"Shen Miao, if I hadn't sent someone to call for you, would you never have come?"
The atmosphere in the room was icy, his gaze sharp as a blade. Though his face was pale, his presence was never weak.
Shen Miao replied, "You're overthinking things."
"Are you keeping something from me?" Xie Jingxing asked.
Shen Miao shook her head. "No." How could she explain? Truthfully, this life was entirely different from the last, and Xie Jingxing might not have any real connection with Mei Furen. But with Fu Ming and Wan Yu also involved, she couldn't approach the matter with detached rationality.
If she felt nothing for Xie Jingxing, perhaps it would be simpler. The worst was when emotions became tangled with other things—when hatred wasn't pure hatred, love couldn't be love, and in the end, it bred endless fear, robbing her of the courage to face the issue directly.
Xie Jingxing studied her deeply. Afraid he might glimpse her hidden thoughts, Shen Miao said, "Since you're recovering, you should rest more. The night is long—take your medicine and sleep early." She stood up and turned to leave.
"Are you in such a hurry to go?" Xie Jingxing's voice came from behind, carrying a barely perceptible note of grievance. "I heard you hadn't come to see me these past few days. Yet the moment I opened my eyes, I thought you must have been terrified." He smiled faintly, lowering his gaze. "I was being presumptuous."
Shen Miao said nothing and pushed the door open to leave. After a few steps, she suddenly stopped.
Xie Jingxing would surely notice her strangeness—he was too perceptive. If he discovered it, she wouldn't be able to explain her secret. The matter with Chang Zaiqing had at least concerned her family, but these Li Mei siblings had never crossed paths with her before, and they were Xie Jingxing's benefactors. Now that all of Longye knew about them, the Li siblings couldn't afford to come to harm. If suspicion fell on her, it might even tarnish Prince Rui's Estate.
On one side was the potential for disaster; on the other, the urge to swiftly eliminate the enemies from her past life—every moment they remained alive was torment to her. And with Xie Jingxing involved, Shen Miao felt that after all this time in Great Coolness, she had finally encountered her greatest trial.
Bajiao walked past with an empty medicine bowl and paused at the sight of Shen Miao. "Madam, why are you out so soon? Won't you stay with His Highness a while longer?"
"No need," Shen Miao said. "Take good care of him." She strode forward without looking back.
Two days later, Mo Qing came before Shen Miao with the information he had gathered.
He reported, "The siblings are from Qinzhou, adopted children of a merchant family. The merchant's wife died early, and the master himself passed from illness not long ago. Before his death, he revealed they weren't his biological children. After burying their foster father, they came to Longye to search for their relatives—though they have no leads."
"Impossible," Shen Miao stood up.
Mo Qing said, "This is all the information we could gather. I had people inquire in Qinzhou as well—neighbors confirmed they watched the siblings grow up there."
"Are you certain Li Mei has never been to Ming Qi?" Shen Miao's nails dug unconsciously into her palms.
"She's never traveled far. This is her first time leaving Qinzhou," Mo Qing answered.
Shen Miao closed her eyes."These past two days, Li Mei and Li Ke have been staying at the Prince's residence, occasionally visiting the Ji residence to accompany Ji Furen in conversation. They haven't done anything out of the ordinary."
Shen Miao asked, "Have they met His Highness?"
"Not at all. Without prior summons, no one can personally meet His Highness—not even his life-saving benefactors," Mo Qing replied.
"I see. You may leave now. Continue keeping an eye on that pair of siblings. Report to me immediately if there's any movement," Shen Miao instructed.
Mo Qing acknowledged and withdrew.
After Mo Qing left, Shen Miao sat back in her chair, her gaze gradually darkening.
Since Mo Qing was investigating, he wouldn't miss even the slightest clue. Yet under such circumstances, he could only uncover such mundane information. Either this lifetime was truly different from the last—where the siblings had suddenly transformed from Ming Qi's noble children into Great Liang's merchant daughters—which was indeed very strange. Or, this pair of siblings was exceptionally skilled at concealment, their backgrounds so spotless that not a single trace of suspicion could be found.
In that case, even if she told Ji Furen that these two harbored ill intentions, no one would believe her. A merchant's siblings who grew up in Qinzhou, coming to Longye for the first time to seek relatives—who would believe they intended to harm the Prince's residence?
She stood up, intending to visit Xie Jingxing. But the thought of Li Mei and her brother still claiming the title of Xie Jingxing's saviors, coupled with the possible connection between the Great Liang imperial family and the Li siblings in their past lives, made it difficult for her to face him.
In the end, she couldn't bring herself to take that step.
...
Weiyang Palace.
Xiande Huanghou listened as the palace maid finished speaking and finally let out a sigh of relief, a relaxed smile appearing on her face. "Since he's awake, it's a relief after all. Someone, take the two century-old ginsengs from my chest to the Prince's residence for His Highness to replenish his health." Suddenly remembering something, she added, "Has His Majesty been informed of this?"
"The Emperor already knows," the palace maid replied with a smile.
"Good. I'll discuss this matter with him." Xiande Huanghou made to rise.
But the palace maid hesitated and said, "His Majesty is currently at Consort Jing's palace... likely celebrating..."
Xiande Huanghou's movements paused, then she smiled gently. "In that case, there's no need for me to go." Yet a faint trace of sorrow flickered imperceptibly in her eyes.
"However, Your Majesty, when this servant heard about His Highness the Prince's awakening earlier, there were some ladies discussing... saying..."
"Saying what?"
"That the Royal Consort seems to dislike the siblings who saved His Highness's life, treating them quite harshly. Perhaps out of jealousy for their superior beauty, or perhaps... she never wished for His Highness to be saved in the first place..." Her voice gradually trailed off, as if aware of the audacity of her words.
"Nonsense!" Xiande Huanghou rebuked sharply. "How could the Royal Consort not wish for His Highness to be saved?"
The palace maid immediately cowered, not daring to lift her head again.
After her outburst, Xiande Huanghou calmed herself and said coolly, "They want to say the Royal Consort is jealous, is that it? This Empress believes that if merely being benefactors can stir up such a storm, then that pair of siblings is no ordinary folk either."
Weiyang Palace fell into silence, with no one speaking. Seated high upon her throne, Xiande Huanghou's eyes shifted with complex emotions, yet she appeared incomparably alone.For over ten days in a row, Shen Miao had shut herself indoors, carefully pondering a solution that would satisfy all parties. Yet no matter how much she thought, she couldn't find a way to eliminate all future troubles. The appearance of Li Mei and her brother in this lifetime had placed them in an extremely sensitive position—they were like a natural barrier that Shen Miao couldn't possibly breach.
During these ten days, she had also been deliberately avoiding Xie Jingxing. Because every time she faced him, countless suspicions would flood her mind. If Li Mei and her brother had truly been connected to Xie Jingxing in their past lives, Shen Miao genuinely didn't know how to face him. She feared that their marital bond would inevitably come to an end.
Because of Wan Yu and Fu Ming, she couldn't simply pretend nothing had happened.
On this particular morning, when Shen Miao woke up, her expression was extremely grim. Both Jing Zhe and Gu Yu noticed something was wrong and asked her several times, but Shen Miao brushed them off, though her heart was unsettled with shock and doubt.
The previous night, she had dreamed endlessly. In her dream, she was in the Kunning Palace of Fixed Capital, where Wan Yu and Fu Ming were sitting before her, eating fruits and chatting idly. As they spoke, blood suddenly began to trickle from the corners of their mouths. Panicked, she tried to call for the imperial physician, but when she looked up, she saw Mei Furen and Fu Xiuyi approaching. Fu Xiuyi ordered his men to restrain her, then abandoned her in the palace along with Wan Yu and Fu Ming, whose fates were uncertain. A great fire soon engulfed the Kunning Palace, reducing it to ashes.
The raging flames licked at the palace, quickly swallowing Wan Yu and Fu Ming. Shen Miao screamed in agony, only to see Mei Furen smiling faintly at her and saying, "You've lost."
Shen Miao jolted awake from the nightmare. Even in the early morning, the summer sun was nearly as scorching as at noon, almost blindingly bright. She was drenched in cold sweat, her entire body damp. Yet the expressions of despair on Wan Yu and Fu Ming's faces filled her mind, making her restless and uneasy.
As she stepped out of the courtyard, she unexpectedly ran into Li Mei, who was just heading out.
Upon seeing Shen Miao, Li Mei immediately stopped and bowed respectfully.
Shen Miao's eyes darkened. Every time she encountered this woman, she had to suppress her murderous intent with great effort. Especially after last night's dream—she could barely resist the urge to reach out and strangle her right then and there. Only the sharp pain of her fingernails digging into her palms, hidden in her sleeves, brought her back to her senses.
Shen Miao glanced at Li Mei and said, "Miss Li, where are you off to?" Her tone was stiff, carrying a strange undertone that she couldn't conceal no matter how hard she tried.
Li Mei smiled and replied, "His Highness the Prince has awakened and summoned my brother and me today. My younger brother has already gone ahead, and I was just about to head over as well." She then looked somewhat apologetic as she added, "We've imposed on your household for many days. After meeting His Highness today, my brother and I should likely take our leave. The Royal Consort has shown us much kindness, and we haven't even had the chance to express our gratitude."
Shen Miao sneered inwardly. She had never instructed anyone to "show kindness" to these two—it must have been Ji Furen's doing. Moreover, everyone in the household treated them with courtesy because they had saved Xie Jingxing's life.
"Why speak of leaving so soon?" Shen Miao said indifferently. "We haven't properly repaid you yet."Li Mei shook her head: "We came to Longye to seek relatives. Since His Highness the Prince has recovered, it's time for us to leave."
Shen Miao curled her lips, not even bothering to feign a smile. Whether they were truly seeking relatives or not, Shen Miao couldn't bring herself to believe Li Mei. Who knew what their real purpose in Longye was?
Li Mei looked at Shen Miao and suddenly spoke softly, "Royal Consort, has this common girl somehow offended you? Your Highness seems displeased with me."
The words were finally spoken aloud. Shen Miao's attitude toward Li Mei had been almost conspicuously cold. Despite being the benefactor who saved Xie Jingxing, apart from that one meeting upon their return, Shen Miao had deliberately avoided her. Shen Miao was always meticulous and gentle in her conduct, so this couldn't have been an oversight—it was intentional. The reason behind it, however, remained puzzling.
"I do dislike you," Shen Miao lifted her chin. She could feign politeness with her enemies, but she simply couldn't bring herself to do so with Mei Furen. She wanted to express her hatred directly. If not for Prince Rui's Estate, if not for being unable to explain it to Xie Jingxing... She let out a light laugh, "Do you want to know why?"
Li Mei looked at her in confusion, her charming eyes filled with bewilderment, even carrying a hint of innocence—utterly different from the disdain Shen Miao remembered.
"Instinct," Shen Miao said coldly. Without another glance, she walked past Li Mei, followed by Jing Zhe and Gu Yu.
Li Mei stood still for a moment, shook her head, and then left as well.
From a distance, Shen Miao watched her retreating figure, her expression icy.
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu didn't dare utter a word. For some reason, they always felt that whenever Shen Miao faced this unfamiliar Mei Furen, she became terrifying in a way they had never witnessed before.
"So they're leaving?" Shen Miao murmured to herself, then said coldly, "Do they really think they can?" She turned, "Summon Mo Qing for me."
Mo Qing arrived swiftly in Shen Miao's chamber and said, "Madam, this subordinate has something to report."
Shen Miao replied, "Set that aside for now. I have a more pressing matter."
Mo Qing was puzzled, "Madam, please speak."
"Kill Li Mei and Li Ke for me."
Mo Qing froze.
Shen Miao continued, "I've thought it over. Though this may be improper and could bring trouble to Prince Rui's Estate, keeping these two alive would invite even greater uncertainties. I'd rather bear other accusations than allow them to live and become a greater calamity in the future. These two wolves haven't fully grown their claws yet. Once they do, slaughtering them won't be so simple."
"I don't want to dwell on whether this is the perfect solution. I only ask you one thing—can you find a way to kill them?" Shen Miao asked quietly. Her voice lingered in the room like a whisper from the underworld, yet carried unshakable resolve.
Wan Yu and Fu Ming's dreams had reminded her—she couldn't afford to hesitate. Since there was no perfect solution, she would kill them first and deal with the consequences later. Now that the siblings were still merely merchants' children, eliminating them would cause far less trouble. If they later found some powerful backing, it would only become more difficult.Moreover, Li Mei had mentioned today that they would soon be leaving Prince Rui's Estate. After leaving, where would they go? Somewhere that could offer them even greater protection? Shen Miao believed that the timing of killing someone was crucial and could not be delayed any longer. As long as Li Mei and Li Ke lived another day, her heart would remain unsettled, and she would continue to doubt Xie Jingxing because of it.
Between the choices of her past life and this one, she chose to kill Li Mei and Li Ke now. As for what role the Great Coolness royal family had played in her past life, she no longer wished to pursue it. This was the greatest concession she had made for Xie Jingxing—and the only one.
Mo Qing suddenly knelt down and said, "Forgive me, but this subordinate cannot comply."
Shen Miao stared at him.
"What this subordinate wished to discuss with Madam is precisely this matter. According to the latest news, the relatives Li Mei and her brother seek are none other than the current Prime Minister, Ye Maocai. Li Mei and her brother are Madam Ye's children," Mo Qing said. "The Ye family has already sent people to fetch them."
Shen Miao staggered back a step. "What did you say?"
"This subordinate has failed Madam's trust. I beg for punishment."
The room fell into silence for a long time. Mo Qing dared not raise his head. For some reason, he could almost imagine the disappointment in Shen Miao's eyes, and that helplessness made him unable to face her expression, as if he could not bear the weight of such futility.
After what felt like an eternity, Shen Miao's voice finally came from above. Her tone was weary and desolate as she said, "It's not your fault. They came prepared, while I hesitated and lost the perfect opportunity."
"However," her voice suddenly turned sharp, like a blade unsheathed, cold and deadly, "even with the Ye family's protection, I will take those two lives."
Longye and Fixed Capital were different. Fixed Capital, located in the north, was most magnificent in winter, draped in silver snow. Longye, situated in the south, was at its best in summer, with nights cool as water, stars like a river of silver, and an air of romance and poetry.
The courtyard was the most secluded one, yet it could not escape the beauty of the night. A pot of tea and a game of chess seemed to suffice for contentment. A man in a blue robe drank alone under the moonlight, as detached and refined as bamboo growing in the mountains.
This was the scene Shen Miao saw when she arrived at the courtyard.
Pei Lang sat at the stone table, sipping tea and playing chess. He often did this. Even after becoming the Imperial Preceptor, his demeanor remained as aloof as ever. Shen Miao had always thought that Fu Xiuyi's decision to bring Pei Lang into the court was not necessarily wise. A man like Pei Lang, who loved books, revered sages, enjoyed chess, and appreciated flowers and bamboo—all refined pursuits—was ill-suited for the cutthroat world of court politics.
"Master Pei," Shen Miao said as she sat down across from him.
Pei Lang looked up, slightly surprised to see her. The last time they had spoken, Shen Miao had coldly severed their relationship. No matter how tolerant Pei Lang was, he was still a man with pride and had not sought her out since. And Shen Miao was not one to lower her head first. Her appearance now stirred faint ripples in Pei Lang's heart.
"Master Pei once said you would help me. Does that promise still hold?" Shen Miao had no intention of exchanging pleasantries or playing chess. She went straight to the point.
"Which matter are you referring to?" Pei Lang set down his teacup."Everything else aside, the one thing I want right now is the lives of Li Mei and her brother."
"That's difficult," Pei Lang responded with a bitter smile.
"More difficult than you imagine," Shen Miao said. "These siblings have connected with the Ye family, claiming to be Ye Maocai's children. Soon they'll likely become Ye Mei and Ye Ke. A simple covert assassination is impossible. Yet, I cannot let them go."
She said "cannot" rather than "do not want," meaning that no matter what, she wanted these siblings dead.
Pei Lang frowned. "But why must you have their lives?"
Shen Miao's smile turned cold. "Not everything requires an answer. You ask me why, but I could ask the same of other questions. If I can't find the answers myself, how could I tell you?"
Pei Lang stared at the chess pieces on the table before finally smiling. "I understand. I won't ask for reasons anymore. But what do you want me to do?"
"Killing isn't your expertise, but I know your capabilities," Shen Miao said. "Since they've become Ye Mei and Ye Ke, the target becomes the Ye family. I want to deal with the Ye family, and when it comes to toppling a family in court, no one understands better than you, Master Pei. I want you to be my strategist."
Pei Lang was taken aback and shook his head. "I don't understand. Though I serve by Prince Ding's side, I only advise on political matters. I have no experience in destroying opponents. Why would you say this?"
Shen Miao smiled, but inwardly she knew. Pei Lang appeared refined and gentle, but his methods were ruthlessly effective. When Fu Xiuyi first ascended the throne, Prince Zhou's faction had been poised to make a comeback, but they were all defeated by Pei Lang's hand.
"I only ask—will you help me or not?" Shen Miao pressed.
Pei Lang pondered. "The Ye family's position in Longye is delicate. The Emperor of Great Coolness intends to use them against the Lu family. The Ye family had no heirs, making them easier to control. But with a pair of children now, the balance will shift."
"The Ye family might defect, contend with the Lu family, or ally with the imperial family against them. The emergence of Ye Mei and Ye Ke is itself a precarious variable. The imperial family's stance toward the Ye family will influence the Ye family's stance in return. At such a time, the imperial family must tread carefully, so they'll treat the Ye family with even greater courtesy. And you, as the Royal Consort of Prince Rui's Estate—Prince Rui being the emperor's younger brother—are bound to the imperial family. If you seek the lives of the Ye siblings, the Emperor of Great Coolness will be the first to oppose you."
Shen Miao stared at him. "I know that. That's why I need you to devise a way for the imperial family to take action against the Ye family first."
"Whoever moves first loses. The imperial family is watching, and so is the Ye family. If you insist on the Ye siblings' lives, you must first find fault with the Ye family, seize their weakness—preferably by provoking conflict between them and the imperial family."
Shen Miao asked, "What about the Lu family?"
Pei Lang froze.
"What if I incite conflict between the Lu family and the Ye family instead?"Pei Lang shook his head. "You... must be thinking this way to protect the Prince's residence. But I must advise you, there's no way to have the best of both worlds. The Lu family are no fools—they won't actively contend with the Ye family at this time."
Shen Miao said, "I understand."
"Are you truly willing to offend the imperial family just to deal with the Ye family?" Pei Lang frowned. "If you really oppose the imperial family, then between Prince Rui and you..." He didn't finish his sentence, though he found it strange that Shen Miao's attitude toward Ye Mei and her brother was so resolute, even to the point of mutual destruction.
What exactly had Ye Mei and her brother done?
"I have no other path to take." Shen Miao lowered her gaze. "Perhaps I am simply fated to have no ties with royalty." In both her past and present life, she could not escape being a casualty of imperial power struggles. But so what?
"How do you plan to provoke them?" Pei Lang asked.
"That’s precisely what I want to discuss with you," Shen Miao replied.
Great Coolness and Ming Qi were entirely different battlefields. She was unfamiliar with the various factions in Longye and knew even less now. She couldn’t face Xie Jingxing with ease, yet she refused to let her enemies live comfortably under her nose. After much deliberation, she resolved that even if it meant mutual destruction, she would avenge Wan Yu and Fu Ming.
And Pei Lang was her only ally.
Pei Lang understood schemes and could strategize. He excelled in analyzing court dynamics. Subtle slander and effortless provocation were the forte of this imperial advisor. She would join forces with Pei Lang to ensure those two lives were taken. Even if the Ye siblings had the mightiest backer, she would topple that backer along with them.
Their discussion lasted until late into the night.
By the time Shen Miao realized she needed to return to her courtyard, it was already very late. Only Jing Zhe and Gu Yu accompanied her. She entered her room, pushed open the door, and was about to remove her outer robe when she suddenly paused and turned around. Xie Jingxing was sitting at her desk, arms crossed, flipping through a book with an air of boredom.
"Why are you here?" Shen Miao asked. "You... can you get out of bed now?"
Today, Xie Jingxing was supposed to meet the Li Mei siblings. Shen Miao didn’t want to dwell on it or witness it, afraid that seeing the scene would make her involuntarily suspect terrible possibilities. Out of sight, out of mind—yet now Xie Jingxing had come to her on his own.
Xie Jingxing gave a lazy smile, ignoring her question. "It’s so late. Why are you only returning now?"
"I couldn’t sleep," Shen Miao said. "I went for a walk outside."
Xie Jingxing slammed the book onto the desk with a thud. "Oh? Not having tea and drinks with Pei Lang?"
His tone suggested he was here to demand answers.
Shen Miao’s mind was preoccupied with Ye Mei. Frowning, she asked, "What do you want to say?"
"Half a month," Xie Jingxing said.
Shen Miao stared at him.
He stared back, his gaze so complex it made her heart skip a beat. "I’ve been awake for half a month, and you’ve only visited me once."
"Have you forgotten that you are the Royal Consort of Prince Rui’s Estate, my wife?" he said.
Shen Miao remained silent. There was no way to explain this.
But Xie Jingxing kept his eyes on her, his gaze filled with disappointment and a hint of anger. "I waited for you all night, and you were drinking tea and playing chess with Pei Lang. Shen Miao, do you fancy that scholar?"
A sudden surge of anger rose in Shen Miao’s heart. She had been tormented by thoughts of Ye Mei, unable to sleep at night, held back by the complications of Prince Rui’s Estate, missing the best opportunity to swiftly eliminate her enemies. In this quagmire of a situation, Xie Jingxing could still pair her with Pei Lang. "What does that have to do with you?" she retorted.
Xie Jingxing abruptly pulled her close. His grip was rough, and Shen Miao nearly stumbled, but he steadied her by the back of her head. Gripping her chin, he said word by word, "If I take you now, then it will have everything to do with me."Shen Miao frowned and said, "Perhaps our alliance was formed too hastily."
Xie Jingxing paused, giving her a deep look before replying, "Perhaps?"
He abruptly released her hand and stood up, turning his back to her as he spoke coolly, "Is your heart made of iron? All you see is utility and schemes, but I am a living, breathing person."
"In truth, you've never once been moved, have you?" he said indifferently.
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Just two more bowls of shit, and we'll probably get some sugar.
...
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