Shura Field 2

“This is the second rule.” Crab Claw rolled his eyes: “Don’t pry into Miss’s affairs, or you’ll have your tongues cut out.”

After scolding them, Crab Ao thought that although these two looked decent, they were slow to react and not very bright, so they probably wouldn't be easy to use. So he went to find Lin Huaiyin and asked her if she wanted to go to the human market to buy a few more good ones.

Lin Huaiyin wrote with flowing strokes, listened for a few moments, and without offering much explanation, simply said, "These two are only here tonight, let them be."

Upon hearing this, Crab Claw exclaimed, "Tonight?"

Does that mean you'll only serve me for one night?

Her eyes darted around: Oh, a male prostitute?

That's good, the young lady still has time to have fun.

Crab Ao was overjoyed, thinking it was good that the young lady was living a comfortable life. She would go out and stroll around when she had free time, otherwise she would forget about the world if she spent all her time repairing temples, eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures.

After Lin Huaiyin finished writing the letter, Crab Claw lifted it up and blew it dry. He then folded the four portraits together and put them away close to his body.

Lin Huaiyin packed up her writing materials, repeated the words she had used when sending the letter, and then instructed her to go to the Shen residence to retrieve the items, and to meet up with her later.

Xie Ao immediately went out to run errands. Passing by Xiao Zhian and Du Yu, she took a closer look by the moonlight—ah, the young male prostitute was quite handsome. No wonder the young lady took a liking to him, especially the one in the purple robe, who had the natural look of a male fox, much better than Shen Gou.

"Tsk tsk tsk".

Crab claws clicked their tongues, shook their heads, and stared at Xiao Zhian, unable to look away.

Xiao Zhian had an imposing presence and didn't look like a male prostitute. The woman beside him was highly skilled in martial arts, seemingly no less so than her.

Crab Claw was a little suspicious, but since the young lady said it was a male prostitute, she believed her.

These two young male prostitutes must have been wealthy in the past, though their families may have fallen on hard times. However, they still retain their former airs, and perhaps they haven't been in the pleasure quarters for long.

The handsome man's plight aroused Xie Ao's pity. He then thought that he might ask the young lady later to find out which brothel he worked for, and then buy him. If he was healthy and not sick, he could keep him as a pet for the young lady.

So she added a third condition to Xiao Zhian: "Be smart and serve him well, and you'll have a good life ahead of you."

Crab Claw's tone was smug, and Du Yu felt like punching him again.

Xiao Zhian glanced at him, feeling a little annoyed.

Xuan Ge, he doesn't plan to use him anymore, and he forbids anyone from participating in anything related to the kitten.

This Du Yu, going against the grain, likes to gesticulate with those who are like kittens, and cannot be allowed to live.

Xiao Zhian thought of another subordinate who was very close to him and capable: Mu Zhanjuan.

Once we return from Heming Mountain, let Xuan Ge and Mu Zhanjuan hand over their duties and return the Eastern Palace.

Xiao Zhian was extremely worried about Lin Huaiyin.

The green light beneath Amitabha Buddha's feet glowed faintly again, and he couldn't help but be mesmerized by it.

Lin Huaiyin finished tidying up the paper and pen, carrying the impending bloody massacre at Heming Mountain in her heart, and burning with an unventable fire of revenge. She stepped out step by step and just happened to see this scene - Xiao Zhian staring at the jade hairpin, his face dazed and infatuated.

In an instant, Lin Huaiyin recalled how, in the prison of her previous life, the Crown Prince hid her jade hairpin before his departure.

"It must be because I shed too much crimson blood in my past life that the kingfisher feather hairpin is so exceptionally green," she thought.

At the same time, Xiao Zhian turned his gaze to her, his eyes filled with a dark green hue, and his brows furrowed with confusion.

"Yinyin, why are you worshipping this hairpin?" he asked.

Their eyes met, and Lin Huaiyin furrowed her brows.

Her displeasure stemmed not only from Xiao Zhi'an noticing the jade hairpin, but also from the fact that this was the first time she had clearly heard Xiao Zhi'an call her "Yinyin".

Why does he call me that too?

Calling my wife like that is far too disrespectful.

Such indulgence and willfulness are no match for Princess Pingyang's heart of stone and her cunning schemes.

As the crown prince, the fate of the entire nation rests on his shoulders; to act willfully is to invite death.

In her past life, she fell into a conspiracy and died without a proper burial because she was so infatuated with Shen Congyun.

Lin Huaiyin decided to act quickly. Tonight, she would give Xiao Zhian an explanation. As long as he stopped bothering her, she would do anything.

She curtsied and said, "I have another place to go, and I humbly request Your Highness's permission."

In one sentence, he answered Xiao Zhian's two questions.

She wouldn't explain about the hairpin.

She doesn't accept the nickname "Yinyin".

Once again, she kept everyone at arm's length.

Xiao Zhian felt a chilling indifference and alienation.

Unlike last night on the ship, she was saying one thing but meaning another.

It wasn't like the earlier incident where she changed her dressing in the palace, when she was embarrassed, annoyed, and coquett

She completely shed the girlish shyness she had shown in the car, transforming into a cold, hard, and unrecognizable shell, ready to return to the capital on business.

If he hadn't been by her side the whole way, Xiao Zhian wouldn't have recognized her.

At this moment, stripped of her identities as Madam Shen and Lin family girl, she is cold, guarded, and more like the one Xiao Zhian has never had the chance to see—the one who, atop the Iron Buddha Temple Pagoda, draws her bow and shoots arrows, killing without blinking an eye, and using any means necessary to achieve her goals.

"where are you going?"

Xiao Zhian followed her question.

He cherished this rare dark side of hers, and he finally caught a glimpse of her, wanting to touch her most unyielding truth.

"The Su residence. The Su family, including Su Mai, an official in the Ministry of Personnel." Lin Huaiyin added softly, "It would be better to go on horseback. Your golden carriage is too ostentatious and will frighten the Su family."

"You have a back injury and should not ride a horse."

Xiao Zhian rejected the suggestion and stepped aside to invite her to join him.

After closing the temple door, Xiao Zhian and Lin Huaiyin got back into the car.

The two sat silently.

Upon arriving at the Su residence, Lin Huaiyin knocked on the door.

Du Yu quietly stopped Xiao Zhian and whispered, "Your Highness may not know, but before Miss Lin married the Grand Secretary, she was engaged to the only son of the Su family."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhian's eyes, which were following Lin Huaiyin's retreating figure, narrowed slightly.

"Last year on the Shangsi Festival, after the White Lotus Rebellion, I heard that the Su family intended to get married ahead of schedule, but for some reason, Miss Lin insisted on breaking off the engagement. Rumor has it that the young master of the Su family is very infatuated and has not accepted the letter of annulment. He has also fallen ill and resigned from his official post, and has been recuperating ever since."

After speaking, Du Yu fell silent, trying to make his presence as inconspicuous as possible.

Your Highness, Lord Shen, and Miss Lin—these three are already in enough trouble. If Miss Lin comes to see her former fiancé late at night, things will definitely get chaotic, and Your Highness will be furious.

He followed cautiously, keeping his distance.

Xiao Zhian's eyes were unfathomable as he stood behind Lin Huaiyin.

Lin Huaiyin knocked on the door and said directly that she had come to see Su Jinggui.

The gatekeeper of the Su family was yawning. When he saw a beautiful woman coming to see the young master late at night, he thought it was a vixen who had come to visit after the master went on a long trip. Instantly, he was wide awake and slammed the door shut.

"Please inform them." Lin Huaiyin held the door shut: "It's the Lin family of Xingqingfang. Lin San is here to see you."

"Lin San? Xingqing—" the gatekeeper muttered, then suddenly realized—"Miss Lin San?!"

"Yes, it's me."

"Quickly, please come in! What brings you here in the middle of the night?"

The doorman was overjoyed. With a creak, the gate opened wide, but he was suddenly startled to see two men following behind, looking sinister like night ghosts. He trembled with fear.

"Who are these two?" he asked, mustering his courage.

"It's alright." Lin Huaiyin didn't want to introduce them, and only said, "Quickly take me to see Brother Su—Young Master Su."

"Okay, okay, I'll go right away."

The gatekeeper picked up a lantern and immediately led the way.

Lin Huaiyin quickly followed.

Xiao Zhian walked closely behind Lin Huaiyin, his hands clasped behind his back, staring at her back. He thought: So what if she calls him Brother Su? She still bleeds for me and lusts after me.

Du Yu walked at the back. Xiao Zhian's left hand clenched into a fist in front of him, then released, then clenched again, then released again. The afterimage of his fingers resembled a round blade, which made Du Yu tremble with fear.

The group headed towards Su Jinggui's residence, disturbing the entire Su family along the way.

Hearing that Miss Lin had come to see the young master in the middle of the night, everyone's eyes lit up with a fierce thirst for gossip. They scrambled to their feet and, under the moonlight, headed to Su Jinggui's courtyard to join the commotion.

The quiet night suddenly became lively.

The Su couple were summoned to Heming Mountain and are currently at the post station. Apart from Su Jinggui, there are no other masters in the Su residence. All matters, big and small, are handled by Old Wu, the head steward of the outer residence.

Old Wu quickly met Lin Huaiyin and the other two. His gaze swept over Xiao Zhian, and he knew that Xiao Zhian was of extraordinary status.

He bent down and led the way with great enthusiasm.

Upon hearing the news, Su Jinggui had already gotten up and dressed. His pale face was burning hot. He didn't even bring a lantern and ran out to greet Lin Huaiyin.

He was excited, but more than that, he was worried. He was worried that she had been wronged and had nowhere to go, which was why she came to him.

Upon seeing Lin Huaiyin in the distance, Su Jinggui ran towards her as fast as he could.

The night wind blew his clothes, making them billow and sway. He called out "Third Sister" and opened his arms to embrace her.

Lin Huaiyin stepped aside, and Su Jinggui hugged Xiao Zhian.

Du Yu chuckled, wanting to laugh, but even more wanting to die.

“Young Master Su, I apologize for disturbing you so late at night. I have come to retrieve something I have entrusted to you.”

Lin Huaiyin had a clear goal: to retrieve the bow.

Her tone was polite, but her attitude was distant.

Xiao Zhian's lips curled into a beautiful smile, and he beckoned with his finger. Du Yu stepped forward and pulled Su Jinggui away.

Su Jinggui only noticed Xiao Zhian at this moment.

However, because his rank was not high enough, he only had the opportunity to enter the Eastern Palace on the first and fifteenth of each month for the grand court sessions. He could not look directly at the Crown Prince's face during court sessions, so Su Jinggui did not recognize the current Crown Prince.

However, not knowing him doesn't diminish his wariness.

These two looked like they were not to be trifled with. Su Jinggui was unsure whether Lin Huaiyin had come with them willingly. He was weak, but he spoke solemnly to Xiao Zhian and Du Yu, saying, "My third sister and I have important matters to discuss. Please wait for us, gentlemen."

As he said this, he spread his arms, standing between Lin Huaiyin and Xiao Zhian.

The night wind billowed Su Jinggui's clothes, and Lin Huaiyin saw him again, thin and frail, swaying like a funeral banner, and her heart suddenly ached.

In Lin Huaiyin's memory, Su Jinggui was once a handsome young man, but Shen Congyun ruined him, turning him into something neither human nor ghost.

They were engaged, if it weren't for their unexpected encounter with the White Lotus Religion during last year's Shangsi Festival—

Accident?

Lin Huaiyin's heart skipped a beat. Looking at Su Jinggui's back, a startling thought suddenly popped into her head—was being kidnapped on the Shangsi Festival really an accident? Shen Congyun is so meticulous in his actions, would he rely on an accident?

Could it be... could it be that the Su family harbors a spy of Shen Congyun, secretly monitoring Su Jinggui...?

Thinking of this, Lin Huaiyin's palms suddenly felt hot.

She was absolutely certain that someone from Shen Congyun was present at that moment.

If the news that she and His Highness the Crown Prince had been together tonight were reported to Shen Congyun by spies, the consequences would be unimaginable.

With the crisis looming, Lin Huaiyin was on high alert and knew she had to find the spies and eliminate them immediately.

She looked around. Old Wu was leading a large group of servants, and there were also servants peeking out from not far away. Everyone looked suspicious, but it was impossible for everyone to be.

Time was of the essence; she had to get back to the inn before dawn, but with so many people in the Su residence and so little time, how could she possibly find the spy?

In her panic, she didn't know where to start, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Xiao Zhian stood opposite Su Jinggui, his gaze as gentle as the moon in the sky.

He somewhat admired his former fiancé; he was sickly, affectionate, and courageous, and hadn't let the kitten down.

Unfortunately, it was foolish.

Ignoring his obstruction, Xiao Zhian walked straight to Lin Huaiyin, took her sweaty little hand, and whispered in her ear: "The simplest way is to seal off the Su residence."

Lin Huaiyin was shocked to hear this. She looked up and met Xiao Zhian's gaze. He smiled calmly and tilted his head to lean down towards her.

He was tall and imposing, like the sky covering the earth.

She was completely enveloped in his shadow.

She was at a deadlock, racking her brains but unable to find a breakthrough. He effortlessly raised his hand and said "lock the house," leaving the spy with no chance to escape.

This is the power of the Crown Prince who oversees the state.

Without a word, with a casual remark, it surpasses all things and crushes everything.

This was the first time Lin Huaiyin had personally experienced Xiao Zhian's absolute power.

This power was at her disposal, filling her with both fear and immense peace.

So this is how problems can be solved. Lin Huaiyin gained a completely new understanding of the world.

What she found most unbelievable was how Xiao Zhian could see through the crisis and how he could have imagined that she needed to do this.

"What would you do without me?" Xiao Zhian smiled and ruffled her hair. "How about it? Isn't it wonderful to feel like we're on the same wavelength?"

Whether it was wonderful or not, Lin Huaiyin was unsure.

Sneaking around and scheming are her ways of surviving. She always solves problems on her own and never thinks of hiding under anyone's wing.

Xiao Zhian suddenly intervened, interrupting the rhythm. Her heart pounded wildly, and she stomped haphazardly on her chest. She turned her head away, avoiding Xiao Zhian's gaze, and withdrew her hand, refusing to let him rub it.

She didn't want to look at him at all; in fact, she was a little annoyed.

Xiao Zhian watched the kitten being shy and sulky, and couldn't help but chuckle.

In Su Jinggui's view, this scene was no different from flirting.

The moonlight was so dim, and the lanterns weren't bright enough, but he could clearly see the rosy complexion on Lin Huaiyin's face and the curve of her eyebrows.

His third sister became shy and embarrassed because of the man's whispers.

Having known each other for many years, she had never shown such an expression in front of him.

Su Jinggui was so sad he wanted to cry.

He had expected Lin Huaiyin to come and retrieve the bow, but he never imagined she would bring a man with her.

He had prepared a lot to say to her, but now he wasn't sure if she would be willing to listen.

Xiao Zhian felt displeased when he noticed Su Jinggui's gaze fixed on Lin Huaiyin. He gave Du Yu a look, and Du Yu immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"etc."

Lin Huaiyin called a halt.