Chapter 25: Take a nap. You are tired too. Let’s take a rest together.
Tang Lin'er had a lithe figure, and she knelt on the ground gracefully, trembling slightly like a winter jasmine in the cold dew, looking delicate and pitiful.
"Sanlang, you have to make the decision for Lin'er."
Wei Zilin put down the red brush in his hand, his eyes filled with displeasure, and patiently said, "What's the matter? Stand up and tell me."
Tang Lin'er refused to get up. She leaned on his knees and raised her face with tears in her eyes. "Sanlang, Lin'er saw that you were busy with government affairs all day long, and you were also worried about Shen Yunchao's case. I wanted to share your worries. I just went to the Prime Minister's Mansion secretly without telling anyone, hoping to get some information back."
Wei Zilin was a little surprised and frowned slightly: "What useful information did you find?"
Tang Lin'er straightened up, put her cherry lips close to Wei Zilin's ear, and whispered to Wei Zilin the news that Prime Minister Shen had told her in detail.
Wei Zilin's eyes gradually darkened, and he narrowed his eyes slightly, looking down at Tang Lin'er, "You are still useful, so keep an eye on the Prime Minister's Mansion for me. I need to know their every move."
"yes."
Tang Lin'er lowered her head, a trace of resentment flashed across her face, then she raised her head again, her eyes full of grievance.
"I originally rushed back and wanted to tell you quickly, but I didn't expect..." At this point, Tang Lin'er couldn't help sobbing softly, her eyes were full of tears, and she looked so pitiful.
"What didn't you expect?" Wei Zilin was impatient.
Tang Lin'er bit her lower lip.
"But I didn't expect that the Crown Princess got the news and slandered me, saying that I went out late at night to meet a stranger. When I was about to explain, she... just... hit me."
As she spoke, Tang Lin'er deliberately turned the injured side of her cheek towards Wei Zilin so that he could see more clearly.
Wei Zilin frowned, his expression calm. He raised his hand and touched her fair cheek, his cold fingertips brushing across the faint scars, and his tone was cold.
"She is a little spoiled, but I don't think she would do anything without reason. You left the palace late at night, so she might have misunderstood you." Tang Lin'er looked at Wei Zilin in astonishment, tears welling up in her eyes, "Sanlang, Lin'er really did it for you, so she rushed to the Prime Minister's Mansion overnight, but she..."
"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Don't let the wound on your face leave scars. Take this box of scar-healing cream." As he said that, he picked up a box of ointment from the table next to him and threw it to Tang Lin'er.
Tang Lin'er looked at the box of so-called "reward" in her hand, and felt a little sad.
"Sanlang..."
She wanted to argue a few more words, but Wei Zilin had already turned around and sat back at the desk, unfolded the memorial, and ignored her.
Tang Lin'er stood there in a daze, tears silently falling on the scar-removing cream in her hand.
After standing there in silence for a long time, she slowly turned around and walked out of the study with unsteady steps.
As soon as she returned to her room, Tang Lin'er threw the box of scar removal cream to the ground, fell on the pillow and burst into tears.
She thought back to her days at the Shen residence. Although she was living under someone else's roof, Madam Shen was kind and gracious. She remembered that once when she was seriously ill, Madam Shen personally stayed by her bedside, stayed up all night to change her handkerchief, feed her medicine, and was very caring towards her.
Shen Xingwan never put on airs as a rich girl. She read and embroidered with her on weekdays. She even gave her her most beloved silk flowers and treated her like her own sister.
Brother Shen is even more...
But now in this East Palace, although it seems to be prosperous, it is actually difficult to get anywhere. Wei Zilin's indifference makes her feel cold.
"Shen Xingwan, Lu Yuzhi, why are you both born with good fortunes!"
Tang Lin'er gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness.
She secretly vowed that no matter what means she used, she would fight for a place in this deep palace and make everyone look at her with admiration.
It was just dawn, and the faint light of morning sun shone through the thin clouds and scattered in the courtyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Shen Xingwan stayed up all night and sat in the inner hall. Although he was extremely tired, he still forced himself to discuss with Prime Minister Shen how to rescue his brother.
"Master, Miss, the son-in-law is here." Feiyun led Yan Jinghuan to the inner hall and announced from a distance.
Shen Xingwan raised her eyes and quickly stood up to greet him.
Yan Jinghuan strode into the inner hall, looking a little tired, with bloodshot eyes, obviously he had not slept all night.
He took Shen Xingwan's hand, sat down with her, and asked her with concern: "You look so haggard, didn't you sleep?"
Shen Xingwan nodded slightly, her voice slightly hoarse: "I'm fine, I'm just worried about my brother."
"Don't worry, I've already gone to the Heavenly Prison to take care of things. They didn't torture Yun Chao, so his life is safe for now."
Shen Xingwan's eyes were sore, "Thank you."
Prime Minister Shen also hurried over and bowed respectfully, saying, "The Shen family is grateful for your help, Your Majesty."
Yan Jinghuan looked at Prime Minister Shen, "Yun Chao is Xing Wan's brother, I will do my best."
Yan Jinghuan glanced sideways, and Xing Zhou immediately walked in from outside, holding a file in both hands and handed it to Prime Minister Shen.
Prime Minister Shen unfolded the file, and Shen Xingwan looked inside, only to see detailed background information of the people who had impeached Shen Yunchao.
The leader among them was named Wu Chuan. He was originally just an unknown minor official in the court, but he rose rapidly in just a few months. The person behind him was none other than the brother of the Imperial Noble Consort, the powerful general in the court.
"It's indeed related to the Imperial Concubine." Shen Xingwan gritted her teeth.
Yan Jinghuan nodded. "Not only that, Xing Zhou also found out that before Wu Chuan impeached Shen Yunchao, he had close contacts with several officials of the Palace Internal Affairs Department, and it is very likely that he was planning to frame Yunchao."
Prime Minister Shen frowned, “In this case, the key to overturning Yun Chao’s case is to find ironclad evidence of their collusion and evidence that proves Yun Chao’s innocence.”
Shen Xingwan pursed her lips, "If I could get the account book in the Imperial Concubine's private treasury..."
Prime Minister Shen paced back and forth, "It's not that easy. The Imperial Concubine's palace is heavily guarded, and ordinary people can't get close at all. Let's think of other ways first."
Shen Xingwan's shoulders slumped, and after thinking for a while, he finally said, "Since the ministers in the court are afraid of the Imperial Concubine and the general and dare not come forward, then I will contact my father's old subordinates and ask them to help collect evidence and clear my brother's name."
Prime Minister Shen still shook his head, “It’s too difficult. They will also be afraid of the Crown Prince and the Imperial Concubine and dare not cause trouble.”
"I know it's difficult." Shen Xingwan bit her lip, "As long as there is a glimmer of hope, we have to give it a try."
"Alas..." Prime Minister Shen clenched the file and sighed helplessly.
If it was any other crime, he could have contacted the court officials he was familiar with and submitted a petition together, but now it was a crime of treason, and everyone was in danger. If they were even slightly contaminated, they would easily be slandered by those with ulterior motives as forming a clique for personal gain and attempting treason.
That is a serious crime that will implicate nine generations of the clan. Every family is wealthy and has dozens or even hundreds of people. Who would dare to wade into this muddy water at this time?
The two men looked worried, both of them were extremely anxious but didn't know what to do.
"I'll go find the evidence."
Yan Jinghuan suddenly spoke up: "If Xing Wan wants to contact her father-in-law's old subordinates, let her go. I will assign some secret guards to her. They are agile and cautious. They will definitely protect her and help her get information."
Shen Xingwan looked at Yan Jinghuan in astonishment.
Yan Jinghuan just smiled gently and raised his hand to smooth the scattered hair on her temples. "I didn't want you to get involved, but if I don't let you do something, you won't be willing to rest in peace."
Tears gradually filled Shen Xingwan's eyes.
"Okay." Yan Jinghuan's eyes became softer, and he wiped away the tears that slid down her cheeks with his thumb. "This matter still needs to be considered in the long run. The most important thing right now is for you to go to sleep first, okay?"
Prime Minister Shen looked at the two of them and agreed, "With the help of the prince, Yun Dynasty still has a chance of survival. You two have been up all night, how can you save people if you are exhausted? Go and rest."
Seeing Shen Xingwan hesitate, Prime Minister Shen urged her: "Go, the prince has already arranged it, Yun Chao is not in danger for the time being, and the prince has worked hard all night, go quickly."
Shen Xingwan raised her eyes and looked at Yan Jinghuan. His eyes were filled with tiredness from running all night, and there was a layer of light blue shadow under his eyelids, but his straight nose and tightly pursed thin lips still revealed an innate firmness and nobility that made people unable to take their eyes away.
She couldn't bear it, so she nodded and asked Yan Jinghuan softly, "Would you like to take a rest in my yard?"
"Um."
As the sun rose higher, light filtered through the carved window lattices, scattering golden shadows on the floor tiles of Shen Xingwan's boudoir.
As soon as you enter the inner room, you will see a carved pear wood dressing table, on which are placed several exquisite hairpins with the heads inlaid with warm jade, and a small diamond-shaped mirror with a polished surface.
In the vase on the table, there are a few newly opened crabapples, with pale pink petals spreading out layer by layer, exuding a faint fragrance.
Yan Jinghuan's eyes fell on a scroll painting hanging on the wall. It was a landscape painting. Although the brushstrokes were a bit immature, it was very spiritual. It was a work that Shen Xingwan created to kill time in his spare time.
Below the scroll is a huanghuali wood table with various books neatly placed on it. The pages are slightly yellowed, and it is obvious that they have been read repeatedly.
Shen Xingwan walked to the couch, spread the quilt herself, turned to look at Yan Jinghuan and said, "You've been running around all night, you should lie down and have a rest." After saying that, she turned around and went to make tea for him.
Yan Jinghuan held her hand.
"You are tired too, let's rest together."
Shen Xingwan's cheeks flushed slightly. After hesitating for a moment, she slowly sat down on the edge of the couch.
After they lay down side by side, Yan Jinghuan turned over, put his long arms around her and gently embraced her in his arms. Shen Xingwan buried her head in his chest and heard his steady, strong heartbeat.
The anxiety and fatigue of the past few days surged in like a tide, making it hard for her to breathe, but now as she lay in Yan Jinghuan's arms, those emotions seemed to gradually dissipate and fade away.
Yan Jinghuan gently stroked her hair. Shen Xingwan's eyelids became heavier and sleepiness enveloped her like a fine silk net, and she gradually fell into a deep sleep.
Yan Jinghuan lowered his head and saw that the little girl was sleeping with a frown on her face, as if she was not sleeping well. He reached out and gently smoothed her frown, and slightly adjusted her posture so that she could lean more comfortably.
His eyes slowly moved around the room, looking at every detail in the house. Everywhere were traces of her life.
He could smell the sweet scent of her body as he breathed in. He slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep in her arms.
The sunlight flows quietly, casting a soft halo on their figures, as if time has also stopped at this moment, leaving only each other's warm heartbeats and even breathing.
When I woke up again, Yan Jinghuan had already left.
Feiyun smiled as she helped Shen Xingwan change her clothes, "The son-in-law is still very considerate of the young lady. He specifically told me not to wake you up and let you rest more. He didn't even eat and rushed back to the palace to discuss matters. It seems that there is some new clue."
Shen Xingwan nodded, "Then let's not sit idle, change clothes quickly and go visit father's old subordinates."
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