Tie Yi and the others hadn't expected Shen Miao to come up with such an idea at this critical moment. Although Phoenix Head Manor wasn't far from Longye, it would still take two days of hard riding to get there and back. If anything unexpected happened along the way—and most importantly, that legendary master craftsman—aside from the Gao siblings' claims, no one had ever seen them before. No one knew if they were real or not. For Shen Miao to seek out someone whose existence was uncertain seemed utterly irrational and naive.
Yet Shen Miao seemed determined. She instructed Uncle Tang on what to do in the coming days and then set out with Luo Tan. Before leaving, she also ordered that their departure must not be disclosed to outsiders.
After disguising themselves, they set off with Bajiao, Huixiang, Mo Qing, Cong Yang, and Luo Tan.
Wearing bamboo hats and ordinary clothes, they went unrecognized. Prince Rui's Estate had always been skilled in such disguises. Though Tie Yi was somewhat worried, when Shen Miao was stern, even Shen Qiu wouldn't dare stop her easily, let alone the servants.
Watching Shen Miao's retreating figure, Uncle Tang asked, "Do you think the madam will find the person?"
Tie Yi shook his head. "Trying is better than not trying at all. At least she's someone who values loyalty." He then turned to the others and ordered, "Keep the madam's departure a tight secret. If word gets out, you'll bear the consequences."
Inside the carriage, Luo Tan looked at Shen Miao and said, "Little cousin, why don't you rest for a while? You haven't slept well these past few days. We're traveling nonstop—you should take a break first."
Shen Miao's mind was in turmoil. Though the jolting of the carriage made it hard to rest, Luo Tan's words made sense. If she didn't rest properly, it might hinder their plans later. So she drowsily closed her eyes and dozed off.
Strangely, her sleep was unusually long. Shen Miao had set off in the afternoon, and when she woke, it was because someone was shaking her. Blinking groggily, she saw Luo Tan looking at her and saying, "Little cousin, wake up. We're here."
Shen Miao followed Luo Tan out of the carriage. By then, it was already late afternoon the next day. The carriage had stopped in a desolate area where the overgrown branches, perhaps left untended for too long, crisscrossed wildly, nearly blotting out the sky. Even in June, when evenings still held some daylight, this place felt eerie and oppressive, devoid of any warmth, sending an unsettling chill down one's spine.
Mo Qing and Cong Yang frowned as well. Cong Yang muttered, "What kind of godforsaken place is this? There's not a soul in sight."
"I heard this used to be an embroidery workshop, famous for its Phoenix Tail Patterns. But later, the workshop declined, and the manor was abandoned," Bajiao, ever the well-informed one, quickly explained.
Luo Tan looked around, up and down, left and right, then unfolded the embroidered map on her handkerchief. "But according to this map, there should be a small path here. Yet there's no path at all."
Everyone gathered to look. Indeed, the map was clear—Phoenix Head Manor was supposed to have a small path leading to fields and houses.
But here, there was no trace of houses, fields, or even a path.“Why is there not a single person here? It seems like no one has come for a long time.” Luo Tan said, “Could it be that the grass has grown so tall that it’s covering the path, making it invisible to us?”
Mo Qing and Cong Yang looked around and shook their heads. “Unlikely.”
Bajiao and Huixiang also surveyed the surroundings. Huixiang remarked, “This forest is too vast. Once the sun sets, it’s easy to get lost walking through here. There might even be wild beasts lurking. We’re not very familiar with these paths either. Madam, what do you think?”
As servants, their foremost duty was to ensure Shen Miao’s safety. It would be disastrous if they failed to find the fate-altering expert and instead put Shen Miao in danger. The Ink Feather Army excelled at dealing with enemies, but navigating an unfamiliar, pitch-black forest late at night was not their forte. In truth, Huixiang and the others didn’t take Luo Tan’s talk of an expert seriously. To them, Luo Tan’s idea was a whimsical notion, overly naive. Yet Shen Miao was indulging Luo Tan’s whimsy, which left everyone feeling somewhat uneasy.
Only Mo Qing followed Shen Miao’s orders without question. Huixiang and the others didn’t know Shen Miao well, but Mo Qing had been with her from the very beginning. Back in Ming Qi, Shen Miao had faced even more perilous situations, yet she had always found a way through the toughest circumstances. Every decision she made later proved to be crucial, and Mo Qing never doubted her judgment in this regard.
Shen Miao examined the map and asked Luo Tan, “According to Benyue, that pair of siblings entered Phoenix Head Manor and then headed straight south, correct?”
Luo Tan replied, “Yes. But she also mentioned there was a small path heading south on the map. Yet we don’t see any path here.”
“Let’s go,” Shen Miao said.
Everyone was taken aback. Cong Yang asked, “Madam, where are we going?”
Shen Miao motioned for Luo Tan to take out the compass and said, “We’ll head south.”
“But there’s no path here,” Huixiang exclaimed in surprise. “If we take the wrong route, wouldn’t we be mistaken from the start?”
Shen Miao glanced at Huixiang and said, “Since we’re already here and can’t tell which path is right or wrong, we’ll try them all. There are only so many directions here. If that pair of siblings said they went straight south, then the direction is the same. Whether there’s a path or not, we can search all four directions if we must. When there’s no other way, trying is still a method.” She took the lead, compass in hand, and walked forward.
The group stood stunned for a moment before Luo Tan called out, “Little cousin, wait for me!”
Bajiao smiled and said, “Let’s hurry and follow.”
The others quickly caught up.
The sun soon set, and the forest, already dim due to the dense foliage, became almost pitch-black. Fortunately, Cong Yang carried enough fire tinder, which they lit to light their way forward.
However, the surroundings were monotonous—nothing but identical branches. Soon, it became impossible to distinguish any unique landmarks. Everything looked the same. Moreover, it was so cold it hardly felt like June. While Mo Qing and Cong Yang could endure it, the women were beginning to shiver.Shen Miao and the others had all brought outer garments, and now they instinctively pulled them tighter around themselves. Faintly, the sound of wild beasts howling could be heard from the forest. Mo Qing and Cong Yang simultaneously halted, their hands slowly resting on the swords at their waists.
Huixiang lowered her voice and whispered, "That's the sound of wolves. There are actually wolves here."
"Wolves fear firelight," Shen Miao said. "Everyone, take two fire tinders and light them. Wolves are cunning creatures. If there's a pack in the forest, seeing so many flames will make them think we have a large group and deter them from approaching."
Huixiang was taken aback, while Bajiao's round face showed a hint of surprise. "Madam, you even know how to deal with wolf packs?" It wouldn't be strange for members of the Ink Feather Army or those from the martial world to know such methods, but Shen Miao was the daughter of an official's family. For her to know these things was highly unusual. Even if the Shen family had military backgrounds, her familiarity with these techniques seemed too practiced, almost like an experienced hunter's.
Shen Miao smiled faintly. "I just heard someone mention it once."
Back when Wan Yu was to marry a Xiongnu man, she had heard that wolves were common in the Xiongnu territories. Worried, Shen Miao had sought out many ways to ward off wolf packs and passed them on to Wan Yu, hoping they might be useful someday. But... what a pity.
A flash of pain crossed her eyes, but when she raised her gaze again, it was perfectly calm. "Let's keep moving forward."
"Still going forward?" Huixiang said. "Madam, we've been walking for hours now. Haven't you noticed? It feels like we're going in circles, not making any progress. We've passed the same path several times. If this continues, we might walk all night without reaching the end."
Cong Yang added, "That's right, Madam. Even if we keep walking, we can't do so aimlessly. Otherwise, we'll just keep making the same mistakes."
Shen Miao pondered for a moment before turning to Luo Tan. "Has the compass been pointing south all along?"
Luo Tan quickly nodded. "Yes, we definitely haven't gone the wrong way, but the scenery does seem familiar, as if we've seen it before."
"If we haven't taken a wrong turn yet the scenery is identical, that's even stranger," Shen Miao said. "Extremes of abnormality must be deceptive. If we had gone the wrong way, retracing our steps would only lead us into a trap—we wouldn't be able to go back. It's better to keep moving forward. But you're right—seeing the same scenery over and over, with trees looking identical, can mislead us. If it's real, it breeds frustration and doubt. If it's fake, it's meant to confuse."
She took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and asked Luo Tan to do the same. Tying it over her own eyes, she said, "Here's what we'll do: to avoid visual deception, we'll cover our eyes and see nothing, following only the compass to see where it leads. Luo Tan and I will blindfold ourselves. Bajiao and Huixiang will lead the way with the compass, while Cong Yang and the others follow behind. Let's try moving forward like this."
Mo Qing hesitated. "Madam, will this really work?""I know what you want to say," Shen Miao said with her eyes covered, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "To be honest, I don't know what consequences this path will lead to either. But Xie Jingxing doesn't have much time. Every step we take increases our chances. If we don't even try, then the outcome won't be surprising at all."
"Right, right," Luo Tan quickly chimed in. "No matter what, we have to try first. Saying something a thousand times is useless—it's better to take action ourselves."
Huixiang was somewhat surprised. She felt she truly couldn't understand this lady. When Shen Miao first married into Prince Rui's Estate, the members of the Ink Feather Army had secretly observed her, thinking her temperament steady and composed, yet somewhat indifferent toward their master. But to call her heartless? Here she was, risking danger to walk through these pitch-black woods all night for him. She seemed like a rational person who weighed pros and cons, yet now she naively believed in legends of altering fate and was using such a foolish method.
Huixiang couldn't comprehend Shen Miao's contradictory actions, but in truth, it wasn't as complicated as she imagined. At critical moments, people unconsciously reveal their true hearts. In times of urgency, it’s not reason or intelligence that drives them—it’s instinct.
At this moment, wisdom couldn't compare to the urgency of the heart.
Mo Qing silently followed behind Shen Miao as she pressed forward. After a brief hesitation, Huixiang and the others stopped protesting and followed as well.
The events at Phoenix Head Manor remained unknown to those in Longye. The court officials only knew that Prince Rui had been injured during the hunt, but no one knew the extent of his injuries—nor dared to ask. Xie Yuan's position in the Longye court was delicate: some eagerly wished for his death, while others had their lives and fortunes tied to him, praying fervently for his safety.
No matter how much suspicion brewed in their hearts, Prince Rui's Estate stood like an impenetrable fortress, not leaking a single whisper of information. No one could uncover even the slightest clue, leaving them restless and unable to sleep.
So the anxious remained anxious, the gloating continued to gloat—no one could help anyone else.
In the Lu residence, Lu Wan'er paced restlessly around her room, whining to Madam Lu, "Mother, I want to visit His Highness. I don’t know how badly he’s injured—what if it’s serious? What should we do then?"
Madam Lu soothed her, "It can’t be that serious. If it were, they’d surely be searching everywhere for physicians. Since there’s no news from the estate, he must be fine. Why would you go and make a fuss?"
"But I’m so worried," Lu Wan'er insisted. "It’s all that Shen Miao’s fault—she’s nothing but a jinx! The moment she married into the family, His Highness suffered such a mishap. She’s clearly a husband-killer! She should be divorced as soon as possible. If he stays entangled with her, who knows what else might happen to him?"
Madam Lu chuckled. "Yes, yes. But you can’t go now. Wait until Prince Rui recovers a bit, then your elder sister can arrange a meeting. Don’t cause trouble now."
Lu Wan'er pouted. "Mother, you’d better not lie to me."After Lu Wan'er left, Madam Lu's smile faded, and she instructed the maids beside her, "Keep a close eye on the young lady these days and don't let her leave the house. If anything disrupts the master's plans, I will hold you accountable." By the end, her tone had turned sinister, her expression twisted, eerily resembling the brutal and ruthless General Lu Zhengchun.
The maids hastily bowed in agreement.
Meanwhile, in the Prime Minister's residence, Madam Ye and Master Ye were also discussing the matter.
Madam Ye was playing chess with Master Ye. Ye Maocai was entirely different from Lu Zhengchun in appearance. Lu Zhengchun was the epitome of a military man, his bearing unmistakably forged on the battlefield, his features exuding a ferocity that could frighten even children. In contrast, Ye Maochun had a fair, beardless face that seemed harmless, his demeanor gentle and amiable. At first glance, one might mistake him for a scholarly gentleman from some refined family.
Yet this Prime Minister, who managed to keep the officials of Longye from daring to slight the Ye family despite their lack of heirs—and even the Yongle Emperor couldn't openly break decorum with him—was certainly not as harmless as he appeared.
Madam Ye placed a chess piece and said with a smile, "Prince Rui's Estate is as tight as a drum. There's been no news at all, so we have no idea what Prince Rui's condition is now. I can't eat or sleep well—it's truly distressing."
"Madam already has her own thoughts on the matter. Why would this trouble you?" Ye Maochun chuckled, placing his own piece.
Madam Ye shot him a reproachful glance. She was no longer a young maiden in her prime, and her attempt at coquetry came off as awkward, though she remained oblivious. As she moved another piece, she said, "No news is bad news. A man as proud as Prince Rui would surely show himself if he could. His prolonged absence must mean he's unable to."
Ye Maochun smiled. "Perhaps he's trying to deceive others."
"Master is underestimating me and teasing me," Madam Ye retorted. "It can't be a ruse."
"Oh? Why is that?"
Madam Ye studied the chessboard. "While Prince Rui's Estate remains unclear, the Emperor hasn't been hiding his actions. Isn't he already moving against the Lu family? Given how aggressively the Emperor is acting, Prince Rui must be severely injured."
Ye Maochun laughed heartily. "So Madam sees things so clearly. Even court affairs are transparent to you—I feel ashamed. Then why not guess what my plans are?"
Madam Ye lowered her head with a smile. "That's harder to say. It depends on Prince Rui's outcome." Seeing Ye Maochun didn't deny it, she took it as confirmation and continued, "The Emperor and the Lu family have been secretly at odds for years. Recently, the Emperor has tried to draw our Ye family to his side, but we're not fools to be used as pawns. Let the snipe and clam fight while the fisherman profits—let the Emperor and the Lu family battle it out. Before, with Prince Rui still around, we leaned toward the Emperor, happy to maintain good relations. But if Prince Rui doesn't survive this time, the Emperor alone won't be enough to prevent the Lu family from seizing control of the realm."
"Prince Rui is just one man. He's not as miraculous as you make him out to be," Ye Maochun said lightly.
"Prince Rui is formidable," Madam Ye replied with a smile. "Doesn't Master think so too?"Ye Maochun paused in his move of placing a chess piece, looking meaningfully at Madam Ye as he said, "Madam always seems to read my mind. But tell me, do you think Prince Rui can escape this calamity?"
Madam Ye pondered for a long while before uttering four words: "Doomed beyond redemption."
Ye Maochun watched her intently.
"Does Master recall when Prince Rui first returned to Longye two years ago? He was severely wounded then. While the Emperor concealed it from others, he couldn't hide it from us. At that time, we thought Prince Rui was beyond saving, yet somehow he miraculously survived and later single-handedly disrupted the court's power balance." Madam Ye smiled faintly. "But no one gets lucky twice. Last time, heaven favored him. This time, who will protect him? A person's fate is likely predetermined from the start. Prince Rui was destined to have no future—he escaped two years ago, but won't escape now."
"Is that so?" Ye Maochun countered immediately after Madam Ye made her move, saying, "My view is precisely the opposite. Two years ago when all medicine failed Prince Rui, he still cheated death. A person's fate is likely predetermined from the start—Prince Rui is destined for greatness. Having escaped two years ago, he'll naturally escape now as well."
Madam Ye showed no anger at this nor offered any rebuttal, merely saying, "Then let's wait and see."
Ye Maochun chuckled as he made the final move. "Madam appears to have lost."
Upon seeing this was indeed the case, Madam Ye half-coquettishly protested, "Master took advantage while I was speaking—that's hardly fair. Let's play another round."
Shaking his head with a smile, Ye Maochun declined, "Another day. It's nearly time to examine Hongguang's studies now."
"Then Master should go first," Madam Ye said hurriedly. "Hongguang's studies take precedence."
As Ye Maochun departed, Madam Ye watched his retreating figure, her expression gradually darkening into something ugly. "Just a cripple," she spat venomously under her breath. "What use is all that learning when he'll be confined to this estate his whole life?" Unable to contain her resentment, she swept the chess pieces off the table with a clatter, muttering, "Exactly like that vixen!"
The maids in the room stood frozen, none daring to move. Everyone knew Madam Ye despised Young Master Ye—Ye Hongguang—the sole heir of the Ye family. Born of a concubine but raised under Madam Ye's name, the lame legitimate son she so detested.
The first light of dawn filtered through the tree branches, scattering silver fragments across the earth—a breathtaking sight. In the pitch-black night, these shards of sunlight finally dispelled some gloom. Though faint, it was enough to bring comfort.
Huixiang and Bajiao paused their steps, turning to support Shen Miao and Luo Tan—both still with cloth bandages over their eyes—as Huixiang said to Shen Miao, "Madam, day has broken."
Had they not witnessed it themselves, Huixiang and the others could never have imagined that Shen Miao, a delicate noblewoman, could traverse this desolate forest with them through the entire night. While Huixiang's group, specially trained, felt no strain, even Luo Tan—with her martial arts foundation—appeared haggard with exhaustion plainly written on her face. Yet Shen Miao remained clear-headed and composed.Huixiang and Cong Yang were both wondering in their hearts—could it be that this lady was actually a martial artist, hence possessing such formidable willpower?
In truth, they were overthinking it. It was just that when Shen Miao was in the cold palace, she had often been bullied by Mei Furen and other concubines. Kicking someone when they were down was never in short supply in the palace. There were nights when she had to wash clothes until dawn. Besides, the current situation was urgent—her only thought was to get out of the forest. How could she possibly spare the energy to feel drowsy?
"How far have we walked?" Shen Miao asked.
"Reporting to Furen," Cong Yang replied. "We've walked all night and covered a great distance. But judging by the marks left along the way, we haven't seen any for a second time, so we likely haven’t gone in circles." He added, "The method of covering our eyes really works. It seems we were deceived by our own sight before."
"But this forest still looks exactly the same," Luo Tan said weakly.
"Let's keep going," Shen Miao replied. "We've come this far—we'll reach the end eventually."
Huixiang was momentarily stunned but said nothing this time. The previous night, they had tried to dissuade Shen Miao several times, but not only had she refused to listen, she had even scolded them sharply when their words annoyed her. The members of the Ink Feather Army, usually so domineering, had been cowed like cats startled by mice. Huixiang and Cong Yang were baffled—their mistress usually seemed gentle and reasonable, so why was she so terrifying when truly angered?
Even the Empress Xiande in the palace wasn't this intimidating.
The group continued to follow Shen Miao. Luo Tan, despite her martial training, couldn't compare to Huixiang and the others, nor had she endured hardships like Shen Miao. She was barely holding on, forcing her eyes wide open to distract herself.
As she looked around, she noticed something unusual and tugged at Shen Miao's sleeve. "Hey, there are flowers here! We haven't seen any flowers along the way until now."
Everyone paused and gathered to look. Sure enough, hidden among the bushes were tiny flowers, easily overlooked if one wasn't paying attention.
Mo Qing suddenly frowned. "I think I hear a chicken."
Huixiang, Bajiao, and Cong Yang, all skilled in martial arts, pricked up their ears and confirmed, "Yes, that's right."
"Why would there be chickens here?" Shen Miao mused. "Could there be a house ahead?" She added, "Stop looking. Let's go. If we hear sounds, the exit must be close. We'll be out of this forest soon."
The thought of escaping the woods lifted everyone's spirits, and they set off with renewed vigor. This time, luck was on their side. After walking for half the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the gaps between the trees widened. The dense forest gradually thinned, letting in more sunlight, which lifted their moods.
"It looks like we're really getting out!" Luo Tan's drowsiness vanished in excitement. "Let's hurry—" Before she could finish, they reached the forest's edge, where a narrow path appeared. The group exchanged glances, and Shen Miao led the way.
Following the path, they emerged into a small farm. Though it had flowers and vegetables, everything was overgrown and chaotic, as if someone had planted them but neglected their care, leaving them to grow wild.
Beyond the untended garden stood a small hut.
The hut was cobbled together with thatch, so rickety it seemed the roof might blow away at any moment. As they approached, Bajiao ran inside but soon came out shaking her head. "Madam, there's no one here."
"No one?" Luo Tan's face fell. "How can there be no one?"
This place was nothing like they'd imagined. They had pictured the dwelling of a reclusive master, but instead, they found only decay and emptiness—utterly disheartening.
Shen Miao said, "The plants are still here. It doesn't seem abandoned. Let's wait. Whoever lives here will return."
No sooner had she spoken than a raspy voice called out, "Well, well! Distinguished guests! My apologies for not greeting you sooner!"
They turned as one. When Shen Miao saw the man's face, she froze in shock. "It's you," she blurted.
Bajiao asked, "Madam, do you know him?"
The grinning middle-aged man, dressed in tattered Daoist robes, was none other than the eccentric fortune-teller from Ming Qi's Putuo Temple—the one who had taken Shen Miao's golden peanut, prophesied her "noble phoenix fate, yet a life of confinement," warned her "the past is but a dream—do not dwell," and foretold "after extreme adversity comes prosperity, with auspicious signs from the east."
This plot thread has been buried for so long—finally unearthed! :3
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