For several consecutive days, the capital city of Jing remained quite peaceful. The Crown Prince’s residence was unusually quiet as Princess Ming’an rarely left the premises except for occasional strolls through the streets of Jing City.

At least, that’s how it appeared on the surface. Behind closed doors was a different story altogether.

Inside the residence, Princess Ming’an sat resplendent in her golden-red gauze dress, her beautiful face casually sampling preserved fruits from a plate. Opposite her knelt two men who appeared to be officials. Despite the princess’s humiliating treatment, they showed no signs of anger. These two were none other than the illegitimate sons of the Marquis of Lin’an: Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao.

Ever since Xie Jingxing’s death, Xie Ding had lost interest in court affairs and delegated his authority to his two illegitimate sons, allowing them to establish themselves in court. Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao were quite capable and now served under Prince Ding. Though the prince did not rely heavily on them, he was cultivating them for future use. Both brothers aspired to achieve notable success.

If Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao harbored any resentment, it was that even after Xie Jingxing’s death and the end of Princess Yuqing’s lineage, Xie Ding still refused to elevate Madam Fang to the position of legitimate wife. As long as she remained a concubine, they would forever bear the stigma of being illegitimate sons. Their urgent desire to achieve success was driven by the hope that once they attained sufficient merit, they could pressure Xie Ding into legitimizing them. This was necessary to uphold the family’s prestige.

Their presence at the Crown Prince’s residence was due to Fu Xiuyi’s instructions. Fu Xiuyi, eager to establish good relations with the Crown Prince, sought to reach certain private agreements and naturally had to consider the Crown Prince’s sister, Princess Ming’an. Assuming the princess might be unfamiliar with the capital, he had assigned Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao to assist her.

The brothers secretly worked for Fu Xiuyi, and their regular duty of entertaining important figures made their attendance on Princess Ming’an seem natural to others.

Despite Princess Ming’an’s violent temper, she had made the two brothers suffer considerably these past few days. Today was no exception.

Looking at the men, she mocked, “You follow me around daily without finding it tedious. Do all Ming Qi officials enjoy trailing behind foreign princesses? No wonder your kingdom was so easily conquered.”

“We must ensure Your Highness’s enjoyment,” replied Xie Changwu. “Your satisfaction is our peace of mind.”

Princess Ming’an snorted derisively, “You are not my subjects. I don’t keep such idle men in my service. I’ve heard your Marquis of Lin’an once had a brilliant heir who unfortunately died young. Him, I might have considered taking into my service.”

The two men prostrated on the ground lowered their heads, though a momentary shadow crossed their faces.

Some people, even in death, cast shadows that never diminish. Since Xie Jingxing’s death two years ago, Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao had believed they would no longer live under his shadow. Yet whenever people mentioned the Marquis of Lin’an’s household, they first thought of Xie Jingxing. People often said, “If that young Marquis hadn’t died, who knows what brilliance he would display now? The Marquis of Lin’an would surely be proud.”

They forgot that the two brothers were also sons of the Marquis’s household. It seemed that no matter how well they performed, they could never surpass the heroic image Xie Jingxing had left in everyone’s hearts.

Xie Changchao’s eyes flickered as he said, “Our elder brother was indeed brilliant and once had a close relationship with General Shen’s fifth daughter, Miss Shen Miao. It was quite a destined connection.”

Upon hearing Shen Miao’s name, Princess Ming’an first froze, then her eyebrows shot up in anger as she demanded, “What happened? Tell me at once!”

Xie Changchao raised his head, looking somewhat surprised at Princess Ming’an’s reaction, and said, “Does Your Highness remember when Miss Shen dominated the archery competition at Ming Qi’s testing grounds?”

Princess Ming’an’s expression grew increasingly dark. Xie Changchao’s words reminded her of her humiliating competition with Shen Miao at the tribute banquet, making her wish she could tear Shen Miao to pieces.

“After Cai Lin finished, my second brother wanted to challenge Miss Shen. Had he entered the competition, he would certainly have defeated her. But at that moment, my eldest brother rushed out, protected Miss Shen, and took her place,” Xie Changchao explained. He would forever remember that occasion when they had hoped to please Official Cai by avenging Cai Lin, only for Xie Jingxing to unexpectedly intervene. Though Xie Jingxing appeared outwardly flirtatious, he had never actively defended a lady before. Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao were almost certain that Xie Jingxing must have had feelings for Shen Miao; otherwise, why would he have protected her?

It was because of Xie Jingxing’s intervention that the brothers were thoroughly defeated at the testing grounds, becoming laughingstocks—a grievance that Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao could never forget.

“I see,” Princess Ming’an said with a cold laugh. “So Xie Jingxing wasn’t such a good person either. Since he was involved with that slut, his death was well-deserved and swift!”

Xie Changchao and Xie Changwu’s eyes briefly flashed with satisfaction. Smearing Xie Jingxing’s name and hearing others speak ill of him brought them great pleasure, as if it could relieve their dissatisfaction.

“That Shen Miao is extremely irritating to me. If my brother wasn’t protecting her and preventing me from taking action, I would have had her killed ten times over by now,” Princess Ming’an said, growing agitated. The words that Prince Rui had spoken that day in the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace kept echoing in her ears.

“Such a fine lady, I would want her too.”

She was insanely jealous, and with both old and new grudges combined, she wished she could tear Shen Miao to pieces. But since she had been confined by Huang Fu Hao, and even when she went out, she was accompanied by his guards, there was nothing she could do. Now, with Xie Changchao bringing up Shen Miao, those malicious emotions were once again festering within her.

Princess Ming’an had been arrogant all her life and never failed to get what she wanted. Now that Shen Miao had become an obstacle, how could she allow her to live?

A thought suddenly occurred to her as she looked at Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao.

The brothers remained kneeling on the ground; until Princess Ming’an allowed them to rise, they could not stand. This had been the pattern all day—they were extremely obedient, as if they would execute any command given to them.

She suddenly smiled, picking up a piece of pastry and examining its intricate pattern before saying, “Xie Changwu, Xie Changchao. You’ve been with Prince Ding for several years now, so why are you still merely errand boys?”

The brothers hesitated, not expecting Princess Ming’an to suddenly confront them this way. But her words had struck a nerve—for two years, they had been secretly working for Fu Xiuyi, yet only on inconsequential matters. Now they were reduced to serving a princess, almost no different from palace servants. In their view, their lack of favor from Fu Xiuyi had nothing to do with their abilities. Both brothers considered themselves highly accomplished in both civil and military affairs; the only reason they hadn’t advanced was due to their illegitimate status.

The princess’s words were tinged with mockery, and though they didn’t respond verbally, their faces betrayed a hint of resentment.

Princess Ming’an continued, “You want promotions, don’t you? You want Prince Ding to keep you by his side and value you? You want to rise to prominence one day and shed the insulting label of illegitimate sons, don’t you?”

The Xie brothers remained silent.

“I have a way to help you get what you want,” Princess Ming’an said leisurely.

Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao exchanged glances, simultaneously bowing and saying, “We beseech Your Highness’s guidance.”

“It’s me, of course,” Princess Ming’an smiled. “I am a princess of Qin, and Prince Ding currently wants something from my Crown Prince brother. That’s why he sent you two to please me. If I put in a good word for you to my brother, helping the Crown Prince and Prince Ding succeed in their business, Prince Ding will surely remember your contribution.” She examined her red-lacquered nails. “Isn’t that why you’ve been enduring humiliation to please me these days?”

Xie Changchao and Xie Changwu said nothing. Generally, this was true, but when they were assigned to please Princess Ming’an, they never expected her to speak well of them. Given her arrogance and disdain for others, avoiding her wrath would be fortunate enough—how could they hope for her favor? The brothers weren’t fools; they knew that Princess Ming’an’s sudden mention of this matter surely came with conditions for an exchange, so they remained silent.

Seeing their silence, Princess Ming’an grew impatient and spoke directly, “Just one word from me is what many people desire but can’t obtain. You two have no relation to me, so naturally I would need compensation to speak on your behalf.”

There was no pretending ignorance now. Xie Changwu said, “Please instruct us, Your Highness.”

“You know,” Princess Ming’an said, twirling her little fingernail, “I have always been merciful and approached people in Ming Qi with kindness, but some offensive sluts keep provoking me.” Her voice suddenly became shrill. “The one I currently detest most is that little slut from the Shen family!”

The friction between Shen Miao and Princess Ming’an was well-known to Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao. The princess was petty and having suffered at Shen Miao’s hands, she would certainly not let it go. However, they were in Ming Qi territory, and Shen Miao was not an insignificant lady from a common household. If anything happened to her, Princess Ming’an herself would face considerable trouble.

Princess Ming’an looked at the two brothers, her gaze warm for the first time, and said, “I know you two are among Ming Qi’s most outstanding young talents, with exceptional courage. Would you be willing to help me with this matter?”

Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao were stunned. Xie Changchao tentatively asked, “What does Your Highness have in mind?”

“Don’t worry, I am kind-hearted and don’t want her life,” Princess Ming’an smiled. “But you must sell her to Ming Qi’s lowest brothel. When she has slowly adapted to life there, find a way for the authorities to rescue her.”

The Xie brothers gasped.

Selling someone to the lowest brothel essentially destroyed a woman. The customers in such places were the roughest brutes and bandits, with methods of torment that made life worse than death. Many servant girls sent there as punishment by their masters would die within a day. Yet Princess Ming’an specifically ordered that Shen Miao should not die, but be tormented until she became a living corpse before being rescued by the authorities. What cruel irony—everyone would know that the fifth daughter of Ming Qi’s Shen family had become a prostitute used by many men. The shame would be enough to drown Shen Miao in people’s contempt.

To have the most noble lady ravaged by the most brutal and savage men—for Shen Miao, death might be preferable.

Xie Changwu forced a smile and said, “The Shen family’s guards are all skilled fighters. How could we sell Miss Shen to such a place?”

“That’s your concern,” Princess Ming’an resumed her lofty demeanor. “I said you have courage, so it’s up to you to figure out how to abduct Shen Miao. If I have to think of everything for you, what use are you to me?”

Seeing Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao still hesitating, Princess Ming’an softened her tone and persuasively added, “However, if you succeed, I will also speak well of you to Prince Ding, at least ensuring he secures good positions for you both, so you won’t remain in this neither-high-nor-low state. Such a profitable deal—won’t you agree?”

Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao exchanged glances, each seeing the conflict in the other’s eyes.

Wealth and honor come with risk. For men like them who had long been excluded from advancing in their careers, what they desired most was to rise to prominence one day. Princess Ming’an was now offering them a shortcut—seemingly, in just a short time, they could move one step closer to their dreams.

But abducting Shen Miao was indeed no easy task. Although they had some men of their own, the Shen family came from military backgrounds, and their guards were extraordinary. Even the guards around Shen Miao were highly skilled fighters. Moreover, once Shen Miao went missing, Shen Xin would certainly lock down the capital and implement strict martial law. At that point, hiding Shen Miao and transporting her to a brothel would require considerable effort.

Success meant wealth and honor; failure meant losing everything. The brothers couldn’t decide.

Seeing their hesitation, Princess Ming’an gave a cold laugh, “Since you two are hesitating, we’ll pretend I never mentioned this. Opportunities come only once; I won’t give you a second chance. You may leave. Ming Qi has no shortage of courageous men besides you two, and I’m sure someone will be willing to take this gamble for prosperity.”

“I am willing!” Before Princess Ming’an could summon servants, Xie Changchao called out first, pulling Xie Changwu. Since Xie Changchao had already spoken, Xie Changwu had no choice but to bow and say, “I am willing to brave fire and water for Your Highness without reservation!”

This indicated their acceptance of the deal.

Princess Ming’an smiled and said, “Rise then. Since you will serve me wholeheartedly, I won’t mistreat you. I will await your good news here at the residence.” She smiled.

After leaving Princess Ming’an’s residence and returning to the Marquis of Lin’an’s mansion, the Xie brothers closed the door to discuss the matter. Xie Changwu complained, “Third Brother, you were too hasty. You agreed in front of the princess, but this matter is extremely difficult. One small mistake and we’re in trouble.”

Xie Changchao disagreed, “Second Brother, the princess also said that if we don’t do it, she’ll find someone else. What we lack now isn’t ability but opportunity. If we succeed, we can soar high—isn’t that what we both want to see?”

“But Shen Miao isn’t from an ordinary family,” Xie Changwu sighed. “Even if we could abduct her, what then? Shen Xin would search the entire city. Where could we hide her safely?”

“Don’t we have our mansion?” Xie Changchao smiled.

Xie Changwu looked at him, “You mean…?”

“No matter how thoroughly Shen Xin searches the city, he has no reason to search a colleague’s home. Outsiders might suspect many things, but they would never suspect that we two abducted Shen Miao. We have no grudge against her; why would we kidnap her?” Xie Changchao smiled. “It’s foolproof!”

Xie Changwu’s worried expression gradually relaxed as Xie Changchao continued, “However, how to abduct Shen Miao requires careful planning from both of us.”

Shen Miao knew nothing of the agreement between the Xie brothers and Princess Ming’an. Winter nights in the capital came early, and soon after dinner, the sky was completely dark. These days, court affairs were particularly busy, keeping Shen Xin and others occupied, which benefited Shen Miao.

Tonight, however, she was replying to invitations by lamplight.

Feng Anning had previously sent her many invitations, but due to her concerns about Chang Zai, she hadn’t attended any. She had always sent Luo Tan to accompany Feng Anning instead. Eventually, Feng Anning’s temperament as a young lady of status flared, and today she had sent an invitation demanding that Shen Miao join her to browse shops in two days. If she didn’t come, their friendship would be over.

After consideration, Shen Miao felt that Feng Anning could indeed be counted as her friend. To maintain this “hard-won” friendship, she magnanimously decided to reply and accept Feng Anning’s invitation.

After writing the response and handing it to Guyu, Jingzhe and Guyu left, closing the door. Shen Miao yawned, planning to sleep early, and walked toward her bed.

As she approached the bed, she suddenly noticed something bulging beneath her quilt, moving.

Shen Miao was startled. Jingzhe and Guyu had been in the room, yet they hadn’t noticed when this thing had entered. For a moment, her mind conjured supernatural thoughts, instinctively raising goosebumps on her skin. But after a moment, she calmed down. After all, she had experienced death once; what was there to fear, even if it were a ghost or spirit?

She immediately walked to the bed and lifted the quilt.

Underneath was something resembling a large cat. Its fur was a rare snow-white, curled into a ball. Suddenly exposed, it first paused, then looked up at her.

Shen Miao was momentarily stunned.

The little creature ran happily across her bed, joyfully catching her sleeve in its mouth. Up close, she could see clearly—it was a white tiger!

Shen Miao was bewildered. How had a white tiger appeared in her darkened room?

Then she heard a low laugh from the shadows, calling, “Jiaojiao.”

Shen Miao instinctively turned to look, and the white cub that had been biting her sleeve suddenly stood up and ran to the other side.

In the lamplight, his purple robe was gradually illuminated, the golden dragon patterns reflecting tiny brilliant lights. His features, gilded by the warm candlelight, looked too beautiful to be of this world.

Xie Jingxing bent down to pick up the white tiger that had turned to bite his sleeve corner, casually tucking it into his sleeve, saying, “Mischievous.”

Shen Miao blinked, suddenly realizing what was happening, and looking at the white tiger with only its head peeking out from Xie Jingxing’s sleeve, she asked incredulously, “What did you call it?”

“Jiaojiao,” Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow, unhurriedly walking over, even asking, “Isn’t it fitting?”

Shen Miao was too angry to speak. Using her childhood name for an animal—was Xie Jingxing even human?

Xie Jingxing had already made himself at home, sitting down at the small table and pouring himself tea, saying, “The tea is still warm. You’ve thought of everything for me.”

Shen Miao said, “Shameless!”

How could anyone be so brazen? Yet Xie Jingxing even glanced at the chrysanthemum pastries on the table and remarked, “Hmm, you’ve even prepared snacks. I’m not hungry, though, but thank you for the effort.”

Those were snacks that Jingzhe had prepared in case Shen Miao got hungry at night, yet Xie Jingxing assumed they were specially prepared for him! Shen Miao coldly stared at him, deciding it was better not to speak to such a person.

“These days have been tiring,” Xie Jingxing said. “Fortunately, I can rest here for a while. Thank you.”

Shen Miao’s heart stirred. Xie Jingxing hadn’t visited for many days. Although his uninvited nocturnal appearances still made her uncomfortable, his remark prompted other thoughts. She asked, “What have you been doing?”

Xie Jingxing gave her a half-smile, “Trying to extract information from me again?”

Shen Miao neither confirmed nor denied.

“This isn’t fair,” Xie Jingxing casually remarked. “You know many of my secrets, but I know nothing about you. Why don’t you tell me about yourself?”

In her mind, Shen Miao gave Xie Jingxing an enormous eye roll. Considering that Xie Jingxing controlled the Fengxian Pawnshop, an intelligence network, and likely had his finger on the pulse of all important matters in Ming Qi, his claim of knowing nothing about her was ridiculous. If anything, it made Xie Jingxing seem even more dangerous.

“If Your Highness Prince Rui wants to know something, you can ask Manager Ji,” Shen Miao replied coolly. “Manager Ji would be delighted to inform Your Highness.”

“Manager Ji doesn’t inquire about matters of the heart,” Xie Jingxing said. “What I want to know, Manager Ji cannot answer. Only you can tell me.”

Shen Miao asked, “What do you want to know?”

Xie Jingxing rested his chin on his hand, looking at Shen Miao contemplatively. After a while, he suddenly asked, “What do you like about Fu Xiuyi?”

Shen Miao was slightly stunned.

She had anticipated that Xie Jingxing might ask her some strange questions. In her years of dealing with him, she had recognized that her understanding of Xie Jingxing in her previous life had been quite superficial. “Young talent who died in his prime” was far from the best description for him. Xie Jingxing was a clever and dangerous hunter; one misstep and the hunter would capture your fatal weakness.

She knew she had revealed considerable information and made mistakes that aroused Xie Jingxing’s suspicions. She had even contemplated how to respond if he asked how she knew so much about future events. Yet she hadn’t expected him to ask such an irrelevant question.

What she liked about Fu Xiuyi—what did that have to do with affairs of state?

Shen Miao asked, “Why do you ask this?”

After a while with no response from Xie Jingxing, Shen Miao turned her head, meeting his gaze.

In the lamplight, Xie Jingxing was watching her intently. He was naturally handsome and captivating; now, in the lamplight, his black eyes sparkled like stars, their brightness outshining all the stars in the heavens. Yet within that brightness emerged a sharp edge that captured one’s gaze, making it impossible to look away.

That gaze seemed to contain something else—perhaps questioning, perhaps something more—three parts forceful and seven parts domineering, yet in a way that made the deep meaning in his eyes burn hot.

Why ask this? He wouldn’t answer.

Shen Miao heard her heart beating violently. She felt momentarily flustered. This long-lost, vibrant sound coming from her chest made her bewildered, but not particularly resistant.

In the cold winter, under dim candlelight that cast a warm glow, the young man’s piercing gaze seemed to see through everything as his lips slowly curved upward.

“Achoo!” Suddenly, the white tiger in Xie Jingxing’s arms sneezed, perhaps from some small dust irritating its nose, startling the two silent occupants of the room.

Shen Miao came to her senses and said, “Your pet is sick,” seamlessly avoiding the question.

Xie Jingxing didn’t pursue the matter either, but lifted the white tiger from his sleeve, examined it briefly, and said, “Delicate.” It wasn’t clear whom he was referring to.

Shen Miao took a deep breath, feeling that Xie Jingxing’s naming of the white tiger after her childhood name had particularly malicious intent. In the future, when people cursed this creature, Shen Miao would inevitably think of herself. With this thought, she developed a dislike for the white tiger and, by extension, found Xie Jingxing extremely irritating.

“Since it’s delicate, perhaps you should have Imperial Physician Gao examine it,” Shen Miao mocked. “After all, Physician Gao’s skills are excellent, whether for humans or animals.”

Xie Jingxing smiled, “Jiaojiao doesn’t like Imperial Physician Gao; she only likes to stick close to me.”

Shen Miao glared at him.

Xie Jingxing was doing this deliberately!

“Won’t Prince Rui leave?” Shen Miao said. “I need to rest.”

Xie Jingxing frowned, “You spend entire days with Feng Anning, yet chase me away after just a moment. How disloyal.” Despite his words, he stood up and walked to the window. Suddenly remembering something, he turned back to Shen Miao, standing by the bed, and said, “About that question just now, tell me sometime in the future.”

His figure disappeared through the window.

Shen Miao went over to close the window, blew out the lamp, and climbed into bed.

The room fell into silence, as if the visitor had been merely an illusion. Only the teacup with remaining tea on the table confirmed it hadn’t been just a dream.

Everything was very real, except…

In bed, Shen Miao’s hand moved to her heart.

There, the violent beating from earlier had still not subsided.

It was no illusion.