Shen Miao was taken aback, and such a slightly frivolous move in her eyes should have been sternly rebuked, but for some reason, she honestly replied: "Just now when I was escaping, I was stabbed by someone with a dagger."

  Xie Jingxing glanced at her and took out a porcelain bottle from his bosom, tossing it to her: "Apply the medicine."

  Shen Miao took it over, didn't say much, thinking about applying the medicine. However, at this moment, she was sitting on the ground, and because of being soaked in the cold lake water for a long time, she couldn't exert any strength. Not to mention applying the medicine, even getting up was somewhat difficult.

  Xie Jinghang saw the situation and had no choice but to walk over to her side, grasping her shoulder and supporting her onto the small couch on the boat. Shen Miao had lived for two lifetimes and was not some naive young girl who would be shy in a situation like this. However, wearing Xie Jinghang's large clothes, her snow-white shoulders were exposed outside, and when the cold wind blew, she didn't know if it was the chill or the awkwardness that made her skin prickle with goosebumps.

  Before she could say anything, a warm thing suddenly covered her head, burying it completely. Shen Miao shook her head and found that the fox fur cloak covering her was actually Xie Jingxuan's. The cloak was warm and cozy, and Shen Miao instinctively wrapped it tighter, only revealing her small face the size of a palm. Looking at Xie Jingxuan who hadn't spoken, she really did look like a fluffy little fox.

  Xie Jinghang was a bit ridiculous, he got up and walked to the other end, took something unknown, squatted down in front of Shen Miao, stretched out his hand and reached for Shen Miao's leg.

  "What are you doing?" Shen Miao asked, avoiding him.

  "Your wound won't heal with medicine, it will fester by tomorrow." Xie Jinghang said: "Don't think you can take advantage of me."

  Shen Miao: "......" This person's words were really too annoying, what was meant by taking advantage of him, and yet he said it with a serious expression. Shen Miao simply didn't want to bother with him. She said: "I'll do it myself."

  "Alright." Xie Jinghang stood up without saying another word, leaning against the cabinet beside him with his arms crossed, and said, "I'll watch you, you come."

  Shen Miao bent down, but her hand almost couldn't hold the medicine bottle steady. Earlier, when she was arguing with those two people, she had been thrown around several times by the tall and thin one, causing her whole body to ache all over. At this moment, her hands were shaking, and she barely managed to open the medicine bottle, but almost spilled its contents.

  After a difficult struggle for half a day, she finally gave up, but didn't want to admit defeat so easily to Xie Jinghang, so she sat in the snow-white fox fur, staring at Xie Jinghang without speaking.

  Xie Jingxing burst out laughing with a "hiss" sound, snatched the medicine bottle from Shen Miao's hand, and squatted down again. He grasped Shen Miao's small leg and said casually: "I'm not a good person, if you want to sulk, I'm afraid you'll end up betting your leg."

  Shen Miao remained silent and didn't say a word.

  Xie Jingxing grasped her calf, slowly lifting the pant leg. His hand was icy and slender, seemingly bearing the shallow calluses unique to martial artists. As it rubbed against her delicate skin, Shen Miao felt a sense of unease, as if that patch of skin was also burning up. The next moment, the fabric stuck to the wound due to bloodstains was suddenly torn open, causing Shen Miao to almost cry out in pain.

  "The wound is quite deep." Xie Jinghang examined it carefully, furrowed his brow and said: "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

  "I didn't expect you to be so kind," Shen Miao said. She really hadn't expected Xie Jingxing to be so kind as to apply medicine for her, given their relationship. Today, Xie Jingxing coming over to save her life was already a deep and heavy favor. Such a thoughtful person wasn't someone who was easily good-natured, and Shen Miao couldn't think of any reason why Xie Jingxing would help her. So, she only thought about dealing with the injury on her leg after returning to the Shen manor.

  Xie Jingxing got up and took the teapot from the small table, pouring out the water inside. He stretched out one hand to scoop a full pot of lake water outside the boat and placed it on the stove to boil. "I'm not that kind-hearted," he said, "but since you're also quite righteous, I'll be a good person this once." As he spoke, he looked up at Shen Miao and said, "It's said that Shen is loyal and trustworthy, but I didn't expect a little girl from the Shen family to understand righteousness too. Thank you for not giving me away."

  He was half joking and half serious, so Shen Miao didn't explain that he had misunderstood. At the time, if she had immediately said that the person in the secret room was Xie Jingxuan, those two people would have killed her right away. Who doesn't know how to stall for time? However, Xie Jingxuan thought she wasn't saying it because of loyalty, and he felt like he owed her a personal favor, so Shen Miao didn't plan on clearing up the misunderstanding either.

  However, Shen Miao lowered her head in contemplation. Even if she really exposed Xie Jingxuan, with his abilities, he might still be able to get away scot-free. Just now, she had clearly heard that those two people must have had accomplices nearby, but at the moment, there was not a single sound or movement. It was obvious who was behind this.

  After a brief silence, the water in the pot also boiled. Xie Jinghang casually tore off a piece of cloth from his robe, dipped it in hot water, and held Shen Miao's small leg on his knee with one hand, while wiping away the dirty blood around the wound with the other hand.

  Shen Miao's feet were almost pressed against Xie Jingxuan's chest, and she could touch the icy collar of his clothes. The fabric was also cold and stiff, as if it reflected his aloof and unyielding heart beneath his carefree exterior. Shen Miao felt a bit uneasy and turned her head away, her toes involuntarily curling up slightly. Apart from Fu Xiuyi, she had never had such intimate contact with another man before. Even with Fu Xiuyi, when she thought back on it now, it was all rather awkward, and most of the time, Fu Xiuyi only left her with an impression of being a "lord". As a result, among the men she had met in her youth, there were almost none.

  Feeling a bit silent, Shen Miao thought of a topic and asked: "Who are those people?"

  She was referring to the tall and thin man. Upon hearing this, Xie Jinghang didn't say a word. Instead, he carefully wiped away the bloodstains on Shen Miao's leg, sprinkled some medicinal powder on it, and then wrapped her wound with a handkerchief. As he did these things, he kept his head down, extremely focused, and his hands moved with great familiarity, as if dressing wounds was an everyday task for him. The lanterns on the boat flickered, casting a warm glow on the lake's flower-lit surface. The bright light illuminated Xie Jinghang's face, accentuating his handsome features, which seemed almost otherworldly. Yet, in this brief moment of radiance, there appeared to be a hint of gentle illusion.

  Even Shen Miao couldn't help but pause for a moment. However, this gentle illusion didn't last long. Xie Jingyi put down her foot and suddenly placed his hands on either side of Shen Miao's body, leaning in close. His chiseled face was inches away, his peach blossom eyes seemingly filled with intoxicating wine, gazing over at her with a hint of a smile that made it hard for her to breathe.

  Shen Miao stared back at him calmly, and after a while, Xie Jinghang let go of her hand, saying lightly: "Knowing too much isn't good for you."

  "I don't want to know anything." Shen Miao said, "I just hope you won't drag me down with you." As soon as she spoke, she felt a twinge of regret. Today, for some reason, perhaps because it was sudden or perhaps because her injury made her irritable, when facing Xie Jingxing, she unexpectedly revealed some of the small temper that had been deeply buried in her bones. Those casual outbursts, willfulness, and sharp tongue, were unknowingly brought out by Xie Jingxing.

  "As long as you know your limits, no one can drag you down." Xie Jinghang said. He tidied up the messy cloth strips on the boat and found a long pole to hang Shen Miao's wet clothes on it for slight drying.

  "When can I leave?" Shen Miao asked.

  "Everyone outside is watching, now going out will cause gossip, and since you're with me, it's inevitable that you'll be associated with me." Xie Jinghang's words were still infuriating: "So for my sake, when the boat docks, I'll take you to the Princess's Manor. The people from the Princess's Manor can send you back."

  "The Princess's Manor?"

  "Rong Xin Gong Zhu," Xie Jing Xing poked at the charcoal: "She'll help."

  Rongxin Princess was also born to the late Emperor's concubine, although not as favored as Yuqing Princess, she was deeply loved by the late Emperor. Among the late Emperor's children, Yuqing Princess and Rongxin Princess were extremely close sisters. Yuqing Princess married the Marquis of Lin'an, while Rongxin Princess married the current top scholar, but unfortunately, that top scholar passed away after only a few years, and Rongxin Princess did not remarry, instead moving back to the princess's residence, living alone as a widow for many years.

  I think Yu Qing Gong Zhu and Rong Xin Gong Zhu's friendship will also help Xie Jing Hang with this matter.

  Shen Miao raised her eyes and glanced at Xie Jingxuan, who was indeed thinking far ahead. If he were to arrange for the Shen family members to come over now, they would likely see them in a compromising position, with their clothes disheveled, and it would be hard to avoid misunderstandings. Given the relationship between the Shen and Xie families, who knows what might happen in the future? Having Princess Yongxin intervene was not a bad idea after all.

  The sound of fireworks came from above, Shen Miao was leaning against the window of the boat, and when she heard the sound, she looked out along the window. In the night sky under the capital city's night sky, the colorful fireworks were shining brightly. As Bai Lu and Shuang said, the fireworks tonight would not stop, just now when the crowd was surging, looking at the calm lake surface now, the mood was different again.

  "Do you like watching these?" Xie Jinghang raised an eyebrow.

  "I don't like it," Shen Miao replied.

  Every year, the imperial family would hold a grand banquet, and the emperor would indulge in merriment with his consorts. In the imperial garden, countless fireworks would be lit, filling the sky with color and light. It was during one such occasion that she had just returned from Qin, and suddenly, there appeared a new favorite consort, Madame Mei, whose favor showed no signs of waning. On the night of the banquet, Madame Mei and Fu Xiuyi were drinking and making merry in the imperial garden, while she sat alone in Kun Ning Palace, accompanied only by Wen Yu and Fu Ming, watching the fireworks light up the sky and then fade away. It was the coldest display of fireworks she had ever seen, and from that day on, she lost interest in such things.

  "Fleeting things, what's good to look at. A flower stand that looks good but is useless." Her tone was tinged with a hint of resentment, her eyes seemed somewhat desolate.

  Xie Jingxu looked at her in surprise, thought for a moment, got up and took something out of the cabinet on one side. He walked to Shen Miao's side and handed over what was in his hand to Shen Miao.

  "It's uncertain how long it'll take for the boat to dock. Since today is the Jade Rabbit Festival, why don't you make a flower lantern too?" said Xie Jinghang.

  Shen Miao gazed at the flower lantern in her hand, which was probably left behind by people who had played on the boat earlier. It hadn't been lit yet and was neatly stacked. Looking out the window, the surface of Wanli Lake was surrounded by layers of flower lanterns, and their boat sailed through a dazzling array, as if it were a ferry in a silver river.

  Xie Jingxing himself made one first, and after making the flower lamp, he casually put it into the lake water, his movements were also careless. Shen Miao saw this and asked: "Why didn't you write a note?"

  In the flower lanterns, paper slips are inserted, on which the wishes of the lamp maker are written. In this way, the gods can hear people's prayers and will bless the lamp maker to achieve their goals in the coming year.

  "I don't believe in God." Xie Jinghang said lazily: "Then don't write it."

  Shen Miao thought for a moment, and indeed couldn't imagine what it would be like for Xie Jingxuan, with his arrogant and unruly personality, to sincerely pray for divine protection. She folded the two flower lanterns, but didn't write any notes or put candles inside; instead, she used a fire starter to light the flowers on top of the lanterns and then placed them in the lake.

  Two lotus lanterns burned from top to bottom, appearing like two balls of fire on the lake surface. Xie Jinghang was taken aback and asked: "These are worship lanterns, what are you doing?"

  Lighting up flower lanterns, this is a lamp dedicated to the deceased. It's bustling like this, Shen Miao is actually here to worship the dead.

  Shen Miao didn't respond to Xie Jingxuan's words, she just watched as the flower lantern gradually burned until the flames engulfed it whole. After a long time, there was no longer any sign of the two flower lanterns on the surface of the lake.

  Reborn for a lifetime, some things can be replayed, while others cannot. For example, Yuwen and Fuming, in this life and the next, once they meet again, it will be forever goodbye. In this life, there is no longer that gentle and elegant princess, nor the understanding and steady prince.

  On the other hand, when Pa Zi handed it over to Shen Miao, she lifted her head and Xie Jing Yun impatiently said: "Why are you crying again."

  Shen Miao touched her cheek, and without realizing it, her cheek was wet. Probably because of the joy and sorrow, she had unknowingly shed tears.

  She took over the handkerchief and Xie Jinghang said: "You have some sense of justice, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come to me."

  Shen Miao was taken aback by the sudden words, and looked at Xie Jingxing. The young man's profile under the lanterns of the lake was even more striking and handsome. He leaned against the window, looking at Shen Miao, with a complex glint in his eyes that flashed briefly. But he said casually: "I don't like owing people favors, so since you didn't expose me today, I won't treat you unfairly either. You seem to have gotten into quite some trouble yourself, maybe someday you'll need my help, and when that day comes, I'll lend a hand because of what happened today."

  Shen Miao said: "Thank you, young master."

  Xie Jinghang smiled and suddenly turned his head to look at him, with a hint of teasing in his tone: "However, Bai Hua, don't fall in love with me."

  Shen Miao was almost amused to death, and she said: "Young Master Hou is thinking too much."

  "Is that so?" Xie Jingxuan walked over from the window, looking down at Shen Miao who was sitting on the couch, and suddenly pulled out the hairpin from Shen Miao's head. He held it in his hand, lost in thought, and said: "Then why do you still wear the hairpin I gave you?"

  He intentionally bit the word "I" a bit heavily.

  Shen Miao's words were stuck in her throat, just as she was about to say that the maid had put it on herself, she heard Xie Jingxing continue: "Today you touched me and looked at me, but as for giving yourself to me, forget it." He smiled with ill intentions: "A little maid who hasn't grown up yet, I'm not so hungry that I'll eat anything."

  This person's words are too poisonous! And they like to turn black and white upside down! Shen Miao has met either hypocrites or those with a self-righteous air in her past life and this one, but it's the first time she's met someone who can talk others to death with such audacity.

  "I don't like Young Master Hou, and I won't like him in the future either. Young Master Hou can rest assured." Shen Miao said sarcastically.

  "That's good." Xie Jinghang stared at her, the smile on his lips still playful, but in the dark eyes, a warning and indifference flashed for an instant. He said: "Little girl, I'm not a good person."

  Shen Miao didn't say a word. Xie Jing was not a good person, could she be considered a good person? Maybe in her past life, but this life's her, sinister and ruthless, had nothing to do with the word "good".

  The boat drifted quietly downstream, and outside the window, a gentle snowfall began to fall. The lake's surface was half-covered with sparkling snowflakes and half-illuminated by the dazzling lights of lanterns. In the sky, fireworks exploded in a kaleidoscope of colors. This New Year's Yuè Hǎo Jié (Jade Rabbit Festival) seemed uneventful, but it was still special nonetheless.

  The boy in purple clothes leaned against the window, staring blankly outside, and didn't know how long he had been looking. When he turned his head, he found that Shen Miao had fallen asleep on the small table at some point.

  When she fell asleep, her face didn't have the distant and elegant demeanor that kept people at bay. Due to today's commotion, her cheeks were still flushed, wrapped in Xie Jinghang's slightly oversized fox fur coat, really like a little girl who hadn't grown up yet. Her hair had been warmed by the heater and was slightly dry, a strand of long hair covering her eyes, probably because it was a bit itchy, Shen Miao frowned in her sleep.

  Xie Jing walked to her side, paused for a moment, reached out and tucked the strand of hair that covered her eyes behind her ear, then pulled out the jade hairpin he had just pulled from Shen Miao's head and played with it for a while before gently inserting it back into Shen Miao's hair. He crossed his arms and looked at Shen Miao for a moment, seeing that she was sleeping soundly, raised an eyebrow and said: "Sleeping so soundly in front of a strange man, really doesn't know how to be afraid."

  After sitting for a while, the boat shook violently and finally docked.

  Xie Jing walked to the bow of the boat, and from the shore emerged several figures in black clothes. The leader said: "Report to Master, everything has been taken care of cleanly. Is Master returning to the mansion now?"

  Xie Jinghang turned his head and glanced at the cabin, saying: "First go to the princess's mansion, Iron Clothes, bring a horse-drawn carriage over." He walked back into the cabin, knocked on the small table, and Shen Miao woke up with a drowsy expression. Xie Jinghang said: "We've reached the shore."

  "Are we there yet?" Shen Miao suddenly woke up, took a glance outside the window and was about to head out, but her leg injury hadn't fully recovered yet. As soon as she stood up, her legs went soft and she almost fell over. Xie Jingxing quickly grasped her arm, thought for a moment, then wrapped Shen Miao's fox fur cloak tightly around her and scooped her up in his arms, carrying her out of the boat.

  Shen Miao was startled and subconsciously reached out to wrap her arms around Xie Jingxuan's neck. She looked up to see Xie Jingxuan hooking his lips, saying: "Be honest, don't take advantage of me."

  Shen Miao: "......" Xie Jingxing's arm wrapped around her shoulder, he was tall and had long legs, picking up Shen Miao with ease. Shen Miao's head rested on his chest, she could feel his firm and strong heartbeat, and unexpectedly felt a bit uneasy.

  Except for the boat, it wasn't until then that he realized a group of black-clad men had been standing outside for some time. Seeing Xie Jingxing carrying out a little girl, although they tried their best to endure, they all looked somewhat different. The most relaxed one was Xie Jingxing, who walked up to the horse carriage and threw Shen Miao inside, saying: "Go to the Princess's residence." He left without even looking back.

  The horse carriage swayed and walked away, leaving a group of black-clad men looking at each other in dismay. A young tall man said: "Tie Yi, why did the master carry out a little girl? What is the relationship between that little girl and the master?"

  "Ah, ah," another woman also walked over, stroking her chin thoughtfully: "So many years have passed, and so many beauties haven't been able to get close to the master's side. It turns out the master has a taste for this kind of thing." Her eyes lit up: "Haha, no wonder."

  "Go away, go away, who said that." Another mature woman with a charming appearance said discontentedly: "What's so good about that yellow-haired girl, is her hair even grown yet?"

  "Huo Jing, I know you like the master, but this one, it's not worth being jealous about." The woman from before laughed and looked at the middle-aged man in the center: "Tie Yi, you're the closest to the master, who is that little girl? What's going on between her and the master? Tell us!"

  "Shut up!" The iron-clad man in the middle couldn't bear it anymore and said, "All of you go back! If the people from the Dark Department are so idle, they can go guard the tower prison tomorrow."

  As soon as this was said, the crowd immediately retreated and dispersed, saying: "Suddenly remembered that there are still some things" "Have those corpses been cleaned up?" "Let's go back to the dark department to report the situation first" "Today is really treacherous" They chatted while walking away.

  Tie Yi let out a sigh of relief and then turned around and disappeared into the night.

  But on the other hand, in the princess's mansion. When the people outside reported that Xie Jing came, Princess Rongxin had already prepared for bed.

  She has been a widow for many years, and there are no children by her side. Every time the New Year's Day arrives, she feels even more lonely. Although Emperor Wen of the palace and she have a brotherly relationship, they are not truly close as they were not born from the same mother. Moreover, living in the palace with the emperor is not as comfortable as staying in the princess mansion, so for many years on the Jade Rabbit Festival, Princess Rongxin neither enters the palace nor goes out to play, but quietly stays in the mansion, just like usual.

  But today was different, and when Xie Jinghang arrived, Princess Rongxin was still a bit surprised. After changing her clothes again, she went out to greet him, and as soon as she walked into the hall, she saw that Xie Jinghang was already sitting in a chair waiting for her. When he saw her, he also smiled slightly: "Aunt Rong."

  Rongxin Princess's nickname was Yurong, and she had a deep sisterly relationship with Yuqing Princess. It wasn't excessive for Xie Jinghang to call her Aunt Rong.

  "How come you're here today?" Princess Rongxin was taken aback by Xie Jinghang's sudden appearance, with a mix of confusion and delight. She had no children of her own and had long regarded Xie Jinghang as her own son. She pitied his circumstances, having lost his mother, Princess Yuqing, and had even scolded Xie Ding for being cruel to him when she came to the Duke's mansion to offer condolences. Although Xie Jinghang was mischievous, he treated Princess Rongxin with great respect, visiting her on every New Year's Day, but this year he arrived on the Jade Rabbit Festival, which caught her off guard.

  "Missing Aunt Rong, I'll just come and take a look. Aunt Rong won't be unwelcoming to me, will she?" Xie Jinghang said with a smile. He was originally handsome, and speaking in this half-joking and half-serious manner made him appear even more charming and suave, causing the faces of all the maids in the hall to flush red.

  Rong Xin Gongzhu nodded his forehead and smiled: "Even I, an old man, dare to tease you. You rascal, your audacity is getting bolder."

  "Missing Aunt Rong is one thing, but since you're here tonight, there's also something I need to ask for your help with," he said.

  Rong Xin Gongzhu was taken aback, then sat up straight and said seriously: "Jing Xing, have you encountered some difficulties or is there something that's hard to handle? Just tell Rong Aunt about it."

  "Don't worry, Aunt Rong, it's just a small matter." Xie Jinghang explained with a smile: "I have a friend who got separated from her family on the Jade Rabbit Festival today and unfortunately fell into the water. Although I saved her, it was a bit inconvenient. I'd like to ask Aunt Rong to send her back under the name of the Princess's Mansion."

  Although he said it simply, Princess Rongxin understood the matter as soon as she heard it. Although Mingqi is more open to men and women's affairs, after all, a girl's reputation is very sensitive, and if you're not careful, some rumors will spread, which can be unbearable. However... Princess Rongxin looked at Xie Jinghang: "Your friend, is actually a girl?"

  Xie Jinghang nodded.

  "All these years, I haven't seen any girls by your side." Princess Rongxin suddenly asked with a smile: "Jing Xing, you're also an adult now, don't know which girl is in her teens, and if there's a marriage arrangement at home?"

  "Yong Yi," Xie Jinghang said helplessly, "She's still a young girl. It's just that I owed her a personal favor before, so I had to help out. Yong Yi wouldn't refuse to help me, would she?"

  "What are you talking about?" Princess Rongxin feigned anger: "When did Aunt Rong not help you? Alright, alright, where is that girl now?"

  "On the carriage outside, Aunt Rong will bring you a change of clothes." said Xie Jingxing.

  Upon hearing this, Princess Rongxin's gaze towards Xie Jinghang became even more meaningful. Xie Jinghang saw the situation and simply shook his head with a smile, too lazy to explain. Princess Rongxin ordered her maid to take Shen Miao from the carriage to rest in the mansion's bedroom, and then asked Xie Jinghang: "But you still haven't told me, which family is she from?"

  "The capital's Shen family, the eldest daughter of General Wei Wu, Shen Miao." Xie Jinghang said lazily.

  Rong Xin Gongzhu was drinking tea, and upon hearing this, she almost choked on the water. She looked at Xie Jinghang in disbelief and said: "That silly noblewoman, isn't she infatuated with Ding Wang?"

  Xie Jinghang shrugged, and Princess Rongxin looked at him carefully, choosing her words: "Jinghang, there are countless girls in the world... you're still young this year... let's wait a bit longer."

  Xie Jinghang: "......"

  Two flowers bloomed, each representing a branch. On one side, Princess Rongxin and Xie Jinghang were having a heart-to-heart conversation. On the other side, Shen Miao sat in Princess Rongxin's bedroom, watching as the maids came and went, helping her tidy up her clothes and hair.

  Rong Xin Princess didn't treat her with such enthusiasm in the past, perhaps she looked down on her self-righteous behavior, or maybe she thought her talent was rough and unrefined. In short, Rong Xin Princess treated her coldly. Even after she became the Empress, Rong Xin Princess remained indifferent to her. Also because Rong Xin Princess rarely stayed in the palace, occasionally entering the palace once in a while, her gaze towards Shen Miao wasn't particularly friendly either. In Shen Miao's heart, Rong Xin Princess was also someone difficult to get along with.

  Who would have thought that such diligence would make Shen Miao feel inexplicably puzzled.