Xie Jing Xing saw her chaotic expression and said leisurely, “Do you know what you did last night?”

Shen Miao dared not look at him and said calmly at the quilt, “What could be done other than sleeping?”

“You slept me . ” Xie Jing Xing said, “And you want me to serve you well . ”

Shen Miao almost choked on her own saliva .

That was her?

That was dignified Empress Shen who was the Mistress of the Six Palaces? Xie Jing Xing must be deceiving her . How could there be such a shameless thing?

Xie Jing Xing said, “You said that if I followed you, in the future I would be guaranteed with a lifetime of wealth and prosperity with unlimited prospects . ”

Shen Miao said, “Why bother to take words when one is drunk real? What’s more . ” She changed the topic, “How would I know if you are deceiving me or not? It is not possible for me to say those words . ” She simply flipped it around and did not acknowledge it .

Xie Jing Xing was not anxious and calmly took out a booklet thing under the pillow before flipping it, “Oh right . You even took out the thing that your Mother gave to you and want to explore it with me . Do you remember?” He waved the booklet in front of Shen Miao .

Shen Miao only took a quick glimpse of it but she saw it clearly and was currently vomiting blood in her heart .

That could not be right . He even had that .

That was something that Luo Xue Yan gave to her before she was married and it was to teach her about matters in the bed chambers . This was something that she kept and it was not possible for Xie Jing Xing to find it, thus this meant that it was her who took the initiative to bring it out and pa.s.sed it to Xie Jing Xing?

Then what else did she do with Xie Jing Xing? Was it truly instructing Xie Jing Xing to ‘serve her well’?

Shen Miao felt that it was even worse than if she was struck by lightning .

Xie Jing Xing seemed to think that she was not embarra.s.sed enough and said plainly, “Last night you pull me over to explore it and only managed to explore the first few pages . One had thought that since there is a lot of time, there was no need to rush but you were insistent and even wanted to try extremely difficult positions…”

“Stop . ” Shen Miao quickly interrupted her words but her face was already red, “Mistakes would happen when one drinks . Why did you not stop me?”

“How would I dare?” Xie Jing Xing put up a look of grievance, “If one did not comply, you will behead me . ”

Shen Miao, “…”

She simply felt too embarra.s.sed . Thinking of her att.i.tude of seducing Xie Jing Xing… She had thrown away all her face in the past two lifetimes .

Xie Jing Xing’s mood seemed to be very good as he looked at her with all smiled, “You still told me that you want to explore tonight . ”

“There is no need for tonight . ” Shen Miao quickly interrupted his words again and wanted to jump off the bed to run out . Xie Jing Xing pulled her back and into his arms . He looked down at Shen Miao and the lazy smiled was gone but a serious look appeared on his face .

He asked with a frown, “You are regretting it?”

Shen Miao was startled .

Xie Jing Xing’s eyes was especially beautiful that sometimes Shen Miao would also wonder why would a man have such beautiful eyes . It was like there were limitless emotions that when he was in Ming Qi’s dDing capital, it was unending lingering . However he was cold by nature and this kind of man was too dangerous that one could not afford to offend .

Loving such a man like this was an inexorable doom for a female but being loved by this kind of man would most probably be a lifetime of fortune . He understood respect and had selfishness but he was also adorably overbearing .

At this moment he was looking at Shen Miao seriously and in the usual arrogance gaze, there was some cautiousness that made one feel that one was trusted by him and was protected by him and also was the most important person to him .

Shen Miao’s gaze landed on the red string on Xie Jing Xing’s hand .

He said that he detested it but he did not take it off .

Shen Miao looked up and said honestly, “No regrets . ”

It was just that she was somewhat shy…

Xie Jing Xing’s eyes lit up .

She said, “What is done is done . What is there to regret since it is not to others . ” But at the end she still dodged and refused to look at Xie Jing Xing’s eyes .

Xie Jing Xing pulled her head up and forced her to look at him, “Really?”

Shen Miao said, “Yes . ”

Xie Jing Xing stared at her for a long time and Shen Miao felt even more embarra.s.sed and wanted to run away bug Xie Jing Xing pulled her over and said, “Let me take a look . ”

“Look at what?”

“Last night you did not want to stop and I could not take a good look at your wounds . Although it was a superficial wound, one has to take a good look at it . ” He then pulled Shen Miao into his arms . Shen Miao saw that he was only wearing middle clothes and a huge part of his chest was exposed, thus her face became hotter and she refused, “No… No need . I will do it myself . ”

“That cannot be done…” Xie Jing Xing said and pull her down under him .

Shen Miao did not try to escape .

Outside, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was sweeping the floor and at the same time listening to the noise inside . However both of them did not have any martial arts skills and was unable to hear anything through the door .

Cong Yang crouch in front of the door while teasing the birds in the cage, “You both have been sweeping here for one s.h.i.+chen (modern timing: 2 hours) . If this continues, the tone slabs at the door would be swept through .

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was startled and their movements stopped together . Jing Zhe looked at Cong Yang and wanted to ask something but then felt that it was too difficult to talk about the question that her face became red and she refused to speak .

Cong Yang’s skin was much thicker than her . He knew what he wanted to ask in a glance and waved his big hands, “Don’t worry, it went smoothly . ”

Although Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were embarra.s.sed, they sighed in relief at the same time . Jing Zhe gave a smug look towards Gu Yu but Gu Yu looked at her strangely .

Shen Miao was drink last night and at that time Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was tidying up the room . Coincidentally, they found the booklet that Luo Xue Yan gave to Shen Miao that she had hidden well . Shen Miao asked what was that booklet and Jing Zhe smarten up . Thinking of how Shen Miao would not know what she had done every time she was drunk and with the intention of playing the matchmaker for her Master and Xie Jing Xing . At the beginning when Shen Miao married off, Luo Xue Yan kept on reminding for the two maids to continuously persuade and guide Shen Miao . At the end after being married for so long, the marriage was not consummate at all . Seeing that their relations were very good, Jing Zhe was thinking that could it be that her Young Lady had no knowledge of it and this Prince Rui was also ignorant, thus she had the heart to push the wave and add to the billows .

Thus, taking the advantage of Shen Miao being drunk, she guided her earnestly, “Only His Highness the Prince of First Rank can explain about the things in this booklet to Furen . ”

Now thinking about it, Jing Zhe felt that the expression she had at that time was the same as those matriarch in those Flower Establishments .

Shen Miao was drunk and did not understand it, thus she took that booklet and went out of the door . Gu Yu was unable to stop her in time and could only follow behind . Both maids were anxious and felt uneasy that they stayed outside for an entire night that there were green and black rings around their eyes but Shen Miao did not come out of Xie Jing Xing’s room .

Now hearing Cong Yang’s words, both of their hearts gave a big sigh of relief . They felt that they had accomplish a good thing as no matter now ignorant their Young Lady and GuYe (term used by the female side of the family to call the son-in-law), this kind of matter was a matter of knowing how it went . After a few time, they would become familiar with it .

Just as they were thinking, Tang Zhu walked out from behind . Seeing the three of them, the first thing he did was to yell at Cong Yang, “What are you doing here so early in the morning and guard here? Still don’t leave?” He then turn and smiled towards Jing Zhe and Gu Yu, “Why is it that one’s spirits are not so good upon looking?”

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were people that Shen Miao brought along thus Tang Shu could not be so impolite like treating Cong Yang . When Cong Yang saw that he was treated differently, he snorted before leaving . Jing Zhe and Gu Yu also did not stay longer and after speaking a few words to Tang Shu, they also quickly left .

Tang Shu stood outside Xie Jing Xing’s room alone and after waiting for everyone to leave, he suddenly smile and laughed himself . After foolishly grinning, he seemed to have remembered something and mumbled to himself, “One has to brew some tonic . ” Then he quickly went off .

Mo Yun Army was most likely informed of the entire night of joy in the residence of Prince Rui and they all had a tacit understanding . However Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang were unaware of it .

They were taking care of Pei Lang for the time being .

Pei Lang’s injury was much more serious as compared to Shen Miao . Even though his life was saved, that knife was so deep that Gao Yang dared not take it lightly . Ba Jiao and Hui Xian was looking after Pei Lang and if anything went wrong, it was easier for them to go look for Gao Yang .

Pei Lang had woke up a couple of times at night but the period in which he woke up for was short and he would go back to sleep after a while . After a repeated number of times, Ba Jiao and Hui Xian was too busy on it and did not know the situation at Shen Miao’s and Xie Jing Xing’s side .

Nearing noon, Hui Xiang brought a bowl of porridge in as Pei Lang was unable to eat anything else due to his injuries . Upon entering the room, she saw Pei Lang sitting in front of the window and was lost in thought as he looked out at the branches outside the window .

“Gentleman Pei?” Hui Xian was startled and walked over somewhat happily . She placed the bowl of porridge aside and said, “You are finally awake . ”

Pei Lang slowly turned around and looked at her, seemingly identified her as a maid in the residence of Prince Rui, “w.a.n.gFei has always awake right?”

Hui Xiang felt somewhat strange that Pei Lang would use such a affirmative tone but still said, “Woke up yesterday . Furen was not seriously injured but it was your injuries that are very serious . It was thanks to you that block the attack towards Furen and saved Furen’s life . ”

Pei Lang lowered his head and seemed to laughed before muttering, “Save what life . It was clear that I owed her . ”

Hui Xiang did not clearly hear Pei Lang’s words, “What did you say?”

Pei Lang was then somewhat lost in thoughts again .

He finally remembered .

After blocking the attacked from Shen Miao and after he struggled between life and death, he had a dream . That dream was very long but also very real that it made everything clear for him .

Why was there a strange hostility that Shen Miao had towards him?

Why would he always be inexplicable conscience-stricken feeling towards Shen Miao?

So it was this .

The abbot in the dream said that if he sacrificed his life, there ‘might’ be an opportunity to redo and maybe it would also be in vain . That abbot also said that if there was an opportunity to redo everything, some encounters would be disrupted and perhaps he would suffer from it .

Pei Lang complied .

He once loved a female but there were actually no difference between his love and Fu Xiu Yi’s indifference as it pushed Shen Miao to a road of no return step by step . He sympathised with Shen Miao but at the same time rationally weighted the pros and cons of the matter and at the end abandoned Shen Miao .

A person’s life was actually spent on giving up things . He and Fu Xiu Yi had abandoned Shen Miao so in this lifetime, Shen Miao would not hesitate to abandon them .

But it was Xie Jing Xing that was fortunate . However when one thought about it, it should be as such .

However after knowing so many causes and consequences, he no longer had the face to look at Shen Miao . All the words of accompanying her by her side and helping her, upon thinking about it now, it was all the feeling of conscience-stricken in the past lifetime and he was paying it back but he could not face his heart .

This complicated entanglement had made his mind confused . It was time to end this mistake . Some thoughts should not be born in the beginning as it was a mistake to even think about it thus he should cut it off personally .

Hui Xiang said, “Gentleman Pei, have some porridge first . Your health needs to rest and after a while, Gentleman Gao will come over for acupuncture . As long as one is awake and a few days of rest, you will be safe and sound since Gentleman Gao’s medical abilities are high . ”

Pei Lang paused a while before saying, “Many thanks . ”

“Gentleman Pei is too courteous . ” Hui Xiang said, “You have saved Furen’s life and is the benefactor of the Prince residence . ”

“One would trouble you to help me bring over paper and brush . ” Pei Lang said . His lips were pale and his voice was dark but his tone of voice was very firm .

Shen Miao frowned, “Something happened?” Pei Lang did not have martial arts skills and if one meet with any danger during the journey, he would not have any way to protect himself .

“This servant also thought so . ” Hui Xiang said, “But Ba Jiao found this on the table of Gentleman Pei’s room . ” She then took a letter like thing from her sleeves and pa.s.sed it to Shen Miao before speaking, “Only some of Gentleman Pei’s things and clothes were missing from the room . If this servant does not guess incorrectly, Gentleman Pei should have left . ”

Shen Miao was just about to open up the letter when she paused .

Xie Jing Xing’s expression also slightly changed .

“Did he say anything before he left?” Shen Miao asked Hui Xiang .

“He did not say anything and behaved like usual . He also said that the weather is good today . ” Hui Xiang said .

Shen Miao was somewhat baffled when Xie Jing Xing said, “Take a look at the letter and what it says . ” He was about to get up to leave when Shen Miao held on to his sleeves .

Xie Jing Xing turn back and Shen Miao said, “Let’s see it together . ”

Xie Jing Xing’s stepped paused and after thinking about it, he sat down again but there was a trace of a smile on his lips .

After opening up the later, Pei Lang’s handwriting appeared in front . Pei Lang’s words were as clear as his person and there was an elegant style of those famous scholars . He also looked like one but made one hard to imagine how such a elegant person would become mixed into the battle for power .

At the beginning of the letter, it spoke of how long he had been in the residence of Prince Rui and that he had brought a lot of trouble to the residence of Prince Rui and thanking the couple for offering shelter to him . He then hoped that Shen Miao would keep her promise and settle the latter half of Liu Ying’s life .

Pei Lang also wrote that even though he followed Shen Miao to Long Ye, it was only an interim plan and it was because of Fu Xiu Yi that he had nowhere to hide and thus came to Long Ye . However to continue staying in the residence of Prince Rui, there would be many inconveniences . He has his plans and prepared to travel around for the rest of his life to increase his knowledge and thus parted without saying goodbye .

Because he had some teacher and student relations.h.i.+p with Shen Miao and afterwards have some friends.h.i.+p, he had arranged some information for Shen Miao as he knew about some Prince Ding’s matter when he was staying in the residence of Prince Ding and knew that Shen Miao had been guarding against Prince Ding . He hoped that in the future it would be of use to Shen Miao .

When this letter was handed to Shen Miao, their relations.h.i.+p would be considered clean and clear . No one owed the other and Pei Lang wrote that one did not know if there would be another opportunity to see one another thus he could only say take care of oneself .

Pei Lang wrote this letter extremely simple and there seemed not to be special . One did not know if it was deliberately done to make clear of the relations.h.i.+p with Shen Miao and it was even detached and polite when one read between the lines . It was just like one had returned to when one was a teacher and student in Guang Wen Tang .

There was another piece of paper in the letter and it was filled with all the information on Fu Xiu Yi . Some was about his confidants, some was related to his plans, some was on the future steps that would be taken and people to be win over .

Xie jing Xing originally swept a look casually with Shen Miao towards the piece of paper but upon reading the back, his expression could not help but become serious .

There was nothing but information on Fu Xiu Yi and as such, there seemed to be almost no secret that Fu XIu Yi had in front of them and everyone was revealed . With this, it was like grabbing onto a snake at where it hurts and drilled in one’s heart step by step .

Xie Jing Xing said, “How could he know this much?”

Even if Pei Lang was a spy by Xie Jing Xing’s side and even with Fu Xiu Yi’s previous trust with him, it was not possible for him to trust him to such a level . Moreover the spies that Fu Xiu Yi embedded in the deepest of places where all written out by Pei Lang . The details provided was like he was a favoured confident that followed for many years and knew one’s master’s matters like the palm of one’s hands .

Shen Miao’s fingertips was somewhat shaking .

Some of the matters inside would only occur a few years later . Even at this moment, Fu Xiu Yi did not encounter these people yet so how would Pei Lang have any knowledge of them?

Unless Pei Lang had the memory of the previous life time then he would be able to know Fu Xiu Yi’s ‘future’ confidants and chess pieces and also ‘future’ plans .

When did Pei Lang have that knowledge? He previously did not know anything .

Could it be… Shen Miao heart moved . It was because of the a.s.sa.s.sination during Xie Jing Xing’s birthday that she dreamt about her previous lifetime, could it be that Pei Lang was also the same?

She looked at Hui Xiang, “Is there any difference with Gentleman Pei these days?”

“Differences?” Hui Xiang thought carefully before replying, “There seem to be no difference . He would often be in a daze when sitting and one do not know what he was thinking . However Gentleman Pei’s previous personality was quiet thus he was also the same when he is recovering from his injuries . ”

SHen Miao was unable to make up her mind and wanted to ask Pei Lang if he knew about the matters of the past lifetime . Pei Lang was the person that followed Fu Xiu Yi the longest and naturally knew Fu Xiu Yi the most . But just as she wanted to speak, she stopped .

So what about that? If Pei Lang really remembered the past lifetime, just like how Shen Miao was not able to face Pei Lang, Pei Lang definitely had no idea how to face her .

Both of them were not considered sworn enemies but also not friends who could trust each other with their hearts . There were blood debts between them but they were all personally paid off . In the depths of the Palace, there were times where matters were not of one’s own volition but it was indeed one’s mistakes . One could not take it as though nothing had happen but also could not state things clearly .

When Xie Jing Xing saw her uncertain look, he asked, “Need me to instruct people to bring him back?”

Shen Miao recovered to her senses, “No need . Since he wants to live his own life then let him be . ” Since seeing one another would lead to fights, it was better not to meet . It was good that Pei Lang left like this . She held that piece of paper and her eyes became serious .

When Xie Jing Xing saw it, he said, “The things that are written…”

“It is real . ” Shen Miao said, “One have to pa.s.s this to Eldest Brother . We are not in Ding capital so it is not easy to take action when holding this . Handing this over to Eldest Brother and Father, they would be able to play by the ear . With this, the Shen family will at least have some more chips on hand . ” After that she said with difficulty, “But this is very valuable . If this was being robbed during the journey back to Ming Qi…”

“Let the Mo Yun Army do it . ” Xie Jing Xing said it heedlessly, “The Mo Yun Army has been sending letters for so many years and have not been intercepted . ”

Shen Miao’s heart felt slightly safer but before she could speak, Pei Lang’s letter that was in her hands was taken away by Xie Jing Xing . Xie Jing Xing threw the letter aside intentionally and said, “It is late . Time to rest . ”

“How is it late?” Shen Miao said curiously, “The skies just got dark . ” She then said, “Even though there is no need to bring Gentleman Pei back, one have to at least ensure his safety else if one is stabbed for no reason or being watched by others…”

Before the voice land, Shen Miao was carried by Xie Jing Xing and thrown onto the bed . As he got nearer to her, he spoke darkly, “Try caring about Pei Lang again . ”

Shen Miao, “…”

In the Palace .

In the Imperial Gardens, the Lotus were blooming beautifully in the summer that the green lotus leaves almost filled the entire pond .

Empress Xian De sat in the pavilion and although there was no moon today, there were stars and the water was clear and crystalline, making it a wonderful scene . She instructed people to brew some tea as it was apt to drink a little during summer .

Tao GuGu stood behind her and smiled, “The Lotus blossoms really well this year . ”

Empress Xian De took a glance and smiled, “Last year one had instructed them to change the breeds thus this year, it grew much more prosperous . ” She also said, “It is also cooling in the summer . ”

Just as she was speaking, one could see someone walking over from afar and seemingly saw Empress Xian De and the few of them before slightly pausing in their movements and headed towards this pavilion .

It was only when one walked nearer, could one see clearly that this person was not others but Consort Jing .

Compared to the previous arrogant and heavily dressed Consort Jing, the current Consort Jing looked like she was in tough straits . Or one should not say it was only today . Lately Consort Jing’s situation had not been good and she had no mood to pay attention to her clothes and appearance thus there were some tiredness in the usually beautiful face of hers .

However when seeing Empress Xian De, that fatigue turned into hatred in a moment .

She said, “One saw someone from afar and was thinking who had such good spirits . So it is the Empress . ”

Empress Xian De smiled noncommittally, “BenGong is drinking tea here . Does Consort Jing want to drink a cup?”

Consort Jing coldly smiled as she stared at her, “Older Sister has the mood to drink tea but Younger Sister has no such thoughts . ”

Emperor Yong Le had begun to suppress the Lu family and even though the people of the Inner Palace did not understand the courts, they could see it through the Emperor’s att.i.tude . The previously favoured consort had fallen to a state where even crying or pleading would not shake the Emperor’s expression and that had a deeper meaning to it .

“BenGong do not care if Consort Jing have the thought or not . ” Empress Xian De smiled and continue to pour a cup of tea, “The tea is always here . ”

Consort Jing was so angry that she was somewhat trembling .

Lu Furen came into the Palace to look for her, saying that Emperor Yong Le was dealing with the Lu family and his att.i.tude was one that did not even care about any past relations . She also said that she had the favour of Emperor Yong Le, so why was there no effect in blowing wind by one’s pillow? She wanted her to inquire and probe Emperor Yong Le’s intention and if necessary, plead for leniency .

But Consort Jing had done it but it did not help at all . In fact for so many years, even though Emperor Yong Le extremely doted her that in the Inner Palace, Empress Xian De had to give her some leeway that no matter how arrogant she was, she would always get away with it . However she had never once change Emperor Yong Le’s mind before .

Sometimes she would feel that Emperor Yong Le seemed to have seen everything and knew that she was deliberately pleasing him and sometimes Consort Jing felt somewhat shameful . However there were times where she felt that Emperor Yong Le indeed favoured her . Now that something happened to the Lu family and needed her, a daughter, to help, so Consort Jing would look for Emperor Yong Le but Emperor Yong Le’s att.i.tude was ice cold .

Consort Jing had been sailing with the wind and currents for an entire lifetime and had not suffered anything . When she entered the Palace, she rose to the position of a Consort easily due to her Lu family background and now that the Lu family is in trouble, she also suffered from it . Now she discovered that after so many years, other than antagonising people and creating unreasonable scenes, she did not do anything else .

On the other hand, the Empress Xian De that she was dissatisfied with, could actually sit in a pavilion to drink tea leisurely and unconstrained and that made Consort Jing’s heart filled with resentment .

She thought that Emperor Yong Le did not love Empress Xian De and that Empress Xian De was only respected by everyone because of the position of the Empress . This was just too unfair . If there was no Empress Xian De blocking, she would become the Empress and Emperor Yong Le would not ignore the Lu family and she would not have a headache now .

A malicious resentment appeared in Consort Jing’s heart .

She happened to see that in the pavilion that Empress Xian De was sitting it, there was a ladder near the pavilion to the lake . It was so that it would be convenient to feed the fishes on normal days and it would also look elegant but it was somewhat dangerous .

Consort Jing quietly got closer to Empress Xian De and said, “Older Sister has brewed so many years of tea, naturally one knew the rules of brewing tea . However this Younger Sister does not like tea as tea is bitter and those who drink it would not be comfortable so why brew it?” When this sentence was spoken, she shouted an ‘Aiyah’ and stumbled and headed towards Empress Xian De . Empress Xian De was sitting hear the water so by knocking onto Empress Xian De, she would fall into the water!

What kind of person was Empress Xian De? Consort Jing was stupid but Empress Xian De was not . This kind of little trick did not even enter her eyes . She had long been wary and seeing Consort Jing leaning over, she took a step back and avoided Consort Jing .

One only heard a ‘blop’ sound and splashes of water .

The palace maid by Consort Jing’s side shouted out in shock .

Xie Jing Xing saw her chaotic expression and said leisurely, “Do you know what you did last night?”.

Shen Miao dared not look at him and said calmly at the quilt, “What could be done other than sleeping?”.

 .

“You slept me . ” Xie Jing Xing said, “And you want me to serve you well . ”.

Shen Miao almost choked on her own saliva

That was her?.

That was dignified Empress Shen who was the Mistress of the Six Palaces? Xie Jing Xing must be deceiving her . How could there be such a shameless thing?.

Xie Jing Xing said, “You said that if I followed you, in the future I would be guaranteed with a lifetime of wealth and prosperity with unlimited prospects . ”.

Shen Miao said, “Why bother to take words when one is drunk real? What’s more . ” She changed the topic, “How would I know if you are deceiving me or not? It is not possible for me to say those words . ” She simply flipped it around and did not acknowledge it

Xie Jing Xing was not anxious and calmly took out a booklet thing under the pillow before flipping it, “Oh right . You even took out the thing that your Mother gave to you and want to explore it with me . Do you remember?” He waved the booklet in front of Shen Miao

Shen Miao only took a quick glimpse of it but she saw it clearly and was currently vomiting blood in her heart

That could not be right . He even had that

That was something that Luo Xue Yan gave to her before she was married and it was to teach her about matters in the bed chambers . This was something that she kept and it was not possible for Xie Jing Xing to find it, thus this meant that it was her who took the initiative to bring it out and pa.s.sed it to Xie Jing Xing?.

Then what else did she do with Xie Jing Xing? Was it truly instructing Xie Jing Xing to ‘serve her well’?.

Shen Miao felt that it was even worse than if she was struck by lightning

Xie Jing Xing seemed to think that she was not embarra.s.sed enough and said plainly, “Last night you pull me over to explore it and only managed to explore the first few pages . One had thought that since there is a lot of time, there was no need to rush but you were insistent and even wanted to try extremely difficult positions…”.

“Stop . ” Shen Miao quickly interrupted her words but her face was already red, “Mistakes would happen when one drinks . Why did you not stop me?”.

“How would I dare?” Xie Jing Xing put up a look of grievance, “If one did not comply, you will behead me . ”.

Shen Miao, “…”.

She simply felt too embarra.s.sed . Thinking of her att.i.tude of seducing Xie Jing Xing… She had thrown away all her face in the past two lifetimes

Xie Jing Xing’s mood seemed to be very good as he looked at her with all smiled, “You still told me that you want to explore tonight . ”.

“There is no need for tonight . ” Shen Miao quickly interrupted his words again and wanted to jump off the bed to run out . Xie Jing Xing pulled her back and into his arms . He looked down at Shen Miao and the lazy smiled was gone but a serious look appeared on his face

He asked with a frown, “You are regretting it?”.

Shen Miao was startled

Xie Jing Xing’s eyes was especially beautiful that sometimes Shen Miao would also wonder why would a man have such beautiful eyes . It was like there were limitless emotions that when he was in Ming Qi’s dDing capital, it was unending lingering . However he was cold by nature and this kind of man was too dangerous that one could not afford to offend

Loving such a man like this was an inexorable doom for a female but being loved by this kind of man would most probably be a lifetime of fortune . He understood respect and had selfishness but he was also adorably overbearing

At this moment he was looking at Shen Miao seriously and in the usual arrogance gaze, there was some cautiousness that made one feel that one was trusted by him and was protected by him and also was the most important person to him

Shen Miao’s gaze landed on the red string on Xie Jing Xing’s hand

He said that he detested it but he did not take it off

Shen Miao looked up and said honestly, “No regrets . ”. . .

It was just that she was somewhat shy….

Xie Jing Xing’s eyes lit up

She said, “What is done is done . What is there to regret since it is not to others . ” But at the end she still dodged and refused to look at Xie Jing Xing’s eyes

Xie Jing Xing pulled her head up and forced her to look at him, “Really?”.

Shen Miao said, “Yes . ”.

Xie Jing Xing stared at her for a long time and Shen Miao felt even more embarra.s.sed and wanted to run away bug Xie Jing Xing pulled her over and said, “Let me take a look . ”.

“Look at what?”.

“Last night you did not want to stop and I could not take a good look at your wounds . Although it was a superficial wound, one has to take a good look at it . ” He then pulled Shen Miao into his arms . Shen Miao saw that he was only wearing middle clothes and a huge part of his chest was exposed, thus her face became hotter and she refused, “No… No need . I will do it myself . ”.

“That cannot be done…” Xie Jing Xing said and pull her down under him

Shen Miao did not try to escape

Outside, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was sweeping the floor and at the same time listening to the noise inside . However both of them did not have any martial arts skills and was unable to hear anything through the door

Cong Yang crouch in front of the door while teasing the birds in the cage, “You both have been sweeping here for one s.h.i.+chen (modern timing: 2 hours) . If this continues, the tone slabs at the door would be swept through

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was startled and their movements stopped together . Jing Zhe looked at Cong Yang and wanted to ask something but then felt that it was too difficult to talk about the question that her face became red and she refused to speak

Cong Yang’s skin was much thicker than her . He knew what he wanted to ask in a glance and waved his big hands, “Don’t worry, it went smoothly . ”.

Although Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were embarra.s.sed, they sighed in relief at the same time . Jing Zhe gave a smug look towards Gu Yu but Gu Yu looked at her strangely

Shen Miao was drink last night and at that time Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was tidying up the room . Coincidentally, they found the booklet that Luo Xue Yan gave to Shen Miao that she had hidden well . Shen Miao asked what was that booklet and Jing Zhe smarten up . Thinking of how Shen Miao would not know what she had done every time she was drunk and with the intention of playing the matchmaker for her Master and Xie Jing Xing . At the beginning when Shen Miao married off, Luo Xue Yan kept on reminding for the two maids to continuously persuade and guide Shen Miao . At the end after being married for so long, the marriage was not consummate at all . Seeing that their relations were very good, Jing Zhe was thinking that could it be that her Young Lady had no knowledge of it and this Prince Rui was also ignorant, thus she had the heart to push the wave and add to the billows

Thus, taking the advantage of Shen Miao being drunk, she guided her earnestly, “Only His Highness the Prince of First Rank can explain about the things in this booklet to Furen . ”.

Now thinking about it, Jing Zhe felt that the expression she had at that time was the same as those matriarch in those Flower Establishments

Shen Miao was drunk and did not understand it, thus she took that booklet and went out of the door . Gu Yu was unable to stop her in time and could only follow behind . Both maids were anxious and felt uneasy that they stayed outside for an entire night that there were green and black rings around their eyes but Shen Miao did not come out of Xie Jing Xing’s room

Now hearing Cong Yang’s words, both of their hearts gave a big sigh of relief . They felt that they had accomplish a good thing as no matter now ignorant their Young Lady and GuYe (term used by the female side of the family to call the son-in-law), this kind of matter was a matter of knowing how it went . After a few time, they would become familiar with it

Just as they were thinking, Tang Zhu walked out from behind . Seeing the three of them, the first thing he did was to yell at Cong Yang, “What are you doing here so early in the morning and guard here? Still don’t leave?” He then turn and smiled towards Jing Zhe and Gu Yu, “Why is it that one’s spirits are not so good upon looking?”.

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were people that Shen Miao brought along thus Tang Shu could not be so impolite like treating Cong Yang . When Cong Yang saw that he was treated differently, he snorted before leaving . Jing Zhe and Gu Yu also did not stay longer and after speaking a few words to Tang Shu, they also quickly left

Tang Shu stood outside Xie Jing Xing’s room alone and after waiting for everyone to leave, he suddenly smile and laughed himself . After foolishly grinning, he seemed to have remembered something and mumbled to himself, “One has to brew some tonic . ” Then he quickly went off

Mo Yun Army was most likely informed of the entire night of joy in the residence of Prince Rui and they all had a tacit understanding . However Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang were unaware of it

They were taking care of Pei Lang for the time being

Pei Lang’s injury was much more serious as compared to Shen Miao . Even though his life was saved, that knife was so deep that Gao Yang dared not take it lightly . Ba Jiao and Hui Xian was looking after Pei Lang and if anything went wrong, it was easier for them to go look for Gao Yang

Pei Lang had woke up a couple of times at night but the period in which he woke up for was short and he would go back to sleep after a while . After a repeated number of times, Ba Jiao and Hui Xian was too busy on it and did not know the situation at Shen Miao’s and Xie Jing Xing’s side

Nearing noon, Hui Xiang brought a bowl of porridge in as Pei Lang was unable to eat anything else due to his injuries . Upon entering the room, she saw Pei Lang sitting in front of the window and was lost in thought as he looked out at the branches outside the window

“Gentleman Pei?” Hui Xian was startled and walked over somewhat happily . She placed the bowl of porridge aside and said, “You are finally awake . ”.

Pei Lang slowly turned around and looked at her, seemingly identified her as a maid in the residence of Prince Rui, “w.a.n.gFei has always awake right?”. . .

Hui Xiang felt somewhat strange that Pei Lang would use such a affirmative tone but still said, “Woke up yesterday . Furen was not seriously injured but it was your injuries that are very serious . It was thanks to you that block the attack towards Furen and saved Furen’s life . ”.

Pei Lang lowered his head and seemed to laughed before muttering, “Save what life . It was clear that I owed her . ”.

Hui Xiang did not clearly hear Pei Lang’s words, “What did you say?”.

Pei Lang was then somewhat lost in thoughts again

He finally remembered

After blocking the attacked from Shen Miao and after he struggled between life and death, he had a dream . That dream was very long but also very real that it made everything clear for him

Why was there a strange hostility that Shen Miao had towards him?.

Why would he always be inexplicable conscience-stricken feeling towards Shen Miao?.

So it was this

The abbot in the dream said that if he sacrificed his life, there ‘might’ be an opportunity to redo and maybe it would also be in vain . That abbot also said that if there was an opportunity to redo everything, some encounters would be disrupted and perhaps he would suffer from it

Pei Lang complied

He once loved a female but there were actually no difference between his love and Fu Xiu Yi’s indifference as it pushed Shen Miao to a road of no return step by step . He sympathised with Shen Miao but at the same time rationally weighted the pros and cons of the matter and at the end abandoned Shen Miao

A person’s life was actually spent on giving up things . He and Fu Xiu Yi had abandoned Shen Miao so in this lifetime, Shen Miao would not hesitate to abandon them

But it was Xie Jing Xing that was fortunate . However when one thought about it, it should be as such

However after knowing so many causes and consequences, he no longer had the face to look at Shen Miao . All the words of accompanying her by her side and helping her, upon thinking about it now, it was all the feeling of conscience-stricken in the past lifetime and he was paying it back but he could not face his heart

This complicated entanglement had made his mind confused . It was time to end this mistake . Some thoughts should not be born in the beginning as it was a mistake to even think about it thus he should cut it off personally

Hui Xiang said, “Gentleman Pei, have some porridge first . Your health needs to rest and after a while, Gentleman Gao will come over for acupuncture . As long as one is awake and a few days of rest, you will be safe and sound since Gentleman Gao’s medical abilities are high . ”.

Pei Lang paused a while before saying, “Many thanks . ”.

“Gentleman Pei is too courteous . ” Hui Xiang said, “You have saved Furen’s life and is the benefactor of the Prince residence . ”.

“One would trouble you to help me bring over paper and brush . ” Pei Lang said . His lips were pale and his voice was dark but his tone of voice was very firm

 . Chapter 218: Leaving (Part 1)

Shen Miao frowned, “Something happened?” Pei Lang did not have martial arts skills and if one meet with any danger during the journey, he would not have any way to protect himself

“This servant also thought so . ” Hui Xiang said, “But Ba Jiao found this on the table of Gentleman Pei’s room . ” She then took a letter like thing from her sleeves and pa.s.sed it to Shen Miao before speaking, “Only some of Gentleman Pei’s things and clothes were missing from the room . If this servant does not guess incorrectly, Gentleman Pei should have left . ”.

 .

Shen Miao was just about to open up the letter when she paused

Xie Jing Xing’s expression also slightly changed

“Did he say anything before he left?” Shen Miao asked Hui Xiang

“He did not say anything and behaved like usual . He also said that the weather is good today . ” Hui Xiang said

Shen Miao was somewhat baffled when Xie Jing Xing said, “Take a look at the letter and what it says . ” He was about to get up to leave when Shen Miao held on to his sleeves

Xie Jing Xing turn back and Shen Miao said, “Let’s see it together . ”.

Xie Jing Xing’s stepped paused and after thinking about it, he sat down again but there was a trace of a smile on his lips

After opening up the later, Pei Lang’s handwriting appeared in front . Pei Lang’s words were as clear as his person and there was an elegant style of those famous scholars . He also looked like one but made one hard to imagine how such a elegant person would become mixed into the battle for power

At the beginning of the letter, it spoke of how long he had been in the residence of Prince Rui and that he had brought a lot of trouble to the residence of Prince Rui and thanking the couple for offering shelter to him . He then hoped that Shen Miao would keep her promise and settle the latter half of Liu Ying’s life

Pei Lang also wrote that even though he followed Shen Miao to Long Ye, it was only an interim plan and it was because of Fu Xiu Yi that he had nowhere to hide and thus came to Long Ye . However to continue staying in the residence of Prince Rui, there would be many inconveniences . He has his plans and prepared to travel around for the rest of his life to increase his knowledge and thus parted without saying goodbye

Because he had some teacher and student relations.h.i.+p with Shen Miao and afterwards have some friends.h.i.+p, he had arranged some information for Shen Miao as he knew about some Prince Ding’s matter when he was staying in the residence of Prince Ding and knew that Shen Miao had been guarding against Prince Ding . He hoped that in the future it would be of use to Shen Miao

When this letter was handed to Shen Miao, their relations.h.i.+p would be considered clean and clear . No one owed the other and Pei Lang wrote that one did not know if there would be another opportunity to see one another thus he could only say take care of oneself

Pei Lang wrote this letter extremely simple and there seemed not to be special . One did not know if it was deliberately done to make clear of the relations.h.i.+p with Shen Miao and it was even detached and polite when one read between the lines . It was just like one had returned to when one was a teacher and student in Guang Wen Tang

There was another piece of paper in the letter and it was filled with all the information on Fu Xiu Yi . Some was about his confidants, some was related to his plans, some was on the future steps that would be taken and people to be win over

Xie jing Xing originally swept a look casually with Shen Miao towards the piece of paper but upon reading the back, his expression could not help but become serious

There was nothing but information on Fu Xiu Yi and as such, there seemed to be almost no secret that Fu XIu Yi had in front of them and everyone was revealed . With this, it was like grabbing onto a snake at where it hurts and drilled in one’s heart step by step

Xie Jing Xing said, “How could he know this much?”.

Even if Pei Lang was a spy by Xie Jing Xing’s side and even with Fu Xiu Yi’s previous trust with him, it was not possible for him to trust him to such a level . Moreover the spies that Fu Xiu Yi embedded in the deepest of places where all written out by Pei Lang . The details provided was like he was a favoured confident that followed for many years and knew one’s master’s matters like the palm of one’s hands

Shen Miao’s fingertips was somewhat shaking

Some of the matters inside would only occur a few years later . Even at this moment, Fu Xiu Yi did not encounter these people yet so how would Pei Lang have any knowledge of them?.

Unless Pei Lang had the memory of the previous life time then he would be able to know Fu Xiu Yi’s ‘future’ confidants and chess pieces and also ‘future’ plans

When did Pei Lang have that knowledge? He previously did not know anything

Could it be… Shen Miao heart moved . It was because of the a.s.sa.s.sination during Xie Jing Xing’s birthday that she dreamt about her previous lifetime, could it be that Pei Lang was also the same?.

She looked at Hui Xiang, “Is there any difference with Gentleman Pei these days?”.

“Differences?” Hui Xiang thought carefully before replying, “There seem to be no difference . He would often be in a daze when sitting and one do not know what he was thinking . However Gentleman Pei’s previous personality was quiet thus he was also the same when he is recovering from his injuries . ”.

SHen Miao was unable to make up her mind and wanted to ask Pei Lang if he knew about the matters of the past lifetime . Pei Lang was the person that followed Fu Xiu Yi the longest and naturally knew Fu Xiu Yi the most . But just as she wanted to speak, she stopped

So what about that? If Pei Lang really remembered the past lifetime, just like how Shen Miao was not able to face Pei Lang, Pei Lang definitely had no idea how to face her

Both of them were not considered sworn enemies but also not friends who could trust each other with their hearts . There were blood debts between them but they were all personally paid off . In the depths of the Palace, there were times where matters were not of one’s own volition but it was indeed one’s mistakes . One could not take it as though nothing had happen but also could not state things clearly

When Xie Jing Xing saw her uncertain look, he asked, “Need me to instruct people to bring him back?”.

Shen Miao recovered to her senses, “No need . Since he wants to live his own life then let him be . ” Since seeing one another would lead to fights, it was better not to meet . It was good that Pei Lang left like this . She held that piece of paper and her eyes became serious

When Xie Jing Xing saw it, he said, “The things that are written…”.

“It is real . ” Shen Miao said, “One have to pa.s.s this to Eldest Brother . We are not in Ding capital so it is not easy to take action when holding this . Handing this over to Eldest Brother and Father, they would be able to play by the ear . With this, the Shen family will at least have some more chips on hand . ” After that she said with difficulty, “But this is very valuable . If this was being robbed during the journey back to Ming Qi…”.

“Let the Mo Yun Army do it . ” Xie Jing Xing said it heedlessly, “The Mo Yun Army has been sending letters for so many years and have not been intercepted . ”.

Shen Miao’s heart felt slightly safer but before she could speak, Pei Lang’s letter that was in her hands was taken away by Xie Jing Xing . Xie Jing Xing threw the letter aside intentionally and said, “It is late . Time to rest . ”.

“How is it late?” Shen Miao said curiously, “The skies just got dark . ” She then said, “Even though there is no need to bring Gentleman Pei back, one have to at least ensure his safety else if one is stabbed for no reason or being watched by others…”.

Before the voice land, Shen Miao was carried by Xie Jing Xing and thrown onto the bed . As he got nearer to her, he spoke darkly, “Try caring about Pei Lang again . ”.

Shen Miao, “…”.

*****.

In the Palace

In the Imperial Gardens, the Lotus were blooming beautifully in the summer that the green lotus leaves almost filled the entire pond

Empress Xian De sat in the pavilion and although there was no moon today, there were stars and the water was clear and crystalline, making it a wonderful scene . She instructed people to brew some tea as it was apt to drink a little during summer

Tao GuGu stood behind her and smiled, “The Lotus blossoms really well this year . ”.

Empress Xian De took a glance and smiled, “Last year one had instructed them to change the breeds thus this year, it grew much more prosperous . ” She also said, “It is also cooling in the summer . ”.

Just as she was speaking, one could see someone walking over from afar and seemingly saw Empress Xian De and the few of them before slightly pausing in their movements and headed towards this pavilion

It was only when one walked nearer, could one see clearly that this person was not others but Consort Jing

Compared to the previous arrogant and heavily dressed Consort Jing, the current Consort Jing looked like she was in tough straits . Or one should not say it was only today . Lately Consort Jing’s situation had not been good and she had no mood to pay attention to her clothes and appearance thus there were some tiredness in the usually beautiful face of hers

However when seeing Empress Xian De, that fatigue turned into hatred in a moment

She said, “One saw someone from afar and was thinking who had such good spirits . So it is the Empress . ”.

Empress Xian De smiled noncommittally, “BenGong is drinking tea here . Does Consort Jing want to drink a cup?”.

Consort Jing coldly smiled as she stared at her, “Older Sister has the mood to drink tea but Younger Sister has no such thoughts . ”.

Emperor Yong Le had begun to suppress the Lu family and even though the people of the Inner Palace did not understand the courts, they could see it through the Emperor’s att.i.tude . The previously favoured consort had fallen to a state where even crying or pleading would not shake the Emperor’s expression and that had a deeper meaning to it

“BenGong do not care if Consort Jing have the thought or not . ” Empress Xian De smiled and continue to pour a cup of tea, “The tea is always here . ”.

Consort Jing was so angry that she was somewhat trembling

Lu Furen came into the Palace to look for her, saying that Emperor Yong Le was dealing with the Lu family and his att.i.tude was one that did not even care about any past relations . She also said that she had the favour of Emperor Yong Le, so why was there no effect in blowing wind by one’s pillow? She wanted her to inquire and probe Emperor Yong Le’s intention and if necessary, plead for leniency

But Consort Jing had done it but it did not help at all . In fact for so many years, even though Emperor Yong Le extremely doted her that in the Inner Palace, Empress Xian De had to give her some leeway that no matter how arrogant she was, she would always get away with it . However she had never once change Emperor Yong Le’s mind before

Sometimes she would feel that Emperor Yong Le seemed to have seen everything and knew that she was deliberately pleasing him and sometimes Consort Jing felt somewhat shameful . However there were times where she felt that Emperor Yong Le indeed favoured her . Now that something happened to the Lu family and needed her, a daughter, to help, so Consort Jing would look for Emperor Yong Le but Emperor Yong Le’s att.i.tude was ice cold

Consort Jing had been sailing with the wind and currents for an entire lifetime and had not suffered anything . When she entered the Palace, she rose to the position of a Consort easily due to her Lu family background and now that the Lu family is in trouble, she also suffered from it . Now she discovered that after so many years, other than antagonising people and creating unreasonable scenes, she did not do anything else

On the other hand, the Empress Xian De that she was dissatisfied with, could actually sit in a pavilion to drink tea leisurely and unconstrained and that made Consort Jing’s heart filled with resentment

She thought that Emperor Yong Le did not love Empress Xian De and that Empress Xian De was only respected by everyone because of the position of the Empress . This was just too unfair . If there was no Empress Xian De blocking, she would become the Empress and Emperor Yong Le would not ignore the Lu family and she would not have a headache now

A malicious resentment appeared in Consort Jing’s heart

She happened to see that in the pavilion that Empress Xian De was sitting it, there was a ladder near the pavilion to the lake . It was so that it would be convenient to feed the fishes on normal days and it would also look elegant but it was somewhat dangerous

Consort Jing quietly got closer to Empress Xian De and said, “Older Sister has brewed so many years of tea, naturally one knew the rules of brewing tea . However this Younger Sister does not like tea as tea is bitter and those who drink it would not be comfortable so why brew it?” When this sentence was spoken, she shouted an ‘Aiyah’ and stumbled and headed towards Empress Xian De . Empress Xian De was sitting hear the water so by knocking onto Empress Xian De, she would fall into the water!.

What kind of person was Empress Xian De? Consort Jing was stupid but Empress Xian De was not . This kind of little trick did not even enter her eyes . She had long been wary and seeing Consort Jing leaning over, she took a step back and avoided Consort Jing

One only heard a ‘blop’ sound and splashes of water

The palace maid by Consort Jing’s side shouted out in shock