Yu Sangning's straightforward admission not only surprised the Youning Emperor but also Xiao Changmin kneeling beside him.
She should have at least offered some defense, shown a trace of panic, or displayed some pleading demeanor.
Yet Yu Sangning remained eerily calm. She deeply bowed, her forehead touching the ground, making the entire hall so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
"Every incident has its cause. I wish to know why you drugged Worldly Son Bu!" the Youning Emperor asked with a stern expression.
Yu Sangning remained kneeling, not responding immediately.
Growing impatient, the Emperor demanded, "How dare you not answer my question? Who gave you such audacity?"
Yu Sangning flinched slightly before raising her head just enough to gaze at the floor before her. "Your Majesty... my fifth younger sister has long been infatuated with Worldly Son Bu, but her affections went unrequited. She begged me to help her, and in a moment of weakness, I committed this foolish act."
Cui Jinbai's expression changed upon hearing this.
The Youning Emperor's gaze lingered on Yu Sangning for a moment before shifting to Cui Jinbai. "Did the Fifth Miss Yu mention this matter?"
Cui Jinbai bowed with clasped hands. "Your Majesty, when I questioned Fifth Miss Yu, she never mentioned this. All her testimony has been documented in my memorial to Your Majesty."
In Cui Jinbai's memorial, Fifth Miss Yu claimed she knew nothing initially. Her parents came to persuade her to confess that she had drugged Worldly Son Bu out of infatuation. She had just agreed to follow her parents' instructions when she discovered the poisoned food, at which point she revealed her parents' coercion to give false testimony.
"Bring Fifth Miss Yu here," the Youning Emperor ordered someone to fetch her.
Meanwhile, news of the interrogation in the Hall of Diligent Governance had reached the Eastern Palace. Xiao Huayong was painting while Shen Xihe handled palace affairs.
After hearing Tianyuan's report, Xiao Huayong set down his brush and turned to Shen Xihe, who appeared unaffected by the news. "My new second sister-in-law truly has some capabilities."
"A feint to cut losses and preserve life," Shen Xihe responded without pausing her writing.
Yu Sangning had always been clever. This time, her quick thinking allowed her to create a diversion before Cui Jinbai, buying time to cover her tracks and escape punishment.
"Will you... not intervene?" Xiao Huayong asked hesitantly.
"Why should I intervene?" Shen Xihe looked up at Xiao Huayong. "Because she's somewhat clever? Should I harm her preemptively in case she becomes my enemy in the future?"
Xiao Huayong silently raised an eyebrow.
"She is clever, and I'm not arrogant enough to dismiss her intelligence. But there are countless clever people in this world. Should I strike down every one I encounter simply because they're not my allies?"
Shen Xihe was well aware that Yu Sangning was clever and that her intentions weren't pure. But so what? Yu Sangning had never truly directed her schemes against Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe was neither a righteous champion of justice nor a narrow-minded person who couldn't tolerate others' alertness. Should she kill Yu Sangning simply because she disliked her or looked down on her ambitious maneuvering?
Shen Xihe was neither a tyrant nor a dictator to act with such dominance.
"Second Brother has considerable ambition, and Second Sister-in-law follows his lead. They may well become your enemies in the future," Xiao Huayong added."That is a matter for the future." Shen Xihe closed the document before her. "Beichen, no one can predict the future. The Princess Consort of Dai also harbors impure intentions—should I preemptively strike against her as well? Prince Xin is highly skilled in tactics—must I prevent him from marrying in advance? The same applies to Prince Jing. Prince Lie's betrothed is backed by the Northeast Army—should I also guard against her?
We cannot single out Princess Consort Zhao for wariness simply because the Zhao Wang residence shows some intelligence. This is not precautionary foresight but narrow-mindedness and envy of the strong.
If I were to suspect everyone, would I not become a paranoid wretch, living in perpetual anxiety?"
"If you do not eliminate her today, and she grows powerful enough to harm you in the future, will you not regret your choice?" Xiao Huayong asked.
"Today, I have no justification to eliminate her. The aphrodisiac incense used on A Lin was neither her doing nor her scheme. Though Prince Zhao attempted to harm A Lin and was counterattacked by her, as A Lin's friend, I stand by her side. Yet I have no right to seek justice on her behalf beyond her own capabilities. How she confronts Prince Zhao is her own affair.
If A Lin's life were at stake, as her friend, I would naturally lend assistance. Just as Princess Consort Zhao, as Prince Zhao's wife, plans and schemes for him out of loyalty."
Shen Xihe adhered to her own principles of conduct and saw no flaw in them: "If she wishes to challenge me in the future, let her come at me openly. If I suffer defeat, I will blame only my own inadequacy."
Xiao Huayong walked over to Shen Xihe with his hands behind his back, his gaze lingering on her as if he could never look his fill.
Glancing at him, Shen Xihe picked up another document and unfolded it. As she read, she remarked, "Beichen, the world is full of diverse people whose thoughts, concerns, desires, and actions differ from ours. Though we act with restraint and cannot be called virtuous, neither are we evil. Yet we must not form cliques and attack dissenters—this is a grave taboo for rulers."
They were born to aspire to the highest position. An emperor who rules the world must avoid acting on personal preferences or selecting allies based on bias.
"A ruler's magnanimity lies in not harboring suspicion; measured doubt is the virtue of a sovereign." Xiao Huayong turned, spread out a sheet of paper, took up a brush, and with fluid strokes, inscribed these twelve characters.
Satisfied, he admired his work and instructed Tianyuan, "Have this framed later and hung in the study shared by the Crown Princess and me."
A legacy for him and Youyou and their descendants.
The demeanor of a ruler means refraining from paranoia; doubt must be exercised with restraint—this is the moral character of a sovereign.
Just as Shen Xihe treated Yu Sangning.
Many of Yu Sangning's actions, in Shen Xihe's view, lacked virtue. But Shen Xihe and Yu Sangning were unrelated, so it was not her place to instruct her. Moreover, no matter how disgraceful Yu Sangning's conduct might be, it had not infringed upon Shen Xihe's interests. Thus, Shen Xihe saw no need to overreach, claiming righteousness while meddling in affairs.
She had never been one to busy herself with others' matters.
The couple exchanged a smile and said no more on the subject, returning to their own tasks.
In the Hall of Diligent Governance, the Fifth Miss Yu was brought from the Dali Temple. Facing His Majesty's interrogation, she timidly shook her head like a rattle drum: "Your Majesty, this humble girl has never admired Worldly Son Bu, nor did I beg Princess Consort Zhao to facilitate anything. Princess Consort Zhao has slandered me!"Both parties insisted on their own versions. Yu Sangning looked at her cousin with profound sorrow: "Fifth Sister, matters have reached this point—why do you still refuse to admit it? Hidden in your bedchamber is a portrait of Worldly Son Bu that you secretly keep, hanging by your bedside every day. You even told me only this could grant you peaceful sleep.
Had you not threatened suicide, swearing you'd dash your head against my wedding chamber walls if I refused to help, how could I ever have..."
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