The day that Shen Xin returned from the Palace, Shen Miao personally went to pick him up outside the Palace gates.

Naturally there were other people in the Shen family that were somewhat unsatisfied of this outcome, especially Old Shen Furen who had thought that this time Shen Xin had fallen onto misfortune, and did not think that Shen Xin’s life would remain. However after hearing from Shen Gui that his military tally was confiscated, Old Shen Furen was happy again.

A Shen Xin without military power would at least not be comparable to Shen Gui and Shen Wan in terms of career prospects. Old Shen Furen was short sighted and did not think that currently the entire Shen family was of one body, and from the outside when one looked at the Shen family, they would naturally see Shen Xin first. Now that Shen Xin has fallen, how would the Shen family be able to maintain their usual might.

However most likely, Old Shen Furen did not care about it. In her heart, Shen Gui and Shen Wan who she gave birth to, were many times stronger than Shen Xin. If the Old General was not biased those years ago, how would Shen Xin enjoy such fruits today. Since Shen Xin was approaching dire straits, one could take advantage of it and banish the Shen Xin’s family branch out of the Shen family.

It is just that how the family would be divided was also an ingenious way.

The Old Shen Furen had her mind set of dividing the family, and Shen Miao did not even take it to mind. Matters had come to such a point and finally she had to walk on the path that she previously thought about. It is a grave matter that the Emperor has taken away the military power since without it, the Shen family is indeed inadequate. If one were to continue staying here, with the numerous enemies of the Shen family, they would eventually force them into a desperate situation.

Retreating was still required.

For no reason, Shen Miao thought about the words that Xie Jing Xing said that day. This ‘retreat’ word was indeed the only way out for Shen Xin, and Xie Jing Xing could just pick out that key point with a glance.

The carriage stopped at the corner of the Palace walls, lest to be seen. Those political discontent colleagues of Shen Xin would definitely throw stones at him, and those people who came to watch the commotion would not be at the Palace gates. Shen Miao was clearer than anyone else what kind of people the Fu family was. They would put on a broad-minded attitude, but would take actions in the dark to ensure the other suffered. Shen Xin was famed for his fighting prowess, but now had his military tally confiscated and thrown out of the Palace, this was a scene that a lot of people would like to watch.

Shen Miao had suffered a number of losses in her previous lifetime, and even at the face of Ming Qi’s lack of prestige, she could still endure humiliation, but could not stand her family being treated as such. Thus she stopped the horse carriage here, so as to pick Shen Xin and the rest back.

Just as she was thinking, she heard Mo Qing calling out in a low voice, “Stop.” A burst of wind flew in, and Shen Miao’s eyes were blurred for a moment as someone parted the carriage’s curtain, and all of a sudden there was an extra person in the fairly spacious carriage.

Gu Yu was so frightened that she exclaimed in shock, but her mouth was covered by Jing Zhe. Mo Qing somewhat panicked voice sounded, “Young Lady.”

Shen Miao looked at the person opposite.

In the horse carriage, there was a youth clad in a crimson red official uniform, moving peach blossoms eyes and slightly parted lips. It was a serious an upright uniform but looked especially beautiful and noble on him, that one simply could not move their eyes away from him.

“Mo Qing, withdraw.” Shen Miao softly reproved.

“But.” Mo Qing’s voice beside the horse carriage tightened. That person’s movements were too fast, he simply could not stop him in time, and it was absolutely not acceptable to let a stranger be in a horse carriage with Shen Miao.

“You cannot beat him.” Shen Miao calmly said before looking at Jing Zhe and Gu Yu, “Both of you also go out and keep guard by the carriage.”

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu had seen Xie Jing Xing before, and knew that he had some friendly relations with Shen Miao, but they were confused as to what extent the friendship was. One could not say it was close, since both of them obviously opposed each other with equal harshness, one also could not say it was like enemies, as how would Shen Miao treat an enemy so peacefully.

However after a few experiences, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu had expected that Xie Jing Xing would not harm Shen Miao, and for Shen Miao to allow Xie Jing Xing to stay in the carriage, it had confirmed this point. Thus Jing Zhe and Gu Yu did not say anything, and alighted from the horse carriage as instructed.

In a moment, there was only Xie Jing Xing and Shen Miao in the horse carriage.

“One heard that yesterday in court, the Marquis of Lin An spoke out to help. Many thanks to Little Marquis.” Shen Miao said.

Xie Ding helped Su Yu to impeach Shen Xin. On the surface it was an impeachment, but in fact it provided a way out for Shen Xin. It is no bother if others were unable to see it, but Shen Miao believed that such a profound thinking old fox like Xie Jing Xing, would not be unable to see it.

Sure enough when her half true and half false words were spoken, Xie Jing Xing’s lips raised and he leaned back lazily with his arms slightly loose, “It is the Marquis of Lin An’s own intention and had nothing to do with me.”

“Oh.” Shen Miao looked at him and gently smiled. “Was not the reason for Little Marquis to come uninvited to my horse carriage, to hear a thanks from me.” She deliberately emphasised on ‘my horse carriage’, indicating that she was annoyed by all the times that Xie Jing Xing came uninvited.

Xie Jing Xing stared at her, “You intent to let Shen Xin retreat to the Luo family and guard the Northwestern region.”

Shen Miao’s heart jumped and looked at Xie Jing Xing without speaking.

She had thought like this. Xie Jing Xing had pointed out a route of ‘retreat’, but she just did not want to make such a passive exit. She had not yet reach the end of the Ming Qi’s game of chess, so how could she be willing to lose such a decisive opportunity. Naturally it was not alright for her ambition and her vengeance to be suppressed before it begun.

It did not matter if the military power was confiscated, as Shen Xin was most valued not for the military tally, like the Fu family believed, but for the ability to lead troops and conduct military operations. If one could raise a Shen family’s army, it meant that one could raise another Shen family’s army. At the moment before the military power was confiscated, Shen Yuan’s people had already infiltrated into the Shen family’s army, and those were also Fu Xiu Yi’s people. It would be too tiring to bring along such an army that had people who would shoot cold arrows at one’s back.

Unless one lead another clean and pure army. By starting over, there was not any Shen family’s military power but in Luo Xue Yan’s maiden family, the Luo family still had it. It is just that the Luo family’s troops were not as comparable in combat strength as the Shen family’s, and in terms of defending the frontier, their tactics were not refined and did not attract others’ attention.

It was because of this that Shen Miao targeted the Luo family. She want to turn the Luo family into another branch of the Shen family’s army as a hidden card in her sleeves, a card that no one knew about. The Fu family all long worried that Shen Xin would rebel, so she would rebel for the Fu family to see.

It was just that this kind of hidden thoughts were actually uncovered by Xie Jing Xing’s sharp gaze. There was a moment of panic in her mind, and there was a trace of discomposure on Shen Miao’s face.

If Xie Jing Xing knew her thoughts then would this person, who had been described in Ming Qi history books with colourful language and with attention to details, help her, lodge an accusation on her or kill her?

But perhaps there would not be such opportunity. What kind of person Shen Miao was? She went through such a difficult time in her past life, so even if she was shocked for a short time, she would be able to quickly suppress the feelings. She thought that since Xie Jing Xing would be going on an expedition to the Northern Jiang, and if the journey was the same as last lifetime then Xie Jing Xing will die. He would die with a thousand arrows piercing into his heart. The dateline of ten days would soon come, and fate was like a hand that could produce clouds and rain, thus no matter how clairvoyant he was or treacherous his brain was, he would not be able to escape that outcome.

Shen Miao looked towards Xie Jing Xing.

Xie Jing Xing was truly good looking (Translator: YES I KNOW, Ed: *headdesk #10). In the previous life when Shen Miao was living in the Palace, she had seen a number of talented and good looking youths, but at that time her mind was fully on Fu Xiu Yi and did not have the kind of mood. Xie Jing Xing’s Oblique flying handsome long brows, tall nose, thin lips lightly hooking up and the smile looked slightly evil. His handsomeness was somewhat overbearing and was clearly callous, but he unexpectedly had a pair of bright peach shaped eyes. When looking at others, they were passionate and resembled ruthlessness but had the delusion of a touch of gentleness.

It is just that under the appearance of despising worldly conventions, only the individual would know how black one’s heart was.

Xie Jing Xing was currently still a youth and had a handsome and heroic spirit, but today he was wearing a dark red official uniform which made him appear more mature. Fu Ming once read the Ming Qi’s Xie family history and lamented that he was a highly talented youth, a character through the ages that met a premature death. It could be seen how high an evaluation Ming Qi history books had of Xie Jing Xing.

When Shen Miao really noticed Xie Jing Xing, she was already the Empress and saw him from afar in the Palace banquet. She vaguely thought that he was a very good looking young male, but Fu Xiu Yi’s attitude towards him was not very warm. The current Xie Jing Xing was a refined young man, but who could have thought that this youth smiling so beautifully, would lose his life in the battlefield not long from now.

Shen Miao’s gaze slightly filled with pity. After rebirth, she was not a kind-hearted person but because of Fu Ming’s and Wan Yu’s praises, one had a little more appreciation.

Her pair of changing eyes, sometimes vigilant and sometimes sympathetic eyes, made Xie Jing Xing feel unfathomable. Suddenly he thought of the first time in Guang Wen Tang when he saw Shen Miao, she was also looking at him with a look of pity, thus Xie Jing Xing asked what she was thinking about, “You pity me?”

Shen Miao secretly thought that this person was practically more observant than her, but a gentle smile appeared on her face, “What qualifications do I have to pity others?”

Xie Jing Xing calmly replied with an ‘en’, seemingly finding her words logical. But suddenly he stretched out his hands and lifted the carriage’s curtain.

This was a remote place that no one would come over. By lifting the corner of the curtain, one was able to see the high Palace walls.

Shen Miao’s gaze could not help but be somewhat far-reaching.

She had lived in the deep Palace for so many years and after rebirth, she still could not escape from this fate. But she did not regret it as the purpose of living for one who could not survive, was naturally to take one’s revenge.

Shen Miao was looking very carefully as if each piece of the Palace wall was engraved in her eyes. Xie Jing Xing saw this and his lips raised, “You want to live inside.”

Shen Miao was slightly stunned.

“I can help you if you want to stay in it.” Xie Jing Xing opened his mouth but his tone was inexplicably strange, and his smile seemed to be hiding something even deeper, “At that time, how will you thank me?”

“If Little Marquis can torch down this entire place on fire, perhaps I will be grateful to you.” Shen Miao said.

Xie Jing Xing unexpectedly raised his eyebrows, “I thought you wanted to be a nobility.”

“I want to be a nobility.” Shen Miao turned her head and looked at his sarcastic laughter, “But not the kind of nobility that you speak of. A more respected noble than a nobility.”

“You want to be the Empress.”

Empress. Shen Miao’s eyes were slightly distracted. She had also put on the court robes with the Phoenix hairpins on her hair, and in the coronation of the Emperor and Empress, it was very impressive as the officials all bowed down, and the common people cheered and she had mothered the nation.

At that time, she thought she had all the things she had wanted.

But now it seemed that the higher one climbed, the more painful the fall was and the Empress title was just a mere name.

“It is easy to be an Empress.” Xie Jing Xing said lightly, “But an Emperor is difficult.”

Ming Qi was in an unstable situation as all nine Princes had their advantages and disadvantages, that even the position of the Crown Prince was unstable. Who knew what the future would look like, and whose hands will that position land on. The big noble families married their daughters to the Princes, not to be a brave gambler but to bet on a future.

The rich and noble dangerously gambled as greed was a human instinct. When successful, one becomes a king but when defeated, one becomes a bandit. When a female chose wrongly, naturally they would also follow along.

Xie Jing Xing spoke casually, “Who are you choosing?”

This was asking her which Prince she was optimistic about, which one she wanted to marry to, which one she would be supporting.

“Which one Little Marquis view as having a future?” Shen Miao asked in reply.

“Examining on appearance, no one has any future.” Xie Jing Xing’s words were terrifying to listen to, “What will you do?”

“Then look for one with a future.”

“Then what do you think of me?” Xie Jing Xing raised his brows and asked. His words most probably were to ridicule Shen Miao, thus he did not speak them seriously.

“Little Marquis also has no future.” Shen Miao looked at him seriously.

“…” Xie Jing Xing was choked on Shen Miao’s words for a while, and even though he was not provoked to anger, he was somewhat displeased. He had thought that he had seen females admiring him and males with fear of him, but Shen Miao neither admired nor feared him, and actually scratched herself often against a tiger’s head. Was it that he had been too amiable to Shen Miao, that she thought that he was a person with a good temper?

“What actually does Little Marquis want to say? Please leave quickly when finished.” Shen Miao had already bluntly evicted him, “It is not good to be misunderstood by others.”

“Misunderstanding?” Xie Jing Xing’s eyes had some laughter as he deliberately said softly, “What misunderstanding?”

“A lecher being frivolous to an innocent young girl.” Shen Miao did not even blink and answered angrily. She was able to see that with regards of the establish standards of rules and regulations, Xie Jing Xing was shameless.

Even though Xie Jing Xing had seen a bevy of young females, he was choked on Shen Miao’s words and was somewhat dizzy. He coughed twice, sat up straight and no longer teased Shen Miao, “Retreat back to the Northwestern region, the sooner, the better. The longer it is dragged on, the more disadvantage it is to Shen Xin.”

Shen Miao looked up at him, as she did not expect that Xie Jing Xing would remind her with such a sentence. At least she did not wish to oppose this kind of person like Xie Jing Xing, and it was already very good that he showed no hostility to her.

“Many thanks.”

Xie Jing Xing said, “It will be best if Shen Xin can leave the Ding capital before I leave.”

Shen Miao was somewhat frustrated, “That is if it is successful.” Not everyone had Xie Jing Xing’s ability. Shen Miao had always felt that Xie Jing Xing relied on his background, but not fully on the Marquis of Lin An’s residence, but on something even higher than the Marquis of Lin An’s residence. But in Ming Qi, a power higher than the Marquis of Lin An, was the Imperial family, but the Imperial family and Xie Jing Xing were currently on opposite sides.

Shen Miao could not guess.

Xie Jing Xing paused before suddenly pulling the carriage’s curtain aside and stepped out. He came in quickly and also left quickly. Shen Miao did not have time to react when she heard someone outside calling, “Furen, Master, Eldest Young Master.”

Shen Miao parted the carriage’s curtain and saw Shen Xin and wife with Shen Qiu walking over from the corner of the city gate, and they were also surprised for a moment when they saw Jing Zhe and Gu Yu. Shen Miao looked around and did not see any traces of Xie Jing Xing before thinking that this person was very vigilant, and had such a high level of skills that one could appear and disappear unpredictably. He could even be a grandmaster thief.

When Luo Xue Yan saw Jing Zhe, she quickly walked over and just nice saw Shen Miao coming out of the carriage.

After a few days of not meeting, Shen Xin and wife and also Shen Qiu were very haggard. Shen Miao had seen the Imperial family’s means before. Sometimes before a decision was made on how to dispose of others, imprisonment was a torture to a person’s will. Shen Xin’s family were all military people and had strong determination, but to purposely leave Shen Miao in the residence, it was inevitable to make one think more of it.

Luo Xue Yan took a few more steps to hold Shen Miao’s hand and size her up, “Jiao Jiao, did anyone make things difficult for you these days?”

Shen Miao shook her head.

Luo Xue Yan then released a sigh of relief. Shen Qiu asked, “Why did Younger Sister not stay in the residence and come over here?”

“One heard that Father and Mother will be returning to the residence today and fear that there would be no carriage, thus came to pick up.” Shen Miao said with a smile.

Shen Xin’s lips moved as he wanted to say something but at the end did not say it out. He knew that there were a number of people who were watching the commotion, and Shen Miao’s action was to shun others’ eyes and ears, and was truly very considerate. But one had to protect one’s wife and children. With the confiscation of the military tally, how could one not feel oppressed.

He went up the horse carriage silently and Luo Xue Yan did not want Shen Miao to be worried so she pulled Shen Miao in. Jing Zhe and the rest sat in the carriage behind and in the horse carriage in front, only Shen Miao’s family were inside.

“Mother, what did His Majesty say?” Shen Miao asked.

Luo Xue Yan hesitated before smiling, “Nothing much. It is just a misunderstanding.”

Shen Miao replied, “To have the military tally taken away, how could it be a misunderstanding?”

Shen Qiu was surprised for a moment and unconsciously looked at Shen Xin. The most angry person about the military tally being taken away was Shen Xin. He also did not know what went wrong, and the only possibility was that there was a problem in the Shen family’s army, else who would have known about the massacre order.

“Actually the confiscation of the military tally is nothing.” Luo Xue Yan tried to calm Shen Miao down, as she was afraid to make Shen Miao feel unsafe. “Without the military tally, one can still do battle. Your Father is still a General and we will be the same as before.”

Shen Miao frowned as Shen Xin and Shen Qiu looked at her worried. Previously Shen Miao was somewhat arrogant, and that was because she had a Formidable General as a backer. Without that backing, it was common that a precious and pampered Young Lady would not be able to handle it.

“Fight what battle.” Shen Miao softly said, “Bringing the front section to batter or bring the cooking soldiers to fight?”

Luo Xue Yan and Shen Qiu were dumbfounded for a moment. These days they were accustomed to Shen Miao’s gentle and submissive appearance, and were somewhat incredulous when hearing such sharp questions from her.

Shen Xin’s face however turned to iron. The pride of a General could not be trampled by anyone. Emperor Wen Hui retained his life but gave him a deep shame. This was more difficult to bear than taking his life.

“Of course one will still be able to fight battles. It is just that His Majesty would need to assign a Lieutenant General to overview matters. Giving out military commands but still have to see other’s face, commanding three armies but also a paper General. Just a General by name, it is nothing but an empty shell.”

Shen Miao looked up with a pair of extremely clear eyes, as if one was talking about the most common family topics.

However who had seen such an aggressive Shen Miao before? Perhaps Shen Qiu had seen her like this before, but Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan absolutely had not. Moreover, she directly spoke about matters of the court.

Shen Xin clenched his fist but still said comfortingly, “Jiao Jiao, Father will proof oneself and the Shen family’s army will eventually return to Father’s hands again. Jiao Jiao, there will not be any change in your identity.”

Shen Xin’s entire life was spoken through by military exploits. He believed that in Ming Qi, other than Xie Ding, there was no one braver than him. A treasured sword did not fear of being hidden, there would definitely be a day where he would be unsheathed again.

“But one need to wait for how long? Until that time, the Shen family’s army has already integrated to the Yu Ling Army, would they be loyal to Father? Moreover there are spies in the army that Father raised, how would one promise there will none in the future?”

When those words were spoken, Luo Xue Yan face got serious as she asked, “Jiao Jiao, who told you those words?”

Shen Miao know about Shen Xin’s military tally being confiscated, and also know that the Shen family army was integrated into the Yu Ling Army, because these are things that everyone knew of, but the matter of spies in the Shen family’s army was definitely not heard from outside. The person who told Shen Miao of the matter at least had an understanding of the matters of court. Lou Xue Yan was afraid that Shen Miao would be used by others.

Shen Miao shook her head, “I am not a fool, I may not really do not know about things that others do not tell me.”

Shen Qiu said, “Younger Sister is very intelligent.” On the matter of the Prince Yu of the First Rank, Shen Qiu had seen Shen Miao’s abilities. He knew that Shen Miao’s view was not like an unmarried young female, and saw things differently but very clear.

It was rare that Shen Qiu would say that, so Shen Xin frowned as he asked, “Jiao Jiao, what are you trying to say?”

“The Shen family’s army no longer belong to us than one should not want the Shen army. How about giving it up?” Shen Miao’s words were shocking.

“Jiao Jiao.” Luo Xue Yan stopped her but suddenly felt that her tone was too harsh and quickly softened it down, “The Shen family’s army was raised by your Father’s hands and there are innumerable confidants inside. To mention about giving it up is like turning back on one’s own in the battlefield. This is not possible.”

“Then what does Father plan to do?” Shen Miao retorted back with a question, “To bear patiently and endure silently till perhaps there is an opportunity, but if others continue to suppress when one is down, then there would not be any advantage at all.”

Shen Xin stared at Shen Miao like he had never seen this Di daughter of his, and there was a little pensive look on his face as he asked, “What does Jiao Jiao think we should do?”

“When the East is not bright, the West will be.” Shen Miao’s eyes were especially bright, “Father is able to manage the Shen family’s army well, so why is it not possible to manage another army?”

Shen Xin was first surprised before laughing out and caressing Shen Miao’s head, as if the sentence Shen Miao spoke made him open up. He said, “Truly a young girl who has yet grown up. Under these skies, how would there be so many armies for one to manage?” When he said that, at the end there was a faint sadness in the words.

The Shen family’s army was like a child that Shen Xin raised by his hands, thus how could one speak about the pain when a child was snatched away.

Shen Miao family smiled, “Then, how about the Luo family?”

Shen Xin’s smile came to a sudden stop, and Luo Xue Yan and Shen Qiu thought of something at the same time when their eyes immediately fell on Shen Miao.

Shen Miao leisurely said, “Is not there still a scattered force in Grandparent’s (maternal side) hands? Even though it cannot be compared to the previous Shen family’s army but the number is not small, thus if one where to slowly train them up, it might necessary become the next Shen family’s army.”

Luo Xue Yan’s maiden family was a military lineage, but it was a gradually declining one. It was not false to say that there were troops in their hands but afterwards, Shen Xin was stationed in the Northwestern region, thus those soldiers in the Xiao Chun City unarmed themselves and headed back to the fields. Even though they had the title of soldiers, they only took army provisions and did not do any work. After so many years of that, they were no difference between them and commoners.

“How can this be possible.” The Shen family had been loyal to the monarch and loved the country for so many years, it was already an instinct to service the monarch, thus Shen Miao’s words were considered outrageous. To raise one’s own army at a place where the Emperor did not know about. Luo Xue Yan said, “Jiao Jiao, this is not a topic to play with.” She did not know how to explain to Shen Miao the Imperial family’s taboo on a General who had their own army. How would Shen Miao, a little young lady, understand anything?

But it was Shen Qiu, who said had very little, that now spoke, “Younger Sister wants to use the Luo family’s army to replace the Shen family’s army.”

“It is not considered as replacing.” Shen Miao lightly smiled, “It is just that Father is after all a General, thus one cannot be just alone without any subordinates. Naturally followers are required and since it is so, then what is the difference between the Shen family’s army and the Luo family’s army? By having the Luo family’s army, one would have one additional self-protection amulet. Is not this good?”

Perhaps she had somewhat twisted those words into self-preservation so that it was that shocking to listen to them, and Luo Xue Yan felt that Shen Miao’s words were somewhat outrageous but when she looked up, she saw Shen Xin frowning as if he was seriously thinking about Shen Miao’s words, and felt a headache coming.

Shen Xin looked at Shen Miao and deliberately went along with Shen Miao’s words, “Jiao Jiao’s words are good to listen, but the Luo family’s army is located far in the Xiao Chun City. How are we going there?”

“Then that would depend on Father’s resolution.” Shen Miao smiled as she looked at him, “Perhaps Father can try to tell His Majesty one wish to go to the Northwestern region and voluntarily head to the Xiao Chun City and defend. Setting off in the next few days.”

The three of them were stunned.

The Xiao Chun City was a small town on the Northwestern region, and was a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers away from the Ding capital. If Shen Xin really requested for that, everyone would think that this Formidable Great General was downhearted due to the confiscation of the military tally, and thus wanted to be stationed at such a small area. As for the prestige of the Formidable Great General, it would be slowly submerged in history.

Shen Xin’s tiger eyes were staring, “This is retreating. No.”

There were always talents appearing in each generation, and it was ideal to conceal one’s strengths and bide one’s time, but Shen Xin was not young. He was already forty years of age and if he was not used, then there would not be any opportunity to return, even if one was able to successfully manage the group of Luo family’s people, he still could only stay at the border. The not realization of one’s lofty aspirations of a hero past prime, was most probably the most tragic thing in the world.

“It is a fine military strategy of advancing by retreating. What is Father afraid of?” Shen Miao did not back down, and faced them with a pair of tranquil and calm eyes. For the first time her eyes became provocative, “Fear that one will be unable to rise after a stumble? Fear that one will keep retreating after the first time, till there is nowhere else to retreat? Or is it fear that the era has passed and one is unable to break clear of all troubles and hardships?”

Just a few questions made Shen Xin heart tighten up, and not only Shen Xin but Luo Xue Yan and Shen Qiu were also dumbfounded. Shen Xin looked at Shen Miao and he suddenly discovered that this delicate looking daughter, seemed to have inherited the tenacity and arrogance in his bones.

“Then again.” Shen Miao chuckled, “Within two years, His Majesty will definitely call Father back to the capital. The day one return to the capital, it will be the time when one soars up.”