Chapter 124: She Figured It Out

The next day Shen Miao rose late.
Xie Jingxing had come at third watch last night; talking until she was exhausted—she slept dreamless—woke very late.
She rarely slept in. Luo Xueyan thought she was tired from tribute feast and left food for when she woke. Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan had gone early to the Ministry of War—restored office, much old business. Shen Qiu and Luo Ling were out too—Luo Ling seeking new post; Shen Xin had Luo Ling help Shen Qiu so newcomers would not bully him.
So in the new "Shen house" only Luo Tan and Shen Miao remained. Feng Anning sent an invitation to pick jewelry. Shen Miao sent Luo Tan with several Shen guards, saying she was weary and would rest at home.
Luo Tan said no more, urged her care, and left. After she left Shen Miao had Mo Qing deliver a letter to Guangwen Hall. Mo Qing assented and went.
Two years had changed Ding somewhat. The once-famous Liuying of Baoxiang House—redeemed for a thousand taels of gold by devoted Master Mo. Without Liuying, double-sided embroidery lost for years had quietly reappeared—one bolt worth a hundred taels. The embroiderer skilled and fair—the shop gold by the day.
Another life need not be worse. No one knows the new hope until the step is taken.
Liuying living well pleased those who worried for her. Pei Lang kept his word. Seeing Pei Lang at tribute, Shen Miao had a plan. Pei Lang already had Fu Xiuyi's trust—hence beside him at feast. Fu Xiuyi was suspicious—but worse after becoming emperor. Now he still prized talent. Pei Lang had depth—Fu Xiuyi would try to keep him.
Therefore now Fu Xiuyi tested Pei Lang's talent—next would test loyalty. She could not visit Pei Lang rashly—lest Fu Xiuyi suspect.
This pawn had not crossed the river yet.
"Bring a cloak."
Bailu and Shuangjiang were tidying the room and wondered: "Miss—going out?"
"Some business to do."
They said no more. Guyu combed her hair silently. Jingzhe fetched the cloak. Invisibly her maids obeyed at once—palace-trained girls might not be so swift and calm.
Mo Qing had gone to Guangwen Hall. Shen Miao called A'zhi. On the northwest march she had grown close to Shen Qiu's men—gave many stratagems from what she heard as empress's counsel to Fu Xiuyi's advisers—copying the pattern—others thought her divine, military-minded. Rough soldiers respected her mind and honored her.
She told A'zhi: "Today's outing—tell no one."
A'zhi started—loyal to Shen Qiu first—yet under her clear eyes pressure doubled. He nodded. "Yes."
A'zhi found a plain carriage—unremarkable—not clearly Shen's. Yesterday she had offended Qin Princess Ming'an—she and Huangfu Hao lived nearby in Yanqing Lane—meeting could mean trouble. The princess was spoiled; many Qin guards—if trouble came, Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan might arrive too late.
A'zhi was puzzled. Two years away—if anyone in Ding was close to Shen Miao, it was Feng Anning. Today she refused Feng—clearly not visiting her. A'zhi thought of storybooks Luo Tan told—heart jumped—if some wild young master eloped, he would tell Shen Qiu even at cost of life. Such a gifted miss must not be stolen by unknown boy.
He never expected Fengxian pawnshop.
Fengxian was as two years ago—still quiet. Not everyone had treasure to pawn here.
Shen Miao descended. A'zhi followed; Jingzhe and Guyu jumped down. Before he looked around she walked straight in.
The boy wiping table dust saw four approach—the leader in cloak, hood down—a delicate face, noble air not to slight. He smiled servile. "Miss—pawn something?"
She glanced—new boy. After they left for Xiaochun the shop closed two years, reopened lately—were Hong Ling and Ji Yushu still here? "I seek Hong Ling."
The boy paused, looked again. She watched calm. He hurried: "Please wait, Miss," and vanished into the back.
Soon a woman in red came, the boy behind. Red dress, wind and charm—more swaying than two years ago. Seeing Shen Miao her eyes fixed—then laughed. "Long absence—Miss grows more striking. Hong Ling can hardly open her eyes."
Bold words from Hong Ling yet not base—strangely frank. Shen Miao nodded slightly. Hong Ling smiled again. "Old rules—follow me. But…" jade finger at A'zhi, laughing, "this big lump cannot come."
Lively A'zhi, unlike cold Mo Qing, blushed at the glamorous mistress pointing. Still he insisted: "Your servant follows Miss."
"Wait here." Shen Miao said. "I see a friend. Jingzhe and Guyu only." Tone firm—A'zhi could not argue.
Hong Ling's eyes flickered—surprise. This delicate girl yet commanded guards utterly—Mo Qing, A'zhi—all respected from the heart. Able subordinates often had pride—none before her.
Shen Miao had skill.
Hong Ling led toward Linjiang Immortal tower. Jingzhe and Guyu behind. Shen Miao asked: "I hear Fengxian reopened lately. Two years ago…"
"Two years ago the master's family had change—closed shop and returned home. Returned to Ding not long ago." Hong Ling took the thread, smiling. "Miss is our first old patron met again."
Shen Miao calculated and smiled agreement. In the tower as before Hong Ling placed her in the elegant room. "Hong Ling will fetch the master. Rest, drink tea—a moment." And left.
Plums and tea on table; incense curling. The room unchanged. Such a large shop idle two years—not rented out—truly rich landlord air.
Before one cup finished, a door pushed open. She set the cup—a man entered in emerald brocade with gold peacock flowers, gold crown, smiling in.
Still a doll face—two years added youth's maturity. Mischief unchanged. Yet Shen Miao thought—only Ji Yushu could wear such gaudy clothes so happily—bones utterly flamboyant.
Ji Yushu saw Shen Miao—eyes bright, unhidden praise: "I thought Lady Shaoyao the fairest I'd seen—Miss Shen no less. Two years—more grace—I lack words to praise."
Jingzhe and Guyu displeased. His words were outright flirtation of a decent maiden—yet on an innocent face one wondered act or nature.
Shen Miao smiled. "Shopkeeper Ji is wealthier than before." Her gaze swept his loud dress.
Ji Yushu sat opposite, poured tea, truly glad—as if reunion sincere. "Didn't expect Miss Shen remembers this old friend. General Shen just returned—Miss doesn't hurry to others but comes Fengxian—you truly trust me. I'm deeply moved."
Shen Miao: "…"
Last night one presumptuous man—now another. Headache. And Ji Yushu meant it—thought her genuinely close.
She coughed lightly. "Today I come to do business with Shopkeeper Ji. Just returned—many things unclear—must rely on All-Knowing One."
Ji Yushu paused, then: "Business? Good. What Miss Shen wishes to know—All-Knowing One will do his best. As friends—I'll deduct twenty percent."
Jingzhe and Guyu rolled eyes behind him. He ran such empire—pawnshop cover for costless trade—silver endless—yet stingy twenty percent? Truly merchant has no conscience.
Shen Miao smiled. "Silver is fine—but this news is not easy."
Ji Yushu: "Miss Shen jests. Even 'fabricating' news we took at Fengxian—what dare we not take now?"
"But Shopkeeper Ji was away from Ming Qi two years. Ming Qi affairs may be troublesome to hear." she said.
Ji Yushu smiled, proud. "Don't underestimate Fengxian. Though I was gone and the shop closed—business continued. Else how feed family? All-Knowing One still worked—two years' harvest not wasted. Miss Shen speak—what intelligence to buy? Fengxian serves."
Shen Miao laughed lightly. "Then I'm reassured. Today three deals—all for news. First—do you know news two years ago—Young Marquis Xie of Lin'an house died in battle?"
Ji Yushu paused. "Why does Miss Shen ask?"
"Shen and Xie are both martial houses of Ming Qi. Though Marquis and my father disagreed in court, warriors respect each other. Rabbit mourns when fox dies—such talent died horribly on field. I wish Shopkeeper Ji trace every thread of that death—including burial."
Ji Yushu drank tea, smiled. "Easy enough—yet Xie Jingxing's death is known to all—unusual detail hard—cannot promise—too long ago—dead and gone."
"Shopkeeper Ji try. If nothing found, I don't mind." She poured herself more tea, calm. "Second deal—do you know an imperial physician in Ming Qi palace called Gao Yang?"
"Pfft—" Ji Yushu sprayed tea. Shen Miao signaled Jingzhe—handkerchief at once.
Ji Yushu wiped frantically. Shen Miao: "Shopkeeper Ji seems surprised?"
"Cough—yes, surprised. Why would Miss Shen seek a palace physician?"
"Entrusted by someone." She looked at him. "Shopkeeper Ji never heard the name?"
Ji Yushu shook head: "First time. Medicine can't be great—else famous long ago." He looked troubled. "Frankly—why palace ties. All-Knowing One does business—but palace forces too wide—merchants dare not risk."
She said nothing—calm gaze made him uneasy. He cleared throat, voice lower: "Not impossible—just more silver…"
"Silver—Shopkeeper Ji need not worry. You'll not be shorted."
After two deals he was guilty and short of breath, laughed dry. "Third intelligence Miss Shen wants?"
"Third is hard." She watched him. "But I believe Shopkeeper Ji's ability—only a matter of time."
Ji Yushu forced a smile. "Thank Miss Shen's trust—but what makes even Miss Shen say hard?"
"I want intelligence on one person—Great Liang's Prince Rui."
Ji Yushu's hand with teacup trembled slightly—face turned profound. "Oh? Why Prince Rui. As I know he just arrived in Ding. At most Miss Shen saw him at tribute. Unless like other noble girls—smitten by his beauty—so you inquire?" At the end his voice rose oddly excited.
Jingzhe and Guyu nearly exploded behind—such nonsense overheard would ruin Miss Shen's name. Servants could not interrupt—only glared in fury.
Shen Miao watched Ji Yushu scratching ears in excitement and suddenly laughed. "Yes. I too admire his peerless beauty."
Ji Yushu froze—mouth gaping, pointing at her, stuttering: "R-really true?"
Shen Miao nodded seriously. "Truly."
Ji Yushu like finding great secret, excitement barely contained, "hehe" twice. "Then I will inquire Prince Rui's situation well… see if other girls circle him."
Shen Miao rose, bowed to Ji Yushu. "Thank Shopkeeper Ji. If you learn anything, send word to the house—I will come Fengxian again." She placed a silver ingot from her sleeve. "Deposit."
Ji Yushu smiled. "Miss Shen too polite—between us why deposit—" and pocketed the silver. Jingzhe and Guyu glared again.
Shen Miao smiled. "Pay for work—natural law. Shopkeeper Ji remember one thing." Gentle brows—words sharp: "All-Knowing One's rule is truth for price. I buy intelligence—no false reports. Truth exact—and useful. Else silver spent for useless word…" she smiled down, "ruin Shopkeeper Ji's sign—business fails—that would be tragic."
Ji Yushu paused. Shen Miao called Jingzhe and Guyu and left. He sat blank—heard Hong Ling see her off outside—looked at teacup—sneezed.
Rubbed nose, stood, opened neighboring landscape painting—door behind—stepped in and was kicked, nearly fell. Slammed door, roared at culprit: "Gao Yang!"
Behind the door a man in white, immortal air, fanning gently—words less polite: "Ji Yushu, are you ill? Keep this up and someone sells you as fool."
Ji Yushu raged: "You're clever—yet exposed. She said she wants Gao—the physician!"
"Shut up." From the corner—purple robes splendid—not Xie Jingxing who? He swept Ji Yushu. "Noisy."
Ji Yushu aggrieved: "Third Brother, I know nothing. Left capital with you—back and caught. Gao Yang's fault." He glared at Gao Yang. "Speak! Where did you slip so Shen Miss saw?"
This room adjoined the last—their talk heard clear. All three Shen Miao asked about were here—strange indeed.
"Ji Yushu, are you stupid?" Gao Yang said. "Shen Miao returned days ago. Unless thousand-li eyes—how know what you do in palace? I suspect you slipped."
"What slip—she didn't ask about me—why ask you unless she fancies you—but she admires Third Brother's beauty?" Ji Yushu leered. "Hehe—Shen Miss smitten by Third Brother too."
"Only a fool like you believes that ghost talk." Gao Yang cold-eyed. "You think everyone loses mind to beauty like you?"
Ji Yushu patted chest. "Can't out-talk you—done. Third Brother—now what? Find for her? Or fake news?"
"Shen Miao asked these three—she knows something. Lies may be caught. What does Shen Miao mean—even Shen stance unclear. Two years Pei Lang private with her—now Fu Xiuyi's confidant. One girl so complex?" Gao Yang muttered—Xie Jingxing not listening, staring at teapot—reminded: "Your… Highness—how respond?"
Xie Jingxing returned, thought: "No response."
"Why?" Before Gao Yang, Ji Yushu cried: "No silver? Shen Miss is clever—refuse and she'll sense wrong—if Fengxian exposed?"
Xie Jingxing smiled faintly. "Because she's clever—no response needed."
"Meaning…" Gao Yang frowned.
"She sensed wrong—came to probe." Xie Jingxing narrowed eyes, smiled. "Those words weren't for you—for me."
"That peerless beauty?" Ji Yushu's focus always elsewhere.
Xie Jingxing's gaze cooled on him. "Also for me."
In the carriage outside Jingzhe and Guyu watched Shen Miao's face carefully. Guyu whispered: "Miss—did Shopkeeper Ji say wrong… Miss looks angry?"
Indeed angry—face seemed calm—cold around her chilled the maids. Smoldering or rage held down. They heard the room talk—Ji Yushu's mouth was rough—she had been fine. She was not one to rage at words alone.
They did not understand. Shen Miao answered coolly: "Nothing." Colder still.
Fingers in sleeve clenched—unbearable stifling rose. Fengxian closed soon after she left—not reopened until just before her return—how so coincidental. All coincidence leaves traces. She thought: closing besides Shen Xin to Xiaochun—another great matter—Xie Jingxing requesting northern command. Reopening—her return—tribute—Qin crown prince and Prince Rui in Ding.
Shen house and Fengxian had no tie—so not Shen-linked. Huangfu Hao was not in Ding two years ago—counting—open and close both tied indelibly to Xie Jingxing. Today she came to probe.
Result as expected—Ji Yushu and Xie Jingxing old friends—Gao Yang too. Before and after—Ji Yushu and Gao Yang likely Liang men hidden in Ding. Worse—Prince Yu affair she told Ji Yushu whole—Xie Jingxing knew all along. She thought she held advantage eating Ji Yushu dead—yellow finch behind—playing fool—she wished to tear Xie Jingxing.
Stifled—Jingzhe thought her hot, lifted curtain for air—quickly dropped. Shen Miao glanced—among the crowd a familiar face.
Jingzhe lowered curtain—Shen Miao shouted stop—lifted curtain—looked again—the face was gone.
"Miss?" Jingzhe and Guyu shaken by her starts. Shen Miao searched outside long—dropped curtain. "Nothing. Go on."
But her brow locked tighter than before—darker still.