Side Story 1: Thousands of Possibilties – Crazy Couple (Part 2)

Jing Zhe and Gu Yu felt somewhat strange these days.

First it was that Shen Miao had changed her love for wearing gold and silver in the past and started to wear more matured colours but it was strangely good. Second was that she no longer went along with the usual treatment of Second and Third household and most of the time would be disdainful of them.

The third one was that in the past she would secretly instruct people to enquire about Prince Ding’s news but she did not mention anything these days, as if she did not remember such a person.

Finally was that she was always walking around on the streets.

Xie Jing Xing was one who like to go around. Today he would go to brothels, tomorrow he would attend banquets. Even though she knew that it was his disguise, Shen Miao’s state of mind is now different. Upon seeing Xie Jing Xing attracting bees and butterflies like this, she hated that she could not trample both his legs.

However as she was making discreeept inquiries of Xie Jing Xing’s whereabouts, she could only follow secretly. For this past half a month, there were no repeats and he almost went around the entire Ding capital.

There was one evening that Shen Miao let Jing Zhen d Gu Yu said at one side while she personally went up to the entrance of the residence of the Marquis of Lin An.

There was a refreshing look when she was dressed like a male and in additional that the people in Ding capital veiew her as an idiot who wear gold and silver, naturally she would not be associated with the Fifth Young Lady of the Shen family.

From afar, one was able to see Xie Jing Xing returning on horseback.

There was Gao Yang and Ji Yu Shu that were following behind him.

He was indeed a playboy who frequent brothels and he would see with one glance that she was dressed in male glothes. Ji Yu Shu even whistled as he smiled, “Third Older Brother, there is another beauty throwing herself again.”

Shen Miao, “…”

Xie Jing Xing flipped over and gotten off the horse. He glance at her but one did not know what it meant before he headed towards the doors. Shen Miao grabbed onto him, “Little Xie Marquis!”

Xie Jing Xing stopped.

“Let’s talk.” She said.

In the room, Xie Jing Xing poured a cup of tea for her and stared lazily at her, “Shen Miao, the Fifth Shen Young Lady, has been following me for half a month, could it be that you have really fallen in love with me?”

His words were frivolous but his gaze was sharp and arrogant like always. He had long investigate her background thoroughly but did not say anything.

Shen Miao’s head ached.

To let the Great Liang’s her wake up early, then one had to get this Xie Jing Xing to Long Ye then one would wake up from the dream. But in this dream, Xie Jing Xing was just as stubborn and suspicious. So what should she say?

To say that she was Xie Jing Xing’s wife? Or say that she had gave birth to two children for him? Would Xie Jing Xing think that she had gone crazy?

She said, “Little Xie Marquis, can you… Accompany me to Great Liang?”

Before the voice landed, a strong wind approached and before Shen Miao could react, her throat was grasped tightly His voice was indifferent and there was a silent killing intent, “What do you know?”

Shen Miao was somewhat unable to breath.

She knew that it would be like this! With Xie Jing Xing’s overbearing temperament, no matter what was said, nothing would go in. Even if she wanted to explain, it would not be possible!

Seeing her gasping with difficulty, it seemed that she did not have martial arts skills thus Xie Jing Xing slightly loosen his hand. Shen Miao was angry and anxious as she fumed, “Soundrel!”

Xie Jing Xing’s gaze was biting cold, “Your guts are sure big.”

“Soundrel! Skirt-chaser! No sense of shame! Destoy the bridge after crossing the river! Heart of wolves and lungs of dogs…” She did not stop scolding.

Xie Jing Xing was stunned and unconsciously released his hands. After a while he laughed, “Fifth Shen Young Lady, I don’t seem to have offended you.”

Shen Miao covered her neck and said, “Bring me to Great Liang.”

Just as Xie Jing Xing was about to flare up, one heard Shen Miao speaking, “When you bring me to Great Liang, I will tell you what I know.”

Xie Jing Xing crossed his arms and looked coldly at her before he smiled slightly, “Apologies. I have totally no interest in what you know.” He sat down on the table and drank the tea unhurriedly, “But I will spare your life today. If one discover if you have other conspiracies… Fifth Shen Young Lady should also know that I am not a good person.”

Shen Miao was slightly dazed.

This ‘I am not a good person’ sentence was said to her by Xie Jing Xing previously.

“Fifth Shen Young Lady still does not want to leave? Want to stay overnight in my Marquis residence?” He said with a smile but not a smile, “There is no problem for me.”

Shen Miao said, “No sense of shame!” And she walked away in anger.

After Shen Miao left, Xie Jing Xing became cold as he called out, “Tie Yi.”

A person clad in black appeared in the room.

“Investigate Shen Miao of the Shen family.” He said.

The black clad person complied and left.

*****

It was very difficult for Shen Miao to chase Xie Jing Xing.

No matter if it was the real Xie Jing Xing or the dream Xie Jing Xing, both of them were equally hateful and would make Shen Miao grit her teeth in anger. It was especially so in the dream.

Now in the dream, Shen Miao was considered as a stranger to Xie Jing Xing. Previously one was notorious for being stupid and liking Fu Xiu Yi. Now that one changed the target, one would find that she was inconsistent to other’s description and would find that she had very deep schemes. Moreover she might even know about his true identity and one did not know what she was scheming about.

Xie Jing Xing was wary of her and it was no easy to get close to him. Shen Miao could only follow him secretly every day and find of ways to say a few words to him.

Xie Jing Xing also knew that she was following but pretended not to know. It was Gao Yang and Ji Yu Shu would often laughed at him with provoking words.

On the third day of the seventh month, it was Xie Jing Xing’s birthday.

She felt that in reality during Xie Jing Xing’s birthday, she was squabbling with Xie Jing Xing because of Mei Furen and afterwards when she stopped squabbling, Xie Jing Xing was in shock and fear due to the assassin. Thinking that since it was as such, it would be good to make up a birthday celebration with Xie Jing Xing in the dream.

She went out early to book a banquet at Yan Yu Pavilion.

She had a lot of gold and silver jewelry that she pawned all away. One banquet table in Yan Yu Pavilion cost a thousand of gold and even though Jing Zhe and Gu Yu was so anxious that their eyes turned red, Shen Miao did not listen at all.

It was just a dream and money were merely worldly possessions, what more in a dream?

She had thought that when it was evening, she would drag Xie Jing Xing over and in this banquet, perhaps they could talk and discuss about the matter of Great Liang. The implications were rather complicated and even if it was explained, Xie Jing Xing might not understand or perhaps thought that she was spouting nonsense.

She followed behind Xie Jing Xing to Qian Jin Lou. Xie Jing Xing was drinking wit a few of the Ding capital’s noble sons but one also saw Qin Qing.

Qin Qing was the young lady of the Left Imperial Censor family and had painted with Shen Miao during the academy examinations. Qin Qing appeared beautifully and was wearing blue wide-sleeved embroidered robes with a goose yellow belt around her waist, showcasing her slender waistline. The fluttering of her clothes gave her some fairy like look.

Qin Qing had always been proud of her beauty and ordinary people would not enter her eyes but at this oment she followed her Eldest Brother and sat down. Her gaze would also unconsciously land on Xie Jing Xing. There was only tender sentiments and where would there be the usual pride?

Only fools would not be able to see that Qin Qing had interest in Xie Jing Xing. Eldest Qin Brother had the intention to pull strings and deliberately kept a sitting position open so that Qin Qing and Xie Jing Xing could sit together.

Shen Miao looked at the other side and did not know what Qin Qing and Xie Jing Xing was talking about that Xie Jing Xing laughed amourously while Qin Qing turned her head shyly. From afar, they were really like a couple.

The rims of Shen Miao’s eyes were somewhat sour.

She knew that this was a dream and also knew that the current Xie Jing Xing did not recognise her or like her. She knew that he was putting an act for others and would not be able to manage him but she just felt sad. She thought of the reality in Great Liang if there would be a beauty beside Xie Jing Xing in the future with fragrant clothes and beautiful appearance.

In tens of thousands of possibility, it was not possible for him to keep on choosing her.

She closed her eyes as she felt that that the toasting scene was especially offensive and could no longer watch on, thus she turned around and left.

She walked away but walked to Yan Yu Pavilion.

The banquet that was booked in Yan Yu Pavilion was the best feast and the location was good as it was located at the highest level. When one look out the window, one could see the fireworks and moon.

Shen Miao went in alone. In the huge banquet, there was only her sitting alone. Exquisite dishes filled the table and they looked gorgeous but were unable to hide the loneliness of the banquet.

She poured a cup of wine for herself.

The wine was indeed a good one. It was fermented very long and the light sweet taste was long lasting.

She slowly drank it and would look at the moonlight every cup.

The moonlight in the dream was really beautiful. In the real world, who was Xie Jing Xing accompanying to look at the moon?

She drank so much that her head was dizzy and she did not even hear that there were footsteps behind her.

She however heard a teasing voice behind her.

“Wow. The Shen family indeed a big household with great undertaking. Even when the Fifth Shen Young Lady eat alone, one have to eat a banquet at Yan Yu Pavilion.”

Shen Miao turned around to look and saw Xie Jing Xing walking casually over with a laugh in his lips.

Shen Miao frowned.

Xie Jing Xing took a glance at the empty wine jugs. There were a few empty jugs that were a few fallen and another turned over. He teased, “To drink so much, is Fifth Shen Young Lady in a bad mood?”

Shen Miao stared straight at him.

Xie Jing Xing leaned forward slightly till his line in sight matches Shen Miao. Upon seeing her slightly red eyes, he was slightly stunned as he continued, “Could it be because of me?”

Shen Miao still did not speak.

Xie Jing Xing said softly, “Because of Qin Qing?”

Before the voice fell, Shen Miao suddenly threw herself at him.

Both of her hands were hooked around Xie Jing Xing’s waist and her face was buried in his embrace. It was clearly a familiar stature but why was an unfamiliar tone of voice used towards her?

She sobbed spasmodically as she scolded, “No sense of shame. Is it that you want to annual the marriage with me? In the beginning when you marry me, you said clearly that there would not be any other women in the future and we would be a pair for ones’ entire lifetime. Xie Jing Xing is a liar! Swindle me into the family and now still attract bees and butterflies. My Eldest Brother and Father will definitely beat you up! Scoundrel bastard asshole!” (Translator: Author repeated HunDan 混蛋 three times but I took the advantage to use 3 different translations of it… Hehe…)

Xie Jing Xing was horrified, “Since when did I say…”

But Shen Miao was crying so tragically as she held him that Xie Jing Xing swallowed his remaining words.

The young girl in his arms cried so sadly and she was thrashing him, illustrating that he was really angry. Both of her hands were tightly clasped around her waist, just like a child, unwilling to even let go a little. Xie Jing Xing hesitated for a moment before reaching out, wanting to pat this young female’s shoulder.

She was the Fifth Young Lady of the Shen family, with the well known reputation of being an idiot. The Shen family had nothing to do with him thus he did not take any notice. Who knew that one day he would be fixated by Shen Miao and even seemed to have good relations with him. Xie Jing Xing was unable to make head or tail of it and was very suspicious of it as Shen Miao seemingly knew about his Great Liang secret.

However it seemed that he was unable to harden his heart to her.

Upon hearing from Tie Yi that she was drunk in Yan Yu Pavilion, he went there like demons and gods were at work.

Xie Jing Xing frowned as he stared at the person in his embrace. This body is warm and delicate and it seemed that his heart was also heated up a little. However he felt a bit strange as this posture was somewhat familiar, like he had done this before.

But where did he do it? In one’s dream?

He hesitated and spoke uncentainly, “Shen Miao, did I previously… Hug you like this before?”

The crying in his embrace stopped short.

Shen Miao lifted her head out from his embrace and stared at him.

Under the moonlight, her rims of her eyes were red and swollen but her eyes were sparkling, as if there was a new hope in the despair, making it look very moving.

She stood on tiptoe and pulled Xie Jing Xing’s collar to bring him closer to her and kissed him fiercely.

“You even kiss me like this.” She said.

*****

Afterwards, it was Shen Miao who annoyed Xie Jing Xing till he had no choice but to finally agree to bring her to Great Liao.

Perhaps in that dream when Xie Jing Xing and Shen Miao disappeared, most likely the commoners of Ming Qi would think that they had eloped.

But so what about it. Upon reaching to Great Liang’s Imperial Palace, one would wake up from the dream.

In the nearly half a year journey, Shen Miao had told the dream Xie Jing Xing of her story. She did not know whether Xie Jing Xing would believe her or not.

After Xie Jing Xing listened, he did not say anything but later there was one night that he spoke to Shen Miao.

He said, “That Taoist Priest did not speak correctly.”

Shen Miao was doubtful, “What?”

“In ten of thousands of possibilities, I will only choose you.” His lips hooked up to a smile as he took a red string from Shen Miao’s hands and tied onto himself, “Hurry along. Shen Jiao Jiao, don’t let the me in reality wait for too long.”

*****

Xie Jing Xing’s eyes were buldging as he listened stunned.

Shen Miao squiented her eyes at him, “In that possibility of a dream, you are attracting bees and butterflies, going to brothels daily and kept on bullying me. You do not believe what I said to you and even doubt me that you strangle my neck. Xie Jing Xing, do you know what you did?”

Her tone of voice was one of condemnation and it made Xie Jing Xing silent. After a long while, he then said, “The me in the dream is not me.”

“It is still you in the dream!” Shen Miao said angrily.

Xie jing Xing quickly held her to soothen her feathers, “At the end, the me in the dream believed you and brought you back to Great Liang. This shows that there are only you in one’s heart.” He then touched his chin and said unhappily, “But that kid is really fortunate since you actually took the initiative to kiss him.”

Shen Miao, “…”

Under Heavens, only Xie Jing Xing would drink his own vinegar.

“In this case, I would definitely apologise to Furen.” Xie Jing Xing said seriously and suddenly swoop Shen Miao up,”One deservice to die for treating Furen coldly. Today Furen can do whatever one want.”

“Chu Yi and Shi Wu…”

“Let the wet nurse look after.” Xie Jing Xing carried her and headed out. However his lips could not help but hooked up, “Even though that person is very hateful in the dream, there is one thing that is not wrong.”

Shen Miao looked at him, “What thing?”

“In ten of thousands of possibilities, I will only choose you. Only you” He said.

Translator thoughts: I felt that the dream is a little out of character for SM and I questioned the author’s purpose of including it in the story/plot. There are other ways to reflect that in no matter all the possibilities, XJX would only choose SM but the way the story progresses in the dream is just strange (personal opinion). Maybe there is some other point that the author is making but it seem that I am unable to see it… I will wait patiently for your lovely comments and analysis 😀