Half an hour earlier, when Cui Jinbai entered the herb garden, the matter was neither major nor minor, but the garden manager still reported it upward, fearing future complications.

Such matters were common, and Emperor Youning usually just let them pass. This time was different. The difference lay in how shortly after, Shen Xihe’s maid entered the palace requesting permission to visit the herb garden.

Emperor Youning took note, also aware that Shen Xihe had earlier summoned the physician apprentice who had examined Bian Xianyi yesterday.

Emperor Youning simply had the physician apprentice brought to him and questioned what Shen Xihe had summoned him for. The apprentice answered truthfully. If Emperor Youning couldn’t guess what they suspected or were tracking, he wouldn’t have maintained his throne until today.

More importantly, just after he sent someone with the token accompanying Shen Xihe’s maid, news arrived from outside the palace that Cui Jinbai had gone to the Princess’s residence, essentially confirming his suspicions. Thus, he sent people to the herb garden first.

Since they had captured a herbalist called Ah Xi, he directly ordered the Imperial Guards to search Ah Xi’s quarters.

This was how Bian Xianyi was secretly brought before Emperor Youning.

Emperor Youning stood behind his imperial desk, reviewing memorials: “Why did you fake your death?”

Though Bian Xianyi’s limbs were weak and her throat dry and painful, she knelt properly: “Your Majesty, this servant plotted against the Princess. When the Princess discovered this, I was overwhelmed with fear and committed the crime of faking my death.”

As a palace dancer faking death to escape, her crime was equivalent to that of an escaped slave—a capital offense.

Emperor Youning’s brush continued without pause as he asked: “Why did you plot against Zhaoning?”

Before falling into the Imperial Guards’ hands, Bian Xianyi had already anticipated what Emperor Youning would ask. A perfectly calculated discomfort flashed across her face: “This servant admired the Sixth Prince. When His Highness praised Princess Zhaoning, this servant grew jealous and acted foolishly.”

Emperor Youning’s hand paused as he raised his head, his gaze falling on Bian Xianyi with implicit pressure: “I always thought you were someone who understood propriety and knew your place.”

His Majesty’s disbelief was within Bian Xianyi’s expectations. She bowed deeply, her forehead touching her overlapped hands: “I have disappointed Your Majesty. This servant deserves death a thousand times over.”

Emperor Youning’s sharp eyes were deep and oppressive.

Though Bian Xianyi felt like she had thorns at her back as she bowed, she had to maintain extreme composure, showing no flaws.

She knew Emperor Youning didn’t believe her motivation for targeting Shen Xihe, but she couldn’t reveal the true reason. Once spoken, she would lose all value and face certain death.

Moreover, she had to consider the Sixth Prince. Her death was insignificant, but she couldn’t implicate him.

After observing Bian Xianyi for several breaths, Emperor Youning withdrew his gaze and lowered his head to continue reading the memorials: “What did Old Six promise you that made you harbor inappropriate thoughts? Know that even without Zhaoning, you could never become the Sixth Prince’s consort.”

“Your Majesty, please investigate. This servant’s foolish devotion to the Sixth Prince arose because His Highness always showed me extra care. This servant mistakenly believed His Highness had feelings for me…”

At this point, Bian Xianyi’s voice caught slightly, her tone dropping to reveal an ineffable sorrow and bitterness: “This servant only recently realized that His Highness is simply kind-hearted, feeling only a bit of pity for this servant. It was all my one-sided wishful thinking. Therefore, when I suddenly heard His Highness praise the Princess, my heart felt like it was being cut by knives. I was blinded by jealousy and made a grave mistake. I request Your Majesty’s punishment.”

Emperor Youning seemed not to hear, offering no response.

The great hall fell silent, with only the sound of turning memorial pages particularly noticeable. The low, steady sound tormented Bian Xianyi, but she gritted her teeth to maintain her composure.

She knelt for half an hour before fainting from exhaustion.

“Your Majesty, she has fainted,” a eunuch reported after checking on her.

“Summon Imperial Physician Shi Wei.” Emperor Youning placed a reviewed memorial with the others and opened another to read.

…

Shen Xihe returned from the herb garden empty-handed. She knew Bian Xianyi must have been hidden there but someone had gotten there first.

She knew who it was.

She didn’t believe anyone else in the capital could have guessed Bian Xianyi had faked her death, so they couldn’t have been investigating alongside her.

The only one who could have noticed would be His Majesty. Emperor Youning had maintained his throne for twenty years, gradually consolidating power and defeating various factions. His depths were as immeasurable as the sea.

Especially since Cui Jinbai had first found an excuse to search the herb garden, followed closely by her request to visit—this coincidence couldn’t help but catch Emperor Youning’s attention.

Upon returning to her residence, she saw Lady Sun and Lady Qian. Both quickly lowered their eyes and curtsied when they saw Shen Xihe. She stopped as she passed them.

“You, kneel here,” Shen Xihe pointed at Lady Sun.

She understood clearly that Cui Jinbai and her successive visits to the herb garden, plus her early summons of the physician apprentice, could only raise Emperor Youning’s suspicions. Lady Sun’s report to Emperor Youning about Cui Jinbai’s visit to the Princess’s residence undoubtedly provided him with corroboration.

Emperor Youning wouldn’t suspect Cui Jinbai—investigating Bian Xianyi was a task Emperor Youning had assigned to him, and there was nothing improper about Cui Jinbai contacting her as the victim.

Punishing Lady Sun wasn’t about venting anger—only incompetent people vent their frustrations on the weak.

She wanted His Majesty to know she was very displeased with his actions!

“Princess, what wrong has Lady Sun committed…”

“You kneel too,” Shen Xihe cut off Lady Qian.

Lady Qian froze: “Princess, I am…”

With a thud, before Lady Qian could finish, Lady Sun knelt straight down.

Seeing this, Lady Qian shot Lady Sun a dark look, as if looking at a traitor. However, with Lady Sun’s submission setting the precedent, Lady Qian dared not speak further and also knelt.

“Learn from her—at least she’s an experienced palace servant. Has your idle time in the Queen’s palace made you forget your place?” Shen Xihe looked down at them with cold eyes. “Were you going to say you were sent by His Majesty? If you truly dare say those words, I’ll go to the palace right now and ask His Majesty whether you’re here to be servants or masters. Do I need to pick special days and reasons to punish you?”

With that, Shen Xihe let out a light snort and walked away.

“Princess, did Lady Sun report to His Majesty, causing him to take the person away?” Biyu rarely saw Shen Xihe bother with servants like this.

Having witnessed Lady Sun watching Cui Jinbai’s departing figure, she had her suspicions.

“Even without her report, His Majesty would have taken Bian Xianyi before me anyway,” Shen Xihe said.

She could only blame the timing. Ah Xi had hidden the person in the herb garden where they couldn’t enter freely—even if it had been a noble’s residence, she could have found a way to sneak in.

The herb garden belonged to the imperial family, guarded by elite guards. Forcing entry might not have succeeded and would have made things irreparable.

Going through proper channels with proper reasons meant she was one step behind His Majesty.