Zaza: It is very painful to see all the misunderstandings between the couple and all of our Empress's insecurities surfacing. I understand both sides' viewpoints and also understand why they are doing what they are doing. This is something they had to go through and there is no way out of it. I just cannot bear to see our couple like this.
HidAnas: I know right? But I understand where she is coming from with all these feelings… She's so confused as to how she should process all the information at hand and if the people she trusted and loved could be the cause of her miseries…
"Shen Miao, is it that if I did not instruct people to call you, you will not come over at all?"
The atmosphere in the room got cold. His gaze was as sharp as a knife and even though his face was pale, his visor was not weakened.
Shen Miao said, "You have really thought too much."
"Do you have any matters that are concealed from me?" Xie Jing Xing asked.
Shen Miao shook her head, "No." How to say it? In all fairness, this lifetime was completely different from the previous one and Xie Jing Xing might not have anything to do with Mei Fūrén. However, when Fu Ming and Wan Yu were implicated, she could not see this matter objectively and rationally.
If she did not have any affection for Xie Jing Xing, perhaps it would be much easier. The most fearful thing was that emotions complicate matters. Hate would not be hate, love would not be love and at the end, it would breed countless fears and one would not have any courage to face the issue in front.
Xie Jing Xing looked at her deeply and Shen Miao feared that her hidden thoughts could be seen and said, "Since your health is better, one should rest more. The night is long, sleep early after taking the medication." She then stood up and turn around to leave.
"You just cannot wait to leave?" Xie Jing Xing's voice was heard from behind and it seemed to consist of some invisible grievances, "One heard that these few days you have not come over to see me. However, the first thing I thought when I opened my eyes was that you must be frightened." His lips twitched as his eyes hang down, "It is me that imagined too many emotions."
Shen Miao did not say anything and pushed the doors to walk out. After taking a few steps, she stopped.
Xie Jing Xing would definitely notice her abnormalities and with his level of sensitivity, if he discover it, then she would not be able to explain her secret. The matter of Chang Zai Qing was related to her family but this Li Mei and her brother had never been encountered by her and they were Xie Jing Xing's benefactors. It was because everyone in Long Ye knew about it, so nothing could happen to Li Mei and her brother as suspicion would be on her and it would also drag the residence of Prince Rui into the mud.
On the other hand, even though this would bring about calamity, letting them live in this lifetime for an additional moment was torture for Shen Miao. Thus, she felt it was necessary to eradicate the enemies of her past lifetime. This was also related to Xie Jing Xing so Shen Miao felt that she had finally encountered her greatest problem after coming to Great Liang for this long.
Ba Jiao brought a bowl of medicine over and was startled when she saw Shen Miao, "Why did Fūrén come out so quickly? Why not accompany Zhǔzi for a while?"
"There is no need." Shen Miao said, "Take good care of him." She then walked forward without turning her head back.
Two days later, Mo Qing brought the information that he had inquired about to Shen Miao.
He said, "This pair of jiě dì are from Qin Province and are the children of a merchant family but they were adopted. This merchant family's Fūrén died early and the Dàrén died of illness not too long ago. Before his death, he told them that both of them were not his biological children, thus after they have buried their adopted Father, they came to Long Ye in search of their family. However, there were not many clues."
"That is not possible." Shen Miao stood up.
Mo Qing said, "One could only inquire about this much information. This subordinate instructed people to inquire about it at Qin Province's side and the entire neighbourhood all knew of them and watch the jiě dì grow up."
"Are you sure that Li Mei had never been to Ming Qi?" Unconsciously Shen Miao's fingernails were buried in her palm.
"She had never gone for a trip and this was her first time leaving Qin Province." Mo Qing said.
Shen Miao closed her eyes.
"These two days, Li Mei and Li Ke are in Qīnwáng Residence and they would occasionally go to the Ji Residence to talk with Ji Fūrén. Nothing else happened."
Shen Miao asked, "Then have they seen Diànxià?"
"That did not happen. Without being summoned, no one can see Diànxià. Even a benefactor would not be able to do so." Mo Qing answered.
"I understand. You can withdraw and continue monitoring this pair of jiě dì. Tell me immediately if there are any movements." Shen Miao said.
Mo Qing complied and withdrew.
After Mo Qing left, Shen Miao sat back down on the chair and her gaze gradually became heavy.
Since Mo Qing inquired about it then it would not be wrong at all. However, the information that was inquired was different with the past lifetime as she had suddenly changed from Ming Qi's official's daughter to Great Liang's merchant's children. This was indeed strange. It was either this pair of siblings was very good in concealing that their background was so clean that nothing was out of place.
As such, even if she was to tell Ji Fūrén that these two people had bad intentions, no one would believe her. Who would believe if a pair of merchant siblings that grew up in Qin Province came to Long Ye for the first time to search for relatives would harm the Prince residence?
She got up. She initially wanted to take a look at Xie Jing Xing but after thinking that Li Mei and brother were currently living in the same roof with the position of Xie Jing Xing's benefactors and might possibily have a connection with Great Liang's Imperial family in the last lifetime, she felt that it was difficult to face him.
At the end she did not take that step out.
*****
Wei Yang Palace.
After Empress Xian De heard the palace maid finish speaking, she finally gave a sigh of relief and there was a light smile on her expression, "Since one has woken up, it means that the danger has passed. Someone come and sent two of Běngōng's hundred years old ginseng to Qīnwáng Residence to booster one's health." Afterwards she suddenly thought of something and said, "Is Huáng aware of the matter?"
"Bìxià is aware." The palace maid said with a smile.
"Good. Běngōng will talk to him about it." After speaking, Empress Xian De started to get up.
But the palace maid spoke hesitantly, "Bìxià is currently at Jing Fēi Niángniáng's… Most likely celebrating…"
Empress Xian De's action paused before she smiled gently, "As such then Běngōng do not need to go over." However, there was an undetectable trace of sadness.
"But Niángniáng, this servant had heard previously heard of a matter when Qinwang Diànxià woke up and heard some Fūrén discussing and said that…"
"What did they say?"
"They said that Qīnwángfēi did not like the Fūrén that saved Qīnwáng Diànxià's life and made things difficult. Perhaps it was due to the jealousy that the other party's beauty was superior to her or perhaps did not wish Qīnwáng Diànxià to be saved…" When she spoke to the end, her voice gradually became weak, seemingly knowing that the words she spoke were treacherous.
"What nonsense." Empress Xian De shouted, "How would Wángfēi not want Qīnwáng Diànxià to be saved?"
The palace maid was so scared that she did not dare to look up.
Empress Xian De calmed herself down after shouting out and said faintly, "They said that Wángfēi is jealous? Běngōng felt that they are only benefactors but are able to make such big waves. This pair of Fūrén is not ordinary people."
Wei Yang Palace gradually quietened down and no one spoke. Empress Xian De sat at the highest position and her gaze changed but she looked extremely lonely.
*****
For the past ten continuous days, Shen Miao kept to herself in the room to think carefully for a way that was the best of both worlds. She could not be sure that there wouldn't be any more issues in the future, though, no matter what her thoughts were. Shen Miao was unable to progress because Li Mei and her brother had suddenly emerged in her life at a crucial moment, putting her in a precarious position.
She had avoided Xie Jing Xing for the past 10 days on purpose. For the simple reason that whenever she looked at Xie Jing Xing, her thoughts would race with a plethora of unfounded suspicions. Shen Miao believed that their husband and wife fate would also end if Xie Jing Xing was related to the Li Mei and brother from a previous incarnation.
She was unable to carry on as if nothing had happened because of Wan Yu and Fu Ming.
When Shen Miao awoke this morning, her face was grim. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu noticed something was wrong with her and inquired several times. Shen Miao only elaborated halfheartedly, but her heart was anxious and doubtful.
She had a full night of dreams the night before. She had a dream of Kun Ning Palace in Ding capital, with Wan Yu and Fu Ming eating fruits and chatting leisurely in front of her. Blood began to flow from both Wan Yu's and Fu Ming's mouths as they spoke.She panicly called for the Imperial Physician but the when she raised her head, she saw Mei Fūrén and Fu Xiu Yi walk over. Fu Xiu Yi instructed people to bind her and threw her and uncertain living or dead Wan Yu and Fu Ming in the palace and set a fire to burn Kun Ning Palace to the ground.
The raging fire swallowed Kun Ning Palace and quickly engulfed Wan Yu and Fu Ming. She screamed heart-rending but saw Mei Fūrén smiling lightly, "You have lost."
Shen Miao abruptly awoke from his dream. During the summer, the sun rose early and seemed to have the heat of noon, causing one's eyes to dazzle. Shen Miao was drenched in cold sweat all over her body. Wan Yu's and Fu Ming's desperate looks, on the other hand, filled her entire mind and made her so restless that she couldn't sit properly.
She had just left the courtyard when she noticed Li Mei walking out.
When Li Mei saw Shen Miao, she came to a halt and bowed.
Shen Miao's eyes darken. Every time she met this female, she had to try her hardest not to kill her. Especially the dream the night before, she couldn't stop herself from reaching out and strangling the other party to death. Her fingernails were piercing her palms under her sleeves until they were slightly painful, so she could think clearly.
"Li Gūniáng, where are you going?" Shen Miao asked Li Mei. Her tone of voice was blunt and had an unfathomable meaning to it, which could not be hidden at all.
Li Mei smiled, "Diànxià just woke up and have summoned us jiě dì over. Èrdì has went over first. This Mínnǚ is about to rush over." She then looked at Shen Miao somewhat ashamed, "One has troubled the residence for many days and after seeing Qīnwáng Diànxià, this Mínnǚ plans to leave. Wángfēi Niángniáng has taken care of us for a long time and one have not yet said a word of thanks."
Shen Miao sneered in her heart. She had never instructed people to 'take care' of these two people so this should be Ji Fūrén's idea. In addition the entire residence saw that they saved Xie Jing Xing's life, thus they were even more polite to both of them.
"Why say words of leaving?" Shen Miao said indifferently, "We have yet to repay to you."
Li Mei shook her head, "We are here to search for relatives and since Diànxià has recovered, we should leave."
The corners of Shen Miao's lips pulled up but she did not bother to smile at all. She just could not believe that they were here to search for relatives. Who would know what they were here in Long Ye for?
Li Mei looked at Shen Miao and suddenly said, "Wángfēi Niángniáng, is there something that Mínnǚ has offended Niángniáng with? Niángniáng does not seem to like Mínnǚ."
In the end, these words were said. Shen Miao's attitude toward Li Mei was the most evident and visible from the start. Shen Miao had not seen any of Xie Jing Xing's benefactors since the first encounter. Shen Miao's actions had always been gentle, so she hadn't forgotten, but it was done on purpose. Others were perplexed as to why she did so.
"I indeed do not like you." Shen Miao's chin raised up. She could succumb to her enemies like a snake but could not do it to Mei Fūrén. She wanted to express her hate directly. If it wasn't because of the residence of Prince Rui or because she could not explain to Xie Jing Xing… She chuckled lightly, "Do you want to know why?"
Li Mei looked at her in confusion. That pair of flattering eyes were puzzled as if they contained some truthfulness, vastly different from the scornfulness in Shen Miao's memory.
"Instinct." Shen Miao said coldly. Then she did not turn back as she walked past Li Mei as she left with Jing Zhe and Gu Yu.
Li Mei stood in the same place for a while before shaking her head and leaving.
Shen Miao stood from afar as she saw her back view with an icy expression.
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu didn't dare to say anything. They didn't know why, but they had a feeling that when Shen Miao encountered this unfamiliar Li Mei, she would become exceedingly scary. That level of foreboding... It was something they had never experienced before with Shen Miao.
"About to leave?" Shen Miao said to herself softly before saying coldly, "Could one leave?" She then turned around, "Call Mo Qing over for me."
Mo Qing quickly came to Shen Miao's room, "Fūrén, this subordinate has something to report."
Shen Miao, "Put aside your matter first. I have a more important matter."
Mo Qing was in doubt, "May Fūrén speak."
"Go and kill Li Mei and Li Ke for me."
Mo Qing was startled.
Shen Miao said, "I have thought about it again and again and although this matter is not appropriate and it would bring disaster to the residence of Prince Rui, if these two people are not dead, they would be a bigger variable. I would rather bear the crime than let those two people be alive and become bigger trouble in the future. The claws of these two wolves have not grown yet and once they are grown, it would not be easy to get rid of them."
"I do not want to think if this matter can be done thoroughly or not and just want to ask you one thing. Do you have any ways to kill them?" Shen Miao asked softly. Her voice hovered in the air, as if from the depths of hell, but with a deep steadfastness.
The dream of Wan Yu and Fu Ming reminded her that she could not be indecisive. Because there was no best of both worlds, she should kill first and then consider the consequences. Currently, this pair of siblings only had the identity of a merchant's children, so killing them would be easier, but if they later found some backing, it would be even more difficult.
Furthermore, Li Mei stated today that they would be leaving Prince Rui's residence not long after. So, who would protect them after they left? Shen Miao believed that killing another person required careful consideration and thus could not be postponed. If Li Mei and Li Ke lived another day, she would be unable to let go of her heart and would begin to doubt Xie Jing Xing.
She chose to kill Li Mei and Li Ke in both her previous and current lifetimes. As to what kind of role the Imperial family of Great Liang played, she did not want to pursue it. This was the most she could do for Xie Jing Xing, and it would be her only concession.
Mo Qing suddenly knelt down, "This subordinate is unable to do it."
Shen Miao stared at him.
"This is the matter that this subordinate wants to speak to Fūrén about. One had just received information that the relative that Li Mei and her brother are looking for is this dynasty's Prime Minister, Ye Mao Cai. The Li jiě dì is Ye Fūrén's children." Mo Qing said, "The Ye family has already sent someone over."
Shen Miao stumbled a step back, "What did you say?"
"One is unable to do as charged by Fūrén. May Fūrén punish."
For a long time, the room was silent, and Mo Qing dared not to glance up. He wasn't sure why, but she could practically see the disappointment in Shen Miao's eyes, and it made him unwilling to look at what type of expression Shen Miao had as if he couldn't endure it, just helplessness.
One did not know how long has passed before Shen Miao's voice was heard. Her tone was exhausted as she said, "One does not blame you. They came prepared and my mind was not firm and the hesitation had caused one to miss the opportunity."
"But." Her voice suddenly became sharp, as if a sharp blade had appeared from a precious sheath and the murderous intent was sharpened, "Even though there is the Ye family, I must have that two lives."
The capital cities of Long Ye and Ding were different. Long Ye was in the south, thus the ideal season was during the summer, when the night was as cold as water, the stars were as bright as a silver river, and the wind and flowers were at their most lovely. Because Ding capital was in the north, the most beautiful landscape was during the winter, when the silver coat looked lovely.
Even in the most isolated courtyard, the breathtaking scenery could not be blocked. A cup of clear tea and a chest set looked to be the most delightful thing. The merely dressed male sat alone, enjoying himself as if he were in a verdant bamboo jungle.
When Shen Miao approached the courtyard, she observed this scenario.
Pei Lang was drinking tea and playing chess in front of the stone table. He did it repeatedly, and even after becoming National Advisor, his demeanour remained icy. Shen Miao had always believed that allowing Pei Lang into the court was a bad idea because, given Pei Lang's character, he would run like a wild crane. Reading, sages, chess, bamboo, and flowers were all exquisite, but what he did was courtly and for one's own profit.
"Pei Xiānshēng." Shen Miao sat down opposite him.
Pei Lang looked up and noticed Shen Miao, who astonished him. Shen Miao had unrelentingly and clearly defined their connection that day, and regardless of how tolerant Pei Lang was, he was a male with pride, and he did not take the effort to look for Shen Miao in these days. Furthermore, Shen Miao was not someone who would take the initiative to drop one's head, so when Shen Miao came in front of Pei Lang, he had some internal anguish.
"Previously, Pei Xiānshēng said that one would help me. Are those words valid?" Shen Miao did not intend to make friends with him or play chess and instead asked him directly.
"Which matter are you speaking of?" Pei Lang placed the teacup in his hands.
"Everything. But the current matter is that I want the lives of Li Mei and Dìdì."
"This is difficult." Pei Lang smiled bitterly.
"It is more difficult than you think." Shen Miao said, "These two jiě dì are affiliated to the Ye family and it is said that they are Ye Mao Cai's Érzi and Nǚ'ér. Most likely they would become Ye Mei and Ye Ke thus it is impossible to assassinate them. But I cannot let them off."
She used 'cannot' rather than 'do not want'. That was to say that no matter the case, she wanted the lives of these two siblings.
Pei Lang frowned, "But why must you want their lives?"
Shen Miao's smile was somewhat cold, "Not everything must have an answer. You ask me why but I want to ask another why. I cannot find the answer so how can I tell you?"
Pei Lang looked at the chess on the table and smiled, "I understand. I will not continue to ask you the reason but what do you want me to do?"
"It is not your element to kill another but I know your abilities." Shen Miao said, "Since they have become Ye Mei and Ye Ke, then the target to deal with is the Ye family. I want to deal with the Ye family and no one knows better than Pei Xiānshēng how to overthrow a family clan in court. I want you to be my advisor."
Pei Lang was startled and shook his head, "I do not understand what you mean. Although I followed Ding Wáng's side, I only suggest plans for political matters and have no experience in overthrowing one's enemies. Why do you say that?"
Shen Miao smiled gently, but her heart was convinced that she was already aware of it. Pei Lang appeared calm and elegant and had a noble and generous attitude, yet his tactics and techniques were absolutely wicked. Prince Zhou's people were like tigers watching their prey when Fu Xiu Yi ascended to the throne, plotting a comeback but were ultimately destroyed by Pei Lang's hands.
"I only ask you if you are helping or not?" Shen Miao asked.
Pei Lang sighed deeply, "The Ye family's current situation in Long Ye is precarious. Huángdì of Great Liang intended to deal with the Lu family through the Ye family. He had more control because the Ye family had no children. However, if two more children are born, the plans will be defective."
"The Ye family could defect, fight alongside the Lu family, or join forces with the royal family to deal with the Lu family. The presence of Ye Mei and Ye Ke is a difficult subject in and of itself. The attitude of the royal family toward the Ye family will influence the Ye family's attitude toward the royal family. The royal family should not respond hastily at this moment, therefore they will be more respectful to the Ye family. And you are wángfēi of Rui Qīnwáng's mansion, Rui Qīnwáng being Huángdì's bāo dì and a member of the royal family. You demand the lives of the Ye jiě dì, but Huángdì of Great Liang will not consent."
Shen Miao stared at him, "I naturally know of this thus I want you to think of ways for the Imperial family to take the initiative to deal with the Ye family."
"Whoever take the initiative would be the one who loses. The Imperial family is observing, much less the Ye family. If you really want the lives of the Ye Fūrén, one must search for the Ye family's fault and grasp the Ye family's mistake and preferably provoke disharmony between the Ye family and the Imperial family."
Shen Miao asked, "Then what about the Lu family?"
Pei Lang paused.
"What if I let the Lu and Ye family fight with one another?"
Pei Lang shook his head, "You… thought of protecting the Qīnwáng residence like this? But I must advise you that it is not possible to have the best of both worlds. The Lu family are not fools and at such a time would not fight with the Ye family."
Shen Miao said, "I understand."
"You will not hesitate to offend the Imperial family to deal with the Ye family?" Pei Lang frowned, "If you really oppose the Imperial family then the relationship between you and Rui Qīnwáng…" Would be filled with suspicions. Pei Lang did not continue. Even though he was very curious about Shen Miao's attitude towards Ye Mei and brother that was so unyielding.
What did Ye Mei and her brother do?
"I do not have another route to take." Shen Miao's eyes hung down, "Perhaps I do not have any fate with the Imperial family." In the last lifetime and this lifetime, she could not escape being the sacrifice of the Imperial power. But so what about it?
"How do you plan to create disharmony?" Pei Lang asked.
"This is exactly what I need to discuss with you." Shen Miao said.
Great Liang's battle was unlike Ming Qi's in that she was unfamiliar with the various forces of power in Long Ye and her knowledge was limited. She couldn't face Xie Jing Xing directly, but she couldn't let her enemies live well under her eyelids either. Even if she had to burn both the jade and the common stone, she had to avenge Wan Yu and Fu Ming.
Pei Lang was her only ally.
Pei Lang was the best at strategizing, planning, and analysing the situation in court. This National Advisor's best skill was to provoke them against one another without leaving any traces. She desired to join forces with Pei Lang in order to obtain these two lives. Even though the Ye siblings had strong support, she wanted to undermine it.
This discussion lasted until late at night.
It was already late when Shen Miao wanted to return to her courtyard, and she was accompanied only by Jing Zhe and Gu Yu. When she returned to the courtyard, she pushed the doors open and entered the room, pausing to turn her head over as she was about to remove her outerwear. Xie Jing Xing was sitting in front of her study table, holding his chest and flipping through the pages of a book.
"Why have you come over?" Shen Miao asked, "You… Can get out of bed?"
Today, Xie Jing Xing was supposed to meet with Li Mei and her brother, but Shen Miao didn't want to think about it or see it. She was afraid that if she saw that scene, she would become suspicious of some terrible possibilities. What remained unseen was deemed clean, but she did not anticipate Xie Jing Xing's arrival.
Xie Jing Xing smiled lazily and did not answer her, "It is so late, why only come back now?"
"Cannot sleep." Shen Miao said, "Walked around outside."
Xie Jing Xing threw the book in his hands down onto the table and said, "Oh? It is not to go and drink tea with Pei Lang?"
With this posturing, he was here to denounce one's crimes.
Shen Miao's heart was all filled with Ye Mei's matter and frowned, "What do you want to say?"
"Half a month." Xie Jing Xing said.
Shen Miao stared at him.
He also stared at her and his complicated gaze made Shen Miao's heart palpitate. He said, "I have woken up for half a month but you only came to see me once."
"Have you forgotten that you are the residence of Rui Qīnwáng's Wángfēi and my Qī?" He said.
Shen Miao did not speak as this was something that could not be explained at all.
But Xie Jing Xing continued to stare at her and his gaze was filled with disappointment and slight anger, "I have waited for you the entire night and you were drinking tea and playing chess with Pei Lang. Shen Miao, could it be that you are fond of that scholar?"
Suddenly, an unknown fire appeared in her heart. She had been struggling with Ye Mei and couldn't sleep at night, and because Prince Rui's residence was stuck in the middle, she dared not move rashly, missing the best opportunity and now being unable to deal with the enemy cleanly and swiftly. She was still stuck in the mud, and Xie Jing Xing was still pulling her and Pei Lang together. She said, "What does it get to do with you?"
Xie Jing Xing pulled Shen Miao in front of him. His actions were harsh and Shen Miao almost fell down. After he held her, Xie Jing Xing lifted her chin and said word for word, "If I want you now, it would be related."
Shen Miao frowned, "Perhaps we form an alliance too rashly."
Xie Jing Xing paused and looked at her deeply, "Perhaps?"
He let go of his hands and stood up at once before speaking to Shen Miao from his back, "Is your heart made of metal? There are only gains and schemes in your eyes but I am a living person."
"From the start, your heart was not moved before." He said indifferently.
Zaza: It is always the people closest to you who can hurt you the most. I know it is necessary but I hate this kind of scene… Translating this and the next few chapters are like tearing a huge plaster off. It's painful but one has to do it quickly.
HidAnas: Well… No matter how many times I read the book + translation and do the editing, my heart aches every single time!!! I feel you Zaza!!! And reading the original text to edit the chapter if each original emotion is intact, is even more challenging… If only they televised the show for me to get a better grasp of the emotion… AHHH MY BRAIN IS FRIED AND FLOODED!!!!! And to my readers, please accept my apologies… Time is really tight for me with this job… I feel like I have lesser time compared to when I did my double diploma last year… but… hold on okay!!! Just a few more chapters left and we will be done with the book!
Let me know if I should publish the unedited chapters first…. What are your thoughts? Vote, please!