565 Alliance (6)
“She came here two years ago. At that time, Princess’s personal maid, Lu Xi, sent her back home. Her surname is Shen.”
One of the maids suddenly patted her head and said, “I remember that girl’s name. Isn’t that Shen Miao, the daughter of the mighty general?”
Everyone widened their eyes, then they became puzzled.
They naturally knew Shen Miao. Recently, there had been a lot of commotion in the capital. Shen Miao had been missing for three days and Shen Xin was even willing to offer ten thousand taels of gold for anyone who could provide useful clues. Everyone guessed that Shen Miao must have met with misfortune, but they did not expect Shen Miao to actually appear in the princess’s mansion.
What was Shen Miao doing here?
…
Shen Miao sat in the main hall. The maids came over to serve her tea and snacks. She could feel some gazes lingering on her and sizing her up. Shen Miao accepted it calmly. It was normal for them to be surprised to see her in the princess’s mansion.
However, she had no choice. Just as Xie Jingxing had said, if she returned to the mansion alone now, she would arouse suspicion. She had to find a person with a high status and a convincing voice to vouch for her. Previously, at the Lantern Festival, Princess Rong Xin helped her once. This time, she still needed Princess Rong Xin’s help.
Everyone knew that Princess Rong Xin was an upright person and was fair. With Princess Rong Xin vouching for her, no one would suspect anything.
A moment later, footsteps came from behind. Shen Miao turned around and saw Princess Rong Xin walking over slowly.
Shen Miao was shocked.
The person who came was wearing a thin robe and a cloak. She probably had makeup on her face, but it could not hide her age and haggardness. The last time Shen Miao saw Princess Rong Xin two years ago, she was still a lively woman. Now, she looked as if her soul had been taken away.
Shen Miao stood up and bowed to Princess Rong Xin.
When Princess Rong Xin saw her, she looked nostalgic. She smiled and said, “I haven’t seen you for two years. Back then, General Shen left in a hurry, so I didn’t have time to get someone to send you some farewell gifts. When you returned to the capital, I caught a cold and didn’t go to the tribute banquet. I didn’t have the chance to see you.” She sat down at the table and gestured for Shen Miao to sit down too.
Shen Miao nodded slightly. “I’m the one who should come and visit you.”
Princess Rong Xin smiled at her. “You’ve been a beauty since you were young, and now you’re even more outstanding. If my nephew is still alive…” Her voice slowly lowered, and a trace of pain flashed across her eyes.
Shen Miao did not know what to say.
Princess Rong Xin chuckled again and continued, “I always bring up these sad memories that make people unhappy. I try to not think about it, but in the end, it always comes back to my mind. I’m really sorry if I put you in a bad mood.”
Shen Miao was a little surprised that someone as stubborn as Princess Rong Xin would apologize to someone. However, Shen Miao was mostly sympathetic. In Princess Rong Xin’s eyes, her nephew, who had accompanied her for many years, died miserably on the battlefield. It wasn’t hard to imagine how heart-broken she was.
Princess Rong Xin smiled and said, “I’ve heard about what happened to you. Don’t worry, I helped you two years ago, and I’ll help you this time.”
Shen Miao only said that she was kidnapped by someone near the Marquis of Lin’an’s mansion and was saved by Xie Jingxing’s former guard. Because Xie Jingxing’s guard had seen Shen Miao before, he helped her. However, if she returned to the Shen mansion so rashly, it would probably cause rumors and she wanted to ask Princess Rong Xin for help.
As long as Shen Miao mentioned Xie Jingxing, Princess Rong Xin would always become especially tolerant. In addition, that so-called guard of Xie Jingxing really had a token given to him by Xie Jingxing. After Princess Rong Xin saw it with her own eyes, she no longer doubted Shen Miao’s story. In addition, she had a good impression of Shen Miao to begin with, so she naturally agreed.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Shen Miao said, “I’m really sorry for troubling you again and again.”
“No trouble, no trouble.” Princess Rong Xin smiled and said, “When Jingxing was around, he always liked to look for me whenever he caused trouble. Every trouble he caused was horrendous. I didn’t see him feel guilty at all. I originally thought when I turned old, it would be my turn to cause trouble for him. Unexpectedly…” Princess Rong Xin’s smile became sad.” Now, I want him to cause trouble for me, but it’s no longer possible…”