Shen Miao remained silent.
Yet Xie Jingxing did not release her, keeping her firmly locked in his embrace.
After a long while, Shen Miao lifted her head to look at him.
Xie Jingxing stared back. This seemingly arrogant man who appeared to care about nothing in the world—from his unruly youth to the present day—had never lost the roguish glint in his eyes. But now, as he gazed at her, traces of nervousness flickered in his gaze.
Shen Miao's heart stirred. After a brief pause, she suddenly smiled.
She asked, "Then what's in it for me?"
Xie Jingxing was momentarily stunned, his eyes flashing with wild joy, as if he'd been granted relief, mixed with disbelief. He replied, "Whatever you want, it's yours."
"What if what I want is something you also desire?" Shen Miao pressed.
Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?"
"The Youzhou Thirteen Capitals."
"Yours." He waved his hand dismissively, as if she'd merely asked for a trinket of rouge or powder.
"Dingyuan City in the northern deserts." Shen Miao watched his expression.
"Yours." Xie Jingxing didn't even blink.
"Yuzhou in the south, the Eastern Seas of Dingxi, Qinghu Lake in Lin'an, the ancient city of Luoyang."
"All yours."
Xie Jingxing answered smoothly, almost without hesitation. Had the Yongle Emperor heard this, he might have coughed up blood in fury. Had Emperor Xiaowu been present, he might have been roused from death to point at Xie Jingxing's nose and curse him as a wastrel, then slap Shen Miao with the label of "nation-wrecking enchantress."
But Xie Jingxing had never cared for others' opinions, and of course, Shen Miao had no real intention of seizing his empire. She simply felt he bore too many burdens and wanted to distract him with a playful jest, hoping to lighten his mood.
"If everything is mine, what will you have?" Shen Miao asked.
Xie Jingxing smirked mischievously and teased, "Thirteen times in one night?"
Shen Miao: "..."
Xie Jingxing grabbed her as she tried to leave, adopting a serious tone. "Madam, you can't abandon me."
Shen Miao retorted, "Since you're so energetic, I'll have Uncle Tang fetch some ice to cool you down."
Xie Jingxing pinned her down and drawled, "With my wife here, why would I need ice?"
Outside, Cong Yang covered his ears, his face twisted in agony. Jing Zhe, passing by, noticed his state and approached kindly. "Guard Yang, why are you trembling so violently? Are you ill?" As she spoke, she reached out to touch his forehead.
Cong Yang, a young man forced to overhear such scandalous intimacy, was already flushed with embarrassment. The sudden touch of a cool, delicate hand on his forehead made him leap up from the ground, startling Jing Zhe in turn. She looked at her hand in confusion. "Did I... do something wrong?"
Cong Yang shot her a horrified glance before bolting away as if his pants were on fire, leaving Jing Zhe standing bewildered. From the tree above, Tie Yi observed everything silently, his expression one of quiet understanding as he sat with his sword.
Beneath the tree, Uncle Tang walked by, glanced at the tightly shut doors, smacked his lips in satisfaction, and went to instruct the kitchen to prepare soup.
In the following days, Xie Jingxing was indeed busier than ever. With the Yongle Emperor's worsening condition, matters concerning the Lu and Ye families required his personal attention, and he left early and returned late each day.While Xie Jingxing was occupied, Shen Miao was not idle either. The Lu family and the Ye family had been in Longye for many years, and the imperial family's current goal was not only to make an example of them but also to avoid appearing overly ruthless, lest it breed disloyalty among the ministers in the future. Shen Miao took on these tasks, engaging in conversations with the noblewomen of Longye while subtly imparting certain ideas to them.
These noblewomen might appear to be mere women, but their roles within their households were indispensable. Initially, everyone assumed that Shen Miao, being from Ming Qi, would be out of place—after all, Ming Qi and Great Coolness were two different nations with many disparities. As the daughter of a military family, she couldn’t possibly have much insight. Yet, after interacting with her, their opinions changed dramatically. They found her not only eloquent but also surprisingly knowledgeable about things they were unaware of.
Whether discussing the latest fashion trends, the broader political landscape, or even the most intriguing tales from distant lands, Shen Miao could hold her own effortlessly.
In her previous life, though her time in the Ming Qi imperial harem had been far from pleasant, it had broadened her horizons. Envoys from other countries often shared fascinating anecdotes, and this wealth of knowledge now served her well. She knew exactly how and where to apply it for maximum effect. While there were things Xie Jingxing could do that she couldn’t, navigating the intricate web of power dynamics and achieving her goals through subtle guidance was precisely what Shen Miao excelled at in her second life.
Within just a few days, these noblewomen had grown quite fond of Shen Miao, even seeking her advice on matters they were hesitant about—including the current political climate. On one hand, as the Royal Consort of Prince Rui's Estate, she had ties to the imperial family, offering them a glimpse into the court’s stance. On the other, despite her youth—she was even younger than some of their daughters—there was an air of quiet, seasoned composure about her that made her words inherently trustworthy.
Both Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing were working tirelessly to prepare for the impending upheaval in Longye. However, the Lu and Ye families were not sitting idly by either.
Having lost a daughter and witnessing the Yongle Emperor’s increasingly unyielding stance, the Lu family finally began to panic, mobilizing their privately trained forces scattered across the land.
The Ye family, which had initially remained on the sidelines, now found themselves unwittingly dragged into the turmoil by the Lu family. Though they had done nothing, the imperial family’s attitude had shifted subtly—from courting them to outright indifference—hinting at deeper implications.
Meanwhile, Shen Miao had Mo Qing discreetly monitor Ye Mei’s every move. Recently, Ye Mei’s disastrous blunder in the Longye palace had infuriated Ye Maocai. Her actions had managed to offend both the Yongle Emperor and the Lu family. While the Lu family was less of a concern—Lu Zhengchun, though arrogant, had long relied on past glories and lacked real cunning—the Yongle Emperor was a different matter. The young ruler already wielded thunderous authority, and his silence regarding Ye Mei only deepened Ye Maocai’s unease, as if the emperor were biding his time for something greater.Ye Maocai vented his anger on Ye Mei, confining her for many days and treating her with marked indifference. These days had been stifling for Ye Mei, but today, her confinement was finally lifted. To make it up to her, Madam Ye took her to their family’s jewelry shop to pick out some ornaments. Unexpectedly, a distinguished guest arrived at the Ye residence midway, forcing Madam Ye to return. Since it was their own shop, she wasn’t worried and left Ye Mei to choose the jewelry on her own, instructing her to return once she was done.
The shopkeeper fawned obsequiously, presenting the most expensive pieces for Ye Mei to select. However, Ye Mei appeared listless and distracted, which inadvertently sparked a flicker of irritation in the shopkeeper.
Just a merchant’s daughter, yet she acts so picky after being acknowledged by the Ye family—what incredible luck she’s had! These ornaments aren’t good enough for her? What kind of wealth would satisfy her?
Unaware of the shopkeeper’s thoughts, Ye Mei had been simmering with anger over Ye Maocai’s cold treatment these past days. It only reinforced her realization that the Ye household was no place for her to stay long. Ye Maocai was a man who prioritized profit above all else, and for the sake of gain, he wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice her. She had originally intended to use the Ye family as a stepping stone, but lacking the strength, she had become nothing more than a pawn. The path Ye Maocai had arranged for her was far from what she truly desired.
Her gaze drifted over the dazzling array of jewels, but her mind was preoccupied with escape—where could she possibly go if she fled?
Just then, two more customers entered the shop: a man and a woman. The man appeared to be in his early thirties, dressed richly but with plain features and a slightly plump build. The woman, much younger, was adorned in gaudy attire, her entrance accompanied by a strong, cloying perfume—clearly a courtesan from some pleasure house.
The woman simpered, “My lord, you must buy me a solid gold bracelet.”
The man laughed indulgently. “Pick whatever you like today. I’m in a good mood.”
No doubt some young master playing the fool for a brothel girl.
The shopkeeper, already displeased with Ye Mei’s distracted demeanor, now abandoned her entirely to cater to the new arrivals. Smiling, he laid out the same expensive pieces he had shown Ye Mei before the woman. “These just arrived, miss. Do take a look.”
The woman sidled up next to Ye Mei, her overpowering scent making Ye Mei frown in displeasure. Ye Mei turned to glance at her, but when her eyes fell upon the man beside the woman, she froze. The man also noticed her, pausing in surprise before exclaiming delightedly, “Mei’er!”
The woman selecting jewelry immediately looked up, eyeing Ye Mei with suspicion. The shopkeeper pricked up his ears—this man had called Ye Mei “Mei’er,” suggesting a past connection. After all, Ye Mei had once been a merchant’s daughter.
Ye Mei initially averted her gaze, intending to leave, but then she seemed to reconsider and halted. Glancing at the shopkeeper, she suddenly said, “Since we’ve met, let’s talk elsewhere.”
The man appeared eager to comply, but the woman clutched his arm. “My lord, you promised to help me choose jewelry.”
Irritated, the man pulled out a handful of silver notes from his sleeve and tossed them to her. “Pick for yourself.”
With the money in hand, the woman made no further protest. The man followed Ye Mei outside, where she donned a veil and said, “Let’s find a tavern.”In a private room of the tavern, the man looked at Ye Mei with some surprise and said, "Why do you have so many guards around you now? Back then, you and Brother Ye disappeared from Qinzhou without a word, and I even had people search for you for a long time. Never expected to find you here."
Ye Mei's heart pounded. This man was none other than her childhood friend. Back then, the Li family were merchants in Qinzhou, and this man was Jin Xingming, the eldest son of the Jin family. The Jins were also merchants, and Old Master Jin and Old Master Li were quite close. When Ye Mei was young, Jin Xingming was already a young man. Old Master Jin had even joked about marrying Ye Mei to Jin Xingming. Ye Mei had always been ambitious, and becoming a merchant's wife was never her ultimate goal.
Though she despised Jin Xingming, she was clever enough never to show it. Instead, she acted sweet and considerate, completely bewitching Jin Xingming, who adored her like a goddess and treasured her like a jewel.
Later, when the Li couple passed away, the Jin family had to take care of the Li family's shops, so Ye Mei became even more attentive to Jin Xingming. Old Master Jin was about to bring up the marriage proposal, as with the Li couple gone, only Ye Mei herself could decide her future.
Naturally, Ye Mei refused. In her heart, she would rather be an official's concubine than a merchant's wife. It was at this time that the Ye family appeared, and the two sides hit it off immediately. Ye Mei left for Longye with Ye Maocai without even informing the Jin family, so deep was her loathing for them. Jin Xingming naturally had no idea she had come to Longye, and who would have thought they would meet here?
Quickly forming a plan in her mind, Ye Mei shook her head and sighed, "Back when I was with the Li family, thanks to the Jin family's care, I and my second brother lived quite well. But then, out of nowhere, someone came knocking, claiming my real parents were someone else—that I was actually the daughter of Prime Minister Ye's family. I was shocked and doubtful, but they didn’t even give me time to explain before taking me away."
"Prime Minister Ye's family?" Jin Xingming exclaimed in surprise. "You mean the Prime Minister Ye from Longye?"
Ye Mei nodded. "But after arriving, I realized they had mistaken me for someone else. As you know, the Ye family only has one son, who is physically impaired. They had made a big show of searching for a lost relative, and when they realized their mistake, they couldn’t admit it without losing face, so they forced me to become the Ye family's daughter. I thought, fine, I’d go along with it. But then I discovered Prime Minister Ye is a wolf in sheep's clothing—he... he wants to use me as a bargaining chip for his political ambitions, to marry me off to someone for his own gain."
Her voice trembled with tears. Already beautiful, her pitiful demeanor made her utterly captivating, breaking Jin Xingming's heart. Furious, Jin Xingming said, "How could he do this? Even if you were his real daughter, such cruelty is unforgivable, let alone when you’re not! To manipulate your marriage like this—it’s despicable! Come, let’s report this to the authorities!"
"It’s no use," Ye Mei shook her head. "Officials protect each other, and besides, Ye Maocai has Longye in his grip. I once tried to write to you in Qinzhou for help, but even my letters were intercepted. In truth, my second brother and I are practically under house arrest by the Ye family. Being able to go out like this today is already a rare exception."Jin Xingming's face twisted in anger. He had always been quite fond of Ye Mei. When she and her brother disappeared, Old Master Jin claimed it was because Ye Mei didn't want to marry him and had fled. Jin Xingming had been somewhat upset about it. But now, seeing the beauty weeping like a pear blossom bathed in rain, how could he remain angry? He silently cursed himself for not discovering Ye Mei's predicament sooner.
Ye Mei raised her head and said, "All these days, I've missed you every moment, Brother Jin. I only hoped that one day I could regain my freedom. Brother Jin, can you help me?"
Jin Xingming nodded repeatedly. "Of course. What can I do?"
"Brother Jin, I don't ask for much now. I just want you to help me leave the Ye family." Ye Mei smiled through her tears. "If I can be with you, I won't have to live in fear every day."
Jin Xingming nearly melted at her words. In the past, though Ye Mei had always been gentle with him, it was different from now—she had never been so direct, as if veiled behind a curtain, making it hard to discern her true feelings. But now, her words clearly showed that she regarded him as someone very important.
Though somewhat intoxicated by her words, Jin Xingming didn't lose his senses. The Ye family was, after all, the household of a prime minister, while he was merely the son of a merchant. He hesitated. "This... the Ye family is quite a thorny matter."
Ye Mei said nothing, simply fixing her beautiful eyes on him. Jin Xingming's heart swayed, and he continued, "But it's not impossible. Mei'er, do you know why I came to Longye?"
Ye Mei shook her head. She hadn't even cared about Jin Xingming before. Today, she had only spoken to him to use him to escape the Ye family—how could she have thought about this?
Jin Xingming said proudly, "I have a friend, also a merchant, who went to Ming Qi last year. I heard he's since connected with the imperial merchants there and might even secure an official position. I thought, rather than being an ordinary merchant in Qinzhu all my life, why not venture out? That friend invited me to join him. I came to Longye to settle some family business before discussing it with him."
"Originally, I was hesitant," Jin Xingming admitted. "After all, my parents are here. But now that I've met you, Mei'er, I have nothing to fear. I've decided to go to Fixed Capital in Ming Qi. I don't expect to become an official, but I'm sure I can earn more." He added, "The Ye family may be powerful, but if we flee to Ming Qi, their reach won't extend that far. What do you think, Mei'er?"
Ye Mei's heart stirred. As Jin Xingming spoke, she quickly calculated in her mind. Though some things remained unclear, she still smiled and said, "That sounds wonderful. Brother Jin, you truly are my support. Everyone else in this world is unreliable—thank goodness I have you..."
Her delicate charm and tender demeanor made Jin Xingming's heart skip a beat. Unable to resist, he reached out to touch Ye Mei's small hand. Suppressing her disgust, Ye Mei allowed him to take liberties. In the past, she would have scorned such behavior, but now, she had no choice but to endure it.Shen Miao had just left a noblewoman's residence after attending a tea gathering that day. The ladies were gradually coming to accept her "influence" over them, and Xie Jingxing had mentioned that the court was now much more stable. Rubbing her neck, she was about to board her carriage when she noticed a man and a woman emerging one after the other from a teahouse down the street. The woman wore a veil, obscuring her face, but Shen Miao had dealt with her for a lifetime—even her gait and posture were enough to recognize her as Ye Mei.
The man speaking with Ye Mei appeared very close to her, but Shen Miao had a sharp eye for people. His manners and demeanor didn’t resemble those of a nobleman; instead, he exuded the coarseness of a common laborer or merchant.
Shen Miao stepped aside, letting the carriage’s shadow conceal her from Ye Mei’s view. The man exchanged a few more words with Ye Mei. Though their actions weren’t improper, their relationship seemed anything but ordinary. Ye Mei soon departed in her carriage, while the man walked off in the opposite direction.
After a moment’s thought, Shen Miao instructed Mo Qing, "Follow that man and find out everything you can about him."
Mo Qing had been discreetly monitoring Ye Mei these days, so investigating a man connected to her was only natural. He accepted the order and left.
As Shen Miao boarded her carriage, her mind began to churn.
The man clearly wasn’t of noble birth. Shen Miao knew Ye Mei well—she was obsessed with status and would never deign to speak with commoners. Yet she had gone to a teahouse with this man, perhaps even shared tea with him.
Ye Mei always exploited everyone around her, especially men. Shen Miao immediately suspected that Ye Mei intended to use this man for some purpose—otherwise, her pride would never allow her to interact with someone so lowly.
What was she planning?
...
Ye Mei returned to the Ye residence in the evening. Ye Maocai, who usually came home late, was uncharacteristically early today. He stared at her as she entered and demanded, "Where have you been?"
Perhaps the recent troubles facing the Ye family had begun to weigh on even the usually unflappable Ye Maocai. His composed, scholarly air had dissipated, replaced by a brooding demeanor that darkened his once-pleasant features.
Ye Mei steadied herself and replied, "Madam Ye asked me to pick out some jewelry at the shop."
"Madam Ye?" Ye Maocai echoed mockingly.
His tone irked her immensely. Ye Maocai knew full well she wasn’t Madam Ye’s biological daughter, yet he had been the one to insist she play the part. Now, it was as if he resented her for scheming her way into the Ye family as a young lady.
When Ye Mei didn’t respond, Ye Maocai pressed, "Where’s the jewelry?"
"I didn’t see anything I liked, so I didn’t pick any."
"You’re quite self-aware, knowing not to take what isn’t yours," he said pointedly, then abruptly changed the subject. "Who was that man you met on the street today?"Ye Mei was taken aback, then immediately felt overwhelming anger. Without a doubt, it must have been the work of the Ye family guards who followed her everywhere. These guards ostensibly protected her safety, but in reality, they did no such thing. Instead, they monitored her, reporting her every move to Ye Maocai. Despite this, Ye Mei dared not provoke Ye Maocai's wrath. She said, "He's a young master I met long ago in Qinzhou, who had deep connections with our family. If Father doesn't believe me, you can send someone to investigate his background."
Jin Xingming was merely the son of a merchant family—even if Ye Maocai investigated, he wouldn’t find anything. Seeing how composed she was, Ye Maocai’s expression relaxed slightly as he said, “Don’t think I’m being unreasonable. It’s just that Longye City is about to undergo major changes. As a daughter of the Ye family, your every move is being watched. If you bring disaster upon the family, both you and the Ye household will suffer.” He then forced a gentle smile. “Since you’re a clever girl, you should know what’s appropriate and what’s not. You and the Ye family are bound together—naturally, we must support each other.”
Listening to Ye Maocai’s words, Ye Mei’s heart grew heavier, further convincing her that he intended to use her for some scheme. Calculating her next move, she exchanged a few more perfunctory words with him before returning to her room.
Upon entering, she found Ye Ke already waiting inside. Seeing her return, he grinned. “Sister, where have you been all day? I’ve been waiting for ages.”
Distracted and unsettled, Ye Mei considered telling Ye Ke about Jin Xingming. Back in Qinzhou, Ye Ke had actually hoped Jin Xingming would become his brother-in-law, as the Jin family could provide support to the Li family. At the time, however, Ye Mei hadn’t taken a liking to Jin Xingming, and Ye Ke had spent a long time trying to persuade her, insisting that Jin Xingming would treat her well.
Now, if she were to flee to Ming Qi with Jin Xingming, she would naturally have to bring Ye Ke along. But she wasn’t entirely sure how he would react.
“Do you still remember Jin Xingming from the Jin family in Qinzhou?” she asked.
“Jin Xingming?” Ye Ke eyed her suspiciously. “Of course. Why bring him up all of a sudden?” Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he gasped and shot to his feet. “Sister, don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind and want to marry him now!”
Ye Mei frowned. “Weren’t you quite fond of him back then?”
“That was when we were merchants. Now we’re an official family,” Ye Ke said. “Sister, with your current status, Jin Xingming isn’t worthy of you. A merchant’s son marrying an official’s daughter? People would laugh themselves silly.”
He seemed unusually agitated. Ye Mei studied him for a moment before asking, “Then who do you think I should marry?”
“Sister, with your standing, you could marry a prince—though Longye doesn’t have any.” He leaned in conspiratorially and grinned. “Actually, Father intends for you to enter the palace. I’ve checked for you—the Emperor is young and handsome, and he’s quite indifferent to the Empress. If you enter the palace, with your beauty and talent, you’d likely end up ruling the entire harem. By then, the two of us siblings would enjoy boundless wealth and glory.” Ye Ke’s eyes gleamed with excitement, as though he had unearthed a long-buried treasure.
“Oh?” Ye Mei watched him. “You really think so?”
“Sister, when did you become so unsure of yourself?” Ye Ke thumped his chest. “Trust me, you’ll become the most revered woman in Great Coolness. So listen to Father and enter the palace. He wouldn’t harm you—with the Ye family backing you, what could be better?”
Ye Mei smiled faintly, though the expression was odd. “Second Brother, you’ve been awfully busy lately. Care to tell me what you’ve been up to?”
“Father plans to secure me an official post in Longye,” Ye Ke said, his face lighting up. “Lately, he’s been introducing me to colleagues—” He suddenly cut himself off, realization dawning as he stared at Ye Mei in alarm.
Her expression unchanged, Ye Mei simply nodded. “I see.”
Author’s Note:
The ever-single Tie Yi, watching silently from the sidelines: Just gonna sit here and watch you all flaunt your love lives. (╯3╰)∠
...
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