Edited by Tnyhy

Chapter 142: Forming An Alliance (Part 2)

She handed the cloak back to Xie Jing Xing. When Xie Jing Xing saw this, he glanced at her and turned his head, “Keep it for yourself.”

Shen Miao looked towards the direction of his gaze, and discovered that during the struggle with Xie Chang Chao, her clothes were torn by Xie Chang Chao and she was exposed openly that even her dudou (aka bra) could be seen. She was stunned but her heart was scolding Xie Chang Chao as she wore Xie Jing Xing’s cloak.

Xie Jing Xing’s cloak was considered very big for her, and the buttons in front could not be buckled even though Shen Miao tried for quite some time. Xie Jing Xing saw that she did not respond for a long time and turned around, thus seeing Shen Miao trying to figure out the buttons on the cloak and bend down after he walked to her. He then pulled out the straps from the collar and fastened it up for Shen Miao.

His hands was very good to look at, if one was able to overlook that cold face. The joints were precise and slender, and the movements when tying the straps were very nimble and gentle. Shen Miao raised her eyes and looked at him. Xie Jing Xing’s lashes were extremely long that when his head was leant down, his sharp gaze would become soft, and it showed a few rare touches of gentleness.

He was engrossed in tying the knot, but had a cold face on from the beginning to the end, like he was in a bad mood. One did not know who was it that provoked him.

After completing a butterfly bow, Xie Jing Xing had yet to stand up when Shen Miao said, “Actually you did not need to kill him.”

She was speaking about Xie Chang Chao. Actually, Xie Jing Xing should have allowed Xie Chang Chao to live. Xie Chang Chao was correct with his words, even though he was a Shu son but he was still Xie Ding’s son. Although one did not know why did Xie Jing Xing stayed in the Ming Qi for, but this would definitely attract some unnecessary trouble.

“He had seen my face and a living mouth should not be left behind.” Xie Jing Xing said.

Shen Miao rolled her eyes in her heart. No one wanted to see Xie Jing Xing’s face. From the beginning till now, it was Xie Jing Xing that took the mask by himself. Xie Jing Xing simply had a killing intent for Xie Chang Chao, but why was there a need to look for such a far-fetched reason?

“Go out less in the future.” Xie Jing Xing said, “If I were to come later by a little, you would have been in trouble today.” When he said those words, he furrowed slightly and his face got cold, with some look of inculcation.

Shen Miao was momentarily silent and said after thinking a while, “How are my parents and Eldest Brother?”

”The entire Shen family army is mobilised, and had searched a few rounds of all the houses in the Ding capital, but they all return without any achievement.” Xie Jing Xing said, “No one guessed that you were hidden in the residence of the Marquis of Lin An.” He paused before continuing, “Luo Tan’s injures were serious and was unconscious for a long time. Gao Yang had already gone to the Shen mansion to save her. One heard that the situation is currently good.”

“Luo Tan was injured?” Shen Miao was in a daze, “And the injury was serious?”

“Suffered a sword wound.” Xie Jing Xing looked at Shen Miao at the side of his eyes, “You do not know?”

Shen Miao shook her head, “At that time I was knocked unconscious and brought up to the carriage, thus one did not know what happened after that.” After being silent for a while, Shen Miao suddenly thought about something and looked at Xie Jing Xing, “Luo Tan is injured and did not wake up, so why did you search here?”

Xie Jing Xing was unable to fathom it, “What does that mean?”

Shen Miao’s heart moved. Luo Tan was seriously injured and unconscious, so naturally she was unable to tell Xie Jing Xing about the things that she entrusted her to say to him. Then it was Xie Jing Xing that came on his own decision to save her.

In a swift moment, Shen Miao’s feelings became somewhat complicated.

Suddenly Xie Jing Xing’s eyes flashed slightly and got closer to Shen Miao, so that he was practically in the posture of having her in his arms. His lips hooked up as he said, “From your meaning, it seem that you let Luo Tan look for me to ask me for help.”

Shen Miao pushed him away. As she knew that Xie Jing Xing was smart, and thus she was unable to hide anything from him, she then said, “Only felt that you have that ability. Moreover it is also a much more convenient identity.” She stressed, “I let Luo Tan look for you and say that it was a deal. When you save me, I will naturally pay a corresponding remuneration.”

“Remuneration?” Xie Jing Xing said while not in the least concerned, “The Shen family posted a reward of ten of thousand of gold, but I do not care of it as the Great Liang’s Treasury have so much of it. What can you offer to pay?

Shen Miao gritted her teeth, “As long as it is not a pledge to marry, naturally everything goes.”

Xie Jing Xing raised his brows and looked at her before sighing, “So actually it turns out that you think like this. Could it be that you are reminding me of the fact that you want to marry me? a female should embody gracefulness and restrain. It is not good for you to be like this.”

Shen Miao sneered in response.

“Never mind.” Xie Jing Xing said, “Saving people is only a trivial matter to me, so I will not make it difficult for you. The remuneration is easy.” He stared at Shen Miao and said with a smile but not a smile, “Write poems, play the Qin, make pastries and do needlework. For the time being, it would be those first.”

Shen Miao, “…”

She said, “Change it.”

“This Prince wants these.” Xie Jing Xing rejected Shen Miao’s words. Seemingly felt that the floor was somewhat cold, he then pulled Shen Miao up.

“Currently one cannot send you back to the Shen mansion at the moment. You have been missing for a total of three days, and rumours have filled the entire skies out there. To return at this moment would make others harbour suspicions.” Xie Jing Xing said, “I will arrange people to send you to the Princess’ residence. Rong Yi will help you.”

Shen Miao was startled and looked towards Xie Jing Xing before asking, “Princess Rong Xin also know about your identity?”

Xie Jing Xing shook his head, “Among the people of the Ming Qi, you are the only one.”

Shen Miao was silent. Xie Jing Xing looked at Xie Chang Chao’s corpse on the floor and a trace of disgust flashed in his eyes. He suddenly said, “But today I have killed someone in order to save you, so one had provoked trouble. Since this matter originate from you, in the future, we are ants on the same rope. You are my ally. Understood?”

“I do not seemed to have agreed to it.” Shen Miao was exasperated.

“It is enough for me to agree.” Xie Jing Xing was happy and snapped his fingers before two men cladded in black walked in from outside.

“Move it back.” Xie Jing Xing used his feet to touch Xie Chang Chao’s body.

Shen Miao was astonished, “What do you want his body for?”

Xie Jing Xing raised his eyebrow, “There is a great purpose.”

Tie Yi and Nan Qi moved Xie Chang Chao’s corpse out. It was also fortunate that Xie Chang Chao and his brother, had constructed such a secret chamber like this, that even the servants of the residence of the Marquis of Lin An had no knowledge of. The secret chamber had tunnels dug out, and could directly lead one outside. It was a lot easier to get things done.

It was a long time since the Princess’ residence had received guests.

Ever since the news of Xie Jing Xing’s death in the battlefield was received, Princess Rong Xin became seriously ill. Afterwards when she had recovered, it seemed that the illness had taken root in her health, that she even seldom attended Imperial family functions. The times that she left the Princess’ residence had become less and less, and she even rejected those who came over to visit. Everyone knew that it was because of Xie Jing Xing’s death. Princess Rong Xin had no children in her entire life, and had taken this nephew as her own son. Initially when Xie Jing Xing was still alive, he would go to the Princess’ residence every three to five days to visit, but after Xie Jing Xing died in the battlefield, coupled with Princess Rong Xin’s queer temperament, her courtyard was practically deserted.

However in the Princess residence today, there came a guest.

The maid that was sweeping outside was someone who had served in the Princess residence for a long time, so with one look she recognised that the Young Lady that was currently sitting in the horse carriage, came to the Princess residence two years ago. At that time Princess Rong Xin even treated her passionately and seemed to be called Shen something. That maid was unable to recall it. But the maid reported and not too long, she saw Princess Rong Xin’s personal female official rushing over to welcome in the female guest and the guards beside.

When the rest of the maids sweeping saw such an encounter, they all gathered and discussed in whispers, “Which family’s Young Lady is she? The Princess did not see any guests for the past two years, but to actually see one today.”

“From how it looks like, it seem that she is in a hurry to meet. Most probably she has some friendship with the Princess. It is rare to see one.”

“Two years ago she also came over. At that time Xi GuGu even sent her back to the residence. Her surname was Shen.”

Suddenly the one most outside suddenly recalled something and knocked her head, “I remembered that Young Lady’s name. Is that Young Lady the Di daughter of the Formidable Great General, Shen Miao?”

Everyone suddenly became enlightened before their gazes became brilliant.

They naturally knew of Shen Miao. Lately in the Ding capital, what was spread loudly was that she was missing for three days, and Shen Xin had willingly offered ten of thousand of gold liangs for a reward. Everyone speculated that Shen Miao had definitely met with some unexpected events, and had not thought that the key focus of this discussion would actually appear in the Princess’ residence now.

What was Shen Miao doing in the Princess’ residence.

Shen Miao sat in the main hall as the maids came over to serve her tea and snacks, but she could still feel some unspoken gazes that were sizing her up. She calmly and undauntedly accepted it. If someone recognised her, naturally one would feel strange as to why would she appear in the Princess’ residence at the moment.

But there was no way out. Just like what Xie Jing Xing said, if she were to return to her residence along, she would not be able to stop the rumours from happening. One had to find a person with high rank and weight, with convincing power to testify. The last time at the lantern festival, Princess Rong Xin had helped her testify, so this time Princess Rong Xin had to help her again.

One had no choice. Princess Rong Xin had an upright character, and everybody knew that she was one who does not do favours. If it was spoken from Princess Rong Xin’s lips then no one would doubt it.

After a moment, there were sounds of footsteps from behind. Shen Miao turned back, and saw that Princess Rong Xin was slowly walking over with the help of some female officials.

Shen Miao could not help but be surprised.

The person coming over was wearing an autumn coloured long robe with a cape. Most probably there was some powder applied, but this was unable to conceal the old age. The last time when Shen Miao saw Princess Rong Xin two years ago, she was still a woman that was full of energy, but now it seemed that her soul was kidnapped within a night, and now when one saw her, one would feel one’s heart becoming somewhat sour.

Even in the previous lifetime, at the end Princess Rong Xin really became old, but one did not see her being this wan and sallow. And what exactly this was for? Shen Miao knew it very well. It seemed that the news of Xie Jing Xing’s death was a great blow to Princess Rong Xin, that she actually became this thin and pallid within two years.

She got up to greet Princess Rong Xin.

When Princess Rong Xin saw her, she had a nostalgic expression and a smile appeared on her lips, “One had not seen you for two years. At that time General Shen left in a hurry, thus BenGong was unable to send some farewell gifts to you, and when you returned to the capital, BenGong came down with a cold again and it did not go away even during the tribute banquet, thus one did not have a chance to see you.” She then sat in front of the table and motioned Shen Miao to sit down too.

Shen Miao slightly nodded her head, “It should be this official’s daughter to come and pay a visit.”

“Previously I knew that you looked good.” Princess Rong Xin smiled as she looked at her, “Now seeing you, it confirmed Bengong’s thoughts. Since young you have been a beauty and now you have become more outstanding. If Bengong’s nephew was still alive…” Her voice slowly went softer and a hint of pain flashed in her eyes, but she did not continue speaking.

Shen Miao also did not know what to say.

It was Princess Rong Xin herself who smiled again, “Bengong always say these things that made others feel unhappy. Everything one had persuaded oneself not to think but at the end, one would still think about it. Now you are unhappy with Bengong. You, you are also upset. Bengong only cared about one’s own unhappiness but did not think about your feelings. It is Bengong’s fault.”

Princess Rong Xin was an unyielding person to the bones, and she actually would apologise to others. Shen Miao’s heart was somewhat astonished but there was much more sympathy. Xie Jing Xing’s identity could not be disclosed to Princess Rong Xin, but from Princess Rong Xin’s view, the nephew that accompanied her so long, died that tragically in the battlefield. One could only imagine the pain her heart felt.

Princess Rong Xin smiled, “Bengong have heard about your matter. Do not worry, two years ago Bengong helped you, so this time Bengong will naturally help you.”

Shen Miao only said that she was kidnapped, and it was because it was near the residence of the Marquis of Lin An, she was saved by Xie Jing Xing’s personal secret guards. As Xie Jing Xing’s secret guards had seen Shen Miao before, they then took assistive measures but for her to just return to the Shen family that rashly, it would only invite rumours, thus one had to request Princess Rong Xin to step in.

As long as Xie Jing Xing was brought up, Princess Rong Xin would be particularly lenient. In addition those Xie Jing Xing’s previous secret guards, had the tally that Xie Jing Xing had provided and Princess Rong Xin had seen them before, so there was no longer any doubts. Moreover, she had a good impression of Shen Miao so naturally she fulfilled this request outrightly.

“This official’s daughter thanks Your Princess Highness.” Shen Miao said, “This official’s daughter is ashamed for troubling Your Princess Highness every time.”

“Yours is not considered as trouble.” Princess Rong Xin said with a wry laugh, “When Jing Xing was around and created some trouble, he would like to thread his way to the Princess’ residence. Each time the trouble caused was greater than Heaven, but one did not see any shame on him. Thinking about it, Bengong initially thought that one was doing good deeds and when Bengong is old, it would be Bengong who would make trouble for him. Who knew…” Princess Rong Xin’s smile was a little ugly, “Now I want him to give Bengong trouble but one could no longer wait for it.”