Chapter 209: Intentions

Xie Jing Xing left.

Shen Miao sat alone in front of the table. Jing Zhe walked in and looked outside. Just now she was outside the room and the two persons' voices were not deliberately suppressed and she could hear the entire thing without missing a word. Seeing that Shen Miao's expression was not good, even though her heart was apprehensive, she could not help but say, "Furen is too aloof with His Highness."

Shen Miao did not speak so Jing Zhe continued, "When Furen has yet married into the Prince residence, one even treated His Highness better. However these days, it is like one deliberately avoided His Highness. A sick person is particularly sensitive, especially His Highness escaped from death, so his heart would be even more delicate. His Highness would inevitably not be comfortable when Furen do not care at such a time. Tomorrow may Furen use some consoling words and everything will be alright. Furen must not be too upset."

Shen Miao said, "I understand. You can leave."

Jing Zhe then withdrawn.

After Jing Zhe left, Shen Miao pressed her forehead. She was struggling when she faced Xie Jing Xing but in all fairness, Xie Jing Xing was innocent in the matter. That sentence of 'from the start, your heart was not moved before' made her feel cold.

Shen Miao could not remember since when her heart was moved by Xie Jing Xing. Perhaps it was when he saved her life in Wan Li Lake, or perhaps when he took of his mask in front of Princess Rong Xin at the Princess residence, or perhaps on the day of marriage when he reached his hands out, or perhaps it was very much earlier that when she set the ancestral hall on fire or when she first met Xie Jing Xing and began to confront Xie Jing Xing.

The feelings of being moved was just too far away. She had only been moved by Fu Xiu Yi in her past lifetime and that price was heavy. With the lessons of the past, she dared not let her heart be moved easily and she was very stingy in giving her feelings out, always careful, making sure that there would only be gains and not losses. However Xie Jing Xing was different. One did not know if it was arrogance or recklessness in his bones but he squanders his emotions. In this marriage, both of their contributions were not equal but Shen Miao had given everything that she could give.

Now because of her heart, she could not deal with Mei Furen without any scruples. With emotions intertwined with doubts, she was unable to face Xie Jing Xing.

And one feared that Xie Jing Xing was disappointed in her in his heart.

She sat in front of the table and that herb, that she had work so hard for to get from Chi Yan Taoist Priest, was casually thrown by the side. Because no one cared for it for these days, there was a layer of dust on it that made no one pay any attention.

In the next few days, Shen Miao's days became somewhat strange.

One did not know what happened to Luo Tan and Gao Yang. Most likely Luo Tan was upset that Go Yang deceived her and Gao Yang saw that Xie Jing Xing's poison was almost gone, he left the old Imperial Physician in the Prince residence and pull Luo Tan to somewhere else.

Ji Furen and Ji Yu Shu also returned to Ji residence. Since Xie Jing Xing was alright, there was no meaning to stay in the Prince residence

One also did not know how Pei Lang caught a cold and he rested in his room and did not go out.

Thus Shen Miao was left alone. The servants of the Prince residence could also see that Xie Jing Xing and Shen Miao were in a cold ware and did their work cautiously. For a period of time, everyone in the Prince residence was concern of their own wellbeing and the atmosphere seemed to be even heavier than when Xie Jing Xing was unconscious.

At such a time like this, the Ye family came over.

The Ye family came over to pick Ye Mei and Ye Ke.

The Ye family seemed to know that Shen Miao did not like Ye Mei and Ye Ke and did not mention this matter to Shen Miao from the beginning till the end. Their trip here today was only a notice.

It was just that Shen Miao was the WangFei of the residence of Prince Rui, thus she had to meet them.

In the main hall of the Prince residence, Ye Furen was speaking to Ye Ke and Ye Mei was sitting at the side, smiling gently. Ye Mao Cai's head was slightly raised as if he was speaking and the person sitting opposite him was Xie Jing Xing.

Xie Jing Xing was clade in a long silver purple robe and most likely because his injuries were not fully recovered, his sitting posture was somewhat of laziness. He spoke to Ye Mao Cai in a smile but not smiling manner that one was unable to tell what it meant.

When Shen Miao came in, she was first seen by Ye Mei and Ye Mei quickly got up to greet her but Ye Ke did not move. Now they were the children of the Ye family and their position had rose like when the tide rises, the boats float. Naturally they did not need to greet WangFei like how commoners did.

It was just that when Ye Mei greeted, Shen Miao did not even support it and accepted it completely. A slight unhappiness appeared in Ye Furen's eyes, Ye Ke did not show any expression, Ye Mao Cai gave a glance at Shen Miao but saw everything.

Shen Miao walked to the other side and sat on the main seat beside Xie Jing Xing. Ye Mao Cai then got up, "These few days after staying in the Prince residence, Mei-er and Ke-er has brought many troubles and thanks to WangFei's care, one is very thankful."

Shen Miao smiled gently, "But it is of no trouble. Speaking of which, Young Lady Ye and Gentleman Ye are His Highness's benefactors so it is a bit too much to call it as trouble."

Ye Mao Cai then laughed to round things up but heard Shen Miao changing the topic and asked fascinated, "But how did Young Lady Li and Gentleman Li become Young Lady Ye and Gentleman Ye? It is indeed a bit surprising that the relatives they were searching for are the Ye family."

Xie Jing Xing only played with the teacup in his hands as she spoke, neither blocking or going with her, as if he was a spectator. Ye Mao Cai was somewhat uncertain with Xie Jing Xing's intention and smiled, "Speaking of that, one is embarrassed as it is a matter of decades ago. At that time, one's wife gave birth and the midwife had some disloyalty and was instructed by evil people to exchange the children. It was actually a pair of sibilings but it was changed to a female baby that passed on early. Since family shames are not spread abroad, for all these years one could only secretly investigate and search. This time when both of them entered Long Ye and came to the Prince residence coincidently and were looking of relatives, everything matched up." Ye Mao Cai's face is fair and looked like an amiable scholar and thus when he spoke, he looked very sincere as he said to Shen Miao, "Everyone said that Mei-er and Ke-er saved High Highness's life but it is our Ye family that should thank His Highness. If it was not because of this coincidence, then our family would not be reunited."

"This is exactly so." Ye Furen also smiled. Ever since Shen Miao saw Ye Furen, this was the first time she saw her smiling that openly, as if one's heart was in pleasure. No matter who saw it, no one would be suspicious of Ye Mei and Ye Ke being her long lost children.

However Shen Miao could not do so. In her previous life them they were the children of Ming Qi's official but in this life time, they became people of Great Liang. One feared that this entanglement was not as simple as it looked.

Ye Mei and Ye Ke was sitting at the side. Ye Mei was beautiful and Ye Ke was smart that with a look, they were talents among people. What was rarer was that they were well-manners and had knowledge of proprietary that they did not speak out or do anything indiscriminately by using the identity of being Xie Jing Xing's benefactors. Thus everyone around did not have any ill impression of them.

It was also right. Fu Xiu Yi was such a shrewd and cold person that he did not even hesitate to take action on his children but only favoured Mei Furen, so it was obvious that she had her positive points.

"That is also a coincidence." Shen Miao smiled gently and said carelessly, "Qin Province is not far away. It is a wonder than the Ye family was not able to find after decades and found them once they enter the Prince residence." She looked at Ye Mei, "It is fated, isn't it Young Lady Ye?"

Ye Mei smiled, "Naturally so. The Prince residence is a blessed place." It seemed that she did not hear the additional meaning behind Shen Miao words and spoke amicably instead.

Shen Miao moved her gaze away and looked at Ye Mao Cai again, "Today Ye Daren came over."

Ye Mao Cai quickly said, "I came over to bring them back to the residence." Finishing he spoke shamefully, "As a Father, one let them live outside for so many years, it is our entire fault. Now that the entire family is reunited with great difficulty, naturally one will not let them live those hardship days. Today one will bring them to the residence and tomorrow the jade name plates will be hung. In the future, they will be the descendants of the Ye family." When he spoke till the end, he was somewhat emotional and when one look at Ye Mei and Ye Ke, they too have some tears in their eyes.

Shen Miao however felt that this play was dumb and uninteresting.

The Imperial family of Great Liang had intentions to woo the Ye family over to deal with the Lu family. Since the Ye family was the key point, they remained neutral and did not express their position. Reasonably speaking, upon the return of Ye Mei and brother to the Ye family, the Ye family seemed to be more embolden and competing with the Lu family so naturally there was no need to be suppress under the Imperial power. Currently this attitude revealed the intuition to stand on the side of Emperor Yong Le. Since the residence of Prince Rui was close with Emperor Yong Le, by showing it to the residence of Prince Rui would be indicating their loyalty to Emperor Yong Le.

Shen Miao's entire hear gradually sank as this was naturally not what she wanted to see. Once the Ye family stood by Emperor Yong Le's side, by pulling the Ye family in secret, it would be cutting Emperor Yong Le's strength. Not to mention Emperor Yong Le, Xie Jing Xing would not be willing with it.

But if she had to be allies with the murderers of her children, she would not be able to get rid of the nauseating feeling in her life.

However, Xie Jing Xing's attitude was intriguing.

Not only did he listened casually to Ye Mao Cai's words, he replied indifferently and avoided the need to how his attitude towards the matter. It was vague and he played Ye Mao Cai in circles. Ye Mao Cai and Ye Furen both went into batter and spoke a lot, seemingly speaking about all matters but upon recalling, it seemed that Xie Jing Xing did not disclose any of his stand at all.

For the Ye family to flatter the Imperial family, the Imperial family did not need to express their gratefulness immediately but they have to be courteous. However Xie Jing Xing's current attitude was like he was watching a play, leisurely and not taking the matter to heart that it made others doubt if he had understood the hints in Ye Mao Cai's words.

Ye Mao Cai and wife became somewhat anxious in their hearts. They looked at Xie Jing Xing and the expression in their eyes changed. It was always said that this Prince Rui of Great Liang was very tricky and very difficult to handle and one would not be able to get anything out of him. Today after interacting with him so closely outside court, it still made one unable to make heads of tails with. This kind of attitude made Ye Mao Cai and wife unable to be angry but also strangely assured. They initially wanted to put up airs but one did not know who was putting up airs and let Xie Jing Xing be at an advantage and at the end led by the nose by Xie Jing Xing.

Shen Miao was somewhat surprised by Xie Jing Xing's attitude. After thinking about it, she felt that there was something wrong with the Ye family coming over to show goodwill. Xie Jing Xing was naturally not brainless so he would investigate it clearly. However this made her sigh in relief. As long as Xie Jing Xing did not express goodwill to the Ye family, or to say that his impression of Ye Mei and brother did not change due to the gratitude of saving his life, her heart became much calmer.

At the end, no one had persuaded the other. Ye Mao Cai seemed to have encountered a nail that was neither soft or hard like Xie Jing Xing and seeing that the skies was about to darken and Xie Jing Xing still did not express a clear attitude, he knew that it was a wasted trip today. It was useless to say longer and since he had transmitted his family's intention, he left with Ye Mei and Ye Ke.

Xie Jing Xing instructed Tang Shu to send them off and just as he was to leave the main hall, Ye Furen seemed to have thought of something and turned around to ask, "After a few days, it is His Highness's birthday."

Shen Miao was startled. She did not know Xie Jing Xing's birthday because the one in Ming Qi was definitely not real. As for at Great Liang, she had not yet heard Xie Jing Xing speaking about it.

Ye Furen's eyes were sharp and saw Shen Miao's slightly surprised expression and said with a smile, "Why does it look like WangFei do not know of the matter?"

Ye Mei and Ye Ke also stopped. Ye Mei looked at Shen Miao with a slight surprise in her gaze.

As a wife, one do not know about one's husband's birthday and it was an outsider who speak about it. This couple is indeed strange.

Xie Jing Xing sat in the hall drinking tea, as if he had never heard Ye Furen's words. Shen Miao smiled gently, "Does Ye Furen still remember Young Lady's and Young Master's birthday?"

Ye Furen unconvincingly reply, "This…"

Shen Miao did not give her a chance to talk, "After missing out for decades, it is better for Ye Furen to think about how to compensate Young Lady Ye's and Young Master Ye's birthday first." The meaning of the words was that she should manage her own affairs before bothering others and didn't poke into other matters.

She had slapped Ye Furen's face that ruthlessly so Ye Furen did not have a very good expression and Ye Mao Cai seemed to be a little embarrassed. Ye Mei tugged Ye Ke and they bowed to Shen Miao before leaving hurriedly.

Seeing their retreating figures, Shen Miao took a deep breath.

This pair of Ye siblings had still succeeded as the Ye family had successfully protected them before she took action. From today onwards, one had to deal with the Ye family before dealing with them and this was much more difficult that just killing a pair of siblings. Particularly, it also implicated the interest of the Imperial family of Great Liang and it was even more difficult to touch them.

It really made one irreconcilable and unhappy.

She thought about it and hesitated before looking back at Xie Jing Xing. Thinking about the moment of anger yesterday and she lashed at him because of Wan Yu and Fu Ming, he was still rational today as he did not give the Ye siblings any special treatment. Perhaps they should chat seriously. These days, she had performed badly.

However when she turned around just now, she saw Xie Jing Xing standing up expressionless and walked passed her without even a glance, like she was a stranger.

He did not speak a single word.

The words 'I have something to tell you' were stuck at her throat that Shen Miao could not swallow for a long time.

Gu Yu and Jing Zhe who was standing behind saw it and looked at one another. Both of them knew that Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing were in a cold war these few days and if one's master was not happy, naturally the servants would also not be happy. However just now, Shen Miao seemed to have intentions for reconciliation but with Xie Jing Xing's coldness, one feared that it had hurt their Young Lady's heart.

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu had followed Shen Miao for so many years and could understand Shen Miao's temperament especially in these two years and she had very strong self-esteem. With Xie Jing Xing being like this, even if Shen Miao had the intention for reconciliation, she would not take the initiative. Jing Zhe said softly, "This is bad. One just married so if this goes on, how could one live?"

Gu Yu also whispered, "One have to think of a way quickly."

When Shen Miao returned to the room, the more she thought about it, the more upset she felt. One felt very terrible towards Xie Jing Xing's unfamiliar attitude. She had been an Empress in Ming Qi for so many years and other than begging for favour because of Fu Ming and Wan Yu, she had never given in to others. She had a stubborn personality else she would not have fought with Mei Furen for so many years.

Xie Jing Xing's current attitude made her intentions of wanting to talk to him dimmed. Both of them were stubborn but it was just that Xie Jing Xing would not quarrel with others usually and she concealed herself well thus it was an appalling scene when they go up against one another.

Just as she was thinking, someone outside knocked and pushed the door open. It was Ba Jiao.

Ba Jiao was as all smiles as she placed a plate of pastry on Shen Miao's table, "This is the snack that the little kitchens have newly made. It is especially made accordingly to Ming Qi's style. May Furen taste it to see if it is suitable or not."

Because of Shen Miao's and Xie Jing Xing's cold war, the servants in the residence were also very cautious. Naturally the people in Mo Yun Army would be bias towards their master, just like Jing Zhe and Gu Yu who would definitely stand on Shen Miao's side. Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang had long returned and thus one did not think that Ba Jiao would come over.

One feared that a wine-lover's ehart was not in the cup. Shen Miao looked at her, "You have something to say to me?"

Ba Jiao smiled at once and scratched her head, "This servant is stupid and Furen could see it before this one speak. Furen, this servant was called over by Jing Zhe and Gu Yu to persuade you."

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu, who were standing outside, suddenly become awkward. This Ba Jiao said that she was stupid but normally she was smart. But saying that she was smart, she actually sold both of them out without much prompting, making one unable to say anything.

Shen Miao laughed, "What do you want to persuade me?"

"They all said that Furen have a cold character that when Master was injured for so many days, one did not know where Furen ran off to and did not take a look at Master. After Master woke up, one only came over to take a look once thus everyone protest the unfairness for Master and thus treated Furen coldly. May Furen not blame them."

Shen Miao shook her head, "They are speaking the truth."

"But Furen's character is not cold at all." Ba Jiao said in all smiles, "Furen just do not like to talk about it. Otherwise, one would not bring us to that forest for an entire night, insisting to find that Superior One and beseech for the herb for Master. But why does Furen not tell Master about the matter?"

Shen Miao said lightly, "The person who saved him is not me and at the end the herb was not used. Since it is futile and useless, then it is not a merit so how would one speak of it?" She also did numerous things for Fu Xiu Yi in the Inner Palace, reducing and simplifying matters and even allow Fu Xiu Yi to gain a good reputation but at the end it could not be compared to the government decree that Li Ke provided to Fu Xiu Yi. Saying it out would only make it a joke to others and make one pity, thus it was better not to have it.

Ba Jiao frowned, "But that is your heart's intention."

Shen Miao looked towards her, "Heart's intention."

Ba Jiao nodded her head, "No matter if you are able to save Master or not, or even if the herb is at the end useless, your heart's intention was true. You have hidden and conceal it so how would Master know that Furen have wandered in the forest for an entire night and still insist of moving forward? All those are your heart's intention. From this servant's perspective, Furen's intention is even more precious than that herb. For Furen to hide one's own heart's intention because the herb is not used, isn't it throwing a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed?"

Shen Miao was startled.

Ba Jiao said with all smiled, "Furen, your heart's intention is more useful than the herb as it could cure Master's illness."

"Must one's intention be spoken for it to be known?" Shen Miao's eyes hung down, "If one has a heart, how would one not understand?"

Ba Jiao shook her head, "It might be the case for others but it is different for Master."

"Oh?"

"You also know that Master's life is not as smooth sailing. Mo Yun Army was established single handedly by Master and this servant have followed Master for a long time. Master would normally face schemes but those were all from outsiders and enemies, thus there is little room for criticism. But towards one family, one would always hope that there would be more frankness." Ba Jiao looked seriously at Shen Miao, "Furen, you are Master's wife and the closest person to Master. If you don't even speak clearly about one's heart's intention, he would not be sure of it even if he might be aware of it. The more precious a thing is, the more demanding it would be come. Master valued your heart's intention greatly and thus became angry. He is not doubting you but doubting himself."

He was not doubting you but doubting himself.

Shen Miao was shocked and it seemed that a certain piece of ice in her heart had bloomed due to these words and from it there was a trickle and spring arose.

"Master will also doubt himself and doubt that he is not good and that he is not as good as others and be suspicious that you are dissatisfied with him. When all these doubts accumulate, it will become suspicion towards your heart's intention. Like this, do you still want to hide your intentions?"

Shen Miao's slightly hung down but her heart started to rise and fall.

Xie Jing Xing was a very proud person and would casually smile in the middle of thousands of horses. He had lived in the filthiest and chaotic court and was burden with responsibilities at an early age. Be it family, brothers or friends, he was neither close nor distant, making him look like one who did not care about anything.

However what everyone had forgotten was that he had the most straightforward sincerity, as innocent as a youth. Just like how he treated Su Ming Feng, Princess Rong Xin and even the Marquis of Lin An.

He was too proud to say anything clearly but did everything behind their back. In this lifetime or last lifetime, this kind of person would never be mixed with people like Li Mei and Li Ke. She should not have doubted it. Her distrust stemmed from her lack of self-confidence. Just like Xie Jing Xing doubting her, she was also doubting herself.

Shen Miao closed her eyes.

Like what Ba Jiao said, one would become more demanding towards things that one treasured the most. Her heart was moved by Xie Jing Xing and thus was afraid that Xie Jing Xing would have involvement with Mei Furen and Xie Jing Xing cared about her so her cold treatment had become the other's sore eyes.

She seemed to have done some things wrongly but fortunately there were still chances to make up.

Ba Jiao was the changes in Shen Miao's expression and suddenly smiled, "Furen still have to coax Master. These days Master is very cold and strict that the people in Mo Yun Army cannot bear it anymore."

Shen Miao shook her head and smile, "I understand."

"But." Ba Jiao hesitated but still asked, "Furen, do you have any misgiving with the Ye siblings?"

Shen Miao was startled, "Why do you say that?" Everyone in the Prince residence knew of her cold and indifferent attitude towards the Ye siblings and everyone was puzzled as it was their first encounter. Everyone said that Shen Miao was jealous of Ye Mei's beauty and even though it was far from it, one was unable to find any other reasons, thus Ba Jiao asked.

"You are too cold towards that pair of siblings. Even Master instructed people to investigate the background of that pair of siblings but there was nothing wrong. So Furen…"

Shen Miao's heart moved. First it was because she was surprised that Xie Jing Xing would secretly investigate the background of Ye Mei and brother and second was that even Xie Jing Xing could not find anything wrong with this pair of siblings' background. They were very clean.

"They have some misgiving with me." Shen Miao said, "But this matter is of great importance so do not mention it for the time being."

Ba Jiao nodded thoughtfully and looked at Shen Miao with a smile, "It is good that Furen has thought through about it. Furen must not hide one's intention. At this moment, Master is confused with his anger and could not see it but that day, those of us who accompany Furen to search for that strange Taoist Priest all saw it clearly. The person that Furen's heart is at is obvious so there is no need to hide." After that she winked at Shen Miao, "Master's birthday is the third of next month and in the past years there would be a banquet that is thrown in the Bi Xiao Lou. This servant has secretly asked the manager and knows that it is the same this year. If Furen want to prepare a birthday present, it is best to prepare it in these few days."

Before Shen Miao could say anything, Ba Jiao blurted out, "It is very easy to coax Master. If one cannot do anything then Furen can personally make a bowl of longevity noodles and Master's anger will guaranteed be distinguished. However the most important thing is that you must not conceal your heart's intention and Master would be even happier." Finishing she ran away quickly.

Shen Miao watched as she opened the doors and closed them. After being startled, a laugh burst out.

Her heart finally felt much relax than the past few days.

Since some matters could not be avoided then one had to face it directly. Just like blood feud that could not be cut. Just like intentions that could not be spoken clearly.