“Keep these incense carefully. The methods and effects are sewn into the sachets for when you need them!” Shen Xihe gave Bu Shulin a pouch of incense.

Most of the incense was packed in sachets – powdered incense wrapped in oiled paper, wax-sealed incense balls, and thumb-thick bamboo tubes filled with incense blocks…

Various types with multiple effects, yet they didn’t take up much space, forming just a small bundle when tied together.

With her eyes blindfolded, Bu Shulin could only feel carefully with her fingers, feeling Shen Xihe’s kindness travel from her fingertips to her heart. Her throat burned: “Youyou, you are my true sister!”

She emphasized the word “true” heavily.

In this life, few people had truly cared for her. She had always concealed her identity, seemingly making friends in the capital, but except for Ding Zhi, none showed any genuine care.

Shen Xihe was the first person, neither a relative nor an old friend, who protected and looked after her. Regardless of whether this friendship initially involved weighing benefits, in Bu Shulin’s heart, Shen Xihe showed her nothing but sincere devotion!

“Go quickly, the sooner the better.” Shen Xihe wasn’t a sentimental person; she urged Bu Shulin on.

While everyone watched the “Bu heir” who had returned to the Bu mansion, leaving earlier meant reaching Shunnan sooner. Only after returning to Shunnan could she truly escape danger.

Bu Shulin knew every moment counted and couldn’t dawdle. She spread her arms to hug Shen Xihe before resolutely departing but found herself embracing empty air.

Zhenzhu watched helplessly as Bu Shulin, tearfully grateful, tried to hug the Crown Princess, only to see His Highness the Crown Prince pull her away first. Fortunately, she was quick enough to steady Bu Shulin – otherwise, the Bu heir, four months pregnant, might have taken a fall!

Seeing Bu Shulin steadied, Shen Xihe thought of her condition and couldn’t help glaring at Xiao Huayong! He knew perfectly well Bu Shulin was female!

Xiao Huayong snorted softly: “Go!”

Follow Datou’s lead.

If he hadn’t known Bu Shulin was female, just based on her clinginess to Youyou, Xiao Huayong wouldn’t have planned to let her return to Shunnan alive!

At most, for Shen Xihe’s sake, he would have stayed uninvolved. Why would he go to such lengths to help plan Bu Shulin’s return?

Shen Xihe watched Xiao Huayong lead Bu Shulin into the secret passage entrance, standing there for a long while lost in thought before finally turning away.

The capital was far from peaceful now. While Xiao Huayong was escorting Bu Shulin from the palace, Liu Sanzhi had already left carrying Emperor Youning’s imperial token.

This was a perfect opportunity to consolidate Shunnan’s military power. Bu Tuohai was dead, and if anything happened to Bu Shulin on her way to the funeral, Shunnan’s military power would naturally fall back into His Majesty’s hands.

Therefore, Emperor Youning was going all out this time.

Meanwhile, various factions had different reactions.

At Prince Zhao’s mansion, after returning, Xiao Changmin immediately gathered his confidants for secret discussions. Such matters naturally couldn’t be hidden from Yu Sangning. She waited until Xiao Changmin had finished discussions and dismissed all confidants before having someone invite him over.

“If it’s about the Bu family matter, don’t bother speaking,” Xiao Changmin said straightforwardly upon entering.

Xiao Changmin approved and appreciated Yu Sangning’s intelligence and methods, but he fundamentally believed women should know their place.

He could consult his woman, but wouldn’t allow his woman to meddle in everything.

“Your Highness, the Bu heir is close to the Crown Princess,” Yu Sangning, having learned Xiao Changmin’s temperament, said diplomatically. “I just feel the Prince of Shunnan’s matter couldn’t have been sudden. Could the Bu heir have received news early and made preparations?

If so, the Bu heir must have sought help. Looking across the capital, the only person the Bu heir could and would dare tell such a secret matter to in advance would be the Crown Princess.

The Crown Princess and others must have been prepared.”

Xiao Changmin, initially impatient, grew serious. He hadn’t considered this possibility, but it was indeed very likely!

“What do you suggest?” Xiao Changmin asked.

Yu Sangning paused before performing a deep curtsey: “Your Highness, no one wants to see the Bu heir return smoothly to the capital. Why should we interfere?”

Shen Xihe was too uncanny. She always felt opposing Shen Xihe would never end well, but she had guessed something of Xiao Changmin’s ambitions.

Though she had married Xiao Changmin, her desire for power made her want to become an empress, but she was always cautious. Given Xiao Changmin’s abilities – not to belittle him – he simply had no chance!

Aside from Shen Xihe holding the Eastern Palace’s legitimacy, even if the Crown Prince truly didn’t have long to live and Shen Xihe hadn’t born an heir, there was still Prince Xin in civil matters and Prince Jing in military affairs. The lurking Prince Yan was no ordinary figure either. Which of these people didn’t have more capability and support than the man before her?

Yet somehow someone had brainwashed Prince Zhao about seniority, actually making him dream impossible dreams!

In her view, Xiao Changmin should be content and pass on his prince’s legacy to his descendants. Of course, Yu Sangning couldn’t say these things to Xiao Changmin now, so she could only guide him gently.

After Yu Sangning suggested staying neutral, Xiao Changmin fell silent before saying: “I will carefully consider your words.”

With that, Xiao Changmin turned and left, gathering those confidants again for discussion. Hearing this news, Yu Sangning closed her eyes briefly.

She knew well that among these confidants were those who shared the dream of reaching the highest position. These were the people who had flattered Xiao Changmin until he couldn’t see his limitations. This time, Xiao Changmin would likely interfere again. She could only hope it wouldn’t bring disaster!

At Prince Xin’s mansion next door to Prince Zhao’s, Xiao Changying rushed back from military training: “Brother, we…”

Xiao Changying hesitated, fine sweat on his forehead showing his urgency.

Having once been obsessed with someone himself, Xiao Changqing could understand that feeling of being unable to forget or let go, focusing only on her, unable to control one’s feelings about anything related to her.

Therefore, he neither reproached nor dissuaded: “Do what you want. I’ll cover for you in the capital.”

Xiao Changying’s eyes brightened, suppressing his excitement as he gratefully said: “Thank you, brother!”

Speaking finished, he ran backward with a smile on his face.

Bu Shulin was Shen Xihe’s person. Whether Bu Shulin could safely return to Shunnan affected whether Shen Xihe would have a powerful ally.

Neither Xiao Changying nor Xiao Changqing desired the throne. Xiao Changying naturally wanted to help Shen Xihe wholeheartedly. As a non-legitimate son, he couldn’t give Shen Xihe the legitimacy she wanted, so even though Shen Yushan had chosen him, he was rejected by Shen Xihe.

He only wanted to do his best to give Shen Xihe everything he could, without needing her to know.