Shen Mieyue narrowed his dark eyes slightly, then suddenly reached out to pinch Shen Xiuming’s delicate face, his confusion deepening as his eyes widened further.
The surrounding officials were alarmed, assuming there was some grudge between the two, and hurriedly stepped in to intervene.
"General Shen, let’s talk this out calmly!"
"Oh dear, let go of Magistrate Shen! He’s slender and frail—he can’t withstand your blows!"
"What’s going on here?"
"General Shen, release him! Magistrate Shen isn’t into men!"
"No wonder General Shen has never married—turns out he has such inclinations... Ah!"
Amid the clamor, the envoys from the Yue Kingdom watched with amusement.
Among them was a petite envoy with a faint medicinal scent, her bright almond-shaped eyes sparkling with excitement as she covered her mouth and giggled. "Oh my~ The fierce general falling for the delicate magistrate? This is even more dramatic than the romance novels!"
Shen Xiuming, a grown man, was utterly humiliated at having his face pinched by General Shen. Even if you’re a second-rank Divine Martial General, you can’t just publicly manhandle a low-ranking official like this!
The cold river wind blew as Shen Mieyue’s bewilderment grew, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Your name is Shen Xiuming? Are you from Shen Village in Jiangzhou? Do you have an elder brother and two sisters?"
Shen Xiuming’s face flushed red from the pinch, but he suppressed his temper and replied, "Yes, I am indeed from Shen Village. My elder brother passed away long ago—General, let go!"
Shen Mieyue released his grip, his dark eyes fixed intently on Shen Xiuming.
After a long pause, as if finally confirming something, Shen Mieyue’s voice trembled with emotion, tears welling up in his eyes. "Little brother! You—you’re still alive!"
Shen Xiuming froze, scrutinizing the general before him.
Beneath the sun-darkened skin and the fierce scars, there was something familiar about General Shen Mieyue’s face.
Shen Xiuming’s mind buzzed in disbelief as he stammered, "Elder... elder brother?"
...
...
Donghua Mountain, the imperial retreat.
Spring was in full bloom, with peach blossoms adorning the branches in vibrant splendor. Shen Wei, dressed in a short training outfit, jogged a dozen laps around the courtyard before stopping by the stone steps near the water to stretch and cool down.
Thanks to her consistent exercise, Shen Wei’s physical health had greatly improved—she rarely fell ill, and when she did, she recovered swiftly.
Additionally, she practiced yoga daily, making her limbs exceptionally flexible. Even if she returned to the palace, she wouldn’t fear Li Yuanjing’s... vigorous attentions.
That man was fierce—most women couldn’t handle him. That Shen Wei could match him so well in bed was a skill in itself.
"Mistress, wonderful news!" Cai Lian rushed into the courtyard, beaming with joy.
Shen Wei wiped the sweat from her brow and casually crushed a passing grasshopper underfoot, not particularly excited. "Did the Emperor send someone?"
Cai Lian nodded eagerly.
"Two pieces of good news, Mistress! Your elder brother has returned!"
Shen Wei was momentarily stunned. "My brother? Which one?"
Cai Lian explained, "General Shen Mieyue! The whole of Yanjing City is talking about it. While escorting the Yue Kingdom envoys back to the capital, General Shen passed through Jiangnan and discovered that Magistrate Shen was his long-lost younger brother!"
Shen Wei’s breath hitched.
Faintly, she recalled that she did have an elder brother named Shen Xiuxing, who had gone to the border to serve in the military and was presumed dead in battle, his remains never recovered.
"But isn’t General Shen’s name Shen Mieyue?" Shen Wei grasped Cai Lian’s hand.
Cai Lian said, "Everyone in Yanjing says General Shen changed his name to ‘Mieyue’ out of hatred for the Yue Kingdom bandits. His original name was Xiuxing. When the Emperor learned that you’re General Shen’s younger sister, he immediately sent palace attendants to Donghua Mountain to escort you and the Empress Dowager back to the palace."
Li Yuanjing had been searching for a suitable reason to bring Shen Wei back to the palace.
Who could have imagined such an incredible twist of fate—Shen Wei was actually General Shen Mieyue’s sister!
Bringing her back for a family reunion was the perfect excuse.
Shen Wei lowered her gaze, deep in thought. "Shen Mieyue..."
Back in Prince Yan’s Mansion, she had often heard Li Yuanjing speak of him with admiration, even attempting to recruit him—though unsuccessfully.
Now, by sheer coincidence, Shen Mieyue had become the Emperor’s brother-in-law. No need for deliberate courtship—they were already family.
After a moment’s consideration, Shen Wei instructed, "Cai Lian, prepare our belongings for the return to Yanjing."
Before heading back to the palace, Shen Wei decided to visit the Empress Dowager first. Rising slowly, she shed her calm demeanor and effortlessly adopted a troubled expression.
The spring air was warm, and a gentle breeze rustled through the mountains. Perhaps from spending so much time with the children, the Empress Dowager had grown somewhat playful. Today, she had taken her three young grandsons to fly kites on the peach blossom-covered hill behind the estate.
By the time Shen Wei arrived, three beautiful kites already dotted the sky. The Empress Dowager handed her kite’s string to an elderly maid and glanced at Shen Wei. "Let’s have tea in the pavilion."
Shen Wei nodded with feigned concern.
Nearby, Li Chengtai, who was flying a kite, frowned at the sight.
The pavilion, nestled in the hills, offered a splendid view. Sitting inside, one could enjoy the breeze and the sight of peach blossoms blanketing the distant slopes. Nanny Qian served hot tea and pastries.
The Empress Dowager took a sip of Biluochun tea and spoke gently, "I’ve already heard the news from the palace. To think you’re General Shen Mieyue’s sister—fate truly works in mysterious ways."
Previously, the Empress Dowager had worried that Shen Wei’s lowly background would make her a target for court criticism upon her return. But now, with the illustrious General Shen—a war hero—as her brother, the Shen family’s status had skyrocketed overnight.
With such a formidable uncle, Li Chengtai and Li Chengyou’s futures would be much smoother.
Shen Wei lowered her head, her expression devoid of joy. "Throughout history, subjects who overshadow their rulers have met tragic ends. I fear the Emperor may grow wary of my brother and, by extension, resent me."
A consort’s family being too lowly invited scorn.
A consort’s family being too powerful invited the Emperor’s suspicion.
Just think of the famous generals of history—Bai Qi, Han Xin, Zhou Yafu—whose achievements eclipsed their sovereigns. None met peaceful ends.
Li Yuanjing was no longer just Prince Yan—he was an emperor with the world in his grasp. If the Shen family’s rise provoked his distrust, Shen Wei’s fate would be grim.
The Empress Dowager set down her white jade teacup and studied Shen Wei’s deliberately mournful expression. With a sigh, she chided, "Do you think I don’t know you? Stop pretending in front of me. You’re as cunning as a beehive—always thinking ten steps ahead."
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Shen Wei’s face.
After three years at Donghua Mountain, the Empress Dowager had come to understand Shen Wei well—and even admired her intelligence.
Today, any other woman would have been overjoyed at the news of having a general for a brother.
But Shen Wei remained level-headed, foreseeing the dangers of "overshadowing the throne" and seeking the Empress Dowager’s protection.
The Empress Dowager firmly believed that only a wise, far-sighted mother could raise discerning children—ensuring Qing State’s legacy endured for centuries.
Shen Wei offered a meek smile. "Mother, please guide me. I don’t want the Shen family to become the Emperor’s thorn, nor do I wish to die young."
