"This young lady..." Mo Qing was slightly taken aback, frowning as he looked at the girl before him.
He knew that some wealthy families treated human lives as no different from livestock—buying a servant was like purchasing livestock. The girl's words now seemed to place him in the same category as those lowly servants, which naturally stirred displeasure in his heart. Yet when he met her gaze, that displeasure dissipated like mist in an instant.
The way she looked at him wasn't the haughty disdain of superiority but carried a faint sense of relief and respect, making him unconsciously suspicious. Before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "Have we met somewhere before, miss?"
Shen Miao sighed softly. "No."
"Then why—"
"Your features are upright, and your bearing is extraordinary—you must be someone destined for great things. Yet now you're selling the sword that has accompanied you for years, clearly at the end of your rope. You're in dire straits and urgently need silver, but even if I gave you some today, it wouldn't solve your troubles in the long run. I am the legitimate daughter of the Grand General of Might. When my father returns to the capital at year's end, I can recommend you to him. With your fine martial skills, it would be a shame to let them go to waste."
"General Shen?" Mo Qing was stunned. He hadn't expected the girl before him to be Shen Xin's daughter. Shen Xin's reputation was known throughout Ming Qi—he was a pillar of stability on the battlefield. For a man seeking to achieve glory, serving under such a commander... Mo Qing felt as if the blood in his veins had suddenly turned scalding.
However... according to the rumors in Fixed Capital, Shen Miao was nothing short of an incompetent. Though there had been some redemption during the recent Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet, few had witnessed it firsthand. Now, seeing her in person, it seemed the rumors were far from true.
"If the young lady is truly willing to recommend me, I naturally won't refuse. Should the opportunity arise in the future, I will repay this kindness with my life." Mo Qing was straightforward by nature, and faced with such an opportunity, he didn't hesitate.
At this, Shen Miao smiled faintly and took a silver ingot from her sleeve, tossing it to Mo Qing. "I don't need you to repay me with your life. Consider it as selling your martial skills to me. My father won't return until the New Year. Until then, you must come with me to Shen Mansion. I'll pretend to have you serve as a guard, but in truth, you'll be protecting me in secret."
Her words struck Mo Qing as unusual. He had heard of the noble families' outwardly splendid appearances hiding endless underhanded schemes. Seeing Shen Miao mention her own safety, he realized the girl's life in Shen Mansion might not be as comfortable as it seemed. Mo Qing was somewhat surprised—since Shen Miao was Shen Xin's daughter, why was her situation so difficult? But he was steady by nature and didn't voice his thoughts, only saying, "As you command, miss."
"Take this silver to deal with your urgent matters first," Shen Miao said. "Once you've settled your affairs, come to Shen Mansion within three days. I'll arrange your position then."
Mo Qing clasped his fists again. His demeanor carried a strong air of the martial world, which made Gu Yu and Jing Zhe frown slightly after he left. Jing Zhe said, "Miss, this man is unclear in background. If he harbors ill intentions, bringing him into the mansion might—"
Shen Miao walked toward the carriage. "What is there to fear? Someone like him is far cleaner than the people in our courtyard now."
At present, the West Courtyard was filled with spies from the second and third branches of the family, leaving few truly loyal to her. Besides, Mo Qing was no stranger.
Seated in the carriage, Shen Miao sighed inwardly. Reborn into this life, she hadn't expected to meet Mo Qing under such circumstances.
In her past life, Mo Qing had been the commander of the imperial guards, recommended by Shen Xin for his exceptional martial skills. During the years Shen Miao spent as a hostage in Qin State, Mo Qing had served as her guard. Without his help, surviving the perilous Qin State and returning unscathed would have been nearly impossible.
Mo Qing was loyal to Shen Xin and, by extension, to Shen Miao. Unfortunately, after her return to Ming Qi, Mei Furen's schemes against Shen Miao led to Mo Qing being framed for harassing palace women. Fu Xiuyi had long wanted to purge Shen Xin's followers, and despite Shen Miao's desperate efforts to stop it, she could only watch as Mo Qing died under false charges.
Now, seeing Mo Qing again, she hadn't realized he had once been in such dire straits. But it was precisely because of his predicament that he could be so easily won over. Shen Miao understood Mo Qing's nature—he was fiercely loyal and upright. With him by her side, the upcoming trip to Crouching Dragon Temple would be much easier than she had originally planned.
Upon returning to Shen Mansion, she found that Shen Yue and Shen Qing had gone as guests to the Yi family, leaving her alone. As soon as she entered the West Courtyard, Granny Gui hurried forward with an ingratiating smile. "You've returned, miss. This old servant had the kitchen prepare some sweet soup. Would you like some?"
"Very well," Shen Miao said.
Seeing Shen Miao, who had been cold toward her these past days, suddenly amiable, Granny Gui was overjoyed and quickly said, "This old servant will fetch it at once."
By the time Granny Gui returned with the sweet soup, Shen Miao had already rested for a while in her room. Granny Gui carefully placed the bowl on the table and said with a smile, "Miss, the preparations for the trip to Crouching Dragon Temple in three days are all ready. Is there anything else you need?"
Old Madam Shen had previously arranged for a visit to the temple in three days to pray for the Shen family's peace and prosperity. Ren Wanyun would take the three girls, and no one else was to accompany them. Granny Gui had been busy with the arrangements these past few days.
Shen Miao glanced at her and said mildly, "You seem quite enthusiastic about this matter, Granny."
Granny Gui stiffened slightly but forced a smile. "It's rare for the young miss to leave the mansion, so naturally, we must prepare thoroughly."
"With Granny accompanying me, it will surely be thorough." Shen Miao suddenly smiled. That smile, however, unsettled Granny Gui.
"Second Madam has arranged everything meticulously. There won't be any mishaps," Granny Gui said.
"Then I'll trouble Granny to thank Second Aunt for me," Shen Miao nodded. "You may leave now."
Hearing this, Granny Gui finally relaxed and quickly excused herself. For some reason, Shen Miao had become strangely intimidating lately—just being near her made Granny Gui's usual arrogance wither. But once outside, she straightened her back and cast a disdainful glance at the room, muttering under her breath, "After three days, let's see if you dare act so insolently before me!"
Inside the room, Shen Miao picked up the bowl of sweet soup and walked to the window. With a flick of her wrist, she poured half the contents into the soil beneath the bougainvillea.
"Miss, are you really going to Crouching Dragon Temple?" Bailu asked hesitantly.
"I am," Shen Miao replied.
In her past life, it was around this time that she had overheard the maids in the Hall of Glory and Scenery talking—Old Madam Shen intended to marry her off to Prince Yu. The night before the trip to the temple, she had fled to Prince Ding's Residence, offering herself as his consort. Though that decision had also been a mistake, it had inadvertently spared her from another disaster.
This time, she wouldn't run or hide. She would go to Crouching Dragon Temple as planned. Whoever wanted to see her downfall would instead become the star of the most pitiful farce.
Author's Note:
We're heading to Crouching Dragon Temple soon—time to crush the scum! Just thinking about it gets me excited~
I posted Young Marquis Xie's character design on Weibo (o^▽^o) What do you all think~?
OpenNovel