Chapter 142: Anger

She thought a moment—asked Xie Jingxing. "How will you deal with Ming'an princess and Changwu?"
Though she told herself not to be curious—she could not help—he took Changchao's body—puzzling. "Will you kill Changwu?"
"Wait for him to scheme behind me?" he countered.
She rolled eyes—even if Changwu schemed—could he succeed? Now with Prince Rui's golden status—even as young marquis—brothers never won—Fang Shi could only watch Xie Jingxing swagger years.
"You needn't kill them—Changchao either." Shen Miao said. "Your… Marquis losing sons twice—full investigation—maybe other means—less trouble."
His eyes cooled. "Kill or not—I decide." Glanced at her—curved lip. "Very ally-minded now—worried about me?" Tone turned frivolous—two years on—more handsome—dangerous—hard to look away—like beckoning poison.
She looked away calmly. "I worry you'll implicate me."
He scoffed—playful edge. "Don't worry—I can protect you—I can protect myself—won't trouble others."
Strange—his words seemed to shadow something—only two in room—perhaps her imagination—she followed. "Prince Rui is naturally omnipotent."
"Not omnipotent everywhere." lazy. "I can't play victim."
"Huh?"
"Forget it." He stood—walked before her—tall—beside her—pressure instinctive. Usually careless or frivolous—today perhaps her illusion—his gaze sharper.
"How do you want Ming'an handled?" he whispered at her ear.
She stepped back reflex—shoulder pressed—strange face—as if enduring—released—turned cold. "What do you think?"
"Why ask me?" she said. "You already have a plan?" He took Changchao's body—she thought next steps set—why ask now?
"Depends on you." he did not turn.
"If Prince Rui acts—how sure?" she calculated fast. "Kill Ming'an—can you leave no handle?"
He paused—turned—stared—suddenly laughed. "Shen family girl—you drive a hard bargain."
She blanked—"Shen family girl"—long unused—like early meeting—wary equals—thought enemies for life—two years later discussing murder calmly.
Life is strange.
Seeing her dazed—he said. "You want her dead?"
She recovered. "She and Xie brothers kidnapped me—meant lowest brothel—road worse than death—plotted against my brother. I'm no saint—won't repay evil with good—her life only—for what she did—is mercy."
"Ruthless girl." he smiled careless—as if killing a princess were nothing—arms folded. "Why should I?"
She: "……"
She almost suspected men had moods like women's monthly tides—else why so unpredictable today—days ago binding her as ally—active—now asked to act—he put on airs—even slippery old ministers were less irritating.
She said. "You made me your ally—standing up for ally—isn't that natural?" She saw he played no rules—Pei Lang taught Fu to manage odd ministers—if shameless—be more shameless—block with his own words.
He choked—looked at her—eyes moved—low. "True—but saved you—murder charge—now assassinate a princess. Allies benefit both—you do nothing. Unconditional help is marriage—I think you treat me as husband not ally."
She fumed—cold laugh. "Prince Rui is gold and jade—refuse if you wish—I won't force. Ming'an—I'll manage myself."
"What plan?" flat. "Beg your cousin?"
"What has Cousin Ling to do with it?"
"Why rush—I didn't refuse. Ally—no hard thing—this prince will help. But you owe this prince something?"
She glared.
"Tsk—can't think of it now." raised brow sighed. "Make two baskets pastries first—this prince may be hungry on the assassination route."
She: "……"
After he left she sat on the couch—no sleep. Unknown how he'd "assassinate" Ming'an—yet oddly reassured—he hid identity under Wenhui's nose—princess life should be easy as he said careless.
Yet today—truly bad mood—almost volatile with anger.
……
After several sunny days Ding snowed again—ladies precious—slippery snow—unwilling to go out—if out—wrapped thick—hand warmers lest chill. Wanli Lake froze—fishers drilled ice holes. Overnight trees hung ice crystals—doorsteps watered at night—ice by morning—falls aplenty.
Prince Rui Manor was the same.
Ji Yushu fell flat at the gate morning—yelling ice not cleared clean. Since Xie Jingxing bought Yanqing Lane—Ji except occasional accounts at Fengxian—mostly played with the big cat at Rui Manor.
Seeing Xie Jingxing from the room—"Third Brother!"
Xie Jingxing ignored him—cub broke from Ji—ran to Xie Jingxing. Gao Yang emerged from other side—he had not returned palace—stayed at Rui Manor.
"Going Shen house again for the Luo girl?" Ji asked.
Gao Yang's head ached—he had treated empresses, emperor, nobles—never like Luo Tan—barely off death's door—now practicing martial arts in Shen yard—suddenly enlightened—only skill protects loved ones.
Not looking at her body—wound heals slow—she eyed him suspiciously. "Are you really palace doctor? Worse than Xiaochun clinic apprentice—they fall—next day chop wood."
Comparing apprentice to imperial physician—and not a bruise—near death! Never such uncooperative patient—no awe—unless he threatened the Rui visit—she might piss on his head.
Ji elbowed him. "Daydreaming—cure people silly."
Gao Yang woke—scorned Ji. "Not everyone like you."
Xie Jingxing suddenly. "How is Luo Ling?"
Gao Yang blinked—why ask—"Not heavy injury—same as before."
"His hand?"
"Hand?" Gao Yang. "Right hand useless—you doubt my skill?"
Xie Jingxing turned—displeased at Gao Yang. "Can't you cure his hand?"
"Skilled but not god—" Gao Yang helpless—"deep to sinew—old wound—I cannot. Why care—favor Shen family—cousin too—care all cousins? Just save the world."
He raised brow. "Who will care for him?"
"Then why ask his wound?" Gao Yang puzzled.
"I know!" Ji finally spoke—proud—stroking chin profound. "Young Master Luo was hurt for Fifth Miss Shen—if he never recovers—she'll blame herself. Third Brother and Fifth Miss are close—won't watch her grieve. Right, Third Brother?"
Cold glance—Ji touched nose—small voice. "Seems reasonable."
Gao Yang pondered Ji—seemed to understand—looked at Xie Jingxing with doubt. "If so—injury is good—he pales before you."
"Joke." Xie Jingxing laughed cold instead of rage. "Even with an extra hand—he pales before this prince!"
Ji, Gao Yang: "……"
Wrong words? He seemed angrier.
Ji soothed. "Of course—who is Third Brother—Luo house is border official's son—in Liang that's sesame rank—and right hand gone—how compare to Third Brother?" Flattery fluent.
"Compare this prince to one who cannot protect himself—Ji Yushu—want to go home?" voice colder.
Ji blank—flattery hit the hoof—now what.
Gao Yang changed topic. "Tower prison asked about Changchao's body—Shen Miao returned—next step?"
Changchao dead—Shen Miao safe via princess—city knew—many startled—yet lightly passed—princess spoke—rumor hard to rise—forgotten gradually.
Participants not forget—Changwu must be on pins—Changchao vanished—Shen Miao safe—what does he think?
Xie Jingxing slowly curved lip. "Next—settle accounts."
Gao Yang studied him—tested. "Ming'an princess too?"
"Else?" careless. "Qin dog not leashed—bites everywhere—caught and killed—can't blame others."
"But—" Gao Yang disapproved—"His Majesty warned—don't act rash in Ming Qi—move Qin people—Huangfu Hao will trace—trouble even if you have means."
"Who said use Liang people?" he smiled. "My own people—cannot?"
Gao Yang paused—"Why must kill Ming'an? Bitter lesson enough—why take her life?"
"Mad dog caused trouble." eyes dark. "This prince takes whose life he wants—no need report to you." Bent—picked up cub—ignored both—walked out—unknown errand.
Ji frowned. "Is Third Brother on his monthly mood? Why volatile—did you anger him?"
"Who has time." Gao Yang. "I want to live long."
"Changwu and Ming'an will suffer." Ji sympathized. "Changchao died easy—lucky draw."
"Right." Gao Yang rare agreement with Ji.
……
Lin'an Marquis house—compared two years ago's bustle—much quieter—fewer carriages—fewer visitors—since Xie Jingxing died Shen Ding lost interest in court—once wildest noble house—lost spirit—could not rise again.
Still climbing—Changwu and Changchao—not dazzling as Xie Jingxing—yet capable—if not illegitimate—higher faster—even now rank was lamentable.
Fang Shi handed new clothes to Changwu. Near forty—little age showing—unlike Princess Yuqing's royal elegance—Fang kept Jiangnan petite grace—soft slow speech—pity at first sight.
Such softness—why Shen Ding after Yuqing still took Fang's bed.
"This year's new cloth—winter coats for you brothers—Ding grows cold—don't catch chill outside."
Changwu took it. "Thank you, Mother."—mind elsewhere.
"Your brother's coat too—I hear Changchao went hunting—why so long." Fang complained. "Marquis said Changchao wanted Ministry of Personnel—planned to introduce him to vice minister—Changchao gone—missed chance." Sigh. "He wanted advance—why play now?"
Changwu forced smile. "Third Brother—not only play—snow and cold—hard to leave mountains—days and he'll return—Father can invite the vice minister then."
Fang nervous. "Heavy snow—sealed mountains—danger?"
"How could it—many experienced men follow—rest easy, Mother."
Fang eased—held his hand. "Mother only has you two—Marquis cold to me years—Xie Jingxing pressed you—I suffered watching. Years of endurance—heaven had mercy—he died early—no one blocks your path now. Keep advancing—trample mockers—even Marquis cannot ignore merit—win title for Mother—no more illegitimate—whole marquis house yours." Soft voice—yet grievance and hate beneath—years suppressed anger.
Changwu said. "Rest easy, Mother—heaven let Xie Jingxing die young—heaven is on our side. One day we rule Lin'an Marquis house!"
Fang nodded.
After Fang left—Changwu paced the room irritably.
Words to Fang were pretense—easy—Fang only inner yard—but Shen Ding asking Changchao often—grave.
Since feast with Shen Ding—never saw Changchao—perhaps urgent leave—but chamber person gone too—terrifying.
The chamber they built themselves—workers silenced—only brothers knew—Shen Ding did not—outsiders less.
At first he thought Changchao took Shen Miao out—to brothel route—or other plan—then news—Shen Miao returned by princess—bad feeling.
Shen Miao saved—where was Changchao? Kidnap from chamber?—no fight—impossible others knew chamber—Changchao discovered taking her out—Shen Miao rescued—but princess story?
Trap—all wrong—dead or alive—search everywhere—no trace.
Changchao missing suspicious—Ming'an raged hearing Shen Miao saved—summoned Changwu—lies held for now—fire would burst.
Changwu's mouth blistered—cloak on—search corners again—saw a letter on desk.
No servant entered his study—who placed it? He looked around—no one—opened—familiar hand.
Changchao's writing.
Letter: meant to take Shen Miao to brothel—met soldiers—hid in Wanli Lake farmhouse—Shen Miao's return a fraud by Shen Xin and princess—to relax kidnappers—search continues secretly—cannot show Shen Miao.
Ming'an pressing—tonight zi hour—sell Shen Miao to Wanli Lake brothel—humiliate her—please Ming'an—best Ming'an watch—to atone for failure.
He believed seven or eight tenths.
First—as letter said—Shen Miao "returned"—never seen in public—send back or after—no appearance—why not show her to clarify—perhaps never found?
Second—handwriting truly Changchao's—secret cipher between brothers—Changchao rarely wrote himself in office—imitation from scraps impossible except childhood waste scripts in house—if anyone could copy—dead Xie Jingxing two years on battlefield—bones gone—no one could forge Changchao now.
Changwu thought—spread paper—wrote reply.