After Shen Miao thought for a while, she then asked Xie Jing Xing, “How do you plan to handle Princess Ming An and Xie Chang Wu?”
Even though she had repeatedly warned herself not to be curious about all things related to Xie Jing Xing, at the end Shen Miao could not hold it back. At that time when Xie Jing Xing took away Xie Chang Chao’s corpse, it made her very puzzled. She asked, “You plan to kill Xie Chang Wu?”
“Else wait for him to scheme me behind my back?” Xie Jing Xing retorted.
Shen Miao rolled her eyes. Even if Xie Chang Wu really wanted to scheme against Xie Jing Xing, he had to start scheming for it to be considered. Not to mention that now Xie Jing Xing was holding the noble and greatly respected identity of Prince Rui of the Great Liang, even when he was the Little Marquis in the residence of the Marquis of Lin An, the Xie brothers’ duels with him failed, and even the highly skilled Madam Fang could only watch openly as Xie Jing Xing grew up arrogantly for all the years.
“Actually you do not need to kill him. You did not have to kill Xie Chang Chao too.” Shen Miao said, “Your Fa… For the Marquis of Lin An to lose sons in succession, he would definitely investigate the matter. Perhaps you have other means that would reduce some other unnecessary trouble.”
Xie Jing Xing’s eyes were slightly cold, “I have the final say to kill them or not.” He suddenly shot a glance at Shen Miao and his lips hooked up, “You are now seemingly caring about an ally’s feelings. Why? Worried about me?” His tone suddenly became a little frivolous. Compared to the cynical youth two years ago, for Xie Jing Xing who had gotten more handsome in appearance to do this, it made one unable to look away. One clearly knew it was dangerous but it seemingly made one fascinated and could not help but be closer.
Shen Miao looked away without an expression, “I am worried you will implicate me.”
Xie Jing Xing laughed and there was some playfulness in his smile, “Do not need to worry. I have ways to protect you, and also have ways to protect myself. One will not give trouble to others.”
Shen Miao felt a little weird in her heart, as she felt that Xie Jing ing’s remarks were alluding to something. However there was only the two of them in the room and if there was innuendo, one did not know who was he shooting it to. Shen Miao thought that she was oversensitive and just went along with his words, “Your Highness Princes Rui naturally possess remarkable abilities.”
“But there are things that one cannot be compared with.” Xie Jing Xing said lazily, “One do not know the trick of injuring oneself for gain.”
Shen Miao said, “What did you say?”
“Never mind.” Xie Jing Xing stood up and walked to Shen Miao. His stature was tall thus when he stood shoulder to shoulder with Shen Miao, there was an involuntary pressure. Normally when he talked to Shen Miao, he would either be indifferent or frivolous, and that helped to dilute the pressure but one did not know why, or was it Shen Miao’s incorrect illusion, she felt that Xie Jing Xing’s gaze was much more sharper than in the past.
“How do you want me to handle Ming An?” He leaned closer to Shen Miao and whispered into Shen Miao’s ears.
Shen Miao unconsciously took a step back, but her shoulders were held down by Xie Jing Xing. His expression was somewhat strange, seemingly like he was repressing something. He then abruptly let go of his hands before turning around and said coldly, “What are you thinking?”
“Why ask me?” Shen Miao said, “Do not you already have plans?” Xie Jing Xing had taken away Xie Chang Chao’s corpse, thus Shen Miao thought that Xie Jing Xing had already thought of what next steps to take. Why now ask her about it?
“This depends on you.” Xie Jing Xing did not turn back his head.
“If Prince Rui take action, how much can it be accomplished?” Shen Miao’s brain quickly calculated, “I am saying that if you kill Princess Ming An, can you guarantee that others will not be able to gain information that could be used against you?”
Xie Jing Xing paused and turned around to stare at Shen Miao for a while before laughing, “Little Shen girl, you really do business too well.”
Shen Miao was slightly surprised as Xie Jing Xing had not called her ‘little Shen girl’ for a very long time. Now that he said that, it made her dazedly thought that it was still two years ago when she just met Xie Jing Xing. At that time both of them were afraid of being each other chess pieces, and thought that each other would not meet the other for the rest of their lives. Who knew that just two years later, they would be sitting down and discuss calmly about the shady business of murdering and silencing people.
Life was indeed full of twists and turns.
Seeing Shen Miao in a daze, Xie Jing Xing said, “You want to kill her?”
Shen Miao recovered to her senses, “She conspired with the two Xie brothers to scheme against me, and planned to sell me off to a low grade brothel, so that I will forever be on the road of living no better than dying. And to also secretly harm my Eldest Brother. I am not a sage and would not return good for evil and only want her life. As compared to the things she want to do to me, this is already considered kind.”
“Vicious and merciless girl.” Xie Jing Xing smiled uncaringly, as if he had not thought of how inconceivable it was for Shen Miao to talk about killing a Princess of a country. He looked at Shen Miao with a sly look and crossed his arms in front of his chest, “But why should I do this?
Shen Miao, “…”
One had always heard that when a female was having menstruation, one’s personality would become somewhat moody, and currently Shen Miao could not help but wonder if males would have menstruation. Else why would Xie Jing Xing be so moody today and make others completely confused? A few days earlier when Xie Jing Xing was attempting to tie Shen Miao and him together and was taking initiative in all aspects. But now when one let him show initiative, he started to put up on airs. Even those sly veterans in courts would not be like this youth in front, making one’s heart full of jittery.
She said, “Did not you already take me as your ally? Is not it a matter of fact to stick out for an ally?” Shen Miao at last saw that Xie Jing Xing was not one who would follow the rules to deal his cards. Pei Lang had already experienced Fu Xiu Yi’s techniques and if there was an official with eccentric temperament, when he was shameless, one have to be more shameless that him. Might as well use Xie Jing Xing’s own words to block him.
Xie Jing Xing froze for a moment before looking at Shen Miao. His eyes slightly moved as he said lowly, “Though that is said, not only have one saved you and ended an official’s life, now one still have to help you assassinate a Princess of a country. Allies are all mutually beneficial but you do not do anything at all. To help others unconditionally is for spouses. I see that you do not treat me as an ally but a husband.”
Shen Miao was exasperated and sneered, “Your Highness Prince Rui is as respected as gold and noble as jade. It is alright if one is unwilling and I would not be insistent. With regards to the matter of Princess Ming An, I will think of a way.”
“Think of what way?” Xie Jing Xing said indifferently, “Ask your Older Biao Brother for help?”
Shen Miao said, “What does this got to do with Older Brother Ling?”
Xie Jing Xing said, “What are you anxious about? I did not say that I do not agree. Since one is an ally and it is not of a difficult matter, this Prince will lend a casual hand. But what can you do for this Prince?”
Shen Miao glared at him.
“See, one cannot think of anything. Xie Jing Xing raised his brows and sighed, “Then just make two baskets of pastries for this Prince first. During the journey of assassinating, one fear one will be hungry.
Shen Miao, “…”
Only after Xie Jing Xing left, then Shen Miao sat on the bed but this time there was no sleepiness at all. She did not know what kind of methods Xie Jing Xing would use to ‘assassinate’ Princess Ming An but her heart felt surprisingly reassured. One thought that since Xie Jing Xing had eyes and hands everywhere that even when changing to an hidden identity, he would dare to outright swagger under the eyelids of Emperor Wen Hui, from how casual he said to just take a Princess’s life, it was something that was as easy as reaching out to take.
But… Today Xie Jing Xing was really in a bad mood. Shen Miao took the cup from the side and started thinking. The atmosphere became somewhat moody.
*****
After a few days of sun in Ming Qi’s Ding capital, it started to snow again. The noble Furens and Young Ladies were all delicate and was not willing to go out as the roads were slippery on snowy days. Even those who went out would strictly cover up and bring along a few hand warmers, to refrain from catching a cold. The water in Wan Li Lake were all frozen. Even if there were people who came to fish, they would drill a hole into the lake before fishing. But on the next day, it would definitely be filled with ice again and would be very stable when one walk over it.
This was also true for the residence of Prince Rui.
Early in the morning Ji Yu Shu slipped and fell at the doors and complained loudly that the ice in the courtyards were dirty. Ever since Xi Jing Xing bought large plots of lands in Yan Qing Lane, other than the times Ji Yu Shu go to Feng Xian Pawnshop so that Hong Ling could show him the accounting books, most of the time he would be in the residence of Prince Rui, playing with the big cat.
Upon seeing Xie Jing Xing walking over from afar, Ji Yu Shu called out, “Third Older Brother!”
Xie Jing Xing could not be bothered about him. The white tiger broke free from Ji Yu Shu’s handstand quickly ran towards Xie Jing Xing’s side. Gao Yang came out from the other side as he did not return to the Palace yesterday and stayed in the residence of Prince Rui.
“You went to the Shen mansion to treat that Young Lady Luo again?” Ji Yu Shu asked.
Speaking of that matter, Gao Yang felt his head hurting. He had treated so many people, be it the Ladyships in the Palace or the Emperor, or even the Furens and Young Ladies of high ranking officials, it was the first time he had seen a patient like Luo Tan. It was evident that she was so weak a few days back that she almost died and had barely gotten back her life but now that she had gotten a little better she started practicing martial arts in the Shen mansion’s courtyard. She said that during the matter of Shen Miao’s she had a realisation that only by practicing martial arts could one protect the people by one’s side.
But she did not look at what kind of condition she was in.
How could her wounds heal quicker with her self-torment? Once the wound heal slower, Luo Tan would give a skeptical look to Gao Yang, “Are you really a doctor from the Palace? Why is it that you are not even comparable to the apprentice in Xiao Chun City’s medical hall? When one knocked one’s head, the next day one can still go up the mountain to cut firewood.”
To actually compare a medical hall apprentice with him, an Imperial Physician and moreover Luo Tan was not a patient that fell down and it was an injury that one could almost lose one’s life! Gao Yang had never encounter such an uncooperative patient in his life and also not at all respectful to him. If he had not used the matter of Luo Tan sneaking out to look for Prince Rui as leverage, Luo Tan would have gone up to his head and pee there.
As one had rarely seen Gao Yang losing his thoughts, Ji Yu Shu jabbed his shoulders, “Dreaming in the middle of the day? Treat until one gone silly?”
Gao Yang recovered to his senses and looked at Ji Yu Shu in despise, “You think everyone is like you?”
Xie Jing Xing who was at the side suddenly said, “How is Luo Ling?”
Gao Yang was slightly startled, skeptical of why Xie Jing Xing would ask about Luo Ling without any rhyme or reason and said, “He did not suffered any serious injury and is the same.”
“How’s the hand?”
“Hand?” Gao Yang said, “The right hand cannot be used. Are you doubting my capabilities?”
Xie Jing Xing turned around and looked at Gao Yang annoyed, “Can not you just heal his hand?”
“Even though my medical skills are very high, I am not a divine physician.” Gao Yang said helplessly, “The wounds on his hand were deep in his muscles and bones. Moreover there were old injuries on top thus I could not do anything. Without any rhyme or reason how do you have a friendship with him? Even if one treat the Shen family well, Luo Ling is considered as a Biao relative. Even the Biao relatives have to be taken care?” Gao Yang said incredibly, “You might as well aid everyone under Heavens.”
Xie Jing Xing raised his brows, “Who want to take care of him?”
“Then why are you so concerned about his injuries?” Gao Yang was unable to make head or tail of it.
“I know this!” Ji Yu Shu, who was being left cold at the side, finally found a topic where he could speak and quickly inserted himself in, “I know! I know!” He touched his chin proudly and put on a profound look on, “Young Master Luo is injured because of Fifth Shen Young Lady so if Young Master Luo’s condition remained as such, then Fifth Shen Young Lady would inevitable feel remorse in her heart. Third Older Brother’s and Fifth Shen Young Lady’s friendship is not at all shallow so naturally one would not be willing to see Fifth Shen Young Lady upset. Correct Third Older Brother? Did I say correctly?”
Xie Jing Xing looked coldly at him. Ji Yu Shu touched his nose and said in small voice, “I think that it made sense.”
However when Gao Yang thought through about Ji Yu Shu’s words, he seemed to have understood something. When he looked at Xie Jing Xing again, his eyes was a little puzzled, “If it is really the case then it is a good thing that Luo Ling injured his arm. Like this, in front of you, he would be inferior.”
“What a joke.” Xie Jing Xing did not get angry but laughed instead, “Even if he grew another arm, he would still be inferior in front of this Prince!”
Ji Yu Shu and Gao Yang, “…”
Ji Yu Shu attempted to appease Xie Jing Xing, “Of course. One have to see who Third Older Brother is. Prince Rui of the Great Liang, His Majesty’s blood Younger Brother. Who in the entire world dare to underestimate you? That Luo family is just a small family at the outskirts of the Ming Qi. In our Great Liang, that is just a small little official rank. Moreover, he now could not even lift a sword up with his right hand, so how could he be compared to Third Older Brother?” Ji Yu Shu’s ability to flatter was first-rate, and could say all that freely without hesitation.
“To compare this Prince with a person who can not any more protect himself, Ji Yu Shu, do you want to go back home?” Xie Jing Xing’s voice became colder.
Ji Yu Shu went blank. He had already flattered till this level, what else could be done?
It was Gao Yang who finally discovered his conscience and steered the conversation away, “The people at the tower prison asked how will Xie Chang Chao’s corpse be managed? Now that Shen Miao had returned to the Shen mansion, what is your next step of plans?”
Xie Chang Chao was dead, and Shen Miao was sent back to the Shen mansion safe and soundly by Princess Rong Xin, and this part was also known to the entire city. Since many people were alerted about it, for this to pass so easily like this made others feel that it was not fully expressed. But since Princess Rong Xin came forwards, it was difficult for rumours to rise, thus this was gradually forgotten.
However, how could this be forgotten to the people involved? At least Xie Chang Wu would be on pins and needles in his heart as Xie Chang Chao had disappeared, but the kidnapped Shen Miao had returned to her residence safely. Just what would he think about it?
Hearing this, Xie Jing Xing’s lips slowly hooked up, “The next step is naturally to settle scores.”
Gao Yang looked at Xie Jing Xing for a while before sounding him out, “You… Intend to also settle Princess Ming An’s scores together?”
“Otherwise?” Xie Jing Xing said indifferently, “If that dog the Qin country raised is not tied up properly, and ran around biting others crazily. If it is being caught and killed, one cannot be resentful of others.”
“But.” Gao Yang somewhat disagreed, “Although this is the case, His Majesty had warned repeatedly that during this trip to the Ming Qi, one must not make a rash move. Currently one do not know what is being planned at His Majesty’s side, once a move is being made against the Qin people, HuangFu Hao would definitely investigate and if it is traced back to our people, even if you have a way, there would still be a lot of trouble.”
“Who said that the Great Liang’s people will be used?” Xie Jing Xing chuckled, “Can not my own people be used?”
Gao Yang was startled for a moment before speaking, “Why do you insist on taking action against Princess Ming An? It is alright to let her taste sufferings, why must one take her life?”
“This mad dog has given me a number of trouble.” Xie Jing Xing’s gaze got slightly deeper, “This Prince will take whoever’s life one want. No need to inform you.” After speaking, he then got up and headed outside while ignoring the both of them, one did not know what he was going to do.
Ji Yu Shu frowned, “Is Third Older Brother having menstruation? Why is he so moody lately? You provoked him?”
“Who have that kind of idle time?” Gao Yang said, “I still want to live longer a bit more.”
“It seemed that Xie Chang Wu and Princess Ming An are in a lot of trouble.” Ji Yu Shu said in sympathy, “Speaking of that, Xie Chang Chao really died easily and probably he is lucky for it.”
“Correct.” Gao Yang expressed his approval to Ji Yu Shu’s words.
*****
As compared to the brightly coloured decorations two years ago in the Ding city’s residence of the Marquis of Lin An, it was much quieter now. It was no longer bustling with coming and going, and the people who came to visit Xie Ding was getting less by the day. There was no choice. Ever since Xie Jing Xing died, Xie Ding had lost interest with the matters of the court. The Xie family that made the Emperor’s head ache about, finally lost their spirits and could no longer cause issues.
Now that the Xie family was left with Xie Chang Wu and Xie Chang Chao who were still climbing in their careers. Even though these two people were not as mesmerising as Xie Jing Xing, they had some abilities. If they did not have the identities of Shu sons, one thought that they would have climbed even higher. Even so, to be able to be promoted to such a level was already astounding to others.
In the Xie residence, Madam Fang was handling the newly tailored clothes to Xie Chang Wu. Madam Fang was nearly forty this year but her appearance did not show too much old age. Different from Princess Yu Qing, who had the magnanimity and elegance of the Imperial family. Up to now Madam Fang had some JiangNan’s unique features and since she speak softly and slowly, it make others to could not help but have tender a affection for her.
With such delicate bearing, it was no wonder that at the beginning years ago, the Marquis of Lin An would end in Madam Fang’s bed, even when he had such a pampered wife like Princess Yu Qing.
Madam Fang said, “This is the new material that came out this year. One had let the tailor make some winter clothes for both you brothers. The days in the Ding capital are getting colder by the day, and both of you all are often out all day. One must not catch a cold.”
Xie Chang Wu reached out to take it, “Thanking Mother.” But his heart was thinking of other matters.
“Your Younger Brother’s clothes are also here. One heard that Chang Chao had gone with others to hunt. Why is it that he is not back after so long?” Madam Fang complained, “The Marquis even said to me that previously, Chang Chao had been harping on wanting to go to the Ministry of Appointments, and he wanted to bring Chang Chao to the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Appointments for a chat, but at the end Chang Chao have not been seen in these days and this opportunity was wasted.” Madam Fang sighed, “Previously, Chang Chao was thinking of progress so why he is thinking of having fun now?”
Xie Chang Wu forced a smile out, “Third Younger Brother… Is not just having fun. It just that lately the snow is heavy and the weather turned cold, thus it was not a good time to leave the mountains after hunting, thus there was some delay and can only return after a few days. At that time, Father can then come forward to invite the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Appointments for a banquet.”
Hearing this, Madam Fang became worried, “The snow is heavier, would the mountains be sealed? Will Chang Chao be in any danger?”
“How can it be?” Xie Chang Wu smiled, “There are a lot of people that are following along and they are all experienced. Mother can be rest assured.”
Madam Fang then let her heart down and pulled Xie Chang Wu’s hands, “Mother now only have both of you as support. Master had treated me neither warm or cold for all these years. At the beginning there was Xie Jing Xing suppressing both you brothers, and Mother’s heart was very upset watching you in grievance. After so many years, it was fortunate that Heavens have eyes and he wound up dead. Now there is no one in this residence of the Marquis of Lin An that will block your way. We can only go forward nonstop and step on all the people that once mocked and scorned us, mother and sons, and in the future even the Marquis would not be able to ignore your feats and would grant Mother a title. With this, there would not be any Shu sons identity and the entire residence of the Marquis of Lin An will belong to you both.” As Madam Fang said those words, her tone was as usual slow and soft, but there was after all some resentments and unwillingness in it. After all these years she had been suppressing this anger and kept on living.
Xie Chang Wu said, “Do not worry Mother. Since the Heavens already let Xie Jing Xing die early, it means that the Heavens are standing at our side. There will be a day where it is us, Mother and sons, that have the final say in the residence of the Marquis of Lin An.
Madam Fang nodded her head.
After sending Madam Fang away, Xie Chang Wu returned to the room and paced around the room with some irritation.
Those words that were said to Madam Fang were naturally just to deal with her. It was easy to deal with Madam Fang as she was after all a married woman in the inner courtyard, but now even Xie Ding was asking about Xie Chang Chao’s whereabouts every now and then. This was somewhat not good.
Ever since that day when Xie Chang Wu went out to the banquet with Xie Ding, he had not seen any trace of Xie Chang Chao. It was fine if it was as such as Xie Chang Chao perhaps had left due to some urgency, but even the person in the secret chamber had disappeared. This made Xie Chang Wu tremble with fear.
The secret chambers in the residence of the Marquis of Lin An were built by the two Xie brothers, and it cost quite a fortune too. Those workers that built the secret chambers were eliminated by Xie Chang Wu at the end so in the entire Marquis residence, other than both brothers, there was no one who knew where was the entrance or exit. Xie Ding had no knowledge of it, much less outsiders of the residence of the Marquis of Lin An.
At first, Xie Chang Wu thought that it was Xie Chang Chao who brought Shen Miao out, and perhaps he had found a way to move Shen Miao to the ‘lowest ranked brothel’, or perhaps Xie Chang Chao had other plans. But after much waiting, the news that he heard was that Shen Miao was sent back to the Shen mansion by Princess Rong Xin. Xie Chang Wu immediately felt that the situation was bad.
Shen Miao was saved, so where did the missing Xie Chang Chao go? Did those people stole Shen Miao away from the secret chambers? But there was no signs of fighting in the secret chambers, moreover it was not possible for other to know about them. Could it be that Xie Chang Chao was discovered by others when he brought Shen Miao out, thus Shen Miao was then saved? But what was with the story from Princess Rong Xin?
Xie Chang Wu felt that he was caught in a strange phenomenon. No matter what was it, it was incorrect. If alive, one would see the person, if death, one would see the corpse. Xie Chang Wu had sent out everyone to search for Xie Chang Chao but there was no news at all.
Not only was Xie Chang Chao’s long absence go unexplained, over at the Qin country’s residence when Princess Ming An came to know that Shen Miao had returned safely, she flew into a terrible rage and made Xie Chang Wu rush over. Xie Chang Wu could only temporary make excuses to appease Princess Ming An but paper could not hold fire, Princess Ming An would erupt at the end.
Xie Chang Wu was so anxious that blisters appeared at the corners of his mouth. He put on a robe and planned to instruct people to search the different corners of the Ding capital, when he suddenly glanced at a letter on the table.
One did not know who had placed it on his study table. However Xie Chang Wu had never allowed servants to enter the study or even anyone else. He first looked around vigilantly and seeing that there was no one else, he opened the letter and a familiar handwriting appeared in front of his eyes.
It was Xie Chang Chao’s handwriting.
In the letter Xie Chang Chao said that he wanted to bring Shen Miao out to look for a low ranked brothel that day, but who knew that during the journey they met some soldiers and had to hide in a commoner’s place by the Wan Li Lake. These days the news about Shen Miao returning to the Shen Mansion was actually a trap that was conspired by Shen Xin and Princess Rong Xin. The purpose was to let the people who kidnaped Shen Miao to put their guard down. On the surface the Shen family army and the officials had already stopped searching, but in private the search was not relaxed at all. Thus Xie Chang Chao dared not show up with Shen Miao.
Now that Princess Ming An was forcing, it was better to sell Shen Miao to the Wan Li Lake’s brothel tonight at Zishi (modern timing: 11pm to 1am). No matter what, Shen Miao must be humiliated first so that Princess Ming An would be happy. The best was to let Princess Ming An watch it together, so that it would make up for the two brothers’ miscalculation.
After reading the letter, Xie Chang Wu only believed seven to eight tenths of it.
First, like what the letter stated, even though Shen Miao was said to have been sent back by Princess Rong Xin and it was spread all around outside, but on that day when Shen Miao returned to the Shen mansion or after Shen Miao returned, she had not been seen. This was saying that no one saw with their eyes that Shen Miao had returned and if that was the case, why did Shen Xin not let Shen Miao make an appearance to clarify the truth? Could it be that Shen Miao was not found at all?
Secondly and this was the most important point. The handwriting on the letter was no doubt that of Xie Chang Chao’s, as it even used the secret communication codes that Xie Chang Chao and Xie Chang Wu used. Xie Chang Chao, even during officialdom, would only written a few documents personally and if one were to retrieve those, it was impossible to imitate Xie Chang Chao’s handwriting. If one were to use something then it would be the writings that Xie Chang Chao did when he was young. There were a number of such books, and if Xie Jing Xing was alive perhaps he would be able to copy Xie Chang Chao’s handwriting.
Irregardless of whether Xie Jing Xing had the intention to copy Xie Chang Chao’s handwriting or not, it was already not possible. Xie Jing Xing died two years ago in the battlefield without a single bone left. In this world, no one could be able to imitate Xie Chang Chao’s handwriting.
Xie Chang Wu thought for a moment before walking to the table, and rolled out a paper to start writing with a brush.
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