Lin Huaiyin, a sacrificial lamb

The night breeze was cool.

The moon on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month hung in the sky on the ninth day of the fourth lunar month.

The moonlight, like brocade, cascaded down and spread across the tiled windows of Qingyin Pavilion.

Outside the door, Xuan Ge sat motionless, arms crossed, like a stone sculpture.

Inside the door, on the bed, Lin Huaiyin's breathing was sometimes light and sometimes heavy, sometimes shallow and sometimes deep. Finally, she escaped amidst the back-and-forth between the white-clad prisoner and the fox-fur demon, opened her eyes, and was drenched in sweat.

She rolled her eyes and confirmed that she was in her own room, lying peacefully.

Yu Li lay on the headboard, still holding her hand tightly even in her sleep.

Lin Huaiyin remained silent.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she listened to Yu Li's soft snores by the moonlight, inhaled the faint fragrance emanating from Yu Li, and immersed herself in Yu Li's sweet sleeping face, enjoying this rare moment of comfort and tranquility.

The Buddha's Birthday celebration has passed.

As Lin Huaiyin gently exhaled a breath of stale air, she couldn't help but think of her past life.

At this moment in her past life, Yu Li and Xie Ao were no longer alive. She walked alone with a lantern, then fainted outside Xiangguo Temple. She was sent back to the Shen family, and when she woke up, she heard the news that the Crown Prince had been assassinated and that her elder brother had been punished for dereliction of duty.

At that time, she did not know that Shen Congyun was about to seize the Crown Prince's power, become all-powerful, and wield the butcher's knife against the Lin family, slaughtering them all.

She was completely devoted to her husband and naively believed that the Shen and Lin families were of the same blood. She knelt before Shen Congyun, begging him to show leniency and let her elder brother capture the assassin to atone for his crime. As a result, she was imprisoned in the ancestral hall until the night before she was sent to Heming Mountain.

How foolish! She actually begged him, begged the executioner to lay down his knife and not use human blood as a condiment for her wine.

Lin Huaiyin smiled bitterly, wondering how she could have been so badly deceived by a man.

That's so stupid.

She carefully recalled everything that had happened that day.

The little girl with the lotus lantern successfully became a white-cloaked woman and lived a peaceful and prosperous life.

The day Mu Zhanjuan takes the eminent monk to the prefectures and counties, and the day he returns to the capital with irrefutable evidence, will be the day Shen Congyun and Liu Cang completely fall from power.

When she rescued the Crown Prince after being stabbed and ended up on the ship in a daze, Shen Congyun must have been having an affair with Princess Pingyang on the ship. Otherwise, Princess Pingyang wouldn't have been able to arrive so coincidentally and so quickly to block the door.

Thinking about how she almost got caught by Princess Pingyang, Lin Huaiyin couldn't help but feel a little scared. But then she thought about it and realized that her fright was nothing.

She won two matches in one day, managing to protect the Crown Prince from Princess Pingyang and Shen Congyun. Her contribution was significant, and she could probably be honored with a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, just like Qi Ying's ancestor.

Thinking of His Highness the Crown Prince, Xiao Zhi'an's face flashed before her eyes, and Lin Huaiyin's breath hitched. Her smug little face suddenly turned embarrassed, and she quickly wiped him away, picking up where she left off and laughing—those two, after they finished fooling around, seeing His Highness the Crown Prince appear in all his glory, they'd probably be devastated.

hehe.

His Highness the Crown Prince is safe and sound. Shen Congyun wants to ascend to the throne but cannot, and he wants to smear the Lin family but has nowhere to start. He can only obediently continue to be a dog, holding back his barks.

very nice.

Although she was slightly injured and startled by Shen Congyun, Lin Huaiyin was overjoyed to see Yu Li alive and well in front of her, her little hands soft and warm, and she even snored. In the darkness, Lin Huaiyin's eyes were as bright as the moon, and she was filled with indescribable happiness.

Next, as long as I use the excuse of reflecting on my mistakes behind closed doors to recover from my injuries, I should figure out a way to deal with the Golden Register Grand Fast three months later, and ideally take the opportunity to annihilate the White Lotus Rebels in Princess Pingyang's hands.

In addition to that, there is...

Lin Huaiyin gently stroked Yu Li's face. She couldn't remember when she collapsed last night, only that Yu Li was dragging her injured leg, hissing and panting beside her, and even raising her little face to smile at her.

This can't go on any longer.

Lin Huaiyin was well aware that by repeatedly sabotaging Shen Congyun's plans, she was essentially driving him insane step by step.

Shen Congyun is ruthless and suspicious. The setbacks she suffers outside and the inability to hold her head high in front of Princess Pingyang will eventually turn into resentment and befall her and Yu Li. Such storms as tonight will only increase in the future.

She can bear it, but Yu Li is innocent.

Perhaps it's time to expose Princess Pingyang's affair with Shen Congyun, write a letter of divorce to Shen Congyun, and escape this cage with Yu Li.

With the imperial decree granting the marriage, this matter needs careful consideration. Moreover, it concerns the face of the royal family, so it's best not to step forward and risk trouble.

Lin Huaiyin carefully recalled her past life, searching for flaws while slowly making calculations.

As the night breeze subsided, the moonlight on the ground in front of the window gradually faded.

The moon sets, the sun rises.

As dawn broke through the clouds, it fell on the roof of Qingyin Pavilion, scattering into dappled fragments of light.

Xuan Ge's ears twitched as he caught a sound in the far distance; someone was approaching.

They made little noise, walked steadily, and seemed to be chatting casually.

Xuan Ge determined that there was no danger, so he slowly opened his eyes and saw two old female servants in green. He gently knocked on the door and notified Lin Huaiyin and her servants to hide nearby.

Lin Huaiyin assumed it was someone sent by Old Madam Shen to visit her, and thought she would just give a few perfunctory words and not pay much attention.

Unexpectedly, the old servant woman stepped into the room, and the tall horse, like a door god, conveyed a message that Shen Congyun told her to get up and do her hair quickly, as the carriage was waiting outside, eager for her to leave.

As for why she went out, where she was going, and how long she was gone, the old servant woman knew nothing. She shook her head no matter what she was asked, but she was anxious and kept urging her to leave.

Lin Huaiyin was horrified. Recalling Shen Congyun's sinister face before he left last night, she felt that if she was dragged out, he would dig a pit and bury her alive.

Both she and Yu Li were wounded soldiers; one had a backache and the other a limp. They hadn't had a sip of water since last night.

The old servant woman was urging them on, so the two of them had no choice but to hastily pack their things and follow her out in a daze.

Indeed, Shen Congyun's carriage was parked at the main gate.

Shen Zaiyuan was still riding a horse, dressed in a respectable manner, with the procession just like yesterday's Buddha's Birthday, except that Shen Lanyan was missing.

Upon seeing her appear, Chen Zaiyuan bowed and lowered his eyes, saying, "Greetings to my sister-in-law."

"Second Uncle, may you be well."

Lin Huaiyin lowered her eyes and responded, then climbed into the car with trepidation. She thought that no matter what, she had to persuade Shen Congyun to let Yu Li get in the car, otherwise she would not take Yu Li with her.

However, when she climbed up, the carriage was completely empty, without a single soul in sight.

Very good.

It seems His Highness the Crown Prince has kept Shen Congyun firmly under his control.

Lin Huaiyin breathed a sigh of relief upon recalling the urgent imperial edict from the Eastern Palace that had saved her life the previous night, and turned to pull Yu Li into the carriage.

Just as I settled down, I heard the crack of whips outside, and the wheels of the car rumbled forward.

Lin Huaiyin and Yu Li held hands, both of them starving, their eyes swollen like fish bubbles, truly suffering terribly.

After much deliberation, Lin Huaiyin lifted the carriage curtain, nodded to Chen Zaiyuan on horseback, and asked, "Uncle, could you tell me where we are going?"

Shen Zaiyuan tightened his grip on the horse's flanks and bowed in reply: "In response to your question, sister-in-law, we are going to Heming Mountain to observe the Golden Register Grand Fast and pray for the Emperor's blessings."

"What did you say? Crane Cry Mountain?!"

Lin Huaiyin's eyes widened in shock.

“It is indeed Crane Cry Mountain,” Shen Zaiyuan repeated, as a response to the follow-up question.

As for why his sister-in-law was surprised, he didn't feel comfortable asking, nor did he want to appear too concerned. Seeing that Lin Huaiyin didn't speak again, he turned his head, tightened the reins, and headed straight ahead, not looking to the side.

Lin Huaiyin's head was buzzing.

Her right hand gripped the carriage curtain tightly, her crescent-shaped nails digging fiercely into her palm.

Crane Cry Mountain?

How could it be Heming Mountain?

Isn't that going to happen three months from now?

They were suddenly dragged into the car without any preparation. Were they going up the mountain to be sent to their deaths?

The shocking turn of events threw Lin Huaiyin's mind into complete chaos.

In her past life, she watched helplessly as the White Lotus Sect stormed the mountain, the Imperial Guards were outnumbered, and the court officials were slaughtered. Corpses littered the fields, and blood flowed through the grass. She was in a daze and didn't even know how she got back to the capital.

History must never repeat itself!

Lin Huaiyin made a quick decision—she wanted to get off the bus.

Go find your father now and ask him to lead the troops there. There might still be a chance. Otherwise, with your elder brother's small force, how can you protect His Highness the Crown Prince and the court officials? Crane Cry Mountain will inevitably be stained with blood, and all previous efforts will be in vain!

Having made up her mind, Lin Huaiyin loosened the car curtain.

Her eyes were unfocused and her movements were stiff. The moment she pulled the latch, Yu Li hugged her tightly.

"What are you doing, Miss?"

Yu Li's ankle couldn't support the weight, so she dragged her leg back.

"If you fall out, you're definitely going to die."

Yu Li cupped her face in her hands, feeling her teeth chattering and her forehead covered in sweat. She quickly asked, "Miss, is your wound hurting again? Please bear with it for now, and we'll get the medicine from Xuan Ge later."

Upon hearing Xuan Ge's name, Lin Huaiyin regained a sliver of her rationality.

Acting impulsively and jumping out of a moving vehicle would most likely result in a fatal fall.

The only option now is to ask Xuan Ge to find a way to remove her name so that she can stay in the capital and expedite the arrangements.

She was badly injured, and Xuan Ge would definitely find a chance to come and bring her medicine. As long as she waited quietly for him to come, there was still a chance for things to turn around.

Lin Huaiyin rallied her spirits and prepared for battle.

The carriage swayed and rocked as it drove towards the Imperial Street of the Forbidden City.

Before long, the coachman outside introduced himself.

A stern male voice then directed the carriage to the front row, heading towards the designated location.

Lin Huaiyin lifted the carriage curtain.

Outside, carriages were everywhere, one after another, just like in my previous life. All the officials of the capital, big and small, were traveling together.

Seeing this, Lin Huaiyin couldn't help but speculate that Princess Pingyang must have suffered a crushing defeat yesterday, which led her to ruthlessly arrange a massacre in advance, catching her off guard.

But shouldn't His Highness the Crown Prince preside over this grand fasting ceremony for casting the dragon tablet?

In his previous life, His Highness the Crown Prince was assassinated and was recuperating when Princess Pingyang took advantage of the situation. How come it's the same again now?

Lin Huaiyin couldn't understand it.

She was overwhelmed with worry and her mental energy wouldn't allow her to continue thinking deeply.

Once the main force had assembled, the convoy set off in a grand procession, leaving the capital in the blink of an eye and onto the imperial road. Lin Huaiyin grew increasingly uneasy.

Xuan Ge did not come to find her for a long time.

Shen Congyun never got on the bus.

Lin Huaiyin was afraid of riding with Shen Congyun, and even more afraid that his absence was due to a conspiracy with Princess Pingyang.

The situation was completely out of control, and Lin Huaiyin was at a loss.

Half a night of nightmares and half a night of deep thought, coupled with severe back pain, left her head foggy, so much so that she didn't even notice when someone came to her car and Yu Li called her name several times.

“Miss.” Yu Li supported her shoulders, her brows furrowed deeply. “Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince summons you to an audience.”

"Your Highness? Why did he summon me?"

Lin Huaiyin was upset, remembering that Xiao Zhian had indeed said last night that he would cause her trouble again.

That brat! All you did was use a hand, why are you retaliating like this?

Now that all the civil and military officials are here, and the crown prince has summoned his wife, is he out of his mind, only concerned with revenge? Isn't he afraid of being criticized?

"Don't drag me into this if you're looking to die!" Lin Huaiyin complained in a muffled voice.

"Miss, does His Highness the Crown Prince still want to harm you? That fragrant soup from last night..."

Yu Li hesitated, unable to understand why His Highness the Crown Prince had suddenly set his sights on Lin Huaiyin. Last night's fragrant soup had almost killed them both, and now just thinking about "His Highness the Crown Prince" gave her legs and a headache.

Lin Huaiyin was the same; upon hearing the name "fragrant soup," her heart would flare up.

She peeked out and saw a palace guard standing outside, bowing and saying, "Madam Shen, His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence."

The guards were completely in the official business.

He didn't care whether Lin Huaiyin was willing or not, nor did he ask Lin Huaiyin to get out of the carriage to receive the imperial decree. He directly directed the coachman to step out of the main group, drive the carriage past the princes and nobles in front, and head straight to the front.

Chen Zaiyuan remained in his original spot, watching Lin Huaiyin walk further and further away, utterly bewildered.

Lin Huaiyin overtook other vehicles and caught up with Princess Pingyang's carriage, driving side by side.

As the wind blew the carriage curtains, she peeked out a few times and found the princess's carriage to be exquisitely beautiful. Little did she know that as soon as she stepped out of the carriage, a dazzling light appeared ahead, revealing a mobile palace.

That was Xiao Zhian's entourage.

Thirty horses pulled a huge palace that occupied the entire space of an eight-bearer carriage. The palace was decorated with a golden roof and canopy, with doors, windows and railings, carved with dragons, phoenixes and auspicious clouds, painted with gold and vermilion lacquer, and decorated with silk and feathers. It was as if the Eastern Palace had been moved directly out.

The palace slowly came to a stop. Lin Huaiyin was shocked. Led by the guards, she got out of the carriage and walked around to the front of the palace.

All around were mounted guards and imperial soldiers, swords and spears at their sides. Lin Huaiyin walked among them, looking like a dwarf, with only the horses' bellies and long legs in his eyes.

Upon reaching the front, the palace gate was still above. She climbed onto the step stool, and after taking only two steps, she suddenly felt two pairs of eyes watching her.

The gaze was intense, and Lin Huaiyin subconsciously looked up—to the left and right of the palace gate, among the people riding horses to protect her, Lin Cuiyue and Shen Congyun were prominently featured.

Lin Huaiyin was not surprised to see her older brother guarding her. The two siblings looked at each other, and Lin Cuiyue's eyes were full of doubt. He asked why His Highness the Crown Prince had summoned her.

Lin Huaiyin thought to herself, "That's hard to say. I guess they didn't kill me last night, so today they're summoning me with great fanfare, disregarding the difference between ruler and subject, hoping to die together."

She forced a smile, pretending not to understand, and avoided Lin Cuiyue's gaze.

Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, Shen Congyun dismounted and walked towards her.

Lin Huaiyin stood on the step stool, and the two of them were just at eye level. Shen Congyun took her hand, smiled brightly, and gently rubbed her hand, whispering in her ear, "Third Sister, do you still remember that I said last night that I needed your help?"

He spoke in an ambiguous tone, deliberately whispering close to Lin Huaiyin's earlobe, his warm breath entering her ear canal.

Lin Huaiyin got goosebumps and felt so disgusted that she wanted to slap him twice.

“If Your Highness asks,” Shen Congyun said without waiting for her reply, “you should say that you were with me all night. It’s not convenient to talk about matters between husband and wife.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized—it turned out that Shen Congyun's affair last night had been discovered by His Highness the Crown Prince!

Hahaha. Lin Huaiyin pinched her palm, almost bursting out laughing.

Why pick on her of all people? Who was she with last night? Does Your Highness need to ask?

That jerk is absolutely hilarious!

No wonder he looked like a ghost when he saw Xiangtang last night, and even tried to please her for the first time. It turns out he wanted to conspire with her and use her as a shield.

No wonder His Highness the Crown Prince dared to summon her to an audience so casually. Shen Congyun must be terrified. How could she have the energy to think about the Crown Prince and his wife?

The scoundrel's tail was pinned in His Highness the Crown Prince's hand, so he dared not dart about anymore.

Haha. Lin Huai's music is beyond saving.

"Did you hear that?" Shen Congyun nibbled on her ear again.

Lin Huaiyin suppressed a laugh, unable to speak, and repeatedly pushed Shen Congyun away, nodding to him.

Seeing that her face was flushed, Shen Congyun thought she was shy and thought to himself that Lin Huaiyin really loved him to death. Even after what happened last night, she could still be easily coaxed now.

So he quickly threw away Lin Huaiyin's hand and, suppressing his disgust, watched her go up the steps.

Lin Huaiyin walked step by step toward the palace gate.

She had an idea in her mind: Shen Congyun was afraid of His Highness the Crown Prince, so as long as she got His Highness's approval, she could immediately turn her horse around, return to the capital, call for reinforcements, and play the game of catching the White Lotus Sect off guard, wiping them out in one fell swoop.

Squeak.

Xuan Ge opened the door and welcomed her in, then went out and closed the palace door, standing guard at the entrance.

Xiao Zhian leaned against the soft couch, his eyes half-open and languid, and reached out to her.

"come over."

He was only wearing his undergarments, with his chest exposed. Under the etiquette of the Daxing Dynasty, this was not considered improper attire; it was practically the same as being naked.

Lin Huaiyin stood at the door, staring at him intently, her breath caught in her throat, her pupils unfocused.

The lavish furnishings around her vanished in an instant, a cold wind rose again in the corridor of the imperial prison, torches flickered, and the white-robed Crown Prince waved to her.

"Your Highness." She looked past Xiao Zhian's face and called to the white figure.

"Hmm." Xiao Zhian smiled slightly.

"Come here, it's time to change the dressing."