Early the next morning, Shen Miao entered the palace.

Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin were concerned for her safety and had her bring many guards. But Shen Manor’s guards couldn’t follow Shen Miao everywhere, and once they reached the palace gates, they all had to wait outside.

Before leaving, Shen Miao had put on almost all the various jewelry that Xie Jingxing had given her. Regarding the Ming Qi imperial palace, she never hesitated to assume the worst intentions, fearing something unexpected might happen, so she prepared thoroughly.

Upon reaching the palace gates, Guyu and the other servants, along with the guards, waited outside, while Shen Miao was led by a palace maid toward Kunning Palace. Along the way, the palace maid found something strange. The path from the palace gate to Kunning Palace wasn’t simple, requiring navigation through several long corridors and gardens, yet Shen Miao walked with familiarity, as if she knew the way. Even when they encountered old, loose steps, she didn’t need the palace maid’s reminders; she simply lifted her feet and stepped over them. The palace maid wondered suspiciously: could Shen Miao have memorized this route so thoroughly after just one visit to Kunning Palace, without making a single mistake?

Little did she know that in her previous life, Kunning Palace had been Shen Miao’s residence. Every blade of grass and tree was etched in her memory. Therefore, facing the magnificent decorations and exquisite arrangements, she remained indifferent. If one looked carefully, one might catch a flash of disgust in Shen Miao’s eyes.

Others didn’t know this.

Upon arriving at Kunning Palace, palace maids were styling the Empress’s hair. Shen Miao waited for quite some time before the Empress allowed her to enter.

Today, Consort Dong was not present; only the Empress was there. She wore somewhat formal court attire, with a nine-phoenix hairpin on her head and heavy makeup, emanating an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Shen Miao glanced at her and immediately understood.

The Empress truly thought she was an inexperienced young girl who could be intimidated by royal majesty? Forcing her to willingly concede? No wonder she deliberately kept Luo Xueyan away. If Shen Miao were truly a sixteen-year-old girl, seeing the Empress dressed so formally and making veiled threats, feeling isolated and panicking, she might indeed give in.

But Shen Miao was far from being just a young girl. The person before her was the Empress, but in her previous life, Shen Miao had been the Empress herself, with more experience, greater presence, and having endured more suffering than this one. So this show of borrowed authority didn’t impress her at all. Shen Miao lowered her eyes and put on a humble smile.

The Empress slowly frowned. Shen Miao’s reaction was different from what she had expected. She couldn’t tell if Shen Miao was pretending to be confused or if she was genuinely ignorant. Her gaze fell on the bracelet on Shen Miao’s wrist, and she slightly narrowed her eyes, smiling: “This bracelet has excellent quality. Come closer and let me see.”

Shen Miao obeyed and stepped forward. The Empress took hold of Shen Miao’s hand. The bracelet was made from rare jade material, emerald green and perfectly round. Just as she was about to offer some praise, Shen Miao smiled and said: “In reply to Your Majesty, this humble girl’s hairpins, necklace, and earrings are also very beautiful.”

The Empress was startled and looked carefully. Upon looking, her mouth twitched involuntarily. Cat’s eye hairpins paired with pearl earrings, pearl earrings paired with an amber necklace, not to mention the bracelets and various other scattered accessories and hairpins. Though each piece was exquisitely crafted and valuable on its own, when all piled on together, they looked quite awkward. The Empress suddenly lost interest in complimenting Shen Miao’s accessories, including the bracelet. She felt an indescribable disdain. Initially, people had said the Shen family’s daughter was just a bumpkin who only knew about gold and silver. Later, they thought she had transformed, but seeing her today, she didn’t seem much different from before. Thinking about marrying Shen Miao to the Crown Prince made the Empress unhappy. If not for the Shen family’s military power being able to assist the Crown Prince, the Empress would never want such an unrefined woman to marry into the Eastern Palace.

The Empress released Shen Miao’s hand and said: “I invited you here today to have a chat.” She sighed and continued: “That day I mentioned to your mother that you’re still unmarried, at a good age, and I like you, so I thought I might arrange a match for you. Of course, I wouldn’t force you; this matchmaking also requires your agreement.”

Shen Miao kept her head lowered and said nothing.

The Empress patted her hand: “Do you think I live well? Do I live gloriously?”

Shen Miao laughed coldly inside but smiled on the surface and replied: “Your Majesty lives very well, very gloriously.”

“Marrying into the royal family, being cherished and protected by someone with power and ability, every woman can live well and gloriously. I was fortunate. Now you also have this good fortune. Do you want to live well and gloriously?”

These words almost had a seductive quality. Shen Miao’s lips curved slightly upward, but her words remained humble and fearful. She suddenly knelt on the ground and said: “This humble girl already lives very well and wouldn’t dare to aspire to anything else, much less compare myself to Your Majesty. Please spare this humble girl’s life.”

The Empress was stunned. She hadn’t expected such a reaction from Shen Miao. Throughout the empire, many wanted to climb the social ladder and become phoenixes. The Empress knew that all women had some vanity in their hearts. By using herself as an example to tempt Shen Miao, who was young and easily persuaded, she feared Shen Miao might not be moved. If Shen Miao showed even the slightest openness to the idea, the royal family could rightfully shift the initiative to the Shen family. Even if they were acting like bandits, they should at least maintain some pretense.

Who would have thought Shen Miao would react this way – not moved, not hesitant, but afraid?

The Empress irritably wondered, Is being an Empress so frightening? Or is this Shen family’s legitimate daughter actually as timid as a mouse and as stupid as an ox, unable to understand her hints, thinking disaster had befallen her?

Truly mud that can’t be plastered onto a wall.

For the rest of the time, no matter how tactful the Empress was, whether stern or gentle, Shen Miao maintained a humble and fearful demeanor. Yet despite this appearance, her lips remained tightly sealed, and not a single word of acquiescence could be pried from her. In the end, the Empress became somewhat angry and quite displeased as she sent Shen Miao away, thinking that this approach with Shen Miao wasn’t working and that she would need to discuss new methods with Emperor Wenhui.

Because the Empress was quite displeased with Shen Miao when she dismissed her, the palace maids of Kunning Palace were also negligent towards Shen Miao. They simply handed Shen Miao over to a passing small eunuch, asking him to escort her out of the palace.

The small eunuch naturally agreed.

The small eunuch led Shen Miao towards the palace exit. After turning several corners, deep within the palace with its numerous halls, besides the chambers where imperial consorts lived, there were even more small houses where eunuchs and palace maids resided. This small eunuch led Shen Miao through all the quiet places. As they passed by a garden and approached what seemed to be an abandoned wasteland, Shen Miao stopped and asked: “This isn’t the way out of the palace. Where are you taking me?” Her hand discreetly touched the bracelet on her wrist. No one knew the Ming Qi palace better than she did, and she knew which direction would be most advantageous for escape.

The small eunuch was startled, then whispered: “Master Pei wishes to see you, miss.”

Pei Lang? Shen Miao frowned slightly.

After thinking for a moment, Shen Miao still followed the small eunuch forward. Pei Lang hadn’t communicated with her through letters for a long time. Shen Miao had thought Pei Lang had been discovered by Fu Xiuyi. But when she sent Mo Qing to inquire, he seemed to have seen Pei Lang at the Ding Wang’s residence, appearing safe and sound. If Fu Xiuyi suspected Pei Lang, he certainly wouldn’t allow Pei Lang such freedom.

If Pei Lang was looking for her, it must be for something very important.

In this world, there are many coincidences. What Shen Miao didn’t know was that the royal family’s intention to arrange her marriage had involved many people. Shen Xin, Luo Xueyan, and Shen Qiu were naturally relatives who worked tirelessly for her, but other people also came forward one after another. For instance, Luo Ling’s expression of true feelings, Su Mingfeng’s accidental proposal, and Feng Zixian’s righteous offer of help.

In the human world, there are countless connections. These connections are like crystalline threads spun by spiders, each secure in its place. One day they crisscross, forming a fine and dense web, creating the most surprising and incredible coincidences in this world.

Princess Rongxin had entered the palace.

Her health wasn’t very good, and she had grown increasingly thin in recent years. She rarely entered the palace throughout the year, but today she seemed somewhat urgent. When a palace maid went to announce her, Princess Rongxin waved her hand and said: “I don’t have an invitation card. I have urgent matters to discuss with my royal brother. No need to announce me.”

The guards at the palace gate didn’t dare stop her. Although Princess Rongxin didn’t appear much these days, she had been the beloved daughter of the late emperor, with a firm personality. They didn’t want to offend her and suffer consequences later, so they immediately let her pass.

The palace maid wanted to find a sedan chair for Princess Rongxin, but she refused. Princess Rongxin said, “Taking the small path, a sedan chair would be inconvenient. You can support me; I’ll walk slowly.”

Princess Rongxin was anxious inside. She didn’t inquire about court affairs and remained secluded in her princess’s mansion every day. If she hadn’t accidentally overheard servants discussing Shen Miao’s situation while passing through the courtyard, she wouldn’t have known about the royal family’s intention to marry Shen Miao to the Crown Prince. Putting aside Xie Jingxing, Princess Rongxin herself greatly admired Shen Miao. As a member of the royal family, Princess Rongxin knew well that a woman marrying in might appear glorious on the surface, but it wasn’t necessarily genuinely joyful. Moreover, Shen Miao wasn’t a woman who craved wealth and glory, so these things meant even less to her. If she truly married into the Eastern Palace, Shen Miao would never be happy for the rest of her life.

Princess Rongxin was hurrying to find Emperor Wenhui, hoping to change her royal brother’s mind. So she took a shortcut.

Shen Miao arrived at a secluded pavilion.

This pavilion was nestled among trees and backed by a long corridor with several rooms, convenient for hiding. Pei Lang emerged from one of those rooms.

The small eunuch kept watch outside for the two of them. Shen Miao nodded to Pei Lang as a form of greeting and asked: “What urgent matter does Master Pei have to discuss here?”

“Ding Wang has sealed the residence, and I couldn’t send you a message,” Pei Lang said. “The idea of the Crown Prince marrying you was proposed by Ding Wang.”

Shen Miao raised an eyebrow. Pei Lang, seeing she wasn’t surprised, asked: “You knew?”

“I guessed it was his handiwork,” Shen Miao said calmly. “The Crown Prince’s mind wouldn’t suddenly think of me without reason.”

Pei Lang was puzzled by the tone of Shen Miao’s words, which seemed to indicate she was extremely familiar with both the Crown Prince and Fu Xiuyi. But Shen Miao was a secluded young lady who normally had no opportunity to interact with the princes. How could she understand the princes’ personalities so well? Even Shen Xin might not be as familiar as Shen Miao seemed to be.

This abandoned garden had once been rumored to be haunted, so almost no one came here. Therefore, Pei Lang wasn’t worried about passersby. He frowned and asked: “Regarding the marriage, what do you plan to do?”

Shen Miao was somewhat surprised. Pei Lang had always been someone who only analyzed pros and cons without involving personal emotions. It was rare for him to ask about her marriage, as her perspective on this marriage was irrelevant to the bigger picture.

Shen Miao said: “Let nature take its course.”

“You cannot marry the Crown Prince,” Pei Lang said.

“Whether I marry or not isn’t important,” Shen Miao said. What she disliked most was Pei Lang’s certain manner, as if he had everything under control. Because of this, he couldn’t see others’ struggles and would only do what he considered “right.” She coldly said, “Even if I marry him, I might not live badly. I would use my methods to achieve my goals. We all forge our paths, and every path can be walked differently. Surely Master Pei doesn’t think there’s only one path in this world?”

“That’s not what I meant,” Pei Lang sighed. “Marrying into the Eastern Palace would indeed allow you to walk your path. But using your marriage as a price to pay is too cruel for you and not worth it.”

Shen Miao’s heart stirred slightly as she looked at Pei Lang.

Pei Lang said, “Using your marriage as a price to pay is too cruel for you.” In her previous life, when Princess Wanyu was going to marry into the Xiongnu, Shen Miao had begged Pei Lang, because as Fu Xiuyi’s confidant, Fu Xiuyi would at least consider Pei Lang’s words. But at that time, Pei Lang told Shen Miao: “Your Majesty, exchanging one princess’s marriage for the peace and welfare of Ming Qi and its people, isn’t that a good thing?”

The Pei Lang, who excelled at viewing matters from the perspective of the greater good, was now actually putting the greater good in second place.

Pei Lang didn’t notice Shen Miao’s expression. He said: “The royal family spread the news, and now no one in the entire Jing Capital dares to form a marriage alliance with the Shen family.”

Shen Miao said: “So what?”

“If nothing else works, marry me,” Pei Lang said.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment. However, to Pei Lang’s surprise, Shen Miao’s gaze on him showed no surprise, no shyness, not even the slightest bit of emotion. Looking carefully, her eyes even seemed somewhat cold. She asked: “What are you saying?”

Pei Lang felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his heart, chilling him extraordinarily. Although this matter was also a judgment based on pros and cons for him, under Shen Miao’s clear gaze, some secret wishes in his heart seemed to have been glimpsed. In an instant, he felt awkward.

Pei Lang avoided Shen Miao’s gaze, steadied himself, and then continued: “If you can’t marry into the Eastern Palace, you must marry someone else to have a way out. Marrying me might hold things off for a while.”

“Why does Master Pei want to help me?” Shen Miao asked softly. Her words seemed to contain some other tone, making her intentions hard to grasp. She said: “We are merely in a transactional relationship because of Liu Ying, or perhaps a master-servant relationship. I am the master, you are the servant. From beginning to end, I’ve been coercing you. If I were restrained, wouldn’t that suit your purposes? Following Fu Xiuyi would be a thousand times better than following me. With Master Pei helping me like this, one might almost think you were sincere.”

There was a hint of mockery, and Pei Lang felt strangely uncomfortable hearing it. He didn’t understand why Shen Miao was sometimes polite to him and other times seemed hostile. Perhaps all women were so changeable?

But for Shen Miao’s question, he had no answer. Because he didn’t know why he was doing this.

Shen Miao smiled slightly: “Even if I married Master Pei, it would be a last resort. How would Master Pei marry me, and how would you explain to Ding Wang? You wouldn’t expose your identity because of me. Master Pei is a valuable chess piece; I wouldn’t want to use it so carelessly.”

“Moreover,” she slightly raised her chin, “marriage and a husband aren’t as important to me as you all imagine. It’s just someone to share a bed with, to eat with, to sleep with. Besides these things, how is it different from a stranger? I don’t care who I marry. I don’t care if I’m forced into marriage. My happiness or joy doesn’t depend on this.”

Pei Lang listened and shook his head repeatedly. He wanted to refute Shen Miao’s words, feeling that Shen Miao was still young and didn’t understand how important a lifelong commitment was for a woman. He thought she was just being stubborn now, but later, when she understood the reasons and suffered, she would regret not listening. But when he looked up and saw Shen Miao’s expression, he couldn’t say a word.

Shen Miao’s expression was serious. She was indifferent and cold, showing a faint weariness towards external matters, as if even mentioning them would instinctively disgust her. She truly didn’t care.

But how could a woman not care about the person who would accompany her for life?

Pei Lang stared blankly at Shen Miao.

As the atmosphere grew tense, a malicious laugh came from behind: “I didn’t expect to find such a romantic affair.”

Shen Miao turned around suddenly and saw two masked men in black who had appeared behind them at some point. Both men were holding long swords and lunged toward Shen Miao.

Pei Lang quickly pulled Shen Miao to avoid them. Shen Miao shouted: “Who are you?”

“Don’t blame us, Miss Shen. Blame yourself for blocking someone’s path,” the two men sneered. One rushed towards Pei Lang, and the other raised his sword towards Shen Miao.

They were going for the kill without leaving any chance of survival.

Shen Miao thought things had gone badly; she hadn’t expected that the place Pei Lang had chosen would facilitate others’ attempts to kill and silence them. She pressed on her bracelet, but this bracelet was only effective at close range. At this critical moment, two stones suddenly flew through the air, striking the two men’s knees with perfect accuracy. They cried out in pain and fell to the ground.

With two flashes of swords, two more people darted out and thrust the black-clothed men’s swords into their chests.

It all happened so quickly, giving no one a chance to breathe. The two who appeared later were dressed as palace guards and bowed to Shen Miao.

Just as Pei Lang was about to speak, another person flipped down from the roof. He was tall and straight, wearing a purple-gold robe and a silver mask, with peach blossom eyes sharp as a blade.

It was Rui Wang.

“Your Highness Rui Wang…” Pei Lang murmured. Being intelligent, he quickly surmised that the two men dressed as guards were likely Rui Wang’s subordinates. But he didn’t know which faction the black-clothed men who wanted to kill them belonged to. Although he didn’t know the relationship between Shen Miao and Rui Wang, Pei Lang didn’t dare be negligent. He was extremely cautious inside but put on a polite smile on the surface, cupping his hands and saying: “Thank you, Your Highness Rui Wang, for your assistance.”

Rui Wang didn’t speak but gave him a cold glance. Although the silver mask covered half his face, making his expression unclear, Pei Lang felt that glance was particularly icy, sending chills down his spine.

Shen Miao frowned slightly. Rui Wang had already grabbed her arm and turned to leave. Pei Lang was startled and called out: “Your Highness Rui Wang, you cannot!”

But the two guards suddenly blocked his way.

These two guards looked fierce, exuding an aura of ruthless killers who wouldn’t blink at taking a life. Pei Lang was a scholar, unskilled in martial arts, so even if he wanted to help, he couldn’t. As for Shen Miao, she was being dragged along stumblingly, but she turned her head back with a calm face and said: “Master Pei, please go back first. I have some matters with Rui Wang.”

Rui Wang’s pace quickened.

Pei Lang watched the two disappear. The two guards gave him another strange look before leaving.

But there were still two corpses on the ground, and Pei Lang couldn’t stay long. He didn’t know what relationship or connection existed between Shen Miao and Rui Wang, but… his heart suddenly felt somewhat empty.

…

Shen Miao’s arm was painfully gripped by Xie Jingxing. Xie Jingxing walked quickly without a word. She tried to keep up with his pace, but with his height and long legs, she couldn’t match him and nearly tripped several times.

Finally, Shen Miao’s anger rose, and she shouted: “Let go of me!”

Xie Jingxing walked to a deserted corridor before suddenly releasing her hand. Shen Miao, having been gripped for half the journey, was caught off guard by the sudden release and almost fell headfirst. After steadying herself, her anger surged “whoosh, whoosh, whoosh,” and she said: “Have you gone mad?”

This garden was more exposed than the abandoned one earlier. Shen Miao was afraid of being seen and tried to leave, but Xie Jingxing grabbed her arm again, pushed her against the wall, pinned her hands, and coldly looked at her.

He wore a silver mask, revealing his beautiful profile, elegant chin, and thin lips pressed tightly together. His eyes no longer held their usual carefree laughter but were filled with blazing anger. He said, word by word: “Shen Miao, is this all you’re capable of?”

Shen Miao frowned as she looked at him.

Xie Jingxing reached out to grip her chin, forcing her to raise her head and face him. He looked down at her from above, like a hunter viewing his prey. Shen Miao strongly disliked this top-down gaze and struggled to leave.

But she was a woman after all, how could she match Xie Jingxing’s strength? Her little force was like a tickle to him. Xie Jingxing easily neutralized her struggles, even slightly bending his knee to press against her leg, making her immobile.

But this posture was even more ambiguous.

Shen Miao asked: “What do you want?”

Xie Jingxing’s tone was indiscernible of joy or anger: “Luo Ling, Su Mingfeng, Feng Zixian, and now even Pei Lang. So many heroes coming to your rescue, I’ve underestimated you.”

Shen Miao remained silent.

His grip suddenly tightened, making Shen Miao’s chin hurt, and she slightly furrowed her brows.

But the young man gritted his teeth and said: “You don’t care who you marry, nor do you care if you’re forced into marriage. Do you want to marry into the Crown Prince’s residence?”

Shen Miao’s heart stirred, realizing that Xie Jingxing had heard her conversation with Pei Lang. This man loved to observe everything from the shadows, and normally, Shen Miao didn’t mind, but at this moment, she suddenly felt angry. It was as if someone had seen secrets she didn’t want to reveal, or as if her flaws had been understood by someone, creating anger born from shame.

She laughed coldly: “What’s wrong with marrying the Crown Prince? After all, you know I want to be the Empress. The Crown Prince will eventually ascend to the throne. Perhaps if I enter the Eastern Palace and eliminate the Crown Princess, I could take her place and become the future Empress Shen of Ming Qi. What’s wrong with that?”

These words were somewhat malicious and excessive. Xie Jingxing’s face turned even more ashen.

He also smiled, but it was a cold smile: “Too bad the Crown Prince won’t ascend to the throne.”

Shen Miao didn’t understand where Xie Jingxing’s inexplicable anger came from, but being questioned in such an awkward position made her feel very embarrassed and wronged. Perhaps emotions under impulse are hard to control even for oneself, just as she didn’t know where her grievance came from, but she wanted to release all the passive, unhappy feelings she had experienced recently.

Xie Jingxing pinched her chin, pressed against her leg, and restrained her hands. He was unbelievably handsome, and even his anger had a unique charm. That wickedness surrounded him, making Shen Miao believe for a moment that the outwardly carefree, nonchalant Xie Jingxing, who didn’t care about anything, was just one part of him. The other part was cold, rigid, and heart-chillingly angry.

The scene might have been beautiful, but Shen Miao had no heart to appreciate it.

She said: “Even if he doesn’t ascend to the throne, it has nothing to do with you.” Shen Miao raised her head to look at him, trying her best to speak calmly: “Why is Your Highness Rui Wang questioning me? The relationship between us doesn’t seem close enough for this. What does it matter to you who I marry or don’t marry?”

With these words, Xie Jingxing slowly smiled instead.

He curved his lips in a half-smile, pulling Shen Miao’s chin towards himself, and said: “When you were finding ways to haggle with me, when you were bargaining and calculating business, when you borrowed my hand to kill, you were quite capable. How is it that now, you only have this much ability? Hm?”

Shen Miao’s eyes felt somewhat sore. She truly despised Xie Jingxing’s current behavior. Yet she couldn’t break free, hating how passive she was. Her vision felt misty and uncomfortable.

Xie Jingxing frowned and said: “Don’t cry.”

Shen Miao’s tears were about to fall, and she felt extremely ashamed inside. Having lived two lifetimes, she was on the verge of crying just from a few words from Xie Jingxing. What kind of image was this? But the grievance in her heart couldn’t be relieved. She felt like her whole being had become a mess.

Unwilling to lose face yet unable to break free, in her desperation, Shen Miao glared at Xie Jingxing and angrily said: “Xie Jingxing, don’t go too far!”

“Xie Jingxing?” But from the bushes on the other side came a startled exclamation.