"Shen Miao?"
"Exactly." Su Mingfeng was slightly taken aback by Xie Jingxing's reaction, then suddenly remembered something and teased with a smirk, "Isn't she the damsel you rescued on the verification ground last time? Now that I think about it, she does have some courage and isn’t too bad-looking. That Wei Qian is truly ungrateful for his blessings."
Noticing Xie Jingxing lost in thought, Su Mingfeng couldn’t help but exclaim, "Hey, don’t tell me you’ve actually taken a liking to her?"
Xie Jingxing scoffed and cast him a cool glance. "Are you that bored?"
"Of course I am," Su Mingfeng frowned. "I’m currently ‘gravely ill’ and can’t attend court, spending my days idling around the manor. You’ve also been scarce lately, always with that physician Gao Yang. Are you hiding something from me?"
Though their childhood friendship ran deep, as they grew older, Xie Jingxing became increasingly enigmatic. While he had warned Su Mingfeng about the Su family’s affairs, there were times when even Su Mingfeng felt he knew nothing about Xie Jingxing at all.
Xie Jingxing tossed him a fruit. "Just eat."
Clearly unwilling to continue the conversation, Su Mingfeng’s eyes flickered, a bitter smile tugging at his lips, but he said nothing more.
...
Not long after the Shen family received the marriage certificate from the Wei family, Ren Wanyun had Xiang Lan invite Shen Gui to the Colorful Cloud Courtyard.
Ever since the incident with Shen Qing, a rift had formed between Shen Gui and Ren Wanyun, and they barely spoke. Their relationship had grown as cold as ice in recent days.
This time, Ren Wanyun was the one to soften first.
Xiang Lan and Cai Ju both greeted Shen Gui as he entered. Ren Wanyun sat at the table, her expression melancholic.
"What’s the matter now?" Shen Gui’s tone was still stiff. The scolding Ren Wanyun had given him over Shen Qing—accusing him of heartlessness—had left him deeply resentful. Though he admired her ability to manage household affairs flawlessly, he was not a magnanimous man, especially after being berated like a shrew by his own wife.
"You’ve come, Master." Ren Wanyun glanced at him wearily, her face haggard. She had always been sharp and spirited, never looking so worn before. Seeing her like this, Shen Gui’s heart softened slightly. Knowing how much she doted on Shen Qing and how much she had suffered over her daughter’s plight, he reminded himself that she was still his lawful wife and deserved some respect. He snapped at Xiang Lan and Cai Ju, "Why is the mistress in such a state? How have you been attending to her?"
Ren Wanyun detected the softening in his tone and inwardly rejoiced, pressing her forehead further in a show of vulnerability. "It’s not their fault. I’ve been worrying over Qing’er. These days, I’ve had no appetite, lost sleep, and my heart aches terribly."
"What’s done is done. Dwelling on it won’t help. You should focus on recovering your health. The household still needs you to manage it." Shen Gui studied her. Previously, with Ren Wanyun in charge, he had enjoyed many conveniences—using household funds for gifts, with the accounts kept impeccably under her oversight. But now that she was preoccupied with Shen Qing, Chen Ruoqiu had temporarily taken over the household duties, making things less smooth for him. The advantages he once enjoyed had all shifted to the third branch, leaving Shen Gui equally displeased.Ren Wanyun gritted her teeth. Shen Gui cared only for his own official career and showed not the slightest concern for Shen Qing. She said, "I thought the same, but Qing'er's current condition requires constant care, and I can't rest easy."
"Then marrying her into the Huang family would solve it," Shen Gui brought up the matter again, his tone hardening once more. "Women's views are short-sighted. With Qing'er in this state, finding a good family to marry into is the best option. The Huang family is wealthy and influential. Qing'er would be the principal wife there, yet you stubbornly refuse."
Ren Wanyun sneered inwardly. As a father, Shen Gui was truly heartless. To call someone like Huang Dexing a "good match"—only Shen Gui could say such a thing. Though she had long known her husband was a cold, calculating man who prioritized profit, the thought still sent a chill down her spine.
But now was not the time for such reflections. She wiped her eyes and said, "You're right, Master. I was mistaken before. Cooped up in the inner quarters, I couldn't see the bigger picture. The family you've chosen must be the best. I was unwilling to let Qing'er marry into it earlier, but now I think it might be for her own good."
Shen Gui was taken aback, staring at her in disbelief. "You agree?" Ren Wanyun valued Shen Qing above all else—how could she so easily consent to this marriage? Especially knowing Huang Dexing's... inclinations.
"Yes," Ren Wanyun replied, her face etched with sorrow. "In her condition, what respectable family would take her? After much thought, I believe the Huang family is the only choice. At least she won't lack for food or clothing there. If she truly suffers... then it's her fate." She covered her face with her sleeve and began to sob quietly.
Seeing her like this, Shen Gui's suspicions eased somewhat. He began to believe her words. After all, Shen Qing was no longer an untouched maiden, and the Huang family merely needed a noble daughter to fill the role of Young Mistress Huang, masking the truth from society. Marrying Huang Dexing would ensure Shen Qing a life of comfort—the best outcome possible. As a woman, she might never know romantic fulfillment, but after what had happened, who would want her anyway?
With this in mind, Shen Gui sighed and walked over to pat Ren Wanyun's back consolingly. "It's good you've come around. Qing'er is still my daughter—I wouldn't harm her. I have some rapport with Lord Huang; I'll ask him to look after her. Once she's married into the Huang family, she won't be mistreated."
Ren Wanyun inwardly scorned his sanctimonious words but outwardly wore an expression of reliance. "Then I must trouble you, Master, to mention it to Lord Huang and have the Huang family send someone to exchange the marriage certificate."
"So soon?" Shen Gui was startled.
"Given Qing'er's state, how can we delay?" Ren Wanyun sighed. "The longer we wait, the more likely people will notice something amiss—she hasn't been seen outside for so long. Marrying into the Huang family would at least cover some of it. Besides," she pressed a hand to her chest, "the longer we wait, the more anxious I grow. Ever since Qing'er's... incident, I've been terrified."
Seeing her distress, Shen Gui pondered for a moment before nodding. "You make a fair point. Qing'er's matter can't be postponed. Very well, I'll write to Lord Huang today to propose this. Once the marriage certificate is exchanged, we can discuss the wedding date.""Everything depends on you, my lord," Ren Wanyun said meekly.
Shen Gui spoke a few more words before leaving satisfied. Today, Ren Wanyun had been docile, admitting her mistakes and following his instructions, which lifted his spirits considerably. The gloom of recent days dissipated, and his steps seemed light with self-satisfaction.
After Shen Gui left the Colorful Cloud Courtyard, Xiang Lan closed the outer door and asked anxiously, "Madam, is it really wise to keep this matter from the master?"
Ren Wanyun had led Shen Gui to believe that Shen Qing was truly willing to marry Huang Dexing, but she hadn't revealed her plan to switch the marriages between Shen Qing and Shen Miao. This way, Shen Qing would marry the truly virtuous Wei Qian, while Shen Miao would be wedded to the debauched and cut sleeve Huang Dexing.
Naturally, Shen Gui couldn't know about this. Regardless of the outcome, a man like Shen Gui, whose career might be affected, would never take such risks. But Ren Wanyun couldn't let her own daughter step into the fire.
"Of course we must keep it from him. He's so heartless, wanting to trade my Qing'er for his own advancement without even asking if I agree." Ren Wanyun sneered. Her husband's indifference and her daughter's plight had aged her noticeably in recent days, as if wrinkles had appeared overnight. The once-kindly face now bore only a venomous expression. "This must be foolproof. Even if he finds out later, it will be too late."
"But won't this harm the Second Young Lady?" Cai Ju asked. "Even if the switch succeeds, how will the Huang and Wei families react when they learn the truth?"
"Don't worry," Ren Wanyun clenched the paperweight in her hand. "The Huangs only care about appearances—one bride is as good as another. As for the Weis, if they dare speak up, I'll accuse them of defiling an innocent girl. There are ways to silence them. Besides," her face twisted with malice, "what's wrong with my Qing'er? How could she be inferior to that little wretch Shen Miao! The Weis should count themselves lucky to have her instead!"
At the mention of Shen Miao, Ren Wanyun trembled with hatred. Xiang Lan and Cai Ju immediately lowered their heads in silence, not daring to speak further.
After a moment, Ren Wanyun's voice rang out again: "But for now, the most important thing is to hasten the two marriages. We must act before my elder brother and his wife return to the capital."
"The eldest master won't return until the New Year—there are still several months left," Xiang Lan stepped forward to remind her. "But the Fifth Young Lady is too unruly. If she finds out about the arranged marriage, she might cause a scene or even try to escape the Shen Mansion at night. What then?"
"Escape?" Ren Wanyun snarled. "Let's see if she has the ability. Isn't she confined to the ancestral hall now? Starting today, lock the hall!"
She intended to imprison Shen Miao alive!
Xiang Lan and Cai Ju were startled, both lowering their heads. In the past, the Shen Mansion's oppression of Shen Miao had been subtle, a slow and steady erosion. This was the first time such ruthless measures had been taken against her, almost brazenly tearing off all pretenses."That little wretch is full of tricks. The only way is to lock her up. When the time comes, just send her onto the sedan chair with a cup of wine—let her cry to heaven and earth without answer. The Huang family isn’t one to be trifled with either. After a few days of proper discipline, she’ll learn to behave." Ren Wanyun’s words dripped with undisguised malice. "And if that doesn’t work, there’s always His Highness the Prince." She laughed smugly.
...
Winter grew increasingly colder, while frequent victories arrived from the northwest deserts. The army led by Shen Xin had repelled the enemy with remarkable bravery, striking fear into their hearts on the battlefield. Naturally, rumors spread in Fixed Capital that by year’s end, upon his return to the capital, Shen Xin would be rewarded with countless honors and accolades.
The Shen family’s glory was indeed the envy of many, but it had been earned through blood and steel on the battlefield. With the Xiongnu still undefeated and neighboring countries watching covetously, the Ming Qi imperial family had no choice but to rely heavily on the Shens—though what the future held remained uncertain. After all, "when the cunning hare is dead, the hound is boiled"—a favorite pastime of royalty, as ministers changed with each new reign. Especially now, with the undercurrents of rivalry among the nine princes of Ming Qi’s imperial family, no one dared underestimate the brewing storm.
As for recent gossip in Fixed Capital, the talk was of the Shen family’s impending marriage alliances. Yet for some reason, the details remained shrouded in secrecy. It was only known that two families had come forward with proposals: one from the Wei family, the Vice Minister of the Central Secretariat, and the other from the Huang family, the Director of the Imperial Treasury. Both were prestigious households, and their young masters were considered talented and promising—worthy matches for the Shen family. Since Shen Yue still attended the Hall of Extensive Learning as usual, speculation arose that the brides-to-be must be Shen Miao, the legitimate daughter of the eldest branch, and Shen Qing, the legitimate daughter of the second branch.
While Shen Qing’s situation was straightforward, Shen Miao’s was more delicate. Among current military officials, only the Marquis of Lin’an could compare to her father. However, the Marquis seemed a shrewd man, remaining in the capital unless commanded by the emperor to lead campaigns, whereas Shen Xin was stationed at the border year-round.
With a father like Shen Xin, who held such formidable military power, whoever Shen Miao married would gain a powerful ally. The Ming Qi imperial family watched closely. Fortunately, the two suitors were both from civil official backgrounds, unconnected to the military. Moreover, the Wei and Huang families, though prestigious, adhered to a moderate path and had yet to be dragged into the murky waters of the succession struggle. Compared to other possibilities—especially the previously widespread rumors of Shen Miao’s infatuation with Prince Ding—this marriage arrangement seemed far smoother.
At the Hall of Extensive Learning, Yi Peilan asked Shen Yue, "Are your sisters really getting married? They haven’t even come to the Hall lately."
Since the incident at Crouching Dragon Temple, neither Shen Miao nor Shen Qing had left the mansion, let alone attended the Hall. Shen Miao was under house arrest, while Shen Qing was recuperating.
Shen Yue smiled faintly. "I don’t know. Mother has been very secretive about it, but I suppose so."
"Still, your sisters are quite lucky," Jiang Xiaoxuan mused. "Especially Shen Miao. Both Master Wei and Master Huang are excellent matches. How come it didn’t fall to you instead?"Shen Yue pretended to be angry: "I still want to stay at home for a few more years. Marriage is the last thing on my mind." Yet, there was indeed a knot in her heart. At their age, it was natural to start worrying about marriage. But in the Shen Mansion, Shen Miao, who was two years younger than her, was already engaged, leaving her behind. Shen Qing was understandable—her reputation was already ruined—but knowing that even Shen Miao might secure a good marriage filled Shen Yue with indescribable jealousy.
Perhaps she simply couldn't stand seeing Shen Miao doing well, especially when Shen Miao, who had once been inferior to her in every way, now had the Wei family actively seeking her hand in marriage. This meant that Shen Miao was being acknowledged as worthy. If not for Chen Ruoqiu's persuasion, Shen Yue might have continued obsessing over this injustice.
"You, you," Bai Wei tapped her forehead, "At your prime age, you should naturally plan for yourself. Look over there," she gestured with her chin, "What do you think of him?"
She was pointing in Cai Lin's direction. Shen Yue followed Bai Wei's gaze, and when Cai Lin noticed her looking, he turned his head, froze for a moment, then awkwardly averted his eyes.
Shen Yue's eyes instantly reddened, and she bit her lower lip hard.
The boy who had once been infatuated with her now avoided her like the plague. For someone as proud as Shen Yue, this felt like an unbearable humiliation.
Cai Lin avoided Shen Yue's accusatory gaze, feeling troubled. Ever since being taught a lesson by Shen Miao at the Verification Ground, he had developed an inexplicable fear of her. It was as if an instinctive dread of danger made him want to stay away from Shen Miao. Moreover, Xie Jingxing had seemingly intervened on Shen Miao's behalf that day. Though Cai Lin was a notorious bully in Fixed Capital, even he wouldn't dare cross Xie Jingxing. Whether Xie Jingxing's intervention had been intentional or not, Cai Lin had no intention of provoking Shen Miao again.
And that day, Shen Yue hadn't spared him a single glance, completely extinguishing the young man's once-burning heart.
Seeing Shen Yue's discomfort, Yi Peilan pursed her lips and changed the subject with a smile. "By the way, isn't Old Madam Shen's birthday in half a month? I should start picking out a gift."
Old Madam Shen's birthday celebrations were always extravagant, rivaling those of the imperial family. The old lady, with her shallow worldview, believed that the grander the celebration, the more face she gained. Every year, she invited many officials, much to the delight of Shen Gui and Shen Wan, as it helped them strengthen ties with their colleagues.
Naturally, gifts were expected at such a celebration. By the time of the birthday banquet next month, Yi Peilan and the others would surely be in attendance. After all, every year, the Shen family invited nearly all the respectable officials in Ming Qi.
"Oh, right," Bai Wei seemed to have just remembered, "I almost forgot about that. Thanks for reminding me, Peilan. Yue'er, what gift have you prepared for Old Madam Shen this year?"
As the capital's talented young lady, Shen Yue always managed to bring honor to Old Madam Shen during the birthday celebrations. If Shen Qing presented something expensive, Shen Yue would offer something exquisitely unique. Only Shen Miao's gifts were always laughably inappropriate.
"Just an embroidered portrait, nothing special," Shen Yue replied modestly."You've got me curious now," Jiang Xiaoxuan said mischievously. "What will your fifth sister give as a gift? Could it be that she's so busy embroidering her wedding dress that she's completely forgotten about Old Madam's birthday present?"
Feng Anning, who had been resting her head on the table nearby, snorted upon hearing this and got up to leave.
Yi Peilan and the others' conversation also reached Pei Lang's ears as he was packing up his things after class. These days, he had naturally heard the news about Shen Miao's impending engagement, but it gave him a strange feeling. That girl's eyes were like those of a wild beast—would she really submit to being confined to the inner chambers at such a young age?
Meanwhile, the subject of everyone's discussion, Shen Miao, was in the ancestral hall, arranging the chess pieces before her in a straight line.
The wind in the ancestral hall carried a chilling coldness, and the grayish-blue stone floor was so icy that kneeling on it sent a deep chill straight to the bones. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu had brought some soft cushions, but they did little to help. It was Shen Miao who instructed them to brew some medicinal herbs and place them in the corners of the room. The fumes from the herbs could ward off the cold and prevent illness.
At first, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu didn't believe it, but when they saw how effective the herbal decoction was, they asked Shen Miao where she had learned such a secret remedy. Shen Miao merely said she had heard it from someone else, but in truth, she had learned it during her years as a hostage in the Qin State. The winters were harsh, and money was scarce, so she had resorted to the cheapest folk remedies to keep warm and dispel the dampness from her body. Compared to those days, the cold in the ancestral hall was nothing.
"Miss, you're still playing chess?" Jing Zhe stamped her feet.
Shen Miao arranged the chess pieces in a straight line. On the board, the originally scattered pieces were now neatly separated into black and white, showing no discernible strategy.
"Chun Tao has already sent word through Mo Qing," Jing Zhe continued when Shen Miao remained silent. "The Second Madam wants to switch your engagement with the Eldest Miss's. That Huang family's young master is a cut sleeve! What are we going to do? How can you still be in the mood to play chess here?"
They had thought it was a good match, but when Shen Miao refused Old Madam Shen's proposal in the Hall of Glory and Scenery, she was confined to the ancestral hall. Even so, Chun Tao had found out that the Shen family had already agreed to the engagement behind Shen Miao's back—only those in the West Courtyard were unaware. In other words, everyone except Shen Miao knew she was about to be married.
If it were to Wei Qian, it might have been tolerable—at least he was known for his upright character. But Huang Dexing was a cut sleeve! Wouldn't Shen Miao be condemned to a living widowhood if she married him? The maids were nearly driven mad upon hearing this, and even Mo Qing offered to help Shen Miao escape if she was willing.
Mo Qing, having once been a man of the jianghu, didn't realize that running away might be easy, but it would leave the truth behind to be twisted by others. Besides, Shen Miao had no intention of fleeing from the start and flatly refused the idea.
"If that won't work, at least have Mo Qing deliver a message to the Master on your behalf," Gu Yu urged. "This matter is being kept from him too. They want to marry you off before the Master returns to the capital, so once it's done, there'll be no turning back." She knew Shen Miao had her own plans now, but since she wasn't saying anything, the maids could only fret helplessly on her behalf."What message?" Shen Miao said coolly. "The West Courtyard is now guarded by Ren Wanyun's people. Not even a fly could get out. If I escape, what would happen to those left in the courtyard? Though I'm not particularly merciful, some of them were deliberately left to me by my parents. Believe me, the moment I leave, Ren Wanyun would immediately silence everyone in the courtyard."
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu froze.
"Besides, do you think sending a message is that simple? This place is watched day and night. Their intention is clearly to imprison me—do you really think they'd leave any loopholes for me to exploit? You're underestimating my second aunt too much."
In Shen Miao's eyes, Ren Wanyun's intellect was hardly a threat. However, in this world, a mother's love makes her strong. For Shen Qing's happiness, Ren Wanyun would naturally go all out to accomplish this matter. The stakes Ren Wanyun had placed on this were not small either. After all, the idea of a marriage exchange likely hadn't been discussed with Shen Gui—it was her own scheme. If successful, everyone would rejoice; if it failed, Ren Wanyun might find herself with no place left in the second branch of the Shen family.
"But Miss, are we just going to let this go?" Jing Zhe said anxiously. "This servant would rather die than let you marry that cut sleeve!"
"Can you see the game being played on this board?" Shen Miao didn't answer directly, instead pointing to the chessboard on the table.
The black and white pieces were arranged in two distinct rows, forming a strange and clear divide.
"This servant... this servant doesn't understand chess, but even I can tell this isn't a normal way to play," Gu Yu answered cautiously after a long pause.
"What do you see?" Shen Miao asked.
Jing Zhe mustered her courage and replied, "The white and black pieces are lined up together, very clearly separated."
"Exactly." A glint flashed in Shen Miao's eyes. "This game is about laying all the pieces on the table. You know my moves, and I know yours. The winner will be decided by skill alone."
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu exchanged puzzled glances, not quite understanding Shen Miao's meaning.
"Ren Wanyun thinks she knows all my pieces, but that's not the case." She took out another black piece from behind her and placed it beside the white ones. "I still have one final move."
"Old Madam Shen's birthday is next month, isn't it?" she suddenly asked.
"Yes," Jing Zhe replied. "According to what Chun Tao found out, the Second Madam intends to announce your engagement during Old Madam Shen's birthday banquet."
"They're all rushing to do this before Father returns to the capital." Shen Miao smiled faintly.
"Yes, there are still a few months until the New Year. I'm afraid we won't make it in time," Gu Yu said worriedly.
"Is that so?"
Shen Xin's triumphant return to the capital should indeed have been around the New Year. However, in the 68th year of Ming Qi, because Shen Xin had repelled the enemy forces in the northwest, forcing them to flee in disarray, they submitted their surrender early. The Shen Family Army thus returned to Fixed Capital several months ahead of schedule with the surrender document.
Coincidentally—or perhaps because Shen Xin wished to show filial piety—he had never been in the capital for Old Madam Shen's birthday. Over time, people began to say he was unfilial. So, in the 68th year of Ming Qi, for Old Madam Shen's 70th birthday, Shen Xin returned early.
That day, when Shen Xin suddenly arrived home, Old Madam Shen was hosting a banquet for guests, but Shen Miao was absent. Why? Because she was hiding in Prince Ding's Residence. Shen Xin had hoped to return and enjoy family harmony, only to learn his daughter had disregarded propriety so thoroughly. He immediately turned around to demand her return from Prince Ding's Residence, but she, swayed by Fu Xiuyi's false tenderness, ignored Shen Xin's words and even threatened to kill herself unless she could marry Prince Ding.
Looking back now, it was nothing but a tragedy. Shen Xin, covered in dust from his journey, returned to see such an unfilial daughter, dragging the Shen family into the abyss with no way back.
This life was not the past. She had neither fled the Shen family because of Prince Yu nor blindly obsessed over Fu Xiuyi's handsome facade. If Shen Xin returned to see a different daughter, perhaps it could atone for some of the sins of her past life.
"Father has always respected Old Madam Shen, hasn't he?" Shen Miao said quietly.
"Yes," Jing Zhe answered.Old Madam Shen came from a background as a singing girl and was an excellent actress. Back then, she played the role of a loving mother flawlessly—so perfectly that not even the slightest flaw could be challenged when the old general was still alive. Military men value loyalty, and Shen Xin, being one who repaid kindness, had received Old Madam Shen's favors in his early years. This made it impossible for him to imagine the vicious heart hidden beneath that seemingly righteous facade.
"This time, Second Aunt has actually done me a favor," Shen Miao said with a faint smile, her bright eyes gleaming astonishingly. "Perfect timing—let’s tear it all open for the world to see."
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Father, Mother, and Brother are finally coming back ┭┮﹏┭┮
...
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