“Shen Miao, if I hadn’t asked for you, would you have never come?”

The atmosphere in the room grew cold. His gaze was sharp as a blade’s edge; though his face was pale, his imposing presence remained undiminished.

Shen Miao said, “You’re thinking too much.”

“Are you hiding something from me?” Xie Jingxing asked.

Shen Miao shook her head. “No.” How could she explain? In all fairness, this lifetime was completely different from the previous one, and Xie Jingxing might not necessarily have any connection with Madam Mei. But when Fu Ming and Wanyu were involved, she couldn’t view these matters rationally or objectively.

If she didn’t have the slightest feeling for Xie Jingxing, things would be much simpler. The worst was when emotions became mixed with other things—hatred not quite hatred, love not quite love—ultimately breeding countless fears, to the point where she lacked even the courage to face the problem directly.

Xie Jingxing looked at her deeply. Afraid he might glimpse her secret thoughts, Shen Miao said, “Since you’re better now, you should rest more. The night is long; take your medicine and sleep early.” She stood up and turned to leave.

“Are you so eager to leave?” Xie Jingxing’s voice came from behind, seemingly carrying a hint of imperceptible hurt. “I heard you didn’t come to see me these past days. Yet when I first opened my eyes, I thought you must have been terrified.” He forced a smile and lowered his gaze. “I was being presumptuous.”

Shen Miao said nothing and pushed the door open to leave. After walking some distance, she suddenly stopped.

Xie Jingxing would certainly notice her unusual behavior. Being so sensitive, if he discovered it, her secret would be impossible to explain. The Chang Zaiqing matter had ultimately involved her family, but she had never met the Li Mei siblings before, and they were Xie Jingxing’s benefactors. Precisely because everyone in Longyi now knew about them, the Li Mei siblings couldn’t be harmed. If suspicion fell on her, it might even bring disgrace upon the Rui Prince’s household.

On one side was the potential disaster; on the other was the desire to eliminate enemies from her previous life—letting them live in this world for even a moment longer was torture for Shen Miao. There was also Xie Jingxing to consider. Shen Miao felt that in all her days in Great Liang, she had finally encountered her greatest tribulation.

Bajiao was carrying an empty medicine bowl when he saw Shen Miao. Startled, he asked, “My lady, why did you come out so quickly? Won’t you stay with the Master a while longer?”

“There’s no need,” Shen Miao replied. “Take good care of him.” She walked forward without looking back.

Two days later, Mo Qing brought the information he had gathered to Shen Miao.

He said, “This pair of siblings is from Qinzhou, children of a merchant family, though they were adopted. The merchant’s wife died early, and the master recently passed away from illness. Before dying, he told them they weren’t his biological children. After burying their adoptive father, they came to Longyi to search for their relatives, though they had no clues.”

“Impossible,” Shen Miao stood up.

Mo Qing said, “This is all the information we could gather. I had people inquire in Qinzhou as well; the neighbors all know them, having watched these siblings grow up since childhood.”

“Are you certain Li Mei has never been to Ming Qi?” Shen Miao’s fingernails unconsciously dug into her palm.

“She has never traveled far; this is her first time leaving Qinzhou,” Mo Qing replied.

Shen Miao closed her eyes briefly.

“These past two days, Li Mei and Li Ke have remained in the Prince’s mansion, occasionally visiting Madam Ji at the Ji household. They haven’t done anything unusual.”

Shen Miao asked, “Have they seen His Highness?”

“No, they haven’t. Without an announcement, no one can see His Highness personally, not even life-saving benefactors,” Mo Qing answered.

“I understand. You may go. Continue to monitor these siblings and inform me immediately of any developments,” Shen Miao said.

Mo Qing acknowledged and withdrew.

After Mo Qing left, Shen Miao sat back down in her chair, her gaze gradually darkening.

Since Mo Qing was investigating, he certainly wouldn’t have missed any clues. Under these circumstances, for him to return with such information meant either that this life truly differed from her previous one—changing from the daughter of a Ming Qi official to the daughter of a Great Liang merchant was indeed strange—or that these siblings were extremely adept at concealing themselves, leaving no traces to be found.

If that were the case, even if she told Madam Ji that these two harbored ill intentions, no one would believe her. Who would believe that siblings who grew up in Qinzhou, visiting Longyi for the first time to search for relatives, intended to harm the Prince’s household?

She rose, initially intending to check on Xie Jingxing, but remembering that the Li Mei siblings were still posing as Xie Jingxing’s benefactors, and considering the possible connection between the Great Liang royal family and the Li siblings in her previous life, she found it difficult to face him.

That step she ultimately couldn’t take.

…

In the Weiyang Palace.

After listening to the palace maid finish speaking, the Empress Xiande finally relaxed, her face showing a hint of relief. She smiled, “Since he has awakened, it was ultimately a false alarm. Come, take the two hundred-year-old ginseng roots from my box and send them to the Prince’s mansion for the Prince to strengthen his body.” Suddenly remembering something, she asked, “Does His Majesty know about this?”

“His Majesty is already aware,” the palace maid smiled.

“Good. I shall speak with him about this matter,” the Empress Xiande was about to rise.

But the palace maid hesitated, “His Majesty is currently with Consort Jing… presumably celebrating…”

The Empress Xiande paused, then smiled gently, “In that case, I needn’t go.” In her eyes flashed a barely noticeable sadness.

“However, Your Highness, when I heard about the Prince’s awakening, I also heard some ladies discussing… saying…”

“Saying what?”

“Saying that the Princess Consort seems to dislike the siblings who saved the Prince’s life, treating them quite harshly. Perhaps it’s because she’s jealous of the other’s beauty exceeding her own, or perhaps she never wanted the Prince to be saved…” Toward the end, her voice gradually weakened, as if aware that her words were treasonous.

“Nonsense!” the Empress Xiande shouted sternly. “How could the Princess Consort not want the Prince to be saved?”

The palace maid was so frightened she dared not raise her head again.

The Empress Xiande, however, calmed herself after this outburst. She said coolly, “You think the Princess Consort is jealous? I rather think that for mere benefactors to cause such a commotion, these siblings are not ordinary people.”

The Weiyang Palace was quiet, with no one speaking. The Empress Xiande sat in her high position, her gaze shifting, yet appearing utterly lonely.

…

For over ten days, Shen Miao confined herself to her room, carefully pondering a solution that would satisfy all parties. However, no matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t ensure there would be no aftermath. The circumstances of the Li Mei siblings’ appearance in this life had placed them in an extremely sensitive position, creating an almost natural shield; Shen Miao simply couldn’t touch them.

During these ten-plus days, she also deliberately avoided Xie Jingxing. Because whenever she faced him, countless suspicions would arise in her mind. If the Li Mei siblings were truly connected to Xie Jingxing in her previous life, Shen Miao truly didn’t know how to face him. Perhaps their marriage was destined to reach its end.

Because standing between them were Wanyu and Fu Ming, and she couldn’t pretend nothing had happened.

This morning, when Shen Miao woke up, her expression was extremely grim. Jingzhe and Guyu noticed her unease and asked several times, but Shen Miao merely brushed them off, though her heart was filled with uncertainty.

Last night, she had dreamed an entire night of nightmares. She dreamed that in the Kunning Palace in the capital, Wanyu and Fu Ming were eating fruit and chatting in front of her. As they talked, Wanyu and Fu Ming suddenly began to bleed from the corners of their mouths. She frantically tried to find imperial physicians, but when she looked up, she saw Madam Mei and Fu Xiuyi approaching. Fu Xiuyi had her bound and threw her, along with Wanyu and Fu Ming, whose fate hung in the balance, into the palace, then set the Kunning Palace ablaze.

The raging fire licked at the Kunning Palace, quickly engulfing Wanyu and Fu Ming. She screamed in heart-wrenching agony, only to see Madam Mei smiling faintly, telling her, “You lost.”

Shen Miao woke abruptly from her dream. The summer sun, even in the morning, was almost as hot as noon, nearly dazzling her eyes. Shen Miao had broken out in a cold sweat, her entire body clammy. Yet the desperate expressions of Wanyu and Fu Ming filled her mind, making her increasingly restless.

Just as she left her courtyard, she encountered Li Mei walking out.

Seeing Shen Miao, Li Mei immediately stopped and curtseyed to her.

Shen Miao’s eyes darkened. Whenever she met this woman, she had to exert extreme control over her murderous intent. Especially after last night’s dream, she almost couldn’t resist reaching out to strangle the other woman. Only the pain from her fingernails digging into her palm inside her sleeve brought her somewhat back to her senses.

Shen Miao glanced at Li Mei and asked, “Miss Li, where are you going?” Her tone was stiff, carrying a strange quality that couldn’t be concealed no matter how she tried to hide it.

Li Mei smiled, “The Prince has awakened and summoned my brother and me to see him today. My younger brother has already gone ahead, and I was just about to follow.” She looked at Shen Miao somewhat apologetically. “We’ve been in the mansion for many days. After seeing the Prince today, we should probably leave. The Princess Consort has cared for us greatly, and we haven’t yet expressed our gratitude.”

Shen Miao inwardly laughed coldly. She had never instructed anyone to “care for” these two; it must have been Madam Ji’s idea. Moreover, everyone in the mansion had been courteous to the siblings because they had saved Xie Jingxing’s life.

“Why speak of leaving?” Shen Miao said flatly. “We haven’t properly thanked you yet.”

Li Mei shook her head, “We came to Longyi to search for relatives. Since the Prince has recovered, we should leave.”

Shen Miao curled her lips, not even bothering to pretend a smile. Whether they were truly searching for relatives or not, Shen Miao couldn’t trust Li Mei. Who knew why they had come to Longyi?

Li Mei looked at Shen Miao and suddenly said softly, “Princess Consort, has this commoner offended you in some way? You seem to dislike me.”

She finally said it. Shen Miao’s attitude toward Li Mei was almost obvious. After seeing the benefactors who had saved Xie Jingxing that one time upon her return, Shen Miao had never met with them again. Given Shen Miao’s typically meticulous and gentle manner, this couldn’t be mere forgetfulness but must be deliberate. Why she would act this way was puzzling.

“I indeed don’t like you,” Shen Miao raised her chin. She could be falsely polite to her enemies, but uniquely couldn’t do so with Madam Mei. She wanted to directly express her hatred; if not for the sake of the Rui Prince’s household, if not for her inability to explain to Xie Jingxing… She laughed lightly. “Do you want to know why?”

Li Mei looked at her in confusion. Those enchanting eyes were full of incomprehension, seemingly containing a certain genuineness, completely different from the contempt in Shen Miao’s memory.

“Instinct,” Shen Miao said coldly. Then, without looking back, she walked past Li Mei with Jingzhe and Guyu.

Li Mei stood in place for a moment, shook her head, and also left.

From a distance, Shen Miao watched her retreating figure, her expression frozen like ice.

Jingzhe and Guyu dared not say a word. For some reason, they always felt that when Shen Miao faced this stranger, Li Mei, she seemed to become terrifying. That kind of terrifying… was something they had never experienced in Shen Miao before.

“About to leave?” Shen Miao murmured, then said coldly, “Can you leave?” She turned around. “Call Mo Qing to me.”

Mo Qing soon arrived at Shen Miao’s room and said, “My lady, I have something to report.”

Shen Miao said, “Set your matter aside for now; I have something more important.”

Mo Qing was puzzled: “Please speak, my lady.”

“Kill Li Mei and Li Ke for me.”

Mo Qing was stunned.

Shen Miao said, “I’ve thought it over repeatedly. Though this matter is inappropriate and might bring disaster upon the Rui Prince’s household, if these two remain alive, they represent an even greater variable. I would rather bear other charges than allow these two to live and become a greater calamity in the future. These two wolves’ claws aren’t fully grown yet; once they are, slaughtering them won’t be so simple.”

“I don’t want to consider whether this plan is comprehensive or not, I just want to ask you one thing: can you find a way to kill them?” Shen Miao asked softly. Her voice swirled in the room, seemingly from hell, yet carrying deep determination.

The dream about Wanyu and Fu Ming had reminded her that she couldn’t be indecisive. Since there was no perfect solution, she would kill them first and deal with the consequences later. Now that these siblings only had the status of merchant children, killing them would cause far fewer problems. If they later found themselves with some powerful backing, it would be even more difficult.

Moreover, Li Mei had said today that they would be leaving the Rui Prince’s mansion before long. Where would they go after leaving? To a place that could better protect them? Shen Miao believed that timing was crucial for killing; it couldn’t be delayed any longer. As long as Li Mei and Li Ke lived another day, she couldn’t find peace of mind and would continue to suspect Xie Jingxing because of them.

Given the choice between her previous life and her current one, she chose to kill Li Mei and Li Ke now. As for what role the Great Liang royal family had played in her previous life, she didn’t want to investigate anymore. This was the greatest concession she could make for Xie Jingxing, and the only one.

Mo Qing suddenly knelt and said, “Forgive me, but I cannot do it.”

Shen Miao stared at him.

“What I wanted to tell you was precisely this. News just came in that the siblings Li Mei and Li Ke were seeking their relative, the current Prime Minister Ye Maocai. Li Mei and her brother are the children of Madam Ye. The Ye family has already sent people here.”

Shen Miao staggered backward a step and asked, “What did you say?”

“I have failed your trust, my lady. Please punish me.”

The room was silent for a long time. Mo Qing dared not raise his head. For some reason, he could almost imagine the disappointment in Shen Miao’s eyes, and that sense of powerlessness made him unable to face Shen Miao’s expression, as if he couldn’t bear this helplessness.

After who knows how long, Shen Miao’s voice finally came from above. Her voice was desolate and weary: “It’s not your fault. They came prepared, while I was indecisive and hesitant, missing the best opportunity.”

“However,” her voice suddenly turned harsh, like a sharp blade emerging from its sheath, fierce and full of killing intent, “even with the Ye family, I must have these two lives!”

Longyi was different from the capital. The capital was in the north, where the most magnificent scenery was in winter, with its vast snowy landscapes. Longyi was in the south, where the best season was summer, with cool nights, stars like a silver river, and the most exquisite romantic scenery.

The courtyard was the most secluded one, yet it couldn’t resist the beautiful night. A pot of clear tea and a game of chess seemed to provide the most complete satisfaction. A man in green robes drinking alone under the moon, as otherworldly as bamboo growing in the mountains and forests.

This was the scene Shen Miao saw when she arrived at the courtyard.

Pei Lang sat at the stone table, drinking tea and playing chess. He was often like this; even when he had become the Imperial Advisor, his temperament still seemed as detached as before. Shen Miao had always felt that Fu Xiuyi’s making Pei Lang enter the court wasn’t necessarily a good decision. Pei Lang’s nature was more suited to a life of freedom, like a wild crane. He read books, loved the sages, enjoyed chess, flowers, plants, and bamboo—all refined pursuits, yet he was engaged in court intrigue and self-serving machinations.

“Mr. Pei,” Shen Miao sat down opposite him.

Pei Lang looked up to see Shen Miao, somewhat surprised. That day, Shen Miao had ruthlessly drawn a line between them, and Pei Lang, tolerant as he was, was still a man with pride; in these days, he hadn’t actively sought out Shen Miao. And Shen Miao was not one to take the initiative to humble herself, so her appearance before him now caused a slight stirring in Pei Lang’s emotions.

“Mr. Pei, you said before that you would help me. Does that offer still stand?” Shen Miao, however, had no intention of confiding in him or playing chess, instead asking directly.

“Which matter are you referring to?” Pei Lang put down his teacup.

“All matters, but the current one is that I want the lives of Li Mei and her brother.”

“That’s difficult,” Pei Lang smiled bitterly.

“More difficult than you imagine,” Shen Miao said. “These siblings have established a connection with the Ye family, claiming to be Ye Maocai’s children. They’ll likely soon become Ye Mei and Ye Ke. Simply assassinating them is impossible. But I cannot let them go.”

She said “cannot” rather than “do not want to,” indicating that, no matter what, she wanted the lives of these siblings.

Pei Lang frowned, “But why must you have their lives?”

Shen Miao’s smile turned cold. She said, “Not everything must have an answer. You ask me why, but I have other questions that also lack answers. If I can’t find answers myself, how can I tell you?”

Pei Lang looked at the chess pieces on the table, and after a while, smiled, “I understand. I won’t continue to ask for your reasons, but what do you want me to do?”

“You’re not skilled at killing, but I know your abilities,” Shen Miao said. “Since they’ve become Ye Mei and Ye Ke, the target has become the Ye family. I need to deal with the Ye family. In the court, no one understands better than Mr. Pei how to bring down a family. I want you to be my strategist.”

Pei Lang was startled and shook his head, “I don’t understand your meaning. Though I was at the Prince’s side, I only offered advice on political matters, not experience in bringing down enemies. How can you say such things?”

Shen Miao smiled, though inwardly she thought, of course, she knew. Though Pei Lang appeared refined and elegant, his methods were ruthlessly different. When Fu Xiuyi had just ascended the throne, the Zhou Prince’s forces had been eyeing the opportunity to make a comeback, but they were ultimately defeated by Pei Lang.

“I just ask you: will you help or not?” Shen Miao asked.

Pei Lang mused, “The Ye family’s position in Longyi’s landscape is quite delicate. The Great Liang Emperor wants to use the Ye family against the Lu family. The Ye family had no children, making them easier to control. But with the addition of two children, the landscape will be reshaped.”

“The Ye family might switch allegiances, contend with the Lu family, or join forces with the royal family against the Lu family. The appearance of Ye Mei and Ye Ke is itself an extremely delicate point. The royal family’s attitude toward the Ye family will also affect the Ye family’s attitude toward the royal family. At such a time, the royal family should not act rashly, so they will be more courteous to the Ye family. And you are the Princess Consort of the Rui Prince’s mansion; the Rui Prince is the Emperor’s brother, tied to the royal family. If you want the lives of the Ye siblings, the Great Liang Emperor would be the first to disagree.”

Shen Miao stared at him, “I naturally know this point, which is why I want you to devise a plan for the royal family to actively move against the Ye family.”

“Whoever moves first loses. The royal family is observing, and so is the Ye family. If you truly want the lives of the Ye siblings, you must first find a fault with the Ye family, grasp their weakness, and ideally provoke conflict between the Ye family and the royal family.”

Shen Miao asked, “What about the Lu family?”

Pei Lang was stunned.

“What if I incite conflict between the Lu family and the Ye family?”

Pei Lang shook his head, “You… are thinking this way to protect the Prince’s household, right? But I must advise you, there is no perfect solution. The Lu family isn’t foolish; at this time, they won’t actively contend with the Ye family.”

Shen Miao said, “I understand.”

“Are you truly willing to offend the royal family to deal with the Ye family?” Pei Lang frowned. “If you truly oppose the royal family, then between the Rui Prince and you…” There would inevitably be discord. Pei Lang didn’t continue. Although he was also curious about Shen Miao’s attitude toward the Ye Mei siblings, which was so unyielding as to be willing to perish together.

What had the Ye Mei siblings done?

“I have no other path to take,” Shen Miao said, lowering her eyes. “Perhaps I have no fate with the royal family.” In both her previous and current lives, she couldn’t escape being a sacrifice to imperial power struggles. But what of it?

“How do you plan to instigate?” Pei Lang asked.

“That’s precisely what I wanted to discuss with you,” Shen Miao said.

Great Liang and Ming Qi were completely different battlefields, and she wasn’t very familiar with the various forces in Longyi, knowing even less now. She couldn’t face Xie Jingxing candidly, yet she couldn’t bear to let her enemies live well before her eyes. After much thought, even if it meant mutual destruction, she would avenge Wanyu and Fu Ming.

And Pei Lang was her only ally.

Pei Lang understood calculations and strategies; he excelled at analyzing court situations. Slandering without leaving traces, inciting with ease—this Imperial Advisor was the true master. She needed to join forces with Pei Lang to claim these two lives. No matter how powerful the backing of the Ye siblings, she would bring down that backing as well.

This discussion continued until deep into the night.

By the time Shen Miao realized she should return to her courtyard, it was very late. Only Jingzhe and Guyu accompanied her. She returned to her courtyard, pushed open the door, entered the room, and was about to remove her outer garment when her movement suddenly froze. She turned her head to see Xie Jingxing sitting at her desk with his arms crossed, idly flipping through a book.

“Why did you come over?” Shen Miao asked. “You… can get out of bed?”

Today, Xie Jingxing was supposed to have seen the Li Mei siblings. Shen Miao didn’t want to think about it or see it, fearing that once she saw the scene, she would involuntarily suspect some terrible possibilities. Out of sight, out of mind—yet unexpectedly, Xie Jingxing had come to find her himself.

Xie Jingxing smiled languidly, not answering her question. Instead, he asked, “So late—why are you only returning now?”

“Couldn’t sleep,” Shen Miao said. “Went for a walk outside.”

Xie Jingxing slammed the book in his hand onto the table with a “bang” and said, “Oh? Weren’t you drinking tea with Pei Lang?”

This posture was one of confrontation.

Shen Miao’s mind was filled with thoughts of Ye Mei. She frowned and asked, “What do you want to say?”

“Half a month,” Xie Jingxing said.

Shen Miao stared at him.

He also stared at her, his gaze so complex that Shen Miao felt a moment of trepidation. He said, “I’ve been awake for half a month, and you’ve only come to see me once.”

“Have you forgotten that you are the Princess Consort of the Rui Prince’s mansion, my wife?” he said.

Shen Miao didn’t speak; this was impossible to explain.

But Xie Jingxing fixed his gaze on her, his eyes disappointed and slightly angry. He said, “I’ve waited for you all night, while you were drinking tea and playing chess with Pei Lang. Shen Miao, do you like that scholar?”

A sudden, nameless anger surged in Shen Miao’s heart. She had been agonizing over the Ye Mei matter, unable to sleep at night, constrained by the Rui Prince’s mansion and unable to act rashly, missing the best opportunity to cleanly dispatch her enemies. In such a quagmire, Xie Jingxing could still pair her with Pei Lang. She retorted, “What does that have to do with you?”

Xie Jingxing abruptly pulled Shen Miao to him with a “whoosh.” He pulled so hard that Shen Miao almost fell, supported only by his hand behind her head. Xie Jingxing gripped her chin and said word by word, “If I took you now, it would matter.”

Shen Miao frowned and said, “Perhaps our alliance was too hasty.”

Xie Jingxing paused, looked at her deeply, and asked, “Perhaps?”

He suddenly released his hand, standing up in one motion. With his back to Shen Miao, he said coolly, “Is your heart made of iron? Your eyes see only utilization and scheming, but I am a living person.”

“You have never truly cared, have you?” he said indifferently.