In the late spring season, with grass growing and orioles flying, the drizzling rain left even the flowers damp and crimson. The entire small city was filled with the unique fragrance of spring, and even the wind and dust seemed to have lessened.
Raindrops pattered down from the eaves, splashing into tiny puddles on the bluestone pavement. Each clear droplet that leaped up seemed pitiable yet endearing. In the birdcage hanging from the beam, a yellow oriole chirped cheerfully, its crisp song blending with the sound of rain, more enchanting than the finest melody played by the most skilled musician.
At the end of the corridor, a young girl came rushing over in a flurry. She wore a long embroidered riding skirt in a bright peach-pink hue, lovely and vivid, yet she held the hem with both hands as she dashed forward, making her appear somewhat comical. Her sun-kissed skin and lively, mischievous demeanor matched her spirited sprint as she called out, "Little cousin! Little cousin!"
"Sis, slow down!" the boy trailing behind her shouted. "The ground is slippery—watch your step!"
No sooner had he spoken than the lively girl in front stumbled and nearly fell. Fortunately, she had some martial skills to rely on; with a light tap of her toes, she steadied herself. Turning back angrily, she scolded the boy, "Luo Qian, shut your crow's beak!"
Luo Qian stuck out his tongue playfully. Behind him, two tall figures appeared, and a displeased voice chimed in, "Luo Tan, if you keep acting like this, no one will marry you."
"Brother Sa!" Luo Tan stomped her foot in frustration. "If I really can't get married, I'll just marry Cousin Qiu!"
Luo Qian snorted with laughter. "Cousin Qiu would never take a liking to a tigress like you."
"Luo Qian!" Luo Tan raised a hand as if to hit him.
"Enough, all of you," the gentle young man at the rear said with a smile. "Weren't you going to talk to our cousin? Let's go inside."
Once the boisterous group reached the innermost courtyard, they saw Bailu and Shuangjiang outside tending to the flowers and plants. The maids hurriedly greeted them, saying, "The young lady is waiting for you inside."
Luo Tan lifted the door curtain and called out, "Little cousin!"
The room was not lit with scented incense, but the maids had somehow found a few sprigs of jasmine, filling the space with a sweet floral fragrance. By the window sat a young girl dressed in a deep indigo cloud-and-goose-patterned robe, paired with a violet skirt embroidered with kingfisher feathers. Though the colors were somber, they did not make her appear dull; instead, they accentuated her skin, which was as smooth and translucent as fine jade. The soft patter of rain outside the window accompanied the moment as she lifted her head slightly at the commotion, revealing a face of unparalleled elegance.
Her eyes were dark and lively, her brows delicate and arched, her lips red like pomegranate seeds, and her teeth pearly white—her beauty was as intoxicating as the new moon. Strangely enough, though her features were exquisitely delicate, evoking the tenderness of morning light on snow, there was also a composed grace in her expression, as if she could carry herself with great dignity. Beneath that serene demeanor, upon closer inspection, there seemed to be an unyielding strength that contrasted sharply with her delicate appearance. She was someone who appeared fragile but was, in truth, remarkably resilient.
She tilted her head and smiled, her eyes sparkling, making one's heart tremble in response. With just a faint smile, the simple study seemed to transform into a palace of carved jade, and she became the noble seated upon the high throne, gazing down at everyone with quiet authority.The few people at the door were slightly stunned. Even after seeing it many times, they would occasionally be taken aback by the young girl's inadvertent elegance. The phrase "an aura of mystery lingering in every gesture" probably described this very phenomenon.
After a moment of daze, Luo Tan was the first to react. She dashed in with a wave of her hand and said, "Little cousin, that dress looks absolutely stunning on you!"
After all, she was still a young girl. No matter how mischievous and playful she usually was, her love for beauty remained unchanged. Shen Miao smiled faintly and replied, "If you like it, I can have the tailor make another one for you."
Luo Tan pouted. "I couldn’t pull off this color—I can only admire it from afar." She gave Shen Miao a once-over and sighed, "No wonder the young gentlemen of Xiaochun City keep pestering Ling-ge and the others about you. Little cousin, you’re growing more beautiful by the day."
This was the seventy-first year of Ming Qi. Two years had passed, and during that time, Shen Miao had gradually matured. The slightly childish features of her face had begun to reveal delicate contours, and even her adorable facial features had grown more refined. Yet her gentle temperament remained unchanged—if anything, it had become even more composed. But the more poised she became, the more her dignified and magnanimous aura deepened. Her presence alone turned heads on the streets, which explained why Luo Ling and Luo Sa’s friends often inquired in private whether Shen Miao was betrothed.
After all, while Xiaochun City had its fair share of beauties, one with such a uniquely outstanding aura was truly one of a kind.
"Of course! Look whose little cousin she is!" Luo Qian stepped forward proudly, resting one hand on the desk in front of Shen Miao. "Little cousin, did you know His Majesty has sent more silver again?"
"Another reward?" Shen Miao replied as she tidied the books on the table. Luo Qian, sharp-eyed, caught sight of the title of one and asked curiously, "Records of Qin State? Why are you reading about Qin, little cousin?"
"Just browsing," Shen Miao answered nonchalantly.
Luo Sa’s gaze flickered slightly, while Luo Ling watched Shen Miao intently and said softly, "We’ve received countless rewards over the past year, but recently they’ve become even more frequent. What do you think is the reason, little cousin?"
He sought her opinion as naturally as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world, showing no hint of embarrassment at asking advice from a girl much younger than himself. Of course, none of the four juniors present would mock him for it—just how capable Shen Miao was remained a question worth exploring. Yet the four of them had tacitly agreed not to reveal her mysteries to the Luo family elders, as if they firmly believed that whatever secrets Shen Miao held, she would never harm the Luo family.
"Unusual occurrences often signal hidden motives," Shen Miao said. "A ruler is ever suspicious. The rapid rise of the Luo Family Army would naturally invite silent suppression, yet frequent rewards seem more like public praise. That suggests he wants something." She paused in thought before continuing, "His Majesty either has a request for the Luo Family Army or is deliberately elevating its status. As for what he wants—isn’t the Ming Qi tribute ceremony about to begin?"
The group was taken aback. Luo Tan stroked her chin and said, "Seems like it is."
"During the Ming Qi tribute, envoys from Qin State and Great Coolness will arrive. Qin and Ming Qi are evenly matched, while Great Coolness far surpasses Ming Qi. His Majesty must be worried," Shen Miao remarked coolly. "With the Shen Family Army gone and the Xie Family Army severely weakened, Ming Qi lacks a national guardian. That won’t do."
"So His Majesty is elevating the Luo family to intimidate Qin and Great Coolness?" Luo Tan deduced swiftly.Shen Miao nodded.
"So that's how it is," Luo Qian said, looking at Shen Miao with admiration. Though they were the same age, Luo Qian always felt Shen Miao seemed much older, even more mature and steady than Luo Ling. When analyzing court politics, Shen Miao never minced her words. Compared to the elders' cautious and roundabout way of speaking, she was far more sharp and direct—phrases like "the emperor is suspicious" were things the elders would never dare say. The younger generation of the Luo family enjoyed spending time with Shen Miao and genuinely accepted her, largely because she possessed something deeply compelling. Perhaps people from Fixed Capital were simply more worldly than those from Xiaochun City, as Shen Miao always knew things they didn't.
"This isn't necessarily a good thing," Luo Sa frowned. "The higher you're lifted, the harder you fall."
"True," Shen Miao said. "But it's also an opportunity."
"What kind of opportunity do you think it is, cousin?" Luo Ling asked with a smile.
"The Luo Family Army has finally made some progress these past two years, and His Majesty intends to elevate them. Though greater achievements bring greater danger, the Luo Family Army has already reached a point where they can't be easily bullied. The troops trained these past two years are loyal to the Luo family, not the emperor. This is the Luo family's own army, not Ming Qi's. His Majesty is elevating the Luo family—as long as we hold onto that, it's enough."
Under heaven, all land belongs to the emperor; within the realm, all are his subjects. Yet Shen Miao clearly drew a line between the Luo family and Ming Qi. If Luo Sui heard this, he might faint from anger. Such treasonous words were practically preparing for rebellion. But though the younger Luo generation was surprised, they didn't feel outraged.
Unlike their elders, the younger Luos were born after the family's decline. The imperial court withheld funds, leaving the Luo Family Army forgotten in a remote borderland. The younger generation wasn't without grievances. With so much resentment, their loyalty to the throne had dimmed.
After a moment of silence, a fervent gleam appeared in Luo Sa's eyes. "Little cousin speaks well," he said. Hot-tempered and impulsive, he was the opposite of Luo Ling's gentle nature and rarely praised anyone. His words now showed strong agreement with Shen Miao.
Luo Ling was steadier, but even so, he didn't oppose her.
Luo Qian and Luo Tan were lively by nature and held an inexplicable trust in Shen Miao's words, so they didn't voice any objections either. Thus, regarding Emperor Wenhui's rewards, the younger Luos tacitly reached a consensus: it was a good thing, and there was no need to dissuade him.
"Speaking of which," Luo Tan leaned on the table, gazing at Shen Miao, "little cousin is already sixteen. Yesterday, a friend of mine asked if you were betrothed. If not, she wanted to introduce you to her brother. Little cousin, would you like to meet him?"
Xiaochun City had open and simple customs—if someone fancied a girl, they could inquire through mutual friends. Luo Qian interjected, "What nonsense are you spouting? Little cousin is only sixteen, there's no hurry. You're the one who's eighteen—why aren't you worrying about yourself?""Why should I be anxious?" Luo Tan tossed her hair. "I'm so beautiful and clever, even at eighty, there would be no shortage of suitors. I'm just worried about our little cousin. With her delicate and gentle appearance, it's not good for her to be constantly eyed by others. She should find a good husband to protect her. Luo Qian, if you keep being so rough, no girl will ever marry you."
"Who says no girl will marry me?" Luo Qian retorted. "If all else fails, there's always our little cousin. She's kind-hearted. When that day comes, she'll surely marry me to help me out, right?" He shamelessly leaned in.
Luo Tan slapped his face away. "Take a look at yourself in the mirror first. If our little cousin really wants to marry, we still have Ling-ge and Sa-ge in our mansion who aren't married yet. Aren't they both better than you? Go ask Ling-ge and Sa-ge if they'd be willing to marry her."
The topic unwittingly shifted to Luo Ling and Luo Sa. Luo Ling froze, his face turning slightly red, while Luo Sa coughed lightly and looked away. The atmosphere grew awkward for a moment.
Luo Tan, oblivious, rested her chin on her hands and smiled. "Little cousin, tell us, what kind of man do you like? Handsome ones? Rich ones? Skilled in martial arts? Good at poetry?"
Shen Miao glanced at Luo Tan. The three men in the room, though looking elsewhere, were all ears. Shen Miao said, "Someone who can defeat my eldest brother."
With a loud thud, Luo Qian slipped and fell, crying out in dismay, "No way! Cousin Qiu is so strong in martial arts, who could possibly beat him?"
Meanwhile, as they discussed Shen Miao's ideal partner, others were also talking about her marriage prospects.
In a small room, Ma Shi, Yu Shi, and Luo Xueyan were chatting. Unlike the Shen Mansion in Fixed Capital, the Luo family's women got along extremely well. Yu Shi was gentle, Ma Shi was fiery, and Luo Xueyan, with her military background, was straightforward and decisive. The three women had lived together harmoniously for two years.
Yu Shi held an invitation and said to Luo Xueyan, "This is an invitation from Madam Zhang in the city, asking us to visit the Zhang residence sometime." She hesitated before adding, "And we must bring Jiaojiao along."
Ma Shi laughed upon hearing this. "That Madam Zhang usually looks down on us military folks, flaunting her family's past success in the imperial exams. Why would someone so high and mighty suddenly invite us? Clearly, her real target is Jiaojiao." She nudged Luo Xueyan. "Sister-in-law, Jiaojiao is even more esteemed than our father now."
As Shen Miao grew older and more beautiful, many families in Xiaochun City inquired about her marriage prospects. Initially, people didn't know what to expect from a girl from Fixed Capital, assuming she might be a spoiled and unruly young lady based on rumors. But over the past two years, Shen Miao had proven to be steady and gentle, winning the favor of many matrons, especially with her dignified and generous demeanor. It made people think she would make an excellent mistress of a household. Combined with her good looks and the Luo family's rising prominence—thanks to the resurgence of the Luo Family Army—the Luo household became a highly sought-after match. The stream of matchmakers nearly wore out the threshold of the Luo residence.At this point, Ma Shi spoke again with a mix of envy and admiration, "A family with a daughter receives a hundred marriage proposals—how wonderful. Unlike our Tan'er, truly, such a big girl already, yet fooling around all day. Forget about marriage proposals, there isn't even a matchmaker coming by. If this continues, will she end up an old maid at home?" Ma Shi had initially meant it as a joke, but by the end, she couldn't help feeling genuinely worried.
Luo Xueyan consoled her, "Tan'er's lively temperament is truly a good thing. There will surely be a suitable match for her eventually, sister-in-law, why worry? As for Jiaojiao, she's just turned sixteen, yet she seems more solemn than a sixty-year-old matron. This temperament doesn't resemble me or her father—who knows whom she takes after."
"What is my sister worrying about?" Ma Shi said, both amused and exasperated. "Girls like Jiaojiao are rare these days. Look at her dignified bearing—just sitting there, who wouldn't say she exudes nobility? In my opinion, even the imperial consorts in the palace might not carry such presence. So Jiaojiao's grace must be innate."
"Indeed," Yu Shi also praised. "Having lived in Xiaochun City for so many years, neither my sister-in-law nor I have ever seen an aristocratic elder with Jiaojiao's bearing."
Luo Xueyan shook her head and sighed. Being obedient and sensible was certainly good, but for someone so young to be so reserved also made her somewhat uneasy. Luo Xueyan would rather Shen Miao had Luo Tan's cheerful disposition—lively and spirited, as a young girl ought to be.
"Speaking of which," Yu Shi said seriously, "Jiaojiao is now sixteen. If she doesn't return to Fixed Capital, she'll have to marry sooner or later. Sister, do you have any suitable candidates in mind? Before, Jiaojiao was too young, but now that she's sixteen, she's of marriageable age. Many families in Xiaochun City wish to wed her—hasn't any caught your eye?"
Luo Xueyan was taken aback. She had always been straightforward and bold—even her relationship with Shen Xin had been her own daring initiative. Unlike most women, she had never gone through the conventional matchmaking process, so this topic had never crossed her mind. Hearing Yu Shi mention it now left her momentarily stunned. After a pause, Luo Xueyan replied, "This will depend on Jiaojiao's wishes."
"A girl like Jiaojiao—sister, could you really bear to marry her off?" Ma Shi sighed. "So clever and never troublesome, with such an endearing temperament. If it were me, I'd never let her marry out—keeping her at home forever would be fine." Unlike the aristocratic families of Fixed Capital, people in Xiaochun City didn't believe daughters should marry as early as possible. On the contrary, they considered it more prestigious for a girl to remain at home longer. Ma Shi added, "Come to think of it, Ling Ge'er and Sa Ge'er are also of marriageable age. Why not have Jiaojiao marry into our own family?" she suggested tentatively.
It was a sudden idea, but Yu Shi's eyes lit up at the words. Normally soft-spoken, she spoke eagerly for the first time, "That could work! I've noticed both Ling Ge'er and Sa Ge'er are quite fond of Jiaojiao, especially Sa Ge'er. You all know how he usually can't be bothered to glance at girls, yet these past two years, he's visited Jiaojiao's room countless times. The cousins get along splendidly. As his mother, I know—Sa Ge'er must surely have feelings for Jiaojiao."Luo Xueyan opened her mouth but before she could speak, she saw Yu Shi shake her head again. "But Sa'er is impulsive and doesn't know how to cherish others. If Jiaojiao were to marry him, I fear she might suffer. That boy has a blockhead. Ling'er is better—gentle in nature and a bit older. Last time, the cousins even went on an outing together. Speaking of which, many have come to propose matches for Ling'er these past years, but he hasn’t taken a liking to any. I can’t speak for him, but Ling'er must surely like Jiaojiao; otherwise, he wouldn’t seek her out to talk as soon as he returned from the army."
As Yu Shi rambled on, Ma Shi beside her grew displeased and retorted, "Sister-in-law, how can you say that? By your logic, our Qian'er is just the right age for Jiaojiao. They’re close in age and get along well. Though Qian'er is a bit mischievous, he’s thoughtful. The camaraderie from growing up together is the best foundation. And then there’s our Tan'er—wouldn’t she and Qiu'er make a perfect pair? This way, we could strengthen family ties even further." Having said this, Ma Shi turned to Luo Xueyan. "Little sister, what do you think?"
Luo Xueyan: "..."
Under the eager gazes of both women, Luo Xueyan forced herself to reply, "This still depends on the children’s wishes." She hadn’t expected Yu Shi and Ma Shi to have such ideas, but upon reflection, she didn’t find it a bad notion. After all, they were all family, and the Luo family’s younger generation was beyond reproach in character and appearance. It aligned perfectly with her ideal: "No need for high official rank or excessive wealth—what matters most is treating Shen Miao well and keeping her at heart." Having once been a young girl with romantic dreams herself, she considered the Luo sons: Luo Ling’s gentleness, Luo Sa’s bravery, Luo Qian’s cheerfulness—all kind-hearted. If Shen Miao were to end up with any of them, her life would surely be sweet, never bitter.
However, Luo Xueyan still needed to consider Shen Miao’s feelings. She didn’t know what kind of person Shen Miao liked. Initially, she had thought Shen Miao favored someone like Fu Xiuyi, but over the past two years, Shen Miao hadn’t mentioned him at all, gradually easing Luo Xueyan’s worries. Yet her daughter’s reserved nature left her at a loss.
"Perhaps we should find a chance to ask Jiaojiao’s opinion," Ma Shi said hurriedly. "If she truly takes a liking to any of our boys, no matter who, it would be a stroke of great fortune for the Luo family. We should arrange the marriage as soon as possible—their sons would surely be clever, their daughters beautiful."
Luo Xueyan flushed slightly at her words and chided, "Sister-in-law, it’s hardly proper for the youngest to marry first."
Ma Shi waved her hand. "I’m just afraid someone else might snatch Jiaojiao away first."
As they laughed together, a servant suddenly rushed in to announce, "Madam, word has come from the palace. The General asks all the ladies to gather in the main hall at once."
"Didn’t the palace envoys just leave? Are they bringing more rewards?" Ma Shi asked casually as she stood.
"It seems they’re summoning Master Shen back to the capital," the servant replied.
Luo Xueyan stiffened mid-movement.
The main hall of the Luo residence was in chaos.
Not in terms of disarray among the servants, but the hearts of those present were in turmoil. Emperor Wenhui’s imperial decree demanded Shen Xin return to the capital with his family, reinstating him as the Grand General of Might. It also declared the Tiger Seal of the Shen Family Army would be returned to him.Two years ago, Emperor Wenhui had publicly slapped Shen Xin in front of the entire nation, and now he was making a grand gesture to offer a sweet reward. But whether Shen Xin was willing to accept this sweet reward was another matter entirely.
Luo Sui sat on the high seat. Over the past two years, the reorganization of The Luo Family Army had taken its toll on him, adding more white to his temples. Yet his imposing demeanor remained undiminished, perhaps even more formidable now that he had regained his fighting spirit, making him look every bit the fierce general. He said, "The Ming Qi tribute ceremony is about to begin. The Emperor is summoning you back to the capital so you can arrive before the tribute."
The Centennial Tribute—a once-in-a-century event where vassal states present offerings to the ruling dynasty. During the last tribute before the Ming Qi era, the Qin State nearly seized the opportunity to exploit the situation. The late emperor barely managed to weather the crisis by relying on the Xie and Shen families. Now, apart from Qin, even the Great Coolness Dynasty has arrived.
If the Qin State merely made Ming Qi wary, then the Great Coolness Dynasty was enough to unsettle it entirely. Located in the south, Great Coolness boasted a prosperous nation with a powerful military and robust cavalry. The Yongle Emperor was a wise ruler of his generation, unlike the corrupt and chaotic court of Ming Qi. Great Coolness appointed officials based on merit, and loyal, righteous individuals were far more numerous. If Great Coolness harbored ambitions, annexing Ming Qi would only be a matter of time. Yet, for reasons unknown, the Yongle Emperor seemed to have no such intentions over the years. Of course, there was another possibility—that the Yongle Emperor sought to conquer both Qin and Ming Qi, unifying the realm.
The world, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. The day would inevitably come when the tripartite division among Qin, Coolness, and Qi would shatter. The only uncertainty was when that day would arrive. Emperor Wenhui clearly had no desire to witness it in his lifetime. But since Xie Jingxing's death, Xie Ding of the Xie family had already lost interest in court affairs. As for the remaining Shen family, they had been stripped of the Tiger Seal and exiled to Xiaochun City.
Whether Emperor Wenhui regretted his decisions was unknown, but at present, he hoped Shen Xin could step up and hold the fort. Especially after Shen Xin assisted Luo Sui in reorganizing the disbanded Luo Family Army, his exceptional leadership in military affairs became even more apparent.
Emperor Wenhui was sending a clear message: Ming Qi needed Shen Xin.
Appear when needed, retreat silently when not. Perhaps the old Shen Xin would have embraced this duty without question. But the Shen Xin who had been treated so callously by the royal family might no longer be so selfless. A scholar would die for one who recognized his worth—but did Ming Qi’s royals truly qualify as such?
"You should return," Luo Sui said. "Shen Xin, take back everything you’ve lost. Show them what kind of man the Luo family’s son-in-law and the Shen family’s son truly is."
Shen Miao’s head snapped up.
She had anticipated Emperor Wenhui summoning Shen Xin back to the capital two years later and foreseen the upheaval in Fixed Capital’s political landscape. But she hadn’t expected the usually stern and rigid General Luo to utter words that bordered on treason.
Her widened eyes caught Luo Sui’s attention, and he chuckled, looking at her. "Girl, you’re thinking the same thing, aren’t you?"
The gazes of everyone in the hall turned to Shen Miao. Luo Lianyin and Luo Liantai’s expressions flickered, but they remained silent.
Shen Miao sighed inwardly. Her schemes were no match for a seasoned veteran like Luo Sui, who had weathered countless storms. Luo Sui possessed eyes that had seen through the world’s deceptions. Perhaps from the very beginning—from the moment the Luo Family Army was reorganized—he had vaguely guessed her intentions.
She was grateful for Luo Sui’s trust and support. The feeling of having family standing behind her was truly wonderful. Meeting Luo Sui’s gaze, Shen Miao curved her lips slightly. "Yes, Grandfather."
Luo Sui burst into laughter. Luo Ling looked at Shen Miao, a faint smile in his eyes, while Luo Sa also quirked his lips. Luo Tan and Luo Qian exchanged bewildered glances, utterly lost.
Luo Xueyan and Shen Qiu’s expressions were complicated. After two years away from Fixed Capital, were they really going back now?
To reclaim what had been lost—military power, influence, reputation, and dignity.
They had to show them what the true Shen family was made of. A tiger wouldn’t turn into a dog just because it was stranded on a cliff. A dragon lurking in the depths would one day soar through the heavens.
Shen Xin clasped his hands and bowed to Luo Sui. "I heed the general’s counsel."
－－－－－－Author’s Note－－－－－－
Couldn’t get my tooth extracted yesterday because the wound hadn’t healed enough to open my mouth. PS: Why do people think Empress isn’t good-looking? She’s definitely a little beauty—just not the seductive type. She’s more delicate, refined, and exudes an air of noble elegance, with a dignified and graceful aura. To give an example, if a soft beauty is the deep, enchanting type like Chingmy Yau, then Empress is the gentle, refined type like Wang Yan. In The Poisonous Empress , Xie Jingxing carries the entire novel’s visual appeal. After all, Empress doesn’t rely on her looks—Xie-gege single-handedly upholds the novel’s aesthetic standards :3ゝ
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