Chapter 104: Get Out

"Infertility drug—for men."
Ren Wanyun lowered head—paper packet in hand—whole body trembling.
"Drug any concubine—what good method? One barren—second third—Second Aunt—you can't guard all." Shen Miao's words slight seduction—pleasant to ear.
"Why believe you? Could be arsenic." Ren scorned.
"Second Aunt disbelieves—have maids take bit to doctor—or feed animal. Or buy yourself. I only point way—you must choose."
"Why should I?" Ren stared, cold.
"Why?" Shen Miao thought. "Perhaps—if Second Uncle loses fertility—Seventh Brother's legitimate seat secure. More—as Second Uncle's only heir—Seventh Brother gains favor. Rare is precious."
Ren laughed. "I know your game—Shen Miao—I underestimated you—you want second branch extinct!"
"Can't say that." Shen Miao feigned surprise. "Second branch not extinct—Seventh Brother remains. Second Aunt think—another child with Second Uncle?" Teasing. "Even if Second Aunt able—will Second Uncle want?"
"Outrageous!" Xianglan raged.
"Shameless!" Ren flushed red. Shen Miao mocked her faded beauty—Shen Gui lustful—indifferent. Ren knew—years no tenderness—face no charm—another child how hard. "Shameless or outrageous—all for your good." Shen Miao smiled. "I gave path—walk or block—Second Aunt chooses." Stood—remembered—tilted head. "Second Aunt can tell Second Uncle—family after all. Remind you—my parents and Old Madam broken—fear nothing."
Ren sat silent—Xianglan and Caiju watched Shen Miao wary.
"Words done—farewell." Shen Miao smiled out.
After Shen Miao left Xianglan stepped. "Madam—truly listen Fifth Miss?"
"Fifth Miss ill intent." Caiju agreed. "Deliberately against Master."
"Against Master," Ren low, "but Master and I—not same line anymore."
"Madam means—" Xianglan eyes wide.
Ren lowered head. "I'll think."
East Court watched—Shen Miao and Jingzhe just out—strange maid smiled. "Fifth Miss—Wan Yiniang heard you came—invites talk."
"Other matters—another day." Shen Miao gave no face—refused. Maid awkward—watched them go—reported Wan Yiniang.
"Cut ties with us?" Wan Yiniang angry—more worried—to Dongling. "Fifth Miss with Madam—against us?"
"Impossible?" Dongling shook head. "Eldest Sister's matter—they won't ally."
"Why ignore our goodwill?" Wan Yiniang paced. "Despise our birth—" voice dimmed. "After all legitimate miss—"
"Yiniang," Dongling set book, headache, "where thought goes. Fifth Sister won't associate—not our fault. Entire Shen house cold to her—no second branch ties—ignore us. Flattery useless—less such hereafter."
"But—" Wan Yiniang wanted speak.
"No buts." Dongling cut. "Proper—no error—no trouble."
Back indoors Jingzhe whispered. "Miss—will Second Madam really drug Second Master?"
"Of course." Shen Miao studied nails, light. "Ren Wanyun values children most—lost daughter son—only Yuanbai left—Shen Gui not kind—only drug Shen Gui—secure Yuanbai's place."
"If Second Madam tells Second Master?" Gu Yu always worried.
"Won't. Shen Gui learns infertility drug—hates Ren Wanyun—even Yuanbai only heir—will blame Yuanbai. Ren for Yuanbai's good—hide forever. Shen Gui may never know—doctors won't suspect Ren's hand."
"Then—" Jingzhe gritted teeth—hesitated—bold at last. "Even if Second Madam drugs Second Master secretly—no more sons—still Seventh Young Master. Young now—grown—understands—may revenge for Second Brother Eldest Sister. Raise enemy from youth—Miss swore not touch Yuanbai—heaven strike—oath chilling."
"Since I swore—I never planned Yuanbai." Shen Miao said.
"Still—Seventh Young Master will see Miss enemy." Gu Yu warned. "Enemy watching from shadows—"
"Wait till he grows." Shen Miao smiled. Pity—Yuanbai won't grow.
One year later—plague in Dingjing—Yuanbai died of smallpox. Shen Miao already married Fu Xiuyi—capital panicked—fortunately Shen Xin fought northwest—escaped. Great houses fared better—poor died many. Yuanbai did not escape.
Shen Miao always believed—heaven's justice—only whether retribution comes fast. Last life Shen Gui couple's sins—fell on Yuanbai. This life no Yuan Qing—same path—Yuanbai still dies.
Rather than exterminate now—let them hope—Shen Gui thinks still a son—Ren thinks Yuanbai replaces Yuan—yet one day Yuanbai cannot escape fate—despair seed in second branch sprouts—floods entire branch.
Second branch fated no heirs—yet now full hope—unaware doom approaching—sickle waiting harvest all life.
Chess paths ready—pieces walk set routes—isn't that fine?
"Miss—Guard Mo came earlier." Bailu entered, awkward. "Previous silver spent—still go Baoxiang Tower?"
Bailu awkward—incomprehensible—master gives guard silver for girls—not ordinary waste—not duty—paid pleasure—Mo Qing pained face—teeth ache.
"Another five hundred taels." Shen Miao said.
Bailu pained—Shen Miao added. "Tell Mo Qing—he may say that sentence to Liuying."
Maids stunned—curious—"that sentence"—unknown which.
Bailu leaving—remembered. "Rongjing Hall's Nurse Zhang came—asking household division news."
Since Guansheng's truth—Luo Xueyan raged at Old Madam—told Shen Xin—Shen Xin furious—Rongjing Hall confrontation—Luo Xueyan wanted divide—Shen Xin cold to Shen kin—agreed—even forfeit Old General's legacy—firm divide. Old Madam needed Shen Xin's silver and name—feigned stroke—ridiculous.
Zhang probing—indirect—thought Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan only angry words.
"If probe again—tell them division firm—care for Old Madam well—if she won't recover—call clan elders divide."
Clan elders despised Old Madam's origin—Old General favored Shen Xin—elders would favor Shen Xin—Old Madam won't win.
"Understood." Bailu smiled out.
Shen Miao sat at desk—life just begun—so much to plan—revenge yet preserve Shen house—not easy.
Step by step.
……
Dingjing storms—tea talk—laughed past—forgotten. Even gossip—days later—fresh news covers.
Man dead lamp out—world so cold.
Baoxiang Tower lively as ever—new Persian dancers—bold beauty—princes flocking—business booming—near bursting.
Men crave new—tire of old. Dancers red hot—former queens empty—glum. Among revelers—one different. At door—girl waved handkerchief, teased. "Master Mo—not ordering Liuying today?"
Mo Qing placed silver. "Same as always."
Girl half jealous half envious. "Master faithful—Liuying blessed past life." Twisted waist upstairs to call.
While all rushed new dancers—Mo Qing unchanged Liuying's token—outsiders thought true feeling—only he and Liuying knew.
Across Baoxiang—Kuaihuo Tower window—three drinking. Ji Yushu pointed at Mo Qing entering Baoxiang. "Look look—again!"
"What's to see," Gao Yang rolled eyes. "Every three days—one night—leave at dawn—not a moment more. Memorized—why startle?"
Ji Yushu glared back. "You stupid? We know—Third Brother Xie just returned—I'm explaining."
Opposite—Xie Jingxing leaned on couch—lazy at Baoxiang—today not purple—ink narrow-waist robe—colder—yet travel dust on brow—just returned.
"Third Brother Xie—how went? Those people?" Gao Yang asked.
"Death soldiers—nothing extracted—all killed." Xie Jingxing distracted. "Time tight—move fast here."
"Fast useless." Ji Yushu complained. "Didn't find thing."
"Yuan moved before—close to Fu Xiuyi—maybe chips. Now dead—" Gao Yang pondered. "Fu Xiuyi will search Yuan for more."
"I'll go Shen house again." Xie Jingxing frowned. "Can't not find."
"Hey hey—drop that." Ji Yushu cut talk. "We watched so long—this Mo every few days Baoxiang—meaning? Miss Shen so generous—pays guard for girls? Such duty—more generous than Fengxian pawnshop keeper."
"You seen man find girl—leave at dawn?" Gao Yang at Ji Yushu. "You with Shaoyao—cling in boudoir—hate short spring night—at least brows and talk—leave within hour—like task not romance."
"Eyes in sky?" Xie Jingxing glanced at both. "Didn't see person opposite?" Eyes down—others looked—Baoxiang corner—green-robed man staring at Liuying's pavilion.
"Looks ordinary." Ji Yushu said. "Dress poor—wants in—no silver—window shop—what's different?"
"This person—" Gao Yang studied far. "Figure familiar—seen somewhere."
"Pei Lang." Xie Jingxing said.
"Pei Lang who?" Ji Yushu asked.
"Guangwen Hall teacher."
"Remember." Gao Yang too. "Saw at palace banquet. Why here?"
"Teacher?" Ji Yushu swallowed. "Teacher visits brothel? Guangwen Hall great houses' academy—teacher morally corrupt?"
"You visit brothels daily—moral?" Gao Yang at Ji Yushu.
Ji Yushu retorted. "I don't teach students!"
"Shut up." Xie Jingxing said. "Man this size—you two didn't notice?"
"I don't know him." Ji Yushu aggrieved. "Baoxiang crowds—I watch odd only. Teacher looks normal—how know he's teacher."
Gao Yang to Xie Jingxing. "Pei Lang problem? But poor scholar."
"Shen Miao never does useless things—ordering Liuying had purpose—didn't understand—seeing him I do." Xie Jingxing gaze on distant Pei Lang.
"You mean—" Gao Yang thoughtful. "Shen Miao's big circle—actually at Pei Lang?"
Xie Jingxing smiled—eyes deep. "Somehow Shen Miao values this Pei Lang highly. Records say poor scholar—must be problem."
"Easy!" Ji Yushu hey. "I know reason."
Gao Yang and Xie Jingxing turned together.
Ji Yushu cleared throat, animated. "Simple! Figure—jade tree wind posture—plus teacher—learned. Miss Shen budding age—meets talented handsome teacher—heart opens—secret love—who knew gold outside rotten inside—brothel hypocrite. Miss angry—has guard buy queen's token—"
"Wait," Gao Yang asked. "Why like Pei Lang but buy Liuying?"
Ji Yushu thought hard. "Perhaps Pei Lang can't afford Liuying—Miss has guard buy—Pei Lang worse than guard—Pei Lang furious—Miss wants anger Pei Lang to death!" Excited—spittle flying—nearly on table. "See! Pei Lang hurt Miss deep! Girl throws gold for beauty!"
Gao Yang rubbed temples. "Ji Yushu—what opera nonsense from brothel?"
"You play—I go first." Xie Jingxing stood blank—glanced Ji Yushu. "Idle—tower jail needs people—pack with Tieyi."
Ji Yushu wilted like frost—silent.
Liuying's pavilion—Mo Qing tea as usual.
Liuying dead on Mo Qing—conquest urge gone—no temper—even no makeup—walked over—took silver from table to box—sat opposite—poured tea—cool. "Thanks Master Mo as always supporting Liuying—won't starve in bad times."
While other girls lost to Persian dancers—Mo Qing still patronized her. Girls envied—In Liuying's eyes—Mo Qing just odd man with quirks.
Probably likes staring in brothel with silver.
Liuying won't chat—Mo Qing never spoke—except door girls—she'd think him mute.
Today Mo Qing spoke first. "Not me."
So surprised Liuying could only stare. "Huh?"
"Silver—not from me." Mo Qing said.
Liuying confused. "What silver."
"My mistress sent me every three days—find you—give silver—do nothing."
Longest sentence at Baoxiang—Liuying alert—stood. "Your mistress who?"
Mo Qing shook head. "Can't say."
"You!" Liuying glared.
"Mistress says—in days she'll see you." Mo Qing said. "Don't take other patrons temporarily."
Liuying laughed. "Brother—I don't know your mistress or purpose—I'm Baoxiang girl—bad times—not top queen—no other patrons—what eat drink—you feed me?"
Mo Qing silent.
Liuying angrier—men at least fake "I'll keep you." Mo Qing wooden—truthful—no sweet lies. About to explode—opened mouth—silenced. Mo Qing not pleasure trade—master's orders—demanding nonsense meaningless.
Mo Qing saw Liuying's face shift—puzzled—hesitated—said what Shen Miao didn't order. "My mistress is good person—you… don't fear."
Liuying paused—looked—Mo Qing drank tea—somehow mood lifted. "Why believe you."
Mo Qing: "……"
……
That night—no stars no moon—Shen Miao chatted Luo Xueyan—returning own yard. Jingzhe reported day's news. "Miss—Jing kin left afternoon for Suzhou—stripped Rongjing Hall side yard valuables—bandit behavior—Old Madam nearly stroke again."
"Stroke again"—full mockery. Old Madam "strokes" when furious—met match—shameless vs shameless—Jing brazen theft—spectacle.
"Jing swore justice for Cousin Miss—now slink Suzhou—abandon her—know Sun house fate—no rescue—harsh words only for more silver." Jingzhe said.
"Common folk don't fight officials," Shen Miao smiled faintly. "Jing know they stirred disaster."
"None good people." Jingzhe curled lip.
Shen Miao neither yes nor no—Jing fled Suzhou—but can they arrive? Sun Tianzheng no soft persimmon—last life Qiu's affair Chuchu escaped—other Jings didn't. Sun Tianzheng never merciful—road to Suzhou—unknown what happens.
At yard door—Shen Miao paused—glanced window.
"Jingzhe—go heat water—I want bath—very hot."
Jingzhe paused—nodded. Shen Miao entered—outer hall—screen—inner room—shut door.
Lamp flickered—someone slouched at desk—robe flowing dark gold—dim room bright. One hand propped head—other bored flipping her books—heard movement—lazy turn—red lips white teeth handsome face.
"Why so late?" Xie Jingxing displeased.
"I don't recall inviting you." Shen Miao calm. "Young Marquis Xie."
"I waited long." Xie Jingxing raised brow. "I'm hungry."
Shen Miao: "Get out."