Disclaimer: this is an abridged version of Chubby Cheeks‘ translated chapter. Please follow the link for the complete chapter, translator notes, characters lists, etc.
Chapter 83: Extermination of the Entire Household
In the tea room, Ji Yu Shu had a sudden realization in his heart. Previously Shen Miao said that she wanted to create news targeted against Prince Yu residence. At this moment the information that was sold to the Chen family was also related to Prince Yu residence. Was not this beckoning resentment for Prince Yu’s residence?
Ji Yu Shu became somewhat gloomy. The people who came to Bai Xiao Shen to do business had always been sincere in trading news, and would be deeply grateful to have a place to provide useful information. Unlike Shen Miao, who made use of Bai Xiao Sheng to entice the Chen family to go against Prince Yu residence.
But Ji Yu Shu was thinking that even if the Chen family of JiangNan was large, Prince Yu residence had the Imperial family’s protection. So unless there was a huge blood debt, no one would rush into such a danger.
“What Shen Young Lady says is true?” Chen Yue Shan words were labored. Prince Yu’s infamous reputation was known to everyone and if the Chen family’s sisters ended in his hands, one could well imagine the end.
“I have no need to lie to you.”
“How could you prove that what you said was true?” Chen Yue Hai suddenly shouted out agitatedly. Most likely he did not believe it or maybe did not dare to believe it, so he was particularly fierce to Shen Miao.
“Both Chen family’s sisters were beautiful and were protected by the Chen family rigorously. Prince Yu of the First Rank expended quite a lot of thought into capturing the sisters from the Chen family. They were transported overnight to the capital and when the Chen family was searching for the sisters’ whereabouts in Yu province, the Chen family’s sisters had already reached Prince Yu residence.” Speaking till here, Shen Miao’s paused before continuing, “Prince Yu methods of torture were extremely terrifying and the Chen sisters attempted suicide but were stopped. Afterwards, the older sister pretended to fawn over him so that the younger sister could escape, but in fact Prince Yu was well aware of the sisters’ plans and only pretended ignorance. Prince Yu later gave the older sister to his subordinates and she was tortured and beaten to death. The younger sister was insulted during the escape journey and was blinded in one eye. She found a place to work by cleaning up night soil but the neighbors around were all put in place by Prince Yu. This was all to play with the younger Chen sister to see her living full of hope in the swamp.”
Her voice was calm and there was only a little regret at the end but it made one feel cold as one listened. Ji Yu Shu was also extremely terrified. Although he was aware that Prince Yu’s methods of torturing ladies were dreadful, it was the first time hearing someone describing it in such detail. Moreover that the younger Chen sister thought that she had escaped and was living full of hope for a day where one could take revenge and return home but did not know that the hope was fabricated as a form of entertainment in the eyes of Prince Yu.
The Chen brothers become quiet. Chen Yue Hai slowly extended his hands and clutched his head and he suddenly howled out like a wounded beast. Ji Yu Shu could not help but cast a sympathetic eye.
Shen Miao looked at him and she sighed in her heart. The first half of the Chen sisters’ lives was filled with brocade garments and jaded meals and they were pearls in the family palms. But the next part of their lives was incomparably miserable. A too magnificent appearance was in itself a sin, and the Chen sisters had sinned.
“Shen Young Lady.” Chen Yue Shan was after all more composed than Chen Yue Hei but even so, his voice was trembling as he spoke, “How can Shen Young Lady prove that what was said is the truth. All this is Shen Young Lady’s statement.” Even if the most steady person were to hear the information, they would not be willing to believe it and also would try to evade it like Chen Yue Shan.
“Very simple. The younger Chen sister is still alive today. If one wants to know if what I said is true, and doesn’t wish to rush in headlong and alert the enemy, you should go to the little footboy who comes out to buy stuff and ask if there is a lady who cleans up the night soil. She is your younger sister. You will know if you ask.”
Once the words were said, both Chen brothers’ bodies shook and the pain on their faces could not be hidden. Ji Yu Shu sighed in his heart, Shen Miao said it so detailed and confidently that this information must be true.
“You.” Chen Yue Hai stared at Shen Miao and suddenly said, “Since you were already aware of this, why did you not save her and just watch her fall into the fire pit without lending a helping hand, and instead come here calmly to sell the news. You.” He fiercely slammed the table, “You are so ruthless.”
“Yue Hai.” Chen Yue Shan reprimanded in a low voice and cupped his fist in the other hand and said, “My apologies to Shen Young Lady. My Second Younger Brother is too deeply hurt and one hopes that Shen Young lady would not take it to mind.” Though the words were polite, there was also a trace of blame.
After a quiet moment, Shen Miao did not get angry but laughed and said, “How would Gentleman Chen think I can lend out a helping hand? I am a unarmed and defenseless young lady. How would I have any ability to infiltrate Prince Yu’s residence, or should I be like her Older Sister and give up my life to give her an opportunity? Today I will say this, if that person was my own Older Sister, I could attempt a rescue but she is only a stranger to me. Dare to ask Gentleman Chen, would you bet your life for a stranger? If you dare, I will respect you as a hero. Unfortunately I am just a timid and narrow-minded female. On what basis must I be the good person?”
Her words were said quickly and the Chen brothers were rendered speechless. Ji Yu Shu’s jaw dropped. He felt that Shen Miao got mad just now. Her words were filled with sarcasm, though she was not wrong. If there were good people who were willing to bet their life for strangers then the world would not be this difficult to live in. Shen Miao was only a young lady, how would she have any ability to help the Chen sisters to escape from the trap.
Shen Miao looked coldly at the two brothers. She most hated others coercing her for a righteous cause. In the beginning, for the people of Ming Qi, she was willing to be a hostage in Qin country, and in exchange she received the cold indifference of the Emperor. For the monarch’s greater good, her Shen family provided the support, and in exchange were exterminated. On what basis was it always them paying? On what basis did she have to be the savior? The Chen family sisters were indeed pitiful but when she was thrown into the Cold Palace, when she could not even protect her children, was not she also pitiful?
In this troubled world, no matter how difficult one’s path, it was to be travelled by oneself. No one would rescue others.
Chen Yue Hai was silent for a long while before he spoke to Shen Miao, “Just now my words were too strong. Shen Young Lady, do pardon me.”
Shen Miao had calmed down and said, “My information ends here.”
“Us brothers believe Shen Young Lady’s words.” Chen Yue Shan said, “But it is imperative to first investigate my Younger Sister whereabouts. Once Younger Sister is found, the Chen family would definitely award tens of thousands of gold as thanks.”
“I had said before that there is no need for tens of thousands of gold and only wished to attain good karma.” Shen Miao said, “But I have some words, though not sure if you are willing to hear it out.”
“Willing to hear the details.” Chen Yue Shan cupped his hands together.
“Prince Yu of the First Rank is calculating, narrow minded and unwilling to make the smallest of sacrifice, thus if anyone provokes him, he would definitely retaliate. The Chen family is a big household but in a contest with the Imperial family, one would fall short. Presumably both of you not only want to save the younger Chen sister but to also take revenge for the Chen sisters.”
The two brother looked at one another and Chen Yue Hai did not conceal it at all, “A deep blood feud which is absolutely irreconcilable. The Chen family cannot exist together with Prince Yu residence. This debt of blood is bound to be recovered.”
“Even if you do not demand this debt, just to take back the younger Chen sister, Prince Yu would definitely know that it is the doing of the Chen family. I am under the impression that when one cuts the weeds, the roots must also be dug out. If one does not want to fear the future, Prince Yu residence has to be eliminated in one stroke.”
“Shen Young Lady’s meaning is?” Chen Yue Shan asked hesitantly.
“Having numerous connections with different sects in the pugilist world and being friends with different heroes, even though Prince Yu residence is noble, considering the actual strength, if one wanted to carry out the extermination of the entire household, it is not a difficult thing.”
Ji Yu Shu could not help but spurt out his tea. The look he gave to Shen Miao was one of astonishment.
The Chen brothers were also stumped for words. Chen Yue Shan sized Shen Miao up and his heart chilled. When wandering the pugilist world, one would have seen numerous merciless people. This little young lady was really extremely vicious.
However they also felt that Shen Miao’s words had some sense. If there was a single living person, the centipede would die but never fall down, and it would be inevitable that it would be traced back to the Chen family of JiangNan.
“The matter of extermination of the entire household is indeed not difficult.” Chen Yue Shan smiled bitterly, “But this is going against His Majesty.” Naturally he could not wait to chop Prince Yu to a thousand pieces and they could do it too, but there were still other people in the Chen family to think about who would be harmed if the Imperial family took part in it.
“I have a way to not let His Majesty pursue the matter as long as you have the guts to turn Prince Yu’s nest upside down,” Shen Miao said.
“You.” Chen Yue Hai said, “Shen Young Lady we know you are powerful, otherwise the news that we could not find for the past three years would not have fallen onto your hands. But the Imperial family matters are not that simple, and with carelessness one would draw fire onto oneself.”
“It may be assumed that after I leave, you both would also investigate my background. I am the Di daughter of the Formidable Great General, Ding capital’s General Shen residence. With this identity, do you think that one’s words can be spoken in the Imperial court?”
The Chen brothers had an astounded expression on their faces.
“Why do you want to help us?” Chen Yue Hai asked vigilantly, “To spare no effort to help us, what benefit do you get?”
“You are surely a weird person. Just now you blamed me for not lending a helping hand and now that I do lend it, you are suspicious and questioning me.”
Shen Miao’s taunts made Chen Yue Hai feel aggravated. Chen Yue Shan waved his hand and looked towards Shen Miao with a smile and said, “Shen Young Lady is naturally a mediator but since the matter is important, one was afraid of implicating Shen Young Lady.”
“One does not only help you.” Shen Miao said blandly, “I also have a huge blood feud with Prince Yu residence. Currently my TangJie is about to marry into the Prince Yu residence and was also one of the tortured people. If you were to exterminate the entire Prince Yu household, I would trouble you to please spare my TangJie’s life.”
When the Chen brothers heard of this, the doubts in their hearts were more than half scattered. They cupped their hands towards Shen Miao, “As such, many thanks.”
“Both of you can first inquire news of the Chen Younger Sister. One must not act rashly upon receiving the inquiry. I will meet you again to discuss here in three days’ time.”
The Chen brothers nodded their heads and stood up straightforwardly. Chen Yue Shan said, “After finding my Younger Sister, the Chen family have received Shen Young Lady’s favor, if in the future there is a use for the Chen family, naturally the Chen family would not decline. For this matter, many thanks.” After finishing, they quickly carried their swords and left hastily.
Ji Yu Shu stared at Shen Miao. That day, he had thought that Shen Miao’s performance was already quite unique, but one had not thought that she would be even more surprising today. People from the pugilist world were mostly arrogant, and this was initially a transactional deal but under Shen Miao’s few words, she had become the Chen family’s benefactor and the Chen brothers’ attitude towards Shen Miao had become courteous. To be able to be connected to the Chen family was not an easy feat.
“Manager Ji, now we can discuss about the deal between us.” Shen Miao looked at him.
“The conditions that you mentioned that day, I have thought about it.” Ji Yu Shu pretended to touch his chin and made an appearance of being in a difficult position, “Actually this news of yours is just too dangerous. If it is successful, naturally one would be happy but if it is discovered one day, my Feng Xian Pawnshop would not need to open anymore. I, the manager, would also have my head chopped off and all the servants here would also lose their lives. So for this deal, you need to pay with the Shen family and money but I need to pay with lives. Speaking of this, it is to my disadvantage.”
Shen Miao gave him a fluttering glance and said, “As such, there is no deal. I have disturbed Manager Ji for so long. Goodbye.”
The words that Ji Yu Shu planned to say were not finished when he saw Shen Miao wanting to leave. He was so shocked that he forgot to pretend and quickly said, “Hey, hey, hey. I have yet to finish my words. How is it that nowadays young ladies are unable to remain calm. Shen Young Lady, even though I feel that this is very dangerous, the first time I saw you, I felt that both of us are fated. For a beautiful girl like you to put forth any request, there would not be any men who would disagree. I am one who cannot see a beauty in grievance and if this deal is not done, one thinks that you would also not be happy. To make you happy, I will make this deal.”
In the secret room at the other side, after hearing such nauseating words from Ji Yu Shu, Gao Yang could not help but look at Xie Jing Xing, “Is he alright? This is not Young Lady Shao Yao. This is a cannibalistic young lady.”
Xie Jing Xing pulled back, “Such recklessness.”
But when Shen Miao finished listening to Ji Yu Shu, she calmly said under Ji Yu Shu’s ardent and warm eyes, “That being the case, then let me tell Manager Ji of my plans.”
Ji Yu Shu immediately sat down, “Alright, may Shen Young Lady speak.”
“Currently the Ming Qi people all know that then years ago His Majesty met with an assassination, and Prince Yu used his body to protect and save His Majesty from the assassin, and lost a leg in the process. That assassin however escaped.”
“Exactly.”
Shen Miao smiled gently, “The news that I want you to spread is very simple. It is that recently Prince Yu had put a personal guard to death and in addition to that personal guard looking slightly older, he also looked exactly the same as the assassin ten years ago.”
“This.” Ji Yu Shu was dazed and the cup almost fell out of his hands.
“May Manager Ji ensure that this information be heard by His Majesty.” Shen Miao smiled gently.
“Is this true?” Ji Yu Shu tried to probe.
“Real or fake, it is enough when Manager Ji finds ways to turn it into the truth.”
“You.” Ji Yu Shu stared at Shen Miao and was speechless for a long time. He felt that this little Young Lady who looked younger than him was truly a monster.
“Since the deal is done, I should also leave.” Shen Miao stood up, “Manager Ji’s action has to be fast, at least faster than the extermination of the entire Prince Yu household.”
After she finished speaking, she did not even glance at Ji Yu Shu when she turned and left. Hong Ling was waiting outside for a long time and when she saw her coming out, she knew that the discussion of the deal was completed and led her out.
In the secret room, Gao Yang was silent for a moment before speaking, “Shen family is so powerful and I do not think that this is a good thing. Now that there is more monks and less porridge, the Shen family cannot remain for long.”
“I have the final say towards remaining or not.” Xie Jing Xing said dismissively, “It is also not bad to use the Shen family hands to deal with the old dog Prince Yu.”
“Perhaps one day the Shen family will deal with you like that.”
“If they dare, I would not mind to cut the weeds and eliminate the roots.” Xie Jing Xing’s black eyes lit up, “Do we know the whereabouts for that thing?”
Gao Yang shook his head.
“On the extermination day, I will personally take a trip there.” Xie Jing Xing sat up straight and played with the jade in his hands, “I do not believe it can fly away.”
“You really believe that Shen Miao’s plan of exterminating the entire Prince Yu’s household is done well? But during the actual proceedings, there will always be accidents.”
“Accidents?” Xie Jing Xing chuckled lightly though his eyes were as sharp as knives, “Ever since I met her, there have been no accidents.”
The time passed as always very fast.
The General Shen residence was a very strange residence of late.
Now that Shen Qing had to marry Prince Yu of the First Rank, people who knew the reason were also aware that this was not a good thing. But Chen Rou Qiu and Shen Yue were happily preparing for Shen Qing’s marriage. Since it was the Imperial family that bestowed the marriage one had to show a happy appearance, but between one’s own family there was no need to show such a happy attitude, so this seemed overly cold.
Because of Shen Qing, Ren Wan Yun quarreled with Shen Gui again. Old Shen Furen was biased towards Shen Gui, and was increasingly dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law, so she did not return the power of managing the household back to Ren Wan Yun. Old Shen Furen was even more severe as she directly retained Shen Yuan Bo in Rong Jing Tang and did not let Ren Wan Yun see him.
At this point, Ren Wan Yun had become the person who was cut off from others in the huge Shen family. If Ren Wan Yun was not scolding and cursing the entire day in Cai Yun Yuan, then she would be crying and hugging Shen Qing. Even the servants that were under her secretly sought refuge with Wan YiNiang, who was currently enjoying the limelight.
Those things had no relationship with the Western courtyard.
Shen Xin couple was conscious of keeping a distance from Second and Third households so their attitude was neither hot or cold. In addition, with Shen Miao not alienating them like she did in the past, they felt that it was very worth it to have requested Emperor Wen Hui’s grace to stay in the Ding capital much longer.
In the room, Bai Lu said, “Eldest Young Master just now picked precious jewelry for Young Lady again and also gave a few banknotes for Young Lady. This servant will put it in the box for Young Lady.”
Shen Miao nodded her head. After Shen Qiu became aware that she had gone to Feng Xian Pawnshop, he thought that she was short on money to spend and every few days sent over exquisite things that the Palace had bestowed, or else he would just directly sent money over and also say to her, “Younger Sister, if you have no money, tell Elder Brother and Elder Brother would give it to you. Do not go to that whatever pawnshop. Shen Qiu’s Younger Sister does not need to go to a pawnshop to pawn things for money.”
Shen Miao was also disinclined to explain to him and since having more money was not a problem, she was happy to accept it.
It has been two days since the meeting with the Chen brothers and one had to go to the Feng Xian Pawnshop again tomorrow. One was not sure if Chen Yue Shan and Chen Yue Hai were able to inquire about the whereabouts of the younger Chen sister.
That Chen family’s sister’s life experience was undoubtedly very pitiful. And when she came to know about the matter, it was during her previous lifetime. When Fu Xiu Yi had just ascended the throne, he had no patience with Prince Yu of the First Rank. Fu Xiu Yi was after all not Emperor Wen Hui and Prince Yu had not saved his life.
JiangNan’s Yu Province’s Chen family finally learned about the Chen sisters’ experiences three years later and at that time also tried assassinating Prince Yu. This pair of brothers had the guts and directly crippled Prince Yu’s other leg but unfortunately let Prince Yu live. Prince Yu was furious and wanted to track down who was it and threw this problem to Fu Xiu Yi.
To investigate who were the assassins it was especially difficult, but Fu Xiu Yi had aids and advisors all over the land and that also included people in the pugilist world, thus someone mentioned the Feng Xian Pawnshop’s private business to Fu Xiu Yi.
Fu Xiu Yi himself did not come forward personally, but sent people to spend heavily to buy the news of the assassins who assaulted Prince Yu. Feng Xian Pawnshop took the business, but strangely, the deal was not completed as they said that there was no news received. Fu Xiu Yi later found out that it was the JiangNan’s Chen family, so the whole family was drowned in the disaster that they ushered in.
In this lifetime, Shen Miao had thought about this matter long before Prince Yu had designs on her. Just as Ren Wan Yun had started scheming, she had already laid out such a plan. Everything was in accordance with the chess game. Shen Qing was humiliated, Ren Wan Yun counterattacked, even Shen Qing’s accidental pregnancy were all in her plans. Implicate the pregnancy in the returning feast, Shen Qin would marry Prince Yu and Prince Yu would be up in a violent rage.
Prince Yu would place all his energy on her, thus the Chen family’s people would be able to take advantage to work out a strategy secretly. As for the Imperial family, it would be a light work.
Actually Shen Miao had a speculation all along that with the Feng Xian Pawnshop’s ability, they should have find out that it was the Chen family that assaulted Prince Yu in the past life, but Fu Xiu Yi’s people kept not receiving any news. There was a possibility that there was discord between the Feng Xian Pawnshop’s people and Prince Yu.
That was why in the pagoda of the Feng Xian Pawnshop, Shen Miao deliberately tested Ji Yu Shu and said ‘extermination of the entire household’. Ji Yu Shu had a stunned look but there was no gloom on it, so obviously Ji Yu Shu had no resentment or gratitude to the residence of Prince Yu.
But for a person who had died once, sometimes one’s intuition was terribly accurate. Ji Yu Shu’s reaction not only did not dispel Shen Miao’s conjectures, but also made her have another doubt in her heart. If it was so, then everything was not unexplainable.
Perhaps the owner behind the Feng Xian Pawnshop was not Ji Yu Shu.
Who was the person behind the scene?
Shen Miao was unable to call it to mind. She originally thought that due to being an Empress in the past life and also being by Fu Xiu Yi’s side, all these big and small secrets would be in the palm of her hands, but it seemed that the depth of these waters was more dangerous than she had imagined it to be.
But in any case, Prince Yu’s household must be exterminated and Prince Yu’s life be collected, as for Shen Qing, naturally should be kept alive in a manner where death was better than living. In the previous life Shen Qing came to see her in jail, now in this lifetime, she would return the favor with thanks.
Shuang Jiang carried a flower pot in and smiled, “Yesterday the sun was especially big so this servant brought this pot of flowers out to bask in the sunlight. Initially this servant did not believe when Young Lady said that most likely there would be snow in these past few days, and made this servant bring out the parasol covers. Who knew that early this morning, there was snowfall. Thanks to Young Lady’s preparation or else these pots of flowers would be miserable and this servant would also get into trouble.”
“Speaking of which, Young Lady seems to like making preparations.” Bai Lu smiled, “One will be able to think of things that could go wrong and every time we encounter critical issues, we are able to get by it easily. This character of Young Lady’s is very good to have.”
Shen Miao smiled lightly. Her pair of bright eyes reflected the scenery outside but were as firm as a rock. She said, “It is nothing. I just do not like accidents.”
Dramas On My Mind 