What men care about is forever beyond women’s understanding – for Prince Xun, this might have been the hurdle he needed to overcome.

When His Majesty sought him out, asking him to form a special military unit supposedly to deal with Shen Yueshan, Prince Xun must have been more than willing. Moreover, since His Majesty had already approached him, he had no choice but to accept unless he wished to die making a statement. Since both paths led to death, why not resolve this knot in his heart before dying? If this special unit he created could defeat the Northwestern Army and overcome Shen Yueshan, he could die without regrets.

“Hiss, His Majesty is truly calculating,” Bu Shulin drew in a sharp breath.

He must have long seen through Prince Xun’s discontent before approaching him, offering various benefits to protect his descendants, while also giving Prince Xun a chance to resolve his inner conflict. As the person who best understood Shen Yueshan, the elite force he would meticulously train would surely be Northwest’s nemesis.

“You should warn the Northwestern King,” Bu Shulin couldn’t help but advise.

Shen Xihe felt warmth in her heart: “When I learned His Majesty was forming a private army, I already knew they were targeting the Northwest.”

Bu Shulin nodded, then suddenly asked: “If that’s the case, the ancestral temple fire wasn’t an accident, but deliberate?”

“Impressive, you actually thought of that point,” Shen Xihe offered lukewarm praise.

Bu Shulin: …

Pursing her lips, Bu Shulin looked at Shen Xihe with guarded eyes: “Don’t tell me this was the Crown Prince’s doing…”

Shen Xihe slowly nodded: “Besides him, no one else could have exposed Prince Xun so precisely.”

After learning about His Majesty’s private army formation, Shen Xihe and Shen Yun’an repeatedly searched for suspects among the court officials, examining both the living and the dead. They had suspected Prince Xun but investigation showed he was truly dead.

What they couldn’t uncover, Xiao Huayong did. Not only did he discover it, but he must have monitored it for quite some time to get this rare opportunity to force Prince Xun out.

At this thought, Shen Xihe couldn’t help but say: “I suspect Prince Xun might have already fallen into the Crown Prince’s hands.”

Bu Shulin’s eyes widened, her head stiffening. After a while, she swallowed nervously: “Youyou, quick, help me think if I’ve ever offended the Crown Prince!”

Among His Majesty’s princes, none were simple. She had always thought Prince Xin with his mysterious thoughts was the most outstanding, only to realize today that the Crown Prince, whom she had never taken seriously, was actually the hidden dragon in the depths – she truly failed to recognize Mount Tai!

“Oh, nothing much, just called him a weakling a few times,” Shen Xihe said casually.

Bu Shulin’s expression changed: “No, no, no, may the Crown Prince live as long as heaven, be as eternal as the southern mountains, immortal…”

“You only said those things in front of me, why panic?” Shen Xihe interrupted, unable to listen further.

“Oh right, why am I panicking?” Bu Shulin immediately straightened her back.

Shen Xihe gave her a false smile: “So, how much hush money are you planning to give me?”

Bu Shulin: …

“Aren’t we best friends?” Bu Shulin tried to appeal to their relationship.

“But I am to be wed to the Crown Prince,” Shen Xihe pondered, “Between spouse and friend, there are different levels of intimacy.”

Bu Shulin: …

“But… you’re not married yet, so surely I’m closer to you,” Bu Shulin argued firmly.

Shen Xihe nodded: “You make a good point.”

Bu Shulin smiled, but before her smile could fully form, Shen Xihe added: “Then I’ll wait until I enter the Eastern Palace as Crown Princess to settle accounts with you.”

Bu Shulin: …

Closing her eyes in resignation, Bu Shulin spoke with the air of one going to their execution: “Tell me, what do you want?”

“What do you have that could move me?” Shen Xihe countered.

“I…” Bu Shulin stammered for a while, unable to come up with anything.

“How much do you owe me again?” Shen Xihe put on a generous face, “Well, just keep owing it.”

“One life and two favors…” Bu Shulin counted on her fingers, nearly popping her eyes out, “Now I owe you two lives and three favors?”

Shen Xihe had saved her life again, and if the hush money became another favor, that would make it two lives and three favors.

“Just keep owing it, you can repay the debt by following my orders in the future,” Shen Xihe said softly, picking up her book to continue reading.

Bu Shulin no longer dared to disturb Shen Xihe, calculating in her heart how she could never repay such a debt even by selling herself. Her appetite for fine food vanished, leaving her deeply depressed with a bitter expression.

Shen Xihe finally had peace, returning smoothly to the capital.

As they dismounted from the carriage, Bu Shulin said: “I brought down the beehive, there are many bees and honey, I’ve given them to the beekeeper, and he’ll deliver them to you tomorrow.”

Sadly, this couldn’t count against the favors owed, as it was something already promised to Shen Xihe earlier.

“Mm.” Seeing Bu Shulin’s depressed state improved Shen Xihe’s mood, “Take good care of yourself when you return, if you need any medicine, come to me. Don’t go to the palace or buy from pharmacies, lest you expose your identity.”

Bu Shulin brightened again: “I knew Youyou cared about me…”

“Two lives and four favors,” Shen Xihe interrupted with a smile.

Bu Shulin’s smile froze on her lips, and she woodenly turned and strode away.

Bi Yu and the others couldn’t help but laugh, somehow they always enjoyed seeing the Princess Consort thoroughly controlled by their Princess.

“Princess!” An excited call came from behind.

Shen Xihe turned to see Zhenzhu in a pearl-white gauze dress, pearl flowers in her hair, tears in her eyes, standing at the Princess Manor’s entrance.

She hurried over to bow to Shen Xihe: “Zhenzhu pays respects to the Princess.”

Shen Xihe steadied her: “You’ve grown thinner.”

“Has the Princess recovered?” Zhenzhu asked tearfully, carefully examining Shen Xihe. She had returned two days ago and heard much about Shen Xihe’s arrival in the capital from Zi Yu who had stayed behind, feeling both joy and worry.

“Now that Sister Zhenzhu is back, the Princess won’t favor me the most anymore,” Bi Yu pretended to be jealous.

Lightening the atmosphere, Shen Xihe said: “When have I ever favored you the most?”

Bi Yu immediately covered her eyes and started crying dramatically, making Zhenzhu laugh through her tears.

With Zhenzhu’s return, Shen Xihe noticed she had changed significantly, radiating confidence and brilliance from within, like a pearl revealing its previously concealed luster. It seemed she had experienced much during her months away.

“Zhenzhu, make a copy of the elder’s letter, tomorrow when Doctor Qi comes, give it to him.” This was the reward Shen Xihe had always intended to give to Xie Yunhuai.

“I’ve already copied it.” These past two days at the manor she had been doing just this – no matter how long she was away, she would always be the Princess’s most thoughtful servant.

Shen Xihe took the copied letter she handed over, smiling with satisfaction: “The day after tomorrow I must enter the palace to see the Crown Prince, you and Ah Xi will come with me.”