“What did that mean?” Shen Miao questioned.

Xie Jing Xing would not say such words for no reason so there were other meaning behind these words.

Xie Jing Xing’s eyebrows raised as he looked at her, “Shen Yuan is Prince Ding’s people.”

Shen Miao’s heart was slightly surprise but she did not speak.

“Not possible!” Shen Miao cried out involuntarily.

Xie Jing Xing’s gaze was fixed on her as if it was looking through Shen Miao as he asked, “Why?”

Shen Miao’s palm got slightly wet and her heart was in a moment of chaos. The real start of Shen family’s misfortune was not within these two years. The Imperial family would also delay in dealing with the Shen family as there was no one to take over at the moment. Shen Yuan worked for Prince Ding and both of them were people who was very cautious and would not take action if they were not very confident. Just like in the last lifetime, it was only at the end she then knew that the Second and Third household had a part in it and Shen Yuan definitely brought out the evidence of rebellion at the end.

But what was the time now? It was far too early from when the Imperial family would want to deal with Shen Xin so why did Shen Yuan choose to take action at this timing? Currently the evidence would not be complete so why Fu Xiu Yi choose to take action now?

How could it be changed to this?

Her expressions kept changing and when she looked up it met with Xie Jing Xing’s thoughtful gaze. Shen Miao’s heart quivered, Xie Jing Xing has a nimble mind and one fear that he was able to sense something out from her expressions. Thinking of this, she masked a laugh, “Shen Yuan is my Second Older Brother, why would he harm my Father?”

Hearing that, Xie Jing Xing actually laughed in a profound way and said, “Shen Miao, are you treating me as a fool?”

“Since Little Marquis tell me these things,” Shen Miao said seriously, “Then how would His Highness Prince Ding deal with my Father?”

Xie Jing Xing shook his head.

Shen Miao originally did not hold too much hope as even if Xie Jing Xing knew, there was no reason for him to tell her the truth. The Xie family was wading in the game of Ming Qi and if they were to anyhow help other, one feared that trouble would come knocking. Even if she and Xie Jing Xing’s positions were to be exchanged, she would not even give a reminder.

It’s just that… Shen Miao looked at Xie Jing Xing’s official robes and asked puzzled, “What are you doing in the Palace?”

She asked casually but did not know that this made the confident Xie Jing Xing paused. But it was only for a short moment before Xie Jing Xing said lazily, “Enter to Palace to request for commander.”

“Request for commander?” Shen Miao froze for a moment before asking unconsciously, “Request for commander for whom?”

Xie Jing Xing smiled but did not respond. Shen Miao suddenly look at him, “You… request for commander yourself? Northern Jiang… Xiong Nu?”

This time Xie Jing Xing was surprised, “How did you know?” The matter of the Northern Jiang was a secret matter and it was a top secret that before the Imperial edict was issued, Shen Xin would not even know of it, much less Shen Miao. Xie Jing Xing all the while was curious about how Shen Miao gets her information and felt even more surprise that she knew about the matters in the Palace.

Shen Miao looked at him blanking but there was a storm surging in her heart.

The Northern Jiang territory was a place where the Xiong Nu never retreat. Even though the terrain was complicated at the Northern Jiang, these years Emperor Wen Hui had been making a little noise and fighting little battles, unwilling to oppose headstrong. Afterwards the Xiong Nus got worst so Emperor Wen Hui send Xie Ding into battle. The Xie family army wwere brave but the entire army perished in the battlefield. On that year end, Xie Ding’s horse brought the corpse back which made the entire country mourn. On the second year when spring starts, Xie Jing Xing set off on an expedition on behalf of his father and the troops were defeated like a landslide and had a tragic ending of having thousands of arrows peirce his heart and he was skinned and hang up on the city tower.

Xie Jing Xing died when he was twenty-two and now he only just turned nineteen.

In a swift moment Shen Miao’s heart felt suffocated. It was not possible for the Emperor to deal with the Xiong Nus at this point of time and it was Xie Jing Xing who volunteered the commander position. Xie Ding most probably did not know of this matter and from the looks of Xie Jing Xing, he should have gotten the news.

Changed again! Changed again!

It was obviously matters that would happen in a few years’ time but it was pulled in ahead of schedule. For Xie Jing Xing to go into battle now, could his ending be the same as the last lifetime?

As for the Xie family, Shen Miao wanted to leave them be till later to confirm the Imperial power. However no matter how much she change, would there be people who will still followed the original fated path? Would the handsome youth with red lips and white teeth in front still walked to the most terrible step?

Xie Jing Xing saw the different expressions on Shen Miao and did not felt strange. His eyes flashed slightly as he said, “You seemed to be very worried?”

Shen Miao at the moment did not analysed the meaning behind these slightly ridiculous words as her heart was in somewhat of a chaos. She looked at him, “You… Will be leading the Xie family army?”

“Pay more attention to Xie family army internally and also pay attention to the people by your side.” Shen Miao paused every other word that she spoke. In the beginning she spoke heavily but at the end, her expression gradually looked serious, “The sandy winds of the Northern Jiang are large and the armours are heavy but no matter what, one must not take off the heart protector.” In the previous lifetime Xie Jing Xing’s heart was pierce by thousands of arrow so perhaps it might be better that he wear the heart protector. The most important thing was that Shen Miao felt that Xie Jing Xing’s death was overly strange as how would an outstanding Vice General who had unsurpassed military tactics be defeated so miserably. Moreover after gradually understanding the overall picture and know that the Imperial family attacked the old aristocratic vessel families, the presence of the Imperial family’s people in the Xie family army. Moreover the tragedy of the Xie father and son might have some conspiracy to it.

Shen Miao wholehearted thought about the overall situation but did not know that with Xie Jing Xing and her current relationship, it did not reach to the level of friendship thus this kind of concern words was somewhat surprising.

Xie Jing Xing was also surprise at her and a smile suddenly form on his lips as he approached Shen Miao and slightly lowered his head. He was very close to Shen Miao as his pair of peach shaped eyes was filed with laughter as he said jokingly, “So concern of me?”

Shen Miao was absorbed with her own thoughts and did not realise that he had gotten so close. Before she even recovered back to her senses upon realization, she was dazed for a while. Every time when she was at a loss she would look pitiful.

Xie Jing Xing slightly paused and a kind of helpless feeling appeared in his heart. He was originally ruthless and only find that the Shen family was a chess piece on the board. He knew clearly that Shen Miao had deep thoughts and her actions were mysterious and was definitely not a harmless unmarried female like on the surface. But there were times when he felt that she was just a little girl who knew nothing and felt that it was a blushing matter to bully a little girl.

This sudden thought was quickly thrown to the back of his head as Xie Jing Xing stepped back a little, “The influence of the Shen family army is too strong and it is not a good thing.”

Shen Miao replied, “Today it is my Mother who entered the Palace and the ones who summon for her are Consort Xu Xian and Consort Dong Shu.” When she spoke of Consort Xue Xian and Consort Dong Shu, her expression was not respectful, as if she was speaking about two ordinary people. Xie Jing Xing was also used to it.

He said, “Retreat.”

“Retreat?” Shen Miao asked.

Xie Jing Xing no longer speak. At the end he still gave Shen Miao a little prompt. If Shen Miao was intelligent, she would understand what he meant.

Shen Miao’s eyes drooped and she thought for a moment before speaking, “Many thanks.”

Xie Jing Xing waved his hands lazily as he thought of something. Shen Miao asked again, “The request for commander… When is the set off date?”

“Ten days later.”

“So fast?” Shen Miao exclaimed.

“Why?” Xie Jing Xing looked at her from the side and said with laugh, “Can’t bear?”

“Not so…” Shen Miao said deadpan, “As such… Then one will wish Little Marquis to win a victory on raising the flag and return in triumphant.”

“When one return and get bestowed with rewards,” Xie Jing Xing said without a care, “One will gift you with some small toy, for a good omen.”

Just as Shen Miao was about to speak, she however saw Xie Jing Xing press her waist down and said, “Someone is coming.” After which he smiled at Shen Miao, “Hope to see you again, Shen… Jiao Jiao.” With a turn he flew away from the window of the dwelling area.

This person used the windows like it was walking through his own residence door. Shen Miao was still startled when the doors were pushed open and Tong Yao entered. Seeing that Shen Miao was standing in the middle of the room, she asked curiously, “Why is Young Lady Shen not sitting?”

Shen Miao recovered to her senses and smile before walking to the side to sit. But in her heart, she was thinking of what Xie Jing Xing had said.

Xie Jing Xing request for commander and was to set off in ten days’ time. In ten days… Wasn’t it exactly the same as three years later? In three years, it was also at this time that Xie Jing Xing set off for the expedition and afterwards the Xie father and son were forever recorded in the Ming Qi history books.

The Xie family has headed towards the inevitable ending like the last lifetime… How about the Shen family? How would the Shen family be? Xie Jing Xing gave her a prompt before leaving but that was not the outcome she wanted to see. To retreat like this, although lives were saved but this was just a lifesaving method. Without power to protect, days of peace became a luxury. The road of the previous lifetime made Shen Miao understand this point. Only by standing in a position higher than the enemy can one really control the fate.

However Xie Jing Xing method strongly defend one’s position but did not have enough offence.

What methods can be used to break out of this difficult situation?

In the next Shichens (1 Shichen = 2 hours), Shen Miao kept on thining about this problem. She did not touch any of the snacks on the table and did not take even a sip of tea, much less look at any of the novels. That provoked Female Official Tong Yao to look at her frequently and wonder how was it possible for her to sit the entire afternoon with such maturity that even all the good tempered concubines would not have such patience.

One did not know how long one had waited till an eunuch came to invite them out. The Female Official Tong Yao then brought Shen Miao out as Luo Xue Yan was at the doors waiting for her. Upon seeing Shen Miao, she forced a smile out and pulled her out of the Palace and headed back to the residence.

Even though Luo Xue Yang did her best to show as if nothing had happen, what kind of person Shen Miao was? She could already observe other’s words and gestures long in the Inner Palace and saw the worries in Luo Xue Yan’s heart. She said, “Mother, what did they spoke to you about?”

Luo Xue Yan smiled, “Nothing really, just some matters about Xiao Chun city lifestyle. Most likely because one had not been to the Northwestern region and wanted to know about it.”

Shen Miao asked, “Really only this? If so, then it is really too strange to deliberately call Mother to the Palace to talk for that long.”

Luo Xue Yan stroke Shen Miao’s head, “What is so strange about it. The ladies in the Palace cannot move around and most likely the days are passed boringly. Mother talked to them about outside matters to chase boredom away so they will be a little happy.” Even saying that Luo Xue Yan could not help but be somewhat worried. Even though she was not involved in matters of court but it did not meant that she knew nothing about the dangers in court. Today she was meticulous and cautious and it was precisely because the two Consorts talked about the lifestyle which made her puzzled.

There were no fools in the Palace and everyone was very smart. But today’s conversation did not touch on military matters and even the Shen family army was not mentioned. Instead the conversation was about the commoners in Xiao Chun city which made Luo Xue Yan puzzled.

People who were in battle had an intuitive sense of danger. She obviously felt danger approaching but did not know where the problem was and that made Luo Xue Yan fretful.

But she was afraid of scaring Shen Miao and did not intend to tell Shen Miao these things. Shen Miao did not ask her again and when they returned to the residence, the skies were nearing evening. Shen Qiu and Shen Xin had been waiting at the residence’s doors and only sighed in relief upon seeing both of their return.

After finishing dinner, Luo Xue Yan instructed Shen Miao to rest early and pulled Shen Qiu and Shen Xin back to the room to discuss about the matter of entering the Palace. Shen Miao did not follow as she had learn a lot of things from Luo Xue Yan but the thing that she did not understand was what was it that Shen Yuan gave to Fu Xiu Yi.

The oil lamp brightly shone into one’s eyes as Shen Miao sat in front of the table pondering while Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were careful not to disturb. A light drizzle started falling outside the window. This was the first drizzle since the end of the year and it signified that Spring was coming.

The beginning of Spring will be here and everything would recover. It was clearly the beginning of a new how but how to create a route among the heavy snow that allows the willow trees to provide shade and flowers to show the light?

Shen Miao closed her eyes.

At that night, there was someone walking with Tie Yi.

When Xie Jing Xing walked pass the courtyard, he happened to meet with Xie Chang Wu and Xie Chang Chao. Both of them saw him and immediately stopped and saluted to him respectfully, “Eldest Brother.”

Towards these two people, Xie Jing Xing always turn a blind eye to them and it was the same today. Just as he was about to leave, he was stopped by Xie Chang Chao as he spoke with some complacent, “Have not seen Eldest Brother for a long time and do not know what Eldest Brother is busy with. During the hunt a few days ago, one wanted to go with Eldest Brother but it was Father that let us follow the Liu Fu Daren’s banquet, thus one regret for not going.”

These days Xie Ding had been bringing Xie Chang Wu and Xie Chang Chao to many banquets of fellow official colleagues and everyone knew that Xie Ding wanted to bring his two sons into officialdom.

Speaking of which Xie Chang Wu and Xie Chang Chao were Shu sons thus their qualifications were not as good as Xie Jing Xing. If it wasn’t that Xie Jing Xing remained frivolous and refused to enter officialdom, everyone knew that it would not be their turn. But because of Princess Yu Qing, Xie Jing Xing was in disagreement with Xie Ding for many years. If the father and son relationship was like ice, how could it be repaired?

Xie Chang Wu was more modest than Xie Chang Chao but even so, his eyes could not conceal the contentment, “Eldest Brother can also come along. With Eldest Brother’s virtues with both the pen and the sword, it would open the eyes of all the Darens and it would be much easier to enter officialdom.”

Xie Chang Chao and Xie Chang Wu had long understood Xie Jing Xing’s temperament and knew how haughty Xie Jing Xing was. The more they said such things, the more it was not possible for him to enter officialdom. It was not possible to exceed Xie Jing Xing in terms of winning Xie Ding’s favour but civil officials cared more about appearance thus even if one was far from Xie Jing Xing, one can easily push Xie Jing Xing down easily and naturally could not help but wag one’s tail up high.

Xie Jing Xing heard it and smirked as he looked at them before suddenly questioned, “Very pleased with oneself?”

Xie Change Chao and Xie Chang Wu was surprised for a moment but Xie Jing Xing had already left. The eyes of contempt however landed in both of their eyes.

Watching Xie Jing Xing far away figure, Xie Chang Chao hatefully said, “What kind of thing this is! Who does he think he is!”

Xie Chang Wu expression was sinister, “There will be a day where I will step on him!”

When Xie Jing Xing returned to the room, there was two people waiting in it. One was a middle-aged with a bearded face and the other was a young one with a straight eyebrows.

That middle aged bearded man asked, “Master, you really want…”

Xie Jing Xing sat down in front of the table and waved his hands.”

“Xie Chang Chao and Xie Chang Wu…” The slightly younger one said, “Why not…” Speaking till the end, there was a murderous look.

“No need. It would only complicate things if actions are taken now.” Xie Jing Xing interrupted his words, “Without me, Xie Chang Chao and Xie Chang Wu would not do anything to Xie Ding. As for Madam Fang…” He sneered, “Leave it be.”

Both of them bowed and complied. Xie Jing Xing brought a memorandum from his sleeves and that was the copy that he request for commander today morning from His Majesty.

At the end he still have to take this step.

*****

The first ray of sunlight shone through the carved window and onto the table. Shen Miao was sitting at the table without moving.

Jing Zhe carried a silver basin in and jumped in shock as she entered, “Why is Young Lady up this early today?”

Shen Miao did not speak as Jing Zhe walked over. The oil lamp on the desk was exhausted and on Shen Miao’s fair and clean face, there was a slight darkness under her eyes. Jing Zhe was stunned for a moment and exclaimed, “Could it be that Young Lady did not sleep the entire night?”

Shen Miao shook her head and pressed her forehead tiredly.

She had been sitting her the entire night.

Xie Jing Xing’s prompt made her feel more puzzled. She did not know what Shen Yuan had given to Fu Xiu Yi but knew that it was something that was disadvantages to the Shen family. And that ‘retreat’ word was the route that she did not want the Shen family to embark. Thus how to be rid of this dilemma?

Jing Zhe said, “No matter how worried Young Lady is, one must not torture one’s body like this. Master and Furen will be in anguish if they saw this so Young Lady better eat something before resting. Young Lady’s features look not good, if Young Lady is the first one to collapse then what can be done?”

At this time Shen Miao felt somewhat empty in her tummy. She had been thinking for the entire night and was a little dizzy so she said, “Pour some porridge. I will sleep for a while after eating. Don’t mention this matter to others.”

Jing Zhe compiled and walked briskly out to the kitchens to bring Shen Miao’s meal over. Shen Miao stood up as she wanted to wash her face with the warm water. She was only done halfway when she heard footsteps outside as Jing Zhe ran back in.

“How come so fast?” Shen Miao was somewhat surprised. There was a distance between the little kitchen to here that even if Jing Zhe ran there, one would still have to wait for a few more moments.

“Young Lady, it is not good.” Jing Zhe was in some panic as she spoke, “Someone from the Palace came and summon Master, Furen and Young Master to enter the Palace immediately!”

The handkerchief in Shen Miao hands fell into the basin. She settled her state of mind and said, “I will go and look.”

In the courtyard the eunuch who came from the Palace had repeated Emperor Wen Hui’s words and was currently speaking to Shen Xin. These people would often be polite when meeting the Formidable Great General but today their attitude was not clear. Sometimes one was able to tell the master’s attitude through the messenger and obviously this trip to the Palace was not a good thing at all.

When Shen Miao came out, there was not only Shen Xin, Luo Xue Yan and Shen Qiu in the courtyard but the other households were also present. Even Old Shen Furen brought Shen Yuan Bo out. Seeing such a scene, Old Shen Furen did not show my concern but looked on coldly and even feared that it would invite trouble for herself and gave an appearance of avoidance.

It was Shen Wan who said to the eunuch, “One dare to ask what the matter is for His Majesty to summon Eldest Brother to the Palace?”

That eunuch gaze was up in the skies, “This one is acting accordingly to His Majesty’s words and this one do not know what is His Majesty intention. Daren, it is better to quickly follow this one into the Palace.” He urged Shen Xin to quickly leave.

When Shen Qiu saw Shen Miao walking over, he was somewhat anxious and quickly pulled Shen Miao over and said, “Younger Sister, why did you come over?” Seeing Shen Miao looking over, he quickly comforted her, “Younger Sister rest assure, His Majesty only summon us to the Palace to discuss about military matter and we will return quickly. Upon returning, Eldest Brother will bring you to eat candied fruit.”

He was afraid of scaring Shen Miao but did not know that in Shen Miao’s eyes, this kind of scenario was even more suspicious. To summon Shen Xin, Luo Xue Yan and even Shen Qiu into the Palace and even though she was not brought along, people would know that the people going were leading figures of the Shen family army so the matter was related to the Shen family army. Now that the Shen family’s military power was a hot potato, everything must be done very carefully when military power was involved.

At this time, if Shen Miao were to show fear then it would not only not help but would let Luo Xue Yan and the rest feel more burden. Thus Shen Miao smiled, “Really? Eldest Brother must be true to one’s word.”

Seeing Shen Miao as such, Shen Qiu was then relieved. Shen Qiu knew that Shen Miao was smart but did not want Shen Miao to be involved with matters of the court. Moreover the matter of the courts was never worth one person and there would often involve numerous casualties thus how could it be that clear.

Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin also comforted Shen Miao, “Jiao Jiao stay in the residence and don’t go anywhere. When Father and Mother return, we will bring Jiao Jiao out to make new clothes for Spring.”

Shen Miao also complied and watched as that eunuch left with Shen Xin and entourage.

Chen Rou Qiu pulled Shen Wan’s hands and said worriedly, “Why suddenly summon Eldest Brother and Eldest Sao into the Palace? Is it that something had happened?”

Shen Wan shook his head and Shen Gui said, “Eldest Brother’s limelight is too bright and unable to conduct himself with others in court. One fear that if a mishap happens, there would not be anyone who will speak for him.” This words were loaded with meanings. Shen Gui meant that if Shen Xin really got into trouble, Shen Gui and Shen Wan would not be sending charcoal in the snowy weather.

Shen Miao laughed coldly in her heard. One could only hear Shen Yue speaking timidly, “Then if Eldest Bo got into a mishap, it should be a big thing to take them all away. Will it implicate us all?”

“How would it implicate Yue-er?” Shen Gui smiled, “If this implicate Yue-er then the one who will bear the brunt of it is Little Five.”

Shen Gui’s words were malicious. After his son’s funeral, Shen Gui’s career was not smooth and he originally envied that Shen Xin’s rank was higher than him and had more prestige than him. Now seeing Shen Xin in misfortune, naturally he was overjoyed and even hoped that Shen Xin would be overturned with this case and would not appear in front of him.

A flash of rejoice in others misfortune appeared in Shen Yue’s eyes as she looked sympathetically at Shen Miao, “Wouldn’t Fifth Younger Sister be very pitiful?”

Shen Miao did not get angry but smiled instead as she spoke lightly, “The servants in the Palace do not know the intention of His Majesty but it seemed that both ShuShus are able to completely see through His Majesty’s mind.” She looked at Shen Gui, “Second Shu have such incredible foresight that if the matter is spread to His Majesty’s ears, His Majesty would appreciate Second Shu’s ability to understand other’s views. There are not many officials that have such connected thoughts, it can be comparable to Wei Daren of the previous dynasty.”

When the words were spoken, Shen Wan’s and Shen Gui’s face slightly discoloured. What was the most taboo thing of an Emperor? It was the nonsense speculation from the officials of the Emperor’s intention. Shen Miao’s words would be pushing that Shen Gui and Shen Wan could see clearly Emperor Wen Hui’s mind and what kind of intention was this? She even insinuate the previous dynasty’s Wei Daren. Wei Daren of the previous dynasty was the confidant of the Emperor and with just a look from the Emperor, he was able to know what the Emperor want to do. When the Emperor’s position was not stable, he would jointly controlled many objecting ministers with Wei Daren but at the end when the Emperor had a strong grip on power, Wei Daren was bestowed a death sentence.

Not one monarch would like to have their thoughts be understood clearly by officials. If one were to understand clearly then there would not be any revere and without any revere, perhaps there would be a day where the knife would be on their throat.

This is the Imperial family and they are the most suspicious. Just one sentence could determine life and death.

Shen Miao’s sentence made Shen Gui’s and Shen Wan’s face change colour and they dare not even refute with an excuse for fear that if these words were spread and heard by Emperor Wen Hui, they would not know how big a trouble they would be bringing to themselves. Both of them were secretly scared as they did not know where did Shen Miao learn such a skill to be able to hang such a big hat onto someone with just a sentence.

In the past such exaggerated words were usually Mei Furen’s means. At this moment Shen Miao was overtly anxious by Shen Gui’s words and did not want to verbally spare with them here. The most urgent task on hand was to think of a solution to solve the matter.

Old Shen Furen had watched enough show and was not willing to see her son be at a disadvantage and coldly scoffed, “Only give the Shen family trouble!” She kept thinking about the matter of Shen Xin wanting to separate from the family but now with this matter, the separation would be postponed. Old Shen Furen was thinking that even if Shen Xin fall into misfortune and only the First household was implicated, did it meant that the assets of the First household will call into her hands? Thinking of them, a look of greed appeared on her face.

Shen Miao’s heart was extremely disgusted. This entire house of people were putting on a performance of ‘throwing stones at one who fell down a well’. In the all the despicable people in the world, the Shen family would definitely be in the top ranks.

Wan YiNiang was pulling Shen Dong Ling’s hand and hiding at the back, not daring to say anything at such a situation. Even though Ren Wan Yun was awake, she did not come out of Cai Yun Yuan thus did not appear today. Shen Dong Ling said softly, “But how would Eldest Bo fall into any mishap? Eldest Bo is not in Ding capital all year, so could it be because he had won the war previously and there are additional rewards?” Shen Dong Ling’s were to ease the situation thus Shen Yue was not happy with her words. Old Shen Furen also displayed some unhappiness but only Shen Miao was slightly surprised.

Not in the Ding capital all year round?

Yes, Shen Xin and wife and also Shen Qiu was fighting in the bitter winter in the Northwestern region all year round and just returned to Ding capital. So it was not possible that the criminal charge would be at the Ding capital. Moreover yesterday Consort Xu Xian and Consort Dong Shu were all asking about living in Xiao Chun City. Why would one ask about Xiao Chun City lifestyle without a good cause? Shen Miao would not believe that those delicate females in the Palace are interested in the remote Northwestern region.

There must be some relation. If it was not in the Ding capital then what was the charges?