"Since the Crown Princess trusts Worldly Son Bu, this humble official believes the Crown Princess will not show favoritism or shield him," Cui Jinbai conceded a step. "However, to prevent such incidents from recurring and to ensure Worldly Son Bu does not betray the Crown Princess's trust, he must pledge never to visit the Office of Music or pleasure houses again."
Bu Shulin took a deep breath. She adored watching beautiful dancers sway gracefully—how dare this man strip her of such joy!
Yet at this critical moment, she sensed an underlying danger in Cui Jinbai. A blunt refusal might provoke him into doing something that would send chills down her spine, so she could only shoot Shen Xihe meaningful glances.
Shen Xihe glanced at her and nodded with a faint smile. "From today onward, you are forbidden from visiting the Office of Music or pleasure houses. This is my command."
Bu Shulin deflated instantly, her eyes dimming with disappointment—a sight that further darkened Cui Jinbai's expression.
"Return to the residence. You must be tired," Xiao Huayong said to Shen Xihe, taking her hand as they departed without further ado.
Cui Jinbai was teetering on the edge of restraint, but Bu Shulin remained oblivious. She had provoked a long-starved wolf now held back by a single thread; should it snap, even the usually dignified Cui Shaoqing might commit unthinkable acts.
Shen Xihe, perceptive of human nature, was striving to protect Bu Shulin. Given her own temperament, she would never have intervened otherwise. Had Cui Jinbai retained any rationality, she would have let Bu Shulin suffer his reprisals to learn a lesson.
Yet Bu Shulin remained unaware. Xiao Huayong felt his wife had already shown immense loyalty—others' affairs were best left to themselves.
With Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong gone, Bu Shulin faced Cui Jinbai alone. Even from five or six steps away, she felt a profound danger and sprinted after Shen Xihe. "Crown Princess, wait for your subordinate! I am tasked with guarding your safety!"
In that crucial moment, instinct saved Bu Shulin's life.
Watching Bu Shulin chase after Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong, Cui Jinbai ultimately held back—he was, after all, responsible for escorting the bride.
Shen Yungan and Xue Jinqiao's marriage was imperially decreed. The Northwest affairs had greatly angered the Youning Emperor, but with matters irreparable, superficial formalities had to be upheld. Someone had to represent the court in escorting Xue Jinqiao with pomp. The Emperor had openly raised this in court.
Perhaps because His Majesty emphasized it, and since officials of the fourth rank and above in the capital had heard whispers about the Northwest, they speculated whether this was a test from the throne. Regardless of their allegiance, none dared align with the Northwest at such a precarious time, lest they incur the Emperor's displeasure.
Thus, Cui Jinbai seized the opportunity. As the Youning Emperor's expression soured and he prepared to appoint someone, Cui Jinbai volunteered.
Until Xue Jinqiao and Shen Yungan's wedding was solemnized, he had pressing duties to attend to.
Only when Cui Jinbai's heavy gaze faded did Bu Shulin exhale in relief. Pitifully, she complained to Shen Xihe, "Yo..."
Before she could utter the childhood nickname, the Crown Prince's sharp glare forced her to swallow the word. She amended, "Crown Princess, you're sentencing me to death! You know how much I adore song, dance, and music...""If you enjoy these things, there's no need to go to the Office of Music. You can invite them to your lodgings and do as you please," Shen Xihe said calmly.
Bu Shulin's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands with a laugh. "Brilliant! I'll go rent a large estate right away..."
They were accompanying guards, all staying in the courtyard arranged by Shen Yungan. Considering they would be staying for over a month, they hadn't remained at the post station to avoid causing inconveniences.
Though they shared a courtyard, and Shen Yungan had given her a separate room as the Worldly Son, the room wasn't spacious enough for singing and dancing. She didn't want to spend money only to benefit others, so she decided to find a courtyard where she could enjoy herself alone. "If you don't want to drive Cui Shaoqing mad, go ahead," Shen Xihe remarked coolly.
She had thought that with many people in the courtyard arranged by her brother, Bu Shulin wouldn't act recklessly even if she invited courtesans for entertainment. There would be limits, and even if Cui Jinbai was displeased, he wouldn't make a scene. But Bu Shulin seemed intent on playing with fire.
Was she deliberately getting a separate courtyard just to make it convenient for Cui Shaoqing to seek her out and do as he pleased?
Cui Jinbai already suspected she might be a woman, and instead of restraining herself, she was being even more brazen. Cui Jinbai didn't care whether she was a man or a woman; if pushed to the brink, Shen Xihe felt he might even resort to drugging Bu Shulin—regardless of gender, just to claim her as his own.
Bu Shulin shuddered at the thought, lowering her head like a timid quail.
Xiao Huayong had been enjoying the spectacle with amusement, but the next moment, his smile froze at the corners of his lips. A figure came rushing over, heading straight for his wife. Coincidentally, Xiao Changfeng was standing nearby, so Xiao Huayong restrained his instinct to fight, instead pulling Shen Xihe aside and spinning away to avoid the oncoming figure.
Though the person had rushed over quickly, Xiao Huayong still recognized her—it was none other than Shen Yungan's betrothed.
"Sister, sister, I've missed you so much!" Xue Jinqiao threw herself into a tight embrace with Shen Xihe.
Bu Shulin felt a pang of bitterness. She had longed to hold Shen Xihe, a peerless beauty, for so long. But disguised as a man, Shen Xihe kept her at a distance—privately it was impossible, and publicly even more so. Yet this little girl had achieved it so effortlessly!
Bu Shulin pulled Xue Jinqiao away. "This is the Crown Princess! You are a daughter of the Xue family—how can you not pay respects to His Highness the Crown Prince first? You have no sense of propriety!"
Xue Jinqiao shot Bu Shulin a dark glare before reluctantly curtseying to Xiao Huayong. "Xue Jinqiao greets Your Highness. May Your Highness be blessed."
"Mm," Xiao Huayong responded indifferently, then took Shen Xihe's hand and left.
Shen Xihe knew Xiao Huayong was unhappy again. His possessiveness toward her sometimes resembled that of a child—utterly irrational and boundless. She could only turn back and offer a comforting smile to Xue Jinqiao, who was pouting.
As they returned to the residence, Xue Jinqiao—who couldn't meet Shen Yungan before the wedding—reached the limit by coming this close to the palace. She could only watch helplessly as Shen Xihe was led away by Xiao Huayong.
Watching Xue Jinqiao's frustration, Bu Shulin felt pleased. Humming a tune, she clasped her hands behind her back and followed.
Xue Jinqiao cast a hostile glance at Bu Shulin before turning to Xiao Changfeng, who had escorted her. "Your Highness Xun Wang, this humble girl has a matter requiring Worldly Son Bu's assistance. Would Your Highness be so kind as to grant us some privacy?"Xiao Changfeng and Bu Shulin were both escorting Shen Xihe, but Xiao Changfeng was the commander.
"There's no inconvenience. Worldly Son Bu, please accompany Lady Xue," Xiao Changfeng replied without much thought.
Xue Jinqiao knew Bu Shulin feared Cui Jinbai, but the place she was returning to was precisely where Cui Jinbai was stationed. If she couldn't see her sister, Bu Shulin wouldn't get off easy either!
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