The young lady’s voice was clear and ethereal, instantly drawing everyone’s attention, making them completely overlook the arrogance in her words, finding it utterly captivating instead.

In her white dress and purple shawl with exquisite embroidery, a gauze veil concealing her features, her entire bearing was noble and elegant.

However, in this prosperous dynasty, with merchants frequently coming and going, many imitated the manners of the elite, their entourages even more ostentatious than those of the noble families.

Shen Xihe’s people were dressed simply, and the two palace servants had already been sent back to the palace, so no one recognized them.

Because someone had fallen from his horse and cracked his head, those who had rushed over were furious. Some immediately took the injured person into the city to seek a physician, while others glared at Shen Xihe.

“You lowborn commoners, do you know who you just offended? That was the son of the Northern Garrison Marquis!”

“Why didn’t you make way when told?”

“Why argue with them? Take them to the Capital Prefecture!”

“…”

The angry accusations continued, making it sound as if Shen Xihe had committed some terrible atrocity.

“Silence!” Shen Xihe commanded softly, her whip lashing out to strike the most vocal complainant.

She preferred quiet and despised clamor.

No one had expected Shen Xihe to suddenly take action. Though she was physically weak, she could still wield a whip. The strike left only a faint red mark – no real injury, but it thoroughly trampled the person’s dignity.

“I’ll fight you to the death!” The person struck across the face immediately drew his sword and lunged at Shen Xihe.

These pampered young nobles wore swords merely as decoration. Before he could get anywhere near Shen Xihe, her guard kicked him flying.

Two more young lords charged forward but were just as easily dispatched by Shen Xihe’s guards. Only then did they realize that Shen Xihe was surrounded by capable warriors. They shouted to the city guards: “Commander! Commander! People are fighting at the city gate, beating the descendants of meritorious nobles!”

The gate commander, who had been restrained by Mo Yuan all this time, finally gained his freedom. He waved his hand in frustration, ordering his soldiers forward – but not toward Shen Xihe. Instead, they surrounded the group of noble descendants.

Even before the Third Young Master of the Northern Garrison Marquis’s voice had reached them, he had seen the documents Mo Yuan presented and was about to step forward to pay his respects. But when the unexpected incident occurred, Mo Yuan, following Shen Xihe’s subtle signal, held him back.

Yet these unrestrained young people, accustomed to their swagger, hadn’t noticed anything unusual and had managed to thoroughly offend Shen Xihe.

“This humble officer Sun Jinzhong, Gate Commander, pays respects to Princess Zhaoning.” Sun Jinzhong’s resonant voice rang out, stunning everyone present.

“Commander Sun need not stand on ceremony.” Shen Xihe raised her hand slightly, her gaze falling through the thin gauze onto the now-silent crowd. “I was born in the northwest and have never seen the capital’s prosperity. I’ve long heard of its grandeur, and today, just entering the gate, I’ve truly broadened my horizons. If you all wish to seek justice, there’s no need to go to the Capital Prefecture – why don’t you accompany me to the Court of Judicature instead?”

With that, Shen Xihe turned gracefully and, supported by Hong Yu, mounted her carriage.

“Your Highness, are we going to the Court of Judicature?” Bi Yu glanced back at the group of richly dressed young men and women being forcibly detained by Mo Yuan’s people, wondering how many of the capital’s prominent families were involved.

“Someone has already set up the stage so nicely for me, how could I disappoint them?” Shen Xihe’s eyes were calm and unreadable.

“This…” Hong Yu’s heart skipped a beat – this was deliberately arranged, a trap set for their princess!

“There was a scent of basil on that horse, impossible to resist.” Shen Xihe gently closed her eyes.

Basil was an imported spice, an excellent aromatic that could achieve calming effects when mixed with various herbs and flowers, but could also be used to create contraceptive or aphrodisiac incense.

The Third Young Master of the Northern Garrison Marquis hadn’t intended to charge through – he couldn’t control his horse, which was why he had called for others to make way.

Shen Xihe hadn’t noticed at first, but after the person was thrown off and the horse fell, she walked past and caught the strong scent of basil.

Even then, Shen Xihe hadn’t assumed it was a deliberate plot against her. But among the crowd that followed, there were people stirring up trouble, immediately calling her lowborn commoners – words that would provoke anyone’s displeasure.

The conflict was destined to erupt, with some inciting, others righteously indignant, and the habitually unrestrained growing increasingly angry.

“Who would do this?” Zi Yu was furious – it was too vicious, trying to make their princess offend half the powerful families as soon as she entered the city.

“A woman.” Shen Xihe let out a short laugh through her nose. “In a moment, we’ll change course and go to the prince’s mansion.”

It couldn’t be the work of the princes – they knew Shen Xihe’s people couldn’t be harmed by these decorative warriors.

Such a method, both insidious and indirect, didn’t match the straightforward forcefulness of men.

In this capital, there should only be one woman who hated her – Lady Xiao.

Combined with last night’s events, Lady Xiao must be seething with hatred for her now.

She had wanted to return to the princess’s mansion first to rest before dealing with Lady Xiao, but since Lady Xiao was so eager to present herself, she would oblige!

Leaning against Bi Yu, Shen Xihe rested, gathering her strength to properly handle Lady Xiao.

When the Court of Judicature heard that Princess Zhaoning had arrived with a group of detained noble young lords and ladies, they immediately dropped their paperwork and hurried out to receive her.

“This official Xue Heng pays respects to the Princess.” Even Xue Heng, from the prestigious Xue family and serving as the Minister of the Court of Judicature at the third rank, had to formally bow to Shen Xihe.

“Minister Xue.” Shen Xihe returned a junior’s greeting, appearing very courteous. “I’ve come to report an attempt on my life.”

At Shen Xihe’s words, the young men and women being held by her people stared in shock.

Attempting to harm a princess – with the slightest misstep, it could mean ten years of hard labor!

Xue Heng spotted two members of the Xue family among them and glared at them in anger, but addressed Shen Xihe politely: “Who would dare be so bold? Please tell us what happened, Your Highness. This official will investigate thoroughly and provide you with an explanation.”

“Just now at the city gate, the Third Young Master of the Northern Garrison Marquis’s horse lost control and charged at me. In that situation, I had no way to avoid it. The horse lost control because it was stimulated by basil incense.”

Shen Xihe cast a cool glance at the detained crowd: “They were riding together in a group, yet only the Third Young Master’s horse lost control. The incense must have been applied near the city gate, otherwise more horses would have been affected.”

“Basil incense can make horses lose control?” Xue Heng had never heard of this.

Basil had been introduced less than ten years ago, and few people knew of its effects – which made it convenient for her purposes.

“Minister Xue can try it for himself,” Shen Xihe said quietly.