The sun was setting in the west as Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing walked back to the mansion.

Da Liang’s customs were naturally more open and free than Ming Qi’s, and it was quite common for couples to go out together on the streets. However, because Xie Jingxing was too famous, almost everyone in Longyi recognized him, and wherever they went, they were surrounded by surprised glances.

A while ago, rumors spread that the Rui Prince Consort and His Highness the Prince had a cold relationship, merely keeping up appearances. Now seeing them out together, those rumors were dispelled without effort. If their relationship was as estranged as rumored, how could they go out so intimately together? It was unknown which gossip-monger had spread such nonsense.

Since arriving in Longyi, this was the first time Shen Miao had properly gone out to explore. Xie Jingxing was quite familiar with the place, and they walked and shopped along the way. Though she wasn’t usually one to crave novelties, today she seemed influenced by Luo Tan, buying large and small items that filled a carriage. The two of them shopped in front, while Tie Yi and Cong Yang paid the silver notes behind them. Even so, Xie Jingxing still found Shen Miao’s behavior strange and kept glancing at her suspiciously throughout the journey.

Shen Miao, however, felt a lightness of heart she had never experienced before.

It was as if after that long dream, all the resentment, anger, and hatred from her previous life had been released. The revenge still needed to be taken, but this reborn life was not just about vengeance. Those stars that had briefly shone in the dark years made her feel that her previous life had not left only bad things behind. This made her current chance all the more precious.

Now, she was braver, more determined, and more honest than before. She could face her own feelings squarely and embrace her new life passionately. After all, this version of her was completely different from the previous one.

With this lightness of heart, she wore a smile throughout. Like a child, she looked at things with fresh eyes, and afterward said to Xie Jingxing: “Longyi is truly different from the capital. It seems each region of Da Liang has its charm. If someday we could travel to famous mountains and great rivers, seeing different landscapes everywhere, that would be wonderful.”

Xie Jingxing smiled: “What’s so difficult about that?”

“Easier said than done,” Shen Miao said. “Sometimes I envy those jianghu wanderers and recluses, without worries or worldly affairs, living a life full of excitement.”

Xie Jingxing looked at her thoughtfully.

Shen Miao asked: “Why are you staring at me?”

He smiled, taking her hand, saying: “Once the worldly affairs of Ming Qi and Da Liang are settled, wherever you want to go, I’ll take you.”

Shen Miao smiled at him: “Is this the wish you’re granting me?”

Xie Jingxing paused briefly, recalling the wish Shen Miao mentioned after waking up. A mischievous smile suddenly appeared on his face as he said suggestively: “You’ve been reminding me about that wish all day. Is it because the two-month period has passed, and you want to…”

Shen Miao turned and walked away: “I wasn’t thinking of anything.”

Cong Yang and Tie Yi followed behind. Cong Yang looked embarrassed, and even Tie Yi’s dark face turned red. Both appeared unable to bear witnessing this. It was certainly good that their master and mistress had a good relationship, but having to serve them like this was simply torture.

It would be better to guard a watchtower prison.

As the moon gradually rose, the streets emptied, and Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing, having explored all day, both felt tired. She had been in unusually high spirits today, and Xie Jingxing had accompanied her. Seeing the two return with natural expressions, Jingzhe and Guyu finally sighed with relief.

Xie Jingxing went to bathe, and Shen Miao returned to her room. Jingzhe had already prepared hot water for her and said: “Madam, please bathe first. The kitchen has also prepared food, which will be ready to eat when you come out. You must be tired after being out all day.”

Shen Miao agreed. The bath water was comfortably warm, making one want to fall asleep upon entering. She lay on the bed while Guyu attended to her, saying: “This servant hasn’t seen Madam smile like this in a long time.”

Shen Miao came back to herself. She smiled quite often. Perhaps from spending too long in the palace in her previous life, she had deeply understood the principle of never showing weakness. No matter how dark the road ahead or how unfavorable the situation, she would instinctively put on a smile. Enemies seeing her smile couldn’t tell what she was thinking; if it couldn’t confuse them, at least it could irritate them.

Since her rebirth, she had become accustomed to this manner, but those smiles were instinctive, not heartfelt. How could they compare to smiles from the bottom of her heart?

Now her eyes curved in a smile, as if filled with slight satisfaction, warm as jade, making her already delicate and beautiful face even more captivating, drawing people’s gaze.

Jingzhe noticed the red string on Shen Miao’s wrist. She hadn’t been present when Luo Tan gave Shen Miao the red string, so seeing it now, she was curious: “Madam, is this red string newly bought from the street? It’s unique, though it doesn’t match your clothes.”

Guyu also noticed and smiled: “Didn’t Putuo Temple sell this kind of red string? One copper coin for five strings, saying they could help find a good match.”

Jingzhe laughed: “Five matches worth only one copper coin? That’s too cheap.” She found it strange: “Wasn’t Madam the most disbelieving of these things? Why buy one? But thinking about it, if His Highness sees this string, he might be unhappy and think, ‘Madam is already a Princess Consort, what other match could she be seeking?'” Jingzhe had a lively personality and now imitated Xie Jingxing’s displeased expression, making both Shen Miao and Guyu burst into laughter.

Guyu laughed and scolded her: “You mischievous devil, can you even joke about His Highness like that?”

Shen Miao waved her hand and said: “Later, have someone set the food in Xie Jingxing’s room.”

They had always slept in separate rooms, with Xie Jingxing having his chamber. Jingzhe paused, then smiled: “Madam wants to dine with His Highness.” She couldn’t help but feel happy for Shen Miao. The servants had all observed Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing sleeping separately but didn’t know how to advise them. They hadn’t expected that after this ordeal, the couple’s feelings would advance so rapidly—a blessing in disguise.

Shen Miao said: “This string is very effective.”

“Oh?” Guyu looked at Shen Miao in surprise, not understanding why she suddenly said such a thing.

Shen Miao looked at the string and sighed softly, though this time her eyes showed relief.

This day had to come. Unlike her previous anxieties about gain and loss, this time she was fully prepared. This life was completely different from the previous one—both the people and events were different. She still had expectations for the future but wouldn’t stake everything on one person.

Growing herself, becoming someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with her beloved, equally strong, protecting what she wanted to protect, understanding the enemies she needed to understand—it was that simple.

She asked Jingzhe to bring a handkerchief, saying: “Help me wring out my hair.”

…

Xie Jingxing put on his inner robe and walked out.

He had bathed for a long time, and the water had cooled somewhat. When alone, his face lacked its usual lazy smile, instead showing a cool expression that was hard to see clearly in the night. He wasn’t a very passionate person; beneath his cynical exterior was merely an indifference born from mockery of worldly affairs.

Upon emerging, he found several exquisite dishes and snacks arranged in the center of the room.

Xie Jingxing frowned: “Tie Yi.” He wasn’t used to eating in his room, being a very clean person who kept things orderly and distinct in private. The bedroom was for sleeping, and meals should be taken in the hall.

After calling several times without response, the door suddenly creaked open, and Shen Miao entered carrying a large wine jar.

The jar was enormous, and she held it unsteadily. Xie Jingxing stepped forward to take it from her, placing it on the table, and asked: “What are you doing?”

Shen Miao said: “I searched for a long time in your storehouse and found this jar. I smelled it, and it seems to be Ten-State Fragrance, probably quite aged, so I brought it out.”

Xie Jingxing paused, opened the wine jar, and indeed, a rich, mellow wine aroma wafted out. He smiled: “Impressive, you even recognize Ten-State Fragrance. Uncle Tang didn’t stop you?”

Ten-State Fragrance was an excellent wine, priceless and unobtainable even with vast sums of silver. The entire Rui Prince Mansion had only three jars, and Shen Miao had taken one—this particular jar was fifty years old. Uncle Tang would likely shed silent tears of distress.

Shen Miao smiled: “I’ve even drunk it before.”

Xie Jingxing doubted: “Drunk it before?”

Shen Miao didn’t respond. When she was Empress, what fine wines hadn’t she tasted at palace banquets? Although a jar of Ten-State Fragrance was precious, it wasn’t enough to make her look twice. Little did he know that having been an Empress, surrounded by the dazzling array of palace treasures, she no longer cared much for such things. Yet for ordinary households, even for officials, some might spend their entire lives without a chance to taste Ten-State Fragrance.

Shen Miao patted her head: “I seem to have forgotten to bring wine cups.” Her gaze fell on the rice bowls nearby, and she simply grabbed two, filling them to the brim with wine.

Xie Jingxing looked at her incredulously, asking: “Shen Miao, are you a drunkard?”

“I’m joining you for dinner,” Shen Miao said. “How can we have dishes without wine?”

Xie Jingxing folded his arms and watched her for a moment, suddenly remembering something: “You remind me—I almost forgot. That day at Bixiao Tower, you drank a bowl of wine in front of all those people… Shen Jiaojiao, you need to mind your boundaries in the future.”

When she drank, she was charming and elegant, yet bold and graceful. That moment of allure had caught everyone’s attention. At Bixiao Tower, the eyes of many men had been glued to her, and Xie Jingxing had felt greatly annoyed. If not for needing to maintain his status, he might have simply tucked Shen Miao under his arm and left.

He earnestly instructed his young wife: “In the future, don’t drink in public. If you must drink, I must be present, and even then, don’t drink too much, especially not in front of others… Shen Jiaojiao, are you listening to me?”

Shen Miao put down her bowl after swallowing a large mouthful of Ten-State Fragrance. The wine was mellow yet fiery as it went down her throat, almost bringing tears to her eyes. Once down, it spread a comfortable warmth. She exclaimed admiringly: “Truly worthy of being Ten-State Fragrance.”

Xie Jingxing asked: “Are you ignoring me now?”

Shen Miao glanced at him: “Aren’t you drinking?” Then she raised her bowl again and took another sip.

Xie Jingxing said: “Hey, you’re not planning to be a drunkard and get completely intoxicated in my room tonight, are you? That’s not how you drink Ten-State Fragrance—you’re like an ox chewing on peonies.”

Shen Miao gave him a sidelong glance: “No one has ever dared to say I’m like an ox chewing on peonies.”

Xie Jingxing: “…”

He always felt that Shen Miao became a different person after drinking, like that time many years ago when the Shen family left the capital and he was heading to the northern frontier. Perhaps another person was living inside Shen Miao, who was released whenever she drank? Xie Jingxing was truly perplexed. Someone who usually appeared controlled and cautious would, once drunk, lose all rationality and do incomprehensible things.

It seemed the bold spirit of the Shen family’s military lineage only manifested in Shen Miao after she drank.

What made Ten-State Fragrance special was its mellowness, and the mellower it was, the more potent. Only those who had been drunk from it knew how strong it truly was.

Shen Miao handed the full bowl of wine to Xie Jingxing, saying: “You drink too.”

Xie Jingxing looked at her strangely, but Shen Miao stubbornly held out her hand. So he sat down at the table, accepted the bowl, and slowly sipped.

Shen Miao watched him. When Xie Jingxing drank, he indeed wasn’t like her “ox chewing on peonies,” but neither was he overly refined and careful. There was a natural, unrestrained quality to it. As she watched, she too held her bowl, tilted her head back, and drained it.

Xie Jingxing had only taken a few sips when he saw Shen Miao turn her bowl upside down and wipe her mouth, perfectly mimicking how Shen Xin would drink with his soldiers in the camp. He asked: “You’ve finished already?”

Shen Miao coughed lightly twice: “I have something to tell you.”

Xie Jingxing glanced at her, then at the amber-colored wine in his bowl, and said: “Needing to drink for courage before talking to me—have you done something wrong behind my back?”

“Earlier, didn’t you ask what my secret was?” Shen Miao said. “No need to exchange it for your secret. I’ll tell you.”

Xie Jingxing paused in the act of holding his wine bowl and looked up at her.

“Do you want to hear it?” She even leaned in to ask him.

Xie Jingxing put down his wine bowl and said: “Why do I feel like you’re setting a trap for me?”

“Then I’ll take it that you want to know, and I’ll tell you,” Shen Miao said, ignoring his words and continuing on her own.

“Don’t you find it strange, ever since you first met me, the things I said to Su Minglang, and then dealing with the Yu Prince? I also seemed to know about the existence of Fengxian Pawnshop in advance, and the second and third branches of the Shen family. You’re also puzzled why I always targeted the Prince, when before that I adored him—even if love turned to hate, it doesn’t quite make sense.”

She listed one by one all the things Xie Jingxing had been suspicious about.

Shen Miao said: “At first, you must have been wary of me, so you had people investigate me privately.”

Xie Jingxing’s face showed some discomfort, clearly confirming that he had indeed investigated Shen Miao’s background as she said.

“You must have found nothing, and wondered if I had someone skillful behind me, or if the Shen family had some hidden master guiding them.”

Xie Jingxing remained silent. Ji Yushu’s Fengxian Pawnshop could uncover many secrets unknown to others, but regarding Shen Miao, it was like a sealed stone, impossible to find any weakness.

“Although you couldn’t discover my background, you must have thoroughly investigated the events of my past years. You should know that before my parents returned to the capital during the New Year of Ming Qi’s 68th year, I once fell into water because of the Prince. After that fall, my personality seemed to change somewhat. For example, before I was infatuated with the Prince, but afterward, I showed no further interest in him.”

A flash of displeasure crossed Xie Jingxing’s eyes. Regarding Shen Miao’s former affection for Fu Xiuyi, he found it incomprehensible. If it weren’t common knowledge throughout the city, he would almost have thought it was Shen Miao’s act. In terms of appearance, talent, or status, though Fu Xiuyi was outstanding, he wasn’t among the world’s finest. That Shen Miao could adore Fu Xiuyi to the point of near obsession left him speechless and somewhat humiliated. How could someone compare him to a hypocrite like Fu Xiuyi? It was too degrading.

“After that fall, I began to distance myself from the second and third branches of the Shen family. I wasn’t as friendly with Shen Qing and Shen Yue as before, and would even oppose Old Madam Shen,” Shen Miao said. “Don’t you find it strange?”

Xie Jingxing said: “People eventually wake up.”

Shen Miao had been confused before because she was young. After being confused for a certain period, perhaps some event revealed the truth, or something else happened, allowing a person to grow up overnight. Just like himself.

Shen Miao shook her head: “Then I woke up too thoroughly. It’s simple. When I fell into the water in Ming Qi’s 68th year, during those days lying on the sickbed unable to wake, I had a very long dream.” She looked at the flickering candlelight on the table, her eyes gradually filling with a smoky, bewildered expression: “That dream was very long and vivid, as if I had truly experienced it.”

“Can you believe such a dream?” Shen Miao smiled slightly: “It was like a prophecy.”

Xie Jingxing gradually frowned, his gaze on Shen Miao becoming sharp.

“Legend has it that a governor in the southern country once dozed under a tree and dreamed he became emperor. From glory to ruin, he lived through an entire lifetime, then suddenly woke to find only a moment had passed. The events in the dream were just a fantasy. But they felt so real that it was hard to tell whether the dream was real or reality was real.”

“My dream was longer and more bitter than the one in the story of the southern governor. I dreamed of the future,” she said.

“I dreamed that I finally married into the Prince’s mansion, and the Shen family became tied to the Prince’s mansion. I dreamed of future court disputes, princes rising in rebellion, royal sons fighting for succession, with Fu Xiuyi emerging as the winner. He took the throne, and I became Empress, presiding over the empire, very glorious.”

Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow.

“You probably think this was a beautiful dream, since I was infatuated with Fu Xiuyi, so the dream had such a perfect ending. I also wish it were a beautiful dream, but it was the most terrifying nightmare I’ve ever had.”

“I gave birth to a son and a daughter, the most sensible and lovely children in the world. Then Da Liang’s national power grew stronger, while Ming Qi faced invasion from foreign tribes. Ming Qi borrowed troops from Qin, with me as a hostage, staying in Qin for five years.”

“I met Huangfu Hao and Ming An,” Shen Miao said.

Xie Jingxing’s expression gradually became serious.

“I didn’t like the Qin royal family; they always humiliated me. They invented a type of archery where I had to balance a fruit on my head, but they would deliberately miss. Later, I secretly practiced archery, but no matter how well I practiced, the next day, I still couldn’t hit them.”

“Five years passed quickly, and I returned to Ming Qi. The palace in the capital had gained a favored consort called Madam Mei, who had given birth to a son named Fu Sheng.”

“Fu Xiuyi doted on Madam Mei and loved Fu Sheng. I was neglected. Although I was Empress, I was secretly ridiculed.”

Fu Xiuyi began to suppress the Shen family. I was anxious but unable to interfere in politics. My elder brother’s career was ruined for defiling Jing Chuchu’s innocence, and then he was imprisoned for murder, eventually becoming disabled and drowning in a pond. My mother’s illness worsened due to Chang Zai, and she soon died of depression. My father grew increasingly old, lost his military authority, and spent his days drinking. Meanwhile, the second and third branches rose step by step, becoming more powerful.”

“Madam Mei and I fought in the palace, neither sparing the other. It wasn’t that I coveted the position of Empress, but if I couldn’t maintain that position, I wouldn’t be able to protect my children either.”

“In the end, I lost. The Shen family fell. Wanyu died of illness on her way to marry the Huns, and Fu Ming also took his own life after being stripped of his crown prince title. In the Cold Palace, I was given a white silk cord, and a eunuch strangled me with his own hands. When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on a bed—it had all been a long, terrible nightmare.”

She spoke of this horrifying dream lightly and calmly, yet with a smile on her face. The smile was somewhat ethereal, as if containing endless bitterness. But since the bitterness couldn’t be fully expressed, she simply used a smile to replace it.

Xie Jingxing didn’t speak.

When drunk, she always referred to herself as “This Palace,” and Xie Jingxing would laugh at her for being so scheming at such a young age. Occasionally, he would wonder why, in her dreams, she was always a neglected, deposed Empress. So that was why…

Shen Miao asked: “Do you believe my dream?”

Xie Jingxing countered: “Do you believe it?”

Shen Miao laughed once: “If I didn’t believe it, I’m afraid the person standing before you today would just be a grave.”

“After waking up, I was afraid everything in that dream would happen. I lived a cautious life, trying to find clues to prove it was just a nightmare. But the more carefully I sought, the more I discovered that it wasn’t just a dream—the things in the dream were happening one by one.”

“I warned Su Minglang because the Su family would soon perish due to the Emperor’s suspicion. The entire Su family would be executed, with only you collecting their bodies. And when lips perish, teeth grow cold—after the Su family, it would be the Shen family’s turn. I was only trying to protect myself when I warned the Su family, but unexpectedly, you discovered it.”

At that time, Xie Jingxing had become suspicious of her due to something Su Minglang said, and he tested her multiple times. The two had crossed swords many times, never fully understanding each other’s thoughts.

“So in that dream of yours, what was my fate?” Xie Jingxing stared at her and asked.

Shen Miao said: “You were fine.”

“The Xie family gradually declined. The Marquis of Lin’an later died in battle. You took your father’s place in battle, reportedly wrapped in horsehide for burial. But many years later, you returned to Ming Qi as the Rui Prince.” Shen Miao smiled slightly: “Then, you led troops to overthrow the imperial power.”

Xie Jingxing frowned: “Just like that?”

“Just like that,” Shen Miao nodded.

“I see,” he raised his eyebrows. “I thought that in your dream, there would be some connection between us.”

“You’re just treating it as a dream, aren’t you? Or you think it’s just drunken nonsense.” Shen Miao’s eyes darkened slightly, then she added: “But that’s fine too. I’d rather it was just a dream.”

“You might not believe some things, but I did dream of Jing Chuchu, Chang Zai, and others. Before that, I had never even met them. Because of the warning from that nightmare, I was wary of them beforehand. Looking back now, many things were accomplished only because of the prompts from that dream.”

Xie Jingxing looked at her with a smile, a smile containing tenderness and comfort: “You did very well.”

“What’s past is past. At least I’ve tried my best to avoid the outcome of that dream. But there’s one thing—those two children in the dream are gone.”

Xie Jingxing’s fingers caressing the wine bowl paused slightly as he said: “We will have children too.”

Shen Miao took a deep breath, looked at him, and said: “Now listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”

“In that dream, the woman who fought with me all my life, the mother of the new crown prince, the woman who eventually almost controlled the court, was named Li Mei. She was the daughter of an official Fu Xiuyi met during his eastern campaign—charming, bewitching, good at understanding people. Now, I’ve seen her again. You might wonder why I was so cold toward you after you came back from the royal hunting ground that day. I was panicked because I had seen Li Mei again.”

“Now, she’s called Ye Mei.”

“Do you understand what I’m saying?” she asked.

Xie Jingxing was silent for a long time.

After who knows how long, he finally looked at Shen Miao: “She is the enemy from your dream?”

“I hated her to the bone all my life, but couldn’t kill her with my own hands. Meeting again in this life, she has become the daughter found by the Ye family in Longyi. Xie Jingxing, I can endure my vengeance, but one thing is certain—Ye Mei is not a good person. For power, she will stop at nothing to climb upward. She won’t do meaningless things. Since the Rui Prince Mansion has accepted her favor, it will certainly become a knife in her hand. You must be wary of her.”

Xie Jingxing picked up his wine bowl again and drained it. Though smiling, his eyes contained coldness: “Ye Mei, is it? Fu Xiuyi’s taste in women remains as vulgar as ever. I am different from him.”

“Whether your dream is real or not,” Xie Jingxing said, “a dream grudge is still a grudge. Just for the fact that he betrayed your affection, he is unforgivable. Leave your vengeance to me; I’ll avenge you.” He cut off Shen Miao’s words before she could speak: “Don’t talk about killing enemies yourself. You are my woman, and your enemies are my enemies. In this world, our enemies are too numerous to count, so let’s not distinguish between yours and mine. If someday you meet my enemies and want to avenge me, we’ll call it even.”

Shen Miao frowned: “Do you have enemies? Who?”

Xie Jingxing looked at her for a while, then suddenly reached out and rubbed her head: “How cute, believing everything I say.”

“How dare you!” Shen Miao said.

When drunk, she habitually showed some of the majesty of being an Empress. Xie Jingxing’s movement paused, and Shen Miao also froze. He stared at her: “Do you still want to be an Empress?”

“I don’t want to have that dream a second time,” Shen Miao said. “And I don’t want to be that kind of Empress again,” she said.