Chapter 138: Alliance

"Is that so?"
The low male voice in the empty chamber was calm—even pleasant—yet now it carried force that raised gooseflesh.
Changchao froze—released Shen Miao—whipped around at the newcomer.
Horns on the wall held torches—bright flame—split the dark room—he stood in shadow—by dim fire—features faint.
A very tall straight youth—black sable cloak outside—gold-purple brocade within—deerskin boots—dark gold belt—even here—nobility undimmed. Half silver mask—cold metal—torch light warmed it—drew the eye.
Changchao blank a moment—cried. "Prince Rui Highness!"
He had seen him at tribute—and crown prince's feast. Half-mask—Great Liang Prince Rui—why here suddenly? Heart sank. "How did you know this place?"
Lin'an secret chamber—even if Rui infiltrated—this room should be impossible. Shen Ding did not know—only Changwu and Changchao. An outsider—how? Changwu would not speak.
The moment she saw Xie Jingxing Shen Miao exhaled—luck rose. She could fight Changchao—other escapes perhaps—but always risk. His coming seemed to spare even "accident."
"Speak! How know the chamber?" Changchao felt sudden dread—not only because he was Prince Rui—instinctive cowardice from the marrow. Only he and Changwu knew—even his men did not—alone today—no escape now.
"Lin'an Marquis house—there is no place I do not know."
Purple-robed youth paced forward—from dark to light—torch brighter—silver mask glittering. Lip curved—smile mock or true—hand lifted to the mask.
She paused slightly—Changchao swallowed—stared unblinking.
Silver mask came off.
Light inch by inch climbed a near-perfect face—features so handsome even the sun paled—the same half-mocking mischief—peach eyes after years—youth's frivolity tucked away—cool and deep—like a small boat on night stars—look down—still bright.
More handsome, steadier, more unfathomable, more dangerous than two years ago.
The Xie Jingxing pierced by ten thousand arrows on the battlefield—skinned and wind-dried—a sigh in Ming Qi history.
Changchao could not believe his eyes.
He screamed. "Xie Jingxing! Xie Jingxing!"
"Hard work remembering my name." Xie Jingxing smiled forward—smile never reached his eyes.
"Long time no see, Changchao."
"You're not dead?" Fear rose on Changchao's face—panic words. "North border—ten thousand arrows—skinned—displayed—long dead—bones gone—man or ghost—don't come!" Fast frantic—as if repeating death made it true.
Xie Jingxing said. "Am I man or ghost?"
Changchao blank.
The youth dressed noble—grace bone-deep—if two years ago he was a gorgeous sheathed blade—now the blade was out—killing intent restrained—edge none could ignore.
Changchao's eyes fell on the silver mask in Xie Jingxing's hand—thought stirred.
If ghost—how appear as Prince Rui? Changchao remembered clearly—masked he was Liang's prince. No wonder he and Changwu felt Rui resembled someone—could not name—now it was Xie Jingxing—two years dead on the field—no one linked Rui to a corpse two years gone—yet swap had long been made!
Thinking—Changchao laughed cold. "So—you didn't die—fled to Liang—some trick—became Prince Rui. Fake death—treason—unworthy of Xie name—Father will disown you. Brother—little brother admires you."
She had retreated to the corner—surprised—Changchao thought Xie Jingxing betrayed Ming Qi for Liang—never thought Yongle's brother's identity was not given to any talent.
Indeed Xie Jingxing laughed light—eyes cooling. "Don't mix your filthy blood with mine. To be my brother, Changchao—you lack qualification."
Changchao sneered. "Think a prince title makes you Yongle's true brother? Xie Jingxing—you always thought yourself above us—now you daydream too."
Xie Jingxing neither confirmed nor denied.
Changchao's face slowly changed. "You… truly Liang's Prince Rui?"
"So?" Xie Jingxing stared. "Did I not tell you—don't touch my things."
Changchao stiffened. Since childhood he and Changwu hated Xie Jingxing. Marquis servants were Old General Shen's people—whispers—Fang Shi forced Princess Yuqing's death—Changchao never knew the dead princess—yet hated Xie Jingxing—because Shen Ding favored him without reason.
Best food, clothes, play—whatever Xie Jingxing wanted—none dared stop—even striking princes or ministers' sons—Shen Ding apologized himself—light punishment. Once a whole tiger pelt from sea—rare—Shen Ding gave Xie Jingxing—boys sneaked into his room and played on it all afternoon.
When Xie Jingxing returned—Changchao remembered his look—glanced at the pelt brothers had crawled on—casually told steward burn it.
He said. "Don't touch my things—filthy."
Shen Ding scolded the brothers harshly—never scolded Xie Jingxing for making much of nothing. From then Changchao obsessed over Xie Jingxing's things. Shen Miao was the same.
Hearing it he laughed at once—glanced at Shen Miao in the corner—malicious. "Xie Jingxing—so what—I touched your woman—will you burn her like the pelt? I just touched her—still filthy?"
Her gaze was heavy—Changchao had talent for words that begged killing—not only Xie Jingxing's force—even her rebirth patience wanted him dragged out and beheaded.
"She is not like the pelt." Xie Jingxing smiled faintly. "Then the pelt was worthless to me—burned. Now…" eyes cold—words gentle—chill sharp.
"I think you are too filthy—so I will burn you."
Changchao sneered—then watching Xie Jingxing's ease—could not laugh. Sitting—step back—fear pressed down. "What do you want?"
"Changchao—all these years—no growth." Xie Jingxing seemed disappointed—sighed. "You saw my face—you think I let you live?"
She almost found it funny.
Changchao's level before Xie Jingxing was a child—no wonder disappointment. When the mask came off she knew—Changchao would not leave alive today.
Deep fear in his eyes. "You dare not—I am Father's son—this is Lin'an Marquis house—you kill me—they'll trace you—you won't fare well!"
"Rest easy—" Xie Jingxing smiled. "Today Marquis and Changwu are at feast—return late—none will miss you." He said. "For calling me elder brother so many years—I'll care for you—not alone on yellow spring road—Changwu will join you—the Xie name need not be said."
Believing at last—Changchao stood to run—two years ago he was not match for Xie Jingxing with mercy—now less. Before he saw clear—kicked behind the knee—in a flash throat seized.
She watched—sudden black before her eyes—something covered her—Xie Jingxing's cloak.
He hooded her with the cloak. "Don't look."
Voice gentle here—there merciless—throat slowly tightening—clear crack of bone in the chamber.
"Thud"—she pushed off the cloak—Xie Jingxing wiped hands with a cloth—Changchao lay on his back—eyes wide—dead.
Decisive kill—first time she saw him kill—calm—not a flicker—she sighed inwardly.
She handed back the cloak—he glanced—turned away. "Keep it."
Following his gaze—in struggle Changchao had torn her collar—bare—even under-robe visible—she cursed Changchao—wrapped herself in Xie Jingxing's cloak.
Too large—front buttons would not meet—she fumbled long. He saw no response—turned—found her still at buttons—knelt before her—drew the inner tie from the collar—tied for her.
His hands beautiful—long joints—tying clever and gentle—if not the cold face. She looked up—his lashes very long—lowered—sharp gaze softened—rare mildness.
He tied a firm bow—still knelt—cold throughout—as if ill mood—unknown who angered him.
Bow done—still kneeling—she said. "You needn't have killed him."
She meant Changchao—not necessary—he was Shen Ding's son—whatever Xie Jingxing stayed in Ming Qi for—this brought trouble.
"He saw my face—cannot leave alive." Xie Jingxing said.
In her mind a huge eye-roll—no one asked to see his face—from start he removed the mask himself—he meant to kill Changchao—why such a forced excuse.
"Go out less hereafter." he said. "A moment later today—you were finished." Brow slightly knit—cold face—almost lecturing.
She had no words—a moment. "How are my parents and brother?"
"Shen army mobilized—Ding searched house by house—nothing. None guessed Lin'an Marquis." Pause. "Luo Tan badly hurt—long unconscious—Gao Yang went to Shen house—hearing she stabilizes."
"Luo Tan hurt?" She paused. "How badly?"
"Knife wound—" he glanced—"you didn't know?"
She shook head. "Knocked out on the horse—after—I knew nothing." Silence—suddenly—looked at him. "Luo Tan hurt unconscious—how did you find here?"
He puzzled. "What mean?"
Her heart stirred—Luo Tan gravely wounded—could not see Xie Jingxing—could not pass her message—so his rescue—his own idea?
Mood complex a moment.
He—eyes flashed—suddenly neared—hands beside her—almost enclosing her in arms—raised lip. "So—you told Luo Tan to find me? Begging?"
She pushed him away—knew he was clever—could not hide. "Felt you had skill—and status convenient." She stressed. "I told Luo Tan—it's a deal—when you save me—I pay proper reward."
"Reward?" he careless. "Shen house offers ten thousand gold—I don't care—Liang treasury has plenty—what can you pay?"
She gritted. "Anything but offering myself."
He raised brow—sighed. "So you think—reminding me you want to marry me? A woman should be modest—this is poor."
She could only answer with cold laugh.
"Forget it—" he said. "Saving you is trifle—I won't press you. Reward simple—" stared half-smiling. "Poetry, zither, cakes, needlework—for now."
She: "…"
"Change one."
"This prince wants these." He refused. Feeling floor cold—pulled her up.
"Cannot send you Shen house now—you were gone three days—rumors flood—return now invites suspicion." He said. "I'll send you to Princess house—Aunt Rong will help."
She paused—looked at him. "Princess Rongxin knows your identity?"
He shook head. "Among Ming Qi people—you alone."
She fell silent. He looked at Changchao's corpse—disgust flashed—suddenly. "Today I killed for you—trouble follows. Because of you—from now we are one rope's locusts—you are my ally—understand?"
"I don't think I agreed." she fumed.
"I agree—that's enough." He pleased—snapped fingers—two black-clad men entered.
"Carry back." He nudged Changchao's body with his foot.
She startled. "What use his corpse?"
He raised brow. "Great use."
Tieyi and Nanqi carried the body out—fortunate the brothers built this chamber—servants unaware—a tunnel dug straight outside—much easier.
……
Princess manor had few guests long.
Since news two years ago that Xie Jingxing died in battle—Princess Rongxin fell gravely ill—after—seemed chronic—rare at royal occasions—left less—visitors turned away—all knew—because Xie Jingxing died. Childless—only this nephew as son—while he lived he visited often—after death her temper odd—almost deserted gates.
Today—a guest came.
Sweeping maid was old servant—recognized the carriage girl from two years ago—Princess had welcomed her warmly—Shen—Shen what—maid forgot—yet shortly the Princess's chief lady officer hurried out—ushered lady and guard in.
Other maids clustered whispering. "Who is she—Princess saw no guest two years—today she did."
"Seemed eager—as if old ties. Rare."
"Two years ago too—Xixi aunt sent her home—surname Shen."
Outermost maid flashed—slapped forehead. "I remember—Great General Shen's legitimate daughter—Shen Miao!"
All understood—then eyes lit.
They knew Shen Miao—lately all Ding talked—missing three days—ten thousand gold—all thought disaster—yet the focus of gossip now at princess manor?
Why was Shen Miao at the princess house?
……
Shen Miao sat in the main hall—maids served tea and cakes—still felt discreet measuring eyes. She accepted calmly—if recognized—strange she appeared at princess manor now.
But as Xie Jingxing said—return alone now—could not stop rumors—needed high rank and credible voice—lantern festival Princess proved once—must again.
No choice—Princess Rongxin upright—fair to coldness—all knew—from her mouth—none would doubt.
Footsteps behind—she turned—lady officer supporting Princess Rongxin approaching slowly.
She was startled.
Autumn thin gauze long robe—cloak outside—powder on face—could not hide aged haggard weariness. Two years ago Princess had spirit—now as if soul drained overnight—heartache to see.
Even in past life at the end Princess aged—never this haggard now. She knew why—news of Xie Jingxing's death struck hard—two years to this face.
She rose and bowed.
Seeing her—Princess showed a trace of nostalgia—lip smiled. "Two years without seeing you—General Shen left in haste—I had not sent farewell gifts—you returned—I had chill—missed tribute—no chance to meet." She sat—beckoned Shen Miao sit.
Shen Miao nodded slightly. "Your servant should have called first."
"I knew you were pretty—" Princess smiled at her—"now you match what I imagined—beauty since childhood—more outstanding now. If my nephew still lived—" voice trailed—pain flashed—could not continue.
She did not know what to say.
Princess laughed herself again. "I always say what saddens others. I tell myself not to think—yet always think. Made you unhappy with me—you… are sad too. I cared only for my grief—not how you feel—my fault."
So strong a woman—apologizing. Surprise—and pity. Xie Jingxing's truth could not be told—yet to Princess—a nephew of many years died on the field so horribly—grief imaginable.
Princess smiled. "I heard your matter—rest easy—two years ago I helped you—this time I will too."
She said only kidnappers took her—near Lin'an Marquis—saved by Xie Jingxing's former hidden guard—guard had seen her before—rash return would stir rumor—needed Princess to speak.
Mention Xie Jingxing—Princess always more lenient—token the guard carried was real—Princess saw—no doubt—already liked Shen Miao—the favor was quick.
"Thank you, Highness." Shen Miao said. "Each time troubling Highness—your servant is ashamed."
"What trouble is this." Princess smiled bitterly. "When Jingxing lived—every mistake he ran to princess manor—which trouble was not sky-high—never ashamed. I thought doing good—when old he'd trouble me instead. Who knew—" smile turned ugly—"now I'd welcome his trouble—and cannot wait anymore."