Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage: Chapter 156 (Part 2)

Edited by Tnyhy & Angel

Chapter 156: Marriage (Part 2)

Shen Wan suppressed the harsh thoughts and said, “Your Highness… Want to marry Fifth Lady?”

“This Prince?” Fu Xiu Yi laughed as if he had heard a funny joke. He shook his head and said, “Not this Prince, it is this Prince’s Older Brother.”

Shen Wan was startled.

Fu Xiu Yi’s voice slowly drifted to his ears.

“Let the Fifth Shen Young Lady marry this Prince’s Fourth Older Brother, Prince Zhou.”

Shen Wan was shocked incessantly but after thinking immediately, he suddenly felt a slight chill in his heart.

Who was Shen Miao? She was the Di daughter of Shen Xin. ‘Southern Xie, Northern Shen’. The Xie family had truly declined and the Shen family was the biggest in Ming Qi. Whoever married Shen Miao would have the greatest military power in Ming Qi. Shen Miao’s identity had made her destined to be unable to marry to influence and power, as this would cause Emperor Wen Hui to become more suspicious. It would be best for Shen Miao to marry to one who do not hold any government post or is incompetent, but definitely not a military official. Most likely because of such things, Shen Miao had not settled her engagement even at a marriageable age, and if she were to really marry a male without any government post, Shen Xin would definitely feel that he had wronged his daughter.

The nobles were like this and the Princes dared not even think about taking advantage of Shen Miao. It was still alright for the Crown Prince since it was orthodox, but if other Princes wanted to marry Shen Miao, it was almost like directly flaunting their ambition to be the heir apparent. This kind of weight looked like a blessing, but was actually a curse.

Currently in the fight for the heir apparent, the wind was blowing in the direction of Prince Zhou. Prince Zhou’s and Prince Jing’s Consort Mother was favoured and also had some abilities herself. Seeing that their forces were getting bigger, followers started to increase a lot. If they were to be related to Shen Miao, then Prince Zhou would be pushed to where the wind and waves were the fiercest, and Emperor Wen Hui would be displeased while the rest of the Princes would be infuriated with jealousy, thus Prince Zhou would be suppressed. As for the Shen family, one need not continue to stand as a team so openly, one feared that once the people of the Qin country and the Great Liang left, the Shen family would die miserably.

Killing two birds with one stone it would be the point of perfection. Shen Wan’s heart suddenly became timid towards Fu Xiu Yi. This person’s thoughts were too deep and vicious that it was rather scary.

Fu Xiu Yi seemed to have not seen Shen Wan’s expression and smiled gently, “This matter will be handled over to Shen Daren.” Unexpectedly, he did not mention how to do it or to what extent. Prince Zhou already had a consort and if Shen Miao were to marry over, she could only be a side consort.

There was no bottom in Shen Wan’s heart at all but he could not portray that, thus he cupped his hands towards Fu Xiu Yi, “This official will do one’s best.”

Afterwards the two person said some mutually courteous words. Fu Xiu Yi’s attitude towards Shen Wan was not warm and yet not cold. If it was two years ago, Fu Xiu Yi would most probably have treated Shen Wan better, but the past and present could not be compared. The Shen family was not like how they were in the past, and Shen Wan was just a civil official, thus Fu Xiu Yi naturally did not need to value him as before.

After Shen Wan left the residence of Prince Ding, Pei Lang then walked out from behind the screen.

Pei Lang walked over to a position lower than Fu Xiu Yi and looked at the the teacup that Shen Wan drank from before and had left behind, “Your Highness is planning to use Shen Wan?”

Fu Xiu Yi looked towards Pei Lang, “What does Gentleman thinks about Shen Wan?”

Pei Lang shook his head, “Even though he can endure silently and has the means, but he is lacking in strength and had a messy household. If he were to be used, then one fears that there would inevitably be trouble in the future. It is alright to use for minor thing but not major stuff.”

Fu Xiu Yi smiled and looked at Pei Lang with eyes of admiration, “Gentleman’s thinking is the same as me.” He then sighed before saying, “Ever since the Xie brothers died, there are a few things that one cannot instruct the people beside me to do. Keeping the Xie brothers was a good chess piece that is now completely destroyed. Even though it was not an important piece, it could have saved me a lot of trouble.”

Pei Lang frowned, “Your Highness does not plan to use Shen Wan?”

“Grass on top of the wall that sways with the wind.” Fu Xiu Yi’s laugh was a bit empty, “Previously, kept wavering and now due to the current situation one is forced to defect to me. I do not dare to use such indecisive people. One only want to use him to handle small matters.”

Pei Lang added, “Does Your Highness think it is feasible to let Shen Wan think of ways to matchmake the Fourth Prince and Shen Miao?”

“One do not know if it is feasible. It is just that this matter is Shen Wan’s only opportunity, thus he would facilitate it at all costs. The Shen family has invaluable achievements, and Prince Zhou is powerful and it has reached the point where it is enough. If one does not take action now, one fears that it will really be too late.”

Pei Lang no longer spoke. However Fu Xiu Yi suddenly asked, “If I were to marry Shen Miao, what does Gentleman think?”

Pei Lang’s heart jumped, but on the surface he still had a light expression on his face as he said analytically, “One fears that it would not be good as it would attract the Emperor’s suspicion and jealousy from the other Princes.”

Fu Xiu Yi nodded his head and he had some regret in his expression. One was unable to tell the tone of voice when he said, “It is a pity.”

Pei Lang did not understand what pity Fu Xiu Yi was referring to. With regards to emotions, Fu Xiu Yi had never had other feelings for Shen Miao. If there were any feelings, then in the beginning when Shen Miao was chasing him all over the Ding capital, he would not have been so cold. If at that time Fu Xiu Yi had half an intention to protect Shen Miao, the rumours would not have been that unrestrained.

Then what was Fu Xiu Yi feeling pity about? That the Shen family’s military power did not fall into his hands?

Pei Lang did not know what the answer was. After Fu Xiu Yi left, he also returned to his room and seeing that there was no one around, he started to write a letter.

*****

Tonight it was rather somber and desolate in the residence of Prince Rui.

The servants all had a solemn expression and dared not even breathe loudly. Today when His Highness Prince Rui returned, he had an extremely cold expression. Gao Yang and Ji Yu Shu who were following beside him were in a rarely seen solemn expression too, and Tie Yi and Nan Qi brought a person dressed like a guard back, and went into the room with Prince Rui

Even if it was a personal study room, it was renovated to be spacious and with the splendorous and majestic furnishing, it did not look like a study room but had some feeling of a Palace. Only one person was sitting down and was currently playing with the thumb ring on his hand. He was wearing a dark purple lined with gold embroidered robes, and the clothes slowly plastered themself to the large chair, as if it was a purple cloud flowing down from the skies (Translator: I have no idea what I am translating again… lol. Ed: It’s about the fluttering of the clothing, and how its setting itself on the chair. Ed2: Also about how majestic XJX is, that even his clothing gives off an impressive aura)

The person kneeling on the floor was leaning over and could only see the boots in front of him. The green black deer hide boots had straight running seams, which were so fine that the hide did not move at all, were only boots, but it seemed to provide a glimpse of the magnanimity and nobility of this master.

Xie Jing Xing had one leg on the soft couch, as he leant against the seat and looked down towards the prisoner. His brows were unbelievably handsome and when he smiled gently, the romantic feelings overflowed, that even the gardens at springtime would not be able to compete, but when his face was cold, it made others have feelings of chills. Those beautiful peach blossoms eyes were like the water in spring, that instantly became the icy spring on the top of the mountain. He spoke blandly and one was unable to hear joy or anger in his voice, “Speak. Who is your master?”

That person clenched his teeth and did not speak.

Gao Yang and Ji Yu Shu frowned.

Xie Jing Xing smiled lazily, “It is alright if you do not speak. Throw him into the tower prison.” He suddenly stoop down and approached the guard and said in a low voice, “Anyway I know who is it.”

That guard’s expression did not change. There were a number of bruises on his body, seemingly he had endured a good amount of torture before. Xie Jing Xing smiled gently but that smile did not reach his eyes, “Retrieve his order token.”

Ji Yu Shu and Gao Yang were startled at the same time, and could not help but look at that guard.

The guard was startled and a trace of struggle appeared on his face. The words ‘order token’ meant that Xie Jing Xing apparently knew his identity. Who knew that Prince Rui of Great Liang would be this ruthless and unbridled? That tower prison was said to be an even more daunting place, thus his heart was trembling.

The guard simply knelt down and kowtowed to Xie Jing Xing a few times, “May Your Highness show mercy!”

Xie Jing Xing swept his eyes across the other person and sneered, “The people that Imperial Older Brother sends over are of such conduct.” His words had hidden sarcasm, “One thought that the bones will be thicker. Not interesting.”

Ji Yu Shu could not help but say, “What does His Majesty want you to do to Fifth Shen Young Lady?”

This person was caught at the Shen mansion’s doors. This was all thanks to the people that Xie Jing Xing sent to keep watch on the Shen mansion to avoid accidents from happening. This person’s martial arts skills were high, and had a high sense of alertness that Xie Jing Xing’s people had taken several days before they could catch him. Now thinking about it, it was no longer strange, after all he was Emperor Yong Le’s secret agent. If one did not have this level of ability, then the Imperial family of Great Liang would be in jeopardy.

That guard wanted to say something but upon meeting Xie Jing Xing’s half-smiling gaze, he could not help but feel chills running down his back. One had to know that in the entire Imperial family of the Liang dynasty, this person, who always had an indifferent smile, indolent and handsome Prince Rui was the one that could not be provoked. Two years ago when he returned to Great Liang there were a number of undercurrent forces that were moving, but were settled by Xie Jing Xing individually. Those high ranking officials that went against him were all eradicated so thoroughly that even a stalk was not left behind. His means were vicious, his schemes ran deep and no one was able to have any leverage when he took action. Other than handling the fighting in court, he also did a number of tasks beautifully, and made those old guarding officials speechless. This made one both love and hate him.

Now that he was under the sharp gaze, the guard did not dare to conceal anymore and blurted everything out, “His Majesty knows about the matter of Fifth Shen Young Lady, and feared that Your Highness has remained in Ming Qi because of Fifth Shen Young Lady, thus instructed this subordinate to investigate… In no way did he want this subordinate to harm Fifth Shen Young Lady, it is all investigation…”

Without aligning with one another, Gao Yang’s and Ji Yu Shu’s facial expression were somewhat bad. Even though Emperor Yong Le was situated in Great Liang he still had many informants in Ming Qi’s Ding capital. It was not possible to say what would happen after discovering Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing’s relationship. But with Emperor Yong Le’s character, he would never allow things to happen outside of his plans. Shen Miao was afterall Ming Qi’s people and this identity would bring along a lot of variables. From Ji Yu Shu’s and Gao Yang’s view, it was unlikely that Emperor Yong Le would agree with Xie Jing Xing’s thoughts.

The thing that made everyone have a headache was that these two brothers were both equally stubborn, and would never change anything that they set their mind to. Even if Emperor Yong Le obstructs, how would Xie Jing Xing submit obediently? In addition, compared to Emperor Yong Le, Xie Jing Xing had encountered numerous assassination attempts since he was in Ming Qi for so many years, and his temperament was even more unreasonable and unyielding. If the brothers really started to fight, one fear that there would be foul winds, bloody rain, nightfall during the day and the earth darken.

Sure enough when Xie Jing Xing heard this, he then laughed, “Oh? Since it is only to investigate for information, then there is no need to be locked in the tower prison. I’ll send you back to Great Liang.”

The guard was slightly stunned and before he could speak, he heard Xie Jing Xing’s voice coming from above, “Do you know what to say?”

The guard hesitated. Prince Rui and Emperor Yong Le were both equally fearful. There was a bit of desperation in his heart as he asked tentatively, “There is no relations between Your Highness and Fifth Shen Young Lady?”

Xie Jing Xing looked at him with interest, and there was some kind of profound meaning in that pair of beautiful eyes as he said slowly, “How can Imperial Older Brother’s people lie?”

Gao Yang tightened his hand around the fan and Ji Yu Shu swallowed his saliva.

“Go back and tell Imperial Older Brother that he did not think incorrectly. This Prince stayed behind because of Shen Miao.” The youth’s lips were smiling softly but his brows were unyielding as he said, “Do not have unrealistic thoughts of changing anything, because this Prince will not allow it.”

“Yes. Remember to remind Imperial Older Brother.” He yawned, “Do not forget the agreement with this Prince.”

*****

The tranquil night concealed everything. It concealed the undercurrents in the residence of Prince Rui, concealed the schemes and calculations in the residence of Prince Ding, and also covered up the whispers of the Shen residence.

Someone had entered the inner chambers from the main hall in Qiu Shui Yuan. The original mistress had returned to her maiden family in a fit of anger, and started a lawsuit with her husband’s family. With such incompatibility, everyone knew that it was not possible for Chen Rou Qiu to regain her former glory. Moreover this new YiNiang was gentle and magnanimous. She also has a child in her womb, and one feared that she would climb to the skies in the future. There were a lot of servants who stepped on the lowly and flattered the lofty, thus they immediately turned their heads to flatter this new mistress.

Cang Zai Qing sat in the room, and touched her stomach with a trace of a gentle smile on her face.

Since the Western courtyard was too far away and was too desolate on normal days, Old Shen Furen who had found someone to do a calculation and discovered that it was a son in Cang Zai Qing’s womb, raised Cang Zai Qing up and Shen Wan moved her to Qiu Shui Yuan to take better care.

Cang Zai Qing had became the new female master in Qiu Shui Yuan, and she was also very satisfied with the current situation. Although Chen Rou Qiu had strong abilities but she was old and did not have any sons, thus had less of an advantage in this battle.

Shen Wan entered the room and placed the tonic in his hands on a table, before walking over to Cang Zai Qing and touching her abdomen with a smile, “This is good.”

Cang Zai Qing smiled back and suddenly said softly, “Does Master have some troublesome matters?”

Shen Wan was startled and laughed bitterly, “There is really a troublesome matter.”

64 responses

  1. XJX got some big… Guts (I decided not to be crude) but we like don’t we?? I’m interested to know what this agreement he has with his brother is.

    Author is so in love with XJX, his clothing got the long winded treatment as well lmao

    Liked by 30 people

    • I’m watching Legend of Yunxi and the character Gu Qishao’s wardrobe never ceases to amaze me. So there really are guys out there who can rock the reds and purples!😁

      Liked by 9 people

      • If I remember right, purple color was reserved for imperial family in the old day as its name Imperial Purple/Royal purple specified the use. The dye color made from sea rock snails secretion which is rare and most expensive.

        Liked by 5 people

  2. Since I want to see everyone’s reactions when the husband appears with his son, it will be fun to have no time to plot against SM, and I expected to see XJX intercept the letter from PL to SM as he did last time and see what he was going to write. time 😅😅😅
    Thanks for the chapter! 💕💕💕

    Liked by 10 people

  3. We all know that our Empress will end up marrying our dashingly beautiful Prince Rui, the question is: how will that go down? Like, will XJX request the marriage or will it be bestowed upon them? I just want to know when they will marry!! I need my ship to become official already!!

    Liked by 11 people

  4. Thanks very much for the chapter! 😊

    … I don’t know what to say… to that exultation again of Prince Rui! 😂

    Just can’t wait for the marriage I really desperately want (when will that happen 😔). So XJX, you have to move fast!

    Liked by 3 people

  5. lol if that lady helps shen wan get shen miao hitched to the fourth prince.. both shen miao and XJX are going to tear her down to hell
    Many thanks

    Liked by 4 people

    • My thought is: Prince Creep doesn’t want SM hitched to older brother. He wants RUMORS of her getting hitched to some prince (other than himself) and whichever prince it is will get the emperor’s suspicions launched on him like a ton of bricks.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Prince of Stalker and Beauty it seems for getting our empress he already thinking of measurement after the first kiss and decided to go after our empress.. And it’s seems he can boldly state what he want without afraid because of the promise he made with brother emperor…
    He will again intercept the letter… And the one who has pot vinegar get ready…
    And our Author it seems have deficiency for a while because lack of beauty with our Prince and now payback in full force..
    I still tried to read about all of beauty of our Prince Rui but I don’t understand what I read …
    About the last..let’s see who’s got attacked first.. Our empress with the marriage or SW family got wrecked first …
    Thanks for the chapter

    Liked by 6 people

  7. Politic is dirty and messy 🤨

    I am really can not wait for SM works together with XJX to destroy FXY.

    I’m keep watch in novel update for this novel’s new chapter. Thank you for updating Zaza 😍😍😍😍😍

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeahhhh 😖😖😖 More than likely someone will try to get rid of the baby.
      It’s very sad that such an innocent child will be caught in the middle of this shitstorm but such was the life of them ancient peoples *sighs*
      But maybe it’s better if the baby wasn’t born because there will be no one to love them.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. aaaaah my worries are coming true!! I hope XJX’s brother isn’t your typical trope. It would be interesting if he’s more of a bully—spoiling type and would also like Shen Miao (not in a romantic way) >.< thanks for the chapter!!
    Aaaand what will be XJX’s letter once he reads Pei Lang’s report…I wanna lnoooow

    Liked by 2 people

  9. oh no…. I can totally imagine you guys cheering for a ship that is moving so s-l-o-w-l-y…. hahahahaha

    and thanks for another good chapter~ ^_~

    Like

  10. Eye rolls for XJX loooonnngg description of beauty..lol!!

    And can i have Pei Lang for myself? Since Shen miao is also taken by our prince of beauty.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. wait a min, does Fu Xiu Yi know that Pei Ling is a spy?! Is that why he said it was a pity? I mean maybe not since if he did, wouldn’t he have intercepted the letters…..

    Liked by 1 person

    • nah Pei Ling hasn’t considered that maybe Fu Xiu Yi fancies the current Shen Maio, not the old one who used to chase after him. For the old one, he wouldn’t have bothered to give another glance, let alone protect from criticism and rumors.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. XJX, I like your gut. I really like ML who is decisive, knows what he wants and how to get it as well as to cherish it.
    I really hate indecisive men who are too pedantic and zealous. They are only inviting too many unnecessary misunderstanding and hurting more innocent women.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Yes, Shen Miao would steamroll over some male leads from other novels who keep paying attention to other women because ‘she’s my childhood friend’, or ‘she needs help from her xxx family and I’m just helping her, why can’t you understand and why are you even jealous?’

      Seriously, a wet noodle is more reliable than those type of male leads. I’d rather they just go die in a fire and the main character go at it alone. Thankfully, even if Prince Rui is a-beauty-of-a-thousand-words-that-can-move-mountains-and-is-the-envy-of-celestials-in-heaven, he’s still straightforward and dependable.

      Like

  13. I guess this move will make FXY feel deep regret: Shen Miao will learn of it soon (and perhaps this time XJX might not be able to get the letter since he has his own family to deal with) and she might already have some counter-meausres in place. But if XJX will learn of it the current cold atmosphere in his mansion might turn icy. But it seems that XJX already wants to state to his family that Shen Miao is at least more then just an aquaintance. But I wonder what CZQ will suggest to get Shen Miao hooked up with the 4th prince. Let’s hope it doesn’t develop into a plan like the temple incident with Prince Yu (although I kind of want to see another bloodbath)

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Wowww i do wanna scream right now kyaaaa ~ Prince Rui proposed to his Brother that he do have a thing with Shen Miao 😍😍😍😍

    Thanks for the chapter 😊😊😊

    Liked by 2 people

  15. (Translator: I have no idea what I am translating again… lol) 😂😂😂 I had to go back and read it.
    Wonder what XJX will do when he finds out about FXY plan 🤔🤔🤔.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Thank you so much for the chapter. I can feel your pain in translating the royal garb of Prince Rui on top of his beautiful physiognomy, my sympathy…..please rant at your heart content, I love it to bits.

    Liked by 5 people

    • I thought the same at first, since CZQ might find a way with her craftiness and schemes… but SW doesn’t know that and besides, I have my doubts concerning whether he would tell her since it’s a very important and secret matter… officials tend to never discuss this kind of things with their wives…

      Liked by 1 person

      • SW knows that CZQ is crafty, but CZQ also knows hoe scary SW is. Considering Pei Lang knows about the plan, then word will definitely reach SW’s ears. True though, officials tend not to discuss business with their wives.

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Pei Lang started to write a letter.
    ——
    Tonight it was rather somber and desolate in the residence of Prince Rui.

    o.o for a moment there I thought Prince Rui had an extremely cold expression because he had PL’s letter intercepted again 😜 by his guard. kekeke

    Thank you for the chapter ୧( ॑ധ ॑)୨ fu

    Liked by 3 people

  18. oh boy don’t tell me that CZQ is going to start conspiring with SW to trouble SM btw can’t wait for CZQ husband and son to arrive and completely destroy SW and the bad Shen family esp that evil old lady

    Liked by 2 people

  19. [He was wearing a dark purple lined with gold embroidered robes and the clothes slowly paved itself to the large chair, as if it was a purple cloud flowing down from the skies ]

    I think what author-sama is trying to describe is that the purple robes that our prince-with-so-many-adjective-to-desrcribe-his-beauty was arrange in a way that it cascade or drape over and down the chair like clouds on the sky

    Liked by 1 person

    • Well, look, the Empress would definitely need a consort when she ascends, right? This is just the author’s way of making it very obvious that there is exactly one person with such peerless beauty and zero morals to do everything in his power to help Shen Miao. The perfect partner.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Gaaah! Why those damn eyebrows again? How are eyebrows handsome anyway? Seriously the author needs to cut out on beauty descriptions at this point in the novel we get it already we have been reading waaay back since Xie Jing Xing first had eye contact with Shen Miao from his horse darn it…speaking of first encounter when I go back and read that part again, it all starts to feel so fresh.

    Liked by 2 people

  21. Thank you for the chapter! Idk why but there’s a little hope in my heart that Prince Ding will like (or interested) in Shen Miao a little bit and when SM ends up with XJX, I want him to regret sooo bad bcs can’t marry her. That’ll be my personal satisfaction

    Liked by 2 people

  22. What if….the older brother of Prince Rui will also start to fancy our main lady fufuufuuuu….but then it would take more chapters than this story has….

    Liked by 1 person

  23. I almost spit blood… That was a ridiculous paragraph about his eyebrows, his eyes…

    How do they expect me to compare eyes and spring in the mountains?! How?! Is there an art to getting your eyes be like “spring”?

    Sorry. Demurely Wipes mouth* pat pat*

    If we can gather all the descriptions just for XJX and publish them. How many volumes will we get?

    Anyways, thank you for the translations. So excited on how our ridiculously -out-of-this-world handsome XJX will react to Sm’s to FXY’s plans. Nothing to worry about our MC being bullied.

    Prepares popcorn*
    Glasses and tissue for XJX’s brightness*
    I just hope there’s less of those eye piercing descriptions for this mortal’s eyes.

    Liked by 2 people

    • You know what? At this point, the description is absurd enough that I’ve started a couple of conspiracy theories in my head–one of them being that the author isn’t even talking metaphorically when they use the term ‘peach blossoms’. Perhaps Xie Jing Xing really has a mesmerising peach-blossom pattern in his iris that can hypnotise people (Whether it’s an outright sharingan, some obscure cultivation technique, the side effect of some recessive demon blood (incubus? fox demon?) in the family line showing up strongly in him? who the hell knows? Could be anything for all I care).

      Like

  24. Even if it was a personal study room, it was renovated to be spacious and with the splendorous and majestic furnishing, it did not look like a study room but had some feeling of a Palace. Only one person was sitting down and was currently playing with the thumb ring on his hand. He was wearing a dark purple lined with gold embroidered robes, and the clothes slowly plastered themself to the large chair, as if it was a purple cloud flowing down from the skies (Translator: I have no idea what I am translating again… lol. Ed: It’s about the fluttering of the clothing, and how its setting itself on the chair. Ed2: Also about how majestic XJX is, that even his clothing gives off an impressive aura)

    THIS IS THE BEST PART OF THIS CHAPTER THAT MAKES ME LAUGH SO HARD!!!!
    I’VE BEEN SKIPPING EVERY PARAGRAPH THAT CONTAIN RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF XJX PRAISES LOL,
    BUT ALWAYS READING THE COMMENTS FROM TRANSLATOR AND EDITOR LOL

    Like

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