Xiao Changqin knew little about Xue Jinqiao’s situation. In grand families, discord between children and their parents or siblings was commonplace – unless one specifically investigated, such details typically remained unclear.

“Noble Lady, taking such measures merely to support a future sister-in-law seems excessive…” Prince Xin Xiao Changqin wasn’t criticizing Noble Lady Shen Xihe but rather felt that taking action for Xue Jinqiao over past grievances with Xue Kui before she had even married into the Shen family seemed uncharacteristic of her usual approach.

“Is Prince Xin intending to reprimand Zhaoning?” Shen Xihe feigned ignorance of Prince Xin Xiao Changqin’s suspicions. “Compared to Prince Xin’s actions, I merely administered a minor punishment. Prince Xin, after all, sought someone’s life.”

Prince Xin Xiao Changqin’s gaze deepened, but upon noticing the imperial palace behind her, he realized she must have met with Emperor Xiao Huayong. This explains how she so quickly learned about his handling of Xue Kui: “Since Noble Lady knows, yet shows no intention of lending assistance.”

“Your Highness, whether Zhaoning offers aid or not requires no explanation to you.” Shen Xihe lowered the carriage curtain and instructed the driver to proceed.

Prince Xin Xiao Changqin watched her carriage disappear into the distance, his gaze intense, his thoughts unknown to any observer.

The following day at court, Minister Pei Zhan indeed launched his attack against Official Xue Kui, catching him entirely off guard. Official Xue Kui could only plead his innocence with a pale face, having no other recourse. Emperor Youning had him detained but didn’t permit the Court of Judicature to assist in the investigation, as Court Minister Xue Cheng was also from the Xue family.

The case was assigned to the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate for a joint investigation, and the Xue family began desperately mobilizing to help Xue Kui.

Xue Jinqiao hadn’t visited Noble Lady Shen Xihe’s mansion during these days, not wanting to implicate her. However, her mother Lady Wan still came with her young son Xue Ji. When Noble Lady Shen Xihe refused to see them, Lady Wan stood at the gate until she eventually fainted.

“Fainted?” Noble Lady Shen Xihe asked while feeding fish bait, listening to Maid Ziyu’s disgruntled report.

“Sister Zhenzhu has already gone to check. This servant thinks she’s pretending,” Maid Ziyu snorted.

The fingers holding the fish food paused in midair. After a moment of silence, Shen Xihe released her slender fingers, letting scattered fish food create ripples on the lake’s surface. She set down the porcelain plate of fish food and, adjusting her silk shawl, walked toward the main gate.

“I heard the Xue family’s Minister offended someone and was framed. Isn’t the Shen family engaged to the Xue family? The Xue family just wants to ask Noble Lady for help.”

“The Shen family refuses to see them despite the marriage agreement, that’s why Lady Wan fainted from the heat.”

“How could they be so heartless? They’re future in-laws, after all, showing no regard for such relationships.”

“These noble families only care about power and influence, where’s there room for sentiment?”

When Shen Xihe emerged, quite a crowd had gathered outside. Though the Noble Lady’s mansion wasn’t on a busy street and usually saw few passersby, today there were many people present.

She glanced at Zhenzhu, who slightly shook her head, clearly indicating that Lady Wan was fine and deliberately feigning unconsciousness.

Shen Xihe stepped aside as an annoyed Mo Yuan rushed out carrying a container of foul-smelling liquid, shouting: “Make way!”

The crowd didn’t need his warning – the smell alone drove them back. Only Lady Wan, still lying on the ground, hadn’t time to react before being doused. She leaped up with a shriek.

“Noble Lady, how dare you humiliate my mother with such filth!” Xue Ji saw the foul liquid on his mother and turned red-faced, yet couldn’t help covering his nose with his sleeve in disgust.

Shen Xihe stood atop the stone steps as Maid Ziyu immediately splashed another bucket of fragrant water downward, its pleasant aroma masking the stench and spreading through the area.

“Our Sister Zhenzhu knows medicine. Lady Wan fainted from heat exhaustion – in the Northwest, such ailments are treated by dousing with horse urine. It naturally cures the condition. When heat affects the brain, it can be fatal if not treated promptly. The Noble Lady was saving her life,” Maid Ziyu explained, holding the empty bucket. “See? Lady Wan has awakened, hasn’t she?”

“H-horse… urine!” Lady Wan fainted again from shock, and Xue Ji instinctively pushed away, causing her to fall hard.

Attendant Axi stepped forward and applied two acupuncture needles to Lady Wan, who awoke but, unwilling to face such humiliation, continued pretending to be unconscious.

Seeing this, Maid Ziyu turned to Mo Yuan and said: “General Mo, it seems one bucket of horse urine wasn’t enough. Please trouble General Mo to get more…”

Before Ziyu could finish, Lady Wan opened her eyes, face ashen, and stammered: “Fifth Son… Fifth Son, let’s return… return home!”

Xue Ji signaled the servants to support Lady Wan while he strode away first.

“Mo Yuan, escort Lady Wan, and Young Master Xue back to their manor,” Shen Xihe commanded. “Relay my message to the Xue family – are they worried Minister Xue is too lonely?”

If he was too lonely, she wouldn’t mind sending more people to keep Xue Ji company!

With the Ministry of Justice and Censorate jointly investigating, the Xue family would surely harass the Tao family if they were pestering her. She didn’t want her grandfather to suffer their endless harassment, so it was better to issue a clear warning.

If they didn’t believe her, they were welcome to test whether she had such capability!

Understanding Shen Xihe’s stance, the Xue family dared not persist. Soon, Xue Kui’s case reached its conclusion. With Prince Xin Xiao Changqin’s involvement, the evidence was ironclad, leaving no room for doubt. The Censorate and Ministry of Justice swiftly verified the evidence, secured witnesses, obtained confessions, and submitted their findings to Emperor Youning.

Upon receiving the report, Emperor Youning’s expression remained neutral, his thoughts impenetrable to all.

Soon after came Prince Jing Xiao Changyan’s petition, aimed at pleading innocence for his maternal grandfather.

Meanwhile, at the Xue residence, Xue Heng received a visit from Prince Xiao Huayong: “What brings Your Highness here?”

Prince Xiao Huayong had come in disguise, and Xue Heng couldn’t fathom his intentions.

“How is Minister Xue’s health?” Prince Xiao Huayong asked casually after sitting down.

“Thank you for Your Highness’s concern. This humble official can still manage for some time.” Xue Heng had disclosed his health condition to Shen Yueshan, and since Shen Yueshan intended to marry his daughter into the Eastern Palace, informing Prince Xiao Huayong was natural. Xue Heng wasn’t surprised.

“Minister Xue, did Madam Xue have any unfulfilled wishes?” Prince Xiao Huayong asked further.

Xue Heng was puzzled by this question but momentarily froze, thinking of his first wife and her regrets: “When my wife was alive, she wished to see the Northwestern grasslands, the Northern Desert sands, the snow of Tianshan, and the mists of Yanshan…”

“With so many of Madam Xue’s wishes unfulfilled, why didn’t Minister Xue help her fulfill them?” Prince Xiao Huayong continued.

“This official has lived without shame before the court, the clan, and myself. My only regret is failing my wife. By the time I realized this, she was already gone…” Xue Heng’s eyes reddened with tears.

“When someone is gone, the regret deepens. Perhaps Minister Xue should go see these places, so when you meet Madam Xue again, you’ll have stories to share with her,” Prince Xiao Huayong gently suggested.