Yu Sangning’s prompt confession surprised not only the Youning Emperor but also Xiao Changmin, who knelt at his side.

She should have at least argued a bit, should have shown some panic, or at least begged for mercy.

But Yu Sangning was unnaturally calm. She bowed deeply, her forehead touching the ground, making the entire hall so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

“There must be a reason. I want to know why you drugged Prince Bu!” the Youning Emperor asked sternly.

Yu Sangning remained prostrate, not answering immediately.

The Youning Emperor grew impatient and asked again: “When I ask you a question, you dare not answer? Who gave you such courage?”

Yu Sangning trembled slightly, then finally raised her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the floor before her: “Your Majesty… my Fifth Sister has long harbored feelings for Prince Bu, to no avail. She begged me to help her, and in a moment of weakness, I foolishly committed this act.”

Cui Jinbai’s expression changed upon hearing this.

The Youning Emperor’s gaze rested on Yu Sangning for a moment before turning to Cui Jinbai: “Did Fifth Miss Yu mention this?”

Cui Jinbai clasped his hands and bowed: “In response to Your Majesty when I questioned Fifth Miss Yu, she never mentioned this. I have submitted all of Fifth Miss Yu’s testimonies to Your Majesty.”

In Cui Jinbai’s report, Fifth Miss Yu said she knew nothing. Her parents had come to persuade her to say she loved Prince Bu and had drugged him. She had just agreed to follow her parents’ instructions when she saw the poisoned food and then revealed her parents’ attempt to make her give false testimony.

“Go, bring Fifth Miss Yu here,” the Youning Emperor ordered someone to fetch Fifth Miss Yu.

By this time, news of the questioning in Qinzheng Hall had reached the Eastern Palace. Xiao Huayong was painting while Shen Xihe was handling palace affairs.

After hearing Tianyuan’s report of what was said, Xiao Huayong put down his brush and turned to Shen Xihe, who appeared not to have heard: “This new second sister-in-law of mine does have some skill.”

“A feint to save herself by sacrificing the tail,” Shen Xihe continued writing without pause.

Yu Sangning had always been clever. This time she thought quickly under pressure, making a feint before Cui Jinbai to buy more time for damage control and escape disaster.

“You… won’t intervene?” Xiao Huayong hesitated slightly.

“Why should I intervene?” Shen Xihe looked up at Xiao Huayong. “Because she’s somewhat clever? Should I move against her in case she becomes my enemy in the future?”

Xiao Huayong raised his eyebrows in silence.

“Yes, she’s clever, and I’m not so arrogant as to dismiss her intelligence. But there are countless clever people in this world. Should I move against everyone I meet just because they’re not my friends?”

Yu Sangning was clever, and her intentions weren’t pure – Shen Xihe knew this well. But so what? Yu Sangning had never truly extended her schemes to her domain.

She was neither a righteous person carrying out heaven’s will nor someone so narrow-minded that she couldn’t stand seeing others being shrewd. Should she strike at Yu Sangning just because she disliked her and disapproved of her ambitious maneuvering?

Shen Xihe was neither a tyrant nor a dictator; she didn’t act so arbitrarily.

“Second Brother has great ambitions, and his wife follows his lead. They may become your enemies in the future,” Xiao Huayong said.

“That’s a matter for the future,” Shen Xihe closed the documents before her. “Beichen, no one can predict the future. The Prince of Dai’s wife also has impure intentions – should I move against her now? Prince Xin is quite capable – should I prevent him from finding a wife? The same goes for Prince Jing, and Prince Lie’s unbetrothed wife has the Northeastern Army’s protection – should I guard against her too?

I can’t be suspicious just because Prince Xiao’s household has some intelligence. That’s not prevention – it’s the narrow-mindedness and jealousy of the strong.

If I were to guard against everyone, wouldn’t I become a pitiful creature, seeing enemies everywhere and living in constant fear?”

“If you don’t eliminate her today, and tomorrow when her wings are fully grown she harms you, will you regret today’s choice?” Xiao Huayong asked.

“Today I have no reason to eliminate her. The aphrodisiac incense wasn’t her doing or her strategy. When Prince Xiao secretly harmed Alin, Alin counterattacked. As Alin’s friend, though I support him, I have no right to seek justice on his behalf. How to deal with Prince Xiao is Alin’s own business.

If Alin’s life were at stake, as a friend, I would naturally help. Just as Princess Xiao, being Prince Xiao’s wife naturally plans for him.”

Shen Xihe had her principles, and she saw nothing wrong with them: “If tomorrow she wants to compete with me, let her come. If I’m defeated and suffer losses, I’ll only blame my inadequacy.”

Xiao Huayong walked before Shen Xihe with his hands behind his back, gazing at her intently, as if he could never look enough.

Glancing at him, Shen Xihe picked up another document and opened it, reading while saying: “Beichen, this world has all kinds of people, many whose views, thoughts, concerns, desires, and actions differ from ours. Though we may be restrained in our actions and can’t claim to be virtuous, we’re not evil people. Yet we can’t attack those who are different – that’s a ruler’s greatest taboo.”

They were born for the highest position, and for emperors who rule all under heaven, the greatest taboo is acting according to personal preferences and choosing people based on personal likes.

“A ruler’s dignity lies in freedom from suspicion; suspicion with measure is a ruler’s virtue,” Xiao Huayong turned, spread a paper, took up his brush, and wrote these twelve characters in flowing strokes.

Satisfied after admiring it, he turned to instruct Tianyuan: “Later, have this mounted and hung in my and the Crown Princess’s study.”

To leave for his and Youyou’s descendants.

A ruler’s dignity lies in not developing paranoia; suspicion is acceptable but must be measured – this is a ruler’s virtue.

Just as Shen Xihe dealt with Yu Sangning.

Many of Yu Sangning’s actions seemed lacking in virtue to Shen Xihe, but they weren’t related by blood or marriage, so it wasn’t her place to point this out. Regardless of how unsavory Yu Sangning’s actions were, she hadn’t infringed on Shen Xihe’s interests, so naturally, Shen Xihe wouldn’t extend her reach so far, acting under the banner of justice while causing more chaos.

She had never been one to meddle in others’ affairs.

The couple exchanged smiles, said no more about this person, and resumed their own business.

In Qinzheng Hall, when Fifth Miss Yu was brought from the Court of Judicial Review, facing His Majesty’s questioning, she naturally shook her head weakly like a rattle drum: “Your Majesty, I never had feelings for Prince Bu, nor did I ask Princess Xiao for help. Princess Xiao is slandering me!”

With both sides maintaining their stories, Yu Sangning looked at her cousin with painful regret: “Fifth Sister, things have come to this, why won’t you admit it? You still have Prince Bu’s portrait hidden in your chambers, hanging by your bed. You told me only this way could you sleep peacefully.

If you hadn’t threatened suicide, saying if I didn’t help, you would crash your head to death in my new chamber on my wedding day, how would I have…”