When Shen Miao and Luo Tan reached the front of the thatched house, Hui Xiang and Ba Jiao were standing under a Locust tree surveying while Cong Yang and Mo Qing sat under the tree, hugging their swords with their brows tightly sewn together.
Hui Xiang suddenly said, "Arrived." Ba Jiao quickly rush over and saw that Luo Tan and Shen Miao were following behind the strange Taoist priest, heading over here. Luo Tan was still alright but Shen Miao stumbled at the stop and her entire body was stained with dirt, her hair was somewhat messy and there was some odour.
Hui Xiang and Ba Jiao looked at one another and their hearts were aligned. Ba Jiao asked, "Fūrén, this is…"
Luo Tan wanted to speak but her sleeves were tugged by Shen Miao. When she looked over, Shen Miao shook her head slightly and she swallowed the words that were in her mouth.
Shen Miao, "Let's go."
However, Chi Yan Taoist Priest said, "Since you are rushing for time, there is no need to use that road that you come on. One will point a nearer route." He brought the few of them around and suddenly there was a field and there was a visible crisscross path.
From Ben Yue's words, the path that pair of siblings walked was a path on a field and at this moment, it was consistent. It seemed that that pair of siblings did not take the route that Shen Miao and the rest took when they came over but instead this route.
Chi Yan said, "You all can follow this road all the way and the exit will be there." He then looked at Shen Miao and smiled, "Fūrén will have a predestined fate like what this poor priest said."
Shen Miao looked at him calmly, "Does Taoist Priest want to say that the predestined fate is appearing soon?"
"The predestined fate lives according to destiny. Heavens' designs must not be divulged." The Taoist Priest mysteriously smiled, "But after not long, this poor priest will meet Fūrén again. At that time, one hopes that Fūrén would be like yesterday night, picking the worms cleanly off from Hong Xiu Cao. At that time, there would be a chance of reconciliation."
These words were neither negative nor positive, and they were ambiguous. Others were taken aback when they heard it, and Shen Miao, too, was flummoxed. It was just that there were too many things to keep track of. If nothing goes wrong, today was the sixth day between leaving here and staying here a night. That Gui Yuan Pill could only last ten days, and the old Imperial Physician warned that Xie Jing Xing's poison had begun to spread and that danger would arise around the seventh day. There was simply no time to continue.
After saying their farewells to Chi Yan, Shen Miao and the others followed that small path in the field. This small path was, as Chi Yan Taoist Priest had claimed, much easier to walk on than the route they had taken through the forest the day before.
When they were boarding the horse carriage, Hui Xiang could not help but said, "Fūrén, what did that Taoist Priest made you do? What happened yesterday night?" She saw Shen Miao's sorry appearance and did not believe that nothing happened at all.
Shen Miao said, "Nothing much happened. Returning back is more important." She then took the lead and led the horse carriage up the hill. When Hui Xiang and the others noticed that Shen Miao was unwilling to talk about it further, they became suspicious but helpless. Furthermore, because Xie Jing Xing's injury could not be delayed, they rush back.
In the horse carriage, Luo Tan asked Shen Miao, "Xiǎo biǎomèi, why do you not want to speak about it?" From Luo Tan's view, Shen Miao had taken on such great suffering for Xie Jing Xing and it was very moving in any case. Even an ordinary husband and wife would not be able to reach such a step. A Young Lady knelt down to be a farmer and did it for an entire night. This was something that not everyone could do. Shen Miao had suffered but did not tell others but kept it hidden. What good was this?
"These things are done not to tell and show off." Shen Miao said, "Moreover if these are spread out, it would instead affect the reputation of the Residence of Rui Qīnwáng. This issue ends here, you should not tell others."
Luo Tan asked, "Rui Qīnwáng also cannot know?"
Shen Miao nodded her head.
Luo Tan said, "I understand." She then said to Shen Miao, "Go and rest first. It would only be tomorrow when one reaches Long Ye. You have stayed up all night last night and have not rested at all so one looks extremely tired. Even if I want to hide it for you, your appearance cannot be hidden."
Shen Miao nodded her head and leaned against the horse carriage and closed her eyes. After working for the entire night, she was really sleepy and tired. There was no need for additional support as she was on the edge of sleeping and she fell asleep immediately when her eyes closed, without caring about the bumps the carriage endured during the journey.
This night's sleep was very short and it seemed that one did not sleep for long when Shen Miao was shaken awake. She opened her eyes and saw Ba Jiao looking at her, "Fūrén, Luo Xiǎojiě, we have arrived at the residence."
Luo Tan also woke up and the two of them jumped off the carriage. It was already the morning of the next day and the sun was already high up. Shen Miao patted her heart and when she saw that the main doors of the residence of Prince Rui were unmanned, her heart tightened.
The Residence of Qīnwáng had always been on high alert and those guarding were transferred from Mo Yun Army and would be very strict normally. Now there wasn't anyone at all. Could it be… Something had happened?
Luo Tan also saw it, some bad feelings appeared in her heart but she feared causing heartache to Shen Miao so she dared not speak a single word. It was Mo Qing who said, "Fūrén, go in and take a look first."
Cong Yang and the rest were all Xie Jing Xing's subordinates and naturally, they were also worried. When they entered the Residence of Qīnwáng, they saw that it was empty inside and their hearts became even more suspicious and more restless. Shen Miao's steps became anxious and she bumped into another person. That person jumped in shock and upon looking back, saw Shen Miao and was startled, "Fūrén, you have returned."
That person was Tang Shu.
Tang Shu's clothes seemed to be shabby and not the usual sharp and proper. Shen Miao asked hurriedly, "What happened? Why is there no one in the residence?"
"Fūrén, why are you back now? One does not know how the news of Zhǔzi's life was hanging by a thread was spread out and these days there were a number of people who were inquiring in the dark and out in the open. The residence was working on concealing it and the people in court are coming around again. It is indeed a mess. Ji Fūrén had sent people a few times to ask for your whereabouts and at the Huáng's side…"
Luo Tan said, "Xiǎo biǎomèi was busy searching for that Superior One for Mèifū. Speaking of which, we have already gotten…"
"That's right." Tang Shu smack his head, "One has forgotten to tell you a piece of good news. Zhǔzi is awake."
Shen Miao and Luo Tan were stunned at the same time and Shen Miao asked, "Awake?"
"Yes." Tang Shu said, "Fūrén does not know about it. The night when Fūrén left, Zhǔzi's injuries suddenly split open and the poison could not be contained at all. The Imperial Physicians from the Palace all said that those Gui Yuan Pills could not save Zhǔzi's life. Even when Gao Xiānshēng came over, he too had no other way and said that he would not be able to live past 2 days. It seemed that Zhǔzi was not in a good condition." Tang Shu spoke with a calligraphic flourish with many twists that everyone's heart started falling. Luo tan was an anxious person and could not help but asked, "And then?"
"And then the news of Zhǔzi being unable to make it was spread out. One did not know why but it had spread onto the streets. Ji Fūrén was anxious and seeing that the entire Long Ye knew about it, she simply posted a message outside to invite doctors to treat Zhǔzi's illness. Whoever could treat him would be rewarded in gold. It was fortunate that someone saw the message and gave Zhǔzi a herb that Gao Xiānshēng made into a pill for Zhǔzi. Zhǔzi's wounds then slowly got better and early this morning, he even woke up once. Gao Xiānshēng and the Imperial Physician took a look and saw that Zhǔzi's wounds are recovering and the poison was resolved."
Tang Shu said everything in one breath and after pausing, he sighed, "Everyone said that Zhǔzi's life should not end like this. Two years ago, everyone also said that Zhǔzi could not make it but Zhǔzi hold it out. Now it is the same, it is Heaven that is gracious and it is the Xiān Huánghòu that blesses Zhǔzi from Heavens."
When Shen Miao heard that Xie Jing Xing's poison was gone, this time she really felt relieved. Ba Jiao and the rest also patted their chest and their hanging hearts finally settled down.
Luo Tan looked at Shen Miao and thought in her heart that Shen Miao had gained that herb from that harsh Taoist Priest with great difficulty but now that herb would not be of use. Who let that passing person extend their hand to help. But after thinking about it, that person after all cured Xie Jing Xing and now she did not feel that the person was wrong. It was just that she secretly felt that it was unworthy of Shen Miao and that Shen Miao had done so much for nothing.
Tang Shu also said, "When Zhǔzi just woke up, he asked about Fūrén and asked where did Fūrén went. Fūrén did not allow Lǎo Nú to talk about this matter and these days Fūrén did not return so Lǎo Nú feared that things would happen and also feared that Zhǔzi's mind would think unnecessary things and thus worsen the injuries. So one had hidden the matter."
Shen Miao said, "You did well." She did not want to let others that she went to search for Chi Yan. First one feared that it would be exploited by others and second, if one was too upset about something then the matter would become this person's weakness. If one day one wants to deal with Shen Miao, then they would only need to take action on Xie Jing Xing. Shen Miao did not want to expose her weakness so early.
Moreover, she was not sure how would Xie Jing Xing react to her strange behaviour. She could only wait for some days after Xie Jing Xing's injuries were much better before explaining everything to him.
"I will go and take a look at him first." Shen Miao said.
"Fūrén." Tang Shu stopped her and said, "Zhǔzi just taken the medication that Gao Xiānshēng made and is currently resting. It is instead not good for Fūrén to go over."
Shen Miao sighed deeply and then looked at Tang Shu, "Why is there no one watching the residence doors? It also seems that there is no one around. What is going on?"
Tang Shu smiled ashamed, "There are just too many things that happened today that Lǎo Nú forget to inform Fūrén about it. Even though the matter of Zhǔzi being saved was known to all of Long Ye, one also knows that Zhǔzi had taken a trip through life and death and in the end, is safe. However, Ji Fūrén and Ji Shàoyé were worried so they had been staying in the residence for these days. Lǎo Nú had hidden Fūrén's whereabout from them and only said that Fūrén went to search for doctors. In the end, those people save Zhǔzi's life and are considered Zhǔzi's benefactors, so Lǎo Nú placed them in the residence. When Zhǔzi woke up today, Ji Fūrén and them also went to take a look. That benefactor is currently in the main hall and Ji Fūrén, Ji Shàoyé and the rest are all in the main hall, saying they want to reward and thank the other party. However, the benefactors were not people who are greedy for money or power as they did not want the gold reward."
"Then what do they want?" Luo Tan asked, "Wasn't it in the notice? If it is not for the sake of the reward then why the need to respond to the notice?"
Tang Shu looked at Luo Tan and smiled, "Lǎo Nú's heart is also puzzled. Ji Fūrén asked the benefactor but the benefactor said that since they passed by that day and coincidently saw that notice, they thought about the herb that their ancestors had passed down that can detoxify hundreds of poisons. Thinking that since this herb could save a life, they did not think much and came over to our residence."
Luo Tan shrugged her shoulders, "That is truly of noble character and unquestionable integrity. I would not do it to such a level. The things that one's ancestors passed down have to be valued greatly. To save a stranger that one has never seen… One would need to be bold."
Tang Shu also smiled, "That is true." Afterwards, he looked at Shen Miao, "Ji Fūrén is also suffering a headache due to this matter and Lǎo Nú could not make a decision. However, since Fūrén has returned, then may Fūrén take a look at what should be bestowed to them."
"Since one is a benefactor, then I should take a look first." Shen Miao's eyes hung, "Are they at the main hall now?"
"Exactly so." Tang Shu said, "Lǎo Nú was going to head over. It is good that Fūrén also goes over together."
Shen Miao nodded her head and Luo Tan quickly followed.
Along the way, Tang Shu suddenly seemed to have thought about something and said, "Speaking of which that two benefactors seemed to have just arrived in Long Ye and are not familiar with Long Ye at all. They said that they were here to search for their relatives and Ji Fūrén thought of helping them raise money and our Residence of Qīnwáng can also make a contribution. It would also be good if a notice can be hung out."
"Two benefactors?" Shen Miao asked, "How come there are two?"
"It is a pair of siblings." Tang Shu said with a smile, "Their age is similar to Fūrén and their appearance is also outstanding. Ji Fūrén is warm-hearted and even thought of introducing the Jiějiě and younger brother to young talents and unmarried daughters of noble houses. It looked like they are sensible as they get along with the servants in the residence rather well after coming to our residence for a few days."
The servants in Prince Rui's residence had all been trained in Xie Jing Xing's Mo Yu Army. Even those who were not part of the Mo Yu Army were steadfast and wise. Shen Miao noticed that these people did things according to their accordance, and it was difficult for Xie Jing Xing, a person who always acts arbitrarily, to train such a group of subordinates who were strict to themselves.
Furthermore, ordinary people were incapable of getting along with these people. There would be a basic vigilance and boundary between people, especially those in the Residence of Qīnwáng, no matter how warm-hearted one was. Whether it was Shen Miao's intuition or not, she had the impression that this pair of 'benefactors' was not straightforward.
Luo Tan was curious, "Like that, then this pair of siblings are really good people."
"Most likely." Tang Shu smiled, "In any case, to the Residence of Qīnwáng, to be able to save Zhǔzi's life, one would be a valued guest of the residence for life."
As he was speaking, they had reached the main hall and as soon as they stepped in, they saw that Ji Fūrén and Ji Dàrén sitting in the room. Ji Dàrén turned his head to the side and was talking to Ji Fūrén and when they saw that Shen Miao was following behind Tang Shu, Ji Fūrén stood up immediately and quickly went up, "Jiao Niang, you have finally returned."
There were a few Fūréns in the hall but they were all strangers that Shen Miao had not seen before. Shen Miao looked at Ji Fūrén doubtfully. Ji Fūrén noticed her gaze and said lowly, "These are the Fūréns that came over to see Jing Xing… It is not good to send them back during the daytime, thus, one could only let them sit here."
Shen Miao understood. Currently, Xie Jing Xing's position in Long Ye was rather unique and a lot of people's life, death and interest was implicated. As it was not right for those officials to personally see if he was truly dead or not, they could let their Fūrén go over in the name of consoling Ji Fūrén. Comforting was only by name, the real intention was to take a look at Xie Jing Xing's injuries. Xie Jing Xing woke up this morning so these Fūréns had especially rushed over to check if the matter was true.
Ji Fūrén said, "Where did you go these few days? Steward Tang said that you went to search for the doctor but one could not find you and could not even send help over. Finally, you've returned." Her words finished but there was a little blame in them. "Jing Xing had not wakened and I know you are anxious to search for doctors but no matter what happens, one should be by one's husband's side. Today, when he woke up in the morning, he was disappointed that he did not see you. Your current identity is no longer of a Xiǎojiě of an official family but the Wángfēi of the Residence of Rui Qīnwáng. One must think of the cause and effect of one's action as there are many pairs of eyes watching."
Although the words were not good to listen to, Shen Miao knew that Ji Fūrén was thinking for her. Moreover, be it reason or relations, Ji Fūrén had blood relations with Xie Jing Xing and not Shen Miao, so, before any explanation was given, her behaviour of leaving without informing looked too much and unreasonable. Thus, Shen Miao did not feel wronged because of Ji Fūrén's accusation.
Ji Fūrén finished talking to Shen Miao softly and a married woman in the main hall, however, smiled to Shen Miao, "Rui Qīnwángfēi had figured out that these days we came here to take a visit but unable to see Wángfēi. One thought that Wángfēi was very upset that Qīnwáng is bedridden and thus did not come out as one was very worried and feared that something would happen. Now that one sees that Wángfēi is alright, we are rest assured."
These words were outwardly and covertly indicating that Shen Miao was considered as incompetent as Rui Qīnwángfēi. As a Wángfēi, her husband was seriously injured but she did not even show her face and did not stay by his bedside but also did not even greet the guest. Not only her whereabouts were cryptic, but she was also cold-hearted and did not have a heart.
Ji Fūrén's expression was somewhat unsightly. Shen Miao smiled gently and said to that Fūrén after turning around, "The household is in chaos. One has bothered Fūrén." The meaning of the words was, these were matters of my residence so one would not need you outsiders to care.
Shen Miao was a person who would be strong when confronted with strength and would yield to enigmatic and unpredictable people like Xie Jing Xing. She did not think too much for a female with few brains, so her words were particularly sarcastic, leaving the Fūrén speechless.
But upon turning, her appearance was clearly exposed to everyone. One heard another Fūrén crying out, "Rui Wángfēi, what is the matter with you? Why is one's clothes so dirty? Could it be that one has fallen down?" Afterwards, she then covered one's nose, showing an extremely uncomfortable look.
Ji Fūrén and Ji Dàrén were startled and even Tang Shu was stunned. Everyone's gaze in the hall was focused on Shen Miao and it was then that one discovered that Shen Miao's clothes were covered with dirt. It was unbearably dirty and upon a careful look, her hair was somewhat messy even though it was tidied out, one felt that it was somewhat a poor condition. Moreover, there was a strange smell on her body, like… Like the smell of fertiliser.
Those Fūrén were not very fond of having a foreigner to be the Rui Wángfēi and now they had a topic, they immediate started to spout nonsense, saying that Shen Miao was anxious and fell down or something.
Luo Tan heard it and her anger rose to three Zhangs (1 Zhang = 10 feet). Only she knew how Shen Miao have such an appearance but Shen Miao had warned her not to speak about the matter.
Tang Shu was a little taken aback. When he saw Shen Miao, he was completely preoccupied with other matters and ignored Shen Miao's appearance. Shen Miao had a dignified and noble appearance, and her clothes were meticulous, so she had never appeared so uncaring before. Ji Fūrén appeared embarrassed because Shen Miao was her nephew's wife, and criticising Shen Miao would be equivalent to slapping her own face.
Shen Miao's expression was the most indifferent in a frenzy of whispers because she didn't think there was anything wrong with it. These Fūrén were all xenophobic and had never considered her to be one of their own. They were very critical that no matter how noble she dressed, these people would not change their minds. As a result, she was unconcerned about her poor appearance in front of them.
After all, they would not have the relationships to sit down and drink tea together in the future.
Ji Fūrén wanted to say a few more words to smooth things over when they suddenly heard a male's laughter from outside the hall, "Li Xiōngdì is really talented. I cannot solve this nine interlink puzzle but you are able to solve it in less than an incense (modern timing: 15 mins). Other than my Sān Gē, no one is faster than you."
It was Ji Yu Shu's voice.
Then another voice could be heard. It sounded like a young male's voice, which was clear but a little low. The combination was somewhat unique. That person said, "It is Ji Xiōngdì that gave in. This lowly one would not dare to be compared with Rui Qīnwáng Diànxià."
Shen Miao's heart beat rapidly. Her heart tightened involuntarily to a bundle. That clear and low voice was very familiar to her, but she couldn't remember who it was, but it made her tremble. She lowered her gaze to her hands. Her sleeves were long and only her fingertips were exposed, but due to the busy night, it was somewhat bloody and was shaking violently at the moment.
At the next moment, Ji Yu Shu's voice sounded, "One must not say that. When my Sān Gē wakes, he will definitely want both of you to compete. Sān Gē likes intelligent people so if you go, Sān Gē would appreciate it a lot."
The curtain in the main hall was parted and two people walked out. Ji Yu Shu walked in front and when he saw Shen Miao, he was startled and ignored the presence of the Fūréns and walked up in two steps and greeted, "Sǎo sǎo." Then he said softly, "You are back. These days that you are not in, I asked Tie Yi but he refuses to tell me. Where exactly did you go?"
Shen Miao, on the other hand, remained silent and fixedly stared behind Ji Yu Shu.
That young male had the appearance of someone in their early twenties. His facial features were ordinary, and the ordinariness gave the impression that there was nothing special about him, but he had an inexplicably attractive gaze, and his entire body seemed to exude the aura of a 'intelligent person.' He was dressed in a pine rosin robe and green fabric boots, and his eyes were like the middle of a summer day, warm and intoxicating, but there was a faint enthusiasm.
Shen Miao's body swayed and nearly collapsed. Luo Tan quickly supported her waist behind her, believing that she had been too tired the night before and would be unable to support her now.
Ji Fūrén saw that young person and said, "This is one of the benefactors that saved Jing Xing, Li Gōngzǐ."
The young male bowed towards Shen Miao and smiled, "This lowly one is…"
"Li Ke."
Shen Miao was screaming in her heart thousands of times. She would never forget this name or these seemingly warm and childlike eyes that had become Fu Xiu Yi's right arm in a matter of years and almost claimed to be Pei Lang's equal. Li Ke was Mei Fūrén's blooded younger brother.
She had no idea that after such a long time, she would still be able to see this man in front of her. But it was in an unfamiliar country, in her home, in front of a room full of people, that Li Ke appeared in grandiose fashion in front of her.
Her face turned pale, and she kept reminding herself that she couldn't make any strange moves in front of these Fūréns, while staring fiercely at Li Ke. She despised the fact that she couldn't rip this person apart, drink his blood, and eat his flesh.
Mei Fūrén's brother. It was because of this pair of siblings that her previous lifetime was so terrifying. Mei Fūrén had won Fu Xiu Yi's heart, and Li Ke was promoted as a result of her success. Le Ke was always at Fu Xiu Yi's beck and call, and Mei Fūrén was even more favoured because she had her back against a large tree. Mei Fūrén would think of ways to get Wan Yu married, while Li Ke would think of ways to get rid of the Crown Prince. Fūrén executed the first household of the Shen family, while Li Ke developed close relationships with the second and third households, Shen Gui and Shen Wan.
In both the previous and current lifetimes, one was unable to escape this dreadful fate. Shen Miao had never imagined that they would become Xie Jing Xing's benefactors.
She suddenly remembered Tang Shu saying it was a "pair of siblings."
For a brief moment, Ji Fūrén was perplexed by Shen Miao's ferocious gaze. She asked, "Jiao Niáng…"
"Isn't there two benefactors?" Shen Miao smiled gently and slowly moved her gaze away. She did not notice the weird tone that she was using, "Where is the other one?
"Just now a maid spilt tea onto her so I let her change her clothes. Jiao Niáng have a lot of clothes and there are no other female's clothes in the residence, it is not good to take a maid's one, so I took one of Jiao Niáng's clothes." Ji Fūrén said.
Just as she was speaking, one saw Ji Yu Shu speaking as he looked out the door, "Coming."
That lady had a lotus face and a willow figure as if she were a fairy. She entered slowly, wearing a thin robe. As she parted the curtain, the afternoon sun came in, making this Young Lady even more beautiful. Her dazzling and magnificent light smile was the last thing Shen Miao saw before her death.
Shen Miao stood in the middle of the room, her clothes are unkempt and her figure was sad. Her skin was pale, but she was staring at that female as if she were a hungry wolf, a tiger, or a poisonous snake waiting for an opportunity to strike.
That person dressed in her clothes, came to her house, saved her husband, and then strutted around in front of her.
Enemies in a previous lifetime and despised to death in this lifetime The foul fate could not be broken and even became more chaotic as it was pushed back into the wheels of fate.
"Mei Niáng greets Wángfēi Niángniáng." The female said.
Mei Niang?
No. You are not Mei Niang. You were... The Emperor of Ming Qi, Fu Xiu Yi's heart, and the Consort Mother of the new Crown Prince, Fu Chen.
And also one's enemy that one absolutely could not live under the same sky with, Mei Fūrén.