Shen Miao had left Ding capital city for more than a month.
One did not know where Prince Rui's wedding entourage was currently at but it was sure that one would not be able to catch up with it. In this month, the grandeur of the ten Li (1 Li = 1 mile) of the dowry had not stopped at all. The storytellers in the restaurant would speak of the grand occasion of the day Prince Rui married Rui Wángfēi and as usual, the seats would be fully occupied as the storyteller would shake his head as he retold the story while the guest felt the same.
After all, such a scene was not something that anyone could afford.
After Shen Miao became Rui Wángfēi in a shake of her body and followed Prince Rui to faraway Great Liang, two things happened in Ding capital city.
First, was that Feng Xian Pawnshop, which had been opened in Ding capital city for so many years suddenly closed down and the manager up to the attendants disappeared overnight. Feng Xian Pawnshop and the few stalls were all sold to others cheaply and one heard that the manager's family of Feng Xian Pawnshop had some emergencies and required money, thus, they left so suddenly. These made people somewhat sad as it was a pity for Feng Xian Pawnshop's business as the things that were pawned were very valuable that commoners could not afford. However, they were here for so long, thus, it was difficult for someone to not feel right.
It was only after the ownership was changed before the commoners discover it. After so many years no one had seen the appearance of the manager of Feng Xian Pawnshop.
Secondly, the Formidable Great General Shen Xin had been promoted after Shen Miao married and was now in command of the Imperial court's Yu Ling Army.
On the surface, it appeared to be a promotion, but it was not. To begin with, it was only the power to transfer order and not the power to train or drill troops. It was only a bare shell of a job. Even though it was a more generous General title, everyone knew that Shen Xin had been training the Shen family army all the time, and the Shen family army was his closest army. As a result, when it was changed to Yu-Ling Army, which was the Emperor's people, one feared that Shen Xin would be unable to move them.
Those with eyes and wits realized that Emperor Wen Hui was on the lookout for Shen Xin. Shen Miao had married into Great Liang, and Shen Xin adored his Di-daughter. With the current Great Liang and Ming Qi conflict, it would be disastrous if Shen Xin sided with his daughter and covertly sought refuge with Great Liang, doing something horrible to Ming Qi.
Although Shen Xin had been Ming Qi's Great General for many years and his allegiance could be seen from Heavens and Earth, it was a shame because Monarchs had always been suspect, and he was an official. One could only blame him for his bad luck.
The people in court could see it, but the commoners were decrying the injustice done to Shen Xin because the Imperial family was genuinely heartless. It was certainly a marriage blessed by Emperor Wen Hui, but Shen Xin is now to blame due to this matter. It was quite aggravating.
Emperor Wen Hui would be unconcerned about such matters. Currently, he was making every effort to satisfy the Qin Emperor for unknown reasons, yet Great Liang always made him feel uneasy, as if there was impending danger. At the very least, with the Qin country's partnership, he would not be anxious every day.
Recently, Prince Ding's house has not been very peaceful.
"It had been a month and there is still no information on Pei Lang's whereabouts," Fu Xiu Yi added, his face glum. " Could he have flown to the skies? If one is living, one must visit the person; if one is dead, one must view the corpse; if he is not found, none of you is required to return."
The spies below complied, and Fu Xiu Yi waved his hand angrily, "Get out."
The people withdrew.
He sat back down and pressed his forehead with an uneasy face.
The people who rescued Pei Lang had burned down his underground prison, which he had not considered before, but it was not convenient for Fu Xiu Yi to do anything these days. Many of the people in the underground prison had other purposes for him, but the fire had completely destroyed everything. One could only imagine the annoyance in Fu Xiu Yi's heart.
What irked him the most was that there was no trace of Pei Lang's whereabouts up to this point. Fu Xiu Yi had always thought that his ears were smart and his eyes were clear in Ding capital city, but if he couldn't find a person, it could only mean that the other party's means were more brilliant than his own. It was difficult to be pleased with such an opponent.
Fu Xiu Yi had always assumed that the person behind Pei Lang was the Shen family, but after further investigation, the Shen family's suspicions were dispelled. But, if it wasn't the Shens, who would it be?
"Diànxià, there have been no reports of Pei Lang in the Ding capital city. Could Pei Lang have already left the city?" As a reminder, the adviser remarked to Fu Xiu Yi.
"Not possible." Fu Xiu Yi remarked, "There are my people watching the city gates, and these days there were paintings of people who had left the city, so it was impossible for Pei Lang to get through security."
When the advisor heard it, he frowned and did not know what else to say.
"However, not everyone requires portraits." Fu Xiu Yi abruptly stated, "When Rui Wáng married a Fēi and left the city, the guards and troops of Rui Wáng's residence left the city, and there was no one to stop them."
The advisor's eyes light up, "Could it be that Pei Lang interacted with Rui Wáng's entourage and went out with them?"
"The residence of Rui Wáng is so haughty, so how does one be able to integrate with it?" Fu Xiu Yi laughed harshly. " Furthermore, Pei Lang has no relations with Rui Wáng, so on what basis?" He abruptly paused and repeated, "Relation."
At this moment, Fu Xiu Yi suddenly thought about a matter. All this time he had regarded Pei Lang as the "Shen family's" people and the one who made the decision in the 'Shen family' was Shen Xin but he had neglected one point. Actually looking from many matters, be it intentionally or unintentionally hindering his great cause, they all were related to Shen Miao.
If the 'Shen family' and 'Shen Miao' were viewed separately then Pei Lang was not loyal to the 'Shen family' but to 'Shen Miao' then everything would make sense.
Pei Lang was Shen Miao's person and Shen Miao was now Rui Wángfēi and those little previous unclear relations with Prince Rui, Prince Rui would help to save Pei Lang, based on the consideration of Shen Miao.
Then, Pei Lang would have relations with Prince Rui.
Fu Xiu Yi stood up abruptly and the more he thought about it the more he felt that there was this possibility. In the entire Ding capital city, to have the ability to set fire to the residence of Prince Ding's underground prison and could still escape successfully and not leave any clue, there was only this mysterious Prince Rui that could do so.
"Damn it!" Fu Xiu Yi slammed his hand on the table. He had always wanted to know what secrets Prince Rui were hiding but on the night before Shen Miao married, all the spies that he had sent out did not return and it was likely that they were discovered and eliminated. If not, he would have known Prince Rui's deeply hidden secret.
Just when he was frustrated, he saw a guard entering in a rush from outside. This person was Fu Xiu Yi's confidant and he quickly came forward and took out a letter from his embrace, "Gōngzhǔ Residence send out a letter to the Palace. Shǔ xià (属下 - this subordinate) intercepted the letter and made a copy. May Diànxià take a look."
Fu Xiu Yi's heart moved as he quickly took the letter. With regards to the matter of Prince Rui, Princess Rong Xin's behaviour was very abnormal. Fu Xiu Yi had the intention to enquire about it but ever since Prince Rui and Shen Miao left the capital, be it Princess Rong Xin or the residence of the Count of Ping Nan, there was nothing special as what was supposed to happen every day as per usual, so he could not take action.
Princess Rong Xin had been widowed for many years and was not close with Emperor Wen Hui and it was rare for her to even enter the Palace in a year, much less writing a letter. It was fortunate that Princess Rong Xin kept away from Palace matter for many years so that Fu Xiu Yi was able to easily duplicate her letter this easily.
Fu Xiu Yi took out the letter and could not wait to start reading. First, his expression was only somewhat anxious but as time went on, his expression changed.
As if he was astounded, his five facial features were warped as a result of his tremendous fury. When the advisor by his side noticed him as such, he did not dare to breathe loudly, and a moment later, Fu Xiu Yi abruptly placed his palm on the table before forcibly flipping the teapot on the table.
The tea from the overturned teapot splashed across the floor, shocking the advisor and confidant. Until now, Fu Xiu Yi was thought to be someone who did not show joy or rage, and even when he did, he did not show it all that much. This appeared to be the first time he had lost control of himself.
Fu Xiu Yi simply spitted out a "Good" word before hurling the letter in the advisor's face. The advisor accepted it and was taken aback when he read it.
One thing was mentioned in Princess Rong Xin's letter, and that was regarding Prince Rui. Everyone knew that because Princess Rong Xin had a close relationship with Princess Yu Qing, she took excellent care of Xie Jing Xing, whom Princess Yu Qing had given birth to. For Xie Jing Xing, she did not hesitate to clash with the Marquis of Lin An's residence. Princess Rong Xin was devastated when Xie Jing Xing perished on the battlefield two years ago.
Naturally, Princess Rong Xin understood Xie Jing Xing and in the letter, Princess Rong Xing mentioned a sensational matter. Princess Rong Xing felt that Prince Rui of Great Liang and Xie Jing Xing were very similar.
This was unfounded. It would be absurd to suggest that Prince Rui of Great Liang was comparable to someone who had been deceased for more than two years. Fu Xiu Yi had been watching Princess Rong Xin for a very long time, so he was well aware that she was acting strangely. As a result, Fu Xiu Yi was able to corroborate that what Princess Rong Xin said was true
Clearly, there was no reason to be. As it turned out, Prince Rui of Great Liang's true identity was Xie Jing Xing.
The advisor's hand almost couldn't hold on to the letter. What did Xie Jing Xing being Prince Rui represent? It meant that Xie Jing Xing had played the entire Ming Qi in his hands. If Xie Jing Xing had already had private dealings with Great Liang when he was the heir of the Marquis of Lin An's residence, one feared that Great Liang was well aware of everything that happened in Ming Qi.
"Dià... Diànxià..." With a fearful expression on his face, the advisor turned to face Fu Xiu Yi.
Fu Xiu Yi gradually calmed down, but his hands appeared to be trembling slightly.
"Since Xie Jing Xing did not die, then the matter of Xie family army in Northern Jiang must have been exposed." He said slowly.
There were people of the Imperial family that were mixed in the Xie family army and it was Xie Ding's confidant that gave Xie Jing Xing a deadly stab. Since Xie Jing Xing did not die, it was most likely he had investigated the matter clearly. This meant that Xie Jing Xing had fully seen everything that they did to the residence of the Marquis of Lin An. This time, during Ming Qi's tribute, was what Xie Jing Xing did, revenge?
Fu Xiu Yi held onto the table.
The advisor was at a loss of what to do and paused before speaking, "Since Gōngzhǔ had already sent this letter to the Palace, there would be some actions once Huángshàng knows about it."
"It's useless." Fu Xiu Yi interrupted his words, "Xie Jing Xing had already left Ding capital city for more than a month. Fù Huáng fears Great Liang's power and would not dare to oppose them. If Xie Jing Xing had not left, one would be able to use the people under Heavens to provoke disputes but unfortunately, it was too late."
The advisor also sighed, "Why did Gōngzhǔ not bring this letter out earlier? If one was a step earlier, it would not be helpless as the current situation."
Fu Xiu Yi took a glance at him and seemed to be unhappy with his subordinate stupidity. The advisor was flustered by his look when he heard Fu Xiu Yi speaking, "Stupid fool. The Princess definitely had thought of informing Imperial Father and perhaps had done so the night before the wedding. However at the end, like my people, it was stopped by Xie Jing Xing."
Although he did his best to control his anger, he could not hide the annoyance in his eyes, "Xie Jing Xing hide it too deeply."
"The Shen family?" The advisor asked.
"Continue monitoring." Fu Xiu Yi sneered, "I want to see if the Shen family is ignorant of Xie Jing Xing's identity or was putting up an act for all these years."
At this moment, everyone in the Shen mansion did not know that such a matter arose in the residence of Prince Ding.
Ever since Shen Xin was promoted in the army, because he did not have to command soldiers, he did not go to the Ministry of Defence daily. Shen Qiu was still in his post and was a small leader in the army garrison with Luo Ling. The days passed much relaxed than previously.
Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin were in a discussion, "Why not after some time we propose to Bìxià to return to Xiao Chun City?" Luo Xue Yan signed, "At least in Xiao Chun City, one's time would not be as ruined as currently."
Shen Xin shook his head, "Huángdì retained us in Ding capital city in order to guard against the Shen family's movements, thus, it would not be possible for us to return to Xiao Chun City. By remaining in Ding capital city, we will become a pawn to restrain Jiao Jiao and it would be ideal for the future."
Luo Xue Yan had a vague feeling that Shen Xin's words were strange as if they were hinting at something. Just as she was about to ask, she heard Shen Xin sighed, "On another note, there is still no news of Tan-er. If one were to return, I dare not meet Yuèfù and Èrjiù."
"That is also true." When this matter was mentioned, Luo Xue Yan felt her head aching, "I have already sent people to send the letter to Jiao Jiao but it is just that Jing Xing's subordinates are quick and one does not know if they are able to catch up, moreover, time is required for the to and fro. There is no news till now and this made my heart restless."
Luo Tan did not come to say goodbye on the day Shen Miao completed the wedding ceremony and left the city, claiming that she was sulking because Shen Miao refused to bring her to Great Liang and could not bear witnessing the separation scene. Luo Tan had been willful in the Shen family, so everyone was helpless. Furthermore, when Shen Miao left the city, they returned late in the evening, and Luo Tan's maids mentioned that Luo Tan had already slept. Luo Xue Yan assumed Luo Tan's heart was not in good shape and did not bother her.
It wasn't that Luo Xue Yan didn't care about her niece; it was just that, despite Luo Tan's courage, no one expected Luo Tan to take such a big step. Luo Tan initially followed Shen Xin and the others to Ding capital city quietly, because they were family and it was still in Ming Qi, they indulged to her. However, from Ming Qi to Great Liang, it was a completely foreign country this time. The people accompanying her were all Prince Rui's people, and since she didn't know any of them, she probably wouldn't dare.
Who knew that this young lady of the Luo family had a temperamental personality and dared to travel thousands of Li (1 Li = 1 mile) by herself. It was until the second day when Luo Tan was unwilling to step out a single step with the excuse of not feeling well did Luo Xue Yan finally released something was wrong. When she went to look for her, she only saw Luo Tan's maid kneeling down in trepidation with a letter, begging for mercy.
Fine. Luo Tan simply left a letter indicating that she would be following Youngest Biao Sister and headed to Great Liang, where the food and clothes were fine and the marketplace was so crowded that people brushed shoulders.
Luo Xue Yan jumped in surprised and quickly ordered people to chase after Shen Miao, but Shen Miao had already left one day before, and Prince Rui's group was anything but ordinary. Their speed was so fast that one didn't know when they'd be able to catch up. Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan were still concerned about the situation after a month of silence.
"One can only hope that the latter is in the hands of Jing Xing, so that Jing Xing can send some trustworthy people to return Tan-er." said Luo Xue Yan.
It was the evening again and the entourage of horse carriages would have to rest at this timing. Shen Miao naturally would be arranged to a house along the way to rest but Luo Tan was miserable.
She mingled in the rough male team horse carriages of Prince Rui's residence. She had lived with the Luo family since she was a child and did not have the delicate or arrogant temperament of a young female, so when she disguised herself as a male, it was realistic and no one discovered her identity for a time. She would, however, be in pain every night. The horse carriage team of coarse males was not like Shen Miao, a Wángfēi, who had their own room, and slept in a room with ten over big males. A few people slept on the bed, a few on the floor, and a few would sleep by joining tables together.
Luo Tan was not afraid of such things; whether it was a bed, a table, or the floor, she could handle it all. The only thing she couldn't stand was sleeping with ten different big males. The snoring and sleep talking, the various odours and the occasional male putting their leg on her were more difficult to bear than killing her. One feared that if Luo Lian and Madam Ma found out, they would break her legs.
What made Luo Tan felt most fearful was showering.
No matter how rough she was normally, she was unable to be like these men and not bathe for ten over days or could not tolerate each time when they saw a lake, all the men would jump into it together to bath. Previously, there were a couple of times that others almost push her in, scaring Luo Tan so much that she almost screamed but in a flash of inspiration, she said that she had very ugly scars on her body and was unwilling to let others see it. Even though those coarse males find that she was overthinking matters, they no longer forced her anymore.
Today, there was a hot spring at the back of this farmhouse and the water in the hot spring looked very clear. During the evening, the rough males had already gone in but she did not. At this moment, the moon was up and there was no one watching, thus, Luo Tan brought her clothes and sneaked out.
She groped about in the dark and walked to the side of the lake and looked around. It was already late at night and everyone was fast asleep that even those who wake up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet would not come this far away. Luo Tan felt assured and took off her clothes and went into the water with her Dùdōu (aka olden times undergarment).
The hot spring was very warm and comfortable and Luo Tan had not bathed this fortunately for a long time. She would always sneak out at night when there was no one to heat up water to shower. It was very troublesome, thus, she felt very fortunate at this moment.
Looking at the moon in the skies, she had thought that since it had been more than a month, it seemed that Luo Xue Yan's side did not catch up so one feared that it was not possible to catch up. Even if they really caught up, it was not possible to go back and since it was so, should she clarify it with Shen Miao? Youngest Biao Sister has a sharp mouth like a knife but bean curd like heart, so she would not do much to her. As such she would be able to sleep in Shen Miao's room and do not need to bath behind people's back with great difficulty.
Just as she was ruminating, she suddenly heard footsteps that were getting nearer to her. Luo Tan jumped in shock as she feared that someone was approaching. She somewhat did not know what to do but dared not remain motionless. Hearing that the footsteps were very near, she grabbed her clothes which were by the rocks and immerse her entire self into the water.
Luo Tan knew how to swim but keeping one's head under the water was not an easy thing to do. Those footsteps stopped by the hot spring and did not leave after some time. Luo Tan gradually felt extremely onerous in keeping her breath and wanted to rise to the surface badly but she was only wearing a Dùdōu. If she rise to the surface, one feared that her innocence would be ruined.
No matter how loud one was, at this moment, Luo Tan also has to take care of her own reputation.
She was as stubborn as the Luo family's personality and as that person did not leave from the side of the hot spring, Luo Tan refused to get up and struggled in the water. It was just that as time passes, Luo Tan's eyes were somewhat blurred and her brain was somewhat dizzy. As such, she felt that she was going to be buried here and felt sad for herself thinking that because of protecting her reputation, she had to sacrifice herself here. It was a pity that she did not go to Great Liang before.
Hearing someone vaguely speaking, "Swimming skills are not bad. Are you intending to suffocate yourself to death?"
Luo Tan's heart moved and she could no longer hold that breath and violently rose up to the surface. However, she was still rational and only revealed her head from the water but her body was hidden in the hot spring. It was fortunate the steam from the hot spring would not let others see her body clearly else Luo Tan would be embarrassed to death.
"Oh?" That person said, "Thought that you will stay in for a little longer."
Luo Tan glared at that person but was stunned when she saw clearly the other party's features and said blankly, "Doctor. Doctor Gao?"
Who would the youth, who was squatting on the side of the lake with a pink lantern on his hands that was looking at her with all smiles, if he was not Gao Yang? On such a cold day, only he had the interest in fanning himself with that fan that never leave him. That lazy gesture made one fill with annoyance when seeing him.
"Why are you here?" Luo Tan could not help but ask.
Gao Yang smiled but did not say anything.
Luo Tan's heart was whispering to her. The other party was an Imperial Physician of Ming Qi but currently appeared in this place that was so far from Ding capital. Could it be that a house visit was located in such a faraway place? She asked, "Doctor Gao, you even accept a patient at such a faraway place? Is it that the salary that the courts are providing to you is that little that you would go to such lengths?" In her words, there was unconcealed sympathy for him.
Gao Yang was stunned by Luo Tan's words and could only speak half a moment later, "It is not like what you are thinking."
Luo Tan looked at him, "Then why are you here?"
Gao Yang stared at her in a calm and unruffled manner in the midst of chaos, "Then why are you here?"
"I." Luo Tan said just and forcefully, "I am accompanying as Biǎojiě for Xiǎo biǎomèi's marriage, to accompany her to Great Liang."
Gao Yang almost laughed out. It was amazing that she could think of that. He said, "Oh? A few days back, I encountered someone that seemed to be from Shen Mansion with a letter for Rui Wángfēi. It was just that the person did not know where Rui Wángfēi's location and asked me for direction."
Luo Tan was shocked, "You let him see my Xiǎo biǎomèi?"
Gao Yang shrugged his shoulders, "No. I saw that he was covered in dust and looked exhausted, so I let him rest at my side before leaving."
Luo Tan breathed a sigh of relief before she immediately became nervous, "Doctor Gao, you must not let this person see Rui Wángfēi."
"Why?"
"He is a bad person." Luo Tan said, "He wants to frame me. You mustn't let him do so."
Gao Yang smiled, "Frame you? Framing that you sneak to the horse carriage of the residence of Rui Wáng and followed to Great Liang?"
"What to do?" Gao Yang was somewhat distressed, "If I send this person to Rui Wáng, you will be sent back to Ding capital city and it would be possible done tomorrow."
Luo Tan blurted out, "No." After following for so long with great difficulty and sleeping with those martial arts people for a month, she refused to accept giving up at this moment. She looked at Gao Yang determinedly, "What can be said in order for you to keep this secret for me?"
Gao Yang said, "This is right. You should say this sentence early on, then I do not need to waste my time with you here."
Luo Tan, "…"
Why did she feel that Gao Yang was waiting for her to say that sentence?
"What do you want me to do?" Luo Tan asked.
Gao Yang took a glance at her, "First come out."
It was only then Luo Tan remembered that she only wearing a Dùdōu while talking to Gao Yang. Even though nothing could be seen, she still felt somewhat awkward and in an instant, her cheeks turned red. It was fortunate that it was dark and Gao Yang could not detect it.
She said, "My clothes are wet and I am unable to go out. Help me to find clothes." In order to hide from the oncoming people just now and fearing that her identity was discovered, she could only dive into the water with her clothes and now her clothes were wet. One could not wear these clothes out.
Gao Yang thought for a moment and started to undress. Luo Tan was so shocked that her face started to lose colour, "What do you want to do?"
Gao Yang took off the clothes and handed them slowly to her, "Only to give you clothes. What are you thinking about?"
"Turn around." Luo Tan felt that Doctor Gao was especially annoying today. Sparing with him was like her being played.
Gao Yang turned around and said, "There is nothing worth seeing."
Luo Tan did not hear this sentence and came out from the water before hiding behind the rocks and quickly changed to Gao Yang's clothes. Gao Yang's clothes were somewhat big for her but at this moment she could not care less.
After wearing it, Luo Tan only then said to Gao Yang, "Now you can turn around."
Gao Yang only then turned around in all smiles.
"Say then. What are your conditions?" Luo Tan asked.
"How do you sleep in these few days?" Gao Yang instead asked a question.
"Sleep with the rest." Luo Tan answered in a manner of fact.
"In the future sleep in my room."
"For what reason?" Luo Tan was angry, "It is improper for male and female to have any physical contact."
"You are a female?" Gao Yang laughed.
"You are correct. You are not a male." Luo Tan immediately retorted.
Gao Yang said softly, "That messenger is still in my room now."
"Sleep. Sleep. Sleep." Luo Tan quickly said, "I will go to sleep immediately."
Gao Yan waved his fan as he left and Luo Tan followed behind.
Why did she find that the current Gao Yang was a different person than the easy to bully Doctor Gao?
It seemed that one's true nature was revealed.