“Xie Jing Xing.”

Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing turned around quickly and saw someone staggering out from the underbrush. When the person came nearer, Shen Miao”s entire body stiffen and unconsciously looked over at Xie Jing Xing’s expression. However due to Xie Jing Xing’s mask, one was unable to see anything.

That person was Princess Rong Xin.

Princess Rong Xin originally wanted to take a shortcut through the smaller routes but just at this time she saw Shen Miao being pulled by a unfamiliar man. Princess Rong Xing quickly instructed the palace maid to wait outside as she followed up. If others saw that Shen Miao was together with another unfamiliar man, it would only invite rumours.

Princess Rong Xin trusted Shen Miao’s character. But just now she saw that Shen Miao seemed to have some unwillingness and feared that Shen Miao was entangled with one of the Prince in the Palace and if there was any trouble, she wanted to help Shen Miao out of it. However it was not ideal to rush up and cause a misunderstanding.

She was rather far apart and could not hear clearly what both of them were talking about. Afterwards she saw that Shen Miao seemed to be almost crying and became anxious and walked up and heard Shen Miao saying ‘Xie Jing Xing, don’t be too much’.

Princess Rong Xin cried out involuntarily.

But upon seeing the tall figure turning around was an unfamiliar young man, wearing a silver mask that covered half his face smiling gently at him and nodded his head.

Princess Rong Xing quickly step forward and it was only then she saw that this male was Prince Rui.

When the Prince Rui from Great Liang first came to Ming Qi, Princess Rong Xin saw him before. But she did not care about matters of the court and did not deliberately inquire about him. Now at this moment when she saw that this person was Prince Rui, she could not describe the feelings she had.

However Shen Miao’s ‘Xie Jing Xing’ was indeed Xie Jing Xing. She did not hear it incorrectly.

Princess Rong Xin looked at Shen Miao questioningly, “Young Lady Shen, just now you called His Highness Prince Rui as Xie Jing Xing?”

SHen Miao was not in time to speak when Prince Rui spoke out first, “This Prince name is Xie Yuan and one’s small name is Jing Xing. Just now Young Lady Shen called this Prince small name.”

Shen Miao sighed in relief in her heart as she thought that Xie Jing Xing reaction was very fast and he could always find a reason to turn it around. Upon seeing Princess Rong Xin’s strange look, she then reacted to it and cursed Xie Jing Xing in her heart viciously.

Other than family, only one’s wift of lover would call another person’s small name. Who knew what kind of feeling would there be for Princess Rong Xin when she called Xie Jing Xing’s little name.

Xie Jing Xing did it deliberately.

Princess Rong Xin swept a glance between Prince Rui and Shen Miao before her gaze finally settled on Prince Rui.

There were some similarities, just like this purple attire. Only that youth who ride through the red-light district on horseback would be able to have that air of nobility when wearing such purple robes. However there were also differences. That was unfamiliarity, some coldness and the air of savageness and decisiveness that was different from the youth in her memory.

Xie Jing Xing was long death and he died on the battlefield under tens of thousands of Northern Jiang’s horces and thousands of arrows piercing through one’s heart.

In a moment, there was a piercing pain in one’s heart, making Princess Rong Xin clutch her heart and bend down. She was unable to feel relived no matter how many times she thought of Xie Jing Xing’s death. After Princess Yu Qing’s death, she had taken Xie Jing Xing as her son and to lose a son at one’s middle age and for a white hair person sending off a black hair person, her grief was no less than Xie Ding.

Shen Miao quickly went up to support her while that purple clad youth stood with his hands down and swept his eyes towards her without moving his body.

A trace of bitter smile could not help but appear on Princess Rong Xin’s lips.

Yes. How could Prince Rui be Xie Jing Xing? If he was Xie Jing Xing, how could he be this cold and look at her like a stranger when she was struggling like this? If Xie Jing Xing was still alive, how could he bear to see her in such pain?

Princess Rong Xin waved her hands, “Why are you here?”

Shen Miao replied, “Her Ladyship, the Empress, request me to enter the Palace.”

Princess Rong Xin frowned and then looked at Xie Jing Xing before asking, “Why is Prince Rui here?”

Shen Miao glanced at Xie Jing Xing before speaking, “When I was heading out from the Palace, the young eunuch that was leading the way had a matter to attend to in the middle. After waiting for a long time, one left but later realized that one was lost. One happened to encounter His Highness Prince Rui and requested His Highness Prince Rui to point the right direction.”

These words were almost an blatant lie. Just now Princess Rong Xin clearly saw that Prince Rui pulled Shen Miao over here. Moreover Shen Miao also called Prince Rui’s little name, thus the relationship between the two was not normal.

Princess Rong Xin was unfathomably somewhat angry. At the beginning Xie Jing Xing brought Shen Miao to the Princess residence and Princess Rong Xin had thought that Xie Jing Xing treated Shen Miao special. With the many interactions with Shen Miao, she also liked Shen Miao and Princess Rong Xin had the heart to match Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing. However Xie Jing Xing died afterwards, else this marriage would have been settled.

Today Shen Miao was in a very close relationship with another male and that male’s little name was also ‘Jing Xing’. Princess Rong Xing’s heart was feeling uncomfortable as it was like one’s thing was overtaken by others. She knew that it was not possible for Shen Miao not to marry for her entire life but Prince Rui was after all not from Ming Xi and Princess Rong Xin had lived for a lifetime and could see people clearly. This Prince Rui’s actions were bizarre and there was an air of danger around him. He was not a simple man so if Shen Miao was related to this male, one fear that it would be too complicated.

“Like this, BenGong will thank Your Highness Prince Rui on Young Lady Shen’s behalf. Princess Rong Xng said that but she was doing her best to distinguish Shen Miao’s and Prince Rui’s relationship clearly.

Prince Rui nodded his head.

“Since the eunuch who lead the way had disappeared and BenGong has many palace maids so BenGong will let them bring her out. Prince Rui would not need to worry about it.” Princess Rong Xin then said. This was clearly an attitude of guarding against Prince Rui.

Prince Rui did not say anything more and faintly responded before leaving first.

After Prince Rui had left, Princess Rong Xin then loosen her mouth to ask Shen Miao, “How do you get acquainted with him?”

Shen Miao did not expect the sudden encounter of Princess Rong Xin and had never thought that Princess Rong Xin would hear the conversation between her and Xie Jing Xing. She could not help but secretly compliant about Xie Jing Xing’s secret guards that usually had sharp ears and keen eyes that even a mouse running pass would be seized but now at such a critical moment they would allow such a thing happen. One did not know if they were blind that they did not even notice Princess Rong Xin.

She said, “Coincidentally encountered His Highness Prince Rui for a few times and got acquainted.”

Princess Rong Xin gave her a profound look, “If you are not willing to speak about it, BenGong will not force it out of you. It is just that this person is not from Ming Qi and it is likely that there is an intention to place you in an conspiracy. You are an intelligent Young Lady and knows how to handle some things. Even if one do not think of oneself, one have to think for your Father, Mother and Eldest Brother.” She was indeed afraid that Shen Miao would be swindled by men.

In Shen Miao’s heart, she was between laughter and tears as the misunderstanding had reached to such a point that it could not be resolved. Princess Rong Xin stroked her chest and gasped a few breaths. When Shen Miao saw it, she asked, “Is Princess feeling uncomfortable?”

“It is a heart illness from the early years.” Princess Rong Xin shook her head, “These few days it had worsen.”

Shen Miao saw her being upset with the pain, she remembered in the past lifetime that Princess Rong Xin also had a heart illness and the Imperial Physician mentioned that she should not over worry herself else the pain of heart illness would worsen. She said, “Princess should look for an Imperial Physician to take a good look or inquire for a doctor who specialise in treating heart illnesses. It is upsetting to hurt this much.”

“It is of no harm.” Princess Rong Xin waved her hands, “BenGong lived till now and have enjoyed what one can enjoyed and experience what one should not experience, thus there is no lose in this lifetime. Most likely one cannot life any longer and BenGong also don’t want to be tormented.” Her voice gradually faded, “Afterall there is nothing much to be worried about.”

Shen Miao knew that she was thinking about Xie Jing Xing again and did not know how to console her and could only say, “If Little Marquis see Princess’s current condition, he would not be happy.”

“If he really cares about me, this YiMu, he would not be so callous and brush his hands and leave for the Western region.” Princess Rong Xin retracted the sorrow she had on her face and patted Shen Miao’s hands before saying, “BenGong had heard about Imperial Older Brother’s intention to bestow a marriage to you. BenGong entered the Palace today is to talk to Imperial Older Brother about the matter. Shen Miao, you are also not willing to marry to the Crown Prince right?”

Shen Miao did not expect that Princess Rong Xin would actually speak out for her and for a moment of time she was somewhat choked. In the previous lifetime, she had spared no effort to curry favour Princess Rong Xin and only gained Princess Rong Xin’s scorn and despise. In this lifetime because of Xie Jing Xing’s relations, Princess Rong Xin’s perspective had changed that she would even be willing to fight for her to change Emperor Wen Hui’s decision. Shen Miao said, “I am not willing to marry into the Eastern Palace but Princess need not need to be in a difficult situation. The matters of the world will go accordingly to the will of Heavens and nature will take its course. The Heavens would make arrangements accordingly.”

Princess Rong Xin instead smiled, “You actually could look through the matter.”

She said, “The time is no longer early. I will not continue talking with you and head towards there. I will let the palace maid send you out.”

Shen Miao was send out of the Palace by Princess Rong Xin’s palace maids and Jing Zhe and Gu Yu who were waiting outside quickly went forward. The first thing they did was to look up at down all over Shen Miao to ensure that SHen Miao was safe and sound before saying, “Scare this servant to death. One had thought that something happened after waiting for so long. If Young Lady do not come out any longer, these servants planned to think of some ways to enter and search.”

Shen Miao laughed, “It is not a chasm for Dragons to hide or a tiger’s lair. How scary can it be?” But her heart was secretly thinking about the two assassins that appeared mysteriously. She did not they belonged to who that even dared to kill her in the Palace. However when one look into it if she died, harm would only be brought onto the Crown Prince. The other party was not willing to see the Crown Prince be the only one getting bigger and if it did not go wrong, they were either Prince Zhou’s or Prince Li’s people. It was not possible to be Fu Xiu Yi as Shen Wan and the Crown Prince of Jin country matter was just over for not too long thus Fu Xiu Yi would not take the initiative to head towards where the wind and waves were the fiercest. With his ability to endure, he would lurk around for a period of time.

Thinking about it, she could not help but sneer in her heart. In short, there was not a single good thing in the Fu family. The Shen family was destined to be on the opposite sides with the Fu family. It was either you die or I would be destroyed and since the other party’s was so vicious, then she would not be merciless with her methods.

Mo Qing stepped forward to lead Shen Miao up the horse carriage and set off for the Shen mansion.

There was a bustling road where people come and go at the Palace Gates and in a crowded restaurant, there was a person at the corner who was monitoring Mo Qing and entourage’s movements. When that person saw Shen Miao coming out from the Palace Gates safely, there was a flash of surprise in one’s eyes before he took the sword from the table and quietly left.

When Shen Miao returned to the Shen mansion, naturally Shen Qiu and the rest gathered to question Shen Miao what did the Empress spoke to her in the Palace. Shen Miao skipped the events with Xie Jing Xing and only spoke about the converstation with the Empress. The SHen family once again worries as the Imperial family side threatened Shen Miao and feared each day shortening and they must think of a solution as soon as possible.

Luo Xue Yan again thought about the few people who came over to the residence to proposed marriage and wanted to ask for Shen Miao’s opinion. If among these few people, Shen Miao did feel a little better with either one of them, then they can settle that first. In anyways, Shen Xin had inquired about them and even though they were not perfect, there were no problems in terms of their conduct.

However Shen Miao had encountered the whole thing with Xie Jing Xing today and her mind was in chaos thus how would she still be in the mood to talk about these stuff. When Luo Xue Yan mentioned it, she displayed a rare displeased look. When Shen Xin and the few of them saw it, they all looked at one another and thought that Shen Miao was disturb by the Empress’s words when she was in the Palace and did not continue their words. Shen Miao was then able to return to the room to rest early and the rest scattered.

When Shen Miao returned to the room, the skies were already dark and Gu Yu helped her to light the oil lamps. Jing Zhe saw that Shen Miao’s mood was not good thus she dared not stay in the room and disturb her. She pulled Gu Yu out and closed the doors, leaving Shen Miao alone.

She was somewhat irritated as she brush her hair and a nameless anger started to form in her chest that did not seemed to go away. Thinking about Xie Jing Xing’s interrogation in the Palace today, she could not help but be more annoyed and feel grievance. What did her personal affairs got to do with Xie Jing Xing? Could it be that Xie Jing Xing wanted to intervene with her life?

However matters had come to such a point that with the different involved parties and not with an additional Xie Jing Xing, she was unable to control independently.

Thinking of what Pei Lang said, Shen Miao could not help but smile. However the smile was somewhat miserable. Which female did not want a male to love one another and lived till old age? It was just that in her past life she was used to seeing the rise and fall in the world and at the end the so called admiration between her and Fu Xiu Yi was nothing but her own wishful thinking. She also had not experience the feeling of having mutual love of a couple. However she understood that once something happened, one’s thoughts were not of oneself. She was not willing to be like the last lifetime, foolishly give one’s lifetime happiness to others. Currently it was good. From the beginning she had controlled her heart thus it was much easier than retrieving one’s heart that was already given away.

It was just that she did not feel very comfortable at the bottom of her heart.

She sat under the lamp for a while but she was not thinking about anything. After a while, she blew out the light and climbed onto the bed to sleep.

The wind and snow in the residence of Prince Rui was exceptionally big.

One entire type of guards were trembling as they stood in the wind and even the somewhat strong white tiger was thrown outside the bed chambers as punishment. Today everyone was not pleasing to Prince Rui’s eyes and everyone in the residence of Prince Rui was punished. Even Ji Yu Shu and Gao Yang were locked in the tower prison to face the wall.

What kind of place the tower prison was? The people who were locked up were the most evil and when dealing with these evil people, torture was necessary. As the cruelest place of the Mo Yu Army, there were so many kinds of torture there that if there was no eighty-one types, there would be at least forty-nine types. Many men with unswerving determination would guard the tower prison and wail like ghost and howl like wolves after a few days. The first time Tie Yi went in, he was bedridden for a long time and vomited whatever he ate for an entire month.

Ji Yu Shu and Gao Yang looked like attractive and tender young masters that the guards in the residence of Prince Rui were secretly pitying them as they entered the tower prison.

Ye Ying quietly tabbed Nan Qi’s arm and asked, “What is with Master? Who had made him angry?”

Nan Qi made a hush sound and see that there was no moments in the room before whispering, “Gentleman Gao and Young Master Ji did not report that the Palace wanted to bestow marriage upon Fifth Shen Young Lady, thus Master got angry.”

Ye Ying covered her mouth and her eyes widen, “Gentleman Gao and Young Master Ji are truly daring to even hide Fifth Shen Young Lady’s matter. No wonder they are being locked in the tower prison.” After finish speaking she then looked at the white tiger that was trembling in the cold wind and said in pity, “So pitiful. On normal days, it would eat, drink and live well. One had thought that it was different from us but did not expect that matters erupt, everyone are all punching bags.”

Huo Long flipped her long hair and sighed, “It is the beauty that cause the fury.”

In the room, Xie Jing Xing passed the letter that was written to Tie Yi and after Tie Yi took a glance at it, he hesitated, “Master, if His Majesty know that there is changes to the plan at this end…”

Xie Jing Xing looked at him and Tie Yi immediately shut up. It was not a good idea to object to Master’s decision now when Master was not in a good mood.

Xie Jing Xing put the other letter inside the letter and said, “What is going on at Pei Lang’s side? Go and inquire.” After a pause, he then said, “And also Feng Zi Xian and Su Ming Feng.” His brows slightly writteled and suddenly thought about something, “How about the matter about the medicine herbs?”

Tie Yi quickly said, “One had already send people to search and upon finding it, it would be sent to the medical hall.” Princess Rong Xin’s heart illness had frequently occurred in the past and in the medication there was one herbs that was in scarcity as it would only be available during spring. All the available herb in Ding capital’s medical halls would be bought by the Princess residence and these days there were no new shipment for Princess Rong Xin, thus she could only endure. Xie Jing Xing instructed people to purchase it from outside with great value before ‘smoothly’ selling it to the medical hall.

“As quickly as possible.” Xie Jing Xing pursed his lips. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly stood up and put on his coat before heading out.

Tie Yi was slightly startled, “Master still want to go out?”

“Have not yet finished calculating the accounts.” Xie Jing Xing snorted coldly before walking away with a brush of his sleeves.

The outside of the Shen mansion was already quiet and Shen Miao’s room was a cloak of darkness. It was obvious that one had slept for some time.

When Xie Jing Xing reached, Cong Yang was sleeping on the tree and when he saw him walking over, he almost fell off the tree in shock. He quickly got down and stood at attention to greet Xie Jing Xing.

Xie Jing Xing took a glance at the window and Cong Yang quickly said, “Young Madam has already gone to rest.”

When Xie Jing Xing walked to the front of the window, he saw that there was a jade like ring and there was a pendant placed at the window still. Xie Jing Xing looked at Cong Yang with questioningly gaze and Cong Yang said, “After Young Madam went to rest, Luo Ling secretly place the safety pendant on the window still. Young Madam have yet to discover it.”

When Xie Jing Xing heard it, his gaze moved slightly and he used his sharp dagger to pick up that safety pendant and threw it at Cong Yan, “Keep it well.”

Cong Yang was startled and heard Xie Jing Xing continued speaking, “The pet at home is missing a pendant.”

Cong Yang, “…”

At the time of Cong Yang’s speechlessness, Xie Jing Xing had already lightly and quickly opened the window to enter.

On the bed, Shen Miao was sleeping soundly.

Xie Jing Xing walked to the side of the bed and crossed his arms for a while before raising his eyebrows, “To sleep this sounding, it seemed that one did not take my words to heart. Really have such nerves.”

The young female did not have the usual dignified and calm look when sleeping and without all the different things to conceal her appearance, her original appearance was shown. Under the moonlight, her eyes were delicate, making one remember that she was just a sixteen year old young female and one could not ignore that because of her situation and the means that she had shown to be capable of.

Thinking of how Shen Miao was enduring her tears when he was holding her chin, Xie Jing Xing was a little guilty in his heart.

He reached out to move the messy hair on Shen Miao forehead to the back of her ears but saw that Young Lady’s eyelashes trembled. Xie Jing Xing’s hands paused and his gaze went down and saw that the body that was wrapped in the quilt was slightly trembling.

She actually was fake sleeping.

Xie Jing Xing raise his brows and simply sat closer a little before placing both hands at either side of Shen Miao’s and lean forward and whispered in a magnetic voice.

“After helping so many times, why not repay me once by devoting one’s life?”

He stared at Shen Miao’s eyes and slowly leaned over.

Shen Miao’s body was so stiff and that breathing sound seemed to be just beside one’s lips with the feeling of oppression coming from the top was nearing her, she ferociously pushed Xie Jing Xing and sat up before speaking in anger, “What do you want to do?”

Her voice was however somewhat frenetic.

Xie Jing Xing pressed her back down to the bed.

Shen Miao struggled in unease and Xie Jing Xing had to subdue here a few times before laughing out, “What do you think I will do to you?” Then he gave her a critical look, “In your dreams.”

Shen Miao was so angry that she wanted to call Mo Qing over to beat Xie Jing Xing up.

Because she only wore the middle clothes when she sleep at night, after struggling with Xie Jing Xing just now, her middle clothes opened up, revealing a snowy white shoulder, seemingly one could see the plum blossoms on the tudou (aka olden undergarments). Xie Jing Xing was slightly stunned when he saw it and Shen Miao discovered where he was looking and became so upset. Just as she was about to scold, she saw Xie Jing Xing showing over the quilt and covering her up.

Shen Miao revealed her head from the quilt and said angrily, “You are sick.”

Xie Jing Xing ignored her and quickly wrapped her tightly in the quilt like a silkworm cocoon before pressing her onto the bed. Shen Miao could not move at all and Xie Jing Xing looked at her as he supported his head with a head.

Shen Miao finally got frustrated with struggling and asked, “What are you here for?”

“Shen Miao, behave yourself a little.” Xie Jing Xing frowned, “With this Prince here, who would dare to force you to marry?”

Shen Miao was so angry, she started laughing, “You will not stay in Ming Qi for thousands of years and there will be a day that I will need to marry. You can protect me today but not tomorrow. Even if you protect me tomorrow, there will be a day were you will not be able to protect.”

“If one can protect?” Xie Jing Xing asked.

Shen Miao was startled and did not speak.

Xie Jing Xing, “You do not care about marrying others or just want to marry?”

“What does it got to do with you? You asked too much.” Shen Miao had taken Xie Jing Xing’s rudeness during the day to heart and did not plan to talk to him nicely. But upon thinking about it, how was she like a person who was an Empress? She instead looked like those embarrassed young females on the streets. Thinking of how she was pestered by this person in front now, Shen Miao was very dissatisfied with herself.

Her temperamental appearance was seen by Xie Jing Xing and he was unable to make head or tail of it. He flipped over and press Shen Miao down and propped Shen Miao’s head before asking lowly, “Who do you want to marry?”

“Luo Ling, Su Ming Feng, Feng Zi Xian or Pei Lang?”

He was getting closer and that handsome facial features were magnified in front of Shen Miao and one could smell the fragrance of the bamboo scent on the other party. His eyes were exceptionally pretty but currently also had some overbearing manner, as if it could force out one true thought. When being looked at by this pair of eyes, it seemed that all of one’s secret thoughts had nowhere to hide.

Shen Miao’s heart suddenly felt panicked.

This distance was just too close. It was so close that she could hear the thumping of the heart, just like the sound of drums, but she could not differentiate if it was hers or Xie Jing Xing’s.

Not wanting to lose control of her feelings and do expected things, Shen Miao suddenly shrank back. Her back was against the beam of the bed and Xie Jing Xing reached out to protect so that she would not hit her head.

“This has nothing to do with you.” Shen Miao quickly said, “We only have the relations of allies and allies are of mutual cooperation. Prince Rui still wants to control my lifelong matter? Not to say marriage, even in the future when one give birth, separate, disposed, all of that does not have half a relation with you.”

Xie Jing Xing was originally rather angry upon listening to the first half of the sentence but upon hearing the latter half, he was betwee laughter and tears, “What nonsense. You really want to be a disposed Empress?” He had already heard her mention about disposed Empress for an unknown times. Xie Jing Xing did not understand how Shen Miao not be confident with herself that she must imagine such a miserable ending for herself. She did not seem to be a person of low self-esteem.

Shen Miao was so mad that she was speaking incoherently, “It has nothing to do with you. We are only allies. On what basis do you manage my affairs.”

Xie Jing Xing stared at her as the anger that she provoked slowly raised up. He was also a proud person and to be repeatedly dismissed like this, one could not mention how uncomfortable his heart would feel.

He asked, “Allies?”

Shen Miao nodded her head.

“Allies cannot manage your affairs?”

Shen Miao continued to nod her head.

Xie Jing Xing said balmily, “Good.” He quickly leaned over and gave Shen Miao’s lips a peck. Shen Miao was momentarily stunned and saw that purple clad youth using an extremely harsh tone, “Now we are no longer allies.”

“You!” Shen Miao could not speak as there seemed to be a gentle feeling that remained on her lips.

He laughed frivolously, “Now one can manage your affairs.” Finishing, he then got up from the bed and looked at Shen Miao condescending manner and threatened, “Remember, in the future marriage, giving birth, separate, disposed, all these would require this Prince’s agreement.”

After finishing, he looked coldly at the window still and disappeared.

Outside the room.

Cong Yang was forced to listen to everything from the tree till his face and ears turn scarlet but he dared not depart without orders. When Xie Jing Xing came out, Cong Yang greeted him and Xie Jing Xing said, “In the future when someone gift things, just throw it away.” He took the safety pendant that Cong Yang gave him and walked away with annoyance on his face.

Translator note: Pffff… ** maturity always goes back in decades when dealing with XJX. That is why I enjoy translating their interactions first before the rest of the scenes. Due to her past lifetime experiences, ** has experience everything except for the romance part of life so it is good that XJX could make her feel the ‘frustration’ of dating. LOL