“Shen Miao?”

“Yes,” Su Mingfeng was somewhat surprised by Xie Jingxing’s reaction. Suddenly remembering something, he teased with a smile, “Isn’t she the girl you rescued at the inspection grounds? Come to think of it, she does have some courage and isn’t too ugly. This Wei Qian truly doesn’t know how fortunate he is.”

Seeing Xie Jingxing fall into contemplation, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Hey, don’t tell me you’ve taken a liking to that girl?”

Xie Jingxing gave a scornful laugh and cast a cold glance at Su Mingfeng. “Are you very idle?”

“Of course I’m idle,” Su Mingfeng frowned. “I’m currently ‘seriously ill’ and can’t attend court. I spend my days at home playing with cats and dogs. You haven’t been around much lately and have been close to that doctor called Gaoyang. Are you hiding something from me?”

Though their childhood friendship had been deep, as they grew older, Xie Jingxing had become increasingly mysterious. He had given warnings about the Su family affair, but regarding Xie Jingxing himself, sometimes Su Mingfeng felt he knew nothing at all.

Xie Jingxing tossed him a piece of fruit. “Just eat.”

He had no intention of continuing this topic. Su Mingfeng’s eyes flashed, and a bitter smile escaped his lips, but he said nothing more.

…

Not long after the Shen family accepted the Wei family’s birth certificate, Ren Wanyun also had Xianglan invite Shen Gui to Caiyun Garden.

Since Shen Qing’s incident, there had been tension between Shen Gui and Ren Wanyun, and they hardly spoke to each other. In recent days, their relationship had grown as cold as ice.

This time, it was Ren Wanyun who took the initiative to soften her stance.

Xianglan and Caiju both greeted Shen Gui as he entered. Ren Wanyun sat at the table, her eyes somewhat melancholic.

“What’s wrong with you now?” Shen Gui’s tone was still harsh. When Ren Wanyun had berated him for being heartless and unfaithful over Shen Qing’s incident, it had greatly displeased Shen Gui. Though he appreciated Ren Wanyun’s ability to manage internal and external affairs well, he was not a magnanimous person, especially when being scolded by his wife like a shrew.

“The master is here,” Ren Wanyun glanced at him wearily, her face very haggard. She had always been shrewd and spirited; how could she look like this? Seeing this situation, Shen Gui’s heart softened a bit. Knowing that Ren Wanyun loved Shen Qing deeply and had been preoccupied with her lately, he decided to save face for his first wife. He reprimanded Xianglan and Caiju, “How has the mistress become so haggard? How are you taking care of your mistress?”

Ren Wanyun also heard the softening in Shen Gui’s tone and was secretly delighted. She pressed her forehead and became more yielding: “It’s not their fault. I’ve been worrying about Qing’er. These days I’ve lost my appetite and can’t sleep, feeling terribly distressed.”

“Since Qing’er’s situation is already known, there’s no use in excessive worry. You should take care of yourself first; the household still needs you to manage it,” Shen Gui glanced at Ren Wanyun. Previously, with Ren Wanyun managing the household, he naturally had many conveniences. Money from the treasury could be used for gifts, and Ren Wanyun could ensure the accounts were impeccable. Now that Ren Wanyun needed to care for Shen Qing, Chen Ruoqiu temporarily held the household authority, and naturally, things weren’t as convenient as before. All those advantages were now enjoyed by the Third House, making Shen Gui displeased.

Ren Wanyun bit her lip. Shen Gui only cared about his official career and showed no concern for Shen Qing. She said, “I was thinking the same, but Qing’er’s condition requires constant attention, and I can’t rest easy.”

“That’s why marrying her to the Huang family is best,” Shen Gui brought up the matter, and his previously softened tone hardened again. “Women’s views, long hair and short wisdom—with Qing’er’s current situation, finding a good family to marry into is the right choice. The Huang family is wealthy and prestigious; Qing’er would be the main wife there, yet you refuse to agree.”

Ren Wanyun laughed coldly in her heart. As a father, Shen Gui was truly heartless and unfaithful. With someone like Huang Dexing, Shen Gui could still call them a good family. Though she had long known that her bedmate was a cold-blooded person who prioritized his interests, thinking about it now, Ren Wanyun still felt chilled to the bone.

But this wasn’t the time to dwell on such thoughts. She wiped her eyes and said, “The master is right. I was mistaken before. Being confined to the inner chambers all day, I don’t see the bigger picture. The family the master has chosen must be excellent. I initially didn’t want Qing’er to marry over there, but now I think it might be for the best.”

Shen Gui was first stunned, then looked at her incredulously. “You agree?” Ren Wanyun valued Shen Qing above all else; how could she so easily agree to this marriage when Huang Dexing preferred men?

“Yes,” Ren Wanyun’s face showed a mournful expression. “With Qing’er’s current situation, which good family would still want her? After much thought, I feel the Huang family is not bad. At least after marrying there, Qing’er won’t lack for food or clothing. If her life there is truly unbearable, then it’s her fate…” With that, she pulled at her sleeve and softly wept.

Seeing Ren Wanyun like this, Shen Gui’s heart settled, and he began to believe her words. Now that Shen Qing was no longer a virgin, and the Huang family only needed a daughter from a noble family to occupy the position of Madam Huang to deceive the public, Shen Qing marrying Huang Dexing meant a life of material comfort—perhaps the best outcome. Although as a woman, she might never find fulfillment in matters of love, after what had happened, who else would want her?

Thinking of this, Shen Gui sighed, walked to Ren Wanyun’s side, patted her back, and comforted her: “It’s good that you understand. Qing’er is still my daughter; I won’t harm her. I have some connections with Lord Huang, and I’ll ask him to take care of Qing’er. She won’t suffer after marrying into their family.”

Ren Wanyun despised Shen Gui’s pompous words inwardly but showed a look of dependence on her face: “Then I trouble the master to mention this to Lord Huang, to have the Huang family send someone to exchange birth certificates.”

“So quickly?” Shen Gui was surprised.

“How can we delay with Qing’er in this state?” Ren Wanyun sighed. “The longer we wait, the more likely people will discover something, especially since Qing’er hasn’t gone out for so long. Marrying into the Huang family would at least provide some cover. Besides,” Ren Wanyun stroked her chest, “delays breed complications. Ever since Qing’er’s incident, I’ve been constantly afraid.”

Seeing her anxious state, Shen Gui pondered for a moment and then said, “You make sense. Qing’er’s matter cannot be delayed. I’ll write to Lord Huang today to bring this up. If the birth certificates are exchanged, we can discuss the wedding date.”

“Everything depends on the master,” Ren Wanyun said submissively.

Shen Gui said a few more words before leaving, satisfied. Today, Ren Wanyun had been obedient, admitting her mistakes and following his instructions, which greatly pleased him. The gloom of recent days had dissipated, and his steps seemed filled with pride.

After Shen Gui left Caiyun Garden, Xianglan closed the outer door and anxiously said, “Madam, is it truly wise to keep this from the master?”

Ren Wanyun had led Shen Gui to believe that Shen Qing was willing to marry Huang Dexing, but hadn’t told him about her plan to swap the marriages between Shen Qing and Shen Miao. This way, Shen Qing would marry the truly good man Wei Qian, while Shen Miao would marry the depraved Huang Dexing.

This matter naturally couldn’t be known to Shen Gui. Regardless of the outcome, someone like Shen Gui would never risk anything that might affect his career. But Ren Wanyun couldn’t let her daughter step into a fire pit.

“Of course, we must keep it from him. He’s so heartless, wanting to exchange my Qing’er for career advancement without asking if I’m willing,” Ren Wanyun laughed coldly. Her husband’s indifference and her daughter’s misfortune had aged her recently; wrinkles seemed to have appeared overnight, and her once gentle face now showed only malice. “This plan must be foolproof. Even if he discovers it later, it will be too late.”

“But wouldn’t this harm the Second Young Lady?” Caiju asked. “Even if the swap succeeds, how could the Huang and Wei families be content knowing the truth?”

“Don’t worry,” Ren Wanyun clutched the paperweight in her hand. “The Huang family only wants a name, and any girl will do. As for the Wei family, if they dare speak out, I’ll accuse them of defiling an innocent girl. I’ll find ways to silence them. Besides,” her face suddenly became ferocious. “What’s wrong with my Qing’er? Is she not better than that little slut Shen Miao? Having my Qing’er is a blessing for the Wei family!”

Just mentioning Shen Miao made Ren Wanyun shake with hatred. Xianglan and Caiju immediately fell silent, lowering their heads and not daring to speak.

After a while, Ren Wanyun’s voice sounded again: “But right now, the most important thing is to quickly finalize these two marriages. We must do it before the eldest master and mistress return to the capital.”

“The eldest master won’t return to the capital until the New Year, which is still a few months away,” Xianglan stepped forward to remind her. “The concern is Fifth Young Lady, whose temperament is too defiant. If she learns about the arranged marriage, she might cause a scene and might even try to escape from the Shen residence at night. What then?”

“Escape?” Ren Wanyun said viciously. “Let’s see if she has that ability. Isn’t she confined to the ancestral hall now? From today, lock that ancestral hall!”

She intended to physically imprison Shen Miao!

Xianglan and Caiju were shocked and lowered their heads. In the past, though they suppressed Shen Miao in the Shen residence, it was done so subtly that no one could detect it, a slow erosion. This was the first time such a thunderous approach had been used against Shen Miao, almost recklessly tearing off the mask.

“That little slut has too many tricks. Only by locking her up can we ensure that when the time comes, a cup of wine will send her into the wedding sedan, with no one to hear her cries for help. The Huang family isn’t easy to deal with either; a few days of discipline, and she’ll become obedient.” Ren Wanyun’s words didn’t hide their malice. “If that doesn’t work, there’s still His Highness the Prince,” she laughed triumphantly.

…

Winter grew colder. Frequent news of victories came from the northwestern desert. The army led by Shen Xin had successfully repelled the enemy, fought bravely, and made the enemy tremble at the mention of their name on the battlefield. Naturally, in the capital, there was speculation that when Shen Xin returned at the end of the year, he would again receive numerous merits and rewards.

The glory of the Shen family was indeed enviable, but it was earned through real battles on the battlefield. With the Huns not yet retreating and neighboring countries eyeing them covetously, the Ming Qi royal family naturally needed to rely heavily on the Shen family. However, the future was uncertain. “The cunning rabbit dead, the hunting dog cooked”—this had always been a favorite act of royal families, as dynasties changed with each emperor. Especially now, with the nine princes of the Ming Qi royal family and their underlying currents, no one dared to underestimate the situation.

If there was any exciting news in the capital recently, it was that the Shen family intended to arrange marriages. However, for some reason, this news was spreading mysteriously. It was only known that two families had come to propose: one was Deputy Minister Wei from the Secretariat, and the other was the Huang family from the Directorate for Imperial Manufactories. Both were prestigious families, and both young masters were considered talented youths, well-matched with the Shen family. Shen Yue still attended Guangwen Hall daily, so people could guess that those getting married must be Shen Miao, the legitimate daughter of the First House, and Shen Qing, the legitimate daughter of the Second House.

Regarding Shen Qing, there was little to say, but Shen Miao’s status was somewhat delicate. Among current military officials, only the Marquis of Lin’an could be compared to her father. However, the Marquis of Lin’an seemed to be a wise man who generally stayed in the capital except when commanded by the emperor. Shen Xin, on the other hand, was stationed at the border year-round.

With a father like Shen Xin, who wielded such power, whoever Shen Miao married meant that the husband’s family would gain substantial support. The eyes of the Ming Qi royal family were watching, but fortunately, the two proposing now were both civil officials with no connections to military power. Moreover, the Wei and Huang families, though respectable in name, followed a moderate path and had not yet been drawn into the succession struggle. Therefore, this marriage, compared to others—especially the previously rumored infatuation of Shen Miao with Prince Ding—seemed much smoother.

In Guangwen Hall, Yi Peilan asked Shen Yue, “Are your sisters going to get married? They don’t even come to Guangwen Hall anymore.”

Since the incident at Wolong Temple, neither Shen Miao nor Shen Qing had left the mansion, let alone come to Guangwen Hall. Shen Miao was confined, while Shen Qing needed to recover her health.

Shen Yue smiled. “I don’t know either. My mother is being very secretive about it, but I suppose so.”

“Come to think of it, your sisters are quite fortunate,” Jiang Xiaoxuan pondered. “Especially Shen Miao—both Young Master Wei and Young Master Huang would be considered good matches. Why didn’t they fall to you?”

Shen Yue pretended to be angry. “I still want to stay at home for a few more years. I haven’t thought about marriage yet.” But in her heart, there was a knot. Indeed, at their age, they would naturally start to care about their marriages. But in the Shen family, Shen Miao was two years younger than her, yet already engaged, leaving her behind. Shen Qing was understandable, having lost her virtue, but knowing that even Shen Miao might find a good marriage, Shen Yue couldn’t help feeling jealous.

Perhaps it was that she couldn’t bear to see Shen Miao doing well, especially when Shen Miao, who had previously been inferior to her in every way, now had a family like the Wei household actively proposing marriage, which meant acknowledging that Shen Miao herself wasn’t bad. If not for Chen Ruoqiu’s persuasion, Shen Yue might have continued to be fixated on this point.

“You, you,” Bai Wei pointed at her forehead. “You’re at the prime of your youth and should be planning for yourself. Look,” she nodded in another direction. “What do you think of him?”

The direction she indicated was toward Cai Lin. Shen Yue followed Bai Wei’s gaze. Cai Lin noticed Shen Yue’s gaze, turned around, was startled for a moment, and then awkwardly looked away.

Shen Yue’s eyes immediately reddened, and she bit her lower lip tightly.

The young man who had once adored her now avoided her like the plague. For someone as proud as Shen Yue, this naturally felt like a great humiliation.

Cai Lin avoided Shen Yue’s accusing gaze, feeling troubled. Ever since being taught a lesson by Shen Miao at the inspection grounds, he felt an inexplicable fear whenever he saw her. It was as if an innate fear of danger made him want to avoid Shen Miao. Moreover, Xie Jingxing had seemingly come to Shen Miao’s defense that day. Though Cai Lin was considered a big bully in the capital, he couldn’t cross Xie Jingxing and naturally wouldn’t actively antagonize him. Regardless of whether Xie Jingxing’s intervention was intentional or not, Cai Lin wouldn’t provoke Shen Miao again.

And on that day, Shen Yue hadn’t glanced at him once, which had completely cooled the young man’s ardent heart.

Seeing Shen Yue’s embarrassment, Yi Peilan pursed her lips and changed the subject, smiling, “By the way, isn’t your family’s Old Madam’s birthday in half a month? I should choose some gifts.”

Old Madam Shen’s birthday celebration each year was magnificent, with a spectacle that could rival even the royal family. Old Madam Shen was shallow and believed that the grander the birthday celebration, the more face she gained. Each year, she would invite many officials, and Shen Gui and Shen Wan naturally welcomed this, as it allowed them to build better relationships with their colleagues.

For such a birthday, gifts were naturally expected. Yi Peilan and the others would likely attend the banquet next month, as every year around this time, almost all the better officials in Ming Qi were invited by the Shen family.

“That’s right,” Bai Wei seemed to suddenly remember. “I almost forgot about this. Thanks to Peilan for reminding me. Yue’er, what gift have you prepared for Old Madam Shen?”

As a talented young lady of the capital, Shen Yue naturally brought honor to Old Madam Shen at every birthday banquet. If Shen Qing presented something of high value, Shen Yue would present something uniquely exquisite. Only Shen Miao, whose gifts always made people laugh.

“I’ve just embroidered a portrait,” Shen Yue said modestly.

“Now that you mention it, I’m curious,” Jiang Xiaoxuan said maliciously. “What will your Fifth Sister send? I hope she’s not so busy with her wedding clothes that she’s completely forgotten about the Old Madam’s birthday gift.”

Feng Anning, who was leaning on the table nearby, snorted coldly upon hearing this and left the table.

Yi Peilan’s words also reached the ears of Pei Lang, who was gathering his teaching materials on the platform. These days, he had naturally heard the news of Shen Miao’s engagement, but felt something strange. That girl’s eyes were like those of a beast—would she allow herself to be confined to the inner chambers so early?

Meanwhile, Shen Miao, the subject of everyone’s discussion, was arranging chess pieces in the ancestral hall.

The wind in the ancestral hall carried a cold chill, and the floor was covered with bluish-gray stone slabs that could freeze one’s kneecaps when kneeling. Jingzhe and Guyu had brought some soft cushions, but they didn’t provide much relief. Shen Miao had instructed them to brew some herbal medicine and place it in the corners of the room to drive away the cold and prevent illness.

Jingzhe and Guyu didn’t believe it at first, but when they saw that the herbal concoction truly worked, they asked Shen Miao where she had learned such a secret recipe. Shen Miao only said she had heard it from someone, but she knew clearly that she had learned it during her years as a hostage in Qin. When it was too cold and money was scarce, she had sought the cheapest folk remedies to keep warm and remove dampness from the body. The conditions in the ancestral hall were nothing compared to that.

“Young Lady is still focused on playing chess,” Jingzhe stamped her foot.

Shen Miao arranged the chess pieces in a row. On the board, the originally strategically placed pieces were arranged with black on one side and white on the other, showing no apparent strategy.

“Chungtao has sent word through Moqing,” Jingzhe continued, seeing Shen Miao’s silence. “Second Madam wants to swap your marriage with the First Young Lady’s. That Huang family’s son is a man who prefers men! What are we going to do? How can a Young Lady still be in the mood to play chess here?”

They had thought it was a good marriage, but Shen Miao had refused Old Madam Shen’s proposal that day and was confined to the ancestral hall. But even so, Chungtao had found out that the Shen family had already agreed to this marriage behind Shen Miao’s back. The people in the West Courtyard didn’t know—meaning that everyone except Shen Miao knew she was getting married.

If she were marrying Wei Qian, it would be acceptable, as he could at least be called upright. But Huang Dexing preferred men—wouldn’t Shen Miao be living as a widow after marrying him? The maids nearly went mad hearing this, and Moqing even said that if Shen Miao was willing, he could help her escape.

Moqing was formerly from the jianghu and naturally didn’t understand that while escaping was easy, once you fled, it meant that those left behind could fabricate any story, and the truth would never be known. Moreover, Shen Miao had never intended to escape and promptly rejected the suggestion.

“If that’s not possible, at least let Moqing relay a message to the master for Young Lady. This matter is being kept from the master. They want Young Lady to marry before the master returns to the capital. This way, once the rice is cooked, nothing can be changed,” Guyu also urged. She knew that Shen Miao now had her ideas, but since she wasn’t saying anything, the few maids could only worry anxiously for her.

“What message?” Shen Miao said calmly. “The West Courtyard is now surrounded by Ren Wanyun’s people; not even a fly could escape. If I ran away, what would happen to those left in the courtyard? Though I’m not a merciful person, some people were specifically left for me by my parents. Do you believe that once I leave, Ren Wanyun would immediately kill everyone in the courtyard to silence them?”

Jingzhe and Guyu were startled.

“Besides, you think sending a message is so simple? People guard this place day and night. They intend to lock me up; do you think they would leave a loophole for me to exploit? You underestimate my Second Aunt.”

Ren Wanyun’s intellect didn’t concern Shen Miao, but in this world, mothers are powerful for their children. Ren Wanyun would fight desperately for Shen Qing’s happiness. In this matter, Ren Wanyun was betting a lot, as the marriage swap hadn’t been discussed with Shen Gui—it was her idea. If successful, everyone would be happy; if it failed, Ren Wanyun would likely lose her position in the Second House.

“But, Young Lady, are we just going to let this happen?” Jingzhe asked urgently. “I would risk my life to prevent Young Lady from marrying that man who prefers men!”

“Can you see the pattern in this chess arrangement?” Shen Miao didn’t respond directly, only pointing to the chessboard.

On the board, the white and black pieces were arranged in two rows, clearly separated, looking somewhat strange.

“I, I don’t understand chess, and I can’t understand this arrangement either,” Guyu carefully answered after a while.

“What do you see?” Shen Miao asked.

Jingzhe boldly answered, “White and black, arranged together, very distinct.”

“Exactly,” a light flashed in Shen Miao’s eyes. “This chess game is about placing all the stakes on the table. You know my pieces, and I know yours. In the end, the winner depends on skill.”

Jingzhe and Guyu looked at each other, not quite understanding Shen Miao’s meaning.

“Ren Wanyun thinks she knows all my pieces, but that’s not the case,” she took out another black piece from behind her and placed it next to the white pieces. “I still have one last move.”

“The Old Madam’s birthday is next month, right?” she suddenly asked.

“Yes,” Jingzhe answered. “According to what Chungtao found out, Second Madam intends to announce Young Lady’s marriage at Old Madam’s birthday banquet.”

“All to be done before Father returns to the capital,” Shen Miao smiled slightly.

“Yes, there are still a few months until the New Year. I’m afraid it won’t be in time,” Guyu said worriedly.

“Is that so?”

Shen Xin’s triumphant return should indeed have been at the New Year. Unfortunately, in the 68th year of Ming Qi, because Shen Xin had greatly defeated the enemy in the northwest and the enemy had fled in disorder, submitting a surrender letter early, the Shen army had returned to the capital with the surrender letter several months earlier.

As it happened, perhaps to express his filial piety, Shen Xin had never been in the capital for Old Madam Shen’s birthday. After many times, people began to say Shen Xin was unfilial. So for Old Madam Shen’s 70th birthday in the 68th year of Ming Qi, Shen Xin had returned early.

On that day, Shen Xin had suddenly returned to the mansion while Old Madam Shen was hosting guests, but Shen Miao was not present. Why? Because she was hiding in Prince Ding’s residence. Shen Xin had wanted to return to enjoy family harmony, only to learn that his daughter had so disregarded propriety. He had gone to Prince Ding’s residence to retrieve her, but because of Fu Xiuyi’s hypocritical warmth, she had ignored Shen Xin’s words and even threatened suicide to marry Prince Ding.

Thinking about it now, it was all a grievance. Shen Xin had hurried back, only to see such an unfilial daughter, dragging the Shen family into an abyss with no way back.

This life was not like the previous one. She had neither escaped from the Shen family because of Prince Yu nor blindly adored Fu Xiuyi’s appearance. If Shen Xin returned to see a different daughter, would it slightly redeem the sins of her previous life?

“Father has always respected the Old Madam, right?” Shen Miao said calmly.

“Yes,” Jingzhe answered.

Old Madam Shen, though originally a songstress, was also skilled at acting. In the past, she had played the role of a kind mother flawlessly. When the old general was alive, no fault could be found. Military men valued sentiment; Shen Xin was grateful and repaid kindness. Having received Old Madam Shen’s favor in his early years, he could never imagine the malicious heart beneath the old woman’s fair exterior.

“Second Aunt has done me a favor this time,” Shen Miao smiled, her bright eyes dazzling. “Very well, let’s tear off the mask for all to see.”