pillow bird spring

Shen Yinshuang's expression changed slightly.

The fingernail dug deep into the skin, and it hurt terribly.

She's not stupid; Cui Lingyi couldn't possibly be as innocent and naive as she appears.

If she doesn't agree, that would be defying the imperial decree.

If she agrees, this trip to Kaiyuan Temple will likely be a dead end.

"Miss Shen?" Cui Lingyi called out when Shen Yingshuang remained silent.

"I..." Shen Yinshuang finally spoke after a long while.

Cui Lingyi interrupted her again: "By the way, I also told the Empress Dowager that you are a descendant of the Liu family of Jiangnan, and the Empress Dowager is very interested in you."

These words completely put Shen Yinshuang in a difficult position.

In a limbo, neither here nor there.

She was opposed, but she had no other choice.

It was as if it were destined, leading us all the way to our doom.

"Miss Shen?" Cui Lingyi looked at Shen Yinshuang with a kind yet innocent expression.

Shen Yinshuang looked up, her red lips slightly moving.

Before she could even finish speaking, Cui Lingyi interrupted her with a smile.

"Please. Don't keep the Empress Dowager waiting." Her voice carried an unyielding refusal.

Meanwhile, the old nanny stepped forward and helped Shen Yinshuang walk outside.

In this situation, Song Jian also appeared to be in a passive position.

He couldn't stop it.

Firstly, she was afraid of causing trouble for Xiao Yin; secondly, Cui Lingyi's status was evident, and there was also the Empress Dowager's imperial decree.

Soon, Song Jian looked at the servant beside him.

Upon receiving a glance from Song Jian, the servant immediately turned and walked discreetly out of the Song residence.

The purpose is to inform Xiao Yin.

Shen Yinshuang naturally understood this principle and would not make things difficult for Song Jian.

She felt a sharp pain in her lower back.

The old woman pushing her seemed very polite, but her blows became more and more brutal with each passing moment.

She walked very passively, her brows already furrowed.

Cui Lingyi walked ahead as if nothing had happened, while chatting and laughing with Shen Yingshuang.

But this is a form of coercion.

After Shen Yinshuang was forced to go back, Cuixi came to her senses and immediately chased after her.

"Miss!" Cui Xi called out to Shen Yinshuang.

Shen Yinshuang was a little nervous when she saw Cuixi chasing after her.

But she remained outwardly calm.

"Miss Cui, I have something to say to Cuixi," Shen Yinshuang said, speaking up in a humble yet assertive manner.

"Please." Cui Lingyi didn't stop her.

Shen Yinshuang turned to look at Cuixi. She didn't make many movements, and instead appeared much calmer.

"Go back now. I've already told you everything I asked you to do. Just do as I say and don't make me worry," Shen Yinshuang said calmly.

Cui Lingyi raised an eyebrow without making a sound.

Cui Xi, of course, understood Shen Yinshuang's meaning.

She wanted to take the jewelry that had been given to her, sell it, and then leave the capital to return to her hometown.

"Miss..." Cui Xi said unwillingly.

Shen Yinshuang's brows furrowed even more.

Her fate is uncertain now that she's gone; how could she possibly implicate Cuixi as well?

"Is this young lady the one who serves you in the western suburbs?" Cui Lingyi suddenly asked.

She looked Cuixi up and down.

Cui Xi was so frightened that she dared not say another word.

Shen Yinshuang became even more tense, and her red lips moved slightly.

Before she even had a chance to speak, Cui Lingyi had already finished speaking.

"Then bring them along. At least you'll have someone to lend a hand, which will make things easier."

This is an order, not a suggestion.

Having grown up in a large, secluded mansion, Cui Lingyi knew better than anyone the bloodshed and cruelty that existed there.

Therefore, she will not leave herself any opportunity for potential problems.

She wouldn't leave any of the people around Shen Yinshuang alive, just in case.

Wearing it means watching it right under your own nose.

It's better than colluding with Shen Yinshuang from the inside out in the future.

"Miss Cui..." Shen Yingshuang frowned, "Cuixi is not..."

"Miss, I'll go with you. Miss Cui is right, at least we'll have someone to lend a hand." Cui Xi was quite direct.

Shen Yinshuang looked at Cuixi and sighed silently.

Cui Xi stood obediently beside Shen Ying Shuang.

"Then let's go." Cui Lingyi nodded.

As the group left the Song residence, the Cui family's carriage was waiting outside.

Cui Lingyi helped Shen Yinshuang into her carriage, with Cui Xi following beside it.

Shen Yinshuang knew the visitor meant no good, but she no longer had the right to refuse.

The carriage slowly made its way out of the capital, catching up with the palace procession.

Song Jian stood still, unusually quiet.

This matter has largely spiraled out of control.

……

At that time—

Xiao Yin had already arrived at the palace gate when he saw servants from the Song family rushing over.

"This servant greets the General." The servant quickly bowed.

"What's the matter that you're in such a panic?" Xiao Yin frowned and looked at the servants of the Song family.

"General, something has happened. Miss Shen has been taken away by Princess Anping." The servant did not hesitate.

He told Xiao Yin the whole story.

Xiao Yin's expression changed, and he immediately turned to leave.

He Jiu was faster and blocked Xiao Yin.

"General, you mustn't act rashly," He Jiu said calmly. "I know you're worried about Miss Shen, but at least for now, nothing too serious will happen. After all, Princess Anping took her away in front of everyone. If something really happens, it will definitely cause trouble. Princess Anping isn't a brainless person."

Xiao Yin's brows remained furrowed.

He Jiu continued, "Furthermore, if you really leave, it will inevitably cause unnecessary trouble in the court. There are many people eyeing you covetously, including the Emperor, who has always wanted to completely strip you of your military power. Therefore, you cannot leave."

Every word and phrase of He Jiu's writing contained no element of humor whatsoever.

He Jiu's words helped Xiao Yin gradually calm down.

Seeing this, He Jiu breathed a sigh of relief: "Besides, Miss Shen is traveling with Princess Anping, which means she's with the Empress Dowager. We have people with us along the way, so they'll take care of her. And with you protecting the Emperor, it'll only be a three-day delay, and it won't cause too much of a commotion."

This time, Xiao Yin remained silent.

He nodded in acknowledgment and turned to walk towards the imperial court.

He Jiu did not follow them inside, but instead bowed his head and instructed the servants of the Song family.

"Go back and inform Doctor Song that the general knows about this matter. Tell him not to worry," He Jiu said carefully.

"Yes," the servant replied.

Soon, the servant also hurriedly left.

He Jiu waited patiently outside the palace for Xiao Yin to come out.

When Xiao Yin arrived at the court, the officials he knew greeted each other and chatted happily.

"General Xiao, this time you escorted the Emperor to Kaiyuan Temple in Chengde. How many people envy you?" The Vice Minister of Revenue said with a smile as he looked at Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin stood there demurely, neither humble nor arrogant.

His colleagues couldn't help but make a few jokes, but they talked more about Xiao Yin and Cui Lingyi's marriage.

Xiao Yin did not agree.

Everyone was used to Xiao Yin's indifference.

"Tsk, so lively? Is this a sign that General Xiao's good fortune is approaching?" Suddenly, Pei Shou'an's voice came.

Everyone looked towards the entrance, where Pei Shou'an walked in with a half-smile.