Chapter 95. Two persons in Solitude (part 1)
Shen Miao words were cold and she wanted to say just now that it was the maids that put on for her but heard Xie Jing Xing continue speaking, “Today you have touched what you can touch and see what you can see, but one can forget about pledging your life.” His laughter had harbour evil designs, “A little girl that had not yet grown up. I am not yet that hungry that one can’t pick what one eat.”
This person’s words were just too malicious! And still like to invert black and white! In Shen Miao’s past and present life, she had met with either hypocrite gentlemen else they were those who devoted to righteousness so much that they inspires reverence. It was the first time meeting a rogue who was able to make one mad in one sentence.
“I do not like Little Marquis and will not like in the future. Little Marquis can rest assured.” Shen Miao said with saccasm.
“That is good.” Xie Jing Xing stared at her and his smile still had an amusement to it but in his dark eyes, there was a somewhat warning and indifference in a fleeting moment. He said, “Little girl, I am not a good person.”
Shen Miao did not speak. Xie Jing Xing was not a good person, then could she be considered as a good person? Perhaps she was in her past lifetime but the her in this life was insidious and vicious, completely detected from the word ‘good’.
The boat quietly float down with the current and the snow slowly fluttered down outside. Half of the lake was filled with crystal snowflakes and half with lanterns and the skies was lit with colourful fireworks, this new year’s Jade Rabbit Festival seemed nothing great but was after all special.
The purple clad youth leaned against the window and looked out of it indifferently. One did not know after looking for how long but when he turned back, he discovered that Shen Miao had already fell asleep.
When she was sleeping, there was no dignified or alienating look on her face and because of today’s suffering, her face was flushed and with Xie Jing Xing large fox cloak wrapped around her, she really looked like a little girl that had not grown up. Her hair was already dried up and a lock of long hair was blocking her eyes. It seemed to be somewhat itchy as the sleeping Shen Miao was frowning.
Xie Jing Xing walked to her side and paused before reaching out to pick the hair blocking her eyes and tucked it behind her ears. He then took out what looked like the Begonia hairpin that he puck out from Shen Miao’s hair and with a spin, gently inserted it into Shen Miao’s hair. He sat in front of Shen Miao with folded arms and looked at her for a while. Seeing her sleeping soundly, he raised his brows, “To sleep so well in front of a unfamiliar male, really do not know the meaning of fear.”
After sitting for a while more, the boat swayed suddenly before stopping. Finally it had reached the shore.
Xie Jing Xing walked to the bow of the boat and a few black clad figures appeared on the shore. The one leading said, “Replying to Master, everything has been handled cleaning. Master to return to the residence now?”
Xie Jing Xing looked back to the cabin and said, “Go to the Princess residence first. Tie Yi, bring a horse carriage over.” He turned and walked back to the cabin and knocked a few times before Shen Miao looked up sleepily. Xie Jing Xing said, “Reached the shore.”
“Already reached?” Shen Miao suddenly woke up and looked out of the window before she start heading out but since the injury on her leg was not healed, she almost fell when she stood up. Xie Jing Xing grabbed her arm and after thinking, he reached out and wrapped the fox coat around Shen Miao tighter and directly carried her and the fox coat up and headed towards the out the boat.
Shen Miao was in shocked and unconsciously reached out to gather her hands around Xie Jing Xing’s neck. When she looked up, Xie Jing Xing’s lips were hooked up, “Behave yourself. Don’t take advantage of me.”
Shen Miao, “…” Xie Jing Xing had a hand over her shoulders and since he was tall and had long limbs, it was effortless for him to carry Shen Miao. Shen Miao’s head was leaning against his embrace and could feel his tall and straight chess and strong heartbeat and she actually started feeling uncomfortable.
Only when they were at the head of the boat, she then realised that a group of black clad people were long standing outside. Seeing that Xie Jing Xing carried a little young lady out, although one had exercise much restrained, their looks were somewhat different. The most relaxed one was Xie Jing Xing. He walked to the front of the horse carriage and threw Shen Miao into the car and said, “Go to the Princess residence.” And walked away without turning back.
The horse carriage left wobbling away, leaving the black clad people looking at one another. A young tall one said, “Tie Yi, why is Master carrying a girl out? What relationship does that girl and Master have?”
“Yes. Yes.” Another female walked over and touched her chin as she pondered, “For so many years, so many beauties had not be able to get close to Master, so Master has this kind of taste.” Her eyes brighten, “Ha. No wonder.”
“Who says.” Another charming matured female said dissatisfiedly, “What is there good to look at such a silly little girl?”
“Huo Long, one know that you like Master but regarding this. One cannot be jealous about it.” The female before smiled and looked towards the man standing in the middle, “Tie Yu, you are closest to master, who is that little young lady? What’s with Master, tell us about it.”
“All shut up!” Tie Yi, who was standing in the middle, could no longer tolerate it, “All go back! The secret division are all so free then tomorrow go and guard the prison tower.”
When those words were said, everyone immediately retreated and subsequently said, “Suddenly remembered that there are still things.” “Were the corpses just now taken care off?” “It is better to head back to the Secret Division quarters to understand the situation.” “It is really dangerous today.” As they chat, they slowly walked away.
Tie Yi let out a sigh of relief and only then he disappeared back into the night.
Speaking of which, at the other side at the Princess residence, when the people outside announced Xie Jing Xing arrival, Princess Rong Xin was preparing to head to bed.
She was widowed for many years and had no children by her side so in every festival, she would be especially lonely. Even though the Emperor Wen Hui in the Palace had the name of siblings with her, but after all they were not born from the same mother, so how could they be really close. Moreover it was much more comfortable staying in the Princess residence than mingling with the Palace’s Royalties. Thus for so many Jade Rabbit Festivals, Princess Rong Xing would not enter the Palace and would not play outside and only stay quietly in the residence like it was any other day.
But it was different today. Upon knowing Xie Jing Xing’s arrival, Princess Rong Xin was somewhat surprised. After re-dressing, she then went out to welcome him and when she entered the main hall, she saw that Xie Jing Xing had already sat on the chair waiting. Once he saw her, he smiled gently, “Aunt Rong.” (I used Aunt Rong instead of the Chinese way ‘Rong Yi’ because it sounds like a name instead of a family title)
Princess Rong Xin’s maiden name is Yu Rong and was had a deep sister relationship with Princess Yu Qing so it was not considered too much for Xie Jing Xing to call her Aunt Rong.
“Why come over here today?” When Princess Rong Xin first saw Xie Jing Xing, there was some doubts but more of it was happiness. She did not have any children and had long treated Xie Jing Xing as her own son. She pitied Xie Jing Xing life experiences and when Princess Yu Qing passed away, Princess Rong Xin went over to the Marquis residence to give her condolences, she even cursed and berate Xie Ding badly. Even though Xie Jing Xing was stubborn and obstreperous, he was very respectful with Princess Rong Xin and would come over to the Princess residence every new year or festival but usually he would come over on the first day of the new year but this year he came over on Jade Rabbit Festival, making Princess Rong Xin somewhat surprised.
“Missing Aunt Rong, so one come over to take a look. Could it be that Aunt Rong does not welcome me?” Xie Jing Xing smiled. He originally had an extraordinary appearance (YES WE KNOW!!) so when he spoke half-jokingly and half-seriously, there was some romantic look that even the maids standing at the hall also blushed.
Princess Rong Xin poke his forehead and smiled, “Even dare to tease an elderly like me. You little fellow is getting more gutsy.”
“Missing Aunt Rong is one thing but there is a matter of request for help from Aunt Rong tonight.” He said.
Princess Rong Xin was surprised for a moment and she sat up straight and seriously said, “Jing Xing, is it that you have encountered some difficulties. No matter what difficult matter, just tell Aunt Rong about it.”
“Aunt Rong don’t be worried, it’s a small matter.” Xie Jing Xing explained with a smile, “I have a friend who strayed from the family during the Jade Rabbit Festival and also unfortunately fell into the water. Even though I saved my friend, there are still some inconvenience. So one thought of letting Aunt Rong use the name of the Princess residence to send one back.”
Even though he said it simply, Princess Rong Xin heard the matter hidden. Even though Ming Qi was more open about matter between male and female, but at the end a female’s clean reputation was very important and if one wasn’t careful and rumours were accidently spread, it would be suffering for others. But… Princess Rong Xin looked at Xie Jing Xing, “That friend of yours is actually a Young Lady?”
Xie Jing Xing nodded his head.
“For so many years, one did not see you have any young lady around.” Princess Rong Xin suddenly said teasingly, “Jing Xing, you are an adult, not sure how old that Young Lady is and if there is any marriage prospect made by the family?”
“Aunt Rong,” Xie Jing Xing helplessly said, “She is still a little girl. It’s because one old her a personal favour before so one cannot not help. Is it that Aunt Rong do not want to help me?”
“What kind of words you say?” Princess Rong Xing feigned anger, “Which time did Aunt Rong not help you. Fine fine fine. Where is that Young Lady now?”
“In the horse carriage outside. At the same time Aunt Rong can give her a set of clothes to put on.” Xie Jing Xing said.
Hearing that, Princess Rong Xin’s eyes that were looking at Xie Jing Xing had much more meaning. When Xie Jing Xing saw it he could only shake his head in amusement and was too lazy to explain further. Princess Rong Xin instructed the maids beside to bring Shen Miao into the room to rest from the horse carriage and said to Xie Jing Xing, “But you still have not told me which family’s young lady is she?”
“Ding capital’s Shen family, Formidable General’s Di daughter, Shen Miao.” Xie Jing Xing lazily said.
Princess Rong Xin was drinking tea and almost choked on it when she heard it. He looked at Xie Jing Xing and said incredibly, “That idiot noble female. Isn’t she in love with Prince Dong?”
Xie Jing Xing shrugged his should as Princess Rong Xin carefully looked at him and said after deliberation, “Jing Xing, there are thousands of females in the world and you are still young of age… Wait a while more.”
Xie Jing Xing, “…”
Two flowers blossoms and each reflects differently. At one end, Princess Rong Xin was having a heart to heart talk with Xie Jing Xin and at the other end, Shen Miao was sitting in Princess Rong Xin bedchambers, looking at th coming and going of the maids arranging her clothes and styling her hair.
In the former life, Princess Rong Xin was not that this enthusiastic to her, perhaps she looked down on her action of throwing oneself to another or perhaps felt that she had uncouth knowledge and always treated her coldly. Afterwards when she became the Empress, Princess Rong Xin still treated her lukewarmly. Or it might because Princess Rong Xing was often not in the Palace, every time she entered the Palace, her gaze would not be very friendly. In Shen Miao’s heart, Princess Rong Xin was a person who was hard to get along.
Who knew that with such attentiveness today, it made Shen Miao feel unfathomable.
