Shen Xihe didn’t even offer a polite acknowledgment of Xiao Huayong’s praise: “I’ll leave these people to Your Highness.”

“To me?” Xiao Huayong was slightly surprised.

“Your Highness is the Crown Prince. This matter involves both local and capital affairs, with countless court officials implicated. It should naturally be Your Highness’s decision.” Shen Xihe showed a light, courteous smile.

With such a dignified reason, Xiao Huayong truly had no grounds for refusal. But he knew Shen Xihe mistakenly believed he had come for these people, that if he successfully captured them, he could eliminate another brother who coveted the throne.

Her generous handover of these people was simply expressing one thing: the objective was achieved, and he could leave now.

Xiao Huayong both loved and hated her detachment – loved her calm self-restraint, yet hated her lack of romantic sensibility: “When will You’you depart?”

Shen Xihe: “I’m waiting for the flowers to bloom.”

Xiao Huayong: “I came for you.”

Not giving her a chance to evade, Xiao Huayong gazed at her earnestly with eyes as gentle as spring breeze rippling over clear waters: “I didn’t come for these people. I’m not divine – how could I know what was happening here from thousands of miles away? I came… because I knew why you wanted the jade flowers.”

Although Shen Xihe hadn’t told Xiao Huayong the jade flowers were for him, she hadn’t concealed it either. Her expression remained unchanged: “Your Highness need not be moved. Your Highness saved me, so I’m merely repaying the debt.”

“You’you’s initial intention doesn’t need to be stated – I understand,” Xiao Huayong had already anticipated her response and could naturally accept it calmly. “But I’m still moved, because regardless of Your’you’s reasons for responding, at least you did respond, didn’t you?”

“Your Highness, you are heaven’s favored son, you shouldn’t be like this…” Shen Xihe slightly furrowed her delicate brows.

“You’you, in matters of love, all beings are equal. In this mortal world of ten thousand crimson paths, after meeting you, I’m nothing more than an ordinary man foolish with love.” Xiao Huayong’s clear voice was low and gentle, like a swan’s feather softly falling on the lake of one’s heart – so light, so gentle that it barely created a ripple.

Its arrival disturbed nothing, yet couldn’t be ignored.

She still didn’t understand – didn’t understand how one person could throw themselves unhesitatingly into the flames like a moth for another person with no blood ties.

“Your Highness’s staying or leaving is entirely up to Your Highness.” Shen Xihe stopped persuading, her expression composed.

Having handed everything over to Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe had nothing left to worry about. She was truly tired and returned to her room to rest, as she still needed to watch over the jade flowers that night.

Xiao Huayong and Difang interrogated these people and learned they had been in this business for over three years. In the first year, they had maintained some restraint, targeting ancient tombs from previous dynasties or earlier, exchanging stolen artifacts for large sums of money. After seeing that none of the local authorities paid much attention, their appetites grew increasingly larger.

This year alone surpassed the previous two years combined. They weren’t just targeting tombs from previous dynasties – they had set their sights on wealthy families of the current dynasty. Among them was an expert grave robber who could enter tombs without explosives and refill them after stealing the treasures, thus completely concealing their actions.

They had three gangs in total. The other two were trained by the master in the first two years. Though they only learned about fifty to sixty percent of the skills, it was enough for them to easily obtain large amounts of treasure.

When questioned about their mastermind, none could provide important clues. They only said they worked for someone called Fifth Master, whom no one had ever seen. They delivered their stolen goods to the Fenghe Pawnshop, where the manager was their contact.

Some had been tempted by greed to leave this Fifth Master, but none survived. Later, Fifth Master sent a batch of tattooed criminals, which completely crushed any thoughts of resistance.

Difang had also investigated these tattooed men and discovered they weren’t criminals at all, but rather deserters who had been sentenced to hard labor.

When Shen Xihe awoke, Xiao Huayong shared all this information with her without reservation. Shen Xihe’s expression improved upon hearing it: “Initially, I hadn’t thought of deserters, only that death row inmates would be so unafraid of disturbing graves.”

If they were all deserters from the same place, it meant fewer local officials had tampered with death row inmates – this was much better than the dire situation Shen Xihe had anticipated.

This meant there might be only one person behind these unconscionable acts, and once exposed, the Emperor could punish them without hesitation.

If death row inmates were involved, too many local officials would be implicated. Even if the Emperor wanted to root them all out, he would have to consider the bigger picture.

“You’you guessing they were death row inmates was already quite remarkable,” Xiao Huayong praised sincerely.

Ordinary people wouldn’t have thought of this point, and if not for Shen Xihe’s visit this time, the Tao family would likely have been attacked by political enemies.

Shen Xihe smiled slightly without responding. Only then did she notice the dark circles under Xiao Huayong’s eyes: “Your Highness should rest well.”

Xiao Huayong’s heart quickened, warm smiles appearing in his eyes: “Following You’you’s advice, I will certainly rest well – after sharing a meal with You’you.”

It was noon, and Shen Xihe was truly hungry, so she graciously nodded.

Although Shen Xihe loved good food, she wasn’t picky. In these mountains, she had only exchanged limited ingredients with villagers to make meals, at most having Mo Yuan and others hunt some wild game. However, seeing the carefully prepared dishes Xiao Huayong had brought, Shen Xihe felt she had indeed been living quite roughly these past few days.

If nothing else, Xiao Huayong’s arrival had greatly improved her mood by allowing her to eat well.

“About Li Jing in Linchuan… how do You’you plan to handle it?” After the meal, Xiao Huayong chatted with Shen Xihe while they digested.

According to his original plan, Li Jing would become a hero, having been sent early by Tao Cheng to infiltrate these people as a spy. It would be simple to implement without leaving evidence, making Tao Cheng’s outstanding achievements more reasonable for a transfer to the capital.

Since it concerned Shen Xihe, Xiao Huayong hadn’t acted on his own. The lady he admired was extremely strong-willed and disliked others making decisions for her.

“Handle it as it should be handled.” Shen Xihe hadn’t thought of showing favoritism. “People must pay for their mistakes to learn from them and develop reverence for the law.”

“You’you isn’t afraid this will implicate Inspector Tao?” Xiao Huayong asked.

“Uncle has done nothing wrong – no one can wrongly accuse him of anything.” Shen Xihe said calmly. “I trust in Uncle’s uprightness; he won’t distort right and wrong or abuse his position. Young Master Li has both merits and faults – whatever crimes can be pardoned will be pardoned.”

As for whether the Li family would develop resentment toward her third cousin because of this, it wasn’t a concern for either Shen Xihe or Tao Cheng – their consciences were clear.

“You’you, water too clear has no fish. It’s no great matter – why be so adamant?” Xiao Huayong gently advised.

Shen Xihe turned her head, her eyes deep and lustrous like black obsidian as she gazed deeply at Xiao Huayong: “Your Highness, it’s not that I’m inflexibly upright, but rather that if greed isn’t contained from the start, it will gradually grow without limit.”