The most supreme is imperial power. More formidable than imperial power is the people's mouths.

  It can be suppressed with an iron fist, but when that day comes, the people will not dare to speak out, and the roads will be filled with ridicule and mockery, making a laughing stock of the whole world.

  The imperial family of the Ming dynasty was roughly like this, while they were corrupt and did many dirty things behind closed doors, they still had to put on a face that showed they cared about the country. They enjoyed the offerings and protection of their noble status with peace of mind, but in the end, they would still turn against others.

  Shen Miao's words made everyone present gradually fall silent.

  Daughters, as soon as they think of their ancestors' glory, if the family is a military general's, it is even more so. Male students are also at the age of vigorous blood and energy, and soldiers on the battlefield are admired wherever they go, and they naturally worship heroes.

  But some people may not be so pleased.

  The three princes present all furrowed their brows simultaneously. Others may not know, but they knew what the royal family had in mind for this kind of aristocratic family. The Shen family is a tall tree that attracts wind, and it's only a matter of time before the emperor finds another excuse to eliminate them. However, the Shen family has been well-received by the people for many years, so it won't be easy to bring them down overnight. Now, Shen Miao's words seem to be mourning the soldiers, but in fact, they are praising their merits and putting the soldiers in a position of universal attention. If the imperial family has any dissatisfaction with this, they would be in the wrong from a moral standpoint.

  Was she doing it on purpose?

  Everyone looked up, and after the girl finished speaking, she fell silent. Her robes were a bit too big, and in the cold wind, they fluttered and made a rustling sound, making her figure look even more slender and weak.

  It's probably just a coincidence, but she's the daughter of Shen Xin. This time, she managed to turn things around and get first place, but it's because she's Shen Xin's daughter, and Shen Xin really did tell her about these battle strategies, so she got lucky.

  Yu Qin Wang's gaze followed the purple-clothed girl closely, and after a moment, he suddenly smiled meaningfully: "This Miss Shen is quite interesting."

  For some reason, as soon as Yu Qinwang spoke these words, Pei Lang and Fu Xiuyi both furrowed their brows at the same time, with a hint of bad premonition in their hearts.

  King Zhou heard this and asked with a hint of profundity: "Is King Shu pleased with Miss Shen? I've heard that Miss Shen is ignorant, but now it seems that's not entirely true. She's clever and pretty. If we were to add another sister-in-law... He smiled lewdly: "It would be quite interesting."

  Yuqin Wang is now over forty, and he is cruel and ruthless. The number of women who have died at his hands is countless. If Shen Miao falls into his hands, she will likely die soon. Zhou Wang's words are somewhat out of line, but he has always been arrogant and reckless, so others don't find it strange when he speaks like this. However, it's really immoral to put a young girl like Shen Miao in the jaws of such a beast.

  The quiet king, however, thought further than his own brothers. Although the imperial family now has the intention to suppress the Shen family, the Shen family still holds military power, just like a humble husband holding a precious jade, and any prince who secretly obtains the help of the Shen family will be a huge trump card on the road to seizing the throne. But if Shen Miao marries Prince Yu, Prince Yu is already powerless to fight for power and profit, which is equivalent to placing military power in the imperial family, not being coveted by any prince, perhaps it is the best approach.

  Upon consideration, Jing Wang Fu Xuan nodded and said: "Miss Shen is indeed clever and quick-witted. If Uncle Wang thinks she's suitable, then there's no issue."

  Fu Xiuyi's eyebrows furrowed even tighter. The things that Jing Wang could consider, he naturally also thought of. He knew that Shen Miao marrying into the Yu Qin Wangfu would have a hundred benefits and no harm for him. Firstly, at least he could get rid of Shen Miao's entanglement and avoid a romantic scandal. Secondly, the Shen family's military power was too hot to handle, even if he had the intention to use it, he feared that it would arouse the emperor's suspicion and be not worth the cost. It was better to place it in the Yu Qin Wangfu and wait for an opportunity to act. But for some reason, he always felt a sense of discontent in his heart, as if doing so wasn't right.

  Pei Lang looked at Shen Miao, who was walking down from the stage with a calm and peaceful expression, seemingly unaware that her fate had already been decided by these royal princes. He sighed inwardly, after all, it was just a matter of teacher and student, but he was only a small schoolteacher and couldn't change anything, so he could only feel sorry for Shen Miao's fate in his heart.

  Yu Qin Wang waved his hand somewhat impatiently, not seeming particularly pleased. The smile at the corner of his mouth had a hint of cruelty: "Imperial nephew, I'm not unaware of what you're planning. The Yu Qin Wang Fu can't swallow the Shen family's giant Buddha whole," his gaze fell on his own crippled leg, "However, Miss Shen is interesting. Bringing her over to play with might not be bad."

  Su Ming looked over at this side, he and Fu Xiuyi were standing close together, only seriously observing the situation in front of them, but in their hearts they were somewhat indignant. That Shen Miao was indeed foolish and stupid, being targeted by Prince Yu, it's likely to be more harm than good. If Shen Xin were still in Dingjing that would be better, unfortunately Shen Xin had just returned for the New Year, without his father or brothers to protect her, how could a young girl contend with these vicious wolves?

  As if he had foreseen the tragic ending that was to come, Su Mingfang sighed and brought Su Minglang before Old Master Su, then quietly excused himself.

  The ups and downs on this side of the male audience were unknown to Shen Miao. Jing Zhen was delighted for Shen Miao, but Shen Yue finally couldn't maintain his good expression and left the seat with some stiffness.

  After the women's group finished checking, it was the men's turn. The girls on this side had already checked and left to rest, Feng Anning followed Shen Miao, and this proud girl finally showed a sincere and admiring expression to Shen Miao, saying: "You did great just now, really awesome."

  "You're not bad either."

  It was as if thinking of himself getting first in the "qin" category, Feng Anning smiled and said: "Hard work pays off for those who are diligent. I'll go get something from the carriage, you wait here for me."

  After Feng Anning left, Shen Miao walked to the plum forest in Yanbeidang to wait for her. At this time of year, the plum blossoms had not yet opened, but the trees were lush and luxuriant.

  Valley rain walked out from among them, she looked around and said in a low voice: "Miss, it has been delivered to the hands of Gongzi Jingdian, it was bought off by bribing the outside little servant, guaranteed safe."

  "Alright." Shen Miao said.

  Valley rain is still a bit confused and doesn't understand why his own daughter would do such a thing. It's not like the young master of the Jingdian Shi family, his own daughter has no chance of knowing him at all.

  At this moment, a faint laugh was heard from above. The three of them looked up and saw that on the branch of a nearby tree, a purple figure floated down and landed in front of them in an instant.

  That purple-robed young man had a handsome appearance unlike ordinary people, with his hands clasped to his chest and leaning lazily against the tree trunk, with a hint of a smile on his lips, but his eyes were deep and cold like a winter night in Beijing, carrying a sharp and chilly intent.

  It was Xie Jinghang.

  Digression

  The sky shook with a loud noise, and Young Master Hou made a dazzling entrance