"Unfortunately, I also desire her."
The guests at the table had been smiling, but their smiles gradually froze. Huangfu Hao stared intently at Prince Rui's eyes, Fu Xiuyi also looked at him in surprise, while Ming An Princess's face stiffened, her expression momentarily contorted.
It was the Crown Prince who broke the tension with a hearty laugh, smoothing things over: "Fair ladies are sought after by noble men. Miss Shen, with her talent and beauty, naturally attracts countless heroes to bow before her."
The others quickly nodded and chimed in agreement. Prince Rui picked up his wine cup with a faint smile, then set it down without another word.
Everyone assumed his remark had been nothing more than an offhand jest. After all, why would Prince Rui of Great Coolness ever marry a mere official's daughter from Ming Qi? Setting aside whether the two were even remotely compatible, in such a sensitive and tense political climate, marrying a woman from another country would be like planting an unpredictable trap—who could say whether she might be a spy sent by the opposing state? No matter how bold one might be, no one would dare take such a risk.
The banquet continued with laughter, wine, and dishes, but ever since Prince Rui's remark, Ming An Princess had been consumed by resentment, her gaze filled with such hatred that even Huangfu Hao frowned repeatedly.
Overall, the Crown Prince's banquet could be considered a success. The Ming Qi princes had likely hoped to gauge the current attitudes of Qin State and Great Coolness toward their kingdom. Qin State had thus far shown nothing but friendliness toward Ming Qi, with no signs of hostility. But Prince Rui of Great Coolness remained aloof—neither warm nor cold, neither friendly nor antagonistic, making him impossible to read. Even as the others grew flushed with wine during the toasts, he remained sober, his words impeccably measured, leaving everyone frustrated.
In the end, Prince Rui was the first to leave. His departure only worsened Ming An Princess's mood. On the way back, the furious princess punished several servants in a fit of rage, even berating an official who had come to deliver official documents to Prince Ding.
Those two men were none other than Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao. Only after Fu Xiuyi reprimanded them did Ming An Princess finally relent. Once back at Prince Ding's Residence, Fu Xiuyi recounted the day's events to his advisors, pondering aloud: "That Prince Rui of Great Coolness seems to harbor some hostility toward me. He deliberately undermined me at the banquet."
Fu Xiuyi had gathered quite a number of capable men around him. As a prince, while his schemes might not be the most sophisticated, his methods and perseverance in recruiting talent surpassed all nine princes. He could wait outside a scholar's humble door all night in the bitter cold, or arrange a lifetime of security and prosperity for their families. Thus, his advisors were not only talented but also fiercely loyal. Whenever he faced a problem, he could always rely on them for answers.
And the art of ruling men was the most crucial skill an emperor should master. In this regard, Fu Xiuyi was indeed the most outstanding candidate for the throne.
As his advisors contemplated silently, Fu Xiuyi turned to the man in the blue robe at the forefront and asked, "What insights does Master Pei have?"If every advisor here was someone Fu Xiuyi trusted, then Pei Lang could definitely be considered his confidant. Pei Lang had been recruited by Fu Xiuyi two years prior. At the time, Fu Xiuyi had been impressed by Pei Lang’s talent, but Pei Lang himself had no interest in power or status. In the end, Fu Xiuyi had to exhaust all means, even appealing to the greater good of the realm, to finally sway Pei Lang’s heart. This hard-won advisor did not disappoint Fu Xiuyi’s high expectations—over the past two years, he had resolved many difficult problems for him. Thus, whenever Fu Xiuyi encountered an unsolvable dilemma, Pei Lang was always the first person he thought of.
Pei Lang frowned and asked, “Has Your Highness ever had any dealings with Prince Rui elsewhere?”
Fu Xiuyi shook his head.
“That’s strange,” Pei Lang analyzed. “Since Prince Rui is here as a representative of Great Coolness, he shouldn’t single out Your Highness for attention. If there was no prior interaction, it’s hard to imagine why he would trouble you. Your Highness hasn’t obstructed his path, and even if Great Coolness intends to provoke Ming Qi, the target should be His Majesty or the Crown Prince.”
Fu Xiuyi nodded. “That’s what I thought as well. Perhaps…” He paused in thought. “Perhaps it’s because of Shen Miao.”
“What does Your Highness mean by that?” another advisor asked.
“I’ve been thinking—among the things Prince Rui said, the only one connected to me was Shen Miao. At the time, I couldn’t tell if he was joking or deliberate, and I also didn’t think Shen Miao had any ties to him. But now, looking back, it feels a bit odd.”
One of the advisors ventured, “Could it be that Prince Rui and Shen Miao have some unspeakable relationship in private?”
Pei Lang flatly denied it. “That’s impossible.”
Everyone turned to look at him. Pei Lang’s words carried great credibility—his predictions and statements in front of Fu Xiuyi had always been proven true in the end. Even those who disagreed with his deductions had to admit their validity.
“Prince Rui has only just arrived in Ming Qi, and Shen Miao returned to the capital with Shen Xin not long ago. There’s no way they could have had any connection before this. As for afterward…” Pei Lang clasped his hands. “Your Highness has dealt with Prince Rui long enough to know he’s an unpredictable man. Since Great Coolness sent him as an envoy to Ming Qi, Prince Rui must also be someone who weighs pros and cons carefully. In such a short time, turning against Your Highness for the sake of a woman like Shen Miao doesn’t align with his interests.”
Hearing this, Fu Xiuyi mused, “You make a fair point. In your opinion, Master Pei, what should we do now?”
“Since Your Highness wasn’t too heavily implicated today, acting rashly might only alert Princes Zhou and the others. After the tribute banquet, Prince Rui has yet to mention leaving—he must have other business keeping him in Fixed Capital. With Qin State still present, there’s no need to fear. Why not wait and observe, see what Prince Rui is scheming, before making a decision?”
Pei Lang spoke leisurely.
Fu Xiuyi nodded. “Very well, we’ll proceed as Master Pei suggests.” He pressed his fingers to his temples. “I drank too much today, and there’s a long court session tomorrow. I’ll retire now—you may all disperse as well.”
After Fu Xiuyi left, the advisors in the hall gradually drifted away in small groups. No one stayed with Pei Lang, as he had always been a solitary figure. His deep trust with Fu Xiuyi inevitably bred envy, and within Prince Ding’s Residence, not a single person befriended him.
Pei Lang stepped out of the room and gazed absently at the stars in the sky.Two years had passed—two whole years. He had finally become Fu Xiuyi’s trusted confidant, fulfilling his promise to that young girl. Life had been peaceful, relying on his wits to earn Fu Xiuyi’s trust. Everything felt so natural that sometimes Pei Lang even thought this was how his life was always meant to be. But Shen Miao’s reappearance shattered that illusion. From the very beginning, Pei Lang knew that the deal he made with Shen Miao was like bargaining with the devil. From the moment he approached Fu Xiuyi, there would inevitably come a day—like now—when he would become the very kind of traitor he once despised.
Fu Xiuyi treated him exceedingly well, yet he had been a betrayer from the start.
Pei Lang sighed deeply.
The days of peace were over. From now on, every step he took would be fraught with peril, teetering on the edge of an abyss where a single misstep would leave no room for redemption.
Shen Miao. The image of the young girl in purple robes, her delicate face, surfaced in Pei Lang’s mind.
If even he, a man, found this path so arduous, how could the girl orchestrating everything behind the scenes bear such a burden?
This was something he would never understand in his lifetime.
Under the flickering oil lamp, Shen Miao carefully penned her words. The pristine paper lay spread out before her, while Gu Yu ground ink beside her. Jing Zhe occasionally added oil to the lamp, ensuring the flame remained bright enough.
She wrote with utmost focus, pausing now and then to ponder before continuing. By the time she finished filling the square sheet of paper, the world outside had fallen into complete silence. Shen Miao set down her brush, lifted the letter to blow gently on it, ensuring the ink had dried, then carefully placed it into an envelope. She handed it to Jing Zhe.
“Early tomorrow morning, find a reliable person outside to deliver this letter to Chang Zaiqing at Shen Mansion. Remember—it must not pass through anyone else’s hands. It must reach Chang Zaiqing directly,” Shen Miao instructed.
Jing Zhe nodded and tucked the letter away, though she couldn’t help but wonder why Shen Miao would suddenly write to Chang Zaiqing. Still, she didn’t ask further.
Gu Yu gathered the writing tools from the table and smiled. “Miss, you should rest soon. It’s late now, and staying up any later won’t be good for your health.”
Shen Miao nodded. After Jing Zhe and Gu Yu left, she moved the oil lamp to the small table by her bed but remained seated on the edge, lost in thought.
After the dream she had last night, sleep eluded her. All day, her mind had been consumed by it. It was as if that dream had revealed a glimpse of her past life—now she finally understood how Chang Zaiqing had so easily turned Luo Xueyan into a mere ghost. Shen Miao herself had unwittingly played a part in aiding that cruelty. If Chang Zaiqing was the mastermind, then she had been the unwitting executioner.
The thought brought a surge of hatred so overwhelming that Shen Miao wished she could tear Chang Zaiqing apart with her bare hands.
But simply ruining Chang Zaiqing now would be too easy. Chang Zaiqing’s lifelong obsession was endless wealth, status, and privilege. Why not let her obtain everything she desired, only to watch it all crumble into nothing? Let her become a laughingstock in the eyes of the world. Moreover, using Chang Zaiqing to deal with Chen Ruoqiu would save Shen Miao considerable effort.
The lesson of “wringing the utmost use from everything” was carved into her bones. This time, it was Shen Miao’s turn to wield the knife—to kill with borrowed hands.She pondered for an entire day and finally came up with some ideas. The letter was densely covered with Shen Wan's preferences. Having been uncle and niece for so many years, Shen Miao had once genuinely respected Shen Wan and had gone to great lengths to understand his likes and dislikes to please him. Now, she was handing all this knowledge over to someone else—a woman with ambitions. Shen Miao didn’t believe that with Chang Zaiqing’s skills, a hypocrite like Shen Wan could possibly resist falling into the trap.
A willing gentleman and an eager lady—on the surface, it would appear to be a match made in heaven between a talented scholar and a beautiful woman, but in truth, both were wolves in sheep’s clothing, neither any good. When the time came for their masks to slip, wouldn’t it be all the more entertaining?
A cold glint flashed in Shen Miao’s eyes. Dogs biting dogs—always a delightful sight.
She removed her outer robe and climbed onto the bed, about to lie down, when something inexplicable made her glance at the window.
The window was tightly shut. Outside, a gentle breeze swayed the darkness of the night, with no sign of anyone else.
Shen Miao froze for a moment, inwardly scolding herself. Why on earth had she suddenly looked at the window, as if she somehow felt unaccustomed to Xie Jingxing’s absence? She shook her head, suppressing the strange feeling in her heart, blew out the oil lamp, and finally went to sleep.
At Prince Rui’s Residence, someone was feeding a tiger in the courtyard.
The white tiger frolicked around the yard, nestling at the young man’s feet and occasionally nudging its head forward to beg for food. Perhaps because it was well-fed and meticulously cared for, the tiger’s fur gleamed with health, and it seemed to have grown rounder, looking more like a large, beautiful cat.
"Stop feeding it. If you keep this up, it’ll really turn into a cat. Look at it now—does it still resemble a tiger in the slightest?" Gao Yang remarked from the side, pouring cold water on the scene.
Xie Jingxing ignored him, continuing to feed the tiger as he said indifferently, "I spoil it. Got a problem with that?"
Gao Yang choked on his words and raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. I don’t care if you’re feeding a cat or a tiger. But what exactly happened in the Eastern Palace today? Out of nowhere, you provoked Prince Ding. Someone like Fu Xiuyi is bound to be suspicious of you now. Isn’t it unwise to startle the snake in the grass? What were you thinking?"
When news of the palace incident reached Gao Yang’s ears, he had initially found it hard to believe. Xie Jingxing always had his own methods, and confronting Fu Xiuyi now was hardly the right time. Fu Xiuyi had his own underhanded tactics—though they might not harm Xie Jingxing directly, they could still cause him unnecessary trouble. At this stage, they couldn’t afford any slip-ups.
Seeing that Xie Jingxing had no intention of responding, Gao Yang’s eyes gleamed with sudden realization. "Don’t tell me it was for Shen Miao’s sake?"
Xie Jingxing said, "Are you that free?"
"What?"
"Have you settled the Su family’s affairs?" Xie Jingxing asked.
Gao Yang was taken aback but quickly replied, "I’ve already sent people to handle it. But," he paused, then continued, "is there any point in doing this? Even if you and Su Mingfeng are close friends, once he learns your true identity, he’ll inevitably become your enemy. When that time comes, everything you’ve done will seem calculated in his eyes. Wouldn’t it be better not to have done anything at all? Why go to such lengths?"
Emperor Wenhui was intent on suppressing the Su family. Even though the Su family had deliberately reined in their influence, some remnants remained—remnants that could very well become fatal liabilities in the future. What Xie Jingxing had asked Gao Yang to do was secretly clean up these liabilities for the Su family, ensuring they wouldn’t face any unforeseen disasters later.Gao Yang was noncommittal about Xie Jingxing's actions. Xie Jingxing now wore a mask, so no one knew he was Prince Rui. But if the truth were ever exposed, he could stubbornly deny it, yet Su Mingfeng would surely recognize him. Childhood friends who had grown up together, yet one was deceiving the other. Moreover, Great Coolness and Ming Qi would inevitably stand on opposing sides one day.
Xie Jingxing could protect the Su family, but he couldn’t preserve his past with Su Mingfeng. This was an unavoidable reality.
"Why should I consider his feelings in what I do?" Xie Jingxing said. "I act simply because I wish to."
"Is that truly the case?" Gao Yang, unusually sharp, retorted. "Perhaps you’ve forgotten—you are different now. This identity means there is no one in Ming Qi you can truly trust. Remove the mask, and others will regard you with wary eyes. As your subordinate, I must advise you—there is nothing to hide, Your Highness."
The night breeze rustled softly. The white tiger, having eaten its fill, let out a satisfied burp and happily tugged at Xie Jingxing’s sleeve. The courtyard was silent, filled only with the sound of the wind.
After what seemed like an eternity, Xie Jingxing spoke. "No."
"Not everyone. There is one who is different," he said. "Someone who can interact with the Prince of Great Coolness."
"You mean Shen Miao?" Gao Yang reminded him. "Your Highness must not forget that Shen Miao engages with you now because she, too, opposes Prince Ding, Fu Xiuyi. You can aid her, but if the day truly comes when all is said and done, she will stand against you. To be reviled by the world—wasn’t this what you prepared for from the start? If you seek only fleeting pleasure, it will be but a fleeting dream, leaving nothing but sorrow upon waking."
"So what?"
Gao Yang was taken aback.
Xie Jingxing countered, "So what?"
He lifted the white tiger from the ground, cradling it in his arms as he stood. His tall, straight figure resembled a pine tree in the darkness.
"Everything in this world comes at a price," he said. "Power, people—it’s all the same. If that day truly comes, this prince will find a way to seize it."
"The kingdom must be seized. The throne must be seized. The woman must be seized. Even her heart must be seized."
"This path was destined from the start. What does it matter if the world hates me? If you can’t bear even this, you should return to Great Coolness now."
"This prince has never forgotten the path he must walk. On the contrary, he knows exactly what he wants. So do not question his decisions."
"If it’s all but a fleeting dream, then turn that dream into reality."
His tone was calm, yet brooked no argument. "This prince has that confidence. Gao Yang, do you doubt it?"
Years later, whenever Gao Yang recalled this winter night, he could still feel the boiling fervor in his bones. He had witnessed the arrogance and mischief of Xie Jingxing’s youth, the audacity and pride of his young adulthood. Yet in that moment, as if across the passage of time, he glimpsed the innate dominance and majesty befitting royalty.
"If it’s all but a fleeting dream, then turn that dream into reality."
How many in this world dared to speak such words? Yet Xie Jingxing had.
Gao Yang paused briefly before kneeling in a flawless salute of loyalty.
"Your servant pledges his life to follow Your Highness."
"Rise," Xie Jingxing said, idly playing with the white tiger in his arms.Gao Yang patted the dust off his knees, thought for a moment, and then asked solemnly, "So, Your Highness, how do you plan to win Miss Shen over?"
Xie Jingxing replied, "Get lost."
As early winter set in, the days seemed to pass by exceptionally quickly. Yet, it appeared everyone was busy, and nothing particularly noteworthy happened in Fixed Capital. If there was any fresh news, it was the affairs within Shen Mansion.
After her conversation with Shen Wan that day, Chen Ruoqiu was determined to marry off Shen Yue. She took Shen Yue to socialize with various noblewomen every day. Though Shen Yue was utterly unwilling, she dared not refuse again after being locked in the ancestral hall once by Shen Wan. Spoiled and unable to endure hardship, Shen Yue had no choice but to obediently accompany Chen Ruoqiu to meet these ladies.
Though Chen Ruoqiu wanted to marry off Shen Yue, she still cherished her daughter dearly and was meticulous in selecting potential matches. Shen Wan, though shrewd, was more humane than Shen Gui. Shen Yue was his treasured pearl, and the families he shortlisted were not only of equal social standing—ensuring Shen Yue would live in luxury—but the young men from these families were also among the most outstanding in Fixed Capital, with no messy entanglements of concubines in their households. This was largely thanks to Shen Yue's reputation as a talented and refined young lady, which naturally garnered favor.
With her days consumed by Shen Yue's affairs, Chen Ruoqiu inadvertently neglected Shen Wan. Unbeknownst to her, Chang Zaiqing had gradually become Shen Wan's confidante. Previously, Shen Wan would share his worries and troubles with Chen Ruoqiu after court, but now that she was preoccupied, Chang Zaiqing became his sounding board. Moreover, Chang Zaiqing occasionally offered him insightful advice.
Strangely enough, Chang Zaiqing shared many interests and habits with Shen Wan. For instance, Shen Wan disliked sweets, and Chang Zaiqing's pastries happened to be lightly sweetened. Shen Wan preferred fragrant tea, and most of the tea Chang Zaiqing brewed was of the aromatic variety. Even their favorite calligraphers and painters aligned perfectly. People naturally feel closer to those who resemble them, and Shen Wan increasingly found Chang Zaiqing kindred in spirit. Accustomed to Chen Ruoqiu's gentle aloofness, Chang Zaiqing's bright and clever demeanor was like a refreshing breeze, stirring long-dormant waves in Shen Wan's heart.
All of this, of course, went unnoticed by Chen Ruoqiu.
Naturally, Chen Ruoqiu was unaware. Chang Zaiqing was highly skilled—she never sought out Shen Wan proactively, ensuring it was always he who approached her. When they were together, they maintained a respectful distance, exchanging only casual words. Even if others saw them, they wouldn't think much of it, let alone alert Chen Ruoqiu.
While this was happening on Chen Ruoqiu's end, another baffling development was the sudden closeness between Shen Yue and the third young lady of Shen Mansion, Shen Dongling.
Though only these two young ladies remained in Shen Mansion, Shen Yue, much like Chen Ruoqiu, inherently looked down on those of lower status—especially a concubine-born daughter. After years of no interaction, their inexplicable sisterly bond was undeniably suspicious.
In the Colorful Cloud Courtyard of Shen Mansion, Shen Dongling pushed a plate of pastries toward Shen Yue and smiled, "These are freshly made by the kitchen, with milk and osmanthus. Second Sister, do try some."Shen Yue glanced at the pastry but didn't reach for it. Instead, she sighed irritably and said, "How could I possibly have any appetite for food right now? I'm already full of anger."
Shen Dongling looked at her with concern and asked, "Second Sister, are you still troubled about your marriage arrangement?"
"You don't understand," Shen Yue said irritably. "Yesterday I went to the Assistant Minister's residence, and my mother was extremely pleased with that young master Wang. If I'm not mistaken, she's determined to marry me off to him. I can't even eat now—I'm so anxious my head hurts."
"The Assistant Minister?" Shen Dongling asked curiously. "Is it that young master named Wang Bi?"
"You know about him too?" Shen Yue eyed her suspiciously.
"I heard Father mention him once," Shen Dongling replied with a shy smile.
Since Shen Gui also held an official position, it was possible he knew about the Wang family. Shen Yue nodded. "Yes, it's him."
"I've heard that young master Wang is very learned and has already entered official service. Though he hasn't risen to prominence yet, it's only a matter of time. Second Sister, this seems like a good match. Why are you unwilling?" Shen Dongling asked.
"No matter how highly people praise him, I just don't like him," Shen Yue snapped. "If I'm to marry, it must be to someone born into glory. What is he compared to that?"
Hearing this, Shen Dongling tentatively asked, "Does Second Sister perhaps have someone else in mind?"
Shen Yue froze, then quickly covered up her reaction. "No, what nonsense are you spouting?"
Shen Dongling smiled apologetically. "I just thought that someone like young master Wang would be considered quite good. If even he doesn't meet Second Sister's standards, I wondered if it might be because your heart belongs to another, making everyone else seem unworthy. It seems I misunderstood. Please don't be angry with me."
Shen Yue waved her hand dismissively, her gaze becoming distant. Thinking of Fu Xiuyi, her heart ached. Chen Ruoqiu had already told her—Fu Xiuyi would only marry someone who could be of use to him. As the daughter of an ordinary civil official, she would never be his choice. Yet Shen Yue couldn't help but wonder: if one day Fu Xiuyi truly fell in love with her, would he disregard such worldly considerations and treat her sincerely? She was beautiful, intelligent, renowned throughout Fixed Capital as a talented woman—naturally, she deserved to marry a man of unparalleled brilliance. In all of Ming Qi, only Fu Xiuyi could meet her standards.
Having waited for Fu Xiuyi for so long, to give up now and marry someone else—Shen Yue couldn't bear the thought.
She heard Shen Dongling speak softly: "Why doesn't Second Sister give it a try? Young master Wang might not be as bad as you think. After all, the Wang and Shen families are well-matched in status. And by all accounts, he's a good man. If Second Sister married him, you'd never suffer hardship. A peaceful life—isn't that good enough?"
The more she spoke like this, the more irritated Shen Yue became. What Shen Yue wanted was never mere stability, but glory—the envious gazes of others. Only Fu Xiuyi could give her that.
"Second Sister shouldn't overthink it. Such good fortune is something others can only dream of—myself included," Shen Dongling continued. "If I were in your position and learned of this match, I certainly wouldn't refuse. On the contrary, I'd be overjoyed. What more could a woman ask for than security in life?"
Shen Yue had been growing impatient, but these last words gave her pause. A strange feeling slowly rose in her heart, and she couldn't help but look at Shen Dongling again. With her delicate pointed chin, Shen Dongling appeared especially fragile—the kind of meek person who would never resist anything. There was nothing but trusting sincerity in her eyes, as if she truly regarded Shen Yue as a beloved sister.He seemed like someone who could be easily manipulated.
A thought slowly surfaced in Shen Yue's mind.
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
This story is also known as: The Domineering Prince Rui Falls for Me ╮╯╰╭
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