“Shen Miao?”
“Exactly.” Su Ming Feng was somewhat surprised of Xie Jing Xing’s attitude. He suddenly remembered something and mischievously laughed, “Is not she the young lady that you saved during the academy examination? So to say, she has some courage and was not too ugly. Wei Qian, this kid is actually living in plenty without appreciating it.”
He saw that Xie Jing Xing was deep in thought and could not help but be surprised, “Hey, could it be that you really fancy that young lady?”
Xie Jing Xing sneered and he swept a look at Su Ming Feng, “You are very idle?”
“Of course I am idle.” Su Ming Feng frowned, “I am now ‘seriously ill’ and cannot go to court and resort to play with cats and dogs in the residence. You also do not often appear and are very close to that physician, Gao Yang. Are you keeping some things from me?”
It was said that the friendship that one made when young was not shallow, but as one grew up Xie Jing Xing became very mysterious. Although he had reminded him on the matter of the Su family, but towards Xie Jing Xing, Su Ming Feng did not know anything at all.
Xie Jing Xing threw a fruit to him, “Just eat it.”
Obviously he was not going to continue this conversation, and Su Ming Feng’s eyes flashed and a trace of a bitter smile showed in his lips but he did not say anything.
*****
Not too long after the Shen family received the Wei family card, Ren Wan Yun also let Xiang Lan invite Shen Gui over to Cai Yun Yuan.
After Shen Qing’s matter, there was a rift between the relationship of Shen Gui and Ren Wan Yun, and both of them did not talk at all. These days the relationship was as cold as ice.
This time Ren Wan Yun took the initiative to take the soft approach.
Xiang Lan and Cai Ju simultaneously entered to greet Shen Gui, and Ren Wan Yun sat in front of the table with somewhat melancholic eyes.
“What is it with you this time?” Shen Gui’s tone was still very harsh. In the beginning because of Shen Qing, Ren Wan Yun scolded him ruthlessly and it made Shen Gui extremely unpleased. Even though he admired Ren Wan Yun for being able to handle all the things internally and externally well, he was not a broadminded person, not to mention being pointed and scolded by a shrew.
“Master is here.” Ren Wan Yun looked at him in fatigue and with a haggard face. She had always been smart and high-spirited and would not ever have such a look. When Shen Gui saw this scene, his heart has softened a third. Knowing that Ren Wan Yun loved Shen Qing and had used a lot of energy in handling Shen Qing’s matter. She was after all his first wife and he had to give her face. So he scolded Xiang Lan and Cai Ju, “How did Furen become this haggard? How do you all take care of mistress?”
Ren Wan Yun also heard Shen Gui’s mild tone and she was happy in her heart so she caressed her head and gave in, “It was not because of them but it was me who worried about Qing-er. Thus these few days the meals have to taste and the nights are sleepless due to the extreme sadness in one’s heart.”
“Since Qing-er’s matter is out, it is useless to think more about it. It would be better to build up one’s health since the entire residence would still need you to manage.” Shen Gui glanced at Ren Wan Yun. Previously it was Ren Wan Yun that manages the house so naturally he had many advantages to it, like when the public fund was used as gifts, Ren Wan Yun could make it as though there was no mistakes. Now that Ren Wan Yun needed to take care of Shen Qing, Chen Rou Qiu temporarily had the power to manage the family and thus things were not as convenient as before. Moreover these advantages now belonged to the Third household which made Shen Gui unhappy.
Ren Wan Yun clenched her teeth. Shen Gui only thought about his own official route and did not care a little for Shen Qing. She said, “I also think the same, but Qing-er’s health requires constant supervision and I do not feel reassured.”
“So it would be good to marry her into the Huang family.” When Shen Gui brought the matter up, his mild tone started to harden, “A woman’s view is short-sighted. It is the right thing to look for a good family to marry into, now that Qing-er is like this. The Huang family is a big household with big business, and when Qing-er goes over she would be the main household but you insisted not.”
Ren Wan Yun laughed grimly in her heart. Shen Gui as a father, could be considered as truly cold and ruthless. Shen Gui even dared to use the words good family to describe this Huang De Xin kind of person. Even though she had long knew that the person lying beside her was a person who view relationships lightly, now thinking about it made Ren Qan Yun have a somewhat chilling feeling.
But now was not the time for her to be thinking about this. She wiped her eyes and said, “Master said correctly, it was my thoughts that were strayed. It is I who stay in the backyard all day and was not aware of these big issues, so the family that Master choose will definitely be good. I initially was not willing for Qing-er to be married over, but now find that this is not necessarily a bad thing for Qing-er.”
Shen Gui was surprised for a moment first and looked at her incredulous, “You agreed?” Ren Wan Yun took Shen Qing as more important than anything else, so why would she agree to this marriage so easily? Moreover Huang De Xin lusted over men.
“Yes.” Sorrow started to emerge on Ren Wan Yun’s face, “With Qing-er current condition, which good family would want her in the future? I kept thinking and find that the Huang family is indeed not bad, at least when Qing-er is married over, she would not be short of food and clothes. If she really does not live well, that is also her fate…” After finishing, she pulled out her sleeve and cried softly.
Seeing Ren Wan Yun like this, Shen Gui’s heart was settled and somewhat believed her words. Now Shen Qing was no longer an untouched virgin, and the Huang family only needed a Di daughter from a prestigious family to sit on the Young Huang Mistress position to blind the eyes of the world. When Shen Qing marries Huang De Xin, she would not need to fret over food or clothes for her entire life, and that is considered as the best ending. Even though she would not be able to consummate but after such a thing happen to her, who would still want her?
Thinking of this, Shen Gui sighed and walked over to Ren Wan Yun and patted her back to console, “It is good that you have figured it out. Qing-er is after all my daughter and I would not harm her. Huang Daren have some friendship with me and I will have him take care of Qing-er so when Qing-er marries over, she would not be wronged in any way.”
Ren Wan Yun despised in her heart the high-sounding words that Shen Gui said, but on the surface she still put on a dependent look, “Then would bother Master to speak to Huang Daren to let Huang family pass the birth-time cards over.”
“So fast?” Shen Gui was somewhat surprised.
“Qing-er is now at such a condition, how can it be dragged on.” Ren Wan Yun sighed, “The more it is dragged on, one fear that others would find it out since Qing-er had not been out for a long time. At least by marrying to the Huang family, it can be somewhat covered. Moreover,” Ren Wan Yun stroke her chest, “Long night of sleep would bring about many dreams. Ever since Qing-er’s accident, I am always in fear.”
Seeing her in palpitation, Shen Gui pondered for a while before saying, “What you said is reasonable. Qing-er’s matter cannot be dragged on, so I would write a letter to Huang Daren today to talk about this matter. When the birth-time cards are exchanged than it would be possible to discuss about the day.”
“Everything would be depended on Master.” Ren Wan Yun warmly replied.
Shen Gui said a few more sentences before leaving in satisfaction. Today Ren Wan Yun was submissive and admitted her wrongs and did as he said, thus it made his heart a lot more comfortable, so much that it swept away the haze for the past days and even his steps had some kind of spring to it.
After Shen Gui left Cai Yun Yuan, Xiang Lan closed the doors before speaking disquietly, “Furen, is it really good to hide this matter from Master?”
Ren Wan Yun let Shen Gui think that Shen Qing was really willing to marry Huang De Xin, but did not tell him that she planned to swap the marriages of Shen Qing and Shen Miao. As such, Shen Qing would be married to the truly good Wei Qian and Shen Miao would be married to that excessively licentious Huang De Xin.
Naturally Shen Gui could not know of this matter. No matter what the outcome was, with Shen Gui kind of person, once the matter involved his career, he would take a risk out of desperation. But Ren Wan Yun was unable to let her daughter step into the pit of fire.
“Of course there is a need to hide it from him. He has no conscience and want to use my Qing-er to build his future, he will need to ask if I am willing or not.” Ren Wan Yun sneered. Her husband’s cold indifference and her daughter’s accident had already made her look so much haggard in such a short period of time and wrinkles had appeared overnight. The previously kind and friendly face was now gone.
“Would it be disadvantageous towards Second Young Lady?” Cai Ju asked, “Even if the marriage was successful, how would the Huang and Wei families be willing?”
“No worries.” Ren Wan Yun pinched the paperweight in her hands, “The Huang family only want a title, it is the same no matter who is it. As for the Wei family, if they dare to speak out, I would sue them for violating the innocence of a lady, and there would always be a way to render them speechless. Moreover,” Her face instantly became ferocious, “In what way is my Qing-er lacking? Is it possible that she cannot be compared to that little slut, Shen Miao! Changing her for my Qing-er is Wei family’s blessing!”
When it came to Shen Miao, Ren Wan Yun was filled with so much hate that her entire body was trembling, thus Xiang Lan and Cai Ju could only bow their head silently and dare not speak again.
After a while, Ren Wan Yun’s voice sounded, “But now the most important thing is to settle the two marriages as soon as possible. It must be settled before Eldest Brother and Eldest Sao return to the capital.”
“Eldest Master would only return when the year ends and there is still months.” Xiang Lan took a step forward and reminded, “On the contrary, the problem is that Fifth Young Lady’s impertinent temperament. If she knew that her engagement is set, one is afraid that she would make a few round of ruckus, and may even escape from Shen residence in the middle of the night. At that time, what can be done?”
“Escape?” Ren Wan Yun ferociously said, “It also have to depend if she had that ability. Is not she now being confined in the ancestral hall? From today onwards, lock up that ancestral hall!”
It was actually to lock up Shen Miao!
Xiang Lan and Cai Ju were surprised and they both lowered their head. Previously even though they constantly oppressed Shen Miao in the Shen residence, it would be done in a way that it would not be seen on the surface as a thin current can flow a long way. This was the first time such methods were used on Shen Miao and it seemed that there was a completely lack of apprehension as all pretense of cordiality was shed.
“That little slut has so many tricks up her sleeves and can only be locked up. Once the time comes, a cup of wine is enough to send her up the sedan where cries to heavens would not be responded, and cries to earth would be impervious. The Huang family is not easy to deal with so after a few days of disciplining, see if her tune would change.” Ren Wan Yun did not even bother to cover her vicious words. “If it cannot be done, there is still Prince Yu of the First Rank.” She laughed proudly.
The winter got colder and colder and there were frequent news from the Northwest desert. Shen Xin had made contributions by leading the army and pushing back the enemies. With his brave fighting, the enemies in the battlefield became frightened when they heard of him. The people in the capital guessed that when Shen Xin return at the end of the year to the capital, Shen Xin would definitely have numerous meritorious services.
The Shen family’s glories made others jealous, but because they were all gained by real swords and spears thus they refrained from speaking, and now with the Xiong Nu that have not retreated yet, the neighbouring countries were eying covetously like a tiger watching his prey. The Imperial family of Ming Qi naturally heavily utilised the Shen family but in the future, that may not be clear. Boiling the hound once the rabbit was caught had been the favourite thing to do by the Imperial family, after all a change of sovereign would bring about a change of ministers. Especially now that there were nine princes in Ming Qi’s Imperial family and one cannot underestimate the surging undercurrents.
If one were to speak about the recent exciting news in the Ding capital, it would be that the Shen family was interested in marriage. But this matter was spread very mysteriously and it was only known that two families went up to propose, one was the Vice Minister of the Legislative Bureau’s Wei family and the other was the Supervisor of the Ministry of Steward. Both were high ranking families, and both young masters were considered to be young talents and indeed compatible with the Shen family. Shen Yue continued to head to Guang Wen Tang for classes, so everyone guessed that the ones that were going to get married were the Di daughter of the First household, Shen Miao, and the Di daughter of the Second household, Shen Qing, of the Shen family.
Not need to mention about Shen Qing, but Shen Miao’s identity was a little tricky. In the current circle of military officials, the only one that was comparable was the Marquis of Lin An. However the Marquis of Lin An was a smart person, and other than the Imperial command to lead the army out, he would often stay in the capital. Shen Xin was the one who was stationed at the border all year round.
With a father like Shen Xin who was holding that kind of military power, no matter who Shen Miao married to, the husband’s family would get a boost in power. The eyes of the Imperial family in Ming Qi were watching. It was good that these two families that proposed were of the literary official route, and that they often criticized military officials. After all, the Wei and Huang families’ names were nice to hear but in the doctrine of the mean, there was no opportunity for them to stir up the muddy water of the fight for the heir apparent, so this marriage as compared to the uproar of Shen Miao’s love of Prince Ding, was much smoother.
In Guang Wen Tang, Yi Pei Lan asked Shen Yue, “Your Elder and Younger Sisters are really going to marry? To go so far as to not to come to Guang Wen Tang anymore.”
After Wo Long Temple, Shen Miao and Shen Qing did not step out of the residence, much less Guang Wen Tang. Shen Miao was confined and Shen Qing because of her health.
Shen Yue smiled, “I also do not know. Mother is doing it mysteriously so I guess it is so.”
“But speaking of which, your Eldest and Younger Sisters are considered lucky.” Jiang Xiao Xuan thought for a while, “Especially Shen Miao. That Gentleman Wei and Gentleman Huang are considered as good no matter which one is matched up. How come this did not fall onto your lap?”
Shen Yue feigned anger, “I still want to stay in the residence for a few more years and do not think about marriage.” But there was a knot in her heart. Indeed, when one reaches certain age, one would definitely start to be concern about their own marriage. But in the Shen residence, Shen Miao was two years younger than her, but she was now engaged while Shen Yue was left there behind. Never mind about Shen Qing, since she was one whose body was no longer good, but after knowing that Shen Miao was able to find a good family, Shen Yue’s heart had unspeakable jealousy.
It was most probably because she could not see Shen Miao doing better, especially since Shen Miao was not as good as her in all areas, but now there was someone like the Wei family who took the initiative to propose marriage. This meant that Shen Miao was recognised as a good female. If it was not for Chen Rou Qiu that soothed her, Shen Yue would have continued to drill with this horn and not come out of it.
“You ah.” Bai Wei pointed with her forehead, “With such a good age now, one must definitely plan for oneself. How about.” She moved her chin to point at the other side, “How do you find him?”
The direction she was mentioning was towards Cai Lin. When Shen Yue’s bright eyes looked over, Cai Lin felt Shen Yue’s gaze and turned around as he was stunned for a moment, and was actually uncomfortable when he went to hide.
Shen Yue’s eyes turned red in a moment as she bit her lower lip down.
The youth that admired her whole-heartedly was now avoiding her like snakes and scorpions. For a proud person like Shen Yue, naturally she felt great shame.
When Cai Lin avoided Shen Yue’s accusing eyes, there was some anxiousness in his heart. After being taught a lesson by Shen Miao in the academy examinations, after that whenever he saw Shen Miao again, he would feel an unknown fear. It was as if there was an inborn foreboding fear that made him hid from Shen Miao. Moreover that day, Xie Jing Xing also seemed to help Shen Miao get out of the sticky situation. Cai Lin was considered a tyrant in Ding capital but he would not dare to cross Xie Jing Xing so naturally he would not actively go against him. It does not matter if Xie Jing Xing’s rescue was intentional or not, Cai Lin would no longer dare to actively provoke Shen Miao.
And after that day Shen Yue did not even look at him from the beginning to the end which made this youth’s hot blazing heart completely cooled down.
Seeing Shen Yue’s embarrassment, Yi Pei Lan’s lip curled and she changed the subject with a smile, “But in another half a month, it would be your family’s Old Furen’s birthday celebration. It would seem that I should go and pick some presents.”
Old Shen Furen’s birthday was always done very impressively and grand every year. This kind of extravagance almost exceeded the Imperial family. Old Shen Furen was short-sighted as she felt that the bigger the birthday celebration was, the better her face was. A lot of official families would be invited every year and Shen Gui and Shen Wan were naturally happy with it, as this would give them the opportunity to better the relationship with their colleagues.
In this kind of birthday celebration, gifts naturally would be received. Thinking about the birthday feast in another half a month, Yi Pei Lan and the rest of them would be present since all officials with a better rank would all be invited by the Shen family.
“Yes.” Bai Wei seemed to remember it, “I almost forgot about this thing. Many thanks to Pei Lan for reminding me. Yue-er, what did you prepare as a gift for Old Shen Furen?”
As Shen Yue was a talented female in the capital, naturally she would give Old Shen Furen face in the yearly birthday celebration. If one were to say that Shen Qing’s gift was expensive and valuable, then Shen Yue’s fit would be delicate and unique. Only Shen Miao’s gift would make one laugh till their teeth fall off.
“It is only an embroidered portrait.” Shen Yue modestly said.
“I started to be curious when you all say so.” Jiang Xiao Xuan said nastily, “What will that your Fifth Younger Sister gift? Could it be that she was busy embroidering her wedding dress and forget cleaning about Old Furen’s longevity gift.”
Feng An Ning, who was laying on the table by the side, coldly snorted before getting up and left the table.
Yi Pei Lan’s words also fell onto the ears of Pei Lang, who was clearing up on the stage. These days he naturally heard the news of Shen Miao getting married and felt a strange feeling. That young female’s eyes was like a beast, would she conceal herself in the inner courtyard so early?
At the same time when everyone was talking about Shen Miao, she was however in the ancestral hall lining up the chess pieces.
The wind in the ancestral hall was cold and chilling, and since grey slabs of stones were spread out on the floor, this made one to feel the chill entering the bones when one was kneeling down. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu brought over some soft mats but those soft mats were not of use. Shen Miao instructed them to boil some herbs and to place them at the various corners of the room before smoking them, so that the cold would not cause an illness to take root.
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu initially did not believe it, but afterwards when they saw how effective the medicinal coup was, they asked how did Shen Miao came to know about this secret medication. Shen Miao only said that she heard from others, but she herself knew that she had learnt about it during the few years she was a hostage in Qin country. Those days were too cold and there was not enough money, so she could only find the cheapest medical recipe to get rid of the humidity in one’s body. These little things in the ancestral hall were really nothing in comparison.
“Young Lady is still playing chess.” Jing Zhe stomped her feet.
The chess pieces that Shen Miao was facing were lined up, and all the pieces that were in a picturesque disorder were now rearranged by her so that black were with black pieces and white were with white pieces, making one unable to see any representation.
“Chun Tao had already passed the words through Mo Qing.” Jing Zhe saw Shen Miao being silent and continued speaking, “Second Furen want to exchange the marriage with Eldest Young Lady and that Young Huang Master who is a cut sleeve. What can be done? How does Young Lady still have the mood to continue to play chess?”
Initially they thought that the Wei family was a good marriage, but Shen Miao rejected Old Shen Furen’s proposal in Rong Jing Tang and was locked in the ancestral hall. But even so, Chun Tao was able to inquire that the Shen family already went behind Shen Miao’s back and accepted this marriage proposal, but only the people of the Western courtyard did not know about it. This was saying that other than Shen Miao, everyone else knew that she will be marrying off.
If she was married to Wei Qian, then so be it since he was regarded as someone who was decent and upright but that Huang De Xin is a cut sleeve. Would not it be letting Shen Miao to become a living widow if she was married over to him? The few maids that heard it almost went crazy. Mo Qing also said that if Shen Miao was willing, he could escape with Shen Miao.
Mo Qing used to be a person from the pugilistic world and naturally did not understand that escaping was easy but once escaped, it would meant that others would be able to fabricate what had happened after the escape and no one would know about the truth. Moreover Shen Miao had never thought of escaping so she immediately refused it.
“If not, at least let Mo Qing pass a message to Master from Young Lady. This matter is also hidden from Master, since they want to get Young Lady married before Master return to the capital. Once grains become cooked rice, nothing can be changed anymore.” Gu Yu also urged. They know that the current Shen Miao has a mind of her own, but she did not say anything making the few maids feel anxious for Shen Miao.
“What message to pass?” Shen Miao said lightly, “Currently Ren Wan Yun’s people are guarding outside the Western courtyard, and even a fly would not be able to fly out. If I were to escape then what about the rest of the people in the courtyard? Even though I am not a benevolent person but there are some people that Father and Mother specially left for me. Do you believe that if I leave, Ren Wan Yun would not immediately kill everyone in the courtyard to prevent the secret from divulging.”
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were startled.
“Moreover, do you think it would be so simple as to just pass a message? There are always people guarding all day long and their intention is to keep me locked up. Do you think they would give me an opportunity to escape? Then you all have sorely underestimated my Second Shen already.”
Shen Miao seemed not to fear Ren Wan Yun’s brain but in this world a mother’s strength would increase. For the sake of Shen Qing’s happiness, Ren Wan Yun would naturally complete the matter with her life. In this, Ren Wan Yun’s bet was not small and it seemed that regarding the exchange of the marriages, this was not discussed with Shen Gui and was totally her idea. If it was successful, naturally it would be joyous but if it failed, then most likely Ren Wan Yun would not have any more room to stand in the Second household.
“But Young Lady, we just leave it as it is?” Jing Zhe anxiously said, “This servant will fight with this life and would not let Young Lady marry that cut sleeve!”
“Can you all see this chess game?” Shen Miao did not speak much and just pointed to the chess board on the table.
On the chessboard, the white and black pieces were arranged into two rows that was so entirely different that it looked somewhat strange.
“This servant, this servant have no knowledge about chess and is unable to see what kind of move this is.” After a long while Gu Yu carefully answered.
“What did you see?” Shen Miao asked.
Jing Zhe courageously answered, “The white and blacks were all lined up clearly.”
“Yes.” A glimmer of light flashed in Shen Miao’s eyes, “In this chess, all the pieces are all out. You know my pieces and I also know your pieces so the final winner would be based on ability.”
Jing Zhe and Gu Yu looked at one another and did not really understand Shen Miao’s words.
“Ren Wan Yun thought that she knew all the chess pieces I have but that is not the case.” She took out a black chess pieces from behind and placed it beside the white chess pieces, “I still have one last move to make.”
“Old Shen Furen’s birthday is next month?” She suddenly asked.
“Yes, it is.” Jing Zhe answered, “Heard that Chun Tao asked and now we know that Second Furen’s intention is to announce Young Lady’s marriage during Old Furen’s birthday celebration.”
“All to do this before Father comes back to the capital.” Shen Miao smiled gently.
“Yes. There are still a few more months before the year ends, it seems that is too late.” Gu Yu was worried.
“Is it?”
When Shen Xin withdraw the troops from the front and returned to the capital, it should be around the end of the year. Unfortunately, in the sixty eighth year of Ming Qi, because Shen Xin pushed back the enemies in the Northwest region and the enemy fled, he was able to come back early to submit the surrender letter. The Shen army brought the surrender letter and returned to the Ding capital a few months early.
Coincidentally enough or it could be that it was in order for Shen Xin to express filial piety, since usually when Old Shen Furen’s birthday comes around, Shen Xin would not be in the Ding capital. As this had happen numerous of times, there were others that said that Shen Xin was not filial. Thus on Old Shen Furen’s seventieth birthday in the sixty eighth year of Ming Qi, Shen Xin came back to the capital in advance.
That day, Shen Xin suddenly returned home and Old Shen Furen was entertaining guests for the celebration in the residence and Shen Miao did not attend. Why? It was naturally because she was hiding in the residence of Prince Ding. Shen Xin initially wanted to return to enjoy family bliss but came to know that his own daughter did not regard any etiquette at all. He headed towards Prince Ding residence to get her but because of Fu Xiu Yi’s hypocritical warmth, she turned a deaf ear to Shen Xin’s words and threaten to die in order to forcefully marry to Prince Ding.
Now to think about it, it was an enmity leading to sin. Shen Xin returned in a rush and was travel-worn but he saw such an unfilial daughter who lead the Shen family into the abyss with no chances of turning back.
This lifetime was not that past life, she did not run away from the Shen family because of Prince Yu and was also no longer blindly obsessed with Fu Xiu Yi’s fake image. If Shen Xin returned, he would see a different daughter. Would she be able to slightly redeem some of the sins from her past lifetime?
“Father is all the while very respectful towards the Old Furen.” Shen Miao lightly said.
“Yes.” Jing Zhe answered.
Old Shen Furen came from being a songstress and she was an expert actress, so she was able to act flawlessly as a caring mother when Old General Shen was alive, and so he was unable to pick any wrong out. Warriors emphasised on relationships and Shen Xin knew to repay a kind act with gratitude, so since he received Old Shen Furen favour in the early years, he did not even think that under this old woman’s skin laid a vicious heart.
“This time Second Shen really made it convenient for me.” Shen Miao said with a smile and her eyes brightened so much that it shocked others. “Just nice, tear it all apart in front of the entire world to see.”
