The next day, Cui Jinbai left the Bu mansion. Many watched him, some curious, some trying to curry favor, some with ulterior motives, all waiting for his reaction.

Surprisingly, after returning to the Cui mansion, Cui Jinbai peacefully focused on recovery, even bringing home old case files from the Court of Judicial Review to study, immersing himself in work.

Meanwhile, Bu Shulin remained the carefree Prince she always was, spending days slacking off at work, hanging around with friends, and listening to music at brothels. However, she never again visited the brothel where Young Master Cui had allegedly shared a spring night with a woman.

Previously, whenever Bu Shulin went to a brothel, Young Master Cui would act like a jealous spouse and follow. This no longer happened. When people deliberately tried to provoke Cui Jinbai about Bu Shulin, he remained unmoved, as if unhearing.

He had returned to being the cold, taciturn Deputy Chief of the Court of Judicial Review.

“Alin was surprisingly considerate this time,” Shen Xihe couldn’t help but sigh upon hearing this.

Though unaware of how Bu Shulin had ended things with Cui Jinbai, seeing that he hadn’t changed completely, hadn’t fallen into depression, and remained steady as if unaffected, Shen Xihe felt relieved.

She had truly worried that Bu Shulin’s personality would lead to a complete falling out, making future interactions impossible. Such an outcome would have deeply wounded Cui Jinbai and been self-destructive for Bu Shulin as well.

“They’re not children; they’ll think things through carefully,” Xiao Huayong didn’t understand why Shen Xihe always worried about Bu Shulin, treating her like a child. “Youyou, Prince Bu grew up in the capital. You think she’s not very clever only because you’re too intelligent.”

How many in this world could keep up with Shen Xihe’s quick wit? How many could penetrate her thoughts and anticipate her schemes? If Shen Xihe measured Bu Shulin against herself, naturally Bu Shulin seemed less clever, but setting aside Shen Xihe, Bu Shulin was quite capable of fooling others.

Shen Xihe paused briefly upon hearing this, then suddenly understood and laughed self-deprecatingly: “I was being too narrow-minded.”

Xiao Huayong gently tapped her nose, taking her hand: “Let’s go, there’s another show waiting for us today.”

Today was Xiao Changmin and Yu Sangning’s wedding. Though Xiao Changmin had been demoted to Prince of Second Rank, he was still Xiao Huayong’s elder brother. For his brother’s wedding, they had to attend, at least make an appearance.

From the palace, His Majesty sent Noble Consort Su and State Consort Song. Noble Consort Su represented His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, while State Consort Song came because the Fourteenth Prince Xiao Changhong insisted on attending, and as his mother, she naturally accompanied him. All other nobles and officials were present.

At the Sixteenth Prince’s residence, red silk banners fluttered, drums beat continuously, celebratory music rose and fell, and carriages formed a long line.

When Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe arrived, Noble Consort Su and others were already there. Due to their high status, Xiao Changmin personally led them to the seats of honor to observe the ceremony.

Though a prince’s wedding couldn’t compare to the Crown Prince’s wedding, and this was Xiao Changmin’s second marriage with its ceremonial restrictions, it was still grand and magnificent.

The couple sat high above, none daring to disturb them. Only relatives and noble ladies appointed to accompany them occasionally made conversation, ensuring the Crown Prince and his wife weren’t sitting idly. However, they soon discovered their presence was unnecessary – the Crown Princess was quite busy.

The Crown Prince would be thirsty one moment, want pastries the next, then roasted meat, then fruits…

Moreover, the Crown Prince merely tasted each item and wouldn’t allow servants near. The Crown Princess was constantly busy, especially when someone approached – before they could finish speaking, the Crown Prince would find something uncomfortable or unsuitable.

After several such instances, the clever ones understood: the Crown Prince simply didn’t want them disturbing his time with the Crown Princess.

Sure enough, once people stopped approaching, the Crown Prince no longer wanted to eat this and had no complaints, and watched the dancing with the Crown Princess, occasionally whispering and laughing together, appearing extremely intimate, as if no one could come between them.

Soon it was time for Xiao Changmin to lead Yu Sangning, whose face was hidden behind a ceremonial fan and dressed in magnificent wedding attire, to perform the ceremonies.

After the newlyweds were sent to their chamber and the guests could drink freely, everything remained peaceful. By now Xiao Huayong could leave, having fulfilled his familial obligations by attending the ceremony.

“Let’s go. If you don’t leave, I think they won’t proceed with their plans,” After sitting briefly, Xiao Huayong saw through Xiao Changmin and others’ intentions – they were wary of Shen Xihe.

If anything happened while Shen Xihe was present, no one but Xiao Huayong outranked her in status. If she decided to investigate, no one could stop her. As for the Crown Prince, when it came to doting on his wife, no one could question Xiao Huayong – they could only hope he wouldn’t help Shen Xihe, not expect him to stop her.

Shen Xihe smiled gently, extending her hand to Xiao Huayong. As the couple stood to leave, someone hurriedly rushed to Xiao Changmin, who was drinking with guests and whispered something, and Xiao Changmin’s expression changed before he ran out.

“Your prediction was wrong,” Shen Xihe smiled knowingly.

Xiao Huayong raised an eyebrow, instructing Tianyuan: “Tianyuan, follow and see what’s happening.”

With the groom hurriedly leaving, all eyes naturally followed. Everyone was curious, and with so many people present, it was difficult to keep secrets. Soon everyone knew what had happened.

The Fourteenth Prince Xiao Changhong had accidentally fallen into the water, fortunately saved by the South Shu Prince’s heir who happened to pass by. Without this timely rescue, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

Xiao Changhong was a prince – where were his birth mother and attending palace maids and eunuchs?

Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe exchanged glances before heading to the back courtyard together. Xiao Changhong had swallowed some water, but fortunately, to prevent any wedding mishaps, the prince’s mansion had imperial physicians on standby who treated him immediately, preventing serious injury.

Upon waking, Xiao Changhong wailed loudly, with State Consort Song crying while holding him.

Shen Xihe developed a headache from their crying: “State Consort Song, why did Fourteenth Brother fall in alone?”

State Consort Song quickly wiped her tears, gently patting the still-sobbing Xiao Changhong: “The Fourteenth Prince drank too much and needed the privy. I was accompanying Sister Noble Consort Su, so I instructed a eunuch to accompany him. I thought nothing could happen within the prince’s mansion, but…”

Speaking thus, State Consort Song began weeping again.

Shen Xihe understood – Noble Consort Su was working with Xiao Changmin, using Xiao Changhong to test Bu Shulin.

Xiao Changhong’s fall was no accident, and Bu Shulin had been deliberately led there. Xiao Changhong was a prince – if Bu Shulin saw him and didn’t save him, once people learned of this, or if Xiao Changhong told others after being saved by someone else, she would face death.

She had to enter the water, and after entering the water, she would have to change clothes!