“Benevolent?” Shen Xihe let out a scornful laugh, followed by an ambiguous soft “hmm.” “Yes indeed, the very picture of benevolence.”

And wasn’t he benevolent? He had protected Dong Biquan’s entire family.

In this round, he had achieved a complete victory!

To the ministers, he had stepped forward in their time of crisis, becoming the one to plead for Dong Biquan, giving His Majesty reason to show leniency to the Dong family, convincing the officials that the treasury deficit wasn’t severe, and demonstrating the responsibility befitting an heir apparent.

To the court officials, he showed magnanimity and virtue. Official corruption was a pervasive phenomenon impossible to eliminate, differing only in degree and whether evidence was left behind. In their eyes, corruption wasn’t a grave crime, but the law showed no mercy. Yet the Crown Prince had protected Dong’s household by arguing that crimes shouldn’t extend to wives and children, winning the officials’ favor and earning his reputation for benevolence.

To His Majesty, he considered the bigger picture. His Majesty needed a reason to spare Dong Biquan’s family members to prevent the civil and military officials from believing rumors of an empty treasury. But if he showed mercy himself, he would have to produce evidence, and the Ministry of Revenue couldn’t be thoroughly investigated.

His Majesty needed a stepping stone, but the court officials dared not offer one lightly, not knowing how deeply Dong Biquan was implicated, fearing it might become ammunition for political enemies later. Xiao Huayong provided His Majesty with that stepping stone, making everything fall naturally into place.

Inside and out, high and low, everyone sang his praises. But only she knew that this was all his carefully laid scheme.

He reaped the benefits, earned endless praise, and no one suspected him. No one realized they were merely pieces on his chessboard.

Used thoroughly by him, yet still they had to shower him with praise!

In the imperial prison, after Dong Biquan received the imperial edict, he handed something new to the jail guard who had persuaded him, and knelt at the cell door in sincere reverence: “Please convey my deepest gratitude to His Highness for his great kindness.”

What he handed over was incomplete and not entirely truthful. He was waiting for the outcome—as long as his wife and children could be protected, he would have no more worries. This was his true pledge of loyalty, hoping His Highness would show mercy to his family in return for this small consideration.

Only now did he realize that the Crown Prince, whom they had never taken seriously and rarely even remembered, was the most unfathomable person in the world.

How pitiful that His Majesty, wise throughout his life, still didn’t know. Thinking of this, he felt an inexplicable satisfaction!

“Sister, His Majesty has already ordered the replenishment of military provisions in all regions,” Bu Shulin came to find Shen Xihe in high spirits.

When Dong Biquan’s case broke, he protested his innocence about intercepting the autumn grain, claiming he was buying grain rather than selling it. Why buy grain? To fill the military funding gap. The military funding hole was thus exposed, and while it could be said Bu Taohai and the others had nothing to do with it, His Majesty still had to make up for it.

Bu Shulin was happy because it proved they had trusted the right person. Though Bu Taohai had chosen to trust Shen Xihe, he hadn’t been without worries—if Shen Xihe harbored even a trace of ill intent, the Bu father and son would have found themselves in dire straits.

“Don’t forget what you promised me.” Shen Xihe was sampling incense, new varieties sent from the incense tower. Several centers were burning side by side as she fanned each one gently and sniffed.

“Can you tell me what it’s about now?” Bu Shulin was extremely curious about what Shen Xihe wanted her to do.

“We’ll discuss it when the time comes.” Shen Xihe didn’t even look up.

Bu Shulin leaned in to smell the incense burners but quickly retreated, dizzy from the complex fragrances.

She wondered how Shen Xihe could tolerate it. After stepping out to the pavilion for fresh air and clearing her head, she asked, “How did this all come about? Tell me.”

Shen Xihe finished sampling from the first censer to the last before looking up to say: “Don’t be curious. Those who know too much often don’t live long.”

Bu Shulin: …

Pouting irritably, Bu Shulin noticed that Shen Xihe’s complexion had become rosy. She looked as if she had shed a layer of sickly pallor, becoming vibrant and radiant.

She grew more curious about what magical medicine Shen Xihe had taken: “Your health is improving day by day. Will you be able to ride horses in the future?”

“In some time, I should be able to.” Shen Xihe’s eyes crinkled with a smile at the mention.

“I can teach you horseback riding!” Bu Shulin immediately volunteered.

“Every one of my maids grew up on northwestern horse farms.” Shen Xihe gave her a bland glance, showing no disgust yet somehow conveying complete dismissal. “Don’t forget, you’re pretending to be a man.”

Bu Shulin looked down at her male attire, then suddenly winked at her: “What if I change into women’s clothes, wear a veil, and accompany you?”

Seeing her eager expression, Shen Xihe didn’t outright refuse: “We’ll discuss it after I’m able to ride.”

“I’ll take that as a yes!” Bu Shulin was an expert at seizing opportunities.

“Princess, someone seeks an audience, saying their surname is Bian,” a maid came to report.

Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow slightly: “Finally here.”

Bian Xianyi had arrived. The previous days when His Majesty claimed illness, security in the compound had been lax. Her sky lantern was found by a close friend who came to help, allowing her to escape. Before leaving, she went to claim Axi’s body for burial, only to discover the deceased wasn’t Axi.

Learning some details from her friend, she realized Shen Xihe was using Axi’s life to wait for her.

She could have left the capital without looking back, and indeed she had tried, but the further she went, the more uneasy her heart became.

“Lady Bian, it’s been a while. I trust you’ve been well?” Shen Xihe walked slowly to the main hall to find Bian Xianyi wearing a hooded cloak.

With the medicine Axi had prepared for her, Bian Xianyi had recovered well during this time, so her complexion looked good.

“Princess.” Bian Xianyi stepped forward with a graceful curtsy. “All wrongdoing arose from my selfish desires. I am willing to accept punishment—please release Axi.”

“Princess, Princess—” Axi came running in, dropping to his knees before Shen Xihe with a thud. “Princess, please spare Lady Bian’s life. This humble servant will dedicate his entire life to serving you, facing any danger without retreat!”

“Axi!” Bian Xianyi rushed forward to shield Sui Axi. “Princess, I alone should bear responsibility for my actions.”

“Lady Bian, His Highness is still waiting for you!” Sui Axi said anxiously.

Shen Xihe gave them a lazy glance: “Debts must be paid by those who incurred them.”

“Princess…”

Shen Xihe raised her hand to cut off Sui Axi’s words: “You are a rare talent, and I truly desire such talent. But I won’t overlook those who scheme against me without consequences.”

With that, she gave Biyu a look, and Biyu brought a prepared cup of wine before Bian Xianyi.

“This cup contains poison. Drink it, and we’re even.”

Bian Xianyi pressed her lips together. She looked at the clear, clean wine shimmering with light in the crystal cup. Taking a deep breath, just as she was about to take it, a figure burst in, followed closely by Moyu, who moved to protect Shen Xihe.

The figure darted toward Biyu, snatched the wine cup, and drank it in one gulp.

“Sixth Brother!” Bian Xianyi’s eyes filled with blood as she rushed forward to embrace Xiao Changyu.