"What a pity, such a resolute woman." When the outcome reached Shen Xihe's ears, she couldn't help but sigh softly.
For Fifth Lady Yu, even the ever-scheming Yu Sangning probably never expected that the delicate Fifth Lady Yu would choose to retaliate against everyone through her own death after being driven to desperation.
She didn't actually need to die. Even with conclusive evidence of her drugging Bu Shulin, since Bu Shulin remained unharmed and recognized her as an innocent pawn, Bu Shulin's nature wouldn't permit relentless pursuit—at most, she'd have received a caning.
Perhaps her parents' abandonment left her too despairing, or Yu Sangning's machinations filled her with too much bitterness. Thus, she chose to stain the Hall of Diligent Governance with her blood.
Whether Fifth Lady Yu was truly the mastermind behind it all, both His Majesty and the various princes understood perfectly. By ending her life in this manner, Fifth Lady Yu won His Majesty's sympathy and pity for the deceased, leading to the outcome where Yu Sangning was deemed unworthy of ancestral temple rites and Yu Xiang was stripped of his general position.
"The disadvantaged must stake their lives to seek justice," Xiao Huayong remarked beside Shen Xihe, equally contemplative.
This is an eternal law of survival, unrelated to the strictness of laws or the clarity of a ruler's judgment.
"Hence, I've always been grateful to be born into a family of wealth and nobility," Shen Xihe said, lowering her head to stroke Duanming, who was affectionately nuzzling her.
Shen Xihe truly didn't understand those born into powerful families who yearned for simplicity and freedom. To live an ordinary and free life requires immense fortune to pass through calmly and smoothly. With slightly less luck, a single hurdle could drive one to despair, just like Fifth Lady Yu.
If the seventh branch of the Yu family hadn't been weak and impoverished, unable to maintain dignity, would Yu Sangning have dared to push someone to such extremes?
"My Youyou is the most contented person," Xiao Huayong said. The more time he spent with Shen Xihe, the more deeply captivated he became. Her approach to life, her conduct, and her demeanor all conveyed a magnanimity that he genuinely admired.
Such magnanimity was rare even among men; at least, he felt that in terms of breadth of mind and perspective, he fell short of Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe smiled. This man always enjoyed praising her, as if in his eyes, she was flawless in every way, like unblemished jade.
"Your Highness, Worldly Son Bu and Lady Xiao request an audience with the Crown Princess," Tianyuan's voice came from outside just as Shen Xihe was about to speak.
Xiao Huayong glanced at Shen Xihe and instructed, "Escort them to the Petite Elegance Pavilion."
The Petite Elegance Pavilion was a waterside pavilion by the lake, surrounded by green bamboo and peach blossoms. In spring, it offered a particularly refined and elegant scenery for receiving guests.
By the time Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong arrived, Bu Shulin and Xiao Wenxi were already there. Xiao Wenxi's face showed faint worry and concern, while Bu Shulin sat sideways on the beauty bench, gazing absently at the lake's surface rippled by the wind.
Xiao Wenxi's greeting brought Bu Shulin back to reality. Though Bu Shulin's salute was respectful, her expression remained listless.
"What's the matter?" Shen Xihe asked with concern.
Bu Shulin lowered her head in silence. Xiao Wenxi glanced at her before explaining to Shen Xihe, "We witnessed Fifth Lady Yu's suicide in the Hall of Diligent Governance. Worldly Son Bu is deeply troubled, believing she caused Fifth Lady Yu to lose her life."That day, to counter Xiao Changmin, she had chosen a maiden from the Yu family. Many young ladies from the Yu household had attended that day, and Bu Shulin had casually selected one who was easy to approach. By chance, the Fifth Miss Yu was alone, but she never expected it would lead to such an outcome.
Shen Xihe listened, her brows slightly furrowing. With graceful movements, she took a seat beside Xiao Huayong, dismissed Zhenzhu, and personally lifted the teapot to pour water into the teacup. The sound of water flowing into the cup seemed melodious due to her elegant motions.
"A Lin, have you ever considered what your fate would have been if you hadn’t sought out the Fifth Miss Yu that day?" Shen Xihe asked.
Bu Shulin looked up, staring blankly at Shen Xihe.
What would have happened? If it had been anyone else, Xiao Changmin would have denied everything, and involving another family would only have complicated matters further, possibly leaving Xiao Changmin unscathed.
Only a maiden from the Yu family could indirectly expose Xiao Changmin’s ambitions, making it the most effective—and the only effective—way to strike back at him.
If she hadn’t sought out a maiden and had fled in advance, Xiao Changmin would have relentlessly pursued the matter of whether she was truly a woman.
Every step she took was forced, a necessity born of desperation.
"A Lin, we are all ordinary mortals. Though we may harbor good intentions and compassionate hearts, we must first protect ourselves before we can speak of virtue. Remember... our lives are not ours alone."
Shen Xihe’s tone was calm, her voice gentle, yet it struck straight to Bu Shulin’s heart: "You never intended to harm her. If Princess Consort Zhao hadn’t been so ruthless, she wouldn’t have been driven to a dead end. Involving her in this was an act of desperation. Her death was forced by Princess Consort Zhao. Why torment yourself over the wickedness of others?"
Yes, she had no choice, but Yu Sangning did. If Yu Sangning and Xiao Changmin hadn’t harbored such malicious intentions, if they hadn’t resorted to such tactics to absolve themselves, or if the Fifth Miss Yu’s parents had shown even a shred of love for their daughter, they wouldn’t have greedily agreed to Yu Sangning’s demands, driving the Fifth Miss Yu to a point where she no longer wished to live, seeking only death as revenge against them.
"Thank you, Yo—"
"Hmm?"
Bu Shulin, suddenly enlightened, had barely begun her words of gratitude when the Crown Prince cast a faint glance her way. She hastily corrected herself: "Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Princess, for unraveling the knot in my heart."
"With the wedding of Worldly Son Bu and Miss Xiao approaching, there must be much to attend to. We shall not keep you any longer." Xiao Huayong directly issued the order to see them out.
In the eyes of others, Bu Shulin and Xiao Wenxi had consummated their relationship. His Majesty was also concerned about whether Xiao Wenxi might be with child, which could lead to unsavory rumors. Their wedding was thus scheduled for two months later, wedged between the weddings of Xiao Changying and Xiao Changfeng.
Naturally, the two dared not overstay their welcome. They obediently took their leave, having barely warmed their seats or taken a sip of tea before being dismissed by the Crown Prince.
With more weddings taking place in the palace, Shen Xihe found herself busy once again. Half a month later, she received a letter from home. Shen Yungan wrote that Xue Jinqiao was pregnant—she was going to be an aunt!
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