Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage

Chapter 15 & 16

Chapter 15: Su Ming Feng

No matter what the East courtyard did, Shen Miao still deliberately alienated the people from both the Second and Third Household. She no longer attached herself to Shen Yue and Shen Qing either. At first, everyone in Shen residence thought that she was only throwing a childish tantrum about the matter of falling into the water, but when Shen Miao started to conduct matters her own way, everyone felt that something was not right.

Gui Momo persuaded Shen Miao as usual not to be angry with the East courtyard and occasionally mentioned how Prince Ding was a peerless man in Ming Qi. But Shen Miao seemed to be unshakeable as every time Gui Momo mentioned that person, she would berate her furiously, giving Gui Momo a headache. However, the West courtyard was still filled with crafty servants from the Second and Third Household and Gu Yu and the rest thought that since Shen Miao's temper had changed, she would rearrange the matters in the inner courtyard. Who knew that Shen Miao would actually ignore it.

Naturally, Shen Miao had her own plans.

These past few days, she had been going to Guang Wen Tang more diligently. Even though everyone viewed her like she was the lowest of the low, she was not angry and only did her things well. The more magnanimous she was, the more others would feel bored, hence she was able to have some days of peace.

After literary classes ended that day, Shen Miao felt some tightness in her chest so she headed to the garden in Guang Wen Tang for a casual walk.

Although Guang Wen Tang was an academy, it covered quite a vast area. There were three different grades, level one, two and three, and though Shen Miao was in level two because of her age, she unknowingly went to the level one area.

By coincidence, she saw a young boy sitting on the steps wiping away his tears.

This child looked around twelve years old and was fair and plump. Perhaps his body was too bloated as one would think he was a rounded ball at first glance. He was clad in a blue robe lined with silver, a pair of small boots and a collar around his neck. Just like a doll from a new year painting.

Shen Miao was slightly stunned and she walked over to say softly, "Why are you crying?"

That doll did not think that someone would come over suddenly and was so surprised that he rolled down the steps with a 'pu tong'. He did not cry, but sat up and looked at Shen Miao blankly.

He was naturally fair and plump, with a pair of sparkling eyes and a small crease on his head. With tears still on his face, he looked charmingly naive. Shen Miao could not help but burst out in laughter.

That boy called out in a childlike manner, "Older Sister."

Shen Miao's heart almost melted when he called her. She gave birth to Wan Yu and Fu Ming in her past lifetime but she was already in the Qin country as a hostage until they were five. When she returned, both children had already learnt their etiquette and obediently called her 'Imperial Mother'. Shen Miao herself did not know what her two children were like before the age of five. Even though this child was older and seemed ignorant of the ways of the world, he reminded her of Wan Yu and Fu Ming.

Shen Miao slightly bent down to pat his head, "What are you crying for?"

"The teacher asked me a question and I could not answer so I was hit on my palm." The child took his hands out, revealing red palms as he said in distress, "It is very painful."

Shen Miao wanted to tease him so she continued asking, "What question did the teacher ask?"

"The teacher wanted me to write the words 'the fox grieves when the rabbit dies' but I am unable to do it," the child cried.