Ji Fūrén smiled, "This gūniáng who brought the herb out is Li Mei."
Shen Miao stared at her.
Mei Fūrén was able to be favoured in the Inner Palace for so many years and had Fu Chen appointed as the new Crown Prince despite the fact that there were seventy-two consorts in the three Palaces and six courtyards, and none of them was easy to deal with, because Fu Xiu Yi only favoured her. She was not someone a normal woman could deal with. Those who were more beautiful than she was not as intelligent as she, and those who were more intelligent than she was not as beautiful as she. She knew when to push forward and when to back down. She was obviously one with schemes, but she always gave the impression of being herself. She was arrogant but knew her proprieties; she was beautiful but knew when to show it. The concubines in the Inner Palace would always joke behind her back that if she wanted, she could have all the males under Heaven surrender to her skirt.
Shen Miao's clothes were on her when she entered, and despite the fact that they were dignified and somewhat conservative, she wore them very lively and natural, making Shen Miao look even worse.
Mei Fūrén had a pair of extremely flattering eyes that had the carefree laziness of a cat who had just woken up from an afternoon nap. Shen Miao stared at her for so long that she couldn't help but look at Shen Miao in surprise, which was not polite.
Ji Fūrén and Ji Yu Shu, who were standing closest to her, noticed her surprise. They both looked at Shen Miao at the same time and were taken aback by her expression. However, Shen Miao lowered her head in the next second, and when she lifted her head again, it was with a gentle smile, as if what had happened before was an illusion.
"She is a neat person." Shen Miao said lightly.
Tang Shu couldn't help but frown. Shen Miao's voice sounded like it came from a person from the Palace. No. Like those official wives who are picky and contemptuous of the concubines who have just entered the residence. But Shen Miao was not the type to cause an unnecessary commotion. She hadn't even considered Lu Wan-er, so how could she be sensitive and jealous of someone she met for the first time?
Luo Tan sighed in her heart. Tang Shu previously stated that the pair of siblings had an outstanding appearance, and she did not think too much when she saw Li Ke and only felt that he looked pleasing, but after seeing Li Mei, she realised what feeling she had. Luo Tan had always felt that Shen Miao was the most outstanding female she knew. Shen Miao exuded a dignified air from her bones that even females would envy. This Li Mei, on the other hand, had a completely different atmosphere. If Shen Miao was a large peony in bloom, the king of flowers, this female is a poppy, as there is a strong temptation, devilishly charming and beautiful.
Shen Miao said, "Li Gūniáng is Great Liang citizen?"
"Exactly so." Li Mei looked at Shen Miao strangely and smiled, "It's just that one just came to Long Ye."
"Li Gūniáng and Li Xiānshēngcame from Qin province." Ji Fūrén smiled, "When they first arrived in Long Ye, they saw the notice on the city gates and saved Xie Jing Xing's life."
"Saw the notice when one just arrived?" Shen Miao looked at Li Mei with a smile but not a smile, "Is that to say that Diànxià has good luck? Or it is to say that Li Gūniáng has good fortune?"
This time, everyone in the room heard the subtle hostility from Shen Miao. Li Mei was stunned and Li Ke took a step forward and bowed toward Shen Miao with a smile, "Since Qīnwáng Diànxià is alright, Zàixià (this lowly one) and Jiějiě would take leave first. One had disturbed the residence for these days and one has offended."
Li Ke's words were not humble, and he appeared to be indignant as a result of Shen Miao's words. Ji Fūrén was taken aback and did not have the opportunity to ask Shen Miao any questions about what was going on when she stopped Li Ke and Li Mei, "What disturbance are you talking about? You have saved Jing Xing's life so how could one say it is offending? Speaking of which, we have not repaid…"
However, Li Mei smiled, "Ji Fūrén, previously one had said before that one came here for the first time and it was because of coincidence. One did not think too much. This herb was to detoxify poison and save lives and both me and my Dìdì have no use for it. It is useless for one to keep holding on to it so one would naturally use it to save another. It can be considered as the herb has a fate with Qīnwáng Diànxià and nothing more else could be said."
The other Fūréns who were at the hall were clicking their tongue in wonder as she had a beautiful appearance and a good temper. It was rare to be that generous and not be greedy for power. Seeing that she was a good person, they then looked at Shen Miao, who was unfathomably making things difficult for others. She really did not have the bearing of a Rui Qīnwángfēi.
Li Mei then looked at Shen Miao and said apologetically, "It is just that Mín Nǚ (aka this female commoner) had dirtied one's clothes and thus wore Wángfēi's clothes. May Wángfēi not mind it. This Mín Nǚ will wash it clean and personally return it to Wángfēi. There would not be a trace of it being worn." (HidAnas: Clarification time!! '民女' is actually translated to 'PingNui' but the correct Hanyu Pinyin for it is 'Mín Nǚ'. And the original text I tell you is so confusing I had to restructure the sentence to get the understanding of the conversation… haishhh….)
Shen Miao looked at her fixedly.
Shen Miao first saw Mei Fūrén when she returned to Ming Qi from Qin country. She had expected to see many concubines, but Mei Fūrén was the only one with a son. She did not believe that a cold personality like Fu Xiu Yi would prefer a female so much, but after seeing her, she could not deny it.
Mei Fūrén was greatly favoured by Fu Xiu Yi, so she never lowered her head when she saw Shen Miao from the start. Even if her head was lowered, it was a pointless gesture that no one would appreciate. Even though Shen Miao was the Empress, Mei Fūrén was always ranked higher than her in the Inner Palace, just as Fu Chen was always preferred over Fu Ming.
At the moment, the one who was always lifting her chin lightly and looking at her with mockery but always maintained a humble demeanour and kept calling herself a 'Mín Nǚ' and referring to her as 'Wángfēi'.
The world was so large that one could repeat one's life twice, but it was also so small that one could still meet the enemies of the previous lifetime in both lifetimes.
Li Mei felt awkward because Shen Miao did not respond. She smiled softly and wanted to pull Li Ke away. Ji Fūrén wanted to persuade, but this was Prince Rui's residence, and Shen Miao was the matriarch, so she had no reason to go over Shen Miao and make the decision.
"Stop." Shen Miao suddenly spoke.
Li Ke and Li Mei was startled. Both of them turned around but saw Shen Miao smiling as gentle as water, "Since one has saved Qīnwáng, one is the benefactor of Rui Qīnwáng Residence. For these two to leave now, is it to let others say that the Rui Qīnwáng Residence's people backstab others and are indifferent towards others?"
"How could one say that Rui Qīnwáng Residence is indifferent?" Li Mei shook her head and smiled, "This is our intention."
"One has to wait till Qīnwáng Diànxià fully recovers before leaving." Shen Miao smiled gently, "Else, the Qīnwáng Residence could not afford to bear matters that are halfway done."
The words implied that there were still some reservations about the situation. Where could they find them if the herb story was false and Xie Jing Xing relapsed?
Ji Fūrén and Ji Yu Shu felt somewhat embarrassed. Shen Miao was not an aggressive person; why was she so aggressive in the presence of these two siblings? They were the ones who benefited, so one could not have that attitude. Even if one had doubts in one's heart, there was no need to speak up.
Shen Miao, on the other hand, knew that these two siblings would not stay because of the Prince Rui Residence's gratitude, but because of the Qīnwáng's Residence's suspicion.
Because their goal in life was to leave a good name even if they did something bad. They didn't allow any dirt on themselves, so how could they allow anyone to splash dirty water on them?
Sure enough, as soon as the words were said, Li Ke had a look of indignant, "Don't worry, we will definitely be here to witness Qīnwáng Diànxià recover."
Shen Miao smiled gently, "That is even better. Qīnwáng Residence owes you such a 'Kindness', if one does not stay, how can we 'Repay' it."
This ambiguous attitude made one feel somewhat confused, first with suspicion and then with repaying the favour. Li Mei gave her a thoughtful look, and Shen Miao noticed her gaze and smiled, "I still have other matters and will not accompany everyone here." She then said to Ji Fūrén, "May Yímǔ help me to look after all the Fūréns." She looked like she was leaving when she seemed to have thought of something and stopped in front of Le Mei and smiled, "This dress seems to suit you as if this was made for you. Since it is suitable, then there is no need to take off and return me. Just take it as me gifting it to you."
Shen Miao stated that the clothing was a gift, but it did not appear to be a gift of clothing but rather bestowing something. Even Tang Zhu, who was normally smooth and slick, was perplexed by Shen Miao's strange actions today. He only looked at Luo Tan after Shen Miao had left.
"Don't ask me, I too do not know," Luo Tan said, sticking out her tongue. She then turned around and continued on her way.
Ji Fūrén looked somewhat apologetically toward Li Mei and Li Ke, "Wángfēi has been worried about Qīnwáng's condition for these days and most likely is somewhat sensitive. One hope that you will pardon it."
"One naturally can understand a sincere heart." Li Mei smiled gently.
"Then let's go inside to chat." Ji Fūrén smiled.
Ji Yu Shu also looked at Li Ke and hesitated for a bit before saying, "Li Xiōng, please."
When Shen Miao returned to the room, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were happy to see her return and went up, "Fūrén, you have finally returned! These days, núbìmen (these servants) were so anxious and feared that something happened to you."
After seeing that Shen Miao was in such a poor condition, both of them could not help but be stunned. Jing Zhe asked, "Fūrén… What is going on? Did one suffer any grievances?"
Shen Miao's clothes were so filthy and untidy that they were surprisingly unsightly. A closer examination reveals a sense of sorrow and loss as if one has suffered a significant blow.
It was Gu Yu that was quick-witted and said, "Fūrén, núbì will get some water for you. You can first wash up before drinking some hot porridge. Since Diànxià is alright, it is not too late to rest before slowly thinking about the matter." She then pulled Jing Zhe to bring hot water over for Shen Miao.
Shen Miao sat in the wooden tub and sent them away after the hot water was brought over. The water was warm and just right, but Shen Miao felt as cold as snow.
How did Mei Fūrén end up in Great Liang? How could one become Xie Jing Xing's benefactor by mistake? She had been through a lot and did not kill her at first sight because this was Prince Rui's residence and she could not explain her actions.
Regardless of how much she endured, her slightly different appearance caught the attention of others. She had no idea what other people thought of her. One feared that these people would suspect her of being jealous or something. Shen Miao, on the other hand, was curious as to how Mei Fūrén ended up in Great Liang.
When Shen Miao went to be a hostage in Qin country in the past, Mei Fūrén had already entered the Palace when she returned. One had heard that Mei Fūrén was an official's daughter whom Fu Xiu Yi had met en route to the East. However, because Fu Xiu Yi had not yet embarked on an expedition to the East, he had not yet met Mei Fūrén, who was currently in Great Liang.
Could the Mei Fūrén from the previous lifetime have also visited Great Liang? According to this timeline, Mei Fūrén had previously met Xie Jing Xing before meeting Fu Xiu Yi?
So, how did Mei Fūrén become Fu Xiu Yi's favoured Consort? How would she go to Ming Qi... Unless this was also the intention of Xie Jing Xing? Shen Miao couldn't help but break out in cold sweat.
In the previous lifetime, the 'her' had never met Xie Jing Xing and had not followed Xie Jing Xing to Long Ye. Xie Jing Xing did not attend the Ming Qi's Tribute Banquet, Shen Miao was Fu Xiu Yi's wife, Xie Jing Xing was unconscious in Long Ye, as he is now, and Mei Fūrén and his younger brother passed by and saved him. They should not be hostile to one another after that... So, if Mei Fūrén was Great Liang's people before becoming Ming Qi's Emperor's favoured consort. Could she have been a spy as well?
Similarly, Xie Jing Xing was Great Liang's Prince of First Rank but also the residence of the Marquis of Lin An's Little Marquis of Ming Qi. Could Mei Frén have been a spy sent over by Great Liang?
In this case, Mei Fūrén does not need to give birth to Fu Chen for Fu Xiu Yi and has even gotten Fu Chen the position of Crown Prince.
Her brow furrowed even more. In comparison, the thing she was most afraid of was if the previous life Mei Fūrén and Xie Jing Xing's relationship was one of allies. If Mei Fūrén was someone sent over by the Great Liang Imperial family, Shen Miao's demise was inextricably linked to the Imperial family of Great Liang. She would never be able to reclaim Fu Ming and Wan Yu, so how would she handle the relationship between Xie Jing Xing and herself?
Shen Miao was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she had no idea when the water became cold. It wasn't until Jing Zhe became concerned and knocked on the doors to call her that Shen Miao awoke, complaining that the water was too cold. Before leaving, she wiped herself dry and changed her clothes. When she looked over, the first thing she noticed was Luo Tan.
Luo Tan came forward and asked, "Xiǎo biǎomèi, do you not like that Li Mei?"
Shen Miao said, "Why do you say that?"
"You always treated others very politely but towards this Li Mei, you are very strange, just like how you treated Cang Zai Qing." Luo Tan thought for a moment, "That Cang Zai Qing at the end was not a good person so could it be that this Li Mei is also not one? Speaking of which, one feels that compared to Cang Zai Qing, you seemed to dislike this Li Mei even more."
Shen Miao used a dry handkerchief to wring her hair and said faintly, "If I say that she is a bad person, would you believe?"
"She is really a bad person?" Luo Tan was startled, "But it does not look like it."
Shen Miao shook her head. No matter what she said, as there was no evidence, everything was of no use. She then said, "You can return."
Luo Tan was stunned, "You are not taking a look at Mèifū?"
Shen Miao paused and said, "One is very tired today and wants to sleep early."
"Alright." Luo Tan nodded her head, "These days you have run around long enough and even got much thinner. It is better that one rest well now. I will not disturb you any longer." After thinking she then said, "If you think that there is something wrong with that Li Mei, you can talk to me. In this Great Liang, only both of us have the same blood in our bones."
After Luo Tan left, Shen Miao's expression got cold as she said to Jing Zhe, "Call Mo Qing over for me."
She rarely use such a serious tone and especially today, there was a faint murderous aura. It made Jing Zhe and Gu Yu dared not ask an additional question and left to search without a second word.
Mo Qing quickly walked over. Shen Miao instructed others to close the doors and when there was no one around, she asked Mo Qing, "Where is that jiě dì staying in the residence?"
Mo Qing had thought that Shen Miao had something to instruct him and thus was slightly startled by the question, "In an empty house in a far away courtyard."
"Go and kill them for me." Shen Miao said.
Mo Qing was dumbfounded.
Mo Qing had always seen Shen Miao's situation as an abyss of suffering since following her. There would often be people plotting and arrows shooting from all directions, but Shen Miao had never lost. All of her instructions to Mo Qing had been based on paying an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but today was the first time she directly said, 'go and kill them for me.'
Mo Qing looked at Shen Miao and hesitated for quite a while before finally asking, "Fūrén, they…"
"I have animosity with them that one cannot live under the same sky with a deep-seated hatred. If these two people are not removed, there will be endless problems. Go and kill them for me." She said.
Mo Qing had not responded when a voice outside the window said, "This is not a good plan."
Both of them looked up and saw that in Jing Zhe's haste, she did not close the window, and because of the dark skies, one did not realise there was a person standing there. It was Pei Lang.
Shen Miao motioned for him to enter, and as Pei Lang entered, he looked at Mo Qing before shaking his head at Shen Miao, "It is not a good plan to kill another hastily."
Shen Miao gave him a cold stare. Mei Fūrén's appearance reminded her of all the dark days she had gone through, so she did not think well of Pei Lang.
Pei Lang inexplicably touched his nose and coughed twice before continuing, "That pair of jiě dì is currently staying at the Qīnwáng's Residence, so if one were to kill them now, for whatever reason or by relations, it would not be unrelated to the Qīnwáng's Residence." How could others believe that such a large Qīnwáng's Residence with countless guards could not protect a pair of jiě dì? They would only say that it was done by people in the Qīnwáng's Residence."
"Secondly, you have done too much today, and you probably have no idea that the rumours outside are that you are jealous of Li Mei's beauty, and your purpose has made things difficult for her. Previously, I had no idea why you were so, but after learning that you have a grudge against the jiě dì, I understood. You should not show your animosity toward them because if it is seen by others, you will be the first person to be suspected if something happens to this pair of jiě dì."
"Third, you told Mo Qing to kill them for you. This meant you didn't trust anyone, including Rui Qīnwáng's subordinates. But is Mo Qing really a rival to the other guards in this house? Even if Mo Qing's martial arts skills are exceptional, two hands cannot defeat four arms. Once he is apprehended, Rui Qīnwáng will undoubtedly question you, and since you let Mo Qing take action without informing Rui Qīnwáng, there must be a reason that cannot be revealed to others. Your secret could no longer be hidden once it was discovered."
"Thus, this is not a good plan." Pei Lang said it all in one breath.
Shen Miao stared at him for a while and suddenly smiled as she said, "Pei Xiānshēng, why are you forever this rational?" Not waiting for Pei Lang to speak, she smiled coldly, "Yes, if you are not rational and not above worldly matters, how would one be above others?"
Pei Lang somewhat unable to understand her words but heard Shen Miao continuing, "You are not wrong, since it is as such, I cannot kill them in the Qīnwáng's Residence. Moreover, by letting them die so plainly and straightforwardly, it would be letting them off too lightly."
Mo Qing did not speak and Shen Miao said to him, "Go out. First go and investigate for me. I want to know every detail of this pair of jiě dì. No matter is too small."
Mo Qing complied and left.
Shen Miao took a deep breath. With one enemy in front but one could not take action at this moment, it was like her heart and lunch were so uncomfortable that she wanted to vent it out onto others.
After Mo Qing left, Pei Lang looked at Shen Miao and after thinking for a while, he asked, "You are deeply resentful towards this pair of jiě dì."
Shen Miao sneered, "Where does these words stem from?"
"One had not seen you wanting another's life that straightforwardly." He looked at Shen Miao somewhat enquiringly, "This meant that you have some restraining fear and vigilance towards them. Is this pair of jiě dì… Very powerful?"
Shen Miao's heart jumped and when she look at Pei Lang in front, there was a burst of anger in her heart, "Why does Pei Xiānshēng always see another's heart clearly? Then do you know what kind of deep animosity I have with them?"
"Are you willing to tell me?"
"They owe me two lives that I cannot get back." Shen Miao said, "It is not enough to compensate even if they are killed ten thousand times."
Pei Lang was shocked by the ferociousness in Shen Miao eyes and he said, "I can help you."
Shen Miao stared at him, "On what basis should I trust you?"
These words made Pei Lang somewhat surprised. Previously, he had clearly felt that Shen Miao attitude towards him had eased and she became open about some matters and one felt that the relationship between both of them was not as tense as before. However, the current Shen Miao was like hedgehog that has extended all their thorns. The attitude towards him had returned like in the past and in fact was even more alienating that before.
It was as if they were enemies.
Pei Lang knew that this was definitely related to that pair of siblings. He thought about it before asking again, "One heard that that pair of jiě dì are Great Liang people and previously you have never been to Great Liang and had never seen both of them before. So how would one form such a deep hatred with them?"
"Pei Xiānshēng." Shen Miao interrupted his words, "Things that can be told to you, I have all said clearly. What kind of attitude I have towards this pair of jiě dì, you are also very clear about it. I do not expect Pei Xiānshēng to strategise for me on it but hope that Pei Xiānshēng do not intervene and even tell this matter to others."
Suddenly, a difficult-to-explain anger burst in Pei Lang's heart. He also was arrogant and was willing to spend the rest of his life like while stock or floating clouds but was involved in matters of the court by Shen Miao who was using Liu Ying and became Fu Xiu Yi's people before inexplicably becoming a spy and had to escape to another country. He also had the urge to turn around and leave when a sincere heart was greatened as ill-conceived speculation. However, seeing Shen Miao's indifference and cold eyes, he could not feel angry.
It was like upon seeing her, one would feel some inexplicable guilt.
He paused and said, "You do not trust me."
Shen Miao coldly replied, "I do not believe in anyone."
After Pei Lang left, Shen Miao sat back at the front of the table and used all the strength but she felt very weak.
Li Mei and Li Ke stayed in the Residence of Prince Rui with which an identity. She could not kill them but could only trap them in this Qīnwáng's Residence. Her deep seated hatred must be avenged else, she would not be worthy for being the mother of her two children.
Just as she was thinking, Jing Zhe pushed open the doors and said to Shen Miao, "Fūrén, Diànxià just woke up and wants to see Fūrén."
Shen Miao was startled and a complex expression appeared on her face before she spoke, "I understand."
The Imperial family of Great Liang. Xie Jing Xing. Mei Fūrén and younger brother. Shen Miao had guess all possible relationship between all of them and the more one think, the scarier she felt. If all those scary possibilities became facts, Shen Miao did not know what kind of reaction she should do.
Mei Fūrén's presence had disturbed her plans and mood that she could not even face Xie Jing Xing. She feared that others would be able to see the resentment in her heart and feared that Xie Jing Xing would verify the scary thoughts in her heart.
There was a strong scent of medication that slowly came out from the sleeping chambers and the servants coming and going were busy with matters on hand. Xie Jing Xing had woken up and there are more areas that one had to pay attention to and his condition had to be maintained well. Gao Yang walked out carrying his medical box and when he saw Shen Miao, he was stunned, "He just woke up and in the morning when he woke up once, he asked about you. His wounds are not healed so give in to him."
Shen Miao complied and pushed the doors to enter.
Xie Jing Xing was only wearing his inner clothes and had a coat covering him as he leaned against the bed to read. One did not know if it was due to the injuries or not, these days he looked slimmer and his figure was more distinct. When he was quiet, he looked like some family's noble gentleman that was reading elegantly. One could not see any traces that he had walked along the lines of life and death during the past few days.
Shen Miao wanted to go in but as her feet took the first step, she was somewhat hesitant, as if with this step, she would be facing a problem she dared not face. She feared the answer and instinctively wanted to escape from it.
However, in life, one could not escape problems forever.
Xie Jing Xing did not lift his eyes as he said lightly, "Since one is here, why not come in?"
Shen Miao paused and clenched her fist before entering slowly. She only sat down when she was nearer to the bed and said, "Are you better? One heard from Tang Shu that you are already awake and thought that you needed to rest, thus one did not interrupt."
Most likely Xie Jing Xing was not fully recovered as his throat was still hoarse. He suddenly smiled and one did not know what tone it was when he said, "This is interesting."
Shen Miao looked toward him but his gaze was still on the book and his voice was somewhat cold.
"You do not dare to look at me?"
"How could it be?" Shen Miao smiled gently, "Is one confused due to the illness?"
Xie Jing Xing also smiled gently but the smile did not reach his eyes. He closed the book with a smack and threw the book to a side before turning his head over. He looked at Shen Miao for the first time since she entered.
His gaze was sharp and there was some faint anger in them as he asked, "Shen Miao, is it that if I did not instruct people to call you, you will not come over at all?"