Chapter 72: Secret Talk
After this year’s Chrysanthemum Banquet, the center of discussion in the capital finally changed.
Young Marquis Xie had destroyed the prestige of his two younger brothers in an extremely domineering manner. Although he was arrogant, the demeanor he displayed during the test made people understand that he was known as the Jade-faced Asura on the battlefield for some reason.
The other person who was discussed was Shen Miao.
It was as if she had been reborn, or perhaps the warrior bloodline in the Shen family had been awakened in her. Shen Miao, who was no longer stupid and weak, did not bat an eyelid when she faced Cai Lin. The fierce temper that she revealed made the young men and women of her generation quite afraid.
As a result, in Guangwen Hall, the people who were originally mocking her restrained themselves.
When Cai Lin came to Guangwen Hall again, he faced Shen Miao and stared at her with an unfriendly expression. However, he did not act rashly.
Feng Anning looked at Cai Lin and smiled. “I didn’t expect the tyrant to be afraid of you now.”
Shen Miao glanced at Cai Lin, and the latter quickly looked away, looking a little afraid. She laughed in her heart. In her eyes, Cai Lin was just an arrogant and mischievous young master. She did not want to spend too much time on him. Moreover, the Cai family was not far from destruction. In the future, this noble young master would have to suffer a lot.
“However, when he heard that the Xie brothers were seriously injured, the Marquis of Lin’an did not blame Young Marquis Xie.” Feng Anning sighed and said, “It seems that it’s true that the Marquis of Lin’an favors his firstborn the most.”
Shen Miao asked, “How do you know?”
“I eavesdropped on the conversation between my parents.” Feng Anning was a little smug. “But if it were anyone else, they would probably dote on Young Master Xie too. He was born to Princess Yuqing, who has the royal bloodline…”
Shen Miao raised her eyebrows. To be honest, she felt that there was something strange about the death of Princess Yuqing.
While she was thinking, she saw Pei Lang walk in.
Pei Lang had a gentle smile on his face as he looked at Shen Miao. When he met her gaze, he couldn’t help but be stunned.
At the Chrysanthemum Banquet, Shen Miao’s performance finally made Pei Lang take her more seriously. From then on, he began to sense that Shen Miao was not ordinary. He also felt that Shen Miao seemed to be secretly paying attention to him. Although he did not know why, it made him, a young teacher, feel a little uncomfortable, as if he was being targeted by something. However, at the thought that no matter how powerful Shen Miao was, she was just a girl, he felt that he was overthinking.
“Why are you always staring at him?” Feng Anning asked curiously. Then, she thought of something and was shocked. “Don’t tell me you like him.”
Shen Miao had stopped mentioning Fu Xiuyi, as if he didn’t exist at all. This made people think that Shen Miao probably realized that she was not worthy of the royal family and had gradually given up. Although Pei Lang was of a lower status, he was elegant and knowledgeable. It was natural that girls liked him.
Shen Miao felt a headache coming on. She looked away and said, “Of course not.” She was just thinking that since Pei Lang did not exhibit “Circulation of Law” at the Chrysanthemum Banquet, Fu Xiuyi naturally wouldn’t notice him. However, this person was still a huge problem. If he worked with Fu Xiuyi in the future, he would be a blocking stone to her success.
However, she did not have the ability to kill Pei Lang without anyone knowing now. She could only think of another way.
…
At this moment, the Hundred Fragrance Restaurant in the capital was filled with singing and dancing. Even in the daytime, the gauze curtains and night pearls placed everywhere made the entire building glow. Occasionally, people would stop outside, but they could only look inside with envy. Ordinary people couldn’t afford to patronize such a place. Here, even a small pot of tea was enough to cost them a fortune.
At this moment, a middle-aged man in luxurious clothes was sitting by the window. This man was dressed in top-grade clothes, but he was hideous and thin. Under his robe, his left leg was empty. It was Prince Yu.
“Have you made things clear with the Shen family?” After a while, he asked with a dark tone.
“Your Highness, I’ve already made arrangements with the second madam of the Shen family. Three days later, the women of the Shen family will go to the Wolong Temple to offer incense. At that time…”
“Three days.” Prince Yu frowned, a trace of displeasure flashing across his eyes. Then, he waved his hand and said, “Go and prepare everything. It’s been a long time since I’m so interested in someone.”
Over the years, he had been lecherous and cruel, and countless women had died at his hands. However, no matter how aggrieved those women were, they could not do anything. In the entire Ming Qi, people would tremble when they heard the name Shen Xin being mentioned. He couldn’t wait to taste the daughter of the almighty general. That day at the Chrysanthemum Banquet, the ruthlessness Shen Miao displayed made him very interested. A wild cat that knew how to resist might be much more delicious than those wooden beauties.
He licked his lips, and a trace of lust flashed across his eyes.
Opposite the room closest to him, a man in white was sitting at the glass table. He was about twenty years old, handsome, and had a very gentle temperament. After listening for a while, he said to the person opposite him, “It seems that the girl you saved is probably in trouble again.”
Opposite him, the purple-clothed youth sat lazily and said casually, “Shen Xin has made the Shen family too powerful. Now, it’s just a test. One day, no one in the Shen family will be able to survive.”
The man in white paused for a moment and suddenly looked at the young man seriously. “Why did you do that to your half-brothers? Do you want to start your plan early?”
The person sitting opposite him was none other than Xie Jingxing. He smiled. “Does it make a difference if I start it early or later?”
“If you make a move early… Do they know?” The white-robed man asked hesitantly.
“Gao Yang, you don’t understand. As of now, I have the say here.” Xie Jingxing said indifferently, “The longer I wait, the worse it will be for me. If the mountain doesn’t come to find me, I’ll go find the mountain.” When he said the last sentence, his eyes darkened, not looking like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy.
The man named Gao Yang was stunned for a moment before smiling bitterly. “Forget it. I’m just here to check in on you. But in fact, I’m not confident that I can stop you.” He changed the topic. “But three days later, won’t you also have to go to the Wolong Temple to investigate something? Perhaps, you’ll save the beauty a second time.”
“Gao Yang, you are terribly wrong as always.” Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow. “That girl from the Shen family is not to be trifled with.”