"What do you mean?" Shen Miao asked.
Xie Jingxing wouldn't say such things without reason—there must be deeper meaning behind his words.
Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "Shen Yuan is Prince Ding's man."
Shen Miao's heart skipped a beat, but she remained silent.
"Before Shen Yuan's incident, he had a secret meeting with Prince Ding," Xie Jingxing continued. "The Shen family is now in turmoil. What else could it be besides targeting your father?"
"Impossible!" Shen Miao blurted out.
Xie Jingxing studied her intently, as if trying to see through her. "Why not?"
Her palms grew slightly damp, and her mind was briefly thrown into chaos. The Shen family's real troubles hadn't begun in these past two years. The royal family's move against them should have been delayed further, as they lacked justification at the moment. Shen Yuan worked for Prince Ding, and both of them were meticulous—they wouldn’t act without absolute certainty. In her past life, she had only learned at the very end that the second and third branches of the family were also involved, and Shen Yuan must have waited until the last moment to produce the evidence of rebellion.
But now? It was far too early for the royal family to move against Shen Xin. Why would Shen Yuan act now? The evidence shouldn’t even be complete yet. Had Fu Xiuyi decided to strike now?
How had things come to this?
Her unsettled expression must have been obvious, for when she looked up, she met Xie Jingxing's contemplative gaze. A chill ran down her spine—Xie Jingxing was sharp. He might deduce something from her reaction. Thinking quickly, she masked her unease with a smile. "Shen Yuan is my second brother. Why would he harm my father?"
At this, Xie Jingxing actually laughed, his smile laced with meaning. "Shen Miao, do you take me for a fool?"
"Young Marquis Xie, since you’ve told me this much," Shen Miao said solemnly, "does Prince Ding have plans to act against my father?"
Xie Jingxing shook his head.
She hadn’t held much hope to begin with. Even if Xie Jingxing knew, he had no reason to tell her. The Xie family was deeply entangled in Ming Qi’s political landscape, and reckless interference could bring disaster. If their positions were reversed, she wouldn’t have even offered a warning.
Still… Shen Miao studied Xie Jingxing’s official robes and asked curiously, "Why are you entering the palace?"
She asked casually, unaware that her straightforward demeanor gave Xie Jingxing pause. But the hesitation lasted only a moment before he replied lazily, "To request command."
"Request command?" Shen Miao was taken aback. "For whom?"
Xie Jingxing merely smiled without answering. Suddenly, she stared at him in realization. "You… are requesting command for yourself? The northern border… the Xiongnu?"
Now it was Xie Jingxing’s turn to be surprised. "How did you know?" The matter of the Xiongnu in the north was a closely guarded secret. Before any imperial decree was issued, even Shen Xin might not know, let alone Shen Miao. Xie Jingxing had long been curious about her sources of information, but if she even knew about palace affairs, it was even more unexpected.
Shen Miao stared at him blankly, her mind roiling like stormy waves.The northern frontier had long been plagued by the Xiongnu threat, yet the treacherous terrain and the fierce, brutal nature of its people had deterred Emperor Wenhui from direct confrontation in previous years, opting instead for minor skirmishes. However, as the Xiongnu grew increasingly aggressive, the emperor dispatched Xie Ding to lead the campaign. The Xie Family Army, renowned for its valor, was utterly annihilated on the battlefield. By year's end, Xie Ding was wrapped in horsehide and returned—a tragedy that plunged the nation into mourning. The following spring, Xie Jingxing took up his father's mantle and marched to war, only to suffer a crushing defeat. His fate was gruesome: pierced by countless arrows, his body was flayed and left to dry on the city gate tower.
Xie Jingxing had died at twenty-two. By current reckoning, he was barely nineteen.
A suffocating tightness gripped Shen Miao's heart. The emperor wouldn't act against the Xiongnu at this time—Xie Jingxing must have volunteered as commander. Xie Ding likely remained unaware, yet judging by Xie Jingxing's demeanor now, he must have already received his orders.
It had changed again! Changed again!
Events that should have unfolded years later were now occurring prematurely. If Xie Jingxing marched to war now, would history repeat its cruel ending?
For the Shen family, Shen Miao had intended to keep the Xie family as allies for future resistance against imperial power. But no matter how much she altered events, did some destinies still follow their original paths? Would this arrogant, strikingly handsome youth before her—with his crimson lips, pearly teeth, and captivating eyes—still meet that terrible end?
Noticing Shen Miao's odd expression, Xie Jingxing arched a brow, his gaze flickering with amusement. "You seem... concerned?"
His teasing tone went unheeded as Shen Miao, her thoughts in disarray, stared at him. "You... are leading the Xie Family Army?"
"Be wary within the Xie Family Army," she said slowly, her voice initially stiff before growing firm. "And watch those around you. The northern frontier is harsh—sandstorms rage, and the soldiers' armor is heavy. No matter what, never remove your breastplate." In his past life, Xie Jingxing had been pierced by countless arrows. Perhaps the breastplate might have spared him. More importantly, Shen Miao found his death too suspicious—how could a young general of such tactical brilliance have suffered such a devastating defeat? Later, as she grasped the broader political landscape, she realized the imperial family had long sought to suppress aristocratic families like the Xies. It was possible the Xie Family Army had been infiltrated by imperial agents. The tragedies of Xie Ding and his son might well have been orchestrated.
Shen Miao's concern stemmed from strategic considerations, yet she failed to recognize that her current relationship with Xie Jingxing hardly warranted such intimate advice. Her words, laden with care, thus carried an unintended ambiguity.
Xie Jingxing, surprised by her unexpected concern, suddenly smirked and stepped closer, leaning down until his face was mere inches from hers. His peach-blossom eyes glinted with mischief as he teased, "So worried about me?"
Lost in her thoughts, Shen Miao hadn't noticed his proximity until it was too late. Startled, she blinked up at him, her mind still tangled in speculation, her expression momentarily dazed. Her clear eyes, when confused, held a childlike innocence that stirred pity.
Xie Jingxing paused, an odd sense of resignation flickering through him. Ruthless by nature, he had always viewed the Shen family as mere pawns on his chessboard. He knew Shen Miao was cunning, her methods inscrutable—far from the harmless noblewoman she appeared. Yet at times like this, she seemed nothing more than a naive girl. Bullying someone so guileless left him faintly ashamed.The embarrassment was quickly cast aside as Xie Jingxing took a step back and said, "The Shen Family Army's influence is too formidable—it's not a good thing."
Shen Miao replied, "Today, it was my mother who entered the palace, summoned by Consort Xu and Consort Dong." When she mentioned Consort Xu and Consort Dong, her tone held no reverence, as if she were speaking of two ordinary people. Xie Jingxing was also accustomed to this.
He said, "Retreat."
"Retreat?" Shen Miao asked.
Xie Jingxing said no more. In the end, he had still given Shen Miao a hint. If she was clever, she would understand his meaning.
Shen Miao lowered her gaze, pondered for a moment, and said, "Thank you."
Xie Jingxing lazily waved his hand, lost in thought. Shen Miao then asked, "The Marshal warrant... When will you depart?"
"In ten days."
"So soon?" Shen Miao exclaimed in surprise.
"What?" Xie Jingxing tilted his head to look at her, a teasing smile on his lips. "Reluctant to see me go?"
"Not at all..." Shen Miao said expressionlessly. "In that case... I wish the Young Marquis a triumphant victory and a glorious return."
"When I receive my rewards," Xie Jingxing said carelessly, "I'll send you a little trinket as a token."
Shen Miao was about to speak when Xie Jingxing pressed a hand to his waist and said, "Someone's coming." Then, with a smile at Shen Miao, he added, "Until we meet again, Shen... Jiaojiao." With that, he leaped out through the window of Yi Ju Chamber.
The man treated windows as if they were his own front door. Shen Miao was still stunned when the door was pushed open and Tong Yao entered. Seeing Shen Miao standing in the middle of the room, she asked curiously, "Miss Shen, why aren't you sitting?"
Shen Miao snapped out of her daze, smiled, and moved to sit down. Yet her mind remained preoccupied with Xie Jingxing's words.
Xie Jingxing's Marshal warrant would see him depart in ten days. Ten days... wasn't that exactly the same as three years later? Three years later, at this very time, Xie Jingxing had set off on his campaign, and then both father and son of the Xie family had vanished forever from the annals of Ming Qi's history.
The Xie family was already heading toward the same inevitable end as in her past life... What about the Shen family? What would become of them? Xie Jingxing had given her a hint before leaving, but it wasn't the outcome she wanted to see. Retreating like this might ensure survival, but survival alone was not enough. Without the protection of power, a peaceful life would become a luxury. Her past life had taught her one thing clearly: only by standing higher than one's enemies could one truly control their fate.
Yet Xie Jingxing's method was more about defense than offense.
What strategy could she use to break this deadlock?
For the next few hours, Shen Miao remained deep in thought. The pastries on the table went untouched, the tea undrunk, and the storybooks unread. This drew frequent glances from Tong Yao, who couldn't fathom why a young girl like Shen Miao could sit so solemnly for an entire afternoon—even the slowest-tempered concubines in the palace lacked such patience.
After what felt like an eternity, a young eunuch finally came to summon them. Tong Yao led Shen Miao out, where Luo Xueyan was waiting at the gate. When she saw Shen Miao, she forced a smile and took her hand to leave the palace and return home.
Though Luo Xueyan tried her best to appear unruffled, Shen Miao, who had long mastered the art of reading expressions in the inner palace, could see the worry etched on her mother's face. She asked, "Mother, what did they say to you?"Luo Xueyan smiled and said, "It was nothing much, just some things about life in Xiaochun City. Probably because they've never been to the northwest and wanted to hear about it."
Shen Miao asked, "Is that really all? But if that's the case, why summon Mother into the palace for such a long conversation? It seems rather odd."
Luo Xueyan patted Shen Miao's head. "What's so strange about that? The noble ladies in the palace can't move about freely and likely find their days tedious. Talking with them about distant places to lift their spirits would naturally make them happy." Despite her words, Luo Xueyan still felt uneasy. Though she didn't involve herself in court affairs, that didn't mean she was ignorant of its dangers. Today, she had been cautious in her responses, yet the fact that the two concubines only discussed daily life puzzled her even more.
No one in the palace was a fool—everyone was shrewd. But today's conversation hadn't touched on military matters at all, not even mentioning the Shen Family Army. Instead, they only talked about the common folk in Xiaochun City, which left Luo Xueyan bewildered.
As a warrior, she had an instinct for danger. She could sense it approaching yet couldn't pinpoint the source, leaving her unsettled.
But she didn't want to frighten Shen Miao, so she decided not to bring it up. Shen Miao didn't press further either. By the time they returned to the mansion, it was nearly dusk. Shen Qiu and Shen Xin had been waiting at the gate, visibly relieved to see them back.
After dinner, Luo Xueyan urged Shen Miao to rest early and then pulled Shen Qiu and Shen Xin aside to discuss the day's events in the palace. Shen Miao didn't follow. She had already learned much from Luo Xueyan, and what puzzled her now was what exactly Shen Yuan had given to Fu Xiuyi.
The oil lamp cast a bright glow as Shen Miao sat at the table, deep in thought. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu tiptoed around, careful not to disturb her. Outside, a light drizzle began—the first since the New Year, heralding the arrival of spring.
Spring's vitality was awakening, and all things were reviving—a time of new hope. But how could one find a path through the thick ice and snow to brighter days?
Shen Miao closed her eyes.
That night, someone else was also moving under the cover of darkness.
As Xie Jingxing passed through the courtyard, he happened upon Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao. The two stopped upon seeing him and bowed respectfully, greeting, "Elder Brother."
Xie Jingxing had always ignored them, and today was no different. Just as he was about to stride past, Xie Changchao called out to him, a hint of smugness in his voice. "It's been a while, Elder Brother. We wondered what you've been busy with. A few days ago, we wanted to invite you to hunt with us, but Father took us to Minister Liu's official banquet instead. What a shame we couldn't go together."
Lately, Xie Ding had been taking Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao to various colleagues' banquets—a clear sign that he intended to introduce his two sons into officialdom.
Truthfully, Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao were illegitimate sons, and their talents paled in comparison to Xie Jingxing's. If not for Xie Jingxing's own carefree attitude and refusal to enter politics, no one would have considered the two. But Xie Jingxing had been at odds with Xie Ding for years over Princess Yuqing, and the rift between father and son was as unyielding as ice—how could it ever be mended?Xie Changwu was slightly more modest than Xie Changchao, but even so, his eyes couldn’t hide his smugness. He said, “Elder Brother should come along with us sometime. With your talents in both literature and martial arts, you’re sure to catch the eyes of the officials. It would make entering officialdom much easier.”
Xie Changchao and Xie Changwu had already figured out Xie Jingxing’s temperament. They knew he was inherently proud, and the more they spoke like this, the less likely he would be to pursue an official career. In winning Xie Ding’s favor, they were destined to fall short of Xie Jingxing. Whether it was strategy, martial prowess, or even appearance, they were far inferior to him. Now that they finally had something to lord over him, they couldn’t help but feel their tails rise to the heavens.
Upon hearing this, Xie Jingxing merely glanced at them with a faint, mocking smile and suddenly asked, “Feeling proud?”
Xie Changchao and Xie Changwu were taken aback, but Xie Jingxing had already turned and walked away. The disdain in the corner of his eyes, however, was unmistakably clear to them both.
Watching Xie Jingxing’s retreating figure, Xie Changchao spat bitterly, “What does he think he is? Who does he think he is?”
Xie Changwu’s expression darkened venomously. “One day, I’ll trample him underfoot!”
Xie Jingxing returned to his room, where two men were already waiting. One was middle-aged with a thick beard, while the other was young with sharp, upright features.
The bearded man asked, “Master, are you really going to…?”
Xie Jingxing sat down at the table and waved his hand dismissively.
“Xie Changchao and Xie Changwu…” the younger one began, his voice trailing off with a hint of killing intent. “Should we…?”
“No need. Acting now would only invite unnecessary complications.” Xie Jingxing cut him off. “Without me, Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao won’t dare do anything to Xie Ding. As for Fang Shi…” He let out a cold laugh. “Let her stay.”
The two men bowed in acknowledgment. Xie Jingxing pulled out a folded document from his sleeve—a copy of the Marshal warrant submitted that day.
In the end, he still had to take this step.
...
The first rays of sunlight streamed through the carved window and fell upon the table. Shen Miao sat motionless before it.
Jing Zhe entered carrying a silver basin and was startled at the sight. “Miss, why are you up so early today?”
Shen Miao didn’t answer. Jing Zhe approached and noticed the oil lamp on the table had burned out. Shen Miao’s fair face bore faint shadows under her eyes. Jing Zhe froze for a moment before exclaiming, “Miss, did you not sleep at all last night?”
Shen Miao shook her head, pressing her fingers tiredly against her temples.
She had sat there all night.
Xie Jingxing’s hint had left her both puzzled and lost. She didn’t know what Shen Yuan had handed over to Fu Xiuyi, only that it was surely something harmful to the Shen family. And the word “retreat” was a move she didn’t want the Shen family to take. How could she break free from this predicament?
Jing Zhe spoke with concern, “No matter how worried you are, Miss, you shouldn’t torment yourself like this. Master and Madam would be heartbroken if they saw you like this. Please eat something and rest for a while. You look terribly pale—what will happen if you collapse first?”
Shen Miao now felt the gnawing pangs of hunger in her stomach. After thinking all night, her head was beginning to spin. She said, “Bring me some porridge. I’ll eat and then rest for a bit. Don’t mention this to anyone.”Jing Zhe responded with an "Aye" and immediately turned to trot out, presumably heading to the kitchen to fetch Shen Miao's breakfast. Shen Miao stood up, intending to wash her face with hot water. Midway through, she suddenly heard footsteps outside—Jing Zhe had run back in.
"So soon?" Shen Miao was surprised. The small kitchen was quite a distance away, and even if Jing Zhe had jogged there, it would still take some time.
"Young Miss, something bad has happened," Jing Zhe said anxiously. "Someone from the palace has arrived, summoning the Master, Madam, and the Eldest Young Master to the palace immediately!"
With a soft "plop," the handkerchief in Shen Miao's hand fell into the basin. Steadying herself, she said, "I'll go take a look."
In the courtyard, the eunuch sent from the palace was delivering Emperor Wenhui's verbal decree to Shen Xin. Normally, these officials would show considerable deference to the Grand General of Might, but today their attitude was ambiguous. Often, the demeanor of the messenger reflects the intentions of their master. Clearly, this summons to the palace was unlikely to be for anything good.
By the time Shen Miao stepped out, not only were Shen Xin, Luo Xueyan, and Shen Qiu in the courtyard, but members of the other branches of the Shen family had also emerged. Even Old Madam Shen had come out with Shen Yuanbai in tow. However, far from showing concern, the old lady watched coldly, almost as if she feared being implicated and wanted to distance herself.
Shen Wan, however, asked the eunuch, "May I ask why His Majesty has summoned my elder brother to the palace?"
The eunuch merely glanced skyward and replied, "This humble servant is merely acting on His Majesty's verbal decree. His Majesty's intentions are not for this servant to know. My lord, please hurry and follow me to the palace." He urged Shen Xin to leave promptly.
When Shen Qiu noticed Shen Miao approaching, he grew nervous and quickly took her hand. "Little Sister, why have you come here?" Seeing her gaze fixed on the scene, he hurriedly reassured her, "Don’t worry, Little Sister. His Majesty is only summoning us to discuss military matters. We’ll return soon. When we do, I’ll take you out for candied hawthorns."
He was afraid of frightening her, unaware that his behavior only made Shen Miao more suspicious. Summoning Shen Xin, Luo Xueyan, and Shen Qiu together—though she was excluded—upon closer thought, those called were all key figures of the Shen Family Army. This matter undoubtedly involved the army. Currently, the Shen family's military power was a hot potato, and anything related to it demanded extreme caution.
At this moment, showing fear wouldn’t help and would only add to Luo Xueyan and the others' burdens. So Shen Miao smiled and said, "Really? Eldest Brother, you must keep your word."
Seeing her reaction, Shen Qiu finally relaxed. He knew Shen Miao was clever, but he didn’t want her entangled in court affairs. After all, court matters were never about a single individual—casualties and repercussions could spread far and wide, and nothing was ever as simple as it seemed.
Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin also comforted Shen Miao. "Jiaojiao, stay in the manor and don’t go anywhere. When Father and Mother return, we’ll all go together to make your new spring clothes."
Shen Miao agreed. She could only watch as the eunuch led Shen Xin and the others out of the manor.
Chen Ruoqiu clutched Shen Wan’s hand, her face full of worry. "Why would His Majesty suddenly summon Eldest Brother and his wife to the palace? Has something happened?"Shen Wan shook his head. Shen Gui said, "Elder Brother has always been too prominent and lacks tact in court. If something really happens, he won't even have anyone to speak up for him." His words carried a hidden meaning—implying that if Shen Xin were truly in trouble, neither Shen Gui nor Shen Wan would lift a finger to help.
Shen Miao sneered inwardly. Just then, Shen Yue timidly asked, "But if something happens to Uncle, it must be serious, right? If they take them all away, will it affect us?"
"How could it affect Yue'er?" Shen Gui chuckled. "If anyone is to bear the brunt, it should be Xiao Wu."
Shen Gui's words were venomous. After losing his sons one after another, his career had taken a sharp downturn. He had always been jealous of Shen Xin's higher rank and greater prestige. Now that Shen Xin was facing misfortune, he couldn't hide his glee—even wishing for Shen Xin's entire line to collapse, leaving no obstacles in his path.
Shen Yue's eyes flashed with schadenfreude as she looked at Shen Miao with feigned sympathy. "Isn't Fifth Sister pitiful?"
Instead of getting angry, Shen Miao smiled faintly and said calmly, "Even the palace servants are unaware of His Majesty's intentions, yet it seems my two uncles have already grasped the Emperor's thoughts perfectly." She turned her gaze to Shen Gui. "Since Second Uncle is so prescient, surely when this matter reaches His Majesty's ears, he will appreciate Second Uncle's thoughtfulness. Such a minister who shares such a profound connection with the Emperor is truly rare—almost comparable to Lord Wei from the previous dynasty."
At these words, both Shen Wan and Shen Gui's expressions changed slightly. What rulers feared most was their subjects presuming to know their thoughts. Wasn't Shen Miao implying that Shen Gui and Shen Wan had deciphered Emperor Wenhui's intentions completely? What schemes were they harboring? She even alluded to Lord Wei from the previous dynasty—a trusted confidant of the emperor who could anticipate his every move with just a glance. During the emperor's unstable reign, Lord Wei had collaborated with him to suppress many opposing ministers. But in the end, once the emperor consolidated his power, he issued Lord Wei a death decree.
No ruler would ever favor a minister who could read their mind too clearly. Too much understanding bred a lack of reverence, and without reverence, one might someday turn the blade against their master.
Such was the nature of imperial power—paranoid to the core. A single word could determine life or death.
Shen Miao's remark left Shen Gui and Shen Wan pale, yet neither dared to refute her, fearing that if these words spread and reached Emperor Wenhui's ears, the consequences would be dire. At the same time, they were inwardly shocked—where had Shen Miao learned such tactics, to pin such a grave accusation on them with just a sentence?
In the past, this had been Mei Furen's usual method. Now, Shen Miao, provoked by Shen Gui's reckless words, wasn't truly interested in a war of words with them. The pressing matter was figuring out how to resolve this situation.
Old Madam Shen, having watched enough of the drama and unwilling to see her sons humiliated, snorted coldly. "All you do is bring trouble to the Shen family!" She was still preoccupied with Shen Xin's desire to divide the household, but with this incident, the matter would have to be postponed. In fact, Old Madam Shen even entertained the thought—if Shen Xin were to face misfortune, and only the main branch suffered without implicating the rest, wouldn't all their wealth fall into her hands? At this notion, greed flickered in her eyes.
Shen Miao was utterly disgusted. This roomful of people perfectly demonstrated what it meant to "kick someone when they're down." If there were a ranking of the world's most despicable people, the Shen family would undoubtedly be at the top.
Wan Yiniang, holding Shen Dongling's hand, hid at the back, not daring to speak in such a setting. Ren Wanyun, though now conscious, had not left Colorful Cloud Courtyard and thus was absent today. Shen Dongling whispered, "But what could happen to Eldest Uncle? He's rarely in Fixed Capital—could it be that after his recent victory, there might be additional rewards?" Her words were likely an attempt to lighten the mood, but Shen Yue frowned in displeasure, and Old Madam Shen also looked displeased. Only Shen Miao froze slightly.
Rarely in Fixed Capital?That's right. Shen Xin and his wife, along with Shen Qiu, spent the entire year fighting in the harsh, bitter cold of the northwest and had just returned to Fixed Capital. It was impossible for them to be accused of crimes committed in Fixed Capital. Yesterday, both Consort Xu and Consort Dong had inquired about the situation in Xiaochun City. For no apparent reason, why would they ask about Xiaochun City? Shen Miao didn’t believe for a moment that these delicate women in the palace had any genuine interest in the remote northwest.
There must be a connection here. If it wasn’t about Fixed Capital, what crime could it be?
...
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