The east courtyard of the General’s Mansion was naturally bustling with activity. Guests came and went, some offering birthday congratulations, others bringing gifts. Even before the banquet officially began, the atmosphere was already one of harmonious celebration.
In front of outsiders, Old Madam Shen always put on an air of extravagance. Whenever young ladies approached to offer birthday wishes, she would casually give out valuable meeting gifts. Seeing this, the smiles on the faces of the other madams became more genuine, yet the sight made Ren Wanyun secretly gnash her teeth.
Ren Wanyun managed the family’s communal funds and handled the daily affairs of the Third Branch. The more the old lady squandered, the less she could pocket for herself. Moreover, Shen Gui regularly needed to maintain connections in official circles. At this rate, they would likely be strapped for cash again in the coming days.
While one area was lively, another was quite different. In the southwestern corner of the Shen Mansion, the ancestral hall stood cold and empty. Yet outside its courtyard gate stood several men dressed as guards—an excessive display for a mere ancestral hall. They were there to watch over Shen Miao and prevent her from escaping.
The ancestral hall was situated in a dark, cold location that rarely saw sunlight throughout the year. In winter especially, stepping inside brought a bone-chilling cold. The scent of incense ash permeated the air, with burning incense still rising before the altar, making the cold tablets appear to be floating among clouds and mist.
“Miss,” Guyu rubbed her hands together, “Today is Old Madam’s birthday, yet they deliberately confined you here. It’s truly outrageous!”
Not only had they not invited Shen Miao to attend, but no one had even come to check on her. They were treating her like a servant who had committed an offense.
“What’s the rush?” Shen Miao stood by the window, looking out at the withered trees. In winter, the bare branches appeared particularly desolate.
“How can Miss not be anxious?” Guyu had been holding back for many days and finally couldn’t contain herself anymore. “They’ve locked you here to force you into marriage. By the time the Master and Madam return, you’ll already be married into the Huang family. Even if the Master and Madam would protect you, your life would still be ruined!”
Jingzhe had been stoking the coal brazier—the only source of warmth in the cold ancestral hall. A small couch was set up in the inner room. Shen Miao shook her head and said, “Take the bedding from this room and air it outside for an hour.”
“Miss!” Guyu stamped her foot, frustrated by Shen Miao’s apparent indifference. But after one glance from Shen Miao, she could say no more and reluctantly suppressed her anxiety, taking the bedding outside to air as instructed.
“Today is a rare fine day,” Shen Miao looked out the window. Sunlight couldn’t reach inside the ancestral hall, only into the courtyard. Though she couldn’t leave the courtyard, she was unwilling to step out of the hall itself.
“As you say, Miss,” Jingzhe finally stopped poking at the coals in the brazier. “Will the Master and Madam truly return today as you said?”
Shen Miao had told Jingzhe not to worry, as Shen Xin and his wife would return to the capital on Old Madam Shen’s birthday. Though this claim seemed absurd—no messenger had arrived announcing Shen Xin’s return, and the New Year was still some time away—and Shen Miao remained confined in the ancestral hall with no access to such information, Jingzhe couldn’t bring herself to question her mistress. She had noticed a certain dignity in Shen Miao that hadn’t been there before. One thing was certain: her words inspired confidence without condition.
Shen Miao said, “After a while, find a way to distract the guards outside and get them to move farther from the courtyard. They won’t leave entirely, but it’s better if they’re some distance away.”
“I understand, Miss,” Jingzhe replied. Though she didn’t know why Shen Miao wanted this done, during their days together in the ancestral hall, she had observed that Shen Miao showed no panic about their situation. When someone faces a bad situation without panic, it’s either because they’re too stupid to recognize the danger or because they already have a strategy to deal with it. And Jingzhe didn’t think Shen Miao was stupid. So despite sharing Guyu’s concerns, Jingzhe had unconditional faith that Shen Miao could handle their current predicament.
Shen Miao noticed her gaze and inwardly sighed.
Among her four maids, Guyu was the most intelligent, Bailu the most steady, Shuangjiang the most loyal, and Jingzhe the most daring.
In the previous life, to help Fu Xiuyi win over a powerful official, Jingzhe had used her beauty to become that official’s concubine. The official was obsessed with beauty, and Jingzhe was resourceful. Although she was eventually beaten to death by the first wife, before dying, she had managed to send out the official’s secrets, enabling Fu Xiuyi to successfully gain his allegiance.
For a maid to have such courage was extraordinary. That’s why this matter was unsuitable for Guyu, Bailu, or Shuangjiang—only Jingzhe might be somewhat appropriate. Yet Shen Miao wasn’t sure if Jingzhe would continue to help once she learned what Shen Miao truly intended to do.
After all, what she planned was truly shocking.
“Actually,” Jingzhe hesitated, then said softly, “If Miss wishes, Mo Qing could find a way to help you escape.”
Mo Qing’s skills surpassed those of the General’s Mansion guards. Though one person couldn’t fight many, seizing an opportunity to help someone escape wasn’t impossible.
“And then what?” Shen Miao asked in return. “The world is vast, but would escaping solve everything? Your four indentured contracts are in Old Madam’s hands. If I leave, what would happen to you all?”
Jingzhe immediately knelt and said, “This servant knows Miss stays here for our sake, but if Miss suffers misfortune because of us, we would never forgive ourselves. When the Master and Madam selected us four to serve Miss, it was so we could take care of you. How can the mistress protect the servants instead?”
Shen Miao’s eyes flashed with emotion. Shen Xin truly knew how to select people—these four maids had never betrayed her even in her most difficult times in her previous life. But people weren’t commodities. Things in this world were simple: repay kindness with kindness and grievances with vengeance. To win hearts, one couldn’t abandon even the maids by one’s side.
“Don’t worry,” Shen Miao said. “Neither you nor I will come to harm. Today is Old Madam’s birthday. I heard that Second Sister painted a portrait of Guanyin for Grandmother. Since they’ve all forgotten me here, I cannot simply let it be.” She smiled slightly. “I also have a grand gift for Old Madam, though I wonder if she has the fortune to receive it.”
…
Several dozen li outside the capital, horses were drinking from an ice-rimmed stream. The withered grasslands appeared yellowish and desolate as soldiers took a brief rest.
Sitting furthest from the group of soldiers was a middle-aged man with bronzed skin, likely from years of exposure to sun and rain on the battlefield. He was powerfully built, like a small mountain, with an air of righteous dignity. He had thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a full beard, giving him an exceptionally bold appearance.
Beside him sat a woman stroking the head of a horse that was nibbling at grass roots. The woman was also middle-aged, wearing a short cyan jacket with a golden pheasant embroidery and horse-riding trousers. Her hair was tied in a simple bun, and her bright eyes were full of spirit. Though she was fair-featured, what drew attention was her valiant demeanor. Silver bracelets on her wrists jingled as she stroked the horse.
“My lady, we should reach the capital in about an hour,” the middle-aged man smiled. “After spending so much time in the Northwest, returning to the capital makes even the air seem sweet.”
“What’s wrong with the Northwest?” the woman glared with some feistiness. “I grew up in those harsh Northern lands. If you prefer sweetness, why did you marry me?”
The man quickly put on a suffering expression and begged forgiveness. “You’re right, my lady. The capital is too sweet for rough men like us. The Northwest is better—in winter we can hunt in the deep mountains, catch silver foxes running about, and make robes for you.”
Hearing this, the woman’s lips curled up as she laughed and scolded, “You always say what suits the moment!”
These two were none other than the mighty General Shen Xin and his wife Luo Xueyan. Today they had hurried back to attend Old Madam Shen’s birthday celebration. Before this, they hadn’t sent word to the capital, as they had obtained the enemy’s surrender letter earlier than expected. This early triumphant return was meant to be a surprise for everyone in the capital.
“We’ve never once attended Mother’s birthday celebration,” Luo Xueyan said. “In previous years, we would return at New Year and present her with rewards from His Majesty as birthday gifts. We’ve rushed back today, but I wonder if the fire mouse cat cloak will please the old lady.”
“How could it not please her?” Shen Xin immediately countered. “It’s a treasure, even on the battlefield. With it, one becomes impervious to weapons. I spent seven days and nights hunting that fire mouse. If you hadn’t insisted on giving it to Mother, I would have… given it to you.” Towards the end, Shen Xin’s voice grew quieter, clearly aware that his words verged on irrelevance. But a person’s heart isn’t an impartial scale—everyone has biases. Though Old Madam Shen treated Shen Xin well, she wasn’t his birth mother. Blood ties couldn’t be faked, and naturally, Shen Xin cared more for his wife. Besides, Luo Xueyan often accompanied him on the battlefield, where the fire mouse cloak would be far more useful to her than to Old Madam Shen. Had Luo Xueyan not insisted, Shen Xin would certainly have made the cloak for her first.
“You don’t understand,” Luo Xueyan shot him a glance. “You miss Old Madam’s birthday every year, and even if you give her all of His Majesty’s rewards when we return for New Year, who truly appreciates it? Last time we were in the capital, I heard rumors that you deliberately neglect your stepmother. I’m doing this for you. If you’re not concerned about your reputation, Jiaojiao shouldn’t have a father known for being unfilial.”
At these words, Shen Xin fell silent for a moment. Indeed, though the capital wasn’t as harsh as the Northwestern frontier and had no enemy weapons or traps, it was hardly peaceful. With the couple away from the capital, rumors flourished annoyingly.
Luo Xueyan continued, “You know I don’t understand the complexities of noble households. My Luo family doesn’t have so many rules. I can only use the simplest approach. The fire mouse cloak is precious—if it pleases Old Madam and makes her happy, everyone will see, and the rumors will naturally disperse.”
After a while, Shen Xin finally replied, “My lady thinks ahead.”
“I’m not doing it for you, but for Jiaojiao,” Luo Xueyan snorted, her expression suddenly turning melancholic. “We spend most of our time away from the capital. The Northwest is too dangerous for Jiaojiao, who is still young, to accompany us. But all these years, we haven’t personally guided or accompanied her. We’ve failed her.”
Hearing this, Shen Xin also sighed, lowering his head with a flash of pain in his eyes.
There are no heartless parents, nor parents who don’t love their children. But he and Luo Xueyan were destined to fight on the battlefield, and Shen Miao couldn’t accompany them. In warfare, tactics were complex and unpredictable, with enemies often targeting and killing family members. They could only endure the pain of separation, knowing that at least in the capital, Shen Miao’s safety wasn’t a concern.
Luo Xueyan seemed to grow more sorrowful as she thought. “I often wonder if leaving Jiaojiao in the capital is truly safe. Without parents by her side, is she truly happy? When we meet her during the New Year, she’s always cold toward us, but the fault is ours. So no matter what she does, we cannot blame her.”
Shen Miao wasn’t close to Shen Xin, his wife, or even to Shen Qiu, because these so-called relatives hadn’t been with her since childhood. She was closer to Ren Wanyun, Chen Ruoqiu, and even Old Madam Shen because these people spent time with her daily—they were her “family” in her eyes. Shen Xin and his wife indulged their daughter completely. No matter how foolish Shen Miao was known to be in the capital, they never showed anger toward her, because they had sown these seeds themselves.
Shen Xin patted Luo Xueyan’s shoulder. “One day, Jiaojiao will understand our difficulties.”
“Will she understand?” Luo Xueyan smiled bitterly. “Sometimes I even wonder who is responsible for Jiaojiao’s current willfulness. The Shen Mansion…” She abruptly stopped, looking regretfully at Shen Xin.
Shen Xin naturally understood her implication, and his expression changed slightly. After a moment, he sighed and held his beloved wife’s hand. “My lady worries too much. Mother and my brothers’ wives will guide Jiaojiao well. If they weren’t good to her, Jiaojiao wouldn’t be so close to them.”
Shen Miao’s attitude toward her two aunts was enviably good, making certain thoughts seem inappropriate.
“I’m overthinking,” Luo Xueyan said. She was the treasured daughter of the Luo family from the Northwest, also a military family of third-rank martial officials, where everyone was an iron-blooded man. Luo Xueyan was the youngest sister with three older brothers, so from birth, she had only known parents and brothers, without exposure to many unsavory matters. Having witnessed few scandals among noble houses, she was unaware of their treachery.
If she had known, she would surely have preferred to keep Shen Miao by her side despite the dangers, rather than leave her alone in the frightening Shen Mansion.
Just then, they heard someone calling from behind, “Father, Mother.”
Shen Xin’s face darkened as he angrily said, “When there are outsiders, you should call me…”
“General Shen!” the newcomer quickly corrected.
“Don’t mind your father,” Luo Xueyan rolled her eyes at Shen Xin. “He’s putting on airs.”
The newcomer was a young man in his twenties, fairly handsome with tan skin. When he smiled, two dimples appeared, giving him a rare childlike quality. The young man resembled Luo Xueyan considerably—he was Shen Xin’s legitimate son, Shen Qiu.
Shen Qiu was twenty-two this year. At the age of ten, he had been taken to the battlefield by Shen Xin for training, under the belief that strict teaching produces outstanding students. Shen Qiu had indeed proven himself brave, earning several merits over the years, and now held the position of a fourth-rank junior general.
“Father, Mother, you’ve sent your gift, but what should I give?” Shen Qiu scratched his head, looking confused.
“This rascal, why ask us what gift to give? A real man should make his own decisions about such small matters. How can you go to battle like this?” Shen Xin seized the opportunity to criticize his son.
“It’s just that I haven’t attended Grandmother’s birthday celebration for so long,” Shen Qiu said awkwardly. “I don’t know what to give. I can’t exactly report how many enemy soldiers I’ve killed. That would be inauspicious on a birthday.”
Luo Xueyan smiled at Shen Qiu’s words. “It’s fine. Didn’t His Majesty reward you with a bolt of heavenly silk brocade? Give that to Old Madam. I’ve heard that this heavenly silk is extremely scarce in the capital now—even the palace consorts may not have it. The old lady would surely be delighted to receive a bolt.”
“But that was for my sister!” Shen Qiu quickly protested.
“Enough,” Shen Xin waved his hand. “When have you ever seen your sister appreciate such brocade?”
Even if Shen Xin didn’t understand women’s preferences, he knew his daughter didn’t like elegant fabrics. She preferred to wear gold and silver ornaments—the more ostentatious, the better. Though it pained him, he could only let Shen Miao have her way. The heavenly silk might be beautiful, but Shen Miao wouldn’t necessarily appreciate it.
Hearing this, Shen Qiu felt his father had a point. He hung his head and squatted down, whispering, “We came back in such a hurry, and I haven’t brought any gift for my sister. I feel guilty thinking about it.”
In the past, Shen Qiu and Shen Miao had a good relationship. The siblings supported each other and lived happily. But later, Shen Qiu followed Shen Xin to war each year, meeting Shen Miao only once annually. Over time, Shen Miao’s temperament worsened year by year, and the siblings reached a point where they had nothing to say to each other. No matter how Shen Qiu tried to get close to his sister, Shen Miao remained indifferent toward him.
Shen Qiu didn’t know the reason, but Shen Miao did. Shen Yue, Shen Qing, and Nanny Gui had indirectly suggested to Shen Xin’s couple that taking only Shen Qiu with them showed favoritism toward sons over daughters—they valued their son who could continue the family line, but not their daughter. Shen Miao, being young, was easily influenced by such talk. Looking at her brother, she naturally felt he had stolen all of her parents’ love, which made her unwilling to be close to him.
“Enough.” Shen Xin patted the dust off his clothes and stood up. “Tell the men to rise and continue our journey. We must return to the capital within the hour!”
…
Time passed, and the birthday banquet at the Shen Mansion was about to begin. The ladies and young misses had already taken their seats, filling a full ten tables. Old Madam Shen’s reputation was certainly significant—this display of grandeur had attracted all the officials’ wives of any rank in the capital. Of course, people came to this banquet not for Old Madam Shen’s face, but for General Shen Xin’s reputation. Nevertheless, the birthday celebration was lively, just as in previous years.
Shen Yue wore a pleated auspicious moon skirt. The pale white color made her appear incredibly gentle and quiet. Already naturally fair and pleasing to the eye, she had taken special care with her appearance today, clearly hoping to make an impression as a blossoming young woman. Now that both Shen Qing and Shen Miao were betrothed, the ladies present looked at Shen Yue with various thoughts, naturally calculating the benefits of marrying the second daughter of the Shen Family’s Third Branch into their households.
After the men had presented their birthday gifts, they gathered in another area, hosted by the brothers Shen Gui and Shen Wan. Naturally, they wouldn’t miss this opportunity to win people over, chatting and laughing merrily.
Lord Su held his wine cup, feeling somewhat troubled. His family had good relations with the Lingan Marquis Household, and the Shen family and Xie family had always been at odds. Yet the Shen family had sent him an invitation. Lord Su was a good-natured man—since they had sent an invitation, he couldn’t refuse, so he reluctantly attended. In his heart, he envied his eldest son, who was “bedridden with illness,” at least spared from watching these suspicious old foxes toasting each other and probing for information.
“Father,” Su Minglang blinked. Today he had been dressed up by his mother, but even so, he looked like nothing more than a properly dressed dumpling. He tugged at Lord Su’s sleeve. “I want to go look around.”
“Don’t wander off,” Lord Su warned. Although his eldest son hadn’t attended, his younger son, who usually showed no interest in such events, had insisted on coming. Lord Su didn’t know why. But since Su Minglang had made such a fuss and Lady Su had agreed, Lord Su had no choice but to bring the little tagalong.
Su Minglang lowered his hand dejectedly. He had heard this was Old Madam Shen’s birthday banquet, the grandmother of Shen Miao. Having not seen Shen Miao at Guangwen Hall for so long, he was quite concerned. He had hoped to use this opportunity to see Shen Miao, but she hadn’t appeared at all today. He had heard that Shen Miao had developed a rash and couldn’t meet people casually, but Su Minglang still itched to see her. He had very few friends—others found him too slow-witted, but only Shen Miao treated him with gentleness. In his heart, Shen Miao was already his only friend.
Outside at the women’s tables, Madam Jiang teasingly said, “Speaking of which, Madam Huang and Madam Wei, shouldn’t you specially toast to Old Madam? After all…”
After all, your children will soon be in-laws.
The words weren’t spoken, but the ladies at the banquet all understood. Madam Huang, an elegantly made-up noble lady, merely smiled in response, her expression unreadable. She probably understood that this marriage was merely a mutually beneficial arrangement, not a good match. If the Shen family truly cared for their daughter and were as righteous as they appeared, they wouldn’t have agreed to this marriage. The so-called nobility was merely a facade. Thus, there was a hint of mockery in her gaze.
Madam Wei, however, appeared somewhat uncomfortable. The Shen family indeed had good status, and marrying into the Shen family was marrying up. But the previous Shen Miao had been too foolish to serve as a proper mistress of a household. However, after the examination event, she had heard that Shen Miao seemed to have become enlightened, with a much steadier temperament. That’s why she had proposed marriage for her son.
But today she hadn’t seen Shen Miao and heard she had developed a rash. Madam Wei was concerned—if Shen Miao had contracted a serious illness, wouldn’t that ruin her son’s life? With these thoughts, her expression showed some reluctance.
These expressions fell into Chen Ruoqiu’s eyes, and she inwardly laughed coldly. She wasn’t a fool—she could see that Ren Wanyun intended to substitute one sister for another. Old Madam Shen and Ren Wanyun might hide it from others, but they couldn’t hide it from her. This was good for her—Ren Wanyun was overly anxious and didn’t realize how furious Shen Xin would be when he returned. When the First and Second Branches fought, both would be weakened, giving her Yue a chance to shine.
Ren Wanyun smiled and stood up. “In that case, I should first toast the two Madams.”
The laughter grew louder, while Feng Anning frowned, her face showing displeasure.
Meanwhile, in the ancestral hall, having sent away all the maids, Shen Miao knelt before the ancestral tablets, watching the hourglass in her hand. The sand was almost gone, and the time she had arranged was approaching.
She placed three incense sticks in the incense burner and bowed slightly.
Just then, she heard a faint sound.
The years spent in the Qin Kingdom in her previous life had trained her to be alert at all times. Shen Miao immediately stood up and said, “Who’s there?”
“Little girl has keen senses.” A familiar voice sounded. Shen Miao turned her head to see a purple-robed youth leaning against the window, looking at her with a half-smile. Seeing her turn, he leaped into the ancestral hall.
Even as composed as Shen Miao was, she couldn’t help but be startled. Xie Jingxing was wandering around someone else’s mansion in broad daylight. He certainly hadn’t been invited—the Shen family and Xie family walked on thin ice with each other, unless Shen Gui and Shen Wan had gone mad.
With guards stationed outside the ancestral hall courtyard, how had he gotten in? Inadvertently, Shen Miao voiced her doubt.
“The Shen Mansion guards are utterly useless,” Xie Jingxing said. “I simply walked in.”
Shen Miao frowned. “What are you doing here?”
Xie Jingxing merely smiled without answering her. He began searching for something in the room. Within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, he had completed his search. However, the results were not satisfactory—he hadn’t found anything.
Shen Miao watched his every move, growing increasingly suspicious. Xie Jingxing’s behavior suggested he had come to the Shen Mansion to find something. But what in the General’s Mansion was worth the risk of his coming to search for it? There must be something she didn’t know.
“What are you looking for? Tell me, and I can help you find it,” Shen Miao offered.
Xie Jingxing paused, turning to examine her with interest. “Shen girl, I know you’re the smartest in the Shen family, but don’t try to work your schemes on me.”
“Then aren’t you scheming against the Shen family by coming to steal from us in broad daylight?” Shen Miao remained calm. Inwardly, she was annoyed at Xie Jingxing’s caution—she had feigned compliance only to discover what he was after. But this man was too alert and hadn’t given her any opportunity.
“Steal?” Xie Jingxing acted as if he’d heard something amusing. His beautiful peach blossom eyes suddenly flashed with dangerous light. “It was this Marquis’s property to begin with—it’s merely ‘taking back,’ not stealing.”
Shen Miao felt a spark of realization, as if she’d grasped something, but the thought vanished too quickly for her to capture it.
“However,” Xie Jingxing glanced around the ancestral hall, “with so many people guarding this place, I thought they were protecting something. It turns out they’re watching you.” He looked at Shen Miao with folded arms. “What wrong did you commit to have so many people confining you? An ancestral hall is no place for a young lady to stay.”
“What concern is it of yours?” Shen Miao looked at the hourglass—the last grains of sand had fallen from top to bottom. The time had come, but Xie Jingxing was still here. Her patience exhausted, she said, “Since the Young Marquis hasn’t found ‘your property,’ please leave. The Shen family ancestors do not wish to witness the heroic figure of a thief.”
Her words were sarcastic. Perhaps no one had ever dared speak to Xie Jingxing this way in all his years, especially not a young girl. But he didn’t get angry; instead, he taunted, “Indeed, the Shen ancestors may not wish to see this Marquis, but they seem content to watch their descendants forced into marriage—how entertaining.”
“You don’t want to marry Wei Qian?” he asked.
“What if I do? What if I don’t?” Shen Miao countered.
“Wei Qian would make a good husband. You’re no virtuous wife—it’s your good fortune. I’ve never seen someone so unappreciative.” He narrowed his eyes, his roguish smile momentarily so handsome it was dazzling. “Could it be you have feelings for this Marquis, and that’s why you don’t want to marry Wei Qian?”
Shen Miao almost laughed from anger. She turned and glared at Xie Jingxing. “If that’s what you think, I have no objection. But let me advise the Young Marquis: don’t get involved in certain matters. Otherwise, when you regret it, it will be too late.”
Her face was somewhat pale, probably from her poor diet and sleep in the ancestral hall. She had lost weight, making her girlish features more defined, with a pointy chin and clear, expressive eyes. Yet Xie Jingxing saw fire burning within them.
“Miss!” Jingzhe ran in, startled to see Xie Jingxing. She immediately shielded Shen Miao behind her, pointing at Xie Jingxing. “How-how-how did you get in?”
Xie Jingxing shrugged without answering.
“Pretend he’s not here,” Shen Miao couldn’t be bothered with him. She asked Jingzhe, “How did you arrange things?”
“I had Yinxing from the courtyard buy wine and food, saying it was sent from the birthday banquet. They’re enjoying themselves right now and have become somewhat lax. But leaving is impossible.” Jingzhe was still wary of Xie Jingxing, speaking while watching his expression.
“Good.” Shen Miao looked at Jingzhe. “Jingzhe, can I trust you?”
Hearing this, Jingzhe forgot even her concerns about Xie Jingxing, immediately lowering her head. “This servant is utterly loyal to Miss. Whatever Miss commands, this servant will undertake even at the cost of her life.”
“Then listen, whether it’s you or Guyu, Bailu, or Shuangjiang—none of you are to come in, no matter what happens. Don’t look for me, and don’t try to stop anything.” She gave the hourglass to Jingzhe. “When the sand reaches this mark,” she pointed to a small mark on the glass, “go out and call for help. Take advantage of the chaos to rush to the east courtyard’s birthday banquet and shout for help in front of all the guests. I know you’re resourceful and brave—you know what to do best, even without my instructions.”
“This…” Jingzhe was bewildered, not understanding Shen Miao’s meaning. But when she saw Shen Miao’s expression, all her questions were swallowed, and she solemnly said to Shen Miao, “This servant understands.”
“Good, now go.” Shen Miao gravely instructed, “Remember, no matter what you see or what happens, do not come in.”
Jingzhe bit her lip, glanced at Xie Jingxing, then at Shen Miao, before nodding and leaving the ancestral hall.
After Jingzhe left, Xie Jingxing lazily looked at Shen Miao. “So mysterious—what are you planning?”
“What am I planning?” Shen Miao stared at him. Xie Jingxing appeared relaxed, but his beautiful peach blossom eyes were sharp as knives. Being looked at by those eyes made it seem as if one’s innermost thoughts were exposed.
“If the Young Marquis doesn’t want to be implicated, you should leave now,” she said coldly.
“No one in the world can implicate me,” he replied arrogantly, yet as if he could truly back up his words.
“Since you wish to perish alongside me, I have nothing more to say.” Shen Miao turned away.
Xie Jingxing frowned. Before he could understand Shen Miao’s meaning, he saw her suddenly walk to the incense altar and stop before the Shen family ancestral tablets. The next moment, even he was stunned and rooted to the spot.
Shen Miao suddenly grabbed the neatly arranged ancestral tablets, carried them without hesitation, and threw them into the charcoal brazier on the floor. Wood easily catches fire—instantly, the previously subdued flames shot up high. Fire tongues devoured the wooden spirit tablets, with the names on them flickering in the firelight.
“Have you gone mad?” Xie Jingxing looked at Shen Miao, his eyes full of surprise.
Damaging ancestral tablets was a grave offense—even grounds for expulsion from the clan. Such an act would not be forgiven by one’s ancestors even after death. Shen Miao’s sudden action was incomprehensible. Was she venting her frustration at being confined? But doing this would only bring greater punishment later.
Shen Miao coldly watched the ancestral tablets gradually blacken in the flames. It wasn’t that she was being unfilial—the spirits of the ancestors certainly shouldn’t be desecrated. But what mattered most in this world was the present—her future, Shen Xin’s future, and the Shen Mansion’s future were more important. If her ancestors knew that this action could remove the crises facing the Shen family, their spirits would surely be gratified.
“Young Marquis, it’s still not too late to leave.” Shen Miao ignored Xie Jingxing’s surprise and carried another large armful of tablets, dumping them into the charcoal brazier. Instantly, the flames grew even fiercer.
But she seemed unsatisfied. After a moment’s thought, she went inside and brought out the several quilts that Guyu had taken outside to air earlier. The quilts were cotton, freshly aired, dry, and soft.
“Shen Miao!” Xie Jingxing called out sharply. “Do you have a death wish?”
Shen Miao spread the quilts all over the floor. The ancestral hall was largely wooden and highly flammable. She took a half-burnt ancestral tablet and used it to ignite a corner of the quilts.
Towering flames burst forth, and thick smoke gradually filled the ancestral hall. Jingzhe stood outside, biting her lip, her eyes reddened. Only when the sand in the hourglass reached the place Shen Miao had indicated, and only when the guards in the courtyard were alarmed by the flames and all ran to fight the fire, did Jingzhe seize the opportunity and run out.
She ran to the east courtyard where the birthday banquet was being held. The garden was full of guests enjoying themselves, and no one seemed to notice this somewhat disheveled little maid. Jingzhe’s lips curled into a vicious smile as she suddenly shouted, “Disaster! Disaster! The ancestral hall is on fire! Fifth Miss is trapped inside!”
These words immediately caused an uproar in the garden.
Wasn’t Shen Miao recuperating in her courtyard? How had she ended up in the ancestral hall? And how had a fire suddenly broken out?
Ren Wanyun was also startled. She stood up, not knowing how the fire had started in the ancestral hall. She was about to order people to quickly put out the fire when she saw Jingzhe’s breathless appearance. For some reason, her heart suddenly stirred.
If Shen Miao died in this fire, wouldn’t she be able to legitimately have Shen Qing marry in her place? As for the Huang family, she would only need to personally visit and apologize. And Shen Miao’s death could only be attributed to an accident—who told her not to rest properly and instead “run” to the ancestral hall, even causing a fire?
So Ren Wanyun stood up and pretended to say, “Everyone, please continue eating and drinking. I’m sure the fire isn’t too big. It was probably just children playing with fire carelessly. I’ll go check first. You all,” she scolded Xianglan, “quickly find guards to put out the fire!”
The atmosphere of the birthday banquet immediately fell into an awkward state. Old Madam Shen was inwardly displeased, resentful of Shen Miao for spoiling her mood even at this time. However, she still had to maintain the appearance of a kind mother, anxiously instructing Ren Wanyun, “Go quickly and see what condition Fifth Miss is in!”
However, pretense and reality are ultimately different. If they truly loved Shen Miao, they wouldn’t be so calm with her in such danger. Chen Ruoqiu and Shen Yue hadn’t even left their seats, clearly showing Shen Miao’s status in the Shen Mansion. The ladies and young misses present weren’t fools—they could see the Shen family’s true attitude toward Shen Miao and felt some sympathy for her.
Just then, a loud, clear voice suddenly rang out from outside: “General Shen, Madam Shen, and Young Master Shen have returned—open the gates to welcome the General!”
“What?” Not only the women but also the men in the other area were stunned. Shen Gui and Shen Wan exchanged glances. Shen Xin’s return? This must be a joke. There were still many days before the New Year.
Outside the ancestral hall, now surrounded by flames, a circle of Shen Mansion guards had gathered. Though they were supposedly fighting the fire, none had ventured inside. People value their own lives—with the flames so fierce, who would dare enter and risk death?
“Shen girl, do you want to die?” Xie Jingxing frowned as he saw even the beams beginning to burn.
“Young Marquis should leave quickly,” Shen Miao remained unmoved. “As more people gather, even if you want to leave, you won’t be able to.”
“Stop talking nonsense,” Xie Jingxing grabbed her arm. “Let’s go!”
“Let go,” Shen Miao broke free from his grasp, her gaze resolute to the point of stubbornness. “Can’t you see? I’m using my own life to gamble for a future.”