Early on the next day, Shen Miao entered the Palace.
Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin were worried about her and let her bring a number of guards. But the guards of the Shen Mansion could not follow Shen Miao constantly and once they reached the Palace gates, they had to wait outside.
Before Shen Miao's departure, she had put on all the different jewellery that Xie Jing Xing gave. Everything that could be worn was worn. Towards the Imperial Palace of Ming Qi, she could guarantee that it was the most malicious place and only feared that accidents would happen thus she made preparations.
Once she reached the Palace Gates, Gu Yu and the rest waited outside with the guards while Shen Miao was led into Kun Ning Palace by the palace maid. Along the journey, the palace maid felt somewhat strange. The journey from the Palace Gates to Kun Ning Palace was not considered easy as one had to walk through a number of long corridors and a few gardens but Shen Miao walked familiarly. Even along those old and loose steps, the palace maids need not need to warn her and she would skip the steps accordingly. The palace maid was suspicious in her heart. Could it be that Shen Miao came to Kun Ning Palace once and remembered it so well that not one mistake was made?
One would not expect that this Kun Ning Palace was the place that Shen Miao stayed in her past lifetime that every single grass and wood were all remembered. Thus, facing all the Imperial furnishing and delicate displays, she would turn a blind eye to it and if one looked carefully, there was a flash of aversion in Shen Miao's eyes.
These people did not know.
Upon reaching Kun Ning Palace, the servant was styling the Empress's hair and Shen Miao had to wait for quite a while before the Empress invited her in.
Today, Consort Dong Shu did not come over and the Empress was the only mistress. She wore somewhat formal robes with the nine Phoenixes hairpins and put on heavy makeup, to display an oppressive feeling.
Shen Miao took a glance and understood in her heart.
This was treating her as a little girl who had not seen the world and wanted to use the Imperial family's prestige to scare her? Force her to relent voluntarily? No wonder Luo Xue Yan was purposely dispensed. If Shen Miao was truly a sixteen-year-old young lady and with the Empress formal appearance and some threatening words, one would find one isolated and helpless that in a state of confusion, she would relent accordingly.
But how was Shen Miao a little girl? The person in front was an Empress and in her previous lifetime she was an Empress and was more knowledgeable than this one, had even bigger airs and suffered more so this little act of a fox exploiting the tiger's might really did not enter her eyes at all. Shen Miao's eyes hung down and a humble smile floated on her face.
The Empress slowly frowned. Shen Miao's reaction was somewhat different from what she had thought. She did not know if Shen Miao was deliberately acting confused or was originally stupid. Her gaze landed on the bracelet on Shen Miao's wrist and her eyes slightly congealed before she smiled, "That bracelet is classified as high-grade, come up and let Běngōng take a look."
Shen Miao went up accordingly and the Empress held Shen Miao's hand. One did not know where one had found such a rare jade material, so transparent and exceptionally smooth. Just as she was about to praise a few sentences, she heard Shen Miao speaking with a smile, "Replying to Niángniáng, this official's nǚ'ér's necklace and earrings also look good."
The Empress was dazed before seriously looking at it and the corner of her mouth could not help but jerk after looking at it. Cat-eye hairpin matching with pearl earrings, pearl earrings with an amber necklace, and needless to say all the other small jewellery. Each of them was precious jewellery with exquisite craftsmanship but why did one brainlessly wear all of them? The Empress suddenly did not want to praise Shen Miao's jewellery and even lost interest in that bracelet. There was some despise in her heart as in the beginning, everyone said that the Young Lady of the Shen family was an idiot that loves gold but afterwards there was a change. From today's appearance, there was no difference from the previous. Thinking of marrying Shen Miao to the Crown Prince, the Empress's heart was not happy. If it was for the sake of giving the Shen family's military power to the Crown Prince, the Empress was not willing to let such a coarse female marry into the Eastern Palace.
The Empress released Shen Miao's hand, "Today Běngōng only wanted to talk to you." She sighed, "That day, one had mentioned it with your niáng that you do not have any engagement and at the right age. Běngōng really liked you and wanted to be a matchmaker for you. Naturally, Běngōng would not make things difficult for others, you have to like it too."
Shen Miao lowered her head without speaking.
The Empress patted her hands, "Do you think Běngōng lives well? Is it impressive or not?"
Shen Miao sneered in her heart but she had a smile on as she replied, "Niángniáng lives well and it is impressive."
"Marrying into the Imperial family would allow the powerful one to protect and dote. Every female would be able to live well and impressively. Běngōng life is indeed good. If you have this kind of good luck, do you want to live impressively?"
These words had the intention to tempt. Shen Miao's lips slightly rose but her words were instead humble and fearful as she knelt down, "This official's nǚ'ér is currently living very well and dare not to look at other things and don't even dare to compare with Niángniáng. May Niángniáng spare this official's nǚ'ér a life."
The Empress was stunned. She did not expect that Shen Miao would have such a reaction. There were numerous of people under Heavens that wanted to climb to higher branches thus the Empress knew that as long as it was normal females, there would be a little vanity and by using herself as a lure, it would be easy to convince Shen Miao due to her young age and one did not fear she would not be tempted. As long as Shen Miao loosen a bit and follow her words, then the Imperial family would be justified to push the marriage to the Shen family. Since one wanted to be a bandit, one had to conceal some parts of it.
Who knew that Shen Miao would have this kind of reaction? Not tempted, no hesitation and instead fearful?
The Empress did not feel good. Could it be that being an Empress was such a scary thing? Or is it that the Di-born Young Lady of the Shen family had the courage of a mouse or was as stupid as a cow and could not understand her subtle hint and thought that calamity was approaching?
One could not make mud rise up and climb the wall (aka useless as mud).
In the remainder of the time, no matter how tactful the Empress spoke or how harsh or gentle, Shen Miao still had a humble and fearful appearance. It was because of this appearance, her mouth was very tight and one was unable to get a single word out of her. In the end, the Empress was somewhat angry and let Shen Miao go back in annoyance. She only thought that since this matter could not be targeted from Shen Miao then one had to discuss new approaches with Emperor Wen Hui.
Because the Empress's attitude was not of satisfaction when she let Shen Miao leave, the palace maids that were bringing her also did not care much for Shen Miao and just gave Shen Miao to a young eunuch who was passing by to bring Shen Miao out of the Palace.
The young eunuch, naturally, complied.
The young eunuch brought Shen Miao towards the outer Palace and took a few turns. There are a lot of palaces in the Palace and other than the few palaces that were used by the consorts, most of it was the eunuch and palace maids rooms. This young eunuch brought Shen Miao for a walk in the secluded area and after turning into a garden, one was facing a neglected garden, Shen Miao stopped and said, "This is not the direction to leave the Palace. Where are you bringing me to?" Her hands moved towards her bracelet. No one was more familiar than her in Ming Qi's palace and halls, as she knew which direction to escape, was the most advantageous to her.
That young eunuch was startled and quickly whispered, "Pei Xiānshēng wants to see Gūniáng."
Pei Lang? Shen Miao frowned slightly.
After thinking for a moment, Shen Miao still followed the young eunuch. Pei Lang had not written a letter to her for a long time and Shen Miao still thought that Pei Lang was discovered by Fu Xiu Yi. However, when she sent Mo Qing to inquire, he seemed to see Pei Lang in the residence of Prince Ding and he seemed to be safe and sound. If Fu Xiu Yi were to be suspicious of Pei Lang, he would definitely not let Pei Lang be that unrestrained.
If Pei Lang looked for her then there must be something important.
There were many coincidences in the world. What Shen Miao did not know was that the Imperial family had the intention to bestow a marriage, implicating a group of people. Shen Xin, Luo Xue Yan and Shen Qiu were family and would run nonstop with regards to the matter but a few other people also came forward afterwards. For example, Luo Ling expressing his sincere heart, Su Ming Feng's mistaken marriage and Feng Zi Xian reaching out to help.
There were thousands of strands of connection in the world and those connections were as thin as the sparkling and translucent thread that spiders spit out in each respective position. When it crisscrossed, it would form a thin and dense network of knots that would become a strange and unexplainable coincidence.
Princess Rong Xin entered the Palace.
Her health had always not been good and had become thinner in recent years. She would only enter the Palace in a handful of days in a year and seemed to be somewhat eager today. The palace maid wanted to report it but Princess Rong Xing waved her hands, "Běngōng did not have an invitation and just wanted to discuss some matters with huáng xiōng so there is no need to report it."
How would the guards at the Palace Gates dare to stop? Even though Princess Rong Xin did not show up often, she was after all the daughter that the late Emperor doted the most and had a strong temperament. If one made her angry, there would not be good days ahead thus, she was immediately let go.
The palace maid wanted to look for a sedan for Princess Rong Xin but was rejected by Princess Rong Xin, "It is not convenient for the sedan when using small routes. Just follow Běngōng to walk slowly."
Princess Rong Xin's heart was anxious. She did not ask about the affairs of the court and would be in her Princess Residence all day. If she did not pass by the courtyard and heard the servants speaking about Shen Miao's matter, she would not know that the Imperial family had the intention to marry Shen Miao to the Crown Prince. Not to mention Xie Jing Xing, Princess Rong Xin would still want to protect Shen Miao. Princess Rong Xin herself appreciated Shen Miao and as a person of the Imperial family, Princess Rong Xin knew that for the female who married in, it looks glamorous on the outside but it was not necessarily happy. Moreover, Shen Miao was not a female who was keen on wealth and glory so there was no need for such things for her. If one were to marry into the Eastern Palace, Shen Miao would not be happy for her entire life.
Princess Rong Xin was in a rush to look for Emperor Wen Hui, hoping that she was able to change her Imperial Older Brother's mind. Thus, she headed towards a small route.
Shen Miao had reached a remote pavilion.
That pavilion was nestled in the middle of the woods with a long corridor leaning against it. There were several rooms along the corridor which made it convenient to hide. Pei Lang walked out from that room.
The young eunuch stood outside to keep a lookout for both of them. Shen Miao nodded her head towards Pei Lang as a greeting and asked, "Pei Gōngzǐ, is there any urgent matter to be discussed here?"
"Ding Wáng Diànxià had sealed the residence, thus, one is unable to send you a letter." Pei Lang said, "The idea of Tàizǐ Diànxià marrying you was brought up by Ding Wáng Diànxià."
Shen Miao's brow raised and when Pei Lang saw that she was not surprised, he asked, "You knew?"
"Guessed that it was his handiwork." Shen Miao said blandly, "With Tàizǐ's brains, how would he think of me without any rhyme or reason."
Pei Lang had some doubts about Shen Miao's tone of voice as it seemed like she was very familiar with the Crown Prince and Fu Xiu Yi. But Shen Miao was an unmarried female who would not have any opportunities for interaction with the Princes so how would she be able to understand the Princes' personalities? One fear that even Shen Xin was necessarily as familiar as Shen Miao.
This neglected garden once had a ghostly encounter, thus, almost no one came here, thus Pei Lang did not worry about people passing by. He said frowningly, "What are you planning to do with the matter of marriage?"
Shen Miao was somewhat surprised. Pei Lang had always been a person who would only analyse the pros and cons of a matter without personal feelings, thus, it would be rare for him to ask about her marriage matter. After all, how she viewed this marriage matter was irrelevant to the overall situation.
Shen Miao said, "Let nature take its course."
"You cannot marry Tàizǐ Diànxià." Pei Lang said.
"Marrying or not is not important." The most hated thing for Shen Miao was Pei Lang's seemingly confident appearance as if everything was within the control of his hands thus he would not be able to see others' struggles and only did what he thought was 'right'. She coldly said, "Even if one married over, I might not have a bad life as I will use my own ways to achieve my goals. Roads are walked out by oneself and every road would have different ways of walking. Pei Gōngzǐ does not think that there is only one road in this world right?"
"I do not mean what you are thinking about." Pei Lang sighed, "By marrying into the Eastern Palace, perhaps it would let you walk your road but it would be at the expense of your marriage. This is just too cruel to you and it is not worth it."
Shen Miao's heart moved slightly as she looked at Pei Lang.
Pei Lang could actually say 'It would be at the expense of your marriage. This is just too cruel to you and it is not worth it'. One had to know that when Wan Yu had to marry to the Xiōngnú, Shen Miao had begged Pei Lang before because Pei Lang was Fu Xiu Yi's trusted aide, Fu Xiu Yi would consider Pei Lang's words. At that time, Pei Lang said to Shen Miao, "Niángniáng, using Gōngzhǔ Diànxià's marriage in exchange for Ming Qi's safety and the well-being of the people, isn't it a good thing?"
Pei Lang who excelled in observing the facts in the big picture would actually put the overall situation in second place.
Pei Lang did not notice Shen Miao's thoughtful look. He continued, "The Imperial family had spread the news out. No one in Ding capital city dared to have marriage relations with the Shen Mansion."
Shen Miao said, "So what about that?"
"If it does not work out, then you marry me." Pei Lang said.
The air seemed to have stiffened within a moment. Unexpected to Pei Lang, Shen Miao stared at him without any surprise in her eyes, without any slightest of being moved emotionally. On serious observation, it even seemed to be a bit cold. She asked, "What did you say?"
A bucket of cold water seemed to have been poured down on Pei Lang's heart as it was surprisingly cold. It was evident that he only did it due to the pros and cons of the matter but under Shen Miao's clear gaze, it was like some of his heart's hidden wishes seemed to be glimpsed. Suddenly, he was in tough straits.
Pei Lang evaded Shen Miao's eyes and collected himself before continuing speaking, "You still have to marry others if you do not marry into the Eastern Palace. This is the only living route out. By marrying me, perhaps one can withstand this."
"Why does Pei Gōngzǐ intend to help me?" Shen Miao said it lightly but in her words, there seemed to be some other tone that made one unable to pinpoint. She said, "We only have a transactional relationship due to Liu Ying and it can be said of a master-servant relationship. I am the zhǔ, and you are the pū. From the beginning to the end it is me who is threatening you and if I am being confined, isn't this to your advantage? Following Fu Xiu Yi is a thousand times better than following me so for Pei Gōngzǐ to help me like this, those who don't know would think that you are sincere."
There was some sarcasm in it that made Pei Lang's ears not like to hear. He did not know why Shen Miao was polite with him at some times and at other times would seem to be hostile with him. Perhaps females were all so fickle?
But he could not answer Shen Miao's question. It was because he himself did not know why he was doing it.
Shen Miao smiled gently, "Even if I marry Pei Gōngzǐ, it would be the most inferior plan. What kind of identity Pei Gōngzǐ will be using to marry me? How does one explain to Ding Wáng's side? You will not reveal yourself because of me. Pei Gōngzǐ is a good chess piece. Thus, I am not willing to casually use it like this."
"Moreover." She lifted her chin slightly, "Marriage and Zhàngfū are not as important as you all think to me. It is only a person sharing the same bed and pillow, eating together and sleeping together. Other than that, there is no difference with that of a stranger. I do not care who one marries to. I also do not care if one was to be forced to marry. My fortune and happiness would not depend on these."
Pei Lang kept shaking his head as he heard it. He wanted to negate Shen Miao's words as he felt that Shen Miao was still young and did not know how important the lifelong event was to a female. This was only just a pique and in the future when one understood the rationale and suffered, then it would be too late to regret. But when he looked up and saw Shen Miao's expression, he could not speak.
Shen Miao had a serious expression and her cold indifference was like she was tired of the matters of the outside world, as if there was an unconscious disgust. She really did not care.
But how could a female not care about the person that would be accompanying them for a lifetime?
Pei Lang looked at Shen Miao blankly.
As the atmosphere was in a deadlock, one heard malicious ridicule coming from the back, "One did not expect that there would be such a romantic affair."
Shen Miao suddenly turned back and did not know when two masked men clad in black appeared. These two people were carrying long swords and headed towards Shen Miao.
Pei Lang quickly pulled Shen Miao over to dodge as Shen Miao shouted out sternly, "Who are you?"
"Shen Xiǎojiě must not blame us. If one has to blame then blame that you are blocking other's road." The two persons laughed and one of them swept towards Pei Lang while the other headed towards Shen Miao.
It was a killing technique without leaving any room of survival.
Shen Miao cursed in her heart as she did not expect that this place that Pei Lang found would actually be convenient for others to silence them. She held the bracelet on her wrist but this bracelet was only useful in short distances. When the needles were about to be released, one, however, saw two stones hurling in the air and hit exactly at the knees of the two black-clad persons. The two of them shouted out in pain and fell onto the ground.
Two swords light flashed and two people swept passed and the black-clad persons' swords were now taken and pointed at their chest.
Everything happened so quickly that there was no opportunity for anyone to breath. The two people that appeared later were dressed as Palace guards and Shen Miao saw them clearly.
Pei Lang was about to talk when he saw that a person flipped over from the roof. The person had a tall stature, wearing a purple-gold robe with a silver mask and a pair of peach blossoms eyes that were as sharp as knives.
It was Prince Rui.
"Rui Wáng Diànxià…" Pei Lang whispered. He was intelligent so after a moment of thinking, he knew that the two people dressed as guards should be Prince Rui's subordinate. Previously, the black-clad people who came to kill, one did not know who they belonged to. Even though he did not know what kind of relationship Shen Miao and Prince Rui had, Pei Lang dare not neglect him. Even though he was extremely vigilant in his heart, there was still a polite smile on his face as he cupped his hands together, "Many thanks to Rui Wáng Diànxià for lending a hand to help."
Prince Rui did not speak and glanced coldly at him. Although there was half a silver mask that hid his face, making one unable to see what kind of expression he had on, Pei Lang, however, felt particularly cold that one would have chills on their backs.
Shen Miao frowned but Prince Rui had already grabbed her wrist and turned to walk out. Pei Lang was shocked and quickly called out, "Rui Wáng Diànxià cannot."
The two guards ferociously blocked in front of him.
Both guards were fierce and sinister, exuding an air of killing without batting an eye. Pei Lang was a scholar and was not skilled in martial arts, thus, there was no way even if he wanted to help. It was Shen Miao who's stumbling as she followed others still turned her head around and calmly said, "Pei Gōngzǐ return first, I still have some matters with Rui Wáng."
Prince Rui's pace had gotten even faster.
Pei Lang looked at the two figures' disappearing back and the two guards inexplicably looked at him before leaving.
However, there were still two bodies on the floor so Pei Lang could not say any longer. He did not know what was the relationship between Shen Miao and Prince Rui but… His heart suddenly felt somewhat empty.
*****
Shen Miao was feeling pain from where Xie Jing Xing was holding her. Xie Jing Xing did not say a single word as he walked quickly while she tried her best to keep up with Xie Jing Xing's pace. However, the other party was tall and had long legs that she couldn't keep up with and almost stumbled several times.
In the end, the anger in Shen Miao's heart came up and she angrily said, "Let go of me!"
Xie Jing Xing walked to a corridor where there was no one before violently letting go of his hand. Shen Miao was grasped by him for most of the journey and when he suddenly released his hand, she almost fell over. After stabilising herself, her anger started bubbling up, "You are crazy."
This garden was somewhat more outside than the previously neglected garden. Shen Miao was somewhat afraid that others would see and wanted to head out but Xie Jing Xing pulled her back by the shoulders and pushed her against the wall before pressing her hands and looked coldly at her.
He was wearing a silver mask and the outline of his face was revealed with a beautiful chin but his lips were tight. There was no longer the usual frivolous smile on them but instead, fury was gushing out. He said one word at a time, "Shen Miao, you only have such capabilities?"
Shen Miao frowned at him.
Xie Jing Xing reached his hand out to hold her chin to force her to look straight at him. He looked down at Shen Miao from a higher position, just like a hunter looking at its prey. Shen Miao did not like to be looked at from the top down and struggled to get out.
But she was, after all, a female, so how could she compete with Xie Jing Xing's strength? That little strength that she had could only tickle Xie Jing Xing if used on him. Xie Jing Xing easily dispelled her struggle and slightly flexed his knees against her legs, making her unable to move.
However, this gesture was even more ambiguous.
Shen Miao asked, "What exactly do you want to do?"
One was unable to distinguish Xie Jing Xing's tone of voice, "Luo Ling, Su Ming Feng, Feng Zi Xian and now there is a Pei Lang. So many people want to be the hero to save the beauty. I have underestimated you."
Shen Miao did not speak.
The strength in his hands suddenly increased and her chin started to hurt, making her brow frown slightly.
But that young man gritted his teeth and said, "Don't care who one marry to and don't care if one was forced to marry. You want to marry into the Tàizǐ Residence?"
Shen Miao's heart moved. Xie Jing Xing had heard the conversation between Pei Lang and her. This man's favourite thing to do was to see everything from the dark and if it was on normal days, Shen Miao would not think too much about it but at this moment there was a little bit of indignation in her heart. It was like someone had seen some secrets that one was unwilling to be made public or that the awful side of herself had been seen and she was ashamed that anger came out.
She said coldly with a smile, "What does it matter if one marries Tàizǐ? Anyways, you also know that I want to be Huánghòu. In the end, Tàizǐ will need to sit on the Imperial throne. Maybe when I enter the Eastern Palace, fought Tàizǐ Fēi to death and raise myself up, which then I will be Ming Qi's future Shen Huánghòu. What is wrong with it?"
The words were said a bit too viciously that Xie Jing Xing's face became even more livid.
He also laughed but it was so cold, "Unfortunately, Tàizǐ will not be able to sit on the Imperial throne."
Shen Miao did not know where Xie Jing Xing's unfathomable anger came from but at this moment, she was already taken hostage and interrogated in such an embarrassing position, thus, she felt very upset and wronged. Perhaps others would be impulsive and unable to grasp one's emotion during such a situation, just like she did not know where those grievance feelings came from but all the unhappiness that she felt during these days all poured out.
Xie Jing Xing continued to pinch her chin, press against her legs and locked her hands. He was unbelievably handsome that even when in anger there was a different amorous feeling. That evil air hovered around him, making Shen Miao believe for a moment that this frivolous and indifferent appearance Xie Jing Xing was only one side of him and the other side would make one's heart chill when he was cold, inflexible and furious.
No matter how good the scenery was, Shen Miao, unfortunately, did not have the mood to appreciate.
She said, "Even if he cannot sit on the Imperial throne, it has nothing to do with you." Shen Miao raised her head and looked at him as she tried to speak calmly, "Why does Rui Wáng Diànxià interrogate me? One's relation with you is not that good to such a level. Whether I marry or not, what does it have to do with you?"
When this was said, Xie Jing Xing instead smiled slowly.
His lips hooked up in a smile but not a smile as he pinched Shen Miao's chin towards him, "When you were thinking of ways to haggle over every ounce with me; when you are calculating on how to do business with me; when you borrow my hands to kill others; you were very capable. Why is it that now you only have this little capability? En?"
Shen Miao's eyes felt somewhat sourish. She really hated Xie Jing Xing's current way of doing things. She could not break free at all and hated that she was this reactive. She felt her sight becoming misty and very uncomfortable.
Xie Jing Xing's brows furrowed, "Not allowed to cry."
Shen Miao's tears were welling up but not falling and she only felt extremely shameful in her heart. She was one who had lived for two lifetimes but with just a few sentences from Xie Jing Xing, she already wanted to cry. What nonsense was this? However, the grievances in her heart could not be alleviated. It was like internally she was entirely in chaos.
She was also unwilling to lose face and had no way to break free of the situation thus in a rush, Shen Miao glared at Xie Jing Xing and said angrily, "Xie Jing Xing, don't be too much."
"Xie Jing Xing?" At the other end of the underbrush, an exclamation was heard.