Chapter 13: Bone Crisp

At the pavilion in the middle of the lake, Zhang Xingjian saw Shen Qingwu. His expression remained unchanged. He bowed to her, saying: "General."

Shen Qingwu naturally ignored him.

She wouldn't say a word to him.

He was already used to it.

After greeting her, Zhang Xingjian turned to face Shen Qingye, glancing at her with clear meaning: I've let you see your cousin whom you've always wanted to see, so you have to keep your promise and help me fool my sister.

Shen Qingye was no longer concerned about Zhang Xingjian at this moment.

People came and went at the banquet, and onlookers talked with great interest — all sorts of voices rising and falling. She knew this wasn't a good place to reminisce. She knew everyone would rather see her and her cousin fight. She stood there as fodder for everyone's gossip only because she missed Shen Qingwu so much, and wanted to see her.

For a thousand days and nights.

This was the sister who had led her to Tokyo. The sister who had been implicated by her and had gone far away without a trace. The sister who was ignored and bullied by everyone.

For three years in Tokyo, Shen Qingye's life wouldn't have been bad as long as she maintained her marriage alliance with Zhang Xingjian. But who knew how much hardship her cousin had endured, sleeping rough and enduring the elements for so many years?

Shen Qingye's heart ached. She understood that Shen Qingwu didn't want to see them, didn't want to have anything to do with them anymore.

She didn't think Zhang Xingjian was a good match for her sister. But Shen Qingwu was indeed the victim in what happened three years ago.

Recently, Shen Qingye had heard from home that her cousin had returned, and she had been trying to contact her, wanting to see her. But Shen Qingwu was aloof and wouldn't accept any gifts, so Shen Qingye had no choice but to ask Zhang Xingjian for help.

At this moment, Shen Qingye's eyes were fixed on Shen Qingwu. Her eyes shimmered. Her nose stung. She observed her cousin intently.

Her cousin was taller. Thinner. Her skin darker. Her eyes were still beautiful, but not clear — her expression indifferent, her gaze cold.

Shen Qingye murmured: "Sister, I miss you so much. When are you coming home? I want to talk to you."

Shen Qingwu remained silent.

She loathed all the members of the Shen family, hated Zhang Xingjian, and disliked Shen Qingye — the "lucky one" chosen by everyone. Yet she knew in her heart that Shen Qingye had done nothing wrong. Shen Qingye couldn't control her own destiny.

But...

Shen Qingwu lowered her eyes.

Seeing Shen Qingye and Zhang Xingjian together, the thorn in her heart remained unremoved.

Shen Qingye seemed to understand her thoughts. Since she remained silent, Shen Qingye took the initiative to suggest: "Sister, would you like to go shopping with me? It's the Lantern Festival in Tokyo — a time of dazzling lights and blazing fireworks. It'll be here in a few days..."

A misty pool filled Shen Qingye's eyes. "Before, you said that if I came to Tokyo, you would take me sightseeing."

Shen Qingwu's expression was cold. "That was just to appease you."

Shen Qingye paused. Her eyelashes trembled slightly.

The onlookers felt that Shen Qingwu was being a bit excessive, showing such impatience toward a frail woman.

Shen Qingye murmured: "...Anyway, I'll send my sister an invitation in a few days. I have something to say to her. If she doesn't come, I'll wait for her."

Shen Qingwu ignored her.

She didn't care whether others waited for her or not. She was already seen as a "bastard" and a "weirdo" by others. She didn't play the good person — only the bad.

Shen Qingwu heard the surrounding whispers more clearly. Not wanting to stay with this golden couple any longer, she turned to leave.

Just then, a nanny came running after them, panting and exasperated. "Lady Qingye, Lady Qingye! Oh dear, why didn't you wait for this old servant before leaving alone? If you get sick or injured, Madam will hold this old servant accountable."

Shen Qingye trembled slightly, her nails digging into her palms from within her sleeve.

The old woman saw the handsome Zhang Sanlang standing beside Shen Qingye. When Zhang Sanlang smiled at her, she immediately beamed. "So you're with Sanlang! This old servant was ignorant. Madam has long said that you young people should spend more time together. You don't go out all day, so it's only right that you meet your fiancé..."

Shen Qingwu was extremely impatient with the old woman's nagging and wanted to turn away. But the old woman's next wary question stopped her: "This is... Second Madam Shen! Second Madam Shen, what are you doing here?!"

Shen Qingwu stopped in her tracks. Why couldn't she be here?

Shen Qingye frowned. "Granny... my sister is the General of Zhenxi, not Second Madam Shen."

The nanny became even more wary. "Second Madam, are you taking advantage of my mistress's weakness to bully her? Back then... back then... you didn't even love Zhang Sanlang. You admitted it when you were drunk and talking nonsense."

Shen Qingye was extremely embarrassed. "Granny, please stop!"

Zhang Xingjian lowered his head and smiled softly.

Changlin, who was following behind, whispered to him: "What are you laughing at?"

Zhang Xingjian whispered: "Look."

Changlin looked and saw that Shen Qingwu, who had originally planned to leave, stopped because of the nanny's talkative words, turned around, and walked back.

Shen Erniangzi returned and stood before Shen Qingye, asking calmly: "When will you two get married?"

Shen Qingye was slightly taken aback, stammering: "No rush... I'm not feeling well. I need to rest..."

"Isn't that a bit much?" Shen Qingwu said. "You've been engaged for three years, yet you haven't married. It's quite rare to find someone like that in the entire capital. A woman's youth shouldn't be wasted."

When did Shen Qingwu become so talkative and kind, even hoping that Shen Qingye and Zhang Xingjian would get married quickly?

Shen Qingye stared at her sister, lost in thought.

The old woman's eyes lit up, and she interjected: "Qingye, what Erniangzi said is quite right! Actually... I heard from Madam that she intends for you to get married after the New Year."

Shen Qingye's face paled slightly, but she still said: "No rush."

Shen Qingwu said: "When you get married, you must send me an invitation, and I will definitely go."

The old woman's expression immediately changed drastically.

Zhang Xingjian could barely suppress the smile on his lips.

Shen Qingwu's eyes shone like stars, extremely perceptive. She glanced at him blankly. He was still the same gentle and refined Zhang Yuelu, with only a polite smile on his face.

The old woman said: "Shen Qingwu, what are you doing at our lady's wedding?!"

Could it be that you're planning to disrupt the wedding and turn the two families into enemies instead of a marriage alliance?

Outsiders may not know what Shen Qingwu went through back then, but how could the Shen family not know? Everyone knew that Shen Qingwu would never allow them to get married smoothly. Shen Qingwu might even try to steal the bride.

Although Zhang Sanlang doesn't like Shen Qingwu and isn't on her side — Shen Qingwu is such a scoundrel! Who can beat her! They heard she's some kind of general now!

The old woman's face turned pale, clearly frightened. She decided to go back and tell the madam.

Shen Qingwu, concealing her apparent smirk at Zhang Xingjian, repeated: "You must give me the wedding invitation. I will travel a thousand miles to attend your wedding banquet."

Shen Qingye lowered her eyes and remained silent.

She thought she would do her best to ensure that day would never come. But she didn't know what her cousin was thinking. Did her cousin still... still care about Zhang Xingjian?

Her cousin didn't even glance at Zhang Xingjian. She turned and left. And Zhang Xingjian, aside from his initial greeting, didn't take the initiative to acknowledge her.

This seemed normal — just like the vow her cousin had made.

But that normality was anything but normal.

---

Li Lingge and Li Mingshu, the siblings, watched the Shen family's turmoil from the pavilion.

What they didn't hear was relayed by a maid outside.

However, this brother and sister were not actually interested in the Shen family's affairs.

The young emperor stood upright, clinging to the railing, a look of amazement appearing on his delicate face. His gaze was fixed on the beautiful young woman being dragged away by the old nanny, turning back again and again to plead with Shen Qingwu. She was like Xi Shi clutching her heart — her grace poignant, tears glistening in her eyes. Her captivating charm was undeniable.

The young emperor blurted out: "That's Shen Qingye?! Zhang Yuelu's fiancée?!"

His tone was a mixture of regret and excitement.

After speaking, his gaze flickered as he glanced softly at his elder sister beside him.

Li Lingge, ten years his senior, had flowing hair and alluring eyes, but lacked the solemnity expected of a princess. She gazed listlessly from the railing, pointing her chin forward.

Those beautiful almond-shaped eyes were fixed on the man whom the people of Tokyo jokingly called "The Moon."

His face was obscured by trees — only his black hair and blue robes visible, a sliver of his profile. His features were hidden, but his bearing and elegance were like a drop of ink splashed under the bright sun — pure and serene.

Li Mingshu thought: My sister has always liked this type of man.

Besides, Zhang Xingjian is... that person's younger brother. He's the pinnacle of my sister's type.

Zhang Xingjian used to always intentionally or unintentionally avoid my sister, but today, for his beautiful fiancée, he actually attended the princess's banquet. My sister will surely be very interested when she sees him.

Sure enough, Li Lingge gently called to the maid outside the curtain: "Have someone send Zhang Yuelu a cup of wine. But don't say it's from me."

Li Mingshu's heart skipped a beat.

He turned to look at his sister, eager to ask: "May I ask for a cup of wine from you, sister?"

Li Lingge glanced at him, a half-smile on her face. "Women and men are different, and Zhang Xingjian and Shen Qingye are different too. Zhang Xingjian can afford to play games, but Shen Qingye can't. Don't be reckless."

She swayed her hips and lifted the curtain to leave.

The young emperor, somewhat fearful of his sister, forcibly suppressed his violent emotions, pressed his face against the window, and continued to gaze wistfully at the beauty. "Shen Qingye... How hateful! Zhang Xingjian is truly blessed!"

The thought of Zhang Xingjian marrying such a beauty while he himself drank alone only fueled the young emperor's agitation.

"Someone!" the young emperor called. "Summon Prime Minister Kong! My sister is gone. Have Prime Minister Kong drink with me!"

---

Shen Qingwu only showed herself briefly before disappearing from sight.

She hid among the dense trees, concealing her presence. She had intended to avoid the pleasantries, but sitting in the tree, she witnessed a spectacle:

Princess Andechang sent a maid to deliver a message, who then summoned a dancer from the palace. The dancer carried a pot of wine to toast the important figures at the table.

It was a silver pot with a hidden mechanism.

Shen Qingwu witnessed the maid instructing the dancer to sprinkle a powder called "Bone Crisp" into the other side of the pot.

The maid whispered: "Even a tiny speck, the size of a grain of rice, will be too much for the young master. The princess is waiting for you to do something. Don't forget."

After the maid left, Shen Qingwu leaned against a tree trunk, having no intention of secretly following the dancer.

She had no interest in other people's affairs anyway.

As the night began to light up, Shen Qingwu touched the jade pendant in her bosom, thinking that Tokyo was truly fascinating. When she returned to Yizhou, she would definitely tell Bo Rong all these interesting stories, making him laugh along.

She just wondered — who was the unfortunate soul about to be drugged?