Ye Wantang was graceful, gentle, and well-educated, but unfortunately encountered the calamity that was Xiao Changtai. Though they shared genuine feelings, their desires were vastly different – Ye Wantang wanted peace and contentment, while Xiao Changtai desired to rule the world.

Had she met Xiao Changyu instead, her life would surely have been one of peace and prosperity, with conjugal harmony lasting into old age.

“Princess, will Xiao Changtai come?” Once in the carriage, Biyu couldn’t help but ask.

Xiao Changtai had been severely wounded, and in less than a month, his injuries likely hadn’t healed. Moreover, quite a few people knew about his faked death. Perhaps even His Majesty knew, which was why he directly stripped Xiao Changtai of his clan status.

For Xiao Changtai, the capital was undoubtedly a den of tigers and dragons.

“No, in the capital, besides me, no one wants his life,” Shen Xihe laughed lightly. “Even tigers don’t eat their cubs. His Majesty may not truly believe Xiao Changtai was behind the witchcraft incident. The severe punishment was merely because there was no way to investigate further, necessitating a show of force to deter others. Otherwise, if people didn’t take it seriously, they might curse His Majesty whenever things didn’t go their way. Wouldn’t that throw the world into chaos?

As for the other princes, Xiao Changtai has been stripped of his clan status and bears the crime of using witchcraft against His Majesty. He can never ‘come back to life,’ or he’d face certain death. For the other princes, he no longer poses any threat.

Moreover, they are blood brothers after all. If they truly wanted to eliminate him, His Majesty must never catch wind of it. Otherwise, what would His Majesty think?”

How could His Majesty not be wary of such a cold-blooded and ruthless son?

“What about the Crown Prince?” Zhenzhu also asked, still unable to understand why the Crown Prince hadn’t pursued Xiao Changtai further.

“The Crown Prince is under His Majesty’s scrutiny now. Xiao Changtai has nothing left to lose. If he were to go all out, determined to perish together with the Crown Prince – though he might not be able to take the Crown Prince’s life, he could certainly cause serious harm. The Crown Prince won’t use jade to strike at broken tiles.”

Shen Xihe paused, her lips curving slightly upward as she thought of something: “Given his personality, he no longer considers Xiao Changtai worth his attention or effort.”

The reason Shen Xihe wanted Xiao Changtai’s life was because she lacked Xiao Huayong’s confidence and concerns. It was because Xiao Changtai was too tenacious and despicable. Without truly putting him to death, given the mortal enmity between him and Xiao Huayong, he would never let things rest.

“Princess…” Zhenzhu hesitated before speaking, “By giving the token to Lady Ye, aren’t you worried she might help Xiao Changtai and use it to set a trap for you instead?”

“Your concern isn’t impossible, just highly unlikely,” Shen Xihe had naturally considered this. “When the time comes, we need only observe what Xiao Changtai does to judge whether she has been completely bewitched by him and chosen to conspire with him.”

However, based on her understanding of Ye Wantang and Xiao Changtai’s controlling nature, she seemed to already see their future. However, there was always a possibility that people could change due to circumstances. For instance, if Ye Wantang had a child after leaving Xiao Changtai, motherhood might change her.

The future held too many uncontrollable factors, but Shen Xihe still made this move because the benefits outweighed the risks. Unable to capture Xiao Changtai now, planting a thorn in Ye Wantang’s heart – whether it would continue to pierce her wound or be gently removed by Xiao Changtai – Shen Xihe was betting on the former.

To break the indomitable Xiao Changtai, perhaps only Ye Wantang could accomplish it.

The choice lay with both Ye Wantang and Xiao Changtai.

Shen Xihe was sincere in hoping Ye Wantang would never need to use the sachet she gave her. If so, it would mean Xiao Changtai had truly let everything go, and she wouldn’t have to be so ruthless as to take someone’s life.

The wind lifted the carriage curtain, and Shen Xihe looked outside. This was a familiar street – around the corner was the East Market, with Duhuo Tower visible in the distance. Shen Xihe called out to the driver: “Go to Duhuo Tower in the East Market.”

This trip to Linyou Palace would last four months. It was a good time to check on the shop. Duhuo Tower’s business was even better now, with many merchants from the South and foreign countries making large purchases. After half a year of training, there were more fragrance masters, some with exceptional talent.

After Shen Xihe finished her inspection and gave instructions to the manager, just as she was about to leave, a small beggar child ran up. As the manager was about to give her some pastries as per Shen Xihe’s instructions, she looked up at Shen Xihe and placed a small paper ball on the counter before running away like the wind.

Zhenzhu stepped forward to open the paper ball. It contained an address for a teahouse – someone wanted to meet Shen Xihe. Zhenzhu worried: “Princess, such secretive behavior might indicate an ambush.”

Shen Xihe took the paper ball from Zhenzhu’s hand. The graceful yet sharp handwriting was familiar. At the beginning of the year, for Princess Consort Dai’s birthday celebration, all the royal family invitations were personally written by Li Yanyan, including the one sent to Shen Xihe.

This was Li Yanyan’s handwriting.

Of course, in this world, imitating someone’s handwriting wasn’t difficult. For instance, hadn’t someone skilled in forgery been found to imitate Xiao Changtai’s writing on Xiao Huayong’s voodoo doll?

However, the paper ball had a drawing of a koi fish in a jumping pose, identical to the pattern on the flower pot when Li Yanyan had privately hosted her and told her about Princess Yanling. She had looked at it twice then because she liked flowers and plants, and Li Yanyan had followed her gaze and specifically introduced the porcelain pot.

Thus, Shen Xihe was certain it was Li Yanyan requesting to meet her. Not going openly to the princess’s residence meant there was something to be kept secret.

As for whether Li Yanyan might be setting a trap for her, like capturing Ye Wantang, Shen Xihe wasn’t worried at all. Li Yanyan had captured Ye Wantang because she and Xiao Changtai were collaborators and wouldn’t become enemies over it.

If she were to capture Shen Xihe, setting aside whether she could succeed, just offending the Eastern Palace and the Northwest would make it not worth the cost.

Shen Xihe, who had originally planned to return home, went back to Duhuo Tower, changed clothes, and left through the back door with Zhenzhu and Moyu. After ensuring no one was following and taking several detours, they arrived at the teahouse Li Yanyan had specified.

Li Yanyan wore a lapeled robe, dressed as a young man, with two painted moles on her face and altered eyebrows and eyes. At first glance, even Zhenzhu didn’t recognize her.

“Third Princess Consort summoned me with such elaborate preparations. What matter requires this?” Shen Xihe asked directly.

Li Yanyan gestured for Shen Xihe to sit, personally poured tea for her, and passed the teacup to her. Those eyes, naturally containing charm, gazed deeply at Shen Xihe: “How about you and I join forces?”

Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows: “Join forces?”

She never imagined that Li Yanyan had come to ally.