"Can you not see it? I am using my own life to bet on a future."
In the fire's blaze, Shen Miao's eyes looked more flourishing than the flames, but her firmness was like an immovable rock.
"What is the use of a future after being dead?" Xie Jing Xing snapped, "It is too risky."
But Shen Miao laughed and sarcastically said, "I am different from Little Marquis. Little Marquis has extensive eyes and hands and could get what one wants without much effort. I am however different, if I do not bet my life, my end would be worse than death. I am not even scared of death, so how would I be afraid of fire?" She paused, "You should leave."
Xie Jing Xing looked at her with a frown and a look of pensiveness flashed in that pair of beautiful peach blossoms eyes. He was not a good person and did not want to put up a program of saving others. That was just an accidental convenience and now that he recovered his senses, he ridiculed himself for losing his cool. Thinking about this, Xie Jing Xin leaned against an unburnt beam with his arms crossed and looked on with interest, "I have forgotten that you are the smart person in the Shen family and definitely would have the ability to retreat unscathed, but this Marquis wants to see just what are your abilities?"
His purple clothes had some gold lines flowing through but they were not as dazzling as compared to the smile on his face. The youth's expression was awe-inspiring, and his brows were picturesque, but at the same time, as if he was resembling an emotional gentleman, there was a look of coldness and cruelty in that pair of eyes. Coupled with his cynical appearance, it made him look even colder.
In the banquet at the Eastern courtyard, when Ren Wan Yun heard that Shen Xin had returned, she panicked. She still had a trace of hope in her heart, wishing that this was a prank that the servants played. But before she could think of a good idea, the servants outside brought a group of people in. The person leading said with a laugh, "Mother, this son returned back to the capital for your birthday! Mother do forgive the slight lateness!"
Everyone's eyes were on the group of people walking in, and the ones in front were a bearded strong man and a bold and vigorous woman, which were Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan. And the smiling youth behind them was Shen Qiu.
If it was the past, this would be a moment of joy and laughter as Ren Wan Yun was smooth and slick and was always able to coax the Shen couple. But for this to happen so sudden today and the fire was not caught earlier or later but exactly when Shen Miao was trapped in the ancestral hall, Ren Wan Yun did not know what to do in that exact moment and stood rooted on the spot looking silly.
Old Shen Furen was also the same. She was one who had no stand or ideas and only threw some airs in the inner courtyard, that even towards Shen Miao, she would only use means that cannot be seen in broad daylight. So in front of such a large crowd, she was unable to even put up a panicked expression.
Chen Rou Qui was somewhat anxious in her heart. Even though she also wanted the First and Second household to fight till both sustained injuries, but now she was also in the banquet. If Shen Xin had not come back today and if Shen Miao died in the fire it would be alright since the dead could not testify, and they could say whatever they wanted about what happened. But now, with Shen Xin's return, he had eyes to see and even discerning people would be able see the matter, so what could she do?
Shen Qing and Shen Yue were somewhat fearful of this Eldest Bo, because Shen Xin was after all a General and always carried a decisive and resolute killing air. They were young delicate females and would often feel fear, thus when Shen Yue saw her mother's fearful appearance, she also started to panic.
Shen Gui and Shen Wan looked at one another seriously. For so many years, they had concealed everything so well and never once a mistake was made, so they have never seen this brother of theirs angry. But if Shen Miao meets any unexpected misfortune, they could not help but shudder at the things Shen Xin would do.
