The midday breeze, carrying the natural fragrance of the deep valleys and dense woodlands, swept through the forested depths and drifted in through the small window.
With the hem of his robe swaying gently and his dark hair stirring slightly, Xie Yunhuai lowered his gaze. "Your Highness, this commoner holds admiration and respect for Zhaoning County Princess, but there are no romantic feelings between us."
The glossy black chess piece resumed its rhythmic twirling between his fingers as Xiao Huayong's tone gained a hint of laziness. "Let it be so."
A faint smile appeared on Xie Yunhuai's slightly bowed face. "Your Highness, Zhaoning County Princess will never belong to anyone."
Xiao Huayong's dark eyes gained a trace of chilliness.
As if unaware, Xie Yunhuai slowly raised his head to meet the other's gaze fearlessly, the smile at his lips deepening.
Their eyes met—one growing increasingly solemn and cold, the other remaining placid and unruffled.
"Lord Xie already knows you are here," Xiao Huayong said indifferently.
Xie Yunhuai slightly restrained his emotions and bowed with clasped hands. "Thank you for informing me, Your Highness."
With a slight nod, Xiao Huayong steadily departed from Xie Yunhuai's fenced courtyard.
Early the next morning, Shen Xihe heard that Crown Prince's illness had worsened again during the night. The Sixth Prince, Xiao Changyu, who had just finished a day of kneeling in punishment and one day of reflection at home, was summoned to the palace by Youning Emperor and ordered to kneel at the entrance of the Eastern Palace.
"Why did it suddenly worsen?" Shen Xihe frowned.
"This servant doesn't know either," Biyu shook her head.
Although they had people in the Six Bureaus and Twenty-Four Divisions, none had managed to enter the Eastern Palace.
"Keep an eye on any news," Shen Xihe instructed.
She had never doubted that Xiao Huayong was feigning illness, especially since he had left the palace at age eight due to his severe condition making him unsuitable for recuperation within the palace walls.
Although Youning Emperor still dispatched great scholars to accompany and teach him, how could that compare to being immersed in the palace environment?
Other princes could attend court hearings at fourteen, yet he, nearing his capping ceremony, had never participated in governance or been exposed to any court affairs.
Because of this incurable strange illness, he had missed far too much.
But this time, after being provoked to vomiting blood by Xiao Changyu, Shen Xihe somewhat suspected that Xiao Huayong was using his physical weakness to manipulate the situation.
Now that Xiao Changyu had been punished and the hints meant for her had been delivered, all of Xiao Huayong's objectives should have been achieved. There was no need to continue feigning illness—so had his condition genuinely worsened?
By noon, news spread throughout the palace and beyond that the Crown Prince's illness had turned critical. From the Chief Imperial Physician down to the medical officials in the Imperial Hospital, all were at a loss. Youning Emperor flew into a rage, reprimanding the entire Imperial Hospital.
Just as he was about to make an example of the Chief Imperial Physician, a young medical official timidly proposed an idea that eventually gained unanimous approval from the entire Imperial Hospital—except they lacked one crucial ingredient.
"What medicine?"
"Tianshan Snow Lotus," Biyu answered, then added, "The finest grade."
"What constitutes the finest grade?" Shen Xihe knew Tianshan Snow Lotus varied in quality but wasn't sure about the grading standards.
"They say the flower must be nearly two feet long."
Shen Xihe was slightly taken aback. She had seen many Tianshan Snow Lotuses, all around one foot long, at most one foot and three or four inches. "That must be extremely rare."
"Indeed. His Majesty has posted an imperial notice offering a thousand gold reward to anyone who can find the finest grade Tianshan Snow Lotus," Biyu said quietly. "He even sent the Sixth Prince out of the palace to personally search for the Snow Lotus."
Hearing this, Shen Xihe smiled faintly.
Youning Emperor's doting on Xiao Huayong always involved such grand gestures, yet never truly considered things from Xiao Huayong's perspective.Whether it was the extensive renovation of the Eastern Palace, the avoidance of naming taboos among the imperial princes, or the current posting of imperial notices—what did the Eastern Palace possess beyond superficial extravagance?
If not for Xiao Huayong’s frail health and the prophecy that he would not live past two zodiac cycles, the world, out of compassion for the weak, would have long voiced criticisms. Otherwise, Xiao Huayong’s reputation might have been far worse.
This, Xiao Huayong surely understood well.
The more this was the case, the more Shen Xihe regarded him favorably.
Xiao Huayong was not only estranged from the Youning Emperor but also distant from his imperial brothers. When the time came for each to serve their own cause, he would not hesitate or be hindered by so-called fraternal bonds.
However, Xiao Huayong’s health seemed excessively fragile. Shen Xihe feared no hardship, nor did she shrink from confronting the Xiao clan as a widow with a child, but she worried whether he would live long enough to have an heir with her.
Without a son, what could she use to compete with others?
“Biyu, have our people in the palace seize an opportunity to obtain a copy of the Crown Prince’s pulse records.” Shen Xihe needed to understand Xiao Huayong’s condition. “Also, send a letter to the Hua residence in Luoyang. I wish to discuss a business deal with Hua Taoyi.”
“My lady, this man is exceedingly mysterious. We have yet to verify his identity…” Biyu expressed disapproval.
Biyu remained unaware that the Embroidered Uniform Envoy, Hua Fuhai, Cui Jinbai, and Guo Daoyi were all the same person. She only opposed because Shen Xihe’s investigation into Hua Fuhai revealed his elusive background, and she did not want Shen Xihe to take risks.
“He managed to uncover the location of something as rare as the Fairy Ribbon—he will certainly know where to find the finest Tianshan Snow Lotus,” Shen Xihe reasoned. “If we intend to engage, we must demonstrate sincerity. Even if it is merely a transaction of interests, mutual giving is essential for longevity.”
Now that Xiao Huayong was the focus of her plans, addressing his urgent needs would serve as a gesture of her commitment.
She would not accept favors without reciprocation—Shen Xihe never owed anyone.
“My lady…”
“My lady, Cui Shaoqing from the Dali Temple has come again,” Hongyu announced from outside the door.
“He dares to show his face?” Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow.
When she saw Cui Jinbai again, she understood why he dared to come—he was the genuine Cui Jinbai.
Shen Xihe deliberately moved closer to him, detecting only the refreshing scent of winter plum, with no trace of Duojialuo.
His demeanor and mannerisms closely resembled those of the Cui Jinbai who had visited her at the relay station last time. To a stranger, the difference would be nearly imperceptible. Had Shen Xihe not known they were not the same person, she too would have been deceived.
She had to admire the impersonator’s skill.
“Cui Shaoqing, I was discourteous last time,” Shen Xihe deliberately tested.
Cui Jinbai knew Shen Xihe was referring to her earlier exposure of the Crown Prince impersonating him and her use of the poison needle on the Crown Prince. “You flatter me, my lady. I have come regarding a murder case…
From Cui Jinbai’s account, she learned that an escort who had escorted goods from the south was found dead outside Jianfu Temple yesterday. They had already questioned everyone who might have seen the escort yesterday and now came to seek Shen Xihe.
“Isn’t this…” Ziyu exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the portrait—it was the man who had bumped into them yesterday.
“Has the lady seen the deceased?” Cui Jinbai glanced at Ziyu.Shen Xihe nodded to Biyu, who then recounted the entire sequence of events: "Cui Shaoqing should question the people from Pingyao Marquis' residence. He rushed over from where the old madam fell into the water, and immediately afterward, someone discovered the old madam had drowned."
Cui Jinbai carefully inquired again to ensure no details were overlooked before taking his leave.
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