“Xie Jingxing!”

Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing suddenly turned around to see someone stumbling out of the bushes. As the person drew closer, Shen Miao’s body involuntarily stiffened, and she instinctively looked at Xie Jingxing’s expression. However, since Xie Jingxing was wearing a mask, she couldn’t see anything.

The person was Princess Rongxin.

Princess Rongxin had originally intended to take a shortcut, but when she reached this spot, she vaguely saw Shen Miao being pulled away by an unfamiliar man. She quickly asked her palace maids to wait outside while she followed them. If others had seen Shen Miao with an unfamiliar man, it would likely spark rumors.

Princess Rongxin trusted Shen Miao’s character. However, just now, she had noticed Shen Miao seemed somewhat unwilling, and feared that she might have been harassed by one of the princes or gotten into some trouble. She wanted to help Shen Miao but didn’t want to rush forward in case it was all a misunderstanding.

At first, she was too far to hear what the two were saying, but as she drew closer, she heard Shen Miao say, “Xie Jingxing, don’t go too far!”

Princess Rongxin called out involuntarily.

The tall and straight figure turned around, revealing an unfamiliar young man with half his face covered by a silver mask. He nodded slightly to her.

Princess Rongxin quickly stepped forward and only then realized this man was Prince Rui.

Prince Rui from Da Liang—when he first arrived at Ming Qi and entered the palace, Princess Rongxin, as a princess, had seen him. But she had never paid attention to court affairs and hadn’t inquired about him. Now, seeing that it was Prince Rui, she felt a peculiar emotion.

But that name “Xie Jingxing” that Shen Miao had called out just now—she hadn’t misheard.

Princess Rongxin looked at Shen Miao somewhat accusingly and asked, “Miss Shen, you just called His Highness Prince Rui by the name Xie Jingxing?”

Before Shen Miao could respond, Prince Rui spoke up, “This Prince’s name is Xie Yuan, and my childhood name is Jingxing. Miss Shen was calling me by my childhood name.”

Shen Miao felt slightly relieved, thinking that Xie Jingxing was quick-witted enough to find an excuse. But when she saw Princess Rongxin’s strange expression, she suddenly realized the implication and mentally cursed Xie Jingxing.

Besides family members, only wives or lovers would call someone by their childhood name. Her calling Xie Jingxing by his childhood name, in Princess Rongxin’s eyes, could be interpreted in all sorts of ways.

Xie Jingxing must have done this deliberately.

Princess Rongxin glanced between Prince Rui and Shen Miao, but her gaze ultimately settled on Prince Rui.

There were similarities, like the purple robes—only that mischievous young man who once galloped along Zhangtai could wear purple with such nobility and elegance. Yet there were differences too: that unfamiliar, somewhat cold, decisive yet ruthless aura of someone in power was completely different from the young man in her memories.

Xie Jingxing had died long ago, on the battlefield in the northern frontier, his heart pierced by countless arrows.

A sudden pain stabbed at her heart, and Princess Rongxin clutched her chest and bent over. No matter how many times it happened, whenever she thought of Xie Jingxing’s death, she couldn’t come to terms with it. After Princess Yuqing’s death, she had treated Xie Jingxing as her own son. Losing a child in middle age, an elder burying the young—her grief was no less than Xie Ding’s.

Shen Miao hurried forward to help her up, but the young man in purple stood with his hands behind his back, giving her just a casual glance without moving.

Princess Rongxin couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile.

Of course, how could Prince Rui be Xie Jingxing? If he were Xie Jingxing, he wouldn’t stand by so coldly, watching her struggle as if she were a stranger. If Xie Jingxing were still alive, how could he bear to see her in such pain?

Princess Rongxin waved her hand and asked, “What are you doing here?”

Shen Miao replied, “The Empress asked me to come to the palace.”

Princess Rongxin frowned and glanced at Xie Jingxing again, asking, “Why is Prince Rui here as well?”

Shen Miao looked at Xie Jingxing and said, “I was leaving the palace, but the young eunuch guiding me had some business to attend to. After waiting for a long time with no sign of him, I tried to find my way out but got lost. Fortunately, I met His Highness Prince Rui, who offered to point me in the right direction.”

This was blatant lying—Princess Rongxin had clearly seen Prince Rui pulling Shen Miao all the way here. Moreover, Shen Miao had called Prince Rui by his childhood name, indicating that their relationship was no ordinary one.

Princess Rongxin felt inexplicably angry. When Xie Jingxing had first brought Shen Miao to the Princess’s mansion, Princess Rongxin thought he must have special feelings for her. As she got to know Shen Miao better, she grew fond of her too and had always intended to matchmake between Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing. If Xie Jingxing hadn’t died in battle, this marriage might have come to pass.

Now Shen Miao seemed to have a close relationship with another man, and this man’s childhood name also happened to be “Jingxing.” It felt like her own possession had been taken by someone else, and Princess Rongxin didn’t like the feeling. She knew Shen Miao couldn’t remain unmarried forever, but Prince Rui wasn’t from Ming Qi, and having lived for most of her life, Princess Rongxin could see people clearly. This Prince Rui acted mysteriously, his entire being exuding danger—he was no simple man. If Shen Miao were to become involved with him, her life would likely become too complicated.

“In that case, this Princess thanks His Highness Prince Rui on Miss Shen’s behalf,” Princess Rongxin said, clearly trying to establish a boundary between Shen Miao and Prince Rui.

Prince Rui nodded.

“Since the eunuch who was guiding you has disappeared, I have many palace maids. I’ll have one of them escort you out. There’s no need to trouble Prince Rui further,” Princess Rongxin added, her attitude clearly guarded against Prince Rui.

Prince Rui didn’t say anything, merely acknowledging with a soft response before leaving on his own.

After Prince Rui left, Princess Rongxin let out a sigh of relief and asked Shen Miao, “How did you come to know him?”

Shen Miao hadn’t expected to encounter Princess Rongxin today, much less that she would overhear her conversation with Xie Jingxing. She silently blamed Xie Jingxing’s guards, who were usually so sharp they could catch a mouse running by, yet today, at this critical moment, they had failed to notice even Princess Rongxin.

She replied, “I’ve happened to meet His Highness Prince Rui by chance a few times, so we’re acquainted.”

Princess Rongxin gave her a deep look and said, “If you don’t wish to tell me, I won’t force you. But this man is not from Ming Qi, and he might have ulterior motives regarding you. You’re a smart girl; you need to be careful. If not for yourself, then think of your parents and brother.”

Shen Miao found the situation both amusing and frustrating. The misunderstanding had gone so far that it seemed impossible to clear up now. Princess Rongxin rubbed her chest and took a few deep breaths. Seeing this, Shen Miao asked, “Is the Princess feeling unwell?”

“It’s a heart condition I’ve had for years,” Princess Rongxin shook her head. “It’s been acting up these past few days.”

Seeing her in pain, Shen Miao vaguely remembered that in her past life, Princess Rongxin also had a heart condition. The Imperial Physician had advised her not to worry excessively, as it would make the pain worse. She said, “The Princess should find an Imperial Physician to check on this properly, or perhaps look for a physician in the city who specializes in heart conditions. It’s painful to suffer like this.”

“It’s fine,” Princess Rongxin waved dismissively. “I’ve lived long enough to experience all the joys and sorrows life has to offer. I have no regrets. I probably don’t have much time left, and I don’t want to struggle anymore,” her voice gradually softened, “After all, there’s nothing worth living for anymore.”

Shen Miao knew she was thinking of Xie Jingxing again, but didn’t know how to comfort her, so she could only say, “The young lord wouldn’t be happy to see you like this.”

“If he truly cared about me, his aunt, he wouldn’t have been so cruel as to leave for the west,” Princess Rongxin said, putting aside her sadness and patting Shen Miao’s hand. “I’ve heard that the Emperor intends to arrange a marriage for you. I came to the palace today to speak with my brother about this matter. Shen Miao, you don’t want to marry the Crown Prince, do you?”

Shen Miao hadn’t expected Princess Rongxin to speak up for her, and she felt somewhat emotional. In her past life, she had tried hard to please Princess Rongxin, only to receive contempt and disdain in return. In this life, because of Xie Jingxing, Princess Rongxin had changed her view of her and was even willing to challenge the Emperor’s decision for her sake. Though Shen Miao knew that once Emperor Wenhui had made up his mind, Princess Rongxin couldn’t change it, she would still remember this kindness. Shen Miao said, “I don’t wish to marry into the Eastern Palace, but the Princess need not force herself. Worldly matters are determined by fate. Let it flow naturally, and heaven will make its own arrangements.”

Princess Rongxin smiled instead and said, “You see things clearly.”

She added, “It’s getting late. I won’t keep you any longer. I’ll head over there first and have my maid escort you out.”

Shen Miao was escorted out of the palace gates by Princess Rongxin’s maid. Jingzhe and Guyu, who had been waiting outside, rushed to meet her. They first looked her up and down to ensure she was unharmed before saying, “We were terrified! We waited so long and thought something had happened. If you hadn’t come out soon, we were planning to find a way to go in and search for you.”

Shen Miao laughed, “It’s not a dragon’s pool or tiger’s den. It’s not that frightening.” But in her heart, she wondered about the two assassins who had appeared out of nowhere today. She didn’t know whose men they were, daring to try to kill her in the palace. But thinking about it, if she died, it would only harm the Crown Prince. If someone didn’t want to see the Crown Prince gain power, if she wasn’t mistaken, they had to be either from the Zhou Prince’s faction or the Li Prince’s faction. Fu Xiuyi was unlikely; the matter with Shen Wan and the Qin Crown Prince had just passed, and Fu Xiuyi wouldn’t deliberately put himself in a precarious position. With his patient nature, he would lie low for a while longer.

Thinking this, she couldn’t help but laugh coldly inside. In any case, none of the Fu family were good people. The Shen and Fu families were destined to be on opposing sides, and it would end with either her death or theirs. Since the other side had struck so ruthlessly, she wouldn’t show mercy either.

Mo Qing came forward to signal Shen Miao to get into the carriage and head back to the Shen residence.

At the busy street corner near the palace gates, in a lively tavern, someone was observing Mo Qing’s group. When they saw Shen Miao emerge safely from the palace gates, a flash of surprise crossed their eyes before they picked up the sword from the table and silently left.

When Shen Miao returned to the Shen residence, Shen Qiu and the others naturally gathered around to ask what the Empress had said to her in the palace. Shen Miao skipped over the encounter with Xie Jingxing and only related what the Empress had told her. The Shen family was again filled with worry. The imperial family was subtly threatening Shen Miao, and time was running short. They needed to quickly find a solution.

Luo Xueyan thought of the several people who had come to propose marriage. She wanted to ask Shen Miao’s opinion. If there was anyone among them that Shen Miao preferred even slightly, perhaps they could proceed. After all, Shen Xin had investigated them, and while they might not be perfect, their character seemed decent.

But Shen Miao had just experienced the incident with Xie Jingxing, and her mind was in chaos. She was in no mood to discuss these matters. When Luo Xueyan brought it up, she displayed rare displeasure. Seeing this, Shen Xin and the others exchanged glances, thinking Shen Miao was disturbed by the Empress’s words in the palace. They didn’t continue the topic and instead suggested Shen Miao rest early in her room before they dispersed.

When Shen Miao returned to her room, it was already dark. Guyu lit the oil lamp for her. Jingzhe, seeing that Shen Miao was in a bad mood, didn’t dare stay to disturb her, and pulled Guyu out, closing the door behind them, leaving Shen Miao alone.

She brushed her hair somewhat irritably, an inexplicable anger in her chest that wouldn’t subside. Thinking about Xie Jingxing’s questioning in the palace today, she felt increasingly annoyed and wronged. What did her affairs have to do with Xie Jingxing? Did he intend to meddle in her life?

But as the marriage matter had progressed, with various forces involved, plus Xie Jingxing’s interference, she felt increasingly like she had no control over her own fate.

Thinking of what Pei Lang had said, Shen Miao couldn’t help but let a smile form on her lips, though it was somewhat tragic. What woman doesn’t want to marry a man she loves and grow old together? But having seen the vicissitudes of the world in her past life, she knew that what she had felt for Fu Xiuyi had been one-sided infatuation. She had never truly experienced what it was like to be in love. But she knew that once one fell in love, the heart was no longer one’s own. She didn’t want to be like her previous life, foolishly placing her happiness in someone else’s hands. It was better now. Guarding one’s heart from the beginning was much easier than trying to reclaim it after letting it go.

But she still felt uncomfortable.

She sat by the lamp for a while, not really thinking about anything. After a good while, she blew out the lamp with a “puff” and climbed onto the bed to sleep.

The snow at the Prince Rui’s Mansion was particularly heavy today.

A group of guards trembled as they stood in the wind. Even the small white tiger, which had grown somewhat robust, was made to stand outside the bedchamber as punishment. Today, Prince Rui seemed displeased with everyone. Everyone in the Prince Rui’s Mansion, high and low, inside and out, had been punished, and even Ji Yushu and Gao Yang had been locked in the tower prison for reflection.

The tower prison was a place for the most heinous criminals, and naturally, cruel punishment was necessary for such villains. As the most brutal place in the Moyu Army, the prison had if not eighty-one tortures then at least forty-nine. Many men of strong character who went to guard the tower prison came out howling like ghosts after just a few days. The first time Iron Robe went in, he had to recover in bed for a long time, vomiting everything he ate for a month.

Ji Yushu and Gao Yang, two delicate young masters, were now facing the wall in the tower prison, earning the silent tears of sympathy from the guards of Prince Rui’s Mansion.

Nightingale nudged South Flag’s arm and asked, “What’s wrong with the master? Who angered him?”

South Flag hushed her, and seeing no movement from the bedchamber, he whispered, “Miss Shen Five has been bestowed a marriage by the palace. Young Master Gao and Young Master Ji failed to report it, which is why the master is angry.”

Nightingale covered her mouth, eyes widening, and after a while said, “Young Master Gao and Young Master Ji are truly brave to hide news about Miss Shen Five. No wonder they were locked in the tower prison.” She then looked at the white tiger shivering in the cold wind and said sympathetically, “Heaven have mercy, usually fed and treated so well, thinking it was different from us, but when something goes wrong, we’re all treated as outlets for anger.”

Fire Long tossed her long hair and sighed, “He’s enraged for his beloved.”

Inside the room, Xie Jingxing handed the completed letter to Iron Robe. Iron Robe looked at it and hesitated, “Master, if we change plans like this, and His Majesty finds out…”

Xie Jingxing gave him a look, and Iron Robe immediately closed his mouth. Opposing the master’s decision when he was in a bad mood was definitely not a good idea.

Xie Jingxing put another letter in an envelope and said, “What’s going on with Pei Lang? Try to find out.” After a pause, he added, “And also Feng Zixian and Su Mingfeng.” He frowned, suddenly remembering something else, and asked, “How’s the matter with the medicinal herbs?”

Iron Robe quickly replied, “We’ve already sent people to search. Once found, they’ll be delivered to the medical hall immediately.” Princess Rongxin’s heart condition had been acting up frequently lately, and one of the medicinal ingredients in the prescription was very rare, only available in spring. All the medical halls in the capital had sold out to the Princess’s Mansion. These past few days, without new ingredients, Princess Rongxin could only endure. Xie Jingxing had sent people to secretly buy them at high prices from outside and “coincidentally” sell them to the medical hall.

“As soon as possible,” Xie Jingxing said, pressing his lips together. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly stood up, put on his outer robe, and prepared to go out.

Iron Robe was startled, “Master is going out again?”

“The account isn’t settled,” Xie Jingxing snorted coldly and left in a flutter of sleeves.

Outside the Shen residence, it was already very quiet. Shen Miao’s bedroom was dark, indicating she had been asleep for some time.

When Xie Jingxing arrived, Cong Yang was sleeping in a tree and almost fell down when he saw him approaching. He quickly came down and stood straight, saluting Xie Jingxing.

Xie Jingxing looked toward the window, and Cong Yang hurriedly said, “The young madam is already resting.”

Xie Jingxing walked to the window and saw something like a jade ring on the windowsill with a pendant below it. Xie Jingxing looked questioningly at Cong Yang, who explained, “It’s a safety pendant that Luo Ling secretly placed on the windowsill after the young madam went to rest. The young madam hasn’t discovered it yet.”

Hearing this, Xie Jingxing’s gaze flickered slightly. He critically used the tip of a dagger from his sleeve to pick up the safety pendant, tossed it into Cong Yang’s arms, and said, “Keep it safe.”

Cong Yang was stunned, then heard Xie Jingxing continue, “Our pet at home needs a pendant.”

Cong Yang: “…”

While Cong Yang was speechless, Xie Jingxing had already skillfully opened the window and gone inside.

In the room, Shen Miao was sound asleep on the bed.

Xie Jingxing walked to the bedside, folded his arms, and watched for a moment, raising an eyebrow, “Sleeping soundly, it seems you didn’t take my words to heart. You’re quite brave.”

He sat down on the edge of the bed, casually picked up a cup of tea from the table by the window, took a sip, and turned to look at Shen Miao’s sleeping face.

The young woman, asleep, lacked the dignified and composed aloofness she displayed during the day. Stripped of all external pretenses, her true self was revealed. In the moonlight, her features were delicate and youthful, reminding one that she was, after all, just a sixteen-year-old girl. One shouldn’t ignore this fact because of her circumstances and the methods she employed.

Thinking of how Shen Miao had tried to hold back tears when he pinched her chin earlier today, Xie Jingxing felt a little remorseful.

He reached out to brush the stray hair from her forehead behind her ear, but noticed her eyelashes tremble slightly. Xie Jingxing’s hand paused, his gaze moving downward to see her body, wrapped in the blanket, shaking almost imperceptibly.

She was pretending to sleep.

Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow and deliberately sat closer, resting his hands on either side of Shen Miao’s body. He leaned down slightly, his magnetic voice resonating softly in the room.

“After helping you so many times, why not repay me by becoming mine?”

He stared at Shen Miao’s eyes, slowly leaning down.

Shen Miao’s body stiffened. That breath seemed to be at her lips, and the pressure from above was getting closer and closer. She suddenly pushed Xie Jingxing away and tried to sit up, angrily asking, “What are you trying to do?”

But her voice betrayed some panic.

Xie Jingxing pushed her back onto the bed.

Shen Miao struggled anxiously, but Xie Jingxing subdued her movements in a few moves, laughing, “What do you think I’m going to do to you?” He critically appraised her and added, “Keep dreaming.”

Shen Miao was so angry she wanted to call Mo Qing in to beat Xie Jingxing soundly.

Since she only wore an undergarment to sleep at night, her struggle with Xie Jingxing had caused it to slip, revealing her snow-white shoulders and faintly showing the plum blossom undershirt beneath. Xie Jingxing looked and was momentarily stunned. Shen Miao realized what he was looking at and grew furious with embarrassment, just about to scold him when she saw Xie Jingxing suddenly throw the blanket, completely covering her.

Shen Miao barely managed to poke her head out from under the blanket and angrily asked, “Are you sick?”

Xie Jingxing ignored her and quickly wrapped her tightly in the blanket like a cocoon, then pressed her onto the bed. Shen Miao couldn’t move at all, and Xie Jingxing rested his head on one hand, looking at her with an ambiguous smile.

Shen Miao finally grew tired of struggling and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Shen Miao, be more obedient,” Xie Jingxing frowned, “With this Prince here, who dares to force you to marry?”

Shen Miao was so angry she laughed, “You won’t stay in Ming Qi forever. I’ll have to marry someday. You may protect me today but not tomorrow. You may protect me tomorrow, but there will come a day when you can’t protect me.”

“What if I can protect you?” Xie Jingxing asked.

Shen Miao was stunned and didn’t speak.

Xie Jingxing said, “Do you not care about marriage, or do you actually want to get married?”

“What does that have to do with you? You’re asking too much,” Shen Miao was still resentful about Xie Jingxing’s roughness earlier in the day and didn’t want to talk nicely to him. But then she thought that her behavior was far from that of someone who had been an Empress; rather, it resembled those coy young girls on the street. Thinking about how long she had been bickering with the man in front of her, Shen Miao became very dissatisfied with herself.

Her fickle mood puzzled Xie Jingxing. He rolled over, pinning Shen Miao beneath him, one hand propping himself up beside her head, and asked softly, “Who do you want to marry?”

“Luo Ling, Su Mingfeng, Feng Zixian, or Pei Lang?”

He moved closer, his handsome features magnified in the moonlight before Shen Miao’s eyes. She could smell the pleasant bamboo leaf fragrance from him. His eyes were extremely beautiful, though now they carried a pressing intensity, as if trying to force out someone’s true feelings. Being gazed at by such eyes, it seemed as if the secret thoughts in the depths of one’s heart were laid bare.

Shen Miao’s heart suddenly became a little flustered.

This distance was too close—close enough for her to hear the “thump, thump, thump” of a heartbeat, like the sound of a drum, but she couldn’t tell if it was her own or Xie Jingxing’s.

Not wanting to be overwhelmed by these uncontrolled emotions and do something she herself wouldn’t understand, Shen Miao suddenly shrank back. Behind her was the bed frame, and Xie Jingxing reached out to protect her from hitting her head.

“This has nothing to do with you,” Shen Miao quickly said, “We’re just allies. Allies work together, but does Prince Rui intend to control my life? Not to mention marriage, even if I have children in the future, or get divorced, or am deposed, none of that has anything to do with you!”

Xie Jingxing was quite angry at the first half of what she said, but found the latter half both amusing and frustrating, saying, “What nonsense. Do you really want to be a deposed Empress?” This wasn’t the first time he’d heard her mention being a deposed Empress, and Xie Jingxing couldn’t understand—was Shen Miao so unconfident in herself that she had to imagine such a tragic ending? She didn’t seem like someone with low self-esteem.

Shen Miao was now speaking without thinking, “It has nothing to do with you! We’re just allies, what right do you have to meddle in my affairs?”

Xie Jingxing stared at her, seemingly provoked by her words. He was a proud person by nature, and being repeatedly rejected like this made him feel incredibly stifled.

He asked, “We’re allies?”

Shen Miao nodded.

“And allies can’t meddle in your affairs?”

Shen Miao continued nodding.

Xie Jingxing promptly said, “Fine.” He quickly leaned down and pecked Shen Miao on the lips. Shen Miao instantly froze, as the handsome young man in purple said in an extremely mischievous tone, “Now we’re not allies anymore.”

“You—” Shen Miao was speechless, her lips seemingly still retaining the gentle touch of that brief kiss.

He smiled roguishly, “Now I can meddle in your affairs.” With that, he stood up from the bed, looking down at Shen Miao intimidatingly, threatening, “Remember, from now on, whether it’s marriage, having children, divorce, or being deposed, it all requires this Prince’s approval.”

Having said this, he gave the windowsill a cold glance and vanished.

Outside.

Cong Yang had been forced to eavesdrop from the tree for a long time, listening until his face turned red, yet not daring to leave on his own. When Xie Jingxing came out, Cong Yang saluted him, and Xie Jingxing said, “From now on, throw away anything anyone sends.” He took the safety pendant from Cong Yang, looking displeased as he left.