“Don’t look at me, I’ll feel sorry for you.”

Time seemed to pause eerily in that moment, as if all sounds in the world had vanished. The flickering lamplight filled the room, yet it couldn’t compare to the captivating features of that person. Though it appeared to be an intimate moment, with whispers like those between lovers, veiled in ambiguity, it transformed in an instant into murderous intent.

Xie Jingxing lowered his gaze. Beneath his palm was a gentle warmth, and he could feel eyelashes blinking slightly, like the wings of a fluffy butterfly—fluttering once, twice, attempting to fly away but caught and unable to escape.

“Gao Yang, go out,” Xie Jingxing said.

Gao Yang frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Go out first.” Xie Jingxing spoke calmly.

Gao Yang gave him a look, said nothing, picked up the items he had wrapped in cloth earlier, and walked out. After his footsteps had faded into the distance, Xie Jingxing slowly released his hand.

He opened his palm; in the lamplight, something seemed to glisten on his fair skin.

It seemed Shen Miao had been crying.

“It’s just death. Why are you crying?” Xie Jingxing said lazily. He wanted to continue, but stopped abruptly when he saw the expression on the young lady’s face.

Shen Miao’s features were delicate, and even the slight youthfulness in her appearance was now completely covered by the coldness in her expression. Her eyes were clear as water, showing no sign of tears or sorrow. Perhaps it had been a trick earlier—she wasn’t afraid at all. As this thought flashed through Xie Jingxing’s mind, he saw Shen Miao suddenly raise her elbow and strike toward his chest. The blow was both fierce and precise; had it been anyone else, they might have been knocked flat on their back, but Xie Jingxing merely swayed slightly and immediately grabbed Shen Miao’s left arm. His pull nearly made her crash into his embrace. Yet in that moment, she swiftly pulled something from her sleeve and stabbed it into Xie Jingxing’s arm without hesitation.

The hairpin was so thin that one could barely see it without paying close attention. Shen Miao’s movement was vicious, showing no mercy as the hairpin drove deeply into his arm. Xie Jingxing’s eyes darkened; with a swift movement of his hand, Shen Miao was thrown back against the stone wall.

Xie Jingxing’s hand gripped Shen Miao’s fragile neck, seemingly able to snap it with just a slight exertion of force. His voice deepened, carrying barely perceptible anger: “As expected of someone from the General’s Manor. You’ve learned the art of ambush perfectly.”

Shen Miao’s gaze fell on Xie Jingxing’s arm, where half the hairpin protruded, blood gradually flowing out, staining his sleeve and clinging to his arm. Following her line of sight, Xie Jingxing looked at it with indifference and smiled: “Even if it’s poisoned, it doesn’t matter. Before it takes effect, I’ll kill you.”

His eyes were exceptionally beautiful; when he looked at someone casually, they were most bewitching. That half-smiling expression would likely cause another debate among the young ladies of the capital if they saw it. Yet Shen Miao saw in them well-hidden indifference and coldness.

What kind of person was Xie Jingxing? He seemed complex. In the capital, people viewed him as capable but frivolous, with an untamable nature that destined him to be uncontrollable by others and unable to make great strides in an official career. But now, Shen Miao found herself questioning whether the Xie Jingxing seen by the world was the real Xie Jingxing. He was indeed fierce and arrogant, but could someone who hid himself so deeply truly have no interest in power and the throne?

Xie Jingxing seemed dissatisfied with her distraction. He moved closer, staring at her: “Shen Miao, if I kill you today, the Shen family will have no one to protect them in the future.”

Shen Miao’s gaze flickered, and Xie Jingxing smiled maliciously: “Shen Yuan has returned to the capital. With the second and third branches of the Shen family joining forces, what chances does Shen Xin have?” His hand gradually tightened, each word targeting Shen Miao’s fatal weaknesses: “The Fu family covets the Shen family’s position. Shen Xin’s future path will be difficult. What you seek, what you plot, will end in my hands today. If you want revenge, you’ll have to wait for your next life.”

The more ruthless he became, the more unbelievably handsome his features appeared. As if he could see into her heart, his words targeted everything Shen Miao worried about most. In her reborn life, all Shen Miao wanted was for the Shen family to be safe, and all she planned was to avenge past wrongs. If she died here, everything would come to an abrupt end. Xie Jingxing’s gaze held no sympathy or mercy; he was truly cold and heartless. Regardless of her identity, even if she were a princess of the royal family, having discovered the relationship between Xie Jingxing and Gao Yang, there was no way she could quietly withdraw. This was why she had made such a desperate move earlier. Otherwise, with her cautious nature, she wouldn’t have used such a risky method until the very last moment.

Suddenly, the smiling faces of Princess Wanyu and Fu Ming from her previous life flashed before her eyes. Shen Miao widened her eyes, not even realizing that tears were streaming down her cheeks.

It was too unfair. If she died here, it would be truly, truly unfair.

Xie Jingxing saw her tears and narrowed his eyes, studying her with suspicion. He hadn’t forgotten Shen Miao’s vicious attack earlier. Women who used tears to gain sympathy wouldn’t work on him.

Yet Shen Miao simply stared with wide eyes, silently crying. There was no pleading or weakness in her gaze, but her wooden tears somehow evoked a sense of heartache. It was as if, long before this, she had experienced suffering beyond what others could comprehend, had reached the end of her rope, and felt immense desolation. Great sorrow was silent, but tears, loyal to the body, flowed first.

Xie Jingxing frowned as he looked at her, and the hand gripping Shen Miao’s throat gradually loosened.

Shen Miao seemed unaware. Finally, Xie Jingxing lowered his hand, his expression showing a hint of helplessness. His tall stature, pinning the small girl in a corner, gave him an odd feeling, as if he were bullying a child. Though Xie Jingxing knew full well that Shen Miao and the words “child” had probably never been compatible.

After a moment, he finally pulled the hairpin from his arm. Removing it was painful, and Xie Jingxing’s brows furrowed slightly as he held the extracted hairpin in his hand, toying with it. Seeing Shen Miao staring at him, he suddenly felt an inexplicable embarrassment. “Stop crying. I won’t kill you,” he said. After a pause, he added, “I was just scaring you.”

Shen Miao inwardly sighed with relief. She knew Xie Jingxing wasn’t just scaring her. The murderous intent in that moment had been sharp; he had truly intended to kill her. In the end, his change of heart came only after she shed a few tears. As for what moved Xie Jingxing, Shen Miao wasn’t entirely sure.

“How did you discover this place?” Xie Jingxing asked.

“I once saw my third uncle copying the ‘Liu Yuan Night Banquet’ painting at home. While exploring, I accidentally found this secret room. I was curious, but I didn’t expect to encounter you two when I came in.”

Xie Jingxing gave her a half-smile: “Shen Wan?”

Shen Miao lied without changing her expression: “Yes.”

“Little girl, I’m not like the Chen brothers. Don’t try to use me to kill someone.” Xie Jingxing said lazily. Shen Miao was inherently cunning, even at this point, still trying to implicate Shen Wan.

“I saw nothing today, heard nothing. If you don’t trouble me, I naturally won’t trouble you,” Shen Miao looked at him. “Let’s keep to ourselves.”

“You couldn’t trouble me if you tried.” Xie Jingxing’s arrogant tone made one’s teeth itch with irritation. He continued, “I spare your life today, but if this matter leaks out even slightly, don’t blame me if your Shen family suffers.”

Shen Miao quickly replied, “I won’t reveal anything.”

Her quick acceptance satisfied Xie Jingxing. After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked, “Shen Miao, do you have a grudge against the Fu family?”

He said “Fu family” rather than “imperial family,” which was rather intriguing. Shen Miao turned to look at him, her heart stirring slightly, but she simply said, “Young Lord can think whatever he wishes.”

Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow: “Indeed, as I thought.” He glanced at Shen Miao: “Since this matter is settled, you should leave now. If you stay too long and attract others, I won’t be able to save you.”

Without a word, Shen Miao turned to leave. This encounter with Xie Jingxing today had enlightened her about certain things. At the very least, the Young Lord of the Lingan Marquis Manor was not as simple as he appeared on the surface. Such a person was neither useful to ally with nor safe to offend. If Xie Jingxing’s enemies were the Ming Qi royal family, that would naturally be beneficial to her, but if not, she should never contemplate plotting against them.

Shen Miao had only taken a few steps when Xie Jingxing followed. With his long legs, he quickly caught up to her and tossed her a small medicine bottle: “Don’t say I bullied you and made you cry.” Then he strode forward, leaving before Shen Miao.

In the dim torchlight, a hint of embarrassment appeared on Shen Miao’s face. She had indeed made a risky move earlier. In her previous life, after returning from Qin country, when she competed with Madam Mei for favor, her temperament had been extremely unyielding. She had once heard another beauty advise: “Though the Empress maintains dignity and propriety as the mother of the nation, it does not necessarily mean His Majesty likes it. Look at Madam Mei, gentle and coquettish, more adept at acting cute. They say a crying child gets candy, and the same principle applies to love in this world. Men are all protective of beauty, and women should be like water.”

At that time, she had sneered at this opinion, believing such behavior was beneath her dignity—how could the dignified Empress be compared to those women’s fawning tactics? But just now, under Xie Jingxing’s murderous intent, she had suddenly remembered that beauty’s words about “a crying child gets candy.”

Now she was still a young girl in her teens, naturally appearing innocent and delicate. Without the Empress’s phoenix robes adorning her, acting coquettish might be acceptable. Shen Miao never dreamed that someone as strong-willed as herself would cry “like a pear blossom in rain” before a man, yet the outcome surprised even her—Xie Jingxing, with his fierce and indomitable nature, had spared her.

However, in this confrontation, she had ultimately used rather inglorious tactics.

After leaving the secret room, she did not know where Xie Jingxing and Gao Yang had departed, as the tea room was empty. Walking out of the tea room, she found Mo Qing still standing guard outside. Shen Miao asked him: “Did anyone come out from inside just now?”

“People?” Mo Qing was surprised. Wasn’t it only Miss inside? Did Miss meet someone?”

“No,” Shen Miao smiled slightly. “I was just asking.” Inwardly, her estimation of Xie Jingxing’s abilities rose another level.

“We’ve been here for a long time, but Brother isn’t coming. Let’s go find him,” said Shen Miao.

Mo Qing was somewhat confused, not understanding why Shen Miao had suddenly changed her mind. She had clearly said earlier that they would wait for Shen Qiu in the tea room, but now she had changed her mind. However, he naturally wouldn’t contradict Shen Miao, especially on such a small matter, so he silently agreed and followed her outside.

As Shen Miao left, she looked back once more at the tightly closed door of the tea room, wondering if Xie Jingxing and Gao Yang were still inside. Today she had come for “that thing,” only to find it had fallen into Xie Jingxing’s hands. Shen Miao couldn’t sort out her thoughts for the moment. According to the trajectory of her previous life, Xie Jingxing shouldn’t have discovered the secret room at this time. Could something have changed in this life, altering Xie Jingxing’s fate as well? Or perhaps, in her brief and tragic previous life, there were still some overlooked truths.

This question remained unresolved even after she later met with Shen Qiu and returned to the Shen Manor in the evening. Shen Qiu, seeing Shen Miao lost in thought after leaving the Prince’s Manor, thought she had been frightened by the bloody scene there. He ordered the kitchen to prepare a calming soup and was scolded by Luo Xueyan for taking Shen Miao to such an unlucky place. Shen Qiu felt quite wronged, but Shen Miao remained oblivious.

Meanwhile, someone else was feeling aggrieved for Xie Jingxing.

“That girl struck too viciously.” Gao Yang stared in disbelief at the wound before him.

Xie Jingxing had removed his outer robe, wearing only a loose middle garment. The collar hung loosely, revealing half of his sturdy, upright body. His sleeve was rolled up halfway, exposing his arm where half a hairpin had pierced deeply, the wound visible to the bone. While allowing Gao Yang to apply medicine, Xie Jingxing played with the hairpin in his hand.

The hairpin was an ordinary silver one, with simple wave patterns, but its tip had been sharpened to extreme keenness, almost comparable to a silver needle used as a concealed weapon. The tip had been bent slightly, like a barbed hook. Such a hairpin, when stabbed into someone’s body, would surely tear away a large chunk of flesh.

As in Xie Jingxing’s case, a wound had been ripped open on his arm.

“The Shen Xin family is known for being upright and honorable, but how could that girl be so vicious? She doesn’t seem like Shen Xin’s daughter at all—could she have been switched at birth?” Gao Yang was still amazed: “Look how she didn’t hesitate at all—it went deep into your flesh.” He evenly sprinkled medicine powder on the wound, making Xie Jingxing furrow his brows and suck in a cold breath.

“Bear the pain,” Gao Yang said irritably. “Xie San, I’ve followed you for so many years and never seen you show mercy to women. What madness possessed you today? She discovered such a big secret, wounded you, and you just let her go. I’m saying,” Gao Yang stroked his chin, “you haven’t fallen for her, have you? She’s still just a little girl with nothing to her name. Have you lost your mind?”

Xie Jingxing replied impatiently: “Enough. Bullying a young girl—I’m not that shameless.”

“You speak as if you’ve never bullied young girls before,” Gao Yang sneered. “I understand less and less what you’re thinking.” He carefully wrapped the bandage around Xie Jingxing’s arm, and only after securing it did he sigh. “Now that we have the item, what’s next?”

“Keep searching,” said Xie Jingxing.

“The Fu family will find out sooner or later,” Gao Yang frowned. “What I find strangest is how Shen Miao knew about the secret room. If she’s with the Fu family, then you’ve been exposed.”

“She bears a grudge against the Fu family,” Xie Jingxing said lazily. “She would welcome using my hand to kill them. As for how she found the room—coincidence, perhaps.” A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. Shen Miao claimed to have accidentally discovered the secret room, but he didn’t believe this excuse at all. Shen Miao was a person who acted with clear purpose, as seen in how she dealt with Shen Qing and the Hereditary Prince. Things that seemed useless at first could play unexpectedly important roles in the end. Xie Jingxing even suspected that Shen Miao’s move against the Hereditary Prince might have been for the “thing” in his possession.

But how did she know? Even he and Gao Yang had only learned about it recently, and that had required enormous effort. Shen Miao was merely a young lady from a noble household, with many inconveniences in gathering information, yet she still knew the secret. The mysteries surrounding her were no fewer than anyone else’s.

“In any case, we should remain cautious,” Gao Yang said, taking the remaining medicine and bandages as he walked toward the door. “Moreover, now that she has discovered my identity, who knows what complications might arise in the future?”

Xie Jingxing remained alone in the room. He held the hairpin up to the dancing flame, contemplating it. A moment later, his mind conjured the image of the young girl in the secret room, eyes wide, silently crying.

He was not one to show mercy to women, nor did he harbor other thoughts toward Shen Miao. Yet in that moment, he had inexplicably felt a sense of pity. This feeling of pity had finally broken his usual calm approach, and thinking about it now, he felt somewhat regretful. The wound on his arm, after being treated, was both numb and painful. She hadn’t shown any mercy when attacking; had he not dodged quickly, the hairpin might have struck his face.

Shen Miao’s tears might have been just another tactic. Xie Jingxing knew full well that the young girl was extremely cunning, with a quick and clever mind. The tactics she employed in moments of urgency had a peculiar effectiveness. That sudden display of vulnerability was probably just a survival tactic.

Xie Jingxing opened his palm; the silver hairpin gleamed with a small, clear light, reminding him of when this hand had covered a pair of eyes—the fuzzy sensation in his palm, like a butterfly about to dance in his palm. It was that moment of fragility that had stirred something unusual in his heart, a sympathy that shouldn’t belong to him.

“Little poison woman,” Xie Jingxing suddenly smiled. In the lamplight, the handsome features of the young man were dazzlingly striking, the smile at the corner of his lips playful. He murmured, “I shouldn’t have been soft-hearted.”

…

In the eastern courtyard of the Shen Manor, a commotion had broken out.

Inside Rongjing Hall, Old Madam Shen’s face was gloomy as she looked at Shen Gui: “So you’re saying Qing’er can’t come out now?”

Shen Gui shook his head: “The entire Prince’s Manor was massacred overnight, with only Qing’er surviving. No matter how you look at it, she can’t escape suspicion. The case still needs to be investigated.”

“With such a major incident, I wonder if His Majesty will blame us,” Old Madam Shen said anxiously. “What’s going on with Qing’er? Is this matter truly unrelated to her?” Her words betrayed her deep suspicion of Shen Qing.

Hearing this, Ren Wanyun exploded. She immediately fell to her knees before Old Madam Shen, startling the old woman. Ren Wanyun cried: “Old Madam, you watched Qing’er grow up. You know her character—how could she do such a thing? Moreover, what ability does Qing’er have to connect with such formidable people? It’s clear that the Prince’s Manor had made its enemies, and Qing’er merely had the luck to keep her life. We’ve already failed her; we mustn’t abandon her now.”

After being mother-in-law and daughter-in-law for so many years, Ren Wanyun understood Old Madam Shen’s temperament thoroughly. Old Madam Shen was inherently selfish and always quick to adapt to changing situations. Even if she had some affection for Shen Qing, when it came time to protect herself, she would abandon Shen Qing without hesitation. Sometimes Ren Wanyun felt that Shen Gui was such a heartless person because he carried Old Madam Shen’s blood, making their selfish natures identical.

After hearing Ren Wanyun’s speech, Old Madam Shen became even more enraged: “Eldest daughter-in-law, your words are strange. How have we failed Qing’er? Did I force her to have an affair with the Hereditary Prince? Did I force her to shamefully conceive a child? These rules, I never taught her!”

Old Madam Shen had been a singing girl, someone who had climbed up from the common markets, so her words were naturally not very pleasant to hear. Even though Ren Wanyun was inherently strong-willed, she was still completely overwhelmed by Old Madam Shen’s merciless words. She said: “Mother! How can you speak of Qing’er this way? She is your granddaughter!”

Chen Ruoqiu spoke up to mediate: “Second Sister-in-law, say less. Mother is worried about Qing’er and has been upset. Everyone knows that among the three legitimate granddaughters, Mother loves Qing’er the most.”

Once the most beloved granddaughter, now so easily discarded—Old Madam Shen’s selfish nature was truly contemptible. Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan both showed disdain on their faces but remained silent, merely watching the scene unfold.

Shen Yuan glanced at Chen Ruoqiu, a look so gloomy that it made her falter mid-sentence, somewhat intimidated. Shen Yuan walked to Ren Wanyun’s side and helped her up, then turned to Old Madam Shen: “Grandmother need not worry. Things haven’t reached such a terrible state. My sister is merely under suspicion, not yet convicted. Since she is innocent of this matter, I believe the truth will come to light in due time. I will investigate this matter thoroughly and will not allow my sister to be wrongfully accused.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Shen’s expression softened somewhat. Among all her grandchildren, she favored her youngest grandson, Shen Yuanbai, the most, but the one she was most proud of and valued was this young yet highly capable Shen Yuan. Moreover, Shen Yuan had always been good at pleasing her. She immediately nodded: “If that’s the case, go ahead and investigate properly. If Qing’er is truly innocent, I naturally don’t want her to be wronged.” After a pause, she looked coldly at Ren Wanyun and sneered: “But I see that her mother has lost her mind. If you truly can’t think clearly, then don’t go out. Stay properly in the manor and don’t cause me any more trouble.”

Ren Wanyun was both angry and resentful, her face flushing red. She didn’t know when Old Madam Shen’s dissatisfaction with her had grown so much that now she would publicly humiliate her in front of all the children. Even Chen Ruoqiu could look at her with mocking eyes.

Only after being escorted back to Caiyun Courtyard by Shen Yuan did Ren Wanyun catch her breath. She grabbed Shen Yuan’s arm and said: “Yuan’er, find a way to save your sister. How could Qing’er have such an ability? How could she be the killer?”

“Mother, don’t worry,” Shen Yuan comforted her. “Since my sister has been wrongfully accused, there’s nothing to fear from an investigation. She’s under suspicion now only because the true culprit hasn’t been revealed. Once we find the real killer, my sister’s grievances will naturally be resolved.”

Hearing this, Ren Wanyun seemed to have found a lifeline, and her eyes immediately regained some vitality. She asked joyfully, “When can the culprit be found? How much longer will your sister be detained? When can you find the killer?”

Shen Yuan gazed at Ren Wanyun. Her face was extremely haggard, having gone without makeup for a long time. Her skin appeared aged and dull, her hair disheveled—where was the meticulously refined appearance she once had? She looked like a completely different person.

And the cause of all this was none other than a young girl once labeled as incompetent.

Shen Yuan felt somewhat troubled. He prided himself on his intelligence and sensitivity, yet never expected that upon returning to the capital, he would immediately face such a mess. Ren Wanyun’s status in the household had plummeted. Shen Qing becoming pregnant before marriage was bad enough, but now she was also implicated in the massacre at the Hereditary Prince’s Manor.

For some reason, Shen Yuan suddenly recalled the day of Shen Qing’s wedding, when he spoke with Shen Miao. Shen Miao had said at the time: “No one can predict what happens in this world. Fortune and misfortune can come in an instant. Who knows, perhaps the path ahead is already gone.”

Now, the path before Shen Qing was truly gone, or at least extremely arduous. With her as the only survivor in the entire Prince’s Manor, Shen Yuan could see that whoever had struck had spared Shen Qing’s life not out of mercy or sympathy. This spared life was a death warrant for her.

At the very least, dying as a victim of a massacre and dying with the guilt of murder were vastly different outcomes.

The perpetrator intended to place Shen Qing in such a difficult position, but Shen Qing was just a young girl—who would be so ruthless toward a young girl? Shen Miao? But how could Shen Miao command so many assassins to kill the people of the Hereditary Prince’s Manor? Such a force would be difficult to gather.

Shen Yuan’s gaze darkened. Whether the person behind this was Shen Miao or not, he would investigate this matter thoroughly. Since that person had targeted Shen Qing, they might also be aiming at the second branch of the Shen family. Although Shen Qing’s current situation was difficult, it wasn’t completely hopeless. He would identify the person behind this and then repay them a thousandfold.

This was Shen Yuan’s plan, but what he didn’t anticipate was that, just as Shen Miao had said, no one can predict what happens in this world. Fortune and misfortune can come in an instant, and the path ahead might already be gone.

His path became a dead end the very next day.