pillow bird spring

Xiao Yin's gaze toward Pei Shou'an instantly darkened.

Anyone with eyes could see that Xiao Yin was unhappy.

But Pei Shouan didn't care at all; it was obvious that he was after Xiao Yin.

"General Xiao is going to marry Princess Anping. He will be the prime minister's son-in-law. Tsk tsk, back in the day, General Xiao was famous throughout the land. He even broke his kneecaps but refused to compromise and become the emperor's son-in-law."

Pei Shouan spoke as he walked toward Xiao Yin.

"Now General Xiao has accomplished this with ease. The Prime Minister has given him his support, and the Empress Dowager is pleased. I wonder if the old general, if he knew this in the afterlife, would wake up in a panic?"

Pei Shou'an was clearly mocking Xiao Yin for relying on women rather than his true abilities.

Such scenes were nothing new to those in the imperial court.

After all, it was no secret that Pei Shou'an and Xiao Yin were at odds.

Although the Pei family wasn't involved when the Xiao family had their troubles, it's impossible for them to be completely unaware of the grudges and entanglements between them.

Now that Xiao Yin has made a comeback, Pei Shou'an is naturally unhappy.

Whenever the two met, Pei Shouan would be unabashedly sarcastic.

However, Xiao Yin is a composed person and will not have a direct conflict with Pei Shou'an.

After all, the Xiao family is currently undergoing a period of revitalization.

It wasn't stable enough to be able to contend with the Pei family.

Therefore, Xiao Yin never paid any attention to Pei Shou'an's instigation.

After a while, Pei Shou'an got bored and stopped saying anything.

But this time—

Upon hearing Pei Shou's words, Xiao Yin looked at him with a cold expression.

His sharp, gloomy gaze fell upon Pei Shou'an.

In his mind, the entanglement between Pei Shouan and Shen Yinshuang appeared.

It was Shen Yinshuang, who was nearly tortured to death in the small courtyard of the Prime Minister's mansion.

It was Shen Yinshuang, who was pregnant with Pei Shou'an's child, but insisted that it was his child.

And then there's Shen Yinshuang, kneeling on the ground, desperately begging me to give her the book.

These images intertwine as they pass by.

What lingered in the end was Pei Shou'an's arrogant and smug face.

Xiao Yin, who was usually calm and collected, lost control.

With a deft and skillful hand, he drew his sword from its sheath, the blade swiftly and accurately aimed at Pei Shou'an's throat.

With just one exertion, Pei Shouan would die on the spot.

Pei Shouan was taken aback.

Everyone present was stunned.

"Have you said enough?" Xiao Yin asked Pei Shou'an coldly.

Pei Shou'an snapped out of his daze and scoffed, "What I said isn't true? What, General Xiao, you're not convinced? I could say even more."

This time, Xiao Yin didn't even give Pei Shou'an a chance to speak again.

The sword had already pierced Pei Shou'an's skin, and blood gushed out.

The court fell silent instantly.

Xiao Yin is too gloomy.

It was so gloomy it made you feel uneasy.

"Xiao Yin! Are you trying to rebel?!" Pei Shou'an stared at Xiao Yin in astonishment.

His hand touched the blood on his neck, feeling its sticky texture.

Make it clear to Pei Shou'an that Xiao Yin is not joking.

"Pei Shou'an, don't provoke me again, or I guarantee you won't even be able to leave this court." Xiao Yin didn't back down.

The sword tip moved forward another step.

Pei Shouan was completely panicked this time.

He saw murderous intent in Xiao Yin's eyes.

Pei Shou'an never expected that he would be so reckless in the imperial court.

Those around gasped in shock.

"What's going on here!" Suddenly, footsteps came from outside.

Prime Minister Cui's voice rang out, and then the Emperor's figure appeared in everyone's sight.

The assembled officials immediately knelt down: "Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Yin and Pei Shou'an, among others, had already knelt down.

Xiao Yin's sword returned to its sheath.

"All of you, rise," came the Emperor's indifferent voice.

The atmosphere remained tense.

It was Prime Minister Cui who spoke up: "They are all colleagues, serving the Emperor. Why is there such a fuss?"

Xiao Yin did not respond, and no matter how presumptuous Pei Shou'an was, he would not dare to be presumptuous in front of the Emperor.

The emperor sat down on the dragon throne and looked down at the emperor.

His expression remained stern, his eyes dark and menacing: "Nonsense! Do you two ministers not know where you are? To actually fight in the imperial court!"

"Your humble servants know their guilt." Xiao Yin and Pei Shou'an both knelt down.

"Know your guilt? I see you know absolutely nothing about your guilt!" The Emperor remained expressionless.

As soon as the words were spoken, the people in the court looked at each other, already sensing something unusual.

The emperor didn't even ask the two why they had fought so fiercely; he simply issued an edict to punish them.

"If I don't punish you, how can I convince the people?" the emperor continued coldly.

"Your humble servant accepts the punishment," Xiao Yin replied solemnly.

Pei Shou'an then reluctantly spoke, "This humble subject is also willing to accept the punishment."

"Very well." The Emperor's expression softened. "Pei Shou'an, I hereby deduct half a year's salary and demote you by one rank. Xiao Yin, do the same for you, effective immediately."

"Yes. Your humble servants obey the decree." The two responded in unison.

Pei Shou'an was merely a marquis and did not wield much real power.

For the Pei family, half a year's salary was a drop in the ocean.

Anyone with eyes could see that the Emperor's words were aimed at Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin's demotion by one rank means that he will have to relinquish his military power.

Now, Xiao Yin is a general who protects the country and holds great military power. As the emperor, how could he not be wary of him?

However, Xiao Yin was stationed on the frontier and quelled foreign threats, earning him the deep love and respect of the people.

Of course, one cannot act too recklessly in many things.

Therefore, even as an emperor, one must find a reasonable opportunity to legitimately reclaim Xiao Yin's military power.

This undoubtedly undermines Xiao Yin's authority.

Xiao Yin also understood this principle.

He remained outwardly calm and composed.

His military power was relinquished.

The emperor's expression gradually softened, and he quickly regained his benevolent demeanor, listening attentively to the ministers' reports with a smile.

The court was now at peace again.

After the court session ended, everyone walked outside together.

As Pei Shou'an passed by Xiao Yin, a sinister smile appeared in his eyes.

"Xiao Yin, let's make a bet. If I bring Shen Yingshuang back, she'll come back shamelessly, huh?" Pei Shouan was provoking Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin visibly stiffened for a moment.

But he didn't even spare a glance for Pei Shou'an, suppressing the urge to kill him with sheer willpower.

At least now is not the time.

The sword sheath was raised and then retracted.

Xiao Yin walked out without looking back.

Pei Shouan stared coldly at Xiao Yin, standing there with a gloomy expression.

After a long while, Pei Shouan turned and left.

……

At that time—

Shen Yinshuang had already followed the main group towards the direction of Kaiyuan Temple in Chengde.

Although she was in Cui Lingyi's carriage, it felt like an eternity for Shen Yinshuang.

Cui Lingyi neither hit nor scolded, but every word she uttered spoke of her love for Xiao Yin.

"Brother Yin was extremely good to me and never wanted me to suffer any injustice. Even during those years on the frontier, Brother Yin always protected me."

"As you know, conditions on the frontier are harsh. He kept a close eye on me and wouldn't let me have any comfort. Actually, looking back now, those three years were the happiest time of my life. I could be with Brother Yin, and we would walk hand in hand under the sunset every day, watching the clouds drift by."

He told me that he would never betray me in this lifetime.

……