The New Year in Ming Qi passed with mixed feelings—somewhat joyful, yet not entirely so.

The joy came from family gathering together, which was always delightful. The unhappiness stemmed from the fact that once the New Year ended, Shen Miao would be marrying off to Da Liang. As time drew closer day by day, everyone in the Shen residence was busy without a moment’s rest—preparing Shen Miao’s dowry, the guards, servants, and maids accompanying her to Da Liang, and planning which routes the carriage would take.

The dowry that General Shen had prepared for Shen Miao, though not comparable to the betrothal gifts from Prince Rui, was still quite substantial. He didn’t include shops or land properties, as these would be of no use in Da Liang. There weren’t many carriages, furniture, or other bulky items either. Besides some rare jewelry, most gifts were converted into shining silver. In a foreign country, other things might be dispensable, but silver was essential—having ready cash would be much more convenient.

The silver that General Shen and his wife had prepared for Shen Miao was already sufficient, yet Shen Qiu still secretly pulled Shen Miao aside and took out a thick stack of bank notes from his sleeve, saying, “These are notes from Tonghui Bank, which can be used in Da Liang.” Then he added bashfully, “Your older brother doesn’t have much else to give you, just these bank notes. Please don’t think it’s too little, sister.”

Looking at the crumpled bank notes in Shen Qiu’s hand, Shen Miao felt a warmth flowing through her heart. Shen Qiu was, after all, a young man, and the soldiers in the Ministry of War often worked hard for him. Naturally, Shen Qiu occasionally had to reciprocate by treating them to meals and such. Shen Qiu’s salary wasn’t much, and most of what he had came from rewards for his military achievements. Instead of saving it for his future marriage, he was giving it to her. Touched, Shen Miao said, “Brother, the silver Father and Mother gave me is enough to live comfortably for a lifetime. What are you giving me this for?”

“Father and Mother are one thing, and your brother is another. How can what I give you be the same as what they give?” Shen Qiu said urgently, stuffing the bank notes into Shen Miao’s hand before walking away without looking back. Watching his retreating figure, Shen Miao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, thinking she should find a way to have Mo Qing secretly return the money to Shen Qiu.

Just as she was thinking this, she saw General Shen walk in from outside. He said, “Jiao Jiao, Father has something to tell you. Come, let’s go to the study.”

Hearing this, Luo Xueyan was about to follow them in, saying, “That’s good timing. Mother also has a few things to tell you.”

“Madam, your instructions can wait a while,” General Shen said. “Let me and Jiao Jiao have a private father-daughter talk.”

Luo Xueyan snorted dismissively but didn’t follow them in. She thought General Shen wanted to secretly give Shen Miao money or other gifts, so she didn’t think much of it.

Shen Miao followed General Shen into the study. He had servants guard the door outside, asked Shen Miao to sit at the table inside, and brought her pastries and tea. Then he sat down across from her, sighed deeply, and said, “In a few days, Jiao Jiao, you’ll be getting married. I plan to have Mo Qing accompany you to Da Liang.” After a pause, General Shen continued, “Although Prince Rui is the Emperor of Yongle’s blood brother and has considerable status in Da Liang, royal families are always full of intrigue, and some things may not be as simple as they appear. When you get there, never endure any grievances. If someone bullies you, tell Prince Rui. You were brought to him with gold and silver, so he must protect you. Don’t shoulder everything yourself—let him handle it.”

Shen Miao agreed.

“If even Prince Rui can’t protect you, don’t be afraid. You still have your parents. I’ve selected several men from the Shen army. Though their skills aren’t comparable to Mo Qing’s, they’re not ordinary men. They’ll be disguised as dowry guards and go with you. The important thing is not to let yourself be wronged.”

As General Shen continued his earnest advice, Shen Miao thought for a moment and finally couldn’t help asking, “Father, have you and Mother never thought about leaving Ming Qi?”

General Shen paused, looking at Shen Miao without speaking.

Since she had already begun, Shen Miao decided to say everything. She said, “Now that I’m marrying into Da Liang, the Emperor will surely have some estrangement toward the Shen family. Although you and Mother are still military generals now, the Emperor may not favor you in the future. A monarch’s thoughts are always difficult to predict. If the Emperor develops other intentions, wouldn’t it be better to go to Da Liang together with me, using your concern for me as a reason? If the military authority is to be given up, then let it be given up. Staying in Ming Qi, your military power might be taken away someday anyway.”

She spoke indirectly. Previously, if General Shen had heard such words from Shen Miao, he would have been confused. But after Prince Rui had spoken with him at length that day, and now hearing Shen Miao’s hints, General Shen immediately understood. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly to himself—had his daughter been warning him so many times, both openly and subtly, and why had he never taken it to heart? Was it because of the Shen family’s tradition of absolute loyalty to the country, or was it because he never truly trusted that what Shen Miao said was true?

General Shen said, “If the royal family wants to suppress the Shen family and fears the military power in my hands, they absolutely won’t let the Shen family leave Ming Qi easily. Moreover, they want to use the Shen family to restrain you.”

Shen Miao was startled. All along, out of consideration for General Shen, she had never spoken too plainly about the cold-heartedness of the Ming Qi royal family. It wasn’t that she thought General Shen was foolishly loyal, but that he had been taught by the old General Shen since childhood to be loyal to the monarch and country. Getting a person to overturn what they had revered for decades was a long process—some people couldn’t achieve it in their entire lifetime. But now General Shen’s words showed that he saw through the situation quite clearly.

General Shen said, “Father understands all of Jiao Jiao’s concerns, but I still cannot leave.”

“If Father is determined, even if some methods need to be used, there’s always a way to leave,” Shen Miao said. “The royal family wants to use the Shen family to restrain me, or use me to restrain the Shen family. Their calculations are good, but they’re not afraid of losing both ways.” By the end, a trace of resentment appeared between her brows, and her words became sharp.

General Shen laughed heartily: “I used to think Jiao Jiao was too gentle, unlike a girl from a military family. But seeing you like this now, so similar to me, you have the air of a heroine among women. Fearless of power, with a mind of your own—very good.” He took a sip of tea and continued, “Jiao Jiao is so clever that finding a way wouldn’t be difficult, but what about afterward?”

“Afterward?” Shen Miao asked puzzled. “What afterward?”

“Jiao Jiao,” General Shen suddenly said, “The royal family sees the Shen family as a thorn in their side. Even if Ming Qi becomes strong one day, the Shen family will eventually become like fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others.” General Shen sighed deeply, “We Shens are upright and have nothing to fear, even if we die. But I don’t want your mother, your brother, and you to be implicated. Nor do I want the Shen family’s generations of honest reputation, the name of loyalty and wisdom passed down by your grandfather and ancestors, to be insulted.”

Shen Miao’s heart began to pound rapidly. She guessed what General Shen was about to say, but she could hardly believe it.

The next moment, she heard General Shen’s voice: “I, Shen Xin, am no longer going to be the royal family’s loyal servant.”

Shen Miao suddenly looked up and said, “Father?”

“Jiao Jiao, don’t try to persuade me,” General Shen laughed cheerfully. “Though your father is loyal, I won’t be loyal to those with the hearts of wolves and dogs. Nor will I risk the lives of our entire family. As Jiao Jiao has seen, if all of us from the Shen family were to follow you to Da Liang now, and if someday Da Liang attacks Ming Qi, the common people would call us Shen family traitors and accuse you of aiding evil. We won’t bear such undeserved slander.”

“And if we stay in the capital while you marry off alone, if someday Ming Qi and Da Liang go to war, you won’t have to get involved. You’re just a woman, like a floating duckweed, alone in a foreign country with no control over your fate. The common people won’t blame you. And with the Shen family in Ming Qi, we couldn’t possibly collude with Da Liang, so we won’t be saddled with false accusations either.”

Shen Miao shook her head, “In that case, Father, do you mean to use the Shen family army to fight against Da Liang on behalf of Ming Qi?”

“No,” General Shen smiled. “Before that happens, His Majesty will surely act against the Shen family. Even if the Emperor doesn’t make a move, I have ways to make him act against the Shen family.” General Shen looked at the tea on the table: “The royal family is suspicious. Just by making a few moves and letting the Emperor hear some baseless rumors—the Emperor has been wary of the Shen family for a long time and will surely be unable to restrain himself from taking action.” He spoke with irony—having fought for Emperor Wen Hui for many years, guarding the kingdom, risking his life countless times, yet all it would take is for some villains to say a few slanderous words to the Emperor, and Emperor Wen Hui would forget his loyal subject’s devotion and ruthlessly destroy him.

Once there was even the slightest threat to his throne or the smallest doubt, Emperor Wen Hui would not leave any potential trouble for himself.

“When that day comes,” General Shen’s gaze suddenly darkened, “the day the royal family treats our Shen family unjustly is the day the Shen family will rise in rebellion!”

Not wanting the Shen family to bear undeserved blame, yet also unwilling to sacrifice the living for the sake of a clean name, becoming victims of despicable royal power—he wanted the common people to see clearly that it was the royal family that first wronged the Shen family, and only then would the Shen family be disloyal to the royal family.

Perhaps compared to the royal family, the mighty General with his illustrious military achievements might have a higher reputation among the common people of Ming Qi. General Shen was planning to use this advantage to engage in a battle for the people’s hearts against the royal family.

This was the Shen family’s counter-attack against the Ming Qi royal family.

But what Shen Miao was pondering was not this aspect. She was thinking that this was not General Shen’s usual style.

The Shen family was straightforward and honest, saying exactly what they meant, not playing mind games at all. Except on the battlefield, they were more often as open as blank paper. This was why, since Shen Miao’s rebirth, she had always taken on all matters by herself. First, because the Shen family couldn’t outmaneuver others in matters of the heart, and second, because she feared that her current demeanor would appear to the Shen family as scheming, sinister, and vicious.

But now what General Shen was doing was secretly planning and plotting. General Shen would never have taken the initiative to do this—had someone spoken to him or made a request? Shen Miao immediately thought of one person: Xie Jingxing.

She looked at General Shen, wanting to speak but finding herself momentarily speechless.

General Shen seemed to see the conflict in her heart, and smiled, patting her head: “I used to think Jiao Jiao would never grow up. Later, when Jiao Jiao was alone in the capital, she grew up. I thought it wasn’t good for a young girl to be too mature, but now, Father is very grateful.” He smiled and said, “This way, even if your parents aren’t by your side, Jiao Jiao can protect herself.”

Shen Miao said, “Father, if the Shen family can’t protect itself, write to Da Liang. I am a daughter of the Shen family; I will find a way.”

“These are men’s affairs. Are you, a young lady, really thinking of yourself as a boy?” General Shen laughed. “But our Jiao Jiao is the best girl in the world. Thinking about it, it’s Prince Rui’s gain to marry you.”

Shen Miao felt her nose tingle with emotion. It seemed that from this moment, she clearly understood that in this reborn life, she was about to leave her family.

“Prince Rui, though cunning and ruthless, does keep his word. Since he has agreed to marry you, he will protect you. If you like him, don’t worry about anything else. Just like what you like and do what you want to do.”

“I understand,” Shen Miao said softly.

General Shen looked at Shen Miao for a long time before smiling and saying, “In a few years, in a few years, Father promises you, I will come find you.”

Shen Miao smiled gently: “I’ll be waiting for you, Father.”

Since that day when General Shen and Shen Miao had their private, lengthy talk in the study, their relationship seemed to have grown even closer. Shen Miao often watched General Shen practice martial arts in the courtyard. This made Shen Qiu quite jealous, saying, “Sister has been sticking to Father these days, not even paying attention to me.”

But Shen Miao felt that she and General Shen now shared an unspoken secret. General Shen had become the person in the Shen family who understood her best, and she could speak to him without reservations. More often than not, she was advising General Shen on how to guard against the royal family. Having spent so much time in the palace in her previous life, she naturally had some understanding of the Ming Qi royal family. When she told General Shen about it, he was very surprised, not knowing where Shen Miao had learned all this. Shen Miao unhesitatingly attributed all the credit to Xie Jingxing, which made General Shen even more vigilant of Xie Jingxing—such schemes and tactics couldn’t be underestimated and must be guarded against carefully, lest they be sold out and still end up counting money for the buyer.

Speaking of Xie Jingxing, Shen Miao had also asked him if he had said something to General Shen. Xie Jingxing neither admitted nor denied it. Seeing his attitude, Shen Miao understood. She also asked about what would happen to the Shen family in Ming Qi in the future, and Xie Jingxing said that he had made arrangements in the capital of Ming Qi, and the Shen family would be fine. With these words, Shen Miao was reassured.

Time quickly passed to the night before the wedding.

The next day, Shen Miao would leave the Shen family as a bride, touring the entire city of the capital in a flower sedan chair with much fanfare. After the ceremony, she would leave the city gates of the capital and follow a grand procession away from Ming Qi to Da Liang.

Everything that needed to be brought was packed, and everyone who needed to come along was ready. Shen Miao hadn’t forgotten even Pei Lang. Pei Lang’s identity made staying in the capital very dangerous; Prince Ding would surely turn over every stone to find him. It was better to let Pei Lang blend into the wedding procession and go to Da Liang together.

Shen Miao had previously thought that even for Liu Ying’s sake, Pei Lang wouldn’t easily agree to go to Da Liang and would need some persuasion. However, she had only mentioned it briefly in a letter, and Pei Lang had promptly replied, agreeing to go to Da Liang. This puzzled Shen Miao. She wondered if Xie Jingxing had threatened Pei Lang, but then thought that Xie Jingxing probably wouldn’t do such a thing. Whether Pei Lang stayed in Ming Qi or went to Da Liang, whether he lived or died, Xie Jingxing probably wouldn’t care at all.

As Shen Miao was to be married the next day, naturally, others besides those at the Shen residence couldn’t sleep that night.

The Princess’s Mansion was one such place.

Princess Rongxin paced back and forth in her room. She had dismissed all her servants, fearing that her unusual behavior might arouse suspicion.

Since discovering that Prince Rui was Xie Jingxing, Princess Rongxin had many doubts, but had never actively gone to Prince Rui’s mansion to question him. She knew that the capital of the Ming Qi was full of royal spies. Although she was now just a princess who stayed out of worldly affairs, someone might still be paying attention to her every move. If anyone with ill intentions discovered something and traced it back to Xie Jingxing’s identity, what then?

Princess Rongxin still harbored some old feelings for Xie Jingxing. She was wary of him, doubted him, was vigilant around him, but she couldn’t forget their companionship in the past, couldn’t forget that during those lonely days, it was Xie Jingxing who came to talk to her, helping her through the difficult times of her widowhood.

Human emotions are complex; there is no pure love or hate. If love and hate could be separated, many things in the world would become easier. The hardest is when love is mixed with hate—one can neither be ruthless nor act indifferent.

Tomorrow, Shen Miao would be married; tomorrow, Xie Jingxing would leave the capital of Ming Qi. When would Xie Jingxing return to Ming Qi after going back to Da Liang? Would he then confront her with weapons, or would he bring people to raze the capital of Ming Qi?

Princess Rongxin was Xie Jingxing’s former aunt, but she was also a princess of the Ming Qi. Between the kingdom and family ties, one had to make a choice. Besides, there was an element of deception in these family ties.

After a while, she walked to the table, took out paper and brush, dipped the brush in ink, and was about to write on the paper. But just as the brush was about to touch the paper, she suddenly stopped, appearing very conflicted.

If this letter was written, if this letter was sent, no one knew what awaited Xie Jingxing. Perhaps it would be universal condemnation, perhaps it would be deadly peril. But one thing was certain: once this letter was completed, it meant she had made her choice, and the past affection between her and Xie Jingxing would vanish in that instant.

To change from a close relative to someone with hatred—this was a painful thing for both Princess Rongxin and Xie Jingxing. Princess Rongxin dared not think of this outcome, but she had no choice.

She never imagined that she, who had nearly followed Xie Jingxing in death upon hearing the news of his death, would now be pushing him toward a possible death herself.

She bit her lip and finally began writing rapidly.

At the Marquis of Ping’nan’s mansion, Su Yu and Lady Su looked at Su Ming Feng’s closed study door, both at a loss. In his twenty-plus years of life, this was the first time Su Ming Feng had admired a young lady, but unfortunately, this marriage was fated not to be. Previously, there was Prince Ding’s pressure, but finally, the Su family was willing to risk offending Prince Ding to let Su Ming Feng marry Shen Miao first. Who knew that after the Prince Ding matter was over, Prince Rui would suddenly appear.

With a father like General Shen, who loved his daughter so much, in the end, he still had to obey the imperial edict and let his daughter marry far away to Da Liang. This was even more true for the Marquis of Ping’nan, whose status was lower than the General’s mansion.

Lady Su sighed and said, “As things stand, we can only wait for time to pass, for Ming Feng to come to terms with it himself and forget about Miss Shen.”

“Easier said than done,” Su Yu shook his head. “Ming Feng takes after me—he’s constant in his affections. To transfer his feelings and forget Miss Shen won’t be so simple.” He looked at Lady Su: “There’s no use standing here. Let’s go back and let Ming Feng think things through himself.”

Lady Su glared at Su Yu: “Emotions aren’t like flesh cut from your body; you don’t know how to be heartbroken. This is my son. Seeing him suffer is more painful than cutting my flesh.”

“But you’re not going in to comfort him either, and even if you did, he wouldn’t listen. Isn’t it all the same?” Su Yu said, feeling wronged. Just then, he saw Su Ming Lang passing by outside, carrying a thick stack of calligraphy practice sheets.

As Su Ming Lang grew older, he finally put aside his childhood liveliness and gradually became a second Su Ming Feng. But compared to the gentle and courteous Su Ming Feng, Su Ming Lang was a bit more arrogant. Now he maintained a little adult’s demeanor even in front of his parents. Su Yu had openly and secretly complained several times that Su Ming Lang was becoming less and less adorable.

Su Yu called out to him: “Ming Lang!”

Su Ming Lang stopped, walked over to the two of them, and called them Father and Mother.

“Your big brother has suffered a blow today and isn’t in a good mood. Father has an important task for you. Go to your big brother’s study and talk to him for a while, try to comfort him.”

Though Su Ming Lang’s temperament had changed, he was still as close to Su Ming Feng as before. It made sense—Su Ming Lang had started learning late, and as a child, he was round as a meatball. When he wasn’t being teased by his playmates, he was being scolded by Su Yu. It was always Su Ming Feng who protected him and pleaded with Su Yu on his behalf. Su Ming Lang never forgot who dug the well from which he drank; grown up, he remembered his brother’s kindness to him as a child.

Lady Su also said, “Yes, yes, Ming Lang, ask your big brother to teach you calligraphy, or have him play cards with you. Just don’t let him be idle.”

Su Ming Lang looked at the couple and said with an air of maturity, “You want me to comfort big brother so he won’t be sad about Sister Shen’s marriage, right?”

Su Yu and Lady Su: “…”

Su Ming Lang looked at the lit lamp in the study and said, “We brothers need to have a heart-to-heart. Father and Mother, if you have nothing else, please leave. I won’t let big brother jump into the river to kill himself.”

After a moment of silence, Lady Su finally said, “Then thank you, Ming Lang.”

Su Ming Lang walked toward Su Ming Feng’s study. He pushed open the door with effort and saw Su Ming Feng sitting at his desk with a complicated, agitated expression—an expression he had often worn these days.

Su Ming Lang climbed onto a chair close to Su Ming Feng, sat properly, and looked at Su Ming Feng, saying, “Big brother, if you like her, go for it.”

Su Ming Feng: “…”

“A real man dares to act and take responsibility,” Su Ming Lang encouraged him with a solemn face. “As your brother, I will support you. Since you like Miss Shen, go and snatch the bride. Take her for yourself. Compared to that unknown prince, big brother, you are much better.”

Now understanding what Su Ming Lang was saying, Su Ming Feng laughed and shook his head: “What does it matter to me whom she marries?”

“Then why are you upset?” Su Ming Lang asked, puzzled. “Don’t you like Sister Shen anymore?”

“Don’t listen to Mother’s nonsense. When did I ever like her?”

“But you sent people to secretly investigate Sister Shen’s family,” Su Ming Lang accused. “If that’s not liking her, what is it?”

Su Ming Feng shook his head: “I’m not doing this because I like her, but because…” His tone suddenly stopped, and a complex expression appeared on his face again.

Su Ming Lang looked at him: “Big brother, you’re strange now.”

“Second brother,” Su Ming Feng suddenly asked, “do you remember Xie Jingxing from the Marquis of Lin’an’s mansion?”

“Brother Xie?” Su Ming Lang said. “Of course I remember. Isn’t he Big Brother’s best friend? Back then, big brother said Brother Xie went to a faraway place and would never come back, and told me not to mention Brother Xie in the future. Why bring him up today? Big brother, has Brother Xie returned to the capital?”

Su Ming Feng shook his head: “No.” He asked, “You also think he was my best friend?”

“Of course,” Su Ming Lang said. “Although Brother Xie was fierce, had a bad mouth, and often bullied me, he was quite good to our family. Didn’t Big Brother once say that Big Brother was the youngest in the Marquis of Lin’an’s family, and Brother Xie was Big Brother’s big brother?”

Su Ming Feng fell silent.

Su Ming Lang looked at him curiously: “Did big brother fight with Brother Xie?”

Su Ming Feng stood up: “No, I’m going out for a while. Ming Lang, stay here and don’t go anywhere.”

The night in the capital concealed everything. In the Princess’s Mansion and the Marquis of Ping’nan’s mansion, undercurrents were surging beneath the reef, brewing a storm beneath the calm surface that could destroy everything.

In Prince Ding’s mansion, Prince Ding sat in the high seat.

He looked somewhat haggard, which diminished his handsome, noble appearance. Some time ago, the dungeon in Prince Ding’s mansion had been burned to ashes, and Prince Ding had nearly smashed everything breakable in his bedchamber. The raging anger had nowhere to vent, and the subsequent news made him even more furious—there was no corpse of Pei Lang in the dungeon.

Pei Lang had been rescued, and naturally, it could be deduced that the fire was set by the people who came to rescue Pei Lang.

To dare to cause trouble in his Prince Ding’s mansion, and so openly at that, most importantly, to destroy something he valued greatly—Prince Ding was determined to dig three feet into the ground to find Pei Lang and whoever was behind him. He initially thought it was the Shen family, but the investigation led to absolutely no connection with the Shen family. Looking further, the trail was cut off, with no leads at all.

One can imagine Prince Ding’s frustration.

And tomorrow, Shen Miao and Prince Rui would marry. After tomorrow, Shen Miao would go to Da Liang with Prince Rui, and the secrets about Prince Rui would be even harder to discover. Seeing the opportunity disappear before his eyes, how could Prince Ding be content?

Just then, a guard who had been sent by Prince Ding to investigate came in from outside, bowed to Prince Ding, and said, “Your Highness, there’s movement at the Princess’s Mansion and the Marquis of Ping’nan’s mansion.”

Prince Ding’s eyes brightened, and he asked, “What is it?”

The guard stepped closer and whispered something in Prince Ding’s ear. After that, Prince Ding’s face showed shock, followed by great delight.

“Heaven is helping me! Immediately send people to follow them, and don’t miss even the slightest detail.”

The guard left with his orders, and Prince Ding leaned back in his chair, slowly forming a smug smile.

“Prince Rui, Princess’s Mansion, Marquis of Ping’nan, Shen Miao,” he said. “This prince wants to see what kind of secret you all have that can’t see the light of day.”