These wealthy families only care about profit and power. What compassion do they have?"
By the time Shen Xihe emerged, a crowd had gathered. Though the Princess Manor wasn't on a bustling street and usually saw few passersby, today was an exception.
She glanced at Zhenzhu, who subtly shook her head—confirming that Madame Wan was unharmed and had pretended to faint.
Shen Xihe stepped aside as an irritated Mo Yuan rushed out carrying a bucket of foul-smelling liquid. "Make way!" he shouted.
His shout was unnecessary—the stench alone made the crowd retreat. Only Madame Wan, lying on the ground, failed to react in time and was drenched head to toe. She let out a sharp cry and leaped to her feet."How dare you defile my mother with such filth, County Princess!" Xue Ji's face flushed crimson at the sight of the foul-smelling liquid on his mother, yet he couldn't help covering his nose with his sleeve in disgust.
Shen Xihe stood on the stone steps as Ziyu promptly threw another bucket of scented bath water downward. The pleasant fragrance spread around, masking the foul odor.
"Our Zhenzhu is knowledgeable in medicine. Lady Xue fainted due to excessive internal heat. In the Northwest, such conditions are treated by splashing horse urine, which naturally cures it. If heatstroke affects the brain and isn't treated promptly, it can be fatal. The County Princess is saving her," Ziyu held the empty wooden bucket. "Look, hasn't Lady Xue awakened?"
"H-horse urine!" Lady Wan, unable to bear the shock, fainted again. Xue Ji instinctively pushed her away, causing her to fall heavily.
Sui Axi stepped forward and administered two acupuncture needles to Lady Wan. Though she regained consciousness, she was too humiliated to face the situation and pretended to remain unconscious. Observing this, Ziyu turned to Mo Yuan and said, "General Mo, it seems one bucket of horse urine wasn't enough. Could you fetch another—"
Before Ziyu could finish, Lady Wan paled and opened her eyes, trembling as she stammered, "Wulang... Wulang, let's... let's return home!"
Xue Ji signaled the servants to assist Lady Wan while he strode ahead.
"Mo Yuan, escort Lady Xue and Xue Wulang back to their residence," Shen Xihe commanded. "Deliver my message to the Xue family: Are they worried that Minister Xue is too lonely in the underworld?"
If so, she wouldn't mind sending more people from the Xue family to accompany Xue Ji!
With the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate jointly investigating the matter, since the Xue family had entangled her, they would likely harass the Tao family as well. To prevent her grandfather from enduring their relentless pestering, she decided to issue a stern warning.
If they doubted her capability, they were welcome to test it!
Recognizing Shen Xihe's firm stance, the Xue family ceased their harassment. Soon, Xue Hui's case was concluded. With Xiao Changqing handling it, the evidence was ironclad and flawless. The Censorate and Ministry of Justice swiftly verified the proof, apprehended witnesses, obtained confessions, and submitted the report to the Youning Emperor.
Upon receiving it, the Youning Emperor remained expressionless, his thoughts inscrutable.
Shortly after, a petition from Prince Jing Xiao Changyan arrived, pleading innocence on behalf of his maternal grandfather.
Meanwhile, in the Xue residence, Xue Heng received a visit from Xiao Huayong. "Your Highness, what brings you here?"
Xiao Huayong had come in disguise, leaving Xue Heng puzzled about his intentions.
"How is Duke Xue's health?" Xiao Huayong sat down, making casual conversation.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. This humble official can still endure for a while." Xue Heng had previously disclosed his health condition to Shen Yueshan. Since Shen Yueshan intended to marry his daughter into the Eastern Palace, it was natural for Xiao Huayong to be informed, so Xue Heng wasn't surprised.
"Duke Xue, did your wife have any regrets in her life?" Xiao Huayong asked unexpectedly.
Xue Heng was momentarily taken aback by the question, his thoughts drifting to his late wife and her unfulfilled wishes. "During her lifetime, my wife wished to see the grasslands of the Northwest, the yellow sands of Mobei, the snows of Tianshan, and the mists of Yanshan..."
"With so many regrets, why didn't you fulfill her wishes, Duke Xue?" Xiao Huayong pressed.
"In this lifetime, I have no regrets toward the court, my family, or myself—only toward my wife. By the time I realized it, she was already gone..." Xue Heng's eyes reddened, welling with tears."Since she is not here, it is even more regrettable. Why not go take a look, Duke Xue? That way, when you see Lady Xue in the future, you can share the details with her." Xiao Huayong persuasively suggested.
End of Chapter
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