Chapter 176: Black Hearted Husband and Wife (Part 1)
“Actually this method is very simple. One only needs the Crown Prince of Qin country to cooperate.” Shen Dong Ling said.
When Wang Bi heard it, he asked, “Do explain these words.”
Shen Dong Ling smiled, “Now that our Ming Qi is about to enter an alliance with Qin country. From Husband’s words, the Qin country is also willing to form an alliance with us. What if the Qin country requirement for the alliance was to marry Fifth Younger Sister back?”
“This is naturally impossible. Even if His Majesty considered for the people and agree to it, General Shen would not agree to let Fifth Shen Young Lady to marry far away.” Wang Bi was very clear about it, after all there was no one in Ding capital that did not know that Shen Xin doted on Shen Xin a lot. It was already not possible to let her marry out of the state, much less marry into Qin country, such a faraway place where one would only meet once every few years.
Shen Dong Ling smiled, “It is because of this rationale that if one spread this information out and let the people of Ming Qi know about it, they would definitely beg General Shen to marry Fifth Younger Sister over. After all HuangFu Hao is the Crown Prince of Qin country and looked not bad, thus Fifth Younger Sister would not be at any disadvantage. If Eldest Bo does not agree then Qin country would not be in an alliance with Ming Qi and perhaps Great Liang would take advantage of it, making the Ming Qi fall into a dangerous situation. With one Fifth Younger Sister to exchange for the common people’s safety, no matter if it is worthwhile in Eldest Bo’s eyes, it would be worthwhile in the eyes of the commoners.”
Wang Bi fell into deep thoughts.
Shen Dong Ling said again, “Everyone knows that my Eldest Bo is a person would place righteousness and justice of the world before himself. However now to be threaten by the commoners, he could fight against officials but could not ignore the wishes of the commoners.”
“Even if His Majesty would also can’t do anything more as one need to consider the commoner’s mind. What more my Eldest Bo? Eldest Bo would not wish to see Great Liang seizing the opportunity but at the other end would definitely not be willing to let Fifth Younger Sister marry afar. But who can stop HuangFu Hao? Even there is, they would not dare. At this time as long as His Highness the Crown Prince step out to say that Fifth Younger Sister is already the person that the residence of the Crown Prince had fixed on, everything will be resolved.”
“This…” Wang Bi listened in somewhat of a hesitation before hearing Shen Dong Ling continued smile, “HuangFu Hao could not just ignore the Crown Prince. Moreover HuangFu Hao would have already inquired the happenings some days back. Comparing to marrying to HuangFu Hao and living in Qin country, Eldest Bo was more willing to marry Shen Miao to the residence of the Crown Prince as one could still take care of her. As long as the Crown Prince step out in this critical time, Eldest Bo would be grateful to the Crown Prince.”
Wang Bi tightened his hands around Shen Dong Ling and gave Shen Miao a kiss, “I did not expect to have married to a brain trust.”
Shen Dong Ling suddenly lowered her head, “Husband really know how to tease this Qie. This Qie only suddenly thought about it. There must be a lot of areas that are out of place but Husband would certainly think of ways to rectify it.
“It is already not easy for you to think it to this level.” Wang Bi felt more joy as he looked longer at Shen Dong Ling, “This time you really help me a great deal. Rest assures that when everything is successful, I will definitely credit you to the Crown Pirnce so that our family’s Ling-er would be prestigious.”
Shen Dong Ling’s heart had some disdain. When men done a meritorious deed, they most feared to credit others, not to mention she was a female. It would be a wonder if Wang Bi would even speak about her contribution. It was all only some flowery words at the moment.
However even though one knew it clearly in the heart, Shen Dong Ling still pushed Wang Bi and said hurriedly, “Husband must not mention that it is this Qie’s idea. How can one scheme one’s younger sister? Today if it is not because of solving Husband’s worries, this Qie would not say it. If these words were spread out, how would this Qie go on living?”
Wang Bi only said it casually but if Shen Dong Ling follow the thread of line, he would find her as greedy but now with Shen Dong Ling being flustered, it made him satisfied. The more he looked at Shen Dong Ling, the more he felt that she was adorable and the more he was happy that Shen Dong Ling and Shen Yu exchanged their marriages. He said, “Alright, I will not speak of it. But these are not anything bad to marrying the Crown Prince. When the Crown Prince ascend to the throne, Fifth Shen Young Lady would be a Imperial Consort and would thank you in the future. This is an auspicious matter that one could not even request for.”
Shen Dong Ling smiled, “This Qie also feels the same.” Her heart was however clear that Shen Miao was not one who was greedy for power and the Shen family had already view Shen Miao as a pearl in their hands thus all those wealth was not as important as her. In some aspects, Shen Miao was the same with Shen Xin, both of them had the same type of stubbornness in their bones. To others it was a good thing to be married to the Crown Prince that even if one was unwilling in the past, would be satisfied with the sweetness after a period of time.
But Shen Miao was different. Once one step was taken incorrectly, she could ensure her death. Even if nothing could be seen on the surface, her heart would not feel good about it.
Sorry. Shen Dong Ling apologised in her heart. In the entire Shen residence, she was the most unwilling to be enemies with Shen Miao because Shen Miao was dangerous and she had the unconditional support from Shen Xin and wife. But… The present was different with the past.
Now Shen Dong Ling had the right to compete with Shen Miao and Shen Dong Ling also remembered that she was actually envious of Shen Miao. Shen Dong Ling could step everyone in the Shen residence underneath her feet, including Second and Third household, Shen Yue and Shen Qing but she just could not be comparable to Shen Miao. The family that Shen Miao relied on was exactly the thing that SHen Dong Ling could never get.
Once someone of a lower status gain power and abandoned their former carefulness and humbleness, it would make one even more warped. This was why when those poor scholars attained the first position in the Imperial examinations and gain a low rank position, their character would become extremely arrogant.
The position in society was ingrain in one bones and one feared that others would be able to see one’s unbearable past.
When Shen Dong Ling’s mind was wandering, she heard Wang Bi speaking, “At this moment one need to plan it well. I have to discuss it with the Crown Prince.”
Shen Dong Ling received to her senses and smiled, “One have to invite Fifth Younger Sister out.” She thought about it, “This Qie will send an invite to Fifth Younger Sister.”
“Oh?” Wang Bi asked, “She will come?”
It seemed that he knew that Shen Dong Ling’s and Shen Miao’s relations were not warm but in Shen Dong Ling’s ears, it was mocking the Di and Shu difference between her and Shen Miao. Shen Dong Ling pressed down the unhappiness in her heart, “Husband don’t believe in this Qie? Rest assure, this Qie will definitely call Fifth Younger Sister out.”
*****
In the residence of the Count of Ping Nan, Su Ming Feng was currently having a headache at the moment.
Yesterday Princess Rong Xin suddenly came to the residence of the Count of Ping Nan. Princess Rong Xin had not gone out for a long time and had lived simply so no one noticed her. She even disguised herself that Su Ming Feng almost didn’t recognise her.
For Princess Rong Xing to come to the residence of the Count of Ping Nan this condescendingly, it must be extremely important. Princess Rong Xing let the servants report it directly to Su Ming Feng which indicated clearly that the matter had no relations to Su Yu and she came especially for him. Even though Su Ming Feng was puzzled, he did not dare to neglect her at all and welcomed Princess Rong Xin in, thinking of what matter Princess Rong Xin would be instructing him to do.
Who knew that Princess Rong Xin was not here to instruct people but to inquire information.
The information that she was inquiring also gave Su Ming Feng a big shock. Princess Rong Xin was inquiring about information on Xie Jing Xing.
Xie Jing Xing died two years ago in the battlefield with the Northern Jiang and because the Ding capital people knew that Xie Jing Xing had close relations with Princess Rong Xing, she fell into a serious illness after Xie Jing Xing’s death. Ever since then, no one dared to take the initiative to mention Xie Jing Xing in front of Princess Rong Xin, lest that Princess Rong Xin would recall about the sad things.
Who knew that Princess Rong Xin would take the initiative to ask Su Ming Feng about it.
Princess Rong Xin asked Su Ming Feng about some old stories of Xie Jing Xing and even ask if Xie Jing Xing had any secrets. At the end, she also asked about Xie Jing Xing’s corpse.
Xie Jing Xing was killed in the Northern Jiang by thousands of enemies’ arrows and was skinned and hang up on the city walls by the enemies. When Xie Ding saw Xie Jing Xing’s corpse, he fainted on the spot. Princess Rong Xin feared that she could not withstand it so she did not dare to take a look at all. It was Su Ming Feng, his childhood playmate, who went to send Xie Jing Xing off one last time.
At this moment, Princess Rong Xing came to ask Su Ming Feng if that body was truly Xie Jing Xing.
If it was normal, Su Ming Feng would feel a little confuse but ever since the last time he coincidentally met up with Shen Miao and discovered the Tiger Head Bracelet on Shen Miao’s wrist, Su Ming Feng had a nagging doubt in his heart and had been monitoring Shen Miao’s movement in the Shen residence. With Princess Rong Xin sudden inquiry of Xie Jing Xing’s matter, Su Ming Feng could almost immediately confirm his thoughts that Xie Jing Xing was not dead and one feared that he was still alive in this world.
Even though he did not understand why was Xie Jing Xing not appearing since he was still alive, Su Ming Feng was no fool. After dealing with Princess Rong Xin with a couple of words, Princess Rong Xing left but Su Ming Feng fell deeply in his thoughts.
Since Princess Rong Xin had some doubts, she must have discovered some clue which meant that Xie Jing Xing must have revealed something. Thinking of fShen Miao’s bracelet and Princess Rong Xin’s behavior, Su Ming Feng made a bold guess. Not only was Xie Jing Xing not dead, he was also in Ding capital.
However what made Su Ming Feng puzzled was that there had not been any secret between Xie Jing Xing and Princess Rong Xin and their relations were also at its best so what would make Xie Jing Xing be reluctant to say to Princess Rong Xin? Moreover why was Princess Rong Xin asking about Xie Jing Xing’s childhood? What was the connection?
Regardless of the reason, Su Ming Feng felt that Xie Xing Xing must have his own reasons. The most imperative thing was to search for Xie Jing Xing’s whereabouts and after he was found, all questions would naturally have an answer.
But where to find Xie Jing Xing? The Ding capital was not said to be big but it was definitely not small. To find one person who purposely hid himself in the sea of people, especially when this person was quite capable, that was definitely not an easy thing.
Su Ming Feng intended to send someone to moniter Princess Rong Xin.
Since Princess Rong Xin had discovered some small traces of clues, the things she have on hand was definitely more than him. As long as he followed behind he would be able conveniently pick up the advantages.
Su Ming Feng waved his hands to call the servants before whispering some words in his ears.
*****
When Shen Miao received Shen Dong Ling’s invitation, Xie Jing Xing was drinking tea in her room. Ever since that night, Xie Jing Xing was more than justified to manage her affairs. Shen Miao initially was not accustomed to it but afterwards she got used to it since Xie Jing Xing had extensive hands and eyes, even if one did not tell him, he would be able to find it out himself and at the end, it would still be the same results.
Xie Jing Xing took a glance at the invitation in her hands, “Shen Dong Ling?”
“Most likely she had devised a plan.” Shen Miao said, “Invite me to have an incense appreciation.” She was startled for a bit before she smiled, “Even incense appreciation is used, it seemed that foundation of the residence of the Minister of Land is good.”
Appreciating tea and alcohol was quite normal but appreciating incense was different. There were some that cost thousands of gold and it would be gone after burning it. Shen Miao knew that the most expensive incense scent was the Jade Pear Agar-wood Incense which cost ten thousands of gold for a fingernail worth. Previously there was a western merchant who pay his tribute to the Palace and wanted the name of an Imperial Merchant. That Jade Pear Agar-wood Incense that was provided was only as big as a child’s fist and was very rare. At that time all the concubines in the Palace came to take a look and even Shen Miao also felt it was very novel.
Shen Miao had always thought that the Jade Pear Agar-wood Incense would be place in the National Treasury as it was something that was very precious. Afterwards during Mei Furen’s birthday celebration, Fu Xiu Yi lit the Jade Pear Agar-wood Incense in exchange for a smile from the beauty. Appreciation of incense was actually appreciating gold as one of it would reduce a lot of money. The invitation that Shen Dong Ling wrote was appreciation of Phoenix Beak Incense and it was very valuable. With the income of a Minister of Land’s position, it was definitive that it could not withstand such squandering. It was evident that the family that Shen Dong Ling married into had an rich and affluent foundation. After all among the officials in Ding capital, many of the first ranked officials would not be so extravagant. One did not know when Shen Yue, down in the underworld, knew of it, would she be so angry that she became alive?