Chapter 153: Peach Blossoms

The empress's hint plunged the Shen house into fever.
Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan refused the throne—imperial sons were thin-hearted; harem intrigue would crush Shen Miao. Splendor wasn't worth it.
They raced to marry her before decree. Luo Xueyan had compiled a booklet—Dingjing youths, looks, character, households, land—plain decent families, no ambitious great clans, lest Wenhui think alliance-building. Shen Qiu's ministry friends checked private conduct.
Yet every hint of betrothal met smiles and excuses—already engaged, not yet seeking a wife. Shen Xin's temper flared—he scorned those who scorned his daughter—and left.
Pattern repeated—too many to be chance. A brother-officer told him: all court knew the crown prince wanted Shen Miao. Who'd steal the throne's chosen woman? Even success would anger the palace.
For self-preservation, none dared marry her—however great the Shen house, however steady the girl.
Shen Xin raged—those "pure" families were turtles in shells—lucky Jiaojiao hadn't wed cowards who'd never shield her.
Shen Miao heard Bailu and Shuangjiang's report and smiled faintly.
"You're not worried?" Jingzhe said. "Madam and master are frantic—no decree yet—and no groom."
"Fu's house isn't stupid." She sipped tea. "They know parents' plan."
She had known from the start—hurried marriage wouldn't work. The crown-prince rumor was royal broadcast—Ming Qi dared not compete with the throne. The Shen gamble was doomed.
Guyu's throat tightened. "Must you marry the prince?"
Maids felt she hated palace and palace people—Eastern Palace would suffocate her.
"Step by step." In mind: never wed Ming Qi royalty again. If decree came—ruin her name. Fu wanted Shen blades but couldn't show greed. If the prince still took a ruined woman—the ugliness would be obscene. Green hat or army—which mattered more? Fu would choose army—yet forcing a scandalous bride would look like chaotic harem, not devotion.
Fu feared bad rumor—but she'd ruin herself too.
No sisters to share shame—unlucky Shen Xin would bear pointing fingers.
Worst path—only path.
Parents still hunted grooms—matchmakers refused Shen business—the gate was empty.
Shen Qiu nearly kidnapped a friend. Luo Xueyan stopped him. The three sat, faces gray.
"Royalty is vile," Luo Xueyan said. "Once everyone wanted ties—now they detour."
"My fault," Shen Xin said. "Should have betrothed her young—thought time remained—fell into a trap."
Shen Qiu scratched his head. "She can't be side consort—General's daughter—principal wife we pick—never side wife."
"No one dares marry—what now?" Luo Xueyan tried. "Search outside Dingjing?"
"Distant marriage wrongs her—far in-laws bully— we can't help."
"Nothing works!" she snapped.
Shen Qiu sighed. "They're afraid— isn't there one man who'd choose her over his life?" Luo Xueyan stared. "Besides Father and me."
Luo Ling entered. "Found anyone?"
He shook his head. Disappointment.
Silence—then Luo Ling softly, "Aunt, Uncle, Cousin."
Strange face—words stuck.
"Speak—family here."
He breathed. "Still no match?"
Luo Xueyan shook her head. "All fear the throne—hard to find one willing now."
"Then—I will marry Cousin."
Silence—even maids retreated.
Shen Qiu and Shen Xin stared. Luo Ling gained courage. "My right hand isn't whole—many in Dingjing surpass me in birth and face—but I will marry her, treat her well, never take concubine or tongfang—only her in the rear court. If you fear royal moves—I can take her to Xiaochun—parents and grandfather there—no bullying. When you campaign—you can visit there."
"Cousin—" Shen Qiu lost words. All stunned.
Plain, sincere—no gilded vows. Luo Xueyan had thought sibling bond only—now crisis made him best refuge.
They raised him— upright, gentle,包容 her. Cousin—no harsh in-laws—Luo Lianying and Yu favored Shen Miao. Xiaochun—emperor far—shelter from storm.
Succession sharpened—Dingjing dangerous. Shen Xin couldn't leave—Shen Qiu must serve— but Shen Miao—he wished peace.
Luo marriage fit.
Shen Xin sharp. "You marry her now for crisis—what if later you love another?"
Luo Ling flushed but held. "There will be no other—I love only Cousin."
Shen Qiu lit up, slapped his shoulder. "So you wanted her long?"
Luo Xueyan surprised—gentle, reserved—she thought brother-care only.
He nodded.
"Cheap for you, punk." Shen Qiu sulked.
"Quiet, Qiu'er." Luo Xueyan glared at Shen Qiu, beamed at Luo Ling.
Father and son complex—no suitors angry—suitor angry too—especially Shen Xin—flower daughter to this boy—nose and eyes wrong.
"If not for this mess—Dingjing youths, pick a celestial—cousin lucked out—what merit in past lives."
Luo Xueyan exploded. "Dog mouth!"
Luo Ling smiled. "Cousin isn't wrong—marrying Jiaojiao is fortune—but Cousin's consent matters. If she refuses—drop it."
Respect her will.
Parents exchanged looks—decision hers—but side consort vs Luo Ling—choice seemed clear.
"We stand with you," Luo Xueyan told Luo Ling. Shen Xin and Shen Qiu hated being "represented"—said nothing.
A boy announced visitors—who'd come now?
"Pingnan Earl's madam."
All: "…"
Su Mrs entered—feared Shen Xin—old political feud—wouldn't have come but for Mingfeng.
Seated, greeted Shen Xin, praised Shen Qiu, eyed Luo Ling. "This gentleman?"
"Cousin Luo Ling."
Su Mrs's look turned odd—hostile edge. Cousins—easy trouble—Jiaojiao fooled—Mingfeng lost—she sharpened for her son.
Men left—women alone.
"That matter from before—your thought?" Su Mrs asked.
Luo Xueyan startled—Mingfeng match?
"Have you heard market talk?" She'd rather not trap anyone. "Crown prince wants our daughter."
"What talk?" Su Mrs smiled. "Royal notice—proves her quality."
No fear—bold or blind?
"You still want the match?"
"Naturally. Can't forbid others liking her because we do. We're not tyrants."
Luo Xueyan spelled danger—side consort refusal—rumor blocks matches—who marries now opposes throne—suffer after—"Still want this?"
Su Mrs laughed. "You think me blind?"
Why risk it?
"Truth—Dingjing's tangled. My lord says avoid trouble—we've stepped back from court two years—fewer chains. I know the risk—Mingfeng likes her."
"Likes?" Luo Xueyan stared—thought it courtesy.
"Yes. Never liked a girl—stubborn heart—once set—hard to turn. Better fulfill him." She looked at her nails. "Family ties clipped his career—we owe him—marriage too—we'd never repay."
Mother to mother—ache shared.
"Rest easy—we have silver and shops—no want. We'll treat her as daughter. Mingfeng is staid—no other women—simple house—not Eastern Palace splendor—but free and content."
Luo Xueyan's heart moved—no great wealth needed—good man, simple household—Mingfeng fit.
She hesitated—Luo Ling meant Xiaochun; Mingfeng kept her in Dingjing.
No flat refusal—think again. After Su left—consult Shen Xin—then Shen Miao's choice—both fine youths—investigate Mingfeng—let her see them.
Word reached Shen Miao. Luo Tan laughed. "Homebound yet three suitors—Cousin Ling, Su Mingfeng, crown prince—envy city-wide."
Shen Miao helpless. Luo Ling's offer surprised; Su Mrs's persistence more—fear Mingfeng hunted Xie's secret—now risked royal wrath—more dangerous—should leave to Xie—but window empty—he vanished in crisis—unfair annoyance.
Luo Tan prattled on Putuo's high branch—side twigs meant many peaches—"Three isn't enough—six, seven, eight."
Shen Miao sipped. "Not paper cuts—you don't pick blossoms." Luo kind; Su house odd—two defying throne is rare—more? Mad taoist's peach calamity—heart jumped—could he be right?
"If only Prince Rui!" Luo Tan clapped. "I'd rise as his sister-in-law!"
Tea sprayed—she nearly choked.
Luo Tan's jest would prove prophecy—this blossom, when it came, would stun—three was an underestimate.