The moment Xiao Huaijin lowered the carriage curtain, the carriage suddenly lurched, and Shen Yunjiao's forehead accidentally bumped into his chin.

"Hmm." Xiao Huaijin groaned and sat back down in his seat.

Shen Yunjiao finally reacted with some panic. She quickly asked softly, "Where did you bump yourself? Does it hurt?"

After a simple inquiry, Xiao Huaijin's tense expression, which had been tense all night, finally softened.

"It doesn't hurt," Xiao Huaijin replied, seemingly unconcerned.

Actually, his chin was already slightly red and swollen.

A moment later, he heard Nanfeng call out from outside, "Your Majesty, we've passed the bumpy section of the road."

The carriage continued its steady journey, and after a while, it stopped in front of the brightly lit Ziyun Tower.

After Nanfeng placed the carriage footstool, Xiao Huaijin got off the carriage first.

He extended his long, slender, pale hand and placed it in front of Shen Yunjiao.

Shen Yunjiao glanced at him, then called out, "Fuxia."

"I'm here, Miss." Fu Xia ran to Shen Yunjiao's side, lowering her head and trying her best not to look at the emperor.

Shen Yunjiao slowly stepped down from the carriage with Fu Xia's help.

Xiao Huaijin's face turned extremely ugly again, but he still took a deep breath and walked parallel to Shen Yunjiao.

Shen Yunjiao walked very slowly, with a limp, and Xiao Huaijin did not urge her, but silently adapted to her pace.

Yan Shiman was waiting at the door early in the morning. He rode a fine horse, which was much faster than a carriage.

Seeing his cousin and Yun Jiao get out of the car and slowly walk towards him, his eyes flickered slightly, and he hurriedly went to greet them.

"May my cousin be blessed with good fortune and peace." Yan Shiman first bowed respectfully before relaying the words of the Prince of Guangping to Xiao Huaijin: "The Prince of Guangping said that he will go to the palace tomorrow to pay his respects to His Majesty."

"Thank me?" Xiao Huaijin narrowed his eyes slightly, then suddenly raised the corners of his mouth and said, "Alright."

He knew that the Prince of Guangping would be going tomorrow to plead for Shen Yunjiao.

Even if the Prince of Guangping didn't go, he himself didn't intend to let Shen Yunjiao stay at Xuanqing Temple.

Xiao Huaijin glanced at Shen Yunjiao's slender back, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He took a deep breath and asked Yan Shiman, "Have the guards patrolling Ziyun Tower today been arranged?"

“It’s all arranged,” Yan Shiman said earnestly.

In the past, when his cousin lived in Ziyun Tower, he was only accompanied by secret guards. Now, even bodyguards have been arranged. Yan Shiman knew the reason for his caution.

My cousin is such a closet pervert.

Yan Shiman silently complained to himself, then thought of the same north wind that Xiao Huaijin was experiencing.

Like master, like servant.

Xiao Huaijin nodded, gazing at the brilliant lights. His eyes darkened. "I am tired. Let's go back to our rooms and rest."

Just as he entered the building, he heard Shen Yunjiao's soft voice.

She said to Yan Shiman, "Shiman, I have something to tell you."

Xiao Huaijin paused in his steps.

My whole body suddenly stiffened.

After a moment, he turned back and coldly ordered, "It's so late, let's talk about it tomorrow."

Shen Yunjiao's mind raced, and she said calmly, "Your Majesty, I have urgent business to discuss with Prince Yan. I beg Your Majesty's permission."

When Xiao Huaijin saw that Shen and Yan were both staring at him, especially Yan Shiman, whose big, dark eyes seemed to be saying to him, "Cousin, why are you so fierce?", he closed his eyes, shifted his gaze from Shen Yunjiao, and ordered Nanfeng with a deep look in his eyes, "Protect the young master and Miss Shen."

"yes!"

Seeing Xiao Huaijin go upstairs, Shen Yunjiao breathed a sigh of relief and smiled helplessly at Yan Shiman.

There were many guests coming and going at the entrance of Ziyun Tower. Yan Shiman looked around and saw that there were people everywhere. He hurriedly said to Shen Yunjiao, "Come with me."

They ran into the alley behind the house, where they could finally talk more freely.

She said to Yan Shiman, "Shiman, I saw the Xie family attending Jiang Rong's wedding today."

Upon hearing the Xie family's name, Yan Shiman immediately perked up and listened intently as Shen Yunjiao continued.

"I overheard something while I was standing next to Madam Xie. It seems her personal maid has gone back to her hometown for a wedding and isn't there to carefully attend to her anymore," Shen Yunjiao said earnestly, looking at Yan Shiman.

Yan Shiman replied, puzzled, "What does it have to do with my marriage to the Xie family that Madam Xie's nanny has returned to the countryside?"

Shen Yunjiao smiled and replied, "You don't want to marry Xie Shuang, the daughter of the Xie family. Can you persuade your father with just the reason that you don't like her? What if you add the reason that the Xie family has a bad family style and mistreats their daughter?"

Yan Shiman was stunned. After blinking a few times, she asked, "Yun Jiao, what do you mean?"

Shen Yunjiao looked up at him. "I met the second young lady of the Xie family at Qingxin Pavilion. She was framed by the current Madam Xie, her stepmother, and sent to Xuanqing Temple. If the second young lady of the Xie family can be exonerated, the Xie family will definitely be branded as having 'unkind parents and improper family values.' Then, when you propose to annul the engagement, you will have a valid reason and you won't be afraid of your father's objection."

Upon hearing this, Yan Shi's face was full of excitement, "Yun Jiao, you're so smart! I'll go and investigate the background of Madam Xie's personal nanny right now."

“Shi Man, this matter needs to be resolved quickly. I suggest you tie up the old woman and interrogate her. That will give you the answers you want.” Shen Yunjiao thought for a moment and then instructed, “It would be best to find something on her and get her to confess all of Madam Xie’s crimes. I will also help Xie He appeal to the Dali Temple.”

Shen Yunjiao estimated that she would be free from Qingxin Pavilion in the next few days, and before that, she wanted to help Xie He.

Yan Shiman nodded solemnly, "Yun Jiao, don't worry, I'll take care of this tomorrow."

Shen Yunjiao chuckled, "It seems you have absolutely no desire to get married."

Yan Shiman pursed her lips shyly and said somewhat awkwardly, "I feel that I prefer the freedom of being alone to getting married."

"Are you sure it's just one person?" Shen Yunjiao teased with ill intent, and the person in front of her immediately turned as red as if they were burning.

Shen Yunjiao rarely saw Yan Shiman so flustered, and couldn't help but feel a mischievous urge. She put her hands behind her back, leaned down slightly to look at Yan Shiman from below, and smiled, "Don't you want to be with Beifeng?"

"You, me, Shen Yunjiao! I haven't decided how I feel yet!" Yan Shiman said hurriedly, his face flushed with embarrassment. He was stunned when Shen Yunjiao pointed meaningfully behind her.

Turning around, she found a tall man standing at the alley entrance, his hand on the sword at his waist, staring intently at her.

Yan Shiman was even more embarrassed. He looked at Beifeng, then at Shen Yunjiao, covered his face, and rushed out of the alley.

Bei Feng gave a wry smile, nodded slightly to Shen Yunjiao, and then set off to chase after Yan Shiman.

Shen Yunjiao secretly covered her mouth and smiled.

Although Yan Shiman is still young, it's not a bad thing for her to realize her own feelings early on.

"I only just realized that Miss Yun Jiao actually enjoys playing matchmaker and arranging marriages for people."