After warning Shen Yungan, Xue Jinqiao deflated again, hanging her head as she followed Shen Xihe with her servant Diandian.
Upon boarding the carriage, Shen Xihe didn't order the curtain lowered, sitting inside while waiting for Xue Jinqiao.
After dawdling, Xue Jinqiao finally entered the carriage, followed shortly by Shen Yungan.
"Why did you do this?" Shen Xihe's voice was calm.
Xue Jinqiao stared at her shoes, her fingers intertwined on her knees: "Since she has no shame, I simply helped her fulfill it."
She then glared at Shen Yunnan.
Shen Yunnan, who had done nothing wrong but felt inexplicably uncomfortable under her glare: ...
"Have you considered the consequences of acting this way?" Shen Xihe asked sternly.
"Without evidence, how would she dare publicize such a matter?" Xue Jinqiao replied rather proudly.
She had arranged for someone to bump into Miss Yuan and switch the pouch. The person was her guard, whom she'd specifically instructed to have two prominent black moles. Even if Miss Yuan calmed down later and realized something was wrong, she wouldn't be able to find this person.
Look how capable she thought herself was!
Beaming with pride, she looked to Shen Xihe expecting praise, but meeting Shen Xihe's cool gaze, she reluctantly subdued her expression.
"Even if they can't find evidence, they'll know it was your doing. They might not confront the Xue family openly, but they'll certainly cause trouble behind the scenes."
"So what?" Xue Jinqiao didn't care in the slightest. "My father is the Minister of Personnel, head of the Six Ministries. My granduncle is the Grand Secretary of the Three Departments. Though the Xue family holds no nobility title, even ducal and marquis households show us respect. What is she? What is the Yuan family?"
After the Gu family's downfall, the position of Head Secretary went to the Cui family, while the Xue family took over as Grand Secretary. The former Privy Councilor Wang Zheng became Palace Attendant. The Xue family had produced outstanding talents generation after generation - from the thirteenth year of Youning onward, they had produced one imperial scholar every year for six consecutive years.
Though Xue Qiniang ranked seventh among her siblings, she was one of only two legitimate daughters, and the only unmarried one. Her status was sufficient to become a principal wife to any prince.
As for why Hu Yingrao dared bully her at Hibiscus Garden - it was because Hu Yingrao's aunt was a commandery princess.
"What about your family? How will you explain such willful behavior to them?" Shen Xihe felt a headache coming on. She hadn't interacted with Xue Jinqiao before and didn't know her temperament. Seeing how arrogant and domineering she was, she probably acted like a crab at home too.
"Them?" Xue Jinqiao suddenly revealed a smile that was somewhat chilling, though she quickly concealed it. "Don't worry, Sister Xihe. No matter what I do, they won't blame me, and they definitely won't take it out on others."
Very well. Since Xue Jinqiao put it that way, Shen Xihe wouldn't worry about it. Actually, if she hadn't known that Xue Jinqiao had confronted the Yuan family because of them, Shen Xihe wouldn't have bothered getting involved.
"Don't interfere in my matters from now on," Shen Xihe still felt the need to remind her.
"Oh," Xue Jinqiao responded absentmindedly.
Shen Xihe didn't know if she was just being perfunctory, so she ignored her and dropped her off at the Xue residence before leaving.
"Biyu, have Mo Yuan investigate what happened to Miss Hu," Shen Xihe suddenly remembered that she hadn't seen Hu Yingrao at the last birthday banquet of the Ding Princess.
She had initially thought Ye Wantang hadn't sent an invitation, but among noble ladies in the capital, even without receiving one, there were plenty of ways to make an appearance - just like how Yu Sangning, a concubine-born daughter, had come with her legitimate sister?
Seeing how Xue Jinqiao dealt with Miss Yuan today gave her a vague feeling that Hu Yingrao was probably not doing well.Sure enough, shortly after returning to the Princess Manor, Mo Yuan sent word that Hu Yingrao had been frequently falling into water ever since returning home from Hibiscus Garden, and now she dared not even approach ponds or riversides.
Shen Xihe massaged her temples, knowing exactly who was behind this without needing to guess: "What exactly is the reason the Xue family indulges Xue Qiniang so?"
Such matters required private guards like hers to accomplish. She was permitted by the Youning Emperor to keep private guards, but court officials were forbidden from openly maintaining them. Those guards had to report their numbers annually, and secretly keeping private guards required substantial silver—certainly not something to be used for young ladies.
"This servant might know a little..." the ever-inquisitive Ziyu spoke softly.
When Shen Yungan wasn't around, they dared say anything to Shen Xihe, but with Shen Yungan present, they became restrained.
The heir apparent only appeared simple and honest before the princess. Away from her, he could be utterly terrifying—how would they dare act presumptuously?
"What other secrets have you heard?" Shen Xihe turned her gaze to Ziyu.
"Eight years ago, Xue Qiniang crawled back to the Xue family covered in blood. Someone saw lightning strike a grave mound in the suburbs, claiming they saw Xue Qiniang emerge from the split grave. It was horrifying all the way back—commoners followed the entire path, yet none dared approach." Ziyu spoke mysteriously. "Since then, the Xue family has treasured Xue Qiniang exceptionally."
Shen Xihe frowned slightly; she seemed to have some recollection of this matter but hadn't paid it much mind.
"Mo Yao, go investigate." Shen Yungan ordered his trusted subordinate upon hearing this.
Mo Yao and Mo Yuan were twin brothers. Their mother died early, and around age seven their father remarried, after which they essentially remained in the princely residence, growing up alongside Shen Yungan. When Shen Xihe entered the capital, Mo Yuan was assigned to accompany her.
"Brother..." Shen Xihe looked up inquisitively at Shen Yungan—he never concerned himself with unimportant people.
"Just thought Xue Qiniang seems quite an interesting young lady." Shen Yungan had always believed capital young ladies were mostly delicate and frail.
He disliked fragile young ladies—Shen Xihe being the exception, of course. His sister could have been heroic and spirited if not for her congenital weakness.
Other delicate young ladies earned his disdain, but this Xue Qiniang dared raise leopards, revealing her strong character.
Having only met twice, Shen Xihe detected no ambiguity in Shen Yungan's demeanor and said nothing more.
While the two waited to learn more about Xue Jinqiao, news that Shen Xihe had prepared Buddhist incense for casting Buddha statues at Xiangguo Temple spread throughout the capital, inevitably reaching the Eastern Palace.
Xiao Huayong was leisurely eating sesame cakes while listening to Tianyuan's report: "According to what you said, did Youyou encounter the Fifth Prince?"
"She likely did." Tianyuan could only speculate. "But Prince Xin departed shortly after the princess arrived at Xiangguo Temple."
Xiao Huayong finished the last bite of his sesame cake, chewing elegantly while pondering. After swallowing and taking a sip of tea, he said: "I've always felt the Fifth Prince is the most suspect regarding the missing Anxi Defense Map."
"To let Prince Lie gain favor with the princess?" Tianyuan wondered if this wasn't making too much of it.
"That's merely incidental. The true intention might be the Ye family's Hexi Governor position." A faint smile touched Xiao Huayong's lips.
"Your Highness, should we...""No matter, let him stir up trouble." Xiao Huayong chuckled softly, "The Northwest King alone deserves half the credit for Your Majesty's ascension to the throne. To seek advantage from him would be nothing but wishful thinking."
After a pause, Xiao Huayong added with a sly grin, "But we could drop a hint to the Fourth Prince, letting him know who set him up."
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