Shen Qiu lavished praise on Xie Jingxing right in front of Prince Rui. Normally, being so ruthlessly compared and criticized would make anyone uncomfortable. Though Prince Rui's masked face concealed his expression, everyone clearly saw the corners of his lips slightly upturned the entire time. His voice remained gentle and courteous, and most tellingly—his eyes couldn't lie. There was even a hint of amusement in Prince Rui's gaze.
Amusement.
Shen Qiu talked until his mouth went dry, yet far from seeing Prince Rui show any embarrassment, the prince seemed to wholeheartedly agree, saying, "In that case, it truly is a pity."
Greatly disheartened, Shen Qiu grew even more wary of this Prince Rui.
Luo Xueyan, however, was quite satisfied. Unlike the childish Shen Qiu or Shen Xin, who nitpicked and found faults in everyone, she didn't judge people based on preconceptions. Having spent this short time with Prince Rui, she found him quite agreeable—handsome and refined in appearance, yet straightforward and unpretentious in speech, with a casual boldness that inspired goodwill.
As the saying goes, a mother-in-law grows fonder of her son-in-law the more she looks at him. In Luo Xueyan's eyes, Prince Rui quickly took the lead—more steady than Su Mingfeng, more forthright than the Crown Prince, and more magnanimous than Feng Zixian. As for Luo Ling... well, he was family, so there was no need to compare.
Not only did Luo Xueyan approve of Prince Rui, but Luo Tan was also very pleased with her future brother-in-law. Her mind brimming with curiosity, she asked Prince Rui many questions about the novel sights of Great Coolness. Though Prince Rui had shown little patience toward Emperor Wenhui during the tribute banquet—coming and going as he pleased—he answered every one of Luo Tan's inquiries. Already grateful for Prince Rui's life-saving favor to Shen Miao, Luo Tan now grew even more convinced that only Prince Rui was worthy of her cousin. She declared, "I think brother-in-law and little cousin make a perfect match. Someone with little cousin's temperament needs a man like brother-in-law to complement her."
The moment the words "brother-in-law" left her lips, the room fell silent. After all, Prince Rui was royalty, while Luo Tan's status was insignificant by comparison. Oblivious to the implications of her words, Luo Tan remained her usual carefree self, but Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin instinctively glanced at Prince Rui for his reaction.
The corners of Prince Rui's lips curved slightly as he smoothly replied, "Thank you for your kindness, cousin."
Cousin.
Shen Qiu exploded, "Who's your cousin? Don't address her so casually!"
"Brother Qiu, what are you saying?" Luo Tan glared at him, then cheerfully added, "Well, I'm younger than you, so calling me 'cousin' feels odd. You should call me Cousin Luo instead."
Shen Qiu glared furiously at Prince Rui. This man, relying on his handsome face and noble status, had a way of winning over women. Both Luo Xueyan and Luo Tan had fallen under his spell—how infuriating!
Luo Ling watched the chaotic scene with amusement, but as he laughed, a thought struck him, and his smile faded. Instead, he cast a bitter glance at Shen Miao.Shen Miao was pondering Luo Tan's earlier words, finding them utterly unbelievable. What kind of mistaken impression did Luo Tan have of Xie Jingxing to think he was a good-natured person? Little did she know that Xie Jingxing had once used threats and sarcasm, making every interaction with him feel like walking a tightrope, never able to grasp his thoughts. If Luo Tan ever witnessed Xie Jingxing's expressionless face while silencing someone, she would surely never say such things again.
Shen Xin watched as Luo Xueyan and Prince Rui grew increasingly friendly in their conversation, feeling somewhat sour. He deliberately coughed twice, forcibly interrupting their exchange, and asked Prince Rui dryly, "Didn't you say you came to deliver the wedding dress? Or are you just here to freeload on our Shen family's tea because you find it so delicious?"
Luo Xueyan shot Shen Xin a glare for his unpleasant tone, then turned back to Prince Rui with a gentleness she hadn't used on Shen Xin in decades, saying softly, "Jingxing, did you come today specifically to deliver Jiaojiao's wedding dress?"
"The Imperial decree for the arranged marriage came rather suddenly. I thought Jiaojiao wouldn’t have time to embroider her own dress. Coincidentally, when I first came to the Fixed Capital, my elder brother instructed me to bring along Great Coolness’ finest embroiderers and tailors. He said if I ever met a girl I liked and wished to marry, I should present her with the finest wedding dress in the world." His smile was light, his eyes tender as spring. "The dress has been completed—it took three months to make. Now I’ve brought it for Madam to inspect."
Three months? Shen Miao was stunned. She suddenly recalled how Xie Jingxing had embraced her a few days ago, claiming it was to take her measurements. But if the wedding dress had been in the works for three months, he must have already known her measurements back then. Why the unnecessary act? Clearly, he had been spouting nonsense again, and she had foolishly believed him, letting him take advantage of her. Furious, she glared at him, to which Xie Jingxing responded with a faint smile.
This little exchange did not escape Luo Xueyan’s notice, and it only deepened her delight. This marriage was now set in stone, and she had no choice but to console herself in various ways. Yet today, upon meeting Prince Rui, she found him quite agreeable, which eased her worries considerably. Now, seeing the playful dynamic between the two, it was clear they were just like any young couple bickering affectionately. Her daughter, who usually carried herself with the solemnity of an elder, lacked the youthful vivacity of other girls—except in front of Prince Rui, where she revealed a more girlish side. And Prince Rui, for his part, seemed utterly smitten with Shen Miao. Perhaps this marriage was truly a match made in heaven.
In Luo Xueyan’s estimation, Prince Rui was at least a thousand times better than Fu Xiuyi—no, make that a thousand times better than Luo Ling.
Just then, Shen Qiu suddenly exclaimed, "Three months? But the Imperial decree for the arranged marriage only came down recently! You’re clearly lying. Did you foresee the future three months ago and know you’d marry my sister? And how did you know her measurements? If the dress doesn’t fit, no matter how beautiful it is, my sister won’t wear it!"
Shen Miao also turned to Xie Jingxing, curious to hear how he would respond to Shen Qiu’s challenge.
Xie Jingxing, ever the master of such situations, simply said, "Three months ago, I happened to see Jiaojiao on the street. One glance was enough to decide I would marry no one but her. My elder brother only asked me to present the wedding dress to the girl I loved—he never said I had to secure her hand in marriage first. Fortunately, I did end up marrying her." His voice was brimming with satisfaction by the end, though the glance he cast Shen Qiu’s way was nothing short of a provocation.Shen Qiu was no match for Xie Jingxing when it came to verbal sparring. With just a few words, Xie Jingxing had spoken beautifully, leaving Shen Qiu with nothing to gain.
"As for the measurements," Xie Jingxing smiled, "with the heart to find them, they can always be found."
He signaled to Tie Yi, who promptly dashed outside with quick, light steps. Moments later, he returned carrying a massive box, placing it on the table with the same hurried pace.
The box was quite large, seemingly made of fragrant wood, emitting a faint yet refreshing scent of pear blossoms. Everyone instinctively gathered around the table, imagining the wedding gown must be inside.
Even Shen Miao, usually composed, felt a flicker of anticipation in her heart.
In her past life, her wedding gown had been embroidered stitch by stitch with her own hands. She had poured her heart into the preparations for her marriage to Fu Xiuyi, longing for something splendid and magnificent—after all, a woman's most beautiful moment was said to be on her wedding day. But Fu Xiuyi, still concealing his ambitions at the time, had insisted on simplicity, urging modesty in the ceremony. Thus, she had suppressed her desire for grandeur, crafting a gown with plain patterns and unadorned designs.
Yet, as a young woman full of hope for the future and a love for beauty, she had devised a small trick. She embroidered twin lotus flowers with dark red thread on the outer red skirt and scattered peach blossoms inside the sheer outer robe—hidden beneath, invisible to others. The twin lotuses on the skirt were stitched in red thread, indistinguishable to the untrained eye. The overall dress remained simple and unassuming.
But in her heart, she took secret pride in this small flourish. She imagined that after the wedding night, in the quiet intimacy between husband and wife, she would ask Fu Xiuyi to guess the hidden patterns on her gown. She believed he would eventually see her skill and cleverness, and slowly, slowly, grow to love her.
Yet, in the end, that night of brilliant lanterns, she waited alone in the bridal chamber until the candles burned out and her heart turned cold—Fu Xiuyi never came. The next morning, she was told he had drunk too much and slept in the study. Exhausted from a sleepless night, she stumbled through the obligatory morning audience with the Emperor and Empress, making a fool of herself and earning Fu Xiuyi's displeasure.
For nearly two or three months, he neglected her before finally acknowledging her presence.
That wedding gown marked the beginning of her suffering. From the humiliation of her wedding night, endless grievances came crashing down upon her.
Shen Miao had always believed that if one person treated another with kindness, the other's heart would eventually warm. Even without love, such selfless devotion would surely move them. But there existed people who took everything for granted, enjoying the offerings of others while still finding fault.
The secret joy of her youthful heart, woven into that wedding gown, remained forever unknown. The question she had longed to ask—"Husband, look closely at my gown. Do you see anything?"—was one she never had the chance to utter in her lifetime. The person she had wanted to show her gown to never once laid eyes on it.
Lost in her reverie, she was jolted back to reality by Luo Tan's sudden exclamation.
Luo Xueyan carefully lifted the gown from the box, shaking it out gently for all to see.
Her movements were cautious, as if afraid of damaging it.A vibrant, brilliant red—the silk threads were so fine it was as if the brocade had been woven from countless delicate strands, then tailored by the most skilled seamstress. Not a stitch too many, not a stitch too few.
Within the crimson fabric, tiny, dense flecks of golden light shimmered, as though gold dust had been sprinkled in. These glittering specks made the entire garment seem to glow.
The red bridal robe was crafted from sea silk, thin as cicada wings, like drifting rosy clouds. Over the radiant red fabric of the embroidered robe, twelve-colored threads intricately wove the auspicious pattern of a dragon and phoenix. The golden dragon was majestic, the colorful phoenix ethereal. Upon closer inspection, the eyes of the dragon and phoenix were adorned with tiny black gemstones, while their scales and feathers were meticulously embroidered with finely cut cat's eye stones, stitched one by one.
The red skirt and trousers were one piece, a pure and rich hue, cut wide and flowing. With the slightest breeze, they billowed like an Immortal’s robes, weightless and divine. Yet even these held thoughtful details—lotus blossoms embroidered at the hem, symbolizing blessings.
The ceremonial cape, of course, was beyond compare. Filigree, inlay, engraving, and kingfisher feather embellishments adorned it, with hundreds of pearls scattered lavishly, dazzling the eyes.
There were pouches for descendants, silver mirrors to ward off evil, and celestial locks.
But the most captivating piece was the phoenix crown.
The crown’s golden rim was encircled with a band of jewels, its edges lined with gold strips, and twelve gemstones embedded in the center. Each gem was surrounded by six pearls, with floral beadwork separating them. Six tasseled panels hung from the sides, each decorated with a golden dragon, two jeweled flowers, three beaded blossoms, and dangling pearl strands. Shen Qiu, ever the simpleton, even counted—there were a hundred colored gemstones on the crown, and the rubies dotting the phoenix’s eyes were beyond numbering.
Luo Xueyan held the heavy phoenix crown, her heart filled with indescribable emotions. Even if Prince Rui was putting on an act, he had gone to such lengths that it was utterly unexpected. This crown was likely the dream of every woman in Ming Qi, rivaling even the Empress’s own. Hesitantly, she spoke, "Jingxing, isn’t it a bit inappropriate for Jiaojiao to wear this crown?"
The creature atop this crown was a phoenix—the queen of all birds, meant only for an Empress or princess. Though Shen Miao was marrying Prince Rui and becoming his Royal Consort, she was not yet a princess. The crown should have featured a pheasant instead.
Prince Rui smiled. "Madam, rest assured. His Majesty is aware of this crown. In the Great Coolness imperial family, there are only the two of us brothers. Once Jiaojiao marries into the royal house, she becomes one of us. A mere phoenix—she is worthy of it."
Shen Xin gave Prince Rui a thoughtful glance, but before Luo Xueyan could say more, Luo Tan exclaimed, "What beautiful embroidered shoes!"
From the bottom of the wooden chest, Luo Tan carefully retrieved a shoe, cradling it in her palm.
The shoe was exquisitely petite, also red, with a tiny phoenix embroidered on the upper. The surface was so small that stitching an entire phoenix was no easy feat, let alone adorning its feathers with minuscule gemstones. Yet even the sole bore a pattern—a blooming lotus, symbolizing each step giving rise to blessings. At the very top of the shoe were two large, perfectly round pearls from the southern seas.
Shen Miao froze for a moment at the sight.The South Sea mermaid pearls were extremely precious. Since pearl divers could only gather pearls from shallow waters, those from the deep sea were hard to come by. Only the most skilled divers could venture into slightly deeper waters, and even then, encountering such pearls was rare.
Shen Miao recalled that even the currently most favored Consort Xu possessed just one, which she wore daily on her head to flaunt her uniqueness. Yet here, right before her eyes, lay two, casually placed at her feet.
If Consort Xu knew, she would surely be furious.
Shen Xin remained silent for a moment before slowly uttering, "You’ve put in much thought."
Such grandeur, such an exquisite wedding dress—it could truly be called unparalleled in all of Ming Qi. Prince Rui didn’t have to go to such lengths. But he did. Regardless, this ensured that Shen Miao would be met with envy, not mockery, on her wedding day.
Prince Rui smiled. "As long as Jiaojiao is happy."
Shen Miao’s heart stirred as she gazed at the splendid phoenix crown and embroidered robes, the delicate red wedding shoes. Wearing such attire would undoubtedly make her the most radiant bride.
In her past life, she had never worn such luxurious clothing.
When she married Fu Xiuyi, he had yet to rise to prominence, and simplicity was her daily habit. Later, after Fu Xiuyi ascended the throne, she became a hostage in the Qin State, where lavish garments were out of the question. By the time she returned, the palace already had the beautiful and clever Mei Furen. Competing with Mei Furen in charm and grace would have been self-inflicted torment. Then, as Empress, she had to dress with dignity, elegance, and solemnity—stiff designs in muted colors. Though still young, compared to Mei Furen, she seemed decades older.
Looking back, it seemed her girlhood had ended completely on the night she married Fu Xiuyi, replaced by a painful, forced maturity.
Was Xie Jingxing sent by the heavens to fulfill the regrets of her past life? Shen Miao inwardly laughed. It was as if, unknowingly, he had mended every one of her unfulfilled desires.
Perhaps this, too, was fate.
Even the usually critical Shen Qiu had nothing to say about the wedding attire.
Truthfully, if it were up to Shen Qiu, he could never have prepared something so refined, intricate, and costly. Though he would have given everything he owned to the woman he loved, some things were simply beyond his means. Prince Rui could do it because he was Prince Rui—that was all.
Shen Qiu couldn’t help but glance at Shen Miao. If she were to marry such a man, enjoying a lifetime of wealth and honor, and if Prince Rui’s character truly matched his current display, then perhaps her life would be well worth it.
After some more conversation, Luo Xueyan warmly invited Prince Rui to stay for dinner. He didn’t refuse, smiling as he said, "However, I’d like to speak with Jiaojiao alone for a moment. Would you permit it, Madam?"
Shen Qiu immediately tensed. "What do you need to say to my sister? You can say it to me instead. Come, let’s spar in the courtyard."
Luo Xueyan grabbed Shen Qiu’s ear and pulled him aside. "What nonsense are you spouting? Prince Rui can’t be roughhousing with a brute like you." Turning back to Prince Rui, her eyes brimmed with unconcealed delight. "Then let Jiaojiao take you inside to talk. Just don’t take too long—dinner will be ready soon."
Shen Miao and Shen Qiu: "...""Mother, do you still remember who your real child is?"
Luo Xueyan was growing more and more fond of Prince Rui. A dignified prince of Great Coolness, yet he still sought her permission before speaking with Shen Miao—truly a man who knew propriety. Luo Xueyan was also thinking of giving Shen Miao and Prince Rui more time together. She had clearly seen the subtle glances exchanged between them earlier. Women understood women best, and Shen Miao's demeanor clearly showed she still had some feelings for Prince Rui. Why hadn't she seen Shen Miao glare at Luo Ling, Su Mingfeng, or Feng Zixian like that?
This kind of sweet bickering was exactly what the romance novels wrote about.
Luo Xueyan cheerfully went to instruct the kitchen. Though Shen Miao was somewhat exasperated, she still glanced at Xie Jingxing and said, "Come with me to my courtyard."
Shen Qiu eagerly wanted to follow, but Shen Miao turned back and said, "Elder Brother, don't come."
Shen Qiu widened his eyes in disbelief. "Little Sister—"
"Cousin Qiu," Luo Tan tugged at his sleeve. "The young couple wants to talk privately. What are you, a grown man, eavesdropping for?" She glanced at the distracted Luo Ling. "If you want to spar, go find Cousin Ling instead."
Luo Ling snapped out of his thoughts and forced a bitter smile, but still said, "If Cousin wants to spar, I’ll naturally oblige."
For the first time, Shen Qiu found himself unanimously excluded by the women in the household and felt deeply wronged. As Shen Miao's future husband, Prince Rui naturally needed to be thoroughly vetted. How could the women be so easily swayed by sweet words and an obscured face? Women really were too gullible. He turned to Shen Xin and grumbled, "Father, are we really just going to let that guy off like this?"
Shen Xin, who had been lost in thought, looked up at Shen Qiu and said, "After the meal, you’ll spar with him. Test his martial skills."
Shen Qiu's eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Yes!"
As expected, Shen Xin was still on his side. He had to make Prince Rui understand—the women of the Shen family weren’t so easily won over!
Shen Miao led Xie Jingxing to her courtyard. Bailu and Shuangjiang were outside tidying up the garden with the maids when they saw Shen Miao return with a man in tow. They were startled, but after Gu Yu and Jing Zhe greeted Prince Rui, the maids quickly regained their composure and bowed.
Shen Miao took Xie Jingxing straight to her bedchamber.
She wasn’t afraid of being seen—after all, this wasn’t the first time Xie Jingxing had visited her room. He dropped by every now and then for tea and snacks, and by now, he knew the layout of the Shen residence like the back of his hand. When she turned around, however, she found Xie Jingxing looking around curiously. Annoyed, she said, "It’s not your first time here. What’s there to look at?"
"It’s the first time I’ve entered through the main gate," Xie Jingxing replied with a smile, sitting down at the table and watching her. "Coming in properly feels nice."
Shen Miao scoffed. "Are you complaining that you weren’t given proper recognition before, that your visits were improper?"
"Clever." Xie Jingxing sipped his tea.
"That was your own doing. No one invited you," Shen Miao said through gritted teeth.
Xie Jingxing grinned at her. "Your mother treats me well. Your cousin isn’t bad either."
Shen Miao rolled her eyes inwardly. That was only because they hadn’t seen Xie Jingxing’s ruthless side. If they had, they wouldn’t be so kind to him.
She asked, "What did you want to tell me?"
"That matter you asked me to look into last time—I’ve found the answers for you," Xie Jingxing said."The matter you asked me to investigate," Shen Miao had been so busy these days that she had forgotten what she had asked Xie Jingxing to look into. She asked in confusion, "What matter?"
Xie Jingxing's gaze flickered. "News about Pei Lang."
Shen Miao suddenly remembered. Recalling that there had been no word from Pei Lang for a long time, she grew genuinely anxious and asked, "What did you find out? Has something happened to him?"
"You're very worried about him?" Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow.
"He's working for me," Shen Miao frowned.
"Fine." Xie Jingxing shrugged. "He's not doing well. Fu Xiuyi seems to have discovered his identity and imprisoned him in Prince Ding's Residence's dungeon, torturing him to extract the truth."
Shen Miao's heart tightened slightly. "Is he still alive?"
"Fu Xiuyi didn't get the answer he wanted, so he won't let him die so easily," Xie Jingxing said, then stared at Shen Miao. "You don't seem worried at all that he might betray you."
"He won't," Shen Miao replied.
Xie Jingxing frowned slightly.
Shen Miao thought to herself that although Pei Lang could sometimes be too rational—rational to the point of being cold—when it came to loyalty, he was beyond reproach. In her past life, when he worked for Fu Xiuyi, he had always been utterly loyal to him. Pei Lang was exceptionally talented, and later, even Prince Zhou and his faction had tried to lure him away from Fu Xiuyi. At that time, Prince Zhou held the upper hand and could offer Pei Lang far more than Fu Xiuyi, yet Pei Lang never wavered.
Pei Lang was a man of strong principles, and these principles outweighed everything else in his heart. For instance, in her past life, because he had pledged his support to Fu Xiuyi, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to helping Fu Xiuyi secure his position, making use of everyone around him—including Shen Miao herself. Even later, when Shen Miao knelt before him, begging for his help for Fu Ming and Wan Yu, Pei Lang remained unmoved. He even stood by and watched the Shen family fall, perhaps even contributing to their downfall. Yet, Shen Miao had never doubted Pei Lang's loyalty.
To put it bluntly, Fu Xiuyi had little patience for dealing with her. After their marriage, he was mostly indifferent toward Shen Miao, offering only occasional perfunctory concern to fulfill his duties as a husband. Most of the time, Shen Miao spent her days alone in Prince Ding's Residence. Eager to win Fu Xiuyi's favor, she knew he valued Pei Lang above all others, so she sought Pei Lang's guidance, hoping to impress Fu Xiuyi.
Pei Lang had indeed patiently taught her, never showing impatience. Much of Shen Miao's understanding of Ming Qi's political landscape came not just from occasional remarks by Fu Xiuyi but largely from Pei Lang's instruction.
Pei Lang had been her teacher at the Hall of Extensive Learning—in a way, he was also her teacher in Prince Ding's Residence.
That was why Shen Miao didn't doubt that Pei Lang would betray her.
"Fu Xiuyi has many methods," Shen Miao said, unusually anxious. "Especially toward those who betray him. Once he discovers such a person, he will never trust them again and will eventually eliminate them himself. Since Pei Lang has already been exposed, Fu Xiuyi might spare his life for now to get answers, but that doesn't mean he won't do other things. If he were to... mutilate him—" Shen Miao shuddered.
She had seen firsthand how Fu Xiuyi dealt with traitors. She had also seen what the Dungeon was like.
Perhaps it was from that time onward that, aside from admiration, she also felt a trace of fear toward Fu Xiuyi.
After all, a man who appeared restrained and gentle in public but was ruthless behind closed doors was truly chilling.
Xie Jingxing's gaze sharpened. "How do you know how he treats traitors?"
In the past, Shen Miao might have noticed the oddity in Xie Jingxing's question, but right now, her mind was elsewhere. After a moment's thought, she looked at him and asked, "You have a way to save him, don't you?"
Xie Jingxing set down his teacup. "Give me a reason."
Shen Miao met his gaze—sharp and unyielding, enough to make one shrink back.
"Because there's no reason to stand by and do nothing."The heartthrob of three generations—Xie Jingxing╭╯╰╮
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