“Kah kah kah kah…” Cui Jinbai’s words made Bu Shulin choke even worse. She waved her hands repeatedly and took a while to recover. The coughing made her chest wound hurt, and clutching her chest, she said, “No need, no need. I have what I need, I can look at myself.”

Cui Jinbai remained silent, just staring at her with his pitch-black eyes.

This gave Bu Shulin a spine-chilling fear, and she stammered: “Why have you come here?”

“Looking for you,” Cui Jinbai answered simply.

Ever since this man had gone mad, Bu Shulin felt that every conversation with him was like talking past each other. She sighed and directly ignored him, walking out of the brothel with her hands behind her back. After all, her goal had been achieved.

Cui Jinbai kept following her. She went to the County Princess’s mansion to report to Shen Xihe, and to prevent him from finding others to pressure her again, she quickly left the County Princess’s mansion and returned to her own residence, with Cui Jinbai still following.

The two sat in wordless silence, with Cui Jinbai staring at her unblinkingly. Bu Shulin helplessly let him look while she went about her own business.

The next day was the polo match, a grand event. Not only did His Majesty and the Empress Dowager attend, but nobles and aristocrats all came as well. Polo was the dynasty’s most beloved activity, enjoyed by both men and women. Being held in the palace and competing with envoys, naturally, everyone came to watch the excitement.

Shen Xihe also came. Fortunately, her status was high enough to sit in a private box, otherwise the mixed smells would have been unbearable for her.

Taking her seat, Shen Xihe looked around but didn’t see Xiao Huayong, though all the other princes were present, some in the stands and some changed into game attire on the field.

Shen Xihe looked toward the field again. Munuha, who equally loved horseback activities, naturally wouldn’t miss the polo match, but he was particularly distracted on the field. Seeing this, Shen Xihe’s lips curved slightly.

With many diverse people at the Honglu Guesthouse, although it was heavily guarded and creating chaos wasn’t easy, gathering information was extremely simple. Yesterday, Munuha had secretly summoned many physicians, and reportedly had a major outburst that disturbed the Khitan envoys, nearly causing conflict between the two parties.

Today at the polo match, with most palace residents coming to the field, Princess Yanling was recuperating in the palace – this was when the palace was most vulnerable.

“You plan to act today?” Bu Shulin secretly ran to Shen Xihe’s small pavilion. With the thunderous cheering all around, they could talk freely.

“Yes,” Shen Xihe nodded.

“How will you do it? If there’s anything I can help with, just say the word.” Bu Shulin’s gaze was fixed on the field; others would think she was discussing the polo match with Shen Xihe.

“In this matter, you’ve already served your purpose completely,” Shen Xihe said bluntly.

Bu Shulin glanced at Shen Xihe with a long face, muttering: “Criticizing me again!”

A trace of a smile appeared at the corner of Shen Xihe’s lips, but she didn’t respond.

Bu Shulin watched the match for a while. The game was excellent, and if she hadn’t been unexpectedly injured, she would certainly have had a chance to play – she loved polo so much.

Unable to help touch her wound regretfully, Bu Shulin couldn’t hide her melancholy.

Shen Xihe glanced at her: “With snakes mixing among people, you should participate less in such festivities in the future.”

They still didn’t know who wanted her life. The Lantern Festival incident wasn’t Emperor Youning’s doing – firstly, His Majesty wouldn’t risk the Lantern Festival just to eliminate Bu Shulin, and secondly if His Majesty acted, it wouldn’t be such a minor attempt.

“I’ll suffocate to death that way.” She was naturally active; asking her to be like Shen Xihe would drive her mad in a day.

“Remarkably, you’ve lived until now,” Shen Xihe shook her head slightly.

Completely unlike Bu Shulin, Shen Xihe was risk-averse. She calculated the risks of everything in advance, avoiding high risks when possible or abandoning them entirely.

“Hey hey hey, look at that Khitan prince, he’s brave and skilled, plays excellent polo.” Bu Shulin pointed at a tall figure on the field. She purely appreciated ability – whoever played well earned her praise, regardless of who they were.

The locals were the same, their hearts open and broad. Even though their dynasty’s strength was being suppressed on the field, the atmosphere wasn’t low. Because it had been said before the match that this was purely a game to express mutual friendship.

The Khitan people excelled at polo, and at one point were dominating. Emperor Youning maintained a composed expression. Seeing this situation, the envoys’ side, led by the Khitan prince, followed his command and suddenly became very fierce. The small ball seemed to come alive in their hands.

Even Emperor Youning cheered for excellent goals, and everyone set aside their reservations, fully immersed in the game.

On our side, several horses collided while fighting for the ball, and two people rolled off their horses. As substitutes were needed, Xiao Changying suddenly volunteered: “Your Majesty, I too am eager to play. Please allow me to join Fifth Brother on the field.”

Xiao Changqing, dressed in plain white formal wear with a silver crown binding his hair, was suddenly dragged in by his brother. He gave him a light glance but didn’t object.

Emperor Youning swept his gaze over the two brothers: “Go ahead, enjoyment comes first.”

He never thought the win or loss of a polo match meant anything. Whether his empire was prosperous and strong didn’t need to be demonstrated this way. More than winning or losing, he preferred to see an exciting, thoroughly enjoyable match.

“Prince Xin and Prince Lie have entered the field.” Bu Shulin’s eyes brightened. She had played polo with both of them. These brothers had extraordinary polo skills and worked exceptionally well together.

Shen Xihe continued watching the match with interest – the graceful valor, clever ball control, coordinated passes, racing figures…

It made one’s blood boil and emotions surge, with unexpected goals making people unable to resist clapping in celebration.

“Munuha has left the field. What do you plan to do?” Bu Shulin suddenly asked.

Munuha was distracted today, hampering his teammates several times until he finally angered everyone and was driven from the field.

“Lure him into the palace?” Bu Shulin asked further.

Shen Xihe gave her another look as if she were an idiot: “Even if the palace is empty and convenient for Munuha to act, him going to the palace to kill someone would be the biggest suspicious point, wouldn’t it?”

Even if provoked by his impotence, Munuha wouldn’t be foolish enough to openly go to the palace to kill someone. Who would believe that?

“What does it matter if they believe it or not?” Bu Shulin didn’t care. “As long as it’s done cleanly, he won’t be able to escape blame.”

“Yes, His Majesty will stand on our side. The princess’s death must be Munuha’s doing, it can only be Munuha’s doing,” Shen Xihe turned back to watch the game. “But if His Majesty harbors doubts, he will certainly investigate deeply afterward. He will also be wary of someone using this to provoke relations between the two sides, surely keeping some leverage while waiting for war between the nations. He won’t easily break with the Tujue and fulfill the schemer’s intentions.”

His Majesty excelled at patience – in this aspect, Xiao Huayong truly resembled Emperor Youning greatly.