Chapter 75

Chapter 75: Intended Plan (Part 1)

Shen Xin and wife finally returned back to the residence in the evening. Accompanying them back to the residence was a carriage full of rewards that were bestowed by the Palace. If it was like before, these rewards would have definitely be kept at the Shen residence’s public fund but today, Luo Xue Yan let the servants directly carry those chests into the Western courtyard.

The rewards from the Palace were lavish and expensive, and the servants of the Eastern courtyard could only look on helplessly as the chests passed by their courtyard. From time to time, there were sounds of objects breaking coming from Rong Jing Tang. Obviously that extremely cheapo Old Shen Furen was furious about the matter, and was putting on a tantrum for others to see.

But people from the military did not care for such a tantrum. The chests still continued their journey and very efficiently, everything was quickly moved over.

Shen Miao was sitting in front of the table reading. She was reading all about Ming Qi’s political and legal orders, and those poetry books that Gu Yu and the rest brought for her were thrown aside without even glancing a look at them.

One could hear hearty laughter coming from outside the door, “Jiao Jiao!”

Shen Miao turned her head and saw Shen Xin striding in with Luo Xue Yan following closely behind. They probably came over here directly upon their return to the residence as they did not even change their clothes. Shen Qiu was right at the end and winked and made a face at her.

Shen Miao stood up and rushed towards them to greet, “Father, Mother, Eldest Brother.”

Shen Xin and wife could not help but be stunned with her gentle look. Shen Miao was not close with them and in the past when they returned, she would leave after a few words and would be very impatient. This appearance of harmony have not been seen since a very long time. However in that gentleness, there was a slight alienation but even though it was very small, Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan as parents were sensitive to it.

Shen Miao sighed slightly in her heart. She was unable to be like a normal fourteen year old girl and whine to Shen Xin but also could not pretend as if nothing had happened. In the previous life it was her that dragged the Shen family down so when she faced Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan, guilt filled her heart and truthfully it was hard to be close.

Luo Xue Yan felt that her heart paused a moment and the care and concern for her daughter quickly overshadowed that suspicious point. She took a few steps forward and grabbed Shen Miao’s hand before asking anxiously, “How is Jiao Jiao feeling? Is there anywhere that is uncomfortable?”

“It is all right.” Shen Miao smiled gently as she replied.

“Jiao Jiao, Father had gotten a few big chests of precious stuff from the Palace today. When you are better, go pick something you like in the morning. Those jewellery and whatever hairpin, I heard they are first-rated in the entire capital.” Shen Xin words were pleasing to hear. Seeing such a tall and muscular man carefully noticing his daughter’s favourites, it made some people feel weird.

Shen Miao smiled gently, “Thanking Father but this matter is not a rush. Just place those precious stuff in the safe in our courtyard. In the long course of time, I will go and take a pick if there was an interest one day.”

When the words were spoken, the expressions on the people in the room changed.

In the past, when Shen Xin carried such chests back, naturally he let Shen Miao select first and the rest would be sent to the public fund. He had always doted on his daughter and no one refuted his words, because these rewards were earned by Shen Xin’s spears and swords. But if it was like in the past, Shen Miao would not pick for herself first and let Shen Yue and Shen Qing finish picking, and after Second and Third household finished picking then she would start to select. This was because she was close to Second and Third household so that was what she did before.

But today, Shen Miao did not push it out and proposed to lock the chests in the safe in her own courtyard. Even though Shen Xin did not intend to place the rewards in the public fund, but Shen Miao change of attitude towards the rest of the Shen family was clear in the eyes of others.

Even if they had no knowledge of the matters in the inner courtyard, they could tell that there was something wrong with Shen Miao. Shen Qui opened his mouth and Luo Xue Yan held onto Shen Miao hands and spoke gently, “Jiao Jiao, did something happen? Tell mother about it. Now that Father and Mother have return, no one would dare to bully you.”

“No one dare to bully me.” Shen Miao smiled, “Nothing happened to me.”

“What exactly happen on the day when the Ancestral Hall caught fire?” Shen Xin asked, “Why were you the only one remaining in the hall?” Both the couple went to the Palace to see the Emperor and only left some people to investigate secretly but it was too late to pursue the details of this strange event.

“I made a mistake and was locked in the ancestral hall. Who knew that suddenly the ancestral hall was caught up in a fire…” She said reluctantly.

When Shen Qiu, who was standing behind, saw what was happening, he held back the words which sprang to his lips. He knew what was going on but Shen Miao purposely and repeatedly told him not to inform the matter to Shen Xin and wife. Even though he really wanted to tell Father and Mother the truth, but she said that if Shen Qiu did not kept his promise then she would not be bothered with him anymore. Thus he dismissed the idea in his head.

Shen Xin asked Shen Miao as expected, “What mistake did you make? No matter how big the mistake was, one should not locked you in the ancestral hall alone.”

“Oh.” Shen Miao lightly mentioned the gist of it, “I contradicted Second Shu in front of Grandmother and others.”

“What?” Luo Xue Yan raised her eyebrows in anger but did not reprimanded Shen Miao. She however said, “Number two is really living backwards. For a grown man to quarrel with a young female, is nothing but embarrassing!”

Gu Yu’s and Jing Zhe’s lips drew out as they continue serving in the room. It was not at all nonsense when one said that the First household would shield her shortcomings to the extreme. Even if Shen Miao were to beat up Shen Gui, it was feared that Shen Xin and wife would have blamed Shen Gui for making Shen Miao’s hands sore.

“Younger Sister, why did you contradict Second Shu?” Shen Qiu could not help but asked.

“Most likely because… I was not willing to marry.” Shen Miao said.

“Marry?” Luo Xue Yan and Shen Qin exclaimed out loud in shock one after the other. Luo Xue Yan looked at Shen Miao incredulously and asked, “Marry what person? How me and your father are not aware of it?”

Shen Miao lowered her head, “The Vice Minister of the Legislative Bureau’s Wei family proposed marriage for their Di son, Wei Qian. Birthday characters were already exchanged but I am not willing to marry so I contradicted in front of everyone.”

“Wei Qian…” Shen Xin pondered for a moment. “The Wei family is a large family and the Di son of the Wei family was considered to be a young talent. If one were to talk about it, it would be rather suitable for Jiao Jiao…” He was actually seriously considering this marriage proposal. As an official for so many years, even if he was not in the Ding capital, Shen Xin roughly understood his peers around seven to eight out of ten. If the Wei family had some wastrel son, he could see it out in a glance. Moreover Wei Qian was a rare and good son-in-law so in a short span of time, Shen Xin thought about some other things.

“Think about what!” Luo Xue Yan roared, “Even if he is the king of Heavens or even the Emperor, it will not do if Jiao Jiao is not willing!”

Luo Xue Yan’s words were shocking. She was a heroic female born in the Northwestern military lineage family and her marriage with Shen Xin was fought by herself. Thus Luo Xue Yan could not understand the logic of parents being the matchmakers. She continued, “And besides, both you and me were not aware of this matter at all. Who would know what kind of intention they had!” Ever since she saw Shen Miao trapped in the sea of fire while Ren Wan Yun maintained a peaceful state of mind, Luo Xue Yan was filled with disgust of the other people of the Shen family and all the good feelings she had were swept away.

Shen Xin also frowned. Based on theory, the Wei family marriage proposal was good. If it was arranged for Shen Miao, it was honestly not a loss. After all it was rare to be able to pick out such a young talent out. But since this was a good marriage, why did the Shen family hid it from him and his wife?

Shen Qiu’s mouth twitched. He knew what the matter was and was also mentally complaining about Shen Miao, for not speaking about the plan to exchange the marriages that the rest of the Shen family had. But he could only remain silent and he did not know why everytime Shen Miao swept her eyes at him, there was a kind of deterrent force. Shen Qiu himself was not willing to believe that he, one who was invincible in the battlefield, would be fearful of his own Young Sister.

“But Jiao Jiao,” Shen Xin spoke softly, “The eldest son of the Wei family is not bad. For you to be so against this marriage, was it because there is a man in your heart…” He hesitated. In the family reports from the Shen family, there were frequent news of Shen Miao being foolishly in love with Prince Ding. In this world, whichever male that Shen Miao liked, he and Luo Xue Yan would not obstruct but the Heaven’s family was different. Now was the moment where the princes were fighting for the position of the heir thus if the Shen family got involved in it, one was afraid that at end, the family would also be pulled into the mud.

But these kind of matters, Shen Miao, a young lady like that, would not understand. On the return road back, Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan had discussed numerous number of times on how to dispel the idea in Shen Miao’s head but at the end they came out with nothing. Shen Miao was stubborn in temperament and for things that she had decided, even nine bulls would not be able to pull her back. Moreover to tell a Young Lady to give up the person she liked, if it was anyone else, they would not accept it either.

Shen Miao was able to know what Shen Xin was trying to say with one look. She lightly said, “I do not have anyone in my heart, and was unwilling to marry because one heard that the Young Master of the Wei family already had someone in his heart. No matter how good he was, there would not be any light in one’s heart, so why do I need to become the person separating the love birds and destroy an unrelated person’s life?”

Shen Xin and wife felt somewhat dizzy due to Shen Miao’s words. Since when did Shen Miao speak in such a mature way, and with a manner like a female who had faced thousands of waves. Secondly, she said that there was no one in her heart?

With regards to Wei Qian, Shen Miao only gradually understood him when she became the Empress in her past lifetime. As there was no marriage proposal from the Wei family in the past lifetime, Wei Qian married his Biaomei and as a rare young talent in Ding capital, Wei Qian extremely doted on his wife and it was even spread around. For that to happen, Wei Qian and his Biaomei were certainly childhood sweethearts, so that Gentleman Wei’s heart was unwilling when the Wei family came over to propose.

“Jiao Jiao, do not you like… Like His Highness Prince Ding?” Luo Xue Yan bit her mouth but still asked at the end.

“Prince Ding?” Shen Miao heard it and lightly said, “His Highness Prince Ding is a descendant of the Heavens, how can I claim connections? In the beginning, I was ignorant but now have calmed down and know that I have overstepped the proper boundaries. At present, one no longer mention about the matter anymore.”

Chapter 75: Intended Plan (Part 2)

“Prince Ding?” Shen Miao heard it and lightly said, “His Highness Prince Ding is a descendant of the Heavens, how can I claim connections? In the beginning, I was ignorant but now have calmed down and know that I have overstepped the proper boundaries. At present, one no longer mention about the matter anymore.”

Luo Xue Yan was surprised again for a moment. Shen Xin and Shen Qiu were after all men and did not understand. Even though she had a carefree character, she was still a female. A female can understand another female’s love situation. She thought that Shen Miao only said it verbally but after carefully looking at Shen Miao’s expression, she discovered that when she was talking about Prince Ding, there was no trace of being emotional in Shen Miao’s expression, as if one was mentioning a stranger in general.

Not waiting for Luo Xue Yan to speak, Shen Xin himself first shouted, “Jiao Jiao, Father do not agree with your words. No matter who we the Shen family match with, you can claim connections. Which one of the sons of Ming Qi dare to abandon you, even if…”

“Ke.” Luo Xue Yan lightly coughed and stared fiercely at Shen Xin. It did not matter that Shen Xin was praising his daughter but it was difficult for Shen Miao to dispel the idea of Prince Ding. Was not Shen Xin finding trouble for himself?

Shen Xin also knew that he had said the wrong thing and quickly looked elsewhere as if nothing had happened.

Lou Xue Yan too a good look at Shen Miao and after seeing her calm expression, she was then relaxed and smiled, “Jiao Jiao is still young of age and there is no rush to get married. There are many more good males in Ming Qi and our Jiao Jiao has extraordinary looks, how will one be afraid of not marrying well? Do not worry. Our Jiao Jiao’s husband would be a hero that can withstand the skies and earth.”

Shen Miao smiled and did not say anything. With regards to the fantasy of the person beside her pillow, she was disheartened time and time again during her last life in the Inner Palace. In this life then, she had already not intended to marry but these words cannot be told to Shen Xin and wife.

When normal females heard about their marriage, they would always be a little shy, moreover in the eyes of the couple, Shen Miao was not one who had a cold temperament. But after Luo Xue Yan finished, she did not see any reaction from Shen Miao and the both of them could not help but feel some frustration. Previously even though Shen Miao was not close with them, they could still understand Shen Miao’s temperament. But upon returning this time, Shen Miao became unfamiliar and had matured so much overnight, making Shen Xin and wife not know what kind of attitude have to face their daughter. If they were to coax her like how they did previously, they would seem even more of a fool if Shen Miao looked at them quietly.

When Shen Qiu saw his parents being embarrassed, a laughter burst out. Shen Xin and wife made one frightened when hearing their names but when facing Younger Sister, they were totally helpless. But… Shen Qiu’s gaze gradually sank. There would not be just a big change of character overnight that made an arrogant young lady to become so cool and calm. There must be that something else happened.

“Father,” Shen Miao suddenly said, “In a few days’ time, there will be a returning banquet that will be held in the Palace?”

The returning banquet will be held because of the defeat of the enemy by the Shen family army, and in order to celebrate the meritorious deeds. All the civil and military officials would attend and was considered as the Imperial family working to be closer to the officials. In the returning banquet, the Emperor would reward the meritorious services rendered.

In the last lifetime, after a few days from the returning banquet, the Emperor wanted to promote Shen Qiu’s official position but because of Shen Miao’s matter, Shen Xin fought with all his meritorious services and made the Emperor agree to bestow marriage, and gotten Shen Miao the position of Ding Wangfei.

It was already considered as overstepping the boundaries of what was proper when a female proposed to a male. Shen Xin was at the mercy of the battlefield for his entire life but at the end of the day, used all his services to beg and was almost ridiculed by the entire court. At that time Shen Miao did not see Shen Xin’s bitter smile as she was jumping up from joy of becoming the Ding Wangfei.

From the moment she married into Prince Ding residence, it meant that the Shen family was tied to Prince Ding’s boat and Fu Xiu Yi had all the reason to squeeze every last drop of value from the Shen family army.

“Yes.” Shen Xin asked with a smile, “Does Jiao Jiao have any more requests? Father can help you to request His Majesty for them.”

Such a level of doting love, it was almost like a pearl in one’s palm. Shen Miao’s mouth was somewhat dry, how could she not discover her father feelings for her in her past life? The Shen family’s death was controlled by the enemies but it was because of her stubbornness and blindness.

“I do not have things that I want.” Shen Miao gently smiled, “But if His Majesty want to reward Father…” She paused and when she look up again, she said with a pair of clear eyes, “Father can request His Majesty to be able to stay in the capital for half a year to accompany me. How about it?”

When the words were spoken, Luo Xue Yan, Shen Xin and Shen Qiu were all stunned.

Shen Miao had never retained the couple because they were not by her side when she was young, and thus feelings were shallow so it was natural that there was nothing much. Every year after the end of the year, Shen Xin and wife would leave the capital to defend the Northwest region and even if there were no enemies, they had to guard the territory to prevent foreign invasions. Actually this was not necessary but the Emperor would still hand-pick them and moreover the Old General had this habit to do so when he was alive thus, they had never refuted before.

Shen Miao’s intention just now was obviously to retain them. She was retaining Shen Xin and wife so that they would leave half a year later, and this was actually somewhat outrageous but when Shen Xin and wife heard it, they were ecstatic as this represented that Shen Miao did have feelings for them.

“Naturally it would be no problem!” Delighted with the change on his daughter’s attitude, Shen Xin did not think of the problem behind and agreed to it. Luo Xue Yan was also somewhat excited but Shen Qiu, who was standing at the side pursed his lips. He did not want to remain in Ding capital as for him, he felt that there was nothing interesting in the Ding capital. Those noble heirs were boring and it was better for him to be sent to the northwest region’s desert to fight battles. However after looking at Shen Miao’s face, his heart softened. At least with him by her side, the best thing was that no one would dare to bully Shen Miao.

After saying much more stuff, the Shen Xin couple and Shen Qiu left. After they left, Shen Miao put the books on the table and walked to the side of the window.

“Young Lady…” Gu Yu spoke softly, “Have already spoken to Chun Tao. Eldest Young Lady’s abdomen is fine. This one heard that Second Furen and Second Master were quarrelling because of Eldest Lady’s marriage.”

Shen Miao smiled coldly. Ren Wan Yun’s good scheme of marrying the sisters together was gone with the eastward flowing streams. But Ren Wan Yun naturally would not be willing to let Shen Qing marry to Huang De Xin. But the birthday character cards were exchanged and both families have come into a conclusion. It would not be an easy matter to go back on their words at this time.

The saying of ‘lifting a rock only to drop it on one’s own feet’ talked about this. Naturally when Ren Wan Yun’s idea was up in the air, she would not let her live well and keep attacking. If that poisonous snake wants to strike, she would do it during the banquet. Just nice, she also wanted to grab onto Ren Wan Yun’s tender spot and catch Prince Yu unaware.

Outside the door, Luo Xue Yan’s and Shen Xin’s faces became sullen. Luo Xue Yan angrily said, “What is going on with Old TaiTai and your Younger Brothers? To plan Jiao Jiao’s marriage for inexplicable reasons. This is the first time hearing such a thing in my life.”

“Furen need not be angry.” Shen Xin said, “I will immediately go and get a clear explanation from Old TaiTai and once there is such a matter, I will immediately clarify things with the Wei family. With such a concealment, the matter is strange.”

“I guess that Jiao Jiao has suffered a lot this one year.” Luo Xue Yan snapped, “Later I will call Jiao Jiao’s maids over and ask clearly what exactly is going on and that Gui Momo has also disappeared.” After all she was one who fought in battlefields and had some sensitivity to these things. She said, “I find that what Jiao Jiao said was correct. If one do not stay in Ding capital for half a year and punish these monsters, our daughter’s life will be gone!” As she said, she glared at Shen Xin again.

Shen Xin touched his nose as naturally he knew that Luo Xue Yan was dissatisfied with his two brothers. Not to say Luo Xue Yan, his belly was also filled with anger. He instructed the two guards by his side, “Guard Young Lady well these few days, if anything is wrong, immediately inform me. If Young Lady suffer anything, you will be punished according to the military code!” Finishing, he turned towards Shen Qiu and frowned, “Rascal, why are you in a daze?”

Shen Qiu recovered to his senses with Shen Xin’s roar. He vaguely spoke, “Oh, was thinking of something.” He was all along thinking about Shen Miao’s matter. Today the people that were sent to Wo Long temple had returned to report that there was not anything wrong that happened that day, and no one else know about the matter. Shen Qiu was not a fool and knew that it was because all those who knew of the matter were sent away. To do it in such a level where not even a hint was detected, it was not the Shen family’s abilities. Shen Qiu became even more suspicious about the truth and why Shen Miao was hiding it from him.

Unconsciously, this Younger Sister of his became someone who one could not see through.

“Look at the time already.” Shen Xin directed the frustration that he had gotten from his Furen to his unlucky son. “You go and investigate the matters in the residence. I will question you tomorrow.”

“Ah.” Shen Qiu face became bitter. He already knew the reality of the details of the events but Younger Sister did not let him speak about it.

Chapter 75: Intended Plan (Part 3)

At the moment, it was a mess in Cai Yun Yuan.

Shen Gui just left but before he did that he gotten into a big quarrel with Ren Wan Yun. Ever since the day Shen Xin returned on Old Shen Furen’s birthday, Shen Gui was in conflict with Ren Wan Yun on the matter. In fact Shen Gui knew about Shen Miao’s confinement but to him, once anything went wrong he would push everything to Ren Wan Yun.

For him and Shen Wan to walk to this point today, it was all due to the people’s connections that Shen Xin left behind. Even though they both have a certain status in court today, if Shen Xin had the intention to do them harm, Shen Gui’s and Shen Wan’s careers would inevitably be in a mess. This was a world where military were respected. Even though the civil officials ridicule the Generals for being unruly and brute, whoever had the military power, whoever will be the most important force in Ming Qi. The Emperor would naturally protect the General as compared to the civil officials.

In the past both brothers were able to keep the act up without leaking a drop of water, and Shen Xin was also willingly to look after them. Who knew that this time Shen Xin saw for himself that Shen Miao was trapped in a sea of fire. Shen Xin valued Shen Miao like his life and would do anything in a fit of anger which made Shen Gui flustered. Ever since Shen Xin returned, Shen Gui was extremely irritable but Ren Wan Yun happened to mention about withdrawing from the marriage at this time. It was practically adding oil into the fire, so all the dissatisfaction that he had with Ren Wan Yun was unleashed.

Today was the same, he got into a furious fight with Ren Wan Yun and put his foot down that Shen Qing must marry into the Huang family. Shen Gui flicked his sleeves and left Ren Wan Yun who was gasping for air as she almost fainted.

“Animals! Animals!” Ren Wan Yun stroke her heart and her lips were trembling.

Shen Gui did not care for the happiness of his daughter, and set his heart climbing up the Huang family for his own career advancement, and that made Ren Wan Yun so angry that she could throw horses and men off their feet. Now that Shen Xin had returned, Luo Xue Yan was not someone who one could get along easily. If it was not because the matter was extremely confidential, if Shen Xin and wife knew that she had the idea of exchanging the marriages, she was afraid that they would have the heart to kill her. Even if Shen Xin and wife did not discover it this time, the matter on the fire at the ancestral hall had already estranged the First household from them, thus it would be harder to do harm to Shen Miao in the future.

Ren Wan Yun could not wait to cut Shen Miao up into thousands of slices. In the beginning it was Shen Miao that schemed against Shen Qing. If it was not for Shen Miao, then how would Shen Qing end up being forced to marry a cut sleeve. Now that Shen Miao had Shen Xin’s protection, it would be difficult to take action in the area of marriage.

“Furen, please cool down.” Xiang Lan cooled down Ren Wan Yun and spoke, “One’s must not destroy the body with anger. The returning banquet is in a few days’ time. If that happens then it would not be convenient to move it.

Ren Wan Yun eyes moved and a grim smile appeared on her face, “You are right. I must not destroy my body with anger. During the returning banquet… During the returning banquet, I want that little slut to live worse than death!” She turned her head and looked at Cai Ju, “Did the letter reached to Prince Yu residence?”

“It is already sent over.” Cai Ju carefully said.

“Since my Qing-er’s ending is not good, that little slut better not be thinking of escaping!” There were traces of a sneer in Ren Wan Yun’s expression as she coldly laughed, “I cannot do anything to her as Shen Xin is there protecting her, but if they have the ability then they should go against Prince Yu.” She was alike to a vicious snake as she said gruesomely, “There will be someone that will take care of her!”

*****

The residence of Prince Yu of the First Rank.

In the magnificent and grand main hall, there was a beautiful Persian dancer wearing a thin piece of clothes dancing. Those fair bare feet were stepping on the soft carpet and there were coloured bells dangling around her ankles, as they rang a sweet dingling sound following the dance moves. Her snake-like body was dancing vicariously.

High up on the seat was a male who had an ugly and hideous face and an empty left leg. It was Prince Yu. At the moment there was a petite girl kneeling next to him. That young female was around eleven or twelve and she was very young and very beautify but her eyes were filled with fear. At this moment she was no more than an inch away, pounding lightly on Prince Yu’s leg.

This young female’s fair body was covered with purple and blue bruises. Upon a closer look, there were red whip marks. It was obviously she had experienced a painful and excruciating torture.

Prince Yu looked at the contents of the letter and he suddenly laughed and violently smacked the lion head on the seat. The young female screamed in shock and quickly fell onto the ground as her entire body could not help but trembled.

“Shen Xin…” A few words were chewed out of Prince Yu’s mouth. “Shen Miao… Actually dare to play around with this Prince.”

After what happened that night, because he had found other interesting things, he had thrown it to the back of his mind. For Prince Yu, these young ladies were only interesting toys and were the same as rearing those cats and dogs. As for what would happen to them later, he does not care one bit. Combined with Shen Gui’s concealment, he did not discover anything wrong.

Until this letter came, he finally recalled that there were some odd things that day. That Shen Miao had such good means that not only she counter checked Ren Wan Yun, she also played with him.

In Ming Qi, Prince Yu of the First Rank was considered a son of the Imperial family. Other than the Emperor, everyone would have to be courteous and give in to him. Shen Miao was a little girl and even dared to step on his dignity under her feet. If previously he only felt interested in playing with Shen Miao, this time Prince Yu had truly became furious and his murderous intention was ignited.

It is just that now Shen Xin was still protecting her in the Ding capital. How can he take action? Or could it be possible to eliminate Shen Qiu.

Prince Yu of the First Rank touched his chin and a trace of extreme viciousness flashed in his eyes.