Between the Northwest and Southern Shu, was there even a need to choose? Of course, one would pick the softer target!

How could Southern Shu compare to the Northwest?

Setting aside the differences in territory and military strength between the two, Southern Shu had Prince Jing stationed with his troops nearby. If there were any movements from Jiaozhi and other countries, Prince Jing could stabilize the rear.

In contrast, once the Northwest changed commanders, the Turks would surely take advantage of the weakness, and there would be no military reinforcements from other regions.

Unless His Majesty was a fool, between the two, he would certainly choose to strike at Southern Shu!

“This won’t do. I must send word to Father and warn him,” Bu Shulin couldn’t sit still any longer.

“His Majesty’s eyes are fixed on you right now. You’d best not make any rash moves,” Shen Xihe advised. “As long as you’re safe, Southern Shu won’t face trouble.”

Bu Shulin thought about it and realized this was true. If His Majesty could strike directly at Southern Shu, he wouldn’t need to use her as a breakthrough point.

“If I’m not mistaken, this matter was arranged by Junior Minister Cui,” Shen Xihe gave her a meaningful look.

Bu Shulin froze completely: “You mean, it was Cui Shi… Cui Jinbai who created this opportunity for His Majesty to assassinate me?”

She suddenly felt an emptiness in her chest, inexplicably stifled.

“No one can disobey His Majesty’s orders,” Shen Xihe looked at her calmly. “This is His Majesty’s test of him, a test of what’s between you two. He could naturally refuse, but once he does, not only would he lose His Majesty’s trust, but His Majesty would make another attempt on your life. Rather than that, he should agree to arrange it personally, as this would best ensure your safety.”

It was as if the clouds and mist had suddenly cleared, revealing bright skies. Bu Shulin asked somewhat tentatively: “Is that true?”

“Whether this matter was intentionally arranged by him or His Majesty’s test of him is merely my conjecture,” Shen Xihe said.

Bu Shulin had known Shen Xihe for more than a day or two, and knew she wouldn’t speak lightly without great certainty: “It seems I must be very careful on this journey.”

“I have a way to protect your life,” Shen Xihe suddenly said.

“Yoohoo.” Bu Shulin’s fingertips caught the edge of Shen Xihe’s water sleeves, gently swaying them as she looked at Shen Xihe with curved eyes and eager anticipation.

Shen Xihe heartlessly pulled her sleeves away: “I’m easily moved, but only by enticing benefits.”

Bu Shulin: …

Pouting and puffing her cheeks, Bu Shulin was just short of making herself look like a frog: “My father sent word some days ago that he’s already collected quite a few dragon bones for you, and a Tibetan merchant has many more.”

“Isn’t that what you already owed me from last time?” Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow.

Bu Shulin hung her head: “Tell me, what do you want?”

“Southern Shu has many rare flowers and herbs. Have people collect some for me,” Shen Xihe said.

“Just that?” Bu Shulin couldn’t quite believe it; this seemed too simple.

“I want rare flowers and herbs that I haven’t seen before. Not many, thirty different varieties will suffice.” Shen Xihe held up three delicate fingers.

Bu Shulin: …

“Can I search for them gradually?” Finding thirty rare varieties at once seemed impossible to her.

“You may take your time,” Shen Xihe was extremely generous.

Bu Shulin immediately felt again that her Yoohoo was beautiful inside and out, the finest lady in all the world.

The maids Biyu and Zhenzhu couldn’t bear to watch their Young Master Bu’s foolishness.

“You said you had a way to protect me. What way?” Bu Shulin blinked her eyes.

“I’ll go with you,” Shen Xihe said.

Bu Shulin: ??

Not only was she startled, but even Zhenzhu and the others tensed up. Zhenzhu said: “Princess…”

“This matter, as you say, has significant implications. Even if you go under orders, you might not achieve anything. I have an Imperial gold token; no one would dare slight me,” Shen Xihe carefully explained. “I’m different from you. His Majesty wants you dead, but he doesn’t want both of us to… If His Majesty truly intends to conquer Tibet, he especially wouldn’t want anything to happen to me.”

If she met with an accident, His Majesty wouldn’t dare attack Tibet, fearing that Shen Yueshan might stab him in the back.

Bu Shulin: …

She was so angry in her heart!

“We’re both children of Prince Vassals, why is the difference between you and me so great?” The Emperor couldn’t wait for her to die, yet feared any mishap befalling Shen Xihe!

“Oh, I think your honored father probably has the same question,” Shen Xihe gave an elegant, enchanting smile.

Bu Shulin didn’t react immediately, but after careful consideration, she understood her father’s confusion. During the previous military funds matter, hadn’t it been said that both being daughters of Prince Vassals, why was the gap between her and Shen Xihe so vast?

Bu Shulin: …

Even more angry!

“Princess, His Majesty won’t allow you to leave the capital,” Zhenzhu also didn’t want Shen Xihe to leave. His Majesty worried about the Princess having accidents, but some people couldn’t wait for the Princess to meet with misfortune, as this could stir up conflict between the Northwest and His Majesty, allowing them to fish in troubled waters.

“I will make His Majesty agree,” Shen Xihe smiled lightly. “Protecting Young Master Bu while away from the capital is just incidental; I have other reasons.”

Incidental…

Bu Shulin felt her heart was riddled with a thousand wounds, but Shen Xihe wouldn’t care if her heart ached or not. She dejectedly said: “His Majesty intends to move against me, how would he let you come along?”

“You go investigate your case first, I’ll do my things, then I’ll come find you. Won’t that work?” As she spoke, Shen Xihe smiled mischievously again, “But you must protect yourself, don’t lose your little life before I arrive.”

“Hmph, who are you looking down on?” Bu Shulin turned her mouth disapprovingly.

“Alright, go back early to prepare. Since Junior Minister Cui has brought this up, His Majesty’s assignment to you will come within these two days,” Shen Xihe waved her hand.

Having failed to get a meal again, Bu Shulin was even more depressed.

Shen Xihe paid no attention to whether she was depressed or not, so Bu Shulin could only drag her feet as she left.

After Bu Shulin left, Zhenzhu finally spoke with worry in her eyes: “Princess, why do you want to leave the capital?”

Sui Axi seemed to want to speak but held back. Shen Xihe glanced at him before saying: “I want to go to Liyang Commandery to find a rare winter jasmine that only blooms in late autumn and early winter.”

“Why seek this flower?” Zhenzhu didn’t understand. “We could send someone to look for it. Princess, if you’re not at ease, this servant could personally go with others.”

She just didn’t want Shen Xihe to leave the capital.

“This winter jasmine doesn’t bloom every year, and it’s extremely delicate. If its roots are moved, it easily withers. You’ve never seen it before, how could you judge whether it’s the winter jasmine I’m looking for, and how could you determine if it will bloom?” Shen Xihe’s tone brooked no argument. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. I will arrange everything carefully.”

“What kind of winter jasmine is it?” Zhenzhu studied medicine and understood many medical principles.

“Fine-leaf winter jasmine,” Shen Xihe said.

There were many varieties of winter jasmine, and fine-leaf winter jasmine was the rarest kind. Zhenzhu was about to speak, but Shen Xihe’s sweeping glance forced her to lower her head.

Seeing this, Sui Axi felt somewhat guilty – he shouldn’t have mentioned to the Princess that fine-leaf winter jasmine would benefit the Crown Prince.