Hypocritical Shen Congyun
Shen Lanyan was so angry she was about to explode.
A messenger from Xiangguo Temple said he was delivering incense and soup by imperial decree. Upon hearing that it was His Highness the Crown Prince, she deduced that it must be because she had prayed for His Highness's well-being, and His Highness was rewarding her with it.
She was overjoyed, but the monks suddenly changed their tune and asked Madam Shen to come out and receive the imperial decree.
Upon hearing "Madam Shen," Shen Lanyan assumed it was in accordance with the rules of the Eastern Palace, similar to titles like Consort Shen, Consort Shen, or Lady Shen.
She put on airs and asked the monks if they would call her "Madam Shen". Unexpectedly, the monks turned their backs on her and, in front of everyone, pointed out that they wanted Lin Huaiyin and refused to acknowledge her as Miss Shen. They slapped her across the face repeatedly.
Even now, Shen Lanyan's face is still in excruciating pain.
She was clearly the Crown Prince's consort, yet the Crown Prince doted on her in public, the imperial physician came three times in a row, and the reward money was delivered the next day.
His Highness the Crown Prince keeps his word, he loves and cherishes her, and if he were to bestow a bath upon her, it would be for her, not for that vile woman Lin Huaiyin!
It must be that vile woman who seduced His Highness.
Lin Huaiyin is just used to being promiscuous; she flirts with any man she sees.
First, she seduced the White Lotus Rebels.
Then she tricked her brother.
Now they even dare to covet His Highness the Crown Prince!
She wanted to strip Lin Huaiyin of her shamelessness, so that she could never go out and seduce men again.
Shen Lanyan was filled with resentment and malice, her forehead beaded with sweat. She kicked over the maid who was massaging her feet, her eyes piercing Shen Congyun with a vicious look.
The maid was kicked hard, and covered her mouth, not daring to make a sound of pain.
Seeing this, Madam Shen frowned. She felt that it was not appropriate to mistreat the servants today, as it would disturb the peace of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas and diminish her blessings.
She was very unwilling to do this, her mind was in turmoil, echoing with Shen Congyun's words that His Highness the Crown Prince resented the Shen family, but was also concerned about the Shen family's child in Lin Huaiyin's belly. She couldn't understand it no matter how she thought about it—His Highness the Crown Prince and his good daughter-in-law, these two were completely unrelated, how could they get mixed up together?
Moreover, didn't His Highness the Crown Prince dote on Lan Yan on the day of the family banquet?
Madam Shen was uncertain. Now that the bathing Buddha's fragrant water was in front of her, she couldn't just throw it away. Was it a blessing or something else? The matter still needed to be resolved.
She patiently glanced at the wooden tub reflecting a half-moon and called out to Lin Huaiyin, "Daughter-in-law, don't hide. What exactly does His Highness mean by this? You have to come out and speak."
Old Madam Shen had been treating Lin Huaiyin with exceptional kindness lately. Hearing her calm and unhurried manner, without any hint of harshness, Lin Huaiyin took a deep breath, thinking that pregnancy was indeed a good thing, her backing was very secure. She decided to test the waters, so she stepped out from behind Shen Congyun, enduring the pain in her back, knelt down with her arms wrapped around the Buddha statue, and said:
“Mother-in-law, please understand, your daughter-in-law knows nothing. Today, after the Dharma assembly ended, your daughter-in-law paid homage to the White-Cloaked Lady Goddess who ascended the throne, and prayed for the Guanyin Bodhisattva who grants children. She followed the White-Cloaked Lady Goddess on her tour. After the tour ended, your daughter-in-law returned to Xiangguo Temple as agreed beforehand, and waited for her husband to return home together.”
She reported her day's itinerary, which Shen Lanyan scoffed at.
Madam Shen nodded repeatedly, silently chanting Amitabha Buddha, hoping that the merits and blessings would go into Lin Huaiyin's belly and be dedicated to her precious grandson.
Lin Huaiyin hugged Guanyin Bodhisattva tightly so she wouldn't have to kowtow. To prevent the wound on her back from tearing, she knelt upright like a bamboo pole and said, "I have never had the opportunity to see the Crown Prince. What my second uncle and Lanyan said only came from the monks of Xiangguo Temple, so it's hard to tell whether it's true or false. This matter concerns my reputation, so I implore my mother-in-law and husband to find the monks of Xiangguo Temple and go to the Crown Prince's Palace to verify this in person."
Lin Huaiyin turned the tables, shifting the blame to the Eastern Palace and making the Crown Prince deal with the problem himself.
She knew she was in the wrong, but even if she had asked the Venerable Sanbao to deliver the fragrant soup to Shen Lanyan, she was in the wrong first and deserved to have her own problems exposed. His Highness the Crown Prince's actions were too vicious, and she had to have the Shen family come to his door to demand an explanation.
However, before she could finish speaking, Old Madam Shen did not respond; instead, Shen Congyun spoke first.
He twirled the ring on his finger and said coldly, "This matter is not just about reputation. Even if His Highness the Crown Prince really issues an edict to send incense, if we go and ask him, will he admit it? If word gets out, it will be gossip about my Shen family."
Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin felt a pang of unease, realizing that Shen Congyun did not intend to confront her directly.
That scoundrel wants to torture her to death.
Lin Huaiyin instantly thought of the 800,000 taels of silver notes. Shen Congyun said he would ask for them after the Buddha's Birthday. Now that the assassination attempt had failed, could it be that he had some underhanded trick to use this incident to control her and make a fuss?
Her heart was in turmoil. She thought of how, after the Buddha's Birthday in her previous life, Shen Congyun and Princess Pingyang caused trouble again, three months later at the Golden Register Fasting Ceremony.
When the White Lotus Sect stormed the mountain, blood flowed like a river on Crane Cry Mountain. All the loyal subjects who did not submit to them died unjustly, and the elder brother was also dismissed and imprisoned as a result.
But that was three months later, and Lin Huaiyin hadn't had time to make any arrangements. She couldn't handle it alone, but three months was enough time to come up with a solution.
Lin Huaiyin felt uneasy and had a bad feeling about her.
There was another assassination attempt today. I don't know if it was something that happened in her past life, or if it was an unexpected result of her changing history, destroying the Erwang Temple, and angering Princess Pingyang.
Moreover, Shen Congyun had never given her such a kind look in his previous life. Behind his kind face, there must be a treacherous scheme.
Is it aimed at her, or at her father and brothers?
This turn of events was completely outside of her memories of her past life. Lin Huaiyin was trembling with fear and extremely vigilant. Unexpectedly, Shen Congyun suddenly bent down and called her "Third Sister". Seeing her trembling, he even bent down and helped her up.
Amitabha Buddha, has Guanyin Bodhisattva manifested her power?
Lin Huaiyin was shocked. Shen Congyun, who was standing in front of her, had a gentle face and was actually very considerate. He tidied her hairpins and bent down to brush the dust off her skirt.
Good heavens, what's wrong with that scoundrel?
Should we clean it thoroughly before killing it?
Lin Huaiyin was stunned.
Shen Congyun was considerate and meticulous. After taking care of Lin Huaiyin, he gently put his arm around her slender waist and turned to say to Madam Shen, "My career has been bumpy, but the Lin family of Third Sister can still rely on each other. The Crown Prince's move is intended to sow discord between the Shen and Lin families and make Third Sister and I feel at odds. I trust Third Sister and ask Mother not to cause any more trouble because of the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Shen's eyes lit up, her gaze burning with enthusiasm—her daughter-in-law had this advantage too!
But then she remembered that her son hadn't said it this way before!
Shen Zaiyuan remained standing, looking at Shen Congyun but not daring to look directly at him, only glancing at his front.
He felt that his brother was very strange tonight.
The Shen family was poor, and the marriage between Shen and Lin seemed like a huge win for the Shen family. However, the elder brother repeatedly reprimanded him, saying that it had brought trouble upon them and made them the target of jealousy. He also seemed particularly cold towards his sister-in-law.
In fact, Shen Zaiyuan never felt any unfair treatment. His Highness the Crown Prince had always praised his elder brother highly and relied on him greatly.
Now he accepted his brother's words in their entirety, but his brother suddenly changed his mind and said that Shen and Lin relied on each other.
The Lin family's century-old military command, leading 100,000 imperial guards, means even the Emperor's life depends on them. How could they possibly claim that the Shen family is relying on them? This makes it sound as if the elder brother is planning to use the Lin family for something.
Tonight, my brother seems unusually unfamiliar, and Chen Zaiyuan feels inexplicably afraid.
Xuan Ge stood upright in the attic, his eyes narrowed, thinking to himself that Shen Congyun's marriage to Miss Lin was indeed not as simple as the so-called "repaying a life-saving debt with one's body" on the surface.
What exactly is the Shen family doing that requires them to rely on the Lin family?
Miss Lin's sudden appearance at the assassination scene, risking her life to protect the emperor, is it related to what the Shen family is doing?
Your Highness will surely be very interested in this matter.
He watched quietly, his anticipation growing.
"And Lan Yan." Shen Congyun's gaze swept over them, suddenly turning cold and hard as he sternly rebuked, "Stand up and apologize to your sister-in-law!"
A sudden shout rang out, and everyone in the courtyard stood up straight, not daring to utter a sound.
Lin Huaiyin was already nervous, and she was so frightened that she trembled all over.
Shen Congyun gently embraced her, his arm rubbing against her waist, causing Lin Huaiyin to break out in a cold sweat from the pain.
However, Shen Lanyan was not afraid of trouble. She sat slumped in the chair, raised her eyes and stared directly at Shen Congyun, her gaze unwavering.
She has the favor of the Crown Prince, a substantial private fortune bestowed upon her by the Prince, and more than fifty adoptive parents who come to care for her every day.
She was the center of attention, the most noble of noble ladies, and she was not afraid of being overshadowed by others.
Seeing how arrogant she had become, Shen Congyun lost all interest in disciplining her.
The Crown Prince's gaze hung over the Shen family like a sword; sending Lin Huaiyin fragrant soup was a blatant warning.
With disaster looming, Shen Congyun had too many things to worry about and no spare time for Shen Lanyan.
Moreover, as his sister, she shouldn't be like this; she's as stupid and dull as a pig.
Shen Congyun was extremely disappointed and had no patience left.
"Pack up immediately and send the Third Miss back to the old residence in the Imperial Mausoleum. Keep a close watch on her."
Shen Congyun instructed the new Chu Jiu, gave Old Madam Shen a look, and then left with Lin Huaiyin in his arms.
Yu Li quickly followed.
Chu Jiu acknowledged the order and went straight to Shen Lanyan, gesturing for her to enter: "Third Miss, please."
"You dare!"
Shen Lanyan gripped the handrail tightly, forcing herself to remain calm, and glared angrily.
Chu Jiu, however, didn't care at all.
He was a member of Princess Pingyang's faction, but because the princess stormed out of the family banquet last time, he didn't think much of the Shen family.
However, Shen Congyun is equivalent to Princess Pingyang, while he is the one whose words become law.
If you can't move her, then move her for you.
"Third Miss, please forgive me."
On the ninth day, a man in black appeared, his face hidden behind a black cloth. He grabbed Shen Lanyan's arm and pulled her up.
"Hiss!" Shen Lanyan was both shocked and angry. Her ankles and arms were in pain, her face was ashen, and she couldn't even make a sound.
Both Madam Shen and Shen Zaiyuan were terrified and looked at Shen Congyun's back.
Chen Congyun remained unmoved.
The Shen family mother and son watched helplessly as the men in black took Shen Lanyan away, not daring to call for a stop.
The Crown Prince's inexplicable delivery of fragrant soup is a sign of unpredictable imperial will and unclear meaning. Perhaps only Shen Congyun understands its implications and knows how to respond appropriately. Apart from guessing that the Shen family seems to have gotten themselves into trouble, they have no idea where to start.
There's only one road to the back courtyard.
Shen Lanyan stumbled and fell behind.
Lin Huaiyin walked beside Shen Congyun.
She kept her eyes fixed on the moonlight on the ground, not daring to look at him sideways.
The matter of the fragrant soup seemed to have escaped her notice, but she was very clear that Shen Congyun had other schemes and plans for her. She wanted to know, and she was also afraid to know.
Shen Lanyan was already obsessed with the Crown Prince, so Shen Congyun sent her back to the old house and locked her up. It seemed like a brutal move, but it was actually the best way to protect her.
Hearing the noise behind her, Lin Huaiyin was unwilling to let go of Shen Lanyan, her pawn.
Because besides Yuan Jie'e, Shen Lanyan was the best candidate to discover the affair between Shen Congyun and Pingyang.
Lin Huaiyin wanted to keep Shen Lanyan around to help her expose their affair, and preferably also to the Crown Prince.
She mustered her courage, grasped Shen Congyun's sleeve, and whispered, "My husband has always doted on Lanyan the most. Your sudden anger will break her heart. Lanyan is young and easily misled. Why don't you forgive her and give her a chance to change? Harmony in the family brings prosperity. I believe that the more the Crown Prince tries to sow discord, the more we must remain calm. Otherwise, if he harms me today and my second uncle tomorrow, we will easily fall into his trap. Wouldn't that cause pain to our loved ones and joy to our enemies, with the Crown Prince reaping all the benefits?"
Lin Huaiyin spoke softly, deliberately avoiding Xuan Ge. Hearing her say this, Shen Congyun suddenly felt a surge of anger.
It was nothing more than their affair being exposed on a luxury ship, and the prince using fragrant soup to slap them.
As long as we can trick Lin Huaiyin into helping us deal with this and avoid seeing Pingyang for the time being, the risk of this matter is not great.
Shen Congyun reassessed the situation: it was a small matter, quite easy to resolve.
However, he was suppressed by the Crown Prince's accumulated power, becoming a frightened bird, suspicious and overreacting.
Holding the thumb ring, Shen Congyun felt both ashamed and angry in an instant.
Even though the crown prince was his prey, he was intimidated by the prey's mere glance, panicked and lost his composure, and only managed to calm down with the help of his dog.
Who does Lin Huaiyin think she is, daring to boss him around?!
A surge of resentment coursed through his body, and Shen Congyun felt as if he were burning with anger, with nowhere to vent it. He released Lin Huaiyin, grabbed her chin, and demanded, "Are you teaching me how to do things?"
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