“What a pity, such a strong-willed woman.” When the news reached Shen Xihe, she couldn’t help but sigh softly.

For Fifth Lady Yu, even the calculating Yu Sangning hadn’t anticipated that the fragile Fifth Lady Yu would, at her wit’s end, use her death to revenge against everyone.

She didn’t have to die. Even though there was solid evidence of her drugging Bu Shulin, he hadn’t been harmed. Moreover, Bu Shulin knew she was an innocent victim. Given his temperament, he wouldn’t have pursued the matter – at most, she would have received a beating with the rod.

Perhaps it was her parents’ abandonment that left her too desperate, or maybe Yu Sangning’s scheming filled her with too much hatred. So she chose to spill her blood in the Hall of Diligent Government.

Whether Fifth Lady Yu was the mastermind behind this incident, both His Majesty and the various princes knew in their hearts. Fifth Lady Yu’s method of taking her own life would win His Majesty’s sympathy and compassion for the deceased, which led to Yu Sangning being deemed unworthy to worship at the ancestral temple and General Yu’s position being stripped.

“The weak must stake their lives to seek justice,” Xiao Huayong stood beside Shen Xihe, also feeling somewhat emotional.

This was an eternal rule of survival, regardless of whether laws were strict or whether the monarch was enlightened.

“Thus, I’ve always been grateful to be born into a noble family,” Shen Xihe lowered her head to stroke Shortlife who was nuzzling against her coquettishly.

Shen Xihe never understood those born into powerful families who yearned for ordinary life and freedom. Ordinary life and freedom required tremendous good fortune to maintain a peaceful and smooth life. With slightly worse luck, one setback could drive a person to despair, just like Fifth Lady Yu.

If the Yu family’s seventh branch hadn’t been weak and too impoverished to maintain appearances, would Yu Sangning have dared to push someone to such extremes?

“My Youyou is the most content person,” Xiao Huayong adored Shen Xihe, falling more deeply in love with her the more time they spent together. Her way of dealing with the world, her manner of handling affairs, her public demeanor – all of these genuinely impressed him with their magnanimity.

Such magnanimity was rare even among men. At least in terms of breadth of mind and state of mind, he felt he couldn’t match up to Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe smiled softly. This man always liked to praise her, as if in his eyes she was perfect in every way, like flawless white jade.

“Your Highness, Hereditary Prince Bu, and Lady Xiao request an audience with the Crown Princess,” Tianyuan’s voice came from outside just as Shen Xihe was about to speak.

Xiao Huayong looked at Shen Xihe and commanded: “Receive them at Xiaoya Pavilion.”

Xiaoya Pavilion was a waterside pavilion by the lake, surrounded by green bamboo and peach blossoms. In spring, it was an exceptionally elegant place to receive guests.

When Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong arrived, Bu Shulin and Xiao Wenxi were already there. Xiao Wenxi’s face showed traces of worry, while Bu Shulin sat sideways on the beauty couch, lost in thought as she gazed at the gentle ripples on the lake surface stirred by the wind.

Xiao Wenxi’s respectful greeting brought Bu Shulin back to her senses. Though her greeting was respectful, her demeanor remained dejected.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Xihe asked with concern.

Bu Shulin lowered her head in silence. Xiao Wenxi looked at her before telling Shen Xihe: “At the Hall of Diligent Government, we witnessed Fifth Lady Yu’s suicide. The Hereditary Prince is deeply troubled, believing it was her fault that Fifth Lady Yu lost her life.”

That day, to counter Xiao Changmin, they had chosen a lady from the Yu family. There were many Yu family ladies present that day, and Bu Shulin had randomly chosen one who was alone, never expecting such an outcome.

Shen Xihe’s fine eyebrows moved slightly upon hearing this. She gracefully took her seat beside Xiao Huayong, dismissed Zhenzhu, and personally lifted the water kettle to pour tea into the cups. Even the sound of water falling into the cups seemed melodious due to her elegant movements.

“Alin, have you considered what your fate would have been that day if you hadn’t approached Fifth Lady Yu?” Shen Xihe asked.

Bu Shulin raised her head and stared blankly at Shen Xihe.

What would have happened? With anyone else, Xiao Changmin would have denied everything. Involving another household would only have made things more complicated, possibly leaving Xiao Changmin completely unscathed.

Only a lady from the Yu family could indirectly expose Xiao Changmin’s ambitions. It was the most effective – and only effective – way to strike back at Xiao Changmin.

If she hadn’t sought out a lady and had fled earlier, Xiao Changmin would have relentlessly pursued to prove whether she was female.

Each step she took had been forced by necessity, with no other choice.

“Alin, we are all ordinary people. Though we may have kind hearts and compassion, we must also protect ourselves before we can speak of virtue. Remember… our lives don’t belong to us alone.”

Shen Xihe’s tone was calm and her voice gentle, but her words struck Bu Shulin’s heart: “You never meant to harm her. If not for the Princess Consort of Zhao’s cruelty, she wouldn’t have been driven to such extremes. Involving her was truly an act of necessity. Her death was forced by the Princess Consort of Zhao – why torture yourself over others’ evil?”

Yes, she had no choice, but Yu Sangning did have a choice. If Yu Sangning and Xiao Changmin hadn’t harbored such malicious intentions, hadn’t used such methods to clear themselves, or if Fifth Lady Yu’s parents had shown even a hint of love for their daughter, they wouldn’t have agreed to Yu Sangning’s schemes out of greed and driven Fifth Lady Yu to the point where she wanted nothing but to use her death to revenge against them.

“Thank you, You-“

“Hmm?”

Just as the enlightened Bu Shulin began to express her gratitude, the Crown Prince cast a faint glance, and she hurriedly corrected herself: “Thank you, Crown Princess, for untangling the knot in my heart.”

“With Hereditary Prince Bu and Lady Xiao’s wedding approaching, I’m sure you have much to prepare. We won’t keep you any longer,” Xiao Huayong directly issued a dismissal.

In others’ eyes, Bu Shulin and Xiao Wenxi were already intimate as husband and wife. His Majesty was also concerned about whether Xiao Wenxi might be secretly with a child, which could lead to unsavory rumors. Their wedding was set for two months later, scheduled alongside the marriages of Xiao Changying and Xiao Changfeng.

The two naturally knew better than to overstay their welcome and obediently took their leave, having barely warmed their seats or tasted their tea before being dismissed by the Crown Prince.

The palace was busy with more weddings, and Shen Xihe became busy again. Half a month later, Shen Xihe received a family letter from Shen Yun’an, announcing that Xue Jinqiao was with child – she was going to be an aunt!