Chapter 118: Kiss (Part 1)

The Shen Xin’s household started packing up their luggage overnight, and what made others slap the table and shout with praise, was that before leaving, they unexpectedly forced Old Shen Furen to separate the family in front of the Shen family elders.

That day when Shen Xin and wife were summoned to the Palace, the dispute that Shen Miao had with Old Shen Furen at the residence door, got into Shen Xin’s ears and naturally he was unable to restrain his anger. This opportunity of hitting someone when they were down was used very well, and he did not even bother to save any face for the other. Luo Xue Yan hated that her eyes were blinded initially, and treated this entire family of dirty people, sincerely.

Even though Shen Xin’s military power was seized, he was still daring. When he was obstinate, nine bulls would not be able to pull him back. The clan leader was unable to rush over, but there were clan members present. At his deathbed, the Old General Shen hoped that the entire family would live in harmony, but at the end it still collapsed and fell apart.

Old Shen Furen brought out the skills she had when she was a songstress, to claim more than half of Old General Shen’s assets and lands. Shen Miao did not obstruct this because for so many years they had not been easy to manage, and those shops and lands were no longer as satisfactory as before, and on the contrary they will be a drag to leave them by one’s side. Moreover, they would soon be heading to the Xiao Chun City, thus these things were useless.

Shen Xin did not have a lack of money as the Emperor would usually bestow heaps of it to him. Old Shen Furen had initially thought that in the accounting books of the common fund, Shen Xin’s money has long been cleaned out, and did not think that at the end, Shen Miao found from somewhere, another accounting book no one knew. Inside, it clearly indicated all the money that Shen Xin had supplemented over the years to the public fund.

In front of the clan members, this could not be denied and in any case, Old Shen Furen had to vomit that out. Shen Miao thought of it simple, no matter how much could be gotten back, even if Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan had no regards for these mere worldly possessions, it was good to nauseate Old Shen Furen.

Old Shen Furen was really so ‘nauseated’ that she fell ill, while Chen Rou Qiu was furious in her heart. Now that Ren Wan Yun did not care about this matters, she was the one managing the household and there was just not enough money. With the return of a portion of it back to Shen Xin, if the future was not as smooth as before, one fear that Old Shen Furen would take it out on her.

Shen Yue was also angry with them. These days she watched as Chen Rou Qiu became utterly exhausted due to the matter of money. Shen Yue was previously raised with an ‘arrogant and holier than thou’ temperament but now that had changed. Previously, she despised money matters, but now also wanted to fight for it. It was not good to say anything in front of the clan member, thus she looked at Shen Miao and pretended to be worried, “One do not know when Fifth Younger Sister will be back this time. One heard that there is a shortage of suppliers at that Xiao Chun City, and it will bad if one was not able to eat or use good stuffs. It is better to bring more money along.”

The words spoken had some ridicule insinuating that Shen Miao was going to a place of suffering, but Shen Miao only laughed gently, “Correct, but the prices in the Ding capital are very high, thus in the future without His Majesty’s rewards, Second Older Sister must not spend so extravagantly like in the past.” Her gaze landed on the bracelet on Shen Yue’s wrist and smiled, “After all, Father will not be here to gift you a bracelet in the future.”

Shen Yue was surprised for a moment, and looked at the bracelet on her wrist before her face flushed red. This was not other bracelet but one that Shen Xin was bestowed. Year after year Shen Xin would fill the common fund with the bestowments, and Shen Yue would pick out some jewellery. Who knew that when she said those words, Shen Miao would be so straightforward to say that the bracelet that she was wearing was one of Shen Xin’s things. This was slapping her face in public.

But this bracelet was very valuable, and Shen Yue was not willing to take it off and return it to her.

Shen Miao seemed to have seen her thoughts and said with a gentle smile, “Older Sister better not return the bracelet back, since there is no logic to recover things that were gifted. One do not know if in the future there will be such a fine bracelet.”

This time even Shen Wan, who was standing by the side quietly, started to have his to turn ugly. Shen Miao’s words meant that Shen Wan, was unable to get such good rewards based on his own abilities. Shen Wan’s career in his entire lifetime would never reach to the level of what Shen Xin had.

He made a long face and coldly glared at Shen Miao before saying to Chen Rou Qiu and Shen Yue, “Go back.” Then he left without looking at Shen Miao again.

Since Shen Xin would be leaving the capital and his military power was confiscated, all those fake brotherly affections and pretences, were no longer required to be kept up. Shen Wan would never look at people without any value.

Shen Gui was also somewhat pleased as he bowed to Shen Xin, “Eldest Brother, this Younger Brother will retreat first.” His appearance of brushing his sleeves and leave was somewhat arrogant. Wan YiNiang saw this and quickly pulled Shen Dong Ling to follow along, behaving like she had been for over ten years, and not because of the changes in Cai Yun Yuan.

Shen Gui was one that was unable to remain calm, since he climbed up in his career by fawning and flattering others. In terms of talent and learnings, he was incomparable to his son, Shen Yuan, in terms of temperament, he was incomparable to Shen Wan’s tenacity and Shen Gui was also even heartless and lacked a sense of justice. Once he tasted a little sweetness, he would forget the pain he suffered and thus, he was not enough to be feared.

It was Shen Qiu that got angry, “What kind of people are they?”

Shen Miao smiled gently but did not answer. Temporarily putting Shen Wan and Chen Rou Qiu aside and speaking of Shen Gui’s branch, within two years, Shen Yuan Bo would die due to smallpox, and since Shen Gui was already drugged by Ren Wan Yun’s medication, he would definitely not be able to have anymore offspring in this lifetime. Even if he had money or women, there would not be anyone to inherit it. There were three ways to be unfilial, and having no sons was the worst. At that time Old Shen Furen would urge both sons to quickly spread out their branches, so did Chen Rou Qiu think that she could just sit back and relax?

A wicked person would be harassed by another. Leave this mess to the Shen family and let them clean themselves up.

When the matter of Shen Xin moving out to guard the Xiao Chun City reached the ears of Prince Ding, Fu Xiu Yi, Emperor Wen Hui had already approved it.

At such a time, Fu Xiu Yi naturally could not say anything more. The more one speak the more doubtful it will make others feel. It is just that to him, it was strange for Shen Xin to suddenly use this tactic. He had understood clearly that for so many years even though Shen Xin looked like a rough military person on the surface, he was not one who was impulsive. Even if he was discontented with the confiscation of the military tally, he would not submit a memorandum the next day to leave the capital.

Involuntary Fu Xiu Yi started to recall the words that Shen Yuan had warned him of.

“Your Highness must not underestimate this official’s Fifth Younger Sister in the residence.”

It was just that Fu Xiu Yi did not pay much attention to such a sentence at that time. Now one did not know that at this time, this drifted up in his mind. For Shen Xin to suddenly make such a decision, could it be that Shen Miao fuelled it behind the scene? But she was such a spoilt young lady that was raise delicately, so why would she take the initiative to head out to such a cold place like the Northwestern region?

Fu Xiu Yi was sensitive to detect that something was wrong, but was unable to exactly point out what was wrong. He only felt that things should not have developed in such a manner.

The advisor beside him asked, “Is Your Highness worried about that the matter of the Formidable General had changed? But the Shen family army is dispersed and the military tally was retrieved back, so there is no more impact from the Formidable Great General. Your Highness can rest assured to expand.”

Fu Xiu Yi recovered from his imagination and lightly agreed. Even though Shen Xin had deviated from his plans, but at the end he was not the most important chess piece. He was an important piece at the beginning when Shen Miao was in love with him, since then he could use him, but one did not know what happened as that feeling of love scattered, making him lose the opportunity of pulling Shen Xin into his boat.

But it could also be regarded as a sigh of relief. If he really married Shen Miao, even if he gained the Shen family’s military power, he would have been ridiculed by everyone. Fu Xiu Yi was extremely proud by nature, thus he would not allow for such a stain on him? Now that those conjectures will disperse as soon as Shen Xin leave the capital. He said, “Go and recruit some more people these days.”

His adviser was startled before cupping his hands and complied.

Fu Xiu Yi moved his gaze away. Since the game of vying for the world was just around the corner, it was imperative to attract more talents in the shortest possible time.

Shen Xin left the capital early the next morning.

When they left the capital, it was early in the morning and the skies had not even brightened. Shen Xin left in secret. First, it was that he did not want to put those close colleagues in a dilemma, because if they came to bid farewell, it was practically going against Emperor Wen Hui. The mood of the Emperor was always fickle, so it was not good to incur fury. Second was that the Xiao Chun City was a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers away from the Ding capital, thus by leaving early meant that one would arrive early.

Even if horses were spurred at full speed, it would take more than six months to arrive.

Even though the Shen family’s army was confiscated and only the front section remained, there were a number of confidants that remained. Including Shen Qiu’s subordinates, including Mo Qing and Ah Chi, one would not fear there would be any danger during the journey. The entire journey was rather smooth. Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin were initially worried that Shen Miao would not be able to take such a long journey, and feared that during the journey she would get sick. Who knew that Shen Miao did not even utter a single word of tiredness. Even Shen Xin repeatedly praised, “Jiao Jiao is really my daughter. Such a heart of steel, which other female in the Ding capital would have it?”

Luo Xue Yan rolled her eyes at him but felt even more guilty towards Shen Miao. A perfectly pampered and delicate young lady had to follow them and suffer.

Jing Zhe pushed aside the carriage’s curtain. Because it was her first trip far away, she was somewhat amazed and would point at the birds in the skies, and also point at the wild rabbits in the forest. Seeing Shen Miao calm appearance, she asked curiously, “Why does Young Lady not find it refreshing? These things cannot be seen in the city.”

When it was put this way, Gu Yu also took a look at Shen Miao’s expression and asked temptingly, “Young Lady look as if one did not have a little nostalgia.”

Luo Xue Yan who was sitting in the carriage became stunned for a moment.

To leave the place that one had stayed for over ten years to a place that they had never heard before, any Young Lady at this time would display feelings of yearning for one’s hometown, and be reluctant to part with it since the Xiao Chun City, would definitely not be as prosperous as the Ding capital, and one would be a stranger in a strange land. But Shen Miao remained calm all the way since the beginning, and even looked somewhat lively at times.

To leave one’s native place especially against one’s will, what about that was lively?

Feeling Luo Xue Yan’s gaze, Shen Miao was slightly surprised for a moment before smiling and looked at the passing scenery outside the horse carriage, “Father, Mother and Eldest Brother are all at my side, what is there to be nostalgic about. Even if one remain in the Ding capital, without any loved ones, it will not be considered as home.”

When the words were spoken, Luo Xue Yan’s heart became sour. Thinking about seeing clearly the ugly faces of the entire Shen family in this last trip when they came back to the capital, she had thought that Shen Miao had lived well after leaving her with that family, but now it seemed to be a big joke. Perhaps Shen Miao did not view those people as family, else she would not have said these words.

Thinking of this, Luo Xue Yan pulled Shen Miao into her embrace and said conscience-stricken, “Correct, in the future Jiao Jiao will always be with Father, Mother and Eldest Brother. No one will dare to bully you.”

Shen Miao nestled in Luo Xue Yan’s embrace and lowered her eyes, covering the trace of coldness in them.

Leaving one’s native place. Starting a journey alone. In the last lifetime when she went to the Qin country to be a hostage, the mountains were as high and the rivers were as long, which place had she not walked alone? She brought her trustful maids and when several of them died in a foreign country, the scenery was just like today. It was already very vague but she could still clearly remember the feeling of that time. From the Ding capital to the Qin country, from the Qin country back to the Ding capital, both journeys were very bleak and desolate. It was pathetic that she though that she completed a virtuous cause, for the common people under heavens, but did not know that in everyone eyes, how ridiculous she was.

Now she was not leaving alone and when she return, she would definitely not be alone too.

The mountain road was remote and unknowingly the skies turn dark. Because this was a mountain route and there was no tavern in the mountains, one could only stay in a family’s farmhouse. It was fortunate that this farmer’s family was hospitable and friendly. They had warmly received them, and even cooked up a number of dishes.

Because of the need to hasten the journey, Shen Xin and the rest did not dare to drink, fearing that mistakes would be made upon drinking and delay the departure the next day. It was however Shen Miao, not sure it was because one was in a good mood, or that the plum blossom wine was sweet and intoxicating, that she drank a few cups and her cheeks became the colour of a peach.

“Why did Jiao Jiao drink this much?” Luo Xue Yan initially did not pay any attention thus when she saw it, she could not help but be shocked. She watched as Shen Miao supported her face with her hand, and had a drowsy look on before quickly reach out to touch her head.

“Most likely Lady is not aware of the power of this wine.” The mistress of the farmer family laughed, “This homemade plum blossom wine tastes sweet but the aftereffects are great. When our family’s daughter drink in excess, she would also be drunk. However one only need to sleep the entire night and on the second day, one will not be dizzy so Furen need not worry.”

Luo Xue Yan then calmed down. Shen Qiu saw Shen Miao’s drunk appearance and felt that it was funny, “Did not expect that there will be a day when Younger Sister will be drunk. Really interesting.”

This time when Shen Qiu came back, he saw a calm and quiet Shen Miao. She was so solemn and mature that sometimes, Shen Qiu would have the wrong illusion that Shen Miao was the older one. At times, he would miss the Shen Miao from before even though she was stubborn and rude, she still had the temperament what a young lady should have. Now seeing her look like this, Shen Qiu thought about the Shen Miao before and felt closer.

“Brat.” Shen Xin stepped onto Shen Qiu’s foot, “Your Younger Sister is already this drunk and you still make trouble?”

Shen Qiu quickly stuck his tongue out and pretended to ask for mercy. The entire family and that farmer’s family were all bustling in noise cheerfully. Where was the disappointment and the helplessness of ‘leaving one’s native place’?

Shen Miao propped her chin with both hands and squinted at the scene in front. Even though this plum blossom wine was indeed intoxicating, she was still somewhat awake now. She was indeed very happy today. Everything went according to plan, one part was letting Shen Xin move far from the Ding capital, that whirlpool of trouble, and the other was because in one year later there will be a smallpox epidemic in the Ding capital. Even though nothing happened to them in the last lifetime, but now she did not want to take any single risk with her family, so by being far from the Ding capital meant being far from danger. Even if one wanted revenge, one need to first protect the family.

This lively meal was eaten for the entire night and they only dispersed when it was late. The passionate farmers had already arranged enough rooms for everyone, and originally Luo Xue Yan was to room together with Shen Miao, but Shen Miao made a fuss and insisted on staying in the room next to the farmer’s courtyard wall, and also that she must sleep alone. That room was separated and far apart from others. If she was to stay in it, then she would be separated from Luo Xue Yan and the rest.

At first Shen Xin felt that it was not good as he feared that when there was danger, one would not be able to come to rescue, but one did not know what came onto Shen Miao, as she very strongly insisted to stay in that room. When the farmer’s wife saw this, she laughed, “Most likely, Young Lady want to look at the flowers on the wall and the scene of falling snow which is especially beautiful. All females would like it. Furen need not to worry. Even though our place is small, there are no bandits and if one really worry about Young Lady, it is alright to station a few more guards outside the door.”

Everyone then became aware that when one open the window of the room by the wall, one would be able to see a large snow white garden that has peach blossoms in bloom. With the moonlight shining with the swaying snowflakes, it was indeed a very beautiful scene.

Shen Qiu felt funny and was in a good mood as he pinched Shen Miao’s nose, “Delicate (Chinese pronunciation: Jiao Qi) bundle. It is no wonder why you are called Jiao Jiao. Already drunk but still look for a place with a good scenery.”

Luo Xue Yan smacked Shen Qiu’s hands and said angrily, “Do not anyhow touch.” She then looked at the somewhat confused drunk Shen Miao and shook her head, “Not willing to sleep with me and still want to sleep at such a far place. Fine. Let Mo Qing, Ah Chi and a few to build a tent and guard outside the night. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu go help Young Lady to change before coming back out.”

This farmhouse was not like the residences in the Ding capital as there were sleeping quarters and an outer residence. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu will be sleeping the night at the outer residence. Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin were not harsh people, thus they did not let Jing Zhe and Gu Yu sleep on the floor and stay in Shen Miao’s room at night. Thinking that this farm was not that big, with Ah Chi, Mo Qing and the rest keeping watch outside, there would not be any problems.

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu helped Shen Miao change her clothes and wash up before leaving the room. Mo Qing, Ah Chi and the rest had already set up the tent in the courtyard outside and took turns to stay in vigil. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu went up to nag at them one round before leaving.

In that room with an ‘elegant scenery’, only Shen Miao remained.

Shen Miao who had been helped by Jing Zhe up to the couch, suddenly got up.

The aftereffects of the plum blossom wine finally kicked in at this moment, and Shen Miao’s clear eyes were suddenly in chaos. She stood up wobbling as she walked towards the windows, but she almost knocked against the table corner and fell on the floor.

In the darkness, a pair of powerful arms supported her and one could vaguely smell the light aroma of another. A familiar voice sounded by her ear with a faint sense of banter, “Even throw one’s body against another.”

Shen Miao took the opportunity to hold his waist so that she could stabilise herself, but did not know that her action made the latter’s body stiffen.

A moment later with a ‘chi’ sound, a flame was lit as that person took a match from an unknown location and lit the oil lamp in the room.

The windows of the farmer’s house were carved from wood and paper was not even pasted on it, thus people outside would be able to see if the room was lit, but those people in the courtyard did not even discover any anomalies in the room.

Under the fuzzy light, one was however able to see the other’s facial features clearly. Snow white fox fur coat, dark red brocade robes, red lips with white teeth, and a pair of dark peach blossom eyes with such a graceful bearing when walking at night. If it was not Xie Jing Xing, who else could it be?

Shen Miao was surprised for a moment before saying, “Xie Jing Xing.” When she said that, her body felt heavy and she accidentally leaned against Xie Jing Xing, and was almost embracing him.

Xie Jing Xing frowned, “Such a huge stench of alcohol. How much did you drink?” He sized Shen Miao out and said with antipathy, “Came to send you off with good intentions, but who knows one saw a drunk.”

“You are then drunk.” Shen Miao immediately refuted.

“Enough. Recognise me and even retort back. It seems like one is not drunk.” As Xie Jing Xing spoke, he helped Shen Miao to the couch and brought the lamp closer.

Under the light, Shen Miao was wearing a plain white middle clothes, and her hair was loose as she looked over ignorantly, vastly different from how she was on normal days, and actually have some appearance of a delicate and charming young girl. Xie Jing Xing thought about it and finally could not hold back and pinched her face hard.

Shen Miao glared at him.

It was rare to see her in such childlike appearance so Xie Jing Xing felt that it was interesting, and was thinking that since Shen Miao was drunk and since there was a saying of speaking the truth after drinking, perhaps he could get some answer out of her. “Who am I?”

“Xie Jing Xing.” Shen Miao quickly answered.

“Know what kind of person Xie Jing Xing is?”

Shen Miao stared at him and slowly frowned without speaking. Xie Jing Xing felt strange with her looking at him like that, and wondered if this girl was scolding him in her heart. Who knew that Shen Miao suddenly smiled and said, “A exciting and brilliant character.”

Xie Jing Xing, “…”

He stared at Shen Miao to some extend and asked, “Are you faking drunk?”

“Xie family’s Little Marquis Xie, a highly talented youth, a character through the ages, in the prime of one’s life.” The words behind gradually became softer, as if she could not remember them.

Xie Jing Xing was initially doubtful, but afterwards saw that Shen Miao did not seem to be acting and felt somewhat strange. His brows raised, “One did not think that in your heart, you are that satisfied with me.” He leaned closer and quipped, “Can it be that you admire me?”

Shen Miao reached her hands out, and pushed his head away.

XIe Jing Xing was somewhat speechless. If it was on normal days, it was very interesting to take liberties with Shen Miao. But now that she was so drunk that she even used ‘character through the ages’ to evaluate him, it would be fun to tease her now. He said, “Initially wanted to see you a last time but you are drunk to this state. Forget it. From here on, goodbye.” He wanted to leave after speaking, but who knew he then heard a ‘thump’ sound as Shen Miao fell from the couch and onto the floor.

Xie Jing Xing first wanted to help Shen Miao up, but then stopped and folded his arms before standing at the side to watch Shen Miao struggle on the ground. After enjoying this for a while, he then said, “Should really let you look at this appearance of yours.”

Shen Miao drank till she was dizzy, and her body was weak so how could she stand up? After flopping on the floor a long time, Xie Jing Xing could finally not stand it and helped her up mercifully to sit on the couch. He then heard Shen Miao speaking, “Li GongGong, Bengong want to see the fireworks.”

In the silent of the night, Shen Miao’s words were exceptionally clear.

‘Li GongGong, Bengong want to see the fireworks’.

The charcoal burning in the room seemed to have frozen.

Xie Jing Xing’s smile on his lips slowly went down, and his pair of peach blossoms eyes were no longer filled with breezy laughter. He slightly squatted down and lowered his gaze to be at the same level as Shen Miao’s. It was a gentle move but his eyes were however cold, “What did you say?”

Shen Miao looked at him wide eyed. Under the fusing light, her eyes were even clearer and in those clear eyes, there was some intoxication, making the young and inexperienced young lady look somewhat like a woman. She delicately and arrogantly extended her hand as if to take a palace servant’s hand and ordered, “Li GongGong, Bengong want to see the fireworks. Go and call the Crown Prince and Princess over.”

‘Crown Prince and Princess’.

Xie Jing Xing stared at Shen Miao. His appearance was picturesque. When he was smiling, it was as moving as spring flowers and autumn moon. When he was not smiling, it was as dangerous as a deep abyss, that one would feel being ridiculed when taken an additional glance. He looked at Shen Miao and suddenly chuckled.

Even though there was a smile, there was no laughter in his eyes at all. He gently hooked Shen Miao’s chin up, and this action of a lecher was done so elegantly and gently, that it could make one drown in that pair of dark eyes.

He asked, “Shen Miao, you want to be the Empress?”

Shen Miao blinked and looked at him, “That is originally mine.”

“Yours?”

“Bengong’s.”

Xie Jing Xing’s two fingers tightened and Shen Miao felt pain on her chin, and started to frown in dissatisfaction.

“Little girl, so young yet have so much ambitions to be the Empress.” His tone was not clear but his gaze was dangerous, “An ambitious lady is most beautiful, but you are not yet a lady.”

Shen Miao also looked at him. In the overflowing moonlight, shadows of snow and swaying plum blossoms, two persons facing one another, it was supposed to look like a scene of conjugal bliss, but a dangerous and ambiguous atmosphere was overwhelming it all.

She was a young lady that was raised delicately. If she was an ordinary girl, she had nothing more to worry other than marrying a good husband. But she endured silently, made plans for every step of the way and schemed against the entire world. Even though one had guess that she had ambitions, one could not help but be shocked upon hearing those words that she uttered when she was drunk.

This young lady was covered with thistles and thorns, from an idiot to a person executing chess moves, from General’s Di daughter to a Young Lady that lost influence, it was as if nothing had changed, from the gentle looking but fierce eyes to the noble air and unyielding character. It was natural, a bearing as if one had been in a higher position for many years. One sentence ‘Li GongGong, Bengong want to see the fireworks’ was spoken with drawn out lingering emotions, just like bells in the silent night that rang in one’s heart.

Even if one was dreaming, her imposing manner was probably a bearing of what an Empress should have. Now she was still a girl but after a few years, she will be covered in elegance and magnificence, and one fear that she would have the bearing to mother everything under Heavens.

Xie Jing Xing slowly released the hand holding Shen Miao’s chin and glanced at her with an unappeasable manner. After pausing, he was ready to get up and leave but heard Shen Miao muttering, “Xiao Li-zi, go and bring Bengong’s cloak over. Bengong is cold.”

Suddenly ‘Li GongGong’ had become ‘Xiao Li-zi’.

Xie Jing Xing already complicated mood was scrambled even more by her words, that he suddenly became dumbfounded. He questioned, “You ordered me?”

“Cold.” Shen Miao looked at him with grievances.

Xie Jing Xing took a deep breath and held it as he had a thought of seizing Shen Miao and beating her up, but finally took off his cloak and threw it to Shen Miao’s body.

Shen Miao was covered in his cloak and gave him a smile, “Later, Bengong will bestow a few bolts of satin.”

She had a look of gracing one with boundless favour.

Xie Jing Xing looked at her blankly, “Many thanks to Your Ladyship’s favour. This official bids farewell.” Finishing, he was about to leave but Shen Miao grabbed on to his sleeves.

Shen Miao was simply too abnormal tonight. Xie Jing Xing had never dream that Shen Miao would be like this when she was drunk. He initially thought that he could take advantage to tease her when she was drunk, but at the end it was as if he was bullied. The magnificent Xie family’s Little Marquis Xie was ordered around like an eunuch. Li GongGong. Xiao Li-zi.

Shen Miao tugged onto Xie Jing Xing’s sleeves to pull him down, and was only satisfied when Xie Jing Xing squatted down and had leveled his eyes with hers. She released her hands and grabbed onto Xie Jing Xing’s collar.

Xie Jing Xing felt weird due to Shen Miao’s actions and only heard Shen Miao murmuring to herself, “In the previous dynasty there was a former Princess that was widowed, and started collecting handsome male companions. Since His Majesty do not treat me well, I will treat it as though my husband is dead and will find a male companion.”

When Xie Jing Xing heard the front part, he was incapable of comprehension, and when he heard what was said behind those words, he became incredulous. He stared at Shen Miao, “In your dreams, you are an unfavoured Empress?”

“Not unfavoured, it is husband who is dead.” Shen Miao heard this and glared at him angrily.

Xie Jing Xing nodded his head and said lazily, “Curse husband to die when unfavoured. You are definitely a malicious Empress.”

“But you look really good.” Shen Miao suddenly spoke, “A new handsome male companion?”

Xie Jing Xing, “…”

“That Princess of the previous dynasty found a handsome male companion, and BenGong had seen the portrait and find that he is not as beautiful as you.” Shen Miao continued, “Follow Bengong, and Bengong will ensure that in the next part of your life, you will not have worries of clothes or food.”

Xie Jing Xing was already quaking at Shen Miao’s words of ‘handsome male companion’, but became completely stunned when he heard the latter sentence. This was. Being treated as a male concubine.

He was still stunned but saw the hands that were gripping his collar moved, and a soft thing pasted over and a cold little mouth tasted his lips, and continued licking till his whole mouth tasted like plum blossom wine.

“From now onwards, you are Bengong’s person.” Shen Miao let go and smiled at him with dignity.

When Xie Jing Xing recovered to his senses, he only had one thought. He wanted to strangle this female in front of him to death.

But at this moment, a sudden whistle sounded from outside. That was the signal that was given by his people as Mo Qing and the rest had noticed movements. Xie Jing Xing gritted his teeth and glance at Shen Miao before he swept out of the room.

Ah Chi opened the door but saw that there was nothing inside. He scratched his head and said, “There is no one.”

“Probably made a mistake.” Mo Qing frowned.

Plum blossoms swayed in the snow, and there was some never seen before uneasiness on the handsome youth clad in dark red. The middle-aged man beside saw this and could not help but eventually ask, “Master looked as though one feel ill-at-ease. Did something happen inside?”

It was just to say goodbye to the Shen Young Lady, how was it that it looked like his entire body was not alright.

The red clad youth’s eyes were unclear, “Tie Yi, I look like… Like…”

Tie Yi did not understand, “Like what?”

“Never mind.” He gritted his teeth and answered, “Leave.”

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