He needed to catch them all at once to feel at ease. Once they were all married, they would cease thinking about his people.

Shen Xihe was unaware of Xiao Huayong’s actions in the capital. Meanwhile, in Henan Prefecture, Governor Yu was making his last struggles. Early the next day, citizens packed the county office so tightly that not even water could flow through. They all clamored for severe punishment of the true culprits.

“Governor Tang, we know now—it was the Northwestern Prince who sent people to rob our tombs, amassing wealth to plot rebellion!”

“Governor Tang, you can’t shield such treasonous scoundrels who harm the country and its people.”

“Governor Tang, my family graves… how can I face my ancestors? *sob sob* If you protect these murderous thieves, I’ll hang myself and my whole family at your office gate *sob sob*…”

This was the scene Shen Xihe encountered upon arrival—someone had been spreading rumors.

“Where’s the County Commander?” Shen Xihe asked.

“They say a merchant convoy was robbed early this morning. The Commander went to pursue the criminals,” Zhenzhu replied.

“How convenient,” Shen Xihe gave a meaningful short laugh.

“Princess, should we help?” Mo Yuan requested instructions.

Shen Xihe looked at the crowds three layers deep inside and out of the county office, with more people still gathering. If these people rushed in, they could trample the guards into the mud.

“Governor Tang is no incompetent person,” Shen Xihe turned to look for a restaurant, leading Zhenzhu and others inside to order some Henan delicacies.

Soon, deafening gong strikes rang out at the county office entrance. The registrar struck the gong, and only when the citizens quieted did Tang Juan emerge: “Fellow citizens, I, Tang, was transferred here in the thirteenth year of Youning, from county magistrate earning your trust, to promotion by the court as governor. These six years, you know in your hearts how I’ve conducted myself as a person and official.

The many grave robberies in our county are my failure, causing you shame before your ancestors. Though my family’s graves weren’t robbed, I too despise these heartless criminals. Please trust that I will show no mercy when the culprits are found.

But we cannot let grief and anger be manipulated into wrongly killing innocents. This case involves the Crown Prince of Shunan and our Yuzhou Governor. Regardless of who’s involved, it’s not my decision to make. I’ve reported to His Majesty, and special investigators will arrive soon.

I guarantee that before His Majesty’s investigators arrive, anyone suspicious won’t escape the county jail.”

Tang Juan spoke sincerely. His reputation must have been good, as the citizens were quickly convinced. Some stepped forward expressing trust in him and left first, while others hesitated briefly before leaving.

Those still dissatisfied could only grudgingly depart.

“Mo Yuan, have someone follow those two,” Shen Xihe made a gesture, then lowered her head to enjoy the served food after giving the order.

By the time she finished her meal, Mo Yuan’s men returned to report: “They met with the County Commander.”

“No wonder Henan Prefecture is most rampant—from top to bottom, civil to military, they’re all involved,” Shen Xihe rinsed her mouth with tea, wiped her lips with a handkerchief, and ordered Mo Yuan, “Capture him.”

She had originally thought this County Commander might have only accepted some bribes to conspire with Governor Yu, but now it seemed more complex. Otherwise, with things this serious, he should have intelligently chosen to stay uninvolved.

“Do it secretly. After capture, don’t bring him to me—find a hidden place to confine him,” Shen Xihe added.

If Governor Yu could keep silent, this County Commander might not reveal anything useful either. Better to let people know of his disappearance to disturb their composure—there might be some gains from that.

After giving instructions, Shen Xihe entered the county office and said to Tang Juan: “Governor Tang has truly won the people’s hearts.”

Not everyone could resolve situations like earlier with just a few words—it depended on one’s standing with the people.

“Princess overpraises,” Tang Juan said modestly. “Does Princess have instructions?”

“Let’s see Governor Yu and Crown Prince Bu again,” Shen Xihe said.

Bu Shulin had been revived, but Tang Juan showed no special treatment, still imprisoning him in the same cell area as Governor Yu.

“Listen, Old Yu, at your age, why be so stubborn? Think of your wife and children! Think of your siblings—if you atone for your crimes, perhaps the Princess could help reduce the execution to just two or three family branches?” Bu Shulin lay on the stone bed, hands behind his head, swinging his raised leg while glancing at Yu Zao in the adjacent cell.

Governor Yu sat on the stone bed, head bowed in silence—he’d maintained this posture for a long time.

Bu Shulin’s eyes rolled: “Old Yu, I know you realize your crimes can’t escape punishment, that even revealing the mastermind won’t atone for them. Your heroic sacrifice protecting others—calling it loyal service worth sacrificing nine family branches, I don’t believe it. Thinking about it, do they have your illegitimate child in their hands?”

Yu Zao moved slightly but still didn’t respond.

Sharp-eyed Bu Shulin, who had thought Shen Xihe’s guess unlikely, stopped swinging his leg and sat up, moving closer to the adjacent cell: “Oh my heavens, it is for an illegitimate child!”

When Governor Yu again didn’t respond, Bu Shulin sat down by the iron bars between them, facing Yu: “Aren’t you curious how I guessed? Since I could guess, I could dig up your only seedling. You pinned rebellion charges on me—it’s only fair I take it out on your son, right?”

Yu suddenly raised his head, staring at Bu Shulin with dead eyes.

Bu Shulin remained unmoved, brushing aside his fallen hair: “Old Yu, you’re truly foolish. At least you’re dying to protect someone, but your accomplice—aren’t they afraid of raising an ungrateful wolf? If I were someone profiting from the dead, I wouldn’t show mercy to a small child. Killing them would end everything, preventing future backlash.”

Governor Yu continued staring at Bu Shulin, murderous intent in his eyes.

Bu Shulin matched his stare: “Look at me—my current appearance is your future appearance. Even as a ghost, you’d be ugly. You weren’t good-looking to begin with—the former emperor must have had poor eyesight to let someone with your looks enter officialdom.

Hmm, let me look closer, and memorize your features. When I meet your little spawn later…”

Before Bu Shulin could finish, Yu lowered his head again.

Bu Shulin snorted a laugh: “Young master here has memorized it. Better hope your little spawn doesn’t fall into my hands, or else…”

Bu Shulin drew his hand across his throat with a “ka” sound, but he twisted too hard, making a “crack” sound. When Shen Xihe entered, she saw him using both hands on his chin and crown to crack it back into place.

Shen Xihe: …

After shaking his head to confirm no injury, Bu Shulin turned to see Shen Xihe and covered his embarrassment with a foolish grin.