With General Shen Xin and his wife returning to the capital with such fanfare, and Shen Miao making a grand appearance at Ming Qi’s tribute banquet before the entire court, people were buzzing with discussions while also turning their attention to the former residence of the Great Martial General.

The Great Martial General was gone, and the original general’s mansion had long since removed its plaque, replacing it with “Shen Residence.” When Shen Xin was demoted and left the capital, the Shen family not only failed to offer help in his time of need but also chose that critical moment to propose dividing the family property, clearly distancing themselves from Shen Xin. Now that Shen Xin had regained Emperor Wenhui’s favor—regardless of the Emperor’s intentions—outsiders looked at the Shen family with some schadenfreude, while the Shen family themselves had to swallow the bitter pill.

In Rongjing Hall, Old Madam Shen sat on the main couch. The fur on the couch was wolf skin that Shen Xin had hunted in the Northwest when he was still around. After so much time, the edges had become worn flat. In the past, whenever Shen Xin returned to the capital each year, he would bring Old Madam Shen some beast hides from hunting in the Northwest—good things that couldn’t be bought in the capital. Now that Shen Xin no longer sent animal hides, Old Madam Shen could only use the old ones.

Rongjing Hall was no longer as exquisite and magnificent as before, with even fewer decorative items on the partitions. Previously, when Shen Xin continuously received rewards from the Emperor, the entire Shen Residence lived quite comfortably. Now, without Shen Xin’s support and with Chen Ruoqiu managing the household affairs, making ends meet had become somewhat difficult.

“That wife of my third son has been increasingly outrageous lately,” Old Madam Shen took a sip of ginseng tea, her face nearly wrinkled into a knot. She said, “Seeing winter approaching, yesterday I asked her to find a tailor to make me a fur cape, and she just kept delaying. As the household manager, she’s pocketing all the money herself.”

The maid behind her carefully massaged Old Madam Shen’s shoulders, keeping her head down without speaking. Lately, Old Madam Shen’s temper had become increasingly unpredictable. Ever since Shen Yuanbai died of smallpox a year ago, Old Madam Shen has frequently lost her temper.

Shen Yuanbai’s untimely death was a pain that the Shen family couldn’t even speak of now. A year ago, there were intermittent cases of smallpox in the capital. Although it was eventually controlled and prevented from spreading further, some people still died, and unfortunately, Shen Yuanbai was among them.

In the Shen family’s second branch, Shen Gui originally had two sons. Shen Yuan had already died under the executioner’s blade, and there had been only Shen Yuanbai to rely on. After Shen Yuanbai’s death, Shen Gui went completely mad, and Ren Wanyun hanged herself with a belt in the courtyard after Shen Yuanbai’s. Following Ren Wanyun’s death, Shen Gui began frantically taking concubines and bringing women into his house, but there was no movement for a year and a half. Later, Old Madam Shen finally felt something was wrong and found a doctor to examine Shen Gui. The doctor said that Shen Gui had taken medicine that made him sterile, damaging his reproductive system, and he could never have offspring again in this lifetime.

Old Madam Shen fainted upon hearing this, and Shen Gui was also stunned. Shen Gui investigated thoroughly but traced it back to the deceased Ren Wanyun. She had given Shen Gui sterility medicine to protect Shen Yuanbai’s position as the legitimate son, but who knew that Shen Yuanbai’s fate was destined to include this calamity. Ren Wanyun was dead, so Shen Gui naturally couldn’t do anything to her. In the original second branch, the only descendant Shen Gui had left was Shen Dongling. Shen Dongling’s status rose with the tide, and Concubine Wan transformed into the only person who had given Shen Gui a child.

After Shen Gui learned that he would be childless for life, he lost interest in advancing his career. With no one to inherit the family name, what was the point of amassing mountains of gold and silver? He spent his days in revelry.

Since the second branch could no longer produce offspring, Old Madam Shen had to turn her attention to the third branch, Shen Wan. Shen Wan hadn’t been forced to drink sterility medicine, but unfortunately, Chen Ruoqiu had a firm grip on Shen Wan’s heart. Even the two concubines that Old Madam Shen had arranged for Shen Wan in the early years were merely decorative figures in the third branch.

Old Madam Shen said, “Not only does she manage the household poorly, but she’s also jealous. She claims to be a well-bred young lady from a scholarly family, but I don’t know where she learned to act like someone from a humble background—so vulgar. Instead of thinking about bearing children for her husband, she only knows how to use seductive tricks. Now the third branch has no legitimate son; I don’t know what she’s planning.”

Zhang Mama smiled, “Why should Old Madam be angry? The Third Master just doesn’t know the goodness of other girls yet. The Third Master is very loyal. In a few days, when those newly purchased girls arrive, if Old Madam sends a couple to the Third Master, all young and beautiful, he will naturally understand their goodness.”

Old Madam Shen had commissioned people to buy “Yangzhou skinny horses” (high-class courtesans). For someone like Shen Wan, beauty alone might not be enough to capture his heart. Didn’t Chen Ruoqiu win Shen Wan’s attention through her knowledge of poetry and painting? Those Yangzhou courtesans were trained from a young age, excelling in the four arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and were extremely beautiful. No man could resist them. Old Madam Shen didn’t believe that Shen Wan, being a man after all, would be tempted. No matter how good Chen Ruoqiu was, she was getting older.

“Everyone makes me angry,” Old Madam Shen said, displeased. “Even Autumn girl is just like her mother, so high and mighty. I’ve told her about so many potential matches, each one wealthy and prosperous, but she doesn’t approve of any of them. Does she think she can marry a prince?”

Zhang Mama frowned. Old Madam Shen’s habit of speaking without restraint hadn’t changed a bit. She smiled appeasingly, “The Second Miss is beautiful, and perhaps the Third Master has already decided, wanting to save her for a good family.”

“Keeping her too long will only breed resentment,” Old Madam Shen snorted coldly. “We’ll see what kind of marriage Chen Ruoqiu can find for Autumn girl.”

In Qiushui Courtyard, Chen Ruoqiu pressed her forehead.

Her maid, Shiging, said, “Madam, I’ve inquired at Rongjing Hall. Old Madam has indeed found several Yangzhou courtesans for the Third Master, and they’ll be sent to the residence in a few days. Madam, Old Madam is slapping your face!”

Chen Ruoqiu closed her eyes, then suddenly swept all the books on the table to the ground. The clatter startled the maids in the room so much they didn’t dare breathe.

Although Chen Ruoqiu still appeared gentle and caring in front of Shen Wan, the servants felt that over the past two years, Third Madam Chen Ruoqiu’s temperament had become increasingly fierce. Perhaps it was because she managed the household finances and had to balance the funds between various branches, while Old Madam Shen enjoyed luxuries, causing Chen Ruoqiu to supplement with her own money. In the past, she had been unworldly and could live cultivating her mind and character, but now, entangled in mundane affairs, she found every day to be chaotic.

Of course, most importantly, she had no children.

She said coldly, “That old hag, buying courtesans for her son—truly the height of shamelessness!”

If Shen Wan were present, he would likely have been shocked to hear such harsh words from someone who was always gentle and graceful, whose voice was perpetually soft as a spring breeze.

Huayi said, “Madam is too kind-hearted. If this continues, Old Madam will eventually place someone in the Master’s chambers.”

Chen Ruoqiu took a deep breath and turned to look at her two personal maids, Shiging and Huayi. These were maids she had promoted to serve her, currently in the prime of youth at sixteen, like ripe fruits emitting a honey-like sweetness with their charm. She curled her lips and said, “Old Madam has truly become senile. If she wants to put women in our courtyard, why bother looking outside for those impure people of unclear backgrounds? She might ruin our family’s reputation. It would be better to find some clean and obedient ones from among us, which would be more reassuring and comfortable. I think you two would be suitable.”

Though her words were gentle, her gaze was fierce. The two maids were startled and quickly knelt, saying, “We wouldn’t dare! We only wish to serve Madam wholeheartedly and wouldn’t dare have any other thoughts.”

Chen Ruoqiu looked down at them for a while. The two maids were so frightened that their legs were trembling. Only then did she say indifferently, “Get up then. Since you’re unwilling, I won’t force you.”

“Thank you, Madam.” The two maids rose shakily, both inwardly sighing with relief. On the surface, Chen Ruoqiu appeared gentle and kind to others, but her maids had witnessed her methods. There had been several attractive maids who had tried to get close to Shen Wan before. Although Shen Wan hadn’t shown much interest, he hadn’t strongly rejected them either. These maids were later dismissed by Chen Ruoqiu on some pretext, and not only did they fare poorly, but their entire families were also implicated. Shiging and Huayi were both very clear: Chen Ruoqiu was extremely jealous at her core and ruthless in her methods. If they truly became involved with Shen Wan, they would likely not even have bones left.

Chen Ruoqiu sighed, “I blame myself for not being capable enough to bear a son for the Master. If I could have a son, would our situation be like this now?”

Shiging and Huayi dared not casually respond, as children were a sore point for Chen Ruoqiu. Chen Ruoqiu murmured, “Now that the Shen family has declined to this state, there isn’t even a son among the younger generation. The second branch had one once, but now he’s dead. I’m now envious of Luo Xuenyan—she has children, no in-laws above her, and Shen Xin treasures her like a jewel, without even a concubine. It’s truly enviable.”

She thought of Shen Miao making a grand appearance at yesterday’s tribute banquet. Then there was Shen Yue, whose appearance and talents were much better than Shen Miao’s, yet due to the Shen family’s declining reputation, she couldn’t even find a good match, let alone the Prince Ding whom Shen Yue had been longing for.

Chen Ruoqiu felt a surge of discontent. She had strived to be the best all her life, but now she was being stepped on by the daughter of a crude military general whom she had once looked down upon.

At that moment, an elderly woman suddenly came in from outside and said, “Madam, there’s someone at the front gate looking for Old Madam, but your servant stopped them. Madam, they say they’ve come to seek refuge with the Shen family.”

Chen Ruoqiu frowned when she heard this, thinking it was one of Old Madam Shen’s distant relatives coming to ask for handouts. Thinking that the Jing family was already gone, yet these random people still came, she immediately grew cold and said, “Since they’re just begging, give them two pieces of silver and send them away. This residence can’t support any more idle people; don’t let just any cat or dog in.”

“No, that’s not it,” the servant scratched his head. “Madam, that person doesn’t look like they’re begging. They say they’re the daughter of an old friend of the Old General, and due to some family misfortune, they’ve come seeking help as a last resort.”

Old General Shen?

Chen Ruoqiu thought for a moment, then stood up and said, “Bring her to the side room; I’ll go see her.”

After Shen Miao returned from the Fengxian Pawnshop, it was still early in the day. As soon as she entered her room, she locked herself in, lost in thought. As evening approached, Luo Tan returned. Luo Tan had bought some jewelry and generously gave some to Shen Miao, saying, “Little cousin, today we went to a jewelry shop. The jewelry shops in the capital are so big. Feng, young lady, and I also picked some for you. I don’t know if you’ll like them, but take them first. Later, when you want to go out, we can go shopping together.”

She had an appearance of lingering interest.

Shen Miao nodded in agreement, and after Luo Tan left, she looked at the half box of jewelry, wondering how much silver it could fetch if pawned.

Shen Xin and his group returned shortly after Luo Tan. Everyone ate dinner together. The matters at court must have gone quite smoothly, as Shen Xin and Luo Xuenyan appeared to be in very good spirits. Only Shen Miao seemed somewhat listless. Luo Ling noticed and asked, “Cousin, you seem unwell. Has something happened?”

Shen Qiu put down his chopsticks, “Sister, what’s wrong?”

Shen Miao was startled, seeing everyone at the table staring at her, and smiled, “It’s nothing. I’ve just returned to the capital from Xiaochun City and feel a bit unaccustomed. I’ll be fine after a few days.”

Shen Qiu smiled, “What is there to be unaccustomed to? If you’re not used to it, in a few days, when I have time, I’ll take you from the east of the city to the west, from the south of the city to the north. After walking around a few times, you’ll get used to it.”

“Cousin Qiu, take me too!” Luo Tan eagerly chimed in. “I can also protect my little cousin.”

“Nonsense,” Luo Xuenyan said. “If your sister goes around the capital with you, she’d probably collapse from exhaustion. Besides, the capital is so big; what if something happens?” She glared at Shen Xin, wanting him to back her up.

Shen Xin chuckled and said, “It’s fine as long as the children are happy. Don’t worry. Boy, if you take your sisters out to play, bring along a squad of your father’s soldiers. If anyone causes trouble, beat them senseless, don’t be afraid!”

Luo Xuenyan pinched him in anger.

The couple’s playful banter showed how well they got along. Shen Xin was formidable outside, but at home, he listened to everything Luo Xuenyan said. Shen Miao was smiling as she watched, but as she continued watching, she seemed to think of something, and her expression gradually clouded over. She quickly lowered her head to prevent those around her from noticing her change in mood. Luo Ling, who was attentive to her every move, paused slightly and lowered his head thoughtfully.

After dinner, they sat chatting in the hall for a while before returning to their respective rooms. Shen Miao was preparing to return to her courtyard. Luo Tan’s courtyard was in front of Shen Miao’s, and she hopped and skipped back to her room first. Just as Shen Miao was about to enter her courtyard, Luo Ling called out to her.

“Cousin, wait a moment.”

Shen Miao turned around, looked at him, and said, “What is it, Cousin Ling?”

Luo Ling hesitated for a moment but eventually took out something folded into a square from his sleeve. He said gently, “Today when I went out with Elder Cousin, I happened to see a shop selling these. I noticed many people buying them, so I bought one too. I’ve heard that Cousin has many dreams at night. This is soaked in fragrance and has a calming effect. If Cousin doesn’t mind, please accept it.”

Shen Miao was slightly startled and looked up at the young man before her.

Luo Ling had good looks, though not as brave as Shen Qiu, not as handsome as Xie Jingxing, and even Ji Yushu appeared more delicate and adorable than he. However, his innate gentleness made people feel warm to the core. Among the younger generation of the Luo family, Luo Ling was the most outstanding, not just because he was the most steady, but because he could shoulder the responsibilities of a family and was genuinely sincere.

In the night, one could see Luo Ling’s slightly reddened face. He felt a bit awkward and said, “If cousin doesn’t like it…”

Shen Miao deftly took the item from Luo Ling’s hand and smiled, “How could I refuse Cousin’s kind gesture? Thank you, Cousin.”

Luo Ling smiled, “I’m glad you like it.”

His eyes were gentle, his words filled with care—an attitude that made people very comfortable. An ordinary girl, if not moved, would at least develop a favorable impression of the person before her. But Shen Miao stepped back, looked at him, and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll return to my room now.”

A flash of disappointment crossed Luo Ling’s eyes, but he quickly concealed it and said, “I won’t disturb Cousin further.” He turned and left.

Shen Miao watched Luo Ling’s departing figure silently for a while. She wasn’t a naive girl ignorant of romance. Even if she hadn’t experienced the tenderness and sweetness between men and women while with Fu Xiuyi, she had, after all, spent many years in the palace. Luo Ling was a good person, and it would be too selfish of her to drag such a good person into her life full of schemes and calculations. Although Luo Ling would make an excellent wife, the Luo family had treated her well, and she couldn’t repay kindness with enmity.

She turned and went back to her room. After washing up, Jingzhe and Guyu withdrew. Shen Miao sat at the table and opened the item Luo Ling had given her.

It was a handkerchief, and interestingly, it was a double-sided embroidery, which was now the most sought-after item in the capital. It seemed that Luo Ling had spent quite a bit of silver to acquire this handkerchief. It was embroidered with a white crane, which matched his consistently unassuming nature, and emitted a faint fragrance that indeed helped calm one’s mind.

Shen Miao examined it for a long time. The patterns on the handkerchief were Liuying’s work. Liuying’s craftsmanship was already among the best in the capital, and this was a rare double-sided embroidery in the Ming Qi. It seemed Liuying was doing well, and as Shen Miao looked at it, her mood, which had been low due to the person she encountered during the day’s rain, improved somewhat.

Feeling a bit tired, she took off her outer robe, wearing only her middle garment, and sat down on the couch. Just as she was about to remove her middle garment to rest, she heard a light laugh, “Wait.”

Shen Miao’s hand paused, and when she turned around, the blazing anger this time could not be concealed. She looked at the uninvited guest outside the window and said word by word, “Xie Jingxing.”

The man entered the room, closed the window behind him, and made himself at home as if it were his backyard. This time, he wasn’t wearing a mask, his handsome face brazenly exposed in the lamplight, exceedingly alluring. However, Shen Miao only wanted to drag him outside and behead him.

“Throughout the world, now only you can call me by my name.” Xie Jingxing casually pulled up a chair and sat down not far from Shen Miao’s couch, smiling lightly. “In this world, this is a privilege only you have.”

He was tall, and even sitting down, he was much taller than Shen Miao. He wasn’t willing to relent in the presence at all.

Shen Miao coldly looked at him, “The Rui Prince is very idle every day, and the path from Yanqing Lane to here is quite familiar to you.”

“Simple,” Xie Jingxing rested his chin on his hand. “I’ve bought all the residences from Yanqing Lane to here. Now, the residence next to where you live is also my courtyard. As a distant relative and a close neighbor, this Prince has come to pay a visit.”

Shen Miao drew in a sharp breath. Although Yanqing Lane was close to the Shen Residence, there was still quite a distance. Xie Jingxing had bought all the residences between Yanqing Lane and the Shen Residence? Didn’t that mean that half of the southern part of the city was now his courtyard? Even the residence next to the Shen Residence had been bought by Xie Jingxing. Xie Jingxing might have money, but this wasn’t how it should be spent! Had he brought the entire treasury of Da Liang with him? Did Da Liang’s Emperor Yongle know that he was spending money like water?

When she saw the casual smile on Xie Jingxing’s face, Shen Miao became even more infuriated. Xie Jingxing was so shameless, talking about being a distant relative and close neighbor, who would visit a neighbor in the middle of the night without sending a visiting card, arriving uninvited? Were all the royal family of Da Liang so lacking in manners?

“You don’t look very happy,” Xie Jingxing observed with interest. “If you have any difficulties, you can tell me, your brother. The identity of the Rui Prince can still be of help, considering our old acquaintance.”

Shen Miao rolled her eyes at him. She was increasingly unable to figure out what Xie Jingxing wanted to do. However, his words reminded her of something. Thinking of what she had said to Ji Yushu at the Fengxian Pawnshop today, Shen Miao suddenly had a thought and deliberately asked, “Xie Jingxing, what do you think of Lady Fang from the Lin’an Marquis Residence?”

Lady Fang of the Lin’an Marquis Residence, the birth mother of Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao—the death of Princess Yuqing had more or less some connection to Lady Fang. Everyone knew that Princess Yuqing was a topic Xie Jingxing couldn’t broach, yet Shen Miao deliberately brought it up.

Xie Jingxing looked at her with a half-smile, “Trying to get words out of me?”

“Would you tell me?”

“I don’t mind telling you,” Xie Jingxing said lazily. “In my eyes, she’s less than an ant.”

Shen Miao looked at him, “Why don’t you kill her to avenge?”

Xie Jingxing narrowed his eyes. He stared at Shen Miao for a while, then suddenly laughed. His voice was like peach blossom wine buried in spring and dug out in winter, with the intoxicating richness of a spring breeze, yet also with the sobering chill of winter. He said, “Shen Miao, are you worried that Shen Xin will become the second Xie Ding?”

Shen Miao lowered her eyes, “That’s right.” After a pause, she said, “If I were in your position, I would do everything to get revenge. Kill Lady Fang, then kill her two sons—that would be true revenge, making life worth living.”

She spoke coldly, seemingly unaware of how ruthless her words were. Xie Jingxing, hearing this, wasn’t surprised but just laughed, as if laughing at her naivety. Xie Jingxing said, “Not killing Lady Fang is just disdain, and I also fear the trouble. Xie Ding and Princess Yuqing have no connection to me whatsoever; why should I seek revenge?”

Shen Miao was stunned.

That Xie Ding and Xie Jingxing weren’t father and son wasn’t surprising to Shen Miao; she had heard Xie Jingxing mention it before. But how could Princess Yuqing also have no connection to Xie Jingxing? If the blood flowing in Xie Jingxing’s veins wasn’t from Xie Ding and Princess Yuqing, then how did he become the legitimate son of the Xie family?

Shen Miao had a thought and asked Xie Jingxing, “Then what about Princess Yuqing’s son?”

“Dead,” Xie Jingxing said calmly. “He died at birth.”

He died at birth, but there was no news after that. It seemed that Xie Jingxing had been substituted in at that time, a case of dragon-swapping, and no one discovered it. Perhaps Princess Yuqing herself didn’t know.

“If Xie Ding’s son were alive, he wouldn’t have lived past three years,” Xie Jingxing said indifferently. “Because of me, Lady Fang didn’t dare to make a move. Because…” he smiled somewhat evilly, “those people sent, would mysteriously disappear.”

Shen Miao suddenly understood. She had wondered why Lady Fang, who had previously forced Princess Yuqing into such a wretched state, eventually causing her to wither like a flower, would be such a capable and ambitious person yet end up living in seclusion so peacefully, allowing Xie Jingxing to grow up safely. It turned out to be the worst strategy: people sent out would always mysteriously disappear, and Lady Fang herself probably found it eerie, thus settling for second best. As for why those people would disappear, since Xie Jingxing was the Rui Prince of Da Liang, with capable people around him, dealing with someone like Lady Fang within a household would be more than sufficient.

The parts she hadn’t previously understood now became clear, and she forgot about the earlier vexing matters. Xie Jingxing glanced down at her and said, “You don’t need to worry; Shen Xin is different from Xie Ding.”

Shen Miao said, “I’m also different from you.”

Xie Jingxing was slightly startled, then heard Shen Miao say, “You disdain it, and there’s no necessity. But I’m different. If someone like Lady Fang were to destabilize my family, I would use all my strength to make her suffer the consequences of her actions. If there were someone like Lady Fang with ill intentions trying to cause destruction, I would tear her apart inside and out, drag her to a mass grave, and feed her to the dogs.” By the end, she had lowered her head, but her eyes surged with other emotions.

She felt a weight on her head. Xie Jingxing had placed a hand on her head and said, “If there’s such a person, just tell me. As a distant relative and close neighbor, I’ll kill them for you, leaving no troubles behind.”

Shen Miao shook off his hand, and Xie Jingxing looked at her with a smile. His demeanor was casual, his words spoken in a joking tone, seemingly just a casual remark, but his eyes appeared serious.

For Xie Jingxing to kill someone, killing someone of Lady Fang’s caliber was indeed a simple matter.

Shen Miao said, “When it comes to killing, I can do it myself.”

“Making a move yourself isn’t a good strategy until the very end,” Xie Jingxing said. “If you feel uncomfortable, you can give me something as payment.”

Shen Miao said sarcastically, “Your Highness, the Rui Prince is golden and precious; I can’t afford to pay for your services.”

Xie Jingxing smiled, “I’ll give you a twenty percent discount.” He stood up and walked to the table where the handkerchief Luo Ling had given to Shen Miao was laid out square. Xie Jingxing casually picked it up, brought it to his nose to smell, and raised an eyebrow, saying, “Although the fragrance is inferior, my dog at home hasn’t been sleeping well lately; it’ll do as a makeshift solution.” Before Shen Miao could speak, Xie Jingxing had already tucked the handkerchief into his sleeve, “This will serve as payment.”