Madam Ji smiled and said, “This young lady is Miss Li Mei, the one who provided the medicinal herb.”

Shen Miao stared at her intently.

The reason Madam Mei had been favored in the imperial harem for so many years, and why Fu Sheng had been able to secure his position as the new Crown Prince, was that she was no ordinary woman. Among the three palaces, six courts, and seventy-two consorts, none were simple to deal with, yet Fu Xiuyi favored her alone. Those more beautiful than her weren’t as clever, and those cleverer lacked her beauty. She knew when to advance and when to retreat, and though she was full of schemes and calculations, she always gave off an air of spontaneity. Arrogant yet mindful of her boundaries, beautiful but aware of exactly when to present her most attractive self. The consorts in the imperial harem had once gossiped that if she wished, no man in the world would refuse to submit to her charms.

Just like now, she entered at this moment wearing Shen Miao’s clothes. Though they were modest and somewhat conservative garments, they became alluring and sensual on her, naturally making Shen Miao appear even more disheveled by comparison.

Madam Mei had extremely enchanting eyes, like a cat just waking from an afternoon nap, carrying a careless languidness. Shen Miao’s stare was so unusual that it made her glance back, quite astonished, though she expressed it at just the right degree to avoid being impolite.

This hint of surprise was caught by Madam Ji and Ji Yushu, who were closest to her. They simultaneously looked at Shen Miao, and seeing her expression, both were startled. But in the next moment, Shen Miao lowered her head slightly, and when she raised it again, her expression had changed to a smile, as if everything before had been an illusion.

“She’s quite proper,” Shen Miao said softly.

Master Tang couldn’t help but frown. Shen Miao’s words sounded like those of a primary wife in a noble household critically appraising a newly arrived concubine, full of pickiness and contempt. But Shen Miao wasn’t someone who would make unreasonable trouble—she hadn’t even been bothered by the Lu Wan’er affair, so how could she be so sensitive as to feel jealous toward someone she was meeting for the first time?

Luo Tan, however, was thinking to herself that earlier Master Tang had mentioned the sister and brother were quite striking, but when she saw Li Ke, she hadn’t thought much of it, considering him merely passable. Only upon seeing Li Mei did she understand what “striking” truly meant. Luo Tan had always thought that among the women she knew, Shen Miao was the most unique. Setting aside her appearance, Shen Miao possessed an innate dignity and elegance that any woman would envy. But Li Mei gave a completely different impression. If Shen Miao was like a gloriously blooming peony, the king of flowers, then this woman was like a poppy—intensely seductive, charming, gorgeous, with a hint of something indescribable, almost like an evil beauty.

Shen Miao asked, “Is Miss Li from Great Liang?”

“Indeed,” Li Mei looked at Shen Miao with surprise again and smiled. “I’ve just arrived in Longyi.”

“Li Miss and her brother are from Qinzhou,” Madam Ji smiled. “Having just arrived in Longyi, they responded to the notice at the city gates and saved Jingxing’s life.”

“Just arrived and already responded to the notice?” Shen Miao looked at Li Mei with a half-smile. “Should we say this is His Highness’s good fortune? Or Miss Li’s good fortune?”

By now, almost everyone in the room could hear the hostility in Shen Miao’s voice. Li Mei was stunned. Li Ke stepped forward, smiled, and bowed to Shen Miao, “Since the Prince is out of danger, my sister and I will take our leave. We’ve imposed on your household these past days. Please forgive any offense.”

Li Ke’s words were neither humble nor arrogant, as if he had heard Shen Miao’s words and was acting out of wounded pride. Madam Ji was startled and didn’t even have time to ask Shen Miao what was happening before instinctively trying to stop Li Ke and Li Mei, saying, “What imposition are you talking about? You saved Jingxing’s life, how could you have offended? If anything, we haven’t properly thanked you yet…”

Li Mei smiled and spoke up, “Madam Ji, as I mentioned before, answering the notice was just a coincidence. I didn’t think much of it at the time. This herb was meant to cure poison and save lives. My brother and I had no use for it, so it would have been wasted in our hands. Things that can save people should be used to save people. This can only be considered the herb’s fate with the Prince. As for the rest, I cannot say more.”

The other ladies in the hall exclaimed in admiration. Not only was she beautiful, but she also had a good temperament, generous and not greedy for power or status. She truly seemed like a good person. In contrast, Shen Miao had inexplicably started to pick on her, showing a lack of grace as the Rui Prince’s consort.

Li Mei looked at Shen Miao again and apologetically said, “As for these clothes, I soiled my garments earlier and borrowed the Princess Consort’s clothes. I hope the Princess Consort doesn’t mind. I will wash them clean and personally return them to you without a trace that they’ve been worn.”

Shen Miao stared at her steadily.

When Shen Miao had first met Madam Mei, it was after she had returned to Ming Qi from Qin. That many new consorts had entered the palace was something she had anticipated, but only Madam Mei had given birth to a son. Initially, she couldn’t believe that someone as cold as Fu Xiuyi could deeply love a woman, but later, seeing it with her own eyes, she had to acknowledge it.

Madam Mei was deeply favored by Fu Xiuyi, so from the beginning, when facing Shen Miao, she had never lowered her head—or if she did, it was with false, perfunctory deference that brought no joy. Even with Shen Miao as Empress, in the inner palace, Madam Mei seemed to hold herself higher, just as Fu Sheng was always more favored than Fu Ming.

And now, the woman who always held her chin up slightly, full of charm and looking at her with mockery, was adopting a humble posture, referring to herself as “this commoner” and addressing her as “Princess Consort.”

How vast the world is, vast enough for a person to live two lifetimes; yet how small it is, small enough that after two lifetimes, one could still encounter enemies from a previous life.

Seeing that Shen Miao didn’t respond, Li Mei looked somewhat embarrassed and smiled as she prepared to leave with Li Ke. Madam Ji wanted to stop them, but since Shen Miao was the mistress of the Rui Prince’s mansion, she had no right to make decisions over her.

“Wait,” Shen Miao suddenly spoke.

Li Ke and Li Mei paused and turned around. They saw Shen Miao smiling, gentle as water. She said, “Since you’ve saved His Highness’s life, you’re benefactors of the entire Rui Prince’s household. If you leave like this, won’t it make the Rui Prince’s household appear cold-hearted in others’ eyes?”

“How could anyone say the Prince’s household is cold-hearted?” Li Mei shook her head and smiled. “This was our decision.”

“Shouldn’t you at least wait until His Highness has fully recovered before leaving?” Shen Miao smiled slightly. “Otherwise, the Prince’s household cannot bear the responsibility of an unfinished matter.”

There was a hint of suspicion in these words. If that legendary medicinal herb turned out to be fake, and in a few days, Xie Jingxing’s illness recurred, where would they find the people responsible?

Madam Ji and Ji Yushu felt awkward. Shen Miao wasn’t usually so aggressive—why was she being so harsh with this pair of siblings? They were life-saving benefactors, and regardless of circumstances, such an attitude was inappropriate. Even if she had suspicions, there was no need to voice them.

But Shen Miao knew that these siblings might not stay for the Prince’s household’s gratitude, but they would certainly stay if the Prince’s household expressed doubt. Their lives were about doing bad deeds while maintaining a good reputation, never allowing a stain on their names—how could they let someone throw dirty water on them without protest?

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Li Ke’s face showed indignation. He said, “Rest assured, we will stay here to witness His Highness’s recovery with our own eyes.”

Shen Miao smiled, “That’s good. The Prince’s household owes you such a debt of gratitude. If you don’t stay, how can we properly repay you?”

Her attitude, shifting from suspicion to talking about repayment, left people confused. Li Mei thoughtfully observed her. Shen Miao noticed her gaze and smiled again, “I have some matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you all company any longer.” Then she turned to Madam Ji and said, “Aunt, please entertain the ladies for me.” As she was about to leave, she suddenly seemed to remember something and stopped in front of Li Mei, smiling, “These clothes suit you quite well, as if they were made for you. Since they fit, there’s no need to return them to me. Consider them a gift.”

Shen Miao spoke of giving clothes, yet it didn’t sound like she was giving clothes—it was more like bestowing some sort of favor. Even Master Tang, who was usually smooth and diplomatic, was confused by Shen Miao’s inexplicable behavior. After she left, he looked at Luo Tan.

Luo Tan stuck out her tongue, “Don’t ask me, I don’t know either,” and followed after Shen Miao.

Madam Ji looked apologetically at Li Mei and Li Ke, “The Princess Consort has been worried about the Prince’s illness these days, so she’s probably a bit sensitive. I hope you two can understand.”

“A concerned heart is understandable,” Li Mei smiled.

“Let’s go inside and talk,” Madam Ji suggested with a smile.

Ji Yushu also looked at Li Ke, hesitated for a moment, and said, “Brother Li, please.”

Shen Miao returned to her room. When Jingzhe and Guyu saw her return, they first rushed up with delight, saying, “My lady, you’ve finally come back! We’ve been so worried about you, fearing something might have happened.”

When they saw Shen Miao’s disheveled state, both were stunned. Jingzhe asked, “My lady… what happened? Did someone mistreat you?”

Shen Miao’s clothes were dirty and messy, and her expression was grim. Looking closely, she even seemed somewhat lost, as if she had suffered a great shock.

Guyu was quick-witted and said, “My lady, let me prepare some water for you first. You can wash yourself and then have a bowl of hot porridge. His Highness is out of danger now, so you can rest well and think things through later.” She pulled Jingzhe along to prepare hot water.

After the hot water was ready, Shen Miao dismissed the two and sat in the wooden tub by herself. The water should have been pleasantly warm, but now she felt it as cold as ice and snow.

How could Madam Mei appear in Great Liang? And how could she, by coincidence, become Xie Jingxing’s life-saving benefactor? Shen Miao had endured tremendous difficulty to avoid killing her at first sight, partly because they were in the Rui Prince’s mansion, and she couldn’t explain her actions.

But no matter how much she restrained herself, her unusual demeanor had been noticed by everyone. How they would think of her was unknown. They were probably wondering if she was jealous or something similar. But what Shen Miao wanted to understand was how Madam Mei had come to Great Liang.

In her previous life, Shen Miao had gone to Qin as a hostage, and when she returned, Madam Mei had already entered the palace. It was said that Madam Mei was the daughter of an official whom Fu Xiuyi had met during his eastern campaign. But now, Fu Xiuyi had not yet embarked on his eastern campaign, so he couldn’t have met Madam Mei, yet she had appeared in Great Liang.

Had Madam Mei also come to Great Liang in her previous life? According to the timeline, Madam Mei had met Xie Jingxing before she had met Fu Xiuyi.

Then why did Madam Mei eventually become Fu Xiuyi’s favored consort? Why did she go to Ming Qi… Could this have been Xie Jingxing’s intention? Shen Miao couldn’t help but shudder.

In her previous life, she had never met Xie Jingxing, nor had she come to Longyi with him. Xie Jingxing hadn’t attended Ming Qi’s tribute banquet. Shen Miao was Fu Xiuyi’s wife, and Xie Jingxing was in Longyi, unconscious as he was now. The passing Li Mei siblings had saved him, and afterward they shouldn’t have been enemies… So if Li Mei was originally from Great Liang but later became the favored consort of Ming Qi’s emperor, could she have been a spy?

Just as Xie Jingxing was a prince of Great Liang, yet had become the young marquis of Lin’an Marquis’s household in Ming Qi’s capital. Was Madam Mei a spy sent by Great Liang?

But if that were the case, there would have been no need for Madam Mei to bear Fu Sheng for Fu Xiuyi and ultimately make Fu Sheng the Crown Prince.

Her brows furrowed tighter. However, what frightened her most was whether Madam Mei and Xie Jingxing had been allies in her previous life. If Madam Mei had been sent to Ming Qi by the Great Liang royal family, regardless of the specifics, Shen Miao’s ultimate fate was inextricably linked to the Great Liang royal family. Fu Ming and Wanyu, whom she could never get back—how should she deal with her relationship with Xie Jingxing given all this?

Lost in thought, Shen Miao didn’t even notice when the water in the wooden tub had gone cold. Only when Jingzhe, worried, came to knock on the door did Shen Miao come to her senses. She felt the water and found it had indeed become extremely cold. She dried herself, put on clothes, and went out to find Luo Tan waiting.

Luo Tan approached and asked, “Little cousin, do you dislike Li Mei?”

Shen Miao asked, “Why do you say that?”

“You’re usually very polite to people. But you were strange with this Li Mei, just like you were with Chang Zaiqing back then.” Luo Tan thought for a moment. “That Chang Zaiqing turned out to be no good person. Could it be that this Li Mei is also not good? Come to think of it, you seem to dislike this Li Mei even more than Chang Zaiqing.”

While Shen Miao was drying her hair with a towel, she said calmly, “If I said she was a bad person, would you believe me?”

“Is she a bad person?” Luo Tan was startled. “But she doesn’t look like one at all.”

Shen Miao shook her head. No matter what she said, without evidence, it was all useless. She said, “You should go back.”

Luo Tan was startled, “Aren’t you going to see your husband?”

Shen Miao paused, then said, “I’m very tired today and want to sleep early.”

“Alright,” Luo Tan nodded. “You’ve been running around these past days and have lost a lot of weight. It’s better to rest well. I won’t disturb you anymore.” After thinking for a moment, she added, “If you feel there’s something wrong with that Li Mei, you can tell me. In this Great Liang, only we share the same blood.”

After Luo Tan left, Shen Miao’s expression turned cold. She said to Jingzhe, “Call Mo Qing here for me.”

She rarely had such serious moments, especially today, when she even carried a faint killing intent. This made Jingzhe and Guyu afraid to ask any questions, and they went to find Mo Qing without another word.

Mo Qing quickly entered. Shen Miao had the doors closed tightly and, with no one else present, asked Mo Qing, “Where in the mansion are the siblings staying now?”

Mo Qing had thought Shen Miao had some important task for him. Hearing this, he was slightly startled but replied, “They’re staying in an empty room in the side courtyard.”

“Kill them for me,” Shen Miao said.

Mo Qing was dumbfounded.

Since following Shen Miao, Mo Qing had witnessed her situation, which could be described as perilous. People constantly schemed against her, arrows flew at her from all directions, yet in such an environment, Shen Miao had never suffered a loss. She had instructed Mo Qing to do various things, many of which were retaliatory, but ordering him directly to “kill them” was a first.

Mo Qing looked at Shen Miao, hesitated for a long time, and finally asked, “My lady, they…”

“They have a deep blood feud with me, a hatred that cannot be resolved as long as we live under the same sky. If these two aren’t eliminated, there will be endless troubles. Kill them for me,” she said.

Mo Qing had not yet answered when suddenly a voice came from outside the window: “This is not a good strategy.”

They both turned to look and saw that Jingzhe had left in such a hurry that she hadn’t closed the window. It was now evening and dark, and they hadn’t noticed when someone had appeared outside the window—it was Pei Lang.

Shen Miao signaled him to enter. Pei Lang came in, glanced at Mo Qing, and shook his head at Shen Miao, “Rashly killing people is not a good strategy.”

Shen Miao stared at him coldly. Madam Mei’s appearance had reminded her of that dark period from her past, and she couldn’t muster a pleasant face even for Pei Lang.

Pei Lang bewilderedly rubbed his nose, coughed lightly, and still spoke, “Those siblings are now staying in the Prince’s mansion. If you kill them now, the Prince’s mansion will be implicated no matter what. Such a large household with countless guards, yet unable to protect the lives of a pair of siblings—do you think others would believe it? They would only say the Prince’s household was responsible.”

“Secondly, what you did outside today was too much. You probably don’t know, but outside they’re saying you’re jealous of Li Mei’s beauty and deliberately made things difficult for her. I didn’t know why you acted that way before, but now hearing you have a grudge against these siblings, I understand. If you have a grudge against them, you shouldn’t have shown it. Once shown and seen by others, if something happens to these siblings, you’ll be the first suspect.”

“Thirdly, the fact that you asked Mo Qing to kill them indicates you don’t trust others with this matter, including the Rui Prince’s subordinates. But is Mo Qing a match for the other guards in this household? Even if Mo Qing’s martial skills are high, two fists can’t fight four hands. If caught, the Rui Prince will certainly ask you for an explanation. You had Mo Qing act without telling the Prince, which means you have reasons you can’t tell others. If discovered, your secret will be exposed.”

“Therefore, this plan is not a good strategy,” Pei Lang concluded in one breath.

Shen Miao stared at him for a while, and after a long moment, she suddenly laughed. She said, “Mr. Pei, are you always this rational?” Without waiting for Pei Lang to speak, she laughed coldly again, “Of course, if you weren’t rational, weren’t detached, how could you stand above others?”

Pei Lang couldn’t quite understand her words. He only heard Shen Miao continue, “You’re right. Indeed, I can’t rashly kill people in the Prince’s mansion. Besides, letting them die so simply and easily would be too merciful for these two.”

Mo Qing remained silent. Shen Miao said to him, “You may go. First, investigate thoroughly for me. I want to know everything about these siblings, down to the smallest detail.”

Mo Qing acknowledged and left.

Shen Miao took a deep breath. Having enemies right before her eyes yet being unable to act immediately was an unbearable feeling, almost making her want to vent her anger on someone.

After Mo Qing left, Pei Lang looked at Shen Miao, thought for a moment, and asked, “You seem to harbor deep resentment against these siblings.”

Shen Miao laughed coldly, “Why do you say that?”

“I’ve never seen you immediately demand someone’s life before,” he looked at Shen Miao somewhat probingly. “This suggests you harbor wariness and vigilance toward them in your heart. These siblings… are they formidable?”

Shen Miao’s heart skipped a beat. Looking at Pei Lang before her, she felt another surge of anger rise within her and asked, “Mr. Pei is always so good at discerning others’ thoughts. Do you know what deep hatred exists between them and me?”

“Are you willing to tell me?”

“They owe me two lives that can never be returned,” Shen Miao said. “Even killing them ten thousand times would not be enough compensation.”

Pei Lang was startled by the obvious fierceness in Shen Miao’s eyes. He said, “I can help you.”

Shen Miao stared at him, “Why should I trust you?”

This surprised Pei Lang. In recent days, he had felt Shen Miao’s attitude toward him softening, as if she had let go of certain things, and their relationship seemed less tense than before. But today’s Shen Miao was like a hedgehog with all its spines raised, sharply guarded, her attitude toward him reverting to what it had been before, perhaps even more distant.

As if they were enemies.

Pei Lang knew this must be related to those siblings. He thought for a moment and asked, “I heard those siblings are from Great Liang. You should never have been to Great Liang before, nor met these two. How could you have such a deep grudge against them?”

“Mr. Pei,” Shen Miao interrupted him, “if I could tell you, I would have explained everything clearly. You know my attitude toward these siblings perfectly well. I don’t expect Mr. Pei to help me strategize, but I also ask that you don’t interfere or hinder me, and certainly don’t tell others about this matter.”

In Pei Lang’s heart, a feeling of awkward anger suddenly arose. He, too, had his pride, once content to live freely as a recluse, yet had been urged by Shen Miao using Liu Ying to enter the court, becoming Fu Xiuyi’s man, and inexplicably becoming a spy in a foreign land. His sincere intentions were treated as suspicious motives. He had the impulse to turn and leave. But seeing Shen Miao’s cold gaze, he found he couldn’t express his anger.

It was as if seeing her always brought an inexplicable sense of guilt.

He hesitated and said, “You don’t trust me.”

Shen Miao said coldly, “I don’t trust anyone.”

Pei Lang left, and Shen Miao sat back at the table, seemingly having used up all her strength, feeling completely drained.

Li Mei and Li Ke, living in the Rui Prince’s mansion with such identities—she couldn’t kill them, but she could at least keep them confined in the Prince’s mansion. The great revenge must be taken; otherwise, she wouldn’t deserve to have been the mother of two children.

Just as she was thinking, Jingzhe pushed open the door and said to Shen Miao, “My lady, His Highness has just awakened and wishes to see you.”

Shen Miao was startled, her face showing a complex expression. After a moment, she said, “I understand.”

She had speculated endlessly about the possible relationships between the Great Liang royal family, Xie Jingxing, and the Li Mei siblings. The deeper she thought, the more terrifying it seemed. If those frightening conjectures were all true, Shen Miao didn’t know how she should react.

Li Mei’s appearance had disrupted her plans and emotions. She found it difficult to face even Xie Jingxing. She feared others would see the hatred in her heart, and she feared Xie Jingxing would confirm her terrible suspicions.

The bedchamber was filled with the strong scent of medicine, with servants coming and going, busy with their tasks. Xie Jingxing had awakened, and there were more matters to attend to, his condition requiring careful nursing. Gaoyang was just carrying his medicine box out from inside. Seeing Shen Miao, he was startled and said, “He just woke up, woke once this morning, and asked about you. The wound hasn’t healed yet, so humor him.”

Shen Miao acknowledged and pushed open the door.

Xie Jingxing wore only his middle garment with an outer robe draped over him, half-reclining on the bed, reading a book. Perhaps due to his injury, he seemed to have grown thinner these days, making his features even more distinct. When quiet, he looked like some aristocratic young master, arrogantly elegant as he turned the pages of his book, showing no sign that he had been at death’s door just days before.

Shen Miao wanted to enter, but after taking one step, she hesitated, as if taking that step meant facing questions she dared not confront. She feared the answers she might get and instinctively wanted to avoid the issue.

But in life, there are no problems one can evade forever.

Without raising his eyes, Xie Jingxing said flatly, “Since you’ve come, why don’t you enter?”

Shen Miao paused, clenched her fists, and slowly walked in. Approaching the bed, she sat down and said, “How are you? Master Tang told me you had awakened. Thinking you needed rest, I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Xie Jingxing’s body probably hadn’t fully recovered, and his voice was still hoarse. He suddenly smiled, though his tone was hard to discern, saying, “Interesting.”

Shen Miao looked at him. His gaze was still on his book, his voice carrying a hint of coldness.

“You don’t dare to look at me?”

“How could that be?” Shen Miao smiled. “Are you confused from the illness?”

Xie Jingxing also smiled slightly, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. With a “bang,” he closed the book and tossed it aside, turning his head to look at Shen Miao for the first time since she had entered.

His gaze was sharp, yet carried a hidden anger. He asked, “Shen Miao, if I hadn’t asked for you, would you have never come?”