Shura Field
At the entrance of the Shen residence, Old Mo greeted them respectfully outside.
Despite his fatigue from days of travel, Shen Zaiyuan greeted the guests inside the gate.
Aunt Huang, carrying crab claws, mainly served and cared for the female guests.
With its eyes and ears everywhere, the crab searched for Su Jinggui.
She remembered Lin Huaiyin's instructions: if Su Jing returned, she should sprinkle the itching medicine hidden in her waistband on his neck so that he would immediately—go home.
At the same time, the Su family's carriage was also rushing over here.
Su Jinggui knew his identity was sensitive and he shouldn't have come, but he had no choice but to.
The fact that the Shen family sent him an invitation was already suspicious, but Su Jinggui still refused to let go of this only chance to get close to Lin Huaiyin.
That day, he ran into Lin Huaiyin at the Iron Buddha Temple and saw her carrying a giant painting, secretly climbing up the wooden pagoda.
There were too many people, and Su Jinggui couldn't squeeze to the front, but he saw Lin Huaiyin climb to the top of the tower and witness her release the arrow. He saw the whole thing clearly.
Before long, the Imperial Guards went out to check the streets. The news of Zhao Shangshu's assassination had spread like wildfire. Su Jinggui knew the truth and followed Lin Huaiyin, hoping to find an opportunity to ask what had happened. Unexpectedly, Lin Cuiyue stopped Niu Pancha first, so he rushed up to help.
Others might not recognize his face, but the Lin family would certainly recognize its significance.
He wanted to protect Lin Huaiyin. He wasn't afraid to help her preserve the murder weapon. His third sister was going to kill someone, and that person certainly deserved to die. But he couldn't bear to see her risk her life alone. He had to come. He wanted to ask his third sister in person what had happened. He wanted to help.
No matter what, he was determined to see Lin Huaiyin today.
The wheels rumbled as the sword pointed towards the sunken mansion.
——
Princess Pingyang has arrived at the Shen residence.
Madam Shen led everyone in the main hall to greet the guests.
Inside and outside the mansion gates, all was quiet and still. Everyone bowed their heads in greeting, showing utmost respect.
The prince consort Yuan Jie'e dismounted first and waited to one side, while Princess Pingyang was helped down from the sedan chair by an older nanny.
Princess Pingyang stopped and saw a dark mass of skulls.
This is a view that can only be seen from the top. Shenfu is not a mountaintop, and Princess Pingyang has no mountains beneath her feet. Lin Huaiyin and the others must curl up and sink to the bottom of the valley.
Only Chen Congyun remained steadfast, never bowing his head.
He stood at the back of the crowd, amidst the black waves of people bowing down like a tide. He was like a reef, upright and looking straight ahead, oblivious to everyone else, with only his little phoenix in his eyes.
Princess Pingyang and he looked at each other across the distance. The moment their eyes met, Shen Congyun knew that Pingyang had come at the invitation of the emperor.
He immediately thought of Madam Shen, and that his mother's invitation to Pingyang to the banquet must have brought up the kindness of his father risking his life to save him back then. They had clearly agreed never to mention that matter again, so why would it suddenly turn out like this?
There's a problem with the inner quarters.
Shen Congyun looked at his mother, and Princess Pingyang also glanced at her, gently raising her hand: "Madam, please excuse your formalities. Everyone, please excuse your formalities."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
With a cheer, the crowd tacitly moved aside to both sides, clearing a path in the middle.
Princess Pingyang moved gracefully with her lotus-like steps, and her husband Yuan Jie'e kept three steps away from her, not daring to get too close. Old Madam Shen and Shen Lanyan followed closely behind, surrounding the princess like stars around the moon.
However, Shen Congyun remained unmoved.
Lin Huaiyin, standing behind Old Madam Shen, suddenly had her gaze, which had been fixed on the back of Princess Pingyang's head, drawn to Shen Congyun—
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Shen Congyun blocked the way and even boldly reached out his arm to Princess Pingyang, offering to help her. Lin Huaiyin was so excited that she wanted to shout to the sky.
She knew Shen Congyun wouldn't be able to hold it in!
Even an unseen wedding could drive him mad, let alone the fact that the prince consort himself was killing him right in front of him.
The more infatuated a man is, the more likely he is to make mistakes, and the easier it is for her to exploit his weaknesses.
Lin Huaiyin was ecstatic. Little did she know that just a step away, Old Madam Shen's heart pounded—the scene froze, a hundred pairs of eyes fixed on that arm, everyone's eyes filled with horror—
There is a distinction between ruler and subject. What is the Grand Secretary trying to do?
Did the prince consort die?
A thorn pierced Yuan Jie'e's back, and the prince consort hesitated.
Shen Lanyan stared in disbelief, and Old Madam Shen was nearly paralyzed with fear—what was Cong Yun doing? Even the Imperial Son-in-Law dared not overstep his bounds and approach, so what was Cong Yun doing—
Oh, right.
Madam Shen glanced back at Lin Huaiyin. Just as Yuan Jie'e was staring in shock and Princess Pingyang's jade hand was about to touch Shen Congyun's hand, she pulled Lin Huaiyin over without hesitation, pushed her into Shen Congyun's arms, and even pressed his arm, which was frozen in mid-air, onto Lin Huaiyin's slender waist.
"Your Highness, please don't take offense." Old Madam Shen said with a soft smile, her voice only among the six people. She turned her head and scolded Shen Congyun: "It's just a few steps, it won't tire you out. You don't need to be so worried about your pregnancy."
To ensure Princess Pingyang understood quickly, the emphasis was doubled on the six words "having a baby and feeling heartache".
Lin Huaiyin, quick-witted as ever, immediately hugged Shen Congyun back. The dodder flower was infatuated with her, while Shen Congyun's face stiffened.
Princess Pingyang smiled slightly and looked at the couple.
Shen Congyun dared not look at Pingyang.
He never intended for Pingyang to know about this; he was already taking steps to deal with the wicked one.
Although Pingyang never asked, he always assumed that he had never touched Lin Huaiyin again, and that his body and soul belonged only to Pingyang.
Old Madam Shen caught him off guard. Shen Congyun was speechless. A surge of evil fire erupted from the depths of his body. He tightened his grip on Lin Huaiyin's slender waist, determined to break her in two.
Lin Huaiyin was in so much pain, yet she was also excited. The more it hurt, the more excited she became. Her face turned bright red, tears streamed down her face, and she almost fainted.
Seeing her blush and shyly cover her face, Yuan Jie'e immediately felt relieved.
He first looked at Pingyang's waist, recalling that he had also given his all on their wedding night, displaying his prowess, and perhaps His Highness was already carrying his child.
At the same time, he also greatly envied the young couple Shen Congyun and Lin Huaiyin. He thought that if they were so loving in public, they must be a harmonious couple in private, far surpassing him, the prince consort who could not enter the princess's mansion without being summoned.
Those on the outskirts of the palace heard nothing but the couple embracing, and they all felt a pang of envy—the third young lady of the Lin family was truly remarkable; even after being framed by thieves and harming her health, she was still so favored!
The court officials were mostly bewildered, not knowing what the Shen family was up to—Princess Pingyang had arrived, and Consort Shen was showing off his affection in public? He almost made the prince consort's face turn green!
Seeing that Lin Huaiyin was under the princess's gaze but remained silent, Madam Shen cursed her inwardly for being petty and unsophisticated. She continued to explain to Princess Pingyang in a low voice, "The pregnancy is not yet stable, and this is indeed a critical time. Please have mercy on Congyun, Your Highness."
Princess Pingyang listened with a smile, nodded, indicating that she would not pursue the matter, and walked straight past Shen Congyun and Lin Huaiyin, heading forward first.
The prince consort and others followed closely behind.
As soon as Princess Pingyang left, Shen Congyun lost his spirit, tightened his grip on Lin Huaiyin's arm, and suddenly felt weak.
Shen Congyun never expected that Pingyang would be so calm and indifferent when he heard that another woman was pregnant with his child.
In that split second, he had already planned how he would handle the aftermath, how he would appease her, and how he would respond to her anger and affection if Pingyang were to have a fit of jealousy and strangle Lin Huaiyin on the spot. He could give her an explanation immediately.
But she actually smiled and nodded.
Shen Congyun looked over and saw Pingyang walking leisurely and comfortably, her hair ornaments swaying gently, reflecting dazzling light. She was in the center of thousands of people, surrounded by boundless glory. There was nothing unusual about her, and she didn't care.
No, that's impossible.
Shen Congyun did not believe it.
He withdrew his gaze, wanting to take Lin Huaiyin to Princess Pingyang to confirm her identity once again, but he suppressed the thought as soon as it arose—he could not use another woman to test Pingyang, there could be no other woman between him and Pingyang, there was no need for that.
His little phoenix must be enduring the heartache and struggling to hold on.
He cannot hurt her.
Shen Congyun felt heartache, regret, self-blame, and anger; all these emotions coalesced into a fierce rage as she pressed down on Lin Huaiyin.
Poor Lin Huaiyin, her waist was about to break, her clothes were soaked with sweat, her face was pale, and she couldn't even scream. Although the more Shen Congyun lost control, the more satisfied she became, if he continued to tighten the belt, she would probably be the first to go to hell.
"Dying so absurdly, what if I can't be reborn... Lin Huaiyin wanted to cry but had no tears."
As guests walked by, Shen Congyun knew not to make any big moves. Looking around, he noticed the crab claw standing at the door and immediately ordered Chu Jiu to summon her.
Xie Ao was completely bewildered. She was ordered to guard Su Jinggui, and she would never move. Lin Huaiyin forbade her to reveal her kung fu skills. She clung tightly to the door frame, saying that Aunt Huang had ordered her to greet guests and she dared not leave her post.
But Chu Jiu was ruthless and didn't talk much. After a good beating, he grabbed her by the collar and left.
Soon, a crab claw with bared teeth and claws, its face bruised and swollen, was brought before Shen Congyun.
Shen Congyun pushed Lin Huaiyin over, instructed Chu Jiu to keep an eye on them as they returned to the main hall, and then turned and strode away.
Lin Huaiyin and Xie Ao exchanged a bitter glance—if Su Jinggui were to arrive at this moment, they would surely be doomed.
Forced into a corner, the two walked step by step toward the main hall under Chu Jiu's watchful eye.
——
Inside the main hall, all the guests were seated.
Princess Pingyang sat alone on the high platform, with an empty chair beside her.
The imperial son-in-law, Yuan Jie'e, was kept by Shen Congyun's side.
Shen Congyun had a strong presence; when asked to sit, he dared not get up, and when offered wine, he dared not stop drinking. He could only secretly glance at Princess Pingyang, hoping that she could save him and summon him up.
Yuan Jie'e longed to sit next to Princess Pingyang.
He wanted all the civil and military officials to see him as the imperial son-in-law and to see how well he and Princess Pingyang matched.
Although he could only be a commoner when he married the princess, he held no official position. To put it bluntly, he was not following the proper path for a man.
However, Princess Pingyang was stunningly beautiful, and was also the Crown Prince's only younger sister and the future Princess of the Empire. She was the most perfect woman in the Great Xing Dynasty. If Chief Minister Shen was the dream lover of countless women, then Princess Pingyang was no less a fairy from the moon, making people yearn for her and unable to sleep.
The princess, being of noble birth, looked down on everyone else, but she chose him as her lifelong support, which proves that he is an exceptional man comparable to the Crown Prince.
Yuan Jie'e wanted to go up; as Princess Pingyang's husband, he was qualified to sit next to her.
But Shen Congyun held the wine cup, not touching a drop himself, but telling him to pour and drink it himself.
The Grand Secretary's imposing presence inexplicably instilled fear in Yuan Jie'e. Half a pot of wine was quickly consumed, and Yuan Jie'e, unable to extricate himself, began to flirt with desire. He asked, "Prime Minister Shen has been married for only six months and already has a child. Do you possess any secret bedroom arts? Perhaps you could impart some to me?"
"Eat and drink." Shen squeezed out the two words through gritted teeth, the rhinoceros horn ring scraping against the skin with a sharp crack.
"Oh." Yuan Jie'e obediently drank another cup, then poured himself a refill. He raised his cup closer to Shen Congyun and pressed, "I see Madam Shen and Prime Minister Shen so inseparable, and I'm quite envious. I also wish to be as affectionate as Pingyang. Prime Minister Shen, would you allow it—"
"Eat, drink." Shen Congyun tightened his fingertips, and the wine glass cracked with a "crack".
The cracks spread rapidly, and in an instant, hot wine and broken porcelain shards sank into Yun's palm.
Surprisingly, a man spoke directly to him, using the words "Pingyang".
Shen Congyun clenched his right hand as if he were strangling Yuan Jiee, and blood immediately flowed from between his fingers.
Yuan Jie'e was utterly astonished, his face filled with helplessness. He dazedly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe himself. Shen Congyun nearly exploded on the spot—carrying a handkerchief around? Was he even a man? This thing had actually touched his Pingyang! Had he used this rag to wipe Pingyang too?!
At this moment, Shen Congyun's eyes turned bloodshot, and his rationality completely collapsed.
Just then, Chu Jiu escorted Lin Huaiyin and Xie Ao in. Lin Huaiyin was sitting down next to Old Madam Shen when Shen Congyun glanced at her. Chu Jiu immediately nodded and turned to leave.
Lin Huaiyin sat down, picked up the last piece of candied plum flesh, and asked the crab claw to fetch it again.
The crab claws took the empty plate and slowly retreated.
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