Early the next morning, Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan accompanied Shen Qiu to the palace. They didn’t return until the afternoon. Emperor Wenhui had restored their official positions and returned the tiger tally to Shen Xin. The Shen family troops that had been incorporated into the Imperial Guards were once again placed under Shen Xin’s command, though he didn’t seem particularly pleased about it.

Pain is what best tempers one’s will. In the harsh environment of Xiaochun City, Shen Xin had trained the scattered Luo family troops into an outstanding force. Compared to two years ago, he appeared more indifferent to honor and disgrace. Regarding Emperor Wenhui’s approach of giving a sweet date after a slap, he showed little reaction.

Shortly after Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan entered the palace, the Shen manor sent someone to invite Shen Miao back for a visit. Shen Miao couldn’t be bothered with those people and directly instructed her servants to act as if they weren’t home. The messenger from the Shen family waited for a long time without any response. At first, they pleaded softly, saying it had all been a misunderstanding, but later they began cursing loudly that the Shen Xin couple was heartless and unfilial. Luo Ling frowned upon hearing this. Luo Tan, being impulsive by nature, immediately rushed out and scolded the Shen family messenger thoroughly. Having grown up in Xiaochun City trading verbal barbs with young ladies, Luo Tan’s words were naturally vicious. She recounted how the Shen family had kicked them while they were down, making the Shen family messenger red-faced with embarrassment. Unable to withstand the pointing and whispering of the surrounding commoners, they tucked their tails and fled.

When Shen Xin and the others returned, Shen Miao informed them of this matter. Shen Xin remained silent for a moment, then beckoned and instructed Mo Qing to arrange more guards at the manor gate in the future. He showed an iron-blooded demeanor without any regard for sentiment. This matched Luo Tan’s taste perfectly, making her clap her hands in delight.

At the dinner table, Luo Xueyan said, “Three days later is the Tribute Day, and we all need to go to the palace. This afternoon, let’s have the tailor come to make some new clothes, especially for Tan’er and Jiao’er. We’ve been away from the capital for two years and don’t know what fabrics and styles are fashionable now. We certainly can’t fall behind.” As she spoke, she looked at Shen Miao with great satisfaction. Two years ago, people had called Shen Miao a good-for-nothing, but now, two years later, she had completely transformed. With her elegant beauty and overall bearing, even a princess would be outshone.

“Going to the palace!” Luo Tan was excited. “Then we can see the people in the palace, right? Could we also see people from Qin and Great Liang? I’ve heard that people from Qin are all tall and strong, and the royal family of Great Liang is exceptionally beautiful. I wonder how many we’ll get to see this time?”

Luo Xueyan laughed. “Our Ming Qi people are not bad either. If Tan’er sees a young gentleman she likes at the Tribute Banquet, your aunt and uncle will inquire for you.”

Hearing about her marriage prospects, Luo Tan showed no embarrassment or shyness. Instead, she said, “I’m in no hurry, but my little cousin should give it serious thought. Those men in Xiaochun City weren’t good enough for her, but there are many noble young men in the capital. If little cousin fancies any of them, she should consider for herself first.” She gave Shen Miao a teasing smile.

Shen Miao glanced at her without saying a word. However, Luo Ling, who was sitting to the side, paused with his chopsticks and looked somewhat hesitant.

In the afternoon, tailors indeed came to make clothes for them. To win over Shen Xin, Emperor Wenhui had bestowed many gifts during their first return visit to the palace. Among them were several pieces of excellent quality fabric, perfect for making clothes. As it was already late autumn, Luo Xueyan had the tailors take measurements and make several outfits for the two young ladies, including winter clothes. She also selected many pieces of jewelry to be sent over, determined to make the two young ladies look stunning and attractive.

It wasn’t that Luo Xueyan was deliberately doing this. The Tribute ceremony was a significant event. Ming Qi had to display its most prosperous side in front of Qin and Great Liang. Civil and military officials, along with their wives and children, all had to dress luxuriously to avoid disgracing Ming Qi. Otherwise, they would be considered traitors to the country.

Luo Ling would also attend. This time, Shen Xin planned to find a position for Luo Ling in the Ministry of War, which would also be good for developing his abilities. Before that, he naturally wanted to introduce Luo Ling to some of his colleagues, which would be helpful for him in the future.

During these three days of waiting, Shen Miao listened daily to Jingzhe and Guyu reporting on what had happened during the past three years, treating it as entertainment. However, she was surprised to learn that the Fengxian Pawnshop in the capital had closed shortly after Shen Xin left for Xiaochun City. For some unknown reason, it had only reopened recently, with rumors that the shopkeeper had gone on a long journey and had only recently returned to the capital.

Feng Anning, upon learning of her return, sent her a letter saying that she had wanted to visit Shen Miao personally, but since they would meet at the Tribute Banquet anyway, there was no need for a separate visit. Besides Feng Anning, Su Minglang had also sent her a note, with crooked handwriting, secretly delivered by his pageboy behind his family’s back, which made Shen Miao both amused and exasperated.

Spending these days joking around and accompanying Luo Tan to various restaurants, three days quickly passed, and the day of the Tribute ceremony arrived.

Ming Qi’s Tribute ceremony was a grand event for the entire dynasty. Early in the morning, the bell and drum sounds from South Mountain began to ring out.

The merchants on the streets were all discussing this matter. However, according to imperial law, commoners could not enter the palace. They could only stand outside the palace walls, listening to the sounds and movements inside. Most people envied the officials, whose family members could enter the palace. If an official was of high enough rank, they could even attend the Tribute Banquet.

Witnessing the splendor of the imperial court gave people the illusion of a prosperous era of peace. The common people were always very simple; they only saw what was in front of them and believed that the Ming Qi dynasty would continue for thousands of years. Few intelligent people understood that with external enemies undefeated and internal troubles intensifying, the country was actually in a precarious state. Even with all the facade, how could they truly rest easy?

Shen Xin’s carriage stopped at the palace gate, where palace servants were already waiting to lead them in. Luo Tan curiously looked around everywhere, while Shen Qiu held her head down to prevent her from offending any noble person in the palace. Luo Ling, on the other hand, appeared very steady. Although it was his first time entering the palace, he conducted himself impeccably.

By the time they reached the ceremonial platform, most of the civil and military officials had arrived. The drums sounded, music played, and a hundred ceremonial cannons fired into the sky, creating a solemn and majestic atmosphere, displaying the awesome imperial might.

The Emperor and Empress sat on the main seats. Looking up, Shen Miao saw Emperor Wenhui in his dragon robe, his expression steady and authoritative, seemingly no different from two years ago. But upon closer inspection, he now needed the support of eunuchs when walking, and his steps were not as strong as before. He had indeed aged considerably.

Fu Xiuyi stood with the other princes on one side. He was now growing into his full splendor, standing out among the princes. Being the youngest, he had now become handsome and tall, attracting the secret glances of many officials’ wives. Fu Xiuyi had reached a point where his brilliance could no longer be concealed, and his brothers probably no longer felt as secure about him as they once did.

Shen Miao also looked towards Fu Xiuyi, but her gaze landed behind him, on a young man in a blue-gray robe among the court officials. The man had a lofty, unworldly air, and seemed somewhat out of place among the officials. He looked more like a scholar than an official. It was Pei Lang.

Pei Lang stood not far behind Fu Xiuyi. In such an occasion, given Fu Xiuyi’s cautious nature, it was clear that he deeply trusted and relied on Pei Lang to give him such a prominent position. As if sensing her gaze, Fu Xiuyi suddenly turned his head to look over. Shen Miao shifted her gaze, not lingering for even a moment. Fu Xiuyi looked around the crowd for a moment, then turned back.

On the honored guests’ seats at the side sat a young man and a young woman, both quite young. Though it was late autumn and the weather was quite cool, and even those official daughters who dressed elaborately for vanity’s sake would wear cloaks to avoid catching a cold, this young lady wore only a thin golden gauze dress embroidered with intricate designs. Such needlework would likely take a year and a half to complete. The young lady’s features were also delicate, but her actions were not particularly respectful. Even when the ceremonial official began to recite the benediction, she looked around at everyone with disdain, showing not the slightest reverence.

This young lady was Princess Ming’an. Beside her was Crown Prince Huangfu Hao of Qin. Huangfu Hao was better than Princess Ming’an, at least not displaying his disrespect as openly as she did. He continued to smile at the ceremony on stage, as if he truly took pride in Ming Qi’s Tribute ceremony. Yet beneath his smiling face, people felt a chill in their hearts.

As this was Luo Tan’s first time at such an occasion, she found it novel and naturally noticed the people in the honored guests’ seats. She thought for a moment, then tugged at the sleeve of a nearby official’s daughter and asked quietly when no one was paying attention, “Why are there only the Crown Prince of Qin and the Princess? Where is His Highness, the Prince of Wei from Great Liang?”

The young lady was startled by Luo Tan’s sudden tug, and although somewhat displeased, she still answered Luo Tan’s question with good manners: “His Highness, the Prince of Wei from Great Liang, is unwell and did not come today.”

Luo Tan suddenly understood and looked at Shen Miao, who was standing beside her. Shen Miao had heard every word of the conversation between Luo Tan and the young lady. Luo Tan said, “This Prince of Wei certainly has a big ego. Isn’t this deliberately embarrassing the Emperor?”

Ming Qi’s Tribute ceremony had representatives from Qin and Great Liang who came to offer congratulations. But the Prince of Wei’s absence from the ceremony was like slapping the Ming Qi imperial family in the face in front of everyone. Yet the Ming Qi imperial family didn’t dare show anger. Not only that, they still had to treat the visitors with the utmost hospitality. This was simply because in this world, the strong ruled. Ming Qi would never dare to go against Great Liang.

The Tribute ceremony took a full three hours, starting from noon when the sun was at its highest, and continuing until dusk. All civil and military officials and their families were not allowed to leave. It was a long and exhausting ordeal, even for the Emperor and Empress. The higher one’s status, the more attention they received, and the more they had to avoid showing any signs of fatigue.

Even Luo Tan, a military family’s daughter with martial training, felt her body becoming weak. But when she turned her head, she saw Shen Miao standing straight, hands folded in front of her, looking dignified and poised. Luo Tan couldn’t help but be slightly startled. She whispered, “Little cousin, aren’t you tired?”

Shen Miao replied, “Not tired.”

Luo Tan was amazed. The women around them were all secretly relaxing under the cover of their wide sleeves or skirt hems. People as straightforward as Shen Miao were rare. Luo Tan had wanted to suggest that Shen Miao also relax a bit secretly, but seeing her posture, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

Luo Tan had always known that Shen Miao’s bearing was remarkable. She wasn’t one for fancy words and couldn’t exactly describe the feeling, but her instinct told her that Shen Miao looked different from other girls in Xiaochun City. Now, here in the palace, she had a strange feeling that amidst the solemn and majestic atmosphere, Shen Miao’s posture seemed to be the correct one. Even the Empress on the high seat was not as graceful as Shen Miao at this moment. For a sixteen-year-old girl to display such grace was truly remarkable.

It wasn’t just Luo Tan who noticed this. Some young men from noble families were also gradually drawn to Shen Miao. Among the listless noble ladies, Shen Miao stood out too brightly. Seeing this, Luo Ling slightly furrowed his brow and discreetly shifted his position to shield Shen Miao at his side, blocking those somewhat improper gazes.

Luo Xueyan noticed this and smiled with satisfaction. Shen Miao remained completely unaware, while Luo Tan winked at Luo Ling, whose cheeks reddened slightly as he pretended to look elsewhere.

After the three-hour ceremony was completed, they were to follow the Emperor and Empress to the banquet. The Tribute Night Banquet would naturally be a grand celebration of music and dance, showing the people of Qin and Great Liang how wealthy and powerful Ming Qi was.

Shen Miao and Luo Tan had only walked a few steps with the crowd towards the banquet hall when someone behind them slapped Shen Miao’s shoulder with a “pat.” Shen Miao turned around to see a familiar face.

“Hey, I spotted you early this morning, but we were too far apart for me to come over. Shen Miao, long time no see!” Feng Anning hugged Shen Miao from behind, her enthusiasm as fiery as ever.

Compared to two years ago, Feng Anning looked even more beautiful, with the freshness of youth fully visible. She wore her hair in a hundred-flower bun, dressed in a pomegranate-red dress, looking graceful and elegant. She released her hold and looked at Shen Miao with dissatisfaction, “Seeing me, why aren’t you even a bit excited?” Without waiting for Shen Miao’s answer, she continued, “Forget it, that’s just your personality, I forgive you. But,” she looked Shen Miao up and down, “after two years, how have you become so beautiful? Is the environment in Xiaochun City so nurturing? You look completely different from before.”

Today, Shen Miao had been carefully dressed up under Luo Xueyan’s instructions. She wore a purple-orange moon-phoenix-tail gauze dress, with a flower-pinched double-lapel outer garment embroidered with large lilac blossoms. Her hair was styled in a hanging-cloud bun, with a jade camellia hairpin inserted diagonally, and small pearl earrings. Her facial features were originally small and pretty, but her bearing was captivating. Standing quietly, she naturally exuded an air of warm dignity. Her eyes were clear and dark like those of a newborn fawn, attracting frequent glances from many young men.

When a woman’s beauty is good, having an extraordinary bearing adds the perfect finishing touch, making her impossible to forget.

Luo Tan had been standing next to Shen Miao, curiously watching Feng Anning. Feng Anning finally noticed her and asked, “Who is this?”

“My cousin, Luo Tan,” Shen Miao said. “This is Miss Feng Anning.”

Luo Tan greeted Feng Anning. Feng Anning had a fiery temperament, and Luo Tan was straightforward and lively. The two hit it off immediately, chatting so much that Shen Miao’s ears began to ache. When it was time to be seated, Feng Anning even informed Madam Feng, then slipped over to sit with Shen Miao, making it easier to talk with her.

Earlier, during the ceremony, everyone stood according to their official rank. Now, at the banquet, they could sit wherever they wanted. Shen Xin had just returned to the capital and didn’t have any particularly close colleagues, so he found a random seat. Since he was now “invited” back by Emperor Wenhui, his colleagues naturally didn’t dare slight him and addressed him with respect.

Feng Anning whispered to Shen Miao, “Tsk, these fair-weather friends. When General Shen left the city, where was their welcome? Now they come acting all intimate, so hypocritical.”

Shen Miao smiled slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Then she heard Feng Anning say, “Look, your cousin is here too.”

Shen Miao froze for a moment, raised her eyes to look where Feng Anning was pointing, and met the gaze of the other person.

After two years, she finally saw Shen Yue again.

Since Shen Yuan’s incident, Shen Gui’s status in the court had plummeted. He had always climbed up by accommodating everyone, but after Shen Yuan was beheaded, the court officials avoided him like the plague. Shen Gui himself had no real abilities, and his career became more and more miserable. He didn’t have the opportunity to attend such occasions. It was Shen Wan’s family who had come.

Shen Wan’s career seemed to be going well now. He was smiling and raising his cup with others. Beside him sat Chen Ruoqiu, smiling and chatting with the ladies next to her, looking as satisfied as she had two years ago. However, with time, she wasn’t as vibrant as before. The second branch still had no children, and Old Madam Shen must have put pressure on the third branch. Chen Ruoqiu, facing Old Madam Shen’s pressure to provide Shen Wan with offspring, probably wasn’t having an easy time either.

The one looking at Shen Miao was Shen Yue. Shen Yue was sitting with Yi Peilan, Bai Wei, and Jiang Xiaoxuan, her gaze fixed intently on Shen Miao. Even from a distance, Shen Miao could taste the hatred in Shen Yue’s eyes.

Shen Yue wore a smoky pink pleated dress with a flower crown hairstyle. She was now eighteen, delicate and refined, with a pleasing appearance. However, Shen Miao’s gaze lingered on the bracelet on her wrist, then glanced at the silver agate hairpin on her head, and the corner of her lips curved slightly.

Given Shen Yue’s love for showing off and never missing an opportunity to display herself, the fact that she was still using jewelry from two years ago could only mean that the third branch’s finances were not very comfortable. It made sense. Old Madam Shen spent lavishly, and after the family split, without Shen Xin’s support from behind, Chen Ruoqiu’s management of the household must have been very difficult. Moreover, with Shen Wan needing money for his career advancement, the money available for Shen Yue to spend was probably much less.

No matter how lofty a scholarly family might be, they still needed to make a living. Without money, how could they maintain their dignity? With Shen Yue’s looks, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to marry a young man from a family of equal status, which would also help Shen Wan to some extent. Yet Shen Yue had remained unmarried until now, which Shen Miao had never understood in her previous life. She had foolishly tried to find some talented young men for her, only later realizing that Shen Yue’s ambitions were too grand. Ordinary talented young men wouldn’t satisfy her.

Shen Yue stared fixedly at Shen Miao, her heart filled with boundless jealousy and hatred. She could see clearly that the fabric of Shen Miao’s clothes was only available in the palace. Earlier, when Shen Wan had done well in his duties, he had luckily received a piece, which she had wanted to keep for making clothes. Who would have thought that Shen Wan would give it to his superior? Over the past two years, as Shen Wan’s official rank grew, Shen Yue’s money situation became less comfortable. Shen Yue attributed all of this to Shen Xin taking most of the money when the family split, making her current life so tight. She had thought that Shen Miao would be gone to the desolate Xiaochun City, never to return. Who would have thought that not only would Shen Miao return, but she would return so splendidly? Those young gentlemen were frequently looking in Shen Miao’s direction. Shen Yue’s heart was filled with resentment and jealousy, wishing that Shen Miao would just die.

Despite her knife-like gaze, Shen Miao merely smiled faintly, then turned her head to say something to Luo Tan and Feng Anning, ignoring Shen Yue completely.

At this moment, the Emperor and Empress began to take their seats. The earlier commotion gradually quieted down. Emperor Wenhui smiled and instructed everyone to enjoy themselves with the mountains and rivers, just to have a good time.

Next, at the honored guests’ seats, Crown Prince Huangfu Hao and Princess Ming’an also took their seats. Princess Ming’an directly ignored the palace rules and etiquette, acting extremely arrogant, not even bowing to Emperor Wenhui. Emperor Wenhui’s smile became somewhat stiff. In contrast, Huangfu Hao made a show of great respect.

Luo Tan looked around, and Feng Anning, noticing this, asked, “What are you looking for?”

“I’m wondering why the Prince of Wei from Great Liang hasn’t arrived yet,” Luo Tan said. “I’ve heard that the royal family of Great Liang are all exceptionally beautiful, and that even Emperor Yongle is an otherworldly handsome man. Since the Prince of Wei is Emperor Yongle’s brother, he must also be extraordinarily handsome. I want to see this stunning beauty as well.”

Hearing this, Feng Anning pursed her lips and said, “Come on, since the Prince of Wei arrived in Great Liang, he has never appeared in public except before His Majesty. Besides, even if he appeared today, you wouldn’t be able to see his stunning beauty.”

“Why not?” Luo Tan didn’t understand. “Is he very ugly?”

Before she finished speaking, they heard a eunuch’s long, shrill announcement from outside: “His Highness, the Prince of Wei from Great Liang—has arrived!”

Everyone’s gaze suddenly turned to the entrance.

A tall figure walked in from outside, with guards following behind. He walked at the front. His figure was extremely tall and straight, wearing a purple robe embroidered with gold threads. As he walked, the purple and gold robe flowed with a hint of magnificent splendor. Around his waist was a rhinoceros horn belt decorated with white jade pendants, and he wore deer skin boots. Even with such simple attire, he outshone all the court officials. However, what attracted people most was not these things.

He wore a half-silver mask on his face.

The mask began at his forehead and stopped at the tip of his nose, but because it fit his features perfectly, it displayed extremely smooth lines. One could see his high, straight nose, and his eyes were shaped like those in a painting, casually sweeping with a thousand strands of charm. His exposed chin was beautiful, and his lips were thin and rosy, even when tightly closed, seeming to silently invite.

Everyone was silent.

This young man was wearing a mask, hiding his appearance, yet he had a soul-stirring ability. Everyone stared at that face without blinking. The silver mask emitted a cold light, giving people a feeling of chilliness, but those black, bright eyes seemed to contain a playful smile, somewhat frivolous, somewhat indifferent, making it difficult to tell whether it was warmth or ice.

He was a young man who could attract everyone’s attention, as dazzling as the sun.

He sat down at the honored guests’ seat, his every move elegant and noble. In comparison, Huangfu Hao, whose manners had seemed good earlier, now appeared as coarse and impolite as a commoner. And Princess Ming’an beside Huangfu Hao was already looking somewhat enchanted.

Emperor Wenhui laughed heartily and looked at the Prince of Wei, saying, “Wasn’t the Prince of Wei unwell today? How come you’ve come to the Tribute Banquet after all, making my officials quite surprised?”

The Prince of Wei nodded to Emperor Wenhui, his gesture somewhat casual and lazy, and said, “I suddenly felt interested, so I came.”

His voice was very pleasant, deep with a hint of magnetic quality, making all the young ladies present blush slightly. But his words were extremely disrespectful and arrogant. Ming Qi’s Tribute Banquet was a major event, yet in the Prince of Wei’s mouth, it seemed like an ordinary household banquet, coming and going as he pleased. It was indeed quite contemptuous.

The ministers of Ming Qi were all angry but dared not speak out. If even Emperor Wenhui didn’t dare say anything, what could they do? This Prince of Wei from Great Liang acted almost identically to Emperor Yongle’s style, extremely arrogant, yet with a kind of compelling pressure.

Emperor Wenhui indeed did not pursue the matter further, letting the ministers continue to eat and drink, obviously intending to let the matter pass.

Luo Tan, while eating a pastry from the banquet, whispered to Shen Miao, “This Prince of Wei is bold, daring to speak to the Emperor like that. Isn’t he afraid the Emperor will punish him?”

“What punishment?” Feng Anning heard this and pursed her lips, saying, “He is the Prince of Wei from Great Liang. People from Great Liang can only be guests of Ming Qi, and guests are always right.” Although Feng Anning spoke very softly, she was also speaking vaguely, not daring to be too explicit, after all, they were in the palace. If someone with ulterior motives heard it, who knows what the consequences would be?

“I’ve never heard of this Prince of Wei before,” Luo Tan rested her chin on her hand and said. “He looks like a handsome man. I want to see what’s beneath that mask.” Luo Tan’s favorite thing was handsome men, and seeing this Prince of Wei, her eyes were practically glued to him.

“Maybe there’s an ugly monster under the mask,” Feng Anning dampened her enthusiasm. “Otherwise, why would he wear a mask?”

“I bet he’s a uniquely handsome man in this world,” Luo Tan nudged Shen Miao. “Otherwise, little cousin, what do you think? What kind of person do you think this Prince of Wei is?”

Shen Miao didn’t even look up: “I don’t know.”

“Come on, tell us,” Luo Tan persisted. “Guess, between this masked Prince of Wei and the once ‘dazzling in the capital’ young Marquis Xie, who is more beautiful?”

Shen Miao hadn’t expected Luo Tan to describe Xie Jingxing as “dazzling in the capital.” She had been drinking tea, and a mouthful of tea got caught in her throat. She suddenly coughed a few times, frightening Luo Tan and Feng Anning, who quickly covered her mouth to prevent her from being disrespectful.

However, the movement was a bit too large, and some nearby people looked over. Shen Miao disguised it by wiping the corner of her mouth, but when she turned her eyes, she saw a pair of eyes.

The masked man in the honored guests’ seat had slightly turned his head. Whether it was real or an illusion, his gaze lingered on her for a moment before moving away.

His gaze was full of playfulness.