Xie Jingxing left.

Shen Miao sat alone at the table. Jingzhe walked in, glanced outside, and then approached. Earlier, she had been in the outer room and had heard every word exchanged between the two, as neither had bothered to lower their voices. Now, seeing Shen Miao’s poor expression, though hesitant, she couldn’t help but speak: “My lady, you’re being too distant with His Highness.”

Shen Miao remained silent. Jingzhe continued, “Before you married into the Prince’s mansion, you were much warmer toward His Highness than you are now. These days, it seems as if you’re deliberately avoiding him. People who are ill are particularly sensitive, especially since His Highness just escaped death. His feelings must be fragile. If you don’t show concern now, His Highness will inevitably feel uncomfortable. Perhaps tomorrow, with a few kind words from you, things will be better. Please don’t be too disheartened.”

Shen Miao replied, “I understand. You may leave.”

Only after Jingzhe withdrew did Shen Miao press her temples. In her struggle, she found herself unable to face Xie Jingxing, but in all fairness, Xie Jingxing was innocent in this matter. That sentence, “Actually, you never had any feelings for me from the beginning, did you?” made her shudder.

Shen Miao could no longer remember precisely when she had developed feelings for Xie Jingxing. Perhaps it began when he saved her life at Wanli Lake, or when he removed his mask before Princess Rongxin at the Princess’s mansion. Or perhaps on their wedding day, when he extended his hand to her from atop his tall horse. Or even earlier, much earlier—from that fire she set at the ancestral hall, from her first encounter with Xie Jingxing, from their first confrontation.

The feeling of developing emotions was too distant a memory. In her previous life, she had only felt something for Fu Xiuyi, and the price for that had been devastating. With that painful lesson, she dared not easily give her heart. Even when she did invest her emotions, she was miserly, cautious, calculating gains and losses before giving. Yet Xie Jingxing was different. Whether from innate arrogance or recklessness, he lavished his feelings freely. In this marriage, their emotional investments had never been equal. But Shen Miao had given all that she was capable of giving.

Now, because of her feelings, she couldn’t confront Madam Mei without reservation. Admiration and suspicion intertwined, making it impossible to face Xie Jingxing.

And Xie Jingxing must be utterly disappointed in her by now.

She sat at the table. The precious medicinal herb obtained from the Flame Daoist, acquired with such difficulty, lay neglected in its box, tossed aside. With no one attending to it these days, it had gathered a thin layer of dust, forgotten by all.

In the days that followed, Shen Miao’s life took a strange turn.

No one knew what had happened between Luo Tan and Gao Yang, though it seemed Luo Tan was upset about Gao Yang’s deception. Seeing that Xie Jingxing’s poison had mostly cleared, they left an elderly imperial physician at the Prince’s mansion and disappeared somewhere together.

Madam Ji and Ji Yushu had also returned to the Ji residence. With Xie Jingxing out of danger, there was little reason for them to remain at the Prince’s mansion.

Pei Lang had somehow caught a cold and was resting in his quarters, not venturing out.

Suddenly, Shen Miao found herself alone. The servants of the Prince’s mansion sensed the cold war between Xie Jingxing and Shen Miao, and all performed their duties with extreme caution. Everyone in the mansion was on edge, creating an atmosphere even more tense than when Xie Jingxing had been unconscious.

It was precisely at this moment that people from the Ye family arrived.

They came to reclaim Ye Mei and Ye Ke.

The Ye family, seemingly aware of Shen Miao’s dislike for Ye Mei and Ye Ke, had never mentioned this matter to her. Today they had come merely to inform her.

As the Princess Consort of the Rui Prince’s mansion, Shen Miao still had to receive them.

In the main hall of the Prince’s mansion, Madam Ye was speaking with Ye Ke, while Ye Mei sat to the side, smiling faintly. Ye Maocai had his head slightly raised, apparently saying something, while seated opposite him in the position of honor was none other than Xie Jingxing.

Xie Jingxing wore a silver-purple robe and, perhaps due to his not fully healed injuries, sat in a casual, languid manner. He listened to Ye Maocai with an enigmatic smile, his true thoughts impossible to discern.

When Shen Miao entered, Ye Mei was the first to notice her and hurriedly stood to curtsy. Ye Ke, however, remained seated. Now that they were officially children of the Ye family, their status had risen significantly, and they no longer needed to perform the commoner’s obeisance to the Princess Consort.

But when Ye Mei curtsied, Shen Miao made no move to help her up, simply accepting the gesture. Madam Ye’s eyes flashed with displeasure, Ye Ke maintained his composure, and Ye Maocai glanced at Shen Miao, observing everything.

Shen Miao walked to the main seat on the other side, next to Xie Jingxing. Ye Maocai then stood and said, “These days Mei and Ke have been imposing on your hospitality in the Prince’s mansion. We are deeply grateful for the Princess Consort’s care.”

Shen Miao smiled slightly: “They hardly deserve the word ‘imposing.’ After all, Miss Ye and Mister Ye are His Highness’s lifesavers. To call it imposing seems excessive.”

Ye Maocai exchanged a few more pleasantries, but then heard Shen Miao change the subject, asking with puzzlement: “However, how did Li Miss and Li Mister become Ye Miss and Ye Mister? The fact that the family they were searching for is the Ye family is quite surprising.”

As she spoke, Xie Jingxing merely played with his teacup, neither intervening nor agreeing, as if observing from a distance. Ye Maocai couldn’t determine Xie Jingxing’s attitude, hesitated briefly, then smiled and said: “This is quite embarrassing. It’s an old story from over a decade ago. At that time, my wife was giving birth, but the midwife had ulterior motives. Acting on someone else’s orders, she swapped our children. They were twins, a brother and sister, but they were exchanged for a baby girl who died young. All these years, to avoid airing family shame, we never publicized this but secretly investigated. This time, they came to Longyi by chance and found their way to the Prince’s mansion. When they mentioned they were searching for family, everything finally matched up.” Ye Maocai, with his pale, beardless face, looked like a gentle scholar. Now, as he spoke, he appeared utterly sincere, as if drawing on his deepest honesty. He looked at Shen Miao with a broad smile: “It’s said that Mei and Ke saved His Highness’s life, but it’s our Ye family who should thank the Prince. If not for this fortuitous coincidence, our family would not have been reunited.”

“Precisely,” Madam Ye added with a smile. Since meeting Madam Ye, this was the first time Shen Miao had seen her smile so joyously, as if genuinely delighted. Anyone who saw this would believe without question that Ye Mei and Ye Ke were indeed her long-lost children.

But Shen Miao simply couldn’t accept it. People who were children of Ming Qi officials in her previous life had become citizens of Da Liang in this life. The connections and entanglements between these were surely not so simple.

Ye Mei and Ye Ke sat to the side. Ye Mei was beautiful, Ye Ke astute—both exceptional talents. More admirably, they maintained their boundaries, neither speaking out of turn nor exploiting their status as Xie Jingxing’s saviors. This made it difficult for others to harbor ill feelings toward them.

Indeed, Fu Xiuyi, a man so shrewd he bordered on cruelty, so selfish he could ruthlessly harm his children, had nevertheless showered Madam Mei with affection. She must have had her unique qualities.

“How coincidental,” Shen Miao said with a faint smile, casually continuing: “Qinzhou isn’t too far from Longyi. The Ye family searched for fifteen years without success, yet suddenly found their children as soon as they entered the Prince’s mansion.” She looked at Ye Mei: “It’s truly fate, isn’t it, Miss Ye?”

Ye Mei smiled: “Indeed it is. The Prince’s mansion is a blessed place.” She seemed not to have caught the implication in Shen Miao’s words and responded with gracious fluency.

Shen Miao shifted her gaze to Ye Maocai: “What brings Lord Ye here today?”

Ye Maocai quickly replied: “I’ve come to take them home.” Then he added self-consciously: “As their birth father, I’ve let them wander homeless for so many years—that’s our failing. Now that our family is finally reunited, we can’t allow them to continue living such precarious lives. Today we’ll bring them back to our residence, and tomorrow we’ll register them officially. From now on, they are the descendants of the Ye family.” By the end, he appeared quite emotional. Looking at Ye Mei and Ye Ke, there were hints of tears in their eyes as well.

Shen Miao found this performance both awkward and insipid.

Ye Maocai continued to flatter Xie Jingxing, with undertones of attempting to establish a connection based on Ye Ke and Ye Mei’s relationship with him. This attitude was quite intriguing.

The Da Liang royal family intended to draw in the Ye family to counter the Lu family. The Ye family’s pivotal position in this dynamic had kept them neutral, without declaring allegiance. Logically, with Ye Mei and her brother returning to the Ye family, they would have greater leverage against the Lu family and shouldn’t need to submit to the royal authority. Yet their current attitude suggested an inclination to side with Emperor Yongle. After all, the Rui Prince’s mansion had close ties to Emperor Yongle; ingratiating themselves with the Prince’s mansion was effectively pledging loyalty to the Emperor.

Shen Miao’s heart gradually sank. This was certainly not an outcome she desired. If the Ye family truly aligned with Emperor Yongle, and she were to undermine them from behind, she would be cutting off the Emperor’s support. Not only would Emperor Yongle object, but Xie Jingxing likely would as well.

But to ally herself with her children’s murderers—that would be nothing short of nauseating for the rest of her life.

However, Xie Jingxing’s attitude was intriguing.

He listened to Ye Maocai’s words with casual indifference, responding blandly, skillfully avoiding questions that required a clear stance. Neither high nor low, neither clear nor ambiguous, he had Ye Maocai thoroughly confused. Despite the combined efforts of Ye Maocai and his wife, though they seemed to have covered everything, upon reflection, Xie Jingxing had not revealed his position on anything.

When a family showed goodwill toward the royal family, the royals would normally respond with gratitude, or at least reciprocate the courtesy. But Xie Jingxing’s attitude now was like that of a spectator—lazy, indifferent, unconcerned—even making one wonder if he had understood the hints in Ye Maocai’s words.

Ye Maocai and his wife grew anxious. Looking at Xie Jingxing again, they exchanged glances. It was said that the Da Liang Rui Prince was slippery yet troublesome, utterly impenetrable. Today’s direct approach, outside the court, still left them unable to fathom him. His attitude prevented them from growing angry but also gave them no reason to feel reassured. They had intended to maintain their dignity, but in the end, they didn’t know who was maintaining dignity over whom. Xie Jingxing had gained the upper hand, leading them by the nose without them realizing it.

Shen Miao was also surprised by Xie Jingxing’s attitude. On second thought, the Ye family’s sudden display of goodwill was indeed suspicious, and Xie Jingxing was not so dim-witted—he would naturally want to investigate thoroughly. This, however, made her feel relieved. As long as Xie Jingxing didn’t show clear favoritism toward the Ye family, or treat Ye Mei and her brother differently because they had saved his life, she would remain at peace.

In the end, no one persuaded anyone. Ye Maocai seemed to be encountering Xie Jingxing’s immovable stance for the first time. Seeing that it was growing late and that Xie Jingxing showed no sign of a clear position, he realized this visit had been in vain. Staying longer would serve no purpose, but at least their intentions had been conveyed. He prepared to leave with Ye Mei and Ye Ke.

Xie Jingxing instructed Tang Uncle to escort them out. As they were about to exit the hall, Madam Ye seemed to remember something and turned back to ask: “In a few days, it will be His Highness’s birthday, correct?”

Shen Miao was startled. She didn’t know Xie Jingxing’s birthday. The one in Ming Qi certainly wasn’t the real one. As for Da Liang, she had never heard Xie Jingxing mention it.

Madam Ye was keen-eyed and noticed Shen Miao’s surprised expression. She smiled and asked: “How is it that the Princess Consort seems unaware?”

Ye Mei and Ye Ke also paused, with Ye Mei particularly turning to look at Shen Miao with a curious gaze.

For a wife not to know her husband’s birthday, and to learn it from outsiders—this made for an odd relationship.

Xie Jingxing sat in the hall drinking tea, as if he hadn’t heard Madam Ye’s words. Shen Miao smiled faintly and replied: “Does Madam Ye still remember Miss Ye and Master Ye’s birthdays?”

Madam Ye was puzzled: “This…”

Shen Miao didn’t give her a chance to speak, continuing with a smile: “Having missed fifteen years, perhaps Madam Ye should first consider how to make up for Miss Ye and Master Ye’s birthdays.” The implication was clear: mind your own business before meddling in others’, and don’t be so bored as to interfere.

Having so bluntly embarrassed Madam Ye, the latter’s expression soured, and Ye Maocai seemed somewhat awkward. Ye Mei, however, pulled Ye Ke to bow once more to Shen Miao before hastily bidding farewell.

Watching their retreating figures, Shen Miao took a deep breath.

Ye Mei and her brother had succeeded after all. Before she could strike, they had secured the Ye family’s protection. From now on, to suppress Ye Mei and Ye Ke, she would first have to confront the Ye family—a far more challenging task than simply assassinating a pair of siblings. Especially since this was entangled with the complex interests of the Da Liang royal family, where pulling one thread affected the entire fabric, making it even more difficult.

It was truly frustrating and displeasing.

As she pondered this, she hesitated, then turned back to look at Xie Jingxing. She thought about how yesterday she had let her anger get the better of her, misdirecting her rage about Wanyu and Fu Ming onto him. Today, since he hadn’t shown special treatment to the Li Mei siblings, he seemed rational. Perhaps they should have a serious conversation. These days, she had indeed behaved rather poorly.

But just as she turned, she saw Xie Jingxing rise expressionlessly and walk past her without a glance, like a stranger.

Not a word was spoken.

The “I have something to tell you” that Shen Miao had prepared caught in her throat, impossible to swallow.

Behind her, Guyu and Jingzhe exchanged glances. They knew Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing had been in a cold war these days. When the masters weren’t happy, naturally the servants wouldn’t be either. Just now, Shen Miao had intended to reconcile, but Xie Jingxing’s coldness had likely hurt her.

Jingzhe and Guyu had followed Shen Miao for many years, especially in the last two years, and had come to understand her character well—she had extremely strong self-esteem. After Xie Jingxing’s behavior, even if Shen Miao had wanted to reconcile, she would not take the initiative now. Jingzhe whispered: “This is terrible. If this continues, how will they live together after having just married?”

Guyu also murmured: “We need to think of something.”

Shen Miao returned to her room, feeling increasingly uncomfortable the more she thought about it. Xie Jingxing’s treatment of her like a stranger was truly vexing. In her previous life, she had been an Empress for many years in the Ming Qi. Except for initially trying to please Fu Xiuyi because of Fu Ming and Wanyu, she had never yielded to others. She had a strong personality, otherwise, she wouldn’t have fought with Madam Mei for so many years.

Xie Jingxing’s current attitude diminished her desire to have a proper conversation with him. They were both stubborn, though Xie Jingxing typically disdained conflicts with others, and she was good at concealing her feelings. So when they clashed, the result was nothing short of disastrous.

As she was thinking, someone knocked on the door. It was Ba Jiao who entered.

Ba Jiao smiled brightly and placed a plate of pastries on Shen Miao’s table, saying: “These are newly made desserts from the small kitchen, specially prepared according to Ming Qi’s tastes. Please try them and see if they suit your palate.”

Because of the cold war between Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing, the mansion’s servants were also being cautious. The Mo Yu Army people naturally sided with their master, just as Jingzhe and Guyu stood with Shen Miao. Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang had also gone back, so it was unexpected for Ba Jiao to visit now.

There must be an ulterior motive. Shen Miao looked at her and asked: “You have something to tell me?”

Ba Jiao immediately smiled and scratched her head: “I’m clumsy, my lady. You’ve seen through me before I even spoke. My lady, I was found by Jingzhe and Guyu to persuade you.”

Outside the door, Jingzhe and Guyu’s expressions became strange. Ba Jiao claimed to be clumsy, yet usually seemed quite clever. If she were clever, why had she just exposed them both like beans falling from a bamboo tube? They didn’t know what to say.

Shen Miao laughed: “What do you want to persuade me about?”

“They all say my lady is very cold. The master was injured and ill for so many days, yet my lady ran off somewhere unknown, not coming to see him. Even after the master woke, you only visited once. Everyone feels it’s unfair to the master, so they’ve been cold toward my lady these days. Please don’t blame them.”

Shen Miao shook her head: “What they say is true.”

“But my lady isn’t cold-hearted at all,” Ba Jiao said with a smile. “My lady just doesn’t like to express herself. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have taken us wandering through the forest all night, determined to find that master to request medicinal herbs for our lord. But why doesn’t my lady tell the master about this?”

Shen Miao replied coolly: “I wasn’t the one who saved him. In the end, the herb wasn’t used. Fruitless efforts that didn’t serve their purpose don’t count as accomplishments. What’s there to talk about?” In the palace, she had done many things for Fu Xiuyi—reducing extravagance, building a reputation for frugality—but in the end, it couldn’t withstand the decrees Li Ke issued for Fu Xiuyi. Mentioning it would only invite ridicule and pity, so better to say nothing.

Ba Jiao frowned: “But it’s all your heartfelt intention.”

Shen Miao looked at her: “Heartfelt intention?”

Ba Jiao nodded: “Whether you ultimately saved the master or not, even if the herb wasn’t used, your intention was real. You hide your intentions, conceal them—how can the master know that you wandered through the forest all night, insisting on pressing forward? Those were all expressions of your heart. In my view, my lady, your intentions are more precious than any herb. If you hide your intentions because the herb was useless, isn’t that like giving up a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed?”

Shen Miao was stunned.

Ba Jiao smiled: “My lady, your intentions, more than any herb, can heal the master’s illness.”

“Must intentions be spoken to be known?” Shen Miao lowered her eyes. “If there’s heart, how could one not understand?”

Ba Jiao shook her head: “That may be true for others, but it’s different for the master.”

“Oh?”

“You know about the master’s difficult upbringing. The Mo Yu Army was built by the master’s own hands, and we servants have followed him for a long time. Every day, the master faces calculations, but those come from outsiders, enemies—that’s understandable. But family, one hopes, can be more forthright.” Ba Jiao looked earnestly at Shen Miao: “My lady, you are the master’s wife, the person closest to him. If you don’t express your feelings, the master might sense them, but he cannot be certain. The more precious something is, the more demanding one becomes. The master values your feelings, which is why he’s angry. He’s not doubting you—he’s doubting himself.”

“He’s not doubting you—he’s doubting himself.”

Shen Miao suddenly trembled, as if some ice within her heart had melted at these simple words, giving way to soil, to gentle streams, to the vast green fields of spring.

“The master doubts himself too—doubts that he’s not good enough, not as good as others, that you’re dissatisfied with him. All these doubts together become doubt about your feelings. Given this, do you still want to hide your intentions?”

Shen Miao lowered her eyes slightly, but her heart began to surge.

How proud a man Xie Jingxing was—passing with a casual smile through thousands of troops, navigating the dirtiest, most chaotic court intrigues, shouldering burdens beyond his years that weren’t rightfully his. Relatives, brothers, friends—all kept at a distance. With true feelings that no one trusted, he had become someone who seemed to care about nothing.

Yet people forgot his most straightforward sincerity, his youthful innocence. Just like his treatment of Su Mingfeng, Princess Rongxin, and even the Marquis of Lin’an.

Too proud to explain everything, yet doing everything behind the scenes. Such a person, in both her previous life and the current one, would never get involved with people like Li Mei and Li Ke. She should never have doubted him. Her distrust stemmed from her lack of confidence. Just as Xie Jingxing’s doubts about her came from doubts about himself.

Shen Miao closed her eyes momentarily.

As Ba Jiao had said, when people confront what’s most precious to them, they become incredibly demanding. She had feelings for Xie Jingxing, which was why she feared he might be involved with Madam Mei. And Xie Jingxing’s concern for her had made her recent coldness a thorn in his side.

She seemed to have made some mistakes, but fortunately, there still appeared to be opportunities to make amends.

Watching Shen Miao’s changing expression, Ba Jiao suddenly smiled again: “My lady, please soothe the master. He has been so cold these days that everyone in the Mo Yu Army is finding it unbearable.”

Shen Miao shook her head and smiled: “I understand.”

“However,” Ba Jiao hesitated, but still asked: “My lady, do you have some grievance with the Ye siblings?”

Shen Miao was startled: “Why do you ask?” Her cold attitude toward the Ye siblings was known throughout the Prince’s mansion, causing much speculation. Since they had only just met, most people assumed Shen Miao was jealous of Ye Mei’s beauty. Though absurd, no other reason could be found. Why would Ba Jiao ask such a question?

“You’re too cold toward those siblings. The master has had people investigating their background these days, but nothing suspicious has been found. So, my lady…”

Shen Miao’s heart skipped a beat. First, she was surprised that Xie Jingxing was privately investigating the Ye siblings. Second, if even Xie Jingxing couldn’t uncover anything questionable about them, they must truly have clean backgrounds.

“They do have some grievances with me,” Shen Miao said. “But the matter is significant and better left unmentioned for now.”

Ba Jiao nodded thoughtfully, then smiled at Shen Miao: “It’s good that my lady has come to understand. Please don’t hide your feelings. The master is confused by anger now and can’t see clearly, but when we accompanied you to find that strange Daoist that day, we all saw clearly. My lady’s intentions are obvious to anyone with eyes—there’s no need to hide them.” She winked at Shen Miao: “The master’s birthday is on the third day of next month. In previous years, he would host a grand banquet for guests at Bixiao Tower in Longyi. I’ve secretly asked the housekeeper, and this year will be the same. If my lady wishes to prepare a birthday gift, it’s best to have it ready within these few days.”

Before Shen Miao could respond, Ba Jiao added: “The master is very easy to please. If all else fails, my lady, just prepare a bowl of longevity noodles by hand, and the master will surely forgive you. Of course, most importantly, don’t hide your feelings—that will make the master happier!” Then she ran off like a gust of wind.

Shen Miao watched the doors swing open and closed in Ba Jiao’s wake. After a moment, she burst into laughter with a “pffft.”

Her heart felt lighter than it had in the past few days.

Some things, if they couldn’t be avoided, should be faced directly. Like a blood feud that couldn’t be severed. Like… feelings that couldn’t be expressed.