On this day, the weather was mild and pleasant. Outside, the sun was shining brightly, and in the eastern courtyard of the Shen household, Chen Ruoqiu was chatting idly with Shen Yue.

In recent days, because Chen Ruoqiu had urged Shen Yue to begin selecting a husband, Shen Yue had quarreled with Chen Ruoqiu several times. However, the usually gentle Chen Ruoqiu displayed unprecedented firmness for the first time. Shen Yue had no choice but to accompany her mother to various social gatherings with a cold face. As time passed, a rift formed between mother and daughter.

Their peaceful sitting together today seemed rather unusual.

“I heard that Shen Miao was kidnapped and there’s still no news of her,” said Shen Yue, picking up a piece of fruit from the porcelain plate on the table. As she ate, she displayed a hint of schadenfreude. “I wonder if she’s still alive.”

Chen Ruoqiu frowned slightly. She had always wanted to train Shen Yue to maintain composure regardless of circumstances, to at least appear gentle and elegant on the surface. However, compared to Chen Ruoqiu in her youth, Shen Yue ultimately lacked a certain steadiness. While she managed well in public, in private her emotions were visible, causing Chen Ruoqiu great concern.

“Who would kidnap her?” Shen Yue pondered. “Uncle has many enemies in the capital. I wonder who made this move.”

“Whoever dared to take such a risk must have a deep grudge against Shen Miao. The fact that they didn’t target anyone else and only kidnapped Shen Miao means they were specifically after her,” Chen Ruoqiu said. “Besides, the Shen family troops have been searching for days without finding any trace. The kidnappers have hidden her very well. I’m afraid Shen Miao’s chances are slim.”

Hearing this, Shen Yue first showed some fear on her face, but suddenly thought of something and smiled. “Come to think of it, I’d rather she stayed alive.” She didn’t continue.

Being kidnapped for so long, if she were still alive, she would likely have suffered many inhuman torments. Formless rumors in this world can be the most damaging. If Shen Miao died, it would all be over, and the dead wouldn’t care about worldly matters. But if she lived, who knew what unsavory things might be said about her? How many girls in the capital had been kidnapped by villains and rescued, only to end their lives with a white silk cord because they couldn’t bear the judging eyes of others?

Moreover, Shen Miao was the legitimate daughter of the mighty General.

Chen Ruoqiu glanced at Shen Yue and sighed, “Regardless, this is ultimately her affair. Yue’er, you haven’t spoken to your father for days. How long do you intend to hold this grudge?”

If it could be said that the hurried matchmaking had caused Shen Yue to harbor resentment toward Chen Ruoqiu, then toward Shen Wan, Shen Yue felt almost hateful. She had learned from the servants that it was Shen Wan who had urged Chen Ruoqiu to hastily arrange a marriage for Shen Yue. Therefore, Shen Yue placed all blame on Shen Wan, believing he was forcing her to marry early to create beneficial alliances for the third branch of the family. Hence, Shen Yue had not spoken to Shen Wan for days. Now, hearing Chen Ruoqiu’s words, Shen Yue impatiently replied, “Father is nowhere to be seen all day, how am I supposed to speak with him?” After saying this, she turned her head away sulkily, ignoring Chen Ruoqiu.

Chen Ruoqiu was momentarily stunned, suddenly realizing that what Shen Yue said was indeed correct. These days, perhaps due to official business being too demanding, even Chen Ruoqiu had seen less of Shen Wan. Previously, they would share poetry and affection every few days, but lately Shen Wan seemed distracted.

Chen Ruoqiu sighed inwardly. The Old Madam was also pressuring Shen Wan to take a concubine. If their marital relationship grew distant, she would face her greatest crisis.

What Chen Ruoqiu didn’t know was that the “busy with official affairs” Shen Wan was currently playing chess with Changzai Qing in the western courtyard of the Shen residence.

Changzai Qing wore a green pipa-collared top with a goose-yellow imperial satin and white silk skirt. Her hair was arranged in a hanging bun, giving her an especially refined and gentle appearance. She brewed excellent tea, and Shen Wan, a tea lover, often came to her for tea. When he did, Changzai Qing would ask him about chess positions. Gradually, Shen Wan began to visit her regularly to play chess and drink tea.

Changzai Qing smiled and asked, “I heard that the Fifth Miss Shen was kidnapped a few days ago. I wonder if she has been found yet?”

“There’s still no trace of her.” Shen Wan shook his head.

Changzai Qing sighed, “Such misfortune for a perfectly good young lady… In Third Master’s opinion, was this the work of the General’s enemies?”

Shen Wan replied, “It’s hard to say, considering only the Fifth Miss was taken. But after so much time has passed, even if she is rescued, I fear she would be…”

Changzai Qing displayed a sorrowful expression, but inwardly she was secretly delighted. She didn’t know why, but she felt an instinctive wariness toward Shen Miao. Perhaps it was because of the unsettling things Shen Miao had said to her before, or perhaps it was because Shen Miao saw through her thoughts too clearly. Whatever the reason, with someone like her around, Changzai Qing always felt uneasy. Now, hearing Shen Wan speak this way, she was quite pleased.

The matter of Shen Miao was also being discussed in Caiyun Courtyard within the Shen residence.

Concubine Wan said, “I used to think it wasn’t good that you, Dongling, never leave the residence, but now I’m quite at ease. There are so many kidnappers on the streets outside, and you’re so pretty. If you were taken, this concubine would spend the rest of her life in tears.” As she spoke, she put down her needlework and said, “I wonder if the Fifth Miss is dead or alive now?”

Shen Dongling, who was helping Concubine Wan with her embroidery frame, smiled at this. “Mother, that’s not something a kidnapper could accomplish.”

Concubine Wan widened her eyes. “Why not?”

“Kidnappers don’t boldly abduct people in the streets in broad daylight. Even if they did, they wouldn’t take the daughter of an official family, especially one who comes from an influential background. It would cause too much trouble for them later. Those people were targeting Fifth Sister specifically. I think they must be enemies of the First Branch, and Fifth Sister was unfortunate enough to encounter them,” Shen Dongling explained. Though she spoke of such matters, her face showed little sorrow, as if discussing someone else’s affairs.

Concubine Wan sighed, “The Fifth Miss’s life is ruined. She was born into such a good family, yet couldn’t enjoy her fate. What a waste of good fortune.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Shen Dongling smiled sweetly. “Fifth Sister has always had noble people to help her and often turns misfortune into a blessing. Who knows if someone might save her from this calamity?”

“Even with noble help, things have already gone this far. What can be done?” Concubine Wan disagreed with Shen Dongling.

As they were speaking, Shen Dongling’s maid Xinghua hurried in from outside, seemingly with important news.

“Concubine, Third Miss, this servant just heard outside that the Fifth Miss was returned to the Shen residence in Princess Rongxin’s carriage. She’s safe and well!”

“See, Mother?” Shen Dongling smiled. “I told you Fifth Sister is very capable and has noble people to help her.”

…

Several days after Shen Miao was kidnapped by villains, news finally arrived that she had been personally escorted back by Princess Rongxin’s female attendant, causing another sensation in the capital.

After Shen Miao was kidnapped, the villains tried to transport her out of the city. However, the Shen family troops’ inspection that day was too strict. During her transport, Shen Miao escaped, injured her leg, and fainted, coincidentally encountering guards from the Princess’s mansion. The guards took Shen Miao back to the Princess’s residence, and she met Princess Rongxin after regaining consciousness. The reason for the lack of news these past days was that Shen Miao had been unconscious, and the people at the Princess’s mansion didn’t know her identity and didn’t dare to make assumptions.

In any case, Shen Miao remained a pure and respectable young lady, and this incident had been a close call but ended safely.

There might have been some questioning voices, but most people didn’t express doubt about this account because the person speaking was Princess Rongxin, the most unsociable yet fairest princess in Ming Qi. If Princess Rongxin made such a statement, there shouldn’t be any issues.

What was strange, however, was that although word had spread, Shen Miao had not appeared before the public. Some said it might be because Shen Miao was seriously injured and unable to appear. Others said the Shen family was now fully protecting her and didn’t dare let her leave the residence for fear she might encounter villains again.

Whatever the case, Shen Miao had returned to the inner quarters, but no one had seen her with their own eyes.

At this moment, Shen Miao was standing outside Luo Ling’s room in the Shen residence.

Luo Tan’s words echoed in her ears: “Little Cousin, please go persuade Brother Ling. Though he doesn’t say it, we all know he must be feeling terrible. Although he appears happy now, he’s suffering in silence. We’re all tongue-tied and don’t know how to comfort him. Little Cousin, you’ve read so many books and understand what others are thinking. If you persuade Brother Ling, he might listen to you. Back in Xiaochun City, he would agree with whatever you said. This time, consider it a favor the Luo family is asking of you.”

Shen Miao sighed inwardly, hesitated for a moment, and finally knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” someone asked from inside.

“It’s me, Cousin Ling,” she replied.

After a moment of silence, someone said, “Come in.”

Shen Miao entered, carrying a bamboo basket. She placed it on the desk, near a celadon bowl with brownish stains at the bottom—presumably medicine that Luo Ling had recently taken.

Luo Ling sat at the desk, which was covered with books. He appeared to have been reading. His face was somewhat pale, his hand wrapped in bandages. He smiled at her and said, “Cousin has arrived.”

As the eldest grandson of the Luo family, Luo Ling had always been the most gentle and steady among the four younger relatives. He seemed to be a true gentleman, different from someone like Pei Lang, whose inner self contained selfishness and coldness. Luo Ling was genuinely capable of warming others.

After learning that Shen Miao had returned safely, Luo Ling was naturally happy for her, but he never mentioned his injured right hand. When eating and talking, he remained kind and gentle, as if he had never experienced the incident. Since he didn’t bring it up, others didn’t dare mention it either. But the more calmly Luo Ling behaved, the more uneasy everyone felt.

That’s why Luo Tan had come to ask Shen Miao to help persuade Luo Ling.

“I brought you some pastries,” Shen Miao smiled, taking the plate of pastries out of the bamboo basket. “They’re made with milk and honey, which should be beneficial for your injury.”

She was the first person to directly mention his “injury” to Luo Ling.

Luo Ling paused briefly, then smiled, “But I just took medicine and can’t eat now. Cousin, please leave them here, and I’ll try your cooking later.”

“You can’t eat them?” Shen Miao looked at him and asked, “Or you don’t feel like eating?”

Luo Ling’s hands trembled as he held his book. He looked up with a smile and said, “What do you mean? Cousin, are you upset because I didn’t immediately eat the pastries?”

Shen Miao sat down across from Luo Ling.

Luo Ling reminded her of someone—Wanyu.

Luo Ling had a kind and forgiving nature, not dwelling too much on slights against him, almost identical to Wanyu. Perhaps because she knew Shen Miao wasn’t favored by Fu Xiuyi, or perhaps understanding the many hardships of palace life, Wanyu, despite being born a princess, never showed any arrogance. Later, when Madam Mei manipulated Fu Xiuyi into marrying Wanyu to the Xiongnu in a political alliance, Fu Xiuyi used the greater good as leverage. While Shen Miao was heartbroken, Wanyu comforted her instead, saying, “The grasslands are quite nice. I’ve never been there in my life. If I encounter anything interesting, I’ll write to Mother and let her see the beautiful scenery of the grasslands.”

Always concealing their suffering while smiling at those who care for them—this was Wanyu, and this was also Luo Ling.

Shen Miao said, “Is it so difficult to admit that you’re not feeling well inside, that you haven’t let go, that you feel wronged, angry, upset, and resentful?”

Luo Ling was startled.

“Cousin Ling seems unwilling to blame anyone,” Shen Miao continued. “If you’re not blaming others, does that mean you’re blaming yourself?”

Luo Ling stared at Shen Miao for a moment, then suddenly gave a bitter laugh. “Cousin, must you always be so direct?”

“It’s you who’s too indirect and circuitous,” Shen Miao replied. “Just like your feelings, if you don’t blame others, you blame yourself. Similarly, when you say nothing and mention nothing, do you want me to feel guilty and uneasy for the rest of my life, or to never find peace over this matter?”

Luo Ling was stunned. “Cousin…”

“Cousin Ling, you think that by pretending nothing happened, everyone will feel at ease and overlook your right hand’s injury, that everything will be fine? It’s not like that. When you keep it inside, when you’re unhappy and unsettled, others won’t be at peace either.” Shen Miao’s voice was gentle, but her words were sharp. “Life spans only a few decades. Being accommodating is certainly one way to live, but sometimes being a little willful isn’t necessarily bad. Why should you suffer for others? If you’re upset, you can say it. You can be angry, you can hate, you can complain. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Perhaps hearing such an idea for the first time, Luo Ling found it difficult to accept. He examined Shen Miao carefully, as if seeing her for the first time. His impression of this little cousin was that she had clear likes and dislikes, was young but dignified, seemed gentle yet was stubborn. But these words gave Luo Ling a new understanding of Shen Miao. In her core, there was a certain disdain for worldly propriety.

It was as if so-called kindness and justice were not worth mentioning in her eyes.

“Who should I hate? Who should I blame? At whom should I be angry?” Luo Ling asked.

“You could blame me, because you fell into their trap because of me. You could hate those behind it, because they caused your injury. You could even be angry at all the doctors in the capital who can’t heal your wound—they’re all charlatans. The only one you shouldn’t blame is yourself,” Shen Miao said. “Good people always blame themselves, while bad people always blame others, yet bad people have always lived more comfortably than good people. So if it can make you happier, what’s so bad about blaming others?”

Luo Ling laughed and said, “Little Cousin, are you comforting me?”

“Yes,” Shen Miao replied. “I’ve said so much just to tell you not to bury everything inside.”

Luo Ling sighed, “Indeed, after this incident, I’ve been unhappy, displeased, uncomfortable. But Aunt and Uncle already blame themselves, and I don’t want to make things worse. Tan worries about me, and I don’t want her to be anxious all day. I only blame myself for not practicing martial arts diligently enough, which is why I was injured, and for not being clever enough, which is why I fell into their trap.”

“And now?” Shen Miao asked.

“Little Cousin’s way of persuading people is unique and suits me well,” Luo Ling joked. “Perhaps you’re right, it’s not my fault, and the one I should resent and be angry with isn’t myself.”

“Resenting and being angry isn’t what you should ultimately do either,” Shen Miao said. “If your right hand can’t be used, why not try the left?”

Luo Ling was stunned.

“I heard that in a previous dynasty, there was a general who was brave and skilled in battle. Later, on the battlefield, an enemy commander cut off his right hand. People thought he would be dejected, but he began training his left hand and later created a unique ‘left-handed sword technique,'” Shen Miao smiled slightly. “What does Cousin Ling think?”

As Luo Ling listened to Shen Miao’s words, a strange light gradually rose in his eyes. Unlike before, he seemed truly inspired, and his gaze changed. He looked at Shen Miao, his expression rather excited, and said, “Cousin tells this story very well.”

“Cousin will do even better,” she replied.

Luo Ling laughed heartily, startling Luo Tan, who was eavesdropping outside. Unlike the gentle smile usually on Luo Ling’s face, even through the door, one could hear the pleasure in that laugh.

What had Shen Miao said to Luo Ling?

“Is it with this skill that Cousin, regardless of what difficulties she encounters, faces them calmly and has reached her current undefeated position?” Luo Ling asked.

Shen Miao smiled. “It’s too early to call it an undefeated position.”

“It seems so,” he replied.

Shen Miao neither confirmed nor denied. Luo Ling was correct, but also not quite right. These skills alone weren’t enough. If one could experience falling from the most honorable position to dust, losing all one’s support overnight, receiving no returns for one’s efforts, seeing one’s family collapse and children perish, all because of one’s own initial stubborn mistake, one would understand that nothing is more important than staying alive. Not just alive, but living well, with the hope of making a comeback someday, of repaying all past sufferings upon those who caused them.

Luo Ling blamed himself, but hadn’t Shen Miao blamed herself too? She often blamed herself for selfishly causing the entire First Branch of the Shen family to perish in her previous life. In this life, she was striving to mend that mistake. Fortunately, it wasn’t too late.

She looked at Luo Ling and smiled, “From today on, Cousin Ling won’t spend all day in his study reading books, right?”

Since his right hand was injured, Luo Ling had often stayed in his study reading, claiming it helped him maintain peace of mind. Everyone knew Luo Ling was trying to be alone with his unhappiness.

“Since Little Cousin has personally interceded, how could I dare to read books?” Luo Ling smiled slightly.

Shen Miao nodded. “Then I’m reassured.”

“Reassurance alone isn’t enough,” Luo Ling looked at her, unusually mischievous as he blinked and said, “Since this matter arose because of Cousin, you should continue making these pastries.”

“Of course,” Shen Miao replied. “If Cousin wants to eat them, just tell the maid, and I’ll make some and send them over.”

Luo Ling stared at Shen Miao. The young woman before him was smiling pleasantly. She was extremely pretty, even somewhat pure, yet she always gave people a sense of extreme stability. For instance, these words today—he knew she came to comfort him, knew she intended to lift his spirits. With others, Luo Ling could certainly seal his heart and respond with a smile, but facing Shen Miao, facing her frankness yet gentle guidance, like a mild spring river, though her actions might not be entirely righteous and kind, they didn’t inspire resistance.

Just like an elder.

Luo Ling was startled by his thought, then found it somewhat amusing. Shen Miao was only sixteen, several years younger than himself. At sixteen, Luo Tan would still climb trees with Luo Qian. However mature this young girl might seem, she couldn’t be considered an “elder.”

His gaze gradually softened as he teased Shen Miao, “If I can’t master the left-handed sword technique in the future, I hope Cousin won’t despise me.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Luo Ling felt he had been too forward. The implication in his words was too strong. Yet for some reason, he looked at Shen Miao expectantly, as if hoping to hear something he desired from her lips.

Shen Miao was slightly stunned. Meeting Luo Ling’s gaze, which was different from usual, she felt somewhat awkward.

Setting aside Luo Ling’s identity and other factors, since her rebirth, Shen Miao had never had any particular thoughts about her marriage. If she could find a stable person to spend her life with, someone who respected her, would it matter whether there was love? Thus, she had never thought about who her husband might be.

But Luo Ling… Shen Miao sighed inwardly. Since she had already compared Luo Ling to Wanyu, if Luo Ling became her husband, wouldn’t that be awkward? She simply smiled and said lightly, “Cousin is joking. Who in this household would dare despise you?”

She didn’t answer Luo Ling’s question.

The hope in Luo Ling’s eyes gradually dimmed. After a moment of silence, he smiled again and said, “In any case, thank you for comforting me, Cousin.”

“You’re welcome,” Shen Miao replied. “We’re all family.”

Shen Miao sat for a while longer before rising to leave. After she left, Luo Ling sat at the desk, his gaze unfocused, lost in thought for a long time. Finally, he let out a light sigh, his lips twisting into a bitter smile. His gaze fell on the plate of pastries at the corner of the desk, and after some thought, he reached out to take one.

For some unknown reason, a sudden gust of wind blew in from outside, hitting the plate. The heavy porcelain plate crashed to the ground with a loud clang, shattering into pieces. The inkwell on the desk was also knocked over, and ink splashed over the pastries, which were no longer edible.

Luo Ling was startled and got up to look. Seeing the windows tightly closed, he murmured, “The windows are shut so well, how could there be wind?” Then his gaze fell on the pastries, now unrecognizable due to the ink stains, and he said regretfully, “What a pity.”

…

Meanwhile, Shen Miao returned to her room, lit the oil lamps, and dismissed Jingzhe and Guyu before pressing a hand to her nauseated stomach.

The incident with Luo Ling was indeed unexpected. She hadn’t anticipated that Princess Ming’an would be so ruthless, targeting not only herself but also Shen Qiu. If Luo Ling hadn’t taken the blow meant for Shen Qiu, who knows what fate would have befallen her cousin. Princess Ming’an had become more arrogant than in the previous life and, due to a coincidental twist, harbored even more hatred toward Shen Miao. She acted recklessly, causing great concern. It would be best to eliminate her early.

Unfortunately, Xie Jingxing had interfered in this matter.

Shen Miao didn’t know what Xie Jingxing intended to do, but on the day he escorted her to the Princess’s mansion, he told her not to go out for a few days and not to let herself be seen. Although she didn’t know how Xie Jingxing planned to act, Xie Changchao was already dead, so Xie Jingxing’s next target must be Xie Changwu.

Shen Miao had always thought that if she didn’t have to act herself, letting others do the dirty work would be fine. But considering that Xie Jingxing was never one to help others for nothing, with his cunning and scheming nature, he might eliminate Ming’an and Xie Changwu for her today, only to demand an enormous price tomorrow. Letting Xie Jingxing act didn’t seem like a good idea.

As she was thinking, she noticed the candle flame flickering slightly, and a silhouette appeared on the screen.

By now, Shen Miao wasn’t even surprised. She turned around calmly, and sure enough, Xie Jingxing walked in from outside.

Why did this man always enter uninvited with such openness, as if strolling through his garden? Shen Miao felt somewhat irritated, but Xie Jingxing simply sat down at the small table.

Today, he wasn’t wearing his usual purple-gold robe, but a black brocade garment. If not for the silver-threaded collar, he would have almost merged with the night. Yet even the darkness couldn’t conceal his handsome features. His peach blossom eyes sparkled like stars, looking particularly sharp today.

“No tea, no snacks,” Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow. “Is this how you treat guests?”

Shen Miao replied, “I don’t recall inviting you.”

“If not a guest, at least an ally, and if not an ally,” Xie Jingxing tilted his head to look at her, slowly raising his lips, “then a life-saving benefactor.”

Shen Miao was speechless. With Xie Jingxing shamelessly proclaiming himself her benefactor, what could she say? Better to say nothing. Shen Miao watched as Xie Jingxing poured himself tea and drank it in one gulp. For some reason, he seemed somewhat displeased.

Shen Miao thought to herself that Xie Jingxing was somewhat difficult to read. For instance, right now his lips were curved upward, yet he seemed frighteningly intimidating.

She wondered who had been bold enough to upset him.