“Princess…” Bu Shulin greeted with a playful smile.

Shen Xihe glanced at him before standing in front of Governor Yu’s cell. She said nothing, just standing there.

Bu Shulin looked between Shen Xihe and Yu Zao, both competing in silence. The already quiet, dark, and oppressive jail became even more uncomfortable. After enduring for quite a while, Bu Shulin said: “Princess, what’s so interesting about a half-century-old man?”

He cupped his own smiling face: “Look here, my handsome and dashing face is much more pleasing to the eye.”

Shen Xihe gave him a faint glance before finally speaking: “Governor Yu, if I could protect your entire clan, would you reveal the mastermind?”

Yu Zao suddenly raised his head, a surge of emotions—shock, doubt, excitement—flooding his eyes.

Bu Shulin’s mouth also formed a perfect O in shock, and after a while said: “Princess, you can’t be reckless!”

Yu Zao’s crime warranted the execution of nine familial generations—such a sentence couldn’t be easily pardoned, not even by His Majesty, let alone Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe ignored Bu Shulin, standing calmly with her serene gaze fixed on Yu Zao.

The prison was silent. As major criminals, Yu Zao and Bu Shulin were isolated for safety, with no other prisoners nearby. Shen Xihe could hear Yu Zao’s slightly heavy breathing—he was excited, wanting to believe but not daring to trust easily.

“His Majesty has sent Prince Zhao to preside over your case,” Shen Xihe volunteered. “If you’re willing to reveal the person, I’ll arrange for you to assume a different identity before Prince Zhao arrives.”

“A different identity?” Yu Zao keenly caught the key point.

Shen Xihe nodded slightly: “I reviewed your background last night. In your youth, you studied abroad, suffered serious injuries, and were brought home. After returning, you lose your memory for a period. I’ve already sent people to make arrangements. If you cooperate, you won’t be Yu Zao, but someone who stole Yu Zao’s identity. You committed crimes, but naturally, the Yu family won’t be implicated.”

Both Bu Shulin and Yu Zao stared at Shen Xihe with utterly shocked expressions.

“This… this is possible…” Bu Shulin couldn’t find words to describe his tumultuous feelings.

There seemed nothing Shen Xihe wouldn’t dare do or think!

The deadness in Yu Zao’s eyes sparked with light. He carefully considered—though risky, the plan was feasible. This way, he wouldn’t be the Yu family’s destroyer.

Suppressing his excitement, he calmly scrutinized Shen Xihe: “Princess, this is a court matter. You don’t involve yourself in court politics, and this doesn’t affect Northwestern interests. Why risk so much to investigate thoroughly?”

Shen Xihe folded her hands at her chest, her sleeves draped elegantly. She stood straight as a proud white peony, refined and noble yet magnificently dignified: “Such wealth accumulation must be a prince’s doing, clearly meant for recruiting troops to seize the throne. My interest lies in the Eastern Palace. Since I intend to become Crown Princess, the Eastern Palace’s enemies are my enemies.”

Hearing this, Bu Shulin’s eyes showed envy as he muttered: “The Crown Prince must have accumulated eight lifetimes of virtue.”

Not even married into the Eastern Palace yet, she was already thinking of his interests, going to such lengths to eliminate his enemies.

Though considering the tomb-robbing mastermind—they were truly extraordinary. Such a venomous snake lying in wait was indeed a great threat.

But Yu Zao wasn’t easily convinced: “Princess has no marriage agreement with the Crown Prince yet assumes so certainly you’ll enter the Eastern Palace?”

“What I desire to do has never failed,” Shen Xihe cast a cool glance. “Just as giving you a new identity.”

Yu Zao wavered uncertainly. He wasn’t convinced, though tempted by Shen Xihe’s proposal, his reason remained.

“What are you still hesitating about? The Princess’s word is worth more than all you stinking men’s promises combined,” Bu Shulin glared at Yu Zao with distaste. “This is your only chance to protect the Yu family. Under heaven, besides the Princess, who else would scheme for you like this?”

Mo Yu brought a chair, and Shen Xihe sat gracefully: “Governor Yu is cautious, unwilling to speak easily because he thinks I risk too much. One misstep and I’d become your accomplice, even implicating the entire Northwest—all for an enemy not yet confirmed as hostile. Not worth it.”

Yu Zao: “Shouldn’t I think this way?”

“You should, exactly this way,” Shen Xihe’s soft cherry-blossom pink lips showed a slight smile. “But Governor Yu, you’re mistaken. The idea to change your identity is mine, but the one implementing it will be Prince Zhao.”

Bu Shulin: !!!

Yu Zao’s pupils also dilated in shock.

“This method is feasible, and Prince Zhao should be willing to take the risk,” Shen Xihe said softly. “The Yu family’s nine-generation execution would be a permanent stain on Prince Zhao. If this investigation dead-ends here, the officials’ thoughts don’t matter. What matters is the common people’s thoughts. If Prince Zhao can’t clear this crime, he has no chance at the throne.

Saving the Yu family saves Prince Zhao and his reputation.”

Killing Yu Zao here would not only cost Prince Zhao the throne, but his ruthlessness toward his wife’s family to prove his innocence, even if the Yu family deserved it, would make people see him as cold-blooded. Prince Zhao would struggle to make another good marriage.

Building power would become impossible. With His Majesty having many capable princes, why would anyone follow someone clearly without any competitive strength to the bitter end?

If Prince Zhao had any ambition at all, he couldn’t refuse Shen Xihe’s proposal.

Not just him, but those already loyal to him, sharing his interests, couldn’t refuse either.

“The Princess’s schemes are fearsome,” Yu Zao enunciated heavily.

His heart trembled with shock at this young woman’s cunning.

She had calculated everyone’s hearts, daring to think and do what others wouldn’t dare.

She got what she wanted, Prince Zhao got what he wanted, yet if anything went wrong, if exposed, Prince Zhao would be the one compromised, with no connection to her.

Bu Shulin also swallowed hard. He’d known Shen Xihe was clever and wise, but this was the first time her shrewdness struck his heart directly. Her previous displays had been mere child’s play.

“Is Governor Yu willing to make this deal?” Shen Xihe asked with a smile.

“The Princess might first convince Prince Zhao,” Yu Zao showed signs of yielding.

Willing to yield and having demands was good. Shen Xihe smiled faintly: “Then wait for Prince Zhao to speak with you.”

As Shen Xihe stood to leave, Bu Shulin reached through the cell bars: “Princess, Princess, did you bring me any food? I’m hungry…”

“A bit of hunger might make you smarter,” Shen Xihe left these words as she gracefully departed.