"Able and efficient people?" Shen Qiu was puzzled, "Who is that?"
The voice hardly landed when they heard Bai Lu loudly speaking, "Second Young Master, why are you here?"
"You see." Shen Miao turned back and a smile fleeted in her eyes, "The able and efficient person has come."
Shen Qiu's eyes turned and in two or three steps he had reached in front and opened the door and sure enough, Shen Yuan was standing outside. Shen Yuan had always placed importance on one's appearance but looked a bit haggard today, most likely because he was up the entire night. As compared to the act that was put on a few days ago, the look that he gave to these siblings was unconcealed dark. He said, "Fifth Younger Sister, I have something to say to you alone."
"My Younger Sister has no words to say to you." Shen Qiu stood in front of Shen Miao to block and deliberately emphasised on the three words 'My Younger Sister'.
"There is no harm Eldest Brother." Shen Miao said, "It happens to be that I also have something to say to Second Older Brother."
"Younger Sister." Shen Qiu said anxiously and almost said the words of 'that thing is not a good person'. Shen Miao patted Shen Qiu's arm, "Do not worry. If you cannot feel at ease then stand at the doors to guard."
"Then I will guard at the door." Shen Qiu quickly said.
The two siblings' conduct made Shen Yuan's expression turn green. Previously no matter how much Shen Qiu was uncaring toward him, on the surface he would still be amiable. However this time, it was as if a pin was against an awn. Shen Yuan's gaze landed on Shen Miao. There were so many matters that would had gone well if things followed according as planned, but it had deviated from the planned route so much that it could not be rounded up. This was all because of Shen Miao.
She was then the biggest variable of the Shen family.
"Fifth Younger Sister follow me in." Shen Yuan coldly glanced at Shen Qiu, "Eldest Brother, please guard by the door." Finishing, he took the lead and stepped into the room.
Under everyone's worried eyes, Shen Miao also walked in.
After the doors were slowly closed, Shen Miao turned back and saw Shen Yuan's gloomy look, "You did it."
He had an affirmative tone that he did not even bother sound her out at all. Shen Miao gently smiled, "Which matter is Second Older Brother talking about? The matter of exterminating the entire household of the Prince of First Rank residence or the matter of the spreading rumours."
"Which one was not done by you?" Shen Yuan sneered, "I actually looked down on you."
"One fear that Second Older Brother had attached too much importance to me." Shen Miao did not care, "I do not have such an ability to be able to make such a calamity happen and still be able to retreat without harm."
"Oh?" Shen Yuan sized her up before speaking, "Now are you living happily?"
"Mouth is on other's body and I do not care about what others say. Since Second Older Brother insisted upon it, I am also too lazy to explain since you would not believe. Is not Second Older Brother here to denounce one publicly for one's crimes?"
Shen Yuan endured and tolerated. The young female's smile was as light as a breeze and her lips curled up to that of a ridicule, and her eyes were as clear as water reflecting him in a sorry condition. He was prideful and conceited but now was suffering from a girl's action, naturally he was very unhappy in his heart. However since the matter has reached to such a point, it was indeed that he had underestimated the enemy.
"Are you not afraid of implicating the Shen family with your actions? Like this, Eldest Bo's entire family would not be well too!" Shen Yuan ferocious said.
Hearing those words, it was like Shen Miao had heard a funny joke as at the moment she looked at Shen Yuan full of smiles till until Shen Yuan could not tolerate it, she then blandly said "I did not do anything. In addition, Second Older Brother's words are just too strange. Even if the matter involved the Shen family, what does it got to do with my First household?" She lightly and casually highlighted.
"My parents and Older Brother are in the Northwest region in the entire year and you cannot expect to say that I, a little young lady, is able to make the decision of the First household. Even if the Shen family is really involved, Second brother, at least the First household can be innocently extracted."
Shen Yuan on the contrary sucked in a lump of cold air.
It is not that he did not think to that layer but when she said those words, he wanted nothing more than to say that Shen Miao did not understand the matters of the court. No matter how smart and cunning Shen Miao was, that was only in the confines of the inner courtyard since the court was the world of men, and who would want to analyse the situation for Shen Miao who was always in the Shen residence? Shen Gui? Shen Wan? One would laugh their teeth off. But at present with Shen Miao's sarcastic words, it could clearly indicate that she seemed to understand this situation better than anyone else.
"So you long have plans at the back." Shen Yuan's expression changed and he sneered, "It seems that your First household is ready to take action?"
"We never had the leisurely heart to worry about other people's matter." Shen Miao remained calm and composed as she looked at him, "But it is Second Shu and Third Shu who had to now give a good explanation. But the most worried should be you, Second Older Brother." She shook her head and said in a sorry tone, "You just returned back to the capital to take office and to encounter such a matter. This is a living block for Second Older Brother's future."
She deliberately said it with such cadence, mostly likely because of hanging out with Shen Xin for the past few days, she had learnt how to anger one to death without a change of emotion. It made Shen Yuan so angry that his fist was balled up tightly.
Shen Miao suddenly turned over and touched her soft fur before gently smiling, "But seeing that everyone's surname is Shen, I have an idea which can solve the urgent situation."
"Fifth Younger Sister's solution, I dare not use." Shen Yuan stared at her, "Once one is not careful, one's life would be gone before noticing."
"Second Older Brother jokes. How could I be that scary? This idea was sincerely thought out for you all. But thinking that Second Older Brother is so smart, one must have thought about it. Even though Shen residence is already implicated, it would be alright as long as the Shen family can come out of it. Second Older also know that rumours are not real. It is just that when they are spread out for too long, it would make one suspicious. So before the rumours would spread more, make it as a passing rumour. As to how to turn it to a passing rumour, one have to let Eldest Sister clarify it."
Shen Miao looked out of the window and saw that Shen Qiu was anxiously holding a spear, as he squatted under a tree and looked towards this room from afar. She smiled faintly, "I think that the most powerful way to quell disturbances is the price of life."
"You!" Shen Yuan suddenly raised a fist but stopped at the top of her head. He stared at Shen Miao and said, "At such an age you have a heart as malicious as snakes and scorpions. Fifth Younger Sister, you are the first of such person I have seen in my life."
"Likewise, likewise." There was a pleased look that flashed in Shen Miao's eyes as she asked, "You guess if Eldest Sister is willing to volunteer to quell the disturbances for Second Older Brother's future?" Her smile was warm, "It may be assumed that she would be willing, after all you all are real blood family." Shen Miao paused before suddenly shaking her head, "Not correct. One think that Eldest Sister would not be willing. Eldest Sister is one who cherish herself so Second Older Brother would need to suffer the loss of the future, but Eldest Sister would need to pay with her life."
"Shen Miao, you will not be lucky the next time." Shen Yuan was gnashing his teeth and his tone seemed to want to swallow Shen Miao down. He suddenly understood why in every mention of Shen Miao, Ren Wan Yun would hate so crazily. Because the opponent was an out and out hateful person.
"One do not know if I would be lucky every time." Shen Miao looked towards him, "But Second Older Brother, you now have no way out."
With a 'Hong' sound, Shen Yuan kicked the doors open and left abruptly without turning back. His actions made Shen Qiu's heart anxious and he rushed into the room without a second word, and only calmed down after seeing Shen Miao safe and sound. He asked curiously, "What did you say to him? How did he become that angry?"
"Oh. Most likely feeling helpless and self-blame upon seeing his younger sister in jail." Shen Miao also picked up a cloak and left without turning back. When Shen Qiu saw that, he asked, "Younger Sister want to go out?"
"Eldest Sister is in jail. As a sister, one have to go and take a look." Shen Miao gently smiled, "After all, one is family."
Chapter 89: No Route (Part 3)
For such a big event happening in the Ding capital, if Feng Xian Pawnshop did not know about the matter, it would then be strange. One fear that if Bai Xiao Sheng's ancestors were aware of it, they would jump out of their coffins to admonish them.
In the Lin Jian Pagoda, Hong Ling placed the delicate pastries on the table and set the teacups before silently retreating. Ji Yu Shu picked one piece of a snack and took a bite before spitting it out, "What kind of thing is this? It is horrible to eat." After saying so, he shyly looked towards Xie Jing Xing, "Third Xie Brother, do lend me your chef for a few days."
Xie Jing Xing gave him a concise and comprehensive word, "Get lost."
Gao Yang drank tea as he spoke, "Now that the entire capital is talking about Prince of First Rank residence, you still have the heart to eat snacks. Ji Yu Shu, you are really admirable."
"No need to admire me." Ji Yu Shu chicly adjusted his collar, "I have been so outstanding all these while. But what does the Prince residence's matter got to do with me, why can I not eat snacks?"
"Do not forget, the Chen brothers mentioned before taking action that the news was spread out by the Feng Xian Pawnshop." Gao Yang reminded, "What assassination and rebellion, your news creation is really not small at all."
Ji Yu Shu blew up when he heard it, "That person who created the news was Shen Miao, and one did not see her being too agitated to sit or stand or not eat any snacks. I heard that early this morning she even went to the prison to take a look at Shen Qing. See, this is then called heart like a ceramic glaze as one faced on calmly. If I was Shen Qing, I would be have been angry to death."
Xie Jing Xing smiled and he nipped a snack up to eat. Most probably the taste was not to his liking, he slightly frowned as he put the remaining half down and no longer ate.
"How could you compare them." Gao Yang said breezily, "One fear that the Fifth Shen Young Lady's courage is able to pierce the heavens. One need to know that to be able to stab our Third Xie Older Brother and still able to escape unharmed, she is the first one I meet."
"What?" Ji Yu Shu shouted and looked towards Xie Jing Xing, "Third Older Brother, you actually got stabbed?"
Xie Jing Xing glared at Gao Yang, "Is it that you want to return?"
Gao Yang immediately sat upright and still, "I spoke nonsense just now."
But it was evident that Ji Yu Shu had found an interesting news and kept pursuing Xie Jing Xing energetically, "How did she stabbed you? With a sword? Third Older Brother, you did not avoid her at all so her moves must have been very fast. And at the end manage to withdraw without harm. Heavens, Third Older Brother, you cannot beat her?"
Xie Jing Xing finally could no longer endure, "Shut up!"
"Her skills are this good and her appearance is also not bad. I suddenly feel that Young Lady Shao Yao could not be compared to her. Ah, Third Older Brother, can you help me to think of a way to win her favour? I find that it is better to bring this kind of young lady back home the soonest." Ji Yu Shu continued to be obsessed.
"One more sentence and you will go back with Gao Yang." Xie Jing Xing said in an expressionless face.
Ji Yu Shu finally closed his mouth bitterly.
Gao Yang moved his fan and changed the topic of conversation, "But with such a big move from Shen Miao, why do I feel that the matter of the Prince residence would not end?"
"It will not ended?" Ji Yu Shu said, "The people are all dead, why will not ended? But speaking of which I also felt a bit strange. Without rhyme or reason why did Shen Young Lady need others to spread such rumours around. Is she not afraid of implicating the entire Shen family? Others rush to make their relationship clear so why is she finding trouble for herself?"
"Have you seen a fisherman not continue fishing after a big fish is caught?" Xie jing Xing swept a glance at him and had an interested smile, "It is originally one round against one round. What she planned did not end at the result of the Prince residence."
At the other side, in Cai Yun Yuan of the Shen family, Shen Yuan seemed to be somewhat dragging his feet back to the room. When Ren Wan Yun saw him, she immediately went up and asked full of hope , "Yuan-er, what is the matter?"
Shen Yuan shook his head, "It is somewhat difficult."
"Yuan-er, you must save Qing-er." Ren Wan Yun's tears suddenly flew down. As these days she had been washing her face with tears, her eyes were so swollen that they were somewhat scary. Furthermore she did not bother to clean herself up and thus her body was emitting a strange smell. Shen Yuan moved away without a word and Ren Wan Yun grabbed onto his arm, "She is your Younger Sister, you must save her! Qing-er is so pitiful, she is innocent and would have been very scared when she was arrested. We are not by her side and only you, as a brother, can save her!"
As she said that, tears and spits sprayed onto Shen Yuan's body. Shen Yuan felt anguish in his heart and when he saw Ren Wan Yun's attitude, the annoyance in his heart increased. He said, "I know." He then turned to return to the room.
When Ren Wan Yun saw that, she became anxious and held back Shen Yuan, "Yuan-er, how could you return back to the room? Should you not go to the government office to put things in order? Or go and seek the Emperor's help? You are so intelligent and know quite a lot of people in the court, thus can definitely help your Younger Sister. Is it that you need money? Mother will go get it for you now."
"Mother." Shen Yuan fought the irritation in his heart before saying, "At present, I am unable to do any help in the government office. Do not anyhow stir trouble."
"I stir trouble?" Ren Wan Yun was surprised for a moment before screaming loudly, "I am saving your Younger Sister. There is not a good person in this residence! Your Father does not have a conscience and only know how to mix with that vixen, how would he care about the life and death of us mother and daughter. Now even you do not want to care about your Younger Sister? You also want to learn from your Father? I raised you up with so much effort and this is how you repay me! Shen Yuan, your Father does not have a conscience, you are also one without conscience!" The more Ren Wan Yun spoke, the louder she got. Now she was already somewhat crazy and could not be agitated any more. One did not know which of Shen Yuan's words provoked her that made her go crazy like a madwoman.
Not only scolding and blaming, Ren Wan Yun even pushed out Shen Yuan. With all her scolding and screaming, where was the appearance of a dignified and wealthy Furen that she previously had, it was like seeing a shrew from a common small family. Shen Yuan suddenly felt tired. Shen Miao's words kept ringing in his ears over and over again.
He initially had such great future prospects and now upon his return to the capital, he should be soaring like an eagle from the start. He would depend on a just monarch's support and become a famous Prime Minister in this generation and step everyone under his feet, and everyone's gaze will be looking up upon him. But now, what was this? His mother has become a shrew and his father was weak and useless, that even the younger sister he had that could help roll the carpet in his career had become a prisoner. All of these became his stumbling blocks.
Even though his blood relatives were important, but was not his future prospects important too? He secretly became Fu Xiu Yi's people since many years ago, and took office outside so as to plan for a better future upon the return to the capital. Who knew that such a thing would have happened? What Shen Miao said was correct. Rumours were considered rumours and could not be real, but if they were to spread out fiercely and heard by the Heaven's family, then even if Fu Xiu Yi were to value him heavily, he would not dare to touch him due to fear.
Shen Miao had placed two roads in front of him, one was blood relatives, another was future prospects. But, in some sense, he really had no way out.
Shen Yuan looked at Ren Wan Yun and calmly spoke, "Even if Mother does not care about me, can it be that one can also be reckless with Younger Brother's life?"