Prince Zhao Xiao Changmin agreed after just one night’s consideration. During this time, he visited Yu Zao in prison, deliberately sending Bu Shulin outside for an examination under the pretext of bringing an imperial physician.

This matter needed to be quick, arranging everything before anyone could imagine they would use such a method to turn the tables.

“Let’s proceed as the Princess suggested. Since Young Master Bu still has unresolved poison in his system, perhaps the Princess should take him back to the capital soon to avoid delaying the detoxification,” Xiao Changmin said meaningfully. “Regarding the Yu family matter, I thank the Princess for her concern. Whatever the outcome, this prince will report truthfully.”

This was telling her that she need not involve herself in subsequent matters – he would handle them himself. This way, Shen Xihe wouldn’t have any evidence, making future leverage impossible.

“I await Your Highness’s good news,” Shen Xihe acquiesced smoothly.

She hadn’t planned to use this to gain leverage over Xiao Changmin anyway – if she wanted to deal with someone, she had plenty of other methods.

Shen Xihe took Bu Shulin and left Henan Prefecture. Without the County Commander’s instigation, when Tang Xuan said Bu Shulin was found to be framed, and that the one who framed Bu Shulin was their Yuzhou’s Prefect – an even higher official – they all believed it.

The grave robbing statistics from various regions had been tallied – added together they didn’t match Yuzhou’s numbers. Everyone knew the problem lay in their Yuzhou. All were eagerly awaiting results when three days later, Prince Zhao presided over the main trial, where Yu Zao confessed without resistance.

Just as Prince Zhao was about to have Yu Zao sign and be sent to the capital, two escort guards suddenly rushed into the court, claiming Yu Zao wasn’t Yu Zao, but their fellow townsman in disguise!

This caused huge waves. Prince Zhao questioned Yu Zao, who insisted he was genuine. Finally, the townsmen said Yu Zao had a birthmark, but examination revealed not a birthmark but a burn scar – an attempt at concealment. The scar looked about twenty years old, causing much public discussion.

By this time, Shen Xihe had returned to the capital. She sent Bu Shulin back to the Bu residence and made a show of having Xie Yunhuai treat the poison since the poison was Xie Yunhuai’s creation after all.

The imperial physician Prince Zhao had taken the poison for testing but hadn’t immediately produced an antidote.

Shen Xihe didn’t let Bu Shulin detoxify immediately, they also perfected the act by going through the imperial physician’s process.

“Young Master should avoid raw, cold, and spicy foods these few days,” Xie Yunhuai cautioned after treating Bu Shulin’s poison.

Bu Shulin looked down at the small cut on his fingertip from the blood-letting, and held it up to show Shen Xihe pitifully: “They’ve drawn my blood – shouldn’t I get some nourishment?”

Shen Xihe glanced at it – the blood mark on his palm was thin though not deep, already stopped bleeding, and bandaged: “Any random scar on my brother’s body is deeper and longer than yours by far. Why are you so delicate?”

Bu Shulin: …

She remembered her female identity at this moment, almost crying out, but seeing Xie Yunhuai, her eyes rolled: “Shouldn’t one appear more delicate before Doctor Qi? To evoke the healer’s sympathy – Doctor Qi truly has the bearing of a jade immortal.”

Xie Yunhuai wasn’t bothered by Bu Shulin’s widely rumored preference for men. Since this was Shen Xihe’s friend, naturally he was his friend too. He was about to speak when he glimpsed Cui Jinbai being led in by servants. A mischievous thought struck: “How does he compare to Lesser Lord Cui?”

Bu Shulin lay to one side, view blocked, not seeing anyone enter. He spoke without hesitation: “Doctor Qi has the pure luster of jade, the bright clarity of moonlight. Cui Stone-head is just a dull and useless stone. How can jade and stone be mentioned in the same breath?”

Shen Xihe heard her unguarded words and turned to see Cui Jinbai standing at the door – this usually dignified person actually couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“Thank you for the high praise, Young Master,” Xie Yunhuai’s smile was clear as moonlight yet somehow carried a hint of mischief. He picked up his medicine box and made his way, leaving Bu Shulin and Cui Jinbai face to face.

Bu Shulin’s frivolous smile still hung on his lips, gradually freezing.

Shen Xihe glanced at Xie Yunhuai. Noble young masters moved silently – from her position she couldn’t know, but Xie Yunhuai must have known, his position directly faced the moon gate into the courtyard. He deliberately asked that way, clearly setting up Bu Shulin.

Xie Yunhuai still smiled with refined grace – even without feigning surprise, others would think it just a coincidence.

“Since your poison is resolved, I’ll leave with Doctor Qi,” Shen Xihe ignored Bu Shulin’s meaningful looks and left with Xie Yunhuai.

Jin Shan stood outside watching Cui Jinbai at the threshold while his Young Master sat up, head lowered awkwardly, an uncomfortable stifling tension spreading.

After a while, Bu Shulin finally coughed lightly: “I was just complimenting a guest, didn’t mean to belittle you – we’re so close, I naturally spoke freely.”

Cui Jinbai maintained his stern face and said: “I’m glad you’re well.”

With that, he turned and left.

“Hey hey hey…” Bu Shulin chased to the door, watching Cui Jinbai leave without looking back. Pouting, he leaned against the door: “Jin Shan, what’s wrong with this person?”

The abrupt question did not indicate if there was something wrong.

“Lesser Lord Cui probably felt Young Master’s trip to Henan Prefecture was because of him. Hearing of Young Master’s return, he immediately came to visit,” Jin Shan couldn’t be sure. “Seeing Young Master unharmed, he was relieved. The grave robbing case isn’t closed yet – the Court of Justice must be very busy.”

Bu Shulin thought briefly, finding this reasonable: “Didn’t he arrange for Magistrate Tang’s help? I don’t blame him. Go send some local specialties I brought back, and convey my words.”

Bu Shulin had deeply believed Magistrate Tang’s words about owing her father a debt of gratitude – who would randomly claim such a debt if not to deceive her?

However, after Shen Xihe’s reminder, she wrote home to ask. The answer was naturally a thorough scolding from her father – believing whatever others said, it was a miracle she was still alive.

In short, after pages of scolding, the final line was that he didn’t know anyone surnamed Tang.

The day they left Henan Prefecture, she specifically asked Tang Xuan, who said he acted on behalf of an old friend from the capital. Thinking about it, it could only be Cui Jinbai. After investigating some connections between the Cui family and Tang Xuan, she became even more certain.

“Yes.”

Jin Shan selected many local specialties and personally delivered them to Cui Jinbai, conveying all the messages.

Cui Jinbai heard this and laughed ironically: “Doesn’t blame me?”

Jin Shan felt Lesser Lord Cui’s smile held some displeasure but couldn’t pinpoint where, so he could only answer carefully: “Yes.”

With a light snort of laughter, Cui Jinbai accepted the gifts: “Go tell your Young Master I’ve received the items.”

Jin Shan waited, but there were no other words, so he cupped his hands in farewell and returned, only to find Bu Shulin searching for something.