Consort Jing was used to be tyrannising in the Palace. Even though she was arrogant and brainless, no one would dare to touch her that even Empress Xian De would not be bothered to care about her. One did not expect that she would have a bone with Shen Miao, or to say that she have a bone with Prince Rui.
No matter how clever and eloquent Shen Miao was, Consort Jing could punish her with a crime and it was alright to just find any charge. However, she could not afford to offend Prince Rui.
When Prince Rui just came to Long Ye, the officials in court had all opposed to it and would hinder him openly or discretely. Everyone saw his stubborn and lazy appearance and thought that he was just a devil incarnate. No one knew that this person only use two years to make those officials avoid him, like a mouse seeing a cat, that they did not dare to provoke at all. Consort Jing's father also warned her not to be an enemy of Prince Rui.
No matter how wilful Consort Jing was, she dared not confront Prince Rui. Emperor Yong Le had no way to deal with Prince Rui, much less a Consort like her.
She smiled reluctantly, "Rui Wáng Diànxià is so busy, how would there be time to listen to Sì Mèimèi's music?" She then turned to Emperor Yong Le for help, "In the future, Chénqiè will teach and guide Sì Mèimèi so Rui Wáng Diànxià must not be bothered with it."
"Běnwǎng does not have the time to be bothered with it." Xie Jing Xing smiled and held Shen Miao's shoulder, "Wángfēi also do not have the energy. When Jing Fēi is free, it is better to think of ways to share Huáng Xiōng's worries."
Consort Jing bit her lips and looked at Emperor Yong Le awkwardly.
Emperor Yong Le's face became heavier. No matter what, it made him unhappy that Xie Jing Xing kept on humiliating his consort. Perhaps previously he did not mind but now he did not wish Xie Jing Xing to stand up for Shen Miao. What kind of appearance of doting was this becoming to? He coldly asked Shen Miao, "Rui Wángfēi, is this what you mean?"
Shen Miao bowed docilely, "A Qī obeys the Fū (妻从夫纲 Qī cóng fū gāng, literally means wife obey husband)."
Empress Xian De looked at Shen Miao somewhat surprised. It seemed that she did not think that Shen Miao would be so stubborn in front of Emperor Yong Le and suddenly thought of something and smiled as she shook her head.
When Emperor Yong Le heard it, he stared silently at Shen Miao for a long time. His gaze could be described as somewhat fierce but Shen Miao's head was bowed. One did not know if it was playing dumb or one did not see it and always kept a gentle look and turn a blind eye to this gaze.
Xie Jing Xing pulled Shen Miao up and said, "If Huáng Xiōng has nothing else to say then Chén Dì will leave first." He continued, "As newlyweds, us, Fū and Qī, have a lot of things to do."
Shen Miao, "…"
Emperor Yong Le said, "Remember what Zhèn had said to you."
Xie Jing Xing said with a smile but not a smile, "Orh."
It was just that 'orh' word did not sound like one had placed Emperor Yong Le's words to heart.
After Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing left, Emperor Yong Le seemed to be extremely unhappy and with a brush of his sleeves, he did not bother with Empress Xian De and Consort Jing and left on his own. When Empress Xian De and Consort Jing saw it, they knew that Emperor Yong Le was furious and did not follow him.
Consort Jing looked at Empress Xian De and said, "Jiějiě and Rui Wángfēi's relationship is rather good and kept on speaking for her just now. If one does not know about it, one would think that both of you had already known one another."
"Rui Wángfēi is educated, rational, intelligent and wise. Naturally, she is lovable." Empress Xian De gently smiled.
"Jiějiě don't forget, she is a Ming Qi's people." Consort Jing said harshly, "For Ming Qi's people who come over to Great Liang, who would know what schemes she has in her heart. Since Jiějiě wants to help her then don't drag oneself into the water. When Bìxià starts to blame, even Jiějiě would also be blamed."
"Since one is married to Great Liang, then one is Great Liang's people. Could it be that Jing Fēi is also going to be suspicious of the Ruì Wáng fǔ? Ruì Wáng and Rui Wángfēi are husband and wife and are of one." Speaking of eloquence, how could Consort Jing be the Empress's opponent?
Consort Jing smiled coldly, "Jiějiě, as usual, speak fluently and has great trust is placed on Rui Wángfēi. It seems that one is firm in standing on the side of Rui Wángfēi."
Empress Xian De did not say anything.
"But what to do?" Consort Jing suddenly smiled, "Jiějiě is able to help her for this moment but will not be able to help her for a lifetime. There will not be only one female in the Ruì Wáng fǔ. Even if there is no opportunity for my Sì Mèimèi, there would be someone else who will have a chance." As she looked at Empress Xian De's face, Consort Jing continued, "Looking at Bìxià, he really does not like that Rui Wángfēi."
Empress Xian De said, "The matter of the Ruì Wáng fǔ is not something that you and I can intervene. Rui Wáng Diànxià has his own mind."
"Mèimèi also do not dare to volunteer." Consort Jing said with a smile, "One only wanted to advise a word with Jiějiě. Jiějiě is not Buddha, even if one had a kind heart and helps everyone, one has to see if one have the ability to do so. Jiějiě's today is Rui Wángfēi's tomorrow." After finishing, she then put on the air as she said previously and walked away proudly with the maids.
The gentle smile on Empress Xian De gradually sank and a glimmer of grieve appeared in her eyes.
In the carriage, Shen Miao asked, "What did Huáng say to you?"
"... Some trivial matters of court." Xie Jing Xing said.
Shen Miao knew that if it were truly trivial matters then Emperor Yong Le would not have specifically called Xie Jing Xing over to talk. She need not require thinking to know that it must be related to her. Emperor Yong Le's attitude was clearly seen that he did not like Shen Miao and did not like that Xie Jing Xing valued Shen Miao greatly. Perhaps it was because of Shen Miao's identity that was too sensitive or perhaps… Emperor Yong Le had a better choice.
Seeing Shen Miao not speaking, Xie Jing Xing turned his head over and pinched her face, "But today you made me take a second look. One seemed to have not seen such a ferocious appearance like this for a long time."
"Ferocious?" Shen Miao retorted.
"Otherwise what?" Xie Jing Xing sighed and appeared to be remembering something, "At the beginning in Ming Qi, when one saw you in Wo Long Temple, I had thought that the Shěn family's Gūniáng is truly ferocious and one do not know which family's Shàoyé would have the bad luck in the future and marry this tigress back."
Shen Miao looked at him calmly, "Do you want a quarrel?"
Xie Jing Xing's lips were raised and he said, "This is then right. This is then someone from my Xie family."
Shen Miao was being teased by him like this and all the dissatisfaction of Xie Jing Xing concealing Emperor Yong Le's works were all dispersed like clouds, "It is fine that you do not tell me what the conversation between Huáng and you was but who is Jing Fēi? The Huáng seemed to be favouring her a lot, it just that…" She pondered on the words to use, "From my perspective, it is nothing special."
Xie Jing Xing almost laughed out. Previously, Consort Jing said that Shen Miao "did not look anything special" and now she uses the exact phase back. She was spiteful. He said, "Jing Fēi is the Dí Cháng Nǚ(长女Cháng nǚ - Firstborn), of General Lu. General Lu… Just take it as he is the equivalent to the position of your Shen family in Ming Qi."
Shen Miao's eyes rose. So it is a family with military power. No wonder Emperor Yong Le was particularly tolerant of her.
"Great Liang is different from Ming Qi. There are very few military commanders in Ming Qi thus, the Shen and Xie family could hold half of the country. Great Liang's military and civil positions are equal and there are no deliberate biases. Thus, there are many military commanders and it is difficult to centralise it. General Lu was one of those that have some soldiers under him and because of this… He is somewhat arrogant." When Xie Jing Xing spoke till there, there was a hit of coldness that flashed in his eyes.
"Seeing what kind of attitude Jing Fēi have in the Inner Palace, one would know what kind of attitude the Lu family have in Long Ye." Shen Miao said. What the woman in the Inner Palace represent, was not often just a female as they still had the backing of the family clan's reputation and power. When the family clan was powerful then the more fearless one was. It was most likely not possible to just base on favour. Just like the 'her' in the previous lifetime, if there was not the Shen family behind her, one feared that Fu Xiu Yi would not even give her a look. Fu Chen, who was born from Mei Fūrén, was able to threaten the Crown Prince, other than because Mei Fūrén has exceptional means, it was because of that brilliant and intelligent brother that earned his own merits.
Thinking of Mei Fūrén, Shen Miao was suddenly stunned. In the previous life, Mei Fūrén appeared years after Fu Xiu Yi ascended to the throne and when she headed to Qin country. This lifetime one did not know if Fu Xiu Yi was able to ascend but Shen Miao had already reached Great Liang, so will Mei Fūrén still appear?
Xie Jing Xing did not notice Shen Miao's distraction and praised, "Not bad. Jing Fēi is arrogant, the Lu family is impudent and Huáng Xiōng have the intention to suppress but one has to slowly carry out the scheme."
"Can't there be checks and balances?" Shen Miao asked.
Xie Jing Xing shook his head, "The Lu family is the Xiān Huáng's (Former Emperor's) people. Huáng Xiōng has already cleaned up the rest of the people that the Xiān Huáng left behind, other than the two families, the military Lu family and the civil Ye family. The Lu and Ye families' roots were deep and complicated as they have many followers so if one pull the roots up, one fear that it would only hurt the Huángshì (Imperial family). Huáng Xiōng cannot be impatient and they knew of this and thus, dared to behave without fear."
Shen Miao frowned. Emperor Yong Le and Xie jing Xing were brothers, and the Late Emperor was their biological father. Why did Xie Jing Xing refer to him as 'Late Emperor' rather than 'Imperial Father'? Furthermore, as Xie Jing Xing stated, the Lu and Ye families were the Late Emperor's people, and while there would be different officials during different Monarch rule, Emperor Yong Le had rightfully succeeded the Imperial position, and these old officials from the two dynasties should do their best to serve him. Why does it appear like the Lu and Ye families have rebellious intents, yet Emperor Yong Le had the courage to put a stop to their plans?
Could it be that the Late Emperor did not want Emperor Yong Le to rule the country? Or was it the Lu and Ye households that were unfaithful when the Late Emperor died?
Shen Miao sense that she had discovered some secret matters.
Suddenly, she thought it was a little absurd. The Shen and Xie families were serious and did their job in Ming Qi, but the Imperial family was so distrustful that even if there were no daughters of the Shen and Xie families in the Palace, the Imperial family still sought to repress them. Everything was reversed in Great Liang. The deceitful bureaucrats were haughty, but the Imperial family could only accept a compromise and gradually plan.
"Which family is the Empress from?" Shen Miao inquired.
"The Ke family." Xie Jing Xing said, "The Ke family is a family of historians."
Shen Miao was startled, "Historians have little power and have no real power. For the Emperor to be willing to marry a Young Lady of a Historian's family and establish as an Empress, it is enough to show that the Emperor loves the Empress."
Xie Jing Xing did not speak.
"But…" She then said, "Since the Empress is in one's heart then why would one let Jing Fēi be disrespectful to the Empress? For Jing Fēi to dare to be disrespectful to the Empress, it would be obviously been influenced by the Emperor." If Emperor Yong Le loved the Empress, because of the favour towards the Empress, no matter how arrogant Consort Jing is, she would not dare to be disrespectful. But Consort Jing dared to be this rude and argue with the Empress, she obviously knew that Emperor Yong Le would not blame her for it.
Since one was not marrying her for power then why did one unable to do the simplest of protecting her?
Xie Jing Xing smiled blandly, "Huáng Xiōng is different from me." He then patted her head again, "Huáng Sǎo is different from you too."
Shen Miao waved his hands away, "So the Sì Gūniáng of the Lu family admires you?"
Xie Jing Xing was stunned and smiled immediately, "Why are you still jealous?"
"But there is still one strange thing." Shen Miao said to herself, "If the Lu family wanted to dominate the courts or have their ambitions revealed, they had already sent a nǚ'ér into the Palace so the goal is accomplished. So why would they send over another gūniáng? Moreover..." Shen Miao looked at him, "Even if it is given, why is she sent to you? You are only Ruì Qīnwáng and not the Huáng. It cannot be that the Lu family nǚ'ér want to control your huángshì xiōngdì in the palm of their hands."
She raised her head and paused. Xie Jing Xing was staring at her, and she couldn't figure out what he was thinking. Xie Jing Xing drew her in front and gripped her waist with both hands before sinking his head against Shen Miao's shoulder to half-hug her.
He said lowly, and a grumbling laugher was heard by her ears, "If one goes on like this, I would not have any secrets in front of you."
Secrets? Shen Miao's heart moved. Did she say something right?
"You still have secrets from me?" She deliberately asked.
"Don't you also have secrets from me?" Xie Jing Xing said.
She paused. Xie Jing Xing let go of his hands and looked her in the eyes, the corners of his lips curled up, yet his gaze was firmly fixed on her, making her somewhat breathless.
"How about exchanging?" he said. "Can I trade my secrets for yours?"
Shen Miao's heart quiver fiercely, but she responded swiftly and turned her head over, saying, "I then do not want to know your secrets."
Xie Jing Xing said with an "oh" before chuckling, "Anyway, you have the ability to investigate it, correct?"
Shen Miao turned her gaze to him and did not say anything.
"You have the ability to investigate my secrets," Xie Jing Xing replied lazily. " For your secrets… Do you think I'd know or not?"
Shen Miao became quite disoriented all of a sudden.
Her secret was the mystery of her previous life. But she lacked the guts to tell anybody about it, and even Shen Qiu, Shen Xin, and Luo Xue Yan, she stayed mute about it, daring not to expose a single trace of it.
Not to mention when one spoke of such a strange matter, would one consider her as crazy? One feared that no one would believe her when she said it and was even more afraid that others would look at her differently.
Too stupid. Too weak. Killed her children and family. Would they blame her? Shen Miao dare not try.
If Xie Jing Xing knew she had previously married, become Fu Xiu Yi's wife, and even laboured for Fu Xiu Yi's empire, how would he see her?
Shen Miao had assumed that she would be unconcerned about how others perceived her, but now she was terrified. She didn't want Xie Jing Xing to look at her as if she were an enemy.
Xie Jing Xing saw all of her weird expressions. Xie Jing Xing's eyes darkened, yet he sighed and embraced her.
"I don't like to force. I won't ask if you don't want people to know." He stated.
"But don't make me wait too long."
*****
Xie Jing Xing hurriedly rushed out after returning to the house of Prince Rui of First Rank. He always had a lot of things, and Shen Miao never asked about it. She wasn't even sure what was going on in Great Liang just now. The explanation given to her by Xie Jing Xing regarding the Lu and Ye families made her realize that Great Liang and Ming Qi were not that dissimilar. Even while it appeared on the surface that the country was prosperous and the citizens were at peace, one suspected that there were numerous undercurrents flowing beneath the surface of the tranquillity. It seems that because Great Liang was larger, there were more individuals with higher goals.
After all, Emperor Yong Le's and Xie Jing Xing's attitude toward their father was odd. There seem to be other origins for this as well. When Shen Miao first encountered Xie Jing Xing, she was reminded of Ming Qi because Xie Jing Xing looked to be looking for something. It was the same in the General residence, and it was a pleasant surprise to see her lighting a fire in the ancestral hall. Xie Jing Xing and Gao Yang appeared to have obtained something in Prince Yu's hidden rooms.
What, precisely, was the thing?
Shen Miao initially assumed it was a chart of military defence, but after further consideration, a map of military defence would most certainly not be put in the hidden rooms of Prince Yu of First Rank. It was not clear what it was at the time.
She had another notion while thinking about it.
Pei Lang had followed Xie Jing Xing's retinue to Great Liang. The major reason why he was allowed to travel to Great Liang was to dodge Fu Xiu Yi's pursuit. She also brought Liu Ying with her and settled her, but Pei Lang... Pei Lang appeared honest, but he had a proud heart. He first worked with her for Liu Ying, but after being accused by Fu Xiu Yi, he defended her at the expense of his life, making Shen Miao unable to urge Pei Lang to do anything for her in the future.
Shen Miao eventually stood up and went out of the room, having decided to speak with Pei Lang.
Pei Lang's room was located in the very last room on the east side of Prince Rui's residence. The setting was not unpleasant, and the residence of Prince Rui of First Rank was initially extremely large, so allocating a courtyard out was not difficult, and Pei Lang was well treated. It was only that no one knew if it was done on purpose or not because it was the furthest distance in Prince Rui's whole residence from where Shen Miao was residing.
When Shen Miao arrived at Pei Lang's courtyard, she found Pei Lang sitting in the center of the courtyard, playing chess. Two green-clad maids with the appearances of flowers and the moon stood by his side. Both of them continued to drink tea with Pei Lang, their gaze fixed on him. Despite the restraint, there were some inexplicable meanings behind it.
When Shen Miao saw this scene, she thought it was strange. Her steps came to a halt as she remembered some events from a previous lifetime.
Pei Lang's talent and learning were limitless in his previous lifetime, so when Fu Xiu Yi finally ascended to the throne, he appointed him as National Advisor. Pei Lang was attractive, and when he wore the black robes, he gave the impression of being detached from world affairs, much like the immortals. The court officials knew he was deeply trusted by Fu Xiu Yi and would not dare to be his adversary. Throughout Ming Qi, Pei Lang was well-known.
He was, however, very young and attractive. Fu Xiu Yi had plotted and attempted to marry the daughter of a high-ranking official, but Pei Lang had politely declined. This type of genius most likely had his own personality. Fu Xiu Yi reasoned that Pei Lang did not want others to make arrangements for him and thus left him alone. Shen Miao had a good relationship with Pei Lang when she had not yet gone to the Qin country as a hostage and had also asked if he had any young lady in his heart when she had not yet gone to the Qin country as a hostage.
How did Pei Lang react at the time?
Shen Miao had a dazed expression on her face.
Pei Lang said, "Niángniáng, this official's aspiration is not in this." The words 'aspiration is not in this' seemed to be a way that defeats one's purpose but in fact, showed clearly Pei Lang's attitude. Pei Lang was confident that when assisting Fu Xiu Yi in making a decision, he would be able to rule out any possibility of emotion and ensure that the outcome would be predictable.
Speaking of which, Pei Lang had always been single until Shen Miao died in the previous lifetime, and no young lady had ever been mentioned to him.
Pei Lang was standing with two females at the time, but Shen Miao felt a little awkward. Pei Lang's singular style had attracted a large number of female students even in Guang Wen Tang. He was at the right age now, which caused others to think more about him.
The maid who was fanning Pei Lang to chase away the butterflies and flying insects noticed Shen Miao as she was thinking about it. She was first startled before quickly greeted, "This servant greets Wángfēi."
The other green-clad maid rushed over to greet as well.
Pei Lang raised her head and noticed Shen Miao. "You all can withdraw," Shen Miao said gently as he walked over to the two green-clad maids.
The maids were perplexed as they looked at Pei Lang. Pei Lang motioned with his hands for the two maids to leave. Shen Miao noticed the elegant and supple back view of both of them and felt a rare mischievousness towards Pei Lang. "It's unusual to see Pei Xiānshēng being this romantic, with red perfumed sleeves as a companion," she enquired.
The two maids exchanged glances with Pei Lang, unable to hide their admiration.
Pei Lang shook his head and smiled bitterly, but remained silent. When staying under someone else's roof, one had to bow one's head. These two maids were sent to him by Prince Rui's residence, and if he had encountered such servants, Pei Lang would have devised ways to chase them away rather than leaving them by his side. However, this was not Ming Qi, the other parties were not his servants, and no one knew if it was Xie Jing Xing's idea, so Pei Lang could only endure no matter how much he disliked it.
Pei Lang's heart was slightly sour as he looked at Shen Miao, who didn't seem to be affected at all.
"Pei Xiānshēng followed me to Great Liang because one had no other choice." Shen Miao said, "Now it has become a situation where it is not ideal or worse off. What future plans does one have?" She paused for a while, "At the beginning with Liu Ying's matter, it is me who forced Xiānshēng to do such things and Xiānshēng had no other ways and now implicated Xiānshēng to leave one's hometown. One is really conscience-stricken about it and if Xiānshēng wants to leave, it is possible."
Pei Lang looked at Shen Miao, surprised, when he heard those words.
When Shen Miao faced him, she always felt righteous, and from the start, when she used Liu Ying to threaten Pei Lang, Pei Lang was vaguely aware of Shen Miao's subtle expressions and emotions that were hostile but not on purpose. Pei Lang was also perplexed by the situation and diligently investigated it, but came up empty-handed.
At this moment, when Shen Miao turned to face him, the hostility had vanished. It was as if it had been put down, but the peace and calm left Pei Lang feeling a little befuddled. It was as if Shen Miao had lowered something special and it had vanished like the clouds.
Shen Miao looked at Pei Lang, but her heart was heavy with regret.
She had always defined Pei Lang as 'someone who owed her a lot,' but when Xie Jing Xing said that Pei Lang was imprisoned in Fu Xiu Yi's underground prison and tortured severely but did not confess that she was the mastermind, many things and thoughts changed. Shen Miao was aware of Fu Xiu Yi's methods for punishing those who betrayed, and given that he did not offer her name, Shen Miao could not express how moved she was.
Now that she thinks about it, she hated Pei Lang and had many grievances against him because Pei Lang had always been on Fu Xiu Yi's side from the beginning to the end. When Fu Xiu Yi dealt with their Shen family, Pei Lang chose to watch with folded arms; when the Crown Prince was abolished, he said nothing to Fu Ming; and when Wan Yu was about to enter into a marriage alliance, he did not try to stop it.
However, in this world, some people will help you out of friendship, while others will not help you out of duty. Pei Lang and her relationship did not progress to the point where one 'had to help.'
In this lifetime, Pei Lang was no longer Fu Xiu Yi's people and had even become enemies with him, so there was no reason to seek refuge with him. Thus, even if one was unwilling to deal with those issues, there was no need to continue.
Finally, one could only rely on oneself. There was no advantage to pure hatred or resentment.
Pei Lang swallowed his disappointment and asked, "What are your plans for the future?"
Shen Miao was startled, "Me?"
Pei Lang's eyes became clear again as if he had returned to that unparalleled National Advisor. He said, "The position of the Ruì Qīnwáng fǔ is not as indestructible as it seemed to be. One thinks that in the Huángshì of Great Liang, there are the existence of some variables."
He looked at Shen Miao, "Even if the Huángshì of Great Liang have nothing to do with me and the Ruì Wáng fǔ have the ability to protect themselves, your road might not be always smooth."
Shen Miao slightly frowned, "Even it is so, Xiānshēng mention all this…"
"I can give you a hand." Pei Lang said.
Shen Miao replied, "Why?"
"Even though I am not considered a talent of the world, one can do one's best. Currently, Liu Ying and I are relying on you to stand in Great Liang and only when you live well and stable, we can also be better. Even if it is planning for myself, I have to help you. I want to remain in Ruì Qīnwáng fǔ." He paused, "If I could participate in Great Liang's court matters or I could come out with plans on your matters, it would be even better.
After being silent for a while, Shen Miao then said, "Pei Xiānshēng, you have thought about it? You do not owe me anything so there is no need to place one's life with me. No need to depend on me and with your abilities, you can live well. You do not need to speak of those excuses, you are not one who chase after fame or gains."
Pei Lang smiled bitterly in his heart. Shen Miao seemed to know him well, even better than himself. Even he himself did not know about when he had such an inexplicable obsession but he stubbornly did not want to draw a line to the relationship with her.
He said, "This is my choice."
Shen Miao took a deep breath. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Jing Zhe walking in from outside and did not know where did she had gotten a beautiful invitation in her hands, "Fūrén, the Bright Summer Banquet's invitation is sent over and it said that Rui Qīn Wángfēi is invited. This servant accepted the invitation, may Fūrén take a look.
Shen Miao just arrived in Great Liang and someone came to send an invitation. This was her first time appearing in the gathering of the noblewomen in Long Ye and the other party obviously had ulterior motives.
She asked, "Who send that invitation?"
"It was sent from the boudoir of Long Ye General, Lu Fūrén."
Shen Miao paused in her actions.
The civil Ye family and the military Lu family. These two aristocratic families of Great Liang seemed to have a very delicate relationship with the Imperial family.
It was indeed that the oncoming person was coming with ill-intentions.