Governor Yu was so angry his chest seized up, his bloodshot eyes nearly bulging out: “Slander!”

“Governor Yu, the medicine hasn’t been examined yet. Why such an extreme reaction?” Shen Xihe looked at him in confusion. “It seems Governor Yu knows what this substance is.”

What is it? You know best in your heart!

Governor Yu’s fierce gaze looked as if it could devour Shen Xihe alive.

At this moment he understood – Bu Shulin had taken the poison himself, the poison was provided by Shen Xihe, and her guard with his impressive martial arts had somehow during the confrontation planted the medicine bottle on his man, then deliberately knocked it out in front of the Magistrate and Garrison Commander.

This meant that in full view of everyone, they all saw that his man had concealed the poison – a scheme working in the same way as their frame-up of Bu Shulin!

“Princess, do you know the punishment for framing an imperial official?” Governor Yu’s venomous gaze pierced Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe turned and asked deliberately, word by word: “Governor Yu, do you know the punishment for slandering nobles and ministers?”

Though the young woman was graceful and delicate, she stood as straight as a pillar capable of supporting vast roof beams. Governor Yu’s aggressive air immediately diminished.

Before he could speak, Shen Xihe gave a light laugh: “Are these words of Governor Yu saying that I framed you? Do you have evidence? Surely Governor Yu isn’t suggesting that I forcibly planted this medicine on your trusted subordinate?”

But isn’t that exactly what happened?!

“Doesn’t Governor Yu find this absurd?” A trace of mockery flashed in Shen Xihe’s eyes. “I’ve been here barely half an hour, never met with you alone, and Magistrate Tang has been present throughout. This item fell from your trusted subordinate’s person, witnessed clearly by both the Magistrate and Garrison Commander.

Governor Yu, if you wish to cry injustice or find someone to take the blame, at least find someone plausible.”

Governor Yu was so angry his fists were making cracking sounds. Shen Xihe ignored him and looked toward Tang Juan: “Magistrate Tang, this incident occurred in your prefecture office. Though Governor Yu is your superior, before the law, officials and commoners are equal. Perhaps the Magistrate should detain Governor Yu first, then memorialize to His Majesty. Since Governor Yu keeps implicating me, I naturally won’t leave either. I’ll remain here for His Majesty’s appointed investigators to clarify everything.”

Well, even this princess’s reason for staying was impeccably righteous.

Tang Juan thought about how bold she was to have her subordinates frame the Prefect in front of everyone, and even arrange two eyewitnesses. He concluded this princess was both brave and cunning, her actions thorough and watertight. Best not to offend her in the future.

“The princess speaks well. The Garrison Commander and I witnessed this item fall from the person brought by Governor Yu. As for whether this substance is the poison that affected Young Master Bu, that still requires verification.” Tang Juan was also careful to leave no gaps, his words entirely objective without the slightest bias.

The Garrison Commander very much wanted to say he hadn’t seen it, but with such a blatant situation, unless he was blind, he could only say stiffly: “This matter still has uncertainties. Governor Yu had no reason to poison Young Master Bu.”

“How does the Commander know Governor Yu had no reason? Do you have evidence?” Shen Xihe asked methodically. “If so, please present it to avoid misunderstanding and prevent Governor Yu from suffering unjust accusations.”

“This official…” The Garrison Commander was speechless, and could only ask, “Why does the Princess believe Governor Yu is suspected of poisoning Young Master Bu?”

“Commander, your words are truly puzzling,” Shen Xihe looked him up and down. “You are a military official – your duty is to suppress rebellion and capture bandits. Such matters of investigation and catching criminals are not appropriate for you to interfere with.”

After this barb at the Garrison Commander, Shen Xihe continued: “Young Master Bu was poisoned and before losing consciousness accused Governor Yu of poisoning him. Then a suspected poison was found falling from the person brought by Governor Yu. Shouldn’t this warrant detention and investigation? How has this become me believing Governor Yu is the poisoner? I have consistently only spoken of suspicion.”

The Garrison Commander’s face alternated between pale and flushed.

The capital was far and the emperor distant. He truly wanted to use military force to suppress this, but Tang Juan, while appearing neutral, clearly sided with Shen Xihe. Moreover, Shen Xihe had brought many skilled fighters and had imperial guards assigned by His Majesty. Force was impossible.

The Garrison Commander sent for a physician while Tang Juan still used the prefecture’s doctor. The two gathered to carefully examine the evidence, testing it on a mouse. The prefecture office’s physician answered definitively: “This appears to be the poison that affected Young Master Bu.”

The Garrison Commander’s physician dared not contradict this – if Shen Xihe later brought more doctors to examine it, wouldn’t he be destroying his reputation? But he understood the Garrison Commander’s meaning and could only give an ambiguous answer: “It seems to be this poison.”

At this point, Tang Juan could only bow to Governor Yu: “Governor Yu, please wait for His Majesty’s judgment.”

Governor Yu’s cold gaze swept over Shen Xihe, who remained composed as she arranged one wide sleeve with her other hand.

This wasn’t his territory – coming here had been walking into a trap.

Bu Shulin’s scheme had only been decided days ago, implemented last night, and he was just imprisoned this morning. This seemingly fragile young woman must have learned of this only upon entering the city, yet in mere moments, she had set him in an inescapable trap.

Now the man who had been knocked unconscious by Mo Yuan and dropped the medicine bottle had awakened. He pointed at Mo Yuan, claiming Mo Yuan had planted it during their fight, but this was insufficient evidence. As Shen Xihe had said, she had never claimed Governor Yu was the culprit, and she had also said she would stay to await His Majesty’s investigators.

“With no more fighting in the prefecture office, is there anything else requiring the Garrison Commander’s attention?” After Tang Juan had escorted Governor Yu to his cell, Shen Xihe turned with a faint smile to address the Garrison Commander.

Shen Xihe was undoubtedly a striking beauty, and the Garrison Commander undoubtedly had every man’s fascination with beauty. Shen Xihe’s smile was truly resplendent, yet it inexplicably sent chills down the Garrison Commander’s spine. He silently saluted Shen Xihe and left reluctantly with his men.

Impressed by how easily Shen Xihe had reversed the situation, Tang Juan said: “Princess, Governor Yu is related by marriage to Prince Zhao.”

Shen Xihe naturally knew this. Tang Juan’s reminder wasn’t out of concern that she didn’t know, but to remind her that for this matter to proceed without error, who the court sent to investigate would be crucial.

“Magistrate Tang need not worry. In the capital, some can make Prince Zhao understand what’s sensible,” Shen Xihe lowered her eyes. “I wish to speak with Governor Yu in his cell.”

“Please, Princess.” Tang Juan made way.

Shen Xihe entered the prison. Governor Yu’s iron-gray face regarded her as if facing a mortal enemy.

Zhen Zhu brought over an armchair with handrests, and Shen Xihe sat down gracefully outside the cell door: “Why such an ugly expression, Governor Yu? I merely treated you as you treated others. When you were setting up Young Master Bu, did you never imagine that one day you might become the one being set up?”

Shen Xihe truly didn’t understand why those who schemed against others did not have the slightest grace in victory or defeat. They would only scheme against others themselves, but when they became the target of schemes, they blamed heaven and earth and their enemies.