The summer sun blazed fiercely overhead. Dazzling light scattered across the lake’s surface, its golden ripples painfully bright to the eye. A fine layer of sweat formed on Yu Sangning’s back – not from heat, but from a bone-chilling cold.

“I don’t know how I’ve offended the Crown Princess, that you would judge me so harshly,” Yu Sangning refused to admit anything, instead accusing Shen Xihe.

“Meow!”

Short Life, who had been shooed away by Shen Xihe, returned with a peony flower in its mouth, elegantly walking across the balustrade on its four short legs, swaying its bottom. It lifted its small head, offering the flower to Shen Xihe, who gently tapped its forehead before accepting the peony.

Her slender fingers twirled the flower stem slowly: “It doesn’t matter if you deny it. I wasn’t planning to do anything about it anyway…”

Saying this, Shen Xihe turned to face the lake: “I just want you to know that these clever schemes you’re so proud of are nothing but petty tricks in my eyes. If you’re smart, don’t cause trouble for me. Playing your little games in my territory, like today – that’s asking for death.”

There were countless evil people in the world, and Shen Xihe had no desire to uphold justice. She naturally wouldn’t concern herself with whether others were good or evil – she only managed her affairs. But she wouldn’t allow anyone to act brazenly under her nose.

Yu Sangning thought her plot was ingenious, that even if she came personally, she could only send Anling home full of grievances, using this to provoke the Lingwu Baron’s wife. This meant she had included Shen Xihe in her calculations. Shen Xihe had always been the player, never the piece – those who dared use her would pay a painful price.

Yu Sangning finally understood why Shen Xihe wanted to teach her a lesson. She had caused trouble in the palace – the inner court was in Shen Xihe’s palm, and she wouldn’t allow anyone to disrespect her in her domain.

As domineering as ever, just like when she had made those noble ladies kneel on broken porcelain at Prince Dai’s wife’s birthday celebration.

As a young lady, she had been Princess Zhaoning, first among noble women.

After marriage, she remained first among titled ladies as the Eastern Palace’s primary consort.

Women like Shen Xihe seemed destined to be the center of attention, a cut above the rest.

Some people were just born so fortunate that others didn’t dare even feel jealous.

“I’m a foolish person, not as clever as the Crown Princess. I can’t think so far ahead. If I’ve inadvertently troubled the Crown Princess, please forgive me this once.” Yu Sangning could only bow her head and submit.

With someone like Shen Xihe, she had neither the strength nor the ability to clash directly. She had always been someone who knew when to bend.

“You still don’t understand my meaning.” Shen Xihe’s fingers released the flower, letting it fall to the ground. She stepped over it without a glance.

She didn’t deliberately crush it, nor was it meant as a threat to Yu Sangning. The flower had simply fallen in her path, and her normal stride happened to step on it.

This casual indifference, showing no intentional cruelty, made Yu Sangning’s heart leap to her throat. Watching Shen Xihe approach step by step, her pupils contracted involuntarily. She had to fight hard not to instinctively step back.

Shen Xihe stopped in front of Yu Sangning: “You think I only know about today?

Back at Xiangguo Temple, you used the Water-Dripping Guanyin to kill your admirer, stepping over his corpse to save your grandmother and return to the Yu manor, transforming yourself into the housekeeper’s daughter.

To secure your position, you deliberately poisoned your legitimate sister, causing her rash, creating a tale of two beautiful sisters.

I won’t speak much of how you manipulated the Empress Dowager at the temporary palace – I’ve already given you an unforgettable warning about that.

You’re quite capable – luring your admirer to take poison with you, making it appear as though he committed suicide out of guilt.

You’re quite bold too – daring to arrange for someone to harm the Prince of Zhao, letting your dear sister pave your way by faking her death while saving him.

Step by step, scheming carefully, you climbed to the position of a prince’s primary consort.”

This clear, cold voice was like steel daggers piercing Yu Sangning’s heart. She had thought each step had been executed without leaving a trace, fooling even those involved, yet someone had seen through everything long ago!

Now, Yu Sangning finally understood why she inexplicably feared Shen Xihe.

Previously, she had been shortsighted, only seeing Shen Xihe’s dominance, nobility, power, and authority.

In truth, her fear of Shen Xihe was an instinctive submission to strength, like a forest fox encountering a tiger – a natural submission and avoidance.

As Shen Xihe listed each incident, Yu Sangning no longer attempted to argue. She knew denials were now meaningless, and she stared at Shen Xihe with wariness and fear.

“Your Highness, the person has been beaten to death!” At this moment, Biyu came to report.

“Send her back to the Prince of Zhao. Tell His Highness that if his household cannot find suitable servants, I will personally select some to serve the Princess Consort.” Shen Xihe ordered casually.

“Yes.” Biyu acknowledged and withdrew.

Seeing Yu Sangning’s deathly pale face and hesitant expression, Shen Xihe glanced at Zhenzhu who had been following at her side: “Go check on her.”

Zhenzhu immediately stepped forward to check Yu Sangning’s pulse, then took out her silver needles to treat Yu Sangning’s excessive emotional disturbance.

Shen Xihe merely glanced before walking past them: “Remember to personally escort the Prince of Zhao’s wife back to the prince’s residence.”

“Your Highness, the Prince of Zhao’s wife is so ruthless. Now that you’ve exposed her today, might she not go all the way and use the child in her womb to frame you?” Ziyu looked back at Zhenzhu and Yu Sangning, who were left far behind them.

A slight smile appeared on Shen Xihe’s lips: “She wouldn’t dare, nor would she be willing to.”

After this incident, Yu Sangning would fear her even more. The child in her womb was crucial to her – she wouldn’t sacrifice it to frame others.

Thinking of this, Shen Xihe said: “For someone like her, this child is second only to herself. Unless it’s for her own sake, any move would be a losing proposition to her.”

When Shen Xihe returned to the Eastern Palace, Xiao Huayong was again waiting at the entrance. Under the lush maple trees, he stood tall and graceful, scattered sunlight filtering through the branches onto him like a celestial being.

“Why did you teach her a lesson today?” Xiao Huayong asked.

Usually, Shen Xihe never interfered in matters that didn’t concern her.

“She included me in her calculations,” Shen Xihe answered.

“Is that all? Just that?” Xiao Huayong asked meaningfully.

Shen Xihe smiled and sighed softly: “I can never hide anything from you. The child is innocent.”

She had met the Prince of Zhao’s legitimate eldest son several times – a well-mannered, quiet child who had called her “aunt” multiple times. Shen Xihe didn’t want him to lose his life like this. Helping casually would also make Yu Sangning more cautious and avoid crossing her path in the future.

“My Youyou is most kind-hearted.”