Jing Chuchu and Shen Miao went out, but only one of them returned. It seemed that no one in the Shen household had noticed their departure. However, that night, Shen Miao unexpectedly came to the old lady's quarters, looking for Jing Chuchu to talk to her.

  Jing Chuchu was fiddling with the ornaments on the table, among which a jade bangle stood out for its exceptional brilliance, its color being almost transparent and of excellent quality. This jade bangle must have cost at least over a hundred taels of silver, which Jing Chuchu herself could not afford to buy. However, yesterday Shen Miao bought some ornaments for Jing Chuchu at the Treasure Pavilion, but this jade bangle was not among them.

  As soon as Shen Miao entered the house, she stared at the jade bangle. Jing Chuchu was startled and hastily put it away in a box. Shen Miao smiled and said, "Elder sister's jade bangle doesn't seem to be an ordinary item."

  Jing Chu asked in a low voice: "Does Fifth Sister know about this bangle?"

  "I once saw a similar piece, but its quality wasn't as good as this one. Even so, it was sold for 500 taels of silver at the time. I think your sister's piece would cost at least 1,000 taels of white silver." Shen Miao casually made up a price, knowing that the jade bangle was indeed precious but not worth 1,000 taels of white silver - with that amount, one could buy even better jewelry. However, given Jing Chu Chu's taste, she would likely believe it even if Shen Miao exaggerated further.

  "But sister, this jade bangle is so precious, where did it come from?" Shen Miao asked: "I haven't seen you wear it before."

  "It's...a gift from a friend." Jing Chu said in a low voice.

  A hint of understanding flashed in Shen Miao's eyes. Sun Cai Nan's way of making women happy was not just about his handsome face and sweet words, he was also generous with his money. Otherwise, Jing Chu Chu, who was already the wife of a deputy general in her previous life, would not have fallen for him so easily. Indeed, receiving such a lavish gift on their first meeting, it was hard for Jing Chu Chu, who had never seen the world, to remain unmoved.

  "It seems this friend of yours is very good to your cousin," Shen Miao said.

  Jing Chu's face turned red as she looked at Shen Miao: "Fifth sister has come over, what is the matter?"

  Shen Miao slowly and elegantly adjusted her clothes before saying, "I heard that today, Eldest Sister was sent back by someone?"

  "I met a kind-hearted young master." Jing Chu said with some surprise: "He was very kind, I didn't dare to decline, but we have always adhered to etiquette."

  "Cousin, don't be nervous," Shen Miao smiled slightly: "Cousin, do you know who that person is?"

  "Who is it?"

  "He is the only legitimate son of Sun Tianzheng, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Sun Cai Nan." said Shen Miao.

  Jing Chu looked at Shen Miao, her eyes full of surprise.

  Shen Miao sneered inwardly, Sun Tianzheng was too strict with Sun Cai Nan, who flirted with women everywhere but rarely revealed his true identity unless he planned to take that girl as a concubine. As for Jing Chu Chu, he probably didn't reveal his true identity either. Jing Chu Chu must have thought Sun Cai Nan was just the young master of a wealthy family; now that she knows his true identity, how could the ambitious Jing Chu Chu let go of this opportunity to climb up the social ladder?

  "Eldest Sister also knows that the Minister of the Board of War is a very high-ranking official." Shen Miao smiled slightly: "Compared to our household, theirs isn't much better. The most important thing is, Lord Sun only has one legitimate son, and someone with his status would actually send Eldest Sister back to the manor... could it be that he...?" Shen Miao said lightly: "has some feelings for Eldest Sister?"

  "Five sisters, don't talk nonsense." Jing Chu Chu hurriedly refuted, but her face quickly turned red, and her eyes became a bit evasive. Obviously, Shen Miao's words had stirred up some waves in her heart. She said in a low voice: "I and Sun Gongzi are innocent."

  "I didn't say you have anything." Shen Miao smiled and said: "A virtuous and beautiful lady, a good match for the young master. My sister's beauty is renowned, and it's only natural that she would capture the heart of a noble like Wang Sun Gongzi. However, Wang Sun Gongzi is indeed a decent person, with a dignified appearance and a wealthy family background. If anyone were to become his wife, they would be the mistress of the entire Shangshu Fu, after all, Minister Sun only has this one legitimate son."

  Jing Chu Chu pursed her lips and didn't speak. Shen Miao stood up, smiled and said: "I just came over to casually say a few words, don't take it to heart, Big Sister. The things in this world are mostly dependent on fate. If there really is that kind of fate, who knows what the situation will be like in the future? At that time, Big Sister will definitely be able to stay in Dingjing City for the rest of her life." After saying this, Shen Miao turned around and walked out.

  Jingchu sat alone in the house, subconsciously taking out the smooth jade bangle from the box and stroking the patterns on it. She hadn't expected that Sun Cai Nan was actually the son of the Minister of Justice, as for why he didn't reveal his identity, probably because, just like in the opera, he didn't want to be close to her because of his family background. Wasn't this proof that Sun Cai Nan's intentions towards her were genuine? Otherwise, why would he give her a bangle worth thousands of taels as soon as they met?

  To be honest, Jiang Chu was from a humble background, although she had many aristocratic pursuers in Suzhou, but compared to Sun Cai Nan's talent, they seemed insignificant. Having experienced the prosperity of Beijing, she didn't want to return to Suzhou. Now Shen Miao's last words had moved her heart, if she married Sun Cai Nan, she could stay in Beijing for a lifetime.

  But... what about Old Lady Shen's side?

  As soon as Shen Miao stepped out of the courtyard, she ran into Jing Guansheng. Jing Guansheng saw her and his eyes lit up, smiling: "Sister is here to see Chuchu?"

  Shen Miao nodded slightly.

  "His cousin is now getting closer to Chuchu." Jing Guansheng wanted to move forward, but unfortunately, Xingzhen and Guyu were guarding him like a bodyguard in front of him, and Jing Guansheng considered himself a refined person, so he didn't want to show his desire by moving closer.

  "It doesn't matter, we're all family." Shen Miao smiled and didn't look at Jing Guansheng again, lifting her foot to walk out of the courtyard.

  "Miss, are you hoping to play matchmaker for Miss Biao and Master Sun?" Shen Miao had been praising Sun Zai Nan's virtues nonstop, but when the two maidservants heard it, they found it particularly suspicious, feeling that it was very similar to a matchmaker coming to their door.

  "When have you ever seen me so kind?" Shen Miao said with a expressionless face.

  "That's why..." Gū Yǔ was even more puzzled.

  "It's enough to mess with Sister Miao's heart," Shen Miao said with a faint smile: "The old lady and Sister Miao had the same goal before, so the two people are naturally close, but if what they want is not the same thing, guess what will happen?"

  A clever servant: "Dogs bite dogs!" Suddenly reacted, flustered and said: "I didn't say they are dogs, I don't know characters..."

  "What you said isn't bad either." Shen Miao said: "The saying 'dogs biting dogs' is quite good. Also, in the next few days, go and build a good relationship with Fu Er from Tong Rong Jing Tang."

  "Fo Er?" Shen Miao was taken aback.

  "The old lady wants to marry her off to the son of the steward who lost an eye. Shen Miao said: 'Fu'er is not willing at all.'"

  "My goodness." Jing Zhen was stunned: "Fu Er has been following the old lady since she was a child, how...". Even the cats and dogs they raised had some feelings, how could they marry a young girl in her prime to a one-eyed dragon? Fu Er was efficient in doing things, although her mouth was fierce, but she was loyal to Shen Lao Furen.

  "Madam Shen received the annual share of land rent from Guan Shi, so she had to make some gesture. Unwilling to give out silver, she had to send someone instead. It's a pity that Fu'er was born with bad luck but good looks."

  "That girl is going to help Fuer?" Gu Yu asked cautiously, but in her heart, she had a strange feeling. Shen Miao didn't care about anyone in Rong Jing Tang, and now she wasn't someone with a kind heart, wanting to help Fuer seemed impossible.

  "Of course I'll help." Shen Miao said calmly and leisurely: "Every mistake Old Madam makes is an opportunity for us."

  "Does the young lady want to buy Fu'er?" Jing Zhen asked, "But can Fu'er be bought? In the past, Fu'er was most loyal to the old madam."

  "Loyalty that is not rewarded will only lead to greater betrayal. The dog raised by one's side will bite the deepest when it goes mad." Shen Miao said calmly.

  For several days, the Shen Mansion had been quiet and peaceful. Jing Chuchu was no longer often seen lingering in front of the West Wing, but instead would often take a few guards from the Shen Mansion out for a stroll, saying she wanted to see the bustle of the capital city. No one stopped her, and as far as the people of the West Wing were concerned, they couldn't wait for Jing Chuchu to go out every day, and the guards at the entrance of the West Wing could also relax a bit.

  However, the clothes and accessories on Jing Chu Chu's body became more luxurious day by day. Although Old Lady Shen also gave silver to the two siblings of the Jing family, due to her originally stingy identity, she wouldn't give too much. Jing Chu Chu dressed up so luxuriously that even Shen Yue felt surprised, but when asked, Jing Chu Chu said it was from the silver she brought from her own home. Even Jing Guan Sheng's hands were more generous, and the silver he gave to the young servants of the Shen Mansion increased.

  Everyone said it was because the two siblings of the Qin family came to Dingjing City, their horizons broadened, and the habits of small families also became more restrained, becoming more and more like people in Dingjing City.

  Jing Chu Chu's brother and sister were comfortable, but naturally there were people in the mansion who were not so comfortable. In Rong Jing Tang, Old Lady Shen looked at Jing Chu Chu in front of her, with a sharp glint in her eyes: "Chu Chu, how have you been lately? Is there anything uncomfortable about coming to Dingjing?"

  "Thanks to the old lady's blessing, Chu Chu passed very well." said Jing Chu Chu.

  "Since you're doing well, why haven't you used the medicine package I gave you until now?" Madam Shen's triangular eyes stared tightly at Jing Chuchu, her tone was quite heavy, if someone had a small temper, they might be scared to tears by her fierce appearance.

  Jing Chu Chu lowered her head and said, "Old Madam, I'm afraid that even now, I still can't get close to my cousin's side, and I really can't find an opportunity."

  Madam Shen handed over the medicine package to Jing Chuchu early on, only letting her wait for an opportunity to give it to Shen Qiu. But who knew that so many days had passed, and the Shen household was calm and peaceful, and Jing Chuchu hadn't made a move at all.

  "You've been wandering around outside all day and only return to the manor late at night. It's strange if you can't even find time for this." Old Lady Shen couldn't help but sneer, "Chu Chu, are you unwilling? If you're unwilling, then forget about it."

  "Chu Chu didn't mind at all." Jing Chu Chu hastily said. These days, she would secretly meet with Sun Cai Nan every day outside, pretending not to know his identity. Sun Cai Nan treated her gently and carefully, sending her clothes and jewelry. It was precisely because of these things from Sun Cai Nan that made Jing Chu Chu hesitate in her heart. Compared to Shen Qiu who had to go to the northwest for a year without seeing anyone, marrying Sun Cai Nan would obviously be more comfortable. However, whether Sun Cai Nan was willing to marry her was another question. Jing Chu Chu had always guarded her chastity and knew men's weaknesses: letting them see but not touch, touching but not getting enough, getting enough but not being satisfied, this way they could firmly capture a man's heart. She indeed had enchanted Sun Cai Nan, making him infatuated, but Sun Cai Nan was the eldest son of the Shangshu Mansion, while she came from a humble background. Even if Sun Cai Nan liked her, Sun Tian Zheng would not agree to let them marry. Becoming Sun Cai Nan's concubine was something she was unwilling to do.

  So Jing Chu Chu hesitated, if she were to marry Shen Qiu, Old Lady Shen would guarantee that she could become the legitimate wife of Shen Qiu, but Sun Cai Nan treated her with warmth and elegance. People's hearts are all greedy, having achieved one thing they look for another, looking at the pot while eating from the bowl, Jing Chu Chu couldn't make up her mind, so she didn't give Shen Qiu the medicine.

  She hesitated and didn't take action, but Old Lady Shen was anxious, hadn't she just come to find fault with her.

  "Since you are willing, why don't you take action?" asked Old Lady Shen.

  "Chu Chu... wants to make sure everything is perfect before making a move, after all, the west wing guards are very tight, and it's hard for Chu Chu to find an opportunity. If they scare the snake while cutting the grass, it will be even harder to take action again."

  "Chu Chu, I have high hopes for you." Old Lady Shen said slowly: "But if you continue to be like this, I will also be disappointed. If you spare the rod and spoil the child, you won't be able to catch the wolf. You are so timid, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to accomplish anything in the future."

  Jing Chu roughly nodded in agreement.

  The old lady looked at her with a hint of disgust and said, "Get out."

  Jing Chu Chu hastily retreated.

  After Jingchu left, Old Lady Shen slammed the cup in front of her and shouted: "Something that can't even be put on the table!"

  Mrs. Zhang instructed the maid to pick up the fragments on the ground while softly comforting, "Don't worry, old lady, Miss Bao is probably just a bit timid, after all, young ladies from good families have some reservations about doing such things."

  "How can I not be anxious?" Old Lady Shen said with a huff: "Guan Er came to tell me yesterday that the old master has been looking for a daughter-in-law everywhere, and if it really comes down to it, it will be even more impossible to take action in the future. I originally thought that Jing Chu Chu was an ambitious person, so I helped her out, but who knew she was a hopeless case!"

  Mrs. Zhang patted the chest of Old Mrs. Shen to help her catch her breath: "Miss is still young, after all. And what Miss said also makes some sense. Nowadays, the whole family of Master is on high alert, if things go wrong, it will be like beating the grass and startling the snake, and both sides will suffer."

  "What can we do?" Old Mrs. Shen said irritably, "Now that time is pressing, and that girl refuses to take action, can't just sit back and watch Shen Qiu marry a high-born miss?"

  "Old lady," Zhang's mother hesitated for a moment: "Miss is still young, it's somewhat risky to let her do this, why not let our people do it?"

  "Our people?" Old Lady Shen looked at her.

  "Not bad," said Zhang's mother. "If our people do it, they will naturally be more thorough than Miss Biao, and if there is a problem later, we can also let Miss Biao take the blame and leave a way out for ourselves. However, I think there won't be any problems, this kind of thing was done with ease by the maidservants in the past, it's as easy as turning one's hand over."

  Madam Shen's eyes flickered, and she was silent for a moment before suddenly saying: "What you said isn't wrong either. Since that girl doesn't dare to take action, let someone help her out. Call in Fu'er and Xi'er."

  Rong Jing Tang's change of mind was naturally unknown to anyone, but whether those who knew would say it out loud or not was another matter. On the surface, everything seemed to be developing in an orderly manner.

  That day, Shen Miao returned to the West Wing from outside and happened to run into Shen Guan.

  Since the arrival of Jingchu siblings at Shen Manor, Shen Yuan has been busy with something and is rarely seen. He returns late every day after leaving early in the morning, which makes Shen Gui unhappy, thinking that Shen Yuan is intentionally avoiding him because of Ren Yuanyun's matter. They had a few quarrels, but they all ended in separation without reconciliation. However, these quarrels did not affect Shen Yuan, who still rarely appears in the manor.

  It turned out we met here.

  Look at Shen Miao, Shen Yu slowed down his pace and said, "Fifth sister."

  "Second brother."

  "Word has it that Fifth Sister has been getting quite close to her cousins recently," Shen Yuan said with a smile: "Is this just after returning from Cousin's place?" He happened to mention Jing Guansheng alone, as if hinting at something between Shen Miao and Jing Guansheng. Bai Lu and Shuang Jiang both furrowed their brows, Shen Yuan's words didn't sound very pleasant.

  Shen Miao glanced at Shen Yuan, not responding to his words, and said: "It seems that Second Brother has just returned from Second Aunt's place. I heard that Second Aunt's symptoms have been alleviated recently, is she almost recovered?" Ren Yuanyun had not appeared for a long time, and all the big and small matters of the second house were handed over to Wan Niangniang to handle. Even Shen Lao Furen, who had always looked down on Wan Niangniang, did not say anything. Everyone in the Shen household knew that Ren Yuanyun would never regain her former glory in the second half of her life. And Ren Yuanyun's natal family were only wealthy merchants, with no power or influence to speak of, so they couldn't help much either.

  Shen Yuan's face paused for a moment, and he looked her up and down before smiling: "Little sister, you look like you're in high spirits lately. Is there something good about to happen?"

  Because of Shen Xin's couple return, Shen Qiu changed his ways every day to show his devotion to Shen Miao. Nowadays' Shen Miao is no longer the naive and tasteless little girl she used to be. Her temperament has improved, her skin tone has become better, at least wherever she is placed, she won't be ignored by people.

  "What good things do I have? It's Second Brother who seems to be very busy these days, perhaps something good is approaching." Shen Miao replied.

  Upon hearing this, Shen Jian's face actually revealed a look that could be described as joyful. He said: "Oh? Been found out? These past few days have been quite troublesome and gloomy, but recently Second Brother has been thinking of ways to drive them away. Seeing things going smoothly, I suppose it's somewhat exciting." He then looked at Shen Miao with a profound gaze: "However, Fifth Sister shouldn't belittle herself either. I think Fifth Sister's good fortune is also approaching soon."

  Shen Miao didn't say a word. Shen Qian nodded slightly and said, "There are still some things that I won't discuss with you here, Fifth Sister. Farewell." After finishing speaking, he took large strides to leave.

  Bai Lu angrily said: "These two young masters are really too impolite." Shen Yuan's hostility towards Shen Miao, the sarcastic words he spoke, everyone could hear.

  Shen Miao frowned tightly and stared at Shen Yu's back without saying a word.

  "Miss?" Frost asked anxiously.

  "He's a bit strange," said Shen Miao. She knew Shen Guan very well, don't underestimate him, he seemed to be indifferent to the affairs of the mansion, but was actually the most ruthless and cunning one. Now Shen Miao could confirm that Shen Qiu's ending in his previous life must have been related to Shen Guan.

  Although Shen Yuan doesn't know that some things have been misplaced under Shen Miao's arrangement, the words just now seem to reveal some news, and Shen Yuan still has a follow-up move.

  "How about letting Mo Shuaiwei follow Second Young Master?" suggested Frost.

  "No need, Fu Xiuyi isn't capable of that yet." Shen Miao shook her head. Fu Xiuyi wasn't someone to be feared, but the person behind him was a different story. She said, "Let's just wait and see what happens."

  As soon as she returned to the Western Courtyard, she had just stepped through the door when she saw Gu Yu and Jing Zhen waiting anxiously inside. Seeing Shen Miao return, Gu Yu quickly closed the door and pulled Shen Miao to sit down in front of the inner room bed, and only then did Jing Zhen say in a low voice: "Miss, Rong Jing Tang's Fu Er has sent word."

  "How?" Shen Miao asked.

  "The old lady plans to take matters into her own hands and has arranged for it to happen two days later." Jing Zhen angrily said: "The old lady is really too wicked, the master and mistress treated her so well, but she actually plotted against the young master. And that cousin miss, I've long thought she wasn't a good person, truly shameless!"

  "Alright." Gu Yu interrupted her: "Miss, what are we doing now?"

  "Why is it two days later?" Shen Miao asked.

  Two days later, there was a family banquet. Coincidentally, one of the second wife's closest friends in the boudoir was coming to visit the second wife... Suddenly, Shen Lao Furen didn't finish speaking, but her intention was unmistakable: she wanted to take advantage of the crowd to confirm Shen Qiu's slander against Jing Chu Chu's innocence. In front of everyone's eyes, she would make Shen Qiu give an explanation to the young lady, how could Shen Qiu refuse?

  The same means as before, reborn, Mrs. Shen's approach is still not clever anywhere.

  "Alright, you tell Fuer a sentence." Shen Miao beckoned to let Jing Xuan come closer and whispered two sentences in her ear.

  "But still need someone to keep an eye on it." Shen Miao said: "This matter cannot go wrong."

  "I understand." A spark of eagerness flashed in her eyes: "I will definitely be able to do this well."

  "This is a good thing, don't let others ruin it. A bad marriage is a form of retribution." She stretched out her two hands and gently tapped the tea cup in front of her, with an air of calmness and composure that was on par with those in high positions.

  At night, in a village hundreds of miles outside the capital city, someone sat upright in the main hall.

  The people standing in the hall were all dressed in black, with long boots and a uniform appearance that was awe-inspiring. The leader of them bowed his hands and said: "Your subordinate has handled things poorly, and the news has been sent back, please punish your master."

  "It's done." The young man sitting in the main seat lazily waved his hand, wearing a purple robe with delicate golden dragon patterns embroidered on the hem. Under the flickering candlelight, the golden dragon seemed to be flying out of the flowing purple clouds. He played with a woman's hairpin in his hand, and his handsome face had an evil charm, as if he was a noble young master from a prominent family who was carefree and insolent. However, upon closer inspection, his intoxicating and stunning peach blossom eyes were calm and still, like ice and snow, without any hint of emotion.

  "You can't hide it." Xie Jinghang said, "I didn't plan to hide it anyway. It's just a matter of buying time. Now that the news has been sent back, the time is even more pressing."

  "Master," said the black-clad man who was in charge, frowning: "The matters in the capital have not been settled yet, and time is pressing now. What does Master plan to do?"

  "No future troubles, then," he said offhandedly after a moment's thought, "find an opportunity to take care of Xie Changwu and his brothers." Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao shared the same blood as him, but when Xie Jingxing spoke, there was no hesitation, as if they were just strangers, or even just cats and dogs.

  "Master?" The man in black hesitated and asked: "After so many years... why Master?"

  "Previously lazy to care, now they two are restless," Xie Jinghang said: "Not only that, I am also uneasy about leaving."

  "However, the Marquis Xie has already brought them into officialdom," said the man in black. "In recent days, the two brothers have been following the Marquis Xie closely, and it is said that the Marquis Xie has introduced them to his colleagues in the official circle and instructed them to take good care of them. It's not difficult to make a move, but it would be hard to avoid alarming others."

  "Xie Ding this fool!" Xie Jing's face sank, his tone slightly angry: "Not enough to succeed, but enough to fail."

  He called out Lin An's name like that, and the people below didn't show any surprise, as if it was a matter of course.

  The man in black coughed lightly and said, "Because the master has not entered officialdom for a long time, Marquis Ye is afraid that there will be no one to inherit his title, so he let these two take the lead first."

  Xie Jingxing's bad behavior isn't something that happened overnight, it seems Xie Ding is really at a loss for what to do with him now. Otherwise, with Lin'an being so biased in his favor, why would he give up on Xie Jingxing and let the two brothers Xie Changwu inherit his legacy?

  "Never mind." Xie Jinghang furrowed his brow: "Let's put the Lin'an Marquis' estate on hold for now. As for the Princess's estate, from today onwards, send someone to secretly protect Princess Rongxin."

  "My lord," the man in black hesitated for a moment, as if he had made up his mind, and then ruthlessly said: "Since it will be so in the future, it's better to clarify the relationship with Princess Rongxin now..."

  "When will it be your turn to teach me how to do things?" Xie Jinghang gave him a light glance, and the latter immediately fell silent, feeling a chill run down his spine. The next moment, the voice above his head came: "Whether I do or not is my business, whether she understands or not is her business, I have already been benevolent to the utmost."

  His words were laced with a faint indifference and ruthlessness, paired with his handsome face that was unmatched by anyone else, it sent shivers down one's spine.

  He stood up, his robe corner slightly swaying on the seat, and in a flowing golden light, he said: "Proceed according to plan."

  "Stalling for time in the capital, I heard that Shen Yuan has already collected nearly half of the evidence," the man in black said: "I'm afraid after the New Year's Eve, Shen Yuan will be able to collect all the evidence. At that time, Shen Jia Ding will become the first one to be dealt with."

  "It's alright." Xie Jinghang shrugged: "If Shen Yuan has any difficulties, you can secretly help him out."

  "But Shen Yuan is Ding Wang's man." The black-clad man reminded.

  "Of course I knew he was a man of Ding Wang." Xie Jinghang waved his hand: "I just let the Shen family take the lead for us first."