“Does Your Highness mean that Clothing Official Gu was sent by His Highness?” Bi Yu and the others were shocked.

“Once palace personnel have been silenced by His Majesty, there couldn’t be any who slipped through,” Shen Xihe smiled lightly. “Even if someone truly did slip through, they absolutely wouldn’t dare speak such palace secrets. Yet Ze Xiang spoke in such detail – besides someone who experienced it personally, I can’t think who else could remember it so precisely.”

“What are His Highness’s intentions?” Red Jade and the others hadn’t considered themselves stupid in the Northwest, but after coming to the capital, dealing with ordinary people was one thing – when it came to the back-and-forth between the Crown Prince and the Princess, they felt they needed two extra brains.

“His intentions?” Shen Xihe thought of what he’d said when bidding farewell before leaving the capital – he’d said he wished for mutual honesty. “Honesty.”

Was he showing sincerity to her, perhaps also telling her that whatever she wanted to know, she could ask him directly, and he would surely tell her everything without holding back?

Realizing this possibility, Shen Xihe laughed ruefully. Even if he truly held nothing back, how much would be true?

The next day, Cui Jinbai brought someone to Shen Xihe: “Your Highness, Fu Jin was acting on this person’s behalf in the prison.”

“Who is this?” Shen Xihe looked at the tall, thin man in neat attire.

“An admirer of Lady Bian,” Cui Jinbai replied.

“So it was her.” Shen Xihe was somewhat surprised.

From what she knew of Bian Xianyi, she shouldn’t have acted against her like this – unless someone was directing her from behind.

“I’ll make a trip to the palace,” Shen Xihe decided to ask directly.

The Crown Prince had been “ill” for so long, and she had been dealing with her sudden circumstances, so she hadn’t yet visited him. Although visitors couldn’t see him, the gesture was important.

“Your Highness, you shouldn’t enter the palace,” Bi Yu consulted Xie Yunhuai, who came specially to stop her.

Shen Xihe’s carriage could only reach the palace gates. From the gates to the Eastern Palace was a long walk for ordinary people, and would be especially difficult for Shen Xihe. Moreover, as a young lady, she couldn’t go directly to the Eastern Palace – she would at least need to pay respects to the Empress Dowager first.

“The Empress Dowager is at the Eastern Palace,” Shen Xihe smiled. “I know my limits.”

Xie Yunhuai stood before Shen Xihe, somewhat displeased that she was so careless with her health.

Doctors always get angry with disobedient patients. Shen Xihe had to say softly: “Doctor Qi, my illness requires not only avoiding physical exertion but also mental strain. If I don’t clarify this matter, it will weigh on my mind, which would be worse for my condition.”

Unable to convince Shen Xihe, Xie Yunhuai could only accompany her, waiting in the carriage outside the palace. If anything happened to Shen Xihe, he would find a way to enter the palace.

Shen Xihe accepted his kindness without protest.

When she reached the Eastern Palace, the Empress Dowager scrutinized her: “What has happened to Zhaoning?”

“In reply to Your Majesty, I indulged in the cool air some days ago, and my old ailment returned…” Shen Xihe responded softly.

Her voice sounded weak and strained, causing the Empress Dowager’s brows to furrow. She immediately called the Imperial Physician to check her pulse. He concluded that it was due to physical weakness and required gradual recuperation – there was no quick remedy.

Shen Xihe could sense the added worry in the Empress Dowager’s expression: “The capital’s late autumn is cold and damp. Zhaoning must take care of herself.”

“I am guilty of causing Your Majesty concern. I will certainly take good care of myself,” Shen Xihe agreed compliantly.

“The Crown Prince is still unconscious. Zhaoning is thoughtful, but should return to her residence early to rest,” the Empress Dowager instructed.

“I have some matters to discuss with Lady Bian. After seeing her, I will leave the palace,” Shen Xihe reported to the Empress Dowager.

“If you wish to see her, simply send word for her to come to your residence for instruction. Why come personally?” The Empress Dowager’s tone held some reproach.

“I understand. It won’t happen again,” Shen Xihe smiled sweetly.

Seeing her poor complexion, the Empress Dowager didn’t detain her, telling her to go and return quickly. After she left the Eastern Palace, the Empress Dowager asked the Imperial Physician: “With Princess Zhaoning’s frail health, will it affect her ability to bear children?”

The Imperial Physician lowered his head with a troubled expression. He truly didn’t want to answer. Everyone knew the Crown Prince wanted to marry Princess Zhaoning, but both of them were extremely weak. If he said it would affect childbearing, he might be the next to make the Crown Prince faint from anger.

The Peaceful Marquis had been sentenced to death, Minister Wang had been dismissed and made to repent – how could he, a mere Imperial Physician, withstand the Crown Prince’s wrath?

But the question came from the Empress Dowager – how could he dare equivocate?

“In reply to Your Majesty, having children depends on fate. Even healthy couples in common households sometimes remain childless for life.”

The Empress Dowager glanced at the evasive Imperial Physician but didn’t press him further or continue probing.

Her grandson – she understood him well. Once he set his mind on someone or something, he would never change it. Could she stop him?

Palace maids’ quarters were in or behind Yeting Palace. Someone like Bian Xianyi, an exceptional lead dancer, had her separate room. Today she hadn’t gone to the Music Bureau to practice, claiming illness and returning to rest.

A palace maid led Shen Xihe to her residence. Shen Xihe saw her sitting in the courtyard outside her room, with tea and snacks laid out on a stone table, as if waiting for someone.

Seeing Shen Xihe, she rose to welcome her: “Your Highness, I’ve been expecting you.”

Shen Xihe looked her over. Today she wore a crimson dress, with bright red rouge on her cheeks and a vivid flower design between her brows. She truly looked radiant and striking.

“It seems you know why I’ve come to find you,” Shen Xihe stepped forward.

Bian Xianyi gestured: “Please sit, Your Highness.”

Feeling somewhat tired, Shen Xihe sat down naturally.

Bian Xianyi took her seat opposite and poured drinks for both of them: “Your Highness wants to know why I tried to harm you?”

Shen Xihe watched her quietly.

Bian Xianyi smiled brightly, breathtakingly beautiful, and raised her cup: “Let Xianyi first apologize to Your Highness.”

With that, she drained the cup with both hands.

Shen Xihe remained unmoved.

Bian Xianyi set down her cup, placed her left hand over her right, and rested them gently on her lap, sitting gracefully: “Your Highness is so wise and clever, you surely know this wasn’t my true intention.”

“Who directed you?” Shen Xihe asked coolly.

Bian Xianyi’s smile deepened, her red soft lips curving wider, smiling somewhat obscurely. She shook her head slightly, the pearl chains in her hair swaying with dazzling light: “Forgive Xianyi, but I cannot say.”

Shen Xihe’s eyes narrowed: “Lady Bian, do you think I can’t touch you just because you’re in the deep palace?”

“Your Highness’s status is noble, while Xianyi’s life is like an ant’s. Even if Your Highness killed me outright, no one would seek justice,” Bian Xianyi’s smile remained bright. “This point, I know, Your Highness knows, and the one who gave me orders also knows.”

“You…”

Before Shen Xihe could finish speaking, she saw blood flowing from Bian Xianyi’s lips, eyes, nostrils, and ears.

She continued smiling at Shen Xihe, spitting out more black blood: “Your Highness, be careful…”

Before finishing her words, Bian Xianyi collapsed.