Shen Wei gazed at the bright moonlight, her eyes shimmering with a faint glow. "It's been so long since I last saw my brother. I miss him dearly."
The family reunion was almost at hand.
Her eldest brother, Shen Mieyue, was the Divine Martial General. Her elder sister, Shen Qiang, was a prosperous agricultural landowner. Shen Wei herself was both an imperial consort and a wealthy merchant, while her younger brother, Shen Xiuming, was a rising star in the court.
The Shen family was on the verge of greatness.
Of course, Shen Wei had to ensure the Shens remained grounded. Though their future seemed dazzling, they had to stay clear-headed and rational.
Avoid reckless ambition, refrain from arrogance, never grow complacent with favor, and stay out of factional strife—only by remaining unwaveringly loyal to the emperor could the family stand firm for generations to come.
Still, Shen Wei had to prepare for the worst—the emperor's heart was fickle. Li Yuanjing might grow wary of the Shen family and seek their destruction.
If that happened, Shen Wei would have to maneuver behind the scenes, rally court officials, and leverage Shen Mieyue's military power and her own wealth to ensure her son ascended the throne.
...
Tonight’s moonlight was exceptionally radiant, spilling like liquid silver over the official road leading to Yanjing City.
Shen Mieyue, escorting the Yue Kingdom’s envoy, had paused to rest at a relay station outside the city.
The station was brightly lit.
Despite being close to Yanjing City, Shen Mieyue remained vigilant, deploying fully armed soldiers to patrol the area against bandits or marauders.
"Big Brother, you should eat something." Shen Xiuming approached with a bowl of braised pork knuckle and handed it to Shen Mieyue at the station’s entrance.
Shen Mieyue sat on a wooden stool. "Thank you."
Shen Xiuming grinned. "We’re brothers—no need for formalities. Mother’s carriage should reach Yanjing soon. In two days, we’ll return to the capital, reunite with our sisters, and have a lively family feast."
Years ago, a miscommunication had led Shen Mieyue to believe his entire family had been slaughtered by Yue forces, while their mother thought her eldest son had perished in battle.
Thankfully, fate had granted them a second chance at reunion.
Shen Mieyue smacked Shen Xiuming’s head. "You brat! You picked up that filthy gambling habit and forced Third Sister to sell herself into servitude!"
Shen Xiuming clutched his head, wincing. "Brother, I quit gambling ages ago! Let’s not dredge up the past! Third Sister is now the Noble Consort Shen—she might even become an imperial consort one day. She’s finally tasting the sweetness after all that bitterness."
Shen Mieyue glared. "The harem is full of scheming women. Third Sister is pure-hearted and kind—she wouldn’t even step on a grasshopper. How smoothly can she fare there?"
Shen Xiuming fell silent.
The harem teemed with beauties, yet Shen Wei had been abandoned by the emperor in the mountains for three years, only summoned back to the palace half a month ago. Clearly, the emperor cared little for her—her return was solely out of respect for Shen Mieyue.
The one who had pushed Shen Wei into this abyss was none other than Shen Xiuming.
Every time he remembered, he wanted to slap himself. He truly deserved death.
All he could do now was strive for political achievements, climbing the ranks. The higher his position, the stronger his sister’s backing in the palace.
"Big Brother, you’re a military man stationed in Liangzhou year-round. How do you know so much about the harem’s dangers?" Shen Xiuming asked curiously.
Shen Mieyue’s face reddened. "Someone told me."
Shen Xiuming pressed, "Who?"
Shen Mieyue coughed awkwardly. "None of your business."
It was Sun Qingmei, of course.
Sun Qingmei was the daughter of the late General Sun. She had joined the army, proving herself a match for any man, and became a valiant female general who fought alongside Shen Mieyue in many battles.
After three years together in Liangzhou, Shen Mieyue had grown to admire this brave and resilient woman.
A straightforward man, he had boldly confessed his feelings, wishing to marry her. Yet no matter how many times he professed his love, Sun Qingmei gently refused, leaving him frustrated.
If she liked him too, why keep rejecting him?
Women’s hearts were truly inscrutable.
"Report! General, a carriage approaches on the official road!" A patrolling soldier suddenly rushed in.
A plain-looking carriage rolled toward the station, stirring the guards’ suspicion.
Shen Mieyue stood, gripping his blade, his hawk-like eyes fixed on the vehicle.
What business did a carriage have here in the dead of night?
The carriage halted. Soldiers outside swiftly drew their swords as a slender figure stepped out from behind the gray curtains.
Moonlight bathed the young woman’s delicate face. Dressed simply, she looked timidly around before speaking in a soft, hesitant voice, "This humble girl is Tantai Rou. I’ve come to find Young Master Yan Yunting. Might you announce my arrival?"
Tantai Rou had arrived.
Shen Mieyue narrowed his eyes but remained wary. "Someone, inform Advisor Yan that an old acquaintance seeks him," he commanded in a deep voice.
A servant hurried inside to relay the message.
Inside the station, Yan Yunting had already retired for the night. At the news, he bolted upright in bed.
An old acquaintance?
Could it be… Zhao Yang Princess?
Yan Yunting hastily dressed, throwing on a blue robe and smoothing his hair. During his time away from Yanjing City, he had missed both the princess and Tantai Rou dearly.
Yet while Tantai Rou had replied to every letter he sent, Zhao Yang had not written back even once.
Her silence only tormented him further.
Who would have thought the princess would rush to the station under cover of night to see him?
A smile tugged at his lips as he hurried outside.
Under the moon’s glow, Tantai Rou stood alone, her thin robes fluttering in the breeze. Yan Yunting’s heart sank slightly—he had hoped it was Zhao Yang Princess.
But seeing the devotion in Tantai Rou’s eyes, he softened and gave her a tender smile.
Time had passed, yet his Rou’er still loved him as deeply as ever.
"Brother Yunting!" Tantai Rou cried joyfully, throwing herself into his arms.
Yan Yunting embraced her gently. "Silly girl, why didn’t you just wait for me in Yanjing?"
Tantai Rou lifted her tear-streaked face. "Waiting at home was unbearable. I missed you so much I stole a carriage to come find you."
They held each other tightly.
Shen Xiuming cleared his throat. "Advisor Yan, it’s chilly out here. Why not take the young lady inside for some warm tea?"
Yan Yunting nodded and led Tantai Rou into the station.
Once they were gone, Shen Xiuming lowered his voice and gossiped to Shen Mieyue, "Big Brother, Yan Yunting wants to marry Zhao Yang Princess, yet he’s entangled with another woman. Is he planning to enjoy both? Will the emperor allow that?"
Shen Mieyue shrugged. "Not my concern."
He only ever intended to marry Sun Qingmei.
What other men did was none of his business.
Just then, a crisp voice chimed in lazily from behind, "Men are all the same—never satisfied with what they have, always eyeing more."
Shen Xiuming turned to see a young man in Yue Kingdom envoy attire approaching.
The youth was slender and tall, his fair face strikingly handsome. The night breeze billowed his long sleeves, lending him an almost ethereal grace.
But the illusion shattered the moment he plopped onto a bench and began gnawing on a chicken leg with unrefined gusto.
The celestial aura vanished instantly.
Shen Xiuming had little interaction with the envoys from the Yue Kingdom. He cupped his hands and asked, "May I ask your name, sir?"
The young man, gnawing on a chicken leg, replied, "This official's surname is Mo, given name Xun."
His voice was pleasant, crisp and clear like the chime of a bell.
Shen Xiuming clasped his hands again. "Lord Mo, you're a man yourself. Why do you curse the foul habits of men?"
Mo Xun responded coolly, "I just enjoy cursing. Mind your own business. Don’t make me curse you too."
Shen Xiuming: "..."
You men from the Yue Kingdom have terrible tempers!
Mo Xun quickly finished the chicken leg, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and continued, "The world is vast, and men as despicable as Military Advisor Yan are as common as weeds. I have a friend whose wife passed away. He became lovesick to the point of madness and started collecting women who resembled his late beloved. Such behavior is utterly revolting."
Shen Xiuming nodded in agreement. "Truly detestable."
Losing his wife and then seeking replacements everywhere—what a scoundrel!
Mo Xun leisurely rose to his feet, stretched, and suddenly turned to Shen Mieyue. "General Shen, has anyone been secretly tailing the envoy delegation along the way?"
