The Crown Prince, who was in charge of the state, seized the wife of a minister.
The sacrificial ceremony has come to an end.
Shen Congyun escorted Liu Cang's coffin back to the capital.
Lin Huaiyin went to see him off.
She was used to playing the role of a pampered wife, and could remain calm and collected, cursing Chen Congyun to die while clinging to him and acting coquettishly.
She was very good at reading Shen Congyun's expression. When he was angry, she would kneel down; when he wasn't angry, she would eagerly try to pounce on him.
She was a shameless, brainless, and spineless pregnant woman who was madly in love with her husband.
She missed him constantly, so when her husband was leaving, she naturally packed a small bundle, put on a reluctant expression, and decided to climb on top of Shen Congyun to annoy him.
Shen Congyun despises her and will never take her with him. Pretending to be affectionate all the way will probably cost him his life!
He will definitely find an excuse to abandon her.
Lin Huaiyin had made up her mind to put on a show and then stay to fight the White Lotus Sect.
The plan was good, but a strange thing happened—when Lin Huaiyin saw him today, she felt even more disgusted than before. She was too lazy to even look at his back and mock him during the ceremony. Now that he was in front of her, Lin Huaiyin hesitated and couldn't bring herself to do it.
She no longer wanted to touch him.
The thought startled Lin Huaiyin, and her face, which had been flushed for most of the day, turned deathly pale in an instant.
How could she have such thoughts? Does she have a death wish? If she doesn't continue to pretend and maneuver, how will she avenge this blood feud?
Does she have the right to be capricious and willful?
No.
Lin Huaiyin knew that she had no other way to go.
She hardened her heart and moved forward step by step.
When Shen Congyun saw her coming, he felt as if he wanted to avoid her like the plague. Seeing the bundle on her shoulder, he wished he could pick it up and throw it into the mountains to feed the snakes.
However, Lin Cuiyue and many court officials came to see them off, and Du Yu also led the Eastern Palace guards to the side. On the surface, they still had to make a good impression.
"Third Sister." Shen Congyun reached out and called to Lin Huaiyin, "You are pregnant and it is not advisable for you to come along."
"No, my child and I can't live without you. Husband, please take us with you." Lin Huaiyin took his hand, hugged his arm, and leaned into his embrace.
Seeing this, Du Yu, who was standing to the side, looked away and pretended not to hear or see anything.
On the other side, Lin Cuiyue crossed his arms and squinted. He was unsure whether Lin Huaiyin's actions were to escape the Crown Prince or to feign affection and deceive her brother-in-law, Shen.
When Lin Cuiyue returned in the early morning, out of concern, he carefully questioned the military doctors. All twenty military doctors said with absolute certainty, "The Third Miss is not pregnant, absolutely not."
The third sister was not pregnant, but His Highness the Crown Prince sent her medicine to prevent miscarriage every day.
And the way my third sister walked when she came out of the palace this morning...
Lin Cuiyue didn't dare to think too deeply about it.
He stared intently at his beloved younger sister, pondering to himself: his third sister had now become a case, and he couldn't let her continue to escalate into an unsolved mystery. Before the problem came to light and became thorny, he had to find out the reasons behind it and control the course of events.
Otherwise, there will definitely be a huge mess.
If Lin Huaiyin were to return to Beijing now, she would never have the chance to interrogate her privately again.
Lin Cuiyue strode over, pulled Lin Huaiyin aside, and said to Shen Congyun, "My sister is ignorant, brother-in-law, you can go on your journey in peace. We will meet again in the capital in nine days."
Shen Congyun immediately nodded: "Then I'll trouble you, brother, to take care of Third Sister."
Immediately afterward, everyone exchanged pleasantries and offered their thanks. Shen Congyun led the team away, while Lin Cuiyue, carrying Lin Huaiyin, went straight back to the Imperial Guard camp.
Along the way, Lin Cuiyue carried her small bundle without saying a word, only touching the hilt of his sword again and again, gripping it tightly and then letting it go.
He didn't even glance at Lin Huaiyin, who was already swallowing hard, barely daring to breathe.
Back at the camp, Lin Cuiyue ordered the army doctor to be summoned. At the camp gate, the imperial guards, looking worried, clasped their hands and announced, "General, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived and is waiting for you in the central tent."
Upon hearing this, Lin Cuiyue paused, glancing down at Lin Huaiyin beside him.
The sight of her falling upon him felt like a thousand pounds. Lin Huaiyin swayed and quickly said, "Then, big brother, you go ahead with your work. I'll head back now!"
After saying that, Lin Huaiyin turned and ran away, not even caring about her bag. She cursed Xiao Zhian in her heart, wondering why he had come to find his older brother.
"stop."
Lin Cuiyue's voice was authoritative and imposing, causing Lin Huaiyin to stop in her tracks, feeling guilty and flustered.
Big brother was so fierce today, what went wrong? Lin Huaiyin quickly tried to recall.
She lost consciousness upon seeing the fire last night, and Xiao Zhian's excuse for his older brother during the night wasn't entirely unconvincing. The only flaw she could think of was that she was seen leaving the palace this morning by the Imperial Guards.
That's not a big problem. Once it's in, it has to come out eventually. Lin Huaiyin felt she could still argue her case.
"Come here and come with me to meet His Highness." Lin Cuiyue didn't want to embarrass Lin Huaiyin in front of outsiders, so after speaking, he still reached out and helped her up as if she were a pregnant woman.
He was dressed in cold, hard armor, carrying a bundle in one hand and his sister in the other. He supported her, pinching Lin Huaiyin's small arm, which seemed like it could break with a twist, feeling both angry and heartbroken.
The two walked in silence to the central command tent.
Xiao Zhian sat alone in the tent, observing the two men's behavior. He thought to himself that he had come to the right place; otherwise, the little cat would not be able to explain herself here and would turn around and hiss at him.
Just as Lin Cuiyue saw him this morning, Xiao Zhian, high above, also saw Lin Cuiyue's Radiant Armor. This time, he was coming, and he was going to take his cat away from her brother himself.
"This humble general pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Lin Cuiyue clasped his hands and bowed, his manners impeccable, but he overlooked the most important point—he did not remove his sword outside the tent.
Bringing a knife to the emperor is a blatant act of overstepping one's bounds; he should be dragged out and beheaded without question.
Lin Huaiyin sensed a tense atmosphere—her older brother wasn't just eyeing her, but also that brat, what was going on?
She couldn't help but wonder: Did her older brother climb through the window last night?
Thinking of this, Lin Huaiyin's face flushed red, her heart pounded wildly, and she peeked out from behind Lin Cuiyue, instinctively trying to stand between the two. However, Lin Cuiyue timely nudged her with his elbow, preventing her from stepping forward. Lin Huaiyin could only bite her toes with resentment in her eyes, put her hands on her left waist, and bow softly: "Your subject—"
"No need for formalities." Xiao Zhian raised his hand, gesturing for the brother and sister to sit down.
Lin Cuiyue didn't stand on ceremony and led Lin Huaiyin to the table.
He sat in the center, with Xiao Zhian on the left and Lin Huaiyin on the right. He sat down, looking straight ahead, and did not speak.
The atmosphere was so eerie that Lin Huaiyin felt like she was stepping into a hole and burying herself alive.
Xiao Zhian heard the soft rustling and knew that Lin Huaiyin couldn't take it anymore.
He is the type who usually takes control of the situation, listening to everyone's reports and making the final decision, or he might be too lazy to bother and simply dismiss everything.
He was always composed and unhurried, never needing to think about how to break the deadlock, because no one would give him a chance to break a deadlock.
But at this moment, Lin Huaiyin's predicament made him anxious, agitated, and unable to remain calm or patient.
Xiao Zhian took the initiative to speak, asking in his usual teasing tone, "Minister Lin, since you don't wear a sword, have you also noticed the unusual activities of the White Lotus Sect down the mountain?"
His voice was soft and gentle. Lin Cuiyue and Lin Huaiyin suddenly stood up, speechless with astonishment, and exclaimed in unison, "Your Highness, how did you know?"
The brother and sister looked shocked. Although they said the same thing, Xiao Zhian could easily tell the difference: Lin Cuiyue was surprised because he didn't know anything; the little kitten was panicked because her secret had been exposed.
Xiao Zhian only had eyes for her. The little kitten was so tender and adorable from his care, her round, dark eyes filled with adoration.
He enjoyed her gaze, and she should worship him because he saw through her secrets and kept them for her. Moreover, with him by her side, she wouldn't have to rack her brains to lie and deal with Lin Cuiyue's suspicions.
Xiao Zhian was very happy that she liked it. He pampered her like this, and she should snuggle into his arms and rub her wet little nose against him.
His gaze grew increasingly unrestrained and persistent, his pressure becoming heavier and heavier. Lin Huaiyin felt a hand land on her collar, its fingers long and slender, the tips slightly cool, probing inside and peeling away. She swallowed hard, her breathing labored, her legs weak and unable to move. She struggled to close her eyes and escape his gaze, took a deep breath, and looked up to glare back fiercely.
She glared at me?
Xiao Zhian was displeased. He turned his head and gave Lin Cuiyue a cold look, releasing his aura of pressure.
"Is there anything I shouldn't know?" he said, no longer being polite.
Lin Cuiyue snapped out of his daze, clenched his fists, his bones cracking and popping, and his neck bulging with prominent veins.
His eyes were bloodshot and he was extremely excited. The White Lotus Sect was a traitor and a villain who had kidnapped his third sister. They were his mortal enemies. If what His Highness said was true, he would be able to kill his enemies with his own hands this time!
For both public and private reasons, Lin Cuiyue was eagerly anticipating a major battle!
He glanced back at Lin Huaiyin, then stepped back and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "This humble general is incompetent and has not detected anything unusual. As for the information about the White Lotus Sect traitors, please enlighten me, Your Highness."
Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin couldn't help but want to interject, because only she knew what the situation was.
However, Xiao Zhian once again shattered her understanding.
He said, "The White Lotus rebels are gathering at the foot of the mountain. Crane Cry Mountain is now in danger of being isolated. In the next four days, the White Lotus may attack the mountain. With your five thousand imperial guards and my three hundred bodyguards, it is difficult to protect the civil and military officials on the mountain. If we rashly go down the mountain, we will be more likely to be ambushed. I have already sent Du Yu down the mountain to mobilize troops. There will be my men at the foot of the mountain monitoring any unusual situations and sending signals at any time. You must adjust your defenses as soon as possible. As long as we hold out for two days, the crisis can be resolved when Du Yu leads his troops to arrive."
"Your humble servant obeys the order!"
Lin Cuiyue clasped his hands in a fist salute, digesting the information: The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. We can defend the mountain, but we are also vulnerable to surprise attacks and fire attacks. The priority now is to protect everyone on the mountain, and only then can we wipe out the White Lotus Sect and avenge our third sister.
Lin Huaiyin's eyes widened in shock after hearing Xiao Zhian's words.
Xiao Zhian not only knew that the White Lotus Sect had arrived, but he even used Liu Cang's death as a cover to send people down the mountain to mobilize troops. Does this mean that Xiao Zhian knew that there were White Lotus Sect insiders on the mountain?
How could he be so clever? Did he guess it was Princess Pingyang?
Lin Huaiyin stared at Xiao Zhian, wanting to ask, but not daring to.
Seeing that her expression was off, Xiao Zhian quickened his pace and brought up another matter: "Lin Qing, Liu Cang's death was my doing. It was my oversight to take action in your territory. After returning to the capital, if Consort Hui makes trouble, I will handle it properly and ensure that you are not implicated."
The topic suddenly shifted, and Lin Huaiyin's mouth opened wide in surprise, as if she could swallow her fist.
Such a huge pot, a real crime of murder, Xiao Zhian didn't even discuss it or ask any questions, he just confirmed that she did it, and then carried it over and put it on his head.
Has he gone mad? What is he after? Lin Huaiyin's eyes welled up with tears, her heart ached, and she wanted to jump on him, grab his collar, and question him properly.
Upon hearing this, Lin Cuiyue's pupils also dilated, and he quickly pulled himself out of his thoughts about adjusting the defenses.
He didn't understand why Xiao Zhian would bring up such a secret. He glanced at Lin Huaiyin, wondering suspiciously if His Highness was covering for his third sister, and asked directly, "Was it really His Highness who did it?"
“Exactly.” Xiao Zhian took the blame lightly, and to prevent Lin Cuiyue from disbelieving him, he added, “On the day of Buddha’s Birthday, I was attacked. So yesterday, I was just giving them a taste of their own medicine. I never harm the innocent in my actions. I’m telling you this so you won’t be alarmed and so you can deal with the current situation seriously.”
"yes."
Lin Cuiyue listened attentively to the admonition, not giving it a second thought.
Liu Cang's death was indeed a heavy weight on his heart.
Liu Cang was not only a high-ranking official of the second rank, but also the father of Consort Hui. Consort Hui was pregnant with the emperor's child and was enjoying great favor from the emperor. She suddenly died in Heming Mountain, within his patrol area. Lin Cuiyue was indeed unable to eat or sleep in peace.
However, he still harbored some doubts. His Highness the Crown Prince's confession did not mean that the matter had nothing to do with his third sister.
Lin Cuiyue's thoughts, because of Liu Cang, turned to Minister Zhao, then back to Lin Huaiyin, and finally landed on Xiao Zhian.
Lin Cuiyue was 90% certain, almost certain—the Crown Prince, whom he revered as the ruler, had acted unfilially, seducing and taking advantage of a subject's wife, and this subject's wife was none other than his third sister. And his third sister, whom he had cherished since childhood, had been humiliated and manipulated behind his back, forced to participate in a series of dangerous events.
He felt sorry for Lin Huaiyin, but he was also angry with her. He was angry that she didn't come home to talk about the grievances she suffered, and that she had to bear it all alone. What did she take her family for?
He was also angry that the Crown Prince was still alive, that his father was still alive, that the entire Lin family had devoted themselves to the Xiao royal family for two hundred years, and that the Crown Prince could betray them and humiliate the Lin family.
His Highness the Crown Prince is bullying his sister.
Liu Cang died because of the Crown Prince's will, but it's not necessarily true that he didn't die at the hands of his third sister.
Lin Cuiyue still had doubts and couldn't let go of them. When he thought of Lin Huaiyin's slow, shuffling steps that morning, as the father of two children, he didn't want to see his sister that way, but he simply couldn't suppress his suspicions.
Xiao Zhian could clearly see the changing emotions on Lin Cuiyue's face, his heartache, and his resentment.
Sure enough, Lin Cuiyue had this thought. Xiao Zhian was glad he had come; this was the last important matter, and he had to handle it properly.
Xiao Zhian looked at Lin Huaiyin and gently called to her, "Miss Lin, please go out first."
Upon hearing this address and seeing the astonished expression on her older brother's face, Lin Huaiyin immediately clenched her sleeves.
"Third sister, you go out first." Lin Cuiyue knew that Xiao Zhian had something to say, so he pressed a fist to his chest and shooed Lin Huaiyin out.
Xiao Zhian watched Lin Huaiyin walk away, his eyes slightly reddening. He felt a pang of tenderness and reluctance. He lowered his voice and asked Lin Cuiyue, "Does Minister Lin still remember the day we set off, when the imperial physician examined your sister's pulse?"
Lin Cuiyue nodded: "Your subject remembers."
"Alright, I'll tell you the result." Xiao Zhian spoke calmly, slowly clenching his fist in his sleeve, and told him the truth mixed with Lin Huaiyin's lie about faking her pregnancy: "Your sister was poisoned. The poison cut off her chance to have children, but it also caused her to have a strange, slippery pulse, making people think she was pregnant."
"What?" Lin Cuiyue was shocked and, disregarding the proper etiquette between ruler and subject, asked repeatedly, "What poison? When was she poisoned? Who poisoned her?"
"The imperial physicians determined that she has been poisoned for about a year, perhaps since when she was abducted by the White Lotus Sect." Xiao Zhian tried his best to remain calm and gentle as he continued, "That day, when the imperial physicians diagnosed her, your sister insisted that she was pregnant. I really didn't know how to tell her, so I sent her medicine to prevent miscarriage under the guise of a pregnancy-stabilizing medicine. Yesterday, your sister suddenly fainted, which was caused by the interaction of the medicines. Pingyang said that Imperial Physician Lu treated her with acupuncture all night and did his best."
"What do you mean you've done your best? Third Sister can't have any more children?" Lin Cuiyue couldn't believe it, and he was even less willing to accept it.
Xiao Zhian shook his head, advising Lin Cuiyue, and also speaking to himself: "Not entirely. As long as the medication continues and she rests properly, there might still be a chance after the remaining poison is cleared. Although this matter originated from the White Lotus Sect, I am responsible for the failure to suppress the bandits and the failure to oversee the country. Your sister will need to receive regular treatment from Physician Lu. I wonder if Minister Lin would prefer Physician Lu to visit her, or to maintain the status quo and have your sister receive treatment in secret?"
Xiao Zhian presented two options.
Lin Cuiyue certainly didn't want Physician Lu to go to Lin Huaiyin. If the news got out, whether it was his third sister asking or the Shen family asking, wouldn't that put Physician Lu in a difficult position, leaving him unsure how to answer?
Moreover, the Shen family might not want to bring up the White Lotus Sect past, and the third sister certainly wouldn't be able to bear it.
Thinking about this, Lin Cuiyue realized that Xiao Zhian had put a lot of thought into it.
It turns out there was no such thing as seizing a minister's wife, nor was she coerced or manipulated. Last night, the third sister received treatment all night long. His Highness the Crown Prince used the pretense of a pregnancy-stabilizing medicine to actually detoxify her. It was better to treat her secretly than to reopen old wounds and make everyone lose face.
Thinking this, he took a deep breath and nodded solemnly: "In that case, Your Highness, please ask Princess Pingyang to continue to take care of my sister. The Lin family is willing to swear allegiance to her, even unto death."
"Minister Lin, you flatter me. As I have said, I am responsible for your sister's affairs, and I will take them to heart and take good care of her." Xiao Zhian stood up and patted Lin Cuiyue's shoulder. "Arrange the rotation of guards as soon as possible. Your sister attended the ceremony this morning, which must have been very tiring. I will take her to see Physician Lu for a checkup."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Lin Cuiyue clasped his hands and bowed.
Xiao Zhian paced slowly out of the central command tent, his eyes fixed on Lin Huaiyin. His temples throbbed with alarm, and veins bulged on his forehead.
Except for the phrase "slippery pulse," everything I just said is absolutely true.
His beloved woman was murdered; her reputation, her body, and her future were almost completely destroyed.
She suffered unimaginable pain and torment, burdened with an incomparably deep blood feud, yet she lived so vividly and brightly before him. She was so beautiful, and he wanted her to remain beautiful forever. He would raise her well, nurturing her into a kitten that would purr and sleep on its back, undisturbed.
When Xiao Zhian came out, the Imperial Guards all saluted him.
Under the bright blue sky, he looked at Lin Huaiyin and walked steadily toward her.
Lin Huaiyin was terrified. She felt she shouldn't be so blatant, or her older brother would strangle her. She was so frightened that her facial features were all over the place, and she froze completely.
Lin Cuiyue, who was serving Xiao Zhian, had a deep look in his eyes. He dared not look up and reveal his heartache. He called to her in a low voice, "Third sister, you go with His Highness."
"ah?"
What's the meaning?
Lin Huaiyin couldn't believe it and pinched her thigh hard, saying, "Big brother, if you've been bewitched by that stinky prince, blink twice!"
Xiao Zhian walked past her, opened his mouth but didn't say anything: "Let's go, Yinyin."
"Go quickly," Lin Cuiyue urged. "Your Highness is very busy, don't waste time."
"oh."
Lin Huaiyin followed Xiao Zhian's steps.
Lin Cuiyue stood quietly in place, watching them walk away.
The Crown Prince, regent, stood like a mountain, blocking the blazing sun from Lin Huaiyin's view.
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