His kisses were hot but the silver mask was cold as if it was carrying some unspeakable emotions that overwhelmed Heavens and earth. The more Shen Miao struggled, the tighter he held her and locked her in his arms and took her lips like making an oath. (HidAnas: FINALLY!!!)
The flowers bloomed in winter, the butterflies flying in autumn, the ice springs in summer and the snowflakes in spring could not describe the bizarreness of this moment. There was the sound of wind by one's ears but that beautiful youth's hug was strong and his kisses were burning as if one had exhausted one's life and could not escape.
When Xie Jing Xing let go of Shen Miao, Shen Miao almost went limp and could not breathe. In the previous life, she desired Fu Xiu Yi but from the beginning till the end was a one-sided enthusiasm. Even during Fu Xiu Yi's wedding night, it was just a perfunctory gesture. She had never been this intimate with any man.
Shen Miao flew into a rage out of humiliation as she felt that she had lost her self-control just now. Xie Jing Xing supported her so that she would not fall as she glared angrily at Xie Jing Xing.
However, she did not know that after she was being kissed just now, her eyes were almost watery. With eyes full of life and charming with a blushing face and red lips like petals, it made one want to feel tenderness towards.
Xie Jing Xing covered it up and looked away.
Other than being embarrassed and angry, Shen Miao was a little overwhelmed and did not know what to do. In all fairness, her heart more or less expected this scenario.
As to why she did not block it or let it develop, it was because her heart had unconsciously reacted to it but Shen Miao did not want to go into the reason behind it.
"Talking about your marriage." Xie Jing Xing had restored that frivolous tone of voice, "What is your plan now?"
Shen Miao looked at him unfathomably, "What plans?"
Xie Jing Xing looked at her with squinted eyes and spoke in a somewhat dangerous tone, "Tàizǐ, Luo Ling, Feng Zi Xian, Su Ming Feng and Pei Lang. Who do you want to marry?"
Shen Miao frowned and had a serious look of consideration.
Xie Jing Xing's eyes coagulated and his tone was unkind, "You really want to marry someone else?"
"Why can't I marry someone else?"
"After kissing me, touching me, you still dare to make me wear a green hat. Shen Miao, you really have the nerves." (HidAnas: Hello! You're the one who was taking advantage okay… It's just that she enjoyed it, that's all)
Shen Miao smiled slightly, "You cannot be thinking of letting me marry you?"
"You are finally smart for once." Xie Jing Xing said unhurriedly.
Shen Miao was startled. It was not that she did not think about the relationship with Xie Jing Xing before. Both of them are allies but they were more ambiguous than allies. About matters between male and female, though one had not eaten any pork, one at least saw pigs running. On that night when her heart beat that quickly, Shen Miao discovered some things.
However, this did not mean that Xie Jing Xing could marry her. Xie Jing Xing is Prince Rui of Great Liang and she was a Di-daughter of Ming Qi's General. Not to mention that Ming Qi's side would not agree to it, one feared that it would not be easy to explain to Emperor Yong Le's side.
Especially in the current situation, Xie Jing Xing has a high status in Great Liang and the greater the power he has, it meant that Emperor Yong Le valued Xie Jing Xing heavily. There would be many things that one would not be able to act independently when being valued heavily by an Emperor.
This included one's own marriage.
Just as Shen Miao was still distracted, she heard Xie Jing Xing saying, "You do not have to worry about anything and just embroider the wedding dress obediently in the room and wait for me."
"When did I promise to marry you?" Shen Miao retorted back with a question.
"Oh?" Xie Jing Xing thought about it a little and a smile appeared on his lips, "I also don't mind turning the raw rice into a cooked one tonight."
Shen Miao looked at him in vigilance but Xie Jing Xing laughed, "You look like you are looking forward to it."
Shen Miao decided not to speak to Xie Jing Xing about it. This person appeared genuine but was actually devious and would speak obscenities in every three sentences. She said, "With regards to Tàizǐ's matter, I have an idea."
Xie Jing Xing raised his eyebrow, "You have a countermeasure early on?"
"Suddenly thought about it." Shen Miao stressed, "Need your help."
"Need my help?" Xie Jing Xing smiled lightly and whispered to her, "This husband will help you."
Shen Miao, "…"
When Shen Miao returned back to the Shen Mansion from the residence of Prince Rui, the skies were almost in the early hours of the morning. Naturally, it was Xie Jing Xing who 'brought' her back and when he came to know that Shen Miao climbed over walls when coming over, Xie Jing Xing laughed till Shen Miao almost got angry. However, as this night passed, there were many things that had quietly changed.
During the discussion with Xie Jing Xing in the residence of Prince Rui on the countermeasures against the Crown Prince's marriage, Shen Miao had a strange feeling. All the while when she was on the road of revenge, she was always alone and now, unfathomably, having a strong enough backing, it made her feel secure. Especially this support was intelligent and could see the loopholes in her countermeasures in a glance and propose improvements. Shen Miao felt that their partnership was very cooperative.
Unconsciously, the words that Xie Jing Xing had said during the night floated up in Shen Miao's mind. Just embroider the wedding dress obediently.
Xie Jing Xing was one who would look at certain things casually but what Princess Rong Xin said was correct. He knew what he wanted and did not want from the very beginning and Shen Miao was not clear how many words that Xie Jing Xing said were true. However, on the matter of Shen Miao's marriage, Xie Jing Xing had revealed his absolute strength and tyranny that no one had any room to refute.
Shen Miao sighed again. The road ahead was long and the muddy waters of Ming Qi were not cleaned yet. This was just too extravagant to mention about one's feelings. Counter soldier with arms and water with earth, if Xie Jing Xing really had that ability and he dared to marry the daughter of another country's General then there was no reason for her not to dare to marry.
Her lips were slightly tingling in pain as if there was still a lingering heat on it which made her lower her head.
The mouth that could not deny and the heartbeat that could not be suppressed.
That youth was handsome and beautiful and was intelligent and decisive.
It was difficult for anyone not to be tempted.
In the residence of Prince Ding, the lanterns were brightly lit the entire night.
After Fu Xiu Yi knew that Shen Miao and the Crown Prince's marriage was suppressed because Prince Rui 'unintentionally' mentioned that one sentence. On this night, all the aides had reached the residence of Prince Ding and discussed this matter from the beginning to the end.
"Previously, I had guessed that the relationship between Shen Miao and Rui Wáng was not that simple. Now, after using Tàizǐ to test, the cloven foot had been revealed." Fu Xiu Yi laughed coldly, "Once anything happens to Shen Miao, Tàizǐ will not be able to sit still."
Pei Lang stood beneath and did not say a single word. These days, Fu Xiu Yi has changed his treatment to him and would not ask for his opinions on many things. Because the contrast before and after was too great, other aides noticed it and thought that Pei Lang had offended Fu Xiu Yi and took joy in his misfortune. However, Pei Lang knew that as Fu Xiu Yi was an intelligent person, for him to inexplicably neglect him, he must have discovered some clues or perhaps, his relations with Shen Miao was discovered by Fu Xiu Yi. Even though his heart was on fire, Pei Lang did not display even a little of it. Fu Xiu Yi still did not drop all pretences so it meant that he had his own intentions or perhaps he only suspected it but it was not confirmed yet. A full set of shows must be performed when acting and one could not abandon it halfway. Pei Lang knew this truth well and only portrayed the reaction of a normal aide that was being shunned.
"What is Pei Xiānshēng's view on it?" For the first time, Fu Xiu Yi asked for his opinion.
Pei Lang's heart moved and dropped his head to say, "This subordinate thinks that one should immediately investigate the relationship between the Shen family and Rui Wáng or Great Liang. Shen Miao's position is special as she represents Ming Qi's most important military power. If there is some private agreement between the Shen family and Rui Wáng, one fear…"
The aides started discussing. Even though they were not satisfied with Pei Lang, they did not admit that Pei Lang's words were incorrect. Shen Miao was, after all, a young female and not a great beauty that could overthrow cities and ruin states. It is better to say that Prince Rui valued the Shen family behind Shen Miao than to say that Prince Rui targeted beauty. This was then reasonable.
Fu Xiu Yi said, "Xiānshēng said it correctly but today I have heard something."
Everyone was waiting for him to say the words next.
"Shen Miao had spent the entire day in the residence of Rong Xin Gōngzhǔ. Gōngzhǔ's health had not been good all the time but she still held her till at night. It seems that after Shen Miao departed, Gōngzhǔ's mood was also not good." Fu Xiu Yi smiled, "Could it be that Gōngzhǔ knew something?"
After a moment of silence, an aide said, "Perhaps Rong Xin Gōngzhǔ had inside information. Diànxià may wish to start with Rong Xin Gōngzhǔ's end and perhaps there would be some little clues."
"I too think like this." Fu Xiu Yi looked at Pei Lang and one was not sure if he was purposely saying it for him to hear, "Even though behind Shen Miao is the big backing of the Shen family, she is very eccentric. Rui Wáng only lent a helping hand to her matters so there must be some hidden motive. If Rong Xin Gōngzhǔ is also involved then the matter would become interesting."
"Paper cannot wrap fire. I must uncover the secret between them." Fu Xiu Yi smiled meaningfully, "One has to rely on all of you."
Everyone responded that they didn't dare and Pei Lang lowered his head but felt a little uneasiness in his heart.
This night, the Princess Residence was not at all peaceful. Princess Rong Xin had sat in Xin Zheng Yuan for the entire night.
Xie Jing Xing did not die and instead became the Prince Rui of Great Liang. This was something that Princess Rong Xin had never expected. In the past two years, Princess Rong Xin had countlessly hope that one day she would discover that Xie Jing Xing's death was just a dream and also hope that when she woke up that handsome and proud youth would still be standing in front of him and call out 'Rong Yí' lazily. However, when the actual moment arrived, Princess Rong Xin's first thought was not gratification.
He wore a noble purple gold robe and the corners of the robe were embroidered with a flying dragon with gold threads. He wore a cold mask and greeted her with familiarity but with a title of Prince Rui.
That was the biggest threat for Ming Qi.
Princess Rong Xin originally was angry due to the deceit and cover-up but once she realised the true identity of Xie Jing Xing, Princess Rong Xin's instinctive reaction was to be vigilant. This did not mean that the many years of relationship with Xie Jing Xing was false but because of one another's position in politics, she was the Princess of Ming Qi and pride and suspicion of the Imperial family would always appear at such times.
She wrote a letter at the table to warn Emperor Wen Hui and stopped halfway before tearing the paper into small pieces. The entanglement and complication in her heart had poured over on her face but she was not willing to see Xie Jing Xing again because she did not know how to face him.
The initial part of Princess Rong Xin's suspicion was that Xie Jing Xing did not die so how would he become Prince Rui, the blooded younger brother of Emperor Yong Le of Great Liang? Prince Rui's name was obviously not something that could be used casually. Was Xie Jing Xing originally a person from Great Liang or was he bought over by Great Liang by coincidences? If it was the former then it was still excusable but if it was the latter then Xie Jing Xing had committed treason.
Xie Jing Xing was not close to Xie Ding and one would not be successful if one asked Xie Ding. Shen Miao must know some stuff but Shen Miao would definitely not say anything. Since Xie Jing Xing was also protecting her, it was not easy for Princess Rong Xin to touch her. After thinking about it, Princess Rong Xin finally thought of someone.
Grew up together when Xie Jing Xing was in his childhood, with good relations between both families and was considered to be Xie Jing Xing's best friends in Ming Qi. Because they grew up together and spend most of the time together, there would be times when one would be able to see the differences with Xie Jing Xing.
The heir of the Count of Ping Nan, Su Ming Feng.
Princess Rong Xin instructed the servants to bring an invitation over.
------------------------
As the days passed, it got closer to the end of the year.
The commoners were starting to rush to purchase new year's goods and thus the streets would be filled with bustle every day. Life would go on smoothly so normal people would not be able to know what was in the minds of noble people. It was like how the eagle and sparrow saw the skies, it was destined to be different.
Ever since Emperor Wen Hui had been shocked by the wildly ambitious 'casual chat' with Prince Rui, he was more and more inclined with an alliance with Qin country. It was just till now there was no conclusion to Princess Ming An's case, thus, there was still a line between them. However, with Emperor Wen Hui's increased sincerity, Huangfu Hao's attitude was somewhat softened.
All the different departments of Ming Qi's official could be dispatched by Huangfu Hao, that even the Bureau of Investigations would from time to time be interrogated by Huangfu Hao. No matter what the result was, Emperor Wen Hui had given Huangfu Hao enough face. Even though one was unable to discover the cause of Princess Ming An's death, Huangfu Hao did not think that Ming Qi deliberately covered it up since he had witnessed the process of the investigation. It might be that Princess Ming An had offended some powerful character, else, how would there be no traces left?
Not mentioning the matter with Princess Ming An, the words that Prince Rui said to Emperor Wen Hui finally reached Huangfu Hao's ears. If one were to say from the beginning that Huangfu Hao represented Qin country, he clearly had the intention to form an alliance with Ming Qi but purposely put up airs in an attempt to seek more personal benefits. When he heard the words from Prince Rui, Huangfu Hao could not sit still.
If Prince Rui represented Great Liang and really had the intention to get the few cities that produce ore in Ming Qi, just like what Emperor Wen Hui worried, Great Liang would not need those mere cities but the entire Ming Qi. That meant that Ming Qi was in danger. Without the lips, the teeth would feel the cold. Just one Qin country was not powerful enough to deal with Great Liang, moreover, it would be the Great Liang that had absorbed Ming Qi's military, weapons and wealth. At that time, when Great Liang took care of Qin country, the Qin country would not have the strength to fight.
The purpose of the alliance between Qin country and Ming Qi was to contain Great Liang.
Huangfu Hao sent this information back to Qin country. Even though the Emperor of Qin was furious that he had lost a Princess in Ming Qi without rhyme or reason, comparing a Princess and the entire country of Qin, it was insignificant. Thus, the Emperor of Qin let Huangfu Hao temporarily put the matter of Princess Ming An aside and form a good alliance with Ming Qi.
When Huangfu Hao got the message from the Emperor of Qin, he started to enter the Imperial Palace of Ming Qi more frequently. One had the intention to strike an alliance and the other was worried that there would be no help, thus, they clicked quickly and on the surface had joyous and harmonious relations. The relationship between Emperor Wen Hui and Huangfu Hao had become much closer.
Emperor Wen Hui had the intention to support the Crown Prince and previously wanted to get Shen Miao to marry the Crown Prince but who knew that he suddenly glimpsed Great Liang's ambitions and dared not take action with the Shen family. Now that Huangfu Hao came over, it was good to let Huangfu Hao have more interactions with the Crown Prince so that the Crown Prince can inherit the relations with Huangfu Hao.
The matters in this world are inextricably linked. Normally, the relations would not be even touched by an eight-foot pole but now there were various connections. Intelligent people would find their usefulness in these relations but normal people would be lost in it if they were not careful enough.
In the residence of the Minister of Land.
Shen Dong Ling was drinking tea at the moment.
High-grade Ye-er Qing (a type of tea leaves), grown in the dangerous peaks of the southern country that one small handful would cost a few hundreds of silver. Her posture when she appreciated tea was beautiful and she was wearing the Southern Jiang's brocade robes and had family bracelets on. She was very pretty and delicate that when one took a glance, one would see that she was a charming woman that lived like a noble.
No one would have thought that not too long ago, she was still an obscure Shu-daughter of the Shen Residence that would not leave the courtyard all year round that even the servants did not know that she was a young lady of the Shen Residence. Not to say when Ren Wan Yun was the head of the household, there was not even oil in the dishes for ten days to half a month.
The difference between the past and now was like clouds and dirt. Humans seek one's way up just as water seeks its way down. Even though the residence of the Minister of Land did not look as powerful as other official families, it was considered to be very wealthy. There was no one that could live with only that little money from the court. Before marrying into the residence of the Minister of Land, Shen Dong Ling had always thought that the Wang family was following Prince Zhou and only later learnt that the real master of the Wang family was the Crown Prince. Being a Minister of Land but having such an abundance of wealth like this, it was because the Wang family had some dealing with the salt smugglers; though the money would naturally flow into the residence of the Crown Prince, there were some feathers from a flying goose that drops on to their lap. Just these few feathers were able to let the family stay in Ding capital city without worrying at all shows how profitable the business of privately selling salt was.
If one were to say that the matter of money was an unexpected surprise to Shen Dong Ling, then Wang Bi himself made Shen Dong Ling very satisfied. Wang Bi looked honest but was in fact savvy and was considered highly ranked under the Crown Prince. In the beginning, Shen Yue did not look up to Wang Bi and did not know that it was her that had no eyes. Shen Dong Ling was born with beautiful looks, had a soft temperament and the most important thing was that she could always make some suggestions for Wang Bi's matters. However, she would not interfere too much and would always keep a cautious distance. The more she did that, the better Wang Bi treated her. When marrying a wife, one would want to marry one who was virtuous and besides being virtuous and smart, it was even more valuable for one also understanding other people's views. Wang Bi had felt very fortunate that Shen Dong Ling and Shen Yue had exchanged their marriages. The family of the Minister of Land only had Wang Bi, the only son and Wang Bi was very capable that almost everything in the Wang family was decided by Wang Bi. Naturally, Shen Dong Ling became the matriarch of the Wang family. The servant would be very respectful to her and if Ren Wan Yun was still alive, one feared that she would faint in anger. That Shu-daughter that she viewed like ants was even more comfortable than when Ren Wan Yun was in the beginning and naturally, Wan Yīniáng was like the boat that floats when the tide rises and lived a wealthy lifestyle.
Today, it was the same.
Wang Bi came back from outside and handed the pastry in his hands to the maids before saying, "One passed by Guang Fu Zhai and conveniently bought some cakes for you to eat."
"Fūjūn is considerate." Shen Dong Ling smiled at him as she poured a cup of tea for him. Her every move was delicate and tender, most likely because she was after all a daughter of a Yīniáng, there would be some amorous feeling. She smiled as she said, "Fūjūn looked very happy today. Is there something good that happened?" (夫君 Fūjūn - Another way to call husband)
To Shen Dong Ling, Wang Bi did not hide most things from her because Shen Dong Ling was not one who would talk and could occasionally help to share his worries. Currently, Wang Bi and Shen Dong Ling were newlyweds and would be in their honeymoon period. Wang Bi said, "Bìxià let Huangfu Hao have more interactions with Tàizǐ and most likely want to have good relations with Qin country. By giving Tàizǐ this favour, it can be easily seen that Bìxià wants to support Tàizǐ. When man attains the Dào, even his pets would ascend to Heavens. We are Tàizǐ's people so when Tàizǐ ascend to the throne in the future, we would have credits for our efforts." He smiled towards Shen Dong Ling, "Do you think it should be celebrated?"
Shen Dong Ling's mind turned and immediately showed a surprise happiness expression, "Really?" Afterwards, she looked at Wang Bi with some admiration as she spoke softly, "Fūjūn is really powerful. It is this one's past fortune to be able to follow Fūjūn."
To be looked at with such admiring gaze by a charming and seductive female, any male's vanity would be greatly satisfied. Wang Bi smiled, "This is easy to satisfy." He then sighed and spoke with some regret, "If a while ago, Bìxiàty bestowed marriage upon Shen Wǔ xiǎojiě to Tàizǐ Diànxià, Tàizǐ would have the military power of the Shen family and it would be more advantageous. If so, then our winning chances would be even higher. Now, even though one has some relations with the Qin country at the moment, in terms of military power…" He sighed again, "It is often the most important thing."
Shen Dong Ling's mind turned and she conveniently leaned into Wang Bi's embrace and reached her hand out to place it on Wang Bi's chest and said tenderly, "Husband is too demanding on himself. To be able to do things to this level, one would not be an ordinary person."
This was exactly what Wang Bi wanted to hear. He smiled, "You are really content?"
"This Qiè is content with a man like Fūjūn." Shen Dong Ling smiled delicately and asked inadvertently, "Currently, one cannot let Wǔ mèimèi marry Tàizǐ Diànxià?"
"Wǔ mèimèi?" Wang Bi was startled before saying, "Almost forgot that you both are sisters."
He said it unintentionally but it was particularly sharp when it was heard by Shen Dong Ling as he seemed to say that she was a Shu-daughter while Shen Miao was a Di-daughter and there was a difference between Di and Shu. Human's greed would change accordingly to the change of environment. In the past, Shen Dong Ling was busy ensuring her safety in Shen Residence and schemed for a good life for herself and could tolerate all the ridicules and sarcasm and would not have the energy to be picky about it. However, she was now the Fūrén in the residence of the Minister of Land, thus, she was particularly sensitive to these things.
She buried her head in Wang Bi's embrace and did not let Wang Bi see her sullen expression but still asked, "It cannot be done?"
"It is not that it cannot be done." Wang Bi said, "It is just that Great Liang's ambition is difficult to make clear, thus, many things need to be delayed as one still requires Shen Xin's reputation. It is just that Shen Miao is currently not young of age and one heard that the Shen family is not willing to let Shen Miao marry into the residence of Tàizǐ. The key point of the matter is to resolve it as soon as possible. As time goes by, there will inevitably be changes and Shen Xin would have found a marriage for Shen Miao and married her off. At that time, Tàizǐ's place would have fallen through."
"Why can't the marriage be firmed up first?" Shen Dong Ling asked.
"Silly." Wang Bi said, "The Shen family do not want Shen Miao to marry Tàizǐ and Shen Miao herself also is not willing. If some tricks are used now, it would make Shen Xin dissatisfied."
"Isn't this bullying others with one's power?" Shen Dong Ling's lips twitched. However, her words did not take Shen Miao into any consideration at all and made the bandits who imposed others on their demands as the aggrieved people.
"It can be said like this." Wang Bi said with a smile.
"Then on what grounds they can use power to bully others but not let Tàizǐ bully others with power?"
Wang Bi smiled, "Tàizǐ is virtuous and would not do such bullying."
"Tàizǐ cannot do these but others can do it? Just like ordinary people, those ordinary commoners. If everyone under the Heavens request Wǔ mèimèi to marry Tàizǐ, can this be considered as using the power of the commoners to bully others?"
Wang Bi initially thought that Shen Dong Ling was saying words of anger but who knew that when he heard what was at the back, his expression gradually became serious. He looked at Shen Dong Ling as Shen Dong Ling sat in his embrace charmingly as if those words she said were just casually done.
But Wang Bi was an intelligent person and could hear some details in Shen Dong Ling's words, thus, he asked, "It could not be that you have thought of some ideas? Let me listen."
"Fūjūn is really crafty. What benefit do I get if I were to speak of it?" Shen Dong Ling asked.
"Mmm." Wang Bi pretended to think about it, "If it is good, then, I will think of ways to request for an Imperial mandate for you." He was thinking that if Shen Dong Ling really had a way to get Shen Miao to marry the Crown Prince, then he would have made a big achievement and in the future, when the Crown Prince succeeds the throne, he would be grateful for it. There would not be any loss to ask for an Imperial mandate for Shen Dong Ling.
When Shen Dong Ling heard of it, a glimmer of satisfaction appeared in her eyes.
She said, "I am not doing to be a Mandated Fūrén but for Fūjūn. Whatever Fūjūn wants to do, naturally this Qiè would support. Fūjūn wants to help the future Monarch and this Qiè is just a little female and can only show one's inadequacy." The playfulness she used while speaking was even more pleasing to Wang Bi's heart.
"Actually, this method is very simple. One only needs Qin's Tàizǐ to cooperate." She said.