Chapter 119: Return to the Capital

From Xiaochun City to Ding was a long road—thousands of li each way, half a year there and back. Shen Xin set out the day after the decree arrived. Luo Ling and Luo Tan traveled with him.
Luo Sui had sent Luo Ling as eldest grandson of the house—he would one day carry the Luo name. The plan was for Luo Ling to gain experience in Ding and learn Ming Qi's current situation. Luo Sa stayed in Xiaochun to drill the Luo army with the elders.
Luo Tan and Luo Qian were not meant to come—but Luo Tan had hidden in a trunk at the rear of a carriage and popped out midway. Too late to send her back; word went to Xiaochun and Luo Tan continued to the capital with them.
Luo Tan yearned for Ding and promised not to cause trouble. At last she joined Shen Miao's party.
Besides the Shen vanguard brought back before, Shen Xin took part of the Luo army—men Shen Xin and Shen Qiu had trained personally, the sharpest. Each could have led a squad elsewhere. Small in number, great in skill—Shen Xin's own guard, traveling under the name of escort.
They left in spring; by deep autumn the green trees were bare, leaves tumbling into soil on the wind. When they began to add layers, Ding was near.
Dark fell. They rested at an inn outside the walls. Shen Qiu said: "Tomorrow we enter the city. First find a house."
The Shen house had been divided when they left—they could not return to the old mansion.
In Xiaochun, Luo Xueyan had told Luo Sui about the split. Luo Ling and Luo Tan were not surprised. Luo Tan propped her chin, eyes bright. "Aunt, Uncle—let's live somewhere lively? I've never been to Ding. If we step out the door into bustle—that would be wonderful."
Luo Xueyan laughed. "East city used to be liveliest. We've been gone two years—who knows if it's changed."
"Easy," Luo Tan said to the serving boy. "Young man—where's the busiest place in Ding?"
The boy did not know their rank—but so many travelers, such fine dress, especially the young girl in the center: young yet bearing nobility, clearly some great house's miss. He dared not slacken. "Miss—Ding has many lively quarters. East and south are both busy. East has shops—rouge and powder for ladies. South has wine houses—if you want to eat, go south."
Luo Tan wrinkled her nose, unsatisfied. "Just that?"
Afraid of offending her, the boy thought again. "If Miss truly wants bustle—south is best. Qin and Great Liang envoys have come. His Majesty lodged them in Yanqing Lane in the south. Yanqing Lane is in the south."
"What's Yanqing Lane?" Luo Tan asked.
"Yanqing Lane is the most expensive ground in Ding," Shen Qiu explained. "So fine even imperial kin rarely live there. Princes leaving the palace for their own mansions haven't won plots there—only the former imperial uncle lived in Yanqing Lane for a time."
Luo Tan was amazed. "So costly." Then disappointed. "We couldn't buy there anyway."
The boy started and looked at Luo Tan again. Yanqing Lane—even a few days' stay was rare. Her tone was bold; he nearly mistook them for country folk on first visit.
"No matter," Shen Miao said. "Beside Yanqing Lane there's a street outside the alley, near wine houses. Not so dear—we can afford it. Close enough to Yanqing Lane. Second best is still good."
The boy paused again. "The young lady is right. Indeed."
"Jiaojiao wants to see the bustle too?" Shen Xin asked. Shen Miao was not one for crowds; today she sounded interested.
"Feels somewhat new." Shen Miao smiled.
"Yes yes!" Luo Tan's eyes shone at Shen Miao. "Little Cousin—you're the best!" She thought Shen Miao spoke for her sake and was deeply grateful.
Shen Miao looked at the boy. "Have Qin and Liang envoys already arrived?"
From the first moment his eyes had hardly left the youngest-looking girl—as if her chair were gilded. At her question he answered at once, respectful: "Yes. Ming Qi's centennial tribute is in a few days. Qin and Great Liang sent congratulations. They stay in mansions in Yanqing Lane."
"Whom did Qin and Liang send?" Shen Miao asked.
The boy scratched his head. "Qin—the crown prince and Princess Ming'an. Great Liang—His Majesty Yongle's younger brother, Prince Rui."
Shen Miao lowered her eyes. "Thank you."
When the boy left, Luo Ling asked: "Cousin—any thought on Qin and Liang's people?"
Shen Miao smiled. "Nothing—only a bit curious."
Luo Tan said cheerfully: "Whatever happens, tomorrow in Ding we can see the show properly."
……
In the palace, the emperor's bedchamber reeked of medicine. Incense made the air feel heavier still.
On the dragon bed Wenhui half-closed his eyes, leaning against the cushions. A palace beauty in court dress fed him medicine spoon by spoon—Consort Dong Shufei.
She was patient and careful. Wenhui could swallow only a little at a time. She cooled each spoon, tasted for heat, then fed him slowly. Between spoons she patted his back gently so he breathed easier.
When the bowl was done she picked a candied fruit from porcelain and slipped it into his mouth. Wenhui frowned. After he swallowed and the bitterness faded, he said: "You still remember this."
"Your Majesty fears no bitterness—it is your servant who fears Your Majesty fear bitterness," Consort Dong smiled softly. "For my sake, eat a little of this fruit."
Wenhui laughed, softened. "In this palace, you alone read my heart."
Two years change much. However fierce Wenhui had been, time wore him down—especially with younger, stronger sons full of ambition. Inside and out the realm was tight. He had aged; illness came more often.
The crown prince's condition was critical. His faction faded. Prince Zhou and Prince Jing pressed hard. Prince Xuan and Prince Li watched like tigers. Wenhui grew weary of the inner palace women too. In such days Consort Dong and Prince Ding Fu Xiuyi caught his eye—unworldly, without obvious hunger for power.
An emperor trusts most those who seem without ambition. When ill, Wenhui liked Consort Dong at his side. Under such favor she remained cautious as ever and did not speak of Prince Ding's affairs. He was more pleased. Sometimes he discussed court vexations with her.
"Tribute begins soon," Wenhui sighed. "Word says Shen Xin returns these days. Two years ago I drove him out—he may still bear grudge. If the realm were not urgent, I would never invite the wolf back."
"Your Majesty," Consort Dong smiled, "General Shen is your servant. He does what you command. Why torment yourself?"
"Servant?" Wenhui laughed coldly. "This servant's renown outshines mine. How can I believe he wants to serve? Xie Ding was the same—until he lost his son. Now the Xie house is brittle. I'm too tired to exterminate them. The Shen house—after tribute, still… I cannot rest easy."
Consort Dong said nothing. To speak now might look like inner-palace meddling. She bowed her head and fiddled with the porcelain bowl.
In Shufang Palace someone else stood—splendid robes, high crown, cold handsome bearing. Fu Xiuyi. Compared to two years ago he was steadier, graver, with a grace hard to name.
"Shen Xin rests outside the city tonight. Enters tomorrow at dawn," a guard reported in a low voice.
Fu Xiuyi gripped his cup, mind unreadable. Then he smiled suddenly. "Master Pei calculated well—as he said, tomorrow to the capital…" He said: "Pass the order. Gate guards—all listen. When Shen Xin enters, the whole city shall welcome him."
The guard bowed and hurried out.
Fu Xiuyi stood hands behind his back, face darkening. Two years ago the Shen house's bold withdrawal had wrecked his plans. Now their return felt like another move on the board. Perhaps Shen Xin had always known recall would come—hence leaving so clean and swift.
Very well—roast the Shen house on open flame again. Make them a target. Let Wenhui, Prince Zhou's line, Prince Li's line, even Qin and Liang fix their eyes on that fat meat. He was vengeful and hated being played.
To scheme against Fu Xiuyi—the Shen house would pay.
……
At dawn the next day they set out again. From this inn they could reach Ding before noon. Finding a house early was best.
At the city gate the guards saw Shen Xin's waist token and straightened at once. "General Shen!" They opened the gates to welcome the party in.
Luo Tan said: "Uncle—they respect you so. Your office must be huge."
Shen Qiu and Shen Miao frowned together. When they left Ding, those same guards had looked cold, eager to kick them down. Such warmth now was not only because the realm needed him against Qin. Likely… someone had given instructions.
Luo Tan lifted the curtain and marveled. "This is Ding—so big, so busy, far more people than Xiaochun. Cousin—the girls here are so fair, so moist! Even the young masters are pale and tender."
Her noise drew nearby looks. Someone cried: "General Shen—General Shen is back!"
General Shen is back!
Shen Xin's fame among the people had always been high. Two years of Xie trouble and Shen exile had bred a hero's twilight sadness. When Qin and Liang envoys came, folk felt they could not protect themselves. Shen Xin's return gave them a pillar again. More and more crowded in, shouting: "General Shen is back!"
Cheers nearly blocked the road. Faces glowed with worship. Luo Tan covered her mouth. "Heavens—Uncle's standing with the people is so high."
Outside, Luo Ling and the others looked uneasy. A lane welcome was one thing; adoration another. Shen Xin used to return from victory like this every year. But now he brought no fresh merit—recalled after exile by imperial command. The louder the crowd, the louder the slap at Wenhui's face—as if defying the throne.
In the carriage Luo Xueyan and Shen Miao's faces were dark. Shen Miao's gaze turned cold suddenly. Only Luo Tan, not understanding, rejoiced at Shen Xin's prestige.
The road blocked, Shen Xin had guards explain. The crowd still lined the streets but was less wild and opened a path.
Mo Qing and A'zhi rode ahead to find a house—as Shen Miao said, the street beside Yanqing Lane in the south had decent places. Rebuilding the Luo army had spent much silver; means were tighter than before. Still, when Shen Miao wanted the south, Shen Xin agreed without argument.
The carriages turned south.
Near Yanqing Lane, people thinned. Only the rich lived there; common folk could not afford that ground. Many who had cheered dispersed. The procession moved smoothly. Mo Qing returned soon—a house found; move in first, settle silver later. The former owner knew Shen Xin's name and asked little deposit.
When they were one wall from Yanqing Lane, wind rose and lifted the curtain on Shen Miao's carriage—flung up, dropped fast.
Shen Miao's eyes tightened. Luo Tan asked: "What is it?"
Shen Miao glanced at the curtain. "Nothing." Yet she was alert—in one instant she had felt watched. That attention was deeply unpleasant.
On a distant tower a young man and woman stood side by side, jade flute in hand. The woman was flower-pretty, gold dress, big eyes small mouth, pearls and jade dripping—vulgar on others, on her delicate and bright. She glanced at the distant carriage and sniffed. "So this is Great General Shen's house? Such noise—and only this."
The man beside her was twenty-something, features somewhat like hers, handsome—but a hooked nose gave him a hard, unapproachable air. He smiled. "What makes Ming Qi's throne afraid is never simple goods."
"Brother Crown Prince jokes again," the girl said, brows drawn in spoiled pride. "Lin'an Marquis Xie's house was lawless once—now they're stray dogs. Xie Jingxing didn't even leave a whole corpse. Shen may be the second Xie house."
The man smiled and did not continue.
Elsewhere someone leaned on a balcony. Evergreen hid half his form—only a corner of flowing gold robe showed. One hand lifted a teacup. The hand was clean and strong; a white jade thumb ring on the middle finger made it seem carved from jade. The cup neared his lips—then the line of a beautiful jaw, lips thin and red, moist from tea, all the more bewitching.
He curved his lips slowly.
……
Mo Qing's house sat one street from Yanqing Lane; turn a lane and south city's wine shops and stores ran on—excellent spot. The owner was reasonable; Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin were straightforward; price fair. That night they bought the deed and changed owners.
Hardly settled when a palace eunuch arrived with decree: Shen Xin must attend court tomorrow. Wenhui's haste showed how urgent things were. After receiving the order they busied with moving; by evening all rested from the long road.
Shen Miao and Luo Tan had adjoining courtyards. Smaller than the general's mansion—but neat and clever in layout. Shen Xin and Shen Qiu regretted they could not drill in the yard. Luo Xueyan and Luo Tan were pleased. Shen Miao never cared for such things.
At night Luo Tan slipped into Shen Miao's room again.
Wrapped in a cloak, Luo Tan sat on Shen Miao's bed. "Little Cousin—I can't sleep. Talk with me."
"What do you want to say." Shen Miao sent Jingzhe and the rest out, trimmed the lamp wick. She too could not sleep—picked a book from the table and turned pages without reading.
"I didn't expect Ding to be like this." Luo Tan's tone was mixed—loss and delight. "I grew up in Xiaochun thinking everywhere was like Xiaochun. Ding is bigger and busier than storytellers said. Little Cousin—I'm a little afraid."
The lawless Luo young lady afraid—Shen Miao smiled. "What's frightening."
"Alone out here—of course it's frightening. Ling Brother is here, but this isn't familiar Xiaochun. Cousin—were you ever afraid? When Aunt and Uncle were on the northwest and you stayed alone in Ding—were you afraid?"
"Nothing to fear." Shen Miao answered lightly. Staying in the Shen house had not scared her—then she had thought those people trustworthy kin. Ignorance breeds fearlessness. As for fear because you are alone abroad—that was Qin, was it not?
At the thought of Qin her eyes flickered. Then the waiter's words today. Qin and Liang had come. In her past life she met Qin crown prince and Liang envoys at tribute. Liang already showed restless ambition; Ming Qi's court feared it. To balance Liang, Ming Qi and Qin probed each other—until Fu Xiuyi ascended, allied with Qin, sent her as hostage queen… Crown Prince Huangfu Hao was vicious and loved to oppose her; Princess Ming'an's spoiled cruelty made Qin years hell—much owed to that brother and sister.
As for Prince Rui… Shen Miao frowned. At tribute in her past life Liang had not sent this man but another royal relative. Prince Rui's fame spread early—Yongle's younger brother, rarely seen at court, unknown outside. Even as Ming Qi empress she knew little; Fu Xiuyi seldom spoke of him.
Some things had changed after all.
Luo Tan did not notice Shen Miao's drift and talked on: "I always thought if I reached Ding once in life I'd pay respects to Lin'an Marquis Xie's Young Marquis. Now I'm here—and I'll never see him." She sounded sad. "Why couldn't he wait until I came?"
Shen Miao paused. A figure rarely thought of in two years grew clearer in mind. Back in Ding she had asked an old servant about those years. Lin'an Marquis house was a great matter. After Xie Jingxing's death the Xie army was crippled; Xie Ding aged ten years in a night. He asked Wenhui to resign and return home—Wenhui refused. Xie Ding kept rank but lost fight, muddled through days. His two bastard sons entered office—small posts, good reputation—likely future stars among the young.
When news of Xie Jingxing's death reached Ding, Princess Rongxin stormed Lin'an Marquis house, cursed Xie Ding heartless—a fine house lost Princess Yuqing and lost Xie Jingxing, a man-eating den. She wept and raged, nearly smashed the place bare, then lived deep seclusion and rarely appeared.
The Su house, close to the Xies, also declined these two years. Su Yu and his once-promising son faded. In sum the Xie fall followed Xie Jingxing's fall; the people sighed when they spoke of it.
A romantic youth, proud and brave—splendid on the field, dead in horror. No wonder Ming Qi's girls wept when they heard.
Shen Miao watched the jumping flame, lowered her eyes—and saw Luo Tan had fallen asleep on the bed, breathing deep.
……
Luo Xueyan combed out her long hair. Though mother of two, it stayed black and bright, not one white thread—like a girl of sixteen.
Shen Xin removed heavy armor. Luo Xueyan said: "Tomorrow at court my heart keeps dropping."
"Fear what?" Shen Xin came behind, hands on her shoulders. "Not our first time in palace. You afraid of music? I'm here."
"Not that." Luo Xueyan rolled her eyes. "We both know why we're back. His Majesty likely has a knot in his heart. I told Father before—what I fear is His Majesty using something to tie our Shen house down."
Shen Xin frowned. "What do you mean, Madam?"
"Jiaojiao and Qiu'er are not wed yet," Luo Xueyan reminded. "If they'd married in Xiaochun these two years, one worry less. But the decree came so fast. Now we're strong again—many in the capital watch closely. Will His Majesty bind us through Qiu'er and Jiaojiao's marriages?"
Shen Xin started. "That cannot be—absurd!" Shen Qiu and Shen Miao's match, in his eyes, must never mix with political schemes—let alone pawn them to other powers.
"Qiu'er perhaps—but I think Jiaojiao cannot wait," Luo Xueyan said. "She's sixteen. In Xiaochun they spoke of it; in Ding that's marriage age—betrothal now, wed at eighteen. We should settle her before palace word comes."
"So urgent?" Shen Xin hesitated. "Who's good around here? We must know the man's character."
"What do you think…" Luo Xueyan looked at him, "of Ling'er?"