Xie Jing Xing walked away.
Shen Miao sat by himself at the table. Jing Zhe entered and looked out the window. She was just outside the room, and the two people's voices were not deliberately muffled, so she could hear everything without missing a beat. Even though her heart was apprehensive, she couldn't help but say, "Fūrén is too aloof with Diànxià," when she saw Shen Miao's expression.
"When Fūrén has yet married into the Qīnwáng's Residence, one even treated Diànxià better," Jing Zhe continued. "However, it appears that Diànxià is being avoided on purpose these days. A sick person is especially sensitive, and Diànxià has escaped death, so his heart is even more delicate. Diànxià would inevitably be uneasy when Fūrén is unconcerned at such a time. Fūrén can offer some solace tomorrow, and everything will be fine. Fūrén can't be too upset."
"I understand," Shen Miao said. "You are free to leave."
Jing Zhe then retreated.
Shen Miao pressed her brow after Jing Zhe had left. She was struggling when she confronted Xie Jing Xing, but to be fair, Xie Jing Xing was completely innocent in the matter. That sentence, 'from the beginning, your heart was not moved,' made her feel cold.
Shen Miao couldn't recall the last time her heart was moved by Xie Jing Xing. Perhaps it was when he saved her life in Wan Li Lake, or when he removed his mask in front of Princess Rong Xin at the Princess's residence, or when he reached his hands out on the day of marriage, or when she set the ancestral hall on fire, or when she first met Xie Jing Xing and began to confront Xie Jing Xing.
The sensation of being moved was simply too far away. She had only been moved by Fu Xiu Yi in her previous life, and the cost was high. She dared not let her heart be moved easily because of the lessons of the past, and she was very stingy in expressing her feelings, always careful to ensure that there would be only gains and no losses. Xie Jing Xing, on the other hand, was unique. He squanders his emotions, not knowing whether it was arrogance or recklessness in his bones. Both of their contributions were not equal in this marriage, but Shen Miao had given everything she could.
Because of her heart, she couldn't deal with Mei Fūrén without hesitation. She couldn't face Xie Jing Xing because her emotions were entwined with her doubts.
And one feared that Xie Jing Xing was secretly disappointed in her.
She sat in front of the table, and the herb she had worked so hard to obtain from Chi Yan Taoist Priest was casually tossed to the side. There was a layer of dust on it because no one cared for it these days, so no one paid attention.
Shen Miao's days became strange over the next few days.
Nobody knew what had happened to Luo Tan and Gao Yang. Most likely, Luo Tan was upset that Go Yang had duped her, and when Gao Yang noticed that Xie Jing Xing's poison was almost gone, he abandoned the old Imperial Physician in the Prince's Residence and drew Luo Tan somewhere else.
Ji Fūrén and Ji Yu Shu also went back to Ji's Residence. Staying in the Prince's Residence made no sense because Xie Jing Xing was fine.
One also didn't know how Pei Lang caught a cold and stayed in his room instead of going out.
As a result, Shen Miao was left alone. The servants of the Prince's Residence noticed that Xie Jing Xing and Shen Miao were in a cold war and worked carefully. For a time, everyone in the Prince's Residence was concerned about their own safety, and the atmosphere seemed even heavier than when Xie Jing Xing was unconscious.
The Ye family came over at this precise moment.
The Ye family arrived to collect Ye Mei and Ye Ke.
The Ye family appeared to be aware that Shen Miao disliked Ye Mei and Ye Ke and did not bring it up to Shen Miao from the beginning to the end. Their visit here today was only a formality.
It was just that Shen Miao was the Wángfēi of Prince Rui's residence, so she had to meet them.
Ye Fūrén was speaking to Ye Ke in the main hall of the Prince's Residence, while Ye Mei sat to the side, gently smiling. Ye Mao Cai's head was slightly raised as if he were speaking, and Xie Jing Xing sat opposite him.
Xie Jing Xing was dressed in a long silver purple robe, and his sitting posture was probably sluggish because his injuries had not fully healed. He spoke to Ye Mao Cai with a smile but not in such a way that it was unclear what he meant.
When Shen Miao entered, Ye Mei was the first to notice her, and she quickly rose to greet her, but Ye Ke remained motionless. They were now the Ye family's children, and their status had risen as the tide rose, causing the boats to float. They didn't have to greet Wángfēi in the same way that ordinary people did.
It was just that when Ye Mei greeted, Shen Miao did not even object and completely accepted it. Ye Fūrén's eyes glowed with unhappiness, Ye Ke was expressionless, and Ye Mao Cai glanced at Shen Miao but said nothing.
Shen Miao crossed the room and took the main seat next to Xie Jing Xing. "These few days after staying in Qīnwáng's Residence, Mei-er and Ke-er have brought many troubles, and thanks to Wángfēi's care, one is very thankful," Ye Mao Cai said.
"It is not a problem," Shen Miao said gently. "Speaking of which, Ye Gūniáng and Ye Gōngzǐ are Diànxià's benefactors, so calling it trouble is a bit much."
Ye Mao Cai then laughed to bring things to a close, but Shen Miao interrupted and asked, "But how did Li Gūniáng and Li Gōngzǐ become Ye Gūniáng and Ye Gōngzǐ?" It is somewhat surprising that the relatives they were looking for are members of the Ye family."
As she spoke, Xie Jing Xing only played with the teacup in his hands, neither blocking nor accompanying her, as if he were a bystander. "Speaking of that, one is embarrassed as it is a matter of decades ago," Ye Mao Cai smiled, unsure of Xie Jing Xing's intention. "One's wife gave birth at the time, and the midwife was disloyal and was instructed by evil people to exchange the children. It was originally a pair of jiě dì, but it was changed to a female baby who died young. Because family secrets are not spread abroad, one could only investigate and search in secret for all these years. Everything matched up this time when both of them entered Long Ye and came to the Qīnwáng's Residence coincidently and were looking for relatives," Ye Mao Cai said to Shen Miao, "Everyone said that Mei-er and Ke-er saved Diànxià's life, but it is our Ye family who should thank Diànxià." Our family would not have been reunited if it hadn't been for this coincidence."
"Exactly," Ye Fūrén agreed, smiling. Shen Miao had not seen Ye Fūrén smile so openly in a long time, and this was the first time she had seen her do so. No one, no matter who saw it, would suspect Ye Mei and Ye Ke of being her long-lost children.
Shen Miao, on the other hand, was unable to do so. They were the children of Ming Qi's official in her previous life, but in this life, they became people of Great Liang. One had the impression that this entanglement was not as simple as it appeared.
Ye Mei and Ye Ke sat to the side. Ye Mei was so beautiful and Ye Ke was so intelligent that they could tell they were talented just by looking at each other. What was more unusual was that they were so well-mannered and knowledgeable about proprietary information that they did not speak out or do anything indiscriminately while assuming the identity of Xie Jing Xing's benefactors. As a result, no one had a negative impression of them.
It was also correct. Fu Xiu Yi was such a cunning and cold individual that he did not hesitate to take action against his children but only favoured Mei Fūrén, so it was obvious that she had her advantages.
"That is also a coincidence," Shen Miao said lightly, "Qin Province is not far away. It is a wonder that the Ye family was not able to find them after decades and found them once they entered the Qīnwáng's Residence," she said to Ye Mei.
"Naturally so," Ye Mei said with a smile. "Qīnwáng's Residence is a blessed place," she seemed to miss the additional meaning behind Shen Miao's words and instead spoke amicably.
Shen Miao shifted her gaze away from Ye Mao Cai and said, "Today Ye Daren came over..."
"I came over to bring them back to the residence," Ye Mao Cai said quickly, before adding shamefully, "As Fùqīn, one let them live outside for so many years, it is entirely our fault. Now that the entire family has been reunited with great difficulty, one will not let them live those difficult days. One will bring them to the residence today, and the jade name plates will be hung the next day. They will be the descendants of the Ye family in the future." He was somewhat emotional throughout his speech, and when one looks at Ye Mei and Ye Ke, they, too, have some tears in their eyes.
Shen Miao, on the other hand, thought the play was stupid and uninteresting.
The Imperial family of Great Liang planned to entice the Ye family to deal with the Lu family. Because the Ye family was the pivotal point, they remained neutral and did not express their views. Reasonably speaking, the Ye family appeared to be more emboldened with competing against the Lu family after the return of Ye Mei and her brother, so there was no need to be suppressed under Imperial power. Currently, this attitude revealed the intuition to support Emperor Yong Le. Because Prince Rui's Residence was close to Emperor Yong Le, showing their support for Prince Rui's Residence would indicate their loyalty to Emperor Yong Le.
Shen Miao's heart sank gradually; this was obviously not what she wanted to see. If she overthrew the Ye family from behind, she would cut off Emperor Yong Le's assistance, not to mention Emperor Yong Le, but Xie Jing Xing would also be unwilling.
But if she sides with the murderer who murdered her own children, she will be forever associated with the word disgust.
Xie Jing Xing's demeanour, on the other hand, was intriguing.
Ye Maocai's words, he listened nonchalantly, answered neither salty nor indifferently, just right to avoid questions concerning his attitude. Ye Maocai and Madam Ye stood together and talked for a long time as if they had said everything, but upon reflection, it appeared that Xie Jing Xing had no stance.
The Imperial family did not have to express their gratitude immediately in order for the Ye family to flatter them, but they had to be courteous. But at the moment, Xie Jing Xing's demeanour appeared to be that of a spectator, lazy and unconcerned, making people wonder if he understood Ye Maocai's words.
---
Ye Mao Cai and his wife became concerned in their hearts. When they looked at Xie Jing Xing, their expressions changed. It was always said that Prince Rui of Great Liang was extremely tricky and difficult to handle and that no one could ever get anything out of him. Even after interacting with him so closely outside of court, one is still unable to make heads or tails of him. This attitude rendered Ye Mao Cai and his wife unable to be angry, but also strangely assured. They initially wanted to put up airs, but no one knew who was putting up airs, giving Xie Jing Xing an advantage and eventually leading by the nose by Xie Jing Xing.
Shen Miao was taken aback by Xie Jing Xing's demeanour. She realised there was something wrong with the Ye family coming over to show their goodwill. Xie Jing Xing was not stupid, so he would thoroughly investigate it. This, however, made her sigh with relief. Her heart became much calmer as long as Xie Jing Xing did not express goodwill to the Ye family or state that his opinion of Ye siblings had not changed as a result of his gratitude for saving his life.
Finally, no one had persuaded the other. Ye Mao Cai appeared to have encountered a nail that was neither soft nor hard like Xie Jing Xing, and seeing as the skies were about to darken and Xie Jing Xing still did not express a clear attitude, he knew that today's trip was a waste. It was pointless to say anything else, and since he had conveyed his family's intention, he left with Ye Mei and Ye Ke.
Xie Jing Xing told Tang Shu to send them away, and as he was about to leave the main hall, Ye Fūrén seemed to think of something and turned around to ask, "After a few days, it is Diànxià's birthday."
Shen Miao was taken aback. She didn't know Xie Jing Xing's birthday because the one in Ming Qi was clearly fictitious. She hadn't yet heard Xie Jing Xing speak about it in Great Liang.
Ye Fūrén's eyes were sharp, and when he saw Shen Miao's slightly surprised expression, he smiled and said, "Why does it appear that Wángfēi is unaware of the situation?"
Ye Mei's gaze was slightly surprised as she looked at Shen Miao.
As a wife, one is unaware of her husband's birthday, and it was an outsider who informed her of it. This couple is certainly odd.
As if he hadn't heard Ye Fūrén's words, Xie Jing Xing sat in the hall drinking tea. "Does Ye Fūrén still remember Ye Xiǎojiě's and Ye Shàoyé's birthdays?" Shen Miao asked softly.
"This..." says Ye Fūrén, unconvincingly.
"After missing out for decades, it is better for Ye Fūrén to think about how to compensate Ye Xiǎojiě's and Ye Shàoyé's birthdays first," Shen Miao said, implying that she should take care of her own affairs before bothering others.
She had slapped Ye Fūrén's face so ruthlessly that Ye Fūrén didn't have a good expression, and Ye Mao Cai appeared to be embarrassed. Ye Mei drew Ye Ke's arm, and they bowed to Shen Miao before hurrying away.
Shen Miao took a deep breath as he saw their retreating figures.
Because the Ye family had protected them before she intervened, this pair of Ye siblings had still succeeded. Starting today, dealing with the Ye family came first, which was far more difficult than simply killing a pair of siblings. Approaching the Imperial family of Great Liang was especially difficult because it involved their interests.
It truly made one unhappy and irreconcilable.
She took a breather before returning her gaze to Xie Jing Xing. He was still rational today, despite the fact that she had lashed out at him yesterday for not treating the Ye siblings differently because of Wan Yu and Fu Ming. Perhaps they should have a serious talk. She had been underperforming recently.
When she turned around, she saw Xie Jing Xing standing up expressionless, and she walked past her as if she were a stranger.
He was deafeningly silent.
For a long time, Shen Miao couldn't swallow because the words 'I have something to tell you' were stuck in her throat.
Gu Yu and Jing Zhe, who were standing nearby, both noticed and exchanged glances. They were both aware that Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing were at odds these days, and that if one's master was unhappy, so would the servants. Shen Miao, on the other hand, appeared to be open to reconciliation right now, but with Xie Jing Xing's coldness, one feared that it had hurt their Young Lady's heart.
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu had been following Shen Miao for many years and had come to understand her temperament, especially during these two years when she had a lot of confidence in herself. Even if Shen Miao wanted to reconcile with Xie Jing Xing, she would not take the initiative. "This is bad," Jing Zhe admitted quietly. "How can one possibly live if this continues?"
"One must think of a solution quickly," Gu Yu added.
The more Shen Miao thought about it when she returned to the room, the more upset she became. One felt terrible about Xie Jing Xing's strange demeanour. She had been Empress of Ming Qi for many years, and except for begging for favours from Fu Ming and Wan Yu, she had never yielded to others. She had a strong personality, or she would not have fought Mei Fūrén for so long.
Xie Jing Xing's current demeanour dimmed her desire to speak with him. Both of them were stubborn, but it was just that Xie Jing Xing rarely quarrelled with others and concealed herself well, so it was a horrifying scene when they came up against each other.
Someone outside knocked and pushed the door open as she was thinking. It had to be Ba Jiao.
"This is the snack that the little kitchen has freshly made," Ba Jiao said as she placed a plate of pastry on Shen Miao's table. "It is made specifically for Ming Qi's style. Fūrén, please taste it to see if it is suitable."
Because of the cold war between Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing, the servants in the residence were also wary. People in the Mo Yun Army are naturally biased towards their master, just as Jing Zhe and Gu Yu are on Shen Miao's side. Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang had been gone for a long time, and no one expected Ba Jiao to return.
One feared that the heart of a wine lover was not in the cup. "You have something to say to me?" Shen Miao asked. "
"This servant is stupid, and Fūrén could see it before this one spoke," Ba Jiao said, scratching her head. "Fūrén, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu summoned this servant to persuade you."
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu, who were standing outside, began to feel uneasy. Despite the fact that she was normally intelligent, this Ba Jiao claimed to be stupid. But, despite her claims of wisdom, she sold both of them out without much prodding, leaving one speechless.
"What do you want to persuade me about?" she laughed.
"They all said Fūrén had such a cold personality that when Zhǔzi was injured for so long, no one knew where Fūrén ran off to and did not look at Zhǔzi. After Zhǔzi awoke, only one person came over to look at him, so everyone protested the injustice for Zhǔzi and thus treated Fūrén coldly. Fūrén, don't blame them."
"They are speaking the truth," Shen Miao said, shaking her head.
"But Fūrén's character is not cold at all," Ba Jiao smiled, "Fūrén simply does not like to talk about it. Otherwise, no one would have brought us to that forest for an entire night, insisting on finding that Superior One and pleading for the herb for Zhǔzi. But why doesn't Fūrén inform Zhǔzi about the situation? "
"The person who saved him is not me," Shen Miao joked, "and the herb was not used in the end. It is not merit because it is futile and useless, so how would one speak of it? " She also did many things for Fu Xiu Yi in the Inner Palace, reducing and simplifying matters and even allowing Fu Xiu Yi to gain a good reputation, but nothing could compare to the government decree that Li Ke provided to Fu Xiu Yi. Saying it out loud would only make it a joke to others and make one feel sorry, so it was better not to have it.
"But that is your heart's intention," Ba Jiao said, frowning. "Heart's intention," Shen Miao said, looking at her.
"Whether you are able to save Zhǔzi or not, or even if the herb is ultimately useless, your heart's intention was true," Ba Jiao nodded. "You've hidden and concealed it, so how does Zhǔzi know Fūrén has been wandering in the forest for an entire night and still insists on moving forward? All of these are the desires of your heart. Fūrén's intention is more valuable to Núbì than the herb itself. Isn't it throwing a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed for Fūrén to hide one's own heart's intention because the herb isn't used? "
Shen Miao was taken aback.
"Fūrén, your heart's intention is more useful than the herb because it can cure Zhǔzi's illness," Ba Jiao said with a smile.
"Does one's intention have to be expressed in order for it to be known?"
Shen Miao's eyes hung low, "How could one not understand if one has a heart?"
"Oh?"
"You are also aware that Zhǔzi's life is not as easy. Zhǔzi founded the Mo Yun Army on his own, and this servant has been with him for a long time. Normally, Zhǔzi would face schemes, but these were all from outsiders and enemies, leaving little room for criticism." Ba Jiao looked seriously at Shen Miao, "Fūrén, you are Zhǔzi's wife and the closest person to Zhǔzi. Even if you speak clearly about one's heart's intention, he will not be certain of it, even if he is aware of it. The more valuable something is, the more demanding it will be. Zhǔzi was enraged because he valued your heart's intention so highly. He isn't doubting you, but rather himself."
He wasn't doubting you, but rather himself.
Shen Miao was stunned, and it appeared that a piece of ice in her heart had burst as a result of these words, and from it a trickle and spring arose.
"Zhǔzi will also doubt himself, doubt that he is not good, doubt that he is not as good as others, and be suspicious that you are unhappy with him. When all of these doubts accumulate, they turn into suspicion of your heart's intention. Do you still want to keep your intentions hidden in this manner? "
Shen Miao's head was slightly hung down, but her heart began to rise and fall.
Xie Jing Xing was a proud man who would smile casually in the midst of thousands of horses. He had grown up in the filthiest and most chaotic court, and he had been saddled with responsibilities from a young age. He was neither close nor distant to his family, brothers, or friends, giving the impression that he didn't care about anything.
Everyone had forgotten, however, that he had the most straightforward sincerity, as innocent as a child. He treated Su Ming Feng, Princess Rong Xin, and even the Marquis of Lin An in the same manner.
He was too proud to speak up, so he did everything behind their backs. This type of person would never be associated with people like Li Mei and Li Ke in this or any previous lifetime. She should not have questioned it. Her mistrust stemmed from a lack of self-assurance. She was doubting herself just as much as Xie Jing Xing did.
Shen Miao shut her eyes.
As Ba Jiao stated, one would become more demanding of the things that one valued the most. Her heart was moved by Xie Jing Xing, and she was afraid that Xie Jing Xing would have an affair with Mei Fūrén. Because Xie Jing Xing cared about her, her cold treatment had become the other's sore eyes.
She appeared to have made some mistakes, but there was still time to make amends.
Ba Jiao noticed the changes in Shen Miao's expression and smiled, "Fūrén still needs to coax Zhǔzi. These days, Zhǔzi is so cold and strict that the people in the Mo Yun Army can't stand it."
"I understand," Shen Miao said, shaking her head.
"But," Ba Jiao paused before asking, "Fūrén, do you have any reservations about the Ye siblings?"
"Why do you say that?" Shen Miao was taken aback.
Everyone in the Qīnwáng's Residence was aware of her cold and indifferent demeanour toward the Ye siblings, and everyone was perplexed because it was their first meeting. Everyone assumed Shen Miao was envious of Ye Mei's beauty, and while this was far from the case, no other explanation could be found, so Ba Jiao inquired.
"You're too cold to those two siblings." Even Zhǔzi directed that the background of that pair of siblings be investigated, but there was nothing wrong. So Fūrén..."
Shen Miao's heart beat faster. First, she was surprised that Xie Jing Xing would secretly investigate the Ye siblings' background, and second, even Xie Jing Xing couldn't find anything wrong with this pair of siblings' backgrounds. They were spotless.
"They have some reservations about me," Shen Miao explained, "but this is a very important matter, so don't bring it up for the time being."
"It's good that Fūrén has thought about it," Ba Jiao said thoughtfully as he smiled at Shen Miao. "Fūrén must not conceal his or her intent. Zhǔzi is confused with his anger at the moment and cannot see it, but those of us who accompanied Fūrén to search for that strange Taoist Priest all saw it clearly that day. Fūrén's heart is obvious, so there is no need to hide."
After that, she winked at Shen Miao, "Zhǔzi's birthday is the third of next month, and in previous years, there has been a banquet thrown in the Bi Xiao Lou. This servant has asked the manager in private and knows that it is the same this year. If Fūrén wants to make a birthday present, he should do so in the next few days."
Before Shen Miao could respond, Ba Jiao exclaimed, "It is very easy to coax Zhǔzi." If nothing else works, Fūrén can personally prepare a bowl of longevity noodles, and Zhǔzi's rage will be distinguished. However, the most important thing is that you do not conceal your heart's intention, and Zhǔzi will be even happier." She finished quickly and ran away.
Shen Miao watched as she opened and closed the doors. A laugh erupted after being startled.
Her heart had finally relaxed after the previous few days.
Because some issues could not be avoided, they had to be dealt with directly. Just like a blood feud that couldn't be broken. Similar to intentions that could not be expressed clearly.