HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 27: Another Identity Revealed

Chapter 27: Another Identity Revealed

The maids’ eyes all reddened simultaneously, remembering countless times when Shen Xihe stood on the city walls, watching the Northwestern noble ladies riding horses, stirring up the desert’s yellow sand, lost in thought for long periods.

Bi Yu quickly ran out of the room, rushing to Mo Yuan: “Send Linglong over immediately, and put several venomous snakes in the vat!”

She hated everyone in Prince Kang’s household. If not for Lady Xiao’s shamelessness, how could the Princess Consort have gone into premature labor? How could the Princess be so weak? Why would she need to suffer today’s torment?

“Is the Princess alright?” Mo Yuan, being a man, couldn’t enter, but he knew everything about Shen Xihe.

“The Princess is fine.” After answering, Bi Yu curtsied slightly and left.

Shen Xihe woke late. By the time Zi Yu carefully prepared medicinal congee and brought it to her, it was already deep night.

As all was quiet, while Shen Xihe was leisurely eating her medicinal congee, a piercing scream came from Prince Kang’s mansion in the city.

The sound came from the Old Madam’s chambers. Prince Kang’s mansion suddenly lit up entirely, even disturbing people in neighboring courtyards, who inevitably sent servants to inquire.

When Prince Kang arrived at the Old Princess’s courtyard with his wife and children, they found the duty maid and Old Princess who had fainted from fright, and a horrifying vat with a bloody head protruding.

The mansion instantly fell into chaos. Prince Kang ordered guards to lift the vat, but it cracked open, releasing several venomous snakes that bit his eldest legitimate son in their frantic slithering.

Prince Kang immediately reported to authorities. Only after calming down did they recognize the nearly unrecognizable person as Linglong!

By then, the Capital Prefecture’s magistrate had personally arrived with his men, and even the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicature, whose office was just a street away from Prince Kang’s mansion, came upon hearing the news.

It was too late for Prince Kang to cover up this incident…

Shen Xihe slept soundly through the night, waking up feeling refreshingly comfortable – a sensation she’d never experienced before.

In the morning, she unusually ate millet soup and wheat cakes, moving Zi Yu to tears of joy.

She had learned culinary skills for the Princess, but the Princess had never eaten much, leaving her skills unused.

The maids were all delighted by Shen Xihe’s increased appetite. Xie Yunhuai came early to check her pulse.

“Princess’s pulse is somewhat stronger than usual. Though the change isn’t great, there are signs of improvement.” Xie Yunhuai also felt relieved. Thankfully, Shen Xihe was alright – he had worried all night.

Shen Xihe noticed the dark circles under his eyes: “Thank you for your trouble.”

“Princess…”

“Princess, the Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicature requests an audience.” Just as Xie Yunhuai was about to say something, Bi Yu came hurriedly to announce.

“Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicature?” Shen Xihe was puzzled.

If Emperor Youning were sending someone to receive her, it should be someone from the Ministry of Rites. The Court of Judicature handled criminal cases – she hadn’t even entered the city, how could she be involved in a legal matter?

“Show him in.”

With official business at hand, Xie Yunhuai naturally had to withdraw.

If nothing else, this dynasty produced abundant talent, with countless brilliant young men.

The Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicature, a fourth-rank official wielding real power, stood before her. He was barely over twenty, wearing crimson official robes with a silverfish pouch at his waist and official boots. Tall and slender with handsome features, he was a dignified young gentleman who rarely smiled.

Deputy Minister Cui Jinbai was the legitimate son of the Cui family’s third branch, a child prodigy who had made his name throughout the capital at sixteen.

Six years ago, two events shocked the capital – one was Xie Yunhuai cutting ties with his family, and the other was Cui Jinbai achieving the three highest imperial examination honors.

Though only twenty-two this year, he had already served as an official for six years. After leaving the Hanlin Academy, he first entered the Ministry of Personnel, exposing the Rouge Case, and was just transferred to the Court of Judicature this year.

Young yet already a new noble, favored by the emperor and from a prestigious family. However, he remained unmarried, making him the most desirable son-in-law in the eyes of noble matriarchs.

“This official Cui Jinbai greets the Princess.” Cui Jinbai performed a formal bow.

His back was straight, his figure proportionate, every movement displaying the elegant refinement of a noble son.

With Shen Xihe enjoying the treatment of a national princess, Cui Jinbai, as Deputy Minister, naturally had to perform a grand courtesy.

“Minister Cui is too formal.” Shen Xihe raised her hand slightly, then asked as Cui Jinbai rose, “What brings Minister Cui here so early?”

“If the Princess will allow me to report.” Cui Jinbai maintained an official demeanor. “Last night, someone entered Prince Kang’s mansion under the pretense of delivering kitchen waste, bringing a vat containing a person who had been tortured. The Capital Prefecture and Court of Judicature have verified this person as Linglong – the runaway slave the Princess was pursuing in Linxiang County.”

“Oh?” Shen Xihe expressed slight surprise. “My runaway slave disappeared for months, yet just as I reach the capital’s outskirts, someone delivers her to Prince Kang’s mansion. Why there?”

Cui Jinbai lowered his head slightly: “This official came to inquire about matters concerning Linglong, hoping for the Princess’s cooperation. Prince Kang’s Old Madam hasn’t awakened from shock, and his eldest son lies unconscious from snake bites. One misstep could cost two lives.”

“Is that so?” Shen Xihe’s tone remained neutral. “Bi Yu, please explain everything to Minister Cui.”

Shen Xihe didn’t particularly want to deal with this Deputy Minister. In their youth, they had crossed paths at many banquets, though due to gender separation, they had only exchanged formal greetings when elders were present.

But she knew Cui Jinbai was rigid and serious.

Leaving Bi Yu behind, just as Shen Xihe was about to pass by Cui Jinbai, she halted her steps.

Among the heart-penetrating winter plum fragrance, there was a very faint trace of agarwood, causing her to suddenly look at Cui Jinbai.

Cui Jinbai maintained his politely distant posture, standing straight but with his head slightly bowed. He was so tall that Shen Xihe couldn’t see his face, only his smoothly contoured jaw.

Cui Jinbai became an official at sixteen and had to serve every day except holidays – how could he have gone to Mount Heng, and when did he have time to appear in Luoyang?

A coincidence?

No, absolutely not!

Although Shen Xihe hadn’t previously had such a keen sense of smell or known Cui Jinbai’s perfume preferences, he wasn’t someone who would use agarwood fragrance.

Noble families were refined, with deep hundred-year traditions, but didn’t indulge in pleasure. Especially someone like Cui Jinbai with his upright character – he was particularly strict with himself, believing in ancestral rules. Winter plum fragrance would suit his personality and status!

Very well – not only could he infiltrate the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but also the Court of Judicature, moving freely in both civil and military circles.

To think such a capable person existed in the capital, and she had never noticed!

Shen Xihe gave a short, meaningful laugh before gracefully departing.

Returning to the back courtyard, she immediately summoned Mo Yuan: “Go investigate where Cui Jinbai is.”

“Minister… Minister Cui…” Mo Yuan turned his head in confusion to look at the outer courtyard. “Isn’t Minister Cui currently questioning Bi Yu?”

“That’s not Cui Jinbai. Go find him now, you must find him!” Shen Xihe ordered.

Once they found Cui Jinbai, she would expose this impostor.

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