Chapter 216: Being Forthcoming
As the sun headed west, Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing were walking back to the residence.
Great Liang was more open minded and had more freedom than in Ming Qi thus it was a common sight for husband and wife to be seen in the streets. However because Xie Jing Xing was very famous, everyone in Long Ye knew of him and thus they would be surrounding by astonished eyes wherever he went.
In the previous period, it was rumoured that Rui WangFei and Prince Rui were not of good terms and their relationship was as cold as ice. However they were currently travelling together thus this rumour was broken. If both of them were like the rumours, unfamiliar with one another, how would they travel so intimately? One did not know which family was the one that was spouting nonsense.
Ever since Shen Miao came to Long Ye, it was her first time strolling around. Xie Jing Xing was very familiar with this place and both of them would buy as they walk. She was originally not one who favoured new things but it seemed that he was affected by Luo Tan as she bought so many things that the carriage was filled. Both of them bought stuff in front while Tie Yi and Cong Yang followed behind paying. Xie Jing Xing felt that Shen Miao was somewhat strange being like this and looked suspiciously at her from time to time.
Shen Miao current mood was unpreceding relaxed.
It was like she had experience a dream that undoubtedly unraveled the anger and hatred of her past life. Naturally enmity would have to be avenged but in this rebirth of a lifetime, it was not only just for revenge. Those stars that one shimmered in the dark years made her feel that she was not only left with bad experience in her previous lifetime. As for this lifetime, it was even more precious.
The present her was more determined and candid that she was before. She could face straightforwardly to her own feelings and could embrace her new life with enthusiasm. The current her and the previous her were two different persons.
Her heart was relaxed and naturally she smiled from the start to the end. She was like a child who used a different perspective to look at things and even said to Xie Jing Xing, "Long Ye and Ding capital are really different. One thinks that the different regions of Great Liang have its own uniqueness. If there is such a day where one could travel to the famous mountains and rivers to look at the different scenery, it would be great."
Xie Jing Xing smiled, "What is so difficult with it?"
"It is easier said than done." Shen Miao said, "Sometimes one admires those who live at the rivers and lakes. There are no worries and troubles and there are also no unscrupulous things. The experiences would be extremely interesting."
Xie Jing Xing looked at her thoughtfully.
Shen Miao said, "What are you looking at me for?"
His lips raised and he took Shen Miao's hands as he smiled, "After Ming Qi's and Great Liang's matters are done, I will take you to where you want to go."
Shen Miao smiled at him, "Is this the wish you give to me in return?"
Xie Jing Xing was slightly in a dazed. Thinking about the wish that Shen Miao spoke of when she woke up, a smug smile suddenly appeared on his face as he said, "You kept on reminding me of that wish today. Could it be that because the two month period was over and you really want..."
Shen Miao turned around and left, "I did not think about anything."
Cong Yang and Tie Yi were following behind. Cong Yang looked embarrassed and Tie Yi's dark face became red, as both of them showed an expression of not waiting to see it. It was naturally a good thing when both masters have good relations but it was simply abuse for them serve them.
It was better to guard the tower prison.
When the moon gradually rose, there were much fewer people on the streets. Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing had shopped around for an entire day and also felt tired. It was rare that she was that excited thus Xie Jing Xing accompanied her. Seeing both of them returning with an atmosphere of ease, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were relieved.
Xie Jing Xing wanted to bathe so Shen Miao returned to her own room. Jing Zhe had already brought over the hot water and said, "Furen should bath first. The little kitchens has already prepare the food and after a while it can be eating. It must be tiring after an entire day."
Shen Miao complied. The bathing water was very warm and comfortable that it made one groggy and felt like sleeping. She lay on the bed as Gu Yu wait by the side and said, "This servant had not seen Furen laughed like this for a long time."
Shen Miao recovered to her senses. She actually laughed very often but most likely after staying in the Inner Palace for a long time, with the logic of even if one lose, one could not lose one's position, even if one's road is dark or no matter how unfavourable the situation was, one would first display a gentle smile first. If the enemy saw one's gentle smile, they would not be able to guess what one was thinking. Even if it did not confuse the enemy, it was good to make the other feel disgusted.
Since her rebirth, she was accustomed to it but that smile was consciously displayed and not from one's ehart so how could it be the same as a smile from one's heart?
Currently her eyes were bent, like it was filled with satisfaction and as warm as warm jade, making her beautiful face more attractive and one was unable to peel their eyes off.
Jing Zhe noticed the red string around Shen Miao's wrist. When Luo Tan gave the red strings to Shen Miao, Jing Zhe was not aware of it so now upon seeing it, she was curious, "Is Furen's red string newly bought on the streets? It is indeed unique but is not matching to one's clothes."
Gu Yu also saw it and smiled, "Didn't Pu Tuo Monastery sell such red strings? One copper coin for a string. It is said that this is to seek for marriage."
Jing Zhe smiled, "A marriage is only worth a copper coin? This is just too cheap." She was than somewhat curious, "Furen don't believe in such things the most so why buy it? However speaking of it, if His Highness see this string, one feared that he would not be happy as he will think that Furen had become WangFei already so why seek for marriage." Jing Zhe had a lively personality and now learned Xie Jing Xing's dissatisfied expression, making Shen Miao and Gu Yu laugh out.
Gu Yu scolded while smiling, "Rascal. Is His Highness someone you can joke about?"
Shen Miao waved her hands, "Later instruct people to place the food in Xie Jing Xing's room."
Both of them had been sleeping in separate room so Xie Jing Xing had his own bed chambers. Jing Zhe was startled but she then smiled, "Furen want to have a meal with His Highness." She could not help but be happy for Shen Miao. When Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing slept separately, these maids saw it but did not know how to persuade. They had not thought that after suffering from such a catastrophe, both of their feelings improved heaps and bounds. It was indeed a blessing in disguise.
Shen Miao said, "This string is very spiritual."
"Oh?" Gu Yu looked strangely at Shen Miao as she did not know why she suddenly said those words.
Shen Miao however just looked at the string and sighed softly. It is just that this time, her eyes were relaxed.
This day was bound to come and her worries were not like previous. This time she was already fully prepared. This lifetime was different from the last lifetime, be it people or events so she would still be filled with expectations but she would not put all her future on one person.
One's growth and becoming a person who could fight by one's side was equally powerful. It was simply protecting the things that one wanted to protecting and resolved feuds that one should resolve.
She instructed Jing Zhe to bring a handkerchief over and said, "Help me to style my hair."
*****
Xie Jing Xing walked out in his middle clothes.
He bathed for a long time that the water was somewhat cooled. When he was alone, there was no lazy smile on his face and on the contrary, there was some indifferent expression that one could not see clearly at night. He was actually not a warm person and under the appearance of trifling without respect, there was a faint ridicule of the world.
Just as he went out, he saw a few delicate dishes and snacks in the middle of the room.
Xie Jing Xing's brows wrinkled, "Tie Yi." He was not used to having a meal in the room. He was one who liked cleanliness and would be very structured and orderly in private. The bed chambers was a place to sleep and the hall was used to have a meal.
There was no response after calling out for a few times when the door suddenly opened with a bang and Shen Miao came in hugging a wine jar.
That wine jar was so big and she wobbled as she carried it. Xie Jing Xing went forward to help her and placed it on the table before he asked, "What are you doing?"
Shen Miao said, "I have searched in your warehouse for a long time and found this earthen jar. It is most likely Shi Zhou Xiang (direct translation: Scent that can be smelt in ten provinces). Most likely that it is of some years so one carried it out."
Xie Jing Xing paused and opened the jar. Indeed a mellow fragrance of a wine whiff passed. He smiled and said, "It is amazing that you could recognise Shi Zhou Xiang. Tang Shu did not stop you?"
Shi Zhou Xiang was a highly regarded wine and was priceless that even if one had money, it was difficult to procure. There was only three jars in the entire residence of Prince Rui and Shen Miao took one jar away. Coincidently this jar was about fifty years cold. One feared that Tang Shu would be so heartache that he was crying silently.
Shen Miao smiled, "I even drank it before."
Xie Jing Xing was suspicious, "Drank it before?"
Shen Miao did not continue speaking. When she was an Empress, there was no wine that she did not drink in the Palace banquet before. Even though one jar of Shi Zhou Xiang was precious, but it was not to a level that she would view it in a different light. However she had been an Empress but was blinded by so many things that she did not care too much about these stuffs. However in normal families and even official families, an official would not have an opportunity to have a mouthful of Shi Zhou Xiang even after exhausting one entire life.
Shen Miao patted her head, "It seemed that one had forgotten to bring wine cups." Her eyes landed on the bowls that were used for rice and simply took two over and poured two full bowls out.
Xie Jing Xing looked at her incredulously and questioned, "Shen Miao, are you an alcoholic?"
"I am here to accompany you to eat." Shen Miao said, "How can there be no wine with dishes?"
Xie Jing Xing folded his arms and looked at her for a while and suddenly remembered a matter before saying, "I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it. On that day in Bi Xiao Lou, you drank a bowl of wine in front of so many people... Shen Jiao Jiao, in the future you have to pay attention to the norms of propriety."
When she drank wine, she was extremely charming and had an elegant bearing that in that moment, it made everyone unable to turn their eyes away. The numerous eyes of all those men in Bi Xiao Luo are all on her and at that time Xie Jing Xing was sulking badly. If he did not care of his current status, one feared that he would have carried Shen Miao and left.
He tempted to teach his little wife, "In the future, don't drink outside and if there is a need to drink, I have to be present. Even if I am present, you cannot drink too much, especially in front of other... Shen Jiao Jiao, are you listening to me?"
Shen Miao put down the bowl. She just swallowed a big mouthful of Shi Zhou Xiang and currently her throat was on fire, so much so that tears was about to be spilled. The entire mouthful went down her stomach and made it warm and refreshed. She praised, "It is indeed Shi Zhou Xiang."
Xie Jing Xing said, "Are you disregarding me now?"
Shen Miao glanced at him, "Are you not drinking?" She then picked the wine bowl up to drink.
Xie Jing Xing said, "Hey. Are you going to be a drunkard at my place tonight? Shi Zhou Xiang is not supposed to be drunk like how you are doing it. You are being like a cow chewing on Peonies."
Shen Miao squinted at him, "No one dared to say that I am a cow chewing on Peonies."
Xie Jing Xing, "..."
He had always felt that Shen Miao was a completely different person when she drank, like she was when the Shen family left Ding capital all those years ago, before he headed to Northern Jiang. Could it be that there was another person living in Shen Miao and would only be unleashed when she drank? Xie Jing Xing was really puzzled as she was usually a cautious person but once she was drunk, she would be do things without any reason and might even do something incredulous.
He had felt that the arrogance of the Shen family's military lineage would only be reflected on Shen Miao after she drank.
Shen Miao handed a large bowl of wine to Xie Jing Xing and said, "You drink too."
Xie Jing Xing looked at her unfathomably but Shen Miao stubbornly reached her hand out so he could only sit down at the table and took the bowl of wine before slowly sipping it.
Shen Miao stared at him. Indeed when Xie Jing Xing drank, it was not like her, a cow chewing on Peonies, but drinking in sips, like a wine expert. She watched and held her bowl to drink it off.
Xie Jing Xing only drank a few mouthfuls when he saw Shen Miao bringing the bowl up and wiping her mouth, as if she was a soldier of Shen Xin's drinking. He said, "You have finished drinking?"
Shen Miao coughed lightly twice, "I have something to tell you."
Xie Jing Xing glanced at her before looking back at the bright amber wine in his bowl, "To need alcohol to boost up one's courage to speak to me, is it that you have committed some errs behind my back?"
"Previously did you not ask me what my secret is?" Shen Miao said, "There is no need to exchange it with your secrets. I will tell you."
Xie Jing Xing's movements paused as he looked up at her.
"Do you want to listen?" She asked him.
Xie Jing Xing put down the bowl of wine and said, "How is it that it sounds like you are giving me a disadvantage?"
"Then I will take it as you want to know and I will tell you." Shen Miao ignored his words and only cared about her words.
"Don't you feel strange ever since you know me? Those words that I send to Su Ming Lang and the actions taken against Prince Yu of First Rank? I seemed to have known earlier the existence of Feng Xian Pawnshop and about the Second and Third household of the Shen family. You are also very curious why I always target Prince Ding as it was odvious that one was still admiring Prince Ding before and it was also too much if love to turn to hate."
Each single thing that she spoke of were all the things that Xie Jing Xing had doubts with.
Shen Miao said, "At the beginning, you must be very vigilant against me and would have instructed people to investigate me secretly."
There was a somewhat uncomfortable expression on Xie Jing Xing's face. After all, like what Shen Miao said, he indeed instructed people to investigate Shen Miao's background.
"You definitely did not find anything and thought that there was some intelligent person behind me, or to say that there is some expert making arrangements behind the Shen family."
Xie Jing Xing was silent. Ji Yu Shu's Feng Xian Pawnshop could detect many unknown secrets of others but for Shen Miao, it was like a stone without an exit. No matter how they lift it, they were unable to find a place to start.
"Even though you are unable to find out my background, you must have investigated all the things that I have experience in those past years. You should also know that before my Father and Mother returned to Ding capital in Sixty Eighth year of Ming Qi, I fell into the water due and it was related to Prince Ding. After falling into the water, my temperament seemed to have changed. For example, previously I used to be obsessed with Prince Ding but after that, I no longer showed any thoughts about Prince Ding."
There was a light annoyance that appeared in Xie Jing Xing's eyes. With regards to the matter of Shen Miao once admiring Fu Xiu Yi, it really made him wonder as it could not understand it. If it was not something that the entire city was aware of, he would almost thought that it was Shen Miao that put up an act. Speaking of appearance, talent and status, even though Fu Xiu Yi was outstanding, it was not a level that there was it was so outstanding that there was no second in the world. Shen Miao's love could actually reach the point of obsessiveness and it made him speechless and also felt somewhat humiliated. Comparing himself to Fu Xiu Yi, that hypocritical person, this was just too devaluing.
"After that fall into the water, there were some estrangement between me towards the Second and Third household of the Shen family and was no longer as friendly towards Shen Qing and Shen Yue. One even seemed to be going against Old Shen Furen." Shen Miao said, "Don't you find it strange?"
Xie Jing Xing said, "There is always a time when people will wake up."
Previously Shen Miao was confused and that was because of her young age, she was only confused for a period of time and perhaps after knowing the truth about certain matters or something else happened that made one grow up overnight. Just like him.
Shen Miao shook his head, "That was because I have awaken too thoroughly. Actually it is very simple. When I fell into the water in the Sixty Eight Year of Ming Qi, I laid in bed and did not wake up for a long time and during those days, I had a very long dream." She looked at the dancing flame on the table and a sigh of sorrow appeared in her eyes and expression, "That dream was very long and very real, like I am experiencing it myself."
"Could you believe in those kinds of dreams?" Shen Miao smiled, "It was like a prophecy."
Xie Jing Xing's eyebrows gradually raised and his gaze that was fixed on Shen Miao became sharp.
"It is rumoured that a Governor of a Southern Nation was napping under a tree and dreamt that he was the Emperor, from the flower falling till it landed on the soil, he had experience an entire life and suddenly woke up, realizing that it was only a moment. Everything that happened in the dream was just an illusion of wealth and glory. It was just that it was so real that one was unable to differentiate that was the dream real or the current reality real."
"This dream of mind is even longer and suffering than the story of Governor of a Southern Nation. I had dreamt of the future." She said.
"I dreamed that I finally married into the residence of Prince Ding and the Shen family was tied with the residence of Prince Ding. I dreamed of the future disputes in court, the turmoil of the Princes and at the end, Fu Xiu Yi was the final winner. He ascended to the throne and I became the Empress and became the Mother of the nation. It was impressive."
Xie Jing Xing's eyebrow raised.
"You will most likely think that this was a sweet dream as I was obsessed with Fu Xiu Yi so my dream had such a happy ending. I also wished that it was a happy dream but this was the most terrible nightmare I had in my entire life."
"I gave birth to a son and daughter and they were the most sensible and adorable children in the world. Afterwards Great Liang's power became stronger and strong and there were foreign nations that were invading Ming Qi so Ming Qi borrowed troops from Qin country. Qin country used me as a hostage and one stayed in Qin country for five years."
"That's how I encounter HuangFu Hao and Ming An." Shen Miao said.
Xie Jing Xing's expression gradually became serious.
"I did not like the Imperial family of Qin country as they always humiliate me. They invented a kind of archery and put a fruit on my head but always deliberate miss it. Afterwards I secretly practiced archery but no matter how good one practice, on the second day, I will not shoot them."
"Five years quickly passed and I returned to Ming Qi. There was one more favoured consort in the Palace of Ming Qi, by the name of Mei Furen. She gave birth to a son, by the name of Fu Chen."
"Fu Xiu Yi favoured Mei Furen greatly and doted on Fu Chen. I was treated coldly. Even though I was the Empress, I was secretly sneered at."
"Fu Xiu Yi started to attack the Shen family and even though I was worried, I could not mangled in politics. My Eldest Brother's future career was impacted due to the incident of Jing Chu Chu's innocence and was sent to prison for murder before drowning in a pond. My Mother's illness became severe due to Cang Zai Qing and she finally succumbed to grief. My Father became older by the day and when his military power was taken back, he drank every day. The Second and Third household rose up step by step and became more powerful."
"I was fighting with Mei Furen in the Inner Palace and no one spared the other. It was not that I am greedy for the position of the Empress but if I could not even keep this position, I would not be able to protect my children at all.
"At the end, I lost. The Shen family was destroyed, WanYu died on the journey to the Xiong Nu for marriage alliance and Fu Ming's position of the Crown Prince was abolished and he committed suicide. When I was in the Cold Palace, I was bestowed a white silk and the eunuch strangled me personally. When I opened my eyes, I discovered that I was lying on the bed and had dreamt of a very very long nightmare."
She said it lightly and faintly of this shocking dream but there was a smile on her face. Even though the smile misty, it seemed to contain endless pain but the pain could not be spoken and thus it was simply replaced with a smile.
Xie Jing Xing did not speak.
She always referred to herself as 'BenGong' when she was drunk and Xie Jing Xing always laughed that how deep she scheme at such a young age. Occasionally he would wonder why she was an abolished Empress. So actually it was like this...
Shen Miao said, "Do you believe in my dream?"
Xie Jing Xing instead asked, "Do you believe it?"
Shen Miao smiled, "If I do not believe it, one feared that what is standing in front of you today would be just a grave."
"After I woke up, I feared that everything in this dream would happen and acted according to convention. One would find some clues to prove that it was just a nightmare. However when one seriously pursued it, the more one discovered that this was not only just a dream as the things that happened in the dream occurred."
"I reminded Su Ming Lang because the Su family would die not long after due to the Emperor's jealousy. When the entire Su family was questioned and beheaded, only you went to collect the father and son bodies. Without the lips, the teeth would feel the cold. After the Su family, the next one is the Shen family. I was only trying to protect myself, thus the reminder to the Su family. However I was discovered by you."
At that time, Xie Jing Xing was suspicious of her because of Xu Ming Lang's words and repeatedly probed. The two of them confront each other many times but they did not know each other's thoughts.
"Then in that dream of yours, what kind of ending do I have?" Xie Jing Xing stared at her and asked.
Shen Miao said, "You are very good."
"The Xie family gradually declined and afterwards the Marquis of Lin An died in the battlefield. You represent your Father for battle and one heard that you are buried in a horse hide (aka gave one's life on the battlefield) but after many years, you returned to Ming Qi with the identity of Prince Rui of First Rank." Shen Miao smiled slightly, "And afterwards, took over the Imperial power with troops."
Xie Jing Xing frowned, "Just like this?"
"Just like this." Shen Miao nodded her head.
"Like this." His brows were raised, "I actually thought that in that dream of yours, there would be some involvement between you and me."
"Do you really treat it as a dream? Or do you think that it is gibberish nonsense that I speak when drunk?" Shen Miao's gaze slightly darkened as she continued, "But it is also good like this. I would rather that it was just a dream."
"You may not believe some of the things that were spoken but I truly saw Jing Chu Chu, Cang Zai Qing and the rest. Before that, I have never seen them before. Because of the reminder of the nightmare, I have already guard against them. In fact, thinking about it, there are many matters that were accomplished because of that dream."
Xie Jing Xing smiled as he looked at her and that smile was gentle and comforting, "You did well."
"The things in the past have passed and I always do my all to avoid the ending in that dream. But there was one thing, the two children in that dream are gone."
Xie Jing Xing gently stroke the fingers holding the wine bowl, "We will have children too."
Shen Miao took a deep breath and look at him, "Now I have something to say and you have to listen clearly."
"In that dream, the Mei Furen that I fought for an entire lifetime, the Consort Mother of the new Crown prince and at the end the female that controlled the court, was called Li Mei. She was a daughter of an official that Fu Xiu Yi encountered during an expedition to the East, that was charming and knew another's heart. Currently I have encountered her again. Are you not curious that after you woke up, after the Imperial Hunt, I was cold towards you? It was because at that time I was flustered as I have encountered Li Mei again."
"Now she is called Ye Mei."
"Do you understand what I am saying?" She asked.
Xie Jing Xing did not speak for a long time.
One did not know how long had passed when he looked at Shen Miao, "She is the enemy in your dreams?"
"I ended up hating her to the bones but could not end the enemy personally. In this lifetime's encounter, she had become the daughter that the Ye family of Long Ye found. Xie Jing Xing, I can tolerate my hatred but there is one point that needs to be addressed. Ye Mei is not a kind hearted person as she would climb up the ladder by any means possible for the sake of power. She will not do any unnecessary things and since the residence of Prince Rui has accepted her favour, one would become the knife in her hands. You have to guard against her."
Xie Jing Xing picked up the wine bowl again and drank everything in it. Even though he was smiling, his eyes were cold, "Is it Ye Mei? Fu Xiu Yi's way of seeing females have always been vulgar. I am different from him."
"No matter if your dream is real or not." Xie Jing Xing said, "The enmity in the dream is still considered as enmity. Just the point of him turning his back on you, one cannot forgive that. Give your enmity to me, I will avenge for you." He then interrupted Shen Miao words, "Not mentioning about ending the enemy personally, you are my woman, your enmity is my enmity. In this world, there are innumerable enemies for both you and me so there is no need to separate them between yours and mind. If there is a day where you meet my enemy and you want to avenge for me, then it would be considered even."
Shen Miao frowned, "You have enemies? Who is it?"
Xie Jing Xing looked at her for a while and suddenly reached his hands out to stroke her head, "So adorable for believing everything one speaks of."
"Impudent." Shen Miao said.
When she drinks, she would habitually bring out the bearing of an Empress. Xie Jing Xing paused in his action and Shen Miao was also startled a little. He stared at Shen Miao, "You still want to be an Empress?"
"I do not want to have a second dream like that." Shen Miao said, "I do not want to be that kind of Empress the second time."
Chapter 217: Conjugal
At the end, more than half the jar of Shi Zhou Xiang ended up in Shen Miao's stomach. Xie Jing Xing tried to block it but when Shen Miao become stubborn, even Shen Xin would be helpless, what more Xie Jing Xing. However this time she did not throw a drunken tantrum like before. She drank finish the wine and looked very calm. After saying a many things, she then hugged the empty jar and wobbled out. Xie Jing Xing sent her back to the room and instructed Jing Zhe and Gu Yu to take good care of her. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu jumped in shock and said softly, "One's body only got better, why drink so much wine? One fears that it would not be good for the injuries."
Xie Jing Xing took a glance at her before turning and leaving the room.
He walked in the courtyard and as the summer breeze blew onto his face, it made one wake up from the intoxication. However he only drank a little and thus his mind was as clear as a mirror.
However he was not as calm as he seemed on the surface.
Shen Miao's words were like a lighting that strikes his heart and at that moment, all the incomprehensible things became clear in that moment. Even though Shen Miao's words were just too shocking and seemed to be of the powers of supernatural. He was one who never believed in supernatural things.
He did not believe in supernatural things but he believed in Shen Miao.
Xie Jing Xing knew Shen Miao very well. If she really wanted to lie to a person, she would definitely be full of lies and calmness. Ever since Xie Jing Xing knew Shen Miao in Ming Qi, seeing her deal with the Second and Third household of the Shen family, dealing with Jing Chu Chu, she had always stabbed others with a gentle smile and schemed in a warm manner. She would have thousands of schemes but always had an amiable expression. However when she was hesitant and wavered, that was instead real.
One feared that she had suppressed all the things she said today in her heart for a long time, otherwise she would not show such expression of a heavy burden. However Xie Jing Xing could feel the apprehensive in her heart even though a storm was set off a storm.
IF all the things that Shen Miao dreamt of had truly happened, then it was indeed not a good dream. Once he thought of Shen Miao following Fu Xiu Yi at the end and because of Fu Xiu Yi, ended in such a miserable state, Xie Jing Xing felt furious.
There was rain the day before thus when the green boots stepped onto the water on the ground, there was a rustling noise. Xie Jing Xing stood straight and called out, "Tie Yi."
Tie Yi appeared.
"Investigate any interconnections between the Ye siblings and Ming Qi." If everything in Shen Miao was true then this Ye Mei is Shen Miao's enemy but the point from Ming Qi to Great Liang did not match up. To think about it now, he could understand why Shen Miao showed hostility to Ye Mei and her Younger Brother at their first appearance.
Tie Yi was somewhat surprise but still lowered his head before complying.
There was some confusion in his heart. He looked towards the crescent moon in the skies with a frown but he could not tell what emotions he was feeling and thus walked into the courtyard to look for the young tiger to play.
Jiao Jiao had not seen its master for a long time thus upon see him, naturally it was so happy that he jumped up to play with him. Xie Jing Xing played with the young tiger absent-mindedly for a while and after seeing that the night was getting deeper and the tiger started to yawn, he then returned to the room.
However there was no intention to sleep. He walked to the middle of the room and took off his outer robe, planning to sit down for a while when he suddenly felt something was different. As he looked over to the bed, he saw that there was a large lump on the middle of the bed that seemed to be breathing slightly.
His brows wrinkled and he walked over to remove the quilt but suddenly stopped to laughed, "What are you doing?"
On the bed, Shen Miao was wrapped with his quilt while holding a pillow and staring at him with wide eyes.
Previously she was calm and it seemed that she was not drunk but now it seemed that the alcohol went up her head and her fair face was red and her clear eyes were covered with haze. He said, "I am recommending oneself as a pillow."
Xie Jing Xing almost thought that he heard wrongly, "What did you say?"
"Consort Li had once told me that in order to achieve a person's heart, even if one adores the other, one have to recommend oneself as a pillow. Between male and female, being intimate is the right thing to do. I have never did it before and thought that you have not experienced it so I came over to recommend oneself."
When Xie Jing Xing heard her speaking of such shocking things, his face blushed as his eyes stared at Shen Miao's. He seemed not to know how to respond and finally said, "What nonsense are you spouting?"
He did not know who was the 'Consort Li' that she was mentioning but thinking about the dream that Shen Miao had, Xie Jing Xing thought incredulously that could it be that it was one of her 'sisters' in the Inner Palace?
Shen Miao sat on the bed, intoxicated but still had a dignified bearing as she spoke, "I want to explore in different angles with you."
Xie Jing Xing quickly walked to the table to pour a cup of cold tea for himself. When he swallowed a mouthful of cold tea, his heart slightly calmed down. Shen Miao's drastic change of character when she was drunk was just too shocking. She could even mention about 'being intimate', what exactly was she thinking?
He said, "I am not one that will take advantage of another's perilous state."
After not hearing any noise for a long time, Xie Jing Xing felt somewhat strange and could not help but turned around. However he spit out an entire mouthful of tea.
Shen Miao herself was a sensation. One did not know where did the coat disappear to and she was only wearing a Tudou (ancient lingerie) before saying in grievance, "Do you detest me for being ugly? That's why you refuse to touch me?"
That big piece of skin was as fair like snow in winter but was warmer than the white snow and was like milk but clearer than milk. In addition, her hair was unkempt which made her face look adorable and her eyes hazy, making her very beautiful.
Xie Jing Xing quickly went over in a fluster to cover her in a quilt and said, "It seems that your illness is really serious."
Shen Miao argued with convictions, "You and I are husband and wife so what is with consummating a marriage?"
Xie Jing Xing took a deep breath and avoiding the other party's watery and hazy eyes, "You have yet to recover... Let's talk about it another day."
Shen Miao said doubtfully, "Wasn't it you who said that the deadline is two months? I see that the date had long reached."
Xie Jing Xing almost collapsed.
He stressed, "I am not one that will take advantage of another's perilous state. What are you think I am?"
"I know." Shen Miao nodded her head, "I am here to fulfill your wish."
Xie Jing Xing, "..."
"Be good. It is too late today. Let's talk about it another day." Xie Jing Xing tuck the quilt for her and was about to leave after turning around. He feared that if he stayed on, he could not control himself. He was after a hot blooded young man and was at his strongest. With a beauty in his arms, especially it was the female that he loved, if there was no reaction to her, than it would be a problem. However he did not want to take advantage of Shen Miao's perilous state, when she was drunk. He respected Shen Miao and thus was not willing to do it.
But just as he stood up, his sleeved was tugged by Shen Miao and the quilt that he covered Shen Miao slipped down. Shen Miao was half lying half kneeling on the bed but was still shorter than Xie Jing Xing by a head. He was a little anxious and grabbed Xie jing Xing's neck, "No."
Xie Jing Xing, "..."
With a soft jade and fragrant scent in one's arms, he could almost feel the exquisite and delicate body of the other party. There was a light feminine scent from Shen Miao and even though he had not drank a lot, he felt that his entire body heating up, like the alcohol had went up his head and his reasoning was gradually fading.
"It is today. After today, I will renege." She said it seriously but no one knew if she was really drunk or putting an act.
When Xie Jing Xing heard it, his actions paused and he glared at her, "Renege?"
Shen Miao seemed to feel a little dizzy and this half kneeling posture on the bed made her feel uncomfortable so she fling her head back and looked carefully at Xie Jing Xing before smiling suddenly.
She said, "BenGong thinks that you are indeed beautiful and it is your fortune that one take a fancy to you. How about following BenGong?"
Xie Jing Xing, "..."
It came again. It came again. Xie Jing Xing remembered all the years ago in that farm when Shen Miao was drunk and she treated him like a hired man and forced a kiss onto him. Despite time passing, this scene was however unusually familiar. His voice became dangerous, "Follow you?"
Shen Miao nodded her head and whispered mysteriously to his ears, "Guarantee wealth and prosperity for your entire life."
Xie Jing Xing laughed. In fact when Shen Miao was in a drunken state, he had some youthful charm. She became like an under ripe fruit and would be so direct with her words that one would be speechless. However her every action was deadly seductive for him. Those eye catching and seductive looks of those beautiful prostitute was incomparable to one of her silly hugs.
"If you are not willing, BenGong will look for another. Letting BenGong slip by would be your lifetime's regret." Shen Miao threatened him.
Xie Jing Xing said, "Still want to look for others?"
He suddenly fell forward. Shen Miao was hugging his neck and now she was pressed under him. Xie Jing Xing smiled gently and he leaned over to her ears to whisper, "This Empress is really very arrogant. Want me to serve you but still think of other men? I am not happy about it. Are you going to be punished?"
Shen Miao struggled one hand free and took out a booklet like thing from the bottom of the bed and look at him brightly, "Look at this."
Xie Jing Xing was startled and took it for a look but his face became colourful in an instant and he spoke with great restrain, "Where did you get this from?"
Shen Miao shrank her neck back, "Mother gave it to me. I said before, I want to explore in different angles with you."
Xie Jing Xing was stunned for a moment before smiling lightly, "Explore in different angles?"
Shen Miao's head nodded like a chicken eating corn.
"This official will naturally serve Your Ladyship comfortably." He spoke meaningfully but his gaze became as dangerous as a wolf's. He asked, "Your Ladyship will really not regret it?"
"Letting BenGong slip by would be your lifetime's regret." She mumbled to herself.
Xie Jing Xing did not speak anymore. With a wave of his sleeves, the candle in the room was extinguished.
His low voice sounded in the dark.
"You are right."
One would regret for an entire life if you slip by.
*****
The sun had went up for a long time that even though there were shade from the trees, the summer sun still went pass the leaves and window seams and onto the floor, reflecting some dotted golden spots.
Shen Miao felt her head splitting and unconsciously turned around but felt that there was something blocking in front of her. She opened her eyes dazedly and was abruptly stunned.
She was lying in a male's arm and both of her hands were still clutching the other party's waist. As her gaze went up, she saw a beautiful face and that pair of peach blossoms eyes seemed to be smiling but not smiling and it contained a look of teasing.
Flowers suddenly burst out from Shen Miao's heart.
What exactly happened last night? Why could she not remember anything?
She subconsciously sat up but felt her body sore and painful that she could only take in a breath of air. The quilt that was covering her body naturally slipped off and revealed some obvious traces.
Shen Miao, "?"
There were clothes scattered all over the floor and wine bowls piled up on the table with the entire room filled with a charming atmosphere. No matter how slow she was, how could she not understand what had happened?
"Awake?" Xie Jing Xing raised an eyebrow.
Shen Miao did her best to restore a calm expression but no matter how she concealed it, there was some panic that appeared. When that panic was seen in Xie Jing Xing, it made him laugh.
He said, "You were very brave last night, so why is one so scared now?"
Shen Miao smarten up. Once she got drunk, she would not remember anything and her mind would be cleaner than a piece of white paper. Her memory stopped before she was drunk and when she told Xie Jing Xing about her past lifetime and she thought about it and felt that it was believable if she said that it was a dream. Otherwise, if one spoke about rebirth after death, it would always be ridiculous no matter how one illustrate it.
She had drank a bit of wine to boost her courage and remembered that Xie Jing Xing seemed to believe her words but there was no other emotions towards her. But... How did they sleep on the bed?
Xie Jing Xing saw her chaotic expression and said leisurely, "Do you know what you did last night?"
Shen Miao dared not look at him and said calmly at the quilt, "What could be done other than sleeping?"
"You slept me." Xie Jing Xing said, "And you want me to serve you well."
Shen Miao almost choked on her own saliva.
That was her?
That was dignified Empress Shen who was the Mistress of the Six Palaces? Xie Jing Xing must be deceiving her. How could there be such a shameless thing?
Xie Jing Xing said, "You said that if I followed you, in the future I would be guaranteed with a lifetime of wealth and prosperity with unlimited prospects."
Shen Miao said, "Why bother to take words when one is drunk real? What's more." She changed the topic, "How would I know if you are deceiving me or not? It is not possible for me to say those words." She simply flipped it around and did not acknowledge it.
Xie Jing Xing was not anxious and calmly took out a booklet thing under the pillow before flipping it, "Oh right. You even took out the thing that your Mother gave to you and want to explore it with me. Do you remember?" He waved the booklet in front of Shen Miao.
Shen Miao only took a quick glimpse of it but she saw it clearly and was currently vomiting blood in her heart.
That could not be right. He even had that.
That was something that Luo Xue Yan gave to her before she was married and it was to teach her about matters in the bed chambers. This was something that she kept and it was not possible for Xie Jing Xing to find it, thus this meant that it was her who took the initiative to bring it out and passed it to Xie Jing Xing?
Then what else did she do with Xie Jing Xing? Was it truly instructing Xie Jing Xing to 'serve her well'?
Shen Miao felt that it was even worse than if she was struck by lightning.
Xie Jing Xing seemed to think that she was not embarrassed enough and said plainly, "Last night you pull me over to explore it and only managed to explore the first few pages. One had thought that since there is a lot of time, there was no need to rush but you were insistent and even wanted to try extremely difficult positions..."
"Stop." Shen Miao quickly interrupted her words but her face was already red, "Mistakes would happen when one drinks. Why did you not stop me?"
"How would I dare?" Xie Jing Xing put up a look of grievance, "If one did not comply, you will behead me."
Shen Miao, "..."
She simply felt too embarrassed. Thinking of her attitude of seducing Xie Jing Xing... She had thrown away all her face in the past two lifetimes.
Xie Jing Xing's mood seemed to be very good as he looked at her with all smiled, "You still told me that you want to explore tonight."
"There is no need for tonight." Shen Miao quickly interrupted his words again and wanted to jump off the bed to run out. Xie Jing Xing pulled her back and into his arms. He looked down at Shen Miao and the lazy smiled was gone but a serious look appeared on his face.
He asked with a frown, "You are regretting it?"
Shen Miao was startled.
Xie Jing Xing's eyes was especially beautiful that sometimes Shen Miao would also wonder why would a man have such beautiful eyes. It was like there were limitless emotions that when he was in Ming Qi's dDing capital, it was unending lingering. However he was cold by nature and this kind of man was too dangerous that one could not afford to offend.
Loving such a man like this was an inexorable doom for a female but being loved by this kind of man would most probably be a lifetime of fortune. He understood respect and had selfishness but he was also adorably overbearing.
At this moment he was looking at Shen Miao seriously and in the usual arrogance gaze, there was some cautiousness that made one feel that one was trusted by him and was protected by him and also was the most important person to him.
Shen Miao's gaze landed on the red string on Xie Jing Xing's hand.
He said that he detested it but he did not take it off.
Shen Miao looked up and said honestly, "No regrets."
It was just that she was somewhat shy...
Xie Jing Xing's eyes lit up.
She said, "What is done is done. What is there to regret since it is not to others." But at the end she still dodged and refused to look at Xie Jing Xing's eyes.
Xie Jing Xing pulled her head up and forced her to look at him, "Really?"
Shen Miao said, "Yes."
Xie Jing Xing stared at her for a long time and Shen Miao felt even more embarrassed and wanted to run away bug Xie Jing Xing pulled her over and said, "Let me take a look."
"Look at what?"
"Last night you did not want to stop and I could not take a good look at your wounds. Although it was a superficial wound, one has to take a good look at it." He then pulled Shen Miao into his arms. Shen Miao saw that he was only wearing middle clothes and a huge part of his chest was exposed, thus her face became hotter and she refused, "No... No need. I will do it myself."
"That cannot be done..." Xie Jing Xing said and pull her down under him.
Shen Miao did not try to escape.
Outside, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was sweeping the floor and at the same time listening to the noise inside. However both of them did not have any martial arts skills and was unable to hear anything through the door.
Cong Yang crouch in front of the door while teasing the birds in the cage, "You both have been sweeping here for one shichen (modern timing: 2 hours). If this continues, the tone slabs at the door would be swept through.
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was startled and their movements stopped together. Jing Zhe looked at Cong Yang and wanted to ask something but then felt that it was too difficult to talk about the question that her face became red and she refused to speak.
Cong Yang's skin was much thicker than her. He knew what he wanted to ask in a glance and waved his big hands, "Don't worry, it went smoothly."
Although Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were embarrassed, they sighed in relief at the same time. Jing Zhe gave a smug look towards Gu Yu but Gu Yu looked at her strangely.
Shen Miao was drink last night and at that time Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was tidying up the room. Coincidentally, they found the booklet that Luo Xue Yan gave to Shen Miao that she had hidden well. Shen Miao asked what was that booklet and Jing Zhe smarten up. Thinking of how Shen Miao would not know what she had done every time she was drunk and with the intention of playing the matchmaker for her Master and Xie Jing Xing. At the beginning when Shen Miao married off, Luo Xue Yan kept on reminding for the two maids to continuously persuade and guide Shen Miao. At the end after being married for so long, the marriage was not consummate at all. Seeing that their relations were very good, Jing Zhe was thinking that could it be that her Young Lady had no knowledge of it and this Prince Rui was also ignorant, thus she had the heart to push the wave and add to the billows.
Thus, taking the advantage of Shen Miao being drunk, she guided her earnestly, "Only His Highness the Prince of First Rank can explain about the things in this booklet to Furen."
Now thinking about it, Jing Zhe felt that the expression she had at that time was the same as those matriarch in those Flower Establishments.
Shen Miao was drunk and did not understand it, thus she took that booklet and went out of the door. Gu Yu was unable to stop her in time and could only follow behind. Both maids were anxious and felt uneasy that they stayed outside for an entire night that there were green and black rings around their eyes but Shen Miao did not come out of Xie Jing Xing's room.
Now hearing Cong Yang's words, both of their hearts gave a big sigh of relief. They felt that they had accomplish a good thing as no matter now ignorant their Young Lady and GuYe (term used by the female side of the family to call the son-in-law), this kind of matter was a matter of knowing how it went. After a few time, they would become familiar with it.
Just as they were thinking, Tang Zhu walked out from behind. Seeing the three of them, the first thing he did was to yell at Cong Yang, "What are you doing here so early in the morning and guard here? Still don't leave?" He then turn and smiled towards Jing Zhe and Gu Yu, "Why is it that one's spirits are not so good upon looking?"
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were people that Shen Miao brought along thus Tang Shu could not be so impolite like treating Cong Yang. When Cong Yang saw that he was treated differently, he snorted before leaving. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu also did not stay longer and after speaking a few words to Tang Shu, they also quickly left.
Tang Shu stood outside Xie Jing Xing's room alone and after waiting for everyone to leave, he suddenly smile and laughed himself. After foolishly grinning, he seemed to have remembered something and mumbled to himself, "One has to brew some tonic." Then he quickly went off.
Mo Yun Army was most likely informed of the entire night of joy in the residence of Prince Rui and they all had a tacit understanding. However Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang were unaware of it.
They were taking care of Pei Lang for the time being.
Pei Lang's injury was much more serious as compared to Shen Miao. Even though his life was saved, that knife was so deep that Gao Yang dared not take it lightly. Ba Jiao and Hui Xian was looking after Pei Lang and if anything went wrong, it was easier for them to go look for Gao Yang.
Pei Lang had woke up a couple of times at night but the period in which he woke up for was short and he would go back to sleep after a while. After a repeated number of times, Ba Jiao and Hui Xian was too busy on it and did not know the situation at Shen Miao's and Xie Jing Xing's side.
Nearing noon, Hui Xiang brought a bowl of porridge in as Pei Lang was unable to eat anything else due to his injuries. Upon entering the room, she saw Pei Lang sitting in front of the window and was lost in thought as he looked out at the branches outside the window.
"Gentleman Pei?" Hui Xian was startled and walked over somewhat happily. She placed the bowl of porridge aside and said, "You are finally awake."
Pei Lang slowly turned around and looked at her, seemingly identified her as a maid in the residence of Prince Rui, "WangFei has always awake right?"
Hui Xiang felt somewhat strange that Pei Lang would use such a affirmative tone but still said, "Woke up yesterday. Furen was not seriously injured but it was your injuries that are very serious. It was thanks to you that block the attack towards Furen and saved Furen's life."
Pei Lang lowered his head and seemed to laughed before muttering, "Save what life. It was clear that I owed her."
Hui Xiang did not clearly hear Pei Lang's words, "What did you say?"
Pei Lang was then somewhat lost in thoughts again.
He finally remembered.
After blocking the attacked from Shen Miao and after he struggled between life and death, he had a dream. That dream was very long but also very real that it made everything clear for him.
Why was there a strange hostility that Shen Miao had towards him?
Why would he always be inexplicable conscience-stricken feeling towards Shen Miao?
So it was this.
The abbot in the dream said that if he sacrificed his life, there 'might' be an opportunity to redo and maybe it would also be in vain. That abbot also said that if there was an opportunity to redo everything, some encounters would be disrupted and perhaps he would suffer from it.
Pei Lang complied.
He once loved a female but there were actually no difference between his love and Fu Xiu Yi's indifference as it pushed Shen Miao to a road of no return step by step. He sympathised with Shen Miao but at the same time rationally weighted the pros and cons of the matter and at the end abandoned Shen Miao.
A person's life was actually spent on giving up things. He and Fu Xiu Yi had abandoned Shen Miao so in this lifetime, Shen Miao would not hesitate to abandon them.
But it was Xie Jing Xing that was fortunate. However when one thought about it, it should be as such.
However after knowing so many causes and consequences, he no longer had the face to look at Shen Miao. All the words of accompanying her by her side and helping her, upon thinking about it now, it was all the feeling of conscience-stricken in the past lifetime and he was paying it back but he could not face his heart.
This complicated entanglement had made his mind confused. It was time to end this mistake. Some thoughts should not be born in the beginning as it was a mistake to even think about it thus he should cut it off personally.
Hui Xiang said, "Gentleman Pei, have some porridge first. Your health needs to rest and after a while, Gentleman Gao will come over for acupuncture. As long as one is awake and a few days of rest, you will be safe and sound since Gentleman Gao's medical abilities are high."
Pei Lang paused a while before saying, "Many thanks."
"Gentleman Pei is too courteous." Hui Xiang said, "You have saved Furen's life and is the benefactor of the Prince residence."
"One would trouble you to help me bring over paper and brush." Pei Lang said. His lips were pale and his voice was dark but his tone of voice was very firm.