The days seemed unusually tranquil, yet whether something lurked beneath this calm, plotting in the shadows, was something no one truly knew.
In Prince Ding's Residence these past few days, everyone had been walking on eggshells—especially the few advisors Fu Xiuyi valued most, who had grown even more cautious in their duties. The reason was simple: just days ago, Pei Lang, once Fu Xiuyi’s most trusted confidant, had been seized and imprisoned in a private dungeon. The exact cause remained unclear to most, but whispers among the servants suggested that Pei Lang had actually been a spy planted by Fu Xiuyi’s rivals.
Before this, no one could deny Pei Lang’s brilliance. Though the other retainers had envied Fu Xiuyi’s favor toward him, Pei Lang had indeed resolved many problems for Fu Xiuyi over the past two years. Yet Fu Xiuyi had arrested him without hesitation. Whether the accusations were true or not, what struck everyone was that, just the night before his arrest, Pei Lang had been playing chess and drinking tea with Fu Xiuyi, presenting a perfect image of harmony between lord and retainer.
If Fu Xiuyi had suddenly uncovered evidence, he would have first investigated its validity to avoid wrongfully condemning a loyal subordinate. But his swift and decisive action could only mean he had long harbored suspicions about Pei Lang. And yet, despite those suspicions, he had maintained such a close façade—proof that this Prince Ding was no simple man. Whether this was a case of "killing the chicken to scare the monkeys" or not, the advisors now treated Fu Xiuyi with even greater deference.
Yet Fu Xiuyi himself had not been as untroubled these past few days as others might have imagined. There were things that puzzled him as well.
He had sent men to keep watch on Rongxin Princess’s residence, only to learn that she had disguised herself and gone to Pingnan Bo’s manor to seek out Su Mingfeng. Though he didn’t know what they had discussed or why the princess had gone there, Fu Xiuyi sensed something unusual. Rongxin Princess lived a reclusive life, not even particularly close to Emperor Wenhui. If she had any connections, it was with Princess Yuqing in earlier years. But Princess Yuqing had been dead for many years, and while her son Xie Jingxing had also been close to Rongxin Princess, Xie Jingxing himself had died on the Northern Frontier Battlefield two years prior. There was no friendship between Pingnan Bo’s household and Rongxin Princess.
Fu Xiuyi racked his brain for any past connections between Rongxin Princess and Pingnan Bo’s family, but no matter how hard he searched, he found no meaningful clues. What puzzled him even more was why Rongxin Princess had sought out Su Mingfeng specifically, rather than Pingnan Bo, Su Yu. Su Mingfeng had long withdrawn from officialdom—if this was about public affairs, he could be of no help. If it was private, did Su Mingfeng even know Rongxin Princess personally? Su Mingfeng… Su Mingfeng… Fu Xiuyi mulled over the name, then suddenly froze.
Su Mingfeng’s name was well-known in Fixed Capital—not just because of his own talent and brilliance, nor because his promising career had been cut short by a severe illness, much to everyone’s regret. Rather, it was because he had been Xie Jingxing’s childhood friend. Many had once wondered how such an upright and principled young man like Su Mingfeng could have spent his days in the company of a reckless and unruly troublemaker like Xie Jingxing. But then again, Marquis Lin'an Manor and Pingnan Bo’s household had been old allies for generations, so their closeness wasn’t entirely surprising.As if he had discovered a clue, Fu Xiuyi's thoughts suddenly became clear. Su Mingfeng was Xie Jingxing's childhood friend, and Ming An Princess was Xie Jingxing's aunt. If Ming An Princess had privately sought out Su Mingfeng, the most likely topic of their conversation would have been Xie Jingxing.
But wasn't Xie Jingxing already dead? Why would Ming An Princess suddenly inquire about someone who had passed away? In the past, no one dared to mention Xie Jingxing in front of Ming An Princess for fear of reopening her wounds. If she was the one initiating the inquiry, could it mean Xie Jingxing wasn’t actually dead? Fu Xiuyi was startled by his own sudden conjecture but quickly dismissed it. He had personally reviewed the secret report regarding Xie Jingxing's death—there was no mistake. Moreover, under the watchful eyes of so many, how could a switch have been made? It seemed impossible.
Yet, what had started as an investigation into Prince Rui through Ming An Princess had unexpectedly led to Su Mingfeng and possibly even the deceased Xie Jingxing. If so, the matter had become far more complicated—but also far more intriguing.
Fu Xiuyi stood up and, after a moment of thought, ordered his subordinate, "Take me to the dungeon."
Prince Ding's Residence housed a dungeon, built beneath the ancestral hall in the courtyard. The imperial ancestral hall was not located here; the one in the residence was merely for prayer and blessings. A benevolent portrait of Guanyin hung on the wall. Lifting the painting revealed a small, smiling Buddha statue. Turning the wooden fish beside the Buddha's feet caused a stone door to rumble open, leading to a passage that descended into Prince Ding's dungeon.
The dungeon held spies or those among Prince Ding's subordinates who had committed grave offenses. Ordinary death was insufficient punishment for them, so endless tortures were devised. The moment one entered, the stench of blood filled the air. The stone walls were lined with thin, leather-like objects—upon closer inspection, they were the flayed and dried skins of the dead, their faces frozen in expressions of agony, chilling to behold.
Outside was a hall of prayer, yet within lurked such devilish deeds. Beneath the gaze of Guanyin, this place resembled the eighteen layers of hell—no, something even more horrifying.
Fu Xiuyi strode in leisurely, his gaze almost admiring as it swept over the human skins lining the walls. His subordinate led the way, stopping only when they reached the last cell.
The prisoner inside was shackled upside-down against the beam, his face pressed against the wood. His entire body was soaked in blood, his robes dyed crimson, their original color unrecognizable. Because of his inverted position, blood dripped steadily onto the ground, forming a small, dark pool.
Fu Xiuyi observed the man quietly. He seemed to have passed out from the pain. With a glance, Fu Xiuyi signaled his men, who promptly doused the prisoner with a bucket of chili-infused water.
The man jolted violently, his entire body trembling uncontrollably, as if the pain rendered him speechless, enduring unbearable suffering.
Fu Xiuyi stepped forward with a smile. "How are you finding your stay, sir?"
The chili water stung the wounds but also washed away the blood on the prisoner's face, revealing a refined and unyielding countenance—it was Pei Lang.
Pei Lang smiled weakly, his voice trembling as he replied, "Thanks to Your Highness's kindness, I’m doing quite well.""I always knew you were no ordinary man, but I didn’t expect you to be not only exceptionally talented but also of such admirable integrity. No wonder the Shen family sent you here," Fu Xiuyi remarked with a sigh. "They say every soldier under Shen Xin’s command is valiant, but you, a scholar, have bones just as unyielding. How does General Shen train his people? I’d truly like to know."
Pei Lang caught his breath and smiled weakly. "This subordinate has no connection whatsoever with General Shen."
"After all these days, you still refuse to relent," Fu Xiuyi said. "Though your resolve is commendable, it’s rather troublesome. It forces me to prepare some rather extraordinary methods just for you."
Pei Lang merely smiled in silence.
Fu Xiuyi studied him, his tone gentle, almost nostalgic. "In truth, we’ve had a master-servant relationship, and it’s been quite pleasant. Your talents are like rain—abundant and refreshing. I’ve always admired that. I’ve a soft heart by nature and am willing to give you a chance. After you’ve atoned through meritorious service, we can pretend nothing ever happened. I’ll still address you as ‘sir,’ and you’ll remain my most trusted advisor." He leaned closer, his voice coaxing. "Just tell me—what secrets does the Shen family hold? What was your true purpose in being sent to my side? Two sentences, in exchange for this opportunity. What do you say?"
Pei Lang coughed twice, spitting up bright red blood, before managing a strained smile. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. But I truly have no ties to the Shen family and cannot answer your question. It seems even Heaven denies me this chance. A pity."
Fu Xiuyi watched him expressionlessly before finally letting out a soft laugh. He clapped his hands together, brushing off the blood that had splattered onto his sleeves. "Your unyielding spirit is most impressive, sir, and it makes me all the more curious—just how long can your bones remain this hard?" He waved to the men beside him. "These meager tools are beneath you. Bring out something better."
He took a step back, preparing to leave, then paused as if remembering something. "Even if you refuse to speak, I’ll uncover the Shen family’s secrets myself. But I’d like to ask you this—they say the Shen family values loyalty above all. You’ve sacrificed everything for your master. Do you think General Shen will send someone to rescue you from this pit of fire?"
With that, he departed with his guards.
Once Fu Xiuyi was gone, Pei Lang vomited a mouthful of blood. This seemingly gentle, at most scheming prince had revealed such a cruel and ruthless side. Yet it was Fu Xiuyi’s final question that drew a bitter smile from him.
It was true that the Shen family prized loyalty and righteousness. But the one who had sent him was Shen Miao. And Shen Miao’s loyalty and righteousness extended only to her own family and friends. To anyone else, she likely cared not at all. As for whether she would come to his rescue—Pei Lang doubted it. Never mind whether Shen Miao even had the means to extract someone from Prince Ding’s Residence, let alone its most secretive dungeon. When she had first ordered him to infiltrate Fu Xiuyi’s side as a hidden piece, she must have anticipated this outcome. She had known full well that if discovered, Pei Lang’s fate would be dire. And yet, she had done it anyway.Reason told him Shen Miao wouldn’t come to his rescue, yet Pei Lang couldn’t help but cling to a faint sliver of hope. He couldn’t quite define his feelings toward her. Initially, when Shen Miao had used Liuying to threaten him, he’d even felt a trace of disgust—he hated being controlled and coerced. But somehow, over time, he’d truly begun to see himself as one of Shen Miao’s people. He worried for her, striving wholeheartedly to be the perfect pawn. Pei Lang couldn’t even comprehend his own actions. Perhaps, he mused, he owed her from a past life, destined to revolve around her in this one, his very existence reshaped by her whims. The guard assigned to his torture returned, and Pei Lang pushed aside his thoughts, bracing for another round of torment.
Unbeknownst to him, atop a tree in Prince Rui’s Residence, Huolong and Yeying were idly cracking melon seeds. Yeying asked, “How much longer will Boss Ji and Young Master Gao stay holed up in the Tower Prison?”
Huolong spat out a shell. “I reckon our lord’s forgotten all about it. He’s been running around outside these days—who has time to spare for others? Word is, the palace in Great Coolness has sent another letter urging his return. He probably wants to wrap things up quickly.”
“True enough,” Yeying conceded. “But with Boss Ji stuck in the Tower Prison, what about the messages from Fengxian Pawnshop? Won’t that delay things?”
Huolong shot her a look. “Fengxian Pawnshop is for making money. As for intelligence, the Ink Feather Army handles that. Besides, Boss Ji only fusses over trivial nonsense—hardly urgent matters. Stop overthinking it.”
Yeying nodded. “Fair point. Why bother worrying?”
Some things in life hinge on the slightest twist of fate—a tiny misstep can alter the entire course of events.
In the study atop Riverside Immortal Tower at Fengxian Pawnshop, a thick stack of letters lay neglected in a corner of the desk, gathering dust. Buried at the very bottom was one envelope, its surface boldly inscribed with three words:
Prince Ding’s Residence.
If Prince Ding’s Residence was stirring over this matter, the Crown Prince’s estate was even more abuzz. Emperor Wenhui, eager to curry favor with the Crown Prince and foster ties with Huangfu Hao, had given the latter free rein to visit openly, with no need for secrecy.
But the nature of Huangfu Hao’s discussions with the Crown Prince was beyond the emperor’s control.
The Crown Prince poured Huangfu Hao a drink and smiled. “So, what do you think of my proposal?”
Huangfu Hao chuckled, neither agreeing nor refusing. “You’ve got quite the scheme—leaving me to play the villain while you reap the rewards, even winning the lady’s hand.”
Unfazed, the Crown Prince laughed along. “A gentleman delights in facilitating happy endings. I’d be thrilled to see Fifth Miss Shen as your Qin State’s Crown Princess—but we both know that’s impossible.” The Emperor of Qin would never allow his heir to marry the daughter of a foreign official. The title of Crown Princess wasn’t just about the woman—it signified the influence of her family, ideally one that could bolster the Crown Prince’s position. As a native of Ming Qi, Shen Miao offered Huangfu Hao no advantage. And Shen Xin would hardly surrender his beloved daughter to Qin State without a fight.Huangfu Hao shook his head: "What's the rush? This prince never said I would snatch another's treasure. However—" He turned to the Crown Prince: "I'm not someone who enjoys doing good deeds all day, let alone using my own reputation to do them. If General Shen were to hold a grudge against me afterward, I'd be in quite a predicament."
The Crown Prince laughed upon hearing this. Huangfu Hao was indeed a shrewd man, quickly grasping the underlying interests. Reputation was utterly useless in Ming Qi, and arranging Shen Miao's marriage could hardly be considered a heinous act. With just a word, he could make both Emperor Wenhui and the Crown Prince owe him a favor—why not? Of course, how this favor would be exchanged was unknown to Emperor Wenhui, as this was the Crown Prince's idea. It all depended on how important this marriage was in the Crown Prince's eyes.
"Does Brother Huangfu have any difficulties?" the Crown Prince asked with a smile.
"It's nothing major, though it may make you laugh." Huangfu Hao sighed, putting on a troubled expression. "Though I am the Crown Prince of Qin, even commoners have their own troubles—how much more so for me? My father treats me well, but my brothers are far from obedient. If one day they clash with me..." He gave the Crown Prince a meaningful look. "At that time, I hope you'll lend me a hand."
The Crown Prince was momentarily stunned before inwardly cursing Huangfu Hao's cunning. Succession struggles existed in every nation, especially those with many princes. But Huangfu Hao's implication was clear: if civil strife ever broke out in Qin's imperial family during his bid for the throne, the Crown Prince must assist him. How could the Crown Prince of Ming Qi help the Crown Prince of Qin in a succession battle? Only by lending troops.
Huangfu Hao was truly playing a clever game.
Seeing his hesitation, Huangfu Hao smiled. "What are you hesitating for? Isn't this the same as what I'm helping you with now?"
The Crown Prince stiffened, staring at Huangfu Hao without a word. If this plan succeeded, Shen Miao would marry him, binding the Shen family to his faction. With the Shen family's support, his power would grow significantly, adding a crucial advantage in the succession struggle. By helping him now, wasn't Huangfu Hao essentially aiding his own bid for the throne?
With this in mind, Huangfu Hao's terms didn't seem so unacceptable after all. In fact, he stood to gain far more from this arrangement.
Steeling himself, the Crown Prince declared, "Very well. Since Brother Huangfu is aiding me now, I will certainly not stand idly by in the future."
Only then did Huangfu Hao break into a satisfied smile. After sharing a few more toasts, he remarked, "But are you truly determined to marry Shen Miao?" Noting the Crown Prince's puzzled expression, he explained, "During the tribute banquet, I observed that Shen Miao is hardly meek—she seems quite fierce. Are you so confident you can tame her?"
"What's there to worry about?" The Crown Prince waved dismissively. "No matter how fiery her temper, she's still a woman. Once married, that defiance will fade. To be honest, even my Crown Princess was headstrong when she first entered the Eastern Palace, but now she obeys my every word. Women are like cats—spend some effort coaxing them, and they'll eventually grow docile."Huangfu Hao said nothing more upon hearing this, though inwardly he was somewhat scornful. The death of Princess Ming An remained a mystery to this day, yet Huangfu Hao couldn't shake the feeling that Shen Miao was somehow involved. Later, the situation between him and Fu Xiuyi was inexplicably exploited by others, leading Fu Xiuyi to deliberately keep his distance now. The Shen family was no ordinary household, and it seemed someone was guiding Shen Miao from behind the scenes. Though the Crown Prince was formidable, facing Shen Miao might not guarantee him an easy victory.
But these matters were of little consequence to Huangfu Hao. He was content to watch the drama unfold, so after laughing a few times, he resumed drinking merrily with the Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, at the residence of Assistant Minister Wang Bi, Shen Miao had unexpectedly sent a reply to the invitation.
She mentioned that Shen Dongling had invited her to appreciate incense, and Shen Miao had agreed—but only if she could bring Luo Tan, the cousin from the Luo family.
Wang Bi was delighted upon seeing Shen Miao’s reply and said to Shen Dongling, "I thought you two sisters weren’t close. I didn’t expect her to agree."
Shen Dongling was also surprised but smiled and replied, "Perhaps she feels it’s been too long since we last met. After all, among the sisters in the mansion now, only the two of us remain." She took the invitation from Wang Bi’s hands and examined it carefully.
Truth be told, Shen Dongling had never imagined Shen Miao would respond, let alone agree to attend the incense appreciation. Knowing Shen Miao’s cautious nature, Shen Dongling had assumed she would decline. Whether Shen Miao attended or not didn’t significantly affect the plan. The only reason Shen Dongling had sent the invitation was to prove to Wang Bi that she was diligently working for his benefit, hoping he would remember her efforts in the future.
Yet, against all expectations, Shen Miao had accepted.
Shen Dongling’s thoughts raced. The reason Shen Miao insisted on bringing Luo Tan was likely because Luo Tan knew martial arts, providing an extra layer of security. Moreover, Shen Miao would undoubtedly bring numerous guards to ensure her safety. If she dared to come, she must have prepared thoroughly.
But Shen Dongling wasn’t concerned. Her goal had never been to scheme against Shen Miao. She nudged Wang Bi and said, "Husband, since Fifth Sister has agreed to come, this gives us an even better pretext for future plans. Let’s invite the Crown Prince and Huangfu Hao as well. Later, we can say that Huangfu Hao was so captivated by Fifth Sister’s grace and beauty during the incense appreciation that he fell for her. Wouldn’t that make the subsequent events unfold more naturally?"
"You women certainly think of everything," Wang Bi chuckled, wrapping an arm around Shen Dongling’s shoulders. "With a wife like you, what more could I ask for?"
Shen Dongling laughed along with him, though her mind was elsewhere.
Shen Miao had always been adept at scheming against others. Shen Dongling had witnessed the battles between Ren Wanyun and Shen Miao back in the Shen Mansion. By the end, the main branch of the Shen family had survived—if anyone could be called formidable, it was Shen Miao and Shen Dongling themselves.
Shen Dongling wanted to see for herself who was truly more cunning between the two of them. Including Shen Miao in her plans was far more intriguing than targeting someone like Shen Yue.
Meanwhile, the very person Shen Dongling was "scheming" against—Shen Miao—was currently resting her chin on her hand, playing chess with Xie Jingxing in her room.Xie Jingxing was an excellent chess player. Unlike Shen Miao's steady and methodical approach, Xie Jingxing seemed to instantly discern the purpose of every piece she had strategically placed. Wherever Shen Miao made a move, Xie Jingxing would block her accordingly. After playing for over an hour, Xie Jingxing had already captured several of her pieces, yet the game remained fiercely contested, with neither willing to concede.
In her past life, Shen Miao had painstakingly honed her chess skills to have something to discuss with Fu Xiuyi. Though not the absolute best, she was rarely matched. Yet against Xie Jingxing, she found herself utterly outmaneuvered—as if he were her natural nemesis. For the first time since mastering the game, Shen Miao actually felt the urge to take back a move.
Watching Xie Jingxing capture several more of her pieces in succession, Shen Miao said, "I'm tired. Let's stop."
"Don’t want to continue, or can’t?" Xie Jingxing replied. "Beg me, and I’ll teach you."
Shen Miao was nearly amused by his words. Coming to find someone to play chess in the middle of the night—only someone as good-natured as Shen Miao would tolerate it. Anyone else would have long since sent Xie Jingxing away.
"I'll pass, thank you," she said. She had no intention of becoming a chess master, so why bother learning it? Still, she was somewhat surprised that Xie Jingxing played so well. His reputation lay in his battlefield prowess; she hadn’t heard of any other outstanding talents. But then again, this was a man who toyed with the world as if it were his plaything—what were mere chess pieces to him?
She asked, "Are your people all prepared for two days from now?"
Two days later was the Fragrance Appreciation event—the first time she and Xie Jingxing would join forces to scheme against others. And not just anyone, but two crown princes. Speaking of it aloud might chill the blood, but Shen Miao felt no such apprehension. She had once given birth to a crown prince herself—the title held no untouchable prestige in her eyes. As for Xie Jingxing, his own elder brother was the emperor, and the crown prince was his nephew.
So, in that light, it seemed perfectly fitting for the two of them to scheme against a pair of crown princes.
"Rest assured, nothing will go wrong," Xie Jingxing said. "Your carriage is also arranged. But are you really going?" He frowned. "You don’t have to."
"Why wouldn’t I?" Shen Miao replied. "Whether I go or not makes no difference, but I hope they’ll make it even grander." She smiled faintly. "If I attend, they’ll only weave their trap more convincingly—only to realize in the end that everything was wrong. Wouldn’t that be more amusing?"
Xie Jingxing smirked. "That ruthless?"
"Ruthless?" she countered.
"Yes." He nodded, his eyes glinting like clear water under sunlight, his lips curving slightly. "But I like it."
Shen Miao: "..."
Ever since that night, Xie Jingxing’s words had grown increasingly flirtatious—though only in speech. His actions toward her remained perfectly respectful. Having someone suddenly intrude into her life like this still felt unfamiliar, but she had to admit that with Xie Jingxing around, many things became much easier. What took her great effort to accomplish, he could achieve effortlessly.
But relying on him like this still left her uneasy. Shen Miao hadn’t yet learned how to trust someone—or rather, how to trust a man. In all other matters, she was bold and resourceful, but when it came to matters of the heart, her wounds ran deep. Starting over, she was as clumsy as a child—slow to warm, slow to learn, even with gentle guidance.
Xie Jingxing watched her idly, his gaze inscrutable. The chess pieces lay beside his hand, while the young woman sat poised and serene, the lamplight softening her beauty like a blooming lotus.
His own features were striking, his dark eyes fathomless as night. After a thoughtful pause, he suddenly smiled.
"Once this matter is settled, I’ll marry you, Shen Jiaojiao."
Author’s Note:
Celebrations! Boss Ji and Young Master Gao are still locked in the dark room...
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