Chapter 217: Conjugal

At the end, more than half the jar of Shi Zhou Xiang ended up in Shen Miao's stomach. Xie Jing Xing tried to block it but when Shen Miao become stubborn, even Shen Xin would be helpless, what more Xie Jing Xing. However this time she did not throw a drunken tantrum like before. She drank finish the wine and looked very calm. After saying a many things, she then hugged the empty jar and wobbled out. Xie Jing Xing sent her back to the room and instructed Jing Zhe and Gu Yu to take good care of her. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu jumped in shock and said softly, "One's body only got better, why drink so much wine? One fears that it would not be good for the injuries."

Xie Jing Xing took a glance at her before turning and leaving the room.

He walked in the courtyard and as the summer breeze blew onto his face, it made one wake up from the intoxication. However he only drank a little and thus his mind was as clear as a mirror.

However he was not as calm as he seemed on the surface.

Shen Miao's words were like a lighting that strikes his heart and at that moment, all the incomprehensible things became clear in that moment. Even though Shen Miao's words were just too shocking and seemed to be of the powers of supernatural. He was one who never believed in supernatural things.

He did not believe in supernatural things but he believed in Shen Miao.

Xie Jing Xing knew Shen Miao very well. If she really wanted to lie to a person, she would definitely be full of lies and calmness. Ever since Xie Jing Xing knew Shen Miao in Ming Qi, seeing her deal with the Second and Third household of the Shen family, dealing with Jing Chu Chu, she had always stabbed others with a gentle smile and schemed in a warm manner. She would have thousands of schemes but always had an amiable expression. However when she was hesitant and wavered, that was instead real.

One feared that she had suppressed all the things she said today in her heart for a long time, otherwise she would not show such expression of a heavy burden. However Xie Jing Xing could feel the apprehensive in her heart even though a storm was set off a storm.

IF all the things that Shen Miao dreamt of had truly happened, then it was indeed not a good dream. Once he thought of Shen Miao following Fu Xiu Yi at the end and because of Fu Xiu Yi, ended in such a miserable state, Xie Jing Xing felt furious.

There was rain the day before thus when the green boots stepped onto the water on the ground, there was a rustling noise. Xie Jing Xing stood straight and called out, "Tie Yi."

Tie Yi appeared.

"Investigate any interconnections between the Ye siblings and Ming Qi." If everything in Shen Miao was true then this Ye Mei is Shen Miao's enemy but the point from Ming Qi to Great Liang did not match up. To think about it now, he could understand why Shen Miao showed hostility to Ye Mei and her Younger Brother at their first appearance.

Tie Yi was somewhat surprise but still lowered his head before complying.

There was some confusion in his heart. He looked towards the crescent moon in the skies with a frown but he could not tell what emotions he was feeling and thus walked into the courtyard to look for the young tiger to play.

Jiao Jiao had not seen its master for a long time thus upon see him, naturally it was so happy that he jumped up to play with him. Xie Jing Xing played with the young tiger absent-mindedly for a while and after seeing that the night was getting deeper and the tiger started to yawn, he then returned to the room.

However there was no intention to sleep. He walked to the middle of the room and took off his outer robe, planning to sit down for a while when he suddenly felt something was different. As he looked over to the bed, he saw that there was a large lump on the middle of the bed that seemed to be breathing slightly.

His brows wrinkled and he walked over to remove the quilt but suddenly stopped to laughed, "What are you doing?"

On the bed, Shen Miao was wrapped with his quilt while holding a pillow and staring at him with wide eyes.

Previously she was calm and it seemed that she was not drunk but now it seemed that the alcohol went up her head and her fair face was red and her clear eyes were covered with haze. He said, "I am recommending oneself as a pillow."

Xie Jing Xing almost thought that he heard wrongly, "What did you say?"

"Consort Li had once told me that in order to achieve a person's heart, even if one adores the other, one have to recommend oneself as a pillow. Between male and female, being intimate is the right thing to do. I have never did it before and thought that you have not experienced it so I came over to recommend oneself."

When Xie Jing Xing heard her speaking of such shocking things, his face blushed as his eyes stared at Shen Miao's. He seemed not to know how to respond and finally said, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

He did not know who was the 'Consort Li' that she was mentioning but thinking about the dream that Shen Miao had, Xie Jing Xing thought incredulously that could it be that it was one of her 'sisters' in the Inner Palace?

Shen Miao sat on the bed, intoxicated but still had a dignified bearing as she spoke, "I want to explore in different angles with you."

Xie Jing Xing quickly walked to the table to pour a cup of cold tea for himself. When he swallowed a mouthful of cold tea, his heart slightly calmed down. Shen Miao's drastic change of character when she was drunk was just too shocking. She could even mention about 'being intimate', what exactly was she thinking?

He said, "I am not one that will take advantage of another's perilous state."

After not hearing any noise for a long time, Xie Jing Xing felt somewhat strange and could not help but turned around. However he spit out an entire mouthful of tea.

Shen Miao herself was a sensation. One did not know where did the coat disappear to and she was only wearing a Tudou (ancient lingerie) before saying in grievance, "Do you detest me for being ugly? That's why you refuse to touch me?"

That big piece of skin was as fair like snow in winter but was warmer than the white snow and was like milk but clearer than milk. In addition, her hair was unkempt which made her face look adorable and her eyes hazy, making her very beautiful.

Xie Jing Xing quickly went over in a fluster to cover her in a quilt and said, "It seems that your illness is really serious."

Shen Miao argued with convictions, "You and I are husband and wife so what is with consummating a marriage?"

Xie Jing Xing took a deep breath and avoiding the other party's watery and hazy eyes, "You have yet to recover… Let's talk about it another day."

Shen Miao said doubtfully, "Wasn't it you who said that the deadline is two months? I see that the date had long reached."

Xie Jing Xing almost collapsed.

He stressed, "I am not one that will take advantage of another's perilous state. What are you think I am?"

"I know." Shen Miao nodded her head, "I am here to fulfill your wish."

Xie Jing Xing, "…"

"Be good. It is too late today. Let's talk about it another day." Xie Jing Xing tuck the quilt for her and was about to leave after turning around. He feared that if he stayed on, he could not control himself. He was after a hot blooded young man and was at his strongest. With a beauty in his arms, especially it was the female that he loved, if there was no reaction to her, than it would be a problem. However he did not want to take advantage of Shen Miao's perilous state, when she was drunk. He respected Shen Miao and thus was not willing to do it.

But just as he stood up, his sleeved was tugged by Shen Miao and the quilt that he covered Shen Miao slipped down. Shen Miao was half lying half kneeling on the bed but was still shorter than Xie Jing Xing by a head. He was a little anxious and grabbed Xie jing Xing's neck, "No."

Xie Jing Xing, "…"

With a soft jade and fragrant scent in one's arms, he could almost feel the exquisite and delicate body of the other party. There was a light feminine scent from Shen Miao and even though he had not drank a lot, he felt that his entire body heating up, like the alcohol had went up his head and his reasoning was gradually fading.

"It is today. After today, I will renege." She said it seriously but no one knew if she was really drunk or putting an act.

When Xie Jing Xing heard it, his actions paused and he glared at her, "Renege?"

Shen Miao seemed to feel a little dizzy and this half kneeling posture on the bed made her feel uncomfortable so she fling her head back and looked carefully at Xie Jing Xing before smiling suddenly.

She said, "BenGong thinks that you are indeed beautiful and it is your fortune that one take a fancy to you. How about following BenGong?"

Xie Jing Xing, "…"

It came again. It came again. Xie Jing Xing remembered all the years ago in that farm when Shen Miao was drunk and she treated him like a hired man and forced a kiss onto him. Despite time passing, this scene was however unusually familiar. His voice became dangerous, "Follow you?"

Shen Miao nodded her head and whispered mysteriously to his ears, "Guarantee wealth and prosperity for your entire life."

Xie Jing Xing laughed. In fact when Shen Miao was in a drunken state, he had some youthful charm. She became like an under ripe fruit and would be so direct with her words that one would be speechless. However her every action was deadly seductive for him. Those eye catching and seductive looks of those beautiful prostitute was incomparable to one of her silly hugs.

"If you are not willing, BenGong will look for another. Letting BenGong slip by would be your lifetime's regret." Shen Miao threatened him.

Xie Jing Xing said, "Still want to look for others?"

He suddenly fell forward. Shen Miao was hugging his neck and now she was pressed under him. Xie Jing Xing smiled gently and he leaned over to her ears to whisper, "This Empress is really very arrogant. Want me to serve you but still think of other men? I am not happy about it. Are you going to be punished?"

Shen Miao struggled one hand free and took out a booklet like thing from the bottom of the bed and look at him brightly, "Look at this."

Xie Jing Xing was startled and took it for a look but his face became colourful in an instant and he spoke with great restrain, "Where did you get this from?"

Shen Miao shrank her neck back, "Mother gave it to me. I said before, I want to explore in different angles with you."

Xie Jing Xing was stunned for a moment before smiling lightly, "Explore in different angles?"

Shen Miao's head nodded like a chicken eating corn.

"This official will naturally serve Your Ladyship comfortably." He spoke meaningfully but his gaze became as dangerous as a wolf's. He asked, "Your Ladyship will really not regret it?"

"Letting BenGong slip by would be your lifetime's regret." She mumbled to herself.

Xie Jing Xing did not speak anymore. With a wave of his sleeves, the candle in the room was extinguished.

His low voice sounded in the dark.

"You are right."

One would regret for an entire life if you slip by.

*****

The sun had went up for a long time that even though there were shade from the trees, the summer sun still went pass the leaves and window seams and onto the floor, reflecting some dotted golden spots.

Shen Miao felt her head splitting and unconsciously turned around but felt that there was something blocking in front of her. She opened her eyes dazedly and was abruptly stunned.

She was lying in a male's arm and both of her hands were still clutching the other party's waist. As her gaze went up, she saw a beautiful face and that pair of peach blossoms eyes seemed to be smiling but not smiling and it contained a look of teasing.

Flowers suddenly burst out from Shen Miao's heart.

What exactly happened last night? Why could she not remember anything?

She subconsciously sat up but felt her body sore and painful that she could only take in a breath of air. The quilt that was covering her body naturally slipped off and revealed some obvious traces.

Shen Miao, "?"

There were clothes scattered all over the floor and wine bowls piled up on the table with the entire room filled with a charming atmosphere. No matter how slow she was, how could she not understand what had happened?

"Awake?" Xie Jing Xing raised an eyebrow.

Shen Miao did her best to restore a calm expression but no matter how she concealed it, there was some panic that appeared. When that panic was seen in Xie Jing Xing, it made him laugh.

He said, "You were very brave last night, so why is one so scared now?"

Shen Miao smarten up. Once she got drunk, she would not remember anything and her mind would be cleaner than a piece of white paper. Her memory stopped before she was drunk and when she told Xie Jing Xing about her past lifetime and she thought about it and felt that it was believable if she said that it was a dream. Otherwise, if one spoke about rebirth after death, it would always be ridiculous no matter how one illustrate it.

She had drank a bit of wine to boost her courage and remembered that Xie Jing Xing seemed to believe her words but there was no other emotions towards her. But… How did they sleep on the bed?

Xie Jing Xing saw her chaotic expression and said leisurely, "Do you know what you did last night?"

Xie Jing Xing saw her chaotic expression and said leisurely, "Do you know what you did last night?"

Shen Miao dared not look at him and said calmly at the quilt, "What could be done other than sleeping?"

"You slept me." Xie Jing Xing said, "And you want me to serve you well."

Shen Miao almost choked on her own saliva.

That was her?

That was dignified Empress Shen who was the Mistress of the Six Palaces? Xie Jing Xing must be deceiving her. How could there be such a shameless thing?

Xie Jing Xing said, "You said that if I followed you, in the future I would be guaranteed with a lifetime of wealth and prosperity with unlimited prospects."

Shen Miao said, "Why bother to take words when one is drunk real? What's more." She changed the topic, "How would I know if you are deceiving me or not? It is not possible for me to say those words." She simply flipped it around and did not acknowledge it.

Xie Jing Xing was not anxious and calmly took out a booklet thing under the pillow before flipping it, "Oh right. You even took out the thing that your Mother gave to you and want to explore it with me. Do you remember?" He waved the booklet in front of Shen Miao.

Shen Miao only took a quick glimpse of it but she saw it clearly and was currently vomiting blood in her heart.

That could not be right. He even had that.

That was something that Luo Xue Yan gave to her before she was married and it was to teach her about matters in the bed chambers. This was something that she kept and it was not possible for Xie Jing Xing to find it, thus this meant that it was her who took the initiative to bring it out and passed it to Xie Jing Xing?

Then what else did she do with Xie Jing Xing? Was it truly instructing Xie Jing Xing to 'serve her well'?

Shen Miao felt that it was even worse than if she was struck by lightning.

Xie Jing Xing seemed to think that she was not embarrassed enough and said plainly, "Last night you pull me over to explore it and only managed to explore the first few pages. One had thought that since there is a lot of time, there was no need to rush but you were insistent and even wanted to try extremely difficult positions…"

"Stop." Shen Miao quickly interrupted her words but her face was already red, "Mistakes would happen when one drinks. Why did you not stop me?"

"How would I dare?" Xie Jing Xing put up a look of grievance, "If one did not comply, you will behead me."

Shen Miao, "…"

She simply felt too embarrassed. Thinking of her attitude of seducing Xie Jing Xing… She had thrown away all her face in the past two lifetimes.

Xie Jing Xing's mood seemed to be very good as he looked at her with all smiled, "You still told me that you want to explore tonight."

"There is no need for tonight." Shen Miao quickly interrupted his words again and wanted to jump off the bed to run out. Xie Jing Xing pulled her back and into his arms. He looked down at Shen Miao and the lazy smiled was gone but a serious look appeared on his face.

He asked with a frown, "You are regretting it?"

Shen Miao was startled.

Xie Jing Xing's eyes was especially beautiful that sometimes Shen Miao would also wonder why would a man have such beautiful eyes. It was like there were limitless emotions that when he was in Ming Qi's dDing capital, it was unending lingering. However he was cold by nature and this kind of man was too dangerous that one could not afford to offend.

Loving such a man like this was an inexorable doom for a female but being loved by this kind of man would most probably be a lifetime of fortune. He understood respect and had selfishness but he was also adorably overbearing.

At this moment he was looking at Shen Miao seriously and in the usual arrogance gaze, there was some cautiousness that made one feel that one was trusted by him and was protected by him and also was the most important person to him.

Shen Miao's gaze landed on the red string on Xie Jing Xing's hand.

He said that he detested it but he did not take it off.

Shen Miao looked up and said honestly, "No regrets."

It was just that she was somewhat shy…

Xie Jing Xing's eyes lit up.

She said, "What is done is done. What is there to regret since it is not to others." But at the end she still dodged and refused to look at Xie Jing Xing's eyes.

Xie Jing Xing pulled her head up and forced her to look at him, "Really?"

Shen Miao said, "Yes."

Xie Jing Xing stared at her for a long time and Shen Miao felt even more embarrassed and wanted to run away bug Xie Jing Xing pulled her over and said, "Let me take a look."

"Look at what?"

"Last night you did not want to stop and I could not take a good look at your wounds. Although it was a superficial wound, one has to take a good look at it." He then pulled Shen Miao into his arms. Shen Miao saw that he was only wearing middle clothes and a huge part of his chest was exposed, thus her face became hotter and she refused, "No… No need. I will do it myself."

"That cannot be done…" Xie Jing Xing said and pull her down under him.

Shen Miao did not try to escape.

Outside, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was sweeping the floor and at the same time listening to the noise inside. However both of them did not have any martial arts skills and was unable to hear anything through the door.

Cong Yang crouch in front of the door while teasing the birds in the cage, "You both have been sweeping here for one shichen (modern timing: 2 hours). If this continues, the tone slabs at the door would be swept through.

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was startled and their movements stopped together. Jing Zhe looked at Cong Yang and wanted to ask something but then felt that it was too difficult to talk about the question that her face became red and she refused to speak.

Cong Yang's skin was much thicker than her. He knew what he wanted to ask in a glance and waved his big hands, "Don't worry, it went smoothly."

Although Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were embarrassed, they sighed in relief at the same time. Jing Zhe gave a smug look towards Gu Yu but Gu Yu looked at her strangely.

Shen Miao was drink last night and at that time Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was tidying up the room. Coincidentally, they found the booklet that Luo Xue Yan gave to Shen Miao that she had hidden well. Shen Miao asked what was that booklet and Jing Zhe smarten up. Thinking of how Shen Miao would not know what she had done every time she was drunk and with the intention of playing the matchmaker for her Master and Xie Jing Xing. At the beginning when Shen Miao married off, Luo Xue Yan kept on reminding for the two maids to continuously persuade and guide Shen Miao. At the end after being married for so long, the marriage was not consummate at all. Seeing that their relations were very good, Jing Zhe was thinking that could it be that her Young Lady had no knowledge of it and this Prince Rui was also ignorant, thus she had the heart to push the wave and add to the billows.

Thus, taking the advantage of Shen Miao being drunk, she guided her earnestly, "Only His Highness the Prince of First Rank can explain about the things in this booklet to Furen."

Now thinking about it, Jing Zhe felt that the expression she had at that time was the same as those matriarch in those Flower Establishments.

Shen Miao was drunk and did not understand it, thus she took that booklet and went out of the door. Gu Yu was unable to stop her in time and could only follow behind. Both maids were anxious and felt uneasy that they stayed outside for an entire night that there were green and black rings around their eyes but Shen Miao did not come out of Xie Jing Xing's room.

Now hearing Cong Yang's words, both of their hearts gave a big sigh of relief. They felt that they had accomplish a good thing as no matter now ignorant their Young Lady and GuYe (term used by the female side of the family to call the son-in-law), this kind of matter was a matter of knowing how it went. After a few time, they would become familiar with it.

Just as they were thinking, Tang Zhu walked out from behind. Seeing the three of them, the first thing he did was to yell at Cong Yang, "What are you doing here so early in the morning and guard here? Still don't leave?" He then turn and smiled towards Jing Zhe and Gu Yu, "Why is it that one's spirits are not so good upon looking?"

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were people that Shen Miao brought along thus Tang Shu could not be so impolite like treating Cong Yang. When Cong Yang saw that he was treated differently, he snorted before leaving. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu also did not stay longer and after speaking a few words to Tang Shu, they also quickly left.

Tang Shu stood outside Xie Jing Xing's room alone and after waiting for everyone to leave, he suddenly smile and laughed himself. After foolishly grinning, he seemed to have remembered something and mumbled to himself, "One has to brew some tonic." Then he quickly went off.

Mo Yun Army was most likely informed of the entire night of joy in the residence of Prince Rui and they all had a tacit understanding. However Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang were unaware of it.

They were taking care of Pei Lang for the time being.

Pei Lang's injury was much more serious as compared to Shen Miao. Even though his life was saved, that knife was so deep that Gao Yang dared not take it lightly. Ba Jiao and Hui Xian was looking after Pei Lang and if anything went wrong, it was easier for them to go look for Gao Yang.

Pei Lang had woke up a couple of times at night but the period in which he woke up for was short and he would go back to sleep after a while. After a repeated number of times, Ba Jiao and Hui Xian was too busy on it and did not know the situation at Shen Miao's and Xie Jing Xing's side.

Nearing noon, Hui Xiang brought a bowl of porridge in as Pei Lang was unable to eat anything else due to his injuries. Upon entering the room, she saw Pei Lang sitting in front of the window and was lost in thought as he looked out at the branches outside the window.

"Gentleman Pei?" Hui Xian was startled and walked over somewhat happily. She placed the bowl of porridge aside and said, "You are finally awake."

Pei Lang slowly turned around and looked at her, seemingly identified her as a maid in the residence of Prince Rui, "WangFei has always awake right?"

Hui Xiang felt somewhat strange that Pei Lang would use such a affirmative tone but still said, "Woke up yesterday. Furen was not seriously injured but it was your injuries that are very serious. It was thanks to you that block the attack towards Furen and saved Furen's life."

Pei Lang lowered his head and seemed to laughed before muttering, "Save what life. It was clear that I owed her."

Hui Xiang did not clearly hear Pei Lang's words, "What did you say?"

Pei Lang was then somewhat lost in thoughts again.

He finally remembered.

After blocking the attacked from Shen Miao and after he struggled between life and death, he had a dream. That dream was very long but also very real that it made everything clear for him.

Why was there a strange hostility that Shen Miao had towards him?

Why would he always be inexplicable conscience-stricken feeling towards Shen Miao?

So it was this.

The abbot in the dream said that if he sacrificed his life, there 'might' be an opportunity to redo and maybe it would also be in vain. That abbot also said that if there was an opportunity to redo everything, some encounters would be disrupted and perhaps he would suffer from it.

Pei Lang complied.

He once loved a female but there were actually no difference between his love and Fu Xiu Yi's indifference as it pushed Shen Miao to a road of no return step by step. He sympathised with Shen Miao but at the same time rationally weighted the pros and cons of the matter and at the end abandoned Shen Miao.

A person's life was actually spent on giving up things. He and Fu Xiu Yi had abandoned Shen Miao so in this lifetime, Shen Miao would not hesitate to abandon them.

But it was Xie Jing Xing that was fortunate. However when one thought about it, it should be as such.

However after knowing so many causes and consequences, he no longer had the face to look at Shen Miao. All the words of accompanying her by her side and helping her, upon thinking about it now, it was all the feeling of conscience-stricken in the past lifetime and he was paying it back but he could not face his heart.

This complicated entanglement had made his mind confused. It was time to end this mistake. Some thoughts should not be born in the beginning as it was a mistake to even think about it thus he should cut it off personally.

Hui Xiang said, "Gentleman Pei, have some porridge first. Your health needs to rest and after a while, Gentleman Gao will come over for acupuncture. As long as one is awake and a few days of rest, you will be safe and sound since Gentleman Gao's medical abilities are high."

Pei Lang paused a while before saying, "Many thanks."

"Gentleman Pei is too courteous." Hui Xiang said, "You have saved Furen's life and is the benefactor of the Prince residence."

"One would trouble you to help me bring over paper and brush." Pei Lang said. His lips were pale and his voice was dark but his tone of voice was very firm.