It was an utterly terrifying dream, where all struggles seemed futile. Despite knowing the outcome would be devastating, she was powerless to stop events from unfolding, forced to watch helplessly as everything spiraled into irreparable ruin.
She was the murderer.
A low rumble of thunder echoed—unusual for early winter—followed by a flash of lightning. Shen Miao jolted upright from her nightmare, gasping for air.
Her hands clutched unconsciously at something, and she felt someone gently patting her back. The touch was soothing, carrying a comforting strength. She leaned into their embrace, gripping her own neck, drenched in sweat and struggling to breathe.
The person remained patient, letting her curl up against them. After a pause, they rested a hand on the back of Shen Miao’s head, pressing her closer. Trembling violently, she bit down on their shoulder. They flinched but didn’t pull away, only patting her head reassuringly.
Time passed, and the thunder gradually faded, leaving only the soft patter of rain outside. Shen Miao’s breathing steadied. She released her grip, her nose brushing against something cold—a golden button.
The intimacy of their position struck her.
Slowly, she pulled away and sat up.
The other person rose, and moments later, a lamp flickered to life in the room. Someone placed an oil lamp on the small table beside the daybed before sitting down beside her. His features were striking—handsome and refined, exuding an air of nobility as always. It was none other than Xie Jingxing.
In the lamplight, his gaze held less of its usual mischief and more warmth, tinged with concern.
Shen Miao’s heart clenched.
Lost in the nightmare, she hadn’t been able to wake. Yet the dream didn’t feel like just a dream—it was as if it had truly happened. Shaken by the horrifying possibility, she had lost control, clinging to warmth like a drowning person grasping at straws. Only now did she realize how unusual it was for him to be here in the dead of night.
Her carefully guarded secret seemed to crack at this moment, and she was facing the most perceptive hunter. Xie Jingxing’s sharp eyes could uncover truths from mere fragments of words.
“What did you dream about?” Xie Jingxing trimmed the excess wick of the lamp. Even this simple motion, under the glow, looked like an elegant silhouette, pleasing to the eye.
“Just a nightmare,” Shen Miao murmured, though her voice wavered slightly.
Xie Jingxing paused, turning to look at her. “You have fears too?”
A spark of irritation flared in her. “I’m not Prince Rui. Life is hard enough—of course I have fears.”
Xie Jingxing studied her. His eyes were beautiful, the shape of peach blossoms—usually teasing and inscrutable, enough to make any woman drown in their depths. But now, as he gazed at Shen Miao, they were deep as autumn pools, dark as ink, impossible to read.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “It was just a dream.”Shen Miao's nose tingled with a sudden surge of incomparable sorrow. She had prided herself on mastering her emotions in this second life—hate and love sometimes couldn't be concealed, but after brief outbursts, she always tidied them away neatly. Yet tonight’s dream had left her unexpectedly vulnerable. Perhaps it was the desolate sound of the rain or Xie Jingxing’s gaze, too tender, softening her hardened heart until she longed to find a place to weep openly.
Her vision blurred as something brushed her face. Lifting her eyes, she saw Xie Jingxing holding a handkerchief, gently wiping her tears.
In the end, she had cried.
The young man’s fingers were slender and elegant as he leaned slightly forward, his movements delicate, his gaze focused as though performing the most meticulous task in the world. His long lashes cast shadows over his already striking features, the usual aloofness and mischief of the day replaced by a gentleness akin to that of a devoted partner—like an elder brother or a dear friend.
Shen Miao was momentarily dazed. Only when Xie Jingxing finished and noticed her stare did he arch a brow and ask, "Done crying?"
She averted her eyes. "Thank you." This time, her gratitude no longer carried the dry, mocking tone of the past. Such gentleness in her voice might have been a first.
Xie Jingxing gave her a surprised glance before suddenly smiling and ruffling her hair. "What did you dream about? You kept murmuring 'Madam Shen'—what mistake did you make?"
Shen Miao’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at him. "What did I say in my sleep?"
Xie Jingxing pondered briefly. "You said, 'Madam Shen, I was wrong,' and 'I’m sorry, Madam Shen.'" He studied her thoughtfully. "What mistake in your dream was so grave?"
Hearing this, Shen Miao relaxed slightly and brushed it off. "It was nothing, just a dream." Unbeknownst to her, Xie Jingxing caught her relieved expression, his fingers curling faintly.
"But," Shen Miao suddenly remembered something and eyed him. "Why are you here so late?" Even she didn’t realize that she had grown accustomed to Xie Jingxing barging into her chambers at night—there was no anger in her question, as if it were the most ordinary thing.
Xie Jingxing retrieved a letter from his sleeve. "I intended to give you a gift."
Shen Miao gave him a puzzled look before taking the letter and opening it. Her breath hitched.
The densely written contents were none other than details of Chang Zaiqing’s past in Liuzhou—including how she had abandoned a husband and son. These were Chang Zaiqing’s deepest secrets. Shen Miao was stunned, not by the revelations in the letter, but by the fact that Xie Jingxing had brought this to her.
"You don’t seem surprised," Xie Jingxing tilted his head. "Did you already know?"
"Still, thank you for your kindness, Prince Rui." Shen Miao folded the letter. "Please don’t interfere in this matter. I’ll handle it myself."
Xie Jingxing watched her for a moment before shaking his head with a laugh. "This prince overstepped."
A silence settled between them. For some reason, the room suddenly felt stifling. Shen Miao lowered her gaze, her eyes unconsciously landing on the hem of Xie Jingxing’s robe draped over the couch—the fabric was luxurious, the gold-thread embroidery exquisite. She could almost feel his probing stare. Lifting her head, she met his gaze with forced calm. "If there’s nothing else, you should leave."Xie Jingxing stared at her.
Shen Miao frowned slightly. This man had pulled her out of her nightmare, and for that, she ought to be grateful. But who was Xie Jingxing? A man who could discern the whole from a single detail—the longer one stayed with him, the more likely they’d be devoured without a trace left. Shen Miao had no desire for her secrets to be exposed before others, especially not someone as sensitive as Xie Jingxing. Even if he hadn’t shown any hostility toward her thus far, she dared not let her guard down too much.
Xie Jingxing said, “The rain is so heavy, and you’re telling me to leave?”
Outside the window, the rain continued to pour, the thunder gradually fading, as if it would never stop for the rest of the night. His words nearly made Shen Miao forget the heartache she had just felt, and she retorted, “Don’t tell me Prince Rui intends to stay the night here?”
Xie Jingxing’s brows lifted slightly. “Good idea.”
“Xie Jingxing!” Shen Miao snapped in a low voice.
“You call my given name so smoothly,” Xie Jingxing remarked, tucking the handkerchief he had used to wipe her tears into her hand. “Go to sleep. I’ll leave when the rain stops.”
Shen Miao was so furious that the faintly ambiguous atmosphere in the room vanished instantly. What kind of nonsense was this—having a strange man watching over her while she slept? Xie Jingxing was always doing such unreasonable things.
“With Prince Rui here, I can’t sleep,” Shen Miao said expressionlessly, staring at him. His interruption had already dissipated much of the gloom she had felt because of Chang Zaiqing, and her face had relaxed considerably.
Xie Jingxing reached out, tilting her chin up and forcing her to meet his gaze. Slowly, he said, “Look closely. This prince is of imperial blood, protected by the aura of the true dragon. With me in your room, no ghosts or demons dare approach. You won’t have nightmares.”
Instead of anger, Shen Miao laughed, shaking off his hand. “So, I should thank Prince Rui, then?”
“Indeed.”
Shen Miao glared at him, but her mood gradually lightened. Xie Jingxing hadn’t asked about anything else—whether he truly hadn’t guessed or knew but pretended not to ask, it felt like she had narrowly escaped a disaster. Right now, she had no energy left to deal with anyone else. His silence was help enough. Their current bickering was nothing more than trivial.
Xie Jingxing walked to the window, adjusting it slightly to keep the rain from blowing in. Then he moved to the table not far from the bed, casually picking up a book as if he intended to sit and read. Without turning his head, he said, “With this prince here, you can sleep without worry.”
Shen Miao parted her lips, wanting to say something, but in the end, she remained silent. Outside, the wind howled and the rain poured, the thunder still frightening. She burrowed into the blankets, leaving only her head exposed, but her gaze unconsciously drifted toward the man at the table.
Even while seated, the young man’s figure was tall and upright. He flipped through the book casually, yet with an air of seriousness. His profile was breathtakingly handsome, and under the warm yellow lamplight, he seemed gentler, as if all his usual irreverence had faded away. At this moment, Xie Jingxing appeared steady and composed, his presence like a shelter from the storm. Without saying a word, he could inspire an inexplicable sense of trust.
He was cunning, ruthless, and merciless, capable of deceiving the entire world and making decisive, all-or-nothing gambles. He toyed with the imperial family, swapped the real for the fake, and though he seemed frivolous on the surface, he could overturn the heavens and earth with a flick of his hand. He was no good man—yet, perhaps not as heartless as one might think.Shen Miao's emotions, amidst the storm outside, seemed to have her sorrow and pain concealed under the dim lamplight. Slowly, she closed her eyes.
The drizzling rain finally ceased after what felt like an eternity. The oil lamp on the table flickered weakly, its flame on the verge of extinguishing.
The young man in the purple robe closed the book in his hands, stood up, and walked to the bedside.
On the bed, the young girl slept peacefully, her breathing steady. Her long hair cascaded over the pillow, and with her eyes closed, she lacked her usual dignified demeanor, instead exuding a serene innocence that made her appear even more youthful.
She was only sixteen, still just a young girl. In ordinary households, a sixteen-year-old girl might be daydreaming about which young man was the most handsome or which family’s sachets smelled the sweetest.
Xie Jingxing’s gaze was complex.
From the first time he met Shen Miao, just after her coming-of-age ceremony, she had displayed a shrewdness that starkly contrasted with her age. Not just composure—it was shrewdness. The Shen family faced intricate challenges, yet she never seemed flustered, meeting every obstacle head-on as if she had foreseen it all.
Yet, she was still a young girl. Like her childhood name, Shen Jiaojiao, she should have been pampered and cherished, but she was forced to mature prematurely. Never showing vulnerability didn’t mean she lacked it. Just moments ago, when she awoke from a nightmare, the despair in her eyes had been enough to shake anyone.
She had clutched his collar, trembling all over as if she had endured something terrifying, yet in an instant, she reverted to her usual composed self. Like a wounded beast, she had to constantly project strength, for revealing any weakness would invite merciless attacks from her enemies.
Xie Jingxing was puzzled. He was not a kind man, possessing a ruthlessness uncommon among ordinary people, yet whenever he faced Shen Miao, he always left room for leniency. From their first meeting, his stance had been one of concession. He had been yielding to her.
But he didn’t know why.
Just as he had deliberately claimed the rain hadn’t stopped, simply to watch her fall asleep. She was clearly afraid, yet she pretended otherwise, so he could only feign ignorance.
Now that the rain had stopped, he tucked the blanket around Shen Miao, lowered the bed curtains, and left the room.
On the bed, Shen Miao’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, but she did not open her eyes.
The residence next to the Shen estate had recently been purchased by Prince Rui. Xie Jingxing emerged from it, and Tie Yi and Nan Qi, who had been waiting outside, hurried to follow.
“Accept the palace invitation again,” Xie Jingxing said.
Tie Yi was taken aback. “Master, didn’t you say you wouldn’t go—”
“I’ve changed my mind.” Xie Jingxing shot him a glance.
Tie Yi quickly assented, though inwardly, he was bewildered. The invitation had been issued by several Ming Qi princes and the crown prince of Da Qin. Xie Jingxing had initially refused, wanting no part in their affairs. Why the sudden change of heart? Tie Yi cautiously studied his master’s expression, noting the coldness in his eyes, and grew even more perplexed.
Xie Jingxing’s gaze turned icy.
In Shen Miao’s dream, she hadn’t just called out Luo Xueyan’s name—she had also mentioned Prince Ding, Fu Xiuyi.
“Never like Fu Xiuyi again…” A mocking smile suddenly curled at his lips. Like…"Liked before" was always a phrase that felt like an eyesore.
The winter thunder in Fixed Capital brought a sudden chill the next day. It seemed as if deep winter had arrived overnight. People discussed the heavy rain from the previous night, all agreeing it had come rather abruptly.
"I didn’t expect the rain to come so suddenly. We forgot about the potted plants in the courtyard. By the time Hua Yi remembered, several had already shattered. Those flowers were usually tended to with such care—what a pity they were lost like this," Chen Ruoqiu said as she adjusted Shen Wan’s robes, bringing up the previous night’s downpour.
Chen Ruoqiu had always been particular about elegance, even going so far as to seek out rare and exotic varieties for her flowers. Shen Wan listened absentmindedly, his gaze not quite settling on her.
Noticing his demeanor, Chen Ruoqiu smiled and asked, "Does my lord have something on his mind?"
Shen Wan snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her. "I was thinking—Yue’er is now of marriageable age."
Chen Ruoqiu’s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her smile. "I’m aware. I’ve been looking for suitable matches for her. But these things take time—we can’t just marry her off carelessly. You’d feel sorry for her too, my lord."
"It’s already been so long," Shen Wan said, refusing to be brushed off this time. His expression hardened. "It’s been two full years since Yue’er turned sixteen. Other families’ daughters are either already married or at least betrothed by now. If Yue’er keeps dragging this out, it’ll only get harder to find a good match later. The families I suggested to you the other day are all decent. I’ve looked into them—they’re well-matched in status, and their households aren’t mired in unnecessary drama. Yue’er wouldn’t suffer if she married into any of them."
"That may be so," Chen Ruoqiu forced a smile, "but we still need to give Yue’er time to get acquainted with them."
"Two years. Every time we bring up potential matches, she refuses. And you, as her mother, indulge her," Shen Wan’s gaze sharpened. "Our family may be well-off, but Yue’er’s ambitions are too high. If she’s set her sights on something she shouldn’t, dragging our entire branch of the family down with her, the consequences won’t be worth it."
There was a pointed meaning in Shen Wan’s words, and Chen Ruoqiu’s heart lurched. Shen Wan was no fool—if Shen Yue kept rejecting every suitor, her father would naturally grow suspicious. Shen Yue’s heart was set on Prince Ding, Fu Xiuyi. If Shen Wan found out, he would never let her off lightly.
"Some families are beyond our reach," Shen Wan said meaningfully. "Yue’er needs to be realistic and abandon any inappropriate notions early. Otherwise, once she’s in too deep, it’ll be too late to pull her out."
Cold sweat broke out on Chen Ruoqiu’s back. Having been married to Shen Wan for so many years, she could almost be certain he already knew Shen Yue’s feelings. But Chen Ruoqiu knew her daughter’s temperament all too well. Even when Shen Miao was still around, Shen Yue had been infatuated with Prince Ding. Now, without Shen Miao in the picture, Shen Yue would likely cling to that hope even more stubbornly. If forced to marry someone else, she would probably resist to the death.
"But my lord," Chen Ruoqiu still tried to plead for her daughter, "Yue’er is still young. Some things can’t be rushed. You’ve always doted on her—can’t you be a little more understanding this time?"Shen Wan took a deep breath and looked at Chen Ruoqiu, his gaze tinged with disappointment. He said, "Madam has always been sensible, so why can't you see clearly now? Prince Ding is far from as simple as he appears on the surface. When the main branch of the Shen family was still intact and we held military power, Prince Ding might have been somewhat wary. But now that the main branch has split, and both my second brother and I are civil officials with smooth careers, Prince Ding won’t value us. When he marries, he will choose a wife whose family benefits him. Yue’er holds little significance for him—how could he possibly make her his principal wife? At best, she might become a concubine. Even if Yue’er wins his favor, how could a concubine contend with a principal wife backed by a powerful family? In the end, Yue’er would be the one to suffer."
Chen Ruoqiu broke into a cold sweat upon hearing this. She had originally thought Shen Wan opposed Shen Yue marrying Prince Ding because he didn’t favor Prince Ding in the struggle for succession. But now it seemed Shen Wan’s assessment of Prince Ding wasn’t that of an ordinary man, but one who knew how to weigh advantages and disadvantages. Such a man would struggle to have genuine affection, and even if he did, Chen Ruoqiu couldn’t bear to watch her legitimate daughter bow and scrape before another woman.
She said, "So that’s how it is. I was the one who failed to consider things thoroughly. My lord has always had Yue’er’s best interests at heart, yet I blamed you—it was all my fault."
"Don’t blame yourself," Shen Wan sighed. "Yue’er’s temperament has become more willful than before. You must discipline her properly to avoid future troubles. I’ve had my subordinates compile a list of suitable young men from prominent families in the capital. I’ll have it sent to you later. Pick a few, and arrange for Yue’er to meet them in the coming days." He paused, then added, "This matter truly cannot be delayed any longer."
Now understanding the situation, Chen Ruoqiu found herself aligned with Shen Wan’s stance and immediately agreed. After Shen Wan left for court, the list was delivered. Chen Ruoqiu carefully reviewed each name, marking those she deemed suitable, genuinely intending to arrange meetings for Shen Yue.
Unnoticed in Autumn Water Court, one of the maids sweeping the courtyard quietly set down her work and slipped away.
Shen Yue’s brush suddenly halted, leaving a long ink stain across her unfinished painting. The piece had been a beautiful depiction of a mountain retreat in autumn twilight, but now an abrupt streak marred the clear sky. Yet she paid it no mind, instead furiously questioning the maid before her.
"What did you say? Mother is arranging a marriage for me?"
"Second Young Miss," the maid replied cautiously, bowing her head, "Madam has already selected several names from the list and sent out invitations. She plans to take you to visit them in a few days."
"Nonsense!" Shen Yue flung her brush down in a rage, though it was unclear whom she was cursing. Her usual gentle and elegant demeanor vanished entirely, and the surrounding maids dared not even breathe. Everyone knew that despite her delicate appearance, the Second Young Miss showed no mercy when dealing with servants who displeased her.
A look of irritation crossed Shen Yue’s face.She was now eighteen years old. At eighteen, in Fixed Capital, she was of marriageable age. Even if not yet married, most would have already been betrothed. Yet she remained unengaged. A talented woman of boundless intellect, beautiful in appearance, gentle and wise in temperament, countless men admired her. But there was only one man she wished to marry—Fu Xiuyi.
Prince Ding, Fu Xiuyi, was the youngest among the imperial princes and the only one who had yet to take a consort. Back then, Shen Miao had fallen in love with Fu Xiuyi at first sight, utterly captivated by his grace and charm. Yet, who could say Shen Yue wasn’t equally entranced? A man like him seemed destined to bewitch hearts. Unlike the eccentric temperaments of other princes, he was young, handsome, and a descendant of the royal family—arguably the most distinguished man in Ming Qi after the emperor himself. Shen Yue had always believed that only she was worthy of Fu Xiuyi. So when Shen Miao shamelessly publicized her infatuation with him, Shen Yue felt it was an insult to the man she adored.
Fortunately, Fu Xiuyi treated Shen Miao with utter indifference, and now, there was nothing between them—a fact that eased Shen Yue’s mind. Once, she had overheard Shen Wan and Shen Gui discussing how Fu Xiuyi might reluctantly marry Shen Miao to secure Shen Xin’s military power. The thought had tormented her for ages, wishing Shen Miao would simply vanish. Thankfully, Shen Miao eventually gave up on her own.
Now that Shen Miao was no longer competing with her, why were her own parents forcing her into this?
“I’ll tell Mother—I won’t marry, I won’t!” Shen Yue stood up, sweeping the writing tools and papers off the table in a fit of rage. The maids around her immediately dropped to their knees, not daring to utter a word of comfort.
Meanwhile, in the Colorful Cloud Courtyard, the commotion had not gone unnoticed.
Compared to its lively state two years ago, the courtyard had grown desolate. After Ren Wanyun’s death and Shen Gui’s injury to his lineage, Old Madam Shen had forbidden him from bringing any more dubious women into the mansion. Resigned to his fate, Shen Gui, knowing he could never father children again, found the courtyard unbearable and took to frequenting brothels instead. The only women left in the Colorful Cloud Courtyard, aside from the servants, were Wan Yiniang and Shen Dongling.
Shen Gui had once had two sons, making his branch of the family seem prosperous compared to the third branch. But now, all that remained was a single illegitimate daughter. Regardless, Shen Dongling was Shen Gui’s only heir, and the servants treated her and Wan Yiniang with newfound respect.
“What’s all that noise outside?” Wan Yiniang looked up from her needlework. Life had treated her well these past two years, and she carried herself with more confidence than before.
A young maid at the door replied, “Madam, the Second Young Lady is throwing a tantrum because the Third Madam is arranging a marriage for her. She’s heading to the Autumn Water Court now.”
Wan Yiniang let out a derisive laugh and shook her head. “To think the Second Young Lady would rage over such a thing.” Her expression darkened as a thought struck her. “She doesn’t know how lucky she is.”
Her own Shen Dongling was also a daughter of the Shen Mansion, nearly the same age as Shen Yue. But Old Madam Shen looked down on illegitimate children, and Shen Gui paid no attention to household matters. With Shen Dongling’s lowly status, hardly any suitors had come forward—and those who did were from dubious families, clearly unsuitable.
Here she was, fretting over Shen Dongling’s marriage prospects, while Shen Yue, who had people caring for her, still complained. Truly, being born into privilege was a matter of accumulated virtue.As she was lost in thought, Shen Dongling stood up from behind the screen. She had grown considerably taller, her figure now slender and graceful, with sharp eyebrows and eyes that bore some resemblance to Wan Yiniang's charm when she used to perform as a dan role in opera.
"Where are you going?" Wan Yiniang asked casually.
Shen Dongling replied, "Auntie, haven't you always been concerned about my marriage?"
Wan Yiniang was taken aback, unsure what she meant by this.
"I've waited two years, and now, the opportunity has come," Shen Dongling said.
...
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