The night gradually darkened and as winter nights are always exceptionally cold, thus when one walk outside, the Northern wind seemed to blow into one’s bones and each little movement would feel painful.
In the sinister prison, the wind whistled into the small window opening which made the person in the prison shrunk into a ball. She had already wrapped the torn quilt tightly around her body and only her head was revealed. She struggled to get up to close the windows that the wind was blowing into.
But as she was not tall enough even when she stood on tiptoes, in a moment later, she gave up on this intended plan as she was afraid that by using more strength, it would make herself even weaker.
When the warden who was doing his round saw this scene, he only smiled and did not go forward to help. As one stayed in this sinister place for a long period of time, to some extent one would become somewhat distorted, and most likely would feel that seeing the prisoners suffering was also a type of entertainment, at least for now it was.
Shen Qing took a glance at the warden and quickly lowered her head to cover the hatred in her eyes. In the few days after coming to this place, she had suffered what she should have and did not know if Shen Yuan and Shen Gui did arrange anything, as this warden did not treat her any difference from others and even make fun of her suffering. If one were to say if there was any special consideration, it would probably be that her innocence was not destroyed like the other female prisoners. But this might not be credited to the Shen family as she was after all pregnant with Prince Yu of the First Rank’s flesh and blood. Regardless if it originated honourably or not, there were still traces of a royal bloodline.
Shen Qing gently and cautiously stroked her lower abdomen as this was now the only thing she could rely on. She did not know the reason but the words that Shen Miao said in the afternoon made her felt an extreme fear. This was what she had never felt before, not even in the beginning when she was arrested she had such thoughts because she knew that there would be people coming to save her, for her family would not let her suffer in vain.
But every word and sentence of Shen Miao’s analysis for her, crushed her hopes one by one and made Shen Qing clearly see how those she depended on, would be unable to withstand a single blow. This also made Shen Qing doubt if she was able to escape unscathed.
The warden took a glance at her and headed outside when Shen Qing suddenly said, “Big Brother.”
The other person stopped and walked to her. Most likely he was unable to stand the body odour from Shen Qing’s body, he disgustedly waved, “What?”
“These days, have my family come to see me? Or perhaps have messages for me?” She held back her anger. Just a small ranking warden even dared to use such a despising eyes to look at her. If it was the past, one could not wait to fawn her. These curry favouring villains!
The warden laughed, “What is Shen Eldest Young Lady thinking? The case is not settled, who dare to come and see you. Besides, your family, other than that Younger Sister, did not ask any information of you.” When the warden said till here, his tone had some ridicule to it. After all Shen Qing had met with such a matter and even if the crimes were washed off in the future, there would still be numerous rumours, and to bring the Shen family to such a situation one fear that her future days would also be difficult. Presumably the Shen family also intended to give up this daughter, so the warden’s attitude to Shen Qing got increasingly rude.
Shen Qing could not say it clearly if she was disappointment or relaxed but after hesitating a moment she then looked towards the warden, “Big Brother, if my Older Brother come to see me… Please say that my mood is heavy and am unwilling to see anyone and not let him come and see me.” Finishing, she pulled out a bracelet from her wrist and handed it through the metal railings.
When she was in the prison, all the jewellery were almost plundered away. This bracelet was something Ren Wan Yun put it on her hand during the day of marriage and was very precious. Shen Qing had some selfish motives and had not brought it out all this time but thinking that she was forced without any way out, she is then finally bringing this bracelet out.
When the warden saw the bracelet, his eyes brightened and seized the bracelet to carefully look at it in the light. Seeing its good colour, there was a bit of a smile on his face as he said, “Since you say so, I will then help you. But it is a good thing if your Older Brother come to see you, why do you push him out?”
Shen Qing reluctantly laughed and said, “Because I have caused trouble for the residence and felt very apologetic thus unable to face them.”
The warden nodded his head but there was contempt in his gaze. If one was such a self-respected female like that, how would one commit adultery behind the family’s back and even getting pregnant before marriage. Now to say that one was very apologetic and unable to face others, it was really putting on an act. But after taking one’s bracelet, the warden had no reason to refuse so he complied with the matter and left.
After waiting for the warden to leave, Shen Qing then squatted down and helplessly held her shoulders and buried her head into her knees. Nowadays she often did this action as she did not know if what she did was correct or wrong, and also did not know where the road ahead was and could only not look or think, as if when she opened her eyes again, she could return to being the previously unrestrained Shen family Eldest Young Lady.
She sleep drowsily for an unknown period of time, until she heard someone tapping on the metal railing, she then looked up still in a daze.
The swaying lights reflected a familiar face. If it was in the past, seeing this face would make her happy but after Shen Miao spoke those words, Shen Qing was so scared when she saw this face again that she fell onto the ground as she looked panicky at the person in front.
Shen Yuan said, “Is Younger Sister doing well?”
“Second Older Brother, why are you here?” Shen Qing asked as she took a step back quietly.
When Shen Yuan saw her movements, his brows slightly frowned but he did not say anything as he took a key out from his sleeve and opened the cell door. When Shen Qing saw his actions, she was surprised for a moment before happiness appeared on her face and she stood up suddenly, “Second Older Brother, you are here to save me?”
Shen Yuan shook his head, “Temporarily unable to rescue you.” He took out a pack of snacks from his arms and handed it to Shen Qing, “Came over to take a look at you and give you something to eat.”
Shen Qing was somewhat disappointed. Shen Yuan had walked in and seemingly felt that the prison was somewhat dirty as he had some traces of a disgusted expression on. When Shen Qing saw that, she felt somewhat sad. She subconsciously opened the oiled paper bag that Shen Yuan handed over and in the oiled paper bag, the snacks smelled savoury and were still warm. It was her favourite chestnut cake.
“You have suffered these few days.” Shen Yuan said in a rare gentle way, “Knew that you loved eating this the most so one brought it for you to eat to one’s heart’s content.”
Shen Qing’s nose turned sour and her tears almost fell. These days she had been eating stale food and did not even eat till one’s fill. She lived every day in a state of apprehension and now to see the sights of the things she once loved and that Shen Yuan was exactly right beside her, all the grievances that she felt all poured out.
“Do not cry. After eating and after waiting for a few more days, I will rescue you out of here.” Shen Yuan gently consoled.
Shen Qing looked somewhat in a sorry state as she took a piece of cake to her mouth. Taking a glimpse at Shen Yuan’s gentle smile, her hand suddenly trembled as if a bucket of iced water was poured over her head. Incomprehensibly, Shen Miao’s words in the afternoon echoed by her ears.
“He could have good career prospects and have a boundless future but because of you, troubles kept lining up. You really think that he will want to save you?”
The cake was near her mouth but Shen Qing was unable to take a bite at all.
The most precious thing between one’s association with others was trust. If it was like in previous times, Shen Qing would certainly not hesitate to in choosing to trust Shen Yuan. But ever since the matter with Prince Yu, Shen Qing had witnessed the cold bloodedness of the Shen family members. This Second Older Brother was really willing to give up his good career prospects for her and was also willing to take such a big risk to rescue her? If it was Shen Qing herself, one fear that there would be some hesitation. Shen Qing suddenly remembered the jade bracelet that she used on the warden. At that time she said that if Shen Yuan came to see her, he should definitely stop him. But seeing Shen Yuan present here, what was going on? Was it that the warden took her stuff but did not take action or that Shen Yuan simply used other methods to come in.
At this moment Shen Qing suddenly discovered that not one of the wardens that should be patrolling this prison appeared at all. And in the prison cell that she was locked in, there was no other prisoners, which meant that at this moment there was only her and Shen Yuan here. He who was originally the closest and dearest sibling but now made her feel so cold in a sudden moment.
“Why not eating?” Shen Yuan asked her.
Shen Qing forcefully smiled and resourcefully said, “I… I am reluctant and want to keep it to eat later.”
“It would not taste good when cold.” Shen Yuan smiled, “After a few days, I will send more to you.”
“No…” Shen Qing declined, “I… I do not want to eat now.”
“Were not you very hungry just now?” Shen Yuan looked towards her, “Why suddenly do you not want to eat?”
Shen Qing waved her hands panicky, “I just do not want to eat as I suddenly feel unwell. Most probably because of the pregnancy, occasionally eating habits become strange.” She placed that piece of cake back in the paper bag and put it aside before saying, “After a while when I am feeling well, I will definitely eat it.”
Shen Yuan silently looked at her actions and his eyes turned dark before he finally laughed and said, “Younger Sister had stayed in prison for a few days and seemed to have become smarter.” His voice was no longer as gentle as previous but was inexplicable cruel. Shen Yuan said, “It seems that you already knew of it. It is a pity as one thought of letting Younger Sister leave comfortably.”
Shen Qing’s body trembled in a moment as she looked towards Shen Yuan, “Second Older Brother, what does your words meant?”
“For Younger Sister to guard against me, I had thought that you already understood my intention. It is alright if one was not willing to eat that snack despite Older Brother’s painstaking effort. But seeing your current pregnant state, Second Older Brother would not be bothered about it with you.”
Shen Yuan said it very calmly, coupled with his slightly refined face, it made one felt a kind of fear. Shen Qing seemed to have realised something and suddenly shook her head frantically but unfortunately before she could make a sound, someone clutched her throat.
A normal cultured and refined looking person would actually have such a great strength? The even more frightening thing was that he actually attacked his own blood Younger Sister, but there was not even a trace of hesitation and compassion, as if one was looking at a passerby.
Shen Qing was compelled to stare wide eyed at the person in front but Shen Yuan lightly smiled and said, “Younger Sister must not blame Second Older Brother for being merciless. Now that you have brought on such a big disaster that would implicate the entire Shen family if one was not careful. Could it be that because of Younger Sister one person, Father, Mother and Yuan Bo also have to lose their lives? Younger Sister, one must not be too selfish in life.”
Shen Qing spared no effort in struggling but she was after all a female and even one who was pregnant. Not to mention that she was tormented to her last gasp, how would she be able to have strength to go up against a man at the prime of his life. She could only struggle and kick futilely that even the straws below her feet were flying everywhere.
“I know Younger Sister is not resigned.” Shen Yuan softly said, “Younger Sister has nothing to do with this matter but now had to pay for it with one’s life. I am your Second Older Brother and will definitely take revenge for you. Second Older Brother pledge to you that Shen family’s First household and Shen Miao would end up with a fate that is a thousand more times more horrifying than yours. So Younger Sister should not resent Second Older Brother. It is only when you die, that the Second household would not be implicated. Only when Second Older Brother’s career is successful then one can help you take revenge. Understand?”
Shen Qing’s body slowly grew limp and her eyes began to gradually lose their spirit as if it was a dead fish that washed up ashore and dried up.
Shen Yuan released his hands and the body underneath his hands fell onto the ground with a ‘pu-tong’ sound. It only took a short time for the lively to become lifeless. This life of Shen Qing had ended in the prison.
Shen Yuan indifferently looked at Shen Qing’s body and after a moment he used a needle to pierce Shen Qing’s fingertip and grabbed her hand to write a string of blooded words on the prison’s stone wall. Immediately following that, he took off Shen Qing’s belt and tied a knot on the railings and put her head through it.
After everything was completed, he then stood up and picked up that oiled paper bag that Shen Qing placed on the ground and said softly to that slightly moving silhouette hanging from the railing.
“Younger Sister, you will not die in vain. Second Older Brother will definitely take revenge for you.”
This winter on the Ding capital, was really a troublesome season as storms came one after another. The case of the elimination of the entire household of Prince Yu was well known and even though the commoners secretly clapped in rejoice of the matter, they knew the danger of it. And the only survivor and bride, the Eldest Young Lady of the Shen family, was thrown into prison because of the inextricably relations to the case, making everyone to poke their heads out to inquire about it.
At the end of this day there was a sudden news from the outside, that the Eldest Young Lady of the Shen family committed suicide by her own belt to preserve her innocence. She had left a blooded letter before her death saying that she had nothing to do with the matter and coupled that since her husband was also dead, she did not want to live on thus she used death as a way of declaring her innocence.
People were strange as they were always much more tolerant to those who were death. If it was previously, because Shen Qing was pregnant before marriage, she was called a slut who did not keep the morality of a female but now with this death, it attracted a lot of sadness. One praised that she had character and temperament, but her life was destroyed by Prince Yu.
The previous rumours were discredited by itself overnight. When one thought about it, to make a pregnant female use death to show her innocence, one was certain that she had great grievance and moreover the rumours were baseless and without evidence. Shen Qing had no animosity and grievance with Prince Yu and upon Prince Yu’s death, she still needed to observe widowhood thus it was not worthwhile.
So as with Shen Qing’s death, the suspicions on her and the Shen residence were cleared. Even the Emperor Wen Hui did not say anything but one still could not find out who the perpetrator was, thus this case would most probably become an unresolved case.
In the Shen residence, everything seemed no different than previous
Shen Qing had already married into Prince Yu residence thus her corpse would be buried with the Prince Yu of the First Rank, with the status of the Prince’s Consort. Old Shen Furen felt a little comfort for this as no matter death or alive, there was a Prince’s Consort from the Shen family thus at least in terms of reputation, it sounded good.
Shen Wan and Chen Rou Qiu seemed to be very sad and cried like she was not herself. However even though they were this sad, previously they did not even go to visit Shen Qing in prison at all so there was no way of knowing if it was sincere or an act.
In contrast, Shen Gui as the father was much more cold hearted. He continue his usual work and there was no grief on the surface at all. One could even occasionally see that at times there was a fleeting rejoice in his eyes. Perhaps for Shen Gui, Shen Qing’s suicide reduced a number of troubles for him and naturally he was happy about it. As for Shen Yuan, the entire burden of the Second household of Shen family had fallen onto his shoulders, and he was running about outside every day that no one know what the situation was, as even his shadow was not seen in the residence.
The thing that made one sigh with emotion would be not other than Ren Wan Yun. When she learned of Shen Qing’s suicide in the prison, she fainted on the spot. After she woke up, her state of mind was somewhat thrown into confusion as she pulled Xiang Lan’s hands saying to go see Shen Qing’s return to her parental home after marriage. It was obvious that the matter hit Ren Wan Yun the hardest so under such a state of confusion, naturally she was unable to make decisions for the Second household. Shen Gui let Wan YiNiang temporarily take charge of the matters of the Second household, and the people of Cai Wan Yuan secretly whispered that regarding the Second household of the Shen family, Wan YiNiang had broken clear of all the trouble and hardships that even the often sickly Shen Dong Ling would also have a change in fortune. It was fortunate that Old Shen Furen doted on Shen Yuan Bo and at the end did not let Wan YiNiang raised her Di grandson and directly brought Shen Yuan Bo over to Rong Jing Tang to personally raise.
The chaos of the Second and Third family of the Shen family had nothing to do with the Eldest household at all. At this return of Shen Xin and Lou Xue Yan, made them critical of the two other household and naturally they would not rush to help. Every day, they would practice swords in the residence, else they would go out to visit old friends and this was considered living comfortably. Shen Xin also brought Shen Qiu along to mingle with the official figures in court. With Shen Qiu’s richer military accomplishments, there would be a day where Shen Xin’s position would be handed over to Shen Qiu to sit.
And Shen Miao only rested for a while before going back to Guang Wen Tang again.
As the end of the year was nearing, the lessons conducted by Guang Wen Tang’s teachers had relaxed a lot. The teachers knew that once it was at this time the students inadvertently had no concentration in learning, and while at it sold a favour. Even though Shen Miao had not gone there for many a days, she did not fall too much in terms of homework. But rather it was those students who started talking when they saw her.
The matter of Shen Qing was spread up in an uproar but one had never heard of the Shen family’s view of it. As early as before Prince Yu residence misfortune, Shen Yue was ordered by Chen Rou Qiu to stay in the residence and not go to the school to prevent things from going wrong. Thus upon Shen Miao’s entrance, everyone was interest to inquire about it.
Yi Pei Lan said, “Oh, Shen Miao, you actually came? Why did you not wear plain clothes?” She deliberately raised her voice, “Ai, it is not a surprise. At the beginning Shen Qing had a lot of friction with you two sisters so one fear that you are not that sad afterall.”
Yi Pei Lan and Shen Qing had been good friends and wanted to vent her anger for Shen Qing, so the words she said naturally had malicious intent. Everyone looked towards the door and only saw Shen Miao wearing a deep green long dress and the jewellery she had on was only a simple bracelet, which was already dreary. In fact this dressing was considered alright but as compared to Shen Yue’s plain white long dress with graceful little white flowers on her head, it was slightly inferior.
“Under Ming Qi’s law, when there is mourning in the family, everyone will wear white upon the elders’ death and for the rest it is enough to wear dark colours. Could it be that Yi Young Lady is unable to differentiate family hierarchy as Eldest Sister is my sister but not my senior.” Shen Miao answered without even turning her head as she sat down at her seat.
When Feng An Ning saw her, she was also very excited, seemingly having a stomach full of questions for her. When Yi Pei Lan was pricked by Shen Miao, she was unable to restrain her sudden anger and said without thinking, “Shen Miao, be less of a good person. At the beginning it was you who was on bad terms with Shen Qing and now that Shen Qing run into misfortune, you are secretly happy about it. Else why would Shen Qing be in prison and your parents as Shen Qing’s BoFu and BoMy not lend a hand to help?”
When those words were spoken, everyone’s gazes suddenly turned towards Shen Miao, as if they were waiting for her to answer this intractable question. It was not wrong, when Shen Qing was imprison, Shen Xin indeed did not extend a hand to help else with Shen Xin’s meritorious services, he would be able to say some words to the Emperor and at least help Shen Qing to fight for some time, and not let Shen Qing feel despair and helplessness and commit suicide by hanging herself.
Shen Miao’s eyes went cold as she suddenly turned and stared at Yi Pei Lan. When Yi Pei Lan was being stared by her, she unconsciously felt a chill coming up and before she even spoke, she heard Shen Miao mocking voice, “Yi Young Lady and my Eldest Sister naturally have a deep sister relationship and one presume that this is a cry out against injustice. But at the beginning when my Second Shen wished to save Eldest Sister out and went to Yi residence to seek a helping hand from Yi Furen, hoping that Yi Furen would be able to persuade Yi Daren for some help, I remember that at that time Yi Furen decline the visit due to sickness.”
Yi Pei Lan was surprised for a moment and subsequently her face was flushed red and the surrounding students looked at her with additional meaning. She stammered, “That-that is because my Mother had really fallen sick!”
“Since Yi Furen could be sick at such a juncture then why cannot my parents also be sick at the same time?” Shen Miao did not bother and her words did not consist of any dirty words but was able to mercilessly humiliate Yi Pei Lan. Shen Miao continued, “Since Yi Furen was unable to deal with the matter, why is Yi Young Lady insisting on my parents to do so? My Eldest Sister was in prison that even her close family, Second Shu and Second Older Brother, were unable to find a way out. Do you think that it would have been easy to save her? Yi Young Lady, there are only two flaps of skin on a person’s mouth. It is easy to speak but difficult to do. Do not do to others what one would not have them do to one. If one still want to teach and criticise others, please see if one can do it first!”
When Pei Lang just entered the classroom, he heard Shen Miao’s continuous attack of words. He looked at the class, Shen Miao was standing straight and spoke clearly and plainly but could easily clean out Yi Pei Lan and the entire Yi residence. Yi Pei Lan was made speechless and could only bite her lower lip and stare at Shen Miao.
Correct, do not do to others what one would not have them do to one. Yi Residence themselves were people who saw the wind to set the helms, and it was a joke for others that they still stood on high moral grounds and criticised others.
“Shen Miao!” As she got more angry, Yi Pei Lan almost rushed up to fight with Shen Miao when she heard a light cough as Pei Lang walked in from outside.
Seeing the teacher, everyone immediately became silent. Yi Pei Lan’s anger was not extinguished yet when she heard Pei Lang light voice, “No quarrels are allowed in the school.” After finishing his words, he looked warningly at Yi Pei Lan.
Everyone knew that in Guang Wen Tang, even though Pei Lang was only a scholar and had a mild temperament, he was very respectable. Despite Yi Pei Lang’s arrogant temper, she dare not raise her voice. Shen Miao sat down on her seat and Feng An Ning nudged her shoulder and spoke softly, “Teacher Pei is helping you out of trouble, Yi Pei Lan is really too much that even Teacher Pei cannot take it.”
Shen Miao looked up and just nice met Pei Lang’s eyes. In his mild expression, there was a little look of probing, as if wanting to see clearly what she was thinking.
As she met Pei Lang’s eyes her lips slightly hook up and slowly smiled.
Pei Lang was slightly startled. This young female’s face was delicate and pretty but was at the side of looking dignified and cold. The smile that appeared, however seemed to have brought a charm of a female adult, which contained a trace of an indistinct allure, making one could not help but want to delve into the secret.
But just at that moment, Shen Miao lowered her head, as if that flash of a smile was only an illusion.
*****
The rumours in the Ding capital, regardless of how big or small they were, the Feng Xian Pawnshop naturally would be willing to let everyone know.
Ji Yu Shu buried his head in an abacus and said towards the two persons, “The sale of the JianNan’s Chen family deal is very worthwhile. Such a big sum of money. This pawnshop do not need to be open for three years.”
“You will really swallow all this money and not leave Fifth Shen Young Lady any?” Gao Yang jokingly said, “In any case, our people were the one selling the news.”
Ji Yu Shu curled his lips, “She herself said that the money belongs to me and I have taken on such a big and dangerous risk to create her news, else can the matter of Prince Yu be settled this cleanly, without any troubles at all?” He continued, “Moreover, if it was not for her telling Chen Yue Shan that money was not required, when this deal was finished, I would have been able to not open shop for thirty over years. But because of her blessing, I have earned so much less. If she was not a female, I would have humiliated her!”
“If you really humiliated her, I will definitely gift you a coffin.” Gao Yang lightly waved his fan and his smile was gentle and elegant but the words he said made other’s teeth itch, “Prince Yu thought of harming her but at the end she exterminated his entire household. Her own sister schemed against her, she wanted the other person’s life. This kind of vicious and ruthless Young Lady, I bet that you will die in less than three moves from her.”
“Save it.” Ji Yu Shu was not satisfied, “Is this Lord so weak? Besides, no matter how powerful she is, she is a female and being a female is a weakness.” Ji Yu Shu looked towards Xie Jing Xing who was drinking tea indifferently at the side and said, “Let us say it like this, if there is a day when Fifth Shen Young Lady fall in love with our Third Xie Older Brother, then she would be pouting coquettishly and even if she is a high graded and well-tempered steel, she would not be able to resist being wrapped around Third Xie Older Brother’s finger. At that time, even if Third Xie Older Brother pointed a sword at her, one think that her brows would not even wrinkle.”
“Heh heh.” Gao Yang looked at him indifferently, “At that time, she would definitely chop Third Xie to eight pieces first and then grind them to a buddy flesh to feed the dogs.”
“Third Xie Older Brother, Gao Yang has cursed that you are a dog.” Ji Yu Shu immediately complained.
Xie Jing Xing continued to play with the hairpin in his hands and rolled his eyes at the both of them, with a rare trace of awe in his face.
“They have arrived.”
