Phoenix Cries Return to Court

When Lin Xihe reached a secluded alleyway a few hundred meters from the Minister's residence, two dark figures suddenly darted out and blocked her way.

Although the newcomer was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, his physique and demeanor were completely different from the burly men in the Heavenly Craft Pavilion earlier, clearly indicating that he was not part of their group.

The two men in black brandished their sharp blades and cornered her.

"If you want to live, hand over that bead immediately," one of them said in a deep voice.

Lin Xi steadied herself. "What beads? You've got the wrong person."

The words had barely left his mouth when a cold, sharp blade was already pressed against his neck.

The man spoke in a low, hoarse voice, his tone sharp, "Madam He, I advise you to be sensible, otherwise, this knife doesn't have eyes!"

Lin Xi frowned slightly, her voice suddenly rising, "Since you know I am the wife of a high-ranking official, you should know that abducting an official's wife is a serious crime! Who is your master? You have quite the nerve!"

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't!" the man sneered, then snapped, "Hand over the stuff now!"

"What if I don't want to?" Lin Xihe's eyes darkened.

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences!" Seeing that she refused to cooperate, the man in black's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he tightened the blade pressed against her neck.

Lin Xihe was prepared. She stepped back and dodged the sharp blade, while simultaneously raising her hand and sinking her wrist to strike the black-clad man's elbow.

The man felt a numbness in his forearm, and his strength instantly diminished by more than half.

Her swift and fluid movements startled the man in black, who hastily dodged to the side, nearly losing his knife to her. A sense of apprehension immediately arose in his heart.

I never expected that this seemingly delicate woman would have such skills.

But he did not back down. He rubbed his numb wrist and charged forward again with his knife, his moves becoming even more ruthless.

Seeing that she was no match for him, another man in black suddenly swung his knife, which was about to strike Lin Xihe's shoulder.

At the critical moment, a flying blade shot out from the shadows, precisely deflecting the blade and drawing blood from the black-clad man's wrist.

"To commit violence in broad daylight is utterly outrageous."

As soon as the conversation stopped, several figures stepped forward from the shadows. Each of them was tall and imposing, with a sharp aura, clearly indicating that they were all highly skilled in martial arts.

Shen Jueyan sat in the carriage, glanced at the two men in black, and said coldly, "Take them down."

Several guards in black robes immediately leaped forward, drew their swords, and engaged the two men in black robes in combat.

The sword strikes were as sharp as lightning, each move deadly. Although the man in black was somewhat skilled, he was no match for the guards.

After a few moves, the man in black was forced to retreat.

A ruthless glint flashed in one of their eyes, and they swung their blades, ready to pounce on the nearby guards.

At the critical moment, a jade flute suddenly flew out from inside the carriage and struck his wrist bone with precision.

With a crisp clang, the blade fell to the ground.

"Retreat!" the leader of the men in black gritted his teeth and hissed. The two of them made a feint and disappeared into the depths of the alley in a moment.

"No need to chase after them." Shen Jueyan raised his hand to stop the guards who were about to move.

Lin Xihe gazed at the tall, straight back of the man before her, curtsied, and said softly, "Thank you for saving me, Young Master."

"Saving the lady was nothing more than a small favor; there's no need for thanks."

He had followed her all the way from the Tiangong Pavilion. Seeing this scene, even though he had clashed with this "Minister's Wife" at the wedding banquet a few days ago, he was still secretly amazed by the woman's composure in the face of danger.

"There are countless treasures in this world, but if something is too outstanding, it might spoil your good fortune, Madam. I suppose you are unaware of the perilous origin of this item. If you trust me, Madam, you might as well entrust it to me first." Shen Jueyan's eyes remained calm as he tentatively looked at the woman in plain clothes before him.

Having spent several years immersed in the capital, he had connections with various aristocratic families. He had also heard of her maternal family, the Wen family. After the Wen family fell into decline, their only daughter was left to marry He Guangzheng, a poor scholar, which was originally a perfect match in the capital.

But others might believe that such a good match would "bump into" their door, but Shen Jueyan didn't. A year had passed, and everything had changed. Now that Princess Ding'an had entered the mansion as a secondary wife, Wen Shi had encountered her several times, and each time she was in a sorry state. One could only imagine what her situation was like.

But there are many pitiful people in this world, and pity is the most useless thing for both oneself and others.

Lin Xihe, however, did not understand the man's thoughts. Her heart sank. Sure enough, everyone she had met today was after Dongzhu.

But who is Shen Jueyan? If he is involved in this matter, then this is not a matter of monetary value.

Then a few misty tears welled up in her eyes, her jade-like face remaining completely innocent. "Young Grand Secretary, you jest. I am but a woman confined to my chambers, how could I possess any treasures? Those people must have mistaken me for someone else, causing this misunderstanding."

Upon hearing this, a meaningful glint flashed in Shen Jueyan's eyes. He curled his lips and said leisurely, "Oh? Just now in the Tiangong Pavilion, I saw it very clearly: Madam was carrying that Eastern Pearl... in her bosom."

The words "Dongzhu" were pronounced very clearly, as if to leave her no room for confusion.

Lin Xi frowned slightly, meeting the man's deep eyes directly, still sticking to her story, "Young Grand Secretary flatters me. How would I know anything about the Embroidered Uniform Guard? The thing in my arms is just an ordinary trinket."

She composed herself and, while speaking, discreetly glanced around.

His gaze fell on the path not far away, and he immediately had an idea to escape.

"A woman confined to her chambers? Madam, you are no ordinary woman."

Shen Jueyan took in her panic with a hint of a smile. He said meaningfully, "At least I've never seen a woman from a military family with such martial arts skills as you, Madam."

He leaned down slightly, instantly closing the distance between them. The faint scent of agarwood emanating from him lingered around her nose. "You harbor more secrets than this pearl, don't you?"

The sudden closeness made Lin Xihe gasp, her heart pounding like thunder.

"Madam, if you hand over Dongzhu, I can protect you; otherwise..." Shen Jueyan's voice turned somber.

Lin Xihe knew that continuing this saga would only be detrimental to her.

In the past, Shen Jueyan was known for his ruthless and unruly behavior in the capital. He had limited patience and if angered, the consequences would be beyond what was currently possible.

With clear thinking, just as she was about to take out the package, fate intervened. A magnificent carriage flashed by at the alley entrance, and though it was only for a moment, she couldn't mistake it.

It was his car!

The carriage body is made of thousand-year-old golden nanmu ebony, with exquisite cloud patterns carved on the shafts. The rivets are all wrapped in gold, and the curtains are made of the finest cloud brocade, embroidered with understated yet luxurious dark patterns. Two tall, snow-white black steeds stand proudly.

Even the most ordinary people in the capital would give her a wide berth. She glanced at the man before her, her mind made up, and suddenly pointed behind Shen Jueyan, feigning surprise as she shouted, "Watch out!"

Shen Jueyan subconsciously turned around to look, only to find an empty bluestone path behind him.

When he came to his senses and turned to look again, Lin Xihe had already dashed off like a nimble rabbit towards the market not far away.

"you!"

Shen Jueyan gave a low shout, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. This woman was so bold as to dare to play tricks right under his nose.

Lin Xi ran towards the bustling city center, plunging into the crowd and desperately weaving through it.

Without even looking back, he knew that the Imperial Guards were lying in a tight net. So he used all his strength to run toward the carriage, ignoring the exclamations of the pedestrians around him. He lifted the curtain of the brocade carriage and jumped inside.

Shen Jueyan chased her to the side of the street and saw her get into the car.

When he took a closer look at the style and patterns of the frame, his pupils suddenly contracted.

"Master, that is it!" Mo Bai followed closely behind, exclaiming in a low voice.