After this year’s Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet, the main topic of conversation throughout the streets and alleys of the capital finally changed.
Young Master Xie of the Marquis of Lin’an household, having suppressed his two half-brothers with extreme dominance, displayed such imposing arrogance that people came to understand that his battlefield nickname of “Jade-faced Asura” was well-deserved despite his short time in the spotlight.
The other person on everyone’s lips was the once-called “fool,” Shen Miao.
As if reborn or finally awakening the innate ferocity of the Shen family bloodline, Shen Miao had shed her stupid and weak demeanor. Her confrontation with Cai Lin on the archery platform showed a cold, aggressive temperament that made other young men and women of her generation quite wary.
As a result, those who used to mock her in the Guangwen Hall had become somewhat restrained.
When Cai Lin returned to Guangwen Hall and faced Shen Miao, though his expression was unfriendly, he extraordinarily refrained from any rash actions. It seemed that Shen Miao had indeed left a shadow in his mind from that day.
Feng Anning, observing Cai Lin’s demeanor, laughed: “I never expected that this tyrant would now be somewhat afraid of you.”
Shen Miao glanced at Cai Lin, who quickly averted his eyes, appearing somewhat fearful. She laughed inwardly. In her eyes, Cai Lin was nothing more than a spoiled and troublesome young master; she didn’t want to waste mental energy on him. Besides, the Cai family wasn’t far from ruin, and in the future, this pampered young master would inevitably suffer many hardships.
“I heard that the Xie brothers were seriously injured, but the Marquis of Lin’an didn’t pursue the young master’s wrongdoing. Although he called doctors to treat the brothers’ wounds, it’s essentially house arrest,” Feng Anning sighed. “It seems the Marquis truly favors his legitimate son, as rumored.”
Shen Miao asked, “How did you learn this?”
“I overheard my parents talking,” Feng Anning said proudly. “But if it were anyone else, they would probably also dote on Young Master Xie. Not only because of who he is, but also because he was born to Princess Yuqing, who carries royal blood…”
Shen Miao raised her eyebrows. Honestly, she always felt that Princess Yuqing’s death in the Marquis of Lin’an’s household was somewhat suspicious. Judging by the Marquis’s current attitude toward the Xie brothers, there was no reason why Madam Fang should have been allowed to live peacefully until now, after Princess Yuqing’s death.
While she was pondering this, she saw Pei Lang enter.
Pei Lang wore a gentle smile on his face and happened to look in Shen Miao’s direction. When their eyes met, Pei Lang couldn’t help but be slightly startled.
At the Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet, Shen Miao’s performance had finally made Pei Lang set aside his contempt. He began to notice Shen Miao’s unusual qualities and sensitively felt that Shen Miao seemed to be secretly watching him. Although he didn’t know why, it made this young teacher somewhat uncomfortable, as if he were being stalked. But then he thought that no matter how formidable Shen Miao might be, she was still just a young girl in her early teens, so he decided he was being overly sensitive.
“Why do you keep staring at him?” Feng Anning asked curiously, then suddenly realized something and exclaimed in shock: “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for him again?”
Shen Miao now completely avoided mentioning Fu Xiuyi, remaining coldly silent as if she had forgotten about him. This made those watching the drama sense a pattern. Perhaps Shen Miao realized she wasn’t worthy of the imperial family and had gradually abandoned those thoughts, evident from not chasing after Fu Xiuyi at the Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet. And although Pei Lang’s status was lower, his elegant demeanor and broad scholarship naturally attracted young girls.
Shen Miao felt somewhat headachy and withdrew her gaze: “Of course not.” She was just thinking that since Pei Lang didn’t mention the “Code of Conduct” at the Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet, he hadn’t been placed in Fu Xiuyi’s heart. But this person would ultimately become a major threat, and if Fu Xiuyi were to use him in the future… Shen Miao’s expression darkened. The consequences would be endless.
However, she could not currently eliminate Pei Lang without anyone knowing, so she would have to find another approach.
…
At the Baixiang Tower in the capital, songs and dances were in full swing. Even in broad daylight, the gauze curtains and night pearls placed throughout the building made the entire tower overflow with brilliant colors. The sound of string and bamboo instruments drifted through the air. Occasionally, people would stop outside, only able to gaze in with envious eyes. This wasn’t without reason—even ordinary wealthy families felt somewhat strapped for cash when entering Baixiang Tower, as even a small pot of tea was extremely expensive here, making it a true money pit.
At this moment, a middle-aged man in luxurious attire was sitting by the window. This man’s clothing was of the highest quality, but he was born with a fierce and gaunt appearance. Under his robe, the left leg area was empty—it was none other than Prince Yu.
“Have you made it clear with the Shen family?” After a while, he asked, his tone gloomy.
“In reply to Your Highness, we have already arranged it with the Second Madam of the Shen family. Three days later, the Shen family’s women will go to Wolong Temple to burn incense, and then…”
“Three days.” Prince Yu frowned, a flash of displeasure crossing his eyes. Then he waved his hand: “Prepare what needs to be prepared. It’s been a long time since this prince has encountered such an interesting person.”
For many years, his temperament had been lecherous and brutal, with countless women dying at his hands. However, those women, no matter how much they resisted, couldn’t stir up any waves. Throughout the entire Ming Qi, he had long known of Shen Xin’s fierce reputation, and he wondered what the taste of such a formidable general’s daughter would be like. And on that day at the Golden Chrysanthemum Banquet, the fierceness Shen Miao displayed had greatly interested him. A wild cat that knew how to fight back might be more flavorful than those wooden beauties.
He licked his lips, a lecherous gleam flashing in his eyes.
Across from his room, a man in white clothes was sitting at a glass table. He was about twenty years old, handsome with a very gentle temperament. After listening for a while, he said to the person in front of him, as if watching a play: “It seems the young lady you rescued is in trouble again.”
Across from him, a young man in purple clothes sat lazily, carelessly saying: “The Shen family is like a big tree attracting wind; this is also Shen Xin’s fault. Right now it’s just a probe. One day, no one will be able to protect the Shen family.”
The man in white paused, then suddenly looked seriously at the young man: “Xie San, why did you do that before, injuring your half-brothers during the examination? Could it be that your plan is about to start ahead of schedule?”
Sitting across from him was none other than Xie Jingxing. He smiled: “What if it’s ahead of schedule, and what if it’s not?”
“If you act prematurely… do they know?” the man in white hesitantly asked.
“Gaoyang, you don’t understand one thing: right now, I’m in charge here,” Xie Jingxing said calmly. “The longer we delay, the more unfavorable it is for me. If the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain.” As he said the last sentence, his eyes grew darker, no longer resembling those of a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth.
The man named Gaoyang was stunned, then smiled bitterly: “Fine, I’m just here to keep an eye on you. But in fact, I’m not confident I can stop you.” He changed the subject: “But in three days, aren’t you also going to Wolong Temple to investigate something? Perhaps you can save the beauty once more.” He smiled mischievously.
“Gaoyang, your judgment is as poor as ever,” Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow. “That girl from the Shen family is not someone to be trifled with.”