The moment the topic of revealing her true identity came up, Bu Shulin fell silent and said no more.
How could Bu Shulin not understand these truths? But she simply did not want to expose them, using this to remind herself that she and Cui Jinbai could never have a future.
If she confessed her identity as a woman, Cui Jinbai would surely keep his distance out of consideration for her status, no longer daring to be so forward with her. However, the way he looked at her would inevitably change. No matter how well he acted, the risk of exposure would greatly increase. She did not want to one day have her identity revealed because of Cui Jinbai.
If that happened, Cui Jinbai would blame himself for the rest of his life. Even if she did not resent him, she could no longer associate with him—not even as friends.
Otherwise, how could she face her father and the Bu family?
Everyone had their own concerns, and Shen Xihe did not want to force Bu Shulin: "Have a calm conversation with Cui Shaoqing. If you don’t wish to reveal your identity as a woman, that’s fine, but don’t deny your feelings for him. Explain your difficulties and the troubles he has caused you. Cui Shaoqing is a resolute man—he responds better to gentleness than to force."
This was a lesson Shen Xihe had learned from Xiao Huayong. Both master and servant were equally stubborn, domineering, and excessively proud—favored children of heaven.
When she had resisted Xiao Huayong, he had met force with force, baring his sharp fangs. But when she softened her attitude, he became surprisingly docile.
"How can my situation be compared to yours?" Bu Shulin refused. "You are someone destined to marry the Crown Prince. Naturally, you can take a step back and explore how the two of you can coexist. But Cui Jinbai and I…"
How could we possibly have a future?
"A Lin, if you don’t try, how will you know there’s no future?" Shen Xihe urged. "I don’t believe in eternal devotion—I never have, and I still don’t now. The Crown Prince has always been earnest in his vows. At first, I dismissed them with a laugh, then avoided the topic altogether, and now I trust him in the present moment.
It’s because I’ve felt his sincerity that I no longer deceive myself or twist the truth to cling to my stubbornness.
Cui Shaoqing is a grown man. He can make his own decisions, understand what he should do, and bear the consequences of his choices. You have no right to make decisions for him."
Shen Xihe was not usually a woman of few words, but it was rare for her to speak so earnestly and at such length. Bu Shulin understood her sincere intentions.
She wanted Bu Shulin to stop deceiving herself, to not drown in despair without even trying, and to avoid thinking she was acting in Cui Jinbai’s best interests while inadvertently becoming the one who hurt him the most.
She had once been wary of Xiao Huayong. Now, she couldn’t say she had let her guard down entirely, but at least she no longer resisted him or denied him any chance outright.
Shen Xihe’s change in attitude and her words today left Bu Shulin unable to immediately follow her advice, but they still struck a chord: "Let me think it over…"
Before Bu Shulin could sort out her thoughts, good news arrived from Jiangsu and Zhejiang two days later. The Prince of Yan, together with Cui Zheng, had uncovered the truth of the Leaf Price Case. That day, the Youning Emperor summoned all civil and military officials eligible to attend court in groups.
Some emerged bewildered, some pale-faced, some on the verge of collapse, and some beaming with joy…
When they compared notes privately, they realized that those praised, rebuked, or punished by the Youning Emperor had nothing to do with the Leaf Price Case. Instead, they were implicated in other cases. Some of those punished couldn’t possibly have been involved in the Leaf Price Case, leaving everyone utterly confused.The next day at court, the Youning Emperor announced the final verdict on the leaf price case: the magistrates of Yuhang and Jiaxing prefectures had colluded to deceive their superiors and conceal the truth.
The inspector of Jiangnandong Circuit was demoted for lax oversight, while the two magistrates were dismissed, their properties confiscated, and they were sentenced to execution. All merchants involved faced severe punishments according to their degree of involvement, with over half exiled.
Only a portion of the confiscated illicit funds were used to compensate the silkworm farmers' losses. The leaf merchants who suffered losses had to bear the consequences themselves, blaming their own greed and ignorance of the trade's intricacies.
The systematic punishments made the officials realize that His Majesty had long known the truth and even prepared countermeasures. Thus, it wasn't that no one in the capital was involved—at least, the Emperor only pursued the two magistrates.
Those uninvolved held no grievances, aware that the Emperor had evidence against others but restrained himself for the greater good. He could always claim oversight later and punish them as escaped culprits, leaving them living in fear, compelled to serve loyally and avoid any missteps.
"His Majesty has always favored settling accounts after the fact," Xiao Huayong remarked, holding an umbrella for Shen Xihe as they stood by the road, gazing at the fields of green and yellow wheat.
With the leaf price case concluded, the Youning Emperor immediately announced the departure to the temporary palace, a three-day journey. Today, they stopped here to rest.
The authorities had arranged accommodations in advance. Shen Xihe, intrigued by the farmland nearby, went for a stroll, with Xiao Huayong following closely.
"Those who have erred and left evidence are easier to control than those without faults," Shen Xihe said, admiring the promising wheat ears, green with hints of yellow, which lifted her mood. "This year will still be a bumper harvest."
She then looked up and asked, "Has Prince Xin not sent the person away yet?"
"Likely today," Xiao Huayong found it coincidental. "He's made many moves these days—feinting and creating diversions—forcing me to unravel the threads. I've confirmed he chose a clever path to substitute the person."
"It seems Your Highness is very confident," Shen Xihe smiled slightly.
"Unless he can conjure a way out of the capital from thin air, all his routes are blocked by me," Xiao Huayong chuckled. "Even if they manage to escape the capital against all odds, I've already set up a search operation outside the city for apprehending vicious criminals."
"Conjure a way out of the capital?" Something flickered in Shen Xihe's mind, but before she could ponder it, Bu Shulin called out from afar, "County Princess—"
Her thoughts interrupted, Shen Xihe saw Bu Shulin waving a fishing rod at her.
The riverside was cool, and though she didn't want to fish, she could still go and see. She invited Xiao Huayong, who gladly accompanied her. In the end, Xiao Huayong caught several fish, and they returned at dusk. Upon entering, they happened to meet Xiao Changqing coming out.
Gu Qingshu had also come along. While traveling, it was common for several women to share a courtyard. She, Gu Qingshu, Shen Yingwo, and two princesses were in one compound.
Since they met, greetings were inevitable. Shen Xihe curtsied gracefully, and Xiao Changqing offered a slight support, revealing his wrist. The seal pendant dangled, catching Shen Xihe's eye.In an instant, she understood everything!
How Xiao Changtai had persuaded Xiao Changqing to help, and how Xiao Changqing had miraculously created an escape route out of thin air!
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