The lights in the west wing of the Shen Mansion also remained bright throughout the night.

Shen Gui and Shen Wan wanted to find out what was happening, but Shen Xin had positioned his trusted men at the courtyard entrance, not even allowing a mosquito to fly in. Trying to discover what was being discussed inside was nearly impossible.

Inside the room, Shen Qiu poured Shen Miao a cup of tea and said, “Sister, take your time explaining.”

Regarding military matters, the Shen family had Shen Xin, Luo Xuayan, and Shen Qiu, but Shen Miao had seemingly never been involved in such affairs. A young lady raised in the Imperial Capital might not even understand the power structure of the major families there. Military matters were complex and deceptive, with the forces behind them far more complicated than they appeared on the surface. Even officials couldn’t discern them, let alone Shen Miao.

Yet Shen Miao spoke with impressive coherence, causing Shen Xin and his wife to exchange glances in surprise.

“Abandoning the Shen Army to restore the Luo Army,” Luo Xuayan said. “But the Shen Army consists of elite soldiers. How can the Luo Army…” Speaking of the troops her father once led, Luo Xuayan couldn’t help feeling sad. “How can it compare to the Shen Army?”

“The Luo Army may be scattered troops, but their key advantage is that they are clean,” Shen Miao explained. “Father’s Shen Army already has traitors within its ranks. Fighting with such an army, who knows if we might be stabbed in the back again?”

With these words, the three fell silent.

Having traitors among the troops who had fought beside them through life and death, soldiers they had personally raised, was something no one wanted to see.

Shen Xin said, “What Jiao’er suggests, I’ve considered as well.”

Shen Qiu and Luo Xuayan turned to look at Shen Xin simultaneously. Shen Xin had shed his earlier skepticism and looked at Shen Miao with appreciation in his eyes. “Hesitation leads to chaos. However, Jiao’er, what did you mean when you said in the carriage that the Emperor would summon me back to the capital within two years?”

“Indeed,” Shen Qiu also turned to look at Shen Miao. “Sister, how do you know the Emperor will summon Father back within two years?”

Who could predict the Emperor’s thoughts? Shen Miao’s statement seemed to carry deeper implications. Luo Xuayan immediately became concerned. Thinking of the long-term consequences, anyone who could discern the Emperor’s intentions must be close to Emperor Wenhui. Could it be the Prince Ding? The rumors about Prince Ding and Shen Miao had spread widely before. Luo Xuayan’s greatest worry was that Shen Miao might be drawn into the power struggle among the princes, becoming a pawn in their game.

Shen Miao lowered her eyes. Within two years, Emperor Wenhui would naturally summon Shen Xin back to the capital. This was because Ming Qi would be offering tribute, with Qin in the north and Da Liang in the west, leaving Ming Qi in a precarious position between them. By then, Emperor Wenhui’s health would be extremely poor, the Crown Prince would be bedridden, and Prince Zhou and Prince Li would be fighting fiercely, while the great net that Fu Xiuyi had been secretly casting would gradually open.

Shen Xin, as a loyal official and military general, would inevitably be used by Emperor Wenhui to intimidate enemy countries. Just as in her previous life, even though the imperial family was suppressing the Shen Army, they still left a thread of connection. Shen Xin would be squeezed by the imperial family until his last drop of usefulness.

But these things couldn’t be spoken aloud. Meeting the various gazes directed at her, Shen Miao smiled slightly. “I just had a very vivid dream. In the dream, within two years, Father would rise again, and the title of Grand General would not be disgraced.”

This explanation was somewhat evasive, but Shen Miao spoke gently, her eyes clear and transparent, making it difficult for others to disbelieve her, even if they harbored doubts.

Whether they would be summoned back to the capital within two years was something no one could say for certain. But whether it was one year, two years, three years, or four, retreating to the northwest now was indeed the best option. It wasn’t just for a future comeback but because the struggle for succession was at its most intense. If the Shen family remained in the Imperial Capital, even without military power, they would inevitably be drawn into it. A strategic retreat was precisely the principle. Before achieving merit and fame, the priority was to protect one’s family.

This was what Shen Xin was thinking.

He smiled at Shen Miao and said, “Since Jiao’er says it was a dream, that dream will surely come true. Father believes you.” He showed no intention of investigating the reason further.

The three words “Father believes you” almost brought tears to Shen Miao’s eyes. Back then, when she had insisted on marrying Fu Xiuyi, Shen Xin had tried his best to stop her. It was only after she threatened suicide that Shen Xin finally relented. The proud general who had given orders all his life showed a defeated and helpless expression, saying, “Since this is the husband you’ve chosen, Father believes you.”

And with that, the Shen family was pushed onto a path of destruction.

Shen Miao closed her eyes briefly, and those tragic memories vanished. She said, “If Father truly believes what I’ve said, please submit a memorial to the Emperor tomorrow, requesting to retreat to Xiaochun City.”

“Tomorrow?” Luo Xuayan was startled. “Why such a hurry?”

“It needs to be this urgent so the Emperor will think Father is angry about having the tiger tally taken away and acting out of spite. He won’t think too deeply about it,” Shen Miao explained.

As Shen Qiu was about to speak, Shen Xin made his decision: “Let’s do it this way.”

“Shen Xin?” Luo Xuayan was anxious. After all, these were major matters. Although Shen Miao’s reasoning had some merit, making such a hasty decision seemed too rash.

Shen Xin shook his head. “You and I have traversed battlefields for many years, yet we don’t see as clearly as Jiao’er.” He looked at Shen Miao, his gaze complex, but in the end, he reached out and rubbed her head. “If Jiao’er were born a man, how few in the world could compare?”

Shen Miao looked at him silently.

What she had said today was something no cloistered daughter could have devised. Shen Xin was no fool despite his rough appearance, and he had likely noticed the suspicious points in her behavior. Yet Shen Xin chose not to expose them. Even if he did, Shen Miao wouldn’t reveal the secret of her rebirth. Perhaps this was the unconditional trust between family members.

Just as in her previous life, Shen Xin had always stood by her side.

“The Shen family will be fine,” Shen Miao promised.

“Father will submit the memorial at tomorrow’s morning court,” Shen Xin smiled and stood up, taking Luo Xuayan’s hand. “My wife, you should rest early as well.”

Luo Xuayan wanted to say something, but when she saw Shen Xin’s expression, she suddenly stopped. Having followed Shen Xin for so many years, she had always seen him confident and spirited. She had never seen him look so heavy-hearted. A hero who should be revered by thousands was being stripped of his military power and confined to a small border town. No one felt more stifled than Shen Xin right now. So for the first time, she softened her expression and supported Shen Xin, saying, “All right.”

Shen Qiu stayed behind and looked at Shen Miao, hesitating before finally asking, “Sister, do you want Father to rebel?”

Among the Shen family members, Shen Qiu could most clearly see the ruthlessness in Shen Miao’s nature. When Prince Yu coveted her, she left no survivors in the Prince Yu Mansion. When the Jing family plotted against her, they ended up dead with their bodies dismembered. The Emperor had taken the Shen family’s tiger tally, and Shen Miao’s seemingly retreating behavior—was it just for self-preservation?

“One who eats the ruler’s grain should be loyal to the ruler,” Shen Miao smiled faintly. “The Shen family has always been loyal to the throne and patriotic. How could such a thing happen? Brother, don’t overthink it. If there are ears beyond the wall and someone overhears, we might both be in trouble.”

Shen Qiu paused before saying, “That would be best. Sister, don’t do anything foolish.” With that, he turned and left the room.

Shen Miao slowly sat down.

Rebellion? She very much wanted to, but how to rebel without leaving a bad name was also a major issue. The immediate priority was naturally to avoid disaster. But when they returned, she would certainly deliver a grand gift to the Fu family.

She only hoped the Fu family could swallow it.

The news of Shen Xin being stripped of his military power had barely stirred the Imperial Capital for a day before being covered by new rumors. New and strange events occurred daily in Ming Qi, so such scenes weren’t uncommon. However, on the second day, the talk spreading through the streets still concerned Shen Xin.

It was said that Grand General Shen Xin, the day after losing his tiger tally, had submitted a memorial to Emperor Wenhui during the morning court in front of all the officials, proposing to retreat to Xiaochun City with his remaining troops and scattered Shen family guards.

The once-illustrious general was now going to guard a small border town. Others found it unbelievable, and Shen Xin himself must have felt even more stifled. Yet he still took the initiative to write this memorial, clearly showing his dissatisfaction with Emperor Wenhui’s previous punishment—a decision made out of spite.

In the teahouses, storytellers recounted the event in detail, saying that Emperor Wenhui’s face darkened immediately in the Golden Hall and threw the memorial at Shen Xin’s face. Unexpectedly, Shen Xin remained stubborn and insisted on retreating to Xiaochun City. Would the Emperor tolerate someone acting out of spite? Even with great past merits, it was all for nothing. “You want to retreat to a small border town? Fine, very well, then go guard it!”

Thus, the news that the Grand General would be leaving the capital for Xiaochun City the next day spread throughout the Imperial Capital.

In the teahouses, almost everyone was discussing this matter. Some thought Shen Xin was right—the Grand General had become a commander without troops, staying in the Imperial Capital would only be frustrating, better to go far away to avoid unpleasantness. Others felt that Shen Xin had been praised too highly and didn’t know his place. He had deceived the Emperor first and was lucky to keep his life, yet still dared to show his displeasure to Emperor Wenhui. If not for the Emperor’s kind-heartedness, with any other ruler, a heavier punishment would have already been imposed.

In Kuaihuo Pavilion, Ji Yushu rested his chin on his hand and looked at Gao Yang. “What do you think Shen Xin means by this? Is he abandoning the Shen Army left in the Imperial Capital?”

“If so, he truly shows some backbone, not just a brash military man acting recklessly,” Gao Yang sighed. “To retreat from rushing currents—not everyone can do that.” After taking a sip of tea, Gao Yang turned to the silent Xie Jingxing and asked, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Xie Jingxing, whose thoughts had been interrupted, glanced at them and said, “The Shen family is moving too quickly.”

“Quickly?” Ji Yushu seemed confused.

Xie Jingxing played with the teacup in his hand, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his lips. He had pointed Shen Miao to a path, intending to give the Shen family an escape route, but he hadn’t expected them to act so swiftly this time. Just yesterday, the tiger tally had been taken away, and today, a memorial was submitted requesting retreat. Shen Xin was a cautious man; for him to make such a choice in such a short time, Shen Miao must have said something to him.

Emperor Wenhui had ordered Shen Xin to pack his belongings and leave the capital the next day, seemingly to embarrass him, unaware that his intentions had been perfectly anticipated by a little girl from the Shen family. If he knew, one wonders how he would feel. Xie Jingxing had a feeling that in Ming Qi’s chess game, Shen Miao might occupy a pivotal position. But for him, who was about to leave the capital, this had no significance.

“Yushu, come with me when I leave the capital,” he said. “Gao Yang, the rest is up to you.”

Ji Yushu rubbed his nose, showing some excitement. “Good, Third Brother Xie. The pastry chef here is truly terrible. At least with your chef, I won’t have to go hungry.”

Gao Yang gave him a cold look and said dryly, “You’ve eaten your way through the entire Imperial Capital. When have you ever gone hungry?” Then, adopting a more serious manner, he said to Xie Jingxing, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of things here.”

Xie Jingxing nodded.

The same news naturally reached other places as well. The Shen family was a prominent household in the Imperial Capital, and they had many colleagues who associated with them before. Many officials wanted to curry favor just because of Shen Xin’s reputation. But when the wall falls, everyone pushes; when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. When people leave, even tea grows cold. This time, Shen Xin was being demoted and sent away from the capital. The Shen family gate, once crowded with visitors, now saw none except for a few who were extremely close to Shen Xin.

Shen Miao herself went to Guangwen Hall.

Since she was leaving the Imperial Capital, she naturally couldn’t continue attending Guangwen Hall. In the past few days, because Shen Miao had changed her character, the students at Guangwen Hall had become somewhat afraid of her. But seeing the Shen family’s military power confiscated, some started mocking her freely again. Shen Miao walked past them without looking back, as if she hadn’t heard, which made those noble children feel that taunting her was pointless.

Feng Anning burst into tears upon seeing her, grabbing her sleeve and saying, “What are we going to do, Shen Miao? Once you leave, when will you come back?”

Shen Miao felt somewhat at a loss facing Feng Anning’s tears. In her previous life, due to her stupidity, the noble ladies of the Imperial Capital had been unwilling to associate with her. In this life, she had hardened her heart and hadn’t deliberately tried to make anyone like her. Feng Anning had stumbled into becoming her friend by accident. Though somewhat spoiled in temperament, she had no malice, and sometimes looking at her at this age made Shen Miao think of Princess Wanyu.

She comforted her, “I won’t be gone for long.”

“You’re lying,” Feng Anning sobbed. “I heard my father say that General Shen has angered the Emperor this time, and the Emperor is furious. How could he return so quickly? Shen Miao, you must write to me. When you come back, will I already be married?”

Shen Miao almost laughed, but looking at Feng Anning’s tear-reddened eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to. She knew better than anyone the fate of the Feng family—and Feng Anning—in her previous life. Although the Feng family wouldn’t fall in two years, she patted Feng Anning’s shoulder and said, “It’s nothing. I will surely see you on your wedding day.”

Feng Anning was about to say something else when she saw Pei Lang enter with his books. Pei Lang, dressed in cyan, stood on the platform. His gaze fell on Shen Miao, paused, and then he said, “Shen Miao, come with me for a moment.”

If Shen Miao was leaving Guangwen Hall, it was proper for her to bid farewell to Pei Lang, her teacher. No one thought anything strange about it. Feng Anning reluctantly released Shen Miao’s sleeve, allowing her to follow Pei Lang out of the classroom.

Pei Lang led Shen Miao to the triangular courtyard of Guangwen Hall. The teachers all lived in residences within the school, and this particular one was Pei Lang’s residence, where no one else could enter. Pushing open the door to the nearest study, Shen Miao followed him in and appropriately closed the door behind her.

“You’re leaving?” This time, Pei Lang didn’t beat around the bush as usual but asked directly.

Shen Miao nodded.

Pei Lang’s expression changed slightly. After some hesitation, he said, “About Liuying…”

“Miss Liuying has been well settled,” Shen Miao interrupted him. “She’s doing well at the embroidery shop. Her double-sided embroidery has always been excellent. In the future, she can make a living as an embroiderer with her skills. She might even take on a few apprentices.”

Pei Lang’s expression gradually relaxed. Shen Xin’s family was about to leave the capital, and what he feared most was that Liuying’s situation wasn’t yet resolved.

He relaxed, but then saw Shen Miao staring into his eyes, asking, “So what about the matter Teacher Pei was considering?”

Pei Lang was taken aback.

The matter Shen Miao referred to was naturally about him becoming a spy in Fu Xiuyi’s circle. That day at Kuaihuo Pavilion, Pei Lang had already indicated his stance, but as for how to proceed, he needed to think further. Hearing this, Pei Lang frowned and asked, “What do you want to say?”

“Two years,” Shen Miao said. “Within two years, I will return to the capital. By then, Teacher Pei must become a trusted advisor to Prince Ding, the most relied-upon kind.”

Pei Lang smiled, but his smile carried some anger. “Shen Miao, aren’t you overestimating me? I’m just a poor scholar with nothing. Even if I manage to enter Prince Ding’s inner circle by chance, how can I become his most trusted advisor?”

“Why must the teacher belittle himself? The teacher is a fine steed, naturally appreciated by a good judge of talent. If not a fine steed, then to be appreciated by a good judge, one must consider oneself a fine steed,” Shen Miao smiled slightly. She lowered her voice and looked at Pei Lang provocatively. “If the teacher cannot achieve this, what do you think would happen if I told Miss Liuying that story about Magistrate Pei? And then said that the person behind it all, who made me do all this, was the teacher? Do you think Miss Liuying would be moved to tears?”

“You!” Pei Lang was furious. Shen Miao’s words were a threat, threatening that if he couldn’t become Fu Xiuyi’s right-hand man, she would tell Liuying everything. Liuying already harbored resentment over what happened in the past. If she learned that he had been orchestrating everything, she might return to Baoxiang Pavilion in anger.

Pei Lang said, “I have never seen a young woman as vicious and cunning as you.” The girl before him showed no respect for age or teachers. Pei Lang even had the illusion that Shen Miao always had the upper hand over him. Her provocations and threats seemed to carry a certain inexplicable resentment, making Pei Lang feel somewhat at a loss. Who could imagine that a seemingly gentle and pretty young girl would have a heart colder and more terrifying than that of a secluded matron?

“The teacher jests. The world is harsh; this is merely struggling to survive,” Shen Miao smiled modestly, as if accepting her teacher’s admonishment. Yet under cover, she discreetly took something from her sleeve and extended it to Pei Lang’s sleeve, placing it in his hand.

Pei Lang was startled. Soft fingertips touched his wrist briefly before withdrawing, like a butterfly about to take flight. Strangely, Pei Lang had an urge to detain her, but only for an instant before he came to his senses. He held what felt like a letter in his sleeve and looked at Shen Miao questioningly.

“The location of the embroidery shop where Miss Liuying is staying—if the teacher has time, he can certainly take a secret look. Also, there are some other matters written there. During these two years, I hope the teacher will follow them,” Shen Miao said.

Pei Lang’s body stiffened, and he laughed without anger. “Shen Miao, do you want me to be your puppet?”

“Scholars have their pride. The teacher is learned and proud, which I admire greatly. If it were any other scholar, I would never use such methods,” Shen Miao raised her head, looking at Pei Lang’s somewhat angry expression, and raised the corner of her mouth. “But does the teacher have any choice?”

“The teacher can refuse, of course. Even across thousands of mountains and waters, I certainly have ways to tell stories to Miss Liuying,” she smiled gently, but her tone was sharp.

A nameless fire rose in Pei Lang’s heart, and he felt inexplicably stifled. In front of Shen Miao, he had no dignity as a teacher. Whenever he felt like getting angry, seeing Shen Miao’s smugness, he couldn’t express his anger. Pei Lang even wondered if he owed Shen Miao something in a previous life, and she had come to collect the debt in this one.

Suppressing the humiliation in his heart, he asked, “If I follow what’s written there, can I meet your requirements?”

“I believe in the teacher’s ability,” Shen Miao said, lowering her eyes. Written on that letter were precisely the things Fu Xiuyi would be doing in the coming years. On the surface, Fu Xiuyi seemed to have no ambition, but privately, he had been recruiting talented individuals. As for the methods of recruitment and identification of smart people, no one knew better than Shen Miao. Pei Lang was no ordinary person; if he just slightly revealed some of his “talent,” he would naturally catch Fu Xiuyi’s eye.

And gaining Fu Xiuyi’s attention required step-by-step planning. Throughout the letter, Shen Miao didn’t mention exactly what Pei Lang should do; she only told him the opportunities to approach Fu Xiuyi. How to gain Fu Xiuyi’s trust would depend on Pei Lang himself.

This was also the greatest trust Shen Miao could give Pei Lang.

In her previous life, Fu Xiuyi and Pei Lang had been on the same side. Now, she had become the first to discover this fine steed, and she had branded it with her mark. She would also let Fu Xiuyi taste what it felt like to be betrayed by someone close.

She glanced at Pei Lang, suddenly feeling a bit dejected. Having given all her instructions, she didn’t want to say more to Pei Lang and turned to leave.

“Shen Miao,” Pei Lang called out to her, hesitating for a moment before finally uttering two words: “Take care.”

Shen Miao was somewhat surprised but only faintly replied, “Thank you,” before leaving. Pei Lang remained standing in place, his gaze complex as he stared at Shen Miao’s retreating figure.

When Shen Miao left Pei Lang’s courtyard, she saw a soft, white, dumpling-like figure standing in the garden outside the school. Upon seeing her, his eyes brightened, and he ran over, excitedly calling out, “Shen family sister!”

Su Minglang rolled over like a dumpling.

Shen Miao: “…”

Actually, Su Minglang was already over ten years old this year, but perhaps because the Su family had raised him too well, unlike his brother Su Mingfeng, who was mature beyond his years, Su Minglang looked even more childish than five or six-year-old children. He ran a few steps and was already out of breath. Shen Miao walked up to him, holding his chubby arm, and asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Shen family sister, are you leaving?” Su Minglang panted for a while. “I’ll be good and wait here for you to come back, okay?”

Shen Miao was startled. When everyone learned that Shen Xin was going to Xiaochun City, the first thing they said was either “When will you come back?” or “Are you not coming back?” Everyone seemed to think that once Shen Xin left, he might stay in Xiaochun City forever. Su Minglang’s first words were about waiting for her to return, as if certain that Shen Miao would come back to the Imperial Capital. Shen Miao found it interesting and tapped his forehead, deliberately teasing him, “Who says I’ll come back? Maybe I won’t return.”

“No, that’s not true,” Su Minglang looked up, firmly declaring, “Sister will come back.”

Shen Miao tilted her head to look at him. When Su Minglang said this, his eyes were determined, without a trace of doubt. She asked, “Why are you so sure?”

“The Xie family brother said that within two years, you will come back,” Su Minglang exclaimed joyfully.

The Xie family brother? Shen Miao’s mind quickly turned—Xie Jingxing?

“Although Father and Big Brother both think that after your family leaves, no one knows when you’ll return, and Father even said that General Shen has angered the Emperor this time, so the Emperor might never summon General Shen back,” Su Minglang spoke candidly, not noticing whether his words might hurt Shen Miao. He continued, “But when the Xie family brother came to see my big brother, he told him that General Shen would return to the capital within two years.”

Could Xie Jingxing guess her intentions so accurately? Shen Miao felt somewhat alarmed.

“Although the Xie family brother is very bad, and he bullies me, my big brother, and even my father, what he says is always true,” Su Minglang spoke more articulately than ever, as if trying to prove something. “He said you would come back, so you will come back. Shen family sister, you will come back, right?” As he spoke, his eyes were full of hopeful expectation.

Shen Miao immediately thought of Fu Ming, and her heart softened. She smiled and said, “He’s right. I will come back.”

“That’s great!” Su Minglang jumped up, counting on his short fingers one by one. “Then I’ll wait here for sister to return, and when sister comes back, I’ll treat sister to candied hawthorn, little flour figurines, and steamed sugar cakes.”

Shen Miao couldn’t help laughing again. Being with Su Minglang seemed to instantly sweep away any gloomy emotions. It was as if time had become carefree, and she said, “Just be good and listen to your father. But this matter of my return and the words you’ve said to me today, you must not tell anyone else.”

If others heard these words and repeated them, and they reached Emperor Wenhui’s ears, he might detect clues. In this world, it was enough for one person to know her intentions; too many people knowing would be problematic.

Seeing Shen Miao’s solemn expression, Su Minglang immediately obediently said, “I understand. I’ve only told my sister and won’t tell anyone else.” Then he whispered to Shen Miao, “Shen family sister, but you also can’t tell the Xie family brother. I was eavesdropping. If the Xie family brother finds out I was eavesdropping, he’ll beat me again.”

In the eyes of the Su family’s second young master, the elegant and noble young Marquis Xie was an undisputed black-hearted bandit.

Shen Miao replied, “All right, I won’t tell.”