Chapter 164: Taking A Good Look (Part 1)

The wind started up at night, making it surprisingly cold. In the residence of Prince Rui, Gao Yang held a delivered letter in his hand and reading it with keen interest.

Shen Miao lived in the Shen mansion and even though the Shen family army’s guards were not weak, but due to many different reasons and fearing that there would be danger surrounding, they did not dare to relax one bit. Xie Jing Xing dispatched a secret guard in Mo Yu Army to quietly follow Shen Miao, so as to avoid accidents from happening.

This secret guard, by the name of Cong Yang, was originally an intelligence gatherer in Mo Yu Army and as his had high levels of agility, his information that was gathered was of top quality. However he has a habit that resembled gossiping. Everyday he would have to submit a report to Xie Jing Xing on what Shen Miao had done and would write in the letter who did Shen Miao see today and what was said. Other than when she went to the toilet or to bathe were not indicated, everything else was written word for word.

Gao Yang felt that it was rather perverse as Cong Yang was such a prudent person. After reading to the afternoon when Shen Miao and entourage encountered Su Ming Feng in the streets, his expression changed.

Even though one did not know what Su Ming Feng had discovered but Su Ming Feng had so many years of friendship with Xie Jing Xing that it was common to have weird moves but one feared that it was somewhat not good.

Just as he was thinking about it, Ji Yu Shu passed behind him as he bit onto an apple. Upon seeing Gao Yang in a daze while looking at that piece of paper, he took a glance and askew the main point. He said, “Ah. So that Young Biao Lady of the Su family likes Su Ming Feng.”

Cao Yang was shocked by Ji Yu Shu that he almost fell from the stone stool. When he recovered to his sentence he said angrily, “What are you doing scaring others?”

“Your courage is just too small.” Ji Yu Shu patted his shoulder, “Don’t keep fanning this fan of yours and it is the correct path to practice martial art skills.” Finishing he then returned to the previous topic and said, “Luo Young Lady is rather compatible with Su Young Master. Third Older Brother has relations at both sides so why not be a matchmaker one of these days?”

Gao Yang’s brows furrowed, “Which eyes of your saw that they are compatible? What’s more, who said that Luo Tan likes Su Ming Feng?”

“My two eyes see that they are compatible.” Ji Yu Shu said and pointed to a line in that letter, “You see, Luo Yang Lady said to Su Ming Feng that both of them are worthy to be brothers as they are both so good looking. You say, Su Ming Feng did not respond and it is Luo Young Lady who is changing a different way to give a good impression. Else who would praise one is good looking.”

It was all to Cong Yang that he was such a gossip. What was written inside was not only the words Shen Miao said but whatever Luo Tan said was also written in. Ji Yu Shu was considered a talent that he could see this sentence at a glance of looking at this full condense piece of paper.

Gao Yang suppressed the slight dissatisfaction in his heart, “Senseless.”

“It is you who do not understand.” Ji Yu Shu snatched the fan in Gao Yang’s hands and learned from Gao Yang as he moved it like what Gao Yang did with a look of ‘I am the smartest’ and said, “It is only this Young Master who is a veteran of being among the flowers that can see clearly the true heart of a young female who is coming of age. What do you know? If you please me well, I can consider to teach you… Ah-choo.” It was the middle of winter and as Ji Yu Shu fanned himself, he sneezed.

Gao Yang snatched back the fan and did not want to pay any attention to him.

Just as they were speaking, Xie Jing Xing return from outside and Tie Yi and Nan Qi was following behind him. One did not know where did they came from but they had a travel-worn appearance.”

“Third Older Brother.” Ji Yu Shu warmly greeted him but Xie Jing Xing did not even take a glance at him and headed to the room with a cold face and Nan Yi and Tie Yi also had a solemn expression. Ji Yu Shu did not even care that Xie Jing Xing’s mood was not good and continued, “Third Older Brother, something happened to Fifth Shen Young Lady.”

Xie Jing Xing’s steps paused as he looked at him with a frown.

Gao Yang also looked towards Ji Yu Shu.

Ji Yu Shu cleared his throat and said seriously, “One had help you to look through the information that Cong Yang had sent over. Today when Fifth Shen Young Lady went out, she had encounter a ruffian and that ruffian had touched Fifth Shen Young Lady’s little hand.”

Gao Yang held his forehead and heard Ji Yu Shu asking, “Does Third Older Brother know who is this extremely daring ruffian?”

Naturally no one answered him but it made Nan Qi and Tie Yi nervous. Fifth Shen Young Lady is the person that their Master had fancied so who was the one who ate the guts of a leopard to actually touch Fifth Shen Young Lady’s hand?

Ji Yu Shu said heart-renderingly, “It is Su Ming Feng. It’s Third Older Brother’s sworn brother. Su Ming Feng, as a brother, he even dig at Third Older Brother’s corner of the wall. He is inhuman and has no conduct. Shameless.”

Nan Qi and Tie Yi was dumbfounded while Xie Jing Xing’s gaze became cold and Gao Yang simply covered his face with his fan. He just did not wish to see Ji Yu Shu’s demonic action.

*****

The light of the oil lamp was as small as a pea but Shen Miao was reading a book under the light in boredom. From time to time she would look up at the window. In such a cold day, the window was open very big as Shen Miao guessed that Xie Jing Xing had placed people in the Shen mansion but she was indifferent to it. Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan did not do official matters in the residence and needless to say about Shen Qiu. There were no secrets in the Shen mansion so it would not matter if Xie Jing Xing’s people were here. Instead there would be one more person watching the doors so she considered it as hiring a guard that did not require money.

Since Xie Jing Xing’s people paid attention to every single action at this end, with the action of opening the window, it would be reported to their master that she had a matter and would wait for Xie Jing Xing.

Shen Miao kept on thinking and felt that today’s encounter with Su Ming Feng was actually not a good thing. Su Ming Feng and Xie Jing Xing had a good relationship. One knew that in the previous lifetime when Su Ming Feng died, only Xie Jing Xing dared to collect his body and did not fear of the wrath of the Imperial family of Ming Qi. This was an example of how close they were. Since they were such good friends, they would also understand one another to a certain level. Today Su Ming Feng noticed her bracelet and said it was what ‘Tiger Head Braclet’, it was definitely not a casual statement and definitely had something to do with Xie Jing Xing.

Shen Miao did not know how many people in Ming Qi knew about Xie Jing Xing’s identity but seeing Su Ming Feng’s performance today, Su Ming Feng did not know about it. If Su Ming Feng knew that Xie Jing Xing did not die… One did not know if there were troubles in the future.

As she let her imagination run wild, she heard some sound by the window and looked up. That purple clad youth had already came in easily and familiarly before closing the windows, so that the wind would not enter.

Xie Jing Xing strode in and sat down in front of the table. The tea on the table was still warm and have not cooled so Xie Jing Xing poured a cup of tea for himself, his actions were so familiar that he seemed to be in his own room. Shen Miao ignore the weird feeling and drank a sip of tea, “Today I looked for you is about one matter.”

“What is the matter?” Xie Jing Xing asked with his lips hooked up.

After hesitating for a moment Shen Miao then said, “Su Ming Feng might have discovered that you are still alive.”

Xie Jing Xing was silent.

Shen Miao stretched out her wrist and displayed the jade bracelet out which made her wrist even fairer and delicate. She said, “Today Su Ming Feng saw the bracelet on my wrist and spoke of some Tiger Head Bracelet and asked if I have ever seen you before. I think that there should be something to it. Perhaps he had also guessed that you are still alive.”

Xie Jing Xing slightly frowned. He was originally good looking and it was just that his usual smile but not a smile was intoxicating. Now that he was not speaking, one felt a sense of coldness coming forth.

Shen Miao had thought that Xie Jing Xing was currently a person of Great Liang and even though he had the identity of Prince Rui, he still had to wear a silver mask and this was so that others would not be able to discover his previous identity. Who knew how her negligence would be perceived by Su Ming Feng and even if Su Ming Feng was Xie Jing Xing’s good friend, it was inevitable if one was used by others. If this would bring problems to Xie Jing Xing… Xie Jing Xing had helped her so much and when she was up she only gave troubles to Xie Jing Xing. There was some slight guilty conscious in Shen Miao’s heart.

She pondered, “Why not… Think of a way to remedy it?”

“Not possible.” Xie Jing Xing rejected her proposal, “Su Ming Feng had a friendship with me for so many years and is smart so it cannot be hidden.”

Shen Miao’s head ached and her heart had some complaints of Xie Jing Xing. Even though the Tiger Head Bracelet was the source, why did one gave it away casually? Of all days, she had to wear this Tiger Head Bracelet today and happened to encounter Su Ming Feng.

“So what about that?” Even though Shen Miao was intelligent, she still did not know what to do. Hiding identities are a specialization that she did not have any knowledge.

Xie Jing Xing shook his head, “If it is discovered then it is discovered. No need to care about it.”

“Won’t this bring troubles for you?” Shen Miao asked frowning, “The Su family is after all an official family of Ming Qi and you are from Great Liang. Perhaps he would think that you are a spy send from the enemy country… It will cause no end of trouble.” It was not that Shen Miao’s thoughts were bad but it was as such. Because of a little gain, the blooded sisters in the Inner Palace would kill each other, much less this concerns about the interest of two countries.

The friendship between friends was very precious thus it could not withstand lies and was the most vulnerable.

Xie Jing Xing looked at her slowly and suddenly his lips raised, “You are worrying about me?”

Shen Miao was startled before saying, “I am concern of myself.” She paused and then added, “I am now the ants on the same boat as you so if you are discovered, it would be difficult if you sell me out and implicate the Shen family. The gains do not make up for the losses.”

Xie Jing Xing found it somewhat funny, “Rest assure, one would not be disadvantage for being allies with this Prince.”

Shen Miao had gotten used to his arrogance and did not place his words in her heart. It was only that she suddenly thought of something, “Speaking of which, you really do not intend to stop Su Ming Feng?”

“How long do you think my mask has to be worn?” Xie Jing Xing suddenly asked.

Shen Miao did not understand his meaning and did not speak.

“It is sooner or later that my identity would be known.” Xie Jing Xing said it blandly, “If it is not Su Ming Feng, it would also be another.”

Shen Miao was surprised in her heart and was somewhat puzzled as she asked, “Then did you not think before that if your identity is known, how would your… Family would think? The Marquis of Lin An, Princess Rong Xin, Su Ming Feng and the others…” Even if others knew about it, they would the very most be astonished but how would Xie Jing Xing’s close family would thinkg? What Xie Jing Xing would face would be the skepticism of his closest family and even Shen Miao could not imagine it.”

Even with the betrayal and hurt that she had in her previous lifetime, it was fortunate that the Shen family was on the same side. But when Xie Jing Xing’s identity was unveiled, the situation would b much more complicated as he was Prince Rui of Great Liang.

Xie Jing Xing smiled carelessly, “So what if they know?” He continued, “There is no problem for me if everyone under the Heavens hate me.” He looked at Shen Miao and for a brief moment, there was an evil laughter on his face, “I am not afraid.”

However one did not know why but Shen Miao was somewhat saddened by this smile of his. She had always felt that this handsome and beautiful youth was not as ruthless as he seemed to be.

As Shen Miao was thinking, she was caught off guard that Xie Jing Xing stroke her head and said, “Do not take of the bracelet. Since it is given to you then one does not fear of it being recognised.”

In fact Shen Miao did not like anyone touching her head as what did it look like if it was spread out that an Empress of a country’s head was touched? But for the first time, she let Xie Jing Xing do so.

She sighed in her heart and decided not to be that calculative today.

Xie Jing Xing stood up, “One thought that you have urgent matter then one came over, since there is nothing, I will leave first.” He continued, “In the future when there are any issues, just call Cong Yang. He is now your secret guard. There is no need to open the windows and wait for me. I will wake you up when I arrive.”

He said it so naturally that Shen Miao did not feel anything wrong at all. It was until after Xie Jing Xing left when Shen Miao then felt that those words were just overly ambiguous.

When she remembered Xie Jing Xing’s words, she tried whispering “Cong Yang” and in the time to blink her eyes, there was a black clad guard young male that was standing in front of her.

Shen Miao head ached. Was Xie Jing Xing placing someone in her boudoir? In the future when she was sleeping, someone would be watching her? She asked, “You stay in the room all day?”

Cong Yang said, “This subordinate stay up in the tree at the front of the door. When Young Madam call my name, no matter how soft it is, this subordinate will be able to hear due to martial skills.”

Shen Miao looked at him in surprise, “What did you call me?”

Cong Yang gave her a bow, “Young Madam.”

Shen Miao said, “Don’t call me Young Madam.”

“Yes Young Madam.”

Shen Miao, “…” After a long while she waved her hands and said helplessly, “Never mind. I ask you, what did Xie Jing Xing left to do?” Xie Jing Xing left in a rush, seemingly having urgent things to do. Shen Miao had felt uneasy about the matters during the day and wondered if Xie Jing Xing went to kill Su Ming Feng.”

Cong Yang said, “This subordinate do not know.”

Shen Miao took a deep breath. Not knowing anything to whatever the question asked. Xie Jing Xing was not sending a secret guard but one who would monitor her. She sized up that person by the name of Cong Yang. He looked young and strong so tomorrow one would instruct him to the little kitchen to chop firewood.

Xie Jing Xing had gotten out of the Shen mansion and instructed Tie Yi, who was beside him, “In the future get Ji Yu Shu far away from Long Yang’s letter.”

Ji Yu Shu was one who had the character of wanting the world to be in chaos since his life was just too boring. To actually make such trouble for him, did he really want to be kicked back to Great Liang?

Tie Yi complied and suddenly thought of something, “Master, the roaming Great Master Guan Zhen had arrived in Pu Too Monastery and previously His Majesty instructed you to take a look. Since it is in Ming Qi, when do you plan to leave?”

Xie Jing Xing thought about it briefly and said, “Tomorrow.”