Madam Miao was incredulous. Even her breathing had grown uneven.
She did not even know when she had broken out in a cold sweat. All she knew was that her heart pounded like countless wild horses racing across the wilderness. After a long while, she finally let out a heavy breath. Madam Miao released her right hand from the armrest she had been gripping tightly, her expression strange. "Though I am but a woman of the inner quarters, I did read a few books when I was young and patient enough to sit still. I know that 'our bodies, every hair and inch of skin, are received from our parents, and we dare not damage them.'"
What shocked Madam Miao was not that the contents of the wooden box had come from Shen Tang, but that Shen Tang was willing to go this far to untie the knot in Duke Luan Yi's heart. If her late husband Qiu Cheng had faced the same situation, he would probably have wiped away a couple of tears with his sleeve and "reluctantly" given up Luan Xin.
Or he would have hidden him away for good, or sent an empty food box.
The one sacrificed, the one who yielded, would never have been the lord.
After the shock came an excitement she could hardly suppress. Tremors spread through her, threatening to reach her heart—because she had glimpsed Luan Xin's worth, the weight he carried in Shen Youli's heart!
On one side of the scales lay [Qiu Cheng's Descendant's Title], [The Lord's Concession], and [Subtle Plea for Peace]. On the other lay [Duke Luan Yi]. The scales still tipped without the slightest suspense.
This lord could not bear to fall out with Luan Xin, much less allow even the slightest rift between ruler and subject.