Previous Lifetime

The yellow sands were thick, and the wind was blowing strongly. During the journey, there were many winds and frosts, and the sun, moon, and stars were mere embellishments.

Only a few scattered guards were escorting the carriage, and they did not respect the person there.

A young lady who looked like a maid walked over from the back of the carriage and jumped into it before handing a bowl of porridge to the person inside. "Niángniáng, the porridge has somewhat cooled but is still edible. There is no shop in front or back, so taking a mouthful is better.

The female in the horse carriage was young, but her expression was rather haggard. Her clothes were not very delicate, and when one looked closely, they were the style of a few years ago, and they did not fit her as she was thin. She parted the curtains and asked, "Where is one now?"

"After going a little more, one could be on the official road before nightfall." Bai Lu smiled. "This servant had asked those people, and one would be able to reach Ding capital within five days."

Shuang Jiang smiled, "Upon returning to the Palace, Niángniáng's suffering will end."

"Suffering will come to an end." Shen Miao laughed bitterly, "But the people who died would not return."

She was talking about Jing Zhe and Gu Yu. Hearing that, Bai Lu and Shuang Jiang looked sorrowful, and they no longer spoke.

To win over an official, Jing Zhe became a concubine, and in the first year, when Shen Miao was in Country Qin, she got the news that Jing Zhe had been beaten to death by the official's wife for some reason. As for Gu Yu… Shen Miao clenched her fist. She died in Huangfu Hao's hands, protecting her.

Five years. Five whole years. The five years in Country Qin have grounded the last traces of arrogance and delicateness in her. She gritted her teeth and took in everything to return to her country and reunite with her pair of children. However, the heavy cost was not something an outsider could speak about.

How arduous could this journey be? Not many guards were escorting her, and just by looking at this carriage, who would think it belonged to an empress of a country? In the beginning, the people she brought over to Country Qin were either dead or had left within five years. Just like the entire journey back, if Mo Qing had not been there to protect her, she would not have been able to return alive.

Shen Miao sighed. Fortunately, all the sufferings were not in vain. Five years had finally passed.

Just as she was thinking, it was time for the carriage to continue its journey, but instead of leaving, there was some noise in front.

She frowned slightly and parted the carriage's curtain, asking, "What is happening?"

Mo Qing walked over from the front, "I encountered a strange person who came over to request water to drink." Before the voice landed, one saw a grey-clad, tattered old man appearing behind him. He spoke joyfully when he saw Shen Miao: "Fūrén, one is going to die of thirst. Do give one some water to drink."

This old man wore strangely, and a stench emitted from his entire body. He stared at one straightforwardly, making one feel suspicious. It was not that one did not want to give him some water to drink, but because of Shen Miao's unique identity, one feared that something would happen if one encountered an ill-intended person. Mo Qing instructed others to remove the old man and not let him near Shen Miao. However, Shen Miao laughed, "There is drought along the way, and the Heavens are not pleased. One bowl of water is equal to a life. Give it to him. Ben… I do not lack one bowl of water to drink."

Since Shen Miao had given her word, Mo Qing instructed someone to bring that old man a bowl of clean water. The old man gulped it down, patted his stomach before brushing the guard's hands to stand up and bowed towards Shen Miao, "Fūrén is kind-hearted and saved this poor priest's life. This poor priest must return the gratitude for this bowl of water."

"Poor priest?" Shen Miao was startled before she smiled, "You are a Taoist Priest?"

"One's secular name is Chi Yan." That strange old man looked at Shen Miao and shook his head, "Fūrén's physiognomy is extremely noble, but one's noble fortune is short and would not be able to receive noble luck."

"What kind of nonsense are you talking about?" Bai Lu frowned and glanced at Shen Miao. "Your… Fūrén, he could be a con man. Don't listen to his nonsense."

Mo Qing was also trying to drive away the strange old man.

"Wait." Shen Miao said, "It is rather boring the entire journey, so let's listen to what he would say."

That old man pretending to be praying, "There is a dark air between Fūrén's brow, and one fears that it is not good. When the journey is taken to the end, one fears that it will be a bad omen. If one were to turn one's horses at this moment, one can avoid this calamity. Fūrén, this poor priest persuades you that this is a road to the underworld, and if one were to walk on it, there would be no turnaround."

"The more is said, the more ridiculous it is." Shuang Jiang's was green, "Who are you cursing?"

Shen Miao, however, had a good temper. She had stayed in Country Qin for a long time and would be happy to see anyone from Ming Qi. Even if this old man was spouting nonsense, she was not angry and smiled, "Many thanks to the Taoist Priest's reminder, but one must take this route. My children are on this road, so I must return home."

The strange Taoist Priest sighed deeply, "This is within expectations." He looked towards Shen Miao, "With this water encounter, one will gift a fate." After finishing, he took a red string from his sleeves and wanted to go up to gift it to Shen Miao, but Mo Qing stopped him. He could only pass the red string to Mo Qing, and only when Mo Qing saw that it was nothing did he hand it over to Shen Miao.

"This red string is this poor priest's thanks to Fūrén. Fūrén should tie it at the wrist, which would become one's way of accomplishing matters." He said solemnly, "Fūrén must remember that the ways of the Heavens are cryptic, and matters originate from people. This poor priest can see one's fate but cannot change one's fate. The person who could change Fūrén's fate is not this poor priest. The Heavens take pleasure in the welfare of the living; there will be calamity and karma. This red string represents that there will be a day when Fūrén will find one's explanation for it."

Finishing, he laughed a few times before turning around to stride off.

This Taoist Priest was mysterious and strange, and the prophecies he said were all extremely inauspicious. Thus, Bai Lu and Shuang Jiang were somewhat unhappy. Bai Lu said, "Niángniáng must not take that strange person's words to heart. Most likely, his brains are not clear."

"Don't wear this thing." Shuang Jiang also said, "It is unlucky."

However, Shen Miao looked at it and felt the red string was adorable. She inexplicably liked it so much that she tied it onto her wrist with a smile: "Since it is a way of accomplishing matters and strangers coming together by chance is also a fate, so one will wear it. If it is false, it is alright. If it is real and effective, won't it be good?"

Since she had said as such, Bai Lu and Shuang Jiang could not say anything more. Mo Qing headed to the front of the entourage and started onward again.

The faraway sand and wind had almost covered their shadows, but the strange old man was not visible on the road ahead.

*****

Upon returning to Ming Qi, it was not like the 'suffering will end' that Shuang Jiang said.

The world changes all the time, the situation would change, and people's hearts would also change.

As an Empress, other than the position, it was not any different. Sometimes, when she thought about it, she felt it was no better than the days she had been humiliated in Country Qin. Those injuries were placed on the surface in Country Qin, but it was all in the dark in Ming Qi. It was like when one suffered a hidden loss, one could not speak of it and had to laugh with others.

Shen Miao sat in Kun Ning Palace and looked at the withered Hong Xiu Cao; her expression waned.

Mo Qing sent in Hong Xiu Cao, saying it was a rare herb. It looked very pretty, like a female's sleeve swaying in the wind; thus, it was named Hong Xiu (aka Red Sleeve). One did not know why it was withering, and Shen Miao had no mind to manage it.

One had returned to Ming Qi for many years, and her life had not been good.

There was an additional Mei Fūrén in the Inner Palace, and Mei Fūrén was charming, intelligent, and gentle—just like a mystery that made others' gaze land on her and not leave after a long time.

In the beginning, there was no heartache. After all, the man she had loved used this kind of look at another female. She had thought he would treat everyone coldly but realised it was wrong. It was just that that person was not her.

After many heartbreaking days, one gradually became numb. It was as if the pain and depression had gradually morphed into hate and unwillingness because of Fu Chen.

Fu Chen would always take away Fu Xiu Yi's favour, and her child, Fu Ming, was clearly sitting in the position of the Crown Prince and was talented and hardworking. However, afterwards, he became like a prince who had fallen out of favour. Fu Xiu Yi could teach Fu Chen how to write stroke by stroke and discuss politics, but he was so stingy that he would not even spare an additional caring glance at Fu Ming.

He would say Fu Ming was the Crown Prince and had to mature and be stable; one should not always follow one's Imperial Father.

However, every time one sees Fu Ming's disappointed eyes, Shen Miao's heart is pierced by knives.

The Shen family was not doing well, either. Luo Xue Yan's illness worsened, and Jing Chu Chu had unclear relations with Shen Qiu. In such a situation within the Shen family, Shen Xin seemed to age significantly.

Fu Xiu Yi seemed to be oppressing the Shen family, and Shen Miao barely noticed it. But how would the Inner Palace be aware of judiciary matters? The only person she knew was Pei Lang, who was loyal to Fu Xiu Yi. Even though she had a wonderful relationship with Pei Lang, his primary allegiance would be to Fu Xiu Yi.

Shen Miao liked Fu Xiu Yi wholeheartedly, but her heart turned to ice when she watched him and Mei Fūrén interact. However, whether in politics or position, she had to sit in this Empress position and seek opportunities for Fu Ming and Wan Yu.

Recently, the Xiong Nu side passed on the news, and Mei Fūrén seemed to be urging Fu Xiu Yi to send Wan Yu over for a marriage alliance.

This was the most unbearable thing for Shen Miao.

Mei Fūrén's means and methods became more sophisticated, and Fu Xiu Yi's favour for Fu Chen was evident to everyone. Since the Shen family was not as strong as before, more people stood behind Mei Fūrén. Everyone would want to take the opportunity to step on others when they were down. The younger brother of Mei Fūrén, Li Ke, was recently helping Fu Xiu Yi achieve several significant accomplishments. As the tide rises, the boat also rises. Mei Fūrén's position in the Inner Palace was likewise ascending.

Shen Miao knew what the officials were thinking. They were planning to change the Crown Prince and abolish the Empress.

But Fu Xiu Yi wanted his face. She was his first wife, so it would not be easy for Mei Fūrén to go over her head.

After much fighting, her entire heart became exhausted. If it were not for her children, she felt it would be better to set this Imperial Palace on fire; it would then be clean, and the world would be at peace.

Bai Lu walked in and said, "Niángniáng, the attire for the Palace Banquet is prepared; it is necessary to style one's hair earlier."

Shuang Jiang had died the year before. Mei Fūrén had good means that even her maids were not let off. After turns and twists, only Bai Lu was left.

Today, it was Ming Qi's Palace Banquet. As the new year was approaching, Fu Xiu Yi wanted to reward the officials, and the most crucial point was to send Xie Jingxing, the Little Marquis of the Marquis of Lin An Residence. Xie Ding, the Marquis of Lin An, had died on the battlefield of Northern Jiang, and now his son would be going for an expedition. Actually, this opportunity was not good, and it made one feel somewhat tragic, but Xie Jingxing still accepted the request.

Due to the unique relations between the Shen and Xie families, Shen Miao had never interacted with Xie Jingxing. Since Xie Ding's death, the Marquis of Lin An Residence has only had Xie Jingxing take over the mantle. This was somewhat sad, as there were the Southern Xie and Northern Shen in the beginning, but now the Shen family was not like the previous, and the Xie family was declining. This taught others the meaning of the fox weeping when the rabbit dies.

But Xie Jingxing had his route to follow. Wasn't Shen Miao's route challenging too?

She said, "Style then."

The music threw one's mind into disorder. This Palace Banquet was extraordinarily lively.

Fu Xiu Yi had never been this happy. His usually cold look became much softer, and his smile became exceptionally happier. Shen Miao looked coldly as Fu Chen came over to toast him. Both father and son looked happy, but her heart was somewhat chilled.

Fu Ming sat upright at the side, and Wan Yu sat with exactitude. Those officials often praise the Crown Prince and the Princess for being sensible at such a young age, suggesting they possessed an adult air. However, this kind of dignified air was not something everyone could have. Even though they were all polite words, it was not far from the truth. However, one did not consider how one could be so sensible. These sensibilities were all forced out.

Wan Yu and Fu Ming also tried their best to be close to Fu Xiu Yi, but children's minds were simple, and they could feel Fu Xiu Yi's coldness. Thus, they gradually became polite and well-mannered.

Shen Miao sat by Fu Xiu Yi's side but would see Fu Xiu Yi exchanging glances with Mei Fūrén from time to time. Mei Fūrén would smile, and it was surely affectionate, and Fu Xiu Yi would also smile gently back.

Shen Miao had thought that they were both really happy.

But how about the main star of this banquet?

Shen Miao could not help but look at the man on the left side of the banquet.

That male looked beautiful and handsome but had a lazy posture. He sat diagonally, and his dark purple robes were somewhat wide but did not cover his aura. The corner of his lips was hooked up in a smile as he slowly drank the wine as if the banquet had nothing to do with him. The enthusiasm did not impact him.

Shen Miao's heart laughed as she felt this Little Marquis from the Marquis of Lin An Residence was somewhat like her. The banquet was filled with fun and joy, but her heart was not happy. Xie Jingxing would be walking a path of life and death filled with blood, and she did not know what kind of ending awaited her.

There were enemies behind one's back, surrounded by all sides, and every single one was life-threatening.

She picked up the wine cup and poured herself a drink. Each sip that she drank was highly restrained.

An Empress must always be dignified and would not be like a favoured consort that could drink delicately and charmingly and make one's heart intoxicated.

When the banquet ended, people were leaving in twos and threes. She sat in the central position and heard Mei Fūrén saying, "Bìxià, Chénqiè had prepared good wine tonight so Bìxià can watch the fireworks with Chénqiè. Chen-er even mentioned that he wanted to compete with Bìxià in chess."

Fu Xiu Yi laughed and touched Mei Fūrén's nose, "Such a competitive temperament. It is exactly like you."

Shen Miao's sentence, 'At the end of the year, Wan Yu and the Crown Prince also want to accompany the Emperor,' was swallowed down.

Looking back, the sorrow in the children's eyes made her heart ache. But she endured the pain and maintained an indifferent expression.

In this New Year, one could not sleep at all.

She coaxed both children to sleep and felt that they were not very enthusiastic about the arrival of the New Year. The sounds of fireworks were heard at the Palace walls. It was late at night, and on such a night, the fireworks at Mei Fūrén's palace would be the best place to watch them. Presumably, the three of them were enjoying it.

Shen Miao draped her clothes on and instructed Bai Lu to bring a jar of wine and a bowl before she went to the garden herself.

The fireworks could be seen from a corner of the garden. Only a small part of them was visible, but even this small part was extremely gorgeous. They lit up the entire sky, and one could only imagine what a wonderful scene it would be to see everything if one stood at the other end.

She took out a bowl. Bai Lu looked somewhat heartbroken, but Shen Miao waved her hands and did not let her speak.

"This firework is truly beautiful." Shen Miao's voice was low, and she was somewhat intoxicated. "When can one see the entire scene of it?"

She suddenly laughed, "Most likely not possible."

Just as she was speaking, footsteps came from behind. As the boots stepped onto the snow, squeaky sounds were heard.

Bai Lu jumped in shock, "You all…"

Shen Miao turned around and saw someone walking out from the thick tree shadows.

A person clad in guard attire was at the back, and the person standing in front was tall and wearing a purple robe. The pair of peach blossom eyes reflected the fireworks at night, making one exceptionally moving and beautiful.

"The Marquis of Lin An Residence's… Marquis Xie?" Shen Miao squinted her eyes to look at him.

That person also seemed surprised and clicked his tongue, "So Fu Xiu Yi's Huánghòu turned out to be a drunkard."

The guard behind him said, "Zhǔzi, we should leave."

Bai Lu was also somewhat nervous as she did not know why Xie Jingxing was still in the Palace. But if one saw an Empress and an official standing together, it might be a significant matter, especially when Shen Miao had been living with great difficulty these days. Once others had an excuse, they would hesitate to pour dirty water upon her. It was naturally good to stay as far from this heir of the Marquis of Lin An's Residence at such a time.

Bai Lu dared not alert others, and as this garden was remote, she said softly, "Shìzǐ yé, Huánghòu Niángniáng is somewhat drunk, and Núbì was about to help her back. One request for Shìzǐ yé to treat it as nothing was seen."

E/N: 世子爷 Shìzǐ yé - My Lord/Lord Heir

Xie Jingxing glanced at Shen Miao and smiled as if he were not interested, then turned around to leave.

"Wait." Shen Miao, however, called him.

Bai Lu was stunned and hated that she could not cover Shen Miao's mouth. Shen Miao stared at Xie Jingxing. She was somewhat drunk this time. Ever since she had headed to Country Qin, she had never drunk unbridledly, and the saying that alcohol dissipates worries of a thousand autumns was not false. When one is drunk, they feel relaxed and do many things that they would not normally do.

She said, "Běngōng heard that you are going to Northern Jiang?"

Xie Jingxing folded his arms and said with a smile but not a smiling, "Does Huánghòu Niángniáng have anything to instruct?"

Tie Yi and Bai Lu stared at Shen Miao. Shen Miao smiled and picked up the bowl that she had just drunk from the table and poured an entire bowl of wine from the wine jar, gesturing to Xie Jingxing, "A highly talented youth, a character through the ages, unparalleled talent, peerless in the world."

Xie Jingxing's eyebrows raised, and Bai Lu was so embarrassed that she hated that she could not drag Shen Miao away. There wasn't anyone who would praise them like that.

"Northern Jiang is a very bad place." Shen Miao patted his shoulders. She was petite and had to stand on tiptoe when patting people's shoulders. She then looked at Xie Jingxing and said, half serious, half intoxicated, "One heard Fùqīn speaking that grass does not grow there, the terrain is treacherous, and there are many poisonous snakes, bugs and ants. It is easy to fall into traps. There are many dangers when you go there."

"This official thank Niángniáng for being troubled." Xie Jingxing casually said.

"No name would be written in the annals when one's heart is reported to the Heavenly one." Her mouth spoke without thinking as she waved the bowl of wine at Xie Jingxing and drank all of it in a breath.

Bai Lu and Tie Yi jumped in shock. The former did not expect Shen Miao to drink as she had said, and the latter was astonished that the Empress was so bold and uninhibited.

Shen Miao wiped her mouth and hiccuped, "This bowl of wine Běngōng toast to you. Must return in triumphant."

Xie Jingxing stared at her. There was still some wine on her lips that had not been wiped away. It sparkled like crystals hanging on her lips, and it looked delicious. Under the moonlight, her features displayed a delicateness that could not be seen during the day. Without the shackles of an Empress, she was, in fact, a stunning and delicate female.

His lips curled upwards, and his smile was a touch wicked as he said slowly, "It seems that Huáng is treating Huánghòu Niángniáng coldly."

 Bai Lu's eyes widen. Xie Jingxing's words were just too impudent, but she dared not drag Shen Miao away directly, lest Shen Miao make some noise that would alert another, and one could not speak about it.

Once Shen Miao finished her drink, she swayed slightly as she picked up the jar, poured more wine into a large bowl, and handed it to Xie Jingxing, saying, "You should drink too."

"Why should I drink?" Xie Jingxing was unable to make heads or tails of it.

"You and Běngōng share the same suffering!" Shen Miao said.

Who shares the same suffering with you?" Xie Jingxing laughed. But Shen Miao had already raised the wine bowl and fed it to his mouth.

Bai Lu was so shocked that her face became pale. This was too ambiguous! Tieyi was also very surprised, but Xie Jingxing said nothing and did not make a move.

Xie Jingxing was suddenly fed a bowl of wine. When he pushed Shen Miao away, a lot of wine splattered his clothes. However, looking at Shen Miao, he saw her smile in satisfaction. She said, "We have a bowl of wine relation. When you return triumphantly, come and watch the fireworks with Běngōng!"

Xie Jingxing felt that today was inexplicable. It turns out that women are irrational when they are drunk. Even the Empress, who usually looks dignified and graceful, is different.

"It is better for Huánghòu Niángniáng to watch with Huáng." He tidied his clothes.

Shen Miao said dimly, "Běngōng had never watched the fireworks with him."

Xie Jingxing stared at the woman opposite him. Her head was slightly tilted, and her lips were raised, but her gaze had some bitterness. His heart inexplicably softened. "Alright, this official promise you."

Shen Miao's eyes brightened, and she looked at him, "Then it is promised!"

Xie Jingxing nodded his head.

Shen Miao considered it and shook her head. "An oral agreement is not binding. There must be a token." She then started to touch her hair for her accessories.

Bai Lu was startled and did not feel good in her heart. If the Empress's belongings were found on Xie Jingxing, then it would be a crime of adultery. Hearing that Shen Miao would give a handkerchief or hairpin to the other, she suddenly noticed the red string at Shen Miao's wrist and remarked, "Niángniáng, that red string of yours is lovely."

Shen Miao's gaze fell on the red string, and her heart moved as she quickly untied it and took Xie Jingxing's hand, tying it with all seriousness.

When Xie Jingxing's gaze landed on her slightly curled eyelashes, it was dewy, as if it were mingled in the cold winter, making one's heart feel inexplicably itchy.

After Shen Miao finished tying, she smiled at him and said, "This is the token Běngōng will give you. This would be the promise as one waits for you to return in triumph."

"Many thanks for Niángniáng's bestowment." Xie Jingxing smiled carelessly, "But this official has no object to give Niángniáng. Why not give Niángniáng a wish instead?"

"Wish?" Shen Miao looked at him.

"Upon one's triumphant return, this official can give Niángniáng a wish. As long as this official can do, one would do one's best to fulfil Niángniáng's wish."

Shen Miao said, "It is a deal."

"It is a deal."

A boom was heard, and the smouldering fireworks again illuminated the corner of the skies. They looked over in silence, but there seemed to be a tacit understanding between them.

Bai Lu was also stunned.

The fireworks were fleeting, but some things would not disappear like this night.

When Shen Miao woke up, she only felt a splitting headache. Holding her forehead, she stood up and headed towards the table. "One slept for such a long time."

Bai Lu brought a bowl of hot soup over. "Niángniáng had drunk too much yesterday. It is better to drink this to sober up."

"Drank too much?" Shen Miao paused, "But one did not drink that much at the banquet."

Bai Lu had a guilty conscience as she said, "Most likely, the wine in the banquet has high alcohol content."

Shen Miao nodded and sighed, "Běngōng's habit of not remembering anything when one is drunk has not changed for so many years. But one had not been drunk for a long time."

Bai Lu nodded and heard Shen Miao saying as she looked at her empty wrist, "How did the red string disappear?"

Bai Lu said softly, "It is most likely… lost."

Shen Miao sighed, "It indeed is not long-lasting."

The sun shone as the procession of troops about to set off was at the city gates.

It was headed by a young male with an arrogant horse. It was a lazy smile, but one's gaze was so cold that one did not dare to look up.

"Zhǔzi, everything is prepared." Tie Yi said.

Xie Jingxing took a glance back. After exiting the city gates, the future in Northern Jiang would be a clean break from the past. There would not be any more implications.

One, after all, had to leave.

"There is nothing worthy of nostalgia here." The white-clad male shook his fan and said, "And nothing is related to you."

"Maybe, one hoped that Sān Gē would not be able to return." The gentleman claded in pine-green robes and smiled as he looked ahead. "No matter what, one has to return home."

"Not necessarily."

Both of them looked at that purple-clad male together.

Xie Jingxing lowered his head, and his gaze landed on his wrist. There was a red string whose ends were carefully and tidily knotted; seemingly, one could not loosen it at all.

"Isn't this something women wear?" Ji Yushu asked, "Why are you wearing this?"

"I drank someone's farewell wine and owed someone a wish." Xie Jingxing said, "I'll pay it back when I return."

He withdrew his gaze and raised his whip, "Set off."

----------------------------------

Time was like an arrow; sunrises and sunsets were as usual.

Flowers had bloomed a few rounds, flowers had wilted a few rounds, and the moon changed from crescent to a full moon, so what more humans?

For example, the Shen family had become increasingly weaker, and the Empress was being treated increasingly coldly. It was as if they were old men struggling with death.

Princess Wan Yu died of illness on her way to the marriage alliance, and Empress Shen could not recover from it. Even though she was dignified and careful, her eyes were feeble upon close inspection. Only when she saw the Crown Prince did they slightly brighten, like a faint ember in the ashes that would soon be extinguished.

The beautiful lady in a palace dress smiled at the man in blue in front of her and said, "National Advisor, getting a drop of Huánghòu's fingertip blood should not be difficult for you."

Pei Lang observed the woman in front of him. She was as charming as a cat in the dark, cunning and gorgeous; otherwise, the emperor, who was always profit-driven, would not be placed in her hands.

She is undoubtedly seductive as a woman, holding the man's mind in her palm. She also did a good job as a power-grabber.

She retreated to advance, never taking the initiative to emphasise status or ask for cash and silver, but instead made people freely provide. Not only that, but she took things from others. She ordered others to fight, relying on the emperor's love and her brother's support, and gradually clutched what she desired in her palm without making a sound.

She looks charming and beautiful, but she has the heart of a poisonous snake. Wasn't the little princess, who was only ten years old, forced to the road of death by this woman?

Even the Mistress of the Six Palaces was less vicious than this woman. Perhaps it was because she hailed from a line of faithful generals. No matter how her temperament changed, she was kind in her bones.

But this kindness was destined always to be inferior to the other party's means.

Mei Fūrén saw him in a daze and said, "National Advisor?"

Pei Lang recovered and thought about it before asking, "What does Guìfēi Niángniáng want Huánghòu Niángniáng's fingertip blood for?"

"You do not need to know what it is for." Mei Fūrén smiled like a flower. Even though she was already an Imperial Consort, she kept her initial title: Mei Fūrén. When one hears it, it is charming and moving, which makes one forget that deep in the Inner Palace, a delicate flower is also poisonous.

She said, "National Advisor can see Huánghòu Niángniáng's situation now." She pointed to a vine between two trees and smiled, "When this vine just sprouted, it was sandwiched between the two trees. It didn't have to choose anything and could live well regardless of the trees. But as it grows bigger, the taller it gets, the stronger the wind and rain will be; it has to find a place to climb." She looked towards Pei Lang, "There's a tree on the left and a tree on the right, but it can only choose one tree to climb."

"These two trees occupy the same area and compete for the same land. There is only so much land, so one tree would be cut off."

"That vine must make a good choice; if it climbed up a tree about to be cut, it would be pulled out in unison." Mei Fūrén smiled at Pei Lang, "National Advisor, how do you think that vine would choose?"

Pei Lang stared at the two trees and then turned his head around. "This official understands."

Mei Fūrén smiled in satisfaction.

After Pei Lang left, a palace maid walked out from behind to pour tea for her and said softly, "Niángniáng, will National Advisor get Huánghòu's fingertip blood? The National Advisor and Huánghòu seemed to have good relations."

When it comes to friendship, Pei Lang knew Shen Miao much longer than he knew Mei Fūrén.

"The National Advisor is an intelligent person." Mei Fūrén picked up the teacup and sipped before smiling, "Otherwise, when gōngzhǔ got married, he would not have just stood idly by. Moreover… There is an ulterior motive in his heart. He has such a noble and benevolent character, so he is sensible not to let himself make any slight deviation. Inherently, one will cut the weeds and eliminate the roots. I am helping him here; naturally, he would be thankful."

The palace maid seemingly understood and nodded her head. "But that monk said he could borrow Huánghòu's life and give it to Niángniáng. Is it true?"

"No matter whether it is true or not, I will sit in that head position of the Inner Palace." A hint of hatred appeared in Mei Fūrén's eyes. "It is only blood from the fingertips. When her life is given to me, and my Prince sits securely on the throne, I will be very compassionate and burn some paper money for those three persons."

The palace maid assented and dared not speak.

Shen Miao's illness was somewhat serious.

Fu Ming just went over to see her and accompanied her to talk for a while. Shen Miao wanted to ask someone about the situation at the Shen residence, but when she stepped out of the courtyard, she saw Pei Lang.

Pei Lang greeted her, but Shen Miao was very cold.

Regarding Wan Yu's marriage alliance, Pei Lang's indifference made one's heart cold. They had been friends for so long, and Wan Yu even called him 'Teacher'. All the hatred towards Fu Xiu Yi was naturally shifted to Pei Lang, and she did not even want to see another glance of him.

"One had heard that Huánghòu Niángniáng fell ill." Pei Lang handled a small box over, "This… Will perhaps be useful for Niángniáng's cough."

Shen Miao glanced at him and opened the box. It contained an inexplicably familiar herb. She took it out to examine it when she suddenly felt a pain in her fingertip. When she looked at it again, the herbs pricked her, and beads of blood flowed down from her fingertip.

Bai Lu exclaimed and quickly went to bandage it up. Pei Lang stared at her fingertip and said somewhat woodenly, "This is Hong Xiu Cao, which is useful for coughing."

Shen Miao instead laughed. She threw that herb back into the small box and closed it before returning it to Pei Lang, "There is no need. Běngōng once had such a herb, but in the end, it withered. However, the herb that Běngōng raised did not have thorns." Her words had an additional meaning: "If one does not wish to gift anything, then don't gift. It makes one feel disgusted to receive such a gift. The National Advisor's gift is something that Běngōng cannot afford to accept. Please take it back." Finishing, she did not even look at Pei Lang and turned around to leave.

Pei Lang held the small box tightly and looked complicatedly at Shen Miao's back view. Her health was deteriorating, and she needed to stop and rest every two steps.

But… Pei Lang looked at the small box. One must make a choice. Even when he had just entered the courts with nothing, after enduring so much wind, storms, and moons, how would he be clean and innocent? The higher one sits, the more one has to make a decision. He was also helpless and had no choice.

The advantages and disadvantages were placed together. From one glance, one could see which tree was about to be cut and which would be exclusive to the entire land.

He had his loved ones to protect, so be it relations or secret thoughts, they could all be placed aside. As to why Mei Fūrén wanted the blood from one fingertip, it was not for anything good. He was giving succour to the enemy. He was adding frost to the snow.

He turned his head and headed in the other direction.

Those with different principles would not join in a common quest. He could not do anything; he could only… watch with folded arms. He could only watch as this tree, working hard in the Palace to grow, fell into the mud.

----------------------------------

That fire burned for three entire days and nights.

Only the Cold Palace was burned down. The melancholy feelings, blood-weeping complaints, curses made before death, and deep despair all disappeared in that fire, leaving only the remains of the embers and constructed rumours.

The Empress of Ming Qi had died.

After the Shen family was executed for betraying the country and the Crown Prince committed suicide after being abolished, Mei Fūrén became the new Empress, and Fu Chen became the new Crown Prince. The lonely Cold Palace suddenly caught fire, burning the abolished Empress Shen to dust.

It was a matter that made one sigh. The Emperor of Ming Qi was kind, and because of the grace of being husband and wife, one did not let the Empress walk the road to the underworld with the disloyal Shen family and spared her life. It was just that after being banished to the Cold Palace, this woman did not have the fortune and lost her life in the fire.

History was written by the one who won, and it is the same in the Inner Palace.

As soon as the dynasty changed, all traces of Empress Shen were removed. There were not even remains of her, as everything burned in that fire. There was no longer anyone in the Shen family's first household, and it was truly the end of a family.

The new Crown Prince's Imperial Mother was Empress Li, and she had changed her former soft and charming temperament to one of power. She wholeheartedly supported her brother and coaxed Fu Xiu Yi so well that even the court was faintly in her grasp.

There was some sense that the Imperial relatives were grabbing power.

Some officials were slightly aware of it and wanted to warn the Emperor secretly, but for inexplicable reasons, they would either be defamed or exiled before any action was taken.

Pei Lang watched everything coldly, but his heart was somewhat exhausted.

Less than half a year after Shen Miao's death, Ming Qi was almost turned upside down. He had not misread. Mei Fūrén and her younger brother had great means that it was challenging to say if the empire of Ming Qi would land in Mei Fūrén's hands. He was loyal to Fu Xiu Yi, but after warning him a few times, he no longer reminded him and even secretly had the thought that he deserved it.

It was easy to change a human's heart. A wise Monarch could become a fatuous one, and a loyal official could also become a dissident.

Every night Pei Lang slept, a pair of clear, bright eyes always awakened him. The eyes did not have tears, but their presence made one's heart heavier than when tears fell.

That was Shen Miao's eyes.

Pei Lang once thought he was doing the right thing. He instinctively predicted the inevitable results and avoided disadvantages, which was the best choice. However, as time passed, he could not deceive himself anymore.

How was this ultimately an inevitable result? He obviously did not want Shen Miao to die like this!

When did he begin to feel other emotions for Shen Miao? Pei Lang himself did not know. He was her teacher in Guang Wen Tang and saw Shen Miao as an arrogant and ignorant delicate female who wanted to marry Fu Xiu Yi, watched her marry into the residence of Prince Ding, learning the things that she did not like for Fu Xiu Yi, becoming a Wángfēi, becoming an Empress, and then becoming an abolished Empress.

She was somewhat stupid and not considered intelligent, as she learned things slowly, but her stubbornness made one fear her generosity toward the Inner Palace. Pei Lang would feel ridiculous at her willingness to give everything for a person's heart and sometimes envy Fu Xiu Yi.

Much later, he could not help but pay more attention to her. He did not even realise he would be more patient when approaching Shen Miao's problems.

But Pei Lang was a smart person, and a smart person would not let himself make mistakes.

So when he discovered his strange thoughts, he was determined to stop this mistake. It was he who suggested that Shen Miao go to Country Qin as a hostage. But after five years, when Shen Miao returned, his thoughts had still not changed.

HidAnas: WTF!!!!! You fell in love with her! But you threw her into a pit instead of changing yourself! Well, let's do that! Let's just "off" the person you fell in love with when you are in the wrong… You damn bl**dy b*stard!!!

He coldly looked at Shen Miao fighting with Mei Fūrén till she was all injured and saw as her eyes grew dimmer and watched her withered.

At the end, when Fu Xiu Yi asked him how to deal with the Shen family's descendants, he said a phrase without thinking: Cut the weeds and eliminate the roots.

HidAnas: Nice! An idiotic emperor asking a cesspit-brained for a solution… In the end, the whole family died… All because of men who think with their third leg…

It was to cut the weeds in his heart and to eliminate the roots in his heart.

He had not expected Fu Xiu Yi's cutting the weeds and eliminating the roots included Fu Ming. Even a vicious tiger would not eat its cubs, but Fu Xiu Yi could even act against his own flesh and blood. One could still use the excuse that Wan Yu had an accident during the journey, but Fu Xiu Yi ordered Fu Ming's death.

Pei Lang remembered Shen Miao's eyes after she knew of Fu Ming's death. That pair of clear eyes widened so big, and there were no tears, but it made one feel so miserable that others could not bear to look at them.

That fire burned for three entire days and nights, but it also lit Pei Lang's regretful heart.

He went to Pu Tuo Monastery's abbot and asked how to clear the vileness in one's heart.

The abbot was an old monk who shook his head while looking at him, "An illness of a heart would need a medicine for a heart."

Was there a medication for regret in the world?

Pei Lang begged the Enlightened Monk for guidance. The abbot replied, "Benefactor dreams of the person because one owes a lot to the person. She could not be dissipated from your dreams because there was unresolved resentment. There is no way to live and no way to be liberated."

Pei Lang was terrified and asked if there was a solution.

The monk asked instead, "Leave the mistakes of the past and seek an opportunity to redo. If it requires benefactor's life, is benefactor willing to give?"

Pei Lang said, "Willing."

That monk said, "May benefactor return."

"Why return?" Pei Lang did not understand.

"Benefactor is willing to pay with one's life, but that opportunity requires waiting."

"Opportunity… What kind of opportunity?" Pei Lang asked.

"The person that benefactor owed to still has a wish. When the wish is resolved, benefactor can give one's life, and perhaps there would be a chance." The enlightened monk continued, "This monk could not say more than this."

Pei Lang thanked the monk and returned to the palace.

What was Shen Miao's unfulfilled wish?

Shen Miao's entire life was miserable. Both children and clan died, so what she wanted to see the most was most likely the enemies in hell, and the Shen family's reputation was cleared.

There was an opportunity to redo everything, but it would require one to wait. Would one wait or not?

Wait. Pei Lang had made a decision.

This lifetime was so long. For so long, he was willing to use his life to save a mistake.

---------------------------

Winter passed, and spring arrived as the wild goose came and went.

When an Imperial Dynasty was nearing the end of its fate, an atmosphere of defeat hung over it.

The current Ming Qi was not like the former Ming Qi. Exorbitant taxation, forced labour and servitude, unhappy commoners, corrupt officials, chaotic court and a muddleheaded monarch.

The Crown Prince was busy forming cliques for one's interest and could not wait to be the new Emperor as soon as possible.

The military power had been consolidated and returned, but no capable Generals could lead them. Ming Qi was a piece of fatty meat that everyone wanted a bite of.

The distant Great Liang had attacked and swallowed Country Qin and finally launched an offensive against Ming Qi. It was like breaking a dead branch from a tree; it was just too easy to win as they fought to the city towers of Ding capital.

As they stationed their camps, all the people in the Ding capital felt the dange. The commoners' households were tightly closed and the atmosphere of a destroyed nation filled the air.

In the most enormous tent, someone was listening while wiping a long sword.

"Ming Qi has reached its end." A white-clad gentleman walked over with a folding fan; one could not hear any emotions in his voice. "One heard that the Imperial Palace will be cleaned out by tonight."

What was cleaned out was the womenfolk in the Palace, namely the consorts, concubines, palace maids, and Princesses, all of which will be cleaned out. Instead of being insulted by the enemies, it was better to die first to protect one's dignity.

But was it really to protect one's dignity? How many of those people did not want to die?

The movements of wiping the sword paused, and the man looked up, revealing a beautiful face. He had a pair of peach blossom eyes, but his gaze was indifferent. "Oh. Has the corpse of Shěn Huánghòu been found?"

Ji Yu Shu opened the tent doors and walked in. He heard those words coincidentally and said, "One had inquired, and it was not found. The Cold Palace was burned cleanly down in a fire, and there were not even any remains."

Gao Yang sneered, "Fu Xiu Yi fears others gossiping and managed it so cleanly."

"The Shen family is pitiful." Ji Yu Shu sighed. "If the Shen family had been present, how would he have fallen into such a state?"

Xie Jingxing said faintly, "One is only digging one's grave." He then looked at the red string in his hand.

Although the string's colour had faded, it was still tied tightly. He later wore it to many battlefields, and the red string had not fallen off.

Thinking about the bright and clear voice of the woman that night, Xie Jingxing shook his head as that promise was ultimately unfulfilled. Who knew that in a short period of a few years, the empire of Ming Qi would be annihilated that quickly? Even without Great Liang, it would not last long.

He did indeed return triumphant and intended to give her a wish for that cup of wine and also accompany her to watch fireworks. Though, the person was gone, and there would not be any opportunity in this lifetime.

He said, "Attack the city tomorrow morning."

------------------------

Great Liang's flag was flying high. The weather of the sixth month was changing rapidly. Black clouds were pressing down above the city, and the wind was raging as if it would rain in the next moment.

There was no one in the palace, and corpses were lying everywhere. Some females had 'committed suicide', and there were some servants who were beheaded by Great Liang's army.

Blood flowed throughout the field as corpses piled up to hundreds of thousands.

Pei Lang sat in the tea hall and poured a cup of tea for himself. He poured it slowly, and steam rose from the corner of the table. The scent, like a beauty's whisper, intoxicated one.

He glanced outside the window.

The day Shen Miao died, the weather was also like this. The skies were gloomy, and suddenly, the rain came pouring.

He had waited a long time, and finally, this day had come.

Great Liang's army had arrived, and Ming Qi was at its end. Fu Xiu Yi and Mei Fūrén had lived to the end of the road, and Shen Miao's wish was about to be fulfilled.

He finally had the opportunity to turn back the mistakes that he made.

He poured the small bottle into the jug and poured a full cup for himself.

Your wish is about to come true. It's a pity… That the person who fulfills it is not me.

Under the army's pressure, the hands of the emperor and empress were bound and tied to the flagpole on the city tower.

Humans were selfish and would end another's life for their own. This was something that Mei Fūrén and Fu Xiu Yi often did, and now it was their turn to have a taste of it.

Ming Qi's Palace officials had tied up their Emperor and Empress to flatter Great Liang. They were willing to use the heads of the Emperor and Empress to gain a way out from the other party to let themselves live.

When the tree toppled, the monkeys scattered. When a wall was about to collapse, everyone would give it a push. No matter how favoured Mei Fūrén was, she was unable to move at this moment.

Oh. There was still the new Crown Prince, Fu Chen. But he was long beheaded by Xie Chang Wu and Xie Chang Chao, who were great at bootlicking, and they went to the Great Liang army with it

Under the city tower sat a man on a horse with a pair of lazily narrowed eyes. One did not know when the dark clouds scattered, and the golden sun shone onto the city.

His robes were gorgeous and stained with blood, but the noble air was not suppressed. In contrast, the Emperor, captured and treated like fish meat, paled.

"Xie Jingxing." Fu Xiu Yi gritted his teeth.

The Marquis of Lin An Residence's heir, Xie Ding's son, Xie Cang Wu and Xie Change Chao's older brother. No one had expected that the youth who died early on the battlefield, the youth who died along with the Marquis of Lin An, would reappear so many years later in this manner.

He was the younger blood brother of Emperor Yong Le of Great Liang, the revered and noble Prince Rui of First Rank and also the Commander of Great Liang, leading Mo Yun Army, that one would lose one's gall upon hearing them in the wind.

"Long time no see, youngest son of the Fu family." Xie Jingxing greeted him.

Everyone knew that Emperor Yong Le of Great Liang's younger blood brother was the most impressive. He was bold and uninhibited, warring against the world for him. This heroic person was originally the heir of the Marquis of Lin An Residence.

Mei Fūrén stared at the man.

She was terrified. No matter how she could grasp the winning hand, when it came to her life-and-death situation, she would lose all composure. She had always relied on men to get what she wanted step by step, but all the tricks were useless at this juncture. She blamed Fu Xiu Yi for being useless in making such a magnificent dynasty be annihilated like this. Upon looking down at the beautiful features of the man, she stared at him involuntarily, with moving eyes.

Xie Jingxing frowned and asked Ji Yu Shu, "Shen Miao lost to this woman?"

Ji Yu Shu said, "Correct." He also added, "Such an ordinary appearance. One does not know if this Ming Qi Emperor is short-sighted."

Both voices were not concealed, and the entire army of Great Liang laughed while Mei Fūrén's cheeks flushed red with hate. Fu Xiu Yi was annoyed, he looked at Xie Jingxing and said, "If you want to kill, then kill; why the need to spout nonsense?"

"Still putting on a manly act now?" Ji Yu Shu said with disdain, "Sān Gē, this Ming Qi Emperor is anxious to die."

Xie Jingxing smiled lazily, "Initially, Běnwǎng did not want to kill you and was too lazy to do it myself but Běnwǎng owed your Xiǎo Huánghòu a wish. Coincidentally, this ending is the ending that you had prepared for Běnwǎng, so be it official or personal reasons, one has to return it as thanks."

He spread his hands out, and Gao Yang brought the bow over and himhanded him a silver arrow. Xie Jingxing pulled the bow, and a 'xiu' sound could be heard.

Mei Fūrén, who was on top of the city tower, was shot.

That arrow did not go straight to the chest and avoided the critical organs. Blood flowed non-stop that it made onlookers widen their eyes in shock. Mei Fūrén was in so much pain that she felt faint. Fu Xiu Yi's calmed face changed

The scariest thing in the world was not death but waiting for death.

Xie Jingxing smiled and stretched his hands out. Gao Yang handled another two arrows over.

He put both arrows together on the bow before whistling.

One saw tens of thousands of Great Liang troops all pulling their bows and aiming at the two persons at the city tower.

The wind was blowing the flags on the platform ragously like a ghost howling. But at the end, the last trace of dark clouds dissipated and light shone onto the ground.

That man's purple robe swayed lightly with the wind, and his smile was cold and sharp, but there seemed to be some boyish stubbornness between his brows. He stood below the city towers and looked on ambiguously before laughing.

"My apologies, Huángdì xiǎo'ér, one is indebted to a Gūniáng to take your dogged life."

"Release."

Tens of thousands of arrows fiercely shot towards the two persons. It was as if a beast was startled and almost obscuring Heavens. Not even a trace of the sun was seen as it swallowed the two persons.

Nothing could be seen.

In the palace, the green-clad man had fallen onto the table in front, seemingly sleeping.

Near one's foot, a lantern was tilted, and the candle fell. In half a moment, the curtains started to burn, and the fire slowly spread, burning Zhong Hua Palace through Jin Yu Dian till the entire Imperial Palace was surrounded by flames.

"Sān Gē, the Imperial Palace has caught fire." Ji Yu Shu watched from afar and said in alarm, "Do one send people over to extinguish the fire?"

"No need." Xie Jingxing stopped him.

"This Imperial Palace of Ming Qi is not clean. It is better to burn it down." His brows raised, "Fireworks during the daytime. At least one did not break one's promise."

"What does that mean?" Ji Yu Shu did not understand.

Xie Jing Jing looked at the skies reddened by the fire, but the lonely figure drinking under the clear, bright moonlight appeared before his eyes.

"This Imperial Dynasty failed you, so Běnwǎng will destroy it for you." He said lowly, "This is most probably your wish."

He failed to notice that the red string snugly tied around his wrist, which had remained intact for several years, suddenly snapped and softly drifted onto the fire below, reducing it to ashes.

No one had heard a long female sigh in the ashes.

So it turned out this was the calamity, which was fate.

What one saw might not be real. What the ears hear might also not be real. In the past and current lifetimes, he had stood at a distance and smiled without a care, and only when one was near could one understand what kind of person he was. He was frivolous but was the most sincere and was full of schemes but was righteous. He could send thousands of troops for one cup of warm wine and could stand up for a stranger that one met by chance and say, 'My apologies, Huángdì xiǎo'ér, one is indebted to a Gūniáng to take your dogged life'. He lived most seriously but also the most chicly. From among the despicable, he lived honestly, and in the world where one looked upon indifferently to fight, in the end, one did not turn one's back but placed that bit of light on one's palm.

This was her question. It was her question, but only he could resolve it.

"It is raining." Gao Yang put away the fan, "Summer days are sure strange."

Xie Jingxing's lips raised, "Enter the city."

"For what?"

"Take over the Imperial Power."