Chapter 37: A warm moon and two landscapes.
The sunlight leaked through the sharp teeth of the Bi'an beast. When Shen Yunchao raised his hand to block the dazzling golden light, the new wound on his wrist bone tore through and blood oozed out of his cuffs.
A few days were enough to cover the imperially bestowed Panlong Jade Crown with dust, but it could not destroy the starlight in his eyes that was tempered by the long wind from the northern frontier.
"elder brother."
Suddenly, a silver bell rang under the stone steps, and Shen Xingwan came quickly from a distance, holding up her skirt. The golden sparrow holding a pearl on her fairy bun was startled and its wings fluttered.
"Brother Yun Chao!"
Princess Guang'an suddenly ran out from the side of Shen Xingwan, her scarlet and golden pheasant fur coat fluttering in the sky, and her twelve-layer moon-glowing gauze rustled across the kneeling back of the jailer, and flew straight into Shen Yunchao's blood-stained arms.
The twelve golden ears of silk and pearls on her temples brushed against Shen Yunchao's chin, where the scab was about to fade, and her hot tears soaked the cloud-like patterns on his shoulders that were worn by the shackles.
Shen Xingwan stopped and saw from afar that his brother's hands hanging by his side suddenly curled up and then slowly stretched out.
Shen Yun lowered his thick long eyelashes and looked at the girl sobbing softly in front of him.
He froze for a moment, and finally his blood-stained knuckles gently stroked the golden filigree butterfly in the princess's hair.
It was the treasure at the bottom of the trophy box hanging next to the saddle when he returned from pacifying southern Xinjiang last year.
Yan Jinghuan walked over slowly, took Shen Xingwan's hand, they smiled at each other, and walked towards Shen Yunchao together.
Princess Guang'an gradually calmed down, then she remembered that she was embarrassed, blushed, let go of her hands and turned away.
Shen Xingwan smiled, blinked at Shen Yunchao, and slapped his forehead, "Oh, I'm so anxious to come pick you up, my mother must be worried to death in the mansion. I'll go back and tell her the good news first."
As he said this, he glanced at Lord Guang'an's back with a smile, then looked at Shen Yunchao and said, "You two can talk slowly. It won't be too late to return home after you finish. Don't be in a hurry."
The young man's jade-colored face flushed slightly, and he opened his mouth to explain something, but when he saw the princess's slender back trembling with sobs, he didn't say anything in the end, and only said "hmm" softly.
The warm spring sun is like a thin golden gauze, gently falling on the perfect couple.
Shen Xingwan smiled comfortingly, turned around and went back home first. She was so happy that her steps became lighter, but she kept looking back from time to time, with a bit of playfulness and curiosity in her eyes.
Yan Jinghuan glanced at her sideways and couldn't help but chuckle. He held her hand tightly and said, "Don't look at him anymore. He will become even more stupid if you stare at him like this."
Shen Xingwan laughed out loud, gently pushed him, and said angrily: "I never realized before that you can joke."
Yan Jinghuan raised his eyebrows and curled the corners of his lips slightly, "There are many things you haven't discovered."
Shen Xingwan pursed her lips and chuckled, then walked forward a few steps, suddenly tugged at his sleeve, and looked up at him.
"I really can't figure it out. Wasn't the emperor under house arrest by the Imperial Concubine on the grounds of being seriously ill? Why did he suddenly appear in the palace just now?"
Yan Jinghuan couldn't help but chuckle, with a hint of doting in his eyes. He leaned closer to her ear and said in a low voice, "What do you think I did to prepare for entering the palace last night?"
Shen Xingwan was slightly stunned, then suddenly realized, and her admiration for Yan Jinghuan increased even more.
Her eyes were full of admiration. She felt that he was thoughtful and considered everything so carefully. With him by her side, it seemed that all problems could be easily solved.
She smiled even more, took Yan Jinghuan's arm, and rolled her eyes at him.
That night, the lights were turned on, the Prime Minister's Mansion was brightly lit, and laughter and joyful voices echoed in every corner.
The chef in the mansion showed off her cooking skills, and the table was filled with delicious dishes that were both delicious and tasty. The aroma was so fragrant that it made people salivate.
Everyone sat together and celebrated Shen Yunchao's safe return.
Prime Minister Shen and his wife's eyes were filled with relief and joy. They looked at Yan Jinghuan differently, their gratitude and love were beyond words.
Prime Minister Shen picked up the wine glass and stood up, saying solemnly: "Your Majesty, if it weren't for you this time, my son would not have been able to return safely. We in the Shen family really don't know how to thank you!"
Yan Jinghuan smiled and waved his hand, jokingly saying, "Father-in-law, your words are too kind. It doesn't mean anything. If you really want to thank me, just ask Xingwan to treat me better in the future." As he spoke, he looked at Shen Xingwan, his eyes full of teasing smiles.
Shen Xingwan's cheeks immediately turned red, and she felt angry and amused at the same time. She raised her hand and gently punched Yan Jinghuan twice, "You are the only one who keeps talking nonsense!"
Prime Minister Shen and his wife quickly smiled and stretched out their hands to dissuade him: "Xingwan, don't be rude." Then they showed concern and asked about Yan Jinghuan's well-being, as if those two light punches could really hurt their beloved son-in-law.
Shen Yunchao also stood up and raised his glass, looking at Yan Jinghuan sincerely: "My Lord, thanks to you for your help this time, I am grateful for your kindness. I toast you a glass!"
Yan Jinghuan nodded, picked up the wine glass and clinked it with Shen Yunchao's, drank it all in one gulp, and advised: "This battle is dangerous, be careful, and make sure you return safely."
Shen Yunchao nodded, his eyes like cold stars: "Don't worry, Your Majesty."
"Hey, why are you talking about war for no reason? Just eat." Shen Xingwan picked up a piece of pork elbow and put it in Yan Jinghuan's bowl.
The family members were chatting and laughing happily, and a warm atmosphere filled the entire Prime Minister's Mansion, as if dispelling all the haze of the past.
At this time, the East Palace seemed like a cold palace shrouded in darkness, gloomy and cold.
The night was dark, like a huge black curtain, tightly covering the East Palace.
In the East Palace, the remaining candles flickered, and the light and shadows swayed ghostly on the walls, further highlighting the eerie atmosphere of this secluded place.
Wei Zilin paced back and forth in the hall, his eyes bloodshot and cursing non-stop.
He kicked over the stool beside him with all his might, and the loud "clang" sounded particularly harsh in the silent East Palace.
Tang Lin'er curled up in the corner, looking at Wei Zilin in horror, her body shaking uncontrollably.
Lu Yuzhi stood aside, her face full of resentment, and she spat at Tang Lin'er from time to time.
Suddenly, Lu Yuzhi seemed to remember something, rushed over, and started beating and scolding Tang Lin'er.
She grabbed Tang Lin'er's slender neck with both hands, cursing, "You jinx, it's all because of your ignorant sister and father who insisted on reporting the Imperial Concubine that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has fallen into this situation!"
Tang Lin'er desperately protected her belly with both hands, tears gushing out like a flood, and she cried until she was hoarse.
She was filled with grievance and looked at Wei Zilin in fear, as if she was grasping at the last straw, and struggled hard to crawl towards him.
Every time I moved, it felt like I was using up all my strength.
Finally crawling to Wei Zilin's feet, she stretched out her hands, trembling like leaves in the wind, to pull Wei Zilin's legs, begging in a crying voice: "Your Highness, please save me... I really don't know anything..."
Wei Zilin had already been blinded by anger. He looked down at Tang Lin'er with only disgust in his eyes.
“Get lost!”
He shouted loudly and kicked her hard with his leg.
Tang Lin'er was slender and petite, and she flew out uncontrollably like a kite with a broken string, and fell heavily on the cold ground, groaning in pain.
Seeing this, Lu Yuzhi showed a trace of cruel pleasure on her face. She walked forward quickly, raised her hand and slapped Tang Lin'er in the face with two loud slaps.
"Pa! Pa!" The crisp sound of slapping echoed in the silent East Palace for a long time, like the low laughter of a devil.
Tang Lin'er's cheeks swelled up instantly, and blood flowed from the corners of her mouth. It flowed down her chin and dripped onto the ground, creating dark red blood flowers.
Lu Yuzhi put her hands on her hips, her eyes wide open, and cursed loudly: "It's all your shameless sister and your nosy father's fault. They had to make so many troubles and caused His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to be imprisoned here. Tell me, how are you going to make amends? You useless thing!"
Tang Lin'er lay on the ground, sobbing and struggling to explain: "It really has nothing to do with me... From the beginning to the end, I only have His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in my heart and eyes. The Crown Prince and I are of the same mind... How could I harm His Royal Highness..."
After hearing this, Wei Zilin not only did not calm down, but became even more furious.
He was so angry that he was shaking all over. He pulled out the jade belt from his waist. His eyes were red and he swung the belt like a wolf, whipping Tang Lin'er hard. He used all his strength in each blow, making her cry and wail, with her skin torn.
"If you hadn't pretended to have a stomachache that night at the banquet, how would Shen Xingwan and Yan Jinghuan have had the opportunity to steal the account books from the private vault? It's all because of you, an idiot!"
Lu Yuzhi also fanned the flames, jumping up and down to agree, "That's right! I went to change clothes that night and didn't touch your body at all, so how come you have a stomachache? It's obvious that you and your sister conspired together! You two sisters are both bad people!"
Wei Zilin was like a madman, swinging the jade belt and whipping Tang Lin'er non-stop until he was exhausted and his arms were so sore that he could no longer lift them, then he dropped the jade belt in his hand with a "click".
The jade belt fell to the ground like a dead snake, and Tang Lin'er was already covered with wounds. She collapsed to the ground dying, her eyes closed, and her breath was so weak that it was almost imperceptible, like a wisp of smoke that could be blown away by the wind at any time.
Seeing this, Lu Yuzhi hurriedly twisted her waist, walked over quickly, stretched out her slender arms to support Wei Zilin, and advised in a tender voice: "Your Highness, be careful not to hurt your hand."
"Let me accompany you to rest. You are the true dragon emperor, and you are just temporarily trapped in the shallows. Don't worry, my father will do his best to help you make a comeback."
After saying that, she raised her head, and looked at Wei Zilin with her wet eyes full of affection. Her rosy lips slightly raised, and she smiled timidly and seductively.
Wei Zilin turned his head and his eyes fell on Lu Yuzhi. Seeing her pretending to be gentle and flattering, his violent expression calmed down a little.
He stretched out his hand and put it around Lu Yuzhi's waist, and Lu Yuzhi snuggled into his arms.
Wei Zilin embraced Lu Yuzhi, drunkenly, and staggered away slowly. The backs of the two hugging each other looked particularly eerie under the flickering candlelight.
Ruyi, the maid who was also beaten and kneeling outside, saw the prince and Lu Yuzhi walking away, and hurriedly ran in crying.
When she saw Tang Lin'er, who was dying, she burst into tears, knelt down and hugged her, lifted her head and pressed the bleeding wound on her forehead, crying anxiously: "Miss! Miss! What's wrong with you, Miss? Wake up! What should we do... Imperial Physician, find an imperial physician quickly!"
But the huge East Palace looked like a lonely grave in the night, dead silent.
Ruyi supported Tang Lin'er and cried out with tears in her eyes. Her voice echoed in the empty palace, but there was no response.
The cold wind whistled into the East Palace, making Ruyi and Tang Lin'er's clothes rustle.
Ruyi was extremely anxious. She dragged her heavy steps and carried Tang Lin'er from one end to the other. Every time she reached a palace gate, she shouted with all her might: "Help! Is there anyone here? Please save my young lady!"
However, the only response she got was the eerie sound of the wind and the echo of despair.
The guards of the Eastern Palace seemed to have disappeared, and the palace maids and eunuchs who usually came and went were nowhere to be seen either.
The entire East Palace seemed to be abandoned by the world, with only Ruyi's helpless cries lingering in the darkness.
Looking at Tang Lin'er, who was breathing weakly in her arms, Ruyi's tears flowed uncontrollably.
She knew that if she couldn't find an imperial physician, the young lady's life might be in danger, or even two lives might be lost.
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