Most of that jar of Ten States Spring wine ended up in Shen Miao’s stomach. Xie Jingxing tried to stop her, but when Shen Miao became stubborn, even Shen Xin couldn’t do anything about it, let alone Xie Jingxing. However, this time, she didn’t make a scene as she usually did when drunk. After finishing the wine, her expression remained surprisingly calm. She spoke at length, then staggered out clutching the empty wine jar. Xie Jingxing escorted her back to her room and instructed Jingzhe and Guyu to take good care of her. The maids were startled and whispered, “She’s only just recovered, how could she drink so much wine? It’s likely not good for her injuries.”

Xie Jingxing glanced at them, then turned and left the room.

Walking in the courtyard, the summer breeze on his face cleared his head somewhat. He hadn’t drunk much to begin with, and his thoughts were crystal clear.

In truth, he wasn’t as calm as he appeared on the surface.

Shen Miao’s words had struck him like lightning. In an instant, some previously inexplicable matters suddenly became clear. Yet what she had said was so shocking, almost supernatural—he had never believed in ghosts or spirits.

He didn’t believe in the supernatural, yet he believed Shen Miao.

Xie Jingxing knew Shen Miao well. When she truly wanted to deceive someone, she could speak lies with complete composure. Ever since he had met her in Ming Qi, he had watched her deal with the second and third branches of the Shen family, with Chang Zai Qing, with Jing Chu Chu—always smiling as she delivered a knife, carrying out her calculations gently, her face maintaining its warmth despite the thousand schemes in her heart. Yet when she hesitated and wavered, that was when she was being truthful.

The words she spoke today had likely been bottled up for a long time; otherwise, she wouldn’t have shown such relief after speaking them. Xie Jingxing could sense her uneasiness, so he maintained his calm demeanor, even though his heart was already churning with turbulent waves.

If everything in Shen Miao’s dream had happened, it certainly wasn’t a pleasant dream. Just thinking about how Shen Miao had ended up with Fu Xiuyi, and then met such a tragic end because of him, made Xie Jingxing furious.

It had rained a few days ago. His blue boots made soft rustling sounds as they stepped in puddles on the ground. Xie Jingxing stopped and said, “Tie Yi.”

Tie Yi appeared immediately.

“Investigate what connection the Ye Mei siblings have with Ming Qi,” he ordered. If everything in Shen Miao’s dream was real, then this Ye Mei would be Shen Miao’s enemy. But the transition from Ming Qi to Da Liang didn’t add up. Now, he could understand why Shen Miao had shown hostility toward the Ye Mei siblings from their first meeting.

Tie Yi was somewhat surprised but still bowed and accepted the task.

His thoughts were scattered. Frowning, he gazed at the crescent moon in the sky, unable to define the feeling in his heart. He walked back to the courtyard to play with the young tiger.

Jiao Jiao hadn’t seen her master for a long time. Delighted by his visit, she jumped up to frolic with him. Xie Jingxing absent-mindedly played with the cub for a while until, as the night deepened and the cub began to doze off, he returned to his room.

Still unable to sleep, he walked to the middle of the room and removed his outer robe, planning to sit for a while. Suddenly, he sensed something unusual. Looking up at the bed, he noticed a large lump under the covers, with what sounded like soft breathing.

He frowned, walked over, and pulled back the covers. He froze momentarily, then asked with amusement, “What are you doing?”

On the bed, Shen Miao was wrapped in his blanket, hugging a pillow, staring at him with wide eyes.

Earlier, she had been calm, as if she weren’t drunk at all. Now, the alcohol seemed to have finally caught up with her. Her fair face had turned red, and her clear eyes were covered with a layer of moisture. She said, “I’m offering myself to your bed.”

Xie Jingxing nearly thought he’d misheard. “What did you say?”

“Consort Li once told me that if you want to win someone’s heart or admire someone, you should offer yourself to their bed. Between men and women, the pleasure of intimacy is the natural order of things. I’ve never experienced it, and I imagine you haven’t either, so I’ve come to offer myself to your bed.”

Hearing such shocking words from her, Xie Jingxing’s face turned bright red. He stared at Shen Miao, seemingly not knowing how to react, and finally said, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

He didn’t know who this “Consort Li” was that she mentioned, but thinking of Shen Miao’s earlier dream, Xie Jingxing incredulously wondered if it might be one of her “sisters” from the imperial harem.

Shen Miao sat on the bed, drunk but still trying to maintain a dignified posture. “I want to explore this with you,” she said.

Xie Jingxing quickly went to the table and poured himself a cup of cold tea. After taking a sip, the frustration in his heart was slightly soothed. Shen Miao’s personality changed completely when drunk, which was truly difficult to handle. But to say “intimate pleasures” so directly—what exactly was she thinking?

He said, “I’m not someone who takes advantage of others.”

When there was no response for a while, Xie Jingxing found it strange and couldn’t help turning to look. He promptly spat out his tea.

Shen Miao had somehow removed her outer robe and was wearing only her undergarments. Looking pitiful, she asked, “Do you think I’m ugly? Is that why you won’t touch me?”

Her skin was like winter snow, yet warmer and more lustrous, like milk but more crystalline. With her disheveled hair framing her adorable face and her misty gaze, she was truly a feast for the eyes.

Xie Jingxing hurriedly went over and frantically covered her with the blanket. “You’re truly not well!” he exclaimed.

Shen Miao insisted, “We’re husband and wife. What’s wrong with consummating our marriage?”

Xie Jingxing took a deep breath, avoiding her misty eyes. “Your wounds haven’t fully healed… We’ll discuss this another day.”

Shen Miao looked puzzled. “Didn’t you say we’d wait two months? I’ve checked, and that time has already passed.”

Xie Jingxing nearly broke down.

He emphasized, “I’m not someone who takes advantage of others. What kind of person do you think I am?”

“I know,” Shen Miao nodded. “I’m here to fulfill your wish.”

Xie Jingxing: “…”

“Be good, it’s too late today. We’ll talk about this another time.” Xie Jingxing tucked the blanket around her and turned to leave. He feared that if he stayed any longer, he really wouldn’t be able to control himself. He was, after all, a young man in his prime. With a beautiful woman—the woman he loved—in his arms, it would be problematic if he did not react at all. But he didn’t want to take advantage of Shen Miao while she was drunk. He respected her and didn’t want things to happen this way.

But just as he stood up, Shen Miao grabbed his sleeve, and the blanket he had carefully tucked around her slipped down. She knelt on the bed, still a head shorter than Xie Jingxing. Somewhat anxiously, she wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “No.”

Xie Jingxing: “…”

With her soft, fragrant body in his arms, he could feel her exquisite figure. A faint feminine scent emanated from Shen Miao. Though he hadn’t drunk much, he now felt a heat coursing through his body, as if the strong alcohol was taking effect, gradually eroding his rationality.

“It must be today. After today, I’ll change my mind,” she said earnestly, though it was unclear whether she was truly drunk or pretending.

Hearing this, Xie Jingxing paused in his attempt to remove her arms. He glanced at her. “Change your mind?”

Shen Miao seemed to feel dizzy, and the kneeling position on the bed made her uncomfortable. She shook her head, looked carefully at Xie Jingxing, and suddenly curved her lips into a smile.

She said, “This Empress finds you exceptionally handsome. My taking a liking to you is your good fortune. Isn’t it good to be with this Empress?”

Xie Jingxing: “…”

Here we go again. Xie Jingxing vaguely recalled the incident years ago at that manor, when a drunk Shen Miao had mistaken him for a male courtesan and forcibly kissed him. Now, as time had passed, this scene before him was strangely familiar. His voice suddenly took on a dangerous edge: “Be with you?”

Shen Miao nodded and moved close to his ear, mysteriously whispering, “I guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and honor.”

Xie Jingxing laughed. In her drunken state, Shen Miao had a girlish charm, unripe like an immature fruit. One couldn’t call it seductive, and her words were beyond belief. But her every movement was a fatal enticement to him. The alluring glances of the world’s most beautiful women couldn’t compare to her single, clumsy embrace.

“If you’re unwilling, this Empress will find someone else. Missing out on this Empress will make you regret it for a lifetime,” Shen Miao threatened ominously.

Xie Jingxing said, “You still want to find someone else? Hmm?”

Suddenly, he fell forward. Shen Miao, who had been hanging onto his neck, was pressed beneath him. Xie Jingxing smiled slightly, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “Your Majesty is quite arrogant. You want me to serve you, yet you’re thinking of other men? I’m not very happy. Do you want to be punished?”

Shen Miao struggled to free one hand, fumbled under the bed for something book-like, and looked at him with bright eyes. “Look at this.”

Xie Jingxing was startled. Taking it, his expression immediately became fascinating, his tone restrained and repressed. “Where did you get this?”

Shen Miao shrank her neck. “Mother gave it to me. I told you, I want to explore this with you.”

Xie Jingxing was stunned for a moment, then laughed softly. “Explore?”

Shen Miao nodded rapidly like a pecking chicken.

“This servant will naturally ensure Your Majesty’s satisfaction,” he replied meaningfully, his eyes suddenly turning dangerous like a wolf’s. He asked, “Does Your Majesty truly have no regrets?”

“You’ll regret missing out on this Empress for a lifetime,” she muttered.

Xie Jingxing said no more. With a wave of his sleeve, the candles in the room went out.

In the darkness came his deep voice.

“You’re right.”

Missing you would be a lifetime of regret.

…

The sun had climbed high. Despite the shade from the trees, the summer sun still filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting small patches of golden dappled light on the ground. Birds sang in the treetops, their cool chirping full of joy.

Shen Miao felt a splitting headache. She instinctively turned over but felt something blocking her. Groggily opening her eyes, she suddenly froze.

She was lying in a man’s arms, her hands still tightly wrapped around his waist. Looking up, she saw an extraordinarily handsome face, with his peach blossom eyes seeming to smile, filled with intense amusement.

Shen Miao’s heart exploded with realization.

What had happened last night? Why couldn’t she remember anything?

Instinctively, she tried to sit up, but felt a soreness throughout her body that made her gasp in pain. The blanket tucked around her naturally slipped down, revealing some obvious marks.

Shen Miao: “?”

Clothes were scattered on the floor, wine cups haphazardly piled on the table, and the entire room filled with an amorous atmosphere. Even someone as slow-witted as her could guess what had happened.

“Awake?” Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow.

Shen Miao tried her best to maintain a calm expression, but despite her efforts, she revealed a hint of panic. This panic, in Xie Jingxing’s eyes, made him both amused and exasperated.

He said, “You were quite brave last night. Why are you afraid now?”

Shen Miao’s heart skipped a beat. Once drunk, she forgot everything, her memory wiped clean as blank paper. Her last memory before getting drunk was telling Xie Jingxing about her previous life. After much consideration, she felt explaining it as a dream was the easiest way to make someone believe. Otherwise, suddenly claiming to have died and been reborn, no matter how real it seemed, would sound absurd to anyone.

She had drunk a little to bolster her courage and remembered that Xie Jingxing seemed to believe her words without showing any different emotions toward her. But… how did they end up in the same bed?

Xie Jingxing observed her confused state and leisurely asked, “Do you know what you did last night?”

Shen Miao didn’t dare meet his eyes, calmly looking at the blanket instead. “What else could I do? Sleep.”

“You slept with me,” Xie Jingxing said. “And asked me to serve you well.”

Shen Miao nearly choked on her saliva.

Was that her?

The dignified and virtuous Empress Shen, who presided over the six palaces? Xie Jingxing must be lying to her. How could she have done something so shameless?

Xie Jingxing continued, “You said if I followed you, you would give me a lifetime of wealth, honor, and limitless prospects.”

Shen Miao replied, “Words spoken when drunk shouldn’t be taken seriously. Besides,” she changed tack, “how do I know you’re not lying to me? I couldn’t possibly have said such things.” She simply refused to acknowledge it.

Xie Jingxing didn’t rush, calmly retrieving a book-like object from under the pillow and flipping through it. “Indeed, you also brought something your mother gave you, saying you wanted to ‘explore’ with me, asking me to enlighten you. Remember?” He waved the book in front of Shen Miao.

Shen Miao only glanced at it lightly, but when she saw it clearly, she nearly spat blood internally.

No way! They even had this?

This was what Luo Xuenian had given her before her marriage, teaching her, ahem, bedroom secrets. She had kept it hidden; Xie Jingxing couldn’t possibly have found it. That means she must have taken it out and given it to him herself?

What else had she done to Xie Jingxing before that? Had she asked him to “serve her well”?

Shen Miao felt as if she’d been struck by lightning.

Xie Jingxing, seemingly not satisfied with her embarrassment, said calmly, “Last night you insisted on exploring with me. We only covered the first few pages. I thought we had plenty of time and needn’t rush, but you were surprisingly eager to learn. Even the most difficult positions in this book, you wanted to try…”

“Stop!” Shen Miao quickly interrupted him, her face burning red with embarrassment. “Drinking causes trouble. Why didn’t you stop me?”

“How could I dare?” Xie Jingxing feigned aggrievement. “If I refused, you threatened to chop off my head.”

Shen Miao: “…”

She felt utterly mortified. Just thinking about herself acting coy to seduce Xie Jingxing… she had probably lost all dignity from both her past and present lives.

Xie Jingxing, however, seemed in an excellent mood, smiling as he looked at her. “You also told me we would explore more tonight.”

“That won’t be necessary tonight,” Shen Miao quickly interrupted, about to jump out of bed and run away. Xie Jingxing caught her with one hand and pulled her back into his embrace. Looking down at her, his lazy smile suddenly disappeared, replaced by a serious expression.

Frowning, he asked, “Do you regret it?”

Shen Miao was stunned.

Xie Jingxing had exceptionally beautiful eyes. Sometimes Shen Miao wondered why such a large man needed such beautiful eyes. They seemed full of endless affection, which was why there had been so many admirers when he was in the capital of Ming Qi. Yet he was cold, a man too dangerous to trifle with.

Falling in love with such a man would surely be a catastrophe for a woman, but being loved by such a man was perhaps the greatest fortune of a lifetime. He knew how to respect, had his desires, yet was adorably domineering.

Now, he stared earnestly at Shen Miao. His typically arrogant and domineering gaze contained a hint of caution. That caution made one feel placed on a pedestal, protected from harm, as his most important person.

Shen Miao’s gaze fell on the red string on Xie Jingxing’s hand.

Despite his verbal complaints, he still hadn’t removed it.

Shen Miao raised her head and honestly replied, “I don’t regret it.”

She just felt a bit shy, that’s all…

Xie Jingxing’s eyes brightened.

She said, “What’s done is done. What’s there to regret? It’s not like you’re a stranger.” Still, she avoided meeting Xie Jingxing’s gaze.

Xie Jingxing turned her head, forcing her to look at him. “Really?”

Shen Miao said, “Really.”

Xie Jingxing stared at her for a long while. Shen Miao felt increasingly awkward and was about to flee when Xie Jingxing pulled her back. “Let me see.”

“See what?”

“Last night you refused to stop, and I didn’t get a chance to check your wound properly. Even though it’s just a surface injury, it needs to be examined carefully.” He pulled Shen Miao into his arms. Seeing that he was only wearing his inner robe, exposing a large part of his chest, she felt her face burn even hotter. She pushed against him, saying, “N-no need. I’ll do it myself.”

“That won’t do…” Xie Jingxing said, pulling her back down on top of him.

Shen Miao couldn’t escape this time.

Outside, Jingzhe and Guyu were sweeping the ground while straining their ears to listen to the sounds from inside. However, as they lacked martial arts skills, they couldn’t hear anything through the door.

Cong Yang squatted at the door, playing with a bird in a cage, and said, “You two have been sweeping here for an hour. If you keep sweeping, these stone slabs will be worn through.”

Jingzhe and Guyu were startled and simultaneously stopped what they were doing. Jingzhe looked at Cong Yang, wanting to ask something but finding the question too embarrassing to voice, her face reddening in hesitation.

Cong Yang, however, had a much thicker skin. Immediately understanding what she wanted to ask, he waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry, everything went very smoothly.”

Though embarrassed, Jingzhe and Guyu both sighed in relief. Jingzhe gave Guyu a smug look, while Guyu gave her a reproachful glance in return.

When Shen Miao had gotten drunk the night before, Jingzhe and Guyu were tidying up her room and, by coincidence, found the book that Luo Xuenian had given her, which Shen Miao had carefully put away. When Shen Miao asked what the book was, Jingzhe had a flash of inspiration. Knowing that Shen Miao never remembered what she did when drunk, and wanting to foster the relationship between her mistress and Xie Jingxing, she recalled how, when Shen Miao was getting married, Luo Xuenian had repeatedly instructed the two maids to always advise Shen Miao properly. Yet after being married for so long, they hadn’t even consummated their marriage, though they seemed to have a good relationship. Jingzhe wondered if perhaps her mistress didn’t understand, or if the Prince was equally clueless. She wanted to give them a little push.

So, taking advantage of Shen Miao’s drunken state, she earnestly guided her: “The contents of this book can only be explained to Madam by His Highness the Prince.”

Thinking back now, Jingzhe felt that her expression at that time must have been identical to that of a brothel madam.

Completely drunk, Shen Miao had taken the book and left. Guyu tried to stop her, but it was too late. The two maids followed anxiously, keeping watch outside all night until their eyes developed dark circles. Shen Miao never returned from Xie Jingxing’s room.

Now, hearing Cong Yang’s words, the two heaved sighs of relief, feeling they had accomplished something good. No matter how ignorant their mistress and master might be, such things were naturally addictive once experienced, and with practice, they would become skilled.

Just as they were thinking this, Steward Tang walked out from behind them. Seeing the three of them, he first yelled at Cong Yang, “What are you doing loitering here so early in the morning instead of doing your proper work? Leave at once!” Then he smiled at Jingzhe and Guyu, asking, “Why do you look so tired?”

Jingzhe and Guyu were Shen Miao’s people, so Steward Tang couldn’t be as harsh with them as he was with Cong Yang. Seeing such differential treatment, Cong Yang snorted and walked away. Jingzhe and Guyu, not wanting to linger, made excuses to Steward Tang and quickly left.

Steward Tang stood alone at Xie Jingxing’s door. After everyone had gone, he suddenly smiled to himself, chuckling foolishly for a while. As if remembering something, he muttered, “Must prepare some tonic soup.” Then he hurried away.

The night’s events at the Prince’s mansion were quite joyous, and likely known to all the Black Feather soldiers, though everyone tacitly understood. However, Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang were unaware.

They were temporarily taking care of Pei Lang.

Pei Lang’s injuries were much more severe than Shen Miao’s. Although he too had survived, the knife wound had reached the bone, and Gao Yang didn’t dare to be careless. Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang watched over Pei Lang, ready to call for Gao Yang if his condition worsened.

Pei Lang woke up several times during the night, but only briefly before falling asleep again. With this back and forth, Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang were too busy to know what was happening with Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing.

Near noon, Hui Xiang entered with a bowl of thin porridge, as Pei Lang’s injuries prevented him from eating anything else. Upon entering, she saw Pei Lang sitting by the window, staring at the tree branches outside.

“Master Pei?” Hui Xiang was surprised and happily walked over, placing the porridge bowl aside. “You’re finally awake.”

Pei Lang turned his head slowly, looked at her, and seemed to recognize her as a servant of the Prince’s mansion. “The Princess has woken up too, hasn’t she?”

Hui Xiang found it strange that Pei Lang spoke with such certainty, but still replied, “She woke up yesterday. Madam didn’t suffer any serious injuries, but yours are very severe. Thanks to you for blocking a knife for her and saving her life.”

Pei Lang lowered his head, seeming to laugh, and said softly, “Saving her life? I was merely repaying a debt.”

Hui Xiang didn’t catch what Pei Lang said and asked, “What did you say?”

But Pei Lang appeared lost in thought.

He finally remembered.

After taking the knife for Shen Miao, hovering between life and death, he had a dream. The dream was long and vivid, bringing him sudden clarity.

Why had Shen Miao always shown unfamiliar hostility toward him?

Why did he always feel an inexplicable guilt toward her?

So that was it.

The abbot in the dream had said: Sacrificing one’s life for a second chance was only a “maybe”—he might have sacrificed himself for nothing. The abbot had also said: If he could start over, some opportunities would be disrupted, and he might suffer because of it.

Pei Lang had agreed.

He had once loved a woman, but his love wasn’t much different from Fu Xiuyi’s coldness. Both had pushed Shen Miao step by step toward a dead end. He had simultaneously sympathized with Shen Miao yet rationally weighed the pros and cons, ultimately abandoning her.

A person’s life is essentially spent continuously discarding things. Both he and Fu Xiuyi had discarded Shen Miao, so in this life, Shen Miao had unhesitatingly discarded them.

Ironically, Xie Jingxing was the lucky one, though upon reflection, that was only right.

But knowing all these causes and effects, he no longer had the face to confront Shen Miao. His talk of staying by her side to help her—thinking about it now—was merely guilt from his previous life. He was making amends. But he couldn’t face his own heart.

This entangled and complex relationship made his heart a mess that couldn’t be untangled. It was time to end this mistake. Some thoughts should never have been born; their very existence was a mistake. Now he should personally sever them.

Hui Xiang said, “Master Pei, please have some porridge first. Your body still needs more recovery. Young Master Gao will come to perform acupuncture soon. Now that you’re awake, with a few days of rest and Young Master Gao’s medical skills, you’ll be fine.”

Pei Lang paused for a moment and said, “Thank you.”

“Master Pei is too kind,” Hui Xiang replied. “You saved Madam’s life, making you a benefactor of the Prince’s mansion.”

“Please fetch me some paper and a brush,” Pei Lang requested. His lips were pale, his eyes dim, but his tone was very determined.