His kiss was scorching, yet the silver mask remained icy cold, as if carrying some indescribable emotion that overwhelmed her completely. The more Shen Miao struggled, the tighter his embrace became, locking her in his arms as he claimed her lips with a possessive fervor akin to a solemn vow.
Winter blossoms, autumn butterflies, summer ice springs, and spring snowflakes—none could capture the surreal beauty of this moment. The howling wind filled her ears, yet the embrace of this handsome youth was unyielding, his kiss burning with an intensity that felt inescapable for a lifetime.
When Xie Jingxing finally released her, Shen Miao nearly collapsed, gasping for breath. In her past life, she had adored Fu Xiuyi, but it had always been a one-sided infatuation. Even on their wedding night, Fu Xiuyi had merely gone through the motions. She had never experienced such intimate closeness with a man before.
Feeling embarrassed by her own reaction, Shen Miao flushed with anger. Xie Jingxing steadied her to prevent her from falling, but she glared at him fiercely.
Yet she didn’t realize how she looked after the kiss—her eyes glistening as if brimming with tears, her face flushed, her lips as red as petals, only making her more alluring and inviting tenderness.
Xie Jingxing averted his gaze, as if to hide his thoughts.
Beyond her embarrassment and anger, Shen Miao felt a flicker of confusion. Truthfully, she had somewhat anticipated things might unfold this way.
As for why she hadn’t resisted or stopped it—it had been an instinctive response, following her heart. The reason behind it was something she didn’t wish to dwell on.
"Let’s talk about your marriage," Xie Jingxing resumed his usual playful tone. "What are your plans now?"
Shen Miao looked at him blankly. "What plans?"
Xie Jingxing narrowed his eyes, his voice laced with danger. "Crown Prince Luo Ling, Feng Zixian, Su Mingfeng, Pei Lang—who among them do you wish to marry?"
Shen Miao frowned, pretending to consider it seriously.
Xie Jingxing’s gaze sharpened, his tone turning cold. "You’re actually thinking of marrying someone else?"
"Why shouldn’t I?"
"You kissed me, touched me, and now you dare to cuckold me? Shen Miao, you’ve got quite the nerve."
Shen Miao smiled faintly. "You’re not suggesting I marry you, are you?"
"Finally, you’re being clever," Xie Jingxing drawled.
Shen Miao was taken aback. She had pondered the nature of their relationship before. Though they called themselves allies, their interactions had always carried an undertone of something more. Even if she lacked firsthand experience in matters of the heart, she wasn’t entirely ignorant. The racing heartbeat she felt in his presence had long hinted at deeper feelings.
But that didn’t mean Xie Jingxing could marry her. He was Prince Rui of Great Coolness, while she was the legitimate daughter of a Ming Qi general. Even if Ming Qi consented, the Yongle Emperor would hardly approve.
Especially given Xie Jingxing’s high status in Great Coolness—the greater his power, the more the emperor valued him. A favored subject often had little autonomy in such matters, including marriage.
While Shen Miao was lost in thought, Xie Jingxing spoke again. "Don’t worry about anything. Just stay home and embroider your wedding trousseau while waiting for me."
"When did I agree to marry you?" Shen Miao retorted.
"Oh?" Xie Jingxing paused, then smirked. "I wouldn’t mind making it official tonight."Shen Miao eyed him warily, but Xie Jingxing merely smiled and said, "You seem quite eager."
Deciding she could no longer continue this conversation with Xie Jingxing—who was rotten to the core, never missing a chance to tease—Shen Miao changed the subject. "Regarding the Crown Prince's matter, I have an idea."
Xie Jingxing raised a brow. "You already have a plan?"
"It just came to me," Shen Miao emphasized. "But I need your help."
"My help?" Xie Jingxing chuckled softly, leaning closer. "Your husband will assist you."
Shen Miao: "..."
By the time Shen Miao returned to the Shen residence from Prince Rui's Residence, dawn was nearly breaking. Naturally, Xie Jingxing had "escorted" her back. When he learned she had scaled the wall to get there, his laughter nearly made her lose her temper. Yet as the night passed, many things quietly shifted.
Collaborating with Xie Jingxing at Prince Rui's Residence to counter the Crown Prince's marriage proposal gave Shen Miao an odd sensation. Until now, she had walked the path of vengeance alone. Now, inexplicably, she had gained a formidable ally, one who brought her an unexpected sense of security. Especially since this ally was remarkably sharp—able to spot flaws in her plans at a glance and suggest improvements. Shen Miao found their partnership surprisingly harmonious.
Unconsciously, Xie Jingxing's words from earlier that night resurfaced in her mind—telling her to obediently embroider her wedding trousseau.
Xie Jingxing might appear indifferent about certain matters, but as Rongxin Princess had once said, he always knew exactly what he wanted and what he didn't. Shen Miao wasn't sure how much of what he said was genuine. Yet when it came to her marriage, Xie Jingxing had displayed absolute dominance and possessiveness, leaving no room for argument.
Shen Miao sighed. The road ahead was long, and the murky waters of Ming Qi were far from settled. Matters of the heart seemed almost extravagant. Still, if Xie Jingxing truly had the capability—daring to marry the daughter of a foreign general—she had no reason to hesitate.
Because, Shen Miao pressed a hand to her chest—who knew if there would ever be another person who could make her heart beat like this again?
Her lips tingled faintly, as if still burning from the lingering heat of his kiss, and she lowered her gaze.
She couldn't deny the contradiction in her words, nor suppress the pounding of her heart.
That young man was devastatingly handsome, decisive in battle, and brilliantly composed.
How could anyone remain unmoved?
Meanwhile, in Prince Ding's Residence, the lights burned bright all night.
Fu Xiuyi had learned that the matter of Shen Miao's betrothal to the Crown Prince had been suppressed due to Prince Rui's "casual" remark. That night, he summoned all his advisors to Prince Ding's Residence to discuss the implications.
"I suspected there was more to Shen Miao and Prince Rui's relationship. Testing it with the Crown Prince has now exposed their connection," Fu Xiuyi said coldly. "The moment Shen Miao stirred, Prince Rui couldn't sit still."Pei Lang stood with his head bowed below, not uttering a single word. These days, Fu Xiuyi had abruptly changed from his previous high regard for him, no longer seeking his opinion on many matters. The stark contrast naturally caught the attention of the other advisors. While they gleefully assumed Pei Lang had offended Fu Xiuyi, Pei Lang knew better. A man as shrewd as Fu Xiuyi wouldn’t inexplicably cold-shoulder him without reason—he must have detected some clues, perhaps even uncovered Pei Lang’s connection with Shen Miao. Though burning with anxiety, Pei Lang couldn’t show the slightest hint of it. The fact that Fu Xiuyi hadn’t torn off the facade yet meant he had his own motives—perhaps he was still in the stage of suspicion rather than certainty. A performance must be carried through to the end; half-hearted efforts would only backfire. Pei Lang understood this well and acted precisely as an ordinary, sidelined advisor should.
“What does Master Pei think?” Today, breaking all precedent, Fu Xiuyi sought his opinion.
Pei Lang’s heart skipped a beat. Keeping his head lowered, he replied, “This subordinate believes we should immediately investigate any connections between the Shen family and Prince Rui or Great Coolness. Shen Miao’s position is unique—she represents the most crucial military power in Ming Qi. If the Shen family has secretly reached some agreement with Prince Rui, I fear…”
The advisors murmured among themselves. Despite their resentment toward Pei Lang, they couldn’t deny the validity of his words. Shen Miao was merely a young girl, hardly a peerless beauty. Rather than Prince Rui being moved to fury for a beauty’s sake, it was far more plausible that he valued the Shen family behind her. That would make logical sense.
Fu Xiuyi said, “Master Pei speaks wisely. However, today I’ve learned something else.”
Everyone waited for him to continue.
“Shen Miao spent the entire day at Rongxin Princess’s residence today. The princess has always been in poor health, yet she alone kept Shen Miao until nightfall. Moreover, after Shen Miao left, the princess seemed… unsettled.” Fu Xiuyi smiled. “Could it be that the princess also knows something?”
After a moment of silence, one advisor ventured, “Perhaps Rongxin Princess is privy to some inside information. Your Highness might consider starting with her—there may be traces to uncover.”
“That was my thought as well.” Fu Xiuyi glanced at Pei Lang, as if deliberately speaking for his ears. “Though Shen Miao has the formidable backing of the Shen family, she herself is rather peculiar. That Prince Rui intervenes on her behalf time and again—there must be some hidden reason. If Rongxin Princess is also involved, things become even more intriguing.”
“Secrets cannot stay buried forever. Whatever they’re hiding, I will uncover it.” Fu Xiuyi’s smile was laden with meaning. “I’ll have to rely on all of you for this.”
The advisors hastily expressed their humility. Pei Lang kept his head down, but unease flickered through his heart.
That night, the princess’s residence was equally restless. Rongxin Princess sat in Xingzhi Courtyard the entire night.
Xie Jingxing was not dead—instead, he had become Prince Rui of Great Coolness. This was something Rongxin Princess had never anticipated. Over the past two years, she had wished countless times that Xie Jingxing’s death was merely a nightmare, that she would wake to find the proud, handsome youth standing before her once more, lazily calling her “Rong Yi.” Yet when this moment truly arrived, the first emotion that surged within her was not relief.He wore a noble purple-gold robe, its hem boldly embroidered with flying dragons in gold thread. His face was hidden behind an icy mask as he greeted her familiarly, yet he bore the title of Prince Rui.
But he was the greatest threat from Ming Qi.
Princess Rongxin's initial anger had stemmed from being deceived, but when she realized Xie Jingxing's true identity, her most instinctive reaction was wariness. This did not mean she resented Xie Jingxing or that all those years of companionship had been false. Rather, it was because of her position—she was a princess of Great Coolness, and the arrogance and suspicion innate to royalty inevitably surfaced at such moments.
She sat at her desk, writing a veiled warning to Emperor Wenhui, only to stop abruptly halfway through. She snatched the paper, crumpled it, and tore it to shreds. The turmoil in her heart was indescribable, yet she could not bring herself to face Xie Jingxing again, unsure of how to confront him.
What puzzled Princess Rongxin the most was not just that Xie Jingxing was alive—but how he had become Prince Rui, the younger brother of Great Coolness's Yongle Emperor. The title of Prince Rui was clearly not one that could be casually assumed. Was Xie Jingxing originally from Great Coolness, or had he been recruited by them through sheer coincidence? If it were the former, it might still be understandable, but if it were the latter, then Xie Jingxing was undeniably a traitor.
Xie Ding had never been close to Xie Jingxing, so questioning him would be futile. Shen Miao must know something, but she would never reveal it, and with Xie Jingxing protecting her, Princess Rongxin could not act rashly. After much deliberation, she finally thought of someone.
Someone who had grown up with Xie Jingxing in their youth, whose families were deeply connected—Xie Jingxing's closest friend in Ming Qi. Having spent so much time together, he might have noticed the occasional inconsistencies in Xie Jingxing's behavior.
Su Mingfeng, the Heir Apparent of Pingnan County.
Princess Rongxin summoned a servant to prepare an invitation.
The year was drawing to a close.
The common folk busied themselves preparing for the New Year, filling the streets with bustling activity every day. Life moved forward smoothly, and ordinary people could never fathom the thoughts of those in power—just as the sky seen by an eagle would always differ from that seen by a sparrow.
Since Prince Rui's unsettlingly ambitious "casual remarks" had shaken him, Emperor Wenhui had grown increasingly determined to form an alliance with Qin State. However, the truth behind Princess Ming An's case remained unresolved, leaving a lingering barrier. Still, as Emperor Wenhui demonstrated more sincerity, Huangfu Hao's stance began to soften.
Ming Qi's officials and yamen were now at Huangfu Hao's disposal, and even the Court of Revision had to endure his frequent interrogations. Regardless of the final outcome, Emperor Wenhui had indeed shown Huangfu Hao the utmost respect. With the cause of Princess Ming An's death still undiscovered, Huangfu Hao no longer believed Ming Qi was deliberately covering it up—after all, he had witnessed the investigation firsthand. Perhaps Princess Ming An had offended someone powerful, leaving no trace behind.Let's set aside the matter of Ming An Princess for now. The words Prince Rui spoke to Emperor Wenhui eventually reached Huangfu Hao's ears. If initially Huangfu Hao, representing Qin State, had deliberately put on airs while clearly intending to form an alliance with Ming Qi to seek more benefits for himself, he could no longer sit still upon hearing Prince Rui's words.
If Prince Rui, representing Great Coolness, truly wanted those cities in Ming Qi that produced minerals—just as Emperor Wenhui feared—Great Coolness's ambitions lay not in a mere few cities but in Fixed Capital and even the entirety of Ming Qi, then Ming Qi was in grave danger. When the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. Qin State alone was no match for Great Coolness, let alone after Great Coolness absorbed Ming Qi's military forces, weapons, and wealth, becoming even more unstoppable. By then, when Great Coolness turned its attention to Qin State, Qin would be powerless to resist.
The purpose of Qin State's alliance with Ming Qi was only to contain Great Coolness.
Huangfu Hao relayed the news back to Qin State. Although the Emperor of Qin was also angered by the pointless loss of a princess in Ming Qi, a single princess was insignificant compared to the grand ambitions of the Qin empire. The Emperor of Qin only instructed Huangfu Hao to suppress the matter of Ming An Princess for now and to ensure the establishment of a friendly alliance with Ming Qi.
Having received the Emperor of Qin's message, Huangfu Hao began visiting the Ming Qi palace more frequently in the following days. One side was eager to form an alliance, while the other was desperate for allies. They hit it off immediately, presenting a harmonious front, and Emperor Wenhui's relationship with Huangfu Hao grew considerably closer.
Emperor Wenhui was intent on supporting the Crown Prince. Initially, he had planned to marry Shen Miao to the Crown Prince, but upon suddenly uncovering Great Coolness's ambitions, he hesitated to act against the Shen family. Now, with Huangfu Hao's arrival, he could encourage Huangfu Hao to interact more with the Crown Prince, allowing the Crown Prince to gain favor with Huangfu Hao.
The affairs of this world are intricately interconnected. Relationships that seem entirely unrelated at first glance can become intertwined in unexpected ways. The wise excel at identifying opportunities within these connections, while the ordinary may unwittingly lose themselves in the tangle.
At the residence of the Assistant Minister.
Shen Dongling was sipping tea.
The finest Ye'er Qing, grown on the perilous peaks of the southern lands, cost hundreds of taels of silver for just a small handful. Her tea-drinking posture was graceful and relaxed. Dressed in a cotton skirt woven from Jiangnan brocade, adorned with tinkling jade ornaments, and possessing a strikingly beautiful and delicate appearance, she looked every bit the pampered and charming young noblewoman.
Who would have thought that not long ago, she had been an obscure concubine-born daughter in Shen Mansion, rarely stepping out of her courtyard all year, so much so that even the servants didn't recognize her as a young lady of the Shen family? Let alone during Ren Wanyun's reign, when she often went weeks without seeing a trace of meat in her meals.The past and present were as different as clouds and mud. Just as water flows downward while people strive upward, though the Assistant Minister's residence might not seem as grand as other officials' mansions, it was indeed rolling in wealth. No one ever relied solely on that meager imperial salary to get by. Before marrying into the Wang family, Shen Dongling had always assumed they followed Prince Zhou's faction, only to later discover their true allegiance lay with the Crown Prince. For an Assistant Minister's household to possess such abundant assets was solely due to the Wang family's dealings with salt smugglers. The silver naturally flowed continuously into the Crown Prince's coffers, though they skimmed enough off the top that the Wang family could spend freely in Fixed Capital without much concern—after all, the salt trade yielded astronomical profits.
If the financial windfall had been an unexpected delight for Shen Dongling, Wang Bi himself proved equally satisfying. Outwardly unassuming, Wang Bi was shrewd and counted among the Crown Prince's key subordinates. Back then, Shen Yue had looked down on Wang Bi, unaware of her own shortsightedness. Shen Dongling, with her delicate beauty and gentle temperament, had the added advantage of occasionally offering Wang Bi valuable advice. Yet she never overstepped, carefully maintaining an appropriate distance. The more restrained she was, the more Wang Bi cherished her. A virtuous wife was a treasure, especially one who was not only wise and capable but also charming and understanding. Wang Bi often felt grateful that Shen Dongling had replaced Shen Yue in the marriage arrangement. As the only son of the Wang family and highly capable, Wang Bi essentially controlled the household, and naturally, Shen Dongling became its mistress. The servants treated her with utmost respect. If Ren Wanyun were still alive today, she would likely be seething with envy—the lowly-born daughter she once scorned now lived more luxuriously than Ren Wanyun ever had, while Wan Yiniang naturally thrived alongside her, enjoying a life of opulence.
Today was no exception.
Wang Bi returned home and casually handed a box of pastries to a maid. "I passed by Guangfuzhai and picked up some cloud-slice cakes for you."
"How thoughtful of you, husband." Shen Dongling smiled warmly as she poured him tea. Every movement of hers exuded a delicate, almost boneless grace—likely inherited from Wan Yiniang, lending her an innate allure. "You seem especially cheerful today. Did something good happen?"
Wang Bi seldom kept things from Shen Dongling, as she was discreet and occasionally even helped him solve problems. Still in the honeymoon phase of their marriage, he replied, "His Majesty has instructed Huangfu Hao to engage more with the Crown Prince, likely to foster relations with Qin State. For His Majesty to hand such an opportunity to the Crown Prince clearly signals his support. When one man ascends, even his dogs and chickens rise to heaven. As the Crown Prince's allies, we'll surely be rewarded when he ascends the throne." He grinned at her. "Don’t you think that calls for celebration?"
Shen Dongling's mind raced, but she instantly brightened with feigned delight. "Truly?" Then, gazing at him admiringly, she added softly, "My husband is truly remarkable. To have married you must be the blessing of my past life."Being gazed upon with such adoration by a charming and delicate woman would greatly satisfy any man's vanity. Wang Bi smiled and said, "You're easily pleased." He sighed regretfully, "If only His Majesty had betrothed Fifth Miss Shen to the Crown Prince earlier, the prince would have gained the support of the Shen family's military forces, making things even more advantageous. Our chances of success would have been higher. Although we’ve temporarily established ties with the Qin State now, military strength..." He sighed again, "Power is often what matters most."
Shen Dongling's thoughts raced as she nestled into Wang Bi's embrace. She gently placed a hand on his chest and said softly, "Husband, you're too hard on yourself. What you've achieved is already beyond ordinary men."
This was exactly what Wang Bi wanted to hear. He chuckled, "You truly are content."
"With a husband like you, I have all I could wish for," Shen Dongling cooed. Then, as if unintentionally, she asked, "Is it no longer possible for Fifth Sister to marry the Crown Prince now?"
"Fifth Sister?" Wang Bi was momentarily taken aback before replying, "Ah, I nearly forgot—you two are sisters."
His casual remark struck Shen Dongling like a sharp thorn, as if implying the distinction between her status as a concubine-born daughter and Shen Miao's as the legitimate one. Human greed grows with changing circumstances. In the past, Shen Dongling had been too preoccupied with securing her survival and a decent future within Shen Mansion to dwell on slights and mockery. But now, as the wife of an Assistant Minister, she had become acutely sensitive to such remarks.
She buried her face in Wang Bi's chest, hiding the shadow that crossed her expression, and asked, "Is it really impossible?"
"It's not entirely impossible," Wang Bi said. "But right now, Great Coolness' ambitions remain unclear, and all other matters must be postponed. We still need Shen Xin's formidable reputation. However, Shen Miao is no longer young, and I've heard the Shen family doesn’t wish for her to marry into the Crown Prince's household. The key here is to act as quickly as possible. If we delay too long, things may change—Shen Xin might arrange a marriage for Shen Miao and have her wed. If that happens, the Crown Prince's plans would be ruined."
"Can't we just arrange the betrothal first?" Shen Dongling asked.
"Silly girl," Wang Bi replied. "The Shen family doesn’t want Shen Miao to marry the Crown Prince, and Shen Miao herself is unwilling. If we resort to extreme measures and provoke Shen Xin's dissatisfaction at this time, it would be counterproductive."
"Isn’t this just using power to bully others?" Shen Dongling pouted. Yet her words showed not the slightest concern for Shen Miao, instead framing those who imposed their will on others as the victims.
"You could say that," Wang Bi chuckled.
"Then why can others use their power to bully people, but the Crown Prince can’t?"
Wang Bi smiled. "The Crown Prince is virtuous and cannot engage in such oppressive behavior."
"If the Crown Prince can’t do such things, can others? Ordinary people, common folk, for instance. If everyone in the world demanded that Fifth Sister marry the Crown Prince, wouldn’t that count as using the people’s power to bully her?"
At first, Wang Bi thought Shen Dongling was merely venting, but as he listened further, his expression gradually turned serious. He looked at her—she sat in his lap, appearing sweet and innocent, as if she had spoken casually.
But Wang Bi was clever. He could discern subtle hints in her words. "You must have some scheme in mind again. Tell me," he said.
"Husband, you’re so cunning. What’s in it for me if I tell you?" Shen Dongling asked.
"Hmm," Wang Bi pretended to ponder. "If your idea is good, I’ll find a way to secure an honorary title for you." He thought that if Shen Dongling truly had a way to make Shen Miao marry the Crown Prince, he would have rendered a great service. Even if the Crown Prince ascended the throne in the future, he would remember his favor. Securing a title for Shen Dongling would be no loss.
Hearing this, a glint of satisfaction flashed in Shen Dongling’s eyes.
"I’m not doing this for the title," she said, "but for you, husband. Whatever you wish to do, I naturally support. If you want to assist the future ruler, then this humble wife has no choice but to offer her clumsy ideas." Her playful tone delighted Wang Bi even more.
"Actually, the method is quite simple—as long as the Crown Prince of Qin cooperates," she said.
Author’s Note:
Liangliang: "Lp."
Brother Xie smiled: "Husband will help you."
The computer repair shop is closed on weekends. Today, my phone is still crashing~ Search for "blue" to read the full text of the following chapters.
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