"Take these scents carefully. I've had the usage and effects sewn into the scented sachets for emergencies!" Shen Xihe handed Bu Shulin a pouch of scents.
Most scents were stored in scented sachets, including scented powder wrapped in oilpaper, scent pills sealed with beeswax, and scent blocks stored in thumb-sized bamboo tubes...
Various types with numerous effects, yet they didn't take up much space. Once tied together, they formed a small bundle.
Bu Shulin, blindfolded, could only carefully feel them with her hands, sensing Shen Xihe's kindness transmitted from her fingertips to her heart. Her throat burned with emotion: "Youyou, you're my true sister!"
She emphasized the word "true" heavily.
Few in this life had genuinely cared for her. Having always concealed her identity, she appeared to have made a group of frivolous friends in the capital, but aside from Ding Zhi, none held an ounce of sincerity.
Shen Xihe was the first unrelated person to consistently defend and protect her. Regardless of whether this friendship began with calculated considerations, in Bu Shulin's heart, Shen Xihe's treatment of her was utterly sincere!
"Leave quickly, the sooner the better." Shen Xihe wasn't one for sentimentality and urged Bu Shulin onward.
While everyone was focused on the "Worldly Son Bu" who had returned to the Bu residence, leaving early meant returning to Shunan sooner. Only by reaching Shunan could she truly escape danger.
Bu Shulin knew this was a race against time and couldn't afford delays. She spread her arms to embrace Shen Xihe before departing resolutely, only to find empty air.
Zhenzhu watched as Bu Shulin, overwhelmed with gratitude, tried to hug the Crown Princess, but the Crown Prince had already swiftly pulled her away. Fortunately, Zhenzhu reacted quickly and steadied Bu Shulin, otherwise the four-months-pregnant Worldly Son Bu might have stumbled!
Seeing Bu Shulin steadied and remembering her condition, Shen Xihe couldn't help but glare at Xiao Huayong! He knew Bu Shulin was female!
Xiao Huayong snorted coldly: "Go!"
Datou went ahead first.
If he hadn't known Bu Shulin was female, given her clinginess toward Youyou, Xiao Huayong wouldn't have planned to let her return to Shunan alive!
At most, out of regard for Shen Xihe, he'd refrain from interference—why would he exhaust efforts strategizing Bu Shulin's return otherwise?
Shen Xihe watched as Xiao Huayong led Bu Shulin into the secret passage entrance. She stood there for a long time, lost in thought, before finally turning to leave.
Meanwhile, the capital was anything but calm. While Xiao Huayong was escorting Bu Shulin out of the palace, Liu Sanzhi had already left with the Youning Emperor's token.
This was a prime opportunity to reclaim the Shunan Army's authority. With Bu Tuohai dead, if anything happened to Bu Shulin on her way back for the funeral, the Shunan Army's power would effortlessly revert to the Emperor.
Thus, the Youning Emperor was also fully committed to the assassination attempt.
Simultaneously, reactions varied across factions.
At Zhao Wang's residence, Xiao Changmin immediately gathered his confidants for secret discussions upon returning. Such matters naturally couldn't escape Yu Sangning's notice. She waited until Xiao Changmin had concluded and dismissed all his confidants before having him summoned.
"If this is about the Bu family matter, don't bother speaking." Xiao Changmin entered the room and stated bluntly.
While Xiao Changmin acknowledged and admired Yu Sangning's intelligence and methods, he fundamentally believed women should know their place.He could consult his own woman, but he would not allow her to meddle in every affair.
"Your Highness, Worldly Son Bu is on good terms with the Crown Princess," Yu Sangning, having already grasped Xiao Changmin's temperament, could only speak tactfully. "I merely feel that the matter concerning the Prince of Shunan could not have been a sudden occurrence. Could it be that Worldly Son Bu had received the news earlier and made preparations in advance?
If so, Worldly Son Bu would certainly have sought help. Looking across the entire capital, the only person Worldly Son Bu could turn to—and dare to confide such a secret matter in advance—would likely be the Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess and her allies must have been prepared long ago."
Xiao Changmin, who had initially been somewhat impatient, now grew solemn. This possibility had not occurred to him, yet it was indeed highly plausible!
"What do you suggest we do?" Xiao Changmin asked.
Yu Sangning paused briefly before performing a curtsy: "Your Highness, no one wishes to see Worldly Son Bu return smoothly to the capital. Why should we intervene?"
Shen Xihe was too mysterious and unpredictable. She always felt that opposing Shen Xihe would lead to no good end. Yet, she had some inkling of Xiao Changmin's ambitions.
Although she had married Xiao Changmin, and her own thirst for power made her aspire to become the mother of the nation, she was by nature cautious and steady. As for Xiao Changmin's capabilities—it was not that she looked down on him—but he simply stood no chance!
Not to mention that Shen Xihe stood with the legitimate heir of the Eastern Palace. Even if the Crown Prince were truly nearing the end of his life and Shen Xihe had not yet borne a legitimate heir, there was still Prince Xin in civil affairs and Prince Jing in military affairs. Moreover, Prince Yan, lurking in the shadows, was no ordinary figure either. Which of these men did not surpass the one before her in both ability and backing?
Yet, somehow, someone had brainwashed Prince Zhao with the notion of seniority in birth order, filling his head with grand delusions!
In her view, Xiao Changmin should remain content with his lot, securing a princely title to pass down to his descendants. Of course, she could not voice these thoughts to Xiao Changmin now and could only guide him subtly.
Yu Sangning wanted him to remain on the sidelines. After a moment of silence, Xiao Changmin said, "I will carefully consider your words."
With that, Xiao Changmin turned and left, summoning his trusted aides for discussion. Upon hearing the news, Yu Sangning closed her eyes.
She knew full well that among these confidants was someone dreaming of reaching the pinnacle of officialdom. It was these very people who had inflated Xiao Changmin's ego with flattery, blinding him to his own limitations. This time, she feared Xiao Changmin would intervene again, and she could only hope it would not bring disaster upon them!
Next door to Prince Zhao's residence, at Prince Xin's Residence, Xiao Changying rushed back in haste from military training: "Brother, we..."
Xiao Changying hesitated, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, revealing his urgency.
Xiao Changqing, having once been infatuated with someone himself, understood that feeling of being unable to forget, unable to let go, with one's heart solely fixed on her. Any matter related to her would make it impossible to control one's emotions.
Therefore, he neither scolded nor dissuaded him: "Do whatever you wish to do. I will cover for you here in the capital."
Xiao Changying's eyes sparkled, suppressing his excitement as he gratefully said, "Thank you, Brother!"
With that, a smile on his face, he turned and strode away briskly.
Bu Shulin was clearly Shen Xihe's ally. Whether Bu Shulin could return safely to Shunan would determine whether Shen Xihe could gain a powerful supporter.Neither Xiao Changying nor Xiao Changqing had any interest in the imperial throne. Xiao Changying naturally devoted himself wholeheartedly to supporting Shen Xihe. Not being the legitimate heir, he could not offer Shen Xihe the rightful legitimacy she desired. Thus, even if Shen Yueshan had chosen him, Shen Xihe would have rejected him.
He only wished to give Shen Xihe everything within his power, without needing her to know.
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