Chapter 225: Jin Xing Ming

Shen Miao did not speak.

Xie Jing Xing did not release her and locked her in his arms.

After a long time, Shen Miao raised her head to look at him.

Xie Jing Xing also stared at her. This seemingly arrogant man who did not care about anything from when he was a stubborn teenager till now, seemed to have a little nervousness in his eyes at this moment when looking at her.

Shen Miao's heard moved and in a short moment, she suddenly smiled.

She said, "Then what good is there for me?"

Xie Jing Xing was startled and there was joy in the bottom of his eyes and seemed to give a sigh of relief, mixed with some disbelief. He said, "What do you want? I will give you all."

"If what I want is also what you want?" Shen Miao said.

Xie Jing Xing raised an eyebrow, "What do you want?"

"You Zhou's thirteen mounts."

"Belong to you." He waved his hands straightforwardly, as if what Shen Miao was talking about was just a plaything like rouge.

"Mo Bei's Ding Yuan City."

"Belong to you." Xie Jing Xing did not even blink.

"Southern Jiang's Yu Provice, Western Xi's East Seas, Lin An's Qing Lake, Luo Yang's ancient city."

"All belong to you!"

Xie Jing Xing replied smoothly, like he had not thought about it at all. If Emperor Yong Le heard this, one feared that he would be vomiting blood due to anger and if Emperor Xiao Wu was here, one feared that he would be so angry that he would come alive to scold Xie Jing Xing a wrestle and arrest Shen Miao with a crime of 'an evil female destroying a country'.

But Xie Jing Xing was not one who cared about other's view at all. It was also true that Shen Miao would not really control Xie Jing Xing's empire. She only just felt that Xie Jing Xing was carrying too much responsibility and wanted to distract him, thus she made a joke so that he would feel a little relax.

"If all belong to me, then what do you want?" Shen Miao asked.

Xie Jing Xing smile naughtily and said mischievously, "Thirteen times a night?"

Shen Miao, "…"

Xie Jing Xing pulled Shen Miao away and said, "Furen, you cannot not want me."

Shen Miao said, "Your energy level is so exuberant, I will let Tang Shu give you some ice to decrease the internal heat."

Xie Jing Xing put her down and said slowly, "With Furen here, why is there still the need for ice?"

Cong Yang who was outside was covering his ears and revealed an expression of pain. It was Jing Zhe, who was passing by, saw his expression and went forward with kind intentions, "Guard Yang, why are you trembling that violently? Could it be that you are sick?" As she was speaking, she reached her hands out to touch Cong Yang's forehead.

Cong Yang was after a young man and was forced to listen to such living spring words that at this moment his face and ears were red. To have a small ice cold hand covering his forehead when he was unguarded, he jumped from the ground in a moment and scared Jing Zhe. Jing Zhe looked at her own hand, "I… What happened?"

Cong Yang looked at her like he had seen a ghost and suddenly ran away like his bottoms were on fire, leaving Jing Zhe alone at the original spot. Tie Yi, who was up on the tree, saw everything but did not say anything and instead had an expression of understanding everything clearly as he sat quietly hugging his sword.

Under the tree, Tang Shu walked by and when he saw that the doors were tightly closed, a satisfied smile was revealed and he went to instruct the kitchens to brew tonics.

In the next few days, Xie Jing Xing indeed started to be busier. Most likely because of the aggravated condition of Emperor Yong Le, Xie Jing Xing had to personally deal with the Lu family's and the Ye family's matters thus Xie Jing Xing would leave early and return late.

Xie Jing Xing was busy and Shen Miao was not idle. The Lu family and the Ye family had been staying in Long Ye for so many years and now that the Imperial family kill one as an example to others, one could not make the Imperial family look overly cold as the officials would be dissent in the future. Shen Miao took up this responsibilities and chat with those noble Furens of official families in Long Ye to subtly pass some thoughts to them.

These noble Furens were females but in a residence, the roles of females were essentials. Originally everyone had thought that Shen Miao was a person of Ming Qi and since Ming Qi and Great Liang were two different countries, there were many things that were different. Shen Miao was a daughter from a family with military lineage so there would not be any insight from her. Who knew that after interacting, they all had a different perspective of Shen Miao. Not only she could speak well, she also seemed to have a lot of knowledge about things they did not know.

When one spoke of the style of clothes, Shen Miao could keep up. When speaking about the overall political situation, Shen Miao could also keep up. Even all those strange matters around, she could also speak about it.

Actually in the last lifetime in the Inner Palace of Ming Qi, even though it was not very good, it after all increased her knowledge and exposure thus she could also speak of other strange matters in other countries. The more one knew, naturally the more one could use. When some things were used on some matters, there would be excellent results. The things that Xie Jing Xing could do, Shen Miao might not be able to do it but in the area of intricate interest and gains to achieve one's goal without any change was precisely Shen Miao's strength in this rebirth.

In just a few days, those noble Furens were in a fiery relation with Shen Miao. Some things were not seen on surface but they had started to ask for Shen Miao's decision. This would also include the problems that arise from the current situation. First Shen Miao was the WangFei of the residence of Prince Rui and with the ties to the Imperial family, they would be able to know the Imperial family's current attitude and second, even though Shen Miao was young, and was even younger than those Furens' daughters by a few years, she expressed a special feeling and was very gentle and calm, making others feel that her words are very convincing.

Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing were working hard with the upcoming resurgence in Long Ye but truthfully, the Lu family and Ye family were also not sitting still.

The Lu family had lost a daughter and seeing that Emperor Yong Le's attitude was getting tougher, they finally began to panic and started to mobilise their privately own people that were raised all over.

The Ye family that started off sitting on the fence and suddenly found that their position was not decided by themselves. Unknowingly they had already been dragged down by the Lu family and even though they did not do anything, the attitude of the Imperial family started to change. From the previous enticing to the current indulgence, it seemed to be speaking of something.

Every action of Ye Mei was monitored by Mo Qing in the dark by Shen Miao. In these days, because of the big incident that Ye Mei created in the Palace, it made Ye Mao Cai furious. Ye Mei's actions had offended both Emperor Yong Le and the Lu family. It was still alright with the Lu family as even though Lu Zheng Yi was arrogant, he did not have much brains and would depend on his old reputation but it was different for Emperor Yong Le. The young Emperor have lighting type methods and because he did not blame Ye Mei, it made Ye Mao Cai even more uneasy as he felt that Emperor Yong Le was brewing something up.

Ye Mao Cai was angered by Ye Mei and confined Ye Mei for many days and also treated her quite coldly. Ye Mei had been feeling uncomfortable for these days and the confinement was finally lifted today. To compensate her, Ye Furen brought here to a jewelry store she owned to select some jewelry. Who knew that there would be noble guests that visited the Ye residence and Ye Furen could only return. Because this was one of her store, she was not scared and left Ye Mei alone to select the jewelry before returning.

The shopkeeper of the jewelry shop had a pleased expression and took out the most expensive pieces for Ye Mei to select. Ye Mei had a wan expression and her heart was not on it, thus it made that shopkeeper feel a little anger.

She was only a daughter of a merchant family and it was already a great fortune that the Ye family recognised her as one of them. She even dared to be choosy and not even take a glance at these jewelry, one did not know what kind of wealth would be able to enter her eyes.

Ye Mei did not notice the shopkeeper's expression as she was extremely angry in her heart about Ye Mao Cai's cold treatment but also became more aware that the Ye family was not a place to stay for a long time. Ye Mao Cai was on who only cared about his interest and because of it, he could sacrifice her. She initially wanted to make use of the Ye family to climb up but who knew that her strange was not enough and she could only become a chess piece. The route that Ye Mao Cai planned for her was not at all what Ye Mei wanted.

Her gaze swept across those dazzling array of jewelry but her mind was thinking of how to escape. If she fled, where would she flee to?

Just as she was thinking about it, two people came into the jewelry shop. It was a male and female. The male was about thirty years old, dress wealthy but had an average appearance and was slightly fat. The female was however young and was dressed brightly and upon entering, there was a strong fragrance. At one glance, one could tell that she was a female from a brothel.

That female said whiningly, "The bracelet that Daren buy for me must be solid gold."

That male smiled and said generously, "You can just pick any today. This lord is in a good mood."

Whichever family's son who brought a female from the brothel here would be suffering.

The shopkeeper was somewhat not satisfied when seeing Ye Mei absent-mindedness and now that new customers had entered, he immediately left Ye Mei and brought the few jewelry that he was showing to Ye Mei to the female in all smiles, "These are all newly arrived. Young Lady can take a look."

That female went to Ye Mei's side and the fragrance was so unpleasant to Ye Mei that she turned around to look at the female and could not help but also saw the man by the female's side. That male also saw her and was startled before speaking with joy, "Mei-er!"

The female that was selecting jewelry looked up and looked warningly at Ye Mei. The shopkeeper's ears also pricked up as this person actually called Ye Mei as 'Mei-er', so naturally he had some relations to Ye Mei. Moreover Ye Mei was a merchant daughter initially.

Ye Mei was somewhat avoiding his eyes and wanted to leave when she suddenly thought of something and her feet paused. She looked at the shopkeeper and suddenly said, "Since we have encountered, lets' step aside to chat."

This was something that the guy wanted. The female beside tugged that male's sleeves and said, "Daren, you still have to accompany this servant to select jewelry."

That man became impatient and grabbed a few bank notes and threw it to the female, "See as you deem fit."

When that female obtained the bank notes, she did not continue being entangled. That male left with Ye Mei and Ye Mei put on the veil, "Look for a restaurant then."

In one of the elegant room of a restaurant, the male looked at Ye Mei and asked in wonder, "Why do you have so many guards by your side? At that time, you and Brother Ye disappeared from Qin province without saying a word and I even sent people to look for a long time. One did not expect that you will come here."

Ye Mei's heart was playing drums. This person was not other people and could be considered as her childhood sweetheart. Initially the Li family was a merchant family in Qin province and this male was the eldest son of the Jin family, Jin Xing Ming. The Jin family was also a merchant family and Master Jin had close relations with Master Li. When Ye Mei was young, Jin Xing Ming was already a youth. Master Jin would also joke to want Ye Mei to marry to Jin Xing Ming. Ye Mei was one who thinks highly of herself since young thus it was not her final goal to marry to a merchant.

However even though she dislike Jin Xing Ming greatly, she was smart and did not show it to Jin Xing Ming and instead was very considerate and well-behaved, that Jin Xing Ming became fascinated with her so much that she could play him in her palm.

Afterwards the husband and wife of the Li family passed on and several shops were taken care by the Jin family. Ye Mei was even more considerate of Jin Xing Ming. Master Jin had planned to bring up her marriage but since the husband and wife of the Li family was no longer present, the decision maker was Ye Mei herself.

Naturally Ye Mei was not willing. In her heart, she would rather be a low concubine of an official than to be the wife of a merchant. Just at this time, the Ye family appeared and they hit of well, thus Ye Mei came to Long Ye with Ye Ke. Because of her dislike of the Jin family, she did not even inform the Jin family. Naturally Jin Xing Ming did not know that she came to Long Ye and who knew that they would encounter one another in Long Ye.

Her heart quickly did a calculation. Ye Mei shook her head and sighed, "When I was with the Ye family, one would be taken care by the Jin family and Second Younger Brother would live rather well. Who knew that suddenly someone came to our doors and said that my real parents were someone else and I am actually the daughter of the Prime Minister's Ye family. I had suspicion and shock in my heart and they did not give me any time to explain and took me away."

"Prime Minister's Ye family?" Jin Xing Ming shouted out in surprise, "Is it that Prime Minister Ye of Long Ye?"

Ye Mei nodded her head, "But after arriving, I then discover that they had made a mistake. It's just that you also know that the Ye family only have a inconvenienced Young Master and they had made a big fanfare searching for their kin. So making a mistake equates to slapping their face thus they insisted on me becoming the Ye family's Young Lady. I initially thought to let it be but who knew that the Prime Minister Ye was a person with a beast's heart and he… He want to use me as a leverage for his career, making using of my marriage to win others over!"

Her tears started falling. She had a beautiful appearance thus with such an action, she looked so pitiful that Jin Xing Ming's heart shattered upon seeing it. Jin Xing Ming said angrily, "How could he be like this! One cannot be this heartless to a female much less you are not his daughter at all so how could he grasp your marriage? How hateful! Let's go, we will report this!"

"It is useless." Ye Mei shook her head, "Official would protect their own, not to mention in Long Ye, Ye Mao Cai could cover the skies with his hand. I thought of writing to you in Qin province but who knew that even the letters were blocked. Actually Second Younger Brother and I are already been detained by the Ye family. It is rare that one can go out today."

Jin Xing Ming was so angry that his face became very ugly. He was very fond of Ye Mei and when Ye Mei and brother disappeared, Master Jin said that it was because Ye Mei did not want to marry thus she ran away. Jin Xing Ming was somewhat angry and now that she cried like pear flowers and rain, how would Jin Xing Ming be still angry? He only scolded himself silently for not discovering Ye Mei's situation earlier.

Ye Mei raised her head to speak, "These days that passed, I have been thinking of Older Brother Jin constantly and hoped that one day one would be able to recover one's freedom. Older Brother Jin, can you help me?"

Jin Xing Ming nodded his head, "Yes. What can I do?"

"Older Brother Jin, currently I don't ask for anything else and only wish that you can help me to leave the Ye family." Ye Mei smiled with tears, "To be with Older Brother Jin, I will not need to be filled with worry daily."

Older Brother Jin's face almost melted by Ye Mei's words. One had to know previously Ye Mei treated him gently but was different from now. She had never spoken so clearly, and would often look at him with a screen, making on unable to see clearly her attitude. But now her words had clearly indicated that Ye Mei saw him as a very important person.

Even though he felt some fluttering, Jin Xing Ming did not lose his rational thinking. The Ye family was the family of a Prime Minister and he was only a gentleman from a Merchant family, "This… The Ye family is very tricky issue."

Ye Mei did not speak and instead just looked at him with that pair of beautiful eyes. Jin Xing Ming's heart swayed, "It is not that there is no way. Mei-er, do you know why did I come to Long Ye?"

Ye Mei shook her head. She did not even care about Jin Xing Ming and only actively talked to him today so that she could use him to get away from the Ye family, so how could she be able to think of this additional layer?

Jin Xing Me said proudly, "I have a friend, who is also a merchant, which went to Ming Qi last year. One heard that he had built a relation with the Imperial merchant at Ming Qi's side and perhaps able to obtain an official post. I had thought that instead of being an ordinary merchant in Qin province for an entire lifetime, it would be better to go out to try one's luck. That friend also invited me along. I came to Long Ye to settle a few family businesses before having a discussion with that friend."

"Initially I was still very hesitant." Jin Xing Ming said, "After all, Father and Mother are here but now that I have encountered Mei-er, I do not have any worries. I have decided to head for Ming Qi's Ding capital. I do not think of being an official but one would definitely earn more." He said, "The Ye family could cover Heavens with their hand but if one flee to Ming Qi, the Ye family's hand would not be able to extend so far. Mei-er, what do you think?"

Ye Mei's heart moved. In the time of Jin Xing Ming's speech, her heart had quickly calculated everything. Even though some things were not thought out clearly, she smiled and said, "Naturally it is good. Older Brother Jin, you are indeed Mei-er's pillar. All the people in this world cannot be relied upon but fortunately there is still Older Brother Jin…"

She was tender, gentle and had thousands of romantic styles that made Jin Xing Ming's heart jump and uncontrolledly reached out to touch Ye Mei's little hand. Ye Mei forcefully endured her nausea and allowed Jin Xing Ming to take advantage. If it was the past, she naturally need not do it but currently, she had no choice but to make a compromise.

Shen Miao just came out from a Furen's residence as she participated in a tea party today. Those Furens had gradually spoke of Shen Miao's 'influence' and Xie Jing Xing also mentioned that the court was now much calmer. She rubbed her neck and was about to get into the carriage when she saw in the tea house not far from the streets, a male and female walked out in tandem. That female was covered in a face veil and one was unable to see her face but Shen Miao had dealt with her for an entire life time and could recognise that it was Ye Mei with just her footsteps and posture.

It looked like the male that Ye Mei was talking to was very close with her but Shen Miao was very sharp when looking at another. This male did not seem to be from noble families due to his etiquette and behaviours. He however revealed some vulgarity when walking and perhaps might be a merchant.

Shen Miao turned sideways so that the carriage's shadows blocked her and Ye Mei would not be able to see her. That male spoke to Ye Mei some more and even though there was no inappropriate actions, these two people's relationship was far from normal. Ye Mei quickly left in a carriage and the male turned to leave in another direction.

Shen Miao thought of it for a moment and instructed Mo Qing, "Follow that man and inquire clearly all about him."

Mo Qing these days had been secretly monitoring Ye Mei and it was natural for Shen Miao to get him to inquire about that male who seemed to have some relations with Ye Mei. Mo Qing complied and left.

Shen Miao got into the carriage but her heart began to sink.

That male did not look noble and Shen Miao understood Ye Mei very clearly that she valued the status of others and would not speak to civilians. However she was with this male and perhaps even drank tea with him.

Ye Mei always use all the people around her, especially males. Shen Miao could think that perhaps Ye Mei wanted to make use of this male to achieve a goal else a proud person like her would not be bothered to talk to a such a lowly man like this.

What did she want to do?

*****

When Ye Mei returned to the Ye residences, it was already in the evening. Ye Mao Cai, who usually returned very late, was unprecedentedly back in the residence very early. Upon seeing her entering, he stared and asked her, "Where did you go?"

Perhaps because these days the Ye family was facing some difficulties, Ye Mao Cai who was usually like a fish in water also started to feel some difficulties. His forbearing towards female was spent that the tone and expression started to become gloomy.

Ye Mei composed herself, "Mother let me go to the jewelry shop to pick a few jewelry up."

"Mother?" Ye Mao Cai retorted.

Ye Mei was unhappy with his peculiar words and tone. Ye Mao Cai obviously knew that she was not Ye Furen's flesh and blood but at the started wanted Ye Mei to pretend to be her. Now it become like Ye Mei was the one who used all her efforts and brains to enter the Ye family as their Young Lady.

Seeing Ye Mei not speaking, Ye Mao Cai asked, "And the jewelry?"

Ye Mei said, "Was not interested in any thus one did not pick any."

"You are sure self-aware and know that one cannot just take things that one do not own." Ye Mao Cai's words has another meaning to it and he suddenly changed topic, "Who is that male that you meet on the streets today?"

Ye Mei was startled before feeling anger. Needless to say, it must be the actions of Ye residence's guards that accompanied her. Those guards seemed to protect her safety on the surface but it was not so as they monitored her and inform Ye Mao Cai of her every actions. Even so, Ye Mei did not dare to be angry with Ye Mao Cai, "He is a gentleman that one knew in Qin province before and he had a deep relationship with my family. If Father do not believe it, do send people to investigate his background."

Jin Xing Ming was just a descendent of a merchant family so even if Ye Mao Cai investigated, there would not be anything to be found. When Ye Mao Cai saw her speaking so calmly, his expression became relaxed, "Don't think that I do not care about other's feelings when doing things. It is just that there would soon be a big move in Long Ye. Since you a daughter of the Ye family, each of your actions will be seen by others. If that brings in calamity for the Ye family, both you and the Ye family will suffer." He then smile gently, "Since you are a smart child, then one should know what should be done and what cannot be done. The Ye family and you are tied together so naturally one have to help the other."

When Ye Mei heard Ye Mao Cai's words, her hearty was heavy again and the more she firm she became that Ye Mao Cai was using her to achieve a goal. She had a plan in her heart and thus said a few more words with Ye Mao Cai before returning to her room.

Upon returning to the room, she then discovered that Ye Ke was already waiting in the room. When Ye Ke saw that she had returned, he smiled, "Older Sister, where did you go today and why did you only return now? I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Ye Mei felt upset and waited to tell Ye Ke about Jin Xing Ming's matter. When they were in Qin province, Ye Ke actually hoped that Jin Xing Ming to be his JieFu (older sister's husband) so that the Jin family could take care of the Li family. It was just that at that time Ye Mei's heart was not on Jin Xing Ming. Ye Ke had also persuaded her for a long time and said that Jin Xing Ming would treat her well.

Now if she wanted to follow Jin Xing Ming and flee to Ming Qi, naturally she would bring Ye Ke along. However Ye Mei was still somewhat uncertain of Ye Ke's attitude towards it.

"Do you remember Jin Xing Ming of the Jing family in Jin Province?" Ye Mei asked.

"Jin Xing Ming?" Ye Ke looked suspiciously at her. "Remembered but why suddenly mention about him?" He suddenly thought about something and stood up in shock, "Older Sister, it cannot be that you suddenly thought about it and want to marry him now!"

Ye Mei frowned, "Did you not like him initially?"

"Initially we are in a merchant family but now we are in an official family." Ye Ke said, "Older Sister, with your current identity, how would Jin Xing Ming be compatible with you? One fear that it would be a joke when it is spread that a merchant family marries a daughter of an official family."

He was very agitated and Ye Mei asked him after watching him for a while, "Then who do you think I should marry to?"

"Older Sister, with your identity, it is not overboard to marry a Prince but there is no Prince in Long Ye." He approached mysteriously and smiled, "Actually Father has the intention for you to enter the Palace. I have taken a look for you, the Emperor is young, handsome and treats the Empress coldly. If you enter the Palace, with your beauty and talents, one fear that at the end the six palaces would be in your hands. At that time, both of us siblings would be endlessly rich." As Ye Ke spoke, his eyes were shining, seemingly yearning towards the future he spoke, like those who finally saw a treasure after excavating a long time.

"Oh?" Ye Mei looked at him, "You really think so?"

"Older Sister, since when have you become so unconfident?" Ye Ke patted his chest, "Trust me. You will definitely become the noblest female in Great Liang. So listen to Father and enter the Palace. Father would not harm you. After entering the Palace there is also the Ye family backing you up so isn't this a great thing?"

Ye Mei smiled but that smile was somewhat strange, "Second Younger Brother, these days you seemed to be very busy. Can you tell Older Sister what are you busy with?"

"Father plans to give me an official position in Long Ye." Ye Ke's brows danced as he spoke, "These days he brought me around to see his colleagues!" When his voice landed, he suddenly realised something and stopped talking immediately as he looked at Ye Mei with some panic.

Ye Mei's expression did not change and she nodded her head, "So it is as such."