They identified the suspect before Shen Xihe did. The person who helped wasn’t from the acupuncture department, but rather a herbalist from the medical division who was responsible for planting, transplanting, and collecting herbs in the city gardens.

“Lady Bian, you must leave quickly. They should be here soon,” the herbalist urgently advised after completing the final acupuncture treatment for Bian Xianyi.

Fortunately, they had endured through three sessions. Bian Xianyi, worried about complications, had insisted on receiving the first treatment the night of the incident, despite risking chronic illness. Later, he used herb deliveries as cover to switch her with the corpse. He performed the second treatment the next day, and today was the final one.

It was too fast—they had discovered everything too quickly. He hadn’t had time to prepare more medicinal tonics for Bian Xianyi.

“Let’s leave together. If you fall into their hands, they won’t spare you.” Bian Xianyi grabbed his arm with her weak, colorless hands.

“Lady Bian, I cannot go with you. I owe my life to His Highness from years ago—these years have been borrowed time for me. Today, allow me to repay that debt. I cannot rest easy unless I ensure your escape.”

The herbalist pulled open a row of medicine cabinets, revealing a hidden compartment large enough for two people to stand side by side. “I’ll go outside now and drive away in a cart to draw them away. In case they have backup plans, hide here. There’s some dried food, water skins, and medicine. The herb farmers will come in two days to deliver herbs—they’ll help you escape the city.”

“Ah Xi!” Bian Xianyi was too weak to resist as she was pushed into the compartment, helplessly watching as Ah Xi pulled the cabinet closed.

Ah Xi changed his clothes, ran to the back, jumped onto a cart, and drove away at full speed. He passed right by Cui Jinbai’s men. Cui Jinbai sent several men in pursuit while he led the remaining men into the herb garden.

This was the imperial herb garden. He had come today under the pretext of official business, telling the guard, “We’re pursuing a wanted criminal who was seen entering the garden. I’m bringing a few men to investigate.”

“Please proceed, sir, but do be careful—the herbs are precious,” the guard stepped aside but still offered a reminder.

Cui Jinbai led the search personally but found nothing. Being an herb garden, they couldn’t act recklessly without proper cause, and the delicate herbs couldn’t withstand rough treatment.

Though Cui Jinbai didn’t find Bian Xianyi in the garden, his men captured Ah Xi. Rather than sending him to the Court of Judicial Review, he had him privately bound and brought to the Princess’s residence to hand over to Shen Xihe.

“Minister Cui truly lives up to his position as Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. His investigative and pursuit abilities are extraordinary,” Shen Xihe sincerely praised.

She had thought herself quick in figuring out Bian Xianyi after a day of contemplation, and with Xie Yunhuai’s help had just uncovered this lead about the herbalist called Ah Xi. Before she could even order Mo Yuan to investigate, Cui Jinbai had already captured the man.

In truth, only she and Xiao Huayong had guessed Bian Xianyi’s plan, but in terms of manpower, she was far behind Xiao Huayong, who had spent over a decade building his influence.

“I serve those who entrust me, faithful to their cause,” Cui Jinbai replied solemnly.

At this moment, Shen Xihe had no time to ponder whose orders Cui Jinbai was following. She couldn’t afford any delay—every moment wasted gave Bian Xianyi another chance to slip away.

“Will you speak on your own, or do I need to use my phantasm incense to pry open your mouth?” Shen Xihe calmly regarded the scholarly-looking, thin herbalist.

Shen Xihe’s phantasm incense had become famous after one battle at the Capital Prefecture. The Capital Prefecture, Court of Judicial Review, Imperial Clan Court, and even the Ministry of Justice—all places that needed to make suspects talk—coveted it deeply.

This item that could easily extract the truth without requiring severe torture had even caught Emperor Youning’s interest.

However, with events happening one after another, Emperor Youning hadn’t had the chance to inquire about it. Others wanted it too, but Shen Xihe held the formula and rejected their requests, leaving them to sigh in disappointment.

“Princess, though I am of low rank, I am still a ninth-rank herbalist of the Imperial Medical Office. May I ask why Minister Cui has privately detained me?” Ah Xi remained calm before Shen Xihe, his eyes confused but his speech clear.

“Biyu.” Shen Xihe didn’t want to waste words with him and directly ordered Biyu to light the incense.

Unexpectedly, this unremarkable herbalist proved to have incredible willpower. Even after inhaling Shen Xihe’s incense, whenever Bian Xianyi was mentioned, he managed to endure extreme struggle and pain without uttering a word.

The phantasm incense wasn’t omnipotent—it only worked on ordinary people. Those with some training or strong willpower could resist its effects.

Finally, Ah Xi passed out from inhaling too much, without revealing Bian Xianyi’s whereabouts.

“Minister Cui, tell me about today’s arrest,” Shen Xihe asked.

Minister Cui naturally recounted the events: “This official found an excuse to personally lead a search of the herb garden.”

After listening, Shen Xihe pondered for a moment: “I’m not questioning Minister Cui, but the imperial herb garden isn’t the Court of Judicial Review—Minister Cui couldn’t search freely. I believe Bian Xianyi must still be in the garden.”

If it were an ordinary residence, Ah Xi’s diversion might have allowed escape now that Cui Jinbai had left. But the imperial herb garden had guards at its gates—she absolutely couldn’t leave during daylight.

“I need to go there personally.” Shen Xihe immediately sent Hong Yu to the palace with a message saying she wanted to select some herbs from the garden to create her medicinal incense.

Cui Jinbai, having done his part, felt confident leaving the rest to Shen Xihe as he had other urgent matters.

He had arrived silently, but as he left, Lady Sun caught a glimpse of his back. Seeing Lady Sun thoughtfully staring at Cui Jinbai’s retreating figure, Shen Xihe approached from behind: “What is Lady Sun looking at?”

Lady Sun bowed her head in greeting: “Princess.”

“I asked a question. Why doesn’t Lady Sun answer?”

“Princess, this servant just saw a man’s back. The Princess is an unmarried lady, and will receive great fortune in the future—you should be mindful of your reputation,” Lady Sun answered with lowered eyes.

Shen Xihe gazed at her coldly for a moment: “Lady Sun, you are a palace lady official, appointed by His Majesty. I show you respect for that reason but remember—I most despise people lecturing me about propriety. In the Princess’s residence, I am propriety.”

With that, Shen Xihe stepped around her.

When Shen Xihe expressed her wish to visit the herb garden, Emperor Youning sent a eunuch back with Hong Yu to personally escort her.

The imperial herb garden was rich in medicinal herbs. Shen Xihe genuinely selected some needed herbs and examined some processed ones. Using fatigue as an excuse to rest for a moment, she noticed her cat Short Life had disappeared, so she had people search for it.

Finally, they found Short Life in Ah Xi’s room, scratching at the corner of a medicine cabinet.

Shen Xihe gave Mo Yu a look. Mo Yu went to pick up Short Life, and in doing so pushed over the medicine cabinet, revealing a hidden compartment against the wall. However, it was empty. Shen Xihe stared at some food crumbs, her gaze growing cold.