Chapter 143: Folding Flowers for a Beauty

In Yanqing Lane the Qin royal mansion stood—Qin better than Ming Qi yet still poorer than Great Liang who bought the whole street—Rui Manor deliberately kept distance from the street mouth.
Ming'an sat in her room—fine pastries and tea before her—no appetite—brows irritable. Several maids scolded today for no reason—ill star unknown.
"Still no word from Changwu?" she asked her man.
He shook his head.
Bang—she hurled the cup—"Worthless!"
All were used to her pride—held breath—she rose bored and walked into the yard.
Changwu and Changchao—how had they taken Shen Miao yet delayed—at last she returned safe—Ming'an exploded—sent word to Xie brothers to vent—Changwu wrote arrangements would follow—she must hide from Huangfu Hao—was confined—could only wait in the house for news.
Days passed—she could not bear it—true anger—planned to make the Xie brothers pay—none who failed her commission lived well.
About to summon them—a runner came—no one near—stole a letter—"Highness—Second Young Master Xie sent this."
She paused—Changwu dared write—tore it open—after a glance gloom swept away—shredded the letter—mood bright—told maids. "Come—pick bright dress—open the jewel box—all of it—I choose carefully."
Maids puzzled—she never left the house—dress for whom?—yet they dared not provoke her—dressed her grandly.
The day flew—night came fast—winter dark early—snow again—not light snow—goose feathers—wind knife-cold—even watchmen hurried past—Ding silent.
Zi hour—Wanli Lake still.
Wine shops and pleasure houses lit all night—drink and song—but streets and tavern fronts empty—brothel windows shut—night wind like blades—girls feared wind freezing warmed wine—wasting good brew.
Wanli Lake—boats stilled—winter ice—could not move—boats frozen mid-lake—desolate.
Yet tonight one person in a frozen boat.
Changwu sat inside—rubbing hands uneasy—thief's guilt—or Changchao's letter about Shen Xin's secret search—no hand warmer—no brazier—thick clothes—water colder—boat long empty—bone chill.
He looked out—no figures—anxious.
Changchao's letter—meet zi hour on Wanli boat—Ding searched everywhere—Shen Xin's eyes outside—Wanli winter deserted—safe—bring men—let Ming'an see Shen Miao humiliated—she would be pleased—wind on lake—nearest tavern shut—no notice—perfect timing.
Changwu unwilling—Changchao arranged all—accepted—near zi hour no one—more anxiety.
Then faint sound outside—he started—lifted the window—figure approaching—carrying someone on back—relief—must be Changchao with Shen Miao—walked to the bow to receive.
Nearer—wrong—Changchao was not so tall—shape unlike—unease—stepping back—flint lit—a familiar voice. "Changwu—what are you doing!"
He stared—a guard-like man—on his back—Ming'an.
Ming'an was furious.
Changwu's letter—Wanli Lake—zi hour—Qin four seasons like spring—she hated Ming Qi winter—shivering all over—feared Huangfu Hao finding out—came at night with a few hidden guards. Boat only—one guard carried her in—others outside. She was spoiled—unless to see Shen Miao's living hell she would not force herself—seeing Changwu she vented all anger.
Changwu said. "Why is Highness here?"
"Changwu—are you mad?" Ming'an raged. "You summoned me to see Shen Miao's shame—now nonsense?"
Changwu blanked. Changchao's letter mentioned bringing Ming'an to watch—to calm her—but he had kept a mind—feared dragging her into accident—today not sure—if she came and Shen Miao was not shamed—greater rage—so he never invited her.
Yet she was here—said he summoned her—heavy unease rose.
Seeing his confusion—more anger. "Changwu—playing me?"
"I dare not." Sweating. "I truly did not write to Highness."
She raged. "If you did not write—explain why you are here! As the letter said—tonight you will give Shen Miao unforgettable pain—why not tell me?"
Changwu speechless—shocked—the letter knew his plan—only he and Changchao knew. If Changchao wrote Ming'an—why? He said. "I did plan so—but Shen Miao is with my brother—I wait for him."
"Changchao?" She frowned. "You brothers apart?"
He dared not say Changchao missing days—vague. "To avoid suspicion—we act separately."
She did not doubt—asked again. "Shen Miao's return to Shen house—a fraud by Shen Xin and Princess Rongxin—is that true?"
His heart jumped. "Yes." He also doubted—only Changchao's word—but he chose belief—never doubted his desk letter—under heaven only he could forge Changchao's hand—and secret cipher none knew.
She rubbed hands—freezing—shouted. "When will Changchao come?"
Bitter inside. "Third Brother said zi hour."
"What hour now?" she asked a attendant—"Nearly zi hour."
Wind howled—cold to the marrow—inexplicable dread—black sky—heart racing—prey instinct—he tested. "Highness return first—if news—I report tomorrow."
"You think I play?" she exploded. "I came myself—you send me back—Changwu—I can drop your head anytime!"
So fierce—he smiled bitterly—silent—footsteps outside—her face lit. "Coming!"
They looked from the bow—on frozen lake—a line of black-clad men—wrapped head to toe—only eyes—count unclear. She eased slightly. "Well hidden." Scanning dozens—frowned. "Where is Shen Miao?"
All male builds—no Shen Miao. She turned angry. "What is Changchao doing?"
Seeing the men—Changwu's spine went cold—not kind men—no Changchao among them.
He wanted flee—ice everywhere—slippery—lake wide—no cover—escape impossible. Bold he shouted. "Who are you?"
Silent—they approached. She realized wrong. "Not Changchao's men?"
Panicked—"I haven't seen Third Brother!"
"Insolent—kneel before me!"
Deaf—they kept coming—her guard drew blade—charged—fight. She understood malice—looked outside. "My hidden guards—where?"
She brought one guard to avoid others hearing talk with Xie brothers—others waited distant—such noise should bring rescue—why silence?
Changwu panicked too—men hidden on other boats—yet nothing—where were people?
Her only guard was tossed aside—in faint flint light—throat blood—one stroke dead.
Lake wind and snow cut faces like knives—yet both sweated cold.
"Who are you?" Ming'an forced down fear. "I am Qin princess—leave now—I forgive—spare your dogs—or my crown prince brother will destroy you!"
Changwu did not know whether to fear or call her fool—she named herself—yet tonight was clearly a trap—they knew her identity—else her letter made no sense.
What now? Shout for help?—heard or not—if found—a Ming minister and Qin princess at Wanli midnight—unexplainable.
Trapped—he calmed cold—looked at them. "Murder a princess—that charge is heavy. If you fear death—try—taste pursuit to world's end like stray dogs."
Her heart eased slightly—still afraid—yet princess rank—they dare not touch. "Yes—my status—not for you. Touch me today—Qin royalty will grind you to dust!"
"Is that so?" A male voice rose among the blacks.
Low—slightly hoarse—yet like warmed winter wine—pleasant. They looked—one stepped forward.
Among blacks they had not seen clearly—this one taller—straighter—even same dress—nobility could not hide—identified at a glance.
"Who are you?" she raged. "Don't you know me—Qin princess—one word—all your heads fall!"
He paused—laughed lightly—through cloth they felt mockery.
Her face red—never so dismissed—yet voice familiar—where heard—could not recall. "Why laugh?"
"Laugh at your overreach."
"You!"
"A mere Qin princess—what is that?" sweet voice—vile words. "Dead—still only bones."
"Insolent!"
"This prince is insolent—what will you do?"
This prince? She blanked—thought of another with such voice—eyes like peach wine drunk—seeming smile—looking closer—all cold.
"You are… Prince Rui!" she cried out.
Prince Rui? Changwu stared at the black—familiar—never expected Great Liang's prince.
Neither admit nor deny—in their eyes—default. Changwu hesitated. "Prince Rui—why here?"
He could not think why Rui appeared—no tie to him—or much to Ming'an—what did he want?
Since recognizing Rui—her fear faded—turned tender. "Prince Rui—why come in deep night?"
Changwu thought her truly stupid—they killed her guards—not for chat—Rui felt dangerous—he trembled.
Rui ignored her—looked at Changwu. "You seem to have questions?"
Changwu forced smile. "Has Highness seen my Third Brother?"
The letter was Changchao's hand—yet Rui came—Changchao in Rui's hands? What grudge between them?
Black man smiled. "Seen."
Changwu widened eyes. "He—"
"Killed by me."
Both froze—shivered.
Long after Changwu asked. "Why kill my brother?"
"He offended someone he should not."
Who—Shen Miao? Only Shen Miao—why would Rui help Shen Miao—secret between Rui and Shen house—he glimpsed an iceberg tip—mind in tangles.
"Prince Rui—why come?" Ming'an woke from Changchao's death—felt danger in night—probed—heart hammering.
His voice soft as wind—yet snow falling from sky on Wanli—beautiful—chilling. "Such fine scenery—a fine burial ground?"
Changwu shouted. "Why—no grudge—spare us?"—knowing kill intent—no retreat—fear broke out.
"No grudge?" as if hearing a joke. "You forget too easily."
"Changwu—all these years—you and your stupid brother never grew." he said.
The words familiar—black man slowly pulled down his cloth.
Even faint flint could not dim his light—long brows to temples—nose like sculpted jade—thin lips with usual mockery—peach eyes as if across long years—gentle smile—light contempt.
Changwu's lifelong nightmare.
"Xie Jingxing!"
Ming'an lost in his bewitching face—thinking Rui's mask face as rumor said—Changwu's cry broke her thought.
Xie Jingxing? Lin'an heir—dead on battlefield two years ago—lament of the realm?
"Hard work remembering me." Xie Jingxing smiled—beautiful yet terrible to Changwu—he turned to run—prey instinct—no thought if possible.
Body pressed—mouth stopped—could not move—Ming'an same.
Boat mid-lake—zi hour—empty streets—distant tavern lights drowned subtle noise—stone in pool—no splash—slow sink.
Changwu and Ming'an held—watching the leader leave the boat.
Even on ice he walked with grace—voice across snow on Wanli like winter ice in the heart.
"The game is over."
……
Shen Miao woke from dream.
Tonight sleep was restless—now awake—outside silent—deep night for rest.
She rubbed brow—head ached—could not sleep again. Brazier fierce—yet chest felt stifled—took outer robe—opened window—for air.
Window open—tree shadows sway—snow still falling—some blew in—she held out a hand—snow melting in palm.
Suddenly lonely.
Such a night—sleepless—alone in robe watching snow—seemed affected. Yet mind drifted to past—Wanyu—Fu Ming—old scars under cover ached.
A small flower fell from above—landed in her open palm—not snow—a crimson crabapple blossom.
This season—no crabapple—this tree did not bear them.
She looked up—in dappled shadow someone lay on a branch—hands behind head—youthful ease. Seeing her look—he bent down—looked from above—handsome—playful grin—raised brow. "Spacing out?"
"What are you doing here?"
Xie Jingxing sleeping in others' trees—Prince Rui's hobby was bizarre.
"Sleepless." He sighed—leapt down—before the window—one outside one inside—nodded at her palm. "Broke a branch to bring you—feared you slept—waited on the tree till you woke."
Nonsense—she rolled eyes—yet though smiling he seemed unlike usual spirit.
Heart stirred—she blurted. "Come in—leftover pastries in the room."