The person standing opposite was none other than Xie Jingxing.
In the dim light of the fire tinder, his handsome features were like a painting, yet his brows were tightly furrowed, exuding a chilling aura entirely different from his daytime demeanor—as if he had become a completely different person.
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu had seen Xie Jingxing a few times before and naturally knew who he was. Startled, they instinctively shielded Shen Miao.
Mo Qing, however, was meeting Xie Jingxing for the first time. Though he didn’t know who Xie Jingxing was, he gathered from Shen Miao’s words that the two were acquainted. Xie Jingxing stared at Shen Miao for a moment before suddenly smiling, loosening his grip and tossing the sword back to Mo Qing in the blink of an eye.
He lazily retreated to the doorway, crossing his arms as he remarked, "Young Miss Shen, to meet here—should I call it fate, or fate?"
Shen Miao ignored him, only instructing Mo Qing and the two maids, "Leave. Now."
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu glanced at Xie Jingxing and nodded, about to leave, when Shen Miao added, "You two go first. I’ll follow shortly."
In the pitch darkness, only the faint movement of the fire tinder was visible. Gu Yu called out anxiously, "Miss—"
"Go!" Shen Miao commanded. Her tone was sharp and resolute. Gu Yu trembled slightly, and Mo Qing shook his head before grabbing both maids and leaping out the window, vanishing into the night.
Xie Jingxing remained leaning against the doorframe, watching her actions with amusement. Shen Miao groped her way to the table and finally found the incense burner by the fire tinder’s light. She picked up the scented incense, lit it with the flame, and inserted it into the burner before turning to leave.
Just as she was about to move, Xie Jingxing suddenly frowned and flicked his fingers. The flame of the fire tinder extinguished with a soft sound. In the sudden darkness, a figure swiftly closed the distance, effortlessly wrapping an arm around Shen Miao’s waist. Before she could react, she found herself pulled into a warm embrace as the person rolled with her, barely managing to hide beneath the bed.
"You—" Shen Miao was both shocked and furious.
"Shh," Xie Jingxing’s voice whispered in her ear. "Someone’s coming in."
Footsteps echoed in the room, and Shen Miao stiffened.
She had never expected them to act so quickly.
Fortunately, the intruder did not light a lamp—though this was something she had anticipated. Given that man’s penchant for thrill-seeking, he would undoubtedly prefer the darkness.
A voice spoke from outside, "Your Highness, everything is prepared."
"Stand guard outside. Don’t disturb my fun," another voice, slightly hoarse, replied. Shen Miao’s gaze flickered—it was indeed Prince Yu.
"Shen Xin, oh Shen Xin..." Prince Yu’s voice dripped with smugness and a twisted excitement. "I wonder how your daughter’s taste will differ from those other women?"
Footsteps approached the bed.
Shen Miao’s fists clenched tighter.
Xie Jingxing lowered his head slightly. Due to their position, his chin rested atop Shen Miao’s head, and he could catch the faint, pleasant fragrance of her hair. Though her expression was invisible in the dark, the tension in her body made it clear she was far from unaffected.
The sound of tearing fabric came from the bed, accompanied by Prince Yu’s lewd and vicious mutterings. Shen Qing seemed to regain some awareness, letting out weak protests—though her voice was so feeble it sounded more like an invitation than resistance.The air was filled with a scent that quickened the heartbeat, gradually spreading with the delicate fragrance of orchids, unwittingly inhaled by those present.
Shen Miao also began to sense something amiss, her heart skipping a beat. Earlier, before leaving, she had lit scented incense laced with an aphrodisiac, and now she was reaping what she had sown. Never having encountered such a situation before, she couldn’t help but direct her anger at the uninvited guest Xie Jingxing. If not for his sudden appearance disrupting her plans, she would have already left and wouldn’t be in such an awkward predicament. Thinking of this, she glared fiercely at the culprit.
Unfortunately, there was no light, and she could see nothing. Hesitating, Shen Miao dared not move for fear of alerting the person on the bed. She had no choice but to cover her nose and mouth with Xie Jingxing’s clothing.
She had considered that the incense was no good thing, and that she must avoid inhaling it. She had even thought of using Xie Jingxing’s lapel to cover her nose and mouth—but she had forgotten that Xie Jingxing was a man.
By the time Xie Jingxing realized the incense was problematic, he had already inhaled too much of it, and to make matters worse, he was holding a young girl in his arms. Though Shen Miao was still young and her figure unremarkable, she was nonetheless warm and soft. His body tensed involuntarily, and at this critical moment, Shen Miao pressed closer, burying half her face firmly against his chest.
Xie Jingxing took a deep breath. From the day he was born until now, he had never been in such a disheveled state as today. Glancing upward, the large bed creaked incessantly, the mingled sounds of a man and woman making his heart race and his face flush. The commotion was so intense that one couldn’t help but wonder if the bed might collapse under the strain.
After gritting his teeth and enduring for nearly half an hour, the noises from the bed gradually subsided, as if the couple had tired themselves out for a while. Shen Miao’s body was stiff with tension, but just then, she felt Xie Jingxing roll with her in his arms before swiftly leaping out through the unlatched window. In the pitch darkness, it was a mystery how he could see so clearly, but fortunately, they managed to escape without alerting Prince Yu.
Not far outside, they were met by Gu Yu and the others, their faces etched with anxiety. Upon seeing them emerge, Jing Zhe nearly jumped in excitement but quickly suppressed it, whispering, “Miss, we were worried sick! Someone went in earlier—were you not discovered…?” Her words trailed off as she finally noticed Shen Miao’s posture.
Shen Miao was still being carried by Xie Jingxing, whose towering height made holding her effortless. Jing Zhe snapped angrily, “Put my lady down at once!”
Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow and let go—with a thud, Shen Miao fell straight to the ground.
“You—!” Gu Yu was both furious and indignant, never expecting Xie Jingxing to release her so roughly. Hurriedly, she helped Shen Miao up, soothing her, “Miss, are you alright?”Mo Qing stared at Xie Jingxing, his heart filled with shock and suspicion. This young master from a noble family, who appeared extraordinary, possessed formidable martial skills—so much so that Mo Qing found himself utterly powerless against him. Such prowess was enough to make anyone take notice, yet his presence here in the dead of night was undeniably suspicious. Earlier, after Mo Qing had taken Gu Yu and Jing Zhe outside, he had seen someone enter Shen Miao’s room, followed by a group of highly skilled guards. If he hadn’t hidden quickly, he would have been in trouble. Mo Qing couldn’t help but glance at Shen Miao again. Could it be that she had already known such a group would come tonight? If so, what was the point of her earlier act of switching places with Shen Qing?
Shen Miao stood up, dusting off her clothes, and calmly looked at Xie Jingxing. "The night is deep and the dew heavy. We won’t disturb the young marquis in his affairs. We’ll take our leave first." Her tone was distant.
The light drizzle continued to fall, the fine threads of rain soaking her clothes. Under the faint glow of the lanterns outside, Xie Jingxing’s sharp gaze swept over her face. Suddenly, he smiled as if amused by a spectacle and said, "To leave from here, you must pass through the outer courtyard, where a large number of guards are stationed. If you wish to throw yourself to the wolves, this marquis never stops anyone from seeking death. Go ahead."
His words were truly irritating, and his handsome face bore a mischievous grin. Shen Miao glanced at Mo Qing, who shook his head, somewhat embarrassed. "This subordinate alone cannot guarantee success."
Though Prince Yu himself was incompetent, his subordinates were far from useless.
"Young Marquis, you seem quite confident," she remarked after a pause.
Xie Jingxing smirked and stood up, preparing to leave, clearly uninterested in engaging with their group.
"Could you lend us your assistance?" she asked.
Xie Jingxing turned back, pondered for a moment, then nodded. "It’s not impossible. But… if you beg me, I’ll take you out."
Gu Yu and Jing Zhe’s expressions darkened. Xie Jingxing’s temperament was so mischievous, his tone so frivolous, yet paired with that handsome face, any woman would surely blush and her heart race. If not for their urgency to protect their mistress, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu might not have been able to suppress their anger today.
Mo Qing frowned. Shen Miao was Shen Xin’s daughter, likely pampered and headstrong by nature. Xie Jingxing’s provocation would surely enrage her.
But contrary to Mo Qing’s expectations, Shen Miao responded swiftly, "Fine, I beg you. Take us out."
Her reply came so quickly that Xie Jingxing was momentarily taken aback. He studied the young girl before him. Though she was pleading, her gaze was resolute, her demeanor composed, without the slightest hint of submission. It was a peculiar sensation, as if she wasn’t begging but issuing a command from a position of authority.
Before Xie Jingxing could speak, Shen Miao immediately added, "Does the young marquis intend to go back on his word?"
"You truly have the heart of a petty person," Xie Jingxing chuckled, then softly called out, "Come out."
In the blink of an eye, a group of black-clad figures emerged from all directions, numbering at least a dozen—roughly matching the forces Prince Yu had brought.
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were startled, and Mo Qing was equally shocked. His martial skills were not weak, yet he hadn’t detected the presence of so many people hidden nearby. Clearly, their abilities surpassed his. That this young man could command so many experts with such ease only deepened the mystery of his identity.
Xie Jingxing said, "Be quick and clean. Don’t alert the enemy."The black-clad men bowed in acknowledgment and vanished into the night in the blink of an eye. Their movements were eerily synchronized, a level of discipline rarely seen even among the elite guards of the Ming Qi nobility. Lost in thought, Shen Miao heard Xie Jingxing say, "This will take some time. Let's go the other way."
He turned and headed in the opposite direction, his familiarity with the temple's layout evident.
"Follow him," Shen Miao instructed.
Somehow, Xie Jingxing's subordinates had arranged things so seamlessly that they encountered no one along the way. Even when they reached the Southern Pavilion where Shen Qing and Shen Yue resided, there wasn't a single guard in sight. Once safely delivered, Shen Miao turned to Mo Qing. "You may return now."
Guards had their designated quarters, and Mo Qing had sneaked out tonight. If discovered, complications would arise.
Gu Yu and Jing Zhe accompanied Shen Miao inside, but Xie Jingxing lingered. Jing Zhe stepped forward, blocking his path to the inner chamber, eyeing him warily. "Please stop here, Young Master."
Xie Jingxing halted, though his gaze remained fixed on Shen Miao's retreating figure as he chuckled. "Shen Miao, you've wasted an entire night of my time, and now you can't even spare an explanation?"
Shen Miao paused mid-step, sighing inwardly. Xie Jingxing seemed to possess an almost supernatural perceptiveness, his sharp senses bordering on the uncanny. He could unravel mysteries with a single glance, making deception futile. She glanced at Jing Zhe and Gu Yu. "Go rest in the outer chamber. Marquis Xie, come with me."
"Young Mistress..." Gu Yu hesitated, flustered. "This is highly improper..."
Spending the night alone with a stranger would be scandalous if word got out. If caught, Shen Miao's reputation would be irreparably ruined. Her past entanglement with Fu Xiuyi could at least be dismissed as youthful infatuation—nothing had transpired, after all. But this? It would be impossible to explain away.
"No one will know, so there's nothing improper about it," Shen Miao said firmly, ignoring her maids' protests. She turned to Xie Jingxing. "Come in."
Xie Jingxing shrugged and followed her into the inner chamber, watching as Shen Miao calmly shut the door under the uneasy gazes of her maids.
Lighting the oil lamp and closing the window to muffle the pattering rain outside, Shen Miao took a seat at the table.
Xie Jingxing leaned against the wall, amused as she leisurely poured tea. "Why aren't you afraid of me?"
"Why should I be?" she countered.
"A young lady from the inner chambers, alone with a strange man—aren't you afraid I might do something to you?" His grin turned roguish, yet the lamplight only accentuated his striking handsomeness.
"We've already eavesdropped on someone's intimate affairs together. Isn't it a bit late to start worrying about propriety now, Marquis Xie?" Shen Miao replied coolly.
Xie Jingxing froze, his handsome face registering disbelief. Over the years, he had experienced much—things others his age had seen and things they hadn't. In Fixed Capital, even across Ming Qi, he was considered worldly. Yet this was the first time a woman had spoken so nonchalantly about "intimate affairs" in his presence.
Earlier, in the darkness, he hadn't been able to see her expression. But now, recalling how composed her voice and demeanor had been since they left, it was as if the one who had listened to those private moments with him was someone else entirely. He was beginning to wonder if this girl was some kind of anomaly."Are you even a woman?" Xie Jingxing crossed his arms and asked.
Ordinary young ladies would have been so embarrassed they wished the ground would swallow them up, never mentioning the matter again. Yet she showed no reaction before and now spoke of it openly without the slightest hint of shame. Even for the daughter of the Grand General of Might, this was far too peculiar.
Shen Miao remained silent.
Xie Jingxing nodded. "Almost forgot—of course you're not a woman. You're just a little girl."
Though Shen Miao carried herself with maturity, her appearance was delicate and charming, especially with her fair complexion and lingering baby fat. When she wasn't speaking, she looked much younger. Xie Jingxing thought to himself that she was probably too young to understand matters of romance, which was why her attitude was so unguarded.
The more he considered it, the more convinced he became. Xie Jingxing stepped closer, looking down at Shen Miao. "We still haven't settled the score for that scented incense earlier—nearly tripped me up too." He pinched her cheeks hard, squeezing twice. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
Shen Miao froze for a moment, not expecting Xie Jingxing to suddenly act like this. The other party seemed to find it amusing and pinched her again—not gently, but with rough, merciless force, as if truly treating her like an ignorant little girl.
"Insolence!" Instinctively, she snapped in a low voice.
The words left both of them stunned.
Under the lamplight, the young man's handsome face stiffened slightly. A complex emotion flickered through his sharp, dark eyes before he withdrew his hand and chuckled lightly. "This is the first time someone's dared to call me 'insolent.'"
Shen Miao was annoyed at her own lapse in composure. Xie Jingxing always acted in unexpected ways, and in her urgency, she had reflexively adopted the commanding tone of her past life as Empress. This man was sharp—she couldn’t afford to let him notice anything. But unsure of what to say, she remained silent.
Xie Jingxing broke the silence. He sat down in the chair opposite Shen Miao, poured himself a cup of tea, and suddenly remembered something. From his sleeve, he produced a paper package and unwrapped it, revealing a set of exquisitely crafted pastries—even more beautifully made than those from Guangfuzhai in the capital.
Xie Jingxing ate the pastries in large bites and drank his tea. "Came in a hurry—didn’t even have dinner. Tsk, this tea is terrible." He sounded every bit the fastidious young nobleman.
"Did Marquis Xie come here just to drink tea and eat snacks?" Shen Miao eyed him.
"Of course not." Xie Jingxing suddenly grinned, picked up a pastry, and stuffed it into Shen Miao’s mouth. His movements were too quick—by the time she reacted, the sweet taste had already spread across her tongue.
Xie Jingxing rested his chin on his hand, watching her with a leisurely posture, though his words were razor-sharp.
"You’ve eaten my food. Now answer my question."
The delicate fragrance of the pastry melted in her mouth, carrying a subtle sweetness and just the right hint of fruitiness, leaving a lingering aftertaste. Even Shen Miao, who didn’t usually enjoy sweets, couldn’t help but find it delicious.
"What’s your relationship with Prince Yu?"
Shen Miao met his gaze. "You might as well ask me why I did what I did tonight."
"If you’re willing to tell, I’ll listen attentively."
"Those who humiliate others shall be humiliated in turn. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
A myriad of emotions flickered in Xie Jingxing’s eyes before he smirked, his tone oddly amused. "You’re ruthless, pairing your sister with that old dog Prince Yu."
Calling Prince Yu an "old dog"—only someone as lawless as Xie Jingxing would dare say such a thing.“When they sent me away, they never considered me their sister,” Shen Miao retorted sharply.
Her words were icy, with no attempt to conceal her disgust and disdain for those people. Under the lamplight, her expression was indifferent, yet her eyes seemed to burn with fire.
“What an audacious little girl,” Xie Jingxing stretched lazily. “Prince Yu won’t let you off easily after this.”
“That depends on whether he has the capability,” Shen Miao remained unmoved.
“You’ve said so much to me…” Xie Jingxing mused, then suddenly leaned forward until his face was almost touching Shen Miao’s nose. The sudden proximity startled even her, but she refused to be intimidated and sat perfectly still.
The young man’s face was breathtakingly handsome, his lips curved in a roguish smile. Yet his voice carried deliberate provocation as he whispered in her ear, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell others?”
“Young Marquis may do as he pleases. After all, I’m quite curious myself—what business could Marquis Lin'an Manor have that sends its heir to Crouching Dragon Temple for a midnight stroll?”
Xie Jingxing’s appearance here tonight was no coincidence. That he arrived with a group of highly skilled men in black only deepened the mystery. There were no meaningless coincidences in this world—Xie Jingxing hadn’t come to see her. More likely, their paths had crossed while he pursued his own schemes.
The young man had strikingly beautiful eyes—peach blossom eyes that could captivate when he smiled but radiated icy danger when cold.
For a moment, Shen Miao felt overwhelmed by his presence. She had encountered imposing figures before—royalty from Qin State, the Ming Qi imperial family, even the notoriously arrogant Xiongnu—but the man before her seemed far more perilous.
“You’ve got nerve,” he said with a faint smile.
“Likewise.”
Xie Jingxing stood up, gave her a sweeping glance, and said coolly, “I’ve no interest in that old dog’s affairs. But if you breathe a word of tonight’s events, little Shen girl, remember—silencing witnesses isn’t just an empty threat.”
With that, he opened the window and vanished into the rainy night.
Chilly raindrops drifted through the window, landing on Shen Miao’s cheeks. The cold crept up her face, and the wind cleared her mind somewhat. She exhaled in relief.
Dealing with Xie Jingxing was like walking a tightrope. Despite his youth, he was unfathomable—every seemingly casual remark carried layers of probing intent. That sense of danger unsettled her. Though she didn’t consider Marquis Lin'an Manor an enemy of the Shen family, the clear divide between their households meant Xie Jingxing would naturally be wary.
Tonight’s encounter suggested Xie Jingxing had business here. The rain had revealed a different side of him—far removed from the frivolous young marquis who amused himself in the capital. She’d always known Xie Jingxing was capable, but now she realized the secrets of Marquis Lin'an Manor ran deep.
Her gaze fell on the table where Xie Jingxing’s unfinished pastries remained. Without these, the whole encounter might have felt like a dream leaving no trace. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on such matters—Xie Jingxing held little importance to her current situation. Tomorrow… everything could wait until tomorrow.
On the mountainside, the steady rain soaked the entire range. Beneath a tree stood a group of figures.The leading youth was tall and slender, his clothes and hair dampened by the rain. Yet he stood as motionless as a statue, gazing intently at the foot of the mountain.
After a moment, a small firework suddenly bloomed somewhere below—though it was more like a brief cluster of light, vanishing almost instantly in the blink of an eye.
The young man turned around, his tone flat and unreadable: "It's done."
"The young master is injured," the middle-aged man beside him frowned.
He lowered his head, looking at the fresh knife wound on his arm. The scented incense in that room earlier was specifically designed for men. Once inhaled and guided by its effects, one would gradually lose rationality and descend into madness. Its effect on women was not as strong, so that girl had narrowly escaped. Though his rationality was superior, he was no saint after all. Fearing an accident, he had no choice but to use this method to stay sober.
"We'll talk after we return."
"Young Master," the middle-aged man hesitated before continuing, "that young lady from the Shen family saw..."
"Tie Yi, she's just a little girl. I don't need to take action against her." The young man's beautiful peach-blossom eyes flashed, his tone carrying a chill.
The burly man seemed somewhat afraid of him but mustered his courage and said, "But the Shen family might know..."
"The Shen family doesn't know." The young man said coldly, "The Shen family is full of fools. It's rare for one clever one to emerge." He seemed to think of something and smiled faintly. "What a pity."
The middle-aged man moved his lips but ultimately said nothing more.
"Let's go."
Meanwhile, in the North Pavilion.
In the room adjacent to the innermost chamber, Ren Wanyun sat at the table. She had lit only a small oil lamp, its flickering flame mirroring the turmoil in her heart.
Xiang Lan said, "Madam, it's already the third watch. You should rest."
Ren Wanyun shook her head, her face showing a trace of irritation. "I can't sleep." For some reason, she felt uneasy, though she couldn't pinpoint the source of this unease. Granny Gui had assured her everything was proceeding smoothly.
Moreover, when she had stepped out of the courtyard earlier, she had heard faint noises from the innermost room—barely discernible in the rainy night but unmistakably the sounds of a woman crying and struggling. Though the details were unclear, the anguish and misery were palpable. Ren Wanyun's heart raced with both excitement and dread. Rumors in the capital had long spoken of Prince Yu's cruel methods in dealing with women, and now it seemed they were true. Shen Miao was surely suffering torment. Though fear lingered in her heart, beneath it lay a twisted satisfaction.
Among the three branches of the Shen family, Shen Miao, backed by Shen Xin, always took center stage in everything. Shen Yue was the celebrated talented beauty of the capital, while Shen Qing was somewhat mediocre. But Ren Wanyun had a son—Shen Qiu, who followed Shen Xin now and would inevitably compete with Shen Yuanbai for the family inheritance in the future. And now, wasn't Shen Miao at the mercy of others? When her haughty sister-in-law learned her daughter had been involved in such disgrace, would she protect Shen Miao or hand her a white silk rope?
With these thoughts, Ren Wanyun's unease eased slightly. She glanced at the sky. "I'll rest for a while."
Xiang Lan and Cai Ju, relieved to see her finally willing to rest, quickly helped her lie down on the bed. "Madam, please rest. You'll need your energy tomorrow."
"Yes," Ren Wanyun murmured. "I'll need my energy tomorrow." After all, tomorrow's grand spectacle would require her personal attention to bring it to a close.
...
The rain continued relentlessly throughout the night.
In the quiet mountain forest, the rain had just ceased, leaving behind a desolate chill in the autumn air. The scent of damp earth lingered as the temple's bell-ringer began his morning toll.The somber tolling of the bell roused the sleeping occupants. Ren Wanyun opened her eyes, having spent a restless night plagued by nightmares. She had only managed to fall asleep near dawn, and now awoke to find her forehead damp with sweat.
"Madam is awake," Xiang Lan stepped forward, offering, "Would you like to freshen up?"
After completing her morning ablutions, Ren Wanyun glanced outside. The world beyond her window had regained its post-rain tranquility, with birds chirping merrily as if nothing had happened.
She smiled. "Fetch me something bright to wear today. And bring that ruby-encrusted emerald hairpin too."
Now middle-aged, she had long grown accustomed to wearing darker hues, making this sudden preference for vibrant colors quite unusual. Cai Ju chuckled, "Madam must be in excellent spirits today. These bright colors make you look positively radiant."
Ren Wanyun examined her reflection and smiled with satisfaction. Indeed, her mood was excellent—one might even say jubilant.
When all preparations were complete, she announced, "Come, it's time to rouse my 'weary' niece for breakfast."
The innermost chamber of the North Pavilion stood in eerie silence, its courtyard devoid of even a single maidservant. Ren Wanyun surveyed the scene with approval—Prince Yu had executed his task with characteristic thoroughness, even dismissing the servants.
Were it not for fear of complications, she would have loved to immediately proclaim to the world what had transpired within those walls. But for the sake of her subsequent plans, she restrained herself.
"Go knock," she instructed Xiang Lan, a flicker of disdain crossing her eyes.
She looked down upon women who had been defiled, conveniently forgetting who had orchestrated Shen Miao's current predicament.
"Fifth Young Miss," Xiang Lan called while knocking, "The First Madam is here."
No response came from within, as if the room were completely empty.
"Fifth Young Miss, the First Madam is here," Xiang Lan repeated.
Yet after prolonged knocking, there remained no answer.
Ren Wanyun sighed dramatically. "This fifth child is truly behaving like a spoiled girl. The sun is already high and she still lazes about—we can't delay the temple visit. I'll handle this myself."
Approaching the door, she knocked gently and cooed, "Fifth child, time to rise for breakfast. We mustn't be late for our temple visit—no more willfulness now."
Still, silence greeted her words.
Turning away, Ren Wanyun feigned helplessness, murmuring as if explaining to herself or others, "Very well, we'll simply enter. That fifth child's maids are utterly irresponsible, abandoning their posts like this. They shall be severely punished upon our return." With that, she moved to push open the door.
"Aunt." A soft voice pierced the stillness. Ren Wanyun froze momentarily, assuming the voice came from inside—until Xiang Lan and Cai Ju simultaneously greeted, "Fifth Young Miss, Second Young Miss."
Turning in surprise, she found Shen Yue and Shen Miao standing together.
Today Shen Miao wore a plain white silk dress with a moon-white peony-embroidered cloak, giving the initial impression of mourning attire. The saying goes that white makes beauty shine—accustomed to seeing Shen Miao in garish reds and greens that accentuated her rustic appearance, this ensemble appeared ethereally elegant. Paired with her cool demeanor, it created an unexpectedly striking effect.
A flash of envy crossed Shen Yue's eyes. When had this incompetent cousin begun rivaling her in beauty? She failed to recognize that Shen Miao had never been unattractive—her looks had simply been obscured by deliberately vulgar styling. Now, with her emerging grace and maturing features, the transformation was undeniable.Ren Wanyun was also momentarily dazzled by Shen Miao's attire. She frowned and said, "Why is Fifth Sister dressed so inauspiciously? All this white and plainness—one might think our household is holding a funeral."
"Second Aunt is dressed quite brightly today," Shen Miao replied with a light laugh.
Ren Wanyun glanced at her own clothes and suddenly remembered something, scrutinizing Shen Miao carefully. She didn’t know how Shen Miao had returned from outside, looking so composed. But last night’s events might have fooled others, but not her. Eager to confirm something, she stepped forward, took Shen Miao’s arm with a smile, and asked with feigned concern, "Did Fifth Sister sleep well last night?"
"Thank you for your concern, Second Aunt. I slept quite well," Shen Miao replied with a smile.
Ren Wanyun studied Shen Miao’s expression closely, noting that it didn’t seem forced. She felt a flicker of doubt. When had Shen Miao learned to conceal her emotions so flawlessly? Any ordinary girl in such a situation would have been wailing in distress—how could she remain so calm? Was it all an act? The agonized cries of a woman she had heard last night had been unmistakable.
As she gazed into Shen Miao’s clear eyes, a sudden unease rose in Ren Wanyun’s heart, unsettling her. She leaned in closer to Shen Miao and said with a smile, "I’m relieved to hear you slept well, Fifth Sister."
But at a glance, she noticed that Shen Miao’s neck was as flawless as jade. Her fair skin was even more pristine than usual, without the slightest blemish—let alone any marks or bruises.
Impossible. Prince Yu’s methods with women were notoriously brutal. How could Shen Miao have emerged without a single trace?
Shen Yue glanced at Shen Miao, then at Ren Wanyun. She sensed that something had happened, though she couldn’t tell what exactly.
Ren Wanyun’s unease grew. She gripped Shen Miao’s hand and said conversationally, "The weather is so cold today. Aren’t you chilly dressed so lightly?" As she spoke, she suddenly yanked Shen Miao’s sleeve upward, exposing a section of her fair wrist.
The arm was smooth and unblemished, like the finest mutton-fat jade, without a single mark. Ren Wanyun froze in shock. Shen Miao withdrew her hand and smiled faintly. "Second Aunt seems to be inspecting something."
"N-no…" Ren Wanyun forced a smile. "My hand just… slipped." Her mind was in turmoil, unsure how to react. How could Shen Miao’s body be completely unmarked? As someone experienced, she knew that even ordinary men would leave some traces on a woman, let alone someone like Prince Yu. Could it be that Prince Yu wasn’t as brutal as rumored? But Shen Miao’s demeanor didn’t suggest she had suffered any trauma either.
Yet if Shen Miao maintained this unaffected facade, how could the truth be revealed?
Ren Wanyun’s eyes darted around, spotting only Huang Ying and Qing Luan by Shen Yue’s side, but not Shen Miao’s maids, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu. Her gaze shifted, and she asked, "Where are Fifth Sister’s two maids? They’ve been missing since morning."
"I sent them to fetch some porridge for me. I woke up with a sore throat this morning."
"The kitchen is quite far from here," Ren Wanyun said with a smile. "You silly child, you could have just asked. But isn’t the kitchen in the South Pavilion?""That's right," Shen Miao looked at her, "I came from the South Pavilion."
"What nonsense are you talking about with your second aunt?" Ren Wanyun smiled. "Didn't you stay in the North Pavilion last night?"
Before her words faded, she saw Shen Miao opposite her break into a smile. Since waking up from the drowning incident, Shen Miao's demeanor had been cold and aloof, mostly just smiling faintly. But now, this smile seemed to come from the depths of her heart, radiant yet inexplicably chilling to the core.
Ren Wanyun's heart sank like a lead weight.
"Madam, it's terrible! The young lady is missing!" Amidst the panicked cries of a woman, two maidservants with anxious expressions came into view—none other than Yan Mei and Shui Bi, who served Shen Qing.
"What did you say?!" Ren Wanyun suddenly shrieked.
Shen Yue was momentarily stunned. Shen Qing was actually missing? She stole a glance at Shen Miao, whose expression remained composed, as if she had just heard a casual greeting.
"How could Qing'er disappear?" Ren Wanyun grabbed Yan Mei by the collar, her gaze as fierce as a mother beast's.
"Oh, I know about this," Shen Miao suddenly spoke up.
All eyes turned to her.
In the silence, Shen Miao let out a soft laugh. "I just came from the South Pavilion. Why? Because I stayed there last night."
"Last night, I couldn't sleep at all, so I went to find Eldest Sister, hoping to switch rooms with her. Eldest Sister agreed, probably thinking that since Second Aunt lives next door, she would feel much safer. This morning, I ran into Second Sister when I left and came here with her. I originally planned to thank Eldest Sister for her kindness in switching rooms with me."
With each word Shen Miao spoke, Ren Wanyun's heart sank further. By the end, despair overwhelmed her, her cheeks trembling with hatred, her eyes reddening like a beast on the verge of madness.
Seeing Ren Wanyun like this, Shen Yue felt a twinge of fear. She could guess that something terrible had happened, but seeing the main branch—who had always secretly clashed with her mother—in such a state naturally filled her with schadenfreude. She followed Shen Miao's lead and said, "That's right. This morning, I saw Fifth Sister coming out of the neighboring room. We were just coming to find Second Sister to have breakfast together."
Shen Miao's voice was as light as a feather, but it struck Ren Wanyun's heart like a hammer, pain so intense it nearly made her vomit blood.
"The one who stayed here last night wasn't me—it was Eldest Sister."
Ren Wanyun clutched her chest and staggered back two steps, almost collapsing to the ground.
The one who stayed here last night wasn't Shen Miao—it was Shen Qing!
That meant the woman Prince Yu had toyed with was her Qing'er! Those heart-wrenching, agonizing cries had come from her Qing'er! She had been right next door, separated from her daughter by just a wall, yet she had allowed her daughter to be violated! How... how could she accept this? It must be a lie! It couldn't be true!
Ren Wanyun's heart felt as if it were being torn apart. She looked at the tightly shut door and, for a moment, lacked the courage to open it. What horrific scene awaited inside? She dared not imagine, dared not look.In the midst of her dizziness, she still remembered that she absolutely couldn't let Shen Yue and Shen Miao see what was inside. If word got out, if word got out... She forced a smile uglier than tears: "You two should go back first. I just asked—Qing'er is still asleep. Let's not wait for her."
Shen Miao smiled: "Aunt, you're quite the joker. Just now you didn't even know Eldest Sister was resting inside, yet now you claim to have spoken with her. Could it be Eldest Sister is hiding something private?"
"No!" Ren Wanyun denied immediately, but her reaction only made Shen Yue find it all the more peculiar. Shen Miao's gaze shifted as she called out to another approaching figure: "Granny Gui! Could you kindly help Aunt open this door?"
Granny Gui shuffled over, hunched slightly. She too had been instructed to arrive early today. Not yet grasping the scene before her and hearing Shen Miao's words, she assumed Shen Miao had already settled matters with Ren Wanyun. Burdened by guilt and unease, Granny Gui didn't even glance at Ren Wanyun's expression—otherwise she would have seen Ren Wanyun's face turn ashen.
Since Granny Gui stood closer to the door, Ren Wanyun had no time to stop her. With a creak, the door slowly swung open.
Everything seemed to fall into silence.
From within the room, an unmistakable scent swiftly wafted out.
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
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