After warning Shen Yun’an, Xue Jinqiao deflated, hanging her head as she followed Shen Xihe with her Dian Dian.

In the carriage, Shen Xihe didn’t order the curtains lowered, waiting for Xue Jinqiao.

Xue Jinqiao climbed into the carriage hesitantly, followed by Shen Yun’an.

“Why did you do this?” Shen Xihe asked in a calm voice.

Xue Jinqiao stared at her shoes, her fingers intertwined on her knees: “She was shameless, so I obliged her.”

She glared at Shen Yun’an after speaking.

Shen Yun’an, who had done nothing but felt oddly uncomfortable from the glare: …

“Have you considered the consequences of your actions?” Shen Xihe asked solemnly.

“Without evidence, how dare she make it public?” Xue Jinqiao said rather proudly.

The sachet had been switched when her guard bumped into Miss Yuan. She’d specifically had him paint two prominent black moles – even if Miss Yuan calmed down and recalled something amiss, she wouldn’t be able to find this person.

Look how clever she was!

Beaming with pride, she cast a smile seeking praise, but upon meeting Shen Xihe’s cold eyes, she deflated.

“Even if they can’t find evidence, they know you did it. While they won’t openly seek redress from the Xue family, they’ll certainly cause trouble in secret.”

“So what?” Xue Jinqiao was utterly unconcerned. “My father is the Minister of Personnel, head of the Six Ministries. My great-uncle is the Secretariat Director, one of the Three Departments. Though the Xue family holds no noble title, even ducal families must show us respect. Who is she? What is the Yuan family?”

After the Gu family’s fall, the Chief Minister position went to the Cui family, the Secretariat Director position to the Xue family, and the former Military Affairs Commissioner Wang became Palace Attendant. The Xue family’s current generation was extraordinarily talented – since the thirteenth year of Youning, they’d produced one imperial scholar every year for six consecutive years.

Miss Xue the Seventh ranked seventh but was one of only two legitimate daughters, and the only unmarried one. Her status was sufficient to become a prince’s primary consort.

As for Hu Yingrao from Furong Garden bullying her – that was only because Hu Yingrao’s aunt was a prince’s consort.

“What about your family? How will you explain such willfulness to them?” Shen Xihe felt a headache coming on. She hadn’t interacted with Xue Jinqiao before and didn’t know her temperament. Seeing her tyrannical behavior, she must be quite domineering at home.

“Them?” Xue Jinqiao suddenly showed a chilling smile, though she quickly concealed it. “Don’t worry, Sister Xihe. They won’t blame me for anything I do, nor will they take it out on others.”

Very well – since Xue Jinqiao said so, she wouldn’t worry about it. If she hadn’t known that Xue Jinqiao had targeted Lady Yuan because of them, Shen Xihe wouldn’t have bothered asking.

“In the future, don’t interfere in my affairs,” Shen Xihe still cautioned.

“Oh.” Xue Jinqiao responded carelessly.

Shen Xihe couldn’t tell if she was just being perfunctory, so she didn’t pursue it further, dropping her off at the Xue family gate before leaving.

“Biyu, have Mo Yuan investigate how Lady Hu is doing,” Shen Xihe suddenly recalled not seeing Hu Yingrao at the Crown Princess’s birthday banquet last time.

She’d thought Princess Ye hadn’t sent an invitation, but among the capital’s noble ladies, even without an invitation, there were many ways to make an appearance – just like Yu Sangning, a concubine’s daughter who’d come with her legitimate sister.

Seeing how Xue Jinqiao dealt with Miss Yuan today, she had a feeling that Hu Yingrao wasn’t doing well.

Sure enough, shortly after returning to the Princess’s mansion, Mo Yuan brought news that since returning home from Furong Garden, Hu Yingrao would often fall into the water and now feared going near any pond or riverside.

Shen Xihe held her head – she knew without guessing who was behind it: “Miss Xue the Seventh… what exactly makes the Xue family so indulgent?”

Such things required private guards like hers. She had them because Emperor Youning allowed it, but court officials weren’t openly permitted private guards. All guards had to be reported annually, and keeping a private guard required substantial money – impossible to spare for young ladies.

“This servant might know something…” the well-informed Ziyu spoke softly.

Previously, when Shen Yun’an wasn’t around, they dared tell Shen Xihe anything, but with him present, they became reserved.

The Young Master only appeared gentle before the Princess – away from her, he was terrifying. How could they dare act presumptuously?

“What private matters have you heard now?” Shen Xihe turned her gaze to Ziyu.

“Eight years ago, Miss Xue the Seventh crawled back to the Xue family covered in blood. Someone saw lightning strike a tomb in the outskirts and said they saw Miss Xue crawl out from the split tomb. She was terrifying all the way home – commoners followed but none dared approach.” Ziyu spoke mysteriously. “Since then, the Xue family has especially treasured Miss Xue the Seventh.”

Shen Xihe frowned – she seemed to recall something about this but hadn’t paid much attention.

“Mo Yao, go investigate,” Shen Yun’an ordered his confidant.

Mo Yao and Mo Yuan were twin brothers. Their mother died early, and when they were about seven, their father remarried. After that, they stayed in the prince’s mansion, growing up alongside Shen Yun’an. When Shen Xihe came to the capital, Mo Yuan was assigned to follow her.

“Brother…” Shen Xihe looked at Shen Yun’an inquiringly – he never paid attention to unimportant people.

“Just think Miss Xue the Seventh is an interesting lady.” Shen Yun’an had always thought the capital’s ladies were delicate and weak.

He disliked weak ladies, though Shen Xihe was naturally an exception – his sister could have been vigorous and valiant if not for her congenital weakness.

He couldn’t appreciate other delicate ladies, but this Miss Xue dared to keep a cheetah, showing her strong character.

Having only met twice, Shen Xihe hadn’t noticed any hint of affection from Shen Yun’an, so she said nothing more.

While these two waited to learn more about Xue Jinqiao, news that Shen Xihe had formulated incense for Xianguo Temple’s Buddha statue spread throughout the capital, naturally reaching the Eastern Palace.

Xiao Huayong was leisurely eating flatbread when he heard Tianyuan’s report: “By your account, wouldn’t Youyou have met Fifth Brother?”

“They should have met,” Tianyuan could only guess. “Though shortly after the Princess arrived at Xianguo Temple, Prince Xin left.”

Xiao Huayong finished the last bit of flatbread in his hand, elegantly chewing while thinking. After swallowing and taking a sip of tea, he said: “I always feel Fifth Brother is most suspicious in the theft of the Western Defense Map.”

“To curry favor with Prince Lie before the Princess?” Tianyuan wondered if that wasn’t making too much of it.

“That’s just a bonus. The real target might be the Ye family’s Military Commissioner of Hexi,” Xiao Huayong’s lips curved in a slight smile.

“Your Highness, should we…”

“No matter, let him scheme,” Xiao Huayong chuckled softly. “When Father gained the throne, the Northwest Prince claimed five parts of the merit. Hoping to gain advantages from him is wishful thinking.”

After a pause, Xiao Huayong added with a mischievous smile: “However, we can hint to Fourth Brother who sabotaged him.”