Shen Miao was slightly taken aback, then raised her eyes to look at Xie Jingxing. In Ming Qi, Xie Jingxing moved as if through unguarded territory, utterly familiar with everything. Naturally, he would be—having grown up in Fixed Capital, he likely knew every corner of the city like the back of his hand. Coupled with the Fengxian Pawnshop as his information hub, Xie Jingxing’s network of eyes and ears might even far surpass that of Fu Xiuyi.
Whatever he wanted to know, he could undoubtedly find out.
"What does this have to do with you?" Shen Miao retorted irritably. "Does Prince Rui have nothing better to do than meddle in other people's family affairs?"
"Family affairs?" Xie Jingxing arched a brow, as if finding the term rather amusing. "You seem quite wary of that woman surnamed Chang."
A cold glint flashed in Shen Miao's eyes. "A distant relative seeking refuge—what is there to be wary of?"
"Not quite." Xie Jingxing stroked his chin and swept a glance over her before suddenly leaning in, scrutinizing her eyes closely. His invasion of her personal space didn’t seem to bother him in the slightest. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "A woman from Liuzhou. You’ve never been to Liuzhou, yet you seem to know her well."
Shen Miao abruptly lifted her gaze, meeting Xie Jingxing’s eyes head-on. The young man’s striking features were as captivating as ever, but his peach-blossom eyes concealed the sharpest of blades. He continued, "The same goes for Ming An Princess. You’ve never been to Qin State, yet you harbor deep resentment toward her."
Shen Miao remained silent. Despite the intimate, almost ambiguous proximity, the chill in her eyes only grew sharper.
"You grew up in Fixed Capital. The farthest you’ve been is Xiaochun City, and during your two years there, you never set foot elsewhere. You couldn’t have gone to Liuzhou, nor could you have met the princess of Qin State." His voice drifted through the night air, carrying the faint cold of early winter, seeping deep into one’s heart.
"What are you trying to say?" Shen Miao stared at him.
He spoke softly, his voice elegant and mellow, alluring yet unsettling. "Are you really Shen Miao?"
For a moment, goosebumps prickled across Shen Miao’s entire body. It was as if an icy wind had poured down from the crown of her head, chilling her to the bone in an instant. She had encountered many people in her life—thanks to her past experience as Empress Shen, they were nothing more than a parade of masks to her, some white-faced, some red-faced, all predictable. Yet, only this seemingly frivolous young man in purple robes before her felt like a living, breathing person.
Because she couldn’t discern what lay beneath his mask.
Her impression of Xie Jingxing in her past life had been that of a handsome youth who died young. In this life, she had come to realize his unfathomable depths, but now, she found him increasingly terrifying. Her actions were indeed suspicious, but Xie Jingxing had gone so far as to question whether she was even Shen Miao.
She wasn’t Shen Miao—she was Empress Shen. Xie Jingxing dared to think it, and his suspicion edged dangerously close to the truth. The discomfort of having her secret almost exposed sent a flicker of panic through Shen Miao. Yet she did nothing, merely staring at Xie Jingxing’s face before finally letting out a soft laugh.
She often smiled—composed, gentle smiles that seemed indifferent to everything, or sardonic, insincere smirks when facing Xie Jingxing. But this smile was different, like a magnolia blooming in the night, exuding a faint, delicate fragrance, utterly harmless as it drifted toward him.But that smile was fleeting, and in an instant, her expression turned cold as she said, "Not everyone in this world is like Prince Rui."
Xie Jingxing's playful smile faltered slightly.
Whether Shen Miao was still Shen Miao remained uncertain, but Xie Jingxing was no longer the Xie Jingxing of before. The Young Marquis Xie of Marquis Lin'an Manor had now become Prince Rui. Was this the same person? Others might find it strange, as Xie Jingxing had no prior connection to Great Coolness.
"You refuse to yield even the slightest," Xie Jingxing straightened up, the depth in his eyes fading as he smirked. "You must still be Shen Miao." His words seemed like a muttered reflection to himself, yet also directed at her. "So many secrets—it’s truly exhausting to uncover them."
"Why is Prince Rui so fixated on me?" Shen Miao stared at him. "Whether I have secrets or not, they have nothing to do with you."
"Coincidentally, I find your secrets intriguing," Xie Jingxing replied leisurely. "Moreover, upon reflection, you seem to be the only trustworthy person in Ming Qi."
Shen Miao laughed instead of getting angry. "Has Prince Rui forgotten? There are still Su Mingfeng and Princess Rong Xin."
Xie Jingxing smiled. "Has no one ever told you to let bygones be bygones?"
For some reason, under the lamplight, the elegant and charming smile on his lips carried a trace of loneliness.
In the blink of an eye, Xie Jingxing turned his gaze back to her and asked, "How do you plan to deal with Chang Zaiqing? If you beg me, I might help you."
Shen Miao replied impassively, "I only ask that Prince Rui refrain from interfering."
"Seems you’ve already figured it out," Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow. "Impressive."
Shen Miao lowered her eyes, only to hear Xie Jingxing add, "The princess of Qin State won’t let this go easily."
"I don’t need the reminder," Shen Miao glared at him sharply. "And I must thank Prince Rui for his assistance today."
Given Ming An Princess’s jealous nature and her apparent infatuation with Xie Jingxing, witnessing him side with Shen Miao would undoubtedly provoke her to vent all her fury onto Shen Miao.
"She’s no match for you," Xie Jingxing reached out naturally to tousle Shen Miao’s hair, only for her to shake him off. He looked at his fingers with a hint of regret.
Shen Miao didn’t want to speak further. Ming An Princess was never particularly clever, so she wasn’t worried. The real concern was Huangfu Hao of Qin State. This time, Huangfu Hao and Ming An Princess had come to Qin State to discuss an alliance with Ming Qi. Ming Qi was eager to forge ties with Qin State, especially with Great Coolness looming as a threat.
No matter what, Fu Xiuyi and Huangfu Hao could not be allowed to join forces. Disrupting the tacit alliance between the two nations would require considerable effort. Shen Miao’s gaze inadvertently fell on Xie Jingxing. In this grand game for supremacy, what role did Great Coolness play? She didn’t know.
She had died too early in her past life and thus never learned how Xie Jingxing’s story had ended. Presumably, he hadn’t perished in battle but had instead slipped away to return to Great Coolness as Prince Rui.
Noticing her gaze, Xie Jingxing smiled and asked, "What are you suspecting now?"
Shen Miao stared at him intently. "When does Prince Rui plan to return to Great Coolness?""Reluctant to part?" Xie Jingxing glanced at her with a smile, then looked out the window. "Don't worry, I won't be leaving just yet." He continued, "The game between Huangfu Hao and Prince Ding—I'd very much like to see how it ends."
Shen Miao's heart stirred at his words. Xie Jingxing added, "You want to see it too, don't you?"
"I don't understand what Prince Rui means," Shen Miao replied, her words belying her true thoughts.
Xie Jingxing bent down to pick up the black cloak from the floor. The cloak was soaked with pond water, crumpled into a damp, wrinkled mess. His expression stiffened momentarily before he casually remarked, "Shen Miao, you and I are the same kind of people."
"Your Highness is a descendant of the royal family, while this humble girl is but dust beneath your feet. I dare not compare myself to you."
"Undervaluing yourself," the purple-robed young man said with a smirk. "Like me, you were born to stand above others."
Long after his figure had vanished from the room and the candlelight seemed to dim, Shen Miao remained seated at the table, her emotions unsettled by Xie Jingxing's parting words.
"Like me, you were born to stand above others."
Had Xie Jingxing noticed something? But that was impossible. She carefully retraced her past interactions with him—there had been none, not even a single exchanged word. Shen Miao pondered until she realized she had wasted too much time on this matter. The thought that Xie Jingxing had inexplicably disrupted her life sparked a surge of anger within her.
Meanwhile, back at Prince Rui's Residence, Xie Jingxing returned to his chambers—a sleeping quarters so lavish it rivaled an imperial palace. He tossed the cloak aside and wiped his hands with a silk cloth. Suddenly, a white bundle pounced from a corner, attacking the black cloak with playful bites and shakes of its head.
Xie Jingxing watched coldly as the furry creature played with the cloak for a while before lifting it off the ground.
"What kind of behavior is this?" he muttered in disdain.
The white tiger cub sneezed and clung to Xie Jingxing's collar, only to be expressionlessly tossed into its bed by the bedside.
"Tie Yi," Xie Jingxing called.
A black-clad figure swiftly entered. "What are your orders, Master?"
Xie Jingxing pointed at the cloak on the floor. Tie Yi's lips twitched—that was a cloak made of black lion fur, a priceless treasure, the only one of its kind in Great Coolness's treasury, now utterly ruined. He almost shed a tear of sympathy for the Yongle Emperor.
"Throw it away," Xie Jingxing said as he began undressing.
Tie Yi numbly picked up the cloak and acknowledged the order. Everyone knew Prince Rui was fastidious—ordinary people couldn't even touch him. Since the cloak had been so thoroughly abused, it was no surprise he wouldn't keep it. And no one would dare secretly hold onto anything Prince Rui had worn. Tie Yi could almost hear the sound of silver coins slipping away.
Just as he reached the door, Xie Jingxing called out, "Wait."
Tie Yi turned back. After a moment's hesitation, Xie Jingxing frowned and said, "Never mind. Have it cleaned and stored properly."
Tie Yi was stunned but quickly nodded in delight, cradling the cloak as he hurried out. His face beamed with satisfaction—good, his master was finally learning not to be wasteful. This was for the best, ensuring he could uphold Great Coolness's future.
Fixed Capital welcomed its first light snowfall of the winter.Snowflakes rustled as they blanketed the ground, pure white and utterly charming. With winter's arrival, the women on the streets had begun donning embroidered padded skirts adorned with various patterns, wrapped in fluffy capes, exuding an air of refined elegance. On such snowy days, walking alone with an oil-paper umbrella, especially with a face as lovely as a lotus, felt even more poetic.
In the West Courtyard of Shen Mansion, someone stood by the yard, gazing at the falling snow outside.
"Miss Qing, why not come inside instead of staying out here? Fixed Capital isn’t as warm as Liuzhou, and the winter winds are bitterly cold," a voice chimed with a laugh. The speaker wore a goose-yellow soft cloud wide-sleeved dress paired with a light red Ruyi hundred-bird skirt, her hair styled in a Chao Yue bun. From afar, one might mistake her for a maiden of sixteen. This was none other than Chen Ruoqiu.
The figure by the yard turned around. Even in her simple pale blue-green silk-trimmed long dress, Chang Zaiqing looked effortlessly graceful. She smiled and said, "Snow is rare in Liuzhou—perhaps only a few times each winter. The snow here in Fixed Capital is so delightful that I wanted to take it all in."
Chen Ruoqiu laughed. "Admiring snow while discussing wine is indeed a refined pastime. You truly have an elegant spirit, Miss Qing." She added, "If you stay in Fixed Capital long enough, you’ll find the snow loses its novelty. It falls every year, and the cold becomes tiresome."
Chang Zaiqing smiled without responding. Both women carried themselves with the delicate poise of well-bred ladies from aristocratic families, their every movement a pleasure to behold, like a pair of sisters. Chen Ruoqiu took Chang Zaiqing’s hand. "No matter how much you love the snow, Miss Qing, don’t linger too long in the yard. It’s easy to catch a chill. There’s a warm stove inside—let’s go in and sit for a while."
Chang Zaiqing didn’t refuse, and the two walked hand in hand into the house. Once inside, a maid served them freshly brewed hot tea.
Chen Ruoqiu was the first to lift her cup and take a sip, smiling at Chang Zaiqing. "I’d been thinking that since our Shen family moved here, I lacked a sister to share the subtleties of tea with. I searched for so long, and now that you’re here, I’m overjoyed."
"You flatter me, Third Madam," Chang Zaiqing replied with a smile.
"Your temperament is so endearing—anyone would adore you," Chen Ruoqiu said. "I felt an instant kinship with you, knowing you were both clever and refined. We’ve spoken so harmoniously, but I wonder how your conversation with my sister-in-law went the other day?" She paused, then sighed. "My sister-in-law comes from a military family and doesn’t understand things like tea ceremonies, but she’s straightforward and kind. I hope she didn’t startle you."
There was a hint of probing in her words. Chang Zaiqing gently traced the rim of her teacup, her eyes demurely lowered. "The First Madam was very kind and shared many amusing stories I’d never heard before. She didn’t avoid topics because of my status, and for that, I’m deeply grateful."
"I knew it," Chen Ruoqiu nodded. "You’re so sensible, and my sister-in-law is so frank and open—naturally, you’d get along. Have you met my elder brother yet?"
Chang Zaiqing shook her head. "It was too late that day, and General Shen hadn’t returned to the mansion yet, so I left first. I thought there’d be time to visit another day."
Chen Ruoqiu’s smile deepened. "Visiting another day is fine. After all, we’re all family now, and since we’re all living in Fixed Capital, everything is conveniently close."As they were speaking, they noticed a maid entering from outside with a letter in hand. Seeing Chen Ruoqiu present, the maid first curtsied to her before handing the letter to Chang Zaiqing, saying, "Miss, this letter was delivered by the gatekeeper."
Chen Ruoqiu's eyes flickered with curiosity as she smiled and remarked, "Miss Chang has only been in the Fixed Capital for a short while, yet already has friends sending invitations? May I ask which household it is from?"
Chang Zaiqing opened the letter and replied with a smile, "Third Madam has misunderstood. The only people I know in the Fixed Capital are those from the Shen Mansion. I have no other friends. This letter is from the First Madam of the Shen family."
"Eldest Sister-in-law?" Chen Ruoqiu was taken aback, her gaze at Chang Zaiqing now tinged with surprise. "It seems Eldest Sister-in-law is quite fond of you. When she lived in the mansion before, she rarely sent out invitations like this." She then added, seemingly genuinely happy for Chang Zaiqing, "It appears you two truly hit it off at first sight. I must admit, I'm a little envious."
Chang Zaiqing chuckled. "Third Madam is teasing me again."
"The date on this letter is today," Chen Ruoqiu noted, glancing at the letter in Chang Zaiqing's hand. "Aren't you going to visit now?"
"Now? Isn't it a bit too early?" Chang Zaiqing hesitated.
Chen Ruoqiu patted her hand reassuringly. "Why the hesitation? Think of it as visiting family. Besides, given Eldest Sister-in-law's straightforward nature, if you act too coy, she might find it displeasing. Why risk misunderstanding?"
As Chang Zaiqing studied the letter, Chen Ruoqiu continued, "To be honest, I have a selfish motive as well. I thought that if you and Eldest Sister-in-law get along well, it might help clear up any misunderstandings between Eldest Brother and her in the future. I’d really appreciate your help in this matter." She sighed softly.
"Third Madam, please don’t say that," Chang Zaiqing quickly responded. "The Shen family has taken me in, and I am deeply grateful. Moreover, when I met the First Madam the other day, she struck me as open-minded. Any misunderstandings must be temporary. I’ll go, and if the opportunity arises, I’ll certainly help clarify things. Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have done so."
Chen Ruoqiu was visibly relieved. "I knew you were a reasonable person." As she spoke, she slipped a bracelet from her wrist and insisted on putting it on Chang Zaiqing. When Chang Zaiqing tried to decline, Chen Ruoqiu held her hand firmly and said, "This bracelet isn’t worth much, but its craftsmanship is delicate. I know you’re not one to covet expensive gifts, so I chose something modest. Keep it. Eldest Brother might be at the mansion today, and it’s always good to dress appropriately when meeting them. We wouldn’t want the Chang family to be looked down upon, would we? Think not just for yourself, but for your family as well."
Her words were heartfelt, every syllable filled with consideration for Chang Zaiqing. Chang Zaiqing no longer refused and simply said, "Third Madam’s kindness is deeply appreciated and remembered."
"What are you saying? We’re family," Chen Ruoqiu replied as she stood up and glanced outside. "Miss Chang, take your time to prepare. I won’t disturb you further. I should leave before the snow gets heavier so I can return early in the evening." She then gave detailed instructions to the two maids attending to Chang Zaiqing before gracefully taking her leave.After Chen Ruoqiu left, Momo Zhao put away Chang Zaiqing's invitation card and said, "Miss, are you really going to the Shen residence to meet that Madam Shen?"
"I am." Once Chen Ruoqiu was gone, Chang Zaiqing's smile faded. Though her voice remained gentle and refined, it was as if she had become a different person, no longer as sincere as before.
"That Madam Shen..." Momo Zhao hesitated.
"She's a good person." Chang Zaiqing sat at the table, opened a small box of rouge, and dabbed it lightly on her lips. The color was very faint, just a soft pink that seemed to bloom naturally from her lips, enhancing her graceful charm.
"A good person? Then this old servant can rest easy." Momo Zhao sighed in relief.
"Yes," Chang Zaiqing gazed at her reflection in the mirror, though it was unclear whether she was speaking to herself or someone else. "I can rest easy too."
Outside, Chen Ruoqiu returned to Autumn Water Court, cradling the warm stove in her hands, only to be greeted by Shen Yue.
"Mother," Shen Yue said, "Why have you been visiting that Chang Zaiqing's courtyard so often these days? I've looked for you several times but couldn't find you."
"What do you need me for?" Chen Ruoqiu stroked Shen Yue's head. Her daughter was growing older, blossoming into a stunning beauty, but her standards were so high that it was becoming a problem. She couldn't let her remain unmarried forever. Chen Ruoqiu knew her daughter admired Prince Ding, but she had no way to arrange for Shen Yue to marry Fu Xiuyi. Even as a concubine, Shen Yue would never accept it. Shen Wan had already argued with Chen Ruoqiu several times over Shen Yue's marriage prospects. Chen Ruoqiu doted on her daughter, so she always found excuses to reject the matches Shen Wan proposed from noble families.
"The embroidery workshop has new clothing patterns," Shen Yue said. "I wanted you to take a look and tell me which one is prettier."
Gazing at her flower-like daughter, Chen Ruoqiu felt a headache coming on. "What's the use of these patterns? You're already extremely beautiful. Instead of fussing over these, you should learn from the person in the West Courtyard."
"West Courtyard?" Shen Yue was puzzled. "Mother, are you talking about that Chang Zaiqing? What is there to learn from her?"
Chen Ruoqiu shook her head. "There's plenty to learn. If you had even a third of her skills, I'd be at ease."
What kind of person was Luo Xueyan? Though warm and friendly, she was never the type to send invitations after just one meeting. This eagerness to invite someone was something Chen Ruoqiu had never seen in all her years as Luo Xueyan's sister-in-law. Chen Ruoqiu knew Chang Zaiqing had a way of making people feel comfortable and disarming hostility, but for Luo Xueyan to grow close to her so quickly was truly unexpected.
Still, this was ultimately a good thing for Chen Ruoqiu.
She tapped Shen Yue's forehead in exasperation. "In any case, you should learn from her in the future. It'll be far more useful than staring at clothing patterns."
At the Shen residence, Gu Yu combed Shen Miao's hair while saying, "Miss, if Madam finds out you used her name to send that invitation to Miss Chang, won't there be trouble?"
"What's the difference between using my mother's name and mine?" Shen Miao replied calmly. "We're family, after all.""But why didn't the young lady use her own name?" Jing Zhe asked curiously while wiping the table nearby. Shen Miao had stolen Luo Xueyan's seal to send an invitation to Shen Mansion, leaving all the maids in the room utterly astonished. If it were for impersonating Luo Xueyan to do something else, it might be understandable, but to invite a young lady with whom she wasn't particularly close—it seemed like making a mountain out of a molehill.
"I have no connection with her. There's no reason to invite her for no purpose."
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu exchanged glances, unsure how to respond. Indeed, there was no friendship between Shen Miao and Chang Zaiqing—was it really necessary to steal Luo Xueyan's seal just to send her an invitation? When Chang Zaiqing had visited before, Shen Miao hadn't seemed particularly pleased either.
Shen Miao lowered her gaze. Since Luo Xueyan wasn't home today, it was better to send the invitation early. She needed to meet this Miss Chang alone sooner or later. Luo Tan had been sent away early in the morning, leaving Shen Miao as the only one in charge of the entire mansion.
As she was thinking, a servant boy came in to announce that Miss Chang had arrived.
"So soon?" Jing Zhe was somewhat surprised.
Shen Miao smiled faintly. Those with ulterior motives could never fully conceal their ambitions. In the past, she hadn't seen clearly because she was trapped in the situation and indifferent to the Shen family's affairs. But now things were different—she wanted to see just how profound Chang Zaiqing's skills really were.
Chang Zaiqing was ushered by the servant into the main hall of the Shen residence to wait. A maid served hot tea while she discreetly surveyed the surroundings.
The Shen residence was different from the Shen Mansion. The mansion, being the old general's original estate, had carefully considered feng shui and, due to Old Madam Shen's tastes, was rather ornate and flashy. The residence, perhaps because both Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan were martial practitioners, had spacious courtyards and a straightforward, dignified layout in the main hall. Though the decorations were simple, there was an inexplicable air of solemnity and authority. The first time Chang Zaiqing had visited, she hadn't paid close attention, but now, for some reason, she felt a fine layer of sweat break out on her skin. It was as though merely being in this place made one instinctively sit up straight.
The maids went about their cleaning without speaking to her. Chang Zaiqing, always well-mannered, had no reason to rush them. But after waiting so long that the tea had gone cold, there was still no sign of anyone coming. She stopped a maid and asked why Luo Xueyan hadn't appeared—was something the matter?
The maid smiled politely and said she would inquire, but then vanished without a trace. This happened several times in a row, and Chang Zaiqing began to feel uneasy. When she had first met Luo Xueyan, she had gauged her temperament as straightforward and warm in social interactions. Why would she deliberately embarrass someone now?
For the first time, Chang Zaiqing felt uncertain. The maids passing by seemed to glance at her, yet also seemed not to. She could no longer sit still and was about to rise to take her leave when she heard someone laugh behind her: "Aunt Qing, my apologies for keeping you waiting. I spilled something on my clothes earlier and had to change, which delayed me."
Chang Zaiqing started and quickly stood up, only to see Shen Miao enter the room, followed by several maids.
The young girl wore an emerald-patterned brocade cloak lined with feathers and held a Warm Stove in her hands. Upon entering, she seemed to find the room warm and removed the cloak, revealing a dark purple embroidered gown with intricate floral patterns. The design was lavish, yet the deep purple lent it a rare dignity. On her, it didn't look the least bit aged—instead, it exuded an imposing nobility. The dark purple set off her jade-like skin, and as she walked forward with a smile, her every step seemed to bloom with elegance, as though she were treading through the halls of a palace.
For a moment, Chang Zaiqing felt dizzy.
She had met many people, including women who prided themselves on their grace and charm—even Shen Yue, whom Chen Ruoqiu subtly praised. But only Shen Miao could evoke such astonishment in her. That day by Luo Xueyan's side had been one thing, but now, appearing alone, she effortlessly stole the spotlight, radiating an almost oppressive presence.
"Fifth Miss?" Chang Zaiqing's gaze flickered behind Shen Miao.
"No need to look," Shen Miao smiled. "It was I who sent you the invitation, Aunt Qing."The scenes between Chen Ruoqiu and Chang Zaiqing feel like two Oscar-winning actresses trying to outshine each other.
Her Majesty: I'll just quietly watch you two show off￣，￣
...
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