The animal on the crown was a Phoenix and the Phoenix is the king of all birds thus only the Empress or Princess were allowed to wear it. Even though Shen Miao married Prince Rui and would become Rui WangFei, she had not reach to the level of a Princess. The animal on the top of the crown should be a coloured pheasant instead.
Prince Rui smiled, "Rest assure Furen, Imperial Older Brother know of this Phoenix crown. In our Imperial family of Great Liang, there are only us two brothers. Jiao Jiao married into the Imperial family, she would become part of the Imperial family so she worthy to bear the Phoenix."
Shen Xin looked thoughtfully at Prince Rui and Luo Xue Yan still wanted to say something when one heard Luo Tan exclaiming, "What beautiful embroidered shoes."
Luo Tan carefully too out one embroidered shoe from a wooden box and place it on her palm.
This embroidered shoe was very exquisite. It was also red colour but on the shoe there was a small Phoenix embroidered on it and because there was not much surface on the show, it was very difficult to embroider an entire Phoenix, moreover there were gemstones that was embellished on the small feathers of the Phoenix. The soles of the shoe had patterns, with blooming lotus blossoms that symbolises the blooming of lotuses in every step. On the top of the shoe, there was two large round shark pearls of the Southern Seas.
When Shen Miao saw it, she was slightly stunned.
The shark pearl of the Southern Seas were very precious because the harvesters would only pick pearls from shallow waters and it was not easy to salvage from deep sea. Only the most skilful of pearl harvesters would be able to entire to the lightly deeper area of the sea. Thus it was not easy to encounter such shark pearls like these.
Shen Miao remembered that the current most favoured Consort Xu Xian only had one and wore it on her head to show that she was different. However one did not know that the two pearls in front was casually place on the feet.
If she were to know, one did not know how furious Consort Xu Xian would be.
Shen Xin was silent for a moment before spitting out a sentence slowly, "You are considerate."
With such an arrangement, such a delicate wedding dress, it could be said to be unique and unmatched in the whole of Ming Qi. Prince Rui need not have to take this step at all. However he had done it and in any cause, this would let Shen Miao be envious and not ridiculed during her wedding.
Prince Rui smiled, "As long as Jiao Jiao is happy."
Shen Miao's heart moved. Looking at that exquisite and beautiful Phoenix crown and that exquisitely dainty and ravishingly beautiful red embroidered shoes and thinking that when such clothes were worn, it would definitely be extremely beautiful.
In her past life, she had never worn such gorgeous clothes before.
In the previous lifetime when she had married to Fu Xiu Yi, he had not done well and dressing simple and plain became her usual habit. Afterwards when Fu Xiu Yi ascended to the throne, she had become a hostage in Qin country and there was no need for any gorgeous clothings. Then later when she returned, there was an additional beautiful and intelligent Mei Furen in the Palace and it would be bringing trouble to herself if she were to compete with Mei Furen on being charming and beautiful. Even much after, as an Empress, she had to wear in a dignified and elegant style and wear old and darker colours. She was obviously a young female but compared to Mei Furen, she looked like she was much older than Mei Furen.
Counting it, her youth seemed to have ended completely on that night when she married to Fu Xiu Yi and what followed was suffering and her being forced to grow up quickly.
Xie Jing Xing was dispatched by Heavens to fulfil her long-cherished wishes. Shen Miao was unable to help laughing in her heart. It was like Xie Jing Xing had unknowingly helped her to make up for all her regrets.
This was perhaps a type of fate in life.
After the wedding dress was revealed, even the ever picky Shen Qiu had nothing to say.
In all fairness, even if it was Shen Qiu, he was not able to come out with such detailed, delicate and elegant wedding dress. Even though he would give all his thoughts and everything to the young lady he loved, but unable to do it was unable to do it. Prince Rui was able to do it because he was Prince Rui and nothing more.
Shen Qiu could not help but look at Shen Miao. If Shen Miao followed such a person like this and would enjoy glory, splendour, wealth and rank for an entire lifetime and this Prince Rui's temperament was as good as his performance today, then Shen Miao's lifetime would be worth it.
After chatting for a while more, Luo Xue Yan warmly invited Prince Rui to stay to eat. Prince Rui did not refused and smiled, "But I would like to have some words with Jiao Jiao and do not know if Furen would allow."
Shen Qiu immediately warned, "What do you want to say to Younger Sister? It is the same as telling me. Let's go. We will go to the courtyard to compare notes by exchanging some moves."
Luo Xue Yan pulled Shen Qiu by the ears to move him aside and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? How could Prince Rui be compared with such a rough person like you?" She then looked at Prince Rui and could not stop smiling, "Then let Jiao Jiao bring you to the room to chat. Don't talk for too long as it would be time to eat soon."
Shen Miao and Shen Qiu, "…"
Mother, do you still remember who was your biological children?
The more Luo Xue Yan looked, the more she felt that Prince Rui was good. A grand Prince of First Rank of Great Liang still specially asked for her opinion about talking to Shen Miao, it could be seen that he knew his manners. Luo Xue Yan was thinking of letting Shen Miao and Prince Rui spend more time together and those looks and small gestures that those two had were seen by her. A female understood what a female thought and Shen Miao obviously felt some interest with Prince Rui as she had never look at Luo Ling, Su Ming Feng and Feng Zi Xian like that.
This kind of joyous little bickering sweethearts were as depicted in the novels.
Luo Xue Yan eagerly went to instruct the kitchens. Even though Shen Miao was quite speechless, she still looked at Xie Jing Xing and said, "Follow me to my courtyard."
Shen Qiu anxiously wanted to follow but Shen Miao turned back and said, "Eldest Brother, you better not go."
Shen Qiu widen his eyes incredulously, "Younger Sister."
"Older Biao Brother." Luo Tan tugged the corner of his clothes, "The couple have sweet nothings to say so why a grown man like you listen to it for?" She looked at the absent-minded Luo Ling, "If you want to exchange blows, then look for Older Brother Ling."
Luo Ling recovered to his senses and smiled bitterly but still said, "If Older Biao Bother wants to exchange blows, I naturally will accompany."
Today it was Shen Qiu first time to be rejected but all the female in the house and felt greatly wronged in his heart. He naturally had to test Shen Miao's future husband properly. How could one let flowery talk and a face that could not be seen clearly person deceive him? Indeed females were easy to deceive. He looked at Shen Xin and said unhappily, "Father, just let that fellow go like this?"
Shen Xin hung his head down, and one did not know what he was thinking, he then looked at Shen Qiu when he heard it and said, "After the meal, go and exchange some blows with him and test his martial arts skills."
Shen Qiu's eyes brighten and rubbed his fists together, "Yes."
Sure enough, Shen Xin and him were together in it. He must let Prince Rui see clearly that it was not so easy to marry the females in the Shen family.
Shen Miao brought Xie Jing Xing to her own courtyard. Bai Lu and Shuang Jiang were tidying up the plants in the entire courtyard with some servants and when they saw Shen Miao leading a male back, they jumped in shock. It was only when Gu Yu and Jing Zhe greeted Prince Rui then the rest of the servants recovered to their senses and quickly greeted.
Shen Miao directly brought Xie Jing Xing back to her room.
She was not afraid to be seen by others. Anyways it was not Xie Jing Xing's first time in her room as he would come over for tea and snacks every three to five days. He had long been familiar to the paths in the Shen mansion. However when she turned her head around, she saw Xie Jing Xing looking around everywhere and could not help but be annoyed, "It's not the first time so what is there to look?"
"It's the first time entering from the main doors." Xie Jing Xing smiled and sat in front of the table before looking and speaking to her, "The feeling of entering from the main doors is different."
Shen Miao ridiculed, "Are you complaining that previously you did not have a proper title and it was not appropriate?"
"Smart." Xie Jing Xing said as he drank tea.
"That is created by you. No one invited you." Shen Miao said with gritted teeth.
Xie Jing Xing was in all smiles as he looked at her, "Furen treats me very well. Older Biao Sister is also good."
Shen Miao rolled her eyes in her heart. That was because they did not see the cruel side of Xie Jing Xing. If they saw it, they would not treat him so well.
She asked, "What do you want to say to me?"
"The thing that you requested me to investigate. One have investigated clearly for you." Xie Jing Xing said.
"Investigate?" Shen Miao was too busy these days and had forgotten what matter she had requested Xie Jing Xing to help and asked, "What is it?"
Xie Jing Xing's eyes flashed, "Pei Lang's news."
Shen Miao suddenly came into realization and recalled that there was no news from Pei Lang these days and now became anxious, "What was investigated? Is it that something happened to him?"
"You are very worried about him." Xie Jing Xing's eye brows raised.
"He is one that works for me." Shen Miao frowned.
"Alright." Xie Jing Xing shrugged his shoulders, "He is now not in a very good state. Fu Xiu Yi seemed to have discovered his indentity and locked him in the underground prison of the residence of Prince Ding and is torturing him to tell him the truth."
Shen Miao's heart slightly tightened, "Is he still alive?"
"Fu Xiu Yi did not get the answer he wanted so he would not let him die so easily." Xie Jing Xing said and then stared at Shen Miao, "You don't seem to worry that he will betray you."
"He will not." Shen Miao replied.
Xie Jing Xing frowned slightly.
Shen Miao had thought that even though Pei Lang was one who was too inhumanly rational but with regards to loyalty, there was nothing to pick on him. In the previous lifetime when he was working for Fu Xiu Yi, he was only loyal to Fu Xiu Yi. Pei Lang was a brilliant talent thus afterwards Prince Zhou and a bunch of other people wanted to pull him away from Fu Xiu Yi. Prince Zhou had the upperhand at that time and could give Pei Lang much more than Fu Xiu Yi could but Pei Lang was never moved.
Pei Lang was a very principled person and it was higher than anything in his heart. Just like in the past lifetime when he was assisting Fu Xiu Yi, he had put in all efforts to help Fu Xiu Yi sit firmly on this position and used everyone who was by Fu Xiu Yi's side, which also includes her. Even though later because of Fu Ming and Wan Yu, Shen Miao knelt down to beg Pei Lang for help, Pei Lang was not moved by it and just look on as the Shen family fell. Perhaps he had even had a hand in it. However Shen Miao had never doubted Pei Lang's loyalty.
Speaking of which, Fu Xiu Yi was impatient when dealing with her and after marriage, he was most of the time cold towards her. Other than the occasional care and greetings that showed his responsibilities as a husband, most of the time Shen Miao would be alone in the residence of Prince Ding. Shen Miao wanted to be like by Fu Xiu Yi and knew that Fu Xiu Yi valued Pei Lang deeply so she consulted Pei Lang, hoping that Fu Xiu Yi would have a whole new level of respect for her.
Pei Lang taught her patiently and there was not a time that he was annoyed. Most of the understanding that Shen Miao had towards the Ming Qi's political issues, other that occasionally hearing from Fu Xiu Yi, were from the teachings of Pei Lang.
Pei Lang was her teacher in Guang Wen Tang but in a matter of fact, he was considered her teacher in the residence of Prince Ding.
Thus Shen Miao would not doubt that Pei Lang would betray her.
"Fu Xiu Yi have a lot of means." There was a rarely seen trace of anxiety on Shen Miao's face, "Especially for those who betray him. Once such a person like this was found, he would never give him any trust and would personally kill the person at the end. Since Pei Lang had been discovered by him, in order to obtain the answer at the moment, Fu Xiu Yi would perhaps keep him alive but it does not mean that he would not do other things to him. Perhaps all his limbs were gone." Shen Miao had a cold sweat.
Shen Miao had personally seen how Fu Xiu Yi treated people who betrayed him. Shen Miao had also personally seen what kind of place the underground prison was like.
Most likely from that time onwards, other having feelings of love, she had some traces of fear of Fu Xiu Yi.
After all this person was gentle and warm in front of others but behind others was so ruthless. It made one give birth to a sense of chill.
Xie Jing Xing's gaze became sharp, "How do you know how he treat the people who betrayed him?"
If it was in the past, Shen Miao could also heard that there was something wrong with Xie Jing Xing's words but at the moment, her mind was not at this and could not care less about it. After some thought, she then looked towards Xie Jing Xing, "You have ways to save him right?"
Xie Jing Xing withdrew the hand that was holding the teacup, "Reason."
Shen Miao looked at him. His gaze was sharp and there was no retreat at all, making one's heart shrink.
"Because there is no reason to watch with folded arms."