Chapter 76: Returning Banquet
Three days later, the Imperial family held a returning banquet and hundreds of civil and military officials were attending. Even though Emperor Wen Hui mentioned that it was a celebration for the monarch and officials, everyone was well aware that this returning banquet was the Emperor's way of celebrating Shen Xin's meritorious services.
The Shen family held huge influencing power in their hands and with such valiant military leaders like Shen Xin and Shen Qiu, if one used them well, it would be a good sword to defend Ming Qi. If one did not used them well, they could threaten the person who was sitting on that chair at any time. For the Shen family, the Imperial family of Ming Qi depended heavily on defences but when the foreign lands were unclear, the Shen family were at least safe.
As long as the Shen family does not enter the muddy waters of the fight for the heir, the Imperial family would not take any action against the Shen family within these ten years. This was something that those people in court that had brains could see. But previously Shen Miao was in love with Prince Ding which made others think that if Shen Xin were to marry his daughter to Fu Xiu Yi, the position of the Shen family in court would be at the knife-edge. But afterwards Shen Miao's interest on Fu Xiu Yi gradually faded and the Shen family need not be caught up in the whirlwind of the fight for the heir, thus they were safe and sound. Within those next ten years, the reputation of the Formidable Grand General in Ding capital could deter a lot of people.
Early in the morning Luo Xue Yan came over to take a look at Shen Miao. In the past few days, Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin were investigating about the events in the Shen residence but these matters were covered up very well, and even the small trivial matters could not be discovered. But despite this, Shen Xin and wife felt a lot strange and alienated from Old Shen Furen and the other two households.
Shen Miao did not tell Shen Xin and wife about the matter of Shen Qing losing her innocence, and it was impossible for Ren Wan Yun and Chen Rou Qiu to say it out on their own accord. Even the excuse for Gui Momo's death was done anyhow, it was said that her hands and feet were unclean (aka steals stuff) and she was thrown out of the house. Ren Wan Yun thought that Shen Miao would have told the truth them but who knew that Shen Miao also used her excuse. Ren Wan Yun thus believed that Shen Miao would not make any complaints to Shen Xin and wife about any concerns and so became even more fearless than before.
"There are too little hairpins in Young Lady's jewellery box." Bai Lu styled Shen Miao's hair into a long bun. Now that Shen Miao was slimmer, she lost her young appearance and was not compatible anymore with the kind of looks that she had previously used. Moreover today she needed to enter the Palace so it would probably be best to dress up more dignified. However previously Shen Miao's jewellery was bought by Ren Wan Yun and most of them were gold and now these jewellery were used to buy Yan Mei and Shui Bi in San Fu Ban, and for Mo Qing to make arrangements with Physician Chen and hence were pawned off and spent. Now those jewellery boxes were empty.
"Did not Master carried the rewards that His Majesty bestowed yesterday?" Shuang Jiang was struck by a brainwave, "Why not let Young Lady pick something from there? The rewards from the Palace are definitely good."
"Forget it." Shen Miao rejected it. Those things from the Palace, which one of it was not stained by blood. Now she was not willing to wear those things on her body, as if it could infect her and made her remember all those tragic years. She thought about it and opened a jewellery box and picked a hairpin from one of the layer.
"This hairpin is really beautiful!" Bai Lu was pleasantly surprised, "When did Young Lady have such a hairpin, was it Furen who gifted it?"
Shen Miao picked up that hairpin and placed it in front of her to carefully inspect it. This was the hairpin that Xie Jing Xing exchanged after picking the real Begonia from her head during the academy examinations, in the middle of the plum blossoms forest. If it was not Bai Lu mentioning about the matter, she would have thrown it to the back of her head.
The hairpin was made of jade, from the light to dark, when it reached the part with the flower, the entire jade was sparkling with a reddish purple colour. The craftsman who did the carving was very talented as the petal of the Begonia was in full bloom, and there was a feeling of a flourishing meaning. When one touches it, there was a cool and moist texture, obviously from the finest grade of jade. For such a jade Begonia hairpin, one fear that it was valued higher than a thousand gold. Previously Shen Miao saw a lot of good stuff in the Palace so she could naturally see that this hairpin was out of the ordinary. As such, she was even more unexpectedly surprised at Xie Jing Xing to be so generous as no matter how rich the residence of the Marquis of Lin An, one would not be able to squander at such a level.
Seeing Shen Miao lost in thoughts, Bai Lu was afraid of holding up the time and reminded, "Young Lady, this hairpin looks good, this servant will put it on for you."
Only then Shen Miao recovered herself and went accordingly with Bai Lu's wish.
Finally Shuang Jiang put a little rouge on the cheeks before it was considered finished. Gu Yu walked over with a Lotus blue rabbit fur cloak and put it on her before smiling, "Young Lady really look very good. Furen will definitely like it when she see this."
Outside the door, Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin were waiting as Shen Qiu ripped the leaves apart as he said, "Mother, why not let Younger Sister go to the chests of rewards for clothes and jewelleries?"
"What do you know." Luo Xue Yan said in a bad mood, "It is always bestowing bolts of materials, one do not see clothes being bestowed. Even if there were clothes, who would know if those Ladyships and Concubines had worn them before. I would not dare to let Jiao Jiao wear them. As for jewellery, you might as well forget about it. Jiao Jiao will wear whatever she likes and desires, it is better not to intervene."
Shen Miao had all along liked wearing tacky clothes and this point made Luo Xue Yan's head to ache. No matter how much Luo Xue Yan persuaded, Shen Miao was unable to abandon her love of gold and silver jewelleries and after a long period, Luo Xue Yan gotten used to the look. Luo Xue Yan was born in a family with military lineage and even though she was fiercely beautiful, her dressing went towards the heroic style and had some vibe of a heroine.
Shen Qiu stuck his tongue out and softly spoke, "If Younger Sister wear gold and glittering again this time..." He hardly finished his words when he heard the squeaking sound of the door being pushed open.
"Younger Sister, Younger Sister..." Shen Qiu opened his mouth and stared foolishly at Shen Miao speechlessly.
The young female was wearing a purple jaded silk robes, with a rabbit fur cloak over it. The velvet rabbit fur covered her neck fully, making her small face look like it was the size of only a palm. Her complexion was already fair so when she wore the dark colours like lotus blue, it would not appear dull but looked extremely distinguished. The white straight teeth were like embracing the wind and with the lovely gestures from the young female, it make her more attractive due to her calm and quiet distinguished posture, as every single movement had a touch of prestige to it.
Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin looked at her blankly. For a brief moment, they seemed to have saw pass the young female, and were now staring at the Empress of the throne with that noble air in the Palace that even surpassed the golden crown.
It was precisely because Shen Miao had always been wearing gold and silver that now when she was dressed simpler, she had an extravagant air and that kind of calm temperament was something that they had not seen before. Luo Xue Yan unconsciously pat her chest because she was born in the Northwestern region of the desert and only came to the Ding capital after she married Shen Xin, she was mocked for being uncouth, vulgar and lacking of etiquette. Luo Xue Yan herself did secretly invited a Momo over to learn but no matter how much she learnt, she was unable to portray the kind of elegance that was in one's bones so she gave up.
Now her daughter looked more noble and dignified than any one of the daughters from Ding capital noble families. How could she not be happy and surprised!
"Hahahaha." It was Shen Xin that first broke the silence, he raised his head and laughed out loud several times. When he looked back at Shen Miao again, there were pride and happiness in his eyes, "Shen family has a fully grown daughter. My Jiao Jiao is now also a great beauty!" The words he use were extremely coarse which provoked a fierce stare from Luo Xue Yan. When she turned her head, she saw the few guards that Shen Qui brought back from the army were also staring blankly at Shen Miao, she could not help but felt a trace of pride before she said, "Never mind. We will head to the horse carriage first. It would not be good to be late." Finishing, she pulled Shen Miao along and talked to her intimately.
Shen Miao was not used to be treated as a little child like this but paused when she saw Shen Xin's and Shen Qiu's pampering looks. In the eyes of her parents and older brother, she was still that Shen Jiao Jiao.
Luo Xue Yan noticed the Begonia hairpin in her hair and said with a smile, "Jiao Jiao's hairpin looks really good, did you pick it?"
Shen Miao vaguely responded and intended to walk towards the door but saw that there were two carriages that stopped there.
Shen Gui and Shen Wan were standing outside and when they saw Shen Miao and entourage walking over, their gaze seemed somewhat unnatural. In these days, Shen Xin did not give them any good attitude. No matter how much they explained, he would not even show an expression of hearing. Even the daily greeting to Old Shen Furen, Luo Xue Yan only did it vaguely, like she was doing routine work, which almost angered Old Shen Furen till she fainted.
"Eldest Brother." Shen Wan was much more smooth as he greeted Shen Xin with a smile.
Shen Xin made a nonverbal grunt with his nose and walked to side of his own horse carriage before speaking towards Shen Miao, "Furen and Jiao Jiao, both of you go in first." Shen Xin and Shen Qiu did not have the habit of riding a carriage so they would ride their horses along with the carriage.
To be snubbed like that, Shen Gui's and Shen Wan's faces were not looking good and there was a trace of sullenness in Shen Gui's eyes. One of the two carriages' curtain raised and Shen Yue's and Chen Rou Qiu's faces appeared. Shen Yue softly said, "Does Fifth Younger Sister want to sit with us in the carriage? This horse carriage is big enough and it is even enough for Eldest Shen to come."
"Not needed." Luo Xue Yan coldly said, "One will have peace of mind when one is sitting in one's own carriage."
Shen Miao wanted to applaud Luo Xue Yan in her heart. Previously there was no discord between Luo Xue Yan and the two households, and she had a refreshing personality and treated others warmly and sincerely, thus no one saw this cutting and harsh side of her. One need to know that when Luo Xue Yan was in the battlefield, she would be merciless in the face of the enemies, so no matter how much goodwill Chen Ruo Qiu and Shen Yue showed, it was useless against her.
In the other carriage, Shen Qing and Ren Wan Yun also heard the commotion outside. Shen Qing's face was still somewhat pale but she was clutching Ren Wan Yun's hands tightly. Unconsciously she used too much strength and made Ren Wan Yun to cry out. When Shen Qing let go of her hand, there were fingernail marks on Ren Wan Yun's wrists.
Ren Wan Yun however did not mind the scratches on her hands. She pulled Shen Qing to her embrace and felt the slight trembling of Shen Qing's body.
"Qing-er..." Ren Wan Yun quietly comforted.
"I must kill her..." Shen Qing said it in clenched teeth. Her sanity had gradually restored and also recalled the terrible experience in Wo Long Temple. All of it was thanks to Shen Miao and the most horrid thing was that she was already pregnant, and the foetus could not be aborted else she would be unable to be a mother in her entire life. Thinking of all the suffering she had to go through, Shen Qing wanted Shen Miao to also feel the pain and torture she went though. No, it should be that Shen Miao must suffer ten times more pain!
"Mother will take revenge for you..." Ren Wan Yun's heart felt as though a knife was twisted in it, and she hated that she was unable to turn into a wolf to bite off Shen Miao's throat. Shen Qing's cry was like a knife stab in her heart and when she faced Shen Qing, she would always remember about that night. She was just next door but chose to watch with folded arms.
"I will take revenge for Qing-er..." Ren Wan Yun murmured.
In another carriage, Shen Yue and Chen Ruo Qiu sat face to face. Shen Yue was still somewhat unhappy with being rebuked by Luo Xue Yan. She had all along not looked up to Luo Xue Yan kind of vulgar military people, and now to be mocked by that type of coarse people, she now had a stomach full of anger.
"Yue-er." Chen Rou Qiu slightly frowned, "I have told you so many times that you need not pay attention to this kind of people. Why bother to lose your bearing because of her?"
"Mother, I just dislike it." Shen Yue looked at her palms, "In the past Shen Miao was so respectful to us but now that Eldest Bo's entire family returned, she put up such an arrogant air. A dog threatens based on its master's power. Is not she doing it on purpose for us to see?" In her words, it also revealed jealousy that she was not even aware of.
However Chen Rou Qiu caught that jealousy. She looked at her slender and elegant daughter before sighing, "I had taught you before to keep one's calm no matter what happen. It seem that you are still young, impatient and act too prematurely." After pausing, Chen Rou Qiu continued speaking, "You need not need to take Shen Miao into great importance. Now that First and Second household is at a deadlock situation and Shen Miao had offended your Second Shen, so your Second Shen will definitely make her stand."
When Shen Yue heard this, she looked at Chen Ruo Qiu, "But these days, Second Shen did not do anything to Shen Miao."
Chen Rou Qiu slightly hesitated. Indeed, it had been a long time since Ren Wan Yun had dealt with Shen Miao but after so much time, Ren Wan Yun still was unable to gain any benefits. She tried to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice used to lure it, and has made a number of mistakes. Now she even let Shen Miao successfully wait for Shen Xin's return. It would be alright if it was others, as Ren Wan Yun was smart and had sophisticated means to clean up the entire inner courtyard of concubines, but she was unable to even fight with a little girl. This was somewhat abnormal.
After a moment, Chen Rou Qiu hid the surprise in her heart and said, "It is exactly because your Second Shen had not been successful all this time. Your Second Shen's temperament is now so close to rage that when she deal with her the next time, she would definitely take risks and even put in all her energy and effort. As such, even with your Eldest Bo's protection, one is afraid that Shen Miao will be unable to escape unscathed."
Shen Yue was muddleheaded after listening to this but seemed to understand something as she said, "As such, we only need to care about sitting down and watching a good show."
"Exactly." Chen Rou Qiu said, "This is what I want to teach you. In the inner courtyard, if it is possible not to take action, do not take action. If one can make use of other things to achieve one's goals then never personally take action. If exploited correctly, without the need to spend any energy, one can benefit greatly from it."
"Thanking mother for the lesson." Shen Yue sat up straight, "I am reminded of it."
They were chatting happily but they did not know that Luo Xue Yan's carriage had long thrown them far away. Shen Qiu and Shen Xin rode the horses and during the entire journey, the commoners who recognised them all casted admiring and respectful eyes at them. The reputation of the Formidable Great General had long since spread out widely throughout the common folks.
In the carriage, Luo Xue Yan kept looking at Shen Miao and smiled without restraint. Even though Shen Miao was calm and collected, she felt weird being smiled at by Luo Xue Yan.
"Jiao Jiao now looks really very pretty." Luo Xue Yan lamented, "After not seeing for a year, you have grown up to be a lady. In this entire Ding capital, one is afraid that there is no one prettier than you."
Luo Xue Yan's words had all along been somewhat strong and if these words were heard by others, she would be a laughing stock. But parents naturally saw their daughter as the best and with the dynamic character of Luo Xue Yan, she saw that Shen Miao was instead calm with an air of nobility. People would always think highly of things that one did not have, so it was natural that Luo Xue Yan started to love this daughter who was suddenly willing to be closer to them even more like precious stones and jewellery.
Shen Miao smiled lightly. Only family would feel proud of her, a so-called idiot.
"Yesterday night I have discussed with your Father." Luo Xue Yan turned her head, "Previously you mentioned about letting your Father staying in the capital for half a year more, it was a good idea. I and your Father are not in the residence most of the year so it is better to accompany you more often. Today when His Majesty ask, your Father will request that from His Majesty."
Hearing that, Shen Miao could not help but be surprised for a moment. She believed that Shen Xin at the end would listen to her words but she did not expect it to be this fast. Because she has time to respond, Luo Xue Yan had already hugged her and smiled, "It just so happens that in this half a year, I can also watch Jiao Jiao grow up."
Luo Xue Yan had an impressive vicious reputation in front of her enemies but in front of Shen Miao, she was very loving. If her old opponents were to see this, they would be so stunned that their front teeth would fall.
"Thanking Mother." Shen Miao clinged onto Luo Xue Yan as she softly said.
Today this evening banquet was not a so-called celebration banquet at all. In it, there would be extreme danger and one was like playing chess, trying to get the opponent's army. After setting the opening game and buried the pieces appropriately, one only need to wait till the moment the other side fall into the trap.
Of course for her, the most important thing was that... She finally returned back to the place that imprisoned her entire previous life, buried her children and loved ones and was filled with enemies and massacres, the Imperial Palace.
Emperor Wen Hui, Fu family and those old friends in the deep palace, to once meet again, it would not yet be known to whom the deer would fall to (who will emerge victor). Her lips slightly hooked up and her clear eyes were so deep like a whirlpool was in them and gradually set off a dark storm.
The Imperial Palace was majestic and imposing. The glazed roof tiles and vermilion columns were like the golden dragon entrenching itself and the phoenix dancing in a whirl. It was golden bright, shining and dazzling but also cold, lonely and sorrowful.
Brightness was always the appearance and just like the fertile soil under the flower bushes, there were countless number of bones that were buried deeply in the Palace. There were numerous young beauties but at the end, they all became bones. This Palace looked so beautiful but it was also very dangerous.
In the garden, a palace maid and an eunuch were watering plants. All these boring and tedious tasks were most likely handled by the eunuchs and palace maids that newly entered. Both of them looked sixteen to seventeen and were rather tender looking.
The young palace maid said, "There are a lot of people who came over to the front hall. If I did not make that mistake and was demoted because of it, I would have been waiting those noble people in the front hall. One would know that during the yearly returning banquet, just the money that will be rewarded can be used for the entire year."
"The returning banquet..." The little eunuch had an expression of looking forward to it, "Would there be many rewards that are awesome?"
"Look at your lack of exposure." The palace maid's mouth twitched up, "Truly ignorant and ill-informed. His Majesty is holding the returning banquet for the Formidable Great General and purposely arranged a dinner banquet for the officials. Those who were invited are all high ranking officials and female guests and of course it is extravagant. If you wait for a few more years, with good luck, maybe there will be a chance for you to know. Those noble people's monetary rewards are all in ingots."
"Ingots?" The young eunuch exclaimed and enviously said, "That Formidable Great General have such a great face that His Majesty were to specially hold a dinner banquet for him. One presume there would be unlimited limelight."
"What is the point of having limelight?" That palace maid had a tone of disdain, "To have such an idiotic daughter, it is already good that one's face was not all lost, what kind of limelight was still wanted."
"An idiotic daughter?" The young eunuch asked, "The daughter of the formidable Great General?"
"You do not know about this." The palace maid mysteriously said, "That General Shen is a brilliant god of war, his Shen Furen is also considered a warrior heroine and the young Deputy General Shen is also brave and good at fighting. But the Formidable Great General's daughter is an out and out idiot. Not to say she had no knowledge of the four scholarly arts, she also like wearing gold and silver which is so tacky. In every returning banquet, she always make a fool of herself when the General Shen bring her. In last year's returning banquet, I was serving and she does not even know the basic etiquette and rolled down the stairs when she stepped on her dress. Those young ladies and Furens love to mock and laugh at her. Even with the Shen family's protection, everyone all looked down on that Shen Young Lady."
"So since it is so..." The young eunuch sighed sadly, "It does not live up to the reputation of the Shen family."
"Is not it so?" That palace maid continued speaking, "She is regarded as the faulty stroke in the painting of the Shen family. Unexpectedly her two TangJies are much more outstanding that her. General Shen's reputation was totally thrown away by her. Previously this Young Lady Shen was so crazy in love with His Highness Prince Ding that this was spread out like wildfire and became common knowledge to all."
"Really a vulgar female." That young eunuch also had an expression of disgust on his face.
That palace maid often stayed in the Palace, unlike those official's Furens or young ladies that could leave the Palace, so she only knew matters that happened in the Palace. As for the incident of Shen Miao purging her infamous reputation during the academy examinations, she did not know anything at all.
Just as they were talking, they saw the approaching people and both of them quickly looked down and worked hard at their jobs, not daring to speak. But they heard the approaching person walking towards them and said with a pointed voice, "New here?"
"Replying Gao GongGong, it is exactly so." Someone at the side answered.
The young eunuch courageously raised his head and took a glance. He only saw three people standing in front, one had the uniform of a head eunuch and the rest had the uniforms of a second rank eunuch. The one who was called Gao Gonggong was the one who was dressed in the head eunuch uniform.
Gao GongGong swept a glance at both of them and his eyes fell onto the young eunuch, asking, "What is the name?"
"This servant is Xiao Li-zi." The young eunuch was quick witted as he respectfully replied.
"Him then." Gao Gonggong said to the person beside him, "There is a shortage for one to hold the jug in the front hall. Seeing that he has clever looks, most likely he would be able to enter the noble people's eyes. Put him into it."
"Yes."
Xiao Li-zi was also excited. As such, according to what the palace maid had said, he was able to get a lot of monetary rewards and if he was favourable in any master's eyes, he may also have some good fortune in the future.
In this Imperial Palace, everyone were racking their brains to climb up. Even the lowest level of servants would also dream of flying up to the higher branches overnight.
*****
There were already many Furens and young ladies that have arrived at the front of the hall. Other than those who had some relationships with the concubines in the palaces and were invited to speak with the various Ladyships at the back, most of the female guests were sitting outside to chat.
"Why has Shen Furen and General Shen not yet arrive?" A Furen with high cheekbones laughed, "The main roles today are them, was it that they deliberately come late?"
"Shen Furen wants to tuck her daughter and not let others see thus deliberately hide in her pocket." Another round faced Furen also laughed but her words and tone of voice were filled with ridicule.
Shen Xin as a Formidable Great General who had accumulated numerous meritorious services, did not have concubines and was capable. He also treated Luo Xue Yan well and was faithful. As compared to all the noble Furens present, which families did not have a bunch of concubines and the numerous amount of issues that one need to worry about, they were naturally filled with jealousy of Luo Xue Yan, as she had such a good life of having a husband's love and a capable son.
The most favourite thing that females liked to do was comparisons. The more Luo Xue Yan was fortunate, the more the other Furens would looked as they turned red, infuriated in jealousy, and could not wait for Luo Xue Yan to also meet with some unfortunate things. Thus Shen Miao's appearance became the only thing that could be used to strike at Luo Xue Yan. Shen Miao was stupid, had no talent, did not look good and also made a fool of herself in the Palace. Every year at this time, it was the happiest time for these Furens. They were able to see Shen Xin and wife humiliated because of this daughter which was as if they had gain benefits from it.
"Do not know what kind of clothes Fifth Young Lady Shen would wear this year." Yi Pei Lan had a ridicule smile on her face, "Last year her clothes that had golden leaves pasted on was extremely good, and matched with her golden jewellery which was considered as very 'noble'. Could it be silver leaves this year?"
Those words set off echoing words from the young ladies around, and words of mockery could be heard incessantly.
Just at this time, out of thin air there was a crisp female voice, "Everyone must not say such words. Now the Fifth Young Lady Shen is considered as gaining General Shen's teachings. One have to know that during the academy examinations how her archery technique was, that even the Young Master of the Cai family had no way of defeating it. If she is not happy, what if she were to deliberately shoot at you all?"
Once those words were spoken, the crowd suddenly grew silent. There were many Furens and young ladies that were present in the academy examinations and they had witnessed Shen Miao's fierceness. Those words made them involuntarily shudder in their heart. Shen Miao did not even take Cai Lin to heart, if one were to anger her, what were they to do if she shoot an arrow over?
The person who said those words was Feng An Ning. When she just finished speaking, she was glared at by Feng Furen. It is not fun to offend so many Furens. Feng An Ning wrinkled her nose unhappily as she was not use to seeing these people speaking bad behind Shen Xin's back, but dare not even fart in front of him at all and even quickly go forward to give their greetings. What was so just and honourable in talking bad about one's daughter behind their back.
Before the awkward atmosphere dissipated, one could hear an eunuch shouting outside, "The Formidable Great General has arrived—"
Everyone's eyes looked towards the door.
The ones who were at the front were Shen Xin and Shen Qiu. Shen Xin had a dragon's gait and firm tiger's steps, with his vigour and prestige that unknowingly overflowed out and with the normal military valour, it made even the entire hall of married women frightened. Shen Qiu's posture was upright and straight and with a warm smile, two shallow dimples appeared that made him look very cordial, thus all the young females could not help but blush.
Both of them did not stay long at the front of the hall and turned towards the main hall where the shocked males were at. Everyone's line of sight fell naturally behind them.
Luo Xue Yan wore a royal blue tinged waist robe with her hair up in a neat knife bun. Differently from the other Furen's dressing, her overall look was extremely simple and relaxed but because of the fabric's doing, she did not seem rough at all. With a change her beauty had some heroism which was very much different from any ordinary Furen's beauty.
Followed behind was a purple slim figure who leisurely approached.
Chapter 77: Reciprocate
The originally noisily hall momentarily quieten down and everyone's eyes fell onto the purple figure behind Luo Xue Yan.
The young female's cloak was already removed, and she was wearing a purple silk flower patterned dress with complicated windings, bringing out her slim figure. She slightly lifted her chin and her eyes were looking forward, as if all the noble Furens present were not worthy to be in her eyes. Her complexion was so fair that it looked somewhat translucent but made her eyes and brows look delicate and pretty. However that pair of bright eyes was the most attractive part. Her eyes were round and clear as if they were as pure as a newly born animal but were so calm like they had seen a decade of moons. This kind of transformation and tenderness intertwined, was making her a contradictory beauty.
She followed Luo Xue Yan's steps and walked to the middle of the hall. Unlike Luo Xue Yan's clean and neat gestures, that young female's hands were folded in front of her but they were not stiff looking, as if that action was done thousands of times and was fully ingrained into her. Her long dress followed her steps as it lightly fluttered, as if blooming flower petals and those flowers were not showing off even though it was full of bloom, just like her entire person. Her actions were extremely natural and every step that she took was extremely pleasing, and at the same time had a touch of majesty on them. The women present were all from noble families and naturally had experienced the harsh training of a Momo on etiquettes. They had felt that they can already do it very well, but were astonished when they saw this young female. This was because if it was them, they would not be able to walk that prettily.
Sometimes form could be imitated but the spirit cannot be imitated. There was no waves of expression in that purple clad young female and she had a calm attitude, as if this road was like her own backyard. There was no panic, timidity or impulsiveness. Just plainly walking made one feel that she was looking over all living beings in the world.
It was as if she was the owner of this palace.
Those women could not help but be shocked at such a flash of that idea because this young female was not other but that idiotic Shen Miao!
Previously at the academy examinations, Shen Miao's transformation was for all to see but since then, Shen Miao and Shen Qing both became sick and stayed in the residence that they even did not go to Guang Wen Tang anymore. Even though she had defeated Cai Lin in the academy examinations, that only showed her aggressiveness and boldness. Etiquette and spirit could not be learnt overnight. Shen Miao had suffered from so many years of foolishness during the yearly returning banquet and it was not an easy thing to turn things around. Who knew that with one look today, one felt that Shen Miao was a totally different person than before. Not only there was not even a single mistake in her gestures, everyone present had a faint feeling that Shen Miao was incomparable to all the officials' daughters in this hall!
Shen Miao followed behind Luo Xue Yan and faced everyone's eyes but no one saw the corner of her lips stiffen.
It had been more than a decade. She had finally returned here again. In her previous life, it was struggling and fighting in close quarters in this prison where one's fate had to be fought for. She wanted to see if in this lifetime, could this place still trap her!
Every single brick and tile in this place were deeply engraved in her heart that even if she were to close her eyes, she would still know her way. All those tedious Palace ceremonies were done day after day that they were almost engraved to her bones. In this hall when she closed her eyes, she could almost see Wan Yun asking her to eat snacks and Fu Ming shaking his head as he memorises the country's policies. Love and hate were both heavy, bitter and sweetness were mixed. To once again enter here, she had mixed feelings. Her heart was burning up but it was from the flames of revenge!
Xiao Li-zi looked blankly at the purple clad young female behind that valiant woman and his heart was in shock. Just now in the gardens, the palace maid said that Shen Xin's Di daughter was vulgar and an idiot. Who knew that when he saw her, it was not as they said. There was an air of grandeur and nobility air around that young female, as if looking at her one more time, one would not be able to bear that kind of majesty. How could that be an idiot?
Just as he was thinking, he saw that young female's slightly concentrated eyes landing on him. In a short moment Xiao Li-zi tensed up as he had never seen the Young Lady from Shen family before. Was this the fate that the seniors of the Palace talked about? Was it that the Shen Young Lady valued him? Just as his heart was filled with fear and excitement, he saw Shen Miao's turning away, as it was just an accident. Xiao Li-zi felt a somewhat loss in his heart. He did not know why but he felt that if he clinged to this Shen Young Lady, his great fortune would be waiting for him. And now it seems that he has lost the chance of linking up to this great fortune.
Before one could wait for Xiao Li-zi to clear this inexplicable thought of his, a tall Furen in the front hall was already laughing, "Shen Furen, you really made one wait!"
Luo Xue Yan slightly frowned before showing a blooming smile, "There were some delays on the road."
"Fifth Young Lady is truly becoming full of life as each day passes." That tall Furen's eyes landed on Shen Miao and spoke in a half real and falsely way, "It is true that she is going to be engaged. Thinking of the beginning, she was still a little thing."
Hearing this, Luo Xue Yan blooming smile immediately sank. Luo Xue Yan already found that Shen Miao's engagement was an unfathomable mystery. It was the Shen residence that agreed to it behind her and Shen Xin's backs. She would not admit to it one little bit and was even not afraid to offend the Wei family. With regards to family background, the Wei family was not bad but they were not comparable to Shen Xin. At worst, just offend the Wei family, since nothing was more important than Shen Miao's happiness, moreover Wei Furen was not present at the moment. Determined to clarify these issues for Shen Miao, Luo Xue Yan said, "What kind of words are those? Our Jiao Jiao only just grew up and need not need to marry so early. I want to keep Jiao Jiao by my side for a longer period."
When those words were spoken, the Furens and Young Ladies present were stunned since Shen Miao's engagement was spread all over for the past few days. Afterwards in the birthday banquet of Old Shen Furen, the rest of the Shen family almost admitted to it, why when it came to Luo Xue Yan, the engagement seems to fall short?
The tall Furen squinted her eyes, seeming feeling that something was not right as her smile became more profound. She said, "Oh? So Shen Furen wants to keep Fifth Shen Young Lady for more days? But some days ago, was not say that Fifth Shen Young Lady is engaged already?"
"Furen really know how to joke." Luo Xue Yan was not afraid of any loss of prestige and was even not afraid of exposing the Shen family internal contradictions to everyone. With such relatives like the other Shen family, there was no need to keep pretenses. Her brows frowned and she loudly said, "What reasoning is it that when one's daughter is engaged, the parents are not even aware of it? The Master and I were completely not aware of what Furen had said, so how could one speak of an engagement?"
Once Luo Xue Yan finished her words, whisperings suddenly burst fort from her surroundings. That tall Furen also did not think that Luo Xue Yan would say that and was stunned for a moment.
It was true that there was no such thing as one's real parents not knowing of the matter of their daughter being engaged. There would only be one reasoning if Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin did not know about Shen Miao's engagement, which is that the Shen family was concealing it from them. As to why did the Shen family wanted to do that, there would be lots of hidden meanings to it.
Just as everyone was thinking by themselves, Ren Wan Yun, Chen Rou Qiu and the rest also arrived.
Naturally Shen Gui and Shen Wan headed to the main hall where the males were at. Ren Wan Yun brought Shen Qing, and Chen Rou Qiu and Shen Yue slowly walked over.
This was Shen Qing's first time out since she was confined to bed due to illness. These few days she had become wan and sallow. She was at the best age of a young female but she actually had slight signs of aging. In order to cover up the haggardness, she put on thick rouge and powder and wore a red dress. Shen Qing was not suitable to wear such a bright colour so when one take a glance, as compared to the past, it was somewhat strange. In addition that she still had a child in her abdomen, thus her pace looked a little staggering even it was covered up.
As for Shen Yue, as always she wore a beige coloured light long dress that was slowly twirling and light makeup, making her look like a weak and delicate beauty with an scholarly flavour. If it was in the past, she would have definitely attracted everyone's attention but unfortunately it was not the case today. With Shen Miao's outstanding performance, Shen Yue's steps seemed to have a jerky feel to it, her gestures were somewhat stiff, her expression was somewhat nervous and the hands that were crossed seemed to be too forceful. All in all, she was not even the slightest in comparison to Shen Miao. Thinking about this, everyone's expression became strange. Since when did the most outstanding Shen Yue from the Shen family was left far behind by Shen Miao?
Shen Yue was young and was not aware of it but Chen Rou Qiu was able to detect that the Furen's eyes were different than before. If it was in the past, the eyes that landed on both mother and daughter would be full of jealousy, envy or praise but today they seemed to be much more critical than before? Chen Rou Qiu frowned. This aspect of etiquette had always been her proudest area and she was especially demanding of Shen Yue. She believed that there was no noble female in the Ding capital that was more outstanding than her daughter, but from the expressions of these people, there was someone else that did better?
She naturally did not know that the person who was better than Shen Yue was before one's eyes.
Shen Miao sat next to Luo Xue Yan at the side. Even though Luo Xue Yan was considered the main lead in this returning banquet today, it seemed that she was isolated.
It was indeed like so. In the noble houses in Ding capital, there was always their own circle. It was still alright for males, as their contribution would speak for themselves and their careers will mutually intertwine so even if they disliked one another, they still had to maintain a neutral position on the surface. However, females are different. The noble females in Ding capital were mostly proud and arrogant, just like the Di females were not willing to play with the Su females and those that grew up in the Ding capital would look down on foreign households.
Luo Xue Yan was that foreign household.
If she came from those rich families from Jiang Nan then it would be alright, but Luo Xue Yan came from the bitter cold land of the Northwest region. When she was just married into the Ding capital, Luo Xue Yan could not speak the bureaucratic language and her accent was ridiculed by these Furens secretly for a long time. They mocked that the wind and sand in the Northwest region was so big that a female's delicate skin would become rough, and the robberies were so rampant that one would be afraid of being robbed when walking on the road. As for the type of materials available, it must be all of poor quality and it would be rare to see silk in the entire year. This kind of words were extremely exaggerated but they were truly targeted at Luo Xue Yan.
Moreover, Luo Xue Yan was the only one in the capital that was a general and headed to the battlefield.
For things that one was unable to accomplish, if it was a matter that was extremely rare, everyone would tend to oppose. This was not only for females but males were also the same. Thus Luo Xue Yan was excluded by the noble female circles. In addition the previously Shen Miao was an out and out idiot, this mother and daughter were the targets of these Furen's secret ridicules.
Bai Wei's mother, Bai Furen, called Chen Rou Qiu over to sit by her side. She and Chen Rou Qiu were close friends that grew up together, naturally she would want to sit together with Chen Rou Qiu. Bai Wei also pulled Shen Yue over to her side. Ren Wan Yun walked over to sit by Yi Furen's side and Yi Pei Lan looked at Shen Qing and complained, "You have not appeared for a long time. Heard that you have fallen ill. You seemed to have slimmed down but how is it that your face is somewhat swollen?"
Shen Qing lowered her head in panic and vaguely replied, "Perhaps it was due to laying on the bed for too long." Ren Wan Yun has boiled a lot of medication to smooth the pregnancy for her. Even though Shen Qing hated the child in her abdomen, she was even more afraid of not being able to be a mother after aborting it, so she only could drink it down with clenched teeth. Since it was to smooth the pregnancy, there would be a variety of tonic herbs so naturally one would get fatter a little. Even though it was not obvious in her figure, she was somewhat swollen.
Yi Pei Lan did not doubt her and only patted Shen Qing's hand before saying, "You better recover your body well. You are already an engaged person, you must not treat yourself badly."
Shen Qing shivered and did not speak after lowering her head. She knew that Ren Wan Yun had arranged the marriage with the Huang family, and also knew that Huang De Xin was considered a young talent, but she did not know for what reason her heart was very resistant to this marriage, as if under the bright and beautiful marriage there was an unknown danger.
Yi Pei Lan's voice was not soft and just loud enough for Huang Furen who was sitting at the side to heard it. When Huang Furen heard this, she looked at Shen Qing critically. As for this marriage, she only wanted to find a Furen in namesake for her son. Shen Qing could be considered as compatible to her son but with her sick look today... She better not be a sickly person since she needs to carry on the Huang family line and give birth to a son. Other than that, whatever she liked to do, she would not care.
On the other end, Bai Furen was quietly whispering to Chen Rou Qiu, "Rou Qiu, I see that the Fifth Young Lady in your residence is not simple at all."
"Oh?" Chen Rou Qiu asked curiously, "Why does one say that?"
"One is afraid that Fifth Shen Young Lady had someone's guidance. Just now when she entered, all the Furens have seen that her posture and etiquette were even better than of those in the palace. I will say something that one would not love to hear, I am afraid that Yue-er is very much inferior."
Chen Rou Qiu was startled before asking, "What are you talking about? Who do not know that Fifth Lady does not understand rules and regulations."
Bai Wei was Chen Rou Qiu's close friends and was also from a scholarly lineage and naturally had high requirements for etiquettes. Today for her to apprise Shen Miao that highly, it made Chen Rou Qiu felt unfathomable. At the same time she felt absurd but could not help but look towards the direction of where Luo Xue Yan sat.
Luo Xue Yan was isolated and sat at the side by herself with Shen Miao by her side. Luo Xue Yan was after all older and had more experience so even if no one paid her attention there would not even the slightest emotion from her. She only needed to bring out that unmoving face that she use on the battlefield, but Shen Miao was a young female and could also sit with her back straight. The others did not talk to her and it looked like they were not deliberately neglecting her but more like they did not dare to talk to her.
Chen Rou Qiu's fingers were somewhat trembling.
The female guests were in their own thoughts while in the main fall, Shen Xin's sentence set off an uproar in the main hall.
"Beloved Shen Official's words are serious?" Emperor Wen Hui asked.
Emperor Wen Hui was close to sixty years of age but there was no appearance of his maturity. There was a smile on his face and his pair of eyes were shrewd and sharp, which helped to see how sharp and fierce he was during his youth. At this moment he was looking down at Shen Xin, questioning him in a deep voice.
Just now in front of all the officials, Emperor Wen Hui commended Shen Xin with awards but Shen Xin requested Emperor Wen Hui to confer a grace, to allow him to stay in the capital a longer time, six months as he wanted to accompany his wife and daughter in the residence.
For the many years that the Formidable Great General had been going to the battlefield he was invincible and exceptionally brave, but he had never made such a request before. In a moment, it made everyone to ponder deeply. The expressions of the officials changed. Was Shen Xin request of staying in the capital for half a year at a critical juncture, truly to just accompany his loved ones?
Emperor Wen Hui sized Shen Xin up. He had yet to die and the relations between the princes were already stormy. Now the situation was ever changing and any intervening forces would change the entire board. Previously the matter of Shen Xin's Di daughter's love for Prince Ding was spread out all over, and Emperor Wen Hui was still thinking of the outcome if this fat meat of the Shen family ended up in Prince Ding hands, but who knew there was no more news after that. Now Shen Xin suddenly made this request, was it that there was another plan in place?
He looked carefully at the man below. Shen Xin's complexion was dark, eyes resolute and his stature was as straight as a little mountain. The gestures that he made to Emperor Wen Hui were also done respectfully, he was a loyal and brave man. But a monarch needs to control the officials and never look at the surface of things but to the value. Regarding Emperor Wen Hui, as long as he saw a threat to the country, even if a meritorious service was done, it must be wiped out cleanly and neatly.
After a moment, Emperor Wen Hui laughed out loud, "For so many years, beloved Shen official had been guarding the Northwest region, now that the enemy is broken, Zhen is very pleased. With such a Great General, it is Ming Qi's fortune. Beloved Shen official's request, Zhen will grant it!"
Shen Xin immediately gave his thanks to the bestowment, "Thanking Your Majesty!"
This kind of action made the rest of the people in the hall cast sidelong glances at one another. Emperor Wen Hui left the main hall after granting it and left behind a crowd full of people. Shen Xin's action just now was considered as unexpected, and the first who spoke was the Marquis of Lin An, Xie Ding. This was a person that has been in competition with the Shen family for his entire life and he clearly did not understand Shen Xin's action. He ridiculed, "Is it that General Shen fought too much battles and is now scared of fighting, thus wanted to stay for half a year in the Ding capital to enjoy life?"
Not only was Shen Xin not annoyed when he heard this, he gave a smile that exposed his white teeth as he said, "Is Marquis Xie envious of this General? Oh, that is no wonder. After all Marquis Xie have no wife or daughter..."
"You!" Xie Ding's expression became ashen. This Shen Xin was rough and had no schemes but his mouth was the most poisonous. Princess Yu Qing's death and Xie Jing Xing treating him like a stranger were Xie Ding's lethal spots, and Shen Xin still mercilessly stabbed them with a knife. Xie Ding could not wait to spear Shen Xin to death.
Fu Xiu Yi looked at Shen Xin and he looked quite excited. The Shen family had again exceeded his expectations. Since before when Shen Miao liked him, even though he felt annoying, he thought that the Shen family can be used, but afterwards Shen Miao clarified to everyone that she had no such feelings, which made Fu Xiu Yi to be laughed by Prince Zhuo and Prince Jing. Now Shen Xin brought up staying in the capital for half a year which made others unable to make any sense of the matter. Fu Xiu Yi had a strange feeling that the overall looking easily to control Shen family had suddenly became a unmoving rock. As in the future, there will be countless of variables that could affect the overall situation...
Shen Xin abnormal actions made the officials unable to fathom but today's bestowment made one jealous. Everyone went forward to congratulate sincerely or falsely, Shen Xin talked to them about interesting things of the Northwestern region, but did not notice the hidden cold pair of eyes behind him.
That pair of eyes were staring fixedly onto Shen Xin, as if it was a poisonous snake that was entrenched in the grass, waiting for an opportunity to strike and bite one to death. And the end of the robes of the person who was looking at Shen Xin was empty as he was playing with the ornamental thumb ring. It was no other than Prince Yu of the First Rank.
The atmosphere inside was getting warm and outside Shen Qiu blocked Wei Qian at the corridor.
Wei Qian was considered a talented and unpretentious man, but compared to Shen Qiu's healthy and brimming vitality, he seems to look too weak. He saw Shen Qiu and asked with a frown, "Is there anything the matter for Little Deputy General Shen to block this one's way?"
Shen Qiu looked up and down at Wei Qian to size him out. He himself was friendly and easy-going, if he met Wei Qian before, he might had become friends with him, but after hearing from Shen Miao that Wei Qian had someone he liked, when he saw this person, he felt a wave of anger. To Shen Qiu's eyes, his own Younger Sister has a thousand good qualities and only had position to not like others, how could there be the capacity of others disliking her?
"You are Wei Qian?" Thinking about this, Shen Qiu's tone of voice was also not happy.
Wei Qiang was startled and found that the oncoming person was hostile. He replied, "It is exactly so."
"I am here for no big matter." Shen Qiu patted Wei Qian's shoulder and said, "Just to tell you that there were previously rumours about my Younger Sister engaged to your Wei family, they were just rumours and my Shen family did not put it to heart. So your Wei family should not put it to heart too." Shen Qiu took a step back and said nonchalantly but in fact had a chilling tone, "The selected husband for my Younger Sister naturally have to go through my eyes first!" Finishing his words, he did not see what expression Wei Qian had on his face and just turn around to stride away.
Wei Qian stood stunned on the spot alone. Shen Qiu's words were clearly drawing the line with his Wei family, but... It was correct that he had someone he liked, but even if Shen Qiu were to fight injustice for his younger sister, he need not need to say that he was like a useless fool. The Shen family's protection was just too bold and ferocious. Moreover, he did not have the opportunity to intervene in this marriage at all!
Outside the corridor, Gao Yan watched that dazed Wei Qian as please as punch. He shook his head and said, "The people in the Shen family are just too overbearing. They are that arrogant and did not put the Wei family in their eyes."
"Watched enough?" The purple clad youth beside him had impatience on his brows and his tone of voice was also not very pleasant, "Are you done?"
"Wei Jian is your people." Gao Yang said, "He is bullied by others like this and you do not stand up for him?"
"Since you like, you go." Xie Jing Xing shot a glance at him.
"I would not even dare." Gao Yang said as though he was watching a good show, "That Shen girl has so many people protecting her that if one was not careful, trouble will come knocking. However..." His smile was gentle and warm but his tone of voice was rejoicing in other's misfortune. "Today Prince Yu is present so one fear that some matters would not be good. I actually heard that Prince Yu plans to marry a Wangfei. Guess which young lady from the Shen family he wants to marry?"
"I guess he will not be able to marry." Xie Jing Xing raised his brows as his sight landed in front.
In the garden a familiar figure jogged up and said to the young eunuch something before putting a sachet into the young eunuch's hands.
That figure was no other than Shen Miao's personal maid, Jing Zhe.