pillow bird spring

Cui Lingyi was naturally acquainted with Song Jian.

With just a little thought, one would know where Xiao Yin had sent Shen Yingshuang.

So it's not surprising that they're coming to us now.

"You go first, don't keep Lingyi waiting, lest something unexpected happens. I'll handle things here," Song Jian said calmly.

Xiao Yin nodded, and then hurriedly followed He Jiu toward the front hall.

Before leaving, Xiao Yin glanced at Shen Yinshuang out of the corner of his eye.

But he didn't stop.

Regarding Shen Yinshuang, he did indeed owe Cui Lingyi a favor.

He wasn't even sure how much Cui Lingyi actually knew.

Therefore, this person must be met.

Soon, Xiao Yin met Cui Lingyi in the front hall.

Upon seeing Xiao Yin, Cui Lingyi took the initiative to walk over and greeted him, "Brother Yin."

Xiao Yin nodded.

Before he could speak, Cui Lingyi had already taken the initiative to inquire about Shen Yinshuang's situation, showing her concern.

You can't sense at all that she has any aversion to Shen Yinshuang.

It was as if they had never known Shen Yinshuang's identity.

"How is Miss Shen now? When you took her away, I felt she was not doing well," Cui Lingyi asked anxiously.

She had already taken Xiao Yin's hand in hers.

Xiao Yin did not refuse.

He lowered his eyes and quietly looked at Cui Lingyi.

Then Xiao Yin slowly spoke: "She was drugged by Pei Shou'an, and Song Jian is handling it now."

Cui Lingyi nodded: "I noticed that too. But with Song Jian here, I'm not worried. At least Miss Shen will be safe and sound."

Xiao Yin hummed in agreement.

Cui Lingyi didn't rush to speak. She looked at Xiao Yin with her eyes crinkling, appearing very obedient.

This made Xiao Yin feel a little guilty.

On the surface, Xiao Yin remained expressionless.

"Brother Yin," Cui Lingyi called out to Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin's eyes did not dodge.

"You don't need to worry about Miss Shen. I've already spoken with Father. He won't cause any trouble for Miss Shen. After all, my wedding attire still depends on Miss Shen. So let's leave it at that," Cui Lingyi said calmly.

Xiao Yin didn't respond immediately. After a moment of silence, he continued, "Lingyi, the wedding dress should be made by someone else. Shen Yingshuang is no longer suitable. I can go to Jiangnan to find a better embroiderer. But this person cannot be Shen Yingshuang; I'm afraid something might happen."

He spoke calmly, yet managed to distance himself completely from Shen Yinshuang.

"After all, Shen Yingshuang was brought by Pei Shou'an. You know very well the grudges between the Xiao family and the Pei family. If we continue to entangle ourselves, I'm afraid it will implicate you," Xiao Yin advised Cui Lingyi to give up.

But then, Cui Lingyi looked at Xiao Yin innocently and said, "Brother Yin, but I only like Miss Shen's embroidery skills. After all, you've found countless embroiderers before, and I didn't like any of them."

This attitude means that replacing the person is impossible.

Xiao Yin's hand tightened slightly, and his thin lips pursed.

"Also, do you know why I spoke up for Miss Shen today?" Cui Lingyi suddenly asked Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "Why?"

"Because Pei Shou'an came to see me before and hinted that you and Miss Shen had an ambiguous relationship," Cui Lingyi said, word by word.

Throughout the entire process, her eyes never left Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin did not dodge and remained calm.

But between the two, there was an undercurrent of tension, as if they were engaged in a game of wits.

"Do you believe it?" Xiao Yin asked Cui Lingyi calmly.

"Of course I don't believe it. I know Brother Yin's character. How could he keep a mistress in the western suburbs and give others a handle against him?" Cui Lingyi's eyes were clear, and her words showed her trust in Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin remained silent, his fist clenching tighter and tighter.

In any complicated relationship involving three people, someone will inevitably feel guilty.

"Lingyi—" Xiao Yin called out to Cui Lingyi, bowing his head.

But Cui Lingyi's slender fingers were already pressed against Xiao Yin's thin lips.

Her eyes still curved into a smile: "Brother Yin, I brought up Miss Shen's matter because I didn't want to put you in a difficult position. But I won't let her leave. Because, as you said, she is ultimately someone brought by Pei Shou'an. If she is released, I can't guarantee what will happen. After all, Pei Shou'an and you have always been at odds. At the very least, before our wedding, I need Miss Shen to stay under my watchful eye."

These words were Cui Lingyi's true purpose today, and every single one of them was crystal clear.

Xiao Yin could not refute it.

This is a kind of hesitation and indecision.

Indeed, if Shen Yinshuang is released, Pei Shouan's ruthlessness will lead him to extremes.

But keeping Shen Yinshuang around would also be a danger to me.

"You don't want to?" Cui Lingyi looked at Xiao Yin and asked innocently.

"No, you can make the decision," Xiao Yin said calmly.

Cui Lingyi's mood seemed to improve instantly upon hearing this answer.

She continued, "When I saw the Empress Dowager off earlier, she told me to accompany her to Kaiyuan Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings. Kaiyuan Temple is in Chengde, and the round trip would take a month. It just so happens that I brought Miss Shen along. This way, we can get away from the capital and avoid trouble. Secondly, I can watch her finish embroidering our wedding dress."

"..."

"We can get married after spring, which will be perfect. In the meantime, Brother Yin can also handle Pei Shou'an's affairs. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"

Cui Lingyi considered every detail, and acted tactfully.

"I'll do as you say." Xiao Yin finally gave his answer after a long pause.

Cui Lingyi was visibly happy: "Brother Yin, I know you're the best to me."

She took the initiative to cling to Xiao Yin, her slender hands embracing his strong waist.

But when she was close to Xiao Yin, Cui Lingyi could smell a faint feminine fragrance on him.

That was the aura emanating from Shen Yinshuang.

The gentle and sensible look that Cui Lingyi had shown before was gone, replaced by ruthlessness and cruelty.

But she was smart enough not to say anything more.

Ha, how could she possibly let Shen Yinshuang live?

"Brother Yin, may I go in and see Miss Shen?" Cui Lingyi asked obediently.

Xiao Yin did not refuse, but he knew he could not refuse.

"Okay, I'll take you in," Xiao Yin replied.

But he knew even more clearly that Cui Lingyi was not as simple as she appeared.

How could someone who could appease both the Empress Dowager and the Empress in the inner palace be truly innocent?

But Xiao Yin didn't expose it.

He led Cui Lingyi into the inner room, and throughout the entire process, Cui Lingyi held Xiao Yin's hand.

When Cui Lingyi entered, she saw the unconscious Shen Yinshuang. She asked Song Jian about Shen Yinshuang with concern and generosity.

Song Jian answered calmly.

Cui Lingyi nodded politely to indicate that she understood, and wisely did not linger any longer.

"Brother Yin, please take me back." Cui Lingyi looked at Xiao Yin softly.

"Okay," Xiao Yin replied.

Soon, Xiao Yin led Cui Lingyi away discreetly outside.