Early the next morning, Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan, accompanied by Shen Qiu, entered the palace. They did not return until the afternoon. Emperor Wenhui had reinstated their official positions and returned the Tiger Seal to Shen Xin. The Shen Family Army members who had been absorbed into the Imperial Guards were once again under Shen Xin's command, yet he did not seem particularly pleased.
Hardship is the best temper for one's will. In the harsh environment of Xiaochun City, Shen Xin had transformed the scattered Luo Family Army into an elite force. Compared to two years ago, he now appeared even more unshaken by honor or disgrace. As for Emperor Wenhui's tactic of striking first and then offering a sweet reward, Shen Xin showed little reaction.
Not long after Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan entered the palace, the Shen Mansion actually sent someone to invite Shen Miao back for a visit. Shen Miao couldn't be bothered with them and simply had the servants pretend they weren't home. The messenger from the Shen family waited for a long time without any response. At first, they pleaded softly at the gate, claiming it had all been a misunderstanding. Later, they began cursing Shen Xin and his wife for being heartless and unfilial. Luo Ling frowned at their words, while Luo Tan, impulsive by nature, stormed out and berated the Shen family messengers. Having grown up in Xiaochun City, Luo Tan was skilled in verbal battles, and her sharp words mercilessly exposed the Shen family's past betrayal, leaving them red-faced and unable to endure the onlookers' judgmental stares. Eventually, they slunk away with their tails between their legs.
When Shen Xin and the others returned, Shen Miao told them what had happened. After a moment of silence, Shen Xin gestured to Mo Qing and instructed him to station more guards at the mansion gate in the future. His ruthless demeanor, showing no mercy, delighted Luo Tan, who clapped her hands in approval.
At dinner, Luo Xueyan said, "In three days, it will be Tribute Day, and we must all attend the palace banquet. In the afternoon, I'll have the tailor come to make new clothes, especially for Tan'er and Jiaojiao. We've been away from the capital for two years and don't know what fabrics and styles are in fashion now. We mustn't fall behind." As she spoke, her gaze lingered on Shen Miao with satisfaction. If two years ago, people had still dismissed Shen Miao as incompetent, now, after two years, she had completely transformed. Her delicate beauty and dignified bearing could even outshine a princess.
"Going to the palace!" Luo Tan was excited. "Does that mean we'll get to see people from the palace? And maybe even people from Qin State and Great Coolness? I've heard that Qin people are all tall and imposing, while the Great Coolness royal family is exceptionally beautiful. I wonder how many we'll get to see this time?"
Luo Xueyan chuckled. "Our Ming Qi people are no less impressive. If Tan'er happens to take a liking to any young noble at the Tribute Banquet, your uncle and I will inquire about him for you."
Luo Tan showed no shyness when it came to her own marriage prospects. Instead, she teased, "I'm in no hurry, but our little cousin should seriously consider it. She didn't fancy any of the young men in Xiaochun City, but the capital is full of noble sons. If she finds someone she likes, she should think about herself first." She grinned mischievously at Shen Miao.
Shen Miao glanced at her but said nothing. Meanwhile, Luo Ling, sitting nearby, paused with his chopsticks, his gaze hesitant.
In the afternoon, the tailor indeed arrived to make their clothes. To win Shen Xin's favor, Emperor Wenhui had bestowed generous rewards upon their return, including several rolls of high-quality fabric perfect for new garments. As it was already late autumn, Luo Xueyan had the tailor take measurements and made several outfits for each of the girls, even preparing winter clothes in advance. She also selected numerous pieces of jewelry to be delivered, determined to dress the girls in splendid fashion.
This wasn't merely Luo Xueyan's whim—Tribute Day was a grand occasion. Ming Qi had to present its most prosperous and powerful image before Qin State and Great Coolness. All officials and their families were expected to dress luxuriously, lest they embarrass Ming Qi. Otherwise, they would be seen as traitors to the nation.
Luo Ling would also attend. Shen Xin planned to secure him a position in the Ministry of War to hone his abilities. Before that, he intended to introduce Luo Ling to his colleagues for future support.
During the three days of waiting, Shen Miao listened to the reports from Jing Zhe and Gu Yu about the events of the past three years, treating them as mere entertainment. However, she was surprised to learn that Fengxian Pawnshop in the capital had closed shortly after Shen Xin left for Xiaochun City. Strangely, it had reopened just a few days ago, with the explanation that the owner had been away on a long journey and had only recently returned to the capital.
Feng Anning, upon hearing of Shen Miao's return, sent her a letter saying she had wanted to visit but decided to wait until the Tribute Banquet since they would meet there anyway. Surprisingly, Su Minlang also sent her an invitation, his handwriting crooked and clearly written in secret, delivered by his servant. Shen Miao found it both amusing and exasperating.
Amidst the playful chaos of accompanying Luo Tan to teahouses and shops, the three days passed quickly, and Tribute Day arrived.
Tribute Day in Ming Qi was a grand affair. Early in the morning, the bells and drums of Nanshan rang out.
The streets buzzed with merchants discussing the event, but as commoners were barred from the palace, they could only listen to the sounds from outside the palace walls, envying the officials whose families could enter. Those of higher rank could even attend the Tribute Banquet.
The sight of such opulence and grandeur gave the illusion of a prosperous and peaceful era. The common people, simple and earnest, saw only the surface and believed Ming Qi would endure for generations. Few realized the precarious state of the nation—external threats unresolved, internal troubles worsening—and that no amount of pomp could guarantee true security.
Shen Xin's carriage stopped at the palace gate, where palace attendants were already waiting to escort them inside. Luo Tan looked around curiously, but Shen Qiu held her head down to prevent her from bumping into any nobles. Luo Ling, on the other hand, remained composed despite it being his first time in the palace, conducting himself impeccably.
By the time they reached the ceremonial platform, most officials had already arrived. The booming of drums, ceremonial music, and a hundred cannon salutes filled the sky, creating an atmosphere of solemn majesty and imperial grandeur.
The Emperor and Empress sat on the central throne. Shen Miao looked up and saw Emperor Wenhui in his dragon robes, his expression as dignified and authoritative as two years ago. Yet upon closer inspection, he now needed support from his eunuchs when walking, his steps no longer as firm as before—age had taken its toll.
Fu Xiuyi stood among the princes, his brilliance increasingly evident. As the youngest, his striking handsomeness and tall stature drew the covert glances of many noble ladies. Fu Xiuyi had reached a point where his radiance could no longer be concealed, and his brothers were no longer as at ease with him as before.
Shen Miao also glanced at Fu Xiuyi, but her gaze lingered on the scholarly man in a blue robe standing among the officials behind him. With an air of refined detachment, Pei Lang stood out awkwardly among the ministers, looking more like a scholar than an official.
Pei Lang's position, close behind Fu Xiuyi, indicated the latter's deep trust in him, granting him such prominence on this occasion. Sensing the gaze, Fu Xiuyi suddenly turned his head, but Shen Miao's eyes had already moved on without pause. After scanning the crowd briefly, Fu Xiuyi turned away.
On the guest seats sat a young man and woman. Despite the chilly late autumn weather, the girl wore a thin golden gauze dress embroidered with intricate patterns that must have taken months to complete. Her delicate features were marred by her disrespectful demeanor—even as the ceremonial official began the prayers, she scanned the crowd with disdain, showing no reverence.
This was Ming An Princess. Beside her sat Huangfu Hao, the Crown Prince of Qin, who at least maintained a facade of politeness, smiling as if genuinely honored to attend Ming Qi's Tribute Day. Yet his smiling facade only made him seem more sinister.
Luo Tan, attending such an event for the first time, was naturally curious about the guests. She tugged at the sleeve of a noble lady nearby and whispered, "Why are only the Crown Prince and Princess of Qin here? Where is Prince Rui of Great Coolness?"
Startled, the lady suppressed her annoyance and politely replied, "Prince Rui is unwell and did not attend today."
Luo Tan nodded in understanding and turned to Shen Miao, who stood beside her and had overheard the exchange. "This Prince Rui has quite the attitude," Luo Tan remarked. "Isn't he deliberately slighting the Emperor?"
For Prince Rui to skip the ceremony was a blatant insult to Ming Qi's royal family. Yet the Ming Qi court dared not protest—instead, they had to treat him with utmost respect. In this world, the strong ruled, and Ming Qi could not afford to antagonize Great Coolness.
The Tribute Ceremony lasted a full three hours, from noon until dusk. None of the officials or their families could leave, enduring the ordeal in silence. The higher one's status, the more scrutiny they faced, and the less they could show fatigue.
Even Luo Tan, a martial girl accustomed to physical exertion, found it exhausting. Yet when she turned, she saw Shen Miao standing perfectly straight, hands folded before her, exuding grace and dignity. Luo Tan couldn't help but whisper, "Little cousin, aren't you tired?"
"Not at all," Shen Miao replied.
Luo Tan was amazed. While other ladies discreetly relaxed under their wide sleeves and skirts, Shen Miao remained unwavering. Luo Tan wanted to urge her to ease up, but seeing her posture, the words died in her throat.
Luo Tan had always admired Shen Miao's poise, though she couldn't articulate why. Now, she felt as if Shen Miao's dignified bearing was the only proper way to stand in such a solemn setting. Even the Empress on her throne paled in comparison to Shen Miao's regal presence—a rare feat for a sixteen-year-old girl.
Others noticed too. Among the weary noblewomen, Shen Miao stood out like a beacon. Luo Ling, observing the admiring glances from young noblemen, subtly shifted to shield her from their gazes.
Luo Xueyan smiled approvingly at this, while Shen Miao remained oblivious. Luo Tan winked at Luo Ling, who blushed slightly and turned away.
After the ceremony, the banquet began. The Tribute Night Banquet was a showcase of Ming Qi's wealth and power, meant to impress Qin and Great Coolness.
As Shen Miao and Luo Tan followed the crowd toward the banquet hall, someone suddenly clapped her on the shoulder. Turning, Shen Miao saw a familiar face.
"Hey, I spotted you earlier, but we were too far apart to come over. Shen Miao, long time no see!" Feng Anning hugged her warmly.
Compared to two years ago, Feng Anning had grown even more beautiful, her youthful charm undeniable. She wore a Hundred Flower Hairbun and a pomegranate-red dress, graceful and elegant. Releasing Shen Miao, she pouted. "You don't seem surprised to see me at all!" Without waiting for a reply, she continued, "Never mind, that's just how you are. But," she scrutinized Shen Miao, "you've become so beautiful in two years! Is Xiaochun City's environment that nourishing? You look like a completely different person!"
Shen Miao had been dressed meticulously by Luo Xueyan's orders. She wore a crescent phoenix-tail silk skirt in purple, an overlap jacket embroidered with large lilacs, and a Hanging Cloud Hairbun adorned with a jade begonia hairpin. Tiny pearl earrings complemented her delicate features, while her dignified aura and clear, deer-like eyes drew frequent glances from young men.
A beautiful woman with extraordinary grace was unforgettable.
Luo Tan watched Feng Anning curiously. Finally noticing her, Feng Anning asked, "And who's this?"
"My cousin, Luo Tan," Shen Miao introduced. "This is Miss Feng Anning."
Luo Tan greeted Feng Anning. The two hit it off immediately—Feng Anning's fiery personality meshed well with Luo Tan's straightforwardness, their chatter nearly deafening Shen Miao. When it was time to be seated, Feng Anning even slipped away from her mother to sit with Shen Miao for easier conversation.
During the ceremony, seating had been arranged by rank, but the banquet allowed more freedom. Since Shen Xin had just returned to the capital and had no close colleagues, he chose a random seat. However, as someone Emperor Wenhui had personally recalled, the surrounding officials treated him with deference.
Feng Anning whispered to Shen Miao, "Tch, these fair-weather friends. Where were they when General Shen left the city? Now they're all acting chummy—how hypocritical."
Shen Miao smiled faintly but said nothing. Then Feng Anning added, "Look, your cousin is here too."
Shen Miao froze, following Feng Anning's gaze to meet a pair of eyes staring back at her.
After two years, she was finally face-to-face with Shen Yue again.
Since Shen Yuan's downfall, Shen Gui's status in court had plummeted. Once a social climber, he was now shunned like the plague, his incompetence leaving him increasingly destitute. He had no place at such an event. Instead, it was Shen Wan's family who attended.
Shen Wan, seemingly thriving in his career, smiled as he toasted others. Beside him, Chen Ruoqiu chatted amiably with the ladies, appearing as content as two years ago. Yet time had taken its toll—she no longer seemed as vibrant. With the pressure from Old Madam Shen to produce an heir for the second branch, Chen Ruoqiu's life couldn't have been easy.
Shen Yue sat with Yi Peilan, Bai Wei, and Jiang Xiaoxuan, her gaze fixed venomously on Shen Miao. Even from a distance, Shen Miao could feel the hatred radiating from her.
Shen Yue wore a pleated ruyi skirt in pale pink and a flower crown hairstyle. At eighteen, her delicate beauty was still charming. Yet Shen Miao's eyes paused on the bracelet at her wrist and the agate hairpin in her hair, her lips curling slightly.
For Shen Yue, who loved to flaunt herself at every opportunity, to still be wearing accessories from two years ago could only mean one thing—the third branch was strapped for cash. Without Shen Xin's financial support after the family split, and with Old Madam Shen's extravagant spending, Chen Ruoqiu must have struggled to manage the household. Add to that Shen Wan's need to grease palms for his career, and Shen Yue's allowance had likely dwindled.
Even the most refined scholarly families had to make ends meet. Without money, how could they maintain their pride? With Shen Yue's looks, marrying into a respectable official's family wouldn't have been difficult, providing some support for Shen Wan. Yet she remained unmarried—a mystery Shen Miao had once naively tried to solve by introducing her to promising young men. Only later did she realize Shen Yue's ambitions were too grand for ordinary suitors.
Shen Yue's burning gaze was filled with jealousy. She could see clearly—Shen Miao's dress was made from fabric only the palace could provide. Once, when Shen Wan had accomplished a minor task, he had received a similar bolt of fabric. Shen Yue had wanted it for herself, but Shen Wan had given it to his superior instead. Over the past two years, as Shen Wan's career advanced, Shen Yue's allowance had shrunk. She blamed Shen Xin's family for taking most of the wealth when they split, leaving her in such straits. She had thought Shen Miao would rot in the desolate Xiaochun City, never to return. Yet here she was, radiant as ever, drawing the eyes of noble sons. Shen Yue's envy and resentment festered, wishing Shen Miao dead.
Despite Shen Yue's dagger-like glare, Shen Miao merely smiled faintly before turning back to Luo Tan and Feng Anning, ignoring her completely.
Just then, the Emperor and Empress took their seats. The murmurs died down as Emperor Wenhui declared the festivities open, urging everyone to enjoy themselves.
Next, the guests of honor—Huangfu Hao and Ming An Princess—were seated. Ming An Princess flouted palace etiquette entirely, refusing even to bow to Emperor Wenhui, whose smile stiffened. Huangfu Hao, however, played the part of the respectful guest perfectly.
Luo Tan looked around eagerly. Feng Anning asked, "What are you looking for?"
"I'm wondering where Prince Rui of Great Coolness is," Luo Tan said. "I heard the Great Coolness royals are all stunningly beautiful, even the Yongle Emperor. Since Prince Rui is his younger brother, he must be extraordinary too. I want to see this legendary beauty."
Feng Anning scoffed. "Forget it. Since arriving in Ming Qi, Prince Rui hasn't appeared in public except before the Emperor. Even if he came today, you wouldn't get to see his face."
"Why not?" Luo Tan asked. "Is he ugly?"
Before Feng Anning could answer, a eunuch's shrill voice rang out: "Great Coolness—Prince Rui has arrived!"
All eyes turned toward the entrance.
A tall, imposing figure strode in, followed by his guards. Dressed in a gold-embroidered purple robe that shimmered with every movement, he wore a rhinoceros-horn belt with a white jade pendant and deerskin boots. Despite the simplicity of his attire, he outshone every official present. Yet none of this was what drew the crowd's attention.
He wore a silver half-mask.
The mask covered his forehead and ended at the bridge of his nose, perfectly contouring his features. His high nose bridge, eyes like painted masterpieces, and elegantly shaped chin were visible. His lips, though pressed together, seemed to silently invite.
The hall fell silent.
The young man was clearly wearing a mask, obscuring his features, yet he possessed an almost bewitching allure. Everyone stared unblinkingly at his face—the silver mask gleamed coldly, exuding an icy chill, but his eyes were dark and bright, seemingly brimming with amusement, a mix of mischief and indifference that made it impossible to tell whether they held warmth or frost.
He was the kind of person who effortlessly drew all eyes to him, a dazzling presence like the blazing sun.
As he took his seat in the VIP section, every movement was elegant and noble. In comparison, even Huangfu Hao, who had seemed well-mannered earlier, now appeared boorish and crude. Beside Huangfu Hao, Ming An Princess was already staring at him in a daze.
Emperor Wenhui laughed heartily and turned to Prince Rui. "Prince Rui, weren’t you feeling unwell today? What brings you to the tribute banquet? You’ve certainly surprised all my ministers."
Prince Rui gave the emperor a casual nod, his posture relaxed and languid. "I suddenly felt like coming, so here I am."
His voice was deep and magnetic, causing the young ladies present to blush faintly. Yet his words were utterly audacious—the Ming Qi tribute banquet was a grand affair, but in Prince Rui’s mouth, it sounded like an ordinary household gathering, something he could attend or leave at whim. It was downright insolent.
The ministers of Ming Qi seethed with silent anger, but none dared speak up. If even Emperor Wenhui didn’t reprimand him, what could they do? This Prince Rui of Great Coolness conducted himself almost exactly like the Yongle Emperor—bold and unrestrained, yet exuding an intimidating pressure.
True to form, Emperor Wenhui let the matter drop, urging his ministers to continue eating and drinking as if nothing had happened.
Luo Tan nibbled on a pastry from the banquet and whispered to Shen Miao, "This Prince Rui is truly bold, daring to speak to the emperor like that. Isn’t he afraid His Majesty will punish him?"
"Punish him for what?" Feng Anning scoffed quietly. "He’s Prince Rui of Great Coolness. People from Great Coolness are guests of Ming Qi—guests can do no wrong." Though she kept her voice low, her words were deliberately vague, not daring to speak too plainly within the palace walls. If overheard by the wrong ears, who knew what consequences might follow?
"I’ve never heard of this Prince Rui before," Luo Tan mused, resting her chin in her hands. "He looks like a handsome man. I’d love to see what’s under that mask." Luo Tan had a weakness for good-looking men, and her eyes were practically glued to Prince Rui.
"Maybe he’s hideous under there," Feng Anning teased. "Otherwise, why wear a mask?"
"I bet he’s one of the most beautiful men in the world," Luo Tan nudged Shen Miao. "Come on, little cousin, what do you think? What kind of person is this Prince Rui?"
Shen Miao didn’t even look up. "I don’t know."
"Guess!" Luo Tan persisted. "Between this masked Prince Rui and the famously gorgeous Young Marquis Xie of Fixed Capital, who do you think is more handsome?"
Shen Miao hadn’t expected Luo Tan to describe Xie Jingxing as "famously gorgeous." She had just taken a sip of tea and choked, coughing violently. Luo Tan and Feng Anning hurriedly covered her mouth to prevent any further breach of decorum.
But the commotion was too noticeable, drawing the attention of nearby guests. Shen Miao wiped her lips discreetly, only to meet a pair of eyes.
The masked man in the VIP section tilted his head slightly—whether intentional or not, his gaze lingered on her for a fleeting moment before shifting away.
His eyes were full of amusement.
－－－－－－Author’s Note－－－－－－
Your friend, the peerlessly handsome man, has logged in_（：3ゝ∠）_ ...
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