Two days later.
Shen Miao woke up early and Luo Tan had long dressed up. Luo Tan had a lively character and would not be able to sit still in the residence. Ever since the last incident, Shen Qiu and Luo Ling had cut down the number of times the two ladies, Shen Miao and Luo Tan, could leave the house. Even if they were to go out, there would be a long line of guards following them. Shen Miao did not mind it since she was not a real sixteen-year-old young lady and preferred tranquilly so she had no issues with staying in the residence more. However, Luo Tan was not used to it at all and once she heard that she could go out to play, no matter for what reason or to do anything, she would always be interested.
Shen Qiu and Luo Ling sighed before letting Shen Miao bring along Ah Zhi and Mo Qing. Ah Zhi and Mo Qing were considered the guards with the best martial arts in the Shen Mansion but now they had become Shen Miao's personal bodyguards. Shen Qiu said, "You don't have to take any grievances. If there are things that you are not willing to do, just leave directly. There is no need for apprehension."
When Shen Qiu first learned that Shen Miao was going for Shen Dong Ling's appointment, he was, in fact, against it. He did not know why but Shen Qiu did not have any good feelings with Shen Dong Ling. Even though Shen Dong Ling was not as obvious as Shen Yue, and lived in peace with the Eldest Household during the Shen Residence time, one did not know why but Shen Qiu always felt that Shen Dong Ling was not a kind one. The Second Household of the Shen family had committed such a big issue but only Shen Dong Ling and Wan Yīniáng were safe and sound. As for the matter of Shen Yue and Shen Dong Ling exchanging of marriage, even though one did not understand what went on, Shen Qiu had always felt that Shen Dong Ling was involved in it.
Perhaps, those who had been on the battlefield would have an instinct to be attracted to favourable conditions and avoid calamity as Shen Qiu was not willing to have any relations with Shen Dong Ling at all so naturally, he was not willing to let Shen Miao get closer to Shen Dong Ling. If Shen Dong Ling had other thoughts on Shen Miao and used Shen Miao to achieve her own selfish gains, that would not be good.
Shen Miao smiled, "I know. There is still Biǎojiě accompanying me. Nothing will happen."
Luo Tan was filled with smiles, "Exactly so. If Biǎogē really worries, one can come along with us."
Shen Qiu shook his head, "There are still matters in the army. Moreover, it would only block one's nose if a rough person like me goes and appreciates this whatever incense." Just like civil officials would look down on those rough military commanders, the military commanders did not understand the reasoning and rationale of those civil officials. Shen Qiu did not understand what appreciation was needed for incense, not to mention some people would spend hundreds of silver for that one or two liang (1 liang = 50g) of incense. That really amazed him.
Luo Tan said, "Rest assured Biǎogē. I will take care of Xiǎo biǎomèi."
Shen Qiu put on a straight face and disciplined her, "With your terrible few strokes of martial arts? Don't know who was the one who even almost lost one's life the last time and it was thanks to Imperial Physician Gao who worked hard treating for the entire month."
Luo Tan feared others mentioning this matter the most and quickly stuck out her tongue before looking at Luo Ling for help.
Luo Ling smiled gently, "In any case, one needs to be more careful. After you are done appreciating, return early. The skies will darken early so it is not safe for females." When he was saying these words, his gaze was fixed on Shen Miao with eyes full of concern.
Previously, when the news that the Crown Prince had the intention to marry Shen Miao was spread, Luo Xie Yuan was in a rush to settle a marriage for Shen Miao and the first one who spoke was Luo Ling. There were no bad points about Luo Ling's character and he was one of them so Luo Xue Yan viewed Luo Ling the best. Afterwards, because of Prince Rui's words, the marriage was suppressed and it was no longer a rush for Luo Xue Yan to find a husband for Shen Miao. However, Luo Ling had already expressed his heart to Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin so he could do some particularly obvious things.
Even Shen Miao who had sat on the top of the Six Palaces might have gotten used to seeing the hardly concealable affection but she could not turn a blind eye to it and could only evade it slightly, "Understood. Many thanks for Dà biǎogē's concern."
Luo Tan urged to leave, "Alright, it is better to quickly set off. Otherwise, it would not be good if there are delays during the journey."
The two of them only then said goodbye and headed off in the carriage.
In the horse carriage, Luo Tan said, "Xiǎo biǎomèi, what do you actually think?"
Shen Miao turned to look at her, unable to make heads or tails of it, "Think about what?"
"Your marriage." Luo Tan looked at her worriedly, "Even if Tàizǐ's end is resting at the moment, one day you have to get married. Previously, I heard Gūgū said that your marriage has to be settled in this year, else even without Tàizǐ, it would inevitably attract other people since you have good requirements."
Shen Miao did not speak. The Shen family's position was indeed very special. It would be a sharp sword if one used it well but it could attract disasters if one did not use it well. However, one thing was certain was that the Imperial family of Ming Qi was restraining their fear of the Shen family and wanted the army in Shen Xin's hand as they feared that those who had armies would one day turn it towards them.
Thus, as the only Di-daughter of the Shen family, her marriage meant a lot more. Sometimes, she would not have the freedom to act independently and could not decide on her own.
Involuntarily, the words that Xie Jing Xing said the other day floated up in her mind.
"When this matter is resolved, I will marry you, Shen Jiao Jiao."
He said it so plainly, as if it was like any other matter and not a promise but there was somewhat of a guarantee. The most important thing was that when he said this sentence, there was an unquestionable feeling as if he could really do it.
But how could it be possible? One was a Di-daughter of Ming Qi's General and the other was Prince Rui of Great Liang. To put it bluntly, Great Liang was a strong power and with the identity of Prince Rui, it would be considering climbing up if Ming Qi's Princess married over, much less her. If she really married over then how would the position of the Shen family be like? It was really a difficult thing.
Shen Miao thought deeply and did not expect Luo Tan to push her. She recovered her senses and heard Luo Tan speaking, "What are you thinking so deeply on that you did not answer my questions at all?"
Shen Miao asked, "What did you ask me?"
Luo Tan looked at her somewhat grudgingly and said after a moment, "I asked you, among the few people who came to propose, who do you like the most?"
Shen Miao was startled, while Luo Tan was counting with her fingers, "Ling Gēgē is gentle and considerate and one knows him through and through. Su Ming Feng has a deeply rooted feeling for you and Su Fūrén also likes you a lot. Feng Zi Xian looked highly cultured and reasonable and with Feng An Ning's protection, you will live quite well. These three people are all the top young talents." Luo Tan got closer to Shen Miao and carefully observed Shen Miao's expression, "Do you not even like a single one of them?"
Shen Miao laughed despite oneself, "No."
Luo Tan sat up straight and patiently guiding, "Xiǎo biǎomèi, like this you are not right. Even though it is good to pursue perfection in everything, it is not good to have too high demands. These days I have been looking and found that these three are already the top talents in Ding capital city. If they were in Xiao Chun City, one feared that all the gūniángs would have actually fought for a concubine position. These three people all agree not to accept any concubines!"
She looked at Shen Miao for a while before shaking her head and sighed, "But thinking about it, it was also true. Normally, you do not treat these three special so one's heart was not moved, much less being in love. I read in novels that females whose hearts are moved would have blushed faces and hearts like young deer galloping. The deer in your heart was not yet born right?"
Shen Miao did not find Luo Tan's nonsensical words funny and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Why care about my matters so much? Could it be that you are sick?"
"You don't say." Luo Tan stroked her throat, "These days my throat feels a bit tight and one feared that it was that one caught a cold at night. One thought of asking Doctor Gao to take a look but one did not see his shadow these few days." Luo Tan was somewhat dissatisfied, "He is really a doctor with no medical ethics."
Shen Miao was somewhat speechless. Not mentioning that Gao Yang's identity was a Great Liang's official, even in Ming Qi, he was an Imperial Physician after all. Only Luo Tan dared to ask him to take a look at a headache or fever.
At the other end, Shen Dong Ling was in the residence dressing up. Today she was particularly dressed plainly and almost did not put on any powder. She wore a pine rosin-coloured long dress and the material was naturally the best kind. However, her jewellery was simple.
Xing Hua looked left and right, "Why is Fūrén dressed so simple today? Although Fūrén is born with beauty, isn't it better to be even more beautiful when one goes out?"
"What do you know?" Shen Dong Ling looked at the beauty in the mirror. She had good features and had the charming features that Wan Yīniáng had when she was younger. Even with these simple dressing, it looked somewhat seductive on her. Most probably because she was already a married woman, there was an added inexplicable charm to her.
The servants in the residence would sometimes whisper behind and said that Shen Dong Ling had the look of a concubine. The matriarch of big families would have magnanimous and broadminded facial features and was often rounder as it depicts fortune and blessing. Shen Dong Ling, however, had large eyes and sharp chin, as pretty as a fox and this was a typical face of a concubine. Wang Fūrén and Master Wang were also somewhat vocal about it but Wang Bi liked it, thus, everything else was ignored.
Shen Dong Ling took a moment to look before pulling out the jade hairpin from her hair and replaced it with a silver one.
When Xin Hua saw it, she stopped her words.
Shen Dong Ling said, "No need to think too much. I am not the protagonist so by dressing fancily, it would only attract the limelight of others. I would not do such stupid things. There would always be opportunities to vie for beauty, there is no difference without this occurrence."
Xin Hua heard it and said, "Fūrén's beauty is from the Heavens. Even without competition, one would be the top grade beauty."
Shen Dong Ling's expression was happy but what made her happy was not Xin Hua's flattery. Today was the day where the Crown Prince of Qin would 'fall in love at first sight' with Shen Miao and she was only accompanying. The more dirt she had on her face would only highlight Shen Miao and thus 'fated marriage' could go off smoothly and naturally.
However, since numerous people were needed to witness this 'fated encounter', naturally it was better if there were more people, thus, Wang Bi also went. Like this, he could also remind the Crown Prince from time to time and also gain the greatest credit.
Shen Dong Ling stood up and glanced at that invitation. The timing on it was SiShi (modern timing: 9 – 11 am) and it was still early now, thus, she said, "First, eat breakfast with Fūjūn before heading to Yi Feng Pavilion. The timing should be just right."
She did not know that when she was still eating breakfast with Wang Bi, Huangfu Hao had already gone out.
The location where the appreciation of incense was held was in Yi Feng Pavilion. Yi Feng Pavilion was a pavilion that was located on the outskirts of Ding capital city, around the mountain area. When sitting in Yi Feng Pavilion, looking down, one could see a serene and deep canyon, looking up one could see the approaching clear skies. The wealthy people who were particular in elegance would often like coming to Yi Feng Pavilion to appreciate incense as once the incense was lit up, there would be a light breeze blowing up to the clear skies which gave one a sense of vastness.
Although it was winter, the canyon was wrapped in silver and white, making it particularly interesting when one boils the snow and discusses the scent.
Huangfu Hao looked at the rather beautiful invitation and smiled. It really did sound good to 'fall in love at first sight' with an official's daughter at such a beautiful place like this. However, he was only playing a role and letting others take advantage of it.
Huangfu Hao's guard rushed over to inform that the carriage was prepared and ready for set off. Huangfu Hao frowned and lifted his feet to walk towards the residence doors. No matter what, this invitation had indicated that one must go to Yi Feng Pavilion at ChenShi (modern timing: 7 – 9 am) and it was somewhat too early. He had to get up earlier than usual.
It was just that when an act was put up, one had to do everything, thus, no matter how unsatisfied Huangfu Hao was, he could only agree to it.
Yi Feng Pavilion was in the outskirts and some distance away from Ding capital city, thus, one had to leave when it was just dawn. Moreover, after reaching the outskirts, there would be a good distance of mountainous road to travel but fortunately the wealthy specifically repaired the road for carriages else it would be much more difficult to travel. However, even as such, it would take quite a while to arrive at Yi Feng Pavilion.
Huangfu Hao left his guards halfway up the mountain and went forward alone as this was specifically instructed in that invitation, not to bring his guards over. The more guards there are, the more unnatural the 'fated marriage' would be. Moreover, the Crown Prince would arrive earlier as there are some important things to discuss, thus, it would be inconvenient if there were more people.
Huangfu Hao was not afraid of any accidents happening. First, it was because the Crown Prince would place his guards in this place, thus, one did not need to worry about assassins. The second was that the Crown Prince would definitely not take action on him as there are so many people watching. When he left today, everyone in the residence of Prince Qin knew that he was keeping the appointment with the Crown Prince so if anything happened to him, the Crown Prince would not be able to wash his hands off it...
Thus, Huangfu Hao calmly left his guards behind and went up alone.
However, there was no regret pill in the world and Huangfu Hao quickly paid a hefty price for his own conceited decision.
While Huangfu Hao was heading up from the mountain waist, the Crown Prince was taking another path up Yi Feng Pavilion with his guards. Both of them coincidently kept a distance from one another. The distance was not big but because it was not the same path or direction, thus, their arrival was staggered.
After the time when it takes two incense sticks to burn (modern timing: 30mins), Huangfu Hao reached Yi Feng Pavilion.
At the end of Yi Feng Pavilion's long corridor, someone was sitting at the moment. When that person saw Huangfu Hao, he immediately stood up. It was the Crown Prince.
Huangfu Hao was somewhat surprised as he did not expect the Crown Prince would arrive earlier than him. Like this, the timing indicated in the invitation was not at all unacceptable, after all, the other party came even earlier.
He looked around and said, "Why have the rest of the people not yet arrived?"
Since it was a 'love at first sight' scene, then how could it start if the others had not arrived?
The Crown Prince smiled, "No rush. Today, one called you over this early because Běnwǎng has some things to speak to you alone."
Huangfu Hao felt somewhat strange but he did not think too much about it as his guards were by the mountain waist and it would be in time to rush over. Moreover, there were guards by the Crown Prince hence nothing could go wrong, "Please speak."
The Crown Prince walked to Huangfu Hao's side and said, "Don't HuangFu Xiōng feel curious why Běnwǎng called you over this early and why HuangFu Xiōng's guards need to remain at the waist of the mountain?"
"Most probably there are very important matters to discuss." Huangfu Hao was somewhat impatient as the Crown Prince beat about the bush. Both of them had reached such a point so there was no need to conceal anything.
"Don't HuangFu Xiōng feel that this is like murdering one to ensure silence?" The Crown Prince asked.
Huangfu Hao laughed out loudly, "Joking is not your style."
The Crown Prince did not reply. Huangfu Hao turned around to look at him and his heart could not help but jump.
The Crown Prince's expression was calm and had no other movements but it was because of such calmness that Huangfu Hao's heart suddenly felt uneasiness. He suddenly felt a chill crawling up his back. But why would the Crown Prince want to murder to ensure silence? Unless the Crown Prince could kill everyone in the residence of Prince Qin, the Crown Prince would not be able to shake it away. Moreover, Huangfu Hao could not think of the reason that the Crown Prince would kill him.
But before he could hear the answer, he saw a flash in the Crown Prince's eyes and his heart was shocked before he unconsciously turned to his side to avoid and evade the silver sword from the back.
That was the personal guard of the Crown Prince.
Huangfu Hao was shocked and scared. He finally realised that something was wrong at this moment. The Crown Prince brought guards but his guards were left at the middle of the mountain. Huangfu Hao could not figure out the reason for the Crown Prince to take action, thus, he fell into it easily. He said angrily, "What are you doing?"
The Crown Prince looked at him expressionlessly, "Apologies."
Several guards flew over to Huangfu Hao at the same time, making Huangfu Hao shout in despair, "Fu Xiu Yan, you've harmed Běnwǎng. The Qin country would not take things lying down!"
Fu Xiu Yan was the Crown Prince's name.
His voice stopped abruptly. There was a silver sword light that flashed at his chest that seemed to be a silver snake that was reflecting white light and the blood slowly seeped out and seemed to be glued with the thin ice on the ground.
The back of Yi Feng Pavilion was the canyon and Huangfu Hao had exhausted all his energy to scream angrily so the sound echoed as it bounced around the canyon.
Echo after echo, like ripples on the water.
At the other end, the Crown Prince's entourage that was heading towards Yi Feng Pavilion suddenly stopped. They were on the shady side of the bottom of the mountain and the echoes were not clearly. The Crown Prince said with a frown, "Did someone call out Běnwǎng's name?"
The guards all looked at one another as they could not hear it clearly.
The Crown Prince thought about it before saying, "Most probably it is Běnwǎng that heard wrongly."
Under the skies, other than the Emperor and Empress, no one would dare to call him by his full name. Moreover, there should not be anyone in Yi Feng Pavilion at this moment as the appointed timing in the invitation was SiShi (modern timing: 9 – 11 am). The Crown Prince had the habit of arriving early, thus, he went up the mountain during ChenShi (modern timing: 7 – 9 am). He should be the first to arrive.
As he was thinking as such, he then thought that what he had heard just now was only an illusion from his ears. However, the Crown Prince did not know why but some restlessness formed in his heart, making him speed up his steps.
Upon reaching Yi Feng Pavilion, he could see someone sitting in the pavilion with one's back towards him and with one look, he recognised that it belonged to Huangfu Hao. The Crown Prince was somewhat surprised as he did not expect that Huangfu Hao would actually come this early. He went up with a smile to greet, "One did not expect that HuangFu Xiōng would also come this…"
Before he could say the word 'early', the Crown Prince's hand just lightly patted Huangfu Hao's shoulder but Huangfu Hao fell off with a 'dong' sound. The Crown Prince jumped in shock and immediately reached out to pull Huangfu Hao. With the pull, Huangfu Hao directly faced him and the Crown Prince shouted out in surprise before letting go of his hands.
Huangfu Hao's eyes were wide open and his mouth was also opened as if he was extremely angry and horrified but his clothes were wet and cold. It was because around his chest area, the silver robes had been stained with large patches of blood.
"What is going on here?" The Crown Prince panicked and his mind was momentarily stunned. Huangfu Hao was dead.
How could this be?
Before he even had time to react to this matter, he suddenly saw a large group of people suddenly rushing in, dressed as guards. Seeing that Huangfu Hao was laying on the ground and one did not know if he was dead or alive, they rushed towards the Crown Prince and said angrily, "Audacious! How dare you harm Tàizǐ Diànxià. Lay down your lives." Without another word, they descended on the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince had also brought his own guards and naturally, the guards would not let the Crown Prince be harmed, thus, fighting with those guards. The Crown Prince only understood at this moment that the ones who drew their swords on him were Huangfu Hao's guards. But where were Huangfu Hao's guards just now? Why did they only rush in now?
The Crown Prince remembered to explain and shouted out, "Běnwǎng only just reached this place and HuangFu Xiōng was already harmed. It is not of Běnwǎng's doing."
One of the guards who seemed like the leader heard it and responded with hatred, "What a bunch of nonsense. Just now when I was waiting at the waist of the mountain for Tàizǐ Diànxià's order, one heard Tàizǐ Diànxià shouting that you were the one who harmed him. We hated that we could not immediately arrive and now with the evidence all around, how could you deny it?" Finishing, he then raised his sword and approached.
The Crown Prince was still being protected by his guards and hearing the words, his tongue was tied. Huangfu Hao shouted that it was he who harmed him?
This was simply a joke!
He had only arrived at this place and Huangfu Hao was already dead. Why would Huangfu Hao slander him? The Crown Prince's heart suddenly moved. Just now when he had not yet reached Yi Feng Pavilion, he seemed to have heard someone shouting his name. It was just that he walked from the back of the mountain and could not hear it clearly. Could it be that it was not an illusion but real?
But why would Huangfu Hao call out his name?
The Crown Prince's mind was in a mess but he still said, "Běnwǎng only just came here so how could Běnwǎng harm him?"
"You Ming Qi dog. You had swindled our Tàizǐ over and even indicated in the invitation for Tàizǐ to leave us halfway up the mountain. How can the Qin people be humans if one does not take revenge on people like you?
The Crown Prince seemed to be struck by lightning.
The invitation to Huangfu Hao was written by him personally so that this 'love at first sight' scene would be more natural and realistic. The Crown Prince invited Huangfu Hao out to appreciate incense and this incense was coincidentally the same one that Wang Bi found. Who knew that Wang Bi's new Fūrén was 'not sensible' and invited her Younger Sister to take a look at this novelty. The four of them would inadvertently encounter and events subsequently would naturally go with the flow.
However, in that invitation, there was no mention of 'leaving one's guards at the waist of the mountain'.
A guard that was protecting the Crown Prince said, "Diànxià, one can no longer withstand it. These people do not want their lives anymore. Diànxià should leave first."
The Crown Prince looked at the other party. Huangfu Hao was obviously dead and the dead could not be resurrected. These guards most likely knew that their master was dead and even if they returned to Qin country, they would be charged with the crime of being unable to protect the Crown Prince by the Qin Emperor and would also die. Thus, it was easy to put all the crimes onto the Crown Prince and planned to die together with the Crown Prince.
Each of their moves was deadly but the Crown Prince's guards still had to protect the Crown Prince, thus, it was difficult to resist the enemies. The Crown Prince was somewhat hesitant. If he just left like this, without resolving the problems, it would seem that he was the defaulted criminal but if he did not leave then with the other party's vicious moves, the Crown Prince did not know if he could still return safely.
He gritted his teeth and took a glance at Huangfu Hao on the floor again and said hatefully, "Leave."
The events of Yi Feng Pavilion were still not known to outsiders yet.
Shen Dong Ling and Wang Bi were sitting in a horse carriage and it was still on the way up to the mountain and there was a distance before they reached the mountains. They were only there to be 'witnesses' so it was not ideal to go too early. Moreover, the Shen Mansion was much further from Yi Feng Pavilion, so if Shen Miao did not go, it would not be convenient to interrupt the Crown Prince's and Huangfu Hao's conversation. Thus, Wang Bi deliberately told the carriage to slow down.
Shen Dong Ling cuddled in Wang Bi's embrace, "Fūjūn is in a good mood today."
Wang Bi looked at her, "When one marries a beauty, of course, one's mood is naturally good." Thinking about today, his position in the Crown Prince's heart would rise and Wang Bi could not help but be happy.
Although the residence of the Minister of Land was wealthy due to the salt smuggling business, it was all hidden riches and one had to constantly be wary of being discovered by others and implicate the entire residence. Humans would always look forward and previously, Wan Bi's path had always been firm and steady and when one had no shortage of money, power would become more important.
He also wanted to soar to the skies in one move.
Wang Bi was the Crown Prince's people. Even though the Crown Prince occupied the official title among the Princes, he was not outstanding. However, now that the fight between the other Princes intensified, Emperor Wen Hui instead valued the Crown Prince and felt that he could better grasp the Crown Prince. Since Emperor Wen Hui had the heart to support the Crown Prince, then, the Crown Prince gradually changed his usual style and those who were following the Crown Prince had also gradually developed their ambitions.
Wang Bi took a glance at the beauty in his arms. Ever since marrying Shen Dong Ling, he felt that previously he was firm and steady but it was not easy to get ahead of others. One would be old in a few decades so what was the point?
Shen Dong Ling was suitable to his taste and would always encourage him to do things that he would have not thought before. Wang Bi's heart was rejoicing as once Shen Miao's matter was successful, the Crown Prince's chances of inheriting the throne would be far greater. Once one was able to attain the Tao, even their pets would also ascend to Heavens. He would finally be able to achieve success.
Just as he was thinking, the horse carriage suddenly stopped.
Wang Bi parted the curtains and asked, "What happened?"
One of the guards ran over. Wang Bi recognised him as he was a person by the Crown Prince's side. The Crown Prince had sent this person to pass a message to Wang Bi for a few times so naturally Wang Bi was familiar with him.
However, at this moment the expression on the person was not good and not only that, his clothes were somewhat messy, "Wang Dàrén, something went wrong."
Shen Dong Ling was stunned as she listened in the carriage.