On the day of the Jade Rabbit Festival, the streets were indeed exceptionally lively.
After dinner, Shen Miao was startled by Bailu and Shuangjiang rushing in excitedly. "Miss, people in the city are setting off fireworks! We heard they'll keep lighting them all night—it’s going to be so beautiful!" Their eager anticipation was unmistakable.
"What’s the hurry?" Gu Yu scolded lightly as she combed Shen Miao’s hair. "We’ll go see them eventually. There’s no need to rush."
Before she could finish, Shen Qiu’s cheerful voice sounded from outside. "Little sister, are you ready yet? Father and Mother are waiting for us in the main hall."
"Replying to the young master," Jing Zhe answered from the doorway. "The young lady’s hair isn’t done yet. Please wait a little longer."
"How can it take so long to comb a girl’s hair?" Shen Qiu grumbled. "It’s almost as slow as a soldier putting on armor." Then he raised his voice toward the room. "Little sister, I’ll go ahead to the main hall first. You come over on your own!"
Shen Miao acknowledged him through the window. Just then, Gu Yu finished styling her hair and rummaged through the jewelry box before finally selecting a hairpin to fasten into Shen Miao’s hair. Glancing at the bronze mirror, Shen Miao froze. "Why this one?"
"This hairpin matches your dress perfectly, Miss," Gu Yu said with a smile. "And the craftsmanship is exquisite without being overly ornate—just right for today’s single-coil bun."
Shen Miao reached up and touched the pin—it was the Jade Begonia Hairpin Xie Jingxing had given her. After Gu Yu and the others had examined it, they confirmed it was priceless. Shen Miao had initially intended to return it to Xie Jingxing but eventually decided against it, thinking that if she ever found herself in dire straits, she could at least exchange it for some silver. Though if Xie Jingxing ever found out, she couldn’t imagine how furious he’d be.
"Does the young lady dislike this hairpin?" Gu Yu asked, noticing her hesitation. "Should we pick another? The young master sent many jewels and accessories from the palace—we could surely find a prettier one."
"No need," Shen Miao cut her off. "Searching further would only waste more time. This will do." After all, it was just a hairpin, she thought.
Gu Yu adjusted her collar and draped a cloak over her shoulders. "There, all set."
"Don’t forget the hand warmer," Jing Zhe reminded, pressing a small warm stove into her hands.
By the time Shen Miao and her maids arrived at the main hall, the entire Shen Mansion had already gathered. Since it was customary for the family to attend the Jade Rabbit Festival together, this year was no exception.
Chen Ruoqiu and Shen Wan were deep in conversation. Shen Yue wore a delicate pink twelve-paneled fairy gown with flowing skirts. Despite the cold weather, her outfit was thin and impractical—her embroidered peach-pink cloak likely couldn’t even block the wind. Yet she seemed utterly pleased with herself. When she spotted Shen Miao, she smiled sweetly. "Fifth Sister."
Shen Miao nodded in acknowledgment before turning her attention to Shen Gui’s side. The only difference this year was the absence of Ren Wanyun and Shen Yuanbai. In the past, Ren Wanyun would bring Shen Yuanbai along, but now that Ren Wanyun had lost her mind and couldn’t leave the house, and Shen Yuanbai was too young, Old Madam Shen insisted he stay behind with her—especially with so many kidnappers lurking in the streets. Shen Yuan stood beside Shen Wan, while behind them, Wan Yiniang held the hand of a young girl who was watching them intently.
This was Shen Dongling, the illegitimate daughter of the second branch.Shen Dongling wore an apricot-colored long padded jacket, likely due to her claimed "aversion to cold." The jacket was extremely thick and oversized, making her appear even more slender. Upon closer inspection, her delicate features resembled Wan Yiniang's beauty, yet for some reason, her overall demeanor was so faint it was almost imperceptible. She didn’t greet Shen Miao, merely watching silently—whether out of shyness or indifference was unclear.
Shen Miao withdrew her gaze, only to hear Shen Qiu exclaiming boisterously beside her, "Little sister, you’re looking more and more beautiful these days!"
"You brat," Shen Xin kicked Shen Qiu lightly. "When has your sister ever not been beautiful?"
Luo Xueyan also walked over with a smile, taking Shen Miao’s hand. "Our Jiaojiao has grown into a fine young lady now."
The gazes of everyone in the hall turned toward Shen Miao, each carrying an unreadable nuance. A year ago, Shen Miao had been a gaudy, thickly powdered simpleton draped in gold and silver. Now, she wore a deep violet gown embroidered with golden patterns, paired with a peony-red cloak adorned with exquisite lace. Her hair was styled in a simple spiral bun, adorned with a single jade hairpin. Though devoid of jingling ornaments, she exuded an air of refined nobility. Her delicate features were clear and distinct, her eyes as pure as a young animal’s. Such a face, if softened with gentleness, would have been girlishly charming. Yet, for some reason, her poised and dignified stance resembled the radiant moon in the heavens, inspiring an almost reverential awe.
She effortlessly outshone every other woman in the room, reducing them all to mere mediocrity in comparison.
A flash of jealousy flickered in Shen Yue’s eyes. She had once believed Shen Miao to be the least comparable to her in the mansion, yet now, without her realizing it, Shen Miao had stolen her spotlight. Shen Yue prided herself on her scholarly elegance and beauty, but today, seeing Shen Miao, she felt an unexpected sense of inadequacy. She glanced at Chen Ruoqiu, hoping to find a trace of disdain for Shen Miao in her mother’s eyes, but instead, she detected a hint of solemnity, which chilled her heart further.
Wan Yiniang sighed inwardly, unconsciously tightening her grip on Shen Dongling’s hand. She harbored no resentment, merely acknowledging that Shen Miao, as the legitimate daughter, carried an innate grace her own daughter could never match, no matter how clever or pure-hearted she was. Years of seclusion in the courtyard had left Shen Dongling unable to rival Shen Miao’s natural nobility.
The men in the room remained largely indifferent. Apart from Shen Xin and Shen Qiu, Shen Gui and Shen Wan merely frowned at most. As for Shen Yuan, he stared at Shen Miao with an inscrutable, heavy gaze, lost in thought.
Chen Ruoqiu deftly shifted the topic. "Now that everyone’s here, let’s set off."
Old Madam Shen, due to her advanced age, naturally couldn’t attend such an event. Left behind in the Shen Mansion were Old Madam Shen, Shen Yuanbai, Ren Wanyun, and the concubines of the second branch. The rest would head to the streets to enjoy the festivities of the Jade Rabbit Festival. In previous years, the journey would have been filled with lively chatter, but this year, due to the fire Shen Miao had set in the ancestral hall, Shen Xin and Shen Qiu deliberately kept their distance from the other two, speaking only to Luo Xueyan.The guards of Shen Mansion followed behind. In fact, every year during this time, the city garrison would increase patrols along the streets to maintain public safety and prevent troublemakers from taking advantage of the crowded festivities. Thus, it was relatively safe to stroll around.
Shen Xin didn't speak to Shen Gui or Shen Wan, and the two brothers, not wanting to invite awkwardness, chatted among themselves. Shen Yue used to walk with Shen Qing and Shen Miao, as Shen Miao's presence highlighted her own refinement. But now that Shen Miao refused to engage with her, and Shen Yue didn't want to be overshadowed, she went to talk to Shen Dongling instead. Wan Yiniang was overjoyed to see Shen Yue being friendly, but whether out of shyness or something else, Shen Dongling didn't respond with much enthusiasm, instead appearing somewhat timid. After a few attempts, Shen Yue lost interest.
As the group walked along the streets, the atmosphere became strangely awkward. It wasn't exactly discord—after all, the entire household was out together—but neither was it harmonious, as everyone seemed to keep to their own circles.
Shen Miao walked attentively, carefully observing the lanterns and riddles displayed along the street. Shen Xin and his family, being military men, had little patience for solving riddles—such refined pastimes were beyond their tastes. As Shen Qiu put it, "Little sister, if you like the prize lanterns, I'll just find a craftsman in the capital tomorrow to carve you an identical one. Why bother straining your brain over it?"
Shen Qiu couldn't appreciate the "elegance" that Chen Ruoqiu and her group cherished. After waiting for them to finish solving the lantern riddles, Wan Yiniang suddenly spoke up to Shen Gui, "Master, I heard there will be a Jade Rabbit Fairy dance at Wanli Lake tonight, and the Jade Rabbit Lantern will also be released there. Shall we go take a look?"
Chen Ruoqiu frowned slightly and said softly, "But that Jade Rabbit Fairy is from the Fragrant Treasure Pavilion. With the young ladies of our household present today, it might not be appropriate." The Fragrant Treasure Pavilion was the largest Money Pit in Fixed Capital, filled with enchanting women who could make men abandon their wives and spend fortunes just for a night with them. Proper wives and ladies scorned the place, yet no matter how much they despised it, they couldn't deny the extraordinary talents of the women there. Thus, this year's Jade Rabbit Fairy role still fell to one of the Pavilion's performers.
"Second Madam," Wan Yiniang said gently, "Even so, it's just a performance. With so many people watching, the Jade Rabbit Fairy surely wouldn't do anything improper. It's just for fun—no need to take it so seriously." Originally, Wan Yiniang hadn't intended to argue with Chen Ruoqiu, but like Ren Wanyun, she couldn't stand Chen Ruoqiu's pretentious airs, always flaunting her refined background. In fact, Wan Yiniang disliked Chen Ruoqiu even more than Ren Wanyun—because she herself had come from a theatrical troupe, and Chen Ruoqiu's disdain for the Fragrant Treasure Pavilion was, in essence, a disdain for her own origins.The tension between the two women was evident to all, and the atmosphere grew charged once more. The men would not interfere in the women's disputes. Shen Dongling merely clutched Wan Yiniang's hand, her lips pressed tightly together in silence. Shen Yue wanted to defend Chen Ruoqiu but felt it would be beneath her dignity as the legitimate daughter. For a moment, no one spoke.
"Who said going to Wanli Lake is just to see the Jade Rabbit Fairy?" Shen Miao's soft voice broke the silence. "The grand spectacle of thousands releasing lanterns isn't something you see every day. Moreover, one cannot choose their birth—whether poor or noble—so there's no need to look down on others for it. No matter her status, today she is the Jade Rabbit Fairy. Those with clear hearts need not fuss over such superficial things."
The crowd was momentarily stunned. Shen Xin was the first to burst into laughter. "Jiaojiao is right! One can't choose their birth—poor or noble. What kind of skill is it to look down on others?"
Luo Xueyan also smiled. Having fought on the battlefield, they knew that while some soldiers in the army came from official families, most were ordinary commoners. Some couldn't even afford food, while others had elders at home on the brink of starvation. Each had their own hardships when it came to origins. Thus, they never looked down on the poor, and Shen Miao's words resonated deeply with them.
"Little sister," Shen Qiu patted Shen Miao's shoulder, "you speak with the bearing of someone who holds the world in their heart. Such broad-mindedness puts even your elder brother to shame."
Though Shen Miao knew Shen Qiu was teasing her, she couldn't help but drift into thought. In her past life, she had married Fu Xiuyi and become Empress. At first, it had been for love, but as Empress, the weight of her responsibilities was no less than anyone else's. The phrase "mother of the realm" meant ensuring the people lived in peace and prosperity—a ruler must love their subjects. This was something Fu Xiuyi had taught her, though he himself had failed to live up to it.
Their harmonious exchange, however, left Chen Ruoqiu's face alternating between green and white. Shen Xin's praise of Shen Miao's frankness only highlighted her own hypocrisy. Shen Wan's expression darkened, while Shen Yue was already seething with anger but held back from mocking Shen Miao.
Wan Yiniang, thinking Shen Miao's words were in her defense, couldn't hide a flicker of joy on her face. Shen Dongling noticed and shook her head slightly. Shen Yuan remained coldly amused, and Shen Gui pretended not to notice.
"Then it's settled—we'll go to Wanli Lake," Luo Xueyan declared. As someone accustomed to commanding as a general, her orders came naturally. However reluctant the Shen family might be, with the Shen Family Army guards at their backs, they had no choice but to follow.
Wanli Lake lay slightly west of the center of Fixed Capital, nestled within the city like a jewel. In spring, it resembled a piece of jade-green emerald, while in winter, when light snow fell, the lake's surface shimmered with drifting flakes. Boats glided across, their occupants warming wine and discussing history—a scene of quiet charm.
Today, too, light snow fell. Under the glow of countless lanterns, the snowflakes sparkled like translucent jade blossoms, spiraling down from the sky. The willow trees along the lakeshore were draped in snowy strands, making it hard to distinguish where the snow ended and the lanterns began.Before they even reached Wanli Lake, the sound of fireworks could already be heard. Looking up, the dark night sky was illuminated by vast bursts of fireworks, dazzling to the eyes. Below, the crowd surged, with lovers walking hand in hand or families enjoying the moment together, all gazing intently at the fireworks, witnessing this fleeting eternity.
"Miss, Miss, look quickly!" Jing Zhe exclaimed excitedly. "Those are the fireworks by Wanli Lake! I heard they'll be going all night tonight!"
"They truly are beautiful," Gu Yu murmured in agreement.
"Ha, Fixed Capital is indeed lively," Shen Qiu remarked to Luo Xueyan. "Much more fun than our northwest."
Luo Xueyan also sighed in admiration as they walked.
As they moved forward, suddenly the crowd around them surged ahead in a rush. Shen Xin grabbed a man running past him and asked, "Brother, what's happening up ahead? Why is everyone running?"
"The Jade Rabbit Fairy has arrived!" the man replied. "Everyone's going to see her!" He glanced at Shen Xin and added, "You must be new here. This year, the Jade Rabbit Fairy is played by Liuying from the Fragrant Treasure Pavilion. Hurry up and go!" With that, he cheerfully ran off.
Shen Xin turned back, and Luo Xueyan said coolly, "Aren’t you going to see this Liuying?"
"Madam, what are you saying?" Shen Xin wiped sweat from his brow. "I can never get enough of looking at you. Who is this Liuying? She surely can’t compare to your beauty and grace."
Despite his words, Luo Xueyan didn’t want to spoil the mood and continued forward with the group. Pushing through the dense crowd, they suddenly heard someone shout, "Liuying is here! Liuying is here!"
Shen Miao, being too short to see, was lifted onto a stone platform by Shen Qiu, who stood beside her. Shen Miao looked up and saw a flower cart being escorted by the crowd.
In the depths of winter, the cart was lavishly adorned with fresh flowers, a testament to the effort behind it. The blossoms were a riot of colors, momentarily indistinct, but the figure in the cart was unmistakable.
Seated atop the cart was a young woman dressed in a moon-white gauze gown, draped in a fluffy cloak, her hair styled in a Flying Immortal Hairbun, giving her an ethereal air. Her delicate features, pearly teeth, and most strikingly, her narrow, upturned eyes added an alluring charm. Cold yet enticing, subtle yet bold, her presence seemed to infuse the air with a hint of ambiguous fragrance. This Jade Rabbit Fairy seemed both celestial and worldly—her allure was neither purely divine nor entirely mortal.
Liuying was not exceptionally beautiful; in fact, her features paled slightly compared to Wan Yiniang’s. Yet, her innate, cool seductiveness was irresistibly captivating. Was this Jade Rabbit Fairy a goddess or a temptress? It was hard to say, but for ordinary men, her allure was utterly spellbinding.
Shen Miao’s gaze lingered on Liuying for a moment before she turned to scan the surroundings, searching for someone. Not finding them, Shen Qiu noticed her actions and asked curiously, "Little sister, what are you looking for?""Why isn't Brother looking at that Liuying girl?" Shen Miao deftly shifted the topic.
Although Shen Qiu wasn't foolish, he never thought too deeply when it came to Shen Miao. Hearing her question, he replied, "I don't like that type."
Shen Miao raised an eyebrow. "Then what type does Eldest Brother like?"
Shen Qiu was at a loss for words.
Shen Miao found his flustered expression quite amusing and nearly laughed. In her past life, Shen Qiu had married that venomous sister-in-law and likely never encountered a girl he truly fancied from start to finish. Now reborn, she wondered who might become her sister-in-law in this lifetime.
"Let's go." Shen Qiu reached out to help Shen Miao down from the stone platform. Earlier, to give her a better view of Liuying, he had led her several meters away from Shen Xin and the others. Now that the spectacle was over, it was time to rejoin Shen Xin for the lantern release at Wanli Lake.
Just as Shen Miao was about to jump down, a child's wail pierced the air. Shen Qiu heard it too, and both turned to see a three- or four-year-old child hanging upside down from the beam of a shop by the shore. The mischievous child must have climbed up for a better view but slipped, now clinging desperately to the beam with half his body dangling precariously. A fall from that height could be disastrous. People nearby were fetching a ladder, but the child wouldn't last long—his tiny hands were already losing their grip. The boy's mother stood weeping, her face buried in her hands.
"Wait here, little sister," Shen Qiu instructed Shen Miao hastily. It was only a few meters away, and with his martial skills, he immediately rushed over.
Before he could reach the child, the boy's grip failed, and he plummeted. Gasps erupted from the crowd as Shen Qiu lightly tapped his toes against a nearby pillar, leaping into the air to catch the child just in time. The onlookers cheered his skillful rescue. Returning the boy to his tearful, grateful mother left Shen Qiu slightly embarrassed by her profuse thanks.
After calming the mother and child, Shen Qiu turned back toward the stone platform to fetch Shen Miao. The short distance meant he could see it clearly—and what he saw made him freeze.
The platform was empty.
His heart lurched. In three great strides, he shoved through the crowd to the platform, but there was no trace of her. Desperate, he scanned the area and called out loudly, "Jiaojiao!" No answer came.
He grabbed a bystander standing nearby. "The young girl who was here just now—did you see her?"
The man waved him off impatiently. "What girl? No, I didn't!" Then he gave Shen Qiu a pointed look. "Maybe she was snatched. The Jade Rabbit Festival's crawling with child traffickers. Without guards, a young miss wandering alone? Nine times out of ten, she's been taken!"
Shen Qiu's massive frame trembled violently. This towering warrior, unflinching even in the face of battlefield horrors, paled in an instant.
...On the streets by Wanli Lake, amidst the bustling crowd, two figures walked side by side. One wore a blue robe and a jade crown, exuding an air of noble confidence, while the other was clad in a purple robe, his handsome features as striking as a painting.
The two were exceptionally good-looking, especially the youth in purple, whose every movement carried an understated elegance and grace. The faint smile lingering at his lips drew frequent glances from the women nearby.
"How long are you planning to follow me?" Xie Jingxing asked.
Su Mingfeng shook his head playfully. "On such a splendid festival, as your good friend, it's only natural we should stroll together. Why must you be so reluctant?"
"I have matters to attend to."
"An invitation can't compare to a chance encounter. Since we've run into each other, why not enjoy the festival with me? It's been ages since we last celebrated the Jade Rabbit Festival together." Su Mingfeng grumbled, "You're becoming more and more mysterious these days."
Today, Su Mingfeng was out with the Su family when they happened to encounter Xie Jingxing alone. He insisted on dragging Xie Jingxing along. The Su and Xie families had always been on good terms, so Master Su didn’t object. At the moment, Master Su and the others walked ahead while Su Mingfeng and Xie Jingxing trailed behind.
Su Mingfeng asked, “You came out alone again today? Didn’t your father get angry?”
During the Jade Rabbit Festival, families usually went out together. Seeing Xie Jingxing by himself, it was obvious he had slipped out on his own again. Xie Ding was probably furious, but what could he do? With a son like this, it felt like he was repaying a debt from a past life.
“With his son accompanying him, I didn’t need to join the crowd,” Xie Jingxing said nonchalantly. “I’m not that idle.”
Su Mingfeng shook his head. “You really are carefree.”
As they spoke, they noticed a group approaching from ahead. Su Mingfeng paused. “Isn’t that General Shen?”
Xie Jingxing looked up and saw Shen Xin hurrying toward them, followed closely by Shen Qiu and Luo Xueyan, with a group of guards trailing behind. Every one of them wore a tense and grim expression. Su Mingfeng rubbed his chin. “Looks like the Shen family is in some kind of trouble. Why else would they all look like that?”
Amid the festive crowd, the Shen family’s demeanor stood out starkly. It was clear something bad had happened. Master Su also noticed them and stopped to exchange a few words. Xie Jingxing and Su Mingfeng didn’t approach, standing at a distance instead. As martial practitioners, they could still overhear the conversation.
Master Su asked, “General Shen, where are you headed?”
“Ah, just taking a casual stroll,” Shen Xin replied. “But my wife suddenly fell ill, so we must return to the estate. Enjoy your outing, Master Su.” With that, he cupped his hands in farewell and left without another glance.
The Shen and Su families had differing political views, and seeing Shen Xin so unwilling to engage, Master Su naturally felt slighted. He decided not to meddle and continued on his way. Su Mingfeng remarked, “General Shen is quite arrogant. But doesn’t it seem like something big happened? Even if Lady Shen is unwell, why bring so many guards?”
Xie Jingxing’s gaze swept over the guards. “The fifth young lady of the Shen family isn’t here.”
“Huh?” Su Mingfeng was taken aback.
“Shen Miao isn’t with them,” Xie Jingxing said, glancing at the Shen family’s group. Given Shen Miao’s strained relationship with the other two branches of the family, it was unlikely she would abandon her mother to enjoy the lanterns with them. Yet there was no sign of her in the group. It couldn’t be that she hadn’t left the estate at all—on such a major festival, even if Shen Miao herself refused to go, Shen Xin wouldn’t leave her behind alone.
Just then, a soft, childlike voice piped up: “Sister Shen is missing!”
Xie Jingxing looked down to see Su Minlang, who had somehow slipped away from Master Su’s side and run over to tug at his elder brother’s sleeve. The little boy repeated earnestly, “I sneaked over to their group just now and heard them say they need to find Sister Shen quickly.”
Su Minlang, a little dumpling of a child, was practically invisible in the crowd. Bold as he was, he didn’t even fear getting lost in the throng."They said Sister Shen might have been taken by kidnappers," Su Minlang continued. "Big brother, let's go rescue Sister Shen!"
"Disappeared?" Xie Jingxing thoughtfully watched the retreating figures of the Shen family before suddenly saying to Su Mingfeng, "Keep this quiet. I'll go ahead first." He then looked down at Su Minlang with a wicked smile. "If you breathe a word about Shen Miao's disappearance, I'll sell you to the kidnappers myself."
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
The rival male character Su Minlang you've been asking for has now appeared╭（╯^╰）╮
...
OpenNovel