Edited by Tnyhy
Chapter 151: Changing the Marriage (Part 1)"If there is a day where you are also forced into marriage by others, what would you do?"
Shen Miao was slightly startled. She being forced into marriage by others? In the past life she was forced to marry, but she actively forced to marry to Fu Xiu Yi. She was the one forcing the marriage, and had never think about being forced into marriage. At this moment when Xie Jing Xing asked, it made Shen Miao recall about a matter.
With the Shen family returning to the Ding capital once again, leaving aside that Emperor Wen Hui returned the Shen family's army to Shen Xin, even the Luo family's army in the faraway Xiao Chun City was no longer that army in dire straits that they could not afford to keep. The First household of the Shen family did not end up the way everyone had expected, gradually declining as they were away from the Ding capital but instead became even stronger. The Shen family was like a big piece of fatty meat and in the Princes' fight for the heir position, whoever was tied with the Shen family would have a winning leverage.
How to tie them together? In the clans and aristocratic families, being connected by marriage was the correct method.
Shen Qiu's and Shen Miao's marriages had become a channel where everyone could climb up. The only difference was that Shen Qiu was a male and could afford to wait for some time whereas Shen Miao was a female. If her marriage was delayed for too long… A female's age was like flowers that would pass away, and it would be difficult to escape from the censure of others.
If there was such a day, she would become the country's leverage in the fight of the heir apparent and would be snatched and be forced to marry by others. What could be done?
Xie Jing Xing stared at her with a gaze as sharp as blades.
"There will not be such a day." Shen Miao said.
"If there is, what would you do?" Xie Jing Xing did not let her go and insisted on asking Shen Miao this question.
Shen Miao pondered about it carefully before speaking, "Then fight. If one is able to fight, then naturally one would think of ways to let him sound out the difficulties and retreat to avoid defeat. If one is unable to fight, then there is no harm to be married over."
Xie Jing Xing's eyebrow raised, "No harm?"
"One have to still live right?" Shen Miao said blandly, "After marrying over then think of opportunities to retaliate. In this world there are many matters that one do not have a choice, and I cannot always be a virulent female and die by a long piece of silk with clear determination. Why not save one's life? There would always be an opportunity to reverse the situation."
After the bitter experience in the Palace in her previous life, it had made Shen Miao understand that death was the most desperate matter. Once one dies, it meant that every single matter had settle and one would not know who would emerge victorious. She often thought that if in her previous life she did not die like that and continue fighting with Mei Furen in the Palace for a few decades, at the end who would emerge as the victor? Perhaps she would still lose or perhaps she would win and would recover the debt of life for the entire Eldest household of the Shen family, Wan Yu and Fu Ming. Anyhow, life would not go on in vain.
Xie Jing Xing stared at Shen Miao.
She was just like a vibrant plant. The weeds that grew in the bitter cold that even if it was in the worst and harshest of condition, it would never lose hope. Even if its position was not the currently dominant position, it would climb up a little by a little to the position that it wanted. Her goal was clear but was still a mysterious secret.
She was not like an unmarried sixteen year old young female.
Xie Jing Xing smiled lightly, "You are like the Shen family."
Shen Miao was silent and heard Xie Jing Xing speaking again, "These days I will be out of the city for a trip. Be careful yourself. If there is any problems, go to Feng Xian Pawnshop and look for Ji Yu Shu. Gao Yang is my people, you can trust him."
Shen Miao was dumbfounded for a moment. Because of her past lifetime's experience, Shen Miao naturally knew that Gao Yang was Xie Jing Xing's people, and could be even called Xie Jing Xing's confidant. However even though she had the knowledge, she did not reveal it. Even on the day when Luo Tan was saved by Gao Yang, it was instructed by Xie Jing Xing and Shen Miao could only pretend to be ignorant of it, as she knew that there was a bottom line on some matters. Even if Xie Jing Xing was not hostile to her today, it did not mean that a person was willing to let others see clearly all of their bottom lines.
But now Xie Jing Xing had taken the initiative to tell her that Gao Yang was his people. This meant that he truly treated Shen Miao as one of his own.
Just only because on the alleged alliance and one could be treated that honestly? On what basis did Xie Jing Xing thought that she would not betray him?
Shen Miao was thinking like that and did not notice that she was noticed by Xie Jing Xing, "HuangFu Hao would perhaps find trouble with you. With regards to matters that you cannot solve at your end, just pass them to Gao Yang."
Shen Miao felt an inexplicable strange feeling. This appearance… Was just like a husband repeatedly telling the wife of what to pay attention to before departing on a journey. Shen Miao jumped in shock at her own thoughts and was somewhat flustered, "Understood."
Xie Jing Xing was somewhat puzzled by Shen Miao unexpected fluster, but he did not say anything about it, and again brought up a few more matters for her to pay attention to before leaving.
After Xie Jing Xing left, Shen Miao sat down under the light of the lamp and unfathomably felt that her cheeks were somewhat hot. Every time she spoke with Xie Jing Xing these days, she would always feel that something was not normal. Shen Miao was thinking that she would let Gu Yu bring the calming tea for her tomorrow to drink, so that she would not let her imagination run wild the whole day.
After Xie Jing Xing left the Shen mansion and returned to the residence of Prince Rui, he happened to see that Gao Yang and Ji Yu Shu were present, and Ji Yu Shu was feeding the white tiger at that moment. Xie Jing Xing shot a glance at him and said in annoyance, "Do not feed."
"Jiao Jiao likes to eat." Ji Yu Shu said.
Xie Jing Xing's green vein was throbbing on his forehead, "Do not call her name."
Ji Yu Shu immediately felt grievance and stood up before quietly retreating to the side.
Gao Yan was accustomed to it. Xie Jing Xing looked like he doted on this white tiger a lot, but only Ji Yu Shu had the guts to tease the tiger all day long. The beautiful and imposing white tiger had been fed into a meat dumpling, and whoever that sees this would feel heartache. He walked to Xie Jing Xing's side and asked, "Everything is ready?"
"Set off tomorrow." Xie Jing Xing looked at him, "During this days, pay more attention to the Ding capital."
Gao Yang stared at him, "You can rest assure. I will definitely help you to 'pay attention' to Fifth Shen Young Lady."
"Do not need to pay too much attention." Xie Jing Xing said blandly.
Gao Yang almost vomited blood as Xie Jing Xing was really just too moody. Take yesterday for example, Pei Lang wrote a letter to Shen Miao and the gist of it was to be vigilant against HuangFu Hao and Fu Xiu Yi and at the end reminded Shen Miao to keep away from Xie Jing Xing. Xie Jing Xing got Gao Yan to make a copy of the letter. Gao Yang was a master in painting and calligraphy but it was his first time to copy and produce a 'fake letter'. The most exasperating thing was that Xie Jing Xing erased the last sentence and instead had Gao Yan to add some unwarranted words, indicating if there was trouble, one could look for Prince Rui for help. Even though he long knew that the person he assisted was a black hearted master, but this time Gao Yang had a new level of understanding of Xie Jing Xing's shamelessness.
"I understand." Gao Yang waved his fan, "That is to say that when she cause trouble, I will bring up the rear and when she kill others, I will deliver the blade right?"
"Not that troublesome." Xie Jing Xing hooked his lips up, "She is very busy for the time being due to the Shen family marriage and will not manage to kill others.
Ever since that night, Xie Jing Xing indeed did not appear again. Shen Miao knew that it was not possible for Prince Rui of the Great Liang to stay in the Ding capital and idle one's time away. If one were to say that HuangFu Hao stayed till now was because, one, to investigate the cause of Princess Ming An's death and two, to form an alliance with the Ming Qi, then Xie Jing Xing's stay was rather meaningless. He definitely have other plans and strategies.
The days passed quickly and soon it was the day of Shen Yue's marriage.
The eighth day of the twelve lunar month was an ecliptic good day as the time was right, geographical and social conditions were favourable. The Eldest Gentleman of the family of Minister of Land would be marrying a wife and it was a Di daughter of the Shen family, the Second Young Lady, Shen Yue.
It was an exceptional union that was extremely revered.
Even though two years ago the Eldest household of the Shen family was separated and with the matter of Shen Yuan and Shen Gui, the Shen family was no longer like before. But the Minister of Land made numerous friends and in addition, Shen Yue long had the reputation of a female talent in all of the Ding capital, so this marriage was considered bustling. Shen Yue was after all an honourable Di daughter, Shen Wan also quite cherish one's reputation and Wang Bi had profound knowledge, so from the outside, others would say that they were a perfect match of a talented man and beautiful woman.
In the Shen residence, Shen Yue was already dressed up but chased everyone out, leaving only Shen Dong Ling with her.
If one were to look carefully, one would be able to see that Shen Dong Ling was also carefully dressed up. Shen Dong Ling was also a beautiful female, but it was just that on normal days she was often covered up but now with a bride's makeup, she had became increasingly beautiful. It was just that currently Shen Yue had no mood to appreciate it or be jealous of it. When she saw Shen Dong Ling come she said, "Quickly. Quickly change clothes with me!"
Before that, the matron of honour and Chen Rou Qiu had left. Ever since those days, Shen Yue on surface seemed to have caved to Chen Rou Qiu’s pressure regarding to this marriage. But in secret she was planning with Shen Dong Ling to exchange the marriage. The more she came in contact with Shen Dong Ling, Shen Yue felt that it was easy to swindle Shen Dong Ling, she was even more stupid than the previous Shen Miao.
As Shen Dong Ling was rushing to change clothes, she said softly, “Second Older Sister, I am very scared.”
“Do not be afraid.” Shen Yue was afraid that Shen Dong Ling would go back on her words at this crucial moment and appeased her, “Do not worry, I will explain it to Father and Mother that everything was caused by me alone and you will not be implicated. Once this day has passed, you will be the Young Mistress of the family of the Minister of Land. No one will dare to underestimate you.”
Shen Yue used the status to entice Shen Dong Ling and as expected Shen Dong Ling's scared expression started to fade away and her face started to blush but Shen Yue started to fill despise for her. If she had other choices, she would not be willing to let Shen Dong Ling gain an unwarranted advantage. It was just that currently this was the last resort, thus she treated giving Shen Dong Ling a Furen identity as giving alms.
Just as they were dressed, they then heard people's movement outside. Shen Yue quickly hid behind the dividing screen in the room, and Shen Dong Ling rushed to cover her head with the veil.
Shen Yue's maids came in from outside and seeing that there was no other sisters in the Shen family, they then supported her out. Shen Dong Ling had taken the excuse to help out in the kitchens and long disappeared, thus no one took it to mind.
Chen Rou Qiu initially wanted to say some words to Shen Yue before she got up the sedan but upon seeing the maids supporting and heading towards the sedan, they did not even turned their head over to Chen Rou Qiu's side. When Chen Rou Qiu saw this, she was rather upset in her heart, as she thought that Shen Yue was still blaming her about the marriage matters, but nothing could be done. Under the eyes of the public, one feared about any twist of thorns thus she followed the instructions of the matron of honour to complete the process.