"Do not look at me, I will not be able to bear."
Time suddenly stopped strangely at that moment and everything seemed to have lost its sound. The entire room of burning torches, it was less comparable than that person moving eyes. It was clearly an intimate appearance, a lover whispering ambiguously but in a twinkling of an eye, it was filled with a thick intention to kill.
Xie Jing Xing's eyes looked down and there was a slight warmth feeling on his palm, one seemingly was able to feel the eyelashes moving like butterfly wings, fluttering away but unable to fly away.
"Gao Yang, go out." Xie Jing Xing said.
Gao Yang frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Go out first." Xie Jing Xing calmly said.
Gao Yang glanced at him and did not say anything before picking that thing that was wrapped with cloth and walked out. After the footsteps had disappeared, Xie Jing Xing then slowly let go.
When unfolding his hand, on the fair palm, there seemed to be crystals under the light of the torch.
Just now, Shen Miao seemed to have cried.
Xie Jing Xing lazily spoke, "It is just death. Cry for what." He wanted to say more but he suddenly shut up when he saw the look of the young female in front.
Shen Miao's brows were clear and there was a bit of childishness on her face, but today the coldness covered her face till nothing else could be seen. Her eyes were as clear as water but there was no look of sadness at all. Just now was most likely a fake-out as she was not scared at all. Xie Jing Xing's heart flashed but he saw Shen Miao suddenly raised her hand and headed to his chest. This vicious and ruthless attack, if it was anyone else, she would have startled them. But Xie Jing Xing only slightly moved and his hand gripped onto Shen Miao's left arm. Shen Miao was pulled by him and almost fell into Xie Jing Xing's embrace. But he saw her taking out something from her sleeves and stabbed it into Xie Jing Xing's arm without hesitation.
That hairpin was very small and one would not see it if one did not pay attention. Shen Miao's action was ruthless and did not hesitate when she attacked, so the hairpin was buried in the arm of her captor. Xie Jing Xing's eyes darkened and with the wave of a hand, Shen Miao was thrown to the front of the stone wall again.
Xie Jing Xing's hand was holding onto Shen Miao's delicate neck, it seemed that with just a little more force, her neck could be easily broken. His voice was slightly deep and there was a wave of undetectable anger, "Worthy to be General Residence's people. Learnt completely how to mount a sneak attack."
When Shen Miao's eyes fell onto Xie Jing Xing's arm, half of the hairpin was stabbed in and blood was flowing out, staining his sleeves red making them stuck onto his arm. Xie Jing Xing looked towards Shen Miao's eyes and smiled in a not concerned way, "It is alright even if there is poison as I will definitely kill you before that."
His eyes were extremely beautiful which would make one feel fascinated by watching them. If that smile but not a smile was seen by the Ding capital's young lady, it probably would cause a ruckus. But in Shen Miao's eyes, it had hidden an indifference.
What kind of person was Xie Jing Xing? He seemed to be very complicated and his image in the capital was that he had the ability but trifled without respect, and his rebellious temper made him unable to be controlled by anyone, and also unable to flex his muscles in his career. But at this moment Shen Miao was doubting if the Xie Jing Xing in everyone's eyes was the real Xie Jing Xing? He was extremely aggressive and this kind of person hid so deep, was he intentionally scheming for the country?
Xie Jing Xing did not seem to be dissatisfied with her lack of attention and approached bullying as he stared at her, "Shen Miao if I kill you today, there would be no one protecting your Shen family."
Shen Miao's eyes moved and saw Xie Jing Xing laughing evilly, "Shen Yuan has returned to the capital and with the Second and Third Households allying together, what is the possibility of Shen Xin winning?" His palm slowly tightened and each sentence he said was poking at Shen Miao's fatal weakness, "Fu family is eyeing the Shen family like a tiger watching his prey, thus Shen Xin will have problems progressing in the future. The matter that you wanted and had schemed for would now end in my hand. If you want to take revenge, then wait till the next lifetime."
The fiercer he was, the more indescribably handsome he became (translator and editors roll eyes again). As if one could see people's hearts, his words attacked the most worrisome things in Shen Miao's heart. In this rebirth lifetime, Shen Miao only sought that the Shen family's First Household would be safe and sound, and all of her schemes were just nothing more than revenge. If one were to die here at this place, everything will be stopped abruptly. Xie Jing Xing's eyes did not have any trace of sympathy and compassion, no matter what identity she had, even if she was a Royal Princess, as long as she discovered Xie Jing Xing's and Gao Yang's relationship, there would not be any safe way out. This is why she desperately gambled else with her cautious temperament, she would not have used such a dangerous method till the last moment.
Suddenly Wan Yu's and Fu Ming's smiling faces of the past lifetime appeared in front of her. Shen Miao's eyes widened and before she noticed, two streams of tears had flowed down her cheeks.
If she were to die here, she would not be resigned to it.
Xie Jing Xing saw her tears and squinted his eyes as he looked at her. He had not forgotten Shen Miao's ruthless attack just now. Tears used by females to win sympathy would not work on him.
However, Shen Miao just stared at her tears and fell silently. There was no weakness in her eyes or expression as her tears fell woodenly, but it made one's heart sour. As if before this happened, one had experienced the pain that no ordinary people had before, and that sorrow was as if one had reached the dead end. Tears were loyal to the body and flowed out first.
Xie Jing Xing frowned at her and the hand that grabbed Shen Miao's throat gradually relaxed.
But Shen Miao not in the least noticed it. Finally, Xie Jing Xing let go and had a small expression of helplessness. His physique was large and keeping the little girl at the corner made him feel weird like he was bullying a little child. Even though Xie Jing Xing was well aware that Shen Miao and 'little child' would never be comparable.
After a moment he finally pulled out the hairpin in his arm. It was painful to pull it out and Xie Jing Xing's brow slightly wrinkled and played with the hairpin that he pulled out. Seeing Shen Miao staring at him, he suddenly felt an inexplicable awkwardness. "Do not cry, I will not kill you." Pausing, he then added, "Just to scare you."
Shen Miao was slightly relieved in her heart as she knew that Xie Jing Xing was not scaring her at all. That sharp killing intent a moment ago meant that the other person had truly wanted to kill. But in the end, had gotten soft-hearted just because of the few tears she shed. As for what moved Xie Jing Xing, Shen Miao was not clear about it.
Xie Jing Xing said, "How did you discover here?"
"Saw Sānshū touching a copy of Liu Yuan's night banquet painting and when touching it, one inadvertently found this chamber due to curiosity and did not expect to see you all inside…"
Xie Jing Xing looked at her with a smile but yet a smile, "Shen Wan?"
Shen Miao lied without changing any expression, "Yes."
"Little girl, I am not the Chen brothers. Do not use the tactic of attacking others using the strength of another on me." Xie Jing Xing lazily said. Shen Miao was one who appeared genuine but was actually devious to the bones, even at such a moment she still wanted to implicate Shen Wan.
"I did not see anything today and also did not hear anything. If you do not make things difficult for me, naturally, I will not make things difficult for you." Shen Miao looked at him, "Let us be like well water and river water that does not intrude to one another."
"You cannot make things difficult for me." Xie Jing Xing's tone made one grit their teeth. He said, "Today I will spare your life but if the matter is leaked the slightest bit, do not complain to me when your Shen family falls into misfortune."
Shen Miao replied at lightning speed, "I will not divulge it."
Her character of quitting while one was ahead made Xie Jing Xing feel satisfied. He was silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "Shen Miao, do you have enmity with the Fu family?"
He mentioned 'Fu family' and not 'Heavenly family', the meaning in his words was somewhat intriguing. Shen Miao turned her head and looked at him. Her heart was slightly moved but she still said plainly, "What Little Marquis thinks is, then it is how it is."
Xie Jing Xing raised an eyebrow, "So it is as expected." He looked at Shen Miao, "Since the matter is settled, you should leave first. If one stays here for too long and leads others over, I will not be able to save you."
Shen Miao did not speak and just turned to leave. Today's face to face encounter with Xie Jing Xing made her vaguely understand some things. At least this little Marquis of the residence of the Marquis of Lin An was definitely not as simple as one sees on the surface. This kind of person, one could not afford to use or offend. If Xie Jing Xing's enemy was the Imperial family of Ming Qi then naturally it would be to her advantage but if not, then one must not devise a plan on him.
Shen Miao only took two steps when Xie Jing Xing followed. His legs were long and he was able to quickly catch up with Shen Miao as he threw a small bottle to her, "Do not say I bully you till you cry." Afterwards, he strode on and left before Shen Miao.
Under the dusky light from the torch, Shen Miao's face suddenly reddened a little as she took a risky action. In her previous life when she returned from Qin country and was fighting with Mei Fūrén for favour, she had a stubborn and unyielding temperament and had heard other beauties advice, "Niángniáng put up a dignified and compose appearance all day, even though it is to be the Mother of the land but His Majesty may not like it. Look at that Mei Fūrén, gentle, soft and tiny, and knows how to act coquettishly. It is said that only kids who cry would have sweets to eat and the love in relationships also uses this logic. Males of all persons have tender and protective feelings for the fairer gender and females must be like water."
But at first, she turned up her nose at this logic and felt that this kind of action could not be seen in public. How could a dignified Empress's actions be discussed with those female's flattery tricks? But just now under Xie Jing Xing's killing intention, she suddenly remembered that beauty's words of 'only kids who cry would have sweets to eat��.
Now she was still a young female who looked naïve and immature and did not have the robes and body of an Empress thus if one were to have some spoilt actions, it should be acceptable. Shen Miao had never thought even when dreaming that with such a strong character like she has, she would be able to cry like a 'pear blossom bathed in rain' to a guy. But she was surprised at the results since she doubted that with Xie Jing Xing's aggressive temper, he would actually let her go.
But in this confrontation, she, after all, had used a very disgraceful method.
Walking out of the secret chambers, she did not know how Xie Jing Xing and Gao Yang left as there was not a single person in the tea room. When she walked out of the tearoom, Mo Qing was still guarding outside. Shen Miao questioned him, "Just now did anyone come out?"
"Anyone?" Mo Qing was surprised for a moment, "Is not Xiǎojiě the only one inside? Did Xiǎojiě saw someone inside?"
"No." Shen Miao smiled gently and said, "Just asking casually." But in her heart, she put Xie Jing Xing's ability at a higher level again.
"After staying for a long time, why is Dàgē not here? Let us go and search for Dàgē." Shen Miao said.
Mo Qing was somewhat puzzled. He did not know why Shen Miao changed her mind in a moment, as she had agreed to wait for Shen Qiu in the tearoom and now she did not want to. But he naturally would not refute Shen Miao's standpoint so he complied and followed Shen Miao out.
When Shen Miao was leaving, she looked back at the closed doors of the tearoom, not knowing if Xie Jing Xing and Gao Yang were still there. Today she came over for that 'thing' but who knew that that 'thing' actually landed in Xie Jing Xing's hands. Shen Miao was unable to make heads or tails out of it in a moment of time, according to the vestige of the past life, at this time, Xie Jing Xing should not have discovered the secret chambers. Could it be that there were changes in this lifetime and even Xie Jing Xing's fate was also changed? Or perhaps in her short and tragic life, there were some truths that were overlooked.
This question was not solved even until she saw Shen Qiu and returned back to Shen Residence in the evening. However, when Shen Qiu saw Shen Miao dazed after coming out of Prince Yu Residence, he thought that Shen Miao was scared at the bloody scene and told the kitchens to make soup to calm her nerves, and was even scolded well by Luo Xue Yan for bringing Shen Miao to such a calamitous place. Shen Qiu felt very wronged but Shen Miao was totally unaware of it.
At the other end, there was someone who was coming to Xie Jing Xing's aid for justice.
"That girl's actions were really too vicious." Gao Yang was stunned looking at the injury in front.
Xie Jing Xing took off his outer robe and his middle robes were hanging on. The middle robe's collar was loose, revealing half of his buff physique. His sleeve was half folded up and his arm was exposed. The injury that was caused by half of the hairpin was so deep that the bone was seen. As Gao Yang was applying medication on Xie Jing Xing, he was playing with the hairpin in his hand.
That hairpin was just an ordinary silver hairpin and the pattern on top was also a simple waved one. But the pointed part of the hairpin was ground till it was incisively sharp that it was comparable to a hidden silver needle weapon, and the tip was curved as if it was a barb. If someone was stabbed with this hairpin, it would definitely tear a big piece of flesh off.
For instance, the wound at Xie Jing Xing's arm.
"Shen Xin's family are all noble and benevolent of character, but that girl's action was this vicious. Really do not seem to be Shen Xin's daughter. Could it be that a wrong baby was carried back?" Gao Yang was still surprised, "You can see that when she attacked, her hands did not hesitate. It went into the meat." He sprinkled the powder onto the wound and Xie Jing Xing frowned and sucked down a lump of cold air.
"Even if it is painful, one must tolerate." Gao Yang snapped, "Xie Sān, I have followed you for so many years and have never seen you have tender and protective feelings for the fairer gender. What kind of muddle did you mix your head with? She collided into such a big matter and also harmed you, but you just let her go like this. I say..." Gao Yang stroked his chin, "Could it be that you really took a fancy on her? She is still a little girl. Are you crazy?"
Xie Jing Xing impatiently said, "Alright, I am not that shameless to bully a little girl."
"You speak as if you have never bullied little girls before." Gao Yang smiled coldly, "I really do not know what you are thinking about." He wrapped the bandage around Xie Jing Xing's arm carefully and gave a sigh upon completion, "Now that the thing is in our hands, what next?"
"Search again." Xie Jing Xing said.
"The Fu family would know sooner or later." Gao Yang frowned, "Actually, the strangest thing I felt was, how did Shen Miao come to know about the secret chamber? If she is the Fu family's people, you may be exposed."
"She has enmity with the Fu family." Xie Jing Xing lazily said, "And could not wait to use my hand to kill others. As to how she found it, it could be a coincidence." There was a sharp look that flashed in his eyes. He simply did not believe when Shen Miao said that she inadvertently learned about it. Shen Miao was one who did things for a reason and it could be seen from the matter of Shen Qing and Prince Yu. It may seem on the surface that it was of no use but at the end, it played an unexpected role. Xie Jing Xing even had a conjecture that Shen Miao dealing with Prince Yu was perhaps because of the 'thing' he currently had.
But how did she know about it? Even he and Gao Yang only came to be aware of it and also spend a lot of energy. Shen Miao was an unmarried daughter and it would be very inconvenient to investigate the matter but she knew about the secret. The secrets she had were no less than others.
"In short, it is better to be careful." Gao Yang stood up, picked the remaining bandages and medication up and headed out, "Moreover, now she has discovered my identity, one would not know what kind of changes there will be in the future."
Xie Jing Xing remained alone in the room as he directed the hairpin to the dancing flame, seemingly lost in thoughts. After a moment, what floated in his mind was that scene in the chamber, that young female's large eyes and the look of her shedding tears silently.
He was not a person who had tender and protective feelings for the fairer gender, and it was not that he had other intentions with Shen Miao. It was just at that moment, suddenly there was an inexplicable feeling of being unable to bear. That feeling finally broke his usual calm actions and now thinking about it, he was somewhat regretful. The arm that was attended to was somewhat numb and painful. The one who attacked really did not hesitate at all. If he had not dodged quickly, this hairpin might have landed on his face.
Actually, Shen Miao's tears were perhaps only a tactic. Xie Jing Xing was well aware of it. That young female was extremely sly and her brain was sharp and intelligent, and she indeed had an incredible ability. To suddenly show weakness most likely meant that she wanted to stay alive.
Xie Jing Xing spread his hand out and that silver hairpin flashed insignificantly in his hand, but it made one reminisce that pair of eyes that one covered, those fluttering feelings were like a flying butterfly that was dancing on one's palm and in that moment of vulnerability made his mind feel peculiar, he should not have sympathized with her.
"Little malicious woman." Xie Jing Xing suddenly smiled. Under the lamp, that youth's handsome brows were eye-catching and there was a playful smile on his lips as he murmured, "Should not have been soft-hearted."
*****
In Shen Residence, the Eastern Courtyard was blooming with flowers at the moment.
In Rong Jing Tang, Old Shen Fūrén had a gloomy expression as she looked towards Shen Gui and said, "So to say, there is no way to release Qing girl?"
Shen Gui shook his head, "The entire household of Yu Qīnwáng was exterminated and only Qing-er was left alone. No matter how there would be no escape from implication and the case has to be trailed."
"With such a big matter, one does not know if Bìxià would blame it on us." Old Shen Fūrén worriedly said, "What is the matter with that girl Qing-er, does the matter really have nothing to do with her?"
When Ren Wan Yun heard those words, she burst out. Ren Wan Yun suddenly flew out and knelt in front of Old Shen Fūrén, scaring her as she cried, "Old Fūrén, you saw Qing-er grow up and you should know what kind of character she has. How could she do such a thing? Moreover what kind of ability does Qing-er have to be able to have such connections to such powerful people like this? It is obvious that it is the enemies of Yu Qīnwáng Residence and Qing-er was only lucky and able to escape. We already let her down, we must not leave her like this."
Ren Wan Yun and Old Shen Fūrén have been Mother and Daughter-In-Law for so many years and were also crystal clear about Old Shen Fūrén's temperament. Old Shen Fūrén was selfish and set the helm according to the wind. Even with the feelings about Shen Qing, she would not hesitate to abandon her as she put her own safety before matters of principle. Ren Wan Yun sometimes felt that it was because of Old Shen Fūrén's blood running in Shen Gui's bones, that he was such a person with no conscience. Both their selfish temperaments were exactly the same.
After Old Shen Fūrén heard Ren Wan Yun's words, she was angry and said, "Lǎo Èr's wife, your words are really strange. How did we let down Qing girl? Is it me who forced her to have an illicit relationship with Yu Qīnwáng? Is it me who forced her to be pregnant? These kinds of rules were not taught by me at all."
Old Shen Fūrén was originally a songstress and mixed around at the haunts of the common people, so the words she said were naturally not good to listen to. No matter how shrewish Ren Wan Yun's bones were, she was flip off at Old Shen Fūrén's relentless words. She retorted, "Pópó! How could you say that of Qing-er, she is your granddaughter!"
Chen Rou Qiu consoled, "Èr bǎisǎo, do speak less louder. Pópó is also worried about Qing-er, that is why she got angry. Everyone knows that out of the three Di-daughters, Pópó likes Qing-er the best."
She was originally the favourite Xiǎojiě, but now one did not hesitate to tread shabbily all over. Old Shen Fūrén had a selfish character and it was actually despicable conduct. Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan both looked down upon such a scene but did not speak a single word, treating as if they were watching a commotion.
Shen Yuan glanced at Chen Rou Qiu and his glare was so dark that it made Chen Rou Qiu pause and feel some fear. Shen Yuan walked to Ren Wan Yun's side and supported her up before looking towards Old Shen Fūrén, "Zǔmǔ need not be anxious, the matter has yet to reach a terrible state. Now mèimèi is only suspected and no offences were charged. Mèimèi has nothing to do with this matter so one thinks that after a period of time, the truth will unveil. I will seriously investigate the matter and will not let mèimèi be wrongly accused for no reason."
When Old Shen Fūrén heard of this, her eyes warmed up. Out of all her grandchildren, she loved the youngest grandson Shen Yuan Bo the most but was the proudest of this young and extremely capable Shen Yuan. Moreover, Shen Yuan had always delighted her so she nodded her head, "Since it is so, you should investigate it well. If Qing girl is really innocent, I naturally do not wish for her to be wrongly accused." Pausing, she also sneered at Ren Wan Yun, "But I see that your Mǔqīn is really possessed. If her mind is really not clear, then do not go out. Stay in the residence and give me fewer problems."
Ren Wan Yun was angry and resentful. She did not know from when Old Shen Fūrén's dissatisfaction increased, and now to even wantonly humiliate her in front of her children. Even Chen Rou Qiu's eyes were laughing at her when she saw her.
It was until Shen Yuan supported her back to Cai Yun Yuan that Ren Wan Yun then managed to breathe properly. She grabbed onto Shen Yuan's arm, "Yuan-er, think of a way to save your mèimèi. How could Qing-er have such an ability, how could she be the perpetrator!"
"Mǔqīn do not worry." Shen Yuan comforted her, "Since mèimèi was wronged, then one would not be afraid of investigating. Now she was suspected because the real perpetrator had not yet been brought to light, thus once the real perpetrator is found out then mèimèi's grievances would naturally be resolved."
When Ren Wan Yun heard this, it was as if she had found a life-saving straw and her eyes became somewhat alive. She asked with joy, "Then when will the perpetrator be found? How long does your mèimèi need to be locked up for? When will you be able to find that perpetrator?"
Shen Yuan watched attentively at Ren Wan Yun. She looked very haggard and had not been putting on makeup for a long time. Her skin looked old and bleak and her hair was dishevelled, where was the meticulous appearance she had before? She had always been a rich person who paid a lot of attention to appearance and now to be this sloppy, it felt as if she was a different person.
And the cause of all this came from a young female that was formerly known as an idiot by others.
Shen Yuan was feeling somewhat of a headache. He had claimed to be smart but did not expect that upon his return to the capital, there was such a big mess that was given to him. Ren Wan Yun's status in the residence had plummeted, and disregarding Shen Qing's pregnancy before marriage, now the involvement with the case of the extermination of the Prince Yu entire household make matters worse.
Shen Yuan did not know why but he suddenly remembered that day when Shen Qing was married, he spoke to Shen Miao and Shen Miao said this at that time, "No one can say for sure what will happen in the world. Some people may have the luck of misfortune but it could be that there is no more road in front."
Now, there is no more road in front of Shen Qing and even if there was a road, it would be extremely difficult. Only she was left alive in the entire Prince Yu residence and just this point, Shen Yuan had seen it clearly that the person did not leave Shen Qing life as it is because of being soft-hearted. By leaving a life, it became Shen Qing's talisman to press for her death.
Dying in a household massacre and dying under murder charges were totally entirely different things.
It was obvious that the perpetrator deliberately put Shen Qing in such a difficult situation, but Shen Qing was just a little young female. Who would be so ruthless to such a young female? Was it Shen Miao? Then how could Shen Miao gather that many assassins to kill everyone in Prince Yu Residence? It was very complicated to get such a number of people.
Shen Yuan's eyes deepened. No matter if the mastermind was Shen Miao or not, he had to investigate thoroughly. Since that person targeted Shen Qing, it may be directed toward the Second Household of the Shen family. Even though Shen Qing's prospects were bleak, they were not yet at the point of desperation. He must uncover the people behind and return it to them a thousand times.
Shen Yuan thought like this but he did not expect that just as Shen Miao had said, in this world, no one can say for sure what would happen in the world. Some people may have the luck of misfortune but it could be that there is no more road in front.
His road, on the second day, was sealed and became a dead end.