“Alin intends to completely break things off with Young Lord Cui,” Shen Xihe instantly understood Bu Shulin’s intentions after hearing Xiao Huayong’s words.

She had to return to Southern Shu, where many people needed her. She must become the King of Southern Shu to protect those who had followed the Bu family. She couldn’t abandon the Bu family, and naturally wouldn’t want Cui Jinbai to abandon the Cui family for her.

Once-powerful noble families had completely crumbled under His Majesty’s hand. The Cui family now led among the noble houses, and in Cui Jinbai’s generation, none could match him. He needed to stay with the Cui family for their prosperity and the noble houses’ future.

This was his inescapable responsibility, just as Bu Shulin couldn’t escape hers.

Better a short pain than long-suffering – better to end it early and find happiness separately.

“Youyou, everyone has their unavoidable circumstances and constraints, but also their right to choose,” Xiao Huayong gently smoothed Shen Xihe’s disheveled hair on her shoulders. “This is between them, let them make their own choices. Whether they’re destined to part or can reconnect depends on their fate.”

As Shen Xihe said, one must accept the bitter-and-sweet consequences of every choice.

Shen Xihe nodded slightly and said: “Since Alin will soon return to Southern Shu, her marriage to Lady Xiao…”

“The plan remains unchanged,” Xiao Huayong had considered it carefully. “Though news of the King of Southern Shu hasn’t leaked yet, the Second Prince is watching like a tiger. Once Noble Consort Su acts, His Majesty will surely grow suspicious. Marriage is the best solution.”

“We should still inform the Princess Imperial,” Shen Xihe reminded.

Xiao Huayong smiled: “Agreed.”

Shen Xihe deeply cared for her subordinates and followers, both her own and Xiao Huayong’s. If she became a ruler, it would be a blessing for the common people.

The rumors Bu Shulin spread also affected Xiao Changmin. He suspected it was Bu Shulin’s attempt at a cover-up, growing more convinced something was amiss and increasingly eager to expose Bu Shulin’s female identity before everyone on his wedding day.

Bu Shulin paid no mind to the various speculations outside. She wasn’t trying to clear her name, only laying the groundwork to end things with Cui Jinbai. Cui Jinbai remained unconscious for three consecutive days, and Bu Shulin spent an hour each day talking to him.

Today was the fourth day.

“What are you afraid of? Do you fear I’ll resent your unfaithfulness? Fear I’ll abandon you, so you refuse to wake?” Bu Shulin felt somewhat helpless and dejected. “You can rest assured, I won’t hold these things against you, nor blame you for them…”

Another hour passed. Bu Shulin rose to leave – she needed to arrange her departure and spend considerable time training the body double Shen Xihe had sent. Being able to spare an hour with Cui Jinbai was already difficult.

She returned to her newly arranged bedroom to urgently teach the body double, ensuring they mastered her every habit and mannerism. After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Yin Shan came running: “Young Master, Young Lord Cui has awakened!”

Bu Shulin felt relief. She quickly rushed to the doorway but stopped with one foot over the threshold. After a moment’s hesitation, she withdrew her foot and turned to her body double: “You go.”

“Me?” The body double was stunned, incredulous.

“Yes, you go,” Bu Shulin nodded. “He’ll surely want to verify. Then return and switch with me.”

The body double, coming from the Northwestern Army, had discipline ingrained in their bones. Receiving Bu Shulin’s confirmation, they immediately followed Yin Shan.

When Cui Jinbai awoke, his expression was wooden. He lay on the bed, eyes vacant. When his servant fed him porridge, he opened his mouth; when spoken to, he didn’t hear. Until voices outside announced: “Young Master.”

Cui Jinbai suddenly turned his head, staring fixedly outside. He watched unblinking as the person crossed the threshold behind Yin Shan with that unique walk. Through the screen, the approaching figure wasn’t visible, yet matched perfectly with the person etched in his heart.

As they passed the screen inch by inch, revealing that face he longed for day and night, still without any difference, he didn’t know if he was deceiving himself. He felt they shouldn’t be the person in his heart, yet could find no grounds for denial.

The body double stood before Cui Jinbai, looking at him calmly, without the usual frivolity or that captivating spark that made his heart race. They remained silent.

Cui Jinbai also stared at them intently, unblinking.

One remained unmoved, the other seemed trying to see through them.

After a long silence, Cui Jinbai finally couldn’t bear it. With strength from unknown sources, he lunged forward. As Bu Shulin had predicted, his hands grabbed Bu Shulin’s collar and pulled it apart, once again revealing a male chest.

The body double seemed to react then, pushing Cui Jinbai back. The weakened Cui Jinbai fell back onto the couch. The body double-stepped forward half a step, as if concerned, then seemed to think of something. After another look at the dazed Cui Jinbai, they turned and strode away.

Cui Jinbai was stunned again. As if his soul had been extracted, leaving only an empty shell, he collapsed dejectedly onto the footstool. His servant moved forward sympathetically to help him up: “Master…”

“Leave,” Cui Jinbai avoided him, ordering weakly as if mumbling.

Having served Cui Jinbai for long, the servant knew he couldn’t be opposed at this moment. Since it was warm spring weather with bright sunshine, not worried about him catching a cold, the servant silently withdrew as ordered.

At the door, he saw Young Master Bu returning in different clothes. Bu Shulin gestured for Yin Shan to stay outside as she entered alone.

“I told you to leave…” Cui Jinbai began rebuking with suppressed anger, turning to see Bu Shulin in changed clothes.

She remained silent, her eyes lusterless, looking at him calmly and steadily.

After standing a while, this time Bu Shulin approached first, still without speaking, but reached out to help him up, concernedly instructing: “Don’t catch a cold.”

As Cui Jinbai settled, he noticed her about to let go and grabbed her hand, looking at her stubbornly but not knowing what to say.

Bu Shulin patted his hand reassuringly and sat beside him: “I won’t leave. I want to talk with you.”

His chest inexplicably tightened, and Cui Jinbai instinctively wanted to avoid hearing what she would say next: “I’m not feeling well. Let’s talk another day.”

Bu Shulin looked at him once, not forcing the issue: “Alright, we’ll talk when you’re better.”

Another silence followed. Bu Shulin didn’t leave immediately, instead helping him lie down and tucking in his blanket: “I’ll watch over you until you fall asleep.”