"It's impossible to determine exactly when Second Highness began having someone tail Worldly Son Bu, but Luling investigated and found that half a month ago, on the same day Worldly Son Bu and Cui Shaoqing were at the pleasure house, Second Highness also visited," Tianyuan reported.
Xiao Huayong's men always had minds of their own—they wouldn't just complete tasks mechanically without further thought. This meant that what happened between Bu Shulin and Cui Jinbai that day might have also become known to Xiao Changmin.
No, it was more likely he had grown suspicious but hadn't yet confirmed it, which was why he had someone keeping an eye on Bu Shulin.
"Investigate that pleasure house," Xiao Huayong ordered.
"As you command." Tianyuan acknowledged and withdrew.
After Xiao Huayong's reminder, Shen Xihe understood his meaning: "You suspect that pleasure house belongs to Second Highness?"
"Youyou, have you ever encountered Second Highness in plain clothes?" Xiao Huayong asked.
Shen Xihe recalled two previous encounters, both related to Shen Yingluo, and nodded truthfully: "Yes, I have."
"Youyou, did you notice what he wore when in plain clothes?" Xiao Huayong continued.
Shen Xihe carefully thought back but found nothing unusual about his attire.
Meeting Shen Xihe's puzzled gaze, Xiao Huayong smiled faintly as he placed a game piece: "Youyou, like everyone else, assumes it's natural for imperial princes to wear luxurious adornments."
In reality, the stipends for princes in this dynasty were limited. Without fiefdoms and only holding nominal official positions while maintaining large households, their incomes would inevitably fall short without some side ventures.
Unlike Xiao Changyan, Xiao Changmin lacked support from either his wife's family or maternal relatives. Yet not only did he avoid financial shortfalls, his daily wear consisted of priceless items—though they appeared simple, they were actually extremely valuable treasures. Few besides Xiao Huayong, who had trained a discerning eye through dealings with Hua Fuhai, could recognize this.
Shen Xihe was among those who hadn't noticed.
"I've long suspected he had a money source, but he's been exceptionally careful in this regard—I never managed to pinpoint it," Xiao Huayong chuckled lightly. "Never thought I'd find what I've long sought without effort, all because Second Highness himself revealed it."
Xiao Changmin wasn't one to indulge in feminine charms—in fact, all the brothers had inherited this trait well from His Majesty, none being particularly fond of women. His visit to the pleasure house couldn't have been for carnal pleasures.
Even if Bu Shulin and Cui Jinbai were drunk, they wouldn't have conducted their affairs without closing doors—otherwise it would have become public knowledge long ago. Since even those who drank with Bu Shulin noticed nothing unusual, how did Xiao Changmin become suspicious?
It could only be that someone at the pleasure house informed Xiao Changmin. Pleasure houses had their rules, especially regarding customer privacy—particularly for noble guests. Unless he owned the establishment, the staff wouldn't disclose customers' secrets.
"You... truly have sharp eyes." Shen Xihe had to admit he'd managed to identify Xiao Changmin's money source through such clues, and she found herself unable to refute his perfectly logical reasoning.
"You flatter me." Though his words were modest, Xiao Huayong's grin nearly reached his ears.
Shen Xihe could hardly bear to look at him: "If your speculation proves correct, I'm afraid his suspicions toward A Lin will only deepen."She was not ignorant of matters between men and women. Once a couple has engaged in marital relations, anyone with experience would understand the signs, let alone those in the brothel, who could discern it with a single glance. Clearly, they were two men—even if they had fooled around openly, it was impossible to leave behind the same aura and traces as a man and a woman.
"That may not necessarily be the case." Xiao Huayong followed Shen Xihe by placing another piece on the board, his eyes lowered as he studied the game. "If the Second Prince were certain, he would be doing everything in his power to expose it now, rather than cautiously seeking confirmation. No one can say for sure about what happened in the brothel. Even if a man and a woman were indeed there enjoying themselves, it doesn’t definitively prove it was Worldly Son Bu and Zhi He."
At the very least, if the brothel truly was Xiao Changmin’s territory, neither Xiao Changmin nor the brothel’s madam had personally witnessed Bu Shulin and Cui Jinbai emerging from the same room together. According to Bu Shulin’s account, it was highly likely that only Cui Jinbai was seen alone, with uncertainty about which woman he had slept with. The madam must have questioned all the brothel’s girls, leading to this speculation.
After the incident, Cui Jinbai and even the Cui family remained calm, and no one came forward demanding justice, which emboldened the Second Prince to make such a bold assumption. "Even so, it’s still a troublesome matter," Shen Xihe frowned slightly.
Originally, the situation was already difficult to resolve due to Bu Shulin’s identity. Now, with Xiao Changmin watching closely like a tiger stalking its prey, it had become even more challenging to settle the matter quietly.
Xiao Huayong placed another piece on the board with his slender, well-defined fingers, his tone indifferent. "If some people’s existence troubles you, then lay them to rest."
Shen Xihe didn’t even bat an eyelid. Without hesitation, she made her move as well. "It depends on whether this person knows their place."
She had never feared killing in the blink of an eye. Countless people had died by her hand—so many that she herself had lost track. Among them were nobles like Prince Kang and Yangling Princess. One more prince would make little difference to her.
The reason she hadn’t acted against Xiao Changyan and Xiao Changqing in Dengzhou was simply because the situation there was already volatile, and the people were suffering enough. If two more princes were to die, the Emperor’s wrath would only bring further calamity upon the people of Dengzhou.
But now, in the capital, if Xiao Changmin insisted on provoking her, Shen Xihe would have no choice but to take another life.
"Next month is the Second Prince’s wedding to Second Miss Yu. Let’s hope he knows when to advance and when to retreat." Otherwise, celebrating a wedding only to hold a funeral soon after would be terribly unlucky.
The couple exchanged a smile, their earlier conversation as casual as small talk, before returning their full attention to the game.
Naturally, Xiao Huayong was the first to know when Cui Jinbai completed his official duties. On the day Cui Jinbai set out to return, Xiao Huayong brought a doctor to Bu Shulin’s residence. It was no longer appropriate for Bu Shulin to keep visiting the Eastern Palace.
The diagnosis weighed heavily on everyone’s hearts. Bu Shulin was indeed pregnant—confirmed not only by Xiao Huayong’s doctor but also by the physician from Bu Shulin’s own household.
When Bu Shulin requested medicine to induce an abortion, Xiao Huayong refused, saying, "This child cannot stay, but you do not have the right to decide alone. Zhi He will return tomorrow. You must discuss it clearly with him."
"The Second Prince already has his eyes on you. Do not let anyone from your household leave to procure abortion medicine, or Your Majesty will learn of your identity in an instant."Xiao Changmin had not yet informed the Youning Emperor because this matter was of grave importance. If he could not secure concrete evidence and ended up falsely accusing a high-ranking court official’s descendant, even his title as a commandery prince would be at risk.
Bu Shulin’s face turned pale. She did not want to tell Cui Jinbai. For some reason, the thought of confiding in him made her feel as though she might lose control—she might even want to keep the child. She feared she would not have the heart to remain resolute in front of Cui Jinbai.
Xiao Huayong did not command her, but neither did he indulge her. He left with his attendants.
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