Chapter 128: This Prince Will Help You

The Qin lodgings had been rebuilt—layout unlike Ming Qi houses. Entering Yanqing Lane, Shen Miao sensed Qin had refitted these mansions in Qin palace style—luxury extreme.
Qin loved glitter and gold—like her old self—thinking silver showed national wealth—even some palace bricks were gold. First time in Qin she had envied the craftsmanship—now Qin royal taste seemed vulgar—flaunting money, falling to kitsch.
A maid led her to the garden—Ming'an at last.
Ming'an sat at a small stone table—butterfly silk cloth—fine pastries, tea—beside a pond not yet frozen—red carp swaying—maids feeding from bowls.
Shen Miao stopped, bowed.
Ming'an turned.
Among Ming Qi, Great Liang, and Qin—Liang strongest without question—Ming Qi and Qin weaker—Qin above Ming Qi in military strength.
Perhaps Ming Qi royalty—Fu clan—feared granting military power—years passed—few great generals. When Shen Xin and Xie Ding faded, no house replaced them—so Wenhui hurried Shen Xin back lest the realm lose face at tribute.
Qin knew it could not match Liang but stood above Ming Qi—Qin before Ming Qi often carried superiority—hateful. When she had trudged to Qin in her past life, even a palace maid looked down on her—as if crushing her dignity crushed Ming Qi's.
Memories flooded at Ming'an's face.
"I invited you today—thought you wouldn't dare come alone—you have nerve." Ming'an swept her—eyes turned dark. Today she wore gold brocade and crimson, finest Qin hairpins—yet against Shen Miao's lilac cloak, no powder, she paled.
Ming'an was vivid beauty—typical Qin princess, gold-nurtured, exquisite finish. Temperament has many kinds—Shen Miao's face tended gentle and clear—yet her air drew the eye—dignified, stern—no softness—as if years on the high throne—nobility that cannot be trained.
"Highness jests." Shen Miao unchanged. "Highness is Ming Qi's guest—since honored with invitation—how could I refuse."
Jingzhe and Guyu behind her—Mo Qing stopped at the gate—she said nothing. She knew Ming'an's temper—invitation meant no real lethal move—only bitterness prepared—bitterness would not be free—Ming'an's acts today would return tenfold.
"Your tongue is sharp—I know you're bold—else at tribute you wouldn't shame me." At the memory, killing intent flashed. She was Qin's most favored princess—even at home all feared her—in lesser Ming Qi, Shen Miao had made her faint at tribute—faceless—she wanted the girl dead. Only Ming Qi soil and Huangfu Hao's warning stayed her hand.
Suddenly Ming'an smiled. "Your archery is fine—Qin palace lacks a sister like you—shall I ask your emperor to send you back to Qin with me?"
Shen Miao nearly laughed—past and present Ming'an clashed with her—as in her past life when she volunteered as hostage, Ming'an had told Fu Xiuyi: "Rest easy, Majesty—as Ming Qi's empress, Qin will treat her well—as my good sister."
In Qin the humiliation was no less. Later in Ming Qi harem fighting Lady Mei—much came from five years in Qin—learning endure and hide.
"If Highness has that mind—tell His Majesty." Shen Miao smiled easily. "If His Majesty agrees—I can only follow Highness to Qin."
Ming'an meant mock and crush—instead Shen Miao bit back—she was Shen Xin's treasure—Wenhui would not move her for Shen Xin. Ming'an glared. "You!"
Shen Miao smiled, silent.
"Don't worry—going back like this is too easy on you." Ming'an laughed cold—venom in her eyes. "Enter my crown prince brother's house—as concubine? Or side consort? Ming Qi's emperor would be glad."
Shen Miao's brow tightened slightly. Alliance with Qin—marriage was sound. If Ming'an moved Huangfu Hao to take her as side consort—Wenhui would agree. Against the state—even Shen Xin could not resist.
Seeing her brief lapse, Ming'an's lip curled—she signaled a maid—who shoved Shen Miao at the pond edge into the water!
Sudden and fierce—unprepared she fell. Jingzhe and Guyu screamed—too late. Cold spray on her clothes—her lip was ice. Ming'an's tricks were always this—today she could not truly harm her—yet must make her suffer—almost as expected.
Splash—she hit the water—she could swim—early winter cold but not paralyzing. Another splash—she thought she misheard—surfacing—beside her golden turmoil—Ming'an!
Ming'an's scream pierced ears—she could not swim—"Help! Help!"
Maids panicked—poles—swimmers were male guards—touching the princess meant heads tomorrow—no one dared. Besides—Ming'an had fallen far out.
Shen Miao was pushed from the edge—near shore—Ming'an had landed mid-pond—poles could not reach.
The scene was absurd—she almost laughed—but not time for theater—while chaos reigned she swam calmly to the edge.
At the bank Jingzhe and Guyu reached to pull her up—halfway—a shout: "What is happening here?"
Two men from the garden—one in gold robes, jade crown, face dark enough to ruin handsome features—the other in gold-purple, black cloak, half silver mask—still striking—following Huangfu Hao's pace.
"Reporting, Highness—the princess fell in!" Servants cried. At the scramble Huangfu Hao breathed deep—glanced at Prince Rui—but the mask hid all—lips only curved—who knew his thought.
He roared at guards: "Go—now!"
A guard stiffened—no choice—leaped in—with skill—dragged drenched Ming'an ashore.
She coughed water—first act on land—pointed at Shen Miao. "That wretch pushed me! Brother—kill her!"
So furious she said it before all. Huangfu Hao startled. "Ming'an!"
She blinked—saw Prince Rui beside her brother—fright—then shame-red rage. Before such a man—so wretched—if earth had a hole she would crawl in—all Shen Miao's fault.
Jingzhe could not hold back. "Highness has no sense—our miss fell first—how push you—she's not a god with six arms?"
"What thing are you—dare speak so to me?" Ming'an laughed cold instead of raging. "You mean I slander Shen Miao? Seize this lying slave!"
Shen Miao smiled cold, shielded Jingzhe. "Highness is Qin—Jingzhe is mine—this is Ming Qi—when may Qin run wild on Ming Qi soil?"
"Run wild"—not polite—even Huangfu Hao looked again.
"You insolent!" Ming'an shouted.
"I don't think so." Shen Miao did not yield. She was no longer the Empress Shen who swallowed insults in Qin. If she could not protect a maid—this life was wasted. Against such bullies—no brain needed.
Qin servants brought cloaks for Ming'an—Shen Miao had none—lilac soaked, clinging—maids tried to block view with bodies—Huangfu Hao stared—indeed bold.
Prince Rui laughed lightly—pulled off his black cloak—tossed it over her—covering completely. All stared—Rui since coming to Ding was lone wolf—no Ming Qi ties—no courting Qin—why shield Shen Miao?
Huangfu Hao looked thoughtful at Shen Miao—Ming'an bit her lip with jealousy.
Jingzhe and Guyu helped her up. Ming'an could not wait. "Clearly you pushed me—if not you—why would I fall? Or my maid pushed me?"
Shen Miao smiled—hair soaked—yet calmer than raging Ming'an—more dignified. "My maid explained—I fell first—how push Highness? Perhaps Highness slipped."
"If I slipped—how slip to the middle?"
"Then it's curious—" Shen Miao blandly—"I'm no strong warrior—I cannot throw Highness to the center."
A light laugh—everyone looked—Rui's lip curved—mask hid the rest—hard to read.
Ming'an gritted teeth, looked at Rui. "Highness is here—neither Ming Qi nor Qin—please judge who lies."
Huangfu Hao wanted to stop her—too late—rage in his chest—Ming'an was proud, witless—he knew today targeted Shen Miao—did not expect this stupid method—Shen Miao might play victim—Ming'an suffers—and Rui had wandered in to witness—Huangfu Hao wanted to strangle her.
Shen Miao lowered eyes—Ming'an looked up at Rui hopefully—Huangfu Hao awkward—Rui curved his lip. "Why should this prince manage such trifles?"
Ming'an blank—Shen Miao rolled her eyes inside.
"Your house is lively." Rui's tone might be mock—light wind—Huangfu Hao disliked it. He glanced at Shen Miao in Rui's cloak—smiled suddenly. "Today was misunderstanding—sorry Miss Shen suffered. I apologize for my sister—hope Miss Shen will not mind."
"Brother!" Ming'an had not expected softness to Shen Miao—cried out—Huangfu Hao glared—she fell silent—eyes on Shen Miao hate and jealousy.
Shen Miao looked at Huangfu Hao, flat. "Since Highness speaks—I dare not refuse." The forgiveness sounded unwilling—forced—Ming'an's heart burned—Huangfu Hao paused—looked deep at her.
She lowered eyes hiding tides. Huangfu Hao seemed gracious—inside most ruthless—unlike Fu Xiuyi's cruelty—his loathing could not hide. Once in Qin he was drunk—tried to violate her—Guyu died defending her chastity—or back in Ming Qi palace a white silk awaited—the court would not keep an unchaste empress.
Guyu had offended him—he ran her through with a guard's sword on the spot—several more thrusts after death—ordered the body to the wolf pit.
She could do nothing—lost her closest in Qin—could not even bury Guyu.
For Ming'an she had disgust—for Huangfu Hao, blood hatred—yet she could not make him pay yet.
His gaze grew suspicious—in her lowered eyes he felt something cold on his skin—instinct to probe.
He would speak—Rui shifted—tall frame blocked petite Shen Miao nearly from sight.
"Poor timing today—" Rui swept Huangfu Hao and Ming'an—mask hid expression—both felt chill in his look. "Another day."
Huangfu Hao wanted to coax—Qin did not want enmity with Liang—if Rui showed warmth, Qin would welcome it—today Ming'an ruined all—he glared at her—helpless smile. "We entertained poorly—next visit, full honor."
Rui laughed—meaning unclear—turned to go—stopped—glanced at Shen Miao, half-smiling. "Miss Shen is soaked—best return early—will you ride with this prince?"
She breathed deep, mild smile. "Thank you, Highness."
Huangfu Hao and Ming'an watched them leave—Ming'an nearly bit through her lip. "Brother—that wretch seduces Rui! She pushed me—this cannot end!"
"Shut up, fool." Huangfu Hao cold. "Today I spare you—next time you ruin things—Father punishes—I cannot save you." He turned away.
Ming'an dared not answer—hatred for Shen Miao deeper—especially their departing backs—knife in her chest. Willful, selfish—beauty and royal birth—never a man worth her eye—at last one she admired seemed to favor Shen Miao—how bear it? She clenched fists. "Shen Miao—I will make you wish you were never born!"
Outside the Qin gate Shen Miao's carriage waited—seeing her in a strange man's cloak, hair loose, Mo Qing tensed. "Miss—"
"Fine—" she waved—"home first."
"This prince helped Miss Shen—Miss Shen won't even thank—too heartless." Rui arms folded—slow—Jingzhe and Guyu startled.
Shen Miao looked cold. "Did Highness enjoy today's play?"
"Depends whether you're happy." He laughed—through the mask she could see his wicked face.
"You pushed Ming'an in?" She leaned close, low. "Why?"
He bent to her height—too close—almost intimate. Voice low, teasing. "What is she—to bully you?" Pause—he stared. "Am I not your man? Helping you—only natural."
She stepped back, flat. "Then thank you."
"Thanks aren't words alone—" he raised a lip—"this prince must think carefully."
She would not indulge—boarded the carriage—Mo Qing feared chill—raced to Shen house—vanished down the lane.
When the carriage was gone, a tall man appeared behind Xie Jingxing. His eyes turned cold. "Investigate—whether Huangfu Hao ever came to Ding before."
The man bowed and left. Xie Jingxing looked at the Qin gate, smiled—ice in his eyes.
……
On the road Jingzhe and Guyu dared not speak—no one expected such bullying—Ming'an dared push her into water in broad day. Jingzhe's eyes were red—in crisis she had answered a princess—now fear returned—she was only a slave—if the princess struck her, no defense.
Shen Miao was calm—she knew Ming'an's intent—for the larger picture—even without rescue, Ming'an would have her pulled out—no real killing. Then a demon had pushed Ming'an in too.
Xie Jingxing's work—lawless—even before Huangfu Hao he schemed. Huangfu Hao would suspect later—falling to pond center needed skill—only Rui among outsiders had it—whether or not proven, doubt would grow.
Yet—her eyes moved—Ming'an's wretched state was deeply satisfying. Without him she might win reason and eat bitterness—with him, reason kept, bitterness eaten, but seeing Ming'an lose—worth the price.
They watched her—suddenly her lip curved—almost happy—they exchanged glances—pushed in water—why pleased?
Back at Shen house, soaked, she slipped in by the rear gate. Jingzhe dried her hair, changed clothes—Guyu ordered ginger tea. After a while she asked: "Where are Bai Lu and Shuangjiang?"
She had left them to wait for news—none appeared. Then Bai Lu entered, relieved. "Miss—you're back—Madam asked where you went—why so late."
"Mother wanted something?"
Hair nearly dry—she asked.
"An old general's benefactor's daughter came—Madam chats with her outside—wants Miss to see."
Shen Miao's hand on the towel stopped—eyes sharp. "What is her name?"
Bai Lu blinked at the cold gaze. "I heard—surname Chang."