As soon as those words were spoken, the room fell into complete silence.

Luo Xueyan dared not meet Shen Miao’s eyes. Shen Xin’s voice revealed deep exhaustion. Luo Ling was stunned. Luo Tan’s mouth hung open, but it was Shen Qiu who slapped the table and stood up: “What kind of matter is this?”

The calmest of all appeared to be Shen Miao.

Though she seemed calm on the surface, her heart was certainly not without ripples. This move by Xie Jingxing was something she had anticipated, but she hadn’t expected Xie Jingxing would dare to be so brazen… Wait, how did he manage to make Emperor Wenhui voluntarily issue an imperial decree for their marriage?

While Shen Miao was thinking, Shen Qiu stood up impatiently, anxiously saying: “What kind of person is Prince Rui? How can my sister, a lady from Ming Qi, marry someone from Da Liang? Has the Emperor gone mad?”

“Qiu’er!” Luo Xueyan glared at him: “Watch your words!” The walls have ears, and the imperial family’s spies could be anywhere. Shen Qiu had been driven mad with anger to speak such treasonous words.

Shen Qiu suddenly closed his mouth, glanced at Shen Miao, and scratched his head anxiously: “Regardless, sister cannot marry that whatever Prince Rui… Prince Rui, why does that name sound so familiar…” A flash of inspiration struck him, and he suddenly clapped his hands: “So it was him! I thought it strange that a Da Liang prince would greet me voluntarily, but it turns out he was after my sister all along. How despicable!”

Shen Xin frowned upon hearing this and asked: “You’ve met Prince Rui?”

“I encountered him on the way back to the mansion with Cousin Ling. He even invited me to the Prince Rui Mansion for a competition,” Shen Qiu said angrily. “Had I known his intentions earlier, I would have cut his horse’s legs and let him fall to his death!”

Shen Miao: “…”

Luo Ling was also stunned for a moment, then thought of something and looked toward Shen Miao.

Shen Miao felt confused by Luo Ling’s complex gaze, but had no patience to pursue it now. She only asked Shen Xin: “Is this an imperial decree issued by His Majesty? Why would the Emperor suddenly arrange a marriage for me?”

There was no shortage of eligible ladies in Da Liang, and the imperial family had several princesses and numerous county princesses. There was no reason to fixate on her. Indeed, Shen Miao knew this was Xie Jingxing’s idea, but she still wanted to find out how Xie Jingxing had persuaded Emperor Wenhui.

Shen Xin looked at Shen Miao, his eyes filled with pain. After a pause, he sighed deeply and said: “Jiao’er, it’s your father’s incompetence.” He then slowly explained the day’s events.

It turned out that during the morning court session, after Emperor Wenhui had dealt with some state affairs and was about to dismiss the court, he suddenly changed the subject, mentioning that Prince Rui of Da Liang intended to take a consort from Ming Qi. The court officials reacted differently—those who loved their daughters didn’t want them to marry far away, while those ambitious for advancement hoped their daughters would marry Prince Rui and become a princess at least.

However, Emperor Wenhui gave no time to consider, directly arranging the marriage. The bride-to-be was Shen Miao, the legitimate daughter of the mighty General Shen Xin.

Everyone was stunned. Everyone knew that Shen Miao was the apple of Shen Xin’s eye, and surely Shen Xin wouldn’t want Shen Miao to marry into Da Liang. Moreover, at a time when Ming Qi desperately needed Shen Xin, why would Emperor Wenhui antagonize him? Even those shrewd court officials, as cunning as foxes, could not fathom the emperor’s thoughts this time.

Shen Xin was naturally filled with anger, wishing he could draw his sword and hack apart the imperial hall. He could endure all kinds of grievances, but he couldn’t allow his daughter to suffer. This time, Emperor Wenhui hadn’t even consulted him before directly arranging Shen Miao’s marriage, meaning the Shen family had no opportunity to object. If they opposed, it would be defying an imperial decree, risking the entire Shen family’s lives, which Shen Miao surely wouldn’t want.

Shen Xin was also deeply puzzled. Hadn’t Emperor Wenhui wanted to marry Shen Miao to the Crown Prince just recently? Though his intentions weren’t genuine, how could it be that in such a short time, he now wanted to marry Shen Miao to a prince of Da Liang?

After court, Emperor Wenhui stopped Shen Xin from leaving and brought him to the imperial study for a private conversation.

This time, he revealed the truth behind Shen Miao’s marriage arrangement.

Thus, Shen Xin learned that the request to marry Shen Miao to Prince Rui came from Prince Rui himself, who had threatened Emperor Wenhui with Ming Qi’s border fortresses to force this decision.

The mention of border fortresses implied Ming Qi’s entire territory. Emperor Wenhui had no choice but to agree to this demand. Finally, Emperor Wenhui told Shen Xin: “I am the master of Ming Qi and cannot ignore the lives of my subjects. So, General Shen, I must trouble Miss Shen this time, exchanging one person for the safety of all subjects. If Miss Shen knew, she would understand my decision.”

A subject should obey his sovereign, especially when the sovereign sincerely explains the reasons and apologizes. In the past, Shen Xin would surely have understood and even felt somewhat grateful.

But when Emperor Wenhui said, “exchanging one person for the safety of all subjects,” Shen Xin felt a chill in his heart. He even felt that the sovereign he had served loyally all his life seemed somewhat hypocritical.

Among all the subjects, wasn’t his daughter also one of them? Why should his daughter be the one to sacrifice? All his life, Shen Xin had fought on battlefields, dedicating most of his life to Ming Qi, ready to sacrifice his life at any moment to protect all people. But if he couldn’t even protect his daughter, what kind of father was he? After sacrificing himself, was it now his daughter’s turn to sacrifice?

Shen Xin didn’t hear whatever Emperor Wenhui said afterward. It was probably about what gifts Emperor Wenhui would give to make Shen Miao’s departure more grand. But to Shen Xin’s ears, it sounded extremely ironic.

Even the most selfless person’s heart would lean towards their own family. Especially Shen Xin, who hadn’t kept his daughter by his side for decades, causing Shen Miao to become estranged from both him and his wife—that was his fault. Later, heaven was merciful, and Shen Miao grew close to them again, but Shen Miao’s temperament had changed significantly, as if she had grown up overnight. Shen Xin saw this and felt pain in his heart.

Shen Miao was a delicate flower carefully tended in their mansion, but somehow this flower had grown into a sturdy tree. Growing up so quickly, she had lost many things. Already feeling guilty towards Shen Miao, now with this imperial decree, Shen Xin truly felt he had no face to meet Shen Miao.

After Shen Xin finished his long explanation, everyone in the room fell silent, and even Shen Qiu stopped talking.

Emperor Wenhui had already spoken to this extent, what more could be done? But to watch Shen Miao marry like this? It seemed too cruel to Shen Miao.

To spend a lifetime with a man whose true face she had never seen, whose temperament was unknown, whom she certainly didn’t like, and in a foreign land… Shen Qiu dared not imagine.

Shen Miao said: “So that’s how it is.” Her expression remained calm, as if she hadn’t been affected in the slightest. Only then did everyone realize that from learning about the imperial decree until now, Shen Miao hadn’t shown a trace of surprise.

Luo Xueyan feared she was suppressing her feelings and said: “Jiao’er, you don’t need to hold it in. Nothing is decided yet…”

“Mother doesn’t need to comfort me. The imperial decree has been issued, we can’t defy it.” Shen Miao smiled. “Besides, marrying Prince Rui isn’t such a bad thing. As a princess, I’ll have fine clothes and food without worry. Judging by Prince Rui’s bearing when we met, even though I couldn’t see his face, he must be a good-looking person.”

“But you’ve never really met him,” Shen Qiu said anxiously. “How can you know his character?”

“Isn’t that how things are in this world?” Shen Miao said calmly. “Some people spend a lifetime together yet never truly know each other’s character. Marrying Prince Rui isn’t as bad as you think. Staying in Jing City, my identity makes me more vulnerable to schemes. The Shen family can’t protect me.”

Shen Xin’s eyes flashed, suddenly revealing deep pain.

The greater his military power, the more constraints he faced, and the more the emperor would be wary and try to control him. Shen Miao’s marriage had previously been manipulated by the Crown Prince and could naturally be manipulated by others. It’s not the thief you fear, but the thief’s covetous eye—the Shen family indeed couldn’t protect Shen Miao.

An ordinary man commits no crime, yet possession of jade brings guilt. For the first time, Shen Xin deeply despised his military power.

“Da Liang is a good place,” Shen Miao said with a slight smile, her tone somewhat yearning. “I’ve seen in travel journals that Da Liang is a wealthy nation with contented people. At night, doors need not be locked. There’s singing and dancing, happy citizens, and no thieves—quite a wonderful scene.”

“No matter how wonderful, you alone…” Luo Xueyan couldn’t bear to continue.

“The Princess Consort of Prince Rui is second only to one person in the hierarchy. They wouldn’t dare mistreat me,” Shen Miao pondered. “Since Prince Rui wants to marry me, perhaps he’s deeply in love with me and will naturally treat me well.”

She rarely made such self-deprecating remarks, which made Luo Xueyan and the others laugh. Luo Xueyan said with a smile, “Silly child, he might not…” Her words suddenly stopped. Shen Miao was intelligent and precocious—how could she not know that Prince Rui was likely after her, but the Shen family’s influence? Speaking like this was merely to set their minds at ease.

Thinking of this, Luo Xueyan felt infinite heartache.

Shen Miao smiled slightly: “It’s a happy occasion, why do you all look so unhappy? That would bring bad luck.” She said, “Since the imperial decree has been issued, the date will be announced soon. I should begin embroidering my trousseau.”

Her tone showed no trace of complaint or unhappiness; instead, she spoke naturally as if this marriage had been arranged long ago. The more she acted this way, the more heartbroken Shen Xin and his wife felt.

After talking for a while longer, Shen Miao felt tired, and everyone went to eat. The meal was tasteless, with everyone lost in their thoughts. After finishing, they dispersed to rest. Luo Tan took Shen Miao’s arm, wanting to speak with her as they walked to her courtyard, but they were stopped by Luo Ling.

“Does Cousin Ling have something to discuss?” Shen Miao asked, looking at him.

Luo Ling asked: “Cousin, do you truly want to marry Prince Rui?”

Luo Tan gave Luo Ling a strange look. Shen Miao smiled and said: “The imperial decree has been issued. Whether I want to or not doesn’t matter anymore.”

“I thought you would directly say you didn’t want to,” Luo Ling’s eyes dimmed, but he still managed a smile. “Just like when you rejected those young masters in Xiaochun City.”

Shen Miao smiled without speaking.

“Congratulations,” he said with a bitter smile.

Shen Miao nodded in thanks.

After finally sending Luo Ling away, Luo Tan pulled Shen Miao back to her courtyard. They entered the room, dismissed the servants, closed the door, and then Luo Tan lowered her voice mysteriously: “Little cousin, you knew about this, didn’t you?”

“About what?” Shen Miao was puzzled.

“About Prince Rui forcing the Emperor to arrange your marriage!” Luo Tan said urgently.

Shen Miao’s heart skipped a beat. Luo Tan was usually carefree and insensitive to most things, yet she had an extraordinarily keen intuition about things she shouldn’t know.

She vaguely replied: “How could that be possible?”

“Why not?” Luo Tan became excited. “Remember the last time we were both kidnapped? After I woke up and relayed your message to Prince Rui, he found you not long after. I wondered about your relationship back then. You two must be quite close; otherwise, why would Prince Rui help you? Isn’t it just like those storybooks—the hero and the beauty, and so on?”

Shen Miao: “You should read fewer storybooks.”

“Leaving storybooks aside,” Luo Tan cupped her face in her hands, “that Prince Rui is quite capable. At that time, Aunt and Uncle had been searching for you for several days without success, yet they found you immediately. We from the Luo family judge people solely by their abilities. He is a capable man, and I heard he’s also very handsome. That’s rare. Many handsome men are just embroidered pillows—nice to look at but useless. Like that Doctor Gao who often visits our mansion, he’s quite handsome too, but he looks like he’d fall over with one push—that kind of man isn’t reliable. At most, you can look but not depend on him.”

Cong Yang, who was listening attentively from a tree branch outside, nearly fell off. “Nice to look at but useless”… This Miss Luo from the Luo family was quite formidable herself. One wonders how Young Master Gao would feel hearing this…

“Enough,” Shen Miao gave her a sideways glance. “After rambling about all this, what do you want?”

“Little cousin, I knew you were the smartest. In the entire Shen mansion, you understand me better than even my brother Luo Qian.” Luo Tan looked at Shen Miao with expectant eyes. “I have just one wish: when you go to Da Liang, take me with you! I’ll be your accompanying cousin!”

Shen Miao nearly fainted. She asked incredulously: “What did you say?”

“I’ve never been to Da Liang,” Luo Tan said. “But I’ve heard it’s a wonderful place with lots of delicious food and fun things. This trip with Brother Ling was originally meant for us to gain experience in Jing City. Real experience comes from seeing as many places as possible.”

Shen Miao: “You secretly climbed onto the carriage.”

Luo Tan said: “If you have any sense of loyalty, take me with you!”

“No,” Shen Miao’s heart was like iron and stone.

For the next half hour, Shen Miao watched as Luo Tan pestered her persistently. Though she would have Xie Jingxing in Da Liang, Shen Miao knew the journey might not be smooth sailing. No one could predict what might happen in the future, so there was no need to involve Luo Tan.

After Luo Tan left, Shen Miao sighed and opened the window. Outside, tree shadows swayed, and the winter night was desolately cold.

Xie Jingxing was something, she thought. Without even greeting her, he had arbitrarily “issued an imperial decree” for her. Not only that, but now he wasn’t even showing himself when explanations were needed. What did it mean to disappear after stirring things up?

Shen Miao slammed the window shut with a loud “bang.” Shameless!

The sound made Cong Yang clean his ears, thinking the young mistress must be having her monthly period to be so moody…

Meanwhile, in Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan’s courtyard, Shen Xin was also discussing this matter with his wife.

Shen Xin asked: “Go to Da Liang with Jiao’er?”

Luo Xueyan nodded: “If we’re not by Jiao’er’s side, and she faces troubles in Da Liang, with the vast distance between us, we wouldn’t know about her sufferings. Didn’t young ladies who married into other countries in the past sometimes get killed by their husband’s family, while their own families remained unaware?”

“He wouldn’t dare!” Shen Xin flew into a rage, then suppressed his anger and said: “I could go, but I fear the Emperor won’t allow it.”

Luo Xueyan lowered her voice: “Given the tense situation between Da Liang and Ming Qi, if we also went to Da Liang, the Emperor would surely think we had defected… It’s indeed inappropriate. But is there truly no solution?”

In his helplessness, Shen Xin turned away from Luo Xueyan, gazing at a calligraphy scroll on the wall.

It was a scroll given to him by the old General Shen: “Serve the Country with Utmost Loyalty.”

He was loyal, he served his country, but what did he receive in return? The Shen family believed that the emperor could do no wrong, and if the emperor wanted a subject to die, the subject must not refuse. But why did he feel regret now?

This emperor had always been wary of him, suppressed him, controlled him, yet Shen Xin never complained, even when the emperor used him.

But why harm his children?

Were all sovereigns like this to loyal ministers, or just this one? Shen Xin thought, if Emperor Wenhui had shown even a little resistance to Prince Rui, or made any effort to fight for Shen Miao, he wouldn’t be as dissatisfied with Emperor Wenhui as he was now. It was precisely because Emperor Wenhui had agreed so readily, as if Shen Miao meant nothing compared to the empire, that Shen Xin felt a knot in his heart.

If Ming Qi were stronger, would they still have to bow to Da Liang? Could a mere Prince Rui frighten the sovereign so?

Shen Xin suddenly felt a trace of disgust for Emperor Wenhui’s incompetence.

He failed to realize that in this exchange, the resentment he felt toward Emperor Wenhui far exceeded what he felt toward Da Liang’s Prince Rui.

He also didn’t know that this change in his heart had been predicted by someone long ago.

Luo Xueyan was still wondering aloud: “Why would Prince Rui suddenly want to marry Jiao’er? Da Liang doesn’t lack military power, and even if it’s to create discord, surely it wouldn’t go this far.”

Shen Xin said: “I’ll inquire further tomorrow. Let’s sleep now.”

But tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

…

Emperor Wenhui had announced the imperial decree during the morning court session in front of all officials, so there was no way to keep it secret. Within a short day, almost everyone in Jing City knew about it. From the officials to the common people, everyone was discussing this matter.

The Princess Mansion was solemn.

Princess Rongxin sat in the main seat, constantly smirking coldly.

How had she missed that her nephew had such abilities?

Xie Jingxing had clearly shown special interest in Shen Miao two years ago. Later, he transformed into Prince Rui. Princess Rongxin had thought that, given Prince Rui’s status, even if Xie Jingxing favored Shen Miao, a union between them would be impossible in this lifetime. Unexpectedly, Xie Jingxing could obtain what he wanted!

In the afternoon, when Princess Rongxin learned of this news, she had gone to the palace to see Emperor Wenhui. She knew Emperor Wenhui wouldn’t arrange Shen Miao’s marriage without reason and insisted on knowing why. Emperor Wenhui, who still respected his sister, explained the circumstances to Princess Rongxin.

Princess Rongxin couldn’t describe what she felt, only that a chill ran down her spine.

That beautiful young boy who always smiled and called her “Aunt Rong” was now vastly different from her memories. The current Xie Jingxing gave off an unfamiliar aura. He could lie dormant for years to get what he wanted, and he eventually got everything he desired. His domineering attitude, sharp methods, merciless threats… he seemed more like a ruler.

Princess Rongxin felt somewhat afraid.

She didn’t know if she should tell Emperor Wenhui about Xie Jingxing’s identity.

Though even if she did, nothing would happen. If Xie Jingxing dared to come, he must have made thorough preparations.

But if she told the truth, at least all the subjects of Ming Qi would know Xie Jingxing’s true face, rather than constantly talking about the “young talent who died prematurely.”

Princess Rongxin thought for a while, then childhood scenes floated through her mind. She rarely went out and had few interactions, not even allowing her maids to enter her room at night. During her husband’s memorial day, she caught a cold and lay in bed the next day, unable to rise, and feeling unusually cold. The five-year-old Xie Jingxing brought her hot porridge from the kitchen, feeding her spoonful by spoonful, and sat on a small stool by her bed, reading poetry to her.

Such a beautiful little boy performing such a thoughtful act—any woman would be moved.

In a blur, ten years had passed in an instant. They weren’t mother and son by blood but were like mother and son in spirit. How had they reached this point?

On one side was national hatred, on the other was decades of companionship. Princess Rongxin suddenly felt sorrowful.

What should she do?

Princess Rongxin didn’t know that these days, every move in the Princess Mansion was being watched, and not just by one person. Because her mansion rarely interacted with outsiders, even the guards had grown lazy. Her every move was practically under surveillance.

At the Marquis of Pingnan’s residence, Su Minglang looked at the steamed custard brought by the maid and righteously refused: “I won’t eat it. Give it to Big Brother.”

Now, at the age of “caring about appearance,” compared to his formerly round and white dumpling-like self, Su Minglang preferred to be a jade-like, adorable “young master.” So these sweet things, though they smelled delicious, he refused to touch.

Then he suddenly remembered something and called the maid back: “Actually, don’t give it to Big Brother. If Big Brother marries Sister Shen in the future, and Sister Shen dislikes that Big Brother is fat, what then?”

The maid looked at Su Minglang’s mature manner and was speechless, standing with the tray, not knowing what to do. Seeing this, Su Minglang sighed deeply and said: “Since you’re so troubled, I’ll reluctantly eat it.” Then he fiercely warned the maid: “Don’t tell Mother I stole Big Brother’s steamed custard!”

The maid: “…”

Inside the room, Su Mingfeng had no mind to eat any steamed custard. He paced back and forth, looking extremely anxious.

Su Yu looked at him sympathetically, patted his shoulder, and said: “Son, Father knows you’re upset, but this imperial decree was issued by the Emperor himself. Father is helpless. I can only say your luck is bad, and the girl you like isn’t fated to be with you. Fortunately, since Shen Miao will marry Prince Rui, she must go to Da Liang. Out of sight, out of mind—you’ll forget her after some time.”

After Emperor Wenhui issued the decree, what Su Yu and his wife feared most was that Su Mingfeng couldn’t withstand this blow. After carefully telling him, Su Mingfeng had shut himself in his study. Fearing Su Mingfeng might harm himself, Su Yu’s wife specifically asked Su Yu to console him.

“Father, could you please stop making this worse?” Su Mingfeng said impatiently. “I’m not upset about that.”

“Son, I know what’s in your heart,” Su Yu said. “Young men should be passionate. Father has been through your age. It’s nothing. There are many fish in the sea. You should think positively.”

Su Mingfeng couldn’t stand it anymore and said: “Fine, Father, I understand. I want to be alone now. I won’t harm myself. Can you leave me alone for a while?”

Seeing the usually gentle Su Mingfeng showing signs of displeasure, Su Yu feared further conversation might stimulate Su Mingfeng’s fragile young male heart, so he smiled awkwardly and said: “Anyway, Father will strive to find you a heavenly beauty for a wife. Don’t be sad!” Then he sneaked away.

After Old Master Su left, Su Mingfeng sat down heavily at his desk, feeling inexplicably irritated.

Emperor Wenhui suddenly decreed Shen Miao’s marriage? This surprised Su Mingfeng greatly, especially since Shen Miao had been linked with the Crown Prince just days ago. How was she now entangled with Prince Rui?

Su Mingfeng had no time to guess Emperor Wenhui’s thoughts; he was thinking about Shen Miao. Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing seemed to have a connection two years ago. Recently, because of that tiger-head bracelet, Su Mingfeng was convinced there was something special between Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing. Su Mingfeng even suspected Xie Jingxing was alive.

To find information about Xie Jingxing, he must focus on Shen Miao.

But why did Shen Miao’s marriage to Prince Rui make him so uneasy? It felt as if something was about to emerge, as if something was about to happen.

This strange premonition made Su Mingfeng behave abnormally all day. Just as he was restless, someone returned from outside. This was a spy Su Mingfeng had sent out, responsible for monitoring the Princess Mansion and the Shen residence. Su Mingfeng felt Princess Rongxin might know something, and as for Shen Miao, there was no need to elaborate.

The spy bowed to Su Mingfeng and said: “Young Master, there’s a lead on the matter you asked me to investigate days ago.”

Su Mingfeng was delighted, immediately sat up straight, and asked: “Tell me quickly!”

“My men followed the guards of the Princess Mansion and discovered that someone has been constantly monitoring the movements at Prince Rui’s mansion. If I’m not mistaken, it’s by Princess Rongxin’s orders.”

“Prince Rui’s guards seem to have several people infiltrated in the Shen residence, though it’s unclear whether they’re monitoring or protecting the Fifth Miss Shen.”

Su Mingfeng frowned. Why was it all about Prince Rui? Princess Rongxin monitoring Prince Rui, Prince Rui monitoring Shen Miao?

But he was looking for clues about Xie Jingxing!

Unless… a terrible thought flashed through his mind.

Su Mingfeng’s heart began to race violently.