The invitation that Princess Rong Xin sent had indicated the afternoon on the next day. Luo Xue Yan instructed Shen Xin to prepare a number of gifts for Shen Miao to bring to the Princess Residence because Princess Rong Xin had helped Shen Miao a number of times, thus, Luo Xue Yan would like to express her gratitude to Princess Rong Xin.
In order to prevent any accidents during the journey, Shen Qiu had arranged a number of guards and even Ah Zhi and Mo Qing were also following. Despite these, Shen Miao did not have any relaxed feeling during the journey. When Jing Zhe and Gu Yu, who were beside her, saw it and thought that Shen Miao was worried that the journey was not safe, consoled her for a long time.
In the carriage, Shen Miao kept pondering how she should respond to Princess Rong Xin's words. If Princess Rong Xin asked about Xie Jing Xing then how would she go about dispelling the other party's suspicion? Princess Rong Xin was a very cautious person and once a doubtful thought formed, it would be very difficult to annihilate it.
Shen Miao felt a terrible headache.
Jing Zhe smiled, "What is Xiǎojiě thinking that is so serious? This servant had not seen Xiǎojiě like this for a long time already."
Shen Miao was slightly stunned and her heart was somewhat flabbergasted. It was correct. Ever since she was reborn, the route that she was walking on was exceptionally smooth as she relied on information of her previous life's path. Even if it were the matters concerning Luo Xue Yan, Shen Xin and Shen Qiu, it was not particularly difficult to deal with. As for other people, she would only be interested in one's interest, just like Liu Ying and Pei Lang. How would she get to do with other people's business? But now she was cracking her head to think of an excuse for Xie Jing Xing but what was the relationship between Xie Jing Xing and her that she would make an all-out effort?
Shen Miao started to be somewhat angry with herself and she also knew that she had a stubborn personality and would bash one's head against a brick wall. A voice in her heart said that these troubles were caused by Xie Jing Xing and he should be the one resolving it. The other voice, however, could not bear for Xie Jing Xing to handle this tricky matter alone.
After all, to let Xie Jing Xing reappear in front of Princess Rong Xin with the identity of Prince Rui of Great Liang, no matter if it was to Princess Rong Xin or Xie Jing Xing, it was just too cruel.
Unknowingly, when Shen Miao had not thought of appropriate countermeasures, the horse carriage had reached the entrance doors of the Princess Residence. The servants of the Princess Residence had some impression of Shen Miao and naturally welcomed her respectfully. Shen Miao instructed Mo Qing and the rest to remain at the doors to help move the gifts for Princess Rong Xin to the storeroom. Afterwards, the palace maid brought Shen Miao in.
She brought her directly into Princess Rong Xin's room.
Even though Princess Rong Xin's figure was not commonly seen in court and she was normally low-key, the Princess Residence was spacious and grand. Even after her fùmǎ (Princess's husband) passed on, Princess Rong Xin lived as a widow and was not very concern about these mere worldly possessions. Her room's theme was simple and clean and when one entered, there was a sense of desolate.
Princess Rong Xin was drinking some sweet soup that was sent from the kitchens and when she saw that Shen Miao had arrived, she instructed the servants to bring a bowl for Shen Miao. She smiled as she said, "This is a newly hired chef that makes good snacks and sweet soup. One does not know if you are used to eating it or not but Běngōng felt that it is better than the Palace's. Give it a taste."
Shen Miao thanked Princess Rong Xin and picked up the bowl to have a taste. She did not like sweet food particularly and because of Princess Rong Xin's face, it was not good to refuse it. While eating, she was observing Princess Rong Xin's facial expression.
Princess Rong Xin looked much better than that encounter she had in the Palace. Her face was rosier and her mood was not bad as there was a smile on her face. Shen Miao said, "Princess looked much better."
"The medical hall had recently happened to receive a rare medicinal herb and the kitchens would simmer it every day for Běngōng to drink. It would be difficult for Běngōng not to get better." Princess Rong Xin sighed, "It is really lucky. Previously, one thought that it was already not easy to search for this medicinal herb and did not expect that one would actually encounter it at this timing." There was a bit of a surprise in her tone of voice.
Shen Miao followed Princess Rong Xin's topic but her heart felt a little weird. Princess Rong Xing was not someone who was concerned about trivial matters and even chatting, it would be speaking of one's view on interesting matters, thus, there was no need to specifically mention this matter to her. However, Shen Miao could not get the deeper meaning of her words.
She had initially thought that Princess Rong Xin would be asking about Xie Jing Xing's matter today and did not expect that Princess Rong Xin would not even mention anything about it, thus, she also did not intend to mention it. On the contrary, the topic was changed to Shen Miao's marriage that Emperor Wen Hui had suppressed a few days back.
"Huángxiōng had been obsessed with it before and seemed to really want you to be his Ér xífù, that even Běngōng felt that it was not appropriate. However, after you left on that day, Běngōng personally went to Huángxiōng to plead for leniency and hope that he would dismiss this idea but Huángxiōng did not agree to it. Afterwards, it was all thanks to Prince Rui's lucky influence." She looked at Shen Miao with a smile, "One had thought that General Shen had inquired about the reason and told you?" (儿媳妇 Ér xífù - Daughter-in-law)
Shen Miao nodded her head and she started to be on guard.
"Even though these words were somewhat treacherous, Běngōng also does not wish to see Great Liang having ambitions on Ming Qi. But one had to thank Prince Rui as if he hadn't said those words, Huángxiōng would not have changed his mind and your marriage would not be suppressed down like this."
Shen Miao remained quiet as one would make more mistakes if one were to speak now. However, she did not expect that Princess Rong Xin would suddenly take her hand and spoke with a smile, "Previously, Běngōng saw that the relationship between you and Prince Rui of Great Liang was not shallow and Běngōng is after all much older than you and have eaten more salt that you have eating rice, and it is the same for looking at people. Prince Rui has a special identity and Běngōng sees that you are still young and inevitably deceived but one did not expect that he was one of loyalty and spoke up at this critical moment. Běngōng was thinking that if this was said on purpose then it was somewhat constrained."
Princess Rong Xin did not have such an attitude on Prince Rui previously. Because the gap between how she was formerly and now was so great, Shen Miao became very cautious but there was no trace of flusteredness on her face as she said with a gentle smile, "Rui Wáng is a dragon among people and Chén nǚ is just a mere grass, naturally, one is incomparable. Chén nǚ is also not that arrogant to think that Rui Wáng would speak for Chén nǚ." These words were diplomatically denying the intimate relationship with Prince Rui. (臣女 Chén nǚ - This Official's daughter)
"Běngōng knows that you are shy." Princess Rong Xin was particularly eccentric today, "Běngōng would not tell others."
Shen Miao wanted to speak but Princess Rong Xin changed the topic at a turn of her head.
Princess Rong Xin was particularly exhilarated today and kept on talking to Shen Mao for a long time. When Prince Rui was brought up just now, Shen Miao thought that Princess Rong Xin would continue to ask but Princess Rong Xin changed the topic and asked about the youths that Luo Xue Yan helped to pick for Shen Miao.
From the afternoon till the evening, Princess Rong Xin seemingly did not want to end the day's chat and send Shen Miao back. Shen Miao was somewhat confused about Princess Rong Xin's intention.
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu, however, wanted Shen Miao to return early as the roads were not easy to travel on at night as one would not be able to see the road that the horse carriage was travelling on. But this was the Princess Residence and the Princess and Shen Miao did not say anything about it so how could they, two servants, say anything?
When the last pot of tea was finished, Princess Rong Xin got up and Jing Zhe and Gu Yu gave a slight sigh in their heart as they thought that Princess Rong Xin had a rare interest today and finally they would be able to return. Who knew that Princess Rong Xin pulled Shen Miao's hands over amiably and smiled, "Accompany me around the courtyard."
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu's mouth dropped. Princess Rong Xin had lived here for so many years and would have walked around her own courtyard every day, without any rhyme and reason why would one let Shen Miao, a guest, take a walk around the courtyard? Moreover, it was currently pitch dark and it was very cold outside, so why the need to take a walk around the courtyard? Wasn't one afraid of catching a cold? Was it that the Princesses of Imperial families were all so eccentric?
Shen Miao, however, understood. Princess Rong Xin obviously had other things in mind and today's invitation to Shen Miao to come over to the Princess Residence would definitely not only let Shen Miao chat with her. Princess Rong Xin definitely had her own plans.
But Shen Miao had no ways to reject it.
She said, "Alright."
Out of Jing Zhe's and Gu Yu's expectation, the 'courtyard' that Princess Rong Xin brought Shen Miao to was a side courtyard. There was no lantern at the doors and one could not see clearly what words were on the plaque.
Princess Rong Xin pulled Shen Miao's hands as she stepped into the room and smiled, "This courtyard is Xing Zheng Yuan."
Shen Miao's heart thumped and she knew what Princess Rong Xin would say next.
Sure enough, when Princess Rong Xin entered the room, she picked up the little toys on the shelf in reminisce and smiled while she spoke, "This is where Jing Xing stayed."
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu who were following behind felt that the words were a little strange. This was where the Little Marquis of the Xie family stayed.
"Jing Xing did not have a Niáng when he was young. After Yu Qing left, Běngōng pitied that he was so young and was angry with the restless side family of the Marquis of Lin An that caused a fire in the inner courtyard. Yu Qing's life was bitter and at the end had a reputation of being a jealous wife. However, at that time, Madam Fang exploited a loophole and one could not use the Imperial might to deal with her as it would only bring forth infamy to Yu Qing. Běngōng was first, angry and second, fearful that Madam Fang would take sinister action and carried Jing Xing back to the Princess Residence to raise."
"Jing Xing is very naughty from birth and is very close to Běngōng. Běngōng did not have any son and thought that it would be good to have Jing Xing raised by my side, thus, built this Xing Zheng Yuan for Jing Xing."
When Princess Rong Xin was speaking about these things, she was still sighing. With her description, Shen Miao could almost see a baby in swaddling clothes. The fortunate thing about Shen Miao was that her parents were safe and sound and doted on her a lot. Even though due to the Second and Third Household of the Shen family's instigation, there was some alienation, it could still be remedied. However, when Xie Jing Xing was born, he did not have a mother.
In other words, when he was born, in the false identity in Ming Qi, he played the role of a pitiful and unfavourable role.
"Jing Xing was raised at Běngōng's very well and the Marquis of Lin An came a few times to bring him back and even did it through Huángxiōng's end but Běngōng did not acknowledge it. However, later on, Madam Fang gave birth to two sons then Běngōng returned Jing Xing back." Princess Rong Xin turned around and looked at Shen Miao, "Do you know why?"
Shen Miao thought of it for a moment before saying, "Because the Little Marquis was the Di-son of the residence of the Marquis of Lin An and he should be inheriting the residence of the Marquis of Lin An. If Little Marquis continued to stay in the Princess Residence, Madam Fang and the two Shu-sons of the Xie family would exploit it and in the future, the position of the Marquis of Lin An will also fall in the hands of the two xiōngdì."
Princess Rong Xin smiled when she heard it, "Běngōng had long known that you are one who could see things thoroughly. When I was your age, one would not have thought of that."
Shen Miao smiled gently and did not express an opinion. Naturally, a young female who had not given birth would not plan for a child, much less plan in advance. But she was a female who gave birth to two children, thus, if it were Wan Yu and Fu Ming, she would also let Wan Yu and Fu Ming return. It was originally her own children's things so how would one let others take it?
"Although Jing Xing returned, his relationship with Běngōng still remained very good. It was always said that blood is thicker than water, so Běngōng was afraid that he would get along with the Marquis of Lin An and with vile characters provoking, he would instead be somewhat resentful to Běngōng and Yu Qing. But what Běngōng was surprisingly delighted about was that his relations with the Marquis of Lin An had not been so good. No matter how well the Marquis of Lin An treated him, he would not be indifferent to it. Sometimes, Běngōng thought that he and the Marquis of Lin An did not look like a pair of fùzǐ so how would there be an instance of blood being thicker than water?" (fùzǐ - Father and child)
Shen Miao's heart was hoisted up as the meaning behind Princess Rong Xin's words was just too strong.
Princess Rong Xin picked up a small mirror on the shelf and said, "Actually, not only does he not look like fùzǐ with the Marquis of Lin An, he does not resemble Yu Qing. The Marquis of Lin An was a military man but had some indecisiveness, thus, in some matters, he would be muddled. Else, he would not be schemed by a slut like Madam Fang. Yu Qing was a foolish one as her heart went out fully to that man but in the end, she even lost her life and allowed her child to suffer. Xie Jing's character was, however, different from both of them."
"Jing Xing had a very stubborn temperament but he was very decisive in his actions. Once, he obtained a treasured sword and it was regarded highly by his good friend. The good friend did not say anything but he saw it. Afterwards, he said that he took to fancy that friend's mirror and used his treasured sword for an exchange."
"Běngōng asked him why he lied when he obviously didn't like the mirror and he replied to Běngōng that it was because he did not like that treasured sword."
"He seemed to know clearly what he wanted or not when he was young. He would not take a glance more at the things he did not want and would grab on tightly on things he wanted from the very beginning in his hands. He would always smile and would be liked by females but had never expressed any special indication to any female. He is actually more indifferent than anyone else."
Princess Rong Xin stared at Shen Miao and for a moment Shen Miao felt that Princess Rong Xin and Xie Jing Xing were similar in some aspects. It was especially so when they stared sharply at someone, they seemed to have the ability to see through one's souls. This kind of compelling sense of oppression had re-emerged from this Imperial Princess once again.
She then opened her mouth to speak, "Běngōng was thinking that perhaps in his eyes the Marquis of Lin An was a thing that he did not need so from the beginning he did not treat the Marquis of Lin An affectionately. Běngōng had always thought that Běngōng was the person that he would hang on tightly onto but from now, it seemed that Běngōng was wrong. Běngōng was also a person he did not need, correct?"
This word 'correct' was directed to Shen Miao to answer.
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu had already been pulled out by Princess Rong Xin's personal female official, Yang Gūgū and there was currently no one in the room. Shen Miao listened quietly before speaking, "The Little Marquis places Gōngzhǔ in his heart."
"Shen Miao, Běngōng knows that you are exceptionally intelligent and is good at appraising others' minds, so there is no need to coax Běngōng." Princess Rong Xin coldly laughed, "If it was truly placing Běngōng in the heart, then, why would one deceive with the news of the fake death? How would one just watch on as Běngōng suffers in pain and sleepless night from the news of his death? It was obvious that everything was planned in the beginning but still had to deceive for Běngōng's trust and sincere heart. Obviously, one is right in front but refuses to recognize and still use halfhearted excuses. Shen Miao, you tell Běngōng if this is called placing Běngōng in one's heart?"
When the last sentence was spoken, the tone was very sharp as if there was anger in the questioning.
Shen Miao's heart sank. In the end, she knew about it.
However, she could not admit to it.
There were a lot of matters that even though one knew the ending, one could not speak about it. Even if evidence was conclusive, nothing could be said. Princess Rong Xin was Ming Qi's Princess while Xie Jing Xing was Prince Rui of Great Liang. Once this information was confirmed and was said out by her, Shen Miao could not verify how much trouble it would bring to Xie Jing Xing. She could not just confess impetuously.
Even if Princess Rong Xin had affirmed it in her heart.
She said, "Chén nǚ does not understand what Gōngzhǔ is talking about."
Princess Rong Xing looked at her contemptuously and the previous kindness and gentleness had disappeared and what replaced was the look of a superior looking at a lower rank with the arrogance that one could step an ant to death. This was the most common expression from the Fu family and once upon a time, Shen Miao would see it daily. Disgust started to suddenly appear in her heart. It was not hatred for Princess Rong Xin but most likely the hatred was the blood of the Fu family that was running through Princess Rong Xin's veins that made them similar when they used different means to achieve the same end. Princess Rong Xin said, "Do you know about the crime of lying to the Imperial family?"
"Offense of deceiving the Monarch." Shen Miao answered.
"Collaborating with the enemy to betray the country and deceiving the Monarch. These words are enough to make your entire household be executed and implicate nine branches of a family. You can already see it in the case of Shen Wan. Do you know what you are saying to Běngōng? What kind of lies are you saying to Běngōng?"
"Not shedding a tear until one sees the coffin?" Princess Rong Xin's voice had a bone-chilling effect, "If Běngōng wants you dead, it is an easy matter. If you are not able to answer to Běngōng's satisfaction, Běngōng only needs to mention it to Huángxiōng and it would be a calamity for your Shen family. Because of your stubbornness, you want to let your Fùmǔ and Dàgē pay with their lives?"
Shen Miao said, "Chén nǚ did not say anything." Shen Miao was silent.
Princess Rong Xin slowly spoke, "Now tell Běngōng, is Rui Wángzǐ the Xie Jing Xing that died in the battlefield?"
"It isn't." The firm two words came out of Shen Miao without a single waver. It was as if all the scary threats previously were all smoke clouds and had not left any trace in her heart.
"Shen Miao." Princess Rong Xin got angry, "Běngōng will punish the Shen family."
"Everything requires evidence."
"As long as Běngōng is willing, without evidence, one can also punish you."
Shen Miao's heart almost laughed out grimly. The Fu family people were always like this, so overbearing. Be it with the seemingly fair Princess Rong Xin, as long as one was facing a matter that one wanted to know, there would not be any hesitation to use one's Imperial power to bully.
Humans were complex. Human nature was selfish.
"Běngōng asked you one more time. Is Rui Wángzǐ, Xie Jing Xing?"
"It is not."
Princess Rong Xin almost wanted to burst out in anger. On normal days, she appreciated Shen Miao's presence of mind in the face of disasters but when this was directed to her, Princess Rong Xin felt that she was facing a bronze pea where she was unable to find a single flaw. A normal female would have been scared but Shen Miao was not afraid at all.
"Someone come." Princess Rong Xin's face became solemn, "Go and take Shen Miao…"
Before she could finish her sentence, the rest of the words were swallowed down into her throat.
A purple-clad figure leapt into the window outside. The figure came in from the back window and there was no one guarding the backyard, thus, no one saw him. That person was clad in dark-purple brocade robe and at the corners of the robe, there were golden thread embroideries which Princess Rong Xing was all too familiar with.
After he entered the room, he took his time to glance around before leisurely strolling over to Shen Miao. It was as if it was as natural as one's home and stopped in front of Princess Rong Xin. He then lazily spoke slowly, "She is timid. Rong Yí, don't scare her."
Princess Rong Xin remained silent after seeing this person and stood there blankly. Upon hearing 'Rong Yí', she pointed her finger at the other person but couldn't speak anything.
In the not very spacious room, the light from the lamp was swaying slightly while that person played with the rung on the thumb and wearing half a silver mask. In the cold light of the mask, slightly smiling red lips were revealed, but one did not feel warm at all.
Shen Miao stared at Xie Jing Xing unbelievably. She had never thought that Xie Jing Xing would dare to appear at this moment. How could he appear in the Princess Residence without making any secret of it? To Princess Rong Xin, Xie Jing Xing had died in the battlefield in Northern Jiang two years ago and if Xie Jing Xing appeared again, not to mention the waves that would be created in Ming Qi, but in addition to the identity of Prince Rui, there would be all kinds of names of being a scout, spy or traitor that would be used.
How could he dare?
Princess Rong Xin pointed at him and trembled before asking, "What did you call Běngōng?"
The purple-clad youth in the room had a tall stature as he slowly reached out to remove his mask.
When the mask was removed, one could see clearly his outstanding facial features.
Unparalleled beauty. (Translator dares the author to find a guy that can be described as that and also fight in wars. HidAnas: Haish... My Mark Chao, Lee Minho and Gong Ji-cheol are definite heavenly unparalleled beauties that can lead the battalion to me \(๑╹◡╹๑)ﾉ♬ )
That pair of eyes that were always filled with a little radiance and frivolous smiles were now offsetting but his lips had slight ridicule. The frivolous look was covered and there were indifference and pride showing.
An unfamiliar Xie Jing Xing. A young man that was completely different from the dazzling handsome youth but on his body, one could vaguely see a shadow of the youth. It was just that arrogance was suppressed and what was replaced was a type of danger that was terrifying.
He then put the mask back on but it was done heedlessly as he spoke somewhat lazily, "Trust Rong Yí has been well."
Princess Rong Xin was stunned for a long time and it seemed that she recovered to her senses just then.
She looked at Xie Jing Xing and sized him up with an unfamiliar gaze before speaking in an unclear tone, "Běngōng should call you Rui Wáng or Xie Jing Xing?"
The alienation and defensiveness in those words gave Shen Miao a shock.
She had previously thought about what kind of scene it would be like when Xie Jing Xing bumped with Princess Rong Xin but she had not thought that it would be like how it was currently. Previously, the family affection had become a scam and joke and the short-lived family with Princess Rong Xin had become so hostile that it made one astonished.
Xie Jing Xing said, "As Gōngzhǔ wishes."
"Is the medicine herbs sent by you?" Princess Rong Xin asked.
Xie Jing Xing only smiled and did not answer.
Princess Rong Xin also smiled, "Běngōng dare not accept Rui Wáng's things for nothing. One thinks that the prices for these medicinal herbs are not low. Běngōng will instruct people to send the money over to the residence of Rui Wángzǐ. Many thanks to Rui Wáng."
"No need." Xie Jing Xing said.
"What is Rui W��ng here for?" Princess Rong Xin's voice was polite but vigilant, unlike how would be facing one resurrected 'son'. It was completely a confrontation with a stranger and one could say that the tone used was when one faces an enemy."
"She doesn't know anything." Xie Jing Xing pointed to Shen Miao with his chin, "Just ask me directly about any doubts that Gōngzhǔ has. There is no need to make things difficult for her."
"How would I dare to make things difficult for her?" Princess Rong Xin laughed coldly but her tone was somewhat complicated.
"It is good that things are not difficult." Xie Jing Xing walked over and held Shen Miao's shoulders, uncaring what expression Shen Miao had, "Regarding today's matter, Běnwǎng would come personally another day to explain. There is no need to implicate others on any misunderstanding that Gōngzhǔ has with Běnwǎng." He lips raised, "The residence of Rui Wángzǐ is always waiting at any time."
After finishing, he did not care what Princess Rong Xin's expression was and took a few steps and went out from the window.
Shen Miao was shocked by Xie Jing Xing's actions today and did not have any reaction when she was brought out of the Princess Residence. She had never thought that Xie Jing Xing would dare to appear pompously in the Princess Residence and revealed his identity to Princess Rong Xin. Even though Xie Jing Xing and Princess Rong Xin had relations of a mother and child (母子 - Mǔzǐ), that was in the past. Xie Jing Xing was currently from Great Liang and with a different nationality, it would cause changes in many matters. This was especially so in the position they were in.
For example, when Princess Rong Xin saw Xie Jing Xing today, Shen Miao had thought Princess Rong Xin would be hysterical, question angrily or would weep in pain. However, the first expression that Princess Rong Xin showed was bringing her guard up.
Her frigid irony and scorching satire but silent probing were done in a polite manner without making one difficult. This kind of restrained emotions only represented one fact, which was that Princess Rong Xin was more suspicious than happy to see the resurrected Xie Jing Xing.
The words that Princess Rong Xin said floated to her ears.
"He seemed to know clearly what he wanted or not when he was young. He would not take a glance more at the things he did not want and would grab on tightly on things he wanted from the very beginning in his hands. He would always smile and would be liked by females but had never expressed any special indication to any female. He is actually more indifferent than anyone else."
Was it because Xie Jing Xing knew that such a day would happen, thus, the family relations that he 'did not want' was not because he really did not want but because he could not afford to have? Because once he had it, there would be a day where he would lose it. Loved ones would become hostile enemies and the once compassionate and caring eyes would become defensive. Since it was so, it would be better to be strangers from the start. Without any closeness, there would not be any moment of a drawback to look forward to.
Shen Miao's heart suddenly felt upset.