Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.
The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month was an auspicious day, suitable for weddings and funerals alike. It was also the day Prince Yu's Manor, silent for many years, would welcome a new Royal Consort. After years of widowhood, Prince Yu's Manor was finally gaining a new mistress. However, everyone knew all too well that this was hardly a joyous occasion. Take the previous Royal Consort of Prince Yu, for example—who could say when this celebration might turn into a funeral?
The bride-to-be was Shen Qing, the legitimate daughter of the second branch of the Shen family in Fixed Capital. Among the three legitimate daughters of the Grand General of Might's household, Shen Miao had once been notorious for her incompetence and foolishness, Shen Yue was renowned for her talents, and Shen Qing could be considered beautiful, capable, and intelligent. Yet, this perfectly fine young lady was now marrying someone like Prince Yu. The thought alone was enough to evoke sighs of pity.
"That Shen Gui must be out of his mind," someone in the crowd of onlookers whispered. "Isn't this just watching his own daughter jump into a pit of fire? What a sin."
"What do you know?" another retorted dismissively. "My cousin who works as an official told me that the eldest daughter of the Shen family had already been secretly involved with Prince Yu. She’s even pregnant. If it weren’t for the royal blood in her belly, she’d have been drowned in a pond."
"Ah, is what you’re saying true?" Those around them were visibly shocked, clearly unaware of this detail.
The speaker shook his head smugly. "Of course it is. I heard that during the palace’s celebratory banquet, all the civil and military officials witnessed it themselves. So, the eldest daughter of the Shen family isn’t pitiable at all—she brought this upon herself."
"Exactly. Getting pregnant before marriage—such disgraceful behavior!"
"Utterly shameless!"
"How could the second branch of the Shen family raise such a daughter? General Shen is a man of integrity and honor. This truly tarnishes the family name."
"What does this have to do with General Shen? He’s rarely in Fixed Capital—it’s the other two branches who raised their daughters this way."
The crowd buzzed with chatter, their words dripping with contempt for Shen Qing. What began as sympathy quickly turned into scorn, as if the shift had happened in an instant. Even Shen Gui and Ren Wanyun were not spared from the gossip.
The person who had first mentioned Shen Qing’s pregnancy quietly smirked before slipping away into the crowd.
Inside Shen Mansion, the wedding attendant was helping Shen Qing with her makeup.
Ren Wanyun stood behind Shen Qing, tightly twisting the handkerchief in her hands, as if she wished she could tear it to shreds. The daughter she had raised with such care was now being pushed into a pit of fire before her very eyes. No mother could bear to see her child suffer, and for Ren Wanyun, it felt as though a knife were cutting into her flesh.
Unlike Ren Wanyun, Shen Qing showed no strong emotions. She sat quietly, allowing the attendant to fuss over her. The attendant smiled warmly and said, "Young Miss, I’m going to thread your face now. It might hurt a little, but bear with it. Once it’s over, you’ll be a beautiful bride."
These words only deepened Ren Wanyun’s anguish, nearly causing her to faint from the pain. Shen Qing, however, stared blankly at her reflection in the bronze mirror. If not for the occasional blink of her eyes, one might have mistaken her for a lifeless corpse.The wedding matron felt a chill looking at Shen Qing's demeanor. She took out a thin cotton thread from her box and began to perform the facial threading ritual on Shen Qing. This process, meant to cleanse the face to a pristine whiteness, was indeed painful. Usually, young ladies would cry out delicately in discomfort. Yet as the thread passed over Shen Qing's face, she remained expressionless, as if already dead.
"Qing'er..." Ren Wanyun couldn't hold back her tears.
Seeing this scene—the bride showing no joy but instead exuding an air of lifeless despair—the wedding matron understood the situation. She barely uttered any auspicious words, quickly finished applying the bridal makeup, then found an excuse to leave.
Only Ren Wanyun, Shen Qing, and a few maids remained in the room.
Ren Wanyun's tears wouldn't stop flowing. In just a few short months, she had aged like an old woman, her face now lined with wrinkles and streaked with white hair, bearing no resemblance to the once opulently dressed, plump and shrewd noblewoman she used to be.
"Mother, don't worry," Shen Qing spoke first, her voice hoarse with a strange tone—somewhere between crying and laughing. "What I suffer today won't be in vain. I will take revenge myself."
"Qing'er, your mother has failed you," Ren Wanyun stepped forward to embrace her.
Shen Qing remained wooden in her arms, rasping, "Neither father nor mother can help me. I'll avenge myself." Her tone was gloomy, yet the overwhelming resentment was palpable to all. Shen Gui's cold indifference and Ren Wanyun's hesitation had rendered them powerless against Shen Qing's marriage fate, and now Shen Qing had come to resent her own parents.
Being hated by her own daughter struck Ren Wanyun like lightning, yet she knew she bore responsibility for how things had turned out. Had she not schemed against Shen Miao, had she stepped outside to check that night at Crouching Dragon Temple, or had she not written to Prince Yu about the switched identities—perhaps Shen Qing wouldn't have been driven to such desperate straits.
She forced a smile. "Don't be afraid, Qing'er. I swear I'll avenge you. Your second brother will surely ruin that little slut's reputation."
In the main hall of Shen Mansion, Old Madam Shen sat stiffly in the central chair, her face dark. Shen Yuanbai half-leaned in her lap, seemingly frightened by her severe expression, not daring to move.
"What dowry additions?" Old Madam Shen snapped. "After committing such shameless acts, she still has the face to ask for more? Second Son, this is the fine daughter you raised!" Vain and obsessed with maintaining appearances, Old Madam Shen had eventually learned about Shen Qing's scandal that even officials knew—a humiliation she felt had tarnished the family name, making her loathe both Shen Qing and her mother.
Shen Gui hastily agreed, wishing he could divorce Ren Wanyun on the spot.
Shen Qiu's expression turned peculiar at this, as if suppressing laughter. Old Madam Shen seemed to have forgotten her own origins as a singing girl—how much better was she really than Shen Qing? Only by virtue of being the Shen family matriarch did she now fancy herself a pristine noble lady.Shen Wan remained silent, and Chen Ruoqiu wouldn’t willingly throw herself into Old Madam Shen’s line of fire. As for Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan, they stood boldly in place, as if they hadn’t heard Old Madam Shen’s words at all.
After venting her anger, Old Madam Shen added, “No need for an extravagant dowry either. A girl like this isn’t worth spending the Shen family’s silver on.”
At these words, the disdain in Luo Xueyan’s eyes deepened. Old Madam Shen had always favored the eldest branch of the family. Although she prioritized sons over daughters, Shen Qing had still grown up under her care. Knowing full well that Shen Qing’s marriage into Prince Yu’s Manor was the beginning of a tragic fate, a little more silver might have made her life slightly more comfortable. Yet Old Madam Shen proved to be this stingy and heartless—truly the behavior of a low-born woman unfit for polite society.
Shen Gui quickly assented. He had always played the role of the filial son, and seeing his obedience, Old Madam Shen’s expression softened slightly. Her gaze then shifted to Shen Xin, and she was about to speak when suddenly, Shen Yue cried out, “Second Brother!”
Everyone followed Shen Yue’s gaze to the entrance, where a young man in a slate-blue robe strode in. His features were decent, bearing a six or seven out of ten resemblance to Shen Gui, though his brow carried a faint air of arrogance.
This was none other than Shen Yuan, the legitimate eldest son of the second branch of the Shen family.
Among the second branch, Shen Yuan had always been clever and quick-witted. Unlike Shen Qiu, whose military achievements were earned through steady, step-by-step effort, Shen Yuan was considered far more of a prodigy. He had excelled in the imperial examinations at a young age, securing a notable rank, and later gained the favor of influential figures, embarking on an official career. However, he had been required to serve a three-year term as a minor official outside the capital for experience. This was the final year, and he was originally set to return for the New Year and remain in the Fixed Capital for his official post. Unexpectedly, Shen Qing’s situation had arisen, and it seemed he had rushed back in haste—just in time to witness his sister’s wedding day.
Even Shen Yue couldn’t help but shrink slightly behind Shen Wan, who patted her back while keeping his eyes fixed on Shen Yuan.
Within the Shen Mansion, most people regarded Shen Yuan with some degree of wariness. Perhaps it was because he had achieved scholarly honors at such a young age, or perhaps it was the instinctive sense that his maturity belied a calculating nature. In any case, Shen Yue and the former Shen Miao had been quite afraid of him.
The happiest, of course, was Old Madam Shen. Delighted, she beckoned to Shen Yuan, “Yuan’er!” The young boy in her arms, Shen Yuanbai, also called out brightly, “Second Brother!”
Only then did Shen Yuan step forward with a smile, bowing to Old Madam Shen and addressing her as “Grandmother.” He then patted Shen Yuanbai’s head and said, “Yuanbai, you’ve grown taller.”
“Brother Yuan must have rushed back on the road,” Chen Ruoqiu interjected pleasantly. “Were you tired from the journey? Would you like to rest first?” With Ren Wanyun absent, she was now the acting mistress of the Shen Mansion and naturally assumed the demeanor of the matriarch.
Shen Yuan turned to glance at Chen Ruoqiu, and for some reason, her heart sank, a sense of unease rising within her. A year apart had made Shen Yuan even more inscrutable. Chen Ruoqiu had always prided herself on her intelligence, and when the children were younger, she hadn’t hesitated to set obstacles for Shen Yuan, both overtly and covertly. Yet Shen Yuan had proven unexpectedly sharp—so much so that as time passed, it was sometimes Chen Ruoqiu who ended up at a disadvantage. She had come to believe that Ren Wanyun was fortunate to have such a clever son. Thus, even though she harbored many grievances against the second branch, Chen Ruoqiu dared not provoke them outright."No need," Shen Yuan said. "I came back this time specifically to see my sister get married. If I rest now, I'm afraid there won't be enough time."
At the mention of Shen Qing, the atmosphere in the room grew awkward. Old Madam Shen remained silent. Shen Yuan showed no reaction either, his gaze almost immediately shifting to the person standing beside Shen Qiu—none other than Shen Miao.
"It's been a long time, Fifth Sister. You've changed quite a bit," he said, narrowing his eyes. "Indeed, a girl changes eighteen times before adulthood. You've changed so much I hardly recognize you."
Shen Miao met his gaze calmly. Shen Yuan's eyes carried a sinister scrutiny, like a venomous snake slithering through a swamp, slowly coiling around its prey with a chilling, damp malevolence. She smiled faintly. "Second Brother, on the other hand, remains unchanged."
Chen Ruoqiu paused, while Shen Yue looked on with barely concealed schadenfreude. Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan frowned in unison, but Shen Qiu chuckled and interjected, "Indeed, Second Brother does seem the same as ever." He deftly redirected the conversation to himself, prompting Shen Yuan to glance at him before remarking meaningfully, "I never expected Fifth Sister and Eldest Brother to be so close now."
"Blood siblings naturally share a strong bond," Shen Miao replied gently. "Second Brother, if you go see Eldest Sister now, you might still make it in time to add to her dowry."
Shen Yuan studied Shen Miao deeply before smiling. "You're right. I'll go now." With that, he turned and bowed to Old Madam Shen. "Grandmother, I'll go see my sister first. As her elder brother, I haven't been by her side, and now she's about to marry. Who knows if she'll be mistreated in the future? I can only offer her a few words of advice, so I'll take my leave." Without another glance at the others, he strode away briskly.
From start to finish, he hadn't exchanged a single word with Shen Gui.
In the past, while Shen Gui and Shen Yuan weren't particularly close, they were still father and son. Shen Gui had always valued Shen Yuan and treated him with care, and Shen Yuan had shown him respect in return. Today's attitude was clearly problematic. Shen Gui's face darkened, his fists clenched. Old Madam Shen shot him a reproachful look, her own mood soured. She waved a hand dismissively. "Help me back to my room."
Old Madam Shen had no intention of attending the wedding banquet. In her view, most of the guests were high-ranking nobles who knew the full story behind this marriage. She couldn't bear the humiliation of facing them at her age and promptly had Mama Zhang escort her back to her quarters.
With Old Madam Shen gone, the atmosphere in the hall grew awkward again. Shen Yue glanced at Shen Miao and asked, "Fifth Sister, what did you give Eldest Sister for her dowry?"
"Just some jewelry," Shen Miao replied indifferently.
Shen Yue let out an "Oh," suppressing her irritation at Shen Miao's dismissiveness. She remained composed in front of Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan, standing quietly beside Chen Ruoqiu.
Shen Wan turned to Shen Xin. "Eldest Brother, now that Yuan'er is back, what should we do?"
"What does Yuan'er's return have to do with me?" Shen Xin asked, puzzled. "I can barely manage my own Jiaojiao and Qiu'er—how can I spare attention for Second Brother's son? Third Brother, your branch of the family is small. If there's nothing urgent, perhaps you should lend Second Brother a hand. After all, we're all brothers." He spoke with earnest concern.Shen Xin may appear honest and simple, but his words carry the sharpest sting. This was evident from Xie Ding, the Lin'an Hou, who had dealt with him for decades yet never gained the upper hand in verbal exchanges. After these words were spoken, before Shen Wan could react, Chen Ruoqiu was already so furious that her nails dug into her palms. Everyone knew the third branch of the family was lacking in descendants—Chen Ruoqiu had only Shen Yue and no son to rely on. Though Shen Wan was deeply devoted to her now, Old Madam Shen had long wanted him to take a concubine due to Chen Ruoqiu's inability to bear a son. Shen Xin had just twisted the knife in Chen Ruoqiu’s heart.
"Yes, sister-in-law," Luo Xueyan chimed in with a smile. "Don’t always busy yourself with others’ affairs. We know you two are kind-hearted, but it’s time to think about your own matters. Yue-jie is already so grown—without a brother to support her after she marries, she’ll be left vulnerable."
Amusement flickered in Shen Miao’s eyes. Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan were not skilled in the intrigues of the inner household, but their battlefield experience had honed their instincts sharper than most. The couple from the third branch had tried to sow discord, but Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan had effortlessly deflected their schemes.
"Little sister, let’s go see Eldest Sister," Shen Qiu patted Shen Miao’s shoulder. "Your dowry gift is still with me."
Shen Miao knew Shen Qiu had something to say to her, so she nodded in agreement. After bidding farewell to the others, she followed Shen Qiu toward the West Courtyard.
"Little sister, Shen Yuan holds hostility toward you," Shen Qiu said.
"I know."
"He might have figured out the reason behind things." Shen Qiu grew anxious. "He’s the type to scheme in the shadows, and he’s cunning. I fear he’ll seek revenge for Shen Qing and find a way to harm you. Stay within the estate these days—don’t go out."
Shen Qiu harbored an innate hostility toward Shen Yuan, though there was no clear reason for it. The two had no real grievances, yet Shen Qiu simply couldn’t stand him. Perhaps some people were just natural enemies.
"Elder Brother, if he truly intends to harm me, no matter how well I hide, he’ll find a way. Besides, what can he really do? Rest assured—if he’s as cautious as you say, he won’t just casually send someone to kill me. He’ll use schemes." And when it came to schemes, who could outmatch someone who had already died once?
"Little sister, you’re still young and don’t understand the dangers of some things." Shen Qiu grew even more urgent. "Shen Yuan is no good person. If you’re this careless, you’ll suffer losses."
"Elder Brother, don’t worry," Shen Miao met his gaze. "We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. If anything really happens, won’t you be there for me?" She gave a cold smile, keeping one thought unspoken.
Shen Qiu’s death in her past life was no accident. Whether it was the second or third branch, she didn’t know who was responsible—but none of them would escape. Even if Shen Yuan didn’t make a move against her, she wouldn’t let him off easily.
Consider it repayment for the debts of her past life.
In the Colorful Cloud Courtyard of the East Courtyard, Ren Wanyun broke into sobs the moment she saw Shen Yuan, throwing herself into his arms. The fear and helplessness she had endured alone these past days finally erupted upon seeing him. She choked on her words, unable to speak. Even Shen Qing, who had been as lifeless as a puppet, showed a flicker of light in her despairing eyes at the sight of Shen Yuan.Shen Yuan comforted Ren Wanyun for a while, then stepped forward and patted Shen Qing’s head. Shen Qing held back for a moment before finally bursting into loud sobs, crying out between tears, "Second Brother, why didn’t you come back sooner?"
Seeing Shen Qing cry, Ren Wanyun also began to weep. In an instant, the room was filled with wails so loud and mournful that anyone unaware might have mistaken it for a funeral rather than a joyous occasion.
A shadow flickered in Shen Yuan’s eyes. Having grown up in the General’s Manor, he knew that while Shen Xin and his wife held the most power, in his view, they were nothing more than battle-hardened brutes, and their daughter was a fool. All of them could be easily manipulated by his own branch of the family. In contrast, his mother and sister had always lived in elegance and wealth, while Shen Miao seemed more like a vulgar upstart from the countryside.
Yet now, that foolish upstart had driven Ren Wanyun and Shen Qing to such a state. To Shen Yuan, this was nothing short of a challenge.
Ren Wanyun had already explained the whole matter clearly in her letter to him. While he acknowledged that her plan wasn’t flawless, the fact that Shen Miao had managed to counterattack and escape unscathed was beyond his expectations.
"Mother, stop crying," Shen Yuan said, his expression unmoved. "Tears won’t help anything."
"Yuan’er," Ren Wanyun clutched his hand, "you’ve always been the cleverest. You can save your sister, can’t you?"
Hearing this, Shen Qing also looked at Shen Yuan with hopeful eyes. "Second Brother, please help me! I don’t want to marry that man—it shouldn’t be me! Second Brother, help me, please!" Though Shen Qing was somewhat afraid of her brother, ever since childhood, whenever she was bullied, Shen Yuan had always quietly helped her win back her dignity. Her feelings toward him were a mix of love and resentment, but now, he was her only lifeline, and she clung to him desperately.
"No," Shen Yuan’s voice was icy calm. "At this stage, the marriage cannot be undone. We can’t let your willfulness harm everyone. So, this marriage must go through."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Qing collapsed to the ground. After a pause, she finally let out a cry of despair. Her carefully applied makeup was now smeared across her face, but she didn’t even notice.
"Is there really no other way?" Ren Wanyun murmured.
"While we can’t stop the marriage, my sister will not suffer such a scheme without consequences," Shen Yuan said coldly. "Shen Miao has suddenly become so clever—either someone is guiding her, or she’s been pretending all along. If it’s the former, that’s manageable. But if she’s been acting for over a decade, that’s truly terrifying."
"That little wretch seems possessed! Just when everything was about to succeed, she slipped away. Yuan’er, she can’t be allowed to live," Ren Wanyun gritted her teeth. "Thinking that everything now is because of her—I could eat her flesh and drink her blood!"
"The only reason Mother can’t act freely against her now is because of Uncle’s family. I heard Uncle will be staying in the Fixed Capital for another half a year, which means Shen Miao’s protection will last even longer," Shen Yuan glanced at Shen Qing.
Ren Wanyun shuddered. "But we can’t just let this go!""Of course it can't be left at that," Shen Yuan said. "In this world, no matter how powerful one's backing is, there will come a day when it collapses. Since Shen Miao has her backing, we'll just have to make sure it falls. It's actually good that Uncle's family remains in Fixed Capital," A faint smile appeared at the corners of Shen Yuan's lips. "It saves me the trouble of hunting them down one by one."
Ren Wanyun felt an inexplicable fear in her heart, but upon seeing Shen Qing collapsed on the ground, a surge of anger immediately rose within her. She said, "Yuan'er, we absolutely cannot let that little wretch get away with this."
"Don't worry," Shen Yuan replied with a dark gaze. "Playing tricks right under my nose? I'll return the favor in kind. Since Shen Miao harmed Mother and younger sister, I'll make sure the eldest branch of the Shen family ends up with only Shen Miao left. Playing with just one person slowly—that's what makes it interesting."
He smiled slowly.
Shen Qing's bridal makeup would have to be redone after all.
The wedding matron was surprised to find that this time, as she applied the makeup, Shen Qing's expression seemed livelier compared to her previous lifelessness. At the very least, she finally looked somewhat human.
When Shen Yue and Shen Miao came to present their gifts for the bride, Shen Qing even smiled at them.
However, due to her pregnancy, Shen Qing's body had become somewhat swollen, and her recent emotional turmoil had left her looking haggard. Even with makeup, she appeared aged and worn. Her smile lacked the charm of a young maiden and instead carried an eerie, unsettling quality.
"Eldest Sister, you must take good care of yourself," Shen Yue said, her eyes red.
"I will," Shen Qing replied, then turned to Shen Miao, her voice hoarse as she said, "Fifth Sister, I will repay the kindness you've shown me."
Though she smiled, the venom in her words sent a chill down even Shen Yue's spine.
"I'll be waiting," Shen Miao responded with a faint smile.
What followed proceeded naturally. Old Madam Shen avoided seeing Shen Qing, leaving her to speak only with Ren Wanyun. Since this marriage was far from honorable, the atmosphere in Shen Mansion was awkward. The customary celebratory rituals were performed half-heartedly.
In the end, when it was time to board the bridal sedan, Shen Yuan carried Shen Qing on his back. The most humiliating part was that Prince Yu did not come to fetch the bride himself—he merely sent a steward.
As Shen Yuan carried Shen Qing, the commoners gathered at the entrance of the general's residence pointed and whispered. Their murmurs, faint but audible, were filled with scorn, calling Shen Qing shameless and promiscuous. Though Ren Wanyun and Shen Yuan seethed with anger, they could hardly silence the entire crowd.
Once the sedan finally departed, Shen Yuan returned to the mansion's entrance and stood beside Shen Miao, watching the sedan disappear into the distance. "Fifth Sister seems remarkably calm," he remarked.
"The one getting married isn't me. Why shouldn't I be calm?" Shen Miao replied.
"Fifth Sister, do you know what Qing'er's future will be like after this marriage?"
"The future isn't for either of us to decide."
Shen Yuan acted as though he hadn't heard Shen Miao's words and continued, "The world is ever-changing. Sometimes, when you're trapped between a rock and a hard place, you never know if fortune might smile upon you later. Other times, even if the path ahead seems clear," his voice suddenly darkened, "you might be walking straight into a dead end."
"Exactly," Shen Miao smiled. "No one can predict the twists of fate. Misfortune may strike at any moment—who knows if the road ahead might just disappear."
Shen Yuan finally turned to face Shen Miao directly. His eyes scrutinized her, making her deeply uncomfortable—as did his words. He said, "Today, I've realized that Fifth Sister is actually quite clever."Shen Miao remained noncommittal when a loud shout came from behind: "Little sister!" Shen Qiu hurried over, casting a wary glance at Shen Yuan before speaking to Shen Miao, "Don’t wander off, little sister. There are plenty of ill-intentioned people out here. You never know a person’s true nature just by their face—who knows what underhanded tricks they might pull."
Shen Yuan glanced at Shen Qiu and smiled again. "Eldest Brother sure knows how to joke. Besides, Fifth Sister is so clever—it’s unlikely anyone could outwit her. As for the saying about not knowing a person’s true nature, perhaps it suits someone else better."
Shen Qiu sneered. "My sister is pure-hearted by nature, unlike certain scheming villains. As her elder brother, it’s only natural I worry for her constantly. Otherwise, those educated jackals might gobble her up in one bite, leaving no place to even cry. Come, little sister, let’s take the carriage to the Prince’s residence."
The Shen family was also supposed to attend the wedding banquet at the Prince’s residence, but Shen Qiu’s words made it abundantly clear he didn’t trust Shen Yuan.
Watching the siblings walk away, Shen Yuan’s eyes flashed with a trace of ruthlessness.
The Shen family’s bridal procession was to parade through most of Fixed Capital, taking the busiest streets—after all, this was a marriage personally bestowed by the Empress, so the grandeur had to be fitting. Even though everyone knew the marriage was far from honorable, the fanfare and drumming ensured the whole world knew about it.
On the liveliest stretch of road, by the window of the Happy Building, the young master in white robes fanned himself leisurely as usual, watching the bustling bridal procession outside with amusement. The procession scattered copper coins as they moved, and the onlookers scrambled to grab them, making the scene appear joyous.
Yet the true emotions behind it all were known only to those inside the bridal sedan.
"The Shen family’s wedding is quite the spectacle," Ji Yushu mused, toying with a silver ingot in his hand. "It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a lively wedding. I wonder if my own wedding to Miss Shaoyao will be this grand someday."
"Still hung up on your Miss Shaoyao, huh?" Gao Yang shot him a look. "Yushu, if I recall correctly, you already have a fiancée. Does she know about your infatuation with Miss Shaoyao?"
"I told you, that was just a childhood betrothal joke—who knows what she even looks like? I won’t marry her. I only love Miss Shaoyao. And if not her, then the fifth young lady of the Shen family would do just fine." He grinned and turned to the man opposite him. "Right, Third Brother Xie?"
Xie Jingxing gave him a sidelong glance and chose not to respond. Gao Yang scoffed. "Shen Miao might just be the death of you."
"Come on, don’t make her sound like some demon. I admire her for being clever, quick-witted, bold, and meticulous. Besides, she’s quite pretty too. I heard she once had feelings for that Prince Ding fellow—what a shame her judgment was so poor. How could Prince Ding compare to me? Really."
Gao Yang stared at Ji Yushu. "You’re something else. But your beloved Miss Shen seems to be heading for trouble."
"What trouble?" Ji Yushu asked.
"Shen Qing’s brother, Shen Yuan, is back," Gao Yang said with glee. "Shen Miao tricked Shen Qing into marrying into the Prince’s residence—Shen Yuan won’t let her off easily. That man is no pushover. Among the second branch of the General’s household, even Shen Gui can’t match Shen Yuan’s cunning. And Shen Yuan? He’s ruthless—when he strikes, he won’t hold back.""Shen Yuan doesn't seem to be an ordinary person," Ji Yushu suddenly recalled. "Isn't he one of Fu Xiuyi's men?"
"Just a small fry," Xie Jingxing interjected lazily, glancing downward. "A mere clown, and you actually take him seriously."
"Ha, you're still as arrogant as ever," Gao Yang remarked. "What's next then?"
"Wait."
Wait for someone to make the first move, then swoop in for the spoils.
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
The Second Branch's Suicide Squad gains another member~ The Young Marquis is about to cause trouble again ╭╯＾╰╮
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