“Zhaoning came because Princess Anling inspired a realization,” Shen Xihe said solemnly. “Since Master Bian, someone in the palace has been secretly harming Zhaoning. Princess Changling’s death was extremely suspicious, as was Princess Yanling’s. Zhaoning suspects both princesses’ deaths are connected to this person and come to inform Your Majesty out of deep concern. Zhaoning fears that seeing my conflict with Princess Anling, they might use her again.”

“Your Majesty has already lost two princesses. If all this was because of Zhaoning, I would be truly conscience-stricken.”

Emperor Youning’s eyes grew cold as he listened. He found Shen Xihe’s reasoning logical. Princess Changling’s death was shrouded in mystery, and while Princess Yanling’s death seemed reasonable, he always felt there was a manipulating hand behind it.

However, his suspect had been Shen Xihe. Just before her arrival, he had been discussing this with Liu Sangzhi. Both Princess Yanling and Princess Changling had conflicts with Shen Xihe before their deaths. He couldn’t believe she had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Yet now she brought this news – someone using the princesses against her, then silencing them when plans failed.

This made him think of Consort Liang. Consort Liang privately enjoyed watching dance performances, often inviting Bian Xianyi for entertainment, sometimes discussing dance for entire days. Since the Prince of Dai’s wife had been childless for years, Consort Liang had considered Bian Xianyi to provide heirs for the Prince’s household.

If Bian Xianyi had truly tried to harm Shen Xihe that day, could it have been on Consort Liang’s orders? And like Princess Changling, was Consort Liang silenced when the plot was exposed?

Harming two princesses and a consort – who in his palace would dare be so audacious?

“Zhaoning, do you want Us to have people watch Anling to catch this mastermind you speak of?” Emperor Youning asked.

Shen Xihe hesitated briefly: “Your Majesty, Zhaoning hopes Your Majesty will protect Princess Anling.”

“Protect Anling?” Emperor Youning scrutinized Shen Xihe.

“Before their deaths, both Princess Changling and Princess Yanling had conflicts with Zhaoning. If Princess Yanling’s case hadn’t involved a Turkic prince, many would likely suspect Zhaoning,” Shen Xihe said softly, unable to hide her helplessness. “If Princess Anling meets with foul play after our recent conflict, Zhaoning would surely be unable to defend against the accusations.”

Yes, if anything happened to Princess Anling, Shen Xihe couldn’t clear herself, even without evidence. If she couldn’t prove her innocence, Emperor Youning would have to take action against her – this was why Shen Xihe wouldn’t move against Princess Anling.

While others might be misled by Munuha, Emperor Youning wouldn’t easily believe it. His words to Xiao Huayong were merely stating the investigated facts, not his true conviction. Upon arriving today, Shen Xihe had noticed His Majesty’s subtle suspicions of her.

Now there was a way to resolve everything at once – use Princess Anling to draw out the person behind it all, letting His Majesty and Princess Anling see that Princess Changling and Princess Yanling’s deaths had nothing to do with her. This would prevent Princess Anling from foolishly getting involved and forcing her hand.

But would this person act?

Shen Xihe was confident they would!

Because they wanted her life. The reason they hadn’t succeeded until now, always having to use others, was because her guards were elite warriors from the northwest, skilled and alert, protecting her completely.

If these guards were removed, they wouldn’t need to use others and worry about cleaning up afterward – they could act themselves.

How could they pass up such a rare opportunity?

As long as their murderous intent toward her remained, they would certainly act!

“You worry for Anling. We understand and have it in mind,” Emperor Youning nodded. “We will have the Imperial Guards secretly protect Anling.”

Hearing this, Shen Xihe’s expression relaxed and she bowed to Emperor Youning: “Zhaoning thanks, Your Majesty.”

Having finished the important matter, Shen Xihe didn’t stay in Mingzheng Hall to waste Emperor Youning’s time. The Emperor was busy and allowed her to leave.

After she left, he turned to ask Liu Sangzhi: “Tell me, isn’t this interesting?”

The person he suspected had openly come to him, putting her position as the most suspicious person in the open, while directly stating someone was secretly plotting against her and expressing concern for Anling’s safety.

“Your Majesty, the Princess couldn’t possibly be orchestrating this herself, finding a culprit to walk into the trap just to clear her suspicions,” Liu Sangzhi said.

If Shen Xihe could guess His Majesty suspected her, then her scheming depths would be terrifyingly immeasurable. She wouldn’t take such a risky move just to dispel His Majesty’s suspicions – that would be underestimating His Majesty.

If Shen Xihe couldn’t guess His Majesty suspected her, there would be no need for this extra move.

At this point, Liu Sangzhi believed Shen Xihe’s words – there was such a person behind it all.

“We believe it too,” Emperor Youning said. “We believe such a person exists, but whether Princess Changling and Princess Yanling’s deaths were their doing cannot be concluded yet.”

Let’s see what surprises this person brings when drawn out.

“Your Majesty…” Liu Sangzhi suddenly said, “The Princess is very clever.”

That Shen Xihe would come to Emperor Youning meant she trusted that the person secretly trying to kill her wasn’t His Majesty. After all, His Majesty was also someone who might want her life.

“We haven’t lost Our humanity to the point of sacrificing two daughters just to kill someone.”

As emperor, even if he was wary of Shen Yueshan if he wanted to kill Shen Xihe, he had many ways to do so that would leave Shen Yueshan angry but unable to speak out. Why would he use his daughters against Shen Xihe?

That Shen Xihe didn’t suspect him only showed she wasn’t foolish.

“Princess, will this plan work?” Zhenzhu accompanied Shen Xihe back to Yong’an Hall, somewhat worried since the matter involved His Majesty.

Emperor Youning wasn’t easy to control, and how many variables would arise once he caught someone was hard to predict.

“Why do you think I sought the Crown Prince’s help?” Wasn’t it because she worried about too many variables with Emperor Youning?

She walked slowly along the wide corridor in the evening sunlight, the cool spring breeze stirring her hair and dress: “This is a game between king and heir apparent. I also want to see how much the Crown Prince can accomplish right under His Majesty’s nose.”

Regarding Princess Changling and Princess Yanling’s deaths, Emperor Youning most suspected her and Xiao Huayong, who was determined to marry her – and this was indeed the truth.

If this matter was handled well, His Majesty’s suspicions of them would be dispelled, and he would no longer watch them closely in the future. They could also flush out the enemy she couldn’t see.

To thank Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe went early the next day. She didn’t like owing people, but when she offered to paint, Xiao Huayong kept making excuses. This went on for three days until news came from Yangdi about spotting the fleeing Munuha. Shen Xihe then said: “Your Highness, I must leave the palace tomorrow.”