Three days later, the Imperial family held a returning banquet and hundreds of civil and military officials were attending. Even though Emperor Wen Hui mentioned that it was a celebration for the monarch and officials, everyone was well aware that this returning banquet was the Emperor’s way of celebrating Shen Xin’s meritorious services.
The Shen family held huge influencing power in their hands and with such valiant military leaders like Shen Xin and Shen Qiu, if one used them well, it would be a good sword to defend Ming Qi. If one did not used them well, they could threaten the person who was sitting on that chair at any time. For the Shen family, the Imperial family of Ming Qi depended heavily on defences but when the foreign lands were unclear, the Shen family were at least safe.
As long as the Shen family does not enter the muddy waters of the fight for the heir, the Imperial family would not take any action against the Shen family within these ten years. This was something that those people in court that had brains could see. But previously Shen Miao was in love with Prince Ding which made others think that if Shen Xin were to marry his daughter to Fu Xiu Yi, the position of the Shen family in court would be at the knife-edge. But afterwards Shen Miao’s interest on Fu Xiu Yi gradually faded and the Shen family need not be caught up in the whirlwind of the fight for the heir, thus they were safe and sound. Within those next ten years, the reputation of the Formidable Grand General in Ding capital could deter a lot of people.
Early in the morning Luo Xue Yan came over to take a look at Shen Miao. In the past few days, Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin were investigating about the events in the Shen residence but these matters were covered up very well, and even the small trivial matters could not be discovered. But despite this, Shen Xin and wife felt a lot strange and alienated from Old Shen Furen and the other two households.
Shen Miao did not tell Shen Xin and wife about the matter of Shen Qing losing her innocence, and it was impossible for Ren Wan Yun and Chen Rou Qiu to say it out on their own accord. Even the excuse for Gui Momo’s death was done anyhow, it was said that her hands and feet were unclean (aka steals stuff) and she was thrown out of the house. Ren Wan Yun thought that Shen Miao would have told the truth them but who knew that Shen Miao also used her excuse. Ren Wan Yun thus believed that Shen Miao would not make any complaints to Shen Xin and wife about any concerns and so became even more fearless than before.
“There are too little hairpins in Young Lady’s jewellery box.” Bai Lu styled Shen Miao’s hair into a long bun. Now that Shen Miao was slimmer, she lost her young appearance and was not compatible anymore with the kind of looks that she had previously used. Moreover today she needed to enter the Palace so it would probably be best to dress up more dignified. However previously Shen Miao’s jewellery was bought by Ren Wan Yun and most of them were gold and now these jewellery were used to buy Yan Mei and Shui Bi in San Fu Ban, and for Mo Qing to make arrangements with Physician Chen and hence were pawned off and spent. Now those jewellery boxes were empty.
“Did not Master carried the rewards that His Majesty bestowed yesterday?” Shuang Jiang was struck by a brainwave, “Why not let Young Lady pick something from there? The rewards from the Palace are definitely good.”
“Forget it.” Shen Miao rejected it. Those things from the Palace, which one of it was not stained by blood. Now she was not willing to wear those things on her body, as if it could infect her and made her remember all those tragic years. She thought about it and opened a jewellery box and picked a hairpin from one of the layer.
“This hairpin is really beautiful!” Bai Lu was pleasantly surprised, “When did Young Lady have such a hairpin, was it Furen who gifted it?”
Shen Miao picked up that hairpin and placed it in front of her to carefully inspect it. This was the hairpin that Xie Jing Xing exchanged after picking the real Begonia from her head during the academy examinations, in the middle of the plum blossoms forest. If it was not Bai Lu mentioning about the matter, she would have thrown it to the back of her head.
The hairpin was made of jade, from the light to dark, when it reached the part with the flower, the entire jade was sparkling with a reddish purple colour. The craftsman who did the carving was very talented as the petal of the Begonia was in full bloom, and there was a feeling of a flourishing meaning. When one touches it, there was a cool and moist texture, obviously from the finest grade of jade. For such a jade Begonia hairpin, one fear that it was valued higher than a thousand gold. Previously Shen Miao saw a lot of good stuff in the Palace so she could naturally see that this hairpin was out of the ordinary. As such, she was even more unexpectedly surprised at Xie Jing Xing to be so generous as no matter how rich the residence of the Marquis of Lin An, one would not be able to squander at such a level.
Seeing Shen Miao lost in thoughts, Bai Lu was afraid of holding up the time and reminded, “Young Lady, this hairpin looks good, this servant will put it on for you.”
Only then Shen Miao recovered herself and went accordingly with Bai Lu’s wish.
Finally Shuang Jiang put a little rouge on the cheeks before it was considered finished. Gu Yu walked over with a Lotus blue rabbit fur cloak and put it on her before smiling, “Young Lady really look very good. Furen will definitely like it when she see this.”
Outside the door, Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin were waiting as Shen Qiu ripped the leaves apart as he said, “Mother, why not let Younger Sister go to the chests of rewards for clothes and jewelleries?”
“What do you know.” Luo Xue Yan said in a bad mood, “It is always bestowing bolts of materials, one do not see clothes being bestowed. Even if there were clothes, who would know if those Ladyships and Concubines had worn them before. I would not dare to let Jiao Jiao wear them. As for jewellery, you might as well forget about it. Jiao Jiao will wear whatever she likes and desires, it is better not to intervene.”
Shen Miao had all along liked wearing tacky clothes and this point made Luo Xue Yan’s head to ache. No matter how much Luo Xue Yan persuaded, Shen Miao was unable to abandon her love of gold and silver jewelleries and after a long period, Luo Xue Yan gotten used to the look. Luo Xue Yan was born in a family with military lineage and even though she was fiercely beautiful, her dressing went towards the heroic style and had some vibe of a heroine.
Shen Qiu stuck his tongue out and softly spoke, “If Younger Sister wear gold and glittering again this time…” He hardly finished his words when he heard the squeaking sound of the door being pushed open.
“Younger Sister, Younger Sister…” Shen Qiu opened his mouth and stared foolishly at Shen Miao speechlessly.
The young female was wearing a purple jaded silk robes, with a rabbit fur cloak over it. The velvet rabbit fur covered her neck fully, making her small face look like it was the size of only a palm. Her complexion was already fair so when she wore the dark colours like lotus blue, it would not appear dull but looked extremely distinguished. The white straight teeth were like embracing the wind and with the lovely gestures from the young female, it make her more attractive due to her calm and quiet distinguished posture, as every single movement had a touch of prestige to it.
Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin looked at her blankly. For a brief moment, they seemed to have saw pass the young female, and were now staring at the Empress of the throne with that noble air in the Palace that even surpassed the golden crown.
It was precisely because Shen Miao had always been wearing gold and silver that now when she was dressed simpler, she had an extravagant air and that kind of calm temperament was something that they had not seen before. Luo Xue Yan unconsciously pat her chest because she was born in the Northwestern region of the desert and only came to the Ding capital after she married Shen Xin, she was mocked for being uncouth, vulgar and lacking of etiquette. Luo Xue Yan herself did secretly invited a Momo over to learn but no matter how much she learnt, she was unable to portray the kind of elegance that was in one’s bones so she gave up.
Now her daughter looked more noble and dignified than any one of the daughters from Ding capital noble families. How could she not be happy and surprised!
“Hahahaha.” It was Shen Xin that first broke the silence, he raised his head and laughed out loud several times. When he looked back at Shen Miao again, there were pride and happiness in his eyes, “Shen family has a fully grown daughter. My Jiao Jiao is now also a great beauty!” The words he use were extremely coarse which provoked a fierce stare from Luo Xue Yan. When she turned her head, she saw the few guards that Shen Qui brought back from the army were also staring blankly at Shen Miao, she could not help but felt a trace of pride before she said, “Never mind. We will head to the horse carriage first. It would not be good to be late.” Finishing, she pulled Shen Miao along and talked to her intimately.
Shen Miao was not used to be treated as a little child like this but paused when she saw Shen Xin’s and Shen Qiu’s pampering looks. In the eyes of her parents and older brother, she was still that Shen Jiao Jiao.
Luo Xue Yan noticed the Begonia hairpin in her hair and said with a smile, “Jiao Jiao’s hairpin looks really good, did you pick it?”
Shen Miao vaguely responded and intended to walk towards the door but saw that there were two carriages that stopped there.
Shen Gui and Shen Wan were standing outside and when they saw Shen Miao and entourage walking over, their gaze seemed somewhat unnatural. In these days, Shen Xin did not give them any good attitude. No matter how much they explained, he would not even show an expression of hearing. Even the daily greeting to Old Shen Furen, Luo Xue Yan only did it vaguely, like she was doing routine work, which almost angered Old Shen Furen till she fainted.
“Eldest Brother.” Shen Wan was much more smooth as he greeted Shen Xin with a smile.
Shen Xin made a nonverbal grunt with his nose and walked to side of his own horse carriage before speaking towards Shen Miao, “Furen and Jiao Jiao, both of you go in first.” Shen Xin and Shen Qiu did not have the habit of riding a carriage so they would ride their horses along with the carriage.
To be snubbed like that, Shen Gui’s and Shen Wan’s faces were not looking good and there was a trace of sullenness in Shen Gui’s eyes. One of the two carriages’ curtain raised and Shen Yue’s and Chen Rou Qiu’s faces appeared. Shen Yue softly said, “Does Fifth Younger Sister want to sit with us in the carriage? This horse carriage is big enough and it is even enough for Eldest Shen to come.”
“Not needed.” Luo Xue Yan coldly said, “One will have peace of mind when one is sitting in one’s own carriage.”
Shen Miao wanted to applaud Luo Xue Yan in her heart. Previously there was no discord between Luo Xue Yan and the two households, and she had a refreshing personality and treated others warmly and sincerely, thus no one saw this cutting and harsh side of her. One need to know that when Luo Xue Yan was in the battlefield, she would be merciless in the face of the enemies, so no matter how much goodwill Chen Ruo Qiu and Shen Yue showed, it was useless against her.
In the other carriage, Shen Qing and Ren Wan Yun also heard the commotion outside. Shen Qing’s face was still somewhat pale but she was clutching Ren Wan Yun’s hands tightly. Unconsciously she used too much strength and made Ren Wan Yun to cry out. When Shen Qing let go of her hand, there were fingernail marks on Ren Wan Yun’s wrists.
Ren Wan Yun however did not mind the scratches on her hands. She pulled Shen Qing to her embrace and felt the slight trembling of Shen Qing’s body.
“Qing-er…” Ren Wan Yun quietly comforted.
“I must kill her…” Shen Qing said it in clenched teeth. Her sanity had gradually restored and also recalled the terrible experience in Wo Long Temple. All of it was thanks to Shen Miao and the most horrid thing was that she was already pregnant, and the foetus could not be aborted else she would be unable to be a mother in her entire life. Thinking of all the suffering she had to go through, Shen Qing wanted Shen Miao to also feel the pain and torture she went though. No, it should be that Shen Miao must suffer ten times more pain!
“Mother will take revenge for you…” Ren Wan Yun’s heart felt as though a knife was twisted in it, and she hated that she was unable to turn into a wolf to bit off Shen Miao’s throat. Shen Qing’s cry was like a knife stab in her heart and when she faced Shen Qing, she would always remember about that night. She was just next door but chose to watch with folded arms.
“I will take revenge for Qing-er…” Ren Wan Yun murmured.
In another carriage, Shen Yue and Chen Ruo Qiu sat face to face. Shen Yue was still somewhat unhappy with being rebuked by Luo Xue Yan. She had all along not looked up to Luo Xue Yan kind of vulgar military people, and now to be mocked by that type of coarse people, she now had a stomach full of anger.
“Yue-er.” Chen Rou Qiu slightly frowned, “I have told you so many times that you need not pay attention to this kind of people. Why bother to lose your bearing because of her?”
“Mother, I just dislike it.” Shen Yue looked at her palms, “In the past Shen Miao was so respectful to us but now that Eldest Bo’s entire family returned, she put up such an arrogant air. A dog threatens based on its master’s power. Is not she doing it on purpose for us to see?” In her words, it also revealed jealousy that she was not even aware of.
However Chen Rou Qiu caught that jealousy. She looked at her slender and elegant daughter before sighing, “I had taught you before to keep one’s calm no matter what happen. It seem that you are still young, impatient and act too prematurely.” After pausing, Chen Rou Qiu continued speaking, “You need not need to take Shen Miao into great importance. Now that First and Second household is at a deadlock situation and Shen Miao had offended your Second Shen, so your Second Shen will definitely make her stand.”
When Shen Yue heard this, she looked at Chen Ruo Qiu, “But these days, Second Shen did not do anything to Shen Miao.”
Chen Rou Qiu slightly hesitated. Indeed, it had been a long time since Ren Wan Yun had dealt with Shen Miao but after so much time, Ren Wan Yun still was unable to gain any benefits. She tried to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice used to lure it, and has made a number of mistakes. Now she even let Shen Miao successfully wait for Shen Xin’s return. It would be alright if it was others, as Ren Wan Yun was smart and had sophisticated means to clean up the entire inner courtyard of concubines, but she was unable to even fight with a little girl. This was somewhat abnormal.
After a moment, Chen Rou Qiu hid the surprise in her heart and said, “It is exactly because your Second Shen had not been successful all this time. Your Second Shen’s temperament is now so close to rage that when she deal with her the next time, she would definitely take risks and even put in all her energy and effort. As such, even with your Eldest Bo’s protection, one is afraid that Shen Miao will be unable to escape unscathed.”
Shen Yue was muddleheaded after listening to this but seemed to understand something as she said, “As such, we only need to care about sitting down and watching a good show.”
“Exactly.” Chen Rou Qiu said, “This is what I want to teach you. In the inner courtyard, if it is possible not to take action, do not take action. If one can make use of other things to achieve one’s goals then never personally take action. If exploited correctly, without the need to spend any energy, one can benefit greatly from it.”
“Thanking mother for the lesson.” Shen Yue sat up straight, “I am reminded of it.”
They were chatting happily but they did not know that Luo Xue Yan’s carriage had long thrown them far away. Shen Qiu and Shen Xin rode the horses and during the entire journey, the commoners who recognised them all casted admiring and respectful eyes at them. The reputation of the Formidable Great General had long since spread out widely throughout the common folks.
In the carriage, Luo Xue Yan kept looking at Shen Miao and smiled without restraint. Even though Shen Miao was calm and collected, she felt weird being smiled at by Luo Xue Yan.
“Jiao Jiao now look really very pretty.” Luo Xue Yan lamented, “After not seeing for a year, you have grown up to be a lady. In this entire Ding capital, one is afraid that there is no one prettier than you.”
Luo Xue Yan’s words had all along been somewhat strong and if these words were heard by others, she would be a laughing stock. But parents naturally saw their daughter as the best and with the dynamic character of Luo Xue Yan, she saw that Shen Miao was instead calm with an air of nobility. People would always think highly of things that one did not have, so it was natural that Luo Xue Yan started to love this daughter who was suddenly willing to be closer to them even more like precious stones and jewellery.
Shen Miao smiled lightly. Only family would feel proud of her, a so-called idiot.
“Yesterday night I have discussed with your Father.” Luo Xue Yan turned her head, “Previously you mentioned about letting your Father staying in the capital for half a year more, it was a good idea. I and your Father are not in the residence most of the year so it is better to accompany you more often. Today when His Majesty ask, your Father will request that from His Majesty.”
Hearing that, Shen Miao could not help but be surprised for a moment. She believed that Shen Xin at the end would listen to her words but she did not expect it to be this fast. Because she has time to respond, Luo Xue Yan had already hugged her and smiled, “It just so happens that in this half a year, I can also watch Jiao Jiao grow up.”
Luo Xue Yan had an impressive vicious reputation in front of her enemies but in front of Shen Miao, she was very loving. If her old opponents were to see this, they would be so stunned that their front teeth would fall.
“Thanking Mother.” Shen Miao clinged onto Luo Xue Yan as she softly said.
Today this evening banquet was not a so-called celebration banquet at all. In it, there would be extreme danger and one was like playing chess, trying to get the opponent’s army. After setting the opening game and buried the pieces appropriately, one only need to wait till the moment the other side fall into the trap.
Of course for her, the most important thing was that… She finally returned back to the place that imprisoned her entire previous life, buried her children and loved ones and was filled with enemies and massacres, the Imperial Palace.
Emperor Wen Hui, Fu family and those old friends in the deep palace, to once meet again, it would not yet be known to whom the deer would fall to (who will emerge victor). Her lips slightly hooked up and her clear eyes were so deep like a whirlpool was in them and gradually set off a dark storm.
The Imperial Palace was majestic and imposing. The glazed roof tiles and vermilion columns were like the golden dragon entrenching itself and the phoenix dancing in a whirl. It was golden bright, shining and dazzling but also cold, lonely and sorrowful.
Brightness was always the appearance and just like the fertile soil under the flower bushes, there were countless number of bones that were buried deeply in the Palace. There were numerous young beauties but at the end, they all became bones. This Palace looked so beautiful but it was also very dangerous.
In the garden, a palace maid and an eunuch were watering plants. All these boring and tedious tasks were most likely handled by the eunuchs and palace maids that newly entered. Both of them looked sixteen to seventeen and were rather tender looking.
The young palace maid said, “There are a lot of people who came over to the front hall. If I did not make that mistake and was demoted because of it, I would have been waiting those noble people in the front hall. One would know that during the yearly returning banquet, just the money that will be rewarded can be used for the entire year.”
“The returning banquet…” The little eunuch had an expression of looking forward to it, “Would there be many rewards that are awesome?”
“Look at your lack of exposure.” The palace maid’s mouth twitched up, “Truly ignorant and ill-informed. His Majesty is holding the returning banquet for the Formidable Great General and purposely arranged a dinner banquet for the officials. Those who were invited are all high ranking officials and female guests and of course it is extravagant. If you wait for a few more years, with good luck, maybe there will be a chance for you to know. Those noble people’s monetary rewards are all in ingots.”
“Ingots?” The young eunuch exclaimed and enviously said, “That Formidable Great General have such a great face that His Majesty were to specially hold a dinner banquet for him. One presume there would be unlimited limelight.”
“What is the point of having limelight?” That palace maid had a tone of disdain, “To have such an idiotic daughter, it is already good that one’s face was not all lost, what kind of limelight was still wanted.”
“An idiotic daughter?” The young eunuch asked, “The daughter of the formidable Great General?”
“You do not know about this.” The palace maid mysteriously said, “That General Shen is a brilliant god of war, his Shen Furen is also considered a warrior heroine and the young Deputy General Shen is also brave and good at fighting. But the Formidable Great General’s daughter is an out and out idiot. Not to say she had no knowledge of the four scholarly arts, she also like wearing gold and silver which is so tacky. In every returning banquet, she always make a fool of herself when the General Shen bring her. In last year’s returning banquet, I was serving and she does not even know the basic etiquette and rolled down the stairs when she stepped on her dress. Those young ladies and Furens love to mock and laugh at her. Even with the Shen family’s protection, everyone all looked down on that Shen Young Lady.”
“So since it is so…” The young eunuch sighed sadly, “It does not live up to the reputation of the Shen family.”
“Is not it so?” That palace maid continued speaking, “She is regarded as the faulty stroke in the painting of the Shen family. Unexpectedly her two TangJies are much more outstanding that her. General Shen’s reputation was totally thrown away by her. Previously this Young Lady Shen was so crazy in love with His Highness Prince Ding that this was spread out like wildfire and became common knowledge to all.”
“Really a vulgar female.” That young eunuch also had an expression of disgust on his face.
That palace maid often stayed in the Palace, unlike those official’s Furens or young ladies that could leave the Palace, so she only knew matters that happened in the Palace. As for the incident of Shen Miao purging her infamous reputation during the academy examinations, she did not know anything at all.
Just as they were talking, they saw the approaching people and both of them quickly looked down and worked hard at their jobs, not daring to speak. But they heard the approaching person walking towards them and said with a pointed voice, “New here?”
“Replying Gao GongGong, it is exactly so.” Someone at the side answered.
The young eunuch courageously raised his head and took a glance. He only saw three people standing in front, one had the uniform of a head eunuch and the rest had the uniforms of a second rank eunuch. The one who was called Gao Gonggong was the one who was dressed in the head eunuch uniform.
Gao GongGong swept a glance at both of them and his eyes fell onto the young eunuch, asking, “What is the name?”
“This servant is Xiao Li-zi.” The young eunuch was quick witted as he respectfully replied.
“Him then.” Gao Gonggong said to the person beside him, “There is a shortage for one to hold the jug in the front hall. Seeing that he has clever looks, most likely he would be able to enter the noble people’s eyes. Put him into it.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Li-zi was also excited. As such, according to what the palace maid had said, he was able to get a lot of monetary rewards and if he was favourable in any master’s eyes, he may also have some good fortune in the future.
In this Imperial Palace, everyone were racking their brains to climb up. Even the lowest level of servants would also dream of flying up to the higher branches overnight.
*****
There were already many Furens and young ladies that have arrived at the front of the hall. Other than those who had some relationships with the concubines in the palaces and were invited to speak with the various Ladyships at the back, most of the female guests were sitting outside to chat.
“Why has Shen Furen and General Shen not yet arrive?” A Furen with high cheekbones laughed, “The main roles today are them, was it that they deliberately come late?”
“Shen Furen wants to tuck her daughter and not let others see thus deliberately hide in her pocket.” Another round faced Furen also laughed but her words and tone of voice were filled with ridicule.
Shen Xin as a Formidable Great General who had accumulated numerous meritorious services, did not have concubines and was capable. He also treated Luo Xue Yan well and was faithful. As compared to all the noble Furens present, which families did not have a bunch of concubines and the numerous amount of issues that one need to worry about, they were naturally filled with jealousy of Luo Xue Yan, as she had such a good life of having a husband’s love and a capable son.
The most favourite thing that females liked to do was comparisons. The more Luo Xue Yan was fortunate, the more the other Furens would looked as they turned red, infuriated in jealousy, and could not wait for Luo Xue Yan to also meet with some unfortunate things. Thus Shen Miao’s appearance became the only thing that could be used to strike at Luo Xue Yan. Shen Miao was stupid, had no talent, did not look good and also made a fool of herself in the Palace. Every year at this time, it was the happiest time for these Furens. They were able to see Shen Xin and wife humiliated because of this daughter which was as if they had gain benefits from it.
“Do not know what kind of clothes Fifth Young Lady Shen would wear this year.” Yi Pei Lan had a ridicule smile on her face, “Last year her clothes that had golden leaves pasted on was extremely good, and matched with her golden jewellery which was considered as very ‘noble’. Could it be silver leaves this year?”
Those words set off echoing words from the young ladies around, and words of mockery could be heard incessantly.
Just at this time, out of thin air there was a crisp female voice, “Everyone must not say such words. Now the Fifth Young Lady Shen is considered as gaining General Shen’s teachings. One have to know that during the academy examinations how her archery technique was, that even the Young Master of the Cai family had no way of defeating it. If she is not happy, what if she were to deliberately shoot at you all?”
Once those words were spoken, the crowd suddenly grew silent. There were many Furens and young ladies that were present in the academy examinations and they had witnessed Shen Miao’s fierceness. Those words made them involuntarily shudder in their heart. Shen Miao did not even take Cai Lin to heart, if one were to anger her, what were they to do if she shoot an arrow over?
The person who said those words was Feng An Ning. When she just finished speaking, she was glared at by Feng Furen. It is not fun to offend so many Furens. Feng An Ning wrinkled her nose unhappily as she was not use to seeing these people speaking bad behind Shen Xin’s back, but dare not even fart in front of him at all and even quickly go forward to give their greetings. What was so just and honourable in talking bad about one’s daughter behind their back.
Before the awkward atmosphere dissipated, one could hear an eunuch shouting outside, “The Formidable Great General has arrived—”
Everyone’s eyes looked towards the door.
The ones who were at the front were Shen Xin and Shen Qiu. Shen Xin had a dragon’s gait and firm tiger’s steps, with his vigour and prestige that unknowingly overflowed out and with the normal military valour, it made even the entire hall of married women frightened. Shen Qiu’s posture was upright and straight and with a warm smile, two shallow dimples appeared that made him look very cordial, thus all the young females could not help but blush.
Both of them did not stay long at the front of the hall and turned towards the main hall where the shocked males were at. Everyone’s line of sight fell naturally behind them.
Luo Xue Yan wore a royal blue tinged waist robe with her hair up in a neat knife bun. Differently from the other Furen’s dressing, her overall look was extremely simple and relaxed but because of the fabric’s doing, she did not seem rough at all. With a change her beauty had some heroism which was very much different from any ordinary Furen’s beauty.
Followed behind was a purple slim figure who leisurely approached.
