In that instant, it was as if everything around me froze; the cries of vendors outside the window, the rumble of carts and horses, the cheerful laughter of children... all vanished.

It felt as long as a lifetime, yet as short as the blink of an eye.

Shen Qiyin put down the paper and hesitated to pick up the pen.

After an unknown amount of time, she raised her eyes and looked directly into Xiao Yan's eyes, which were stained with ink, and nodded slowly but firmly.

yes!

The marriage between Feng Heng and Shen Ru was entirely thanks to her.

She stopped pretending and came clean.

Xiao Yan remained expressionless, then asked, "The fight between the Shen siblings inside Dongyue Tower must have been your doing as well?"

He continued nodding.

"It's no longer a question that you manipulated the process behind the scenes to erase Shen Guangzong's status as a candidate for the imperial examination."

He nodded again.

Sigh, she felt a little embarrassed to have her achievements recounted in front of others.

Xiao Yan narrowed his dark eyes slightly, feeling that he could see through her even less: "Aren't you afraid I'll tell Shen Cang?"

His only response was a shake of the head from Shen Qiyin.

[Your Excellency holds a high position, while I am as insignificant as an ant. If you truly wish to take my life, there is no need for such trouble; a single sword strike would suffice.] Just like when he killed the Thousand Eagle Guard named "Zhao Jiu".

After she finished writing, she gave Xiao Yan a quick glance, then lowered her head and continued writing.

Xiao Yan was patient enough to wait for her and did not urge her.

However, my lord, you will find me useful.

A hint of amusement seemed to flash in his eyes: "For example?"

I pick up my pen.

I know how to treat illnesses.

lift.

After putting it down, I continued writing.

Still willing to risk their lives

lift.

Put it down again, swish swish swish—

[Can tell fortunes]

lift.

He put it down and continued writing.

[Can also draw]

As Xiao Yan looked at the last point, the image of those ten lifelike little turtles inexplicably surfaced in his mind.

Seeing the person opposite him pick up the pen again to write, Xiao Yan reached out and pressed her wrist without thinking. The delicate touch of her skin, different from his own, made him slightly distracted.

Shen Qiyin, however, did not realize that there was anything wrong, and looked at him in confusion.

What's wrong?

Xiao Yan abruptly withdrew his hand and clenched it into a fist.

He suddenly stood up, picked up the box on the table, and left.

As he reached the top of the stairs, his tall figure suddenly stopped. With his back to Shen Qiyin, he said in a deep voice, "This flute is very important to me. Thank you for your help today."

"Remember to look for me when you go to Qiying Pavilion in three days. I will return an even better one to you."

After saying that, he left without looking back.

As Shen Qiyin watched his figure disappear at the top of the stairs, she unconsciously lowered her eyes and slowly let out a breath.

She knew that the Thousand Eagle Guard had spies all over the capital, but she never expected that Xiao Yan would actually monitor her, a mere daughter of a royal physician!

It must have been that time at Jing'an Temple, when she thought she was the mantis stalking the cicada, but little did she know that he was the oriole behind her.

He must have set his sights on her then.

It makes sense, really. The second young lady of the Shen family, who used to put her family first, suddenly became a completely different person, turning the very weapon that was meant to protect her family against them. Naturally, this would arouse suspicion.

Just now, she had even prepared herself for Xiao Yan to ask her why she was targeting the Shen family.

To everyone's surprise, he not only didn't ask, but also left in a hurry.

Perhaps there's some kind of mission?

Since Xiao Yan had promised to give her a flute, Shen Qiyin didn't continue choosing at Qingyin Pavilion. Instead, she went straight back to Guangrentang, and before leaving, she made sure to take the piece of paper with her own handwriting on it with her.

Back at Guangrentang, she saw Chunsheng squatting in the middle of the room with a mournful face. In front of him was a basin containing a piece of clothing that looked somewhat familiar.

Shen Qiyin squatted down in front of him, reached out and poked him, asking silently.

What's wrong?

"...My clothes are dirty and can't be washed clean." He almost cried as he said this.

What are you talking about, clothes? Why are you treasuring them like this?

Upon closer inspection, he realized it was the same piece of clothing she had given him during the Chinese New Year last year.

Not only Chunsheng, but also her senior and junior brothers, she gave each of them a new outfit, thinking that they would wear new clothes for the New Year and add to the festive atmosphere.

But I've never seen him wear it, so I thought he just didn't like that style.

Seeing that Chunsheng's hands were red from rubbing, Chen Qiyin quickly pulled him up: "Wash..."

She frowned as soon as she uttered a single word.

I don't know if it's because I talked too much when I met Feng Ruoying, but my throat hurts terribly right now.

Chunsheng quickly brought her paper and pen.

Don't wash it if it's not clean enough. Keep it for tomorrow's herb-gathering trip in the mountains. You won't feel bad if it gets dirty or torn.

"But..." This was sewn for me by your own hands.

Chunsheng kept this dress in his closet, never daring to wear it. He would take it out to try it on from time to time, treating it like a precious treasure.

He had nothing to do earlier, so he took it out again, wanting to wear it and show off a bit. But he found that the cuffs were a little short. Thinking that if he didn't wear it soon, it would be too small, he put it on. But when he took something from the counter, he accidentally knocked over the inkstone and got ink all over himself.

Chunsheng felt like the sky had fallen.

Previously, Old Madam Shen had been in charge of Shen Qiyin's finances, so she didn't have much money and the clothes she made for them weren't made of expensive materials. But seeing that Chunsheng seemed to care a lot, she tentatively asked him, "How about I give you another one?"

Chunsheng instantly revived: "Really?!"

Chen Xiyin nodded.

It's just a piece of clothing, nothing special.

Chunsheng, however, was overjoyed: "Great!"

After they finished talking, Chunsheng happily wrung out the clothes and hung them out to dry.

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