Chapter 36: Purple Clad Youth
The most supreme was the Imperial power. But more powerful than the Imperial power were the commoners’ mouth.
Of course one could use iron and bloody methods to suppress them down but till that day comes, the commoners dare not speak nonsense and words would only spread through jokes and would not be a big offence.
The Imperial family of Ming Qi was probably like this, inwardly they had obviously done so many filthy deeds but to the outside world, they still put on a farce of being devoted to the empire. They have no qualms to receive the aristocratic families’ sacrifices and protection but at the end still wanted to beat them down.
Hearing Shen Miao’s remarks, everyone started to gradually quieten down.
Daughters were thinking of the glory of their ancestors, if they were from military lineage they would be moved. As for male students, as they were at the age where they were hot-blooded, they naturally worshipped heroes since soldiers who fought in battlefields would be admired wherever they went.
But there were some people who were not so happy.
The three Princes of Ming Qi that were present all coincidentally frowned. Others may not know but they knew what the Imperial family’s intention for the aristocratic families. The Shen family was a tall tree that attracts the wind and sooner or later will be eradicated by the Emperor with some excuse. Due to the uncontrollable good reputation of the Shen family by the commoners, it would not be an overnight matter to bring them down. For Shen Miao to say such words, it seems to be mourning for the fallen soldiers but in fact eulogising the meritorious achievements and put officers and soldiers in the stage where everyone was looking. If the Imperial family did any shred of inappropriate, by virtue, they would be in the wrong.
Were her actions intentional?
Everyone looked up and stayed silent after the young lady finished speaking. Her robes are slightly large and made fluttering sound as the cold wind blew pass it, making the stature endlessly fragile.
Most likely her thoughts had strayed off since she was an unmarried daughter. This time she uncharacteristically came out onto the top position was because she was Shen Xin’s daughter and it was just a coincidence that Shen Xin spoke about the events in a battlefield.
Prince Yu’s of first rank eyes followed closely with the purple clad young lady and after a moment he suddenly gave a profound smile, “This Shen family’s daughter is indeed very interesting.”
No one knew why but when Prince Yu said these words, Pei Lang and Fu Xiu Yi frowned at the same time as a bad premonition hinted in their hearts.
Prince Zhou heard it and asked meaningfully, “Does Royal Uncle fancy that young lady from the Shen family? According to the rumours the young lady from the Shen family is an ignorant idiot but now it seems not, she is clever, eloquent and look not bad. If there would be an Royal sister-in-law…” His laughter was extremely uncouth, “That would be very interesting.”
Prince Yu was currently over forty years of age and he was cruel and vicious. There were countless of women that were played to death by him and if Shen Miao was to fall into his hands, it would not be long before the fragrance diminished and the jade perished. Prince Zhou’s remarks could be described as being somewhat out of line but he had an arrogant temperament and others would not feel strange if he said it out. But there was no virtue at all to put a budding beauty into the tiger’s mouth for no rhyme or reason.
Prince Jing thought further than his older blood brother. As of now, even if the Imperial family was determined to suppress the Shen family, the Shen family had the military power and it was like an idiot carrying a treasure. If any of the princes acquire the Shen family’s assistance, it would be a huge bargaining chip on the road to the throne. However if Shen Miao marry Prince Yu, since Prince Yu had no more energy to fight for the highest position, it would be equivalent to placing the military power back to the Imperial family and perhaps the best method of not letting any prince covet after.
Thinking that this, Prince Jing nodded, “The Young Lady of the Shen family is shrewd and creative. If Royal Uncle feels good, that would be understandable.”
Fu Xiu Yi’s brows wrinkled much more. He naturally took into account what Prince Jing thought about. He knew that if Shen Miao were to marry into Prince Yu residence, it would be a hundred advantage and no harm to him at all. First of all, he could free himself from Shen Miao’s entanglement and there would be one less joke about him. Second was that Shen Xin’s military power was an extremely hot potato and even if he intend to use, he was afraid that it would ignite the Emperor’s suspicion. It would be better to be placed in Prince Yu residence and wait for an opportunity to use. But he did not know why there was an annoyed feeling in his heart like it was not right to do it like that.
Pei Lang looked worriedly at Shen Miao who was coming down from the state. She leisurely walked down with a calm expression as she most likely did not know that her own destiny was already in the hands of these sons of the Imperial family. He sighed in his heart, after all they were teacher and student but he was just a small and low ranked teacher who was unable to change anything and could only feel sorry for Shen Miao in his heart.
Prince Yu waved his hands somewhat impatiently and even though he did not seem necessarily happy, there was some ruthlessness in his smile, “Royal nephew, Benwang does not necessarily not know what your intentions are. Prince Yu residence cannot swallow such a big Buddha like Shen family.” His eyes landed on his own crippled leg, “But Young Lady Shen is interesting and it would not be bad to play with her.”
Su Ming Feng glance over to this side. He was seated closer to Fu Xiu Yi and the rest and looked as if he was seriously watching the situation on the stage but there were some grievances in his heart. Even if Shen Miao was an idiot or stupid, if she was eyed by Prince Yu, everything would point to disaster. It would be fortunate if Shen Xin was in the Ding capital but unfortunately Shen Xin would only return after the end of the year. Without her father or older brother to protect, how would a young lady be able to compete with these vicious wolves?
As if he had already expected what tragic ending would happen, Su Ming Feng sighed and brought Su Ming Lang to Master Su before leaving the banquet area.
Shen Miao was unaware by the changing situation at the male side of the banquet. Jing Zhe was very happy for Shen Miao but it was Shen Yue who was finally unable to maintain a good expression and left the banquet somewhat stiffly.
After the female group of examinations, it was time for the male group to take their turn. There were already many young ladies who had left the banquet after taking the examinations. Feng An Ning followed beside Shen Miao and this previously proud young lady finally showed a convinced look to Shen Miao before saying, “What you did just now was really good. It is really great.”
Shen Miao replied plainly, “You were also good.”
Mostly likely Feng An Ning was thinking about receiving the first rank for ‘qin’ category as she said smilingly, “Time cannot defeat determination. I will go to the carriage to pick up something, wait for me here.”
After Feng An Ning left, Shen Miao walked to the middle of Bei Yan Tang’s plum blossom forest to wait for her. In this season, the plum blossoms had not yet flourished and the trees were very lush.
Gu Yu walked out from inside and looked around before whispering, “Young Lady, had already sent it to the Young Master of the Historian Adviser Jing by bribing the footboy from outside to switch it to entire that it was secure.”
“Very good.” Shen Miao said.
Gu Yu was somewhat confused and did not understand why her own Young Lady would do such a thing. There was no possibility of her own Young Lady to be familiar with the Young Master of the Historian Adviser Jing.
Just at the same time, one heard a chuckled from up above one’s head. Three of them raised their head and saw that near the top of the branches there was a purple figure floating down and fell in front of them.
That purple clad youth’s was so handsome that he did not look like a mortal. He folded his hands across his chest as he lean against the trunk of the tree and there was a smile but not really a smile on his lips as his eyes brought out a chilly cold look that was like Ding capital’s winter night.
It was Xie Jing Xing.