Li Mei's waist was supple, her movements alluring, and her eyes shimmered with waves of emotion. Wherever her gaze landed, it seemed as though she was looking at someone, yet also as if she wasn’t—like a butterfly that teased one's heart, making one think it was about to land in their hands, only to flutter away unexpectedly with a graceful flap of its colorful wings.
Even the women couldn’t tear their eyes away, let alone the men. Men, after all, were fond of beautiful things, and their eyes were practically glued to Li Mei. Madam Ye and Ye Maocai gradually revealed proud expressions. To have raised a daughter so peerless in both beauty and talent, one who could make all the men of Great Coolness flock to her—that was a skill in itself, not something everyone could boast of.
Lu Wan'er watched with burning jealousy, gnashing her teeth in frustration.
Shen Miao, however, observed Li Mei’s graceful dance with a cold gaze, her thoughts drifting back to her past life.
The first time she had seen Mei Furen was upon her return to Fixed Capital from Qin State. She had only heard that a new consort had entered the palace, yet everyone respectfully addressed her as "Mei Furen" without mentioning her official rank—something quite unusual. It was said that Fu Xiuyi doted on this Mei Furen excessively. Though Shen Miao felt a pang of bitterness, she dismissed it, thinking that with Fu Xiuyi’s stern temperament, no matter how much he favored someone, it wouldn’t be excessive.
Then, when she went to the imperial study to discuss an important matter with Fu Xiuyi, she witnessed Mei Furen throwing his paperweight to the ground. On the day Shen Miao returned to the palace, Mei Furen had claimed illness and didn’t appear, so this was their first meeting. Shen Miao saw a woman whose beauty was vivid and intoxicating, every smile and frown like a painting. Yet she was also willful and unruly, throwing a tantrum right in the imperial study. Shen Miao expected Fu Xiuyi to lose his temper—and indeed, anger flashed across his face—but Mei Furen simply turned and walked away.
At the time, Shen Miao thought, What a fiery woman, daring to speak to Fu Xiuyi like this. How long could such a temperament survive in the harem?
Preoccupied with inquiring about Wan Yu and Fu Ming’s well-being, she didn’t pay much attention, only noting that the woman was breathtakingly beautiful and utterly arrogant.
Yet even after Fu Xiuyi had been angered to such a degree, the very next morning, Shen Miao saw him strolling with Mei Furen in the imperial garden, his words dripping with indulgence, leaving onlookers stunned.
She had never seen Fu Xiuyi like this before. He wasn’t a man of such patience. His gentleness was reserved only for his so-called "virtuous talents"—toward women, he had little forbearance. But Mei Furen, who had just angered him the day before, could make him smile so easily the next morning. It was then that Shen Miao suddenly realized: this woman wasn’t just beautiful and arrogant. She was utterly dangerous, because she could toy with people’s hearts at will—whether it was men or not, she had undeniably captured Fu Xiuyi’s heart.Sure enough, as Shen Miao spent more time back in the palace, she gradually realized just how terrifying Mei Furen truly was. Outwardly, she appeared arrogant and unrestrained, never curbing her temperament, yet she managed to maintain her rudeness within a safe "limit." Fu Xiuyi would only see her as genuine and untamed, growing increasingly infatuated. But when facing Shen Miao, Mei Furen was insolent, mocking, and confrontational. Moreover, due to her connection with Fu Sheng, she repeatedly sowed discord between Fu Ming and Fu Xiuyi. Unfortunately, Fu Xiuyi’s heart had always been biased.
What was Mei Furen’s true nature? Shen Miao gazed at the alluring woman before her. In this lifetime, she had become the daughter of the Ye family—cautious, clever, and knowing when to advance or retreat, no longer displaying any arrogance. But was this truly her real face?
Having dealt with Mei Furen for a lifetime, Shen Miao knew how dangerous she was. She was a cunning woman, like a fox—never directly pursuing what she wanted, instead weaving intricate schemes, twisting and turning until she gained the advantage, all while playing the victim and shifting blame onto those she had harmed.
What was she scheming today? Did she want Xie Jingxing to fall for her at first sight, just like Fu Xiuyi, and then become utterly devoted? Shen Miao sneered inwardly but couldn’t help glancing toward Xie Jingxing.
When she did, her eyes met his. Xie Jingxing’s gaze had been fixed on Shen Miao, and seemingly caught off guard by her sudden look, he paused before turning away nonchalantly, as if trying to hide something.
He hadn’t spared a single glance at the woman dancing so passionately in the center.
Shen Miao was momentarily stunned, an indescribable feeling welling up inside her. While she harbored boundless hatred for Mei Furen, she also carried a deeply buried sense of inferiority. In terms of beauty and charm, she knew she couldn’t compare to Mei Furen—which was why Fu Xiuyi had sacrificed her without hesitation in her past life. And Xie Jingxing was thousands, tens of thousands of times better than Fu Xiuyi. If Li Mei set her sights on him… Shen Miao thought, it would be nothing short of a disaster.
Yet, Xie Jingxing’s gaze had been on her, not once straying toward Li Mei.
How different this was from Fu Xiuyi! If it had been Fu Xiuyi, in any gathering where Shen Miao and Mei Furen appeared together, he wouldn’t have spared Shen Miao a single glance.
People truly were different—just as she and Li Mei were different, Xie Jingxing and Fu Xiuyi were also worlds apart.
Lost in these thoughts, she didn’t even notice when Li Mei finished dancing. Only when the sound of enthusiastic applause filled the hall did she look up. There stood Li Mei, smiling faintly, her forehead glistening with sweat, her cheeks flushed, making her even more captivating and radiant. Behind her, an ink painting had been completed—a grand and lively depiction of a qilin treading on auspicious clouds, a birthday tribute so lifelike it was undoubtedly a masterpiece.
"Miss Ye is truly peerless in both talent and skill," remarked an official from the Academician’s Office. "This painting is vivid, a first-rate work. None of the young ladies in our Academician’s Office possess such ability."
"Her dancing is also exceptional," a noblewoman quickly added. "Madam Ye is truly blessed. Miss Ye takes after you—not only is she as beautiful as the moon and flowers, but she is also brimming with talent. In all of Longye, few can match her in both dance and painting."Madam Ye accepted the gift with a beaming smile, while Lu Wan'er twisted her handkerchief in jealousy, her eyes filled with resentment.
Someone else chimed in, "I wonder what His Highness the Prince thinks of this longevity painting?"
All eyes turned to Xie Jingxing. Ye Mei also glanced his way, only to find him holding a wine cup and staring out the window, lost in thought, completely oblivious to the conversation.
"Your Highness?" Gao Yang prompted him.
Xie Jingxing snapped back to attention. "Hmm?"
"They're asking for your opinion on Miss Ye's longevity painting," Gao Yang explained.
An awkward silence fell. It seemed the young lady had put in great effort to showcase her talents and even painted a piece, yet Prince Rui had been distracted the entire time, paying no attention—a blatant disrespect to Ye Mei.
Upon hearing this, Xie Jingxing swept a glance at the painting and curled his lips slightly. "Not bad."
His dismissive attitude was palpable even from three rows away.
Ye Mei's smile stiffened. Meanwhile, Shen Miao's eyes flickered with amusement. A man like Xie Jingxing would never be so "absorbed" in thought at such an occasion—he must have done it deliberately. Though she didn’t know why he wanted to embarrass Ye Mei, his actions secretly pleased her.
This faint trace of mirth, however, was caught by Ye Mei. Staring at Shen Miao, Ye Mei suddenly spoke softly, "Speaking of which, when I stayed at Prince Rui's Estate, I heard that the Royal Consort was also exceptionally talented."
She abruptly redirected the conversation toward Shen Miao.
"I’ve only heard of the Royal Consort’s prowess in mounted archery but never witnessed anything else. Since today is His Highness’s birthday, why not liven things up and grace us with a performance? I’ve long admired you, Your Highness." Her tone carried a hint of unease. To anyone watching, it would seem Ye Mei was merely expressing admiration for Shen Miao’s rumored talents and wished to see them firsthand.
But Shen Miao was the daughter of a military family—being skilled in mounted archery was one thing, but no one had ever seen her dance or perform. If she complied, she might embarrass herself. If she refused, it would only reinforce her reputation for being uncultured.
All eyes turned to Shen Miao.
Shen Miao smiled faintly. "As the Royal Consort of Prince Rui's Estate, how could I possibly sing and dance like a courtesan for everyone’s entertainment?"
The hall fell deathly silent. Ye Mei’s face flushed crimson in an instant.
Truthfully, singing and dancing before a crowd of officials was undignified. But because Ye Mei was the daughter of the Ye family, beautiful and talented, everyone had overlooked this fact. Yet Shen Miao’s blunt remark made the situation painfully awkward.
Madam Ye and Ye Maocai’s expressions darkened. Madam Ye wanted to speak up, but if she did, wouldn’t she be tacitly agreeing that Ye Mei behaved like a courtesan?
Madam Lu and Lu Wan'er, however, were secretly delighted. Seeing Shen Miao and Ye Mei at odds was exactly what they wanted.
Xie Jingxing watched the scene with an amused smile, seemingly finding nothing inappropriate about the remark. He made no move to mediate, content to remain an onlooker.
Luo Tan sensed that Shen Miao seemed to be targeting Ye Mei, but she couldn’t help feeling a twinge of satisfaction. After all, this was Xie Jingxing’s birthday celebration, yet Ye Mei had stolen the spotlight with her dance. Moreover, she had the audacity to demand Shen Miao perform—why should others stoop to her level?Ji Furen looked at Shen Miao with growing anxiety. Xie Jingxing's birthday banquet was attended by court officials, and Shen Miao's actions had created such an awkward atmosphere. Others would only blame Prince Rui's Estate for lacking decorum, tarnishing the entire estate's reputation. They would also say Shen Miao was jealous, nitpicking over a young lady from the Ye family.
Ye Mei hesitated where she stood, her slight frown evoking pity. Such a beauty, forced into such a predicament, made people feel deeply sympathetic. Some of the men in the hall, eager to play the hero and uphold justice, began speaking up for Ye Mei.
Shen Miao swept her gaze across the room, taking in everyone's expressions. Ye Mei had this talent—she never had to ask for what she wanted. A furrowed brow, a sigh, and those around her would rush to sacrifice themselves for her. If Shen Miao rejected Ye Mei today, by the next day, all of Longye would side with Ye Mei.
How could she let Ye Mei have her way?
She stood up and, under the astonished gazes of the crowd, smiled. "However, since Miss Ye is so insistent, I’ll reluctantly oblige. Coincidentally, I learned a piece of music recently and shall play it for Miss Ye."
"Why play it for Miss Ye?" Madam Lu laughed. "Shouldn't it be to celebrate His Highness's birthday?"
"This piece is rather sorrowful," Shen Miao said coolly. "It’s not festive nor suitable for a birthday celebration. I simply found it beautiful and learned it. Since Miss Ye admires me, shouldn’t good things be shared?" She smiled at Ye Mei.
Ye Mei returned the smile gently. "Of course."
Their exchange was like an unseen clash of blades—Ye Mei alluring, Shen Miao poised, each beautiful in their own way, making it hard to distinguish who held the upper hand. Shen Miao adjusted her sleeves and walked to the center as Ye Mei stepped aside. Jing Zhe quickly brought a chair for her. Shen Miao lifted her eyes and asked, "Bring the qin."
After a long while, Gu Yu emerged and said, "Azure Cloud Tower only has a Jiaowei Qin, Furen..."
The Jiaowei Qin had a unique timbre, and Gu Yu knew well—having served Shen Miao for so many years—that she had never seen Shen Miao play the qin before. She silently cursed Ye Mei for her ill intentions, forcing Shen Miao into such an elegant performance, while also worrying for her mistress. Pretending to be capable would only lead to humiliation, especially in this unfamiliar foreign land where no one would spare Shen Miao any courtesy for the sake of the Shen family. Most here harbored ulterior motives, eager to kick her when she was down.
Especially after Ye Mei’s stunning ink dance, anything Shen Miao did would pale in comparison.
"It’s fine. Bring it," Shen Miao said.
The ladies around them immediately began whispering.
"Wasn’t she said to be uncouth? Now she’s putting on airs with the qin?"
"Probably trying to compete with Miss Ye. How competitive."
"Ah, what a shame for Prince Rui's Estate. They’ll surely lose face today."
"People from Ming Qi really don’t know their place, overestimating themselves."
Their voices were low, but their mocking glances were unmistakable. Luo Tan, however, was full of confidence. Though she had never heard Shen Miao play, she inexplicably believed Shen Miao could do anything—if she said it, she could surely deliver.Ji Yushu whispered to Gao Yang, "Does Sister-in-law really know how to play the qin? The information we got from Fengxian Pawnshop said she never even had a qin teacher. Self-taught? That's incredible."
Gao Yang shrugged. "I'm not sure either. Let's wait and see."
Pei Lang was also among the banquet guests. The Hall of Extensive Learning did offer qin lessons, but Shen Miao had not chosen to study it. Pei Lang had even heard complaints from the instructors there that Shen Miao couldn't even distinguish between the qin strings. Seeing her accept the challenge so readily now, he couldn't hide his surprise. He couldn't help but glance at Xie Jingxing, thinking Shen Miao's competitive spirit was all for his sake.
Xie Jingxing frowned slightly, his hand tightening around the wine cup.
Shen Miao lit incense and washed her hands, then said calmly, "This piece is called 'Blood Lament.' It was composed by a young princess who was forced into a political marriage, humiliatingly betrothed to a crude enemy leader over fifty years old. Facing an uncertain future with no way out, she hoped to change her emperor father's mind. In her grief and despair, she created this melody." Her voice was light, like the faint moonlight, quickly calming the atmosphere after Mei Furen's passionate dance, as if her words transported everyone into the story.
She plucked the strings.
The sound of the jiaowei qin was deep and resonant, unlike the crisp tones of an ordinary qin, and its melodies were rarely stirring. Yet, note by note, she played with deliberate slowness.
Though the music was unfamiliar, each note struck deep. From the first pluck, the hall fell silent.
She began to sing, her voice unhurried.
"The mighty Yangtze flows from the west,
Cloud-capped mountains rise from the water,
Pavilions stand atop the peaks.
Mountains and waters entwined,
Pavilions facing one another—
All arranged by heaven's hand."
"Traveling under the moon,
Walking beneath the stars,
Lonely lodgings, cold meals, autumn in a foreign land.
Worries upon the pillow,
Sorrows upon the saddle—
Only in death does it end."
Her voice, usually gentle and clear as water, now carried a weight of sorrow that brought tears to the eyes and a pang to the heart. As she sang and played, the image of the young princess seemed to materialize—sweet and innocent, yet forced into a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, sitting bitterly in a corner of the palace. The grand, oppressive halls, heavy with history, were no place for a girl of her tender age, now burdened with a fate she could not escape.
She boarded the carriage, bid farewell to her mother. The emperor, heartless for the sake of his grand ambitions, sacrificed his daughter. A princess of the royal house, yet her marriage was never hers to decide.
The journey from the capital was long. Lonely, she lifted the curtain, watching eagles soar past, fish dart through the water, the wind, the rain, the clouds—all freer than she.
"A hair's breadth apart, yet worlds away,
In the blink of an eye, the moon wanes, flowers scatter.
Holding a farewell cup in hand,
Tears pool in my eyes.
Just as I whisper, 'Take care,'
The pain of parting rends my heart."
Tears slowly trailed down Shen Miao's cheeks.
Her delicate, jade-like features, illuminated by the lamplight, contrasted with the sorrow etched on her face. Her hands moved gracefully over the strings, her tears glistening. Though her expression remained composed, an endless grief seemed to weigh upon her—unspoken, unsung. Her clear, dark eyes only heightened her fragility, like a flower trembling in the rain, evoking an urge to protect her.
Her song left the entire hall in silent sorrow, eyes reddened, hearts heavy. None felt the earlier joy of Li Mei's dance—only a profound, shared ache.Yet suddenly, the strings took a sharp turn, the melody growing urgent, and her singing became razor-sharp.
"Misleading the ruler, treacherous ministers seize power,
Opening rivers brings calamity, the root of disaster.
Laws abused, punishments cruel—the people groan.
Men devouring men—who has witnessed such?
Thieves as officials, officials as thieves—fools and sages confounded.
Alas, pitiable indeed!"
"Better to witness towers crumble, terraces collapse,
Reduced to rubble in an instant.
Fifty years of rise and fall,
Watching coldly as monuments decay."
Her eyes were icy, her voice dripping with blood, mournful yet accusatory, as though recounting a past tragedy. Then, her gaze concealed murderous intent, her seething hatred barely restrained, thread by thread, strand by strand, all directed at Ye Mei and her brother sitting across the room.
Wan Yu had never played this song in its entirety for Fu Xiuyi. The missing half was completed by Shen Miao, who played it for herself in the cold palace on a broken zither with snapped strings. The first half was Wan Yu’s plea, the second half was her condemnation. It echoed endlessly through the night, yet none of those people ever heard it.
Now, here—listen, listen closely. Does this melody stir even a hint of familiarity? Does it send even a sliver of fear down your spine?
Xie Jingxing set down his cup, his gaze sharp as a blade.
Ye Mei, however, felt a chill. What did these lyrics have to do with her? And yet, why did it feel as though they were aimed directly at her? An unease settled in her heart.
As the song ended, the lingering notes of the zither faded, and Shen Miao abruptly stopped, lifting her gaze.
The hall remained silent for a long while.
Who would dare call Prince Rui’s Consort uncultured and talentless now? To play and sing in a way that left the entire hall speechless—that was skill.
And yet, why did it leave everyone’s hearts heavy, as though they had just heard a sorrowful tale, unable to summon any joy?
Shen Miao spoke gently, "This song is hardly festive and shouldn’t be played at a birthday celebration. But since Miss Ye wished to hear it, I played it especially for her." She turned to Ye Mei. "Are you satisfied, Miss Ye?"
The gazes of the crowd instantly snapped toward Ye Mei.
Ye Mei shifted uncomfortably. This made it seem as though she had forced Shen Miao to perform and embarrass herself. Yet she had to admit—Shen Miao was far from uncultured. Playing the zither wasn’t difficult; moving hearts was. Her performance had touched everyone in the hall. To deny it would only make her seem petty.
"Your Highness truly lives up to the rumors of unparalleled talent," Ye Mei said with a smile. "This piece, Blood Lament , is truly admirable. However..." She hesitated. "The first and second halves of Blood Lament seem completely different in tone. The latter half feels as though it was composed by someone else."
The latter half was fierce, filled with hatred and despair, like the final cry of a trapped beast—enough to make one tremble.
Shen Miao flexed her fingers. Of course the halves were different. The first was Wan Yu’s sorrowful plea to move Fu Xiuyi, while the second was her own condemnation of those two poisonous snakes after losing her daughter and being cast into the cold palace.
Shen Miao smiled. "The first half expresses the forced marriage of the young princess, while the second half conveys the despair and fury of her birth mother, the Empress, upon losing her daughter."
"Ah, I see!" The crowd murmured in understanding. Someone else asked, "This song is truly stirring. Where did Your Highness hear this story? It’s heartbreaking to listen to."
"Just something sung by a passing storyteller," Shen Miao replied lightly. "But the tale was so heavy, I couldn’t help but remember it.""Oh?" A young lady couldn't help but ask, "Since it's a story, what was the final outcome? What happened to the princess who was sent away for political marriage?"
Shen Miao replied indifferently, "In the story's ending, the princess died on her way to the marriage alliance, and the Empress was confined to the cold palace, soon after being granted a white silk cord... and perished."
The others all sighed, saying the story was too tragic.
Madam Ye, however, was displeased. Shen Miao's performance of singing while playing the zither had unexpectedly matched Ye Mei's display without being overshadowed. Ye Mei had been enchantingly graceful, her dance passionate and moving, yet Shen Miao had merely sat quietly plucking the strings while singing a few lines, yet managed to capture everyone's attention. Moreover, she had cleverly told a story, stealing Ye Mei's thunder. Because of this, Ye Mei's ink-wash dance now seemed inferior by comparison.
The way the crowd looked at Shen Miao had subtly changed.
Women are always swayed by emotions. Shen Miao told such a pitiful story, and the music seemed to grip everyone's hearts, making them feel much closer to her.
Madam Ye said, "On such a joyous occasion, it’s rather sorrowful."
Shen Miao also smiled. "I’ve disturbed everyone’s mood—that’s my fault." She walked to the banquet table and picked up a wine bowl, the kind men used for drinking. She poured herself a full bowl of the slightly yellow rice wine, which reflected her youthful face.
"A toast to apologize." She tilted her head back and drank it all in one go.
Xie Jingxing’s gaze darkened abruptly, as if he were about to stand up, but he had no choice but to suppress the impulse.
Shen Miao lifted her chin. The wine was gulped down hastily, and some spilled down her neck, dampening a small part of her collar, yet it was a striking, heartbreakingly beautiful sight.
Her long lashes fluttered, her eyes clear. When she finished, she set the bowl down on the table with both elegance and boldness, saying, "I’ll drink first as a sign of respect."
This bowl of wine was well done, igniting a spark of boldness in the hearts of the gathered colleagues. They raised their bowls and laughed, "The Royal Consort has an impressive capacity! A toast to you—bottoms up!"
Shen Miao smiled faintly, but there was something elusive in that smile. She glanced at Ye Mei and her brother, who were staring at her intently, then looked outside.
That single bowl of wine set the entire Azure Cloud Tower ablaze with fervor. Amid the drunken revelry, Shen Miao stood up and addressed the women’s table, "I’ll step out for some fresh air first."
She left without another word.
Outside, Bajiao and Huixiang were waiting for her, heading toward a nearby pavilion. Shen Miao’s throat burned fiercely—the fine rice wine was the strongest—but she didn’t feel drunk. Only the corners of her eyes stung as if hot tears might spill.
That cup of wine was a tribute to her little daughter, the young princess who had died tragically on the way to the marriage alliance. These listeners found the tale unbearably tragic after merely hearing it—but what about her? What about Wan Yu? When she was left alone to follow the marriage procession far away, was her despair not like being trapped in flames with no way out?
She thought she could endure it, but in the end, she couldn’t. As a mother, she would rather die a thousand times than let Wan Yu and Fu Ming suffer such pain.
She walked step by step. The moonlight was as thin as water, yet it couldn’t dry the desolation in her heart.
The pavilion was already prepared with wine and a food basket. Bajiao said, "Madam, the fireworks have also been purchased."
Shen Miao acknowledged it.
Say it. Say it all, and she would be free. No matter how Xie Jingxing saw her afterward, no matter what she had to face, she could endure it. Nothing could be worse than her past life. If she could survive all that, then being misunderstood, estranged, or looked at like a monster—what did it matter?
As she was lost in thought, a voice sounded behind her: "Are you waiting for the Prince Consort?"
Turning around, she saw Pei Lang.
Pei Lang glanced at the items laid out on the pavilion table and smiled. "I didn’t expect you to do something like this."
Shen Miao asked him, "Why did you come out?"
"I’m not used to places like this," Pei Lang said. "And I can’t drink, so I planned to leave early. I didn’t expect to see you preparing these." He added, "Are you planning to reconcile with the Prince Consort?"
Shen Miao nodded."I often used to think there might be no one you'd yield to, but now I know—it turns out to be the Prince Consort." Pei Lang's smile carried a trace of imperceptible melancholy, yet when he looked at Shen Miao again, his expression remained calm and indifferent. "Though it's surprising, it also feels unsurprising."
Shen Miao smiled faintly.
Meanwhile, inside the Azure Cloud Tower, Xie Jingxing glanced at Tie Yi and prepared to rise from his seat.
Ji Yushu tugged at his sleeve. "Today is your birthday. What, are you planning to flee the scene?"
"Let go," Xie Jingxing said, giving him a sidelong glance.
Ji Yushu obediently released his grip. "What exactly are you going to do? So mysterious."
Gao Yang chimed in, "Why bother asking him so much?"
Xie Jingxing, however, turned his gaze slightly and looked once more at Ye Mei and her brother, who were speaking with Madam Ye. His eyes darkened imperceptibly.
Shen Miao's attitude toward this pair of siblings was truly peculiar—it seemed to have surpassed her usual rationality, as if she had become a different person. The Ye siblings didn’t appear simple either. Although the Ink Feather Army had found nothing amiss in their investigation, that very fact made them all the more suspicious.
Suddenly, he recalled the letter Tie Yi had slipped into his sleeve.
That letter was from Shen Miao.
It didn’t mention an apology, only that during the birthday banquet, she had something to say to him in a pavilion down a small alley not far from the Azure Cloud Tower.
Dismissing everyone—whether it was an apology or not—was already a significant concession for Shen Miao. Xie Jingxing had always been stern on the outside but soft-hearted toward her, easy to appease. His cold demeanor was merely a pretense, and now, he felt genuinely pleased.
He thought to himself, A child not disciplined for three days will tear the roof apart. Leaving her to stew for a while has indeed made her more sensible. Still, he had never truly wanted to make her unhappy. It was just that earlier in the hall, she had dressed far too alluringly, and the admiring gazes of the men when she played the zither... It had all left him feeling rather displeased.
In the pavilion, after Pei Lang finished speaking with Shen Miao, he prepared to take his leave. Just as he stepped down from the terrace, he collided head-on with a child of about eight or nine. Caught off guard, Pei Lang stumbled and fell. Bajiao and Huixiang were waiting for Xie Jingxing on the other side, and Shen Miao thought, At this late hour, could this be some young master from the Azure Cloud Tower out playing? Seeing Pei Lang groaning softly, as if he had been badly hurt, she decided to go check on him.
As she approached Pei Lang, she saw the child lying face down on the ground, motionless. Pei Lang was calling out to him. Shen Miao crouched down, about to speak, when the child suddenly lifted his head—his eyes filled with malice.
Before Shen Miao could react, a flash of silver light came straight at her. There was no time to dodge, but Pei Lang abruptly pulled her into his arms, rolling over to shield her beneath him.
A pained groan followed.
Yet he refused to let go, holding Shen Miao tightly. The child paid no heed, kicking Pei Lang aside and twisting the knife to stab at Shen Miao.
A distant shout rang out, causing the child’s hand to falter. When Shen Miao looked down, she saw that, like Pei Lang, the blade had sunk into her abdomen.
Xie Jingxing was walking toward them with Huixiang and Bajiao.
Huixiang said, "Madam has been waiting for you for a while now. She was afraid you were still upset, so she’s been patiently waiting. When you see her, please be gentle with her."
Xie Jingxing’s face remained expressionless, but a flicker of amusement passed through his eyes.
As they rounded the alley, the pavilion came into view. Before they could get close, the heavy scent of blood reached them.Xie Jingxing paused in his steps.
Bajiao and Huixiang were also stunned.
The bright moonlight shone like a lantern, illuminating the ground with stark clarity. It should have been a scene of refined elegance and boundless beauty, yet at this moment, an inexplicable chill rose from the depths of their hearts.
Vast stretches of crimson blood, and... familiar faces.
...
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