pillow bird spring

at that time.

Xiao Yin led Cui Lingyi toward the Empress Dowager's palace.

Although he didn't show it on his face, anyone with eyes could sense that Xiao Yin was tense.

Cui Lingyi was no exception.

But she seemed unconcerned, whispering in Xiao Yin's ear about how formidable Shen Yinshuang was.

"Brother Yin, don't you think Miss Shen is amazing? She's so adept at navigating social situations."

"We've both heard a lot about the Prince of Xiaopingyuan from the frontier. He's a man of austere and indifferent nature, and he's never married."

"Rumors say he has homosexual tendencies, but now it seems to me that he might still have feelings for someone he once loved."

"If Prince Pingyuan intervenes and asks the Zhou Dynasty for people, the Emperor will definitely give him face. After all, the Emperor is extremely fond of Prince Pingyuan, and sending a woman away would be very easy for him."

"In that case, Miss Shen has really climbed the social ladder. Not to mention Pei Shou'an, even you and I would have to give Miss Shen some face."

Cui Lingyi's voice kept reaching Xiao Yin's ears.

Xiao Yin's impatience grew stronger.

All he could think about was Wen Xianli's tenderness towards Shen Yinshuang.

It was a gentleness that was visible to the naked eye, and it was by no means acting or pretense.

If it is an old friend.

That must have been before me.

Why had he never heard Shen Yinshuang mention this matter?

"That's enough," Xiao Yin said grimly, stopping him.

Cui Lingyi seemed startled and looked at Xiao Yin with a wronged expression.

Her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"Brother Yin, did I say something wrong?" Cui Lingyi asked Xiao Yin, her face misty with emotion.

Xiao Yin probably realized that his tone was very bad.

He composed himself and tried to comfort Cui Lingyi.

"Shen Yingshuang has nothing to do with you or me, so why bother?" Xiao Yin said bluntly. "It's just that she's currently embroidering your wedding dress. If that's really the case, we can just find someone else. Surely the entire Zhou Dynasty has someone to embroider wedding dresses?"

That makes perfect sense.

Cui Lingyi couldn't refute it.

But she still managed to glean some clues from Xiao Yin's attitude.

"Brother Yin, you're so fierce! I was really scared just now. You never used to treat me like this," Cui Lingyi said, sounding aggrieved.

She was practically gazing at Xiao Yin with teary eyes.

"I'm sorry, Lingyi, I was rude just now," Xiao Yin said, bowing his head to coax Cui Lingyi.

Cui Lingyi sighed, and her slender hands naturally wrapped around Xiao Yin's lean waist.

Her delicate little face was pressed against his chest, as if she were being coquettish.

"Brother Yin, it seems that you've become quite unpredictable ever since Miss Shen came," Cui Lingyi said, her words carrying a hint of probing.

Xiao Yin quickly denied it: "It has nothing to do with Shen Yinshuang. It's just that the border war situation has become unstable again recently, and assassins have infiltrated the capital. The Emperor and Empress Dowager are currently at Kaiyuan Temple, so naturally I have to be on high alert to prevent any accidents from happening. Therefore, I don't want to be affected by trivial matters."

Cui Lingyi nodded: "So you're going to the frontier again?"

"Uncertain, we await His Majesty's decision." Xiao Yin offered no answer.

Then he immediately changed the subject: "Don't overthink it, just listen to me."

"Okay," came Cui Lingyi's soft voice.

The two walked towards the Empress Dowager's palace.

When they arrived, Cui Lingyi looked at Xiao Yin with a puzzled expression.

Because Xiao Yin didn't intend to go in.

"Brother Yin, aren't you planning to go in?" Cui Lingyi asked Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin remained expressionless: "The Emperor has something to attend to, I need to go there."

"Then you should go quickly." Cui Lingyi didn't stop Xiao Yin in most respects.

Xiao Yin nodded in acknowledgment, and without even going in to pay his respects, he turned around and left quickly.

Cui Lingyi stood still, watching Xiao Yin leave.

But the grievance in her eyes had disappeared, gradually replaced by ruthlessness and bloodlust.

"So that's why Anping is here. Turns out she's been waiting for her husband like a statue," the Empress Dowager said jokingly, teasing Cui Lingyi, as she hadn't noticed when she arrived.

Cui Lingyi immediately composed herself and looked at the Empress Dowager with a coquettish expression: "This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"

"Alright, get up." The Empress Dowager smiled, still looking at Cui Lingyi with doting affection.

Cui Lingyi then stood up and took the initiative to help the Empress Dowager.

"Lingyi, Xiao Yin is a pillar of the nation, destined for great things. He can't be bound by romantic love forever. You shouldn't keep such a close watch on him. Men, if you keep too close an eye on them, sometimes they'll rebel." The Empress Dowager further advised Cui Lingyi, "In this world, many things can't be perfect. As long as you are the General's wife, the General's mansion won't be in trouble. Besides, the Cui family and I both rely on you. In many cases, we should turn a blind eye. On the contrary, Xiao Yin will appreciate your kindness."

"This humble woman is grateful for Your Majesty's guidance," Cui Lingyi said obediently.

But how could Cui Lingyi not understand the meaning behind the Empress Dowager's words?

The Empress Dowager had likely heard the rumors circulating during this period.

The Empress Dowager has always disliked this kind of palace intrigue.

So even within the palace, everyone treated each other with great courtesy.

But when they actually do it, it's a deadly strike.

"You're so clever, otherwise I wouldn't like you so much," the Empress Dowager laughed.

With a beaming smile, Cui Lingyi helped the Empress Dowager into the palace.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, she looked at the Empress Dowager and said, "Your Majesty, I saw Prince Xiaopingyuan today."

"You met him first? The Prince of Pingyuan has been someone the Emperor has been trying to win over over the years. They were originally supposed to arrive the day after tomorrow, but their sudden early arrival has disrupted all the plans." The Empress Dowager nodded.

"Your Majesty, guess who else I saw when I saw Prince Xiaopingyuan?" Cui Lingyi said calmly.

The Empress Dowager's interest was piqued: "Who else?"

"Shen Yinshuang." Cui Lingyi gave her answer without hesitation.

The Empress Dowager's brows furrowed instantly.

She couldn't possibly be completely unaware of Shen Yinshuang's affair.

But unexpectedly, Shen Yinshuang was able to get involved with Wen Xianli.

It was an intuition; this woman was extremely capable.

It will surely be a disaster.

Seeing the Empress Dowager frown, Cui Lingyi spoke slowly and deliberately: "I saw it clearly; the two were extremely intimate. I think, no matter how open-minded the people of the Great Zhou are, they can't be so unrestrained."

As she spoke, she watched as the Empress Dowager's face grew increasingly gloomy.

Cui Lingyi sneered inwardly.

"Furthermore, I brought her to Kaiyuan Temple out of kindness, firstly for my wedding dress, and secondly to help her avoid Lord Pei. After all, everyone knows what kind of person Lord Pei is. But somehow, she managed to get the usually aloof Consort De to take her away."

As she spoke, Cui Lingyi sighed, "Actually, I know she's dissatisfied with me. Why should she, the former wife of a marquis, have to embroider my wedding dress here? I thought about letting it go, but Brother Yin wouldn't allow it, saying he must give me the best. So, we're in this stalemate."

The Empress Dowager listened, her brows furrowing.

Cui Lingyi stopped there and did not continue to argue unreasonably.

"Lingyi, don't worry, I will go to Consort De about this matter." The Empress Dowager did not hesitate.

"Then you must tell Consort De that this is what I told you, otherwise Consort De will hold a grudge against me." Cui Lingyi immediately smiled and acted coquettishly, looking at the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager didn't say anything.

The two had already entered the palace.

……