Although the matter of Princess Ming An had set off an uproar among the people in Ding Capital City, the Judicial Bureau was unable to investigate the end of it. Emperor Wen Hui would get angry every three to five days and a number of officials were embroiled in it, but it seemed to have become an unresolved case. In the course of time, the commoner's enthusiasm for this case also faded. After all, one had to go about their things and was unable to resist the coldness of the winter, even if one kept watch on an unresolved amorous case.
In the cold winter days in Ding Capital City, a major event happened in the Shen Residence.
Shen Yue was engaged and would soon be married.
The family that Shen Yue was spoken to, was the family of the Minister of Land that Shen Wan and Chen Rou Qiu thought highly off. In total there were only two sons in their Wang family, the youngest son was less than ten years old this year, and the eldest son was Wang Bi and the one that was engaged to Shen Yue. Wang Bi was twenty-four years of age this year and had entered officialdom. He was serving in the Education Ministry, had great learnings and was considered a person with a promising future. In addition, even though the position of a Minister of Land was not one of the most important officials in court, the other officials would often inevitably have contact with him. Thus if one were in-laws with the Wang family, in the future there would be quite an amount of help in one's career.
The help is one's career was naturally viewed by Shen Wan's eyes and in Chen Rou Qiu's view, Wang Bi was the eldest son of the Wang family, and currently, there were no tōngfáng or concubines in his courtyard and in a lucky coincidence, Shen Yue was one filled with a thick scholarly air. If she was able to capture Wang Bi's heart when she was married over, she would be able to stand firm in the Wang family in the future. And by giving birth to a son and a daughter, she would be able to sit back and relax in this lifetime.
The marriage was personally set by Chen Rou Qiu with the Wang family and the eight characters cards were exchanged. When Shen Yue knew of the matter, she naturally kicked up a fuss. But the normally gentle Chen Rou Qiu seemed to have ironed her heart this time to get her married, and the always doting Shen Wan did not heed Shen Yue's request at all. Old Shen Fūrén was more than happy to see this, as to her, an unmarried Shen Yue was an additional mouth to feed in the Shen Residence, and currently, the days were difficult in the residence.
Shen Yue had made a tremendous din, so much so that despite Shen Wan, who never disciplined his own daughter, also felt that Shen Yue was too much this time, and in a fit of anger locked Shen Yue in the ancestral hall, so that she could reflect upon herself.
On this night, Shen Yue sat in the ancestral hall alone and wept.
There were traces of a large fire in the ancestral hall. Ironically the last time Shen Miao was locked in the ancestral hall, Ren Wan Yun attempted to use the opportunity of Shen Miao's marriage to exchange it with Shen Qing. Who knew that in the middle of that there would be a big fire and unexpectedly Shen Xin would return to the capital at that moment, thus Shen Miao escaped from that calamity. As Shen Yue looked at the tightly closed doors of the ancestral hall. It seemed that from that moment, everything started to go smoothly for Shen Miao. Because there was Shen Xin and wife and also Shen Qiu behind Shen Miao to support her, so Shen Miao could do anything without the slightest scruple. Shen Yue believed that if one day Shen Miao wanted to marry Fu Xiu Yi, Shen Xin and his wife would never obstruct like Chen Rou Qiu and Shen Wan.
Moreover, Shen Miao previously also admired Fu Xiu Yi and if one day Shen Miao's previous love was rekindled, with Shen Xin's current comeback and with power in his hands, would Fu Xiu Yi reject it? Besides, Shen Miao was already not the idiot that was laughed by the entire capital two years ago.
Thinking of the possibility that Shen Miao might be together with Fu Xiu Yi, Shen Yue's heart was particularly troubled. She had even thought about the big fire in this ancestral hall, why had it not burned Shen Miao to death?
Just as she was thinking about it, she heard the movement of the door from the outside. Shen Yue thought it was Chen Rou Qiu who sent people over to serve her food and went off in a fit of pique, "I do not want anything. Go out."
The sound still continued and Shen Yue said angrily, "Get lost!"
The door opened with a 'zi-ya' and a head emerged at the door. It was Shen Dong Ling.
Seeing Shen Dong Ling at the moment, Shen Yue was also surprised. Shen Dong Ling took a look outside before abruptly closing the doors again. She walked over to Shen Yue and after some thought, sat down on the floor and handed the basket over to Shen Yue before saying lightly, "The servants guarding outside went to drink so I sneaked in. Knowing that you have not eaten for a day and fearing that you are hungry, I have brought you food. Èr Jiějiě, you must not make much noise."
Shen Yue was slightly startled and saw that Shen Dong Ling had already opened the bamboo basket and took out plates of snacks.
Although Shen Yue treated Shen Dong Ling just for show on normal days, at the moment she was touched. Thinking that she had not eaten for a day and Chen Rou Qiu and Shen Wan did not care or paid any attention, but it was the Shu Younger Sister with lukewarm relations that remembered. Immediately, her facial expression towards Shen Dong Ling got much warmer. It was just that she could not eat those snacks no matter what.
She said, "Do not waste your effort. I just cannot eat it."
Shen Dong Ling looked at her, "Why is Èr Jiějiě unwilling to marry Wang Gōngzǐ? Wang Gōngzǐ is a good person. One heard that his family background is excellent and if Èr Jiějiě goes over, then it would be the fortune of a family matriarch. Is it because one does not want to leave the Shen family?"
Shen Yue took a glance at Shen Dong Ling. Most probably it was because Shen Dong Ling stayed in the residence all day and did not go out, so even though she was around the same age as Shen Yue, she still had the innocence of a child on the surface. Shen Yue's heart was at one side despising and at the other side envious. She despised Shen Dong Ling's view of the sky from the bottom of the well and not knowing that there were people beyond people, and Heavens belong Heavens and just a Wang Bi could not move her. At the other end, she was envious of Shen Dong Ling's simple thoughts as she was more relaxed and happy. Seeing Shen Dong Ling's appearance, Shen Yue had an impulse to pour out what was on her mind and she smiled bitterly, "What does it have to do with me if he is a good person or not? After all, he is not that person in my heart."
Shen Dong Ling thought for a while before she understood something in a flash, "Could it be that… There is someone in Èr Jiějiě's heart?"
"So what if there is? So what if there is not?" Shen Yue smiled bitterly, "Who let me be born in the Shen family, where I have no power to choose my future husband. Fùqīn and Mǔqīn only care about career prospects and do not even care about how I think. Sometimes one feels that it is better off being dead."
Shen Dong Ling jumped in shock and quickly waved her hands, "Èr Jiějiě must not think like this. One has to know that in all matters of this world, it is the easiest to die but there is nothing if one dies. Why does Èr Jiějiě not change your mindset? One knows that the Wang family is a good family so Sānshū and Sānshěn would not harm you after all. Perhaps, that Wang Gōngzǐ is also the ideal person in many gūniáng's hearts and many gūniángs are envious of Èr Jiějiě's fortune. Take me for example, if I could be married into the Wang family, one fear that my Yīniáng would go to the temple every day to thank Buddha for giving me such a good marriage like this."
Shen Yue shook her head with a smile and she discovered that Shen Dong Ling was somewhat stupid as she could not understand Shen Dong Ling when talking to her. Especially when she saw Shen Dong Ling's envious look, she even felt that Shen Dong Ling could not be seen in public. Thinking of that, it was true. For a Shu-daughter, it was already rather good to be an official wife, let alone an official wife in the family of the Minister of Land.
Shen Dong Ling saw that Shen Yue was still moody and changed the general idea of things, "When the carriage gets to the mountain, there will be a way through. Èr Jiějiě need not be brokenhearted and worried at the moment due to the matter and harm one's health. Just like Wǔ mèimèi's engagement, one heard that Wǔ mèimèi also made a fuss and it seemed that it was a situation where there was no room for change, but who knew that Dà Bófù and Dà Bómǔ would return, and afterwards, nothing happened to Wǔ mèimèi."
Shen Dong Ling said it rather muddled but Shen Yue's heart moved when she listened to it.
At first, one saw that Shen Miao was about to marry off but because of Shen Xin's and wife's return, she escaped the calamity. At that time Shen Yue was eavesdropping at the door when Chen Rou Qiu was talking to the servants and came to know that Ren Wan Yun had planned to exchange Shen Qing's and Shen Miao's marriage.
Since Shen Qing and Shen Miao could exchange, then why could not she?
Shen Yue's heart started beating furiously and an idea that had long formed came to mind. Her gaze turned towards Shen Dong Ling, who was beside her.
As for the person of choice… Was there not a ready-made one in front?
Shen Dong Ling was a Shu daughter. Shen Dong Ling felt that the Wang family's gentleman was very good. Shen Dong Ling's character was weak and she was easy to deceive… No one is more suitable than Shen Dong Ling.
Shen Yue looked at Shen Dong Ling and suddenly grabbed her hands before saying lightly, "Sān Mèimèi, how do you think of my treatment of you?"
Shen Dong Ling was startled before lowering her head and spoke somewhat blushingly, "Èr Jiějiě is not repulsed by my birth and treats me extremely well. Among the sisters in the entire Shen Residence, only Èr Jiějiě was willing to speak to me." Shen Yue all along wanted to have a noble and magnanimous appearance that even though she despised Shen Dong Ling in her heart, she would not reveal a single thing on her face, and instead looked like she treated Shen Dong Ling well. Especially after the previous time, Shen Yue would go look for Shen Dong Ling to speak every three to five days, thus from the outsider's point of view, the relationship between the two of them was not bad.
Hearing that, Shen Yue smiled, "Then Sān Mèimèi, now that I have difficulties, are you willing to help me out?"
Shen Dong Ling smiled effortless, "No problem. If I can do it, one will definitely do my best for Èr Jiějiě."
Shen Yue smiled, "I feel relieved after hearing your words." She then tightened her hands around Shen Dong Ling's hands, "Can you…. help me by marrying Wang Bi?"
After listening to that, Shen Dong Ling was stunned in shock. After being in a daze for a while, she then wanted to withdraw her hands from Shen Yue as she said frantically, "This is not possible. Èr Jiějiě, one can help you in other matters… I cannot help you in this matter."
"You can!" Shen Yue did not let go and said in a hurry, "Did you not also find that Wang Gōngzǐ is also very good? Did you not say that if it was you who had this marriage, your Yīniáng would be happy about it? Sān Mèimèi, I beg of you!"
"Be that as it may," Shen Dong Ling continued to retreat, "But this is too risky! If this is discovered, I will be beaten to death and Èr Jiějiě, you will be punished! This is too risky! Moreover, Èr Jiějiě, you need not need to take such a big risk like this. Why can you not just marry Wang Gōngzǐ?"
As Shen Yue looked at Shen Dong Ling, tears started to flow down in two lines. She naturally looked delicate and cultured so such tears actually made others feel sad. And Shen Yue's voice was also in desperation, "If you do not agree, it would be ending my life. Sān Mèimèi, taking into consideration that we are Jiěmèi and taking into consideration, like you said that in the entire Shen Residence only I treated you well, I beg you to save my life!"
Shen Dong Ling was instantly stupefied when she saw Shen Yue knelt down and after hearing Shen Yue's words, she panicked even more that she did not know what to do. She pulled Shen Yue up, "Èr Jiějiě, do not be like this! Do not scare me!"
Shen Yue tugged Shen Dong Ling's hands, "Sān Mèimèi, Èr Jiějiě begs you this time. Do you want to see me become a bag of bones?"
Shen Dong Ling bit her lips as she looked at her. Shen Yue's hair was loose and her eyes were hazy with tears. She indeed was forced to such a desperate state, thus she had no choice but to forcefully nod her head, "I agree. Èr Jiějiě get up first."
Shen Yue's eyes brightened before she threw herself up to hug Shen Dong Ling and hurriedly thank her continuously as if she was grateful to the bones. However, with her back facing Shen Dong Ling's face, she revealed a pleased smile.
"It is just that Èr Jiějiě, it is better to take one's time to consider this matter." Shen Dong Ling said, "After all, changing the marriage is not a small matter and once the matter comes to light, it would not be good for us at all. Sānshū and Sānshěn will oversee it, it has to be discussed in detail."
Shen Yue released Shen Dong Ling and said excitedly, "That is natural." She looked at Shen Dong Ling and held her hands, "Rest assured Sān Mèimèi, since you did it for me, I will definitely explain it clearly that it was me who forced you. I will not let Fùqīn or Mǔqīn blame you and will not let you be implicated."
Shen Dong Ling smiled, "En. I trust Èr Jiějiě."
The night sky was like black ink and when Shen Dong Ling returned to her own sleeping chambers in Cai Yu Yuan, Wan Yīniáng was already asleep. Shen Dong Ling sneaked out behind Wan Yīniáng's back and Wan Yīniáng thought that Shen Dong Ling had long rested.
Shen Dong Ling's maid, Xing Hua, asked, "Xiǎojiě is really helping Èr xiǎojiě to marry?"
"Marry. Why not marry?" Shen Dong Ling watched as Xing Hua locked the door and she sat on the couch before picking up the teacup to take a sip, and revealed a completely different smile than before, "The Wang family is an official family, Wang Bi's official's career is infinite and his inner courtyard is clean. With my birth background, it is not possible to marry into the Wang family in this lifetime. Since there is such an opportunity like this, only a fool would not firmly hold onto it."
"So that is to say," Xing Hua smiled, "That Èr xiǎojiě is also considered to be doing a good deed."
"Good deed?" Shen Dong Ling laughed with some ridicule, "Could it be that you think that there are good-hearted and good-natured people in this Shen Residence?"
The maid was startled and was somewhat confused, "Xiǎojiě means…"
"I spared all effort to help her like this, but you have to know that once the marriage is changed and the matter is exposed, the first thing Shen Yue will do is to throw all the dirty water on me. It would definitely be me who thought of a plan to steal her marriage and it is her, Shen Yue, that is gravely wronged. Even if the Second Household knew the reasons behind the matter, in order not to let the Wang family become their enemies, they will say it is my fault. As for Old Fūrén." Shen Dong Ling laughed coldly, "A Shu-daughter naturally would not be as important as a Di-daughter. In any case, it would be me who will be sacrificed."
Xing Hua had a look of incredulity on her face, "But Èr xiǎojiě previously said that she will clarify for Xiǎojiě, and not let Xiǎojiě be held responsible…"
"Is Shen Yue such a good-hearted person?" Shen Dong Ling shook her head with a smile, "Everyone in this residence is selfish. Why do you think that Shen Yue put herself in place of others like this? If she was really this selfless, then she would not let me marry on her behalf."
"That being the case," Xing Hua questioned, "Then, why does Xiǎojiě still want to marry on behalf? If the dirty water will be poured onto Xiǎojiě, then what can be done?"
Shen Dong Ling smiled without a care, "Do not worry. Since I can marry on her behalf, then I will definitely do thorough preparation. Xing Hua, you must remember that everyone in this Shen Residence are wolves, tigers and leopards. Everything that one wants, it is better to do it oneself instead of begging others, and what Wǔ mèimèi did was very good. So once there is an opportunity to leave the Shen Residence, I would not be reluctant."
Xing Hua nodded her head to some extent before she suddenly remembered something and asked, "Should this matter be told to Yīniáng?"
"It is not necessary." Shen Dong Ling refused resolutely, "Yīniáng is timid and would definitely not agree for me to marry on Shen Yue's behalf. One will just explain to her clearly after the matter is successful."
Xing Hua retreated only then.
Coincidently, in the Shen Residence's Qiu Shui Yuan, there were people who were talking about Shen Yue's marriage.
"Yue-er had not eaten for the whole day today and her body could not withstand it." The one talking was Shen Wan. He had doted on Shen Yue for so many years, and if Shen Yue did not keep thinking of the person that should not be thought of, Shen Wan would not have punished her like this.
"The things that I sent people to deliver, she would not eat." Chen Rou Qiu sighed, "I have let Sān jiě'ér send some to her, most probably she had eaten it."
"Sān jiě'ér?" Shen Wan frowned, "Since when did Yue-er get along so well with her?" In Shen Wan's eyes, Shen Dong Ling was a Shu-daughter and Shen Yue would lose some of her identity if she was too close with her, thus he was not very happy to hear about it.
Chen Rou Qiu said with a smile, "It is only these few days that they had gotten along well. Initially, there was still Dà jiě'ér to talk to Yue-er but afterwards, Dà jiě'ér was gone. There were no other Jiěmèi in the residence, so Yue-er is rather lonely on normal days. I see that Sān jiě'ér is honest and since Yue-er likes playing with her, I did not obstruct it."
Shen Wan no longer spoke and only listened to Chen Rou Qiu speaking, "It is just that I worry that if Yue-er keeps on making trouble, what if she created such a din like now during the day of marriage?"
"Locking her up for a few days will do. You are her Mǔqīn, at that time, you speak some tender words to Yue-er." Shen Wan said, "If it is really not enough and she still creates a nuisance during the day of marriage, then one will think of something then."
When Chen Rou Qiu heard this, her heart jumped. In front of her, Shen Wan was always gentle and it was rare for him to be this tough. Chen Rou Qiu was after all a female and could hear the impatience in Shen Wan's words. She thought about Old Shen Fūrén's continuous mention of getting Shen Wan to bring in concubines, she felt somewhat restless. She then embraced Shen Wan's waist, "After Yue-er marries off, Lǎoyé can relax with this Qiè for a few days. These days, Lǎoyé is probably not happy in the matters of court and did not really talk to this Qiè. This Qiè feels restless in one's heart." (HidAnas: I have no idea why the author addresses Chen Rou Qiu as 妾身 'qiè shēn'. She is an official wife and not a concubine…)
Even though Chen Rou Qiu's age was not young, but because of proper maintenance and her knowledge of exactly what men's heart was thinking, Shen Wan would eat it up when she acted coquettishly. Who knew that today, Shen Wan would only pat her hands and smile, "Let us wait and talk about it when Yue-er marriage is completed."
There was some sense of perfunctorily in the tone of voice.
Chen Rou Qiu's heart gradually sank and the hands that were embracing Shen Wan's waist gradually tightened.
*****
Shen Miao received Pei Lang's letter.
With the lamplight shining, Shen Miao read the entire letter. The letter mentioned that Fu Xiu Yi seemed to have found some inkling between Shen Miao and Prince Rui thus in order to feel it out, he had purposely pushed the matter of Princess Ming An to Shen Miao in front of the Qin Crown Prince. In the future, if Huangfu Hao takes action towards Shen Miao, one would only need to watch Prince Rui's action to determine his suspicion.
On the contrary, Shen Miao did not expect that Fu Xiu Yi would think of this stratum this quickly and after much thinking, she then understood. After being husband and wife with Fu Xiu Yi for so many years, it was not the first time for Fu Xiu Yi to find evidence with the smallest of clues. Besides, if Fu Xiu Yi was really incompetent and could not discover anything, then he would not have been standing till the end of the game of the Heir Apparent among the Princes.
However, Shen Miao was not very worried as Huangfu Hao was one who was not impulsive. Moreover, it involved the Shen family, thus, Huangfu Hao would not take rash action and at least would investigate it properly.
At the end of the letter, it said that if Shen Miao really had any friendship with Great Liang's Prince Rui, if she met any trouble, one should request help from him. Prince Rui of Great Liang has many talented people and would encounter fewer difficulties when taking action.
Shen Miao felt the last paragraph was somewhat odd. There was no connection between Pei Lang and Xie Jing Xing, and the most important thing was that with Pei Lang's cautious nature, it was somewhat strange for him to mention to request help from others. However, there was no doubt that this was Pei Lang's letter, so Shen Miao did not think of anything else and she did not take these words for real. She then cast the letter to the warm flame. The flame engulfed the letter and instantly became ashes.
There was a large red wooden roll of bamboo strips on the table. That was an invitation sent from the Shen Residence, as Shen Yue would be married to the Young Master from the residence of the Minister of Land, Wang Bi. One did not know what the Shen Residence people were thinking, to actually send this banquet invitation to the Shen Mansion. Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan took a glance at it and did not bother, and naturally Shen Miao would not even go up to touch that. However, Shen Miao did not think that Shen Yue would be marrying Wang Bi at the end.
Shen Yu of the previous life was deeply obsessed with Fu Xiu Yi and did not hesitate to endure so many years, so how would Shen Yue be willing to marry others in this lifetime?
As she was thinking, she heard someone knocking on the windows. When she turned around to look, Xie Jing Xing was already entering without being invited.
He lazily looked at the red bamboo strips and raised an eyebrow, "You want to go?"
It was assumed that Xie Jing Xing also knew about the matter of the marriage between Shen Yue and Wang Bi. It ought to be true that when Chen Rou Qiu and Shen Wan did things, it would be done in full complement. This was to show that their daughter was also precious and would definitely invite lots of guests for a big banquet. In addition, the Minister of Land was acquainted with numerous officials in court and many high ranking officials were close to him, thus it was also appropriate to send more red bamboo strips. One could not say for sure but almost the entire Ding capital city was aware of it.
"Not going." Shen Miao casually threw the red bamboo strips on the table.
Xie Jing Xing seemed to have long expected that she would say that and in a flash entered the room. Shen Miao sat in front of the table as Xie Jing Xing crossed his arms and stood at the side, "Shen Yue is locked up in the ancestral hall and Shen Dong Ling just went over to take a look."
Shen Miao looked at Xie Jing Xing somewhat astounded and hesitated before asking, "You even go to the Shen Residence?" Xie Jing Xing was the Prince Rui of Great Liang, why did he need to do things unsolicitedly like a thief? Never mind about coming often to the Shen Mansion's courtyard to roam around, he actually secretly went to peep at the movements of the people in the Shen Residence?
Xie Jing Xing choked on Shen Miao's words for a while, "Of course it was not me who went."
Shen Miao understood clearly, it was most probably Xie Jing Xing sent his subordinates over, but she still found it a little strange in her heart. The people in the Shen Residence did not have half a shred of relations with Xie Jing Xing so why did Xie Jing Xing instruct people to monitor the movements in the Shen Residence? Could it be for herself?
"You are not happy that Shen Yue is getting married?" Xie Jing Xing questioned.
"The people in the Shen Residence have nothing to do with me. Could it be that I still have to rejoice for her?" Shen Miao said, "Furthermore, there is still the matter if this marriage can be completed or not, so what is there to be happy about?"
Xie Jing Xing's lips hooked up and he sat down opposite of Shen Miao before he stared at her, "You seemed to understand it?"
"You specifically came over to tell me that Shen Dong Ling and Shen Yue are at the same place, are you not referring to this matter to me?" Shen Miao smiled mindlessly, "Shen Dong Ling and Shen Yue would at the end exchange the marriage. Fortunately, Shen Yue looked for Shen Dong Ling. With Shen Dong Ling presence, there will not be an error in the exchange."
In the Shen Residence, Shen Miao had never known what kind of role Shen Dong Ling played. In the last lifetime, Shen Miao had not paid much attention to this Shu-sister. After her rebirth, she, however, saw clearly in quite a lot of things. Shen Dong Ling was actually very similar to a person. Shen Dong Ling was very similar to Fu Xiu Yi, both had the ability to endure. Shen Dong Ling had endured for so many years that, now, when Shen Dong Ling was brought up in Shen Residence, anyone would feel that she was easy to grasp as one wishes, a Shu-daughter without characteristics and also had a good temper. Then, it was such a person like this who lived safely under Ren Wan Yun's control till now and from what it seemed, in the entire Second Household, it seemed that Shen Dong Ling and Wan Yīniáng were the winners.
Shen Miao dared not underestimate such people like this.
Xie Jing Xing smiled, "How did you know about the exchanging of marriage?"
"Because Shen Yue is unwilling." Shen Miao said, "Shen Yue is not willing to marry Wang Bi, but unfortunately, Chen Rou Qiu and Shen Wan had exchanged the eight character cards and the marriage is firmed up. To Shen Yue, this kind of person, this is a forced marriage. Shen Yue has always been proud and arrogant and for so many years, everything was smooth for her, so how could she accept this arrangement? Shen Dong Ling's appearance was not at all accidental. Most probably, one had the heart to escape, one had the intention to stand in. Coincidently it is an excellent transaction."
Xie Jing Xing was listening as Shen Miao spoke, even though there was a lazy smile on his face, he seemed to like hearing Shen Miao analysing the opponent, and felt that Shen Miao's serious appearance was somewhat interesting.
He said, "Forced marriage? Wang Bi is compatible enough for Shen Yue."
"Unfortunately, he is not the person Shen Yue keeps in her heart." Shen Miao lightly sneered, "People who have a one-track mind like Shen Yue, will never change their original aspiration. In order to marry the person one likes, in order to not be forced into marriage, she would always think of a method."
"What about you?" Xie Jing Xing suddenly asked.
Shen Miao frowned.
Xie Jing Xing said carelessly, "If there is a day where you are also forced into marriage by others, what would you do?"