On the day of the Jade Rabbit Festival, it was indeed exceptionally lively.

  After dinner, Bai Lu and Shuang Jiang rushed in to say: "Miss, there are people setting off fireworks in the city. I heard that tonight they will be non-stop, it's going to be so beautiful." The anticipation in her words was unhidden.

  "What's the hurry," Gu Yu scolded while combing Shen Miao's hair, "We'll go see her eventually, no need to rush."

  Before she had finished speaking, Shen Qiu's voice, accompanied by a smile, rang out from outside: "Sister, are you ready? Father and mother are waiting for us in the front hall."

  "Welcome back, young master." Jing Zhen replied from outside: "Miss, your hair is not yet combed, please wait a little longer."

  "The little girl's hair can't be combed for so long," Shen Qiu muttered: "It's almost as if the young soldier is wearing armor." After speaking, he shouted into the house again: "Sister, I'll go to the front hall first and wait for you, you come by yourself."

  Shen Miao responded from behind the window. Gu Yu had just finished combing her hair and was rummaging through a small box, finally selecting a jade hairpin to insert into Shen Miao's hairdo. Shen Miao glanced at the copper mirror and couldn't help but pause: "Why this one?"

  "The slave girl looked at the hairpin and the clothes on the young lady's body, which were very matching." Gu Yu smiled and said: "Moreover, this hairpin is exquisite but not complicated, and it matches today's single spiral bun perfectly."

  Shen Miao couldn't help but reach up to touch the hairpin on her head, which was the jade Haitang hairpin given to her by Xie Jingxuan. This hairpin had been appraised by Gu Yu and others, and it was absolutely worth a fortune. Shen Miao had initially thought of returning it to Xie Jingxuan, but later gave up on the idea, thinking that maybe one day she would be in a tight spot and could use it to exchange for some silver to spend. However, if Xie Jingxuan were to find out, who knows what kind of expression he would have.

  "Miss, don't you think this hairpin is not good?" Gu Yu saw Shen Miao's hesitant appearance and said: "Otherwise, let's change to another one. There are many jewelry and accessories in the rewards sent by Young Master to the palace, I'm sure we can find some nice hairpins."

  "It's okay." Shen Miao interrupted her: "Looking again will only waste more time, let it be." It was just a hairpin after all, she thought.

  Gu Yu adjusted her collar again and put a cloak over her shoulders, smiling: "This is better."

  "Don't forget the small heater." Jing Zhen handed her a hand warmer.

  When Shen Miao and her entourage arrived at the main hall, everyone from the Shen household was already present. Since they had always gone out together to celebrate the Jade Rabbit Festival in previous years, it was the same this year as well.

  Chen Ruoqiu and Shen Wan were talking, when Shen Yue appeared in a pale pink twelve-pleated long skirt with a delicate hem. Despite the cold weather, she was wearing an extremely thin top, with only a pale pink embroidered cloak draped over it, which seemed to be more for show than actual warmth. Yet, she looked utterly pleased with herself, and upon seeing Shen Miao arrive, she smiled and called out: "Fifth sister."

  Shen Miao nodded slightly, turning her head to look towards Shen Gui's side. If there was anything different this year compared to previous years, it was that Ren Yuanyun and Shen Yuanbai were not present. In the past, Ren Yuanyun would bring Shen Yuanbai along, but now Ren Yuanyun had become mentally ill and couldn't leave the house, while Shen Yuanbai was too young. With so many swindlers on the streets, Old Lady Shen wanted Shen Yuanbai to stay at home with her. Shen Geng stood beside Shen Wan, and behind Shen Wan, Madam Wan held the hand of a young girl who was looking over in this direction.

  This is Shen Dongling, the concubine daughter of the second house.

  Shen Dongling wore a thick, heavy, and loose-fitting apricot-colored long gown, which made her appear even thinner. Although her facial features were as delicate as those of Wan Niangniang, her overall demeanor was so subdued that it was almost invisible. She didn't greet Shen Miao, but instead silently stared at her, her expression unreadable, making it impossible to tell if she was shy or aloof.

  Shen Miao withdrew her gaze, but heard Shen Qiu exclaiming on the side: "Sister, you're getting prettier and prettier!"

  "Stinky brat," Shen Xin heard this and kicked Shen Qiu: "When did your sister ever look bad!"

  Luoxueyan also smiled and walked to Shenmiao's side, holding her hand and saying: "Our Jiaojiao is also a big girl now."

  The eyes of the people in the hall were cast on Shen Miao, all with some unclear meaning. Last year's Shen Miao was still a silly girl wearing gold and silver, with thick makeup that was even thicker than white walls. Now she wore a purple-gold embroidered velvet cloak, her cape was also peony-colored, with exquisite lace embroidery on top, only braiding a single spiral bun, with a jade hairpin slanted on her hair bun, without any tinkling jewelry, yet still had an air of luxurious nobility. Her facial features were clear and distinct, with a pair of eyes as clear as those of a small animal. Such a look would be full of feminine charm if it was gentle and soft, but for some reason, she stood with elegance and majesty, like the bright moon in the ninth heaven, giving people an unapproachable feeling.

  She outshone all the women in the room, and felt that they were all just ordinary and unremarkable.

  Shen Yue's eyes flashed with a hint of jealousy, she had thought that Shen Miao, who was the most unlikely to be mentioned in the same breath as herself in this mansion, had unknowingly stolen her thunder. Shen Yue was most confident in her own elegant and beautiful bookish charm, but today, seeing Shen Miao, she felt a sense of shame. She looked up at Chen Ruoqiu, hoping to see some disdain for Shen Miao in her mother's eyes, but instead, she saw a hint of solemnity, which made her heart even colder.

  Wan Yiniang sighed in her heart, and unconsciously tightened her grip on Shen Dongling's hand. She didn't have any other thoughts, but felt that Shen Miao was indeed a legitimate daughter, with an air about her that was unmatched. Her own daughter, no matter how intelligent and talented she was, had been confined to the courtyard for so many years, and couldn't compare to Shen Miao in terms of nobility and refinement.

  The men in the house didn't have much of a reaction, except for Shen Xin and Shen Qiu. Shen Gui and Shen Wan just furrowed their brows at most. As for Shen Yuan, he stared at Shen Miao with a deep gaze, lost in thought.

  Chen Ruoqiu skillfully changed the subject: "Since everyone is here, let's set off now."

  Mrs. Shen was old and frail, so she naturally couldn't attend such an event. The people who stayed behind at the Shen residence were Mrs. Shen, Shen Yuanbai, Ren Yuanyun, and a group of concubines from the second house. Everyone else went to the streets together to watch the excitement of the Jade Rabbit Festival. If it were any other year, they would have been chatting and laughing all the way, but this year, because of the big fire Shen Miao had set in the ancestral hall, Shen Xin and Shen Qiu almost deliberately kept their distance from the others and only spoke with Luo Xueyan.

  The guards of the Shen Mansion were all following behind, in fact, every year to maintain the safety of the people in the capital city, to prevent bandits from taking advantage of the crowded streets during this time, the city's defense would also increase the number of patrols on both sides of the street, so it was safe to stroll around.

  Shen Xin didn't get along with Shen Gui and Shen Wan, so they just ignored him. The two brothers continued to chat on their own. Shen Yue used to walk together with Shen Qing and Shen Miao, who could complement her knowledge and eloquence. But now Shen Miao was unwilling to talk to her, and Shen Yue didn't want to be overshadowed by Shen Miao either, so she went to look for Shen Dongling to chat with. Madam Wan saw that Shen Yue was willing to get close, and was naturally overjoyed, but Shen Dongling seemed to be shy or something, and wasn't very enthusiastic about talking to Shen Yue either. On the contrary, she looked a bit timid. Back and forth like this, Shen Yue also lost interest.

  This group of people strolled along the street, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkwardly eerie. To say they were discordant would be true, as everyone in the entire mansion was walking together, yet to say they were harmonious would be false, as several people were clearly on their own separate sides.

  Shen Miao walked while seriously looking at the lanterns and riddles on the street, Shen Xin and his group were the ones who disliked guessing lantern riddles the most. They were all from a family of military generals, how could they possibly be interested in something so literary? As Shen Qiu would say: "If sister likes those fancy lanterns, tomorrow big brother will go to the capital to find a master craftsman to carve one that's exactly the same for you, why bother with so much trouble?"

  Shen Qiu couldn't appreciate the elegance of Chen Ruoqiu's party, so he waited until they finished guessing lantern riddles and were about to move forward. Suddenly, Wan Niangniang spoke up to Shen Gui, "Master, I heard that tonight at Wanli Lake, the Jade Rabbit Fairy will be dancing. This year's Jade Rabbit Lantern is also being displayed by the lake. Shall we go take a look?"

  Chen Ruoqiu furrowed her brow upon hearing this and said in a soft voice, "That Jade Rabbit Fairy is from the Treasure Fragrance Pavilion. Our manor still has the young ladies with us today, so it might not be suitable." The Treasure Fragrance Pavilion was the largest brothel in the capital city, where all the courtesans were as beautiful as jade and as fragrant as flowers. Many men had abandoned their wives and spent a fortune just to spend one night with them. Although the madams of the pavilion were looked down upon by the respectable ladies, they couldn't change the fact that the courtesans of the Treasure Fragrance Pavilion were all incredibly talented. Therefore, this year's Jade Rabbit Fairy would still be played by one of the courtesans from the pavilion.

  "Second Mistress," said Wan Niang softly, "although it's like that, after all, it's just an act. I think that in front of so many people, Jade Rabbit Fairy wouldn't do anything improper either. It's just for the excitement, no need to take it too seriously." Originally, Wan Niang didn't want to compete with Chen Ruoqiu, but like Ren Yuanyun, she couldn't stand Chen Ruoqiu's pretentious appearance, always carrying herself with the air of a scholarly family, and even more so than Ren Yuanyun, Wan Niang disliked Chen Ruoqiu because she herself came from a theatrical background. Today, Chen Ruoqiu's suppression of Baoxiang Tower was undoubtedly also looking down on her own way of doing things.

  The two women's sharp words were heard by everyone, and for a moment the atmosphere became even more lively. Men would not intervene in women's disputes, Shen Dongling only clenched Wan Niang's hand, tightly closing her lips without speaking, Shen Yue had the intention to argue on behalf of Chen Ruoqiu, but felt that doing so would be unbefitting of her status as the eldest daughter, and for a moment no one spoke.

  "Who says going to Wanli Lake is just about seeing the Jade Rabbit Fairy?" In a moment of silence, Shen Miao spoke softly: "The grand scene of releasing lanterns by tens of thousands of people can't be seen every day. Moreover, one's humble or noble birth cannot be chosen, so there's no need to look down on others because of it. Regardless of her identity, today she is the Jade Rabbit Fairy; a clear-minded person doesn't need to pay attention to these external things."

  Everyone was stunned at first, and Shen Xin was the first to burst out laughing: "Jiao Jiao is right, poor or rich birth can't be chosen, looking down on others is no skill!"

  Luoxueyan also smiled, they fought on the battlefield, and the small soldiers in the army came from official families, but more were ordinary people. Some of them couldn't even eat a meal, some elderly people at home were almost starving to death, and their origins were all difficult. Therefore, they would never look down on poor families, Shen Miao's words were very much in line with their hearts.

  "Sister," Shen Qiu patted Shen Miao's shoulder: "Your tone, is that of a great person with a heart as vast as the sky. Such magnanimity, even I, your elder brother, feel inferior to."

  Although Shen Qiu was just joking, Shen Miao's expression became slightly distracted. In her previous life, she had married Fu Xiu Yi and become the empress, initially for love, but as the empress, the responsibilities she bore were no less than anyone else's. The four words "motherly model for the world" meant that all the people should live in peace and prosperity, and those in power should love their subjects, which was what Fu Xiu Yi had taught her, although he himself had not achieved it.

  They sang and harmonized on this side, but Chen Ruoqiu's face was pale with anger. Shen Xin praised Shen Miao's straightforwardness, wasn't he highlighting her hypocrisy? Shen Wan's expression also turned somewhat gloomy, and Shen Yue had long been furious, yet she restrained herself from making sarcastic remarks about Shen Miao.

  Madam Wan thought Shen Miao's words were helping herself, and a hint of joy floated onto her face. Shen Dongling saw it and slightly shook his head, while Shen Xiang still had a cold smile on his face, and Shen Gui pretended not to know.

  "Then let's go to Wanli Lake." Luo Xueyan gave the order, and as a female general, she was used to giving orders. The Shen family, no matter how unwilling they were, had to follow her with the Shen family guards behind them.

  Wanli Lake is located in the west of Dingjing City, and the whole lake is embedded in the city center. On a spring day, it looks like a piece of jadeite, while on a winter day when snow falls, the lake surface drifts with snow, and there are boats sailing on the lake, where people cook wine and discuss history, which is also quite interesting.

  Today is also a light snow, and under the reflection of the lights of thousands of families, the snowflakes are like crystal clear jade flowers, falling from the sky with a tinkling sound. The willow trees by the lake shore are all covered with snow, and for a moment it's hard to tell what's snow and what's light.

  Not yet arrived at the Wanli Lake, heard the sound of fireworks, raised his head, and saw in the dark night sky, large tracts of fireworks almost dazzling people's eyes, below the surging crowd, lovers hand in hand, or a family happy together, all looking up with their eyes fixed on the fireworks, watching this eternal moment.

  "Girl, girl, come and see." Jing Zhen exclaimed excitedly: "That's the fireworks by Wanli Lake, I heard that tonight's fireworks will be displayed for a whole night!"

  "It's really beautiful." Yu Yu murmured.

  "Haha, Beijing is indeed a prosperous city." Shen Qiu said to Luo Xueyan: "It's much more fun than our northwest side."

  Lu Xueyan also sighed as she walked.

  As he walked further forward, the crowd around him suddenly rushed forward in a swarm, and Shen Xin grabbed a man who was running past him and asked: "Excuse me, sir, what's going on up ahead? Why is everyone rushing forward?"

  "Jade Rabbit Fairy has arrived!" The man said, "Everyone go and see the Jade Rabbit Fairy!" He took a glance at Shen Xin, suddenly saying: "Brother, you're new here, right? This year's Jade Rabbit Fairy is actually Flowing Sparkle Maiden from Treasure Fragrance Pavilion, brother, hurry up and go!" After speaking, he ran off again with a joyful expression.

  Shen Xin turned around, and Luo Xueyan said indifferently: "Don't you go see that Flowing Firefly girl yet?"

  "Madam is being too kind." Shen Xin wiped the sweat from his forehead: "I think Madam is already stunning, and Flowing Firefly is definitely not as beautiful and elegant as you are."

  Although that's what she said, having come all the way here, Luo Xueyan wouldn't disappoint everyone's expectations and continued to move forward. After squeezing through the dense crowd, suddenly someone shouted: "Liu Xuan is here! Liu Xuan is here!"

  Shen Miao was a bit too short and couldn't see very well, so Shen Qiu pulled her to the side of the stone platform and set her down, standing beside her. Shen Miao lifted her head and saw a crowd surrounding a flower car coming over.

  On a cold winter's day, the flower cart was surprisingly adorned with an abundance of fresh flowers, revealing the careful attention to detail of the person behind it. The flowers were a mix of purple and red hues, which at first glance seemed almost unreal, yet at this moment, one could clearly see the people inside the flower cart.

  She was a young woman, sitting elegantly in the flower car, wearing a moon-white cotton long dress, with a fluffy cloak on top, her hair styled in a flying fairy bun, looking as if she were floating. Her eyebrows were delicate and her teeth were like pearls, but what was most captivating was a pair of narrow and long eyes, the outer corners slightly raised, adding an air of charm without any reason. Cold yet alluring, light yet profound, it seemed that with her arrival, the wind around her had taken on a hint of ambiguous fragrance. This jade rabbit fairy was said to be a fairy, but she also had some worldly flavor, saying she was from the mortal world, but that bewitching and icy beauty was not a color found in the mortal world.

  Liuxiao was not particularly beautiful, and in terms of her five senses, she was even slightly inferior to the tens of thousands of married women. However, that bone-chillingly cold and seductive aura was enough to make people's hearts itch. This Jade Rabbit Fairy was either a fairy or a demon, leaving one wondering. But for ordinary men, this kind of charm was fatal.

  Her gaze paused on Liuxue for a moment, but then turned to look around, wanting to see if that person had arrived. After searching in vain, Shenqiu saw her movements and asked curiously: "Sister, what are you looking at?"

  "Why doesn't brother look at this firefly maiden?" Shen Miao directly shifted the topic.

  Shen Qiu was not stupid, but whenever he encountered Shen Miao, he wouldn't think twice. Upon hearing Shen Miao's question, he replied, "I don't like this."

  Shen Miao raised an eyebrow and said, "What kind of girl does big brother like?"

  Shen Qiu was speechless.

  Shen Miao found Shen Qiu's embarrassed appearance quite amusing and couldn't help but want to laugh. In his past life, Shen Qiu had married that vicious sister-in-law, and from start to finish, he hadn't met a girl who caught his eye. Reborn this time, he didn't know that the one who would become his sister-in-law in this life was...

  "Let's go." Shen Qiu reached out his hand to pull Shen Miao down from the stone pedestal. Just now, in order to let Shen Miao see that Flowing Sprites maiden clearly, Shen Qiu had brought her over here, and they were separated from Shen Xin and the others by about a dozen meters or so. Now that they'd watched the commotion, naturally they should return to Shen Xin's side and go release lanterns together at Wanli Lake.

  Just as Shen Miao was about to jump down, she suddenly heard a child's cry. Shen Qiu also heard it and they both turned their heads to look. They saw that several meters away, a three or four-year-old child was hanging upside down from the eaves of a shop by the shore, holding onto a balance scale with both hands. The child had probably climbed up high to watch the commotion and slipped off. Now half of its body was dangling outside, and if it fell like that, something terrible might happen. People around were already getting ladders, but the child wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer. Its small hands were getting weaker and weaker, and its mother had already covered her face and started crying.

  "Sister, wait for me here." Seeing this, Shen Qiu hastily instructed Shen Miao. It seemed that it was only a few meters away from the stone platform, and since he knew martial arts, he immediately walked in that direction.

  Just as he was about to walk away, the child's hand went limp and he fell straight down. The surrounding area immediately erupted in a chorus of shocked cries. Shen Qiu's toes lightly touched the ground, one foot landing on a nearby pillar, and with a swift motion, he caught the child in mid-air, barely saving his life. The people around him all cheered at the incredible move he had just made. Shen Qiu handed the child back to his mother, who was tearfully apologizing to him over and over again, making Shen Qiu feel somewhat embarrassed.

  It was easy to comfort the mother and son, Shen Qiu was ready to return to Shi Tai to pick up Shen Miao. Because of the short distance of only a few meters, as soon as he turned his head, he was stunned.

  The stone stage was empty and deserted, with no one in sight.

  Shen Qiu's heart tightened, and he took three steps in two strides, pushing through the crowded people to run to the stone platform. There was no one there, not even a trace. Shen Qiu still had a glimmer of hope in his heart, looked around, and loudly called out twice: "Jiao Jiao!" But no one answered him.

  He grabbed a person standing not far from the stone stage and asked: "Where is the little girl who was just standing here? Have you seen the little girl around here?"

  That person impatiently replied, "What a little girl, no, no!" After saying that, he looked at him again: "Could it be that your family's daughter was kidnapped? There are many kidnappers on this Jade Rabbit Festival. If there is no escort, the young ladies from the mansion will get lost and nine out of ten times they will be kidnapped by kidnappers!"

  Shen Qiu's body began to shake violently, the eight-foot-tall giant, who didn't even blink an eye when faced with a great enemy on the battlefield, suddenly changed color.

  On the street by Wanli Lake, amidst the throngs of people rubbing shoulders and treading on each other's heels, two figures were also walking. One wore a blue robe with a jade crown, dignified and majestic; the other wore a purple garment, elegant and refined, with eyebrows and eyes as beautiful as a painting.

  The two of them were quite impressive, especially the young man in purple clothes. His movements had a subtle elegance and nobility that was not showy, and the faint smile on his lips made the women around him constantly glance at him.

  "How long do you want me to follow you?" Xie Jinghang asked.

  Su Mingfen shook her head: "On such a good day, as good friends, we should naturally go out together. Why must you be unwilling in your heart?"

  "I have something else to attend to."

  "It's better to meet by chance than to ask for an invitation. Since we've met, why not travel together? We haven't spent the Jade Rabbit Festival together in years." Su Mingfen said discontentedly: "You're getting more and more mysterious."

  Today, Su Mingfen went out with the Su family and happened to meet Xie Jingxing alone. He was dragged along by force. The Su and Xie families have always had a good relationship, so Old Man Su wouldn't say anything. At this moment, Old Man Su and the others were walking in front, while Su Mingfen and Xie Jingxing walked behind them.

  Su Ming asked: "You're out alone again today, isn't your father angry?"

  The whole family goes out for the Jade Rabbit Festival, but now there's only Xie Jinghang alone. No need to think about it, it must be Xie Jinghang who came out again. Xie Ding is probably furious, can't help it, having such a son, feeling like he's here to collect debts from his past life.

  "With his son around, I won't go join in the fun." Xie Jinghang said casually: "Not that free."

  Su Mingfen shook his head: "You're quite carefree."

  Just as he was saying this, he saw a group of people walking towards them from the front. Su Ming Feng was taken aback: "Isn't that General Shen?"

  Xie Jinghang raised his eyes and saw Shen Xin hurrying towards him, followed closely by Shen Qiu and Luo Xueyan. Behind them were a group of guards, each with a heavy and tense expression on their faces. Su Mingfeng stroked his chin and said, "Looks like the Shen family has encountered some trouble, why are they all looking so serious?"

  In the midst of a joyful and lively crowd, the expression on Shen's family face stood out as being particularly awkward. Without thinking, it was definitely not something good. Old Master Su also saw them, stopped and chatted with them, Xie Jinghang and Su Mingfeng did not come forward, but just stood far away, all of whom were martial artists, and could hear each other's conversation.

  Mr. Su asked: "General Shen, where are you going?"

  "Ha, take your time and stroll around." Shen Xinyu said: "It's just that my wife suddenly felt unwell, so I had to go back to the mansion first. Mr. Su, enjoy yourself." After saying that, he cupped his hands together in a gesture of respect and walked away without looking back.

  The Shen and Su families also didn't see eye to eye on politics. Seeing that Shen Xin didn't want to talk to him, Old Master Su naturally wasn't too comfortable in his heart either, and lazily stopped meddling in other people's business, continuing on his way instead. It was actually Su Mingfeng who said: "General Shen is being so arrogant, but why does it seem like something big has happened? Even if Madame Shen isn't feeling well, there's no need to bring so many guards."

  Xie Jing's gaze swept through the crowd of guards and said, "The fifth young lady of the Shen family is not here."

  "What?" Su Ming Feng was taken aback.

  "Shen Miao is not here." Xie Jing looked at the team from Shen's house. Given Shen Miao's relationship with the other two houses, it was impossible for her to abandon her mother and watch the lanterns with people from the other two houses at this time. And now, there was no sign of Shen Miao in this team. It couldn't be that Shen Miao hadn't left the house today, on such a big festival day, even if Shen Miao herself didn't want to, Shen Xin wouldn't have left her alone in the house.

  At this time, a soft and gentle voice suddenly sounded: "Sister Shen is gone!"

  Xie Jinghang lowered his head, and Su Minglang had somehow slipped over from Old Man Su's side to run to Su Mingfeng's side, tugging at the corner of his big brother's clothes as he repeated in a soft voice: "I just snuck over to their place and heard those people say they want to find Shen Jiajia as soon as possible."

  Su Minglang is a small glutinous rice ball, mixed in the crowd can almost be ignored, but he has a big temper, not afraid of being squeezed away by the crowd and unable to find his way back.

  "They say that maybe Shen Jia's sister was kidnapped. Su Minglang continued: "Big brother, let's go and rescue Shen Jia's sister!"

  "Are they gone?" Xie Jinghang thought for a moment, looking at the distant back of Shen's family, and suddenly said to Su Mingfeng: "Don't spread this matter around, I'll leave first." He then lowered his head, looked at Su Minglang with a sly smile: "Shen Miao is gone, if you say anything about it, I'll sell you to the beggars."