Blossoms of Power

Chapter 421: Just Regret, Deep Regret

Upon hearing Xiao Changqing's words, Xiao Changying felt even more unsettled. He had previously believed that the Crown Prince was in the same position as him—neither having won Shen Xihe's heart—merely prevailing due to being the legitimate heir. But now...

Seeing that his younger brother still hadn't let go, Xiao Changqing couldn't bear to witness his despondent expression and changed the subject: "In four days, the deadline agreed upon with the fourth brother will arrive. At this point, I'm already under the Crown Prince's surveillance and must seek an alternative path."

He lowered his head to look at the seal hanging from his wrist, wrapped layer upon layer with fine red cord, resembling a silkworm cocoon.

Since he had taken this object, he had to fulfill the promise he had made.

"Does Brother have any tasks for me?" Xiao Changying knew how much his elder brother wanted to reclaim this seal and hoped to share some of Xiao Changqing's burden.

Xiao Changqing reached out and patted his shoulder, smiling with relief. "Just proceed according to the original plan—that will be help enough."

"How will you deceive everyone?" Xiao Changying had already experienced Xiao Huayong's methods firsthand and knew he wasn't easily fooled.

Xiao Changqing raised his hand, level with his forehead, seemingly shielding his eyes from the sun but actually observing the light refracted by the white jade seal under the sunlight. He uttered words Xiao Changying didn't understand: "It will show me the way."

After visiting Zhao Wang's residence, Xiao Changqing remained inactive. Shen Xihe was also monitoring this matter. Having invested effort in Ye Wantang, she wasn't overly fixated on eliminating Xiao Changtai this time. With Xiao Huayong involved, she refrained from further interference.

For several days, Xiao Huayong only visited the Princess Manor once after a court session, hastily partaking of the morning meal before departing without engaging in casual conversation with Shen Xihe. She didn't press for details either.

The capital's heat had grown so intense that some noble youths were brawling over ice purchases. Many could no longer endure it. Even Bu Shulin avoided returning to the Bu residence, though her stays at the Princess Manor were brief—Cui Jinbai always found reasons to compel her departure, earning her deep resentment toward him.

"We're both masterminds behind the leaf price case! If not for this, I'd have followed them to the mountain estate long ago. This sun is practically melting me!" Due to concealing her female identity, Bu Shulin tightly bound her chest with cloth. Only at Shen Xihe's place could she enjoy ice and relax briefly.

In previous years, she had endured the heat, but this year felt inexplicably scorching. Though temperatures were high, rainfall remained adequate—otherwise, it wouldn't be just ministers feeling anxious, but the entire court.

"A Lin, be careful." Shen Xihe watched as she tilted her head back to gulp down the Smoked Plum Syrup, exposing her fake Adam's apple—an exquisitely crafted clay piece thinly adhered to her throat.

No one would impolitely stare at another's Adam's apple, and with her careful concealment, she had never been exposed.

Bu Shulin wiped her neck and removed the prosthesis. "I tell you, that Cui Shitou has been subtly examining my Adam's apple lately!"

She loathed Cui Jinbai. Through persistent efforts, her courtyard in the Bu residence had become a safe space. In recent years, she often feigned illness to skip duties—partly to reassure His Majesty, partly for better concealment. During midsummer, she typically holed up in her own residence, dressing (or undressing) as she pleased. Even appearing completely naked would go unnoticed.Since Cui Jinbai had moved into the Bu residence, he sometimes barged into her room without even knocking! If not for her sharp senses and quick tidying, he would have long discovered her secret!

If this continued, she would be exposed sooner or later!

"He barges directly into your bedchamber?" Shen Xihe frowned slightly, displeased by such rude behavior.

Even if Cui Jinbai saw Bu Shulin as a man, and even considering the casual norms between men, this was truly excessive.

Understanding Shen Xihe's displeasure, Bu Shulin wore an expression of utter despair. "I brought this upon myself..."

Back then, to tease Cui Jinbai, she had not only sneaked into his bedchamber at midnight but also barged into his bathing room, nearly seeing him completely exposed.

Now, whenever she tried to criticize Cui Jinbai, he would respond: "This is exactly how you teased me back then, making me deeply fall for you. It proves this method works. Having never admired anyone else in my life, I don't know how to win over someone I like, so I can only imitate your approach."

Bu Shulin: ...

"Just regret, so much regret, endless regret!" Bu Shulin said with a pained expression.

After hearing the whole story, Shen Xihe understood Cui Jinbai's behavior and even felt sorry for him—a model of well-mannered nobility, now reduced to this state by Bu Shulin's mischief...

He truly couldn't be blamed; Bu Shulin had only herself to blame.

"You reap what you sow." Shen Xihe ignored Bu Shulin.

"Wasn't I just trying to be convincing?" Bu Shulin refused to admit that she had simply been indulging her mischievous side. Every time she saw Cui Jinbai flustered and pale-faced, she found it immensely amusing and couldn't resist the urge to tease him repeatedly...

Now, she had taken it too far, making Cui Jinbai accept even the notion of being involved with another man, and he was now clinging to her relentlessly!

The relentless clinging was bad enough, but he was also returning every single thing she had done to him! Now that she was the victim, she realized how awful she had been last year.

She was now left feeling guilty, weak, pitiful, and helpless.

Shen Xihe glanced at her coolly. How could she not know why Bu Shulin had gone overboard? It was simply out of boredom and novelty, unable to stop herself at the time.

Now, not only could she not extricate herself temporarily, but she might never be free for the rest of her life.

"Youyou, think of a solution for me, or I really won't be able to hide it anymore." Bu Shulin whined, shaking Shen Xihe's sleeve and taking the opportunity to feel the fabric a few times.

Shen Xihe's clothing was made of lightweight silk, each piece weighing no more than two taels but worth a fortune. There were only about ten bolts of such silk in the palace, and even the consorts couldn't get their fair share.

The Crown Prince had sent Shen Xihe all the silk allocated to the Eastern Palace over the years in one go, making every young lady in the capital green with envy!

They would be overjoyed to have just one or two pieces, but Shen Xihe could wear them as she pleased, never repeating an outfit. In such scorching summer heat, how could anyone not be jealous? Many noble ladies deeply regretted not setting their sights on the Eastern Palace.

The fabric felt cool and comfortable to the touch. Bu Shulin couldn't resist rubbing it—she wanted to wear it too, but the silk was too sheer to be used for men's clothing.

Shen Xihe snatched her sleeve back, looking at the wrinkled spot. "Do you know this year's silk is out of stock? If I made you compensate for it, you wouldn't be able to, even with money."Bu Shulin immediately smoothed Shen Xihe's clothes with great care: "Youyou, please help me, I beg you."

"He will inevitably find out you are a woman. It would be better to tell him the truth directly. He might then observe proper boundaries, and you could also feel more at ease," Shen Xihe sincerely advised.

Xiao Huayong knew Bu Shulin was a woman. Cui Jinbai was Xiao Huayong's subordinate. Since Xiao Huayong hadn't revealed it, this wouldn't remain a secret forever.

(End of Chapter)