The Yu family had become the victim. The Emperor needed to appease them, save face for the Marquis of Pingyao, and ensure the Marquis’s future loyalty. A Prince’s comfort from their family was inevitable.

“But it won’t be her,” Biyu’s face paled as she thought about it. “She’s…” She trailed off, remembering Yu Sangning was a concubine’s daughter and the Empress Dowager despised her.

Shen Xihe smiled approvingly, pleased that her teachings hadn’t been wasted – Biyu now understood these intricacies: “It doesn’t matter if it’s not her now. Once things settle and something happens to Yu Sangzi, forcing her to step in as a replacement, she won’t incur the Yu family’s hatred. Instead, she’ll become their merit-maker and gain her natal family’s support.”

“It won’t be easy,” Zhenzhu was more thoughtful. “Marrying into the royal family isn’t like common families.”

Common families could use bride substitution – once in the bridal chamber, they’d have to accept it since the girl’s virtue would be compromised. But trying to switch brides with the royal family would be treasonous.

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way. I’m certain she’ll succeed,” Shen Xihe had inexplicable confidence in Yu Sangning’s abilities in this regard.

As a concubine’s daughter, Yu Sangning wouldn’t receive the Empress Dowager’s favor for marriage arrangements. With Empress Dowager’s dislike of her stemming from trust in Xiao Huayong, she wouldn’t hint to the Marquis’s wife about arranging Yu Sangning’s marriage early.

Even the royal family needed evidence. Without proof, if Yu Sangning threatened suicide to prove her innocence, the royal family would be at fault with the Yu family. While being in the wrong wasn’t a major issue, the Marquis of Pingyao was the Emperor’s trusted official.

The Empress Dowager couldn’t act rashly, or it would appear she was at odds with the Emperor. At this crucial time, it might make the suspicious Emperor overthink – wondering if the Empress Dowager was paving the way for the Crown Prince. A small matter could escalate.

Thus, Yu Sangning was safe for now, with time to scheme and maneuver.

Yu Sangning was merely a minor distraction. Even Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong, who knew the truth, didn’t take her seriously. Whatever she plotted couldn’t touch the Eastern Palace, and her schemes against others didn’t concern Xiao Huayong – as long as she didn’t target the Empress Dowager again, he wouldn’t interfere.

However, Yu Sangning’s forced-hand strategy was brilliant. When rumors of a Yu family daughter becoming a Prince’s consort spread convincingly, the Prosperity Emperor’s investigation revealed the mastermind wasn’t the Yu family but their political enemies trying to frame the Marquis of Pingyao. To make an example, the Emperor immediately stripped the perpetrator of all positions.

“Princess, what are we waiting for here?” Shen Xihe had left the temporary palace early, waiting at a teahouse in the small town outside.

“The Mu family has been dismissed and expelled. This is their route,” Shen Xihe sat by the window watching below. “Young Master Mu was manipulated and caused his father to lose his position. Whoever directed him will surely come to comfort him.”

Because the two houses were political enemies, even if Young Master Mu implicated Yu Sangning now, no one would believe him. They’d see it as slander. But if Yu Sangning wanted to enchant him, she’d need to offer sweeteners, and evidence might have fallen into others’ hands.

“Princess came out just for this?” Ziyu gave Shen Xihe an odd look.

Shen Xihe took a sip of tea: “I have nothing else to do. I want to see just how capable this Lady Yu is.”

“She bewitched her father’s enemy’s son, made him her weapon, and he still won’t slander her – that’s already quite skillful,” Bu Shulin said. “What more could there be?”

Shen Xihe hadn’t planned to come – Bu Shulin had heard about Yu Sangning and, curious, dragged Shen Xihe along.

Shen Xihe hadn’t explored the surrounding towns before. With pleasant weather today, she came along for the exercise.

“Achieving all that shows only three-tenths of her ability,” Shen Xihe wasn’t impressed by Yu Sangning’s methods. “If she remembers to come comfort Young Master Mu and succeeds in consoling him, that’s five-tenths skill; if she doesn’t come personally but still manages to comfort him, that’s eight-tenths skill.”

“What would be full marks?” Bu Shulin asked, munching on a flatbread.

“If she can make Young Master Mu commit suicide without coming personally, that’s full marks,” Shen Xihe said softly.

Bu Shulin froze mid-bite, blinking: “Wouldn’t Young Master Mu have to be stupid to commit suicide?”

“We shall see,” Shen Xihe smiled meaningfully.

Soon, the Mu father and son passed by, pale-faced and hollow-eyed, leading their horses. Shen Xihe sent people to follow them. Being a day’s journey from the capital, they would surely stop here.

Shen Xihe also took a room at their inn. After a quiet day, when Bu Shulin had grown impatient, there was finally movement. She flipped into Shen Xihe’s room and beckoned.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t Yu Sangning who came for Young Master Mu, but Gu Qingshu. Bu Shulin was confused, rubbed her eyes to confirm, and looked questioningly at Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe remained composed. After a brief conversation, Young Master Mu left with Gu Qingshu.

“Should we follow?” Bu Shulin felt her mind lacking. Why did the Princess of Huaiyang come? How was she involved? Was Prince Xin pulling strings behind the scenes?

Gu Qingshu was the late Princess Xin’s concubine-born sister, saved by Xiao Changqin. Now people associate her with Xiao Changqin, and some of her actions might be attributed to him.

“There’s a good show, and you should watch it,” Shen Xihe had already guessed what would happen.

“Why am I suitable?” Bu Shulin pointed at herself.

“You’re simple-minded and need to grow,” Shen Xihe gave her a false smile, closed the door, removed her shoes and socks, and lay back on the bed.

Left outside, Bu Shulin’s expression soured. She turned angrily toward her room – she didn’t need to grow, she was clever!

But before entering her room, curiosity struck again. Unable to fully understand the situation and remembering Shen Xihe’s mockery, she defiantly entered her room, hesitated at closing the door, struggled for a moment, then closed it and ran out.

With excellent lightness skills, she quickly caught up to Gu Qingshu and Young Master Mu. Gu Qingshu led him to a forest entrance, said something, and left.

Young Master Mu walked into the forest without looking back. Bu Shulin hesitated briefly before following.

They hadn’t gone far when Bu Shulin caught up and saw two people – Young Master Mu and Yu Sangning, who had been waiting!