Chapter 109: Leaving One’s Trade (Part 1)
“Get lost.”
Hearing those words, Xie Jing Xing’s lips hooked up and he looked at Shen Miao from the side with interest, “Have not seen for a long time and your temper has become even more violent.”
Shen Miao sat down in front of the table and said coldly, ” You however still like to come uninvited as usual.”
If others saw Xie Jing Xing in her room, one did not know how much troubles would be attracted and unfortunately this person liked to do such things, as if risking dangers was ingrained in his bones. Shen Miao had already decided to stay far away from Xie Jing Xing as that person has numerous secrets which were so deep. But now Xie Jing Xing came over himself, so how could she not be angry?
“Passing by this place, so one came to look at you in passing.” Xie Jing Xing shrugged and changed into a comfortable posture. He was wearing plain dark robes today with a white collar. It was originally an icy and snowy season but because of his excellent facial features made the room filled with a spring atmosphere (Translator: Like seriously? *Roll eyes*; Editor: *Jaw drop* Wth author!). He stroked his chin and said, “There is also a question that one want to ask you.”
“Speak.” Shen Miao was not willing to say any additional sentences to him.
When Xie Jing Xing saw Shen Miao’s attitude, he was not annoyed at all and said, “When Shen Yuan was in the residence, was there any one he trusted?”
Hearing this, Shen Miao was somewhat surprised as she looked at Xie Jing Xing. She did not expect that the person he wanted to ask about was Shen Yuan. Even though one did not know about Xie Jing Xing’s motives, she still said, “None, Shen Yuan’s time after returning to the capital was short and was not close with the residence’s people. Why do you ask about him?”
“Just came over from circling his courtyard.” Xie Jing Xing said lazily, “Was unable to find the stuff so one came over to ask.”
Shen Miao hung her eyes down and pondered, could it be that Xie Jing Xing wanted to search for something at Shen Yuan’s, but was unable to find it so he thought that Shen Yuan has passed the thing to a trusted person, thus he came over to her place to enquire.
“What exactly are you looking for?” Shen Miao asked, “Is it similar to the thing in the Prince Yu’s residence’s secret room?”
When the words were out, the room suddenly quietened. In that moment, Shen Miao could feel that there was a burst of chill from Xie Jing Xing. But that dangerous moment was only for a fleeting moment as Xie Jing Xing very quickly smiled. When he smiled, he was as elegant as jade but that pair of peach shaped eyes were unable to conceal the sharp edge.
Xie Jing Xing did not answer Shen Miao but asked, “These days you also live well. One heard that the Second household of the Shen family is almost defeated.”
“Little Marquis is really well aware of the matters in Shen residence. Those who do not know would think that you are one of the Shen residence’s people.” Shen Miao ridicule.
Xie Jing Xing spread out his hands, “No choice, the Shen residence’s guards are like furnishings but it so happens that the events that happened here are interesting so it is difficult not to know about them.” He sized up Shen Miao, “It is just that I have underestimated your viciousness.”
“You can also give it a try.”
Xie Jing Xing was at all smiles as he looked at her, “I do not have so much free effort.”
“It sounds like you are very busy.” Shen Miao stared at him, “But still have so much leisure time to wander
in other’s residence.” When she was saying those words, she started to show a little anger. Xie Jing Xing was always able to easily extract some tiny sentiments from her heart and if it was seen by Jing Zhe, Gu Yu and the rest, they would be totally surprised by Shen Miao’s current expression. It was because Shen Miao had not revealed such an open emotion for a very long time. Be it anger or resentment, they were something that only Shen Miao had previously.
Xie Jing Xing said, “Little girl’s anger is always so heavy.”
Shen Miao said in a bad mood, “The questions are all asked, you are still not leaving?”
Xie Jing Xing stood up, patted his clothes and opened the window at the back with the intention to flit over it, when he suddenly thought of something and turned back. He looked at her weirdly and asked, “Almost forgot to ask you. Shen Miao, you love Pei Lang?”
Shen Miao, “…”
She did not have time to speak when she saw Xie Jing Xing looking at her with a gaze that seemed to be looking down, “Should also be of no answer.” With a turn, his shadow disappeared.
“This scoun…” Shen Miao almost grinded her teeth but saw Jing Zhe knocking on the door, “Young lady, the water has began to boil. This servant will put in the fragrance for you.” When she entered she also asked strangely, “Why is Young Lady standing by the window? Be careful not to catch a cold.”
Shen Miao withdrew her gaze, “It is nothing, only chased away a wild cat.”
“Wild cat.” Jing Zhe laughed, “It is not uncommon for wild cats to be out this season, but it still disturb one’s dreams. One will let others chase them away tomorrow and reduce the troubles.”
“It is better to fed arsenic.” Shen Miao said, “It is cleaner when dead.”
“Huh?” Jing Zhe was somewhat puzzled.
At the other end of the Shen residence, Wan YiNiang’s eyes were filled with anxiety and seemed to also have some resentment as she spoke to Shen Dong Ling, “Do not know what did Fifth Young Lady said to Furen. These few days, one heard from the servants in Cai Yun Yuan that Furen is getting better from her illness day by day. Now she was able to recognise others and did not lose her temper. She even let her personal maids cook porridge for Master to drink, one fear that she want to regain being valued by Master. At that time, one fear that the days of suffering will come again.” Wan YiNiang was somewhat grumbling, “Seemed like Fifth Young Lady really helped Furen and even cured Furen’s illness.”
Shen Dong Ling was combing her long hair in front of the mirror and when her long hair was loose, it was set against the light and her pale face eased up as her face got sharper with her big eyes, making her look like a little beauty. She said, “YiNiang worry too much, no matter how great Fifth Younger Sister’s ability is, one could not bring the dying back to life. It seemed that Furen had all the while feigning madness and Fifth Younger Sister said some things to her, so she figure it out to no longer feign madness.
“What?” Wan YiNiang was surprised, “Ling-er, you say that Furen was feigning madness all along. All this time Master have been taking additional care of us and if this was seen by Furen’s eyes. When Furen has the opportunity, she would definitely not let us off.”
“What is YiNiang worried about.” Shen Dong Ling used the silver comb to brush her hair as she said, “Because of Eldest Sister’s and Second Older Brother’s matters, Father cannot see eye to eye with Furen. Even if Furen is really clear headed, Father will only at the most be tolerant on the surface but his heart will be disgusted. It is already impossible for Furen to regain her status of the past, and Furen herself know about this so YiNiang should relax.”
Wan YiNiang still doubted, “Since Furen knows that Master will not forgive her, why not continue to feign madness? What did Fifth Young Lady say exactly to make her change her mind?”
“Currently Furen does not have anything else other than Seventh Younger Brother, so Fifth Younger Sister most likely made an issue out of him. YiNiang also have to work hard to give Father a son, be it a Su son or Di son, as long as a son is delivered, there will be a firm foothold here in the future and no one would dare to step on your head.”
Wan YiNiang smiled bitterly, when did she not thought about giving birth to a son? In the early days it was because Ren Wan Yun suppressed her tightly and if she had not gave birth to a daughter, Shen Dong Ling, both of them would have long be dead. Now Ren Wan Yun was crazy but Shen Gui was not one who valued relationships, and moreover she was not a young woman anymore so how was she able to keep Shen Gui’s heart? How could she possibly give birth to a son?
As thoughts swirled in her heart, Wan YiNiang changed the topic, “What is there to speak about. It is better for Ling-er to guess what Fifth Young Lady is planning to do. By helping Furen means going against us.”
“That might not necessarily be.” Shen Dong Ling shook her head, ” Fifth Younger Sister is not a simple person, and currently we do not have high status in the Second household and even so, the current situation is already good. In short, do not be involved in the matters and let us live our lives well else one will accidently get into trouble.”
When Wan YiNiang heard this her heart was alarmed and her body leaped as she probed, “So…”
“Do not see, do not ask, do not speak.” Shen Dong Ling looked at herself in the mirror, “Let nature take its course. There will always be a day when we can live well.”
In the Shen residence, not only the people of Cai Yun Yuan were discussing about the matter, in Qiu Shui Yuan, Ren Wan Yun’s name was also mentioned.
Chen Rou Qiu wore a plain white mid-clothes and spoke as she was sitting on the couch, “Second Sao’s health is getting better. Master, what did Second Older brother say?”
Shen Wan rubbed his chest. Because of Shen Yuan’s matter, the colleagues in court now were quite critical of the Shen family and even he was implicated. These days were not easy at all. He shook his head, “Second Older Brother did not mention about the matter.”
“Even if Second Sao is really well, there is only the Seventh son in the Second household.” Chen Rou Qiu said, “Second Older Brother’s character is like that… In the future when the concubines are brought in by households, one fear…” Speaking till there, there was a feeling of the fox grieving when the rabbit died. The difference between her and Ren Wan Yun was that Chen Rou Qiu was able to firmly grasp onto Shen Wan’s heart, but there were no sons in the Third household and now that Shen Yuan was dead, in Old Shen Furen’s eyes, one fear that she was anxious for them to spread the branches and scatter the leaves. Nothing needs to be said at Shen Gui’s end since he was not one who was devoted, but at Shen Wan’s end, if one keep pressing… Chen Rou Qiu could not help but be flustered. How long could a male’s favour last? But her stomach did not live up to expectations.
Shen Wan noticed Chen Rou Qiu’s unsightly expression and asked puzzled, “What is wrong? Is there any discomfort?”
Chen Rou Qiu barely managed to smile and shook her head, “Only thought about the matter of Eldest Brother and Eldest Sao.” After pausing, Chen Rou Qiu then spoke, “Eldest Brother’s and Eldest Sao’s had already firmed up their intention to separate from the family, and even threatened to invite the family elders. One fear that they are not afraid of carry the reputation of being unfilial.”
“Mother did not carry out this matter cautiously.” Shen Wan said, “To even let others grasp the leverage. If Eldest Brother is provoked and speak of how Mother’s planned to harm Qiu-er, the entire capital will break our back.”
Chen Rou Qiu nodded her head, “Correct, it was most likely because of this point that made Eldest Brother and Eldest Sao confident.” Chen Rou Qiu said, “Since one have lived together in harmony for so many years, why would one be so insistent in separating from the household at this time.” She could not help but think of Shen Miao. Ever since the big change from Shen Miao, many matters in the Shen residence had also quietly changed. Previously Shen Xin and wife would treat the other Shen family well, and that was because Shen Miao treated them well. But now that Shen Miao showed disgust and dissatisfaction, Shen Xin’s and wife’s attitude immediately changed.
Shen Wan sighed as Chen Rou Qiu asked, “Master, is there still room to turn around the situation?”
Shen Wan shook her head, “If it was us, we will also unable to accept it. Eldest Brother is one that cannot withstand a grain of sand in his eyes and most value Little Five. The Jing family and Mother ganged up together to scheme against Qiu-er and Little Five, and that in itself have already offended Eldest Brother’s biggest taboo. Just separating from the family is considered being merciful of them. If it was still Eldest Brother’s previous temper, one fear that he will raze the entire Shen residence.”
“But…” Chen Rou Qiu said, “For them to separate from the family now, is not a good thing for us.”
Shen Wan looked out of the window, “Now that the Second household have suffered heavy losses, Second Older Brother and my career are also blocked. Previously one could still depend on Eldest Brother’s influence but once the family is separated, everyone will know that the Shen family is in discord and would not associate with us in order to please Eldest Brother. The Shen family’s road would only become harder to walk.”
“Not only that, the money in the public fund…” Chen Rou Qiu reminded. In the past Shen Xin had numerous rewards, and because he would often be at the Northwestern region and could not spend them, he would give all of it to the public fun. Old Shen Furen would spend the money generously and Ren Wan Yun would occasionally use it to supplement her expenditure. Now with the separation, even if Shen Xin did not want the inheritance from Old General Shen, their future days would only get more difficult.
“If it was only like that then it is alright.” There was a trace of gloom in Shen Wan’s eyes, “After the separation, with Eldest Brother’s military strength, he would only become better and at the end will suppress us. This is the route to take when comparing both ends.”
When Chen Rou Qiu heard those words, her heart was shocked. Shen had married into the Shen family for so many years, and naturally knew that the Shen family had the appearance of unity but divided at heart. Shen Xin and wife were often not in the residence all year so they did not know, but both her and Ren Wan Yun were well aware of it. In this Shen residence, Shen Xin did not crawl out from the same stomach as his Shen brothers, so naturally one would not be sincere. The better Shen Xin live his days, the other two household would not be good, thus there would naturally be a day where both sides would end up in an opposing situation. But one did not expect that this situation would come this quickly.
“Master, even if it is for Yue-er, we cannot be pressed down like this.” Chen Rou Qiu massaged his shoulders, “But how does one deal with them?”
“Now that Eldest Brother is vigilant towards us, it is not easy to take any action.” Shen Wan shook his head, “Moreover, his troops are not ordinary people so it would be even harder to find any loophole. It is better to wait for the proper time.” Shen Wan said, “The most imperative thing is to find a good family for Yue-er, so you must pay attention these few days.”
Chen Rou Qie tried to sound out, “Master, His Highness Prince Ding…”
“First, do not have any ideas on Prince Ding.” Shen Wan said sternly, “Yuan-er’s matter just passed, thus the people in court are afraid to be linked with the Shen family, and even the princes need to pay more attention. Prince Ding will not be happy if one were to thinking about him at this time.”
Chen Rou Qiu nodded her head, “This wife understands. Master do rest early.”