After Tao Cheng finished questioning Li Jing, he had him stay briefly at the Tao residence until his complexion returned to normal and his eyes were no longer red before letting him return home.

“Uncle, could you investigate whether any death row prisoners in Linchuan’s jails have been secretly replaced?” Shen Xihe asked Tao Cheng after Li Jing left.

“Youyou, you suspect…” Tao Cheng was startled.

Shen Xihe nodded: “Anyone with humanity has reverence for the dead and wouldn’t easily violate graves. Only the most vicious criminals, who neither believe in nor fear spirits and have no compassion for the living or dead, could commit such inhuman acts!”

When Bian Xianyi had previously used a death row prisoner against her, Shen Xihe realized someone was switching these condemned criminals out to continue their evil deeds. But after Cui Jinbai’s investigation revealed this was a common practice among the nobility, the implications were so widespread that His Majesty could only rage about it in court before ordering Cui Jinbai to investigate thoroughly, without issuing severe punishments.

Otherwise, punishing one would implicate everyone, and who knows what the common people would think if they learned of such things.

If this happened in the capital, what of the provinces?

“Youyou, if this is true, it will shake both court and country,” Tao Cheng’s face went pale with fear.

If there were problems in the provinces, and not just in one place, this would implicate all local officials throughout the court. Only government officials could arrange to switch out death row prisoners!

Once proven, from top to bottom, no one could escape responsibility.

Even as prefect, though Linchuan Prefecture might be clean if any county under his jurisdiction was involved, he couldn’t escape blame.

“Isn’t that exactly why they rely on ‘the law doesn’t punish the masses’?” Shen Xihe let out a short, cold snort. “Uncle should first secretly investigate whether such filthy dealings exist in any counties under Linchuan’s jurisdiction.”

“I’ll send people to investigate right away,” Tao Cheng took this very seriously.

Shen Xihe immediately wrote to Xiao Huayong, hinting at the gravity of the situation. This was no less far-reaching than the rouge case, perhaps even more heinous.

Moreover, why would someone amass such wealth? The purpose behind this accumulation of wealth deserved deep consideration.

When Xiao Huayong received Shen Xihe’s letter, his smile faded slightly. He hadn’t expected these weren’t ordinary grave robbers.

“Inform Cui Jinbai of this matter,” Xiao Huayong fingered a black chess piece. “Have the Ministry secretly assist in the investigation.”

After Tianyuan acknowledged this, he added: “Your Highness, the Princess plans to detour through Liyang Prefecture and Henan Prefecture on her way back to the capital.”

“Mm.” This was within his expectations. Shen Xihe had always worried about Bu Shulin, and now even more so. She had guards from the Northwest and those assigned by His Majesty – even the most vicious criminals would have to avoid her. With her imperial gold token, even local officials wouldn’t dare offend her.

Even so, Xiao Huayong still hoped for her smooth journey and sent people ahead to clear any obstacles.

“Your Highness, there’s one more thing…” Tianyuan lowered his head. “Wang Zheng fainted at Xiangguo Temple and was carried back to his mansion. The people all know he regrets offending Your Highness. Since he’s been allowed to leave his residence, he prays for Your Highness at Xiangguo Temple daily, fasting to show his sincerity…”

Wang Zheng was a formidable person. Before the Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony, he had obediently stayed home copying scriptures as punishment, filling several large boxes. After the ceremony, he petitioned His Majesty, but the emperor hadn’t relented, still keeping him suspended from duties.

However, no longer confined at home, Wang Zheng went daily to Xiangguo Temple to pray for the Prince, kneeling from morning till night. Passing commoners all praised Wang Minister’s sincere loyalty to his ruler – this display of suffering was quite effective.

“If he wants to return, let him,” Xiao Huayong’s lips curved upward. “Tianyuan, do you know how cats catch mice?”

Cats like to catch mice but don’t immediately devour them – they play with them until they die.

With waves of court matters arising one after another, and His Majesty planning for war next year, how could they do without Wang Zheng?

Shen Xihe didn’t delay her departure due to these unexpected events. Tao Cheng could handle things without her, and she had received word from Mo Yu that they had found the narrow-leaf jade flower, though it wasn’t certain if it would bloom.

She departed as scheduled, leaving some of her capable people to assist Tao Cheng.

The journey to Mo Yu’s location was smooth. Sure enough, they found several narrow-leaf jade flowers in the wilderness, all with buds ready to bloom. Seeing Mo Yu’s bloodshot eyes, she felt sympathy: “Go find an inn in the county and rest well for a day.”

Throughout their journey, Shen Xihe had seen other narrow-leaf jade flowers, but all had finished blooming. Mo Yu must have kept constant watch over these few plants, fearing the flowers would bloom and fade.

Shen Xihe ordered people to set up camp around the area. She needed to pick the flowers.

His Majesty’s appointed guards didn’t dare question or disobey, only following orders.

Shen Xihe rested during the day and personally kept watch at night. The night wind was bone-chillingly cold, and Zhenzhu worried endlessly: “Princess, let me keep watch. Please go to the tent to avoid the wind.”

“Flowers bloom and wither in an instant. By the time you see it blooming and call me, it might be too late,” Shen Xihe shook her head slightly.

Zhenzhu had no choice but to have Mo Yuan’s men form a circle to block the cold wind for Shen Xihe. Seeing this, Shen Xihe smiled helplessly: “I’m not as before. I’m dressed warmly and holding a hand warmer, I don’t feel the cold. You all go rest. If the flowers don’t bloom tonight, I’ll need to rest during the day, and you’ll need to watch for me.”

“Princess, we can endure,” Mo Yuan said.

They were all battlefield veterans – going several days without sleep while remaining combat-ready was nothing unusual for them.

“This is an order,” Shen Xihe said coldly.

Mo Yuan could only lead his men to join His Majesty’s guards, leaving just a few sentries on duty.

The night passed without the flowers blooming.

Xiao Huayong received the news the next day from those he’d sent to clear Shen Xihe’s path. He was surprised: “Youyou wants to pick flowers?”

After thinking, he called for Sui Axi: “What are the uses of narrow-leaf jade flower?”

Sui Axi replied respectfully: “It detoxifies, moistens the lungs, and strengthens the body.”

Xiao Huayong had originally just wanted to understand why Shen Xihe needed this plant, but upon hearing Sui Axi’s words, his eyebrows twitched and his heart began to race uncontrollably: “Why is the Princess seeking narrow-leaf jade flower?”

Though Shen Xihe didn’t know medicine, if she suddenly sought a medicinal plant, she must have a use for it. He understood his own body, but he feared he was misinterpreting and would rejoice in vain.

“It was this humble one who mentioned that narrow-leaf jade flower would benefit Your Highness,” Sui Axi answered truthfully.

With a thunderous boom, it was as if countless fireworks exploded in Xiao Huayong’s mind, so dazzling it made him dizzy. He unconsciously clutched his chest, where his heart seemed ready to leap out with joy.