Xiao Changyu held the silver incense ball in his hand. Originally an item exclusive to the imperial court, it had become highly fashionable in the capital in recent years. Both silver shops and incense shops sold them, and every noble lady seemed to carry one.

After careful examination, Xiao Changyu found nothing unusual about it. He returned the paper scroll inside and handed it to Sui Axi: “Axi, find an escort agency to deliver this back to the Princess’s mansion in the capital.”

After taking it, Sui Axi hesitated briefly before suddenly kneeling before the surprised Xiao Changyu and kowtowing: “Sixth… Sixth Brother, Axi wishes to promote the Sui family’s acupuncture techniques. I want to return to the capital and serve under the Princess.”

Xiao Changyu watched him silently for a moment before helping him up: “Axi, you needn’t do this. The Princess won’t pursue Xianyi and me any further.”

When Shen Xihe had said to conduct themselves appropriately, she likely knew what he had done. She truly considered the matter settled.

“No, Sixth Brother. It’s not that Axi doesn’t trust the Princess. Given her way of handling matters, if she truly wanted to pursue this to the death, Axi wouldn’t be enough to change her mind. Axi sincerely wishes to serve the Princess.”

Seeing this, Xiao Changyu sighed lightly: “When I saved you back then, and you saved me today, our debt is settled. You’re not my servant; you’re free to come and go. Princess Zhaoning is decisive in her actions, clear in rewards and punishments—she’s a good master.”

Moreover, Shen Xihe had Xiao Huayong behind her, who could turn situations around at will.

“Sixth Brother, Lady Bian, take care,” Sui Axi bowed to them both. “May you both find freedom and peace on your journey.”

Thus Sui Axi took the incense ball and bid farewell to Xiao Changyu and his wife, returning to the capital.

“Princess, the Sixth Prince didn’t die from the poison…” Mo Yuan had sent people to watch; after Xiao Changyu woke up, he reported to Shen Xihe.

“Wasn’t I also saved by Doctor Qi’s emergency treatment?” Shen Xihe said coolly. “My poisoned wine was genuine. If he could survive it, that’s his capability. I said we’re even, so we’re even. Let them go.”

She hadn’t shown any mercy to Xiao Changyu and Bian Xianyi. That Xiao Changyu could anticipate she would use death cap mushroom poison and take the antidote beforehand showed his ability. If she tried to kill him again, it would be no different from murder.

Moreover, at this point, unless she killed both Bian Xianyi and Xiao Changyu, a seed of hatred would remain in the survivor’s heart, leading to revenge until death.

Though Bian Xianyi had indeed attacked her to be with Xiao Changyu, he hadn’t known about it. She was someone who distinguished clearly between grudges and wouldn’t blame Xiao Changyu for this. Since he had drunk the poison meant for Bian Xianyi, the debt was paid.

In the Eastern Palace, Xiao Huayong had known before Shen Xihe that Xiao Changyu wouldn’t die. Tianyuan asked for instructions: “Regarding the Sixth Prince…”

“She doesn’t like others interfering in her affairs, even if it’s to avenge her.” Xiao Huayong could only watch and wait.

After Xiao Changyu and Bian Xianyi left the capital, Tianyuan asked again: “Are we not going to investigate who instigated Lady Bian?”

“Do you know why I didn’t give Xiao Changyu a chance to make Bian Xianyi confess in Heaven?” Xiao Huayong’s fingertip tapped lightly on the smooth table. “Whoever used Bian Xianyi wouldn’t have let her know their identity. Questioning would be pointless. If Bian Xianyi knew anything, Youyou might not have made her drink that poisoned wine.”

Such a good opportunity could have been used as leverage. Though Shen Xihe wouldn’t have let an accomplice go entirely, she would have considered reducing the punishment.

Even now, Bian Xianyi hadn’t spoken up, knowing she had no concrete evidence and would be hard to convince Shen Xihe—speaking up would seem like making excuses.

“So who in the palace wanted to kill the Princess?” Tianyuan couldn’t figure it out.

“Not His Majesty.” Xiao Huayong first eliminated Emperor Youning.

If Shen Xihe died mysteriously in the capital, Emperor Youning wouldn’t be able to explain it to Shen Yueshan and would lose sleep over it.

On this point, even Xiao Huayong couldn’t guess who was responsible. Shen Xihe hadn’t blocked anyone’s path or gotten in anyone’s way.

Her only mortal enemy was Prince Kang’s household, but they were already ruined and couldn’t have such power. If they had had such capability, they wouldn’t have tried to harm Shen Xihe by other means back then.

“It’s also not Fifth Brother and Little Ninth Brother.”

This tax grain matter was Fifth Brother’s doing; he had no time to move against Youyou. Moreover, Little Ninth had feelings for Youyou; Fifth Brother wouldn’t do something to turn brothers against each other.

Palace forces were complex and intertwined. While it seemed no one could move against Shen Xihe, everyone was also suspect.

Shen Xihe didn’t know that Bian Xianyi’s sudden attack wasn’t just about taking advantage of the Sixth Prince’s chance to fake death on Tianshan, but because someone had threatened her. She only learned the whole truth several days later when she met Sui Axi again.

Sui Axi personally delivered the incense ball to Shen Xihe. She only glanced briefly at the note—the paper was ordinary, the writing unremarkable, and the incense ball of common craftsmanship and material. Such incense balls could be found all over the capital, if not a hundred then at least eighty or so.

She held the incense ball and smelled it carefully, detecting a very faint remaining fragrance: “Three-equal incense.”

Three-Equal Incense was a uniquely rich and refined fragrance made from borneol, musk, and premium agarwood.

Given the exacting formula and expensive ingredients, ordinary people wouldn’t burn it. Since Bian Xianyi had received it in the palace, and palace maids and eunuchs couldn’t afford such luxury: “Mo Yuan, have people investigate what incense each palace uses.”

So, the true culprit behind her attempted murder was still hiding.

After Mo Yuan withdrew, Shen Xihe’s gaze fell on Sui Axi: “Why did you return?”

The item could have been sent back through any escort agency, but Sui Axi chose to deliver it personally, intending to stay.

“Axi wishes to follow and serve the Princess, hoping the Princess won’t mind Axi’s crudeness,” Sui Axi offered.

Shen Xihe had guessed his thoughts, but those around her needed not just ability but loyalty: “What do you seek?”

“It was my grandfather’s dying wish to promote the Sui family’s acupuncture techniques. Axi took the acupuncture examination at the Imperial Medical Office but faced suspicion and nearly met disaster. Thanks to the Sixth Prince’s rescue, I survived until today. With no support in the Medical Office and others coveting our techniques, I wish to pledge loyalty to the Princess and find another path.”

Sui Axi raised his head, his gaze honest.

He told Shen Xihe he sought fame and fortune.

“While serving the Sixth Prince, why did you hide your medicinal garden?” Shen Xihe asked.

“Princess, this humble one never served the Sixth Prince, only repaid his kindness. The Sixth Prince had no interest in fame or fortune, so naturally I had to hide, studying acupuncture techniques while waiting for a chance to show my abilities,” Sui Axi replied.

“You administered Lady Bian’s poison cleverly and cured the Sixth Prince’s poisoning brilliantly,” Shen Xihe slowly rotated the incense ball with her thumb. “You helped two of my enemies, yet hope I would employ you?”