Chapter 216: Being Forthcoming

As the sun headed west, Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing were walking back to the residence.

Great Liang was more open minded and had more freedom than in Ming Qi thus it was a common sight for husband and wife to be seen in the streets. However because Xie Jing Xing was very famous, everyone in Long Ye knew of him and thus they would be surrounding by astonished eyes wherever he went.

In the previous period, it was rumoured that Rui WangFei and Prince Rui were not of good terms and their relationship was as cold as ice. However they were currently travelling together thus this rumour was broken. If both of them were like the rumours, unfamiliar with one another, how would they travel so intimately? One did not know which family was the one that was spouting nonsense.

Ever since Shen Miao came to Long Ye, it was her first time strolling around. Xie Jing Xing was very familiar with this place and both of them would buy as they walk. She was originally not one who favoured new things but it seemed that he was affected by Luo Tan as she bought so many things that the carriage was filled. Both of them bought stuff in front while Tie Yi and Cong Yang followed behind paying. Xie Jing Xing felt that Shen Miao was somewhat strange being like this and looked suspiciously at her from time to time.

Shen Miao current mood was unpreceding relaxed.

It was like she had experience a dream that undoubtedly unraveled the anger and hatred of her past life. Naturally enmity would have to be avenged but in this rebirth of a lifetime, it was not only just for revenge. Those stars that one shimmered in the dark years made her feel that she was not only left with bad experience in her previous lifetime. As for this lifetime, it was even more precious.

The present her was more determined and candid that she was before. She could face straightforwardly to her own feelings and could embrace her new life with enthusiasm. The current her and the previous her were two different persons.

Her heart was relaxed and naturally she smiled from the start to the end. She was like a child who used a different perspective to look at things and even said to Xie Jing Xing, "Long Ye and Ding capital are really different. One thinks that the different regions of Great Liang have its own uniqueness. If there is such a day where one could travel to the famous mountains and rivers to look at the different scenery, it would be great."

Xie Jing Xing smiled, "What is so difficult with it?"

"It is easier said than done." Shen Miao said, "Sometimes one admires those who live at the rivers and lakes. There are no worries and troubles and there are also no unscrupulous things. The experiences would be extremely interesting."

Xie Jing Xing looked at her thoughtfully.

Shen Miao said, "What are you looking at me for?"

His lips raised and he took Shen Miao's hands as he smiled, "After Ming Qi's and Great Liang's matters are done, I will take you to where you want to go."

Shen Miao smiled at him, "Is this the wish you give to me in return?"

Xie Jing Xing was slightly in a dazed. Thinking about the wish that Shen Miao spoke of when she woke up, a smug smile suddenly appeared on his face as he said, "You kept on reminding me of that wish today. Could it be that because the two month period was over and you really want…"

Shen Miao turned around and left, "I did not think about anything."

Cong Yang and Tie Yi were following behind. Cong Yang looked embarrassed and Tie Yi's dark face became red, as both of them showed an expression of not waiting to see it. It was naturally a good thing when both masters have good relations but it was simply abuse for them serve them.

It was better to guard the tower prison.

When the moon gradually rose, there were much fewer people on the streets. Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing had shopped around for an entire day and also felt tired. It was rare that she was that excited thus Xie Jing Xing accompanied her. Seeing both of them returning with an atmosphere of ease, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were relieved.

Xie Jing Xing wanted to bathe so Shen Miao returned to her own room. Jing Zhe had already brought over the hot water and said, "Furen should bath first. The little kitchens has already prepare the food and after a while it can be eating. It must be tiring after an entire day."

Shen Miao complied. The bathing water was very warm and comfortable that it made one groggy and felt like sleeping. She lay on the bed as Gu Yu wait by the side and said, "This servant had not seen Furen laughed like this for a long time."

Shen Miao recovered to her senses. She actually laughed very often but most likely after staying in the Inner Palace for a long time, with the logic of even if one lose, one could not lose one's position, even if one's road is dark or no matter how unfavourable the situation was, one would first display a gentle smile first. If the enemy saw one's gentle smile, they would not be able to guess what one was thinking. Even if it did not confuse the enemy, it was good to make the other feel disgusted.

Since her rebirth, she was accustomed to it but that smile was consciously displayed and not from one's ehart so how could it be the same as a smile from one's heart?

Currently her eyes were bent, like it was filled with satisfaction and as warm as warm jade, making her beautiful face more attractive and one was unable to peel their eyes off.

Jing Zhe noticed the red string around Shen Miao's wrist. When Luo Tan gave the red strings to Shen Miao, Jing Zhe was not aware of it so now upon seeing it, she was curious, "Is Furen's red string newly bought on the streets? It is indeed unique but is not matching to one's clothes."

Gu Yu also saw it and smiled, "Didn't Pu Tuo Monastery sell such red strings? One copper coin for a string. It is said that this is to seek for marriage."

Jing Zhe smiled, "A marriage is only worth a copper coin? This is just too cheap." She was than somewhat curious, "Furen don't believe in such things the most so why buy it? However speaking of it, if His Highness see this string, one feared that he would not be happy as he will think that Furen had become WangFei already so why seek for marriage." Jing Zhe had a lively personality and now learned Xie Jing Xing's dissatisfied expression, making Shen Miao and Gu Yu laugh out.

Gu Yu scolded while smiling, "Rascal. Is His Highness someone you can joke about?"

Shen Miao waved her hands, "Later instruct people to place the food in Xie Jing Xing's room."

Both of them had been sleeping in separate room so Xie Jing Xing had his own bed chambers. Jing Zhe was startled but she then smiled, "Furen want to have a meal with His Highness." She could not help but be happy for Shen Miao. When Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing slept separately, these maids saw it but did not know how to persuade. They had not thought that after suffering from such a catastrophe, both of their feelings improved heaps and bounds. It was indeed a blessing in disguise.

Shen Miao said, "This string is very spiritual."

"Oh?" Gu Yu looked strangely at Shen Miao as she did not know why she suddenly said those words.

Shen Miao however just looked at the string and sighed softly. It is just that this time, her eyes were relaxed.

This day was bound to come and her worries were not like previous. This time she was already fully prepared. This lifetime was different from the last lifetime, be it people or events so she would still be filled with expectations but she would not put all her future on one person.

One's growth and becoming a person who could fight by one's side was equally powerful. It was simply protecting the things that one wanted to protecting and resolved feuds that one should resolve.

She instructed Jing Zhe to bring a handkerchief over and said, "Help me to style my hair."

*****

Xie Jing Xing walked out in his middle clothes.

He bathed for a long time that the water was somewhat cooled. When he was alone, there was no lazy smile on his face and on the contrary, there was some indifferent expression that one could not see clearly at night. He was actually not a warm person and under the appearance of trifling without respect, there was a faint ridicule of the world.

Just as he went out, he saw a few delicate dishes and snacks in the middle of the room.

Xie Jing Xing's brows wrinkled, "Tie Yi." He was not used to having a meal in the room. He was one who liked cleanliness and would be very structured and orderly in private. The bed chambers was a place to sleep and the hall was used to have a meal.

There was no response after calling out for a few times when the door suddenly opened with a bang and Shen Miao came in hugging a wine jar.

That wine jar was so big and she wobbled as she carried it. Xie Jing Xing went forward to help her and placed it on the table before he asked, "What are you doing?"

Shen Miao said, "I have searched in your warehouse for a long time and found this earthen jar. It is most likely Shi Zhou Xiang (direct translation: Scent that can be smelt in ten provinces). Most likely that it is of some years so one carried it out."

Xie Jing Xing paused and opened the jar. Indeed a mellow fragrance of a wine whiff passed. He smiled and said, "It is amazing that you could recognise Shi Zhou Xiang. Tang Shu did not stop you?"

Shi Zhou Xiang was a highly regarded wine and was priceless that even if one had money, it was difficult to procure. There was only three jars in the entire residence of Prince Rui and Shen Miao took one jar away. Coincidently this jar was about fifty years cold. One feared that Tang Shu would be so heartache that he was crying silently.

Shen Miao smiled, "I even drank it before."

Xie Jing Xing was suspicious, "Drank it before?"

Shen Miao did not continue speaking. When she was an Empress, there was no wine that she did not drink in the Palace banquet before. Even though one jar of Shi Zhou Xiang was precious, but it was not to a level that she would view it in a different light. However she had been an Empress but was blinded by so many things that she did not care too much about these stuffs. However in normal families and even official families, an official would not have an opportunity to have a mouthful of Shi Zhou Xiang even after exhausting one entire life.

Shen Miao patted her head, "It seemed that one had forgotten to bring wine cups." Her eyes landed on the bowls that were used for rice and simply took two over and poured two full bowls out.

Xie Jing Xing looked at her incredulously and questioned, "Shen Miao, are you an alcoholic?"

"I am here to accompany you to eat." Shen Miao said, "How can there be no wine with dishes?"

Xie Jing Xing folded his arms and looked at her for a while and suddenly remembered a matter before saying, "I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it. On that day in Bi Xiao Lou, you drank a bowl of wine in front of so many people… Shen Jiao Jiao, in the future you have to pay attention to the norms of propriety."

When she drank wine, she was extremely charming and had an elegant bearing that in that moment, it made everyone unable to turn their eyes away. The numerous eyes of all those men in Bi Xiao Luo are all on her and at that time Xie Jing Xing was sulking badly. If he did not care of his current status, one feared that he would have carried Shen Miao and left.

He tempted to teach his little wife, "In the future, don't drink outside and if there is a need to drink, I have to be present. Even if I am present, you cannot drink too much, especially in front of other… Shen Jiao Jiao, are you listening to me?"

Shen Miao put down the bowl. She just swallowed a big mouthful of Shi Zhou Xiang and currently her throat was on fire, so much so that tears was about to be spilled. The entire mouthful went down her stomach and made it warm and refreshed. She praised, "It is indeed Shi Zhou Xiang."

Xie Jing Xing said, "Are you disregarding me now?"

Shen Miao glanced at him, "Are you not drinking?" She then picked the wine bowl up to drink.

Xie Jing Xing said, "Hey. Are you going to be a drunkard at my place tonight? Shi Zhou Xiang is not supposed to be drunk like how you are doing it. You are being like a cow chewing on Peonies."

Shen Miao squinted at him, "No one dared to say that I am a cow chewing on Peonies."

Xie Jing Xing, "…"

He had always felt that Shen Miao was a completely different person when she drank, like she was when the Shen family left Ding capital all those years ago, before he headed to Northern Jiang. Could it be that there was another person living in Shen Miao and would only be unleashed when she drank? Xie Jing Xing was really puzzled as she was usually a cautious person but once she was drunk, she would be do things without any reason and might even do something incredulous.

He had felt that the arrogance of the Shen family's military lineage would only be reflected on Shen Miao after she drank.

Shen Miao handed a large bowl of wine to Xie Jing Xing and said, "You drink too."

Xie Jing Xing looked at her unfathomably but Shen Miao stubbornly reached her hand out so he could only sit down at the table and took the bowl of wine before slowly sipping it.

Shen Miao stared at him. Indeed when Xie Jing Xing drank, it was not like her, a cow chewing on Peonies, but drinking in sips, like a wine expert. She watched and held her bowl to drink it off.

Xie Jing Xing only drank a few mouthfuls when he saw Shen Miao bringing the bowl up and wiping her mouth, as if she was a soldier of Shen Xin's drinking. He said, "You have finished drinking?"

Shen Miao coughed lightly twice, "I have something to tell you."

Xie Jing Xing glanced at her before looking back at the bright amber wine in his bowl, "To need alcohol to boost up one's courage to speak to me, is it that you have committed some errs behind my back?"

"Previously did you not ask me what my secret is?" Shen Miao said, "There is no need to exchange it with your secrets. I will tell you."

Xie Jing Xing's movements paused as he looked up at her.

"Do you want to listen?" She asked him.

Xie Jing Xing put down the bowl of wine and said, "How is it that it sounds like you are giving me a disadvantage?"

"Then I will take it as you want to know and I will tell you." Shen Miao ignored his words and only cared about her words.

"Don't you feel strange ever since you know me? Those words that I send to Su Ming Lang and the actions taken against Prince Yu of First Rank? I seemed to have known earlier the existence of Feng Xian Pawnshop and about the Second and Third household of the Shen family. You are also very curious why I always target Prince Ding as it was odvious that one was still admiring Prince Ding before and it was also too much if love to turn to hate."

Each single thing that she spoke of were all the things that Xie Jing Xing had doubts with.

Shen Miao said, "At the beginning, you must be very vigilant against me and would have instructed people to investigate me secretly."

There was a somewhat uncomfortable expression on Xie Jing Xing's face. After all, like what Shen Miao said, he indeed instructed people to investigate Shen Miao's background.

"You definitely did not find anything and thought that there was some intelligent person behind me, or to say that there is some expert making arrangements behind the Shen family."

Xie Jing Xing was silent. Ji Yu Shu's Feng Xian Pawnshop could detect many unknown secrets of others but for Shen Miao, it was like a stone without an exit. No matter how they lift it, they were unable to find a place to start.

"Even though you are unable to find out my background, you must have investigated all the things that I have experience in those past years. You should also know that before my Father and Mother returned to Ding capital in Sixty Eighth year of Ming Qi, I fell into the water due and it was related to Prince Ding. After falling into the water, my temperament seemed to have changed. For example, previously I used to be obsessed with Prince Ding but after that, I no longer showed any thoughts about Prince Ding."

There was a light annoyance that appeared in Xie Jing Xing's eyes. With regards to the matter of Shen Miao once admiring Fu Xiu Yi, it really made him wonder as it could not understand it. If it was not something that the entire city was aware of, he would almost thought that it was Shen Miao that put up an act. Speaking of appearance, talent and status, even though Fu Xiu Yi was outstanding, it was not a level that there was it was so outstanding that there was no second in the world. Shen Miao's love could actually reach the point of obsessiveness and it made him speechless and also felt somewhat humiliated. Comparing himself to Fu Xiu Yi, that hypocritical person, this was just too devaluing.

"After that fall into the water, there were some estrangement between me towards the Second and Third household of the Shen family and was no longer as friendly towards Shen Qing and Shen Yue. One even seemed to be going against Old Shen Furen." Shen Miao said, "Don't you find it strange?"

Xie Jing Xing said, "There is always a time when people will wake up."

Previously Shen Miao was confused and that was because of her young age, she was only confused for a period of time and perhaps after knowing the truth about certain matters or something else happened that made one grow up overnight. Just like him.

Shen Miao shook his head, "That was because I have awaken too thoroughly. Actually it is very simple. When I fell into the water in the Sixty Eight Year of Ming Qi, I laid in bed and did not wake up for a long time and during those days, I had a very long dream." She looked at the dancing flame on the table and a sigh of sorrow appeared in her eyes and expression, "That dream was very long and very real, like I am experiencing it myself."

"Could you believe in those kinds of dreams?" Shen Miao smiled, "It was like a prophecy."

Xie Jing Xing's eyebrows gradually raised and his gaze that was fixed on Shen Miao became sharp.

"It is rumoured that a Governor of a Southern Nation was napping under a tree and dreamt that he was the Emperor, from the flower falling till it landed on the soil, he had experience an entire life and suddenly woke up, realizing that it was only a moment. Everything that happened in the dream was just an illusion of wealth and glory. It was just that it was so real that one was unable to differentiate that was the dream real or the current reality real."

"This dream of mind is even longer and suffering than the story of Governor of a Southern Nation. I had dreamt of the future." She said.

"I dreamed that I finally married into the residence of Prince Ding and the Shen family was tied with the residence of Prince Ding. I dreamed of the future disputes in court, the turmoil of the Princes and at the end, Fu Xiu Yi was the final winner. He ascended to the throne and I became the Empress and became the Mother of the nation. It was impressive."

Xie Jing Xing's eyebrow raised.

"You will most likely think that this was a sweet dream as I was obsessed with Fu Xiu Yi so my dream had such a happy ending. I also wished that it was a happy dream but this was the most terrible nightmare I had in my entire life."

"I gave birth to a son and daughter and they were the most sensible and adorable children in the world. Afterwards Great Liang's power became stronger and strong and there were foreign nations that were invading Ming Qi so Ming Qi borrowed troops from Qin country. Qin country used me as a hostage and one stayed in Qin country for five years."

"That's how I encounter HuangFu Hao and Ming An." Shen Miao said.

Xie Jing Xing's expression gradually became serious.

"I did not like the Imperial family of Qin country as they always humiliate me. They invented a kind of archery and put a fruit on my head but always deliberate miss it. Afterwards I secretly practiced archery but no matter how good one practice, on the second day, I will not shoot them."

"Five years quickly passed and I returned to Ming Qi. There was one more favoured consort in the Palace of Ming Qi, by the name of Mei Furen. She gave birth to a son, by the name of Fu Chen."

"Fu Xiu Yi favoured Mei Furen greatly and doted on Fu Chen. I was treated coldly. Even though I was the Empress, I was secretly sneered at."

"Fu Xiu Yi started to attack the Shen family and even though I was worried, I could not mangled in politics. My Eldest Brother's future career was impacted due to the incident of Jing Chu Chu's innocence and was sent to prison for murder before drowning in a pond. My Mother's illness became severe due to Cang Zai Qing and she finally succumbed to grief. My Father became older by the day and when his military power was taken back, he drank every day. The Second and Third household rose up step by step and became more powerful."

"I was fighting with Mei Furen in the Inner Palace and no one spared the other. It was not that I am greedy for the position of the Empress but if I could not even keep this position, I would not be able to protect my children at all.

"At the end, I lost. The Shen family was destroyed, WanYu died on the journey to the Xiong Nu for marriage alliance and Fu Ming's position of the Crown Prince was abolished and he committed suicide. When I was in the Cold Palace, I was bestowed a white silk and the eunuch strangled me personally. When I opened my eyes, I discovered that I was lying on the bed and had dreamt of a very very long nightmare."

She said it lightly and faintly of this shocking dream but there was a smile on her face. Even though the smile misty, it seemed to contain endless pain but the pain could not be spoken and thus it was simply replaced with a smile.

Xie Jing Xing did not speak.

She always referred to herself as 'BenGong' when she was drunk and Xie Jing Xing always laughed that how deep she scheme at such a young age. Occasionally he would wonder why she was an abolished Empress. So actually it was like this…

Shen Miao said, "Do you believe in my dream?"

Xie Jing Xing instead asked, "Do you believe it?"

Shen Miao smiled, "If I do not believe it, one feared that what is standing in front of you today would be just a grave."

"After I woke up, I feared that everything in this dream would happen and acted according to convention. One would find some clues to prove that it was just a nightmare. However when one seriously pursued it, the more one discovered that this was not only just a dream as the things that happened in the dream occurred."

"I reminded Su Ming Lang because the Su family would die not long after due to the Emperor's jealousy. When the entire Su family was questioned and beheaded, only you went to collect the father and son bodies. Without the lips, the teeth would feel the cold. After the Su family, the next one is the Shen family. I was only trying to protect myself, thus the reminder to the Su family. However I was discovered by you."

At that time, Xie Jing Xing was suspicious of her because of Xu Ming Lang's words and repeatedly probed. The two of them confront each other many times but they did not know each other's thoughts.

"Then in that dream of yours, what kind of ending do I have?" Xie Jing Xing stared at her and asked.

Shen Miao said, "You are very good."

"The Xie family gradually declined and afterwards the Marquis of Lin An died in the battlefield. You represent your Father for battle and one heard that you are buried in a horse hide (aka gave one's life on the battlefield) but after many years, you returned to Ming Qi with the identity of Prince Rui of First Rank." Shen Miao smiled slightly, "And afterwards, took over the Imperial power with troops."

Xie Jing Xing frowned, "Just like this?"

"Just like this." Shen Miao nodded her head.

"Like this." His brows were raised, "I actually thought that in that dream of yours, there would be some involvement between you and me."

"Do you really treat it as a dream? Or do you think that it is gibberish nonsense that I speak when drunk?" Shen Miao's gaze slightly darkened as she continued, "But it is also good like this. I would rather that it was just a dream."

"You may not believe some of the things that were spoken but I truly saw Jing Chu Chu, Cang Zai Qing and the rest. Before that, I have never seen them before. Because of the reminder of the nightmare, I have already guard against them. In fact, thinking about it, there are many matters that were accomplished because of that dream."

Xie Jing Xing smiled as he looked at her and that smile was gentle and comforting, "You did well."

"The things in the past have passed and I always do my all to avoid the ending in that dream. But there was one thing, the two children in that dream are gone."

Xie Jing Xing gently stroke the fingers holding the wine bowl, "We will have children too."

Shen Miao took a deep breath and look at him, "Now I have something to say and you have to listen clearly."

"In that dream, the Mei Furen that I fought for an entire lifetime, the Consort Mother of the new Crown prince and at the end the female that controlled the court, was called Li Mei. She was a daughter of an official that Fu Xiu Yi encountered during an expedition to the East, that was charming and knew another's heart. Currently I have encountered her again. Are you not curious that after you woke up, after the Imperial Hunt, I was cold towards you? It was because at that time I was flustered as I have encountered Li Mei again."

"Now she is called Ye Mei."

"Do you understand what I am saying?" She asked.

Xie Jing Xing did not speak for a long time.

One did not know how long had passed when he looked at Shen Miao, "She is the enemy in your dreams?"

"I ended up hating her to the bones but could not end the enemy personally. In this lifetime's encounter, she had become the daughter that the Ye family of Long Ye found. Xie Jing Xing, I can tolerate my hatred but there is one point that needs to be addressed. Ye Mei is not a kind hearted person as she would climb up the ladder by any means possible for the sake of power. She will not do any unnecessary things and since the residence of Prince Rui has accepted her favour, one would become the knife in her hands. You have to guard against her."

Xie Jing Xing picked up the wine bowl again and drank everything in it. Even though he was smiling, his eyes were cold, "Is it Ye Mei? Fu Xiu Yi's way of seeing females have always been vulgar. I am different from him."

"No matter if your dream is real or not." Xie Jing Xing said, "The enmity in the dream is still considered as enmity. Just the point of him turning his back on you, one cannot forgive that. Give your enmity to me, I will avenge for you." He then interrupted Shen Miao words, "Not mentioning about ending the enemy personally, you are my woman, your enmity is my enmity. In this world, there are innumerable enemies for both you and me so there is no need to separate them between yours and mind. If there is a day where you meet my enemy and you want to avenge for me, then it would be considered even."

Shen Miao frowned, "You have enemies? Who is it?"

Xie Jing Xing looked at her for a while and suddenly reached his hands out to stroke her head, "So adorable for believing everything one speaks of."

"Impudent." Shen Miao said.

When she drinks, she would habitually bring out the bearing of an Empress. Xie Jing Xing paused in his action and Shen Miao was also startled a little. He stared at Shen Miao, "You still want to be an Empress?"

"I do not want to have a second dream like that." Shen Miao said, "I do not want to be that kind of Empress the second time."