What had begun as a proper imperial banquet ended abruptly with this unexpected incident. Emperor Wenhui, his enjoyment disturbed, soon departed with a wave of his sleeve, while the Empress claimed fatigue. With the Emperor and Empress gone, the officials naturally knew they couldn’t linger, and each found excuses to leave. Although on the surface, the day’s events seemed to reach a perfect conclusion with the Shen family’s eldest daughter marrying into Prince Yu’s household, those with discerning eyes knew it was merely a shocking scandal. As for the Shen family’s eldest daughter, once she entered Prince Yu’s household, her prospects would certainly be grim.

Luo Xueyan held Shen Miao’s hand tightly. She didn’t understand how Shen Qing and Prince Yu had become intimate, but this made her even more concerned for Shen Miao’s safety. She felt that the dangers in the capital were no less treacherous than those of the northwestern desert.

Shen Qiu remained silent until they departed. He was typically cheerful, causing Shen Xin to assume his somber mood stemmed from dismay over Shen Qing’s situation. Little did Shen Xin know that Shen Qiu was furious, feeling a pent-up rage with nowhere to vent. He despised both the Shen family’s second branch for their malicious hearts and Prince Yu for his shameless debauchery.

Shen Qing had already been hastily taken away by Ren Wanyun, while Shen Gui’s expression was quite remarkable. The gazes of others upon him were deeply meaningful. Some court colleagues who had poor relations with him even came to kick him while he was down, bowing with smiles: “Congratulations, Lord Shen, becoming in-laws with His Highness the Prince is truly a tremendous blessing.”

In the past, if Shen Qing had married Prince Yu, it might not have been a great problem for Shen Gui. As long as it benefited his career, his daughter’s happiness wasn’t particularly important. But now, Shen Qing’s behavior today had caused trouble for Prince Yu. Would Prince Yu transfer his anger to him? As these thoughts circulated, Shen Gui began to feel irritated and fearful.

After the banquet dispersed, Luo Xueyan and Shen Miao walked toward the palace exit. Passing through a corridor, Shen Miao quietly warned: “Be careful, there’s a loose brick here.”

Luo Xueyan, being a military general, took large and heavy steps. Stepping on that brick might cause her to stumble. Luo Xueyan looked carefully and laughed: “I almost fell.” Then she paused, looking at Shen Miao questioningly: “How did Jiaojiao know?”

Shen Miao was caught off guard. Having lived in the palace for decades, she knew every detail by heart. When Luo Xueyan asked, she could only answer: “I once fell here years ago, so I remembered it.”

“I see.” Luo Xueyan laughed heartily: “Jiaojiao is indeed clever, remembering where you’ve fallen so you won’t fall again.”

Shen Miao’s heart stirred, but she remained silent.

As they walked, they saw two guard-like men dragging a young eunuch. The young eunuch’s mouth was stuffed with a handkerchief, and he seemed to be struggling desperately, though he was no match for the tall, strong guards. Following behind the three was the Head Eunuch Gao.

“Lady Shen, Miss Shen.” Eunuch Gao stopped to bow to them.

“Eunuch Gao, what is this…?” Luo Xueyan asked, looking at the young eunuch.

“A newcomer who doesn’t understand the rules and has made a mistake. This old servant is taking him to be punished,” Eunuch Gao said in his shrill voice.

The young eunuch spotted Shen Miao, and his gaze fell on Jingzhe behind her. Suddenly, he began struggling wildly, as if trying to rush toward Jingzhe.

“Behave yourself!” Eunuch Gao kicked the young eunuch’s knee, causing him to groan and collapse to his knees. Eunuch Gao snorted through his nose, saying: “Ignorant fool, almost offending an important person.”

Luo Xueyan frowned slightly. She disliked the heartless punishments in the palace, and such scenes made her uncomfortable. She immediately said to Eunuch Gao: “In that case, we won’t disturb Eunuch Gao from his duties.”

Eunuch Gao quickly responded with a smiling face.

But Shen Miao suddenly spoke, saying softly: “Since he’s made a mistake, he naturally should be punished.”

Everyone looked at her in surprise. The young eunuch trembled, his eyes filled with hate when looking at Shen Miao. Shen Miao ignored him completely, taking Luo Xueyan’s arm and leaving. As they departed, she casually dropped a comment: “Those who don’t understand the rules must be taught. The palace is different from the outside, and today is not the same as yesterday.”

As Shen Miao’s group disappeared into the distance, Eunuch Gao said to the two guards: “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

Xiao Li Zi’s heart and face were filled with resentment and fear. He didn’t know what he’d done wrong. In the small garden at the imperial banquet, Shen Miao’s maid Jingzhe had given him a silver ingot, saying that Miss Shen was unwell and didn’t want the wine prepared for the banquet, preferring just a cup of clear lotus tea, and asked him to accommodate this during the banquet. He thought this was a simple task that earned him a silver ingot, so why not? And if he pleased the Shen family’s daughter, he might receive future favors from an important person.

But Xiao Li Zi never imagined that Shen Qing was pregnant, and the lotus tea would become the catalyst for everything that happened. That cup of lotus tea caused a series of troubles, and tracing the source of the tea led directly to him.

Xiao Li Zi had explained countless times, but no one believed him. The silver he received was just ordinary silver, not even official mint. How could a noble family’s daughter give such common silver as a reward? No one believed him, and he was made the villain. What awaited him?

Outside, Shen Miao walked silently. She knew better than anyone what awaited Xiao Li Zi. The palace was a place where right and wrong could easily be reversed. If one stood high enough, one could turn black into white. If one was already low, then sorry, even what was white would become black. When Fu Xiuyi first ascended the throne, Xiao Li Zi was Eunuch Gao’s obedient dog, coming and going at his command. She took pity on Xiao Li Zi and gave him some face in the palace. Later, Xiao Li Zi became Eunuch Li, while she fell from Empress to Deposed Empress. This eunuch, whom she had personally promoted, personally escorted her on her final journey and gave her a piece of advice: “Times have changed.”

Now she was returning those words exactly as she received them: times have changed from previous lives. Now she was a high-ranking official’s daughter, while he was merely dust beneath her feet. She didn’t even bother to exert much effort when dealing with him—clean and efficient, which was good.

She walked in front with Luo Xueyan, unaware that behind the twisting corridors, someone watching her retreating figure sighed: “Does that Shen family’s daughter have a grudge against that young eunuch? For no reason at all, she’s cost someone their life.”

Beside him, Xie Jingxing coldly smiled: “Since when did you become compassionate?”

“As a physician, one should have a parental heart.” Gao Yang waved his fan, then suddenly thought of something, and his expression grew serious: “The Shen family’s daughter is not simple. In the hall earlier, she looked at me for a long time. Could it be… she’s discovered my identity?”

“Impossible.”

“The way she looked at me was truly frightening,” Gao Yang stroked his chin, seriously pondering before speaking: “Could it be… she has feelings for me?”

Xie Jingxing stared at him expressionlessly, uttering a single word: “Get lost.”

“You’re no fun,” Gao Yang shook his head regretfully: “Although urgent matters are pressing, your temper is getting increasingly fierce. You should relax a bit.”

Xie Jingxing looked into the distance: “The letter has arrived.”

“What?” Gao Yang was startled: “When?”

“Yesterday.”

Gao Yang’s expression gradually became solemn: “So you want to…”

“That’s right.”

…

In the capital, at the Shen residence, in Caiyun Courtyard.

With a sharp slap, clear finger marks immediately appeared on Shen Qing’s face, with spots of crimson at her lips.

“Shen Gui, what are you doing!” Ren Wanyun shouted fiercely, pulling Shen Qing into her arms while glaring at Shen Gui with fierce eyes.

“What am I doing?” Shen Gui’s smile was ferocious, like a vicious wolf. Were it not for a shred of decorum, he would truly have wanted to kill the two women before him. He said: “What did you two do today?”

“What do you mean ‘what’?” Ren Wanyun refused to back down: “How can this be blamed on Qing’er? You’re Qing’er’s father, yet instead of helping your daughter, you hit her. Shen Gui, you have no conscience!”

“Daughter?” Shen Gui laughed in extreme anger: “I, Shen Gui, have no such daughter! Shameless, promiscuous! And pregnant with a bastard child! Truly worse than the lowest prostitute in a brothel!”

Shen Qing’s body trembled violently, her eyes becoming dazed and blurry. Seeing this, Ren Wanyun felt as if her heart was being cut with a knife. If Shen Gui had even a hint of fatherly affection for Shen Qing, he wouldn’t use such vicious words against his daughter.

Ren Wanyun handed Shen Qing to Chuntao, then stood up with a cold smile, saying: “Shen Gui, search your conscience and ask yourself: who is responsible for Qing’er’s current state? Is it me? It’s that little slut Shen Miao! Why don’t you go make trouble for Shen Miao? Oh, you’re afraid, aren’t you? You’re afraid of her brother and sister-in-law returning, and you can’t touch that little slut. You vent your anger on Qing’er, but don’t forget, you were involved in that Wolong Temple incident too. Now you want to absolve yourself and push everything onto Qing’er and me? I won’t stand for it! If you push me too far, I’ll tell Big Brother and Sister-in-law everything, and none of us will end well!”

“You!” Shen Gui had been married to Ren Wanyun for many years but had never seen her behave like such a shrew. What made him more uneasy was that Ren Wanyun used this matter to threaten him. Though Shen Gui appeared smooth on the surface, he was extremely cowardly at heart, evident from his refusal to offend Prince Yu. Now that Shen Xin and his wife had returned to the residence, he dared not cause trouble for Shen Miao. If Ren Wanyun dared to reveal this matter, Shen Gui believed Shen Xin might even kill him with a single strike.

Thinking of this, Shen Gui angrily said: “You shrew, so unreasonable! I can’t make sense of you! I’m leaving!” With that, he fled in a hurry.

Watching Shen Gui’s hastily retreating figure, Ren Wanyun’s face showed contempt. She knew her husband better than anyone—Shen Gui was fundamentally a coward who bullied the weak and feared the strong. Marrying such a man, she couldn’t even protect her daughter now.

Undoubtedly, Shen Miao had dealt Ren Wanyun a fatal blow. For Ren Wanyun, watching her daughter step by step toward destruction was more painful than being killed. At this point, with the Empress bestowing marriage, even if Ren Wanyun had extraordinary powers, she couldn’t change anything.

“Shen Miao, if I, Ren Wanyun, don’t settle this score with you, I’m not human.” She gritted her teeth, biting her lips until they bled.

…

In the western courtyard, after Shen Xin and his wife returned to their room, Shen Qiu remained seated without moving.

He sat stone-faced at Shen Miao’s table like a door guardian. This young general usually appeared gentle as the spring breeze, but when his face darkened, he exuded the bloody aura of a battlefield warrior. Both Bailu and Shuangjiang were somewhat afraid to approach him.

“Big Brother.” Shen Miao returned to the room after seeing off Shen Xin and his wife, sitting down across from him.

“Sister, I’ve thought again and again,” Shen Qiu said, “This matter cannot be left as it is. It weighs on my heart.” The “matter” he referred to was Shen Qing and Prince Yu’s affair. Although Shen Miao had concealed part of it earlier, after that scene at the imperial banquet, Shen Qiu could guess most of what had happened. Precisely because he knew how vicious and absurd this incident was, Shen Qiu was furious. Their youngest sister had been schemed against this year and almost had her life ruined. If something had truly happened, Shen Qiu couldn’t imagine how much they would regret it.

Shen Miao looked at him as Shen Qiu continued: “The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Sister, don’t stop me. Even if it costs me my life, I won’t let them get away with this.”

“Big Brother.” Shen Miao sighed: “I’ve already said there’s no evidence. Since they took action, they naturally left no traces. Moreover, Prince Yu is involved, and the royal family will provide protection. If you step forward, you’ll be opposing the royal family. Do you want to bring disaster upon our parents?”

Shen Qiu was stunned. Shen Miao’s words were so rational that he overlooked the disrespect and disdain for the Ming Qi royal family in her tone. He knew Shen Miao was right. There had been noble girls defiled by Prince Yu before, from families even more prestigious than the Shen family, yet they all had to back down in the end. Prince Yu was backed by the highest power in Ming Qi; to clash with him was like an egg striking a stone. Still, he felt deeply troubled and asked: “We can’t just let it go like this.”

“Big Brother, play a game of chess with me,” Shen Miao said.

“At a time like this?” Shen Qiu scratched his head: “Besides, don’t you dislike chess?”

Shen Miao didn’t respond to his comment. She set up the chessboard, took the black pieces herself, gave the white pieces to Shen Qiu, and said: “Two armies facing each other, these are your soldiers, these are mine. Using the pieces as troops, each commander on their side, fighting for the world—what do you say?”

Shen Qiu always had a passion for battlefield matters, and this piqued his interest: “Alright.” Though he was a military officer, he was also skilled in chess. Chess and warfare shared many commonalities, and an intricate chess game could reveal endless tactics.

White and black pieces fell on the board, creating intertwining ravines. The black and white pieces resembled a true battlefield. Shen Miao played chess slowly—not that her movements were slow, but they were very gentle, different from Shen Qiu’s clanging style, with a kind of flowing softness. This feeling gave Shen Qiu a sense of helplessness, like flesh being cut with a dull knife. No matter how Shen Qiu’s white pieces pressured her, she remained unmoved, maintaining her rhythm, placing black pieces unhurriedly. Though she seemed to be at a disadvantage, she didn’t lose a single piece. Occasionally, when Shen Qiu thought he was about to capture one of her black pieces, she would cunningly escape.

An incense stick’s time passed, and not a single white or black piece on the table had been lost. Neither had gained an advantage, nor had captured the other’s pieces. However, it was clear that Shen Qiu’s white pieces had been taking the initiative throughout, forcing the black pieces into a corner. If this continued, and Shen Qiu increased his pace, he could consume Shen Miao’s black pieces one by one.

Shen Qiu said: “Sister, your escape techniques are good, but do you plan to play with me all night like this? I’m going to attack now.”

“Perfect,” Shen Miao smiled slightly, “I was planning the same.” Before her words ended, she placed a black piece in a tricky position. Shen Qiu’s brow furrowed tightly; with just that one move, the entire situation on the board seemed to change.

He was amazed inwardly. The previous pressuring by the white pieces now seemed like self-entrapment. He was caught in the game-changing effect of Shen Miao’s single black piece, unable to make a move.

Afterward, Shen Miao altered her previous defensive style, attacking sharply, devouring Shen Qiu’s white pieces like a whirlwind. In less than a quarter hour, Shen Qiu’s once-plentiful white pieces were reduced to just one.

“I’ve lost,” Shen Qiu smiled bitterly, then looked at Shen Miao in amazement: “Sister, when did your chess skills improve so much?”

Using a chess game as a battlefield, he, a military officer, had been completely defeated by his sister—quite an embarrassment if told. But he was also very surprised. What Shen Miao demonstrated wasn’t just control over the chess pieces, but an understanding of the bigger picture. From her initially weak style to her final sharp moves, her demeanor remained composed, suggesting that perhaps the entire game had always been within her control.

“I didn’t just want to play chess with Big Brother.” Shen Miao shook her head and said, “Earlier, Big Brother asked if we should just let it go. After playing this game, what does Big Brother think?”

Shen Qiu was startled at first, then shocked: “You…”

The black pieces initially appeared gentle, only defending without attacking, but later suddenly changed tactics, turning the situation around and consuming the opponent completely. The implication was that Shen Miao’s previous gentle approach toward Shen Qing’s matter, without resistance, wasn’t because she planned to let it go, but… but because she was waiting for an opportunity, waiting for those people’s methods against her to become self-entangling, before she would make her move and emerge victorious?

“There are many ways to achieve a goal.” In the lamplight, the young lady held a black piece between her fingers. Her white fingers and the black chess piece formed a striking contrast, creating a unique beauty. Her voice was casual: “If one path doesn’t work, try another. If the direct approach fails, try the indirect. They’ve already blocked their way out. Now, it’s our turn to play.”

Beauty under the lamp, beautiful as jade. Shen Miao could only be described as pretty and refined, but at this moment, even Shen Qiu couldn’t help but take notice. The young lady’s posture was quiet, yet she seemed to contain immense energy, a brilliantly clever heart that had already hidden the chess game within, making everyone a piece on her board.

Shen Qiu felt a tightness in his heart. He had always thought that although Shen Miao wasn’t close to him, her nature was extremely pure. Such a temperament would likely be exploited by others. But now, he could see clearly that his sister had grown up unknowingly. This level of calculation and skill surpassed even his own.

“Sister, I don’t understand,” he said.

“If Big Brother trusts me, then leave this matter to me,” Shen Miao said. “Someone like Prince Yu will surely cause trouble for the Shen family because of this. To eliminate weeds, one must remove the roots. We don’t need such enemies.”

“Sister, didn’t you just say that Prince Yu has the royal family’s support, so I can’t directly make trouble? How will you handle it?” Shen Qiu asked worriedly.

“I said earlier, if the direct path doesn’t work, take the indirect one. There are countless paths in the world, surely one will work,” Shen Miao said calmly. “Prince Yu relies on the royal family’s power, but he’s just a turtle with a shell. Remove his shell, and let’s see how arrogant he remains!”

To Shen Qiu’s amazement, Shen Miao smiled at him slightly: “But, Big Brother, I need some money, so… the items and treasures bestowed by His Majesty, the gold and silver, give them to me. I have use for them.”

Shen Qiu wanted to ask what Shen Miao planned to do, but for some reason, facing Shen Miao’s bright eyes, he couldn’t say anything. He was the dignified Deputy General Shen, who occasionally argued red-faced with Shen Xin, but as long as Shen Miao quietly looked at him, Shen Qiu felt he would unconditionally obey. Shen Qiu inwardly cursed himself—not afraid of enemy generals, but afraid of a young girl? Truly, living long enough, one encounters all sorts of situations.

“Big Brother?”

Shen Qiu came back to his senses: “Alright, I’ll have someone select some and send them to you.”

“Thank you, Big Brother,” Shen Miao nodded, “It’s late, Big Brother should rest now.”

“Alright.”

“Don’t worry about Prince Yu’s household matter. Don’t tell Father and Mother. I’ll handle it.”

“…Alright.”

Shen Qiu left scratching his head. Once out of Shen Miao’s room, he suddenly slapped his forehead and frowned. Damn, there was a feeling of being protected by his sister!

In the room, Guyu cautiously asked: “Miss, will you need so much money tomorrow?”

Shen Miao’s gaze was fixed, and Guyu hadn’t seen her mistress look so serious in a long time.

She sighed: “I’m afraid it won’t be enough.”

…

The next day, Shen Qiu indeed selected several boxes of gold and silver and brought them to Shen Miao’s courtyard. Perhaps fearing she might lack funds, he took out a thousand-tael silver note from his pocket and gave it to Shen Miao, smiling: “Sister, at your age, there are many things to spend money on. Those monthly allowances probably aren’t enough. Take this money, and if there’s anything you want to buy, just buy it. If it’s not enough, ask Big Brother for more.”

The maids sweeping outside all looked enviously at Shen Miao. They had previously thought this fifth miss’s position in the family was awkward, with just an empty title, unable to even defend herself against bullying—quite pitiful indeed. Now it seemed they had been blind. Not just Shen Xin and his wife, even Shen Qiu could spoil this sister to the heavens.

Shen Miao felt somewhat perplexed. Shen Qiu’s attitude was strange. She nodded and didn’t refuse, accepting the silver note: “Thank you.”

Shen Qiu immediately looked disappointed. After thinking for a moment, he beckoned, and two guards behind him immediately stepped forward. Shen Qiu said: “These two guards of mine are skilled fighters from the army. I’m lending them to protect you.” He was concerned that Prince Yu might have further moves. If Shen Miao hadn’t strongly insisted on going out, Shen Qiu would have simply had her stay in the residence.

Shen Miao agreed, and Mo Qing also came out. Shen Qiu smiled: “You’ve chosen your guard well.”

Mo Qing had already left his position as an external guard of the Shen residence. Shen Miao had told Shen Qiu his identity, and Shen Qiu returned the slave contract to Mo Qing, allowing him to join the Shen family’s army. However, these days, he served as Shen Miao’s guard, protecting her safety.

With three guards and two maids, Shen Miao finally left the main gate of the Shen residence.

Even the carriage driver was someone with martial arts skills, sought out by Shen Qiu.

Shen Qiu’s servant said: “Young Master truly protects the Young Miss.”

Shen Qiu sighed. Unfortunately, no matter how much he protected her, his sister was too mature. There was no sense of achievement in being an elder brother.

“Let’s go, let’s go,” he waved his hand: “Back to sword practice!”

…

Fengxian Pawnshop was the largest pawnshop in the capital.

Compared to other pawnshops, this one naturally had some unique qualities. Fengxian Pawnshop only accepted precious items; ordinary objects would result in the client being “politely” escorted out by the shop assistants. The owner of this pawnshop seemed to be a financially generous person—if a customer offered truly valuable items, the pawnshop’s price would never be low. However, Fengxian Pawnshop had another rule: they only dealt in dead pawns. Once an item was pawned, there was no possibility of redemption.

But people’s precious possessions, unless in desperate straits, would never be pawned, let alone as dead pawns. Therefore, although Fengxian Pawnshop was wealthy and occupied the largest area in the capital, its clientele was sparse. Despite these circumstances, Fengxian Pawnshop had maintained its business for many years without failing, though no one knew how it sustained itself.

Today, a carriage was parked in front of Fengxian Pawnshop.

Some passing commoners couldn’t help but glance in that direction. People who came to Fengxian Pawnshop to pawn items were generally desperate for money, but this carriage looked quite exquisite, and the driver sitting on it didn’t seem ordinary either—it didn’t look like a poor person’s carriage. It was strange for a wealthy person to come here to pawn precious items.

The shop assistant was a young man in gray clothes, appearing clever and capable. Seeing the carriage stop at the door, he was slightly startled. Then, several women stepped out. Leading them was a young lady, perhaps from some household, wearing a cloak, with clear and pretty features. When she looked over, her gaze was as clear as water.

Several guards and maids surrounded the young lady as she approached. The young assistant greeted her, smiling: “Is the customer here to pawn something?”

“There’s something I want to pawn,” the purple-clothed young lady said.

“What item does this customer wish to pawn? Could I see it first?” the assistant asked with a beaming smile. He could tell this young lady was either wealthy or noble, making his smile even warmer. To his surprise, she shook her head: “I want to see your manager.”

“This… this is against the rules, customer.” the assistant shook his head. He had seen many troublemakers, some even from wealthy and noble families, but Fengxian Pawnshop was never afraid of such people.

“The item I want to pawn is too large for you to handle,” the young lady didn’t seem annoyed and calmly stated.

Being looked at by those eyes, the assistant felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. Before he could speak, a charming voice rang out: “Who wants to see me?”

A young woman walked out from the back. Though not particularly beautiful, she exuded a bewitching charm from head to toe, causing the guards behind Shen Miao to blush.

“Dear customer, did you want to see me?” the woman swayed her hips as she approached, smiling and asking.

Shen Miao shook her head: “I want to see your manager, Bai Xiaosheng.”

The woman’s smile instantly froze.