The day was warm and pleasant. Under the bright sun outside, Chen Ruoqiu and Shen Yue sat chatting in the eastern courtyard of Shen Mansion.
These days, because Chen Ruoqiu had begun arranging Shen Yue's Selection of a husband, Shen Yue had quarreled with her mother several times. Yet Chen Ruoqiu, who had always been gentle, showed an unprecedented firmness. Left with no choice, Shen Yue could only follow Chen Ruoqiu to various social engagements with a cold expression. Over time, a rift grew between mother and daughter.
For them to sit together peacefully like this today was quite rare.
"I heard Shen Miao was kidnapped and still hasn't been found," Shen Yue picked up a fruit from the porcelain plate on the table, eating it while showing a hint of schadenfreude. "I wonder if she's even alive now?"
Chen Ruoqiu frowned. She had always wanted to train Shen Yue to remain composed and at least appear gentle and elegant on the surface. But compared to Chen Ruoqiu in her younger years, Shen Yue lacked some steadiness. While she managed well in public, any strong emotion was immediately visible in private, which worried Chen Ruoqiu greatly.
"Who would kidnap her, though?" Shen Yue mused. "Uncle has many enemies in Fixed Capital. Who could be behind it this time?"
"Anyone willing to take such a risk must have a deep grudge against Shen Miao. Targeting her specifically means it's personal," Chen Ruoqiu said. "Besides, the Shen Family Army has been searching for days without any leads. The kidnappers are hiding her well. Shen Miao is unlikely to survive this."
At these words, Shen Yue first looked frightened, then suddenly thought of something and smiled. "Actually, I'd rather she were alive," she said, leaving the rest unsaid.
After being kidnapped for so long, even if she were alive, Shen Miao would have suffered unimaginable torment. The most damaging wounds were often from invisible rumors. If Shen Miao died, it would be the end of everything—death spared one from worldly judgments. But if she lived, who knew what ugly things people would say? Many girls in Fixed Capital who were kidnapped and rescued, though they kept their lives, ultimately couldn't bear the scornful gazes of others and ended their lives with a white silk noose.
And Shen Miao was the legitimate daughter of the Grand General of Might.
Chen Ruoqiu glanced at Shen Yue and sighed. "Regardless, this is her matter. Yue'er, you haven't spoken to your father these past days. How long will you keep sulking?"
If Shen Yue resented Chen Ruoqiu for rushing the Selection, her feelings toward Shen Wan bordered on outright hatred. From the servants, she had learned it was Shen Wan who urged Chen Ruoqiu to arrange her marriage so hastily. Thus, Shen Yue blamed everything on Shen Wan, convinced he was sacrificing her early marriage for political gain, to strengthen the third branch's alliances. For this reason, she had refused to speak to Shen Wan all this time. Hearing Chen Ruoqiu's words now, Shen Yue replied impatiently, "Father is never around. How can I talk to him?" With that, she turned away in a huff, ignoring Chen Ruoqiu.
Chen Ruoqiu paused, realizing Shen Yue wasn't entirely wrong. These days, whether due to overwhelming official duties or something else, even Chen Ruoqiu had seen little of Shen Wan. The tender moments and poetic exchanges they once shared had given way to Shen Wan's distracted demeanor.Chen Ruoqiu sighed inwardly. Old Madam Shen was pressuring Shen Wan to take a concubine again. If this caused estrangement between husband and wife, she would face her greatest crisis yet.
Little did Chen Ruoqiu know that Shen Wan, whom she thought was "busy with official duties," was currently playing chess with Chang Zaiqing in the West Courtyard of Shen Mansion.
Chang Zaiqing wore a light green pipa-front top and a pale yellow palace satin skirt, her hair tied in a simple yet elegant style that accentuated her refined and gentle demeanor. The tea she brewed was exceptionally good, and Shen Wan, being a tea lover, often visited her to enjoy it. During these visits, Chang Zaiqing would ask Shen Wan about chess strategies, and over time, he began frequenting her quarters for both tea and chess.
With a smile, Chang Zaiqing asked, "I heard that Fifth Miss Shen was abducted a few days ago. Has she been found yet?"
"Not yet," Shen Wan shook his head.
Chang Zaiqing sighed. "Such a misfortune for a young lady... Does Third Master think Fifth Miss Shen was targeted by General Shen's enemies?"
"It's hard to say," Shen Wan replied. "She was the only one taken, but after so much time has passed, even if she's rescued, it's likely..."
Chang Zaiqing's face showed sorrow, but inwardly, she was secretly pleased. She didn't know why, but she instinctively felt wary of Shen Miao. Perhaps it was the chilling words Shen Miao had once spoken to her, or perhaps it was because Shen Miao saw through her too clearly. Whatever the reason, Shen Miao's presence unsettled her. Hearing Shen Wan's words now brought her great satisfaction.
Meanwhile, in Colorful Cloud Courtyard, Shen Miao's situation was also being discussed.
Wan Yiniang said, "I used to think it was bad for you, Dongling, to stay indoors all the time. But now, it seems quite reassuring. There are so many kidnappers on the streets, and you're so pretty—if you were taken, I'd spend the rest of my life crying." She paused her needlework and added, "I wonder if Fifth Miss is alive or dead?"
Shen Dongling, who was adjusting the embroidery stool for Wan Yiniang, smiled. "Auntie, this isn't something kidnappers could have done."
Wan Yiniang widened her eyes. "Why not?"
"Kidnappers don't abduct people openly on the streets. Even if they did, they wouldn't target noble young ladies, especially those from prominent families—it would only bring them endless trouble. Those people were clearly after Fifth Sister. I think it must be the enemies of the main branch, and Fifth Sister just happened to be caught in it." Though she spoke calmly, Shen Dongling showed little sorrow, as if discussing someone else's affairs.
Wan Yiniang sighed. "Fifth Miss's life is ruined. Born into such a good family, yet she couldn't enjoy her fortune—what a waste of fate."
"Not necessarily," Shen Dongling replied with a radiant smile. "Fifth Sister has always had noble protectors who help her turn calamities into blessings. Who knows if someone might rescue her from this peril now?"
"Even with noble protectors, things have already gone this far. What more can be done?" Wan Yiniang disagreed.
Just then, Shen Dongling's personal maid, Xinghua, hurried in, seemingly with urgent news."Aunt, Third Miss," the maid said, "I just heard outside that Fifth Miss was brought back to the Shen residence by Rong Xin Princess's carriage. She's safe and sound, perfectly fine!"
"Aunt, you see," Shen Dongling smiled, "I told you, Fifth Sister is very capable. She naturally has noble people to help her."
...
Several days after being abducted by villains, Shen Miao finally had news—she was personally escorted back by Rong Xin Princess's personal attendant, causing another uproar in Fixed Capital.
Originally, after Shen Miao was kidnapped, the villains had intended to smuggle her out of the city. However, the Shen family's military patrols were too strict that day. During the transport, Shen Miao managed to escape but injured her leg and fainted. By chance, she encountered the guards from the princess's estate. The guards took her back to the princess's residence, and only after she woke up did she meet Rong Xin Princess. The reason there had been no news for days was simply because Shen Miao had been unconscious, and the princess's household didn’t know her identity, so they dared not claim her recklessly.
In the end, Shen Miao remained an innocent and virtuous young lady, having narrowly escaped danger this time.
There might still be some skeptical voices, but most people did not doubt this explanation, as the one who spoke was Rong Xin Princess—the most impartial and unyielding figure in Ming Qi, though also the least approachable. If Rong Xin Princess had spoken, it was likely there was no issue.
However, what puzzled people was that despite the official statement, Shen Miao had not appeared in public. Some speculated that her injuries were severe, preventing her from showing herself, while others believed the Shen family was keeping her under strict protection to avoid another abduction.
Regardless, Shen Miao had returned to the Shen residence—it was just that no one had seen her with their own eyes.
At this moment, Shen Miao stood outside Luo Ling's room in the Shen residence.
Luo Tan's words echoed in her ears: "Little cousin, please go and talk to Ling Brother. Though he doesn’t say it, we all know he must be deeply upset. Even though he seems cheerful on the surface, his pain is unspoken. We’re all clumsy with words and don’t know how to comfort him. You’ve read so many books and understand people’s hearts best. If you talk to him, Ling Brother might listen to you. Back in Xiaochun City, he always agreed with whatever you said. This time, consider it a request from the Luo family."
Shen Miao sighed inwardly, hesitated for a moment, and finally knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" came a voice from inside.
"It’s me, Cousin Ling."
After a pause, the voice replied, "Come in."
Shen Miao entered, carrying a bamboo basket. As soon as she stepped inside, she placed the basket on the desk. At the corner of the desk was a celadon bowl with traces of brown residue at the bottom—likely from Luo Ling’s recent medicine.
Luo Ling sat at the desk, surrounded by books, apparently reading. His complexion was slightly pale, and his hand was wrapped in bandages. He smiled at her and said, "Cousin, you’ve come."
As the eldest grandson of the Luo family, Luo Ling had always been the most composed and steady among the four younger generation members. A true gentleman at heart—unlike Pei Lang, whose kindness masked selfishness and coldness—Luo Ling was genuinely warm and comforting to others.Upon learning of Shen Miao's safe return, Luo Ling was naturally happy for her, yet never mentioned a word about his injured right hand. During meals and conversations, he remained as gentle and kind as ever, as if nothing had happened. Since he didn't bring it up, no one dared to mention it either. But the calmer Luo Ling appeared, the more uneasy it made everyone feel.
Luo Tan had just come to plead with Shen Miao, hoping she could persuade Luo Ling.
"I brought you some pastries," Shen Miao said with a smile, taking a plate of treats from the bamboo basket. "They're made with milk and honey, which might help your injury."
She was the first to directly mention Luo Ling's "injury."
Luo Ling paused briefly before smiling. "But I just took medicine, so I can't eat them now. Leave them here, cousin. I'll try your handiwork later."
"Is it that you can't eat them?" Shen Miao looked at him and asked, "Or that you don't feel like eating?"
Luo Ling's hands, holding the book, trembled slightly. He then raised his head with a smile. "What do you mean? You're not upset that I didn't eat the pastries right away, are you?"
Shen Miao sat down across from Luo Ling.
Luo Ling reminded her of someone—Wan Yu.
Luo Ling was gentle and forgiving, never making a fuss even when wronged, much like Wan Yu. Back then, perhaps because she knew Shen Miao was unloved by Fu Xiuyi or understood the hardships of palace life, Wan Yu, despite being a princess, never showed the slightest arrogance. Later, when Mei Furen persuaded Fu Xiuyi to marry Wan Yu off to the Xiongnu for political alliance, and Fu Xiuyi used the greater good to justify it, Shen Miao was heartbroken. Yet Wan Yu comforted her, saying, "The grasslands are lovely. I've never been there before. If I find anything interesting, I'll write to you, Mother, so you can see the beauty of the grasslands too."
Never mentioning her own suffering, always smiling for those who cared about her—that was Wan Yu, and that was Luo Ling.
Shen Miao said, "Is it so hard to admit that you're unhappy, that you haven't let it go, that you feel wronged, angry, resentful, or bitter?"
Luo Ling was taken aback.
"Cousin Ling, it seems you don’t plan to blame anyone," Shen Miao continued. "If you won’t blame others, then you must be blaming yourself. Is that it?"
Luo Ling stared at Shen Miao for a moment before letting out a bitter laugh. "Cousin, must you be so direct?"
"It’s you who’s being too roundabout," Shen Miao replied. "Just as you feel—if you don’t blame others, you blame yourself. Similarly, by saying nothing, do you want me to feel guilty and uneasy about this for the rest of my life?"
Luo Ling was stunned. "Cousin..."
"Cousin Ling, do you think pretending everything is fine will make everyone feel at ease, make them overlook your injured hand, and make everything happy again? No. By keeping it inside, you’re unhappy, and so is everyone else." Shen Miao's voice was gentle, but her words were sharp. "Life is just a few short decades. Sacrificing yourself for others is one way to live, but sometimes, being a little unrestrained isn’t so bad. Why must you suffer for others? If you’re unhappy, say it. You can be angry, you can hate, you can resent—it’s not a big deal."It was probably the first time Luo Ling had heard such a perspective, and he seemed unable to accept it at first. He studied Shen Miao as if seeing her for the first time. His impression of this younger cousin had always been that she was clear in her likes and dislikes—young in age but grand in bearing, seemingly gentle yet stubborn. But now, her words gave Luo Ling a new understanding of her. Deep down, she harbored a disdain for conventional propriety and morality.
As if so-called kindness and justice meant nothing in her eyes.
"Who should I hate? Who should I blame? Who should I be angry at?" Luo Ling asked.
"You can blame me because you fell into someone else's trap on my account. You can hate the mastermind behind it because they're the ones who hurt you. You can even be angry that not a single physician in the entire Fixed Capital could heal your wounds—all of them just frauds trading on false reputations. The only one you shouldn't blame is yourself." Shen Miao said, "Good people blame themselves, while bad people blame others. Yet bad people live far more carefree lives than good people. So if blaming others can make you a little happier, why feel bad about it?"
Luo Ling laughed. "Little cousin, are you comforting me?"
"Yes," Shen Miao replied. "I've said all this just to tell you not to bottle everything up inside."
Luo Ling sighed. "You're right. After this incident, I’ve indeed been unhappy, displeased, and uncomfortable. But my aunt and uncle already blame themselves enough—I can’t add to their burden. Tan'er worries for me, and I can’t let her be anxious all the time either. So I only blame myself—for not training hard enough, which is why I got hurt, and for not being clever enough, which is why others could take advantage of me so easily."
"And how do you feel now?" Shen Miao asked.
"Little cousin, your way of consoling people is unconventional, but it suits me just fine," Luo Ling teased. "Perhaps you're right. It wasn’t my fault, and the one I should resent and be angry at isn’t myself."
"Resentment and anger aren’t what you should focus on either," Shen Miao said. "Since your right hand is unusable, why not try using your left?"
Luo Ling froze.
"I’ve heard of a general from the previous dynasty—fierce and skilled in battle—who had his right hand severed by an enemy commander on the battlefield. The world thought he would sink into despair, but instead, he began training his left hand and later created a unique 'Left-Handed Sword Style.'" Shen Miao smiled faintly. "What do you think, Cousin Ling?"
As Luo Ling listened to Shen Miao’s words, a strange light gradually kindled in his eyes. Unlike before, it seemed something in his heart had truly been stirred, and his gaze transformed entirely. He looked at Shen Miao, his expression brimming with excitement, and said, "Cousin, that’s a wonderful story you’ve told."
"Cousin, you’ll do even better."
Luo Ling burst into laughter, startling Luo Tan, who had been eavesdropping outside. Unlike his usual gentle smile, even through the door, his laughter carried an unmistakable sense of exhilaration.
What exactly had Shen Miao said to Luo Ling?
"Cousin, is this how you face every hardship with such composure, step by step, reaching where you are now—an undefeated position?" Luo Ling asked.
Shen Miao smiled. "Calling it 'undefeated' is a bit premature, isn’t it?"
"Seems like it is."Shen Miao neither agreed nor disagreed. Luo Ling's words were not wrong, but they weren't entirely right either—relying solely on these things was impossible. If one could experience falling from the highest pedestal into the dust, losing everything they relied on overnight, receiving not a shred of return for their efforts, watching their family crumble and their children perish—all because of a single stubborn mistake they made in the beginning—they would understand that nothing was more important than living. Not just living, but living well, so that one day they could rise again and repay all the suffering they endured onto those who had harmed them.
Luo Ling blamed himself, but hadn't Shen Miao also blamed herself? She often reproached herself for her past selfishness, which had doomed the entire main branch of the Shen family in her previous life. In this life, she was doing everything she could to mend that mistake. Fortunately, it wasn't too late.
She looked at Luo Ling and smiled. "From today onward, Cousin Ling won't be holed up in the study reading all day, will you?"
Ever since the incident with Luo Ling's right hand, he had often secluded himself in the study, claiming it was to calm his mind. But everyone knew he was just brooding alone.
"Since my little cousin has personally come to plead for me, how could I dare to keep reading?" Luo Ling smiled faintly.
Shen Miao nodded. "Then I can rest easy."
"Resting easy isn't enough," Luo Ling said, looking at her with a rare playful glint in his eyes. "Since this matter also stems from my cousin, the pastries must continue to be made."
"Of course," Shen Miao replied. "If Cousin wants to eat them, just let the maids know, and I'll make some for you."
Luo Ling gazed at Shen Miao. The girl before him was smiling brightly. She had always been delicate and even somewhat innocent in appearance, yet she exuded an extraordinary sense of steadiness. Like today—he knew she had come to persuade him, to lift his spirits. With anyone else, Luo Ling could have sealed his heart and responded with a polite smile. But facing Shen Miao, her blunt yet gentle persuasion was like the mildest spring river. Even when she was doing something not entirely virtuous, it still felt impossible to resist.
It was almost like facing an elder.
Luo Ling was startled by his own thought and found it amusing. Shen Miao was only sixteen, several years younger than him. At sixteen, Luo Tan would still climb trees with Luo Qian. No matter how mature this little girl usually seemed, she couldn't possibly be associated with the word "elder."
His gaze softened as he teased her, "If I fail to master left-handed swordsmanship in the future, Cousin mustn't look down on me." As soon as the words left his mouth, Luo Ling felt he had been too abrupt—the implication in his words was far too strong. Yet, for some reason, he looked at Shen Miao expectantly, as if hoping to hear the answer he longed for from her lips.
Shen Miao was momentarily taken aback. Meeting Luo Ling's unusually intense gaze, she felt slightly awkward.
Setting aside Luo Ling's status or other considerations, since her rebirth, Shen Miao had never entertained any thoughts about marriage. If she could find a stable person to spend her life with—someone who respected her—what did it matter whether they loved her or not? Thus, she had never given any thought to the idea of a husband.But Luo Ling... Shen Miao sighed inwardly. Since she had already compared Luo Ling to Wan Yu, if she really ended up marrying Luo Ling, wouldn't that make life unbearably awkward? She smiled faintly and said lightly, "Cousin, you jest. Who in this family would dare look down on you?"
Yet she didn't answer Luo Ling's question.
The hope in Luo Ling's eyes gradually dimmed. After a moment of silence, he smiled again and said, "Regardless, thank you for your kind words, cousin."
"You're welcome," Shen Miao replied. "We're family after all."
Shen Miao sat for a while longer before finally rising to leave. After she departed, Luo Ling remained seated at the table, his gaze distant as if lost in thought. He stayed like that for a long while before letting out a soft sigh, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His eyes fell upon the plate of pastries at the corner of the table, and after a moment’s hesitation, he reached out to take one.
Yet, inexplicably, a sudden gust of wind blew in from outside, striking the plate squarely. The heavy porcelain dish clattered to the ground with a loud crash, shattering into pieces that scattered everywhere. The inkwell on the table was also overturned, splashing ink onto the pastries, rendering them inedible.
Luo Ling froze, then stood to inspect the damage. Finding the window tightly shut, he murmured in confusion, "It’s closed so securely—how could there be wind?" His gaze then returned to the pastries, now unrecognizable under the ink stains, and he sighed regretfully, "What a pity."
...
Meanwhile, Shen Miao returned to her room, lit the oil lamp, and dismissed Jing Zhe and Gu Yu before pressing a hand to her chest to suppress her nausea.
The incident with Luo Ling had indeed been unexpected. She hadn’t imagined Ming An Princess would be so ruthless—not only targeting her but also Shen Qiu. Had Luo Ling not taken the blow for Shen Qiu this time, she dreaded to think what might have befallen her brother. Ming An Princess was even more brazen than in her past life, and due to twists of fate, her hatred for Shen Miao had deepened. She acted recklessly, heedless of consequences, making it imperative to eliminate her as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, Xie Jingxing had intervened in this matter.
Shen Miao didn’t know what Xie Jingxing intended to do. On the day he escorted her back to the princess’s residence, he had advised her to stay indoors and avoid being seen in the following days. Though she wasn’t sure how Xie Jingxing planned to act, Xie Changchao was already dead, and it seemed Xie Changwu was next on his list.
Initially, Shen Miao had thought that if she could avoid acting herself, letting someone else do the deed would be ideal. Yet, the thought that Xie Jingxing was never one to help others out of sheer kindness—his cunning and scheming nature meant that after aiding her in eliminating Ming An and Xie Changwu, he would undoubtedly demand an exorbitant price in return—made her reconsider. Letting Xie Jingxing take action might not be such a good idea after all.
As she pondered this, the candle flame flickered slightly, and the silhouette of a figure suddenly appeared on the screen.
By now, Shen Miao didn’t even react with surprise. Turning her head as if it were routine, she saw Xie Jingxing stride in from outside.
Somehow, this man had the audacity to enter uninvited with such casual ease, as if strolling through his own garden. Shen Miao felt a twinge of irritation, but Xie Jingxing simply seated himself at the small table.
Today, he wasn’t wearing his usual purple-gold robe but instead a black brocade garment. Were it not for the silver-threaded collar, he might have blended seamlessly into the night. Yet, even the darkness couldn’t obscure his striking features—his peach-blossom eyes glittered like stars, sharper than usual tonight.
"No tea, no pastries," Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow. "Is this how you entertain guests?"
Shen Miao replied coolly, "I don’t recall inviting you."
"If not a guest, then an ally. If not an ally," Xie Jingxing tilted his head to look at her, his lips curling slowly, "then at least a lifesaver."Shen Miao was at a loss for words. Since Xie Jingxing had shamelessly proclaimed himself her savior, what more could she say? She might as well remain silent. Watching as Jingxing poured himself tea and downed it in one gulp, she inexplicably felt a twinge of displeasure.
Shen Miao thought to herself that Xie Jingxing was someone who rarely showed his emotions. For instance, though the corners of his lips were slightly upturned now, it somehow gave off an unsettling vibe.
She wondered who had been bold enough to provoke his displeasure.
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Brother Xie: Wife cooked for another man, not happy (╰_╯)
...
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