Chapter 174: Feelings Moved
The wind at night was really extremely cold. Xie Jing Xing only brought Shen Miao out of the Princess residence as the horse carriage from the Shen family was waiting outside. Shen Miao wanted to speak but Xie Jing Xing's figure disappeared from her side. It was Mo Qing and Ah Zhi who was somewhat surprise when she suddenly appeared at the residence's doors. Ah Zhi asked, "Why did Young Lady come out alone? How about the rest?"
Just as he spoke, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu ran over panting and only gave a sigh of relief when they saw Shen Miao. Jing Zhe said, "These servants were waiting outside but Yang GuGu said that you had come out and this servant thought that she was lying. It was only when one see that there was no one in the room then one came over to take a look. One did not think that Young Lady really came out." She then looked around and said in confusion, "However it was only a room and these servants were standing guard outside. Why did one did not see Young Lady coming out? Could it be that there are some secret passage in the Princess residence?"
Gu Yu lightly coughed to remind her not to talk nonsense. This was after all outside the Princess residence and even if there were secrets in the Princess residence, it would be the Princess residence's secret so how could it be said so unscrupulously by them?
Jing Zhe stuck her tongue out and looked at Shen Miao. Shen Miao's brows were tightly knitted and her expression was very solemn. Jing Zhe saw it and said softly, "Just now when one went in, Her Highness the Princess's expression was not very good. Young Lady, did you quarrel with the Her Highness the Princess?"
Shen Miao shook her head and thought about everything that happened today, unknowingly her head got bigger. She climbed up the horse carriage, "Return back first." If there is any matter then one would continue thinking about it upon returning to the Shen mansion. What had happened today was totally out of her expectations.
Just when the carriage was about to depart, Shen Miao could not help but to lift up the curtains and look back. The dark night had covered everything as there was not even a trace of moonlight, thus nothing could be seen.
She sighed softly.
However at a corner near the Princess residence, the purple clad youth silently watched as the horse carriage left.
Gao Yang no longer moved his folding fan and instead kept it at his waist. He looked at that handsome youth in front and his expression became a little complicated. He asked, "Is it worth it?"
"There will always be such a day." Xie Jing Xing said indifferently.
"Isn't it a pity?"
Xie Jing Xing's lips slightly raised as his masked covered his appearance and expression. Like usual, it made others feel the slight sarcasm and some disdain.
He said, "It is only the end of fate."
Gao Yang no longer spoke and only shook his head after a moment and patted Xie Jing Xing's shoulder.
A few servants came out from the Princess residence and were carrying some things in a basket. They poured its content onto the floor before throwing the basket on the ground.
One of the servants felt it was a pity, "This thing cost a lot of money and if one sell it to the medical hall, one would even make a profit. It is really a pity to throw it away."
"What do you know." The servant by the side glared at her, "One do not know if this thing has poison. If there is poison then it would be inviting trouble if one were to sell it. Don't look at it any more, let's leave."
The two servants then turned around and returned to the Princess residence and left the lone basket on the ground.
However one had knew that these were the 'coincidentally' received herbs that the medical hall sent over for Princess Rong Xin's heart illness. However at this moment it was abandoned like used shoes and even had the suspicion of being 'poisoned'.
Gao Yang had a disturbed expression as one's meticulous effort was being trampled on that no matter how big hearted one was, they would not be happy about it. He wanted to say some words of comfort but Xie Jing Xing had already walked far away.
His brocade robes, tall stature and leisure walk in the night had an irresistible magnificent style.
It was just that that figure looked a bit lonely from the back.
Shen Miao returned to the Shen mansion. Shen Xin and wife had been waiting for her in the residence as the skies were already dark buck Shen Miao had not return, making everyone think that something had happened. Seeing that she returned safely, they finally gave a sigh of relief. Shen Miao was troubled and mentioned that she was tired and wanted to rest early thus everyone did not suspect anything. When Shen Miao returned to her bed chambers, she instructed Jing Zhe and Gu Yu to withdraw before sitting down in front of the time.
Her heart was somewhat not restless.
It was a bit of a rash decision for Xie Jing Xing to appeared in the Princess residence today and expose his identity in front of Princess Rong Xin. Xie Jing Xing was not an obtrusive person thus there was no other reason other than to help Shen Miao out of the impossible situation as Princess Rong Xin would take action against the Shen family.
To create more difficult situation due to oneself was something that Shen Miao was unwilling to see. Even though Xie Jing Xing was said to be difficult to deal with every time, he did not do real harm to her from the beginning to the end.
Shen Miao did not know how deep the relationship was between Princess Rong Xin and Xie Jing Xing was but in the Princess residence, Princess Rong Xin's reaction of Xie Jing Xing's real identity was indeed heart rending. Xie Jing Xing did not say anything and looked casual as if it did not entered his heart but Shen Miao knew how big the damage was when it was caused by one's loved ones.
Just like in the previous life, Fu Xiu Yi did it to her, the Second and Third household of the Shen family did it to her, it was because when all pretences were dropped, it was so cold and all those warm and tenderness were such ridicules. If the indifference and damage was from Xie Ding, Xie Jing Xing could care about it but because it was Princess Rong Xin, he could not.
After all, the first Tiger Head Bracelet that Xie Jing Xing made was given to Princess Rong Xin. After all, upon returning back to Ding capital after two years and learning that Princess Rong Xin's heart illness erupted, he still send people to search for the herbs immediately.
At the end there were emotions that were invested in it.
Shen Miao got up in irritation. She walked over to the windows and push it open to look outside. The skies outside the window seemed to have splashed with in as the winter night in Ding capital seemed to reveal a feeling of sorrow.
She thought for a while before turning back to the room and retrieved a dark red brocade cloak to drape around her body. The rope in front of the cloak was tightly knotted before she walked over to the window to call out softly, "Cong Yang."
A black shadows fall from the tree and stood straight in front of Shen Miao before respectfully speaking, "What command does Young Madam have?"
Currently Shen Miao no longer hear the way Cong Yang call her. She hesitated before saying, "Bring me to Xie Jing Xing."
Cong Yang jaw dropped and he suck in a mouthful of cold air. He was born with a serious look and normally had a principled expression on and currently looked somewhat comical.
Shen Miao's gaze was somewhat ashamed into anger, "Do you have a way or not?"
"Young Madam." Cong Yang recovered to his senses and looked like he was in great difficulty, "This subordinate do not know where Master is at the moment."
Shen Miao frowned. Cong Yang monitored him all day in the Shen mansion and indeed was impossible for him to know about Xie Jing Xing's whereabouts. Today when he came out of the Princess residence, Xie Jing Xin walked too quickly and before she could even ask, no one knew where Xie Jing Xing had gone.
However one did not know why but one felt that Xie Jing Xing would be at the residence of Prince Rui at the moment. One could not talk about his happiness or anger and he was used to bottle up his emotions under the mast thus Shen Miao felt that if Xie Jing Xing was frustrated, he should be alone.
She made a decisive decision and said to Cong Yang, "Bring me to the residence of Prince Rui."
Cong Yang's face turned to one of difficulty and Shen Miao frowned, "You cannot even do this?"
Cong Yang quickly explained, "This subordinate can naturally do it by oneself but it is not possible to bring Young Made along."
Shen Miao asked him, "Do you know QingGong?"
Cong Yang nodded his head continuously.
"Then it is alright." Shen Miao said, "You can grab me and bring me to the residence of Prince Rui." She thought it very simply, just like what Xie Jing Xing did to her. Cong Yang was Xie Jing Xing's people and in some degree even easier to move them than Mo Qing and the rest. The most important thing was she did not want more people to know about Xie Jing Xing's identity as an additional person knowing would be an additional risk. Even if it was the people she trusted as one would not know if they would be made used by others.
When her words were out, Cong Yang repeatedly shook his head and there was some fear in his eyes as he said, "No can do."
"Whatever is wrong?" Shen Miao's patience was almost exhausted.
Cong Yang said, "It is improper for male and females to have physical contact."
Shen Miao, "..."
She really did not know how Xie Jing Xing found these guards that were more disciplined than females. Afterwards no matter what Shen Miao said, Cong Yang was not willing to 'bring' her to the residence of Prince Rui.
Now Shen Miao was in a difficult position. Without letting Cong Yang use QingGong, she would need to walk out of the main doors of the Shen residence. The main doors of the Shen residence were guarded by Shen Xin's army and cannot be alerted. To go out in the middle of the night like this, one feared that before even getting out of the main doors, most of the people in the family would be awaken and at that time she would not know how to explain.
Shen Miao's head ached a lot.
She looked at the wall outside the courtyard and suddenly there was a flash of light in her mind. When Xie Jing Xing just moved over to Yan Qing Lane, as he did not lack of money to spend, he had bought all the houses between the residence of Prince Rui to the Shen mansion and even claimed to be neighbours. It can be said from this that the residence of Prince Rui was near to the Shen mansion. It was just that Xie jing Xing's room was a bit far.
Even though it was the neighbouring courtyard, Shen Miao's gaze landed on the tall wall of the courtyard. She said, "Climb over the wall then."
Cong Yang looked at her blankly, seemingly not believing his ears. He was ordered to protect Shen Miao's safety and had monitored every single movement of Shen Miao in the Shen mansion thus she knew what kind of person Shen Miao was. Shen Miao was calm and very disciplined. She was able to withstand quietness at such a young age and looked like one who was from the Palace. Her everyday actions reflected that she was brought up well. Cong Yand had often felt that this Young Madam was different from others and was extremely noble. However when one heard that this noble Young Madam wanted to climb over walls at this moment, Cong Yang thought that there was something wrong with his ears.
Shen Miao glared at him and said angrily, "Are you not listening to me?"
"Yes yes yes." Cong Yang quickly stood up straight and dared not look that what expression Shen Miao had on.
Afterwards Cong Yang felt extreme suffering. Initially he thought that Shen Miao wanted to climb over the walls herself but the climbing over walls that Shen Miao had mentioned was referring to bring things for her to climb up like stairs and Shen Miao could walk over the walk to the other side.
Cong Yang spend most of the night stealing haystacks from the wealthy people as steps but the problem was that there was over tens of courtyards between Shen mansion to the residence of Prince Rui. Every courtyard had a wall in between and Cong Yang was so busy that he was perspiring in the middle of a cold day. Seeing that Shen Miao arrogantly walked over another wall, as if she was walking up stairs in the Palace, he could only lament and sign of his own destiny.
If one wasn't afraid of tarnishing Young Madam's body and provoke dissatisfaction from Master, Cong Yang would not spend that much effort. One had to know that his QingGong was good and it was more than enough for fly with an additional person so why was there the need to run around like this. Previously when Master transferred him out of Mo Yu Army, his colleagues were all envious of his good fortune but they did not know that this job was like being a labourer for others that was even worst off than servants. Cong Yang could only cry silently in his heart.
When Shen Miao finally 'climbed over' the last wall and entered the residence of Prince Rui, Cong Yang was so tired that he did not want to talk.
Because they came in from the direction of the inner courtyard and not the main entrance, there was not a single guard seen in the big residence of Prince Rui. Cong Yang also had a doubtful expression as it was now that sloppy in the past.
Shen Miao was looking at the layout of the residence of Prince Rui. It was as luxurious and beautiful as in the rumours. It was just a temporary place to stay but it was renovated this beautifully. One really did not know how extraordinary Great Liang's Imperial Palace would be like. Just as she was thinking about it, a middle aged male clad in black appeared in front of her.
"Tie Yi." Cong Yang shouted and immediately asked, "Where are the rest?"
The guard by the name of Tie Yi was startled upon seeing Shen Miao and asked her with cupped hands, "Is there something urgent for Young Lady Shen to come over personally?"
Shen Miao looked at the other's appearance and he seemed to know her. Seeing that Cong Yang greeted him, she guessed that he was Xie Jing Xing's people and said, "I am looking for Prince Rui as one have some words to say."
Tie Yi seemed to know that she would say that and nodded his head, "Master is in the inner courtyard. Do come with me."
When winter comes to Ming Qi, no one was willing to walk around outside. If it was at night, there would not be a single person on the streets and even a birth, cat or dog would stay in its warm nest and not willing to move one bit.
The water in pond was already frozen. The thick layer of ice had completely covered the scenery, the entire summer scene of lotus flowers and kois were swimming. It was as if no matter how good the days were, it would always pass. Just like the flowers that bloom in Spring would aways wither one day.
The purple clad youth lazily slept on top of the tree with both hands behind his head and without taking off his mask. There was a lantern hanging on the tree and under the weak halo of light, his expression seemed to be somewhat not of sorrow but it was not happiness and instead somewhat lonely.
It was like the wind that passes through the tree. Floatingly light but was also cold and heavy. Quiet and silent.
The white tiger was lying under the tree and from time to time it would scratch its claws at the trunk and occasionally bit the ice on the ground. The crushing of the nice was clearly audible at night.
This scenery was what Shen Miao saw when she entered. The youth and white tiger slept on but it made her thought of her past lifetime self, walking in the Imperial Gardens in the middle of the night, seeing the remnants of laughter from Fu Xiu Yi and Mei Furen during the day. It was somewhat agonising as she walked around without any goal.
The white tiger suddenly realised that someone was approaching and immediately got up and looked at her vigilantly as it growled warningly. But because it was after all too small, there was no deterrent from its voice, making it adorable instead.
"Jiao Jiao, shh." Xie Jing Xing said, "Be quiet."
Shen Miao, "..."
She walked to the tree and looked up at the person sleeping in the branches and said, "Who are you calling?"
Xie Jing Xing moved and suddenly looked down. When he saw Shen Miao he was startled for a moment before he asked, "Why are you here?"
"The conversation in the Princess residence was not finish thus one came over to take a look."
Xie Jing Xing took a glance at her but did not come down from the tree and instead chuckled, "You came over because you are concern of me?"
"What you think is your business." Shen Miao answered.
"Could it be that you thought that I would be sad?" Xie Jing Xing seemed to have heard a Joe and his expression became interested, "Really naive."
"It is the best if there is none." Shen Miao did not pay any attention to his ridicule and said calmly.
Xie Jing Xing stared at the skies and waved his hands lazily, "Go back. I am fine."
Shen Miao did not return.
The white tiger on the ground seemed to be aware that Shen Miao had no malice and moreover its master had not shown any hostility thus it gradually relaxed its vigilance before cuddling at Shen Miao's feet and call out.
Shen Miao quickly looked at the youth up on the tree.
After a long while, she asked, "Xie Jing Xing, you want to wipe out Ming Qi?"
The air became silent in an instant and it seemed that there were tiny lingering sparks that came out from one of the hanging lanterns.
In the dim light, the branches concealed the youth's expression that even if one could see him, one was unable to see his expression due to the mask. One could only see the corner of the gorgeous purple robes that was hanging down with the golden threads that was shining under the light. Those lines interlaced and waved but seemed to be vaguely outlining a picture of a beast.
Seemingly a Dragon.
The silence made one apprehensive and he did not answer.
Shen Miao's back was leaning against a tree as he said faintly, "If you at the end want to wipe of Ming Qi then everyone that one come across can be adopted or discarded. There is little common ground for understanding between people of differing principles. Some people are good but are destined not to be on the same route. Since there are different routes, why be bothered about them?"
Xie Jing Xing laughed and his voice was heard on top, "You are comforting me?"
"No. I am comforting myself." Shen Miao answered.
She could understand Xie Jing Xing but she was somewhat different from Xie Jing Xing. Xie Jing Xing was a man and had to bee even more decisive thus one believed that after tonight, he would still be the confident Prince Rui and nothing was difficult for him and there was nothing that could stop him. He was like a lion who had a powerful existence but its just that when he was licking his own wounds alone, she so happened to encounter him.
"You also have matters to grieve?" Xie Jing Xing scoffed, still using the frivolous tone as before. However Shen Miao knew that in his eyes, there was no smile at this moment.
This was because there were some emotions that even he was unable to hide it, thus he went up to the tree where no one could see and was even unwilling to take down the mask and sit there quietly.
"My grieving matters are no less than you." Shen Miao smiled gently, "At least Princess Rong Xin is till alive. Shouldn't the most painful thing in the world is that the person who had misunderstood and blamed are gone? Some mistakes can be compensated but some wrongs cannot be made up."
Like her Wan Yu and Fu Ming. She could save many people but only these two could not be saved. Even if one's entire life was exhausted, one could not save them at all. No matter if she could take her biggest revenge in the future, or even if the entire Shen family could live on splendidly, there would not be any opportunity to make up for this regret and one could only think about it at night.
Even dreaming about it was a luxury.
"You also knew that there would be such a day sooner or later so why be concerned about it? Everything is destined and things that were done with meticulous virtue and attention to duty. Everything more would be too much and this is only that fate has come to an end." Shen Miao said, "No one would walk with anyone on the same road for an entire lifetime. Just like my marriage."
"Fu Xiu Yi is not on the same road as me, the Crown Prince is not on the same route as me. HuangFu Hao is not, Feng Zi Xian is not, Luo Ling is not and Pei Lang is also not."
Fu Xiu Yi and the Crown Prince were people in the Fu family and naturally they were enemies and it was impossible to be on the same route as Shen Miao. HuangFu Hao labour sinister motives. Feng Zi Xian grew up smoothly without any bumps in life like a flower in a greenhouse and it was different from her. Luo Ling personality was straightforward so how would he understand the schemes and calculations in her year? As for Pei Lang, it was a complicated entanglement since in the past lifetime he had been involved in the destruction of Shen Miao's life. This itself would always separate her from him, so much so that she could never treat him honestly.
"If you say it like that, there is no one under the skies that are on the road with you." Xie Jing Xing reminded her.
"The truth is like this."
Shen Miao sighed in her heart. For a person who crawled out of the grave and lived the second time round, there was some parts, in some ways, that was almost like a ghost. She had been travelling on the road of revenge alone and it had always been so.
"Then with you comforting me like this, it would make me have the illusion." Xie Jing Xing smiled gently, "That you and I are on the same road."
The wind picked up the leaves on the ground blew it onto the pond. The surface of the pond was frozen till it was as hard as a rock and unshakeable.
It seemed that one was able to see through the surface of the pond as one was able to see the breeze blowing in the spring and water flowers blooming. The ice in the pond was slightly glittering and the red flowers and green willows scene was indeed a great scenery to look at.
Winter days would always pass and spring would always come.
Shen Miao's voice was light that it was even lighter than the wind in the night as it filled the air.
She said, "Who says it is not?"
Then with you comforting me like this, it would make me have the illusion that you and I are on the same road.
Who says it is not?
The shadow of the tree flashed and someone came down from it. The youth's back was tall and handsome and when the white tiger was in a distant saw that its owner had came down, it immediately ran over with joy and even licked the corner of other party's robes.
"Do you think that I am Prince Rui of Great Liang or the Little Marquis of the residence of the Marquis of Lin An?" He asked.
Shen Miao leaned against the tree and placed both of her hands behind as she looked at his back view, "Is this important?"
"I too thought that it was not important." Xie Jing Xing stood by the pond. His voice was calm, as if there was no waves at all as he said, "From the moment I knew about my identity, there would be people who would remind me constantly that it is important."
"The Marquis of Lin An is weak, incompetent, indecisive and is not worthy to be a father. Even if the real Little Xie Marquis did not die at the beginning, he would still die in Madam Fang's hands."
"Rong Yi treats me well."
"I thought that it was important to others but to her, my identity is not important."
"But now it seemed that I had made a big mistake."
He said dully, "To the people under Heavens, this issue had been important from the beginning to the end. There is no flukes."
Believing that all of one's feelings would be able to break through the shackles of one's identity and family feelings would be above all but at the end it was a slap to one's face. The most important thing was that feeling of deep disappointment.
Shen Miao stared at his back and only spoke after a long time, "To me, it does not matter."
Xie Jing Xing lightly laughed.
He turned around and walked towards Shen Miao before stopping in front of her. He looked down at Shen Miao and asked, "Do you know who I am?"
"You are just Xie Jing Xing." She refused to admit defeat and seemed to be pressing down the other party's momentum.
"Just?" He was slightly dissatisfied.
"You can deceive others but cannot deceive me." SHen Miao looked at his mask, "From the beginning I know what kind of person you are. Ever since I know you till when the alliance concluded, you are just Xie Jing Xing, nothing more."
Xie Jing Xing gave a long and meaningful 'oh' sound.
He took another step forward and Shen Miao unconsciously retreated. She was leaning against the tree and this time her back was up against the tree and there was no way to retreated and Xie Jing Xing lifted her chin up.
Xie Jing Xing said, "Do you find that I am cruel?"
"One does not think so as I am also the same." Shen Miao answered.
"Then do you know that I am not a good person?" His voice was very deep and pleasant to hear and with the cold wind blowing by one's ear, it made one's entire body feel hot.
Shen Miao backed up but he was not willing to be looked down upon and said, "I know, I am also the same."
Xie Jing Xing held on to her waist and pull Shen Miao to him. The mask was blocking his face, making his handsome appearance a bit mysterious. He said, "Then I can now answer your question."
"What question?" Shen Miao did not understand.
"You asked if I want to wipe out Ming Qi."
Shen Miao stared at him and in that beautiful pair of eyes, they only filled with bright glittering gems as if one could be suck into in.
"Then what is your answer?" She asked.
"If I say yes, will you report me?" Xie Jing Xing smiled devilishly.
Shen Miao slowly said, "No."
"Because I am also the same."
It was like sparks suddenly appeared on the sheet of ice. One was unable to see if he was happy or anger when he asked, "Do you know what you are saying?"
Shen Miao was silent.
He gritted his teeth as if he wanted to swallow Shen Miao whole, "Shen Miao, you better not regret. Once on board my ship, one cannot alight from it in this life."
He suddenly leaned over and kissed Shen Miao.
Shen Miao unconsciously wanted to avoid it but was held by the waist by Xie Jing Xing. His cold mask touched Shen Miao face as he held Shen Miao hands and kissed her lips roughly.
Chapter 175: Great Waves
His kisses were hot but the silver mask was cold, as if it was carrying some unspeakable emotions that overwhelmed Heavens and earth. The more Shen Miao struggled, the more tighter he held her and lock her in his arms and took her lips like making an oath.
The flowers bloomed in winter, the butterflies flying in autumn, the ice springs in summer and the snowflakes in spring could not describe the bizarreness of this moment. There was the sound of wind by one ears but that beautiful youth's hug was strong and his kisses was burning, as if one had exhausted one life and could not escape.
When Xie Jing Xing let go of Shen Miao, Shen Miao almost went limp and could not breathe. In the previous life, she desired Fu Xiu Yi but from the beginning till the end was a one-sided enthusiasm. Even during Fu Xiu Yi's wedding night, it was just a perfunctory gesture. She had never been this intimate with any man.
Shen Miao was flew into a rage out of humiliation as she felt that she had lost her self-control just now. Xie Jing Xing supported her so that she would not fall as she glared angrily at Xie Jing Xing.
However she did not know what after she was being kissed just now, her eyes were almost watery. With eyes full of life and charming with a blushing face and red lips like petals, it made one want to feel tenderness towards.
Xie Jing Xing covered it up and looked away.
Other than being embarrassed and angry, Shen Miao was a little overwhelmed and did not know what to do. In all fairness, her heart more or less expected this scenario.
As to why did she not block it or let it develop, it was because her heart had unconsciously reacted to it but Shen Miao did not want to go into the reason behind it.
"Talk about your marriage." Xie Jing Xing had restored that frivolous tone of voice, "What is your plan now?"
Shen Miao looked at him unfathomably, "What plans?"
Xie Jing Xing looked at her with squinted eyes and spoke in a somewhat dangerous tone, "The Crown Prince, Luo Ling, Feng Zi Xian, Su Ming Feng and Pei Lang. Who do you want to marry to?"
Shen Miao frowned and had a serious look of consideration."
Xie Jing Xing's eyes coagulated and his tone was unkind, "You really want to marry to someone else."
"Why can't I marry someone else?"
"After kissing me, touching me, you still dare to make me wear a green hat. Shen Miao, you really have the nerves."
Shen Miao smiled slightly, "You cannot be thinking to let me marry you?"
"You are finally smart for once." Xie Jing Xing said unhurriedly.
Shen Miao was startled. It was not that she did not think about the relationship with Xie Jing Xing before. Both of them are allies but they were more ambiguous than allies. About matters between male and female, though one had not eating any pork, one at least saw pigs running. On those night when her heart beat that quickly, Shen Miao discovered some things.
However this did not mean that Xie Jing Xing could marry her. Xie Jing Xing is Prince Rui of Great Liang and she was a Di daughter of Ming Qi's General. Not to mention that Ming Qi side would not agree to it, one feared that it would not be easy to explain to Emperor Yong Le's side.
Especially in the current situation, Xie Jing Xing has a high status in Great Liang and the greater the power he has, it meant that Emperor Yong Le valued Xie Jing Xing heavily. There would be many things that one would not be able to act independently when being valued heavily by an Emperor.
This included one's own marriage.
Just as Shen Miao was still distracted, she heard Xie Jing Xing saying, "You do not have to worry about anything and just embroider the wedding dress obediently in the room and wait for me."
"When did I promise to marry you?" Shen Miao retorted back with a question.
"Oh?" Xie Jing Xing thought about it a little and a smile appeared on his lips, "I also don't mind turning the raw rice into cooked one tonight."
Shen Miao looked at him in vigilance but Xie Jing Xing laughed, "You look like you are looking forward to it."
Shen Miao decided not to speak to XIe Jing Xing about it. This person appeared genuine but was actually devious and would speak obscenities in every three sentences. She said, "With regards to the Crown Prince matter, I have an idea."
Xie Jing Xing raise his eyebrow, "You have a countermeasure early on?"
"Suddenly thought about it." Shen Miao stressed, "Need your help."
"Need my help?" Xie Jing Xing smiled lightly and whispered to her, "This husband will help you."
Shen Miao, "..."
When Shen Miao returned back to the Shen mansion from the residence of Prince Rui, the skies were almost in the early hours of morning. Naturally it was Xie Jing Xing who 'brought' her back and when he came to know that Shen Miao climbed over walls when coming over, Xie Jing Xing laughed till Shen Miao almost got angry. However as this night passed, there were many things that had quietly changed.
During the discussion with Xie Jing Xing in the residence of Prince Rui on the countermeasures against the Crown Prince's marriage, Shen Miao had a strange feeling. All the while when she was in the road of revenge, she was always alone and now unfathomably having a strong enough backing, it made her feel secure. Especially this support was intelligent and could see the loopholes in her countermeasures in a glance and propose improvements. Shen Miao felt that their partnership was very cooperative.
Unconsciously the words that Xie Jing Xing had said during the night floated up in Shen Miao's mind. Just embroider the wedding dress obediently.
Xie Jing Xing was one who would look at certain things casually but what Princess Rong Xin said was correct. He knew what he wanted and did not want from the very beginning and Shen Miao was not clear how much words that Xie Jing Xing said was true. However on the matter of Shen Miao's marriage, Xie Jing Xing had revealed his absolute strength and tyranny that no one had any room to refute.
Shen Miao sighed again. The road ahead was long and the muddy waters of Ming Qi was not cleaned yet. This was just too extravagant to mention about one's feelings. Counter soldier with arms and water with earth, if Xie Jing Xing really had that ability and he dared to marry the daughter of another country's General then there was no reason for her not to dare to marry.
Her lips were slightly tingling in pain, as if there was still a lingering heat on it which made her lower her head.
The mouth that could not deny and the heartbeat that could not be suppressed.
That youth was handsome and beautiful, and was intelligent and decisive.
It was difficult for anyone not to be tempted.
In the residence of Prince Ding, the lanterns were brightly lit the entire night.
After Fu Xiu Yi knew that Shen Miao's and the Crown Prince's marriage was suppressed because Prince Rui 'unintentionally' mentioned that one sentence. On this night, all the aides had reached the residence of Prince Ding and discuss about this matter from the beginning to the end.
"Previous I had guessed that the relationship between Shen Miao and Prince Rui was not that simple. Now after using the Crown Prince to test, the cloven foot had been revealed." Fu Xiu Yi laughed coldly, "Once anything happen to Shen Miao, Prince Rui will not be able to sit still."
Pei Lang stood beneath and did not say a single word. These day Fu Xiu Yi had changed his treatment to him and would not ask for his opinions on many things. Because the contrast before and after was too great, other aides noticed it and thought that Pei Lang had offended Fu Xiu Yi and took joy in his misfortune. However Pei Lang knew that as Fu Xiu Yi was an intelligent person, for him to inexplicably neglect him, he must have discovered some clues or perhaps his relations with Shen Miao was discovered by Fu Xiu Yi. Even though his heart was on fire, Pei Lang did not display even a little of it. Fu Xiu Yi still did not drop all pretences so it meant that he had his own intentions or perhaps he only suspected it but it was not confirmed yet. A full set of show must be performed when acting and one could not abandon it halfway. Pei Lang knew this truth well and only portrayed the reaction of a normal aide that was being shunned.
"What is Gentleman Pei's view on it?" For the first time, Fu Xiu Yi asked for his opinion.
Pei Lang's heart moved and dropped his head to say, "This subordinate thinks that one should immediately investigate on the relationship between the Shen family and Prince Rui or Great Liang. Shen Miao's position is special as she represent Ming Qi's most important military power. If there is some private agreement between the Shen family and Prince Rui, one fear..."
The aides started discussing. Even though they were not satisfied with Pei Lang, they did not admit that Pei Lang's words were incorrect. Shen Miao was after all a young female and not a great beauty that could overthrow cities and ruin states. It is better to say that Prince Rui valued the Shen family behind Shen Miao then to say that Prince Rui targeted for a beauty. This was then reasonable.
Fu Xiu Yi said, "Gentleman said it correctly but today I have heard something."
Everyone was waiting for him to say the words next.
"Shen Miao had spend the entire day in the residence of Princess Rong Xin. The Princess's health had not been good all the time but she still hold her till at night. It seems that after Shen Miao departed, the Princess's mood was also not good." Fu Xiu Yi smiled, "Could it be that the Princess knew something?"
After a moment of silence, an aide said, "Perhaps Princess Rong Xin had inside information. Your Highness may wish to start with Princess Rong Xin's end and perhaps there would be some little clues."
"I too think like this." Fu Xiu Yi looked at Pei Lang and one was not sure if he was purposely saying it for him to hear, "Even though behind Shen Miao that is the big backing of the Shen family, she is very eccentric. Prince Rui only lend a helping hand to her every matters so there must be some hidden motive. If Princess Rong Xin is also involved then the matter would become interesting."
"Paper cannot wrap fire. I must uncover the secret between them." Fu Xiu Yi smiled meaningfully, "One have to rely on all of you."
Everyone responded that they didn't dared and Pei Lang lowered his head but felt a little uneasiness in his heart.
This night, the Princess residence was not at all peaceful. Princess Rong Xing had sat in Xin Zheng Yuan for the entire night.
Xie Jing Xing did not die and instead became the Prince Rui of Great Liang. This was something that Princess Rong Xin had never expected. In the past two years, Princess Rong Xin had countlessly hope that one day she would discover that Xie Jing Xing's death was just a dream and also hope that when she woke up that handsome and proud youth would still be standing in front of him and call out Rong Yi lazily. However when the actual moment arrive, Princess Rong Xin's first thought was not gratification.
He wore a noble purple gold robe and the corner of the robes were embroidered with a flying dragon with gold threads. He wore a cold mask and greeted her with familiarity but with a title of Prince Rui.
That was the biggest threat for Ming Qi.
Princess Rong Xin originally was angry due to the deceit and coverup but once she realised the true identity of Xie Jing Xing, Princess Rong Xin's instinctive reaction was to be vigilant. This did not mean that the many years of relationship with Xie Jing Xing was false but because of one another's position in politics, she was the Princess of Ming Qi and pride and suspicion of the Imperial family would always appear at such times.
She wrote a letter at the table to warn Emperor Wen Hui and stopped halfway before tearing the paper into small pieces. The entanglement and complication in her heart had poured over to her face but she was not willing to see Xie Jing Xing again because she did not know how to face him.
The initial part of Princess Rong Xin's suspicion was that Xie Jing Xing did not die so how would he become Prince Rui, the blooded younger brother of Emperor Yong Le of Great Liang? Prince Rui's name was obviously not something that could be use casually. Was Xie Jing Xing originally a person from Great Liang or was he bought over by Great Liang by coincidences. If it was the former then it was still excusable but if it was the latter then Xie Jing Xing had committed treason.
Xie Jing Xing was not close to Xie Ding and one would not be successful if one asked Xie Ding. Shen Miao must know some stuff but Shen Miao would definitely not say anything. Since Xie Jing Xing was also protecting her, it was not easy for Princess Rong Xing to touch her. After thinking about it, Princess Rong Xin finally thought of someone.
Grew up together when Xie Jing Xing was in his childhood, with good relations between both families and was considered to be Xie Jing Xing's best friends in Ming Qi. Because they grew up together and spend most of the time together, there would be times when one would be able to see the differences with Xie Jing Xing.
The heir of the Count of Ping Nan, Su Ming Feng.
Princess Rong Xing instructed the servants to bring an invitation over.
As the days passed, it got closer to the end of the year.
The commoners were starting to rush to purchase new year's goods and thus the streets would be filled with bustle every day. Life would go on smoothly so normal people would not be able to know what was in the minds of noble people. It was like how the eagle and sparrow saw the skies, it was destined to be different.
Ever since Emperor Wen Hui had been shocked by the wildly ambitious 'casual chat' with Prince Rui, he was more and more inclined with an alliance with Qin country. It was just till now there was no conclusion to Princess Ming An's case, thus there was still a line between them. However with Emperor Wen Hui's increase sincerity, HuangFu Hao's attitude was somewhat soften.
All the different departments of Ming Qi's official could be dispatched by HuangFu Hao, that even the Bureau of Investigations would time to time be interrogated by HuangFu Hao. No matter what the result was, Emperor Wen Hui had gave HuangFu Hao enough face. Even though one was unable to discover the cause of Princess Ming An's death, HuangFu Hao did not think that Ming Qi deliberately cover it up since he had witnessed the process of the investigation. It might be that Princess Ming An had offended some powerful character else how would there be no traces left?
Not mentioning about the matter with Princess Ming An, the words that Prince Rui said to Emperor Wen Hui finally reached to HuangFu Hao's ears. If one were to say from the beginning that HuangFu Hao represented Qin country, he clearly had the intention to form an alliance with Ming Qi but purposely put up airs in an attempt to seek more personal benefits. When he heard the words from Prince Rui, HuangFu Hao could not sit still.
If Prince Rui represented Great Liang and really had the intention get the few cities that produces ore in Ming Qi, just like what Emperor Wen Hui worried, Great Liang would not need those mere cities but the entire Ming Qi. That meant that Ming Qi was in danger. Without the lips, the teeth would feel the cold. Just one Qin country was not power enough to deal with Great Liang, moreover it would be the Great Liang that had absorbed Ming Qi's military, weapons and wealth. At that time when Great Liang take care of Qin country, the Qin country would not have strength to fight.
The purpose of the alliance between Qin country and Ming Qi was to contain Great Liang.
HuangFu Hao sent this information back to Qin country. Even though the Emperor of Qin was furious that he had lost a Princess in Ming Qi without rhyme or reason, but comparing a Princess and the entire country of Qin, it was insignificant. Thus the Emperor of Qin let HuangFu Hao temporarily put the matter of Princess Ming An aside and form a good alliance with Ming Qi.
When HuangFu Hao gotten the message from the Emperor of Qin, he started to enter the Imperial Palace of Ming Qi more frequently. One had the intention to strike an alliance and the other was worried that there would be no help thus they click quickly and on the surface had joyous and harmonious relations. The relationship between Emperor Wen Hui and HuangFu Hao had became much closer.
Emperor Wen Hui had the intention to support the Crown Prince and previously wanted to get Shen Miao to marry the Crown Prince but who knew that he suddenly glimpse upon Great Liang's ambitions and dared not take action with the Shen family. Now that HuangFu Hao came over, it was good to let HuangFu Hao have more interactions with the Crown Prince so that so that the Crown Prince and inherit the relations with HuangFu Hao.
The matters in this world is inextricably linked. Normally the relations that would be even touched by a eight foot pole but now there were various connection. Intelligent people would find their usefulness in these relations but normal people would be lost in it if they were not careful enough.
In the residence of the Minister of Land.
Shen Dong Ling was drinking tea at the moment.
High grade Ye-er Qing (type of tea leaves) that was grown in the dangerous peaks of the southern country that one small handful would cost a few hundreds of silver. Her posture when she appreciates tea was beautiful and she was wearing the Southern Jiang's brocade robes and had family bracelets on. She was very pretty and delicate that when one take a glance, one would see that she was a charming woman that live like a noble.
No one would have though that not too long ago, she was still a obscure Shu daughter of the Shen residence that would not leave the courtyard all year round that even the servants did not know that she was a young lady of the Shen residence. Not to say when Ren Wan Yun was the head of the household, there was not even oil in the dishes for ten days to half a month.
The difference from the past and now was like clouds and dirt. Humans seeks one's way up just as water seeks its way down. Even though the residence of the Minister of Land did not looked as powerful as other official families, it was considered to be very wealthy. There was no one that could live with only that little money from court. Before marrying into the residence of the Minister of Land, Shen Dong Ling had always thought that the Wang family was following Prince Zhou and only later learn that the real master of the Wang family was the Crown Prince. Being a Minister of Land but had such an abundance of wealth like this, it was not because the Wang family had some dealing with the salt smugglers but the money would naturally flow into the residence of the Crown Prince and these are only some fathers from a flying goose. Just these few feathers was able to let the family stay in Ding capital without worrying at all shows how profitable the business of privately selling salt was.
If one were to say that the matter of money was an unexpected surprise to Shen Dong Ling, then Wang Bi himself made Shen Dong Ling very satisfied. Wang Bi looked honest but was in fact savvy and was considered highly ranked under the Crown Prince. At the beginning Shen Yue did not look up to Wang Bi and did not know that it was her that had no eyes. Shen Dong Ling was born with beautiful looks, had a soft temperament and the most important thing was that she could always make some suggestions for Wang Bi's matters. However she would not interfere too much and would always keep a cautious distance. The more she did that, the better Wang Bi treated her. When marrying a wife, one would want to marry one who was virtuous and besides being virtuous and smart, it was even more valuable for one also understanding other people's views. Wang Bi had felt very fortunate that Shen Dong Ling and Shen Yue had exchanged their marriages. The family of the Minister of Land only had Wang Bi, the only sone and Wang Bi was very capable that almost everything in the Wang family was decided by Wang Bi. Naturally Shen Dong Ling became the matriarch of the Wang family. The servant would be very respectful to her and if Ren Wan Yun was still alive, one feared that she would faint in anger. That Shu daughter that she view like ants was not even more comfortable then when Ren Wan Yun was in the beginning and naturally Wan YiNiang was like the boat that floats when the tide rises and lived a wealthy lifestyle.
Today it was the same.
Wang Bi came back from outside and handed the pastry in his hands to the maids before saying, "One passed by Guang Fu Zhai and conveniently bought some cakes for you to eat."
"Husband is considerate." Shen Dong Ling smiled at him as she poured a cup of tea for him. Her every move was delicate and tender, most likely because she was after all a daughter of a YiNiang, there would be some amorous feeling. She smiled as she said, "Husband looked very happy today. Is there something good that happened?"
To Shen Dong Ling, Wang Bi did not hide most things from her because Shen Dong Ling was not one who would talk and could occasionally help to share his worries. Currently Wang Bi and Shen Dong Ling were newlyweds and would be in their honeymoon period. Wang Bi said, "His Majesty let HuangFu Hao have more interactions with the Crown Prince and most likely want to have good relations with Qin country. By giving the Crown Prince this favour, it can been easily seen that His Majesty wants to support the Crown Prince. When man attains the Tao, even his pets would ascend to Heavens. We are the Crown Prince's people so when the Crown Prince ascend to the throne in the future, we would have credits for our efforts." He smiled towards Shen Dong Ling, "Do you think it should be celebrated?"
Shen Dong Ling's mind turned and immediately showed a surprise happiness expression, "Really?" Afterwards she looked at Wang Bi with some admiration as she spoke softly, "Husband is really powerful. It is this one's past fortune to be able to follow Husband."
To be looked with such admiring gaze by a charming and seductive female, any male's vanity would be greatly satisfied. Wang Bi smiled, "This is easy to satisfy." He then sighed and spoke with some regret, "If a while ago, His Majesty bestow marriage upon Fifth Shen Young Lady to His Highness the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince would have the military power of the Shen family and it would be more advantageous. If so then our winning chances would be even higher. Now even though one have some relations with Qin country at the moment, in terms of military power..." He sighed again, "It is often the most important thing."
Shen Dong Ling's mind turned and she conveniently leaned into Wang Bi's embrace and reached her hand out to place it on Wang Bi's chest and said tenderly, "Husband is too demanding on himself. To be able to do to this level, one would not be an ordinary person."
This was exactly what Wang Bi wanted to hear. He smiled, "You are really contented?"
"This Qie is contented with a man like Husband." Shen Dong Ling smiled delicately and asked inadvertently, "Currently one cannot let Fifth Younger Sister marry the Crown Prince?"
"Fifth Younger Sister?" Wang Bi was startled before saying, "Almost forgot that you both are sisters."
He said it unintentionally but it was particularly sharp when it was heard by Shen Dong Ling as he seemed to say that she was a Shu daughter while Shen Miao was a Di daughter and there was a difference between Di and Shu. Human's greed would change accordingly to the change of environment. In the past, Shen Dong Ling was busy ensuring her safety in the Shen residence and schemed for a good life for herself and could tolerate all the ridicules and sarcasm and would not have the energy to be picky about it. However she was now the Furen in the residence of the Minister of Land thus she was particularly sensitive to these things.
She buried her head in Wang Bi's embrace and did not let Wwang Bi see her sullen expression but still asked, "It cannot be done?"
"It is not that it cannot be done." Wang Bi said, "It is just that Great Liang's ambition is difficult to make clear thus many things need to be delayed as one still require Shen Xin's reputation. It is just that Shen Miao is currently not young of age and one heard that the Shen family is not willing to let Shen Miao marry into the residence of the Crown Prince. The key point of the matter is to resolve it as soon as possible. As time goes by, there will inevitably be changes and Shen Xin would have found a marriage for Shen Miao and married her off. At that time, the Crown Prince's place would have fallen through."
"Why can't the marriage be firmed up first?" Shen Dong Ling asked.
"Silly." Wang Bi said, "The Shen family do not want Shen Miao to marry the Crown Prince and Shen Miao herself also is not willing. If some tricks are used now, it would make Shen Xin dissatisfied."
"Isn't this bullying others with one's power?" Shen Dong Ling's lips twitched. However her words did not take Shen Miao into any consideration at all and made the bandits who imposed others on their demands as the aggrieved people.
"It can be said like this." Wang Bi said with a smile.
"Then on what grounds they can use power to bully others but not let the Crown Prince bully others with power?"
Wang Bi smiled, "The Crown Prince is virtuous and would not do such bullying."
"The Crown Prince cannot do these but other can do it? Just like ordinary people, those ordinary commoners. If everyone under Heavens request Fifth Younger Sister to marry to the Crown Prince, can this be considered as using the power of the commoners to bully others?"
Wang Bi initially thought that Shen Dong Ling was saying words of anger but who knew that when he heard what was at the back, his expression gradually became serious. He looked at Shen Dong Ling as Shen Dong Ling sat in his embrace charmingly, as if those words she said were just casually done.
But Wang Bi was an intelligent person and could hear some details in Shen Dong Ling's words thus he asked,"It could not be that you have thought of some ideas? Let's listen to it."
"Husband is really crafty. What benefit if I were to speak of it?" Shen Dong Ling asked.
"Mmm." Wang Bi pretended to think about it, "If it is good then I will think of ways to request an Imperial mandate for you." He was thinking that if Shen Dong Ling really had a way to get Shen Miao to marry to the Crown Prince, then he would have made a big achievement and in the future when the Crown Prince succeed the throne, he would be grateful for it. There would not be any loss to ask for an Imperial mandate for Shen Dong Ling.
When Shen Dong Ling heard of it, a glimmer of satisfaction appeared in her eyes.
She said, "I not doing to be a Mandated Furen but for Husband. Whatever Husband wants to do, naturally this Qie would support. Husband wants to help the future Monarch and this Qie is just a little female and can only show one's inadequacy." The playfulness she used while speaking was even more pleasing to Wang Bi's heart.
"Actually this method is very simple. One only need the Crown Prince of Qin country to cooperate." She said.