The room was filled with cold air, and everyone was silent and did not dare to speak.
Seeing Xuan Yi retreating, Pei Yanzhou continued to pick up the terrain map in front of him, but Qingming no longer existed.
He only remembered that Song Jinyin left him and waited until today with a plan.
The panic in his heart was mixed with unspeakable anger, pushing Pei Yanzhou into an uncontrollable dark abyss.
Finally he stood up, unable to find his composure.
"Let Lin Jingxiu come over and take over and act according to my previous arrangements."
"Your Majesty!"
The people below didn't know what had happened, but seeing this situation, they had no choice but to speak out to dissuade him.
"Your Majesty, think twice! If others find out about it, they might use this matter as an excuse to find fault with the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince has always acted responsibly, and you must not allow anyone to find any excuse for this!"
"Looking for excuses from me, let's see if they have this ability!"
Pei Yanzhou's eyes were heavy as he strode out of the house.
At this moment, all reason was reduced to ashes, and all he wanted was Song Jinyin.
He wanted to see with his own eyes her determination to escape from him in this freezing cold weather, and then destroy all her hopes with his own hands in front of her!
"You disdain the status I gave you, Song Jinyin, don't you?"
Pei Yanzhou got on his horse and summoned a team of secret guards.
Since you don't care about that bit of status, then don't ask for anything else, not the backyard attic, the status and pampering, don't ask for them all!
...
The inn in the village is indeed a bit shabby.
Especially after night falls, even though the doors and windows are closed, it still feels like standing in the wilderness, blowing the cool breeze from all directions.
Song Jinyin's hands, which were prone to getting cold, were now unconscious. She was holding Tang Pozi brought by the waiter, but she did not feel warm for a long time.
Until there was a knock on the door.
"The fire is warming down below. Why don't you, girl, come downstairs and sit down to warm yourself up before going to sleep?"
"Thank you, boss."
After thinking for a moment, Song Jinyin stood up and opened the door.
Outside the window, there are scattered village households facing the mountains, but the lights have been turned off early, so there is only darkness. After closing the window, it reminds people of the word silence.
Even in the inn, apart from them, there were only a few merchants who were going to Kyoto City tomorrow. They were all gathered downstairs, talking and laughing while putting firewood in the basin. There were one or two bottles of wine beside them, watching. It’s not too lively either.
Song Jinyin, still dressed as a man, followed and sat in the corner.
Maybe Zhou Yan'an and Zhou Yan'an were so powerful that even if they found out Song Jinyin's identity as a woman, no one would really explore it and they would only talk about their respective travels.
For a while, the coolness dissipated a lot.
A new Mrs. Tang was handed to Song Jinyin. She raised her eyes and saw that it was Shen Yuhe who was still listening to others joking.
The man did not turn his head to look at her, but just put the things over, with a faint smile on his lips. Occasionally, he would chime in when he heard something strange.
"Thank you, Doctor Shen."
The subtle voice floated over, but it did not affect the chatter and laughter of several people. However, Shen Yuhe looked back and raised his chin towards the back of her head with unknown meaning.
"It's a small effort, so don't thank me. If it's boring, why not pay more attention to the boss behind you."
Song Jinyin met his gaze and saw that his narrow black eyes were calm and indifferent. She seemed to have blended into this group of merchants traveling around, but in fact, none of this entered his eyes at all.
On the contrary, he has the same arrogance as Pei Yanzhou.
Realizing this, Song Jinyin immediately withdrew her gaze.
When getting along with such a person, good or evil depends entirely on his preference, which is somewhat dangerous.
The silver light was reflected in the peripheral vision, and the owner of the embroidery shop was sitting a little far away from the brazier.
Song Jinyin hugged Mrs. Tang and lowered her head. When the warmth began to rise all over her body, she saw his thumb resting on his bent index finger, moving very slowly as if deep in thought.
Something flashed through my mind, a familiar little gesture.
She took a breath, then curled her lips and smiled softly.
"Dragon Zhou's family..."
What sounded together with her words was the sound of horse hooves coming from far and near outside, ringing all the way.
Although there was still some distance between them, it had already spread in the silent winter night, making it appear extremely abrupt.
The people in the room fell silent for a moment and stood up one after another, their faces full of vigilance. Only Shen Yuhe frowned for a moment, then became clear again.
Song Jinyin's heart sank.
It was like being poured down from the head by a basin of ice water, and the whole person fell into an endless ice and snow field.
The coldness all over her body once again enveloped her, making her unconscious and unable to think of any other thoughts except despair.
"Yes, he is from the Crown Prince."
I couldn't tell whether he was asking or mumbling.
Song Jinyin's voice was hoarse and her ears were buzzing. She had obviously spoken, but she could not hear her own voice.
"Girl, don't worry, go upstairs and get your baggage first, we'll start from behind..."
"It's too late, Brother Zhou."
Song Jinyin once again forced herself to wake up.
Her heart felt like a huge stone was pressing down hard, and the inescapable suffocation came with dull pain. She didn't understand why it was always her.
Zhou Yanan was stunned by her name and didn't know how to speak, but he saw Song Jinyin looking over.
A pair of beautiful black eyes had lost their brightness, and the only hint of gratitude in them was covered with a powerless grayness.
"Brother Zhou, please leave quickly and don't confront the Crown Prince again because of me."
"I won't let you..."
Zhou Yanan didn't react until halfway through.
She recognized herself.
But before he could continue speaking, Song Jinyin's voice came again.
"Brother Zhou has been anonymous for so long. He doesn't want to be known by his old friends. If he is recognized because of me, have you ever thought about how to deal with yourself when you meet Miss Xu in the future?"
When Song Jinyin heard the sound getting closer and closer, she calmed down and pushed her back.
She will be scared, but she will never give up.
So what if God doesn't help her survive? The worst she can do is die. What's more, now that she is not alone, she is no longer the lonely Song Jinyin.
"The person coming should be the prince's subordinate. Maybe he has never met Brother Zhou. Brother Zhou will leave from the back first. If there is a chance in the future..."
"I said I would protect you, and I will never break my promise!"
"But Brother Zhou has already protected me once."
Seeing the face of the person in front of her with determination, Song Jinyin had no choice but to lower her voice and speak quickly: "I didn't think well this time and escaped too recklessly. If Brother Zhou really wants to help me, he should leave first this time. Don't call me When the prince's people find out, I will definitely leave the Duke's Mansion. If Brother Zhou is still willing to help me then, please give me a ride."
Seeing the determination in her dark eyes, Zhou Yanan couldn't help but think of the fire that year.
Song Jinyin also looked at him risking everything to keep him from losing consciousness, and even tried her best to pull the drunken man away from the falling bamboo pieces.
"Brother Zhou, it's too late! I'm going out now. If it's really the prince's person, I will delay outside for some time. You two will take the opportunity to leave from behind. If there is another chance in the future... I can always stay outside the house. See you soon, brother Zhou."
Shen Yuhe has been watching Song Jinyin quietly.
It only took a short moment to see her go from despair to sobriety to determination.
Except for the occasional despair in her eyes, all her decisions were swift and firm.
Shen Yuhe's heart moved inexplicably, and Shen Yuhe frowned slightly, but was soothed by the smile she turned back when she stepped out of the inn.
"Let's go, don't let her carry it in vain."
"Can......"
"She's right. If you still want to help her, you can't confront Pei Yanzhou."
When Shen Yuhe saw the thin figure disappearing behind the door, his usual laziness disappeared and his eyes were cold.
Rather than when she would escape again, he wanted to know what Pei Yanzhou would do to her this time.
...
When the inn door opened, it seemed like drizzle was falling.
Song Jinyin thought about countless people who might come looking for her, but she never thought that it would be Pei Yanzhou.
The man on the horse was wearing a crane cloak, his face was stern, and his whole body was filled with hostility.
Seeing her standing in the strong wind, the horse stopped in front of her and looked at her condescendingly.
His eyes were cold and deep and piercing.
