Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing were on good terms again, and the entire Prince Rui Residence seemed to let out a long sigh of relief.
What was a blessing in disguise was that not only had they reconciled, but they also seemed to have begun sleeping in the same room. This was far beyond everyone's expectations. Tang Shu was the happiest; every day he brewed tiger whip soup or deer whip soup for Xie Jing Xing to drink, often leaving Shen Miao speechless whenever she saw it.
Xie Jing Xing began investigating matters related to the Ye family, but the strange thing was that Ye Mei and her younger brother were indeed citizens of Great Liang and had grown up there. The life they had lived in Qin Province was not inaccurate in the slightest. Shen Miao did not understand why it was so and could only conclude that since she had lived this life again, she had inadvertently changed many things—just as Fu Xiu Yi's luck had changed and just as the identities of Madam Mei and her younger brother had changed.
But no matter what else shifted, there was one thing that would not. Ye Mei had been her enemy in her previous life, and in this life she had entered the Ye family. Their opposing positions had not changed at all.
Pei Lang's injuries gradually improved. Shen Miao went to take a look once, but she did not enter the room—she only watched from a distance. When she saw that he could take his medicine by himself, she left. Shen Miao's feelings towards Pei Lang were complicated. Most likely, Pei Lang knew nothing of the past life, yet Shen Miao's memories of it made it impossible for her to face him with calm composure.
Thus, she maintained this distance.
Xie Jing Xing, however, was very satisfied with this. He remarked that she was far more sensible than before and took the opportunity to "reward" her, as though making up for all the times lost before their marriage was consummated. He left Shen Miao so exhausted that she could scarcely stay awake, as though she had been haunted by a male ghost.
On the surface, the situation in Long Ye appeared to have stabilised, yet the undercurrent of conflict was far deeper than outsiders could imagine. After the Imperial Hunt, Emperor Yong Le began tightening the net around the Lu family. Preoccupied with responding to the Imperial household, the Lu family was kept constantly on edge, and Xie Jing Xing grew increasingly busy as a result.
Naturally, Shen Miao could not relax either, as letters from Ming Qi soon arrived.
They were from Luo Xue Yan.
There were two letters. One was written by Luo Xue Yan herself, reassuring Shen Miao that everything at home was well. She repeatedly reminded Shen Miao that if she suffered any grievances in Long Ye, she must not swallow them in silence but write home immediately. She also strongly urged Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing to treat each other with mutual respect and to support one another, before asking about Shen Miao's circumstances.
The second letter was written by Shen Qiu.
Its tone differed greatly from Luo Xue Yan's. Before Shen Miao's marriage, she had spoken to Shen Qiu about certain matters. Though she had not stated them outright, she had hinted that he should be wary of the Ming Qi Imperial family—likening them to a sinking quagmire from which escape was difficult. The Shen family needed to protect themselves. No matter the methods used, they had to maintain a clear boundary from the Imperial family or risk being dragged down together. If necessary, even the family's hard-earned reputation could be abandoned; survival came first.
This time, Shen Qiu wrote about the situation in Ming Qi.
By calculation, it had been over half a year since Shen Miao left Ding Capital. The situation there was always on the verge of change, with shifts occurring daily—let alone over half a year. Even so, the developments described caught her completely unprepared.
Emperor Wen Hui was gravely ill.
It began with a cough, which steadily worsened until he could no longer attend court. Even when he did appear on occasion, he lacked energy and would dismiss proceedings after hearing only a few matters. For reasons unknown, rumours had begun circulating within the palace that Emperor Wen Hui was nearing the end of his life, and many feared he would not last the year.
When Shen Miao read this line, she laughed softly. Could Emperor Wen Hui truly have only a year left? She did not believe it. In her previous life, he had not died so early. Of course, it was difficult to say whether there would be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his eventual death. The Ming Qi Imperial family was a tangled web, far more complex than Long Ye's. For one person to ascend, countless others must be sacrificed—what more an Imperial Father?
The letter went on to mention that although Emperor Wen Hui was seriously ill, he had inexplicably begun treating his formerly favoured Consort Xu Xian harshly. Consort Xu Xian had been demoted to the rank of Cairen, and the Emperor's anger extended to the entire Xu family. As a result, Princes Zhou and Jing were implicated. Both brothers had been stripped of their duties and no longer managed court affairs, though Shen Qiu did not know the exact details. In short, Consort Xu Xian, together with Prince Zhou and Prince Jing, had fallen from favour. In the struggle for the position of heir apparent, the two princes were clearly losing ground.
Meanwhile, Prince Li's faction had, for the first time, established favourable relations with Prince Ding.
Prince Li's faction held considerable power in the struggle for the position of heir apparent, yet Prince Ding—Fu Xiu Yi—had never previously been associated with them. For such relations to form at this moment was deeply suspicious. Even more unsettling was the faint indication that within this faction, Prince Li seemed inclined to allow Prince Ding to take the lead.
By this point in the letter, Shen Qiu's handwriting had grown uneven and rushed. It was clear that his emotions were far from steady.
In short, it meant that in Ding Capital, among all the princes, the most favoured at present was Fu Xiu Yi—the same man who once appeared to have neither ambition nor desire. Moreover, Fu Xiu Yi's consort mother, Consort Dong Shu, had become Emperor Wen Hui's constant support, rarely leaving his side.
When Emperor Wen Hui was gravely ill, the one he doted on most was naturally the one closest to him. Thus, many speculated that even without formally naming a Crown Prince, Emperor Wen Hui was very likely to pass the imperial throne to Prince Ding, Fu Xiu Yi.
As a result, a wave of officials began turning towards Fu Xiu Yi's camp. Whether driven by personal ambition or external pressure, the conclusion was the same: by all appearances, Fu Xiu Yi had already become the future monarch of Ming Qi.
And Fu Xiu Yi had begun, little by little, to move against the Shen family.
The Shen family's military authority had previously been stripped by Emperor Wen Hui, yet Fu Xiu Yi now sought to restore it—granting Shen Xin a new command so that father and son could lead a newly formed army. No matter how one looked at it, this was a pit Fu Xiu Yi had deliberately dug for the Shen family. If they misstepped even slightly, they would fall straight into his trap.
Shen Qiu wrote that the Shen family was currently using Shen Xin's illness as a pretext to refuse the offer, but it was unclear how long such an excuse could be sustained. Since Fu Xiu Yi had already set his sights on the Shen family, he would not rely on a single method. Fortunately, they were not entirely without recourse. Fu Xiu Yi had also begun targeting the Feng family—Feng An Ning's household. The Feng and Shen families planned to join forces, and together with other Ming Qi officials, they believed it would be enough for self-preservation.
Even so, there was a trace of weariness in Shen Qiu's words, as though he were lamenting that a family loyal to the throne for generations had come to a point of mutual suspicion with the Imperial house.
After reading the letter, Shen Miao folded it carefully, her unease evident. Xie Jing Xing had read it with her and, upon noticing her expression, asked, "You're very worried?"
"Fu Xiu Yi has begun moving against the Shen family," Shen Miao replied gravely. "His rise has been far too swift. In less than a year, there's no one left who can compete with him. Zhou Wáng and Jing Wáng were once so arrogant, yet now even Xián Fēi is declining—and Li Wáng has actually submitted to him." She paused before adding, "His methods are anything but simple."
Although Shen Miao had long known that Fu Xiu Yi would become Emperor of Ming Qi in her previous life, the Shen family had not existed then. Even so, he had still managed to reverse an unfavourable situation. This made her realise that the Shen family's arrangements might have been too hasty—and that she may have underestimated their enemy.
"That's hardly surprising," Xie Jing Xing said with a faint smile. "He began preparing years ago. Zhou Wáng and Jing Wáng held advantages, but they missed the decisive moment. As for Li Wáng, without maternal backing, he was never truly comparable."
"But why target the Shen family?" Shen Miao frowned. "Logically speaking, without military power, we pose no threat—just like the Marquis of Lin'an's household. He leaves them alone, yet refuses to spare us." Fu Xiu Yi was not someone who wasted effort on meaningless actions, so why suppress the Shen family when it was seemingly unnecessary?
Xie Jing Xing muttered, "Perhaps because of you."
"Me?" Shen Miao looked at him in surprise.
"You married into Great Liang. Fu Xiu Yi suspects the relationship between us and believes Great Liang to be the Shen family's backing. After returning to Long Ye, I had people monitor his movements and discovered that he has been investigating everything about me through the Marquis of Lin'an's residence—he may even know my true identity." He paused briefly before continuing, "He may have misunderstood the relationship between the Shen family and me, believing that you have already sought refuge with Great Liang. Or perhaps he has other plans altogether. Fu Xiu Yi's methods are ruthless, and his nature deeply suspicious. Once he senses the slightest irregularity, he will cut the weeds and eliminate the roots. If he feels even a hint of unease towards the Shen family, he will spare no effort in eradicating them."
"I understand that," Shen Miao said, her gaze turning cold. Even at the end of her previous life, Fu Xiu Yi had wiped out the First Household because of the Shen family's military power.
"But you don't need to worry," Xie Jing Xing said lightly, pinching her cheek. "I've already made arrangements in Ding Capital. No matter what happens, your family will be protected."
"You prepared this long ago?" Shen Miao asked. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Do I need credit for something like this?" he replied. "They're my family too. How could I leave them in Ding Capital without making arrangements?"
When Shen Miao heard him say they're my family too, her heart seemed to melt into sweetness. A faint smile appeared in her eyes as she said, "Speaking of which, I didn't expect the Feng family to join forces with Dàjiùzi. At the beginning, I specifically asked Shen Qiu to keep an eye on them, so that Feng An Ning wouldn't repeat her past mistakes. I never imagined such an alliance would form." From the looks of it, Feng An Ning would not follow the path of her previous life—marrying someone with a gilded exterior but rotten within.
[E/N: Dàjiùzi - Wife's Eldest Brother]
"There's one more matter I need to tell you," Xie Jing Xing said, his expression suddenly turning serious. "Fu Xiu Yi has been in secret contact with the Emperor of Qin."
Shen Miao was startled. "Borrowing troops?" At the mention of Qin, memories of the five years she had spent there as a hostage resurfaced. Fu Xiu Yi was unmarried—had he found another hostage?
"It's possible they've reached a private agreement," Xie Jing Xing replied. "The most likely outcome is the division of territory."
Shen Miao frowned. "To help him secure the position of heir apparent? But relying on a foreign power would carry enormous consequences. Fu Xiu Yi shouldn't need to go that far."
Xie Jing Xing's gaze darkened. "It's to deal with Great Liang."
Shen Miao looked at him in disbelief. "They want to move against Great Liang? That's madness." Even if Ming Qi and Qin joined forces, Great Liang's strength was undeniable. Both sides would suffer heavy losses. After enjoying peace for so many years, why would anyone take the initiative to provoke a war?
"That's the temperament of someone who cannot tolerate a thorn in their side," Xie Jing Xing laughed lightly. "Besides, Long Ye is currently unsettled because of the Lu and Ye families. To them, this is an opportunity—and they won't let it slip."
Shen Miao pondered his words for a moment before saying, "You're right. A day like this was bound to come sooner or later." It was just that starting a war now was hardly an ideal time for Great Liang.
"You don't need to worry," Xie Jing Xing said, patting her head. "Leave these matters to me."
"I'm also the Rui Qīnwángfēi!," Shen Miao retorted, glaring at him in displeasure.
Xie Jing Xing met her gaze calmly, unruffled. "Oh? Didn't you already suffer enough going from Huánghòu to a Wángfēi"
"I've already suffered through it," Shen Miao snorted. "What use is there in bringing it up now?"
Xie Jing Xing was about to reply when a knock sounded at the door. He called out for the person to enter.
Hui Xiang stepped inside. When she saw Shen Miao, then glanced at Xie Jing Xing, a trace of uncertainty flickered across her face.
"Do you have something to say to me?" Shen Miao asked, her gaze unfathomable. "If there is, then speak directly." In other words, Xie Jing Xing's presence made no difference.
Hui Xiang replied, "At noon today, Pei Xiānshēng wished to go out for a walk. The servants remembered that Gao Xiānshēng had said it would benefit Pei Xiānshēng's injuries to walk about, so long as it wasn't too far. Pei Xiānshēng wanted to be alone, so no one thought much of it. He usually walks around the gates for a short while before returning, but today he still hadn't come back even after nightfall."
Shen Miao frowned. "Something happened?" Pei Lang had no martial arts skills—if he encountered danger outside, he would have no means of protecting himself.
"This servant thought so as well," Hui Xiang said. "However, Ba Jiao found this on the table in Pei Xiānshēng's room." She drew out a letter-like object from her sleeve and handed it to Shen Miao. "Only some of Pei Xiānshēng's belongings and clothes are missing. If this servant has not guessed wrongly, Pei Xiānshēng has already left."
Shen Miao was just about to open the letter when she paused.
Xie Jing Xing's expression also shifted slightly.
"Did he say anything before leaving?" Shen Miao asked.
"He did not," Hui Xiang replied. "He behaved as usual, and even remarked that the weather was good today."
Shen Miao felt momentarily at a loss when Xie Jing Xing said, "Have a look at the letter first."
He was about to stand up and leave when Shen Miao caught hold of his sleeve.
Xie Jing Xing turned back.
"Let's read it together," she said.
His movement stilled. After a brief pause, he sat back down, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Once the letter was opened, Pei Lang's handwriting appeared before her eyes. His script was as clear and composed as the man himself, carrying the refined elegance of a classical scholar. He looked the part as well, which made it all the harder to imagine how someone so restrained and scholarly had become entangled in the struggle for power.
At the beginning of the letter, he wrote of the length of time he had spent at the Prince Rui Residence, apologising for the trouble he had caused and thanking the couple for granting him shelter. He then expressed his hope that Shen Miao would honour her promise and properly settle the remainder of Liu Ying's life.
Pei Lang also explained that although he had followed Shen Miao to Long Ye, it had only ever been a temporary measure. Pursued by Fu Xiu Yi and left with nowhere else to hide, he had no choice but to come. However, continuing to stay at the Prince Rui Residence would only bring further inconvenience. He had his own plans and intended to travel for the rest of his life, broadening his knowledge. For this reason, he departed without bidding farewell.
Because there had once been a teacher–student relationship between himself and Shen Miao, followed later by a measure of friendship, he had arranged certain information for her. During his time in Prince Ding's residence, he had learned of some of Prince Ding's affairs, and knowing that Shen Miao had been wary of Prince Ding all along, he hoped this information would prove useful to her in the future.
Once this letter was delivered to Shen Miao, their relationship would be considered settled and clear. Neither owed the other anything. Pei Lang wrote that he did not know whether there would be another chance for them to meet, and thus could only wish her to take care of herself.
The letter itself was written with extreme simplicity, devoid of any particular emotion. Whether this detachment was deliberate—to draw a clean line between them—was impossible to say. Reading between the lines, it felt distant and courteous, as though everything had returned to the days when they were merely teacher and student at Guang Wen Tang.
There was another sheet of paper enclosed with the letter, densely filled with information about Fu Xiu Yi. Some of it detailed his trusted confidants, some outlined his plans, while others concerned the steps he would take in the future and the people he intended to win over.
At first, Xie Jing Xing merely skimmed it alongside Shen Miao, but as he read further, his expression inevitably grew serious.
The pages contained nothing but information on Fu Xiu Yi. It was as though there were no secrets left to hide—everything was laid bare before them. With such knowledge in hand, it felt like gripping a snake by its most vulnerable point, striking directly at its heart, step by step.
Xie Jing Xing frowned. "How could he know so much?"
Even if Pei Lang had once acted as Xie Jing Xing's spy, and even considering Fu Xiu Yi's former trust in him, it was impossible that Fu Xiu Yi would have confided to such an extent. More disturbingly, even the spies Fu Xiu Yi had planted in his most concealed positions were listed in full. The level of detail was such that it resembled the work of a favoured confidant who had served at his master's side for many years, knowing his every secret as well as the palm of his own hand.
Shen Miao's fingertips trembled slightly.
Some of the matters recorded would not occur until several years later. At present, Fu Xiu Yi had not even encountered some of these people yet—so how could Pei Lang possibly know of them?
Unless Pei Lang possessed memories of a previous life, he could not have known Fu Xiu Yi's future confidants, his future chess pieces, or his future plans.
But when had Pei Lang acquired such knowledge? He had shown no sign of it before.
Could it be…? Shen Miao's heart stirred. It was because of the assassination attempt on Xie Jing Xing's birthday that she had dreamt of her previous life—could Pei Lang have experienced the same thing?
She turned to Hui Xiang. "Has there been anything unusual about Pei Xiānshēng these past few days?"
"Unusual?" Hui Xiang considered for a moment before replying. "There doesn't seem to be anything different. He does sometimes sit in a daze, as though lost in thought, but Pei Xiānshēng has always been quiet by nature. During his recovery, he's been much the same as before."
Shen Miao hesitated. She wanted to ask Pei Lang directly whether he remembered anything from a past life. After all, he had followed Fu Xiu Yi the longest and knew him better than anyone. Yet just as the thought surfaced, she stopped herself.
And even if he did remember—so what then?
Just as Shen Miao could not calmly face Pei Lang, he would have no idea how to face her either.
They were neither sworn enemies nor friends who could trust each other wholeheartedly. Blood debts lay between them, even if each had already paid their price. In the depths of the palace, many actions were not taken of one's own will, yet they were still mistakes. One could not pretend that nothing had happened, nor could everything be laid bare and explained.
When Xie Jing Xing noticed her hesitation, he asked, "Shall I have people bring him back?"
Shen Miao came back to herself. "No need. If he wants to live his own life, then let him." Since meeting again would only reopen old wounds, it was better not to meet at all. It was good that Pei Lang had left in this manner.
She tightened her grip on the sheet of paper, her gaze turning solemn.
Seeing this, Xie Jing Xing said quietly, "The things written here…"
"It's real," Shen Miao said. "This must be sent to Dàgē. We're not in Ding Capital, so it's difficult for us to act on this information ourselves. If we hand it over to Dàgē and Fùqīn, they'll be able to respond as circumstances require. At the very least, the Shen family will have more leverage." After a brief pause, she added with some difficulty, "But this is extremely valuable. If it were intercepted on the way back to Ming Qi…"
"Have the Mo Yun Army handle it," Xie Jing Xing said casually. "They've been delivering correspondence for years without a single interception."
Shen Miao felt slightly reassured. However, before she could say anything further, the letter in her hand was taken away by Xie Jing Xing. He deliberately set it aside and said, "It's late. Time to rest."
"How is it late?" Shen Miao asked in confusion. "It's only just turned dark." She then continued, "Even if there's no need to bring Pei Xiānshēng back, we should at least ensure his safety. If he's harmed for no reason, or ends up being watched by others—"
Before she could finish speaking, Shen Miao was lifted effortlessly by Xie Jing Xing and tossed onto the bed. As he leaned closer, his voice dropped dangerously low. "Try worrying about Pei Lang again."
Shen Miao, "…"
--------
In the Palace
In the Imperial Gardens, lotus blossoms were in full bloom. It was the height of summer, and the broad green leaves nearly covered the entire pond.
Empress Xian De sat quietly in the pavilion. Although there was no moon that night, the stars were scattered across the sky, and the water below was clear and shimmering, creating a scene of tranquil beauty. She instructed the palace servants to brew some tea, as a light drink was especially fitting in the summer heat.
Tao Gūgū stood behind her and smiled. "The lotus flowers are blooming exceptionally well this year."
Empress Xian De glanced over and returned the smile. "Last year, this palace ordered the varieties to be changed. That's why they're flourishing so beautifully this year." She added mildly, "They also help cool the summer air."
As she spoke, a figure could be seen approaching from afar. Upon noticing Empress Xian De and her attendants, the person paused briefly before changing direction and heading towards the pavilion.
Only when the figure drew closer did it become clear that it was none other than Consort Jing.
Compared to her former self—arrogant and lavishly adorned—Consort Jing now appeared worn and distressed. In truth, it had not been only today. Of late, her circumstances had been poor, leaving her with little energy to attend to her appearance. Traces of fatigue showed clearly on her once-beautiful face.
Yet the moment she saw Empress Xian De, that weariness vanished, replaced instantly by resentment.
She spoke with thinly veiled mockery, "From a distance, I wondered who could be enjoying such fine spirits. So it turns out to be Huánghòu Niángniáng."
Empress Xian De smiled faintly, neither warm nor cold. "Běngōng is drinking tea here. Does Jing Fēi wish to have a cup?"
Consort Jing returned her gaze with a cold smile. "Jiějiě has the leisure to drink tea, but Mèimèi has no such mood."
Emperor Yong Le had already begun suppressing the Lu family. Even though the women of the Inner Palace did not involve themselves in court affairs, they could sense the change through the Emperor's attitude. The once-favoured consort had fallen to a point where neither tears nor pleading could move him, and that alone spoke volumes.
"Běngōng does not concern herself with whether Jing Fēi is in the mood or not," Empress Xian De replied calmly, continuing to pour herself a cup of tea. "The tea will always be here."
Consort Jing trembled with barely contained anger.
Earlier, Lu Fūrén had entered the palace to see her, saying that Emperor Yong Le was already dealing with the Lu family and that his attitude showed no regard for past affections. She questioned why, if Consort Jing still enjoyed the Emperor's favour, there was no effect in blowing the wind by the pillow. She urged Consort Jing to probe the Emperor's intentions and, if possible, plead for leniency.
Consort Jing had done exactly that—but it had been utterly useless.
In truth, although Emperor Yong Le had doted on her for many years—so much so that even Empress Xian De had been forced to give her leeway in the Inner Palace—Consort Jing had never once been able to change his mind. No matter how arrogant she behaved, she had always been indulged, yet she had never truly swayed him.
At times, Consort Jing felt that Emperor Yong Le saw through everything, aware that her affection was deliberate and calculated, leaving her with an unspoken sense of shame. At other times, she believed he genuinely favoured her. Now that the Lu family had encountered trouble and required her help as their daughter, she sought him out—only to be met with an icy indifference.
Consort Jing had spent her entire life riding favourable winds and smooth currents, never truly tasting hardship. Upon entering the Palace, she had risen effortlessly to the rank of Consort thanks to the Lu family's influence. Now that the Lu family had fallen into trouble, she too suffered the consequences. Only then did she realise that after so many years, aside from antagonising others and stirring up needless scenes, she had accomplished nothing of substance.
By contrast, the Empress Xian De whom she so deeply resented could sit calmly in a pavilion, drinking tea at leisure, unrestrained and untroubled. This sight alone filled Consort Jing's heart with bitterness.
She believed that Emperor Yong Le did not truly love Empress Xian De, and that the respect she received came solely from her status as Empress. To Consort Jing, this was unbearably unfair. If Empress Xian De were not standing in her way, she herself would have become Empress. Emperor Yong Le would not be ignoring the Lu family, and she would not be plagued by such worries now.
A vicious resentment began to take root in Consort Jing's heart.
Her gaze fell upon a wooden ladder beside the pavilion, leading down into the lake. It was usually placed there to make feeding the fish convenient and to lend the scenery an air of elegance—but it was also undeniably dangerous.
Consort Jing quietly moved closer to Empress Xian De and said, "Jiějiě has brewed tea for so many years, so naturally you know all the proper rules. But this Mèimèi does not enjoy tea. It is bitter, and those who drink it never feel entirely comfortable—so why brew it at all?"
As the words left her mouth, she suddenly cried out, "Aiyah!" and stumbled forward, lurching straight towards Empress Xian De. The Empress was seated close to the water; if she were struck, she would surely fall into the lake.
But what kind of person was Empress Xian De? Consort Jing might have been foolish, but Empress Xian De was not. Such a crude trick did not even merit her attention. She had already been on guard, and the moment Consort Jing leaned forward, she calmly stepped back and avoided her.
A loud splash echoed through the pavilion.
Water sprayed into the air.
The palace maid standing beside Consort Jing screamed in shock.