Princess Yangling felt intimidated by Cui Jin Bai’s expressionless face. Knowing she was in the wrong and fearing the matter would reach Emperor Youning, she could only leave reluctantly.

Bu Shulin, who had been peeking through the doorway, stuck her head out and watched Princess Yangling leave before emerging to lean against the door with folded arms. “Tsk tsk tsk, even the upright and honest Young Master Cui has moments of telling continuous lies.”

Cui Jin Bai’s page boy couldn’t stand Bu Shulin’s shamelessness. She had just accused their Fourth Master of abandoning her after using her, but look at Young Master Bu’s behavior now – not even acknowledging that their Fourth Master had lied for her sake.

Cui Jin Bai turned back inside, fixing Bu Shulin with a heavy stare.

Bu Shulin felt somewhat guilty under his gaze and edged away from the door, preparing to slip away, but Cui Jin Bai grabbed her shoulder firmly.

“Stone Cui, what are you doing? In broad daylight, dragging me into your room? Are you that eager? At least let me bathe first…”

“Silence!” Having reached his limit, Cui Jin Bai snapped coldly. “One more word and I’ll hand you over to the Fifth Princess.”

Opening her mouth with a flirtatious retort ready on her lips, Bu Shulin quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Cui Jin Bai dragged her into the room and handed her the case files he had been reviewing earlier. “I didn’t lie. You truly need to assist me with this case.”

Bu Shulin sneaked a few glances and immediately became interested when she saw the words “tomb robbery.” She dropped her playful demeanor – these must be reports Cui Jin Bai had specifically gathered, a compilation of tomb robbery case files from various regions.

The compilation revealed something surprising: from three years ago until now, there had been more grave robbing cases than in the previous thirty years combined. However, with only one or two cases per location, they hadn’t caused much stir.

Some cases had been reported and then withdrawn, clearly indicating backing from powerful figures and pressure on local officials. This was no small matter.

After reading, Bu Shulin closed the files and glanced at Cui Jin Bai without speaking.

“The Princess is pursuing you now, and you discovered this case first. I see His Majesty has no intention of granting her marriage to you. It would be inappropriate for me to investigate thoroughly – if I leave the capital, I’ll certainly be watched. You leaving the capital would be ideal.” No one would question Bu Shulin’s whereabouts.

Bu Shulin remained silent.

Cui Jin Bai’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly: “I’ll get His Majesty’s approval. Going out of the capital would also help you avoid the Princess’s pursuit.”

Bu Shulin still said nothing.

Cui Jin Bai’s expression darkened slightly: “Getting away to clear your head and see the outside world – haven’t you been wanting to leave the capital after being confined here for so long?”

Bu Shulin just stared at him without speaking.

Cui Jin Bai finally lost his patience: “What exactly do you mean?”

Bu Shulin took up a brush and paper, writing a single character: “Yes.”

“Have you gone mute?” Cui Jin Bai stared at her intently.

Bu Shulin, fearless as ever, continued writing: You told me not to say another word.

A vein began throbbing on Cui Jin Bai’s forehead: “Get out!”

“Tsk, such a fine young man with no manners at all. The grace and humility expected of a noble family’s son – not a trace of it in you.” Bu Shulin immediately started needling Cui Jin Bai. Faced with his expression as dark as storm clouds before a tempest, Bu Shulin pretended not to notice. “Tell me, why did you suddenly become so interested in this matter?”

Bu Shulin’s tone turned to tease: “When I first came to find you, you didn’t care at all. But as soon as you saw the Princess visit the jewelry store herself, you became anxious and invested, tsk…”

“Get out—”

Before Bu Shulin could finish, Cui Jin Bai grabbed the paperweight from his desk and threw it at her, making her jump away in fright.

Feeling somewhat guilty for being unkind, knowing Cui Jin Bai’s unrequited love was destined to remain unfulfilled, yet still using it to needle him, Bu Shulin said good-naturedly: “Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, I’m leaving now, leaving right now.”

Reaching the main gate, Bu Shulin saw Princess Yangling’s carriage still waiting outside. She immediately turned around and escaped by climbing over the side wall. The Ministry staff were no longer surprised to see her regularly climbing out of the Ministry this way.

Not daring to linger at the Ministry, Bu Shulin went to the Princess’s mansion. She had been seeking out Shen Xihe because she discovered that while Princess Yangling would pursue her anywhere, even to brothels, she wouldn’t dare enter the Princess’s mansion.

Thinking of Shen Xihe’s previous achievements, Bu Shulin assumed Princess Yangling simply didn’t dare act up in front of her.

“Youyou, your method worked! I went to the Ministry of Justice, and Stone Cui drove Princess Yangling away.” Bu Shulin was grinning from ear to ear.

“What happened to make you so happy?” This couldn’t just be about Cui Jin Bai driving away Princess Yangling once.

“I saw the case files he had compiled at Stone Cui’s place. The recent rampant tomb robberies are no small matter. He’s gathered the files, which might have already alerted certain people. Since he shouldn’t leave the capital to investigate, he plans to recommend me to His Majesty for the investigation, as I was the first to notice something strange.” Although she occasionally feigned illness to leave the capital, when had she ever been able to leave openly and freely?

Just thinking about flying out of this birdcage and soaring freely made her want to drink three thousand cups in celebration.

This matter likely involved a prince, or if not a prince, then important court officials who might have intricate connections with a prince. His Majesty wouldn’t likely send a prince to investigate.

“I’m still worried His Majesty won’t let me go.” If not for Cui Jin Bai’s recommendation, Bu Shulin wouldn’t have dared hope.

“Why wouldn’t he allow it?” Shen Xihe asked.

“Isn’t he afraid I’ll run away?” Bu Shulin’s eyes darted around. “First fake my death, then return to the prince’s mansion resurrected?”

Shen Xihe looked at her as if she were an idiot.

Bu Shulin felt deeply offended and argued defensively: “I know that once I’m dead, His Majesty would have reason to strip the King of Shunan’s title. I could let his men seriously harm me, catch them in the act – let’s see if His Majesty can save face then.”

Shen Xihe looked up at the sky: “The sun hasn’t set, yet you’re already dreaming.”

“Youyou, you’re always like this, I’ll get angry!” Always looking down on her plans with contempt.

“Let me tell you this: His Majesty will allow you to go. Don’t bother with schemes or trying to frame His Majesty for harming you in hopes of catching evidence. Just focus on avoiding His Majesty’s killing intent and returning to the capital alive.” Shen Xihe laughed coldly.

“He still hasn’t given up?” Bu Shulin frowned.

“Given up?” Shen Xihe gave a soft laugh. “Tibet will leave empty-handed this time. His Majesty is willing to sacrifice even Prince Xun, which means his Divine Warrior Army has grown strong enough. He has thoughts of attacking Tibet, which lies between the Northwest and Shunan.

First use the Divine Warrior Army to take over either the Northwest or Shunan, letting Tibet lower its guard.”

“His Majesty wants to attack Tibet…” Bu Shulin’s expression grew serious. “Youyou, how do you know this?”

“The Crown Prince’s speculation.” Shen Xihe looked at her calmly. “Between the Northwest and Shunan, which do you think His Majesty will choose?”