pillow bird spring

Three days later—

Shen Yinshuang never left the temple.

The temple bells ring every hour.

But her unease and restlessness grew deeper and deeper.

Because there was no news from Xiao Yin.

Cui Xi also went to inquire, but no one knew what had happened.

Xiao Yin had just quietly left the imperial palace with the emperor three days ago when he completely disappeared without a trace.

"Still no news?" Shen Yinshuang asked quickly when she saw Cuixi return.

Cui Xi shook her head: "Miss, there is no news of the general. But I can confirm that the emperor is already at the temporary palace, and all the ladies of the harem have gone there."

These words made Shen Yinshuang frown even more.

Xiao Yin followed the Emperor closely, so why didn't he return when the Emperor came back?

What happened?

"Why don't you ask Lord Nangong?" Cui Xi asked cautiously after a moment of silence.

"The general forbids you from leaving the temple, but he also said that if anything happens, you can go to Lord Nangong." Cui Xi looked at Shen Yinshuang earnestly.

Shen Yinshuang bit her lip slightly, as if she was thinking.

Knowing Xiao Yin well, she naturally understood his meaning.

If someone is looking for Nangong Zhao, something must have happened; otherwise, he's just staying at the temple.

On that day, Xiao Yin's solemn instructions made Shen Yinshuang even more uneasy.

From the time Shen Yinshuang met Xiao Yin until now.

Only when Xiao Yin went to the frontier to lead troops into battle did he use such a cautious tone.

So it's impossible for her not to worry.

"I'm going to find Lord Nangong." Shen Yinshuang came back to her senses.

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Yinshuang stood up and walked towards the opposite side.

Nangong Zhao lived next to Consort De's palace, which was the closest location to the temple.

Walking down from the temple doesn't take much time.

It won't attract the attention of others.

"I'll go with you," Cui Xi quickly replied.

Shen Yinshuang nodded, but didn't say anything.

Soon, Shen Yinshuang led Cuixi out of the room.

The path down the mountain was secluded and winding.

Shen Yinshuang's legs were weak, and she almost fell. If Cuixi hadn't caught her, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"Miss, why don't you go back? I'll go find Lord Nangong," Cui Xi suggested to Shen Yinshuang after thinking for a moment.

She gestured towards the path ahead: "From the temple, it looks very close. But this winding mountain path takes a long time to walk. I'm faster, so it's probably more convenient for me."

Shen Yingshuang glanced at the seemingly endless path in front of her and nodded: "Okay, then I'll wait for your news."

Cui Xi nodded, indicating that she intended to send Shen Yingshuang back.

Shen Yinshuang waved her hand: "Go ahead, I can walk up here by myself."

Cui Xi was a little worried.

However, the location of the temple can still be seen from this position.

So in the end, Cui Xi didn't think much of it.

She turned and walked towards the palace.

After watching Cui Xi leave, Shen Yinshuang quietly walked back to the temple.

The journey back was even quieter.

You can even hear the novice monks chanting sutras.

Shen Yinshuang's pace was slow; due to her leg ailment, every step she took was much more difficult.

As she climbed upwards, she became even more breathless.

Suddenly, the two monks in front of them hurriedly ran down the mountain.

Shen Yinshuang only glanced at it.

But the conversation between the two young monks caused Shen Yinshuang's expression to change.

"General Xiao has encountered an accident. It seems he was seriously injured while protecting the Emperor, and his fate is currently unknown."

"Yes, all the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital have gone, and Miss Cui has also rushed over there."

"But I heard..."

……

Shen Yinshuang didn't have time to hear the rest of the words clearly before her expression completely changed.

Xiao Yin is in trouble.

Without a second thought, Shen Yinshuang grabbed the little monk.

"You said General Xiao is in trouble?" Shen Yingshuang asked quickly, suppressing her emotions.

The young monk was taken aback: "Yes, we heard he was seriously injured and is at the next post station. He hasn't even reached the palace yet. We don't know the specifics."

After saying that, the young monk seemed to realize that he had said something he shouldn't have.

They immediately waved goodbye and hurried down the mountain.

Shen Yinshuang stood there, her expression changing repeatedly.

Xiao Yin is in trouble!

The news shocked Shen Yinshuang so much that she was somewhat stunned.

But Shen Yinshuang reacted quickly.

The post station was not located in the imperial palace.

It's in the south.

There is a small path leading from the temple.

Coincidentally, Shen Yinshuang was at this fork in the road.

Without hesitation, she quickly marked the tree trunks by the roadside.

As long as Cuixi turns around in a moment, she will see it.

Then Shen Yinshuang walked towards the path.

On the way there, Shen Yinshuang gradually realized that something was wrong.

The path was different from what she had imagined.

It is not straight, but winding and twisting.

After circling around twice, she found herself somewhat disoriented.

She was panting heavily and covered in sweat as she walked.

Even though it was already winter, her forehead began to bead with sweat due to tension and the heat.

The surrounding environment became unfamiliar.

Shen Yinshuang forced herself to calm down.

She could see the post station right below with her naked eye.

But it's like being trapped in a maze, unable to find a way out.

Under these circumstances, Shen Yinshuang saw a small wooden house ahead with temple symbols on it.

She remembered what Xiao Yin had told her.

Temples are safe.

So Shen Yinshuang didn't hesitate and quickly walked towards the cabin.

She planned to ask for directions.

Shen Yinshuang walked up to the cabin and knocked on the door.

Indistinct sounds came from inside.

It seems like they agreed.

Shen Yinshuang couldn't hear clearly.

But she was anxious to know Xiao Yin's whereabouts, so Shen Yinshuang pushed open the door without thinking.

"Is anyone there? I want to ask..." Shen Yinshuang called out softly.

Then she was stunned.

She saw a woman lying curled up on the ground.

There was blood on the side.

The stench of blood was already overwhelming.

It was a conditioned reflex; Shen Yinshuang quickly walked towards the woman, calling out, "Miss, Miss..."

That was an instinctive reaction.

I don't want anything to happen to anyone.

But the other party didn't react at all.

Shen Yinshuang was a little nervous, but she still did her best to turn the person over.

Then, Shen Yinshuang was stunned.

This is Princess Chengping.

Her hands began to tremble; she never expected to meet Princess Chengping here.

Then her face changed completely, turning deathly pale.

Because she discovered that Princess Chengping was dead.

She stopped breathing altogether.

Now, Shen Yingshuang was at a loss.

She forced herself to calm down, her mind racing.

But before Shen Yinshuang could react, a banging sound suddenly came from outside the door.

"Your Highness, Your Highness!" the maid, Fenxiang, called out urgently.

Shen Yinshuang stood beside Princess Chengping's corpse, her heart pounding rapidly.

The unease I had felt earlier had grown stronger at this moment.

"Hurry up, the princess is inside!" Fenxiang's voice grew increasingly frantic.

Then--

The door to the wooden house was kicked open.

The Imperial Guards led the charge and rushed in.

Everyone was stunned when they saw Shen Yinshuang.