In front of the stone table in the west wing of Shen's residence, Shen Miao and Shen Qiu were playing chess.

  It's rare for Shen Qiu to have a day off from practicing swordsmanship, and he knew that Shen Miao's chess skills had recently improved dramatically. Shen Qiu had been eager to win against Shen Miao for a long time. However, the outcome was not as expected.

  Shen Miao dropped a black piece, and Shen Qiu's white piece, which had been dominating the board just moments before, was suddenly surrounded by black pieces on all sides, unable to escape. Shen Qiu stared blankly for a while, then asked Shen Miao, "Sister, isn't this the opening move I used in my first game?"

  He felt that the path of the chess pieces on the board seemed familiar, and the more he looked at it, the more surprised he became. Shen Miao was restoring the path of his first game step by step. But Shen Miao used it better, at least in this game, she used this path with ease and precision, full of vigor and momentum.

  "Use his own method to cure his own body." Shen Miao smiled: "Big brother, can't you think of a countermeasure for your own things?"

  Shen Qiu shook his head: "This method of mine is against the enemy, it's just a dead end, my sister asked me to find a countermeasure, I couldn't think of one."

  Shen Miao gazed at the crisscrossing paths on the chessboard and smiled faintly.

  Years later, Shen Qiu killed Sun Cai and was imprisoned. It seems that the subsequent plans were all written by Shen Yuan's hand. I wonder if Shen Yuan would feel familiar with the same trick being used again? Can he himself find a way out of this dead end that he set for Shen Qiu?

  It should not be done.

  Just as Shen Qiu was about to give birth, she suddenly saw a second-class maid rush in from outside the courtyard, her face full of horror and panic. "It's terrible! Young Master and Fifth Miss, Second Young Master has killed someone outside!"

  "What?" Shen Qiu's eyebrows furrowed, a chess piece fell off, rolled around on the ground and finally landed with a thud.

  Shen Miao bent down to pick up the chess piece and looked at the maid, asking in a warm voice: "Who did he kill?"

  In the great prison of Jingzhao, Shen Yuan was locked in the innermost cell. His hands and clothes were stained with blood, a terrifying sight to behold, and his face was also somewhat bruised and swollen.

  Shen Yuan fell into such a sorry state for the first time, and when he was wrestling with Jing Chu Chu's lover, for some reason, there was always a very violent emotion in his heart, as if his head was hot, and by the time he came to his senses, Sun Cai Nan had already been stabbed to death by him. The wine house was a wooden pavilion, and the commotion of the two men fighting woke up many people. Tao Yuan and Jing Chu Chu's screams almost immediately exposed the murder case to the public.

  It wasn't until then that Shen Yuan's heart gradually calmed down. Today's events had been too impulsive for him after all.

  Shen Yuan had always been proud, and what he hated the most was someone trampling on his dignity. The Shen family banquet had already made him feel humiliated enough, but at that time, he hadn't woken up yet, so he endured it. Now, everyone in Quan Dingjing knew that he was going to marry Jing Chu Chu, but Jing Chu Chu was still outside giving him a green hat, and the people at the wine house seemed to be pointing fingers at him because of this. Shen Yuan almost couldn't control his anger.

  Jing Chuchu also didn't know where she was taken, but this matter originated from her, and it's likely that Jing Chuchu's outcome won't be lenient either.

  It's just... Shen Yuan still found it a bit strange, why would the people at the wine house know him and Jing Chuchu? And why did Jing Chuchu have to choose that particular room for her affair. He had a faint feeling that something was off, but he quickly shook his head. That place was where he and Fu Xiuyi's people met in secret, no one else would know about it except for Fu Xiuyi's people.

  Shen Yuan thought deeply, Fu Xiuyi's people had arrived at the wine house, and they probably already knew about this matter.

  By now, he had completely calmed down, those chaotic emotions had dissipated, and the bloodstains on his clothes and the gloomy prison cell had not shaken his composure.

  At this moment, a prison guard walked over and stopped in front of his cell door. Shen Yuan raised his head to look and exclaimed with surprise: "Dong Hao!"

  Dong Hao was indeed the person who was going to meet him, and at this moment he had changed into a prison guard's uniform, presumably to blend in and talk to him.

  "Listen to me, this is a misunderstanding." Shen Yuan hastily said: "This time please help me out, Your Highness, I will repay you in the future."

  Shen Yuan had never expected Shen Gui to come and rescue him, as Shen Gui would stop at nothing to protect his own career and wouldn't dare take risks for him. Now the only one who could help him was Fu Xiuyi, but as a member of the imperial family, she wouldn't prioritize emotions or loyalty, only her own utility. Shen Yuan said: "The evidence I gave you earlier still has some incomplete parts, you'll be presenting your report to the Emperor soon, please think of a way to get me out of here, and I'll help you complete the final piece."

  Dong Hao's eyes moved slightly upon hearing this. Shen Yuan's words clearly meant that the evidence unfavorable to Shen Xin, which was given to Fu Xiuyi, was incomplete. Shen Yuan had held back a trump card, fearing that Fu Xiuyi would renege on their deal, but he hadn't expected to be imprisoned today and had no choice but to bring out his life-saving token ahead of time.

  Seeing Dong Hao remain silent, Shen Yuan became somewhat anxious: "This matter is just a misunderstanding and not difficult to handle. The silver can be provided by myself, as long as Your Highness gives that head a signal. Such things have happened before."

  Shen Yuan's calmness was largely due to the fact that this matter didn't seem so bad. It was even simpler than the Shen family banquet incident. The Shen family banquet incident was because he slept with Jing Chu Chu in front of many wives, and no matter what, Jing Chu Chu was at a disadvantage, and the Jing family was unreasonable, leaving him helpless. However, when he killed Sun Cai Nan, only Jing Chu Chu and her maid saw it, and as long as Jing Chu Chu and the maid testified, he could still escape. As for that adulterer, just give him some silver to appease him, and let Fu Xiuyi's people frame him with a crime, such as saying he was trying to assassinate Shen Yuan and was subdued by him. Murder, as long as it wasn't against someone from a high-ranking family, could always be covered up in the end.

  Moreover, his current identity seems to have not been discovered yet. To others, it is only known that someone was killed, but not who the killer is.

  Dong Hao shook his head and said, "Shen Yuan, you've gotten yourself into big trouble this time."

  Shen Yuan's smile, which had just floated up, suddenly stopped, and he looked somewhat puzzled by Dong Hao's words.

  "Do you know who it was that you killed?"

  A faint, indistinct premonition rose in Shen Yuan's heart, and in the darkness, he saw Dong Hao slowly open his mouth.

  "He was the only legitimate son of Minister of Personnel Sun Tianzheng and his wife, Lady Sun Cairen."

  At the entrance of General Shen's mansion, a large crowd had gathered, consisting of people wielding clubs and looking menacing. Even the Shen family guards at the door were having trouble holding them back. Inside, Shen Yue was hiding in Chen Ruqiu's arms, trembling with fear: "Mother, did Second Brother really kill someone?"

  Chen Ruoqiu comforted her while also feeling some doubt in his heart. The people outside who claimed to be from the Ministry of Personnel said that Shen Yuan had killed the son of the Minister of Personnel, Sun Cai Nan, and were clamoring to come in and cause trouble. But how could Shen Yuan possibly kill Sun Cai Nan?

  Shen Gui and Shen Wan were already blocking the way outside. If it weren't for Shen Xin's Shen family army, those people might have really broken in.

  Wan Yiniang hid in the small hut, somewhat nervously holding Shen Dongling's hand, saying: "If it was really Second Young Master who killed someone, those people won't do anything to us, will they?"

  "Don't worry," Shen Dongling said, "Others only want to deal with Second Brother, what does it have to do with us?" She sat behind the screen, but the pages of the book in her hand didn't turn at all.

  "Miss!" The servant girl rushed into the house, saying: "The people outside are making a big commotion, even the old lady has been startled!"

  Shen Miao's eyelids didn't even lift as she asked, "Oh? How is Old Madam?"

  "I heard that Second Master killed someone and immediately fainted again." Jing Zhen felt a little schadenfreude.

  "Miss, this matter won't implicate us, will it?" Gu Yu was worried, after all they both knew why Shen Yuan had killed someone - it was all because of Shen Miao's machinations behind the scenes.

  "It doesn't matter, someone will take our place. Sun Tian is in a high position and has great power, the Shen family is not inferior to them either. Besides, the ultimate goal is still Shen Keng, Shen Keng's life for a life, they won't have anything to say."

  "But will Second Master really stake his life?" Gu Yu asked: "Second Master won't let Second Young Master go to his death so easily."

  "If it weren't for Shen Yuanbo, Second Uncle would definitely have gone all out to clear Second Brother's name," Shen Miao said: "But with Shen Yuanbo around, Second Uncle has a way out, losing one son to appease the Sun family's anger is worth it in his eyes."

  Shen Gui, among the three sons of Shen Fu, is the one who views family relationships with the most indifference. Shen Wan, at least, dotes on Shen Yue, but Shen Gui shows no genuine concern for his children, whether they are his legitimate offspring - Shen Yuan, Shen Qing, and Shen Yuanbai - or his illegitimate ones - Shen Dongling. To Shen Gui, his children are either tools to aid him in his official career or his successors. No wonder the children of the second household also have no affection for Shen Gui.

  If there was no Shen Yuanbai, Shen Yuangu would be Shen Gui's only son, and Shen Gui would definitely fight for him. But with Shen Yuanbai, Shen Gui has another son, and Shen Yuangu is not necessary anymore. Moreover, the Sun family is not so easy to deal with? In his previous life, Shen Qiu killed Sun Cai Nan, and the Sun Tianzheng family actually put Shen Qiu in prison, and Shen Xin spent all his family's wealth to save Shen Qiu's life. Sun Tian Sheng only has one legitimate son, and he died of his only son, how could he easily let go of the person who killed his son?

  "But is Second Young Master the only one who's unlucky?" Jing Chu Chu retorted, "Is Miss Biao going to get away with it? She's still hiding in the manor and won't come out." After the incident, Jing Chu Chu had actually sneaked back herself and was hiding in the Shen Manor with her family.

  "How could it be?" Shen Miao smiled slightly: "After all, she is the main culprit."

  Outside the government office, Shen Wan somewhat desperately persuaded: "Everyone listen to me, this matter has not been clarified yet, please go back first, we will definitely give you an explanation!"

  A woman spat a mouthful of saliva on Shen Wan's face, put her hands on her hips and said: "Pay back debts, pay with your life! Our young master was killed by Shen Yuan, you must pay with your life! This matter is not over!"

  Shen Gui shrank back, inwardly cursing Shen Yuan to death. At this moment, outside the mansion, apart from the servants of the Minister's residence, there were also some onlookers who had gathered to watch the commotion. Someone shouted loudly: "Isn't it said that he killed someone because of a dispute over a woman? What does that beauty look like? Let me take a good look! He committed murder for the sake of a beauty, that beauty must be incredibly stunning!"

  As soon as this was said, the people around also echoed in agreement. The people of Shangshu Fu also suddenly reacted, and now the Sun family's own people were also in a mess. Sun Cai Nan had just walked out the door and turned back into a cold corpse. At this moment, it was a time for grief, and they wanted Shen Yuan to pay with his life. But they had forgotten about Jing Chu Chu. Now that someone mentioned it, they suddenly remembered. Since Sun Cai Nan and Shen Yuan had fought over Jing Chu Chu and Shen Yuan had accidentally killed Sun Cai Nan, then Jing Chu Chu was the one who was the beauty causing trouble!

  The people of the Sun family immediately said: "Right! Hand over that cheap woman! It was all her seduction, my young master, shameless little prostitute! Hurry up and hand her over!"

  Not to mention the Sun family, even Shen Gui himself would have liked to kill Jing Chuchu with his own hands. Since Jing Chuchu arrived at the Shen Mansion, the two branches of the Shen family had been experiencing one misfortune after another. First, the family banquet ruined Shen Yuan's reputation, and now it has led to Shen Yuan being involved in a homicide case. Without saying another word, Shen Gui ordered his servants, and soon Jing Chuchu was bound and taken away.

  Shen Gui Chong gave Shen Wan a look, and Shen Wan said: "Everyone, don't get angry, we will talk reason. Since this matter is because of Chu Chu's actions, I'll hand her over to you, do with her as you please!"

  Jing Chu let out a miserable cry, but the people around her didn't allow her to resist. The Sun family immediately dragged Jing Chu over like a pig and slapped her dozens of times, causing her to faint on the spot.

  "Don't be too presumptuous!" Jing Guansheng and the Jing couple also rushed out, seeing this shocking and furious. But then they saw the Sun family sneer: "No wonder you're from a small place like Suzhou, with such shallow eyes. Not only that, but also corrupting morals. You're already engaged, yet still flirting with men everywhere. This matter isn't over, don't think you'll be okay!"

  The Jing family was both angry and afraid, angry at the Sun family's arrogance, and fearful because they had no backing in the capital except for the Shen mansion. The Shen mansion had previously been at odds with them. Now that they were down on their luck, it would be good if the Shen family didn't kick them while they were down. How could they just stand by and do nothing?!

  They quarreled and made a fuss at the entrance of the Shen family for a long time, until the sky darkened. The people from the Sun family finally dragged away Jing Chuchu, who was already weak and pale. Before leaving, the woman in charge sneered: "Today is just the beginning, you Shen family people wait and see! Master has already written to the Emperor, there's no way someone can take a life and still be carefree. A life for a life, no one will get away with it!"

  Shen Gui watched as the Sun family left in disarray, and almost couldn't catch his breath. The last sentence that Sun Tianzheng had written to the Emperor was even more shocking, Sun Tianzheng only had one son, Sun Cai Nan, if he died, Sun Tianzheng would be finished too, and wouldn't let him off easy. Now it seems, even if Shen Yuan dies, it's uncertain whether it will quell the Sun family's anger.

  Shen Qiu returned to the Western Courtyard, wiped away his sweat and complained to Shen Miao: "The Sun family is too rude, they almost smashed the main gate. My soldiers couldn't stop them."

  "It's the pain of losing a child," Shen Miao comforted him: "It's only natural to vent."

  "This time, neither Father nor Mother plans to intervene," Shen Qiu muttered to himself: "However, Shen Yuan has never been impulsive. Even if Jing Chu Chu had a private meeting with Sun Cai Nan, how could he have killed someone in a fit of rage?"

  "Who knows?" Shen Miao said carelessly: "Maybe Sun Cai Nan was destined to die, and it's all the same who he dies at whose hands."

  The main hall of the Sun family, all the concubines were kneeling on the ground, and in the center of the hall was a corpse covered with white cloth, but there were still some bloodstains that had already solidified on the white cloth.

  Mrs. Sun fainted as soon as she knew that Sun Cai Nan had died, and after waking up, she almost collapsed, refusing to listen to anyone's consolation. Sun Tian Zheng is now in his twilight years, with bloodshot eyes and trembling cheeks.

  There was a Taoist diviner who had calculated that Sun Tianzheng would have no children in his life, and indeed he had married many concubines but failed to produce any sons. Sun Cai Nan was the only child born to Mrs. Sun after much difficulty, and for Sun Tianzheng, he was a late-born son. As a result, he was spoiled from a young age and grew up with a lecherous and playful personality. However, as Sun Tianzheng held high power and position, he feared being criticized by the imperial historians and had long warned Sun Cai Nan not to be reckless, and if he wanted to play with women, he should take them in as concubines and bring them back to the mansion to indulge. Since Sun Cai Nan did not hold office, his indulgences were all within the mansion, and few people knew him, let alone those who held positions in the imperial court.

  Who would have thought that he died at Shen Yuan's hands. This time, the Taoist priest's words really came true - Sun Tianzheng had no son in his fate.

  "Shen Yuan..." Sun Tianzheng gritted his teeth and said: "I want him to pay with his life!"

  "Master," one of Sun Tianzheng's concubines, wiping away tears from the corner of her eyes, said: "I heard that those people also brought back that woman. After all, it was that woman who caused our young master to be like this. Master intends..."

  Sun Tianzheng sneered and said, "Don't play with your life first, leave some breath, and send it to the lady."

  The concubine shuddered, all the concubines had experienced Madam Sun's tactics, and now that she was carrying the pain of losing her child, it seemed that there was nothing she couldn't do to Jing Chu Chu.

  "The Shen family can only move the Shen wall, but the Jing family wants to retreat with their whole body intact?" Sun Tianzheng suddenly crushed the cup in his hand with a "crack" sound. The cup cut his hand and fresh blood dripped down, but he didn't even flinch, saying: "I want all the people of the Jing family to be buried with Yuan for me!"

  Regarding the matter of Shen Yuan killing the only son of the Minister of the Board of Officials, the whole city is discussing it. In the Ding Wang Fu, Dong Hao stands in the hall, bowing his head to the person on the high seat.

  Fu Xiuyi stroked the rim of his teacup with one hand, thinking to himself: "Originally, tomorrow was supposed to be the day I present the letter of resignation from the Shen family to Father Emperor, but now Shen Yuan has gone and done something today."

  "Although Shen Yuan has some evidence in his hands, Your Highness, do you want to use torture to extract a confession?"

  "No need," Fu Xiuyi waved his hand: "The things Shen Yuan gave, are already enough. Even if I wanted to make it perfect again, I couldn't take action on this matter."

  "Does Your Highness mean to let Shen Yuan off?" asked Dong Hao.

  "It's not just anyone, it's Sun Tianzheng. Sun Tianzheng is one of Zhou Wang's people. Zhou Wang will definitely get involved in this matter, and if I take action, it will only make him vigilant. Shen Yuan's troubles this time have gone too far." Fu Xiuyi shook his head.

  Dong Hao fell silent for a moment: "But if Shen Yuan is caught and turns against the prince, what then?"

  "Shen Yuan usually has a hidden card, so what you said needs to be guarded against." Fu Xiuyi looked at the teacup in his hand: "So not only can't we help Shen Yuan, but also urge the Ministry of Justice to execute him as soon as possible. Killing Shen Yuan in prison will inevitably raise suspicions, think of a way to feed him something."

  Dong Hao hastily agreed. He then asked Fu Xiuyi: "Will Your Highness still submit a memorial tomorrow?"

  "Not for now." Fu Xiuyi rubbed his forehead: "This matter will cause a stir, and talking about the folding fan is not enough to make a big noise, let's slow down." He suddenly opened his eyes: "However, you'd better investigate, who Shen Yuan has been in contact with recently."

  Dong Hao was shocked: "Your Highness means, is someone behind the scenes making trouble?"

  "Shen Yuan has never been impulsive, but this time he lost his temper and killed someone, and it just so happens to be Sun Tianzheng's only son. Don't you think that's too coincidental? Moreover, why would Jing Chuchu happen to run into Shen Yuan when she was sneaking out, it's very strange."

  "Shen Yuan is not someone who can be calculated." Dong Hao said, "Moreover, if he can still control it after this, then this person must be very familiar with Shen Yuan."

  "Being able to force Shen Yuan to such a state," Fu Xiuyi said, "this child cannot stay. I cultivate a chess piece, not for it to be used by others and become a useless piece." As he spoke, a hint of gloom also flashed in Fu Xiuyi's eyes. He didn't look as carefree as he seemed; Shen Yuan was a chess piece he had carefully cultivated for many years, not just because Shen Yuan had wisdom, but more importantly, Shen Yuan was also a member of the Shen family. Being in Shen Yuan's position, it would be easier to do many things in the future. However, now he had no choice but to abandon his chariot and protect his general, his carefully cultivated confidant, who would never be useful again.

  What's more, it was done by a woman in such a clumsy and violent way.

  "I will definitely investigate thoroughly." Dong Hao said: "Fortunately, before the incident, Shen Yuan had already given the thing to Your Highness."

  Fu Xiuyi said: "Unfortunately, we still have to wait a little longer."

  On the other hand, in the upper floor of the pawnshop, Ji Yu closed his palms and laughed with his mouth wide open: "Wonderful! Miss Shen is indeed not to be underestimated. Originally, tomorrow was supposed to be Shen Xin's unlucky day, but today Shen Guang was imprisoned, this timing is really perfect."

  "It's just a coincidence." Gaoyang gave him a glance: "Shen Miao doesn't know about this yet."

  "Whether you know it or not, I've already won the bet with you." Ji Yu Shu said triumphantly: "After getting the silver ticket, just bring it to the pawnshop yourself and hand it over to Hong Ling."

  Gao Yang fell silent for a moment before saying, "Shen Yuan may have never thought that one day he would fall into such a despicable trick."

  Because his wife had an affair and was jealous of others, he mistakenly killed the adulterer. No matter how you listen to this story, it doesn't sound very glorious, whether it's the adulterer or the unchaste woman, or the husband who wore the green hat. When people talk about this incident, they can only laugh at it. Shen Yuan originally had talent and knew how to endure, he had just returned to Beijing, with Fu Xiuyi's attention to him, in time, he would become a talented person that others couldn't underestimate, but unexpectedly ended up in such a miserable way.

  Although it looks like a joke, the consequences are very serious. Just because he killed Sun Tianzheng's only son.

  "Sun Tian will be on duty tomorrow, Gao Yang. Do you think Shen Yuan will lose his life this time?" asked Ji Yu Shu.

  "What do you think of Shen Miao?" Gao Yang asked a seemingly unrelated question.

  "What does this have to do with Miss Shen?" Ji Yushu was puzzled.

  "Shen Miao is a person who sets traps, once you step into them, have you ever seen anyone retreat safely? From the time of Yu Qin Wang, you should have been able to see that her traps are never just one move. This matter appears to be aimed at Shen Guang, but in reality it's not."

  "You think she has another trick up her sleeve?" Ji Yushu asked: "At most Shen Yuan will lose his life, what else can she do?"

  "I think Shen Yuan is just one of them." Gao Yang shook his head, his expression also becoming stern: "If she makes a move, I always feel that it won't be just one person."

  Ji Yu was silent for a moment, then asked seriously: "What deep hatred does Miss Shen and the rest of the Shen family have? Such a move is terrifying, but it must have a reason. Did the Shen family do something unforgivable to her?"

  It's impossible for a young girl to come up with such cruel methods and meticulous planning without some other hidden reason. Not even Bai Xiaosheng could find out, simply because the Shen family used their wealth and power to raise her as a pampered princess, which seems somewhat unjustifiable.

  Gao Yang shook his head: "I don't know either, but she's being too ostentatious. This time letting Shen Yuan go to jail, Shen Yuan is a person of Ding Wang. Ding Wang will definitely notice her when he loses out. The people sent previously also said that Ding Wang's men are investigating this matter."

  "Miss Shen is not good at dealing with King Ding." Ji Yu Shu worried: "King Ding's mind is deep and his methods are cunning. If he finds out that it was Miss Shen who did it, I don't know what he will do in the future."

  "Don't worry." Gao Yang said, "I think Shen Miao is quite familiar with Ding Wang, and maybe everything she does has been considered for the consequences of being known by Ding Wang. Instead of worrying about her, it's better to worry about yourself," Gao Yang looked at Ji Yu Shu: "The person that Xie San asked you to find, have you found him?"

  "Cough," Ji Yu Shu rubbed his nose: "I'll send someone right away."

  "Who would have thought that the Shen family was so chaotic? This year's spring has just begun and there is already such a big commotion, what will happen in the future?"

  "Alas, as a prince's son, he fell in love with a commoner girl, and for the sake of rivalry and jealousy, one died and one was injured. Isn't this a plot only found in opera scripts?"

  "If I had to say, that commoner girl is really ordinary-looking, and I don't know how the two princes could be so blind as to fight over her. It would be better if the two princes were together instead."

  "Huo Jing, have you been reading some weird manga again recently?"

  The woman in black tossed her long hair and said with a charming smile, "What I said isn't wrong, is it? To make men fight over you, at the very least, one needs to be as beautiful as me."

  "Looks like you're having a lot of fun." A sudden, out-of-place voice rang out, and the group of black-clad people who had been squatting on the ground, making a ruckus, suddenly fell silent, each one standing up as if facing a great enemy, staring at the person in front of them.

  The young man in purple clothes was handsome and elegant, but in the night color, he looked even colder. He swept a glance at everyone: "Why don't you continue talking?"

  Everyone lowered their heads and remained silent.

  Xie Jinghang turned around and left, only stopping after he had distanced himself from the group of people. He smiled to himself: "The little girl is quite capable."

  He lowered his eyes and gazed at the starless night sky, saying in a low voice: "But I don't have time anymore."