The day passed quickly, and by the third day when Shen Miao arrived at Fengxian Pawnshop, the Chen brothers had already been waiting for a long time.
Compared to before, the two seemed to have changed significantly. Especially Chen Yueshan—his once bold and straightforward aura, like a towering green mountain, had vanished, replaced by a deep gloom. Shen Miao glanced at Chen Yueshan and Chen Yuehai, already forming an idea in her mind. No doubt, the two had already inquired about their sisters' situation—perhaps even witnessed it firsthand. For decisive martial artists like them, seeing their own flesh and blood reduced to such a wretched state must have been a tremendous shock. Otherwise, in her past life, the Chen family wouldn’t have recklessly attempted to assassinate Prince Yu.
"Miss Shen," Chen Yuehai spoke first, "Earlier, you mentioned a way to prevent the imperial family from tracing this back to the Chen family. Could you enlighten us?"
Ji Yushu stared into his teacup as if trying to divine flowers from its depths, deliberately avoiding Shen Miao’s gaze.
Shen Miao sighed. "Naturally, I wish to help. But as I said before, this involves great risk on my part. In a way, the Shen family would be tied to the same boat as yours. If anything goes wrong, the Shen family will suffer as well."
Chen Yueshan paused, then said, "I understand this is asking too much. But if you’re willing to assist, the Chen family is prepared to give half of our wealth to the Shen family."
At this, even Ji Yushu couldn’t help but look up at Chen Yueshan.
The Chen family was the wealthiest in Jiangnan, a region long known for its prosperity. Their fortune likely surpassed even the imperial family’s. Handing over half of it would be an immense boon to the Shen family—like adding wings to a tiger.
Hearing this, Shen Miao couldn’t help but feel momentarily dazed as she looked at Chen Yueshan’s pleading face. The Chen sisters had suffered torment, and for revenge, the Chen family was willing to pay such a price—knowing full well that even with her help, success wasn’t guaranteed. Yet they were still willing to gamble, which only underscored how much the sisters meant to them. In her past life, when she was imprisoned and isolated in the imperial harem, if the Shen family had still been around, would her parents and brother have spared no cost to save her?
"Miss Shen?" Chen Yueshan called out when he noticed her distraction.
Shen Miao snapped out of her thoughts and smiled faintly. "Half your fortune is unnecessary. I’ll help, but not for your wealth—only to forge a bond of goodwill. In the future, should I need the Chen family’s assistance, I hope you won’t refuse. Besides, I, too, have a grudge against Prince Yu’s household. If it isn’t destroyed, trouble will inevitably find its way to me." She met Chen Yueshan’s gaze. "We’re on the same boat now."
Chen Yueshan studied the young woman before him. Her eyes were clear, her tone sincere, as if every word she spoke was ironclad and unshakable. From their first meeting until now, she had never behaved like a girl in the bloom of youth. He couldn’t help but wonder—if his sisters had possessed even half of this girl’s temperament and cunning, would they have ended up in such a miserable state?
The thought of his sisters immediately darkened his mood again. "What is your plan, Miss Shen?"
"For now, don’t concern yourself with the imperial family. Things will settle in due time. As for your move, the best opportunity will be next month. Prince Yu is marrying my cousin then. The day after the wedding, security will be lax. Strike at dawn—it’ll be foolproof."
"You—" Chen Yueshan wanted to say something but shook his head instead. "How can you resolve the imperial family’s involvement within a month?"
Shen Miao cast a knowing glance at Ji Yushu, who was sipping his tea. "That’s not your concern. Your priority is to gather your men." She paused. "Prince Yu’s manor is vast. You’ll need to familiarize yourselves with its layout beforehand. On the day of the attack, aside from my cousin, once you’ve rescued your sisters, leave no survivors."
"Don’t worry, we understand," Chen Yuehai said.
"I don’t know what the martial world’s rules are for extermination, but when I say ‘leave no survivors,’ I mean exactly that—women, children, servants, concubines—none must live. Turn Prince Yu’s entire manor into a tomb."
The Chen brothers were stunned. Chen Yuehai frowned. "Even the concubines? Most of them were abducted by Prince Yu—they’re victims too."
Shen Miao sneered. "A centipede dies but never falls. If you show mercy, you’ll only bring ruin upon the Chen family—and the Shen family will be dragged down with you."
Her words were icy. After a moment, Chen Yueshan nodded. "We won’t leave any loose ends to trouble you."
"Good." Shen Miao smiled. "Then I wish you success in avenging your sisters and painting the manor red."
After further discussion, the Chen brothers took their leave. Once they were gone, Ji Yushu finally spoke. "Miss Shen, for someone so young, you seem to know a great deal. I saw it clearly just now—those Chen brothers are seasoned men, yet they followed your lead without question. A woman as clever and beautiful as you—I’ve never met one before. I wonder if I might have the honor someday to stroll with you in spring, drift on a lake in summer, or—" What had started as a proper conversation quickly devolved into the ramblings of a flirtatious rogue.
"Shopkeeper Ji," Shen Miao cut in, "is this all you wanted to say?"
"Ahem." Ji Yushu cleared his throat. "Actually, I merely wished to inform you that the rumors have been planted and have reached the palace. Soon, the results you desire will come to pass."
Shen Miao was slightly startled. Though she knew Fengxian Pawnshop had its ways, she hadn’t expected them to act so swiftly. They must have connections within the palace—otherwise, spreading such rumors discreetly would have been difficult. The pawnshop’s influence ran deep. She hadn’t bothered hiding her dealings with the Chen brothers, knowing it was futile.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper Ji." Shen Miao lowered her eyes. "Once the matter is settled, I’ll honor our prior agreement."
Ji Yushu grew uncharacteristically serious. "Miss Shen, there’s one thing I don’t understand."
"Go ahead."
"You’re using the Shen family as collateral in our deal. Aren’t you afraid that one day, I might ask the Shen family to do something dangerous—pushing them into the eye of the storm? That wouldn’t be a fair trade." He watched her closely for any reaction.
Without blinking, Shen Miao replied coolly, "Rather than worrying about future troubles, it’s better to focus on the present. If that day comes, it’ll simply be the Shen family’s fate."
Ji Yushu looked puzzled. "Really?"
"Fake." In the secret chamber, Xie Jingxing lazily commented on the conversation relayed to him.
"Only an idiot like Yushu would believe her," Gao Yang said. "Her lies are flawless—Yushu’s no match for her."
"No need to worry." Xie Jingxing smirked. "Once she’s on my boat, getting off won’t be so easy."
When Shen Miao stood to take her leave, Ji Yushu suddenly added, "Oh, Miss Shen, about that girl Liuying you asked me to look into—there might be news soon. If you’re in a hurry, we might have answers in a few days."
But her response caught him off guard. "No rush. Take your time. I’ll wait."
After she left, Ji Yushu shook his head and muttered as he walked inside, "Even more inscrutable than Shaoyao. At least Shaoyao’s happy with pearls. Does this one prefer heads?" He shuddered and hurried indoors.
In the palace, the emperor’s study was piled high with memorials. Emperor Wenhui sat at his desk, an open document before him, yet his gaze was distant. Nearing sixty, his temples were streaked with silver, and though his spirit remained vigorous, the world saw only an aging tiger—one that would soon be replaced.
His expression darkened as he rasped, "Did Prince Yu really execute an identical assassin?"
Two black-clad men before him bowed. "Your Majesty, it’s confirmed. The captive was tortured. Moreover, Prince Yu’s own subordinate admitted that His Highness recently executed a masked guard."
Emperor Wenhui closed his eyes and suddenly swept his arm across the desk, sending a paperweight crashing to the floor. After a moment, he laughed coldly. "Prince Yu… I underestimated him."
The palace was rife with spies—concubines, ministers, even the empress—all vying for information to gain an edge. The emperor was no exception; only with eyes everywhere could his throne remain secure.
When his informants first reported Prince Yu’s execution of a lookalike assassin, Emperor Wenhui had refused to believe it. Royal bonds were frail—he’d ascended the throne over his brothers’ corpses. He’d spared Prince Yu, the eleventh prince, because of one perilous night when the younger man had shielded him at the cost of his own leg.
For years, Emperor Wenhui had indulged Prince Yu, not just out of gratitude, but as a reminder that he, too, was capable of kinship. In a world where even his sons schemed against him, Prince Yu had been the sole proof of pure loyalty.
Now, it all seemed a farce. That night might have been staged—even Prince Yu’s crippled leg could be a ruse.
What did Prince Yu want? A coup? History was rife with tales of hidden ambition and betrayal. The emperor’s trust had curdled into fury and suspicion. Once planted, royal doubt grew into an immovable tree.
"Keep Prince Yu’s manor under surveillance. I want to see what game he’s playing."
Eunuch Gao stood silently, head bowed, as if deaf to his master’s rage. But inwardly, he sighed: Troubled times ahead.
As the year’s end approached, the capital remained deceptively calm. People bustled with New Year preparations, even the poor touched by faint joy.
Yet not everyone was merry.
In the palace gardens, Prince Li strolled with Prince Xiang.
Among Prince Li’s faction, Prince Xiang and Prince Cheng were the weakest, deferring to him with utmost respect. Unlike the crown prince’s steadiness or the Zhou and Jing princes’ brilliance, Prince Li walked a middle path—neither the most talented nor the most favored, yet impeccably diplomatic. Behind his affable smile, however, lurked a cunning fox.
"Sixth Brother, lately, I’ve heard Father has grown cold toward Uncle Yu," Prince Xiang remarked.
"You’ve noticed too." Prince Li smiled, his eyes crinkling amiably. "Father has always doted on Uncle Yu. Yet recently, despite Uncle Yu’s repeated requests for an audience, Father has feigned busyness. It’s obvious he’s snubbing him."
Emperor Wenhui had once gone so far as to banish a favored concubine who offended Prince Yu, declaring, "Prince Yu is my flesh and blood. To disrespect him is to disrespect me!" His sudden change was impossible to miss.
"But why?" Prince Xiang frowned. "What could Uncle Yu have done to anger Father? In the past, no matter how outrageous his actions, Father never reprimanded him. And lately, there’s been no word of any misdeeds."
"Do you know what Uncle Yu sought from Father?"
Prince Xiang shook his head.
"Seventh Brother," Prince Li said, patting his shoulder like an elder admonishing a naive junior, "in the palace, you must keep your eyes open. I can’t always watch out for you."
Prince Xiang smiled sheepishly. "I’ll follow Sixth Brother’s lead. You’re wiser than I."
"I heard Uncle Yu’s request concerned the Shen family."
"The Shen family?" Prince Xiang’s eyes widened. "Did Uncle Yu anger Father over them?" He pondered. "But Uncle Yu is marrying the second branch’s daughter. Surely Father wouldn’t begrudge him that?"
No one knew the emperor’s limits better than his sons. If Prince Yu had crossed the line, it could only be over power. The second branch’s Shen Gui was a mere third-rank civil official with no real influence—hardly worth the emperor’s ire.
"Exactly." Prince Li’s tone turned meaningful. "But Uncle Yu asked to marry the first branch’s daughter—Shen Miao."
"Ah." Understanding dawned on Prince Xiang. "Shen Xin holds military power. For Uncle Yu to seek his daughter’s hand would indeed alarm Father. But why would Uncle Yu suddenly want Shen Miao? Wasn’t he set on Shen Qing? Even if Father indulges his whims, this is too reckless."
"I don’t know." Prince Li shook his head. "Uncle Yu has always pushed boundaries, yet remained a loyal subject. This time, he’s gone too far."
"Father would never permit the marriage. But instead of refusing outright, he’s avoiding Uncle Yu—as if sending a warning."
"Perhaps his patience has run out." Prince Li sighed. "Best we stay out of it. These days, Father’s temper is short. Best not to provoke him."
"Sixth Brother is right." Prince Xiang nodded.
After they left, a figure emerged from the garden’s depths—Prince Ding, Fu Xiuyi. He gazed after them, murmuring thoughtfully, "Shen Miao…"
Elsewhere, Gao Yang remarked, "Shen Miao wasn’t raised by Shen Xin’s side, nor trained in martial arts. Yet her temperament ensures no one dares bully her."
Noticing Gao Yang’s distraction, Ji Yushu added, "Come to think of it, though I planted the rumors about the imperial family, everything followed Shen Miao’s plan. Looking back, it’s terrifying. Prince Yu seems to have lost his mind lately—directly asking Emperor Wenhui for Shen Miao’s hand, knowing full well that marrying the daughter of a general with military power would paint him as a traitor in the emperor’s eyes. And just as she predicted, the emperor’s suspicion deepened with every spark. At this rate, he wouldn’t bat an eye if Prince Yu died. This plays perfectly into the Chen family’s hands. Shen Miao’s scheme is seamless—not a single misstep."
"Because she accounts for everything." Gao Yang sighed. Xie Jingxing was right—no matter how perilous Shen Miao’s plans seemed, they always achieved her exact goals. For her, there was no such thing as an "accident."
Gao Yang mused mischievously: How satisfying it would be to see Shen Miao flustered by an unforeseen twist.
"Regardless, I believe Shen Miao is worth befriending." Ji Yushu declared solemnly. "Plus, judging by her looks, she’ll blossom into a beauty in a few years. A woman so clever and fair—how could I, Ji Yushu, let her slip away?" He flashed what he deemed a dashing smile. "I’ve decided—she shall join Shaoyao as one of my cherished confidantes."
Gao Yang turned away, refusing to humor the fool.
Meanwhile, the object of Ji Yushu’s admiration was rummaging through her belongings.
"Little Sister, are you picking gifts for Shen Qing’s dowry?" Shen Qiu scratched his head.
Shen Miao sifted through the emperor’s bestowed treasures until she found a jade pillow—smooth, cool to the touch, glowing faintly in the light.
"Are you giving this to Shen Qing?"
With Shen Qing’s wedding approaching, the Shen household was busy with preparations. Shen Yue had recently asked Shen Miao about dowry gifts, which Shen Qiu had overheard. Noticing Shen Miao’s earlier lack of action, he assumed she’d finally remembered.
"This?" Shen Miao held up the pillow. "No."
"Oh." Shen Qiu asked, "Are you keeping it for yourself? It looks nice."
Shen Miao lowered her gaze. This was the Ice Silkworm Pillow. In her past life, after entering the palace, Shen Xin had included it in her dowry. Later, when she became empress, Mei Furen—then the emperor’s favorite—claimed headaches and demanded the pillow. Wan Yu, who had been using it, refused and quarreled with Mei Furen, breaking the pillow in the process. Fu Xiuyi harshly punished Wan Yu, and not long after, news arrived of the Xiongnu’s marriage alliance.
Now, it was all a distant, painful dream.
"Little Sister?" Shen Qiu called worriedly when she didn’t respond.
"This is for a friend," Shen Miao said. "As for Shen Qing’s dowry, if you have time, pick something for me. Otherwise, I’ll have Gu Yu buy something." Her tone was indifferent toward Shen Qing.
"Oh." Shen Qiu nodded dumbly. Only after she left did he smack his forehead. "Stupid! I forgot to ask who the pillow’s for!"
Outside, Jing Zhe asked, "Miss, who’s the pillow for?"
"A friend."
If she wanted the Chen family’s loyalty in the future, she couldn’t be stingy. Favors and timely aid forged steadfast alliances. The art of winning people over—she’d learned it all from Fu Xiuyi.
For the traumatized Chen sisters, a pillow that soothed nerves would be invaluable.
[Author’s Note: Countdown to the massacre begins, haha!]
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