Chapter 157: Trouble

That night someone stirred still water—winter bloomed sharp flowers—others raged as plans failed.
At Prince Zhou's manor a knock—he called enter—no one—he opened—two cold corpses hit his face. How they entered—unknown. He flogged night guards—searched for traitors—found nothing.
The dead were today's palace assassins sent for Shen Miao.
Unease—message to Prince Jing—brothers would study this.
At Prince Li's house—bodies hurled over the wall—guards chased—no shadow—same killers—Li's road cut—enemy skilled—whole manor useless—fury and fear.
Zhou and Jing met.
"Who did it?"
"Maybe Li."
"Threat—or same plot as us."
"Li smiles in public—wouldn't tear face—could be crown prince."
"Crown prince?" Zhou paused. "Years of illness—mask?—If he pits us against Li—he wins."
"True." Jing sighed. "Don't forget Ninth Brother."
"Ninth—empty talk—no court ties—silent raid needs a master—not him."
"Still feels deeper than he looks."
"Whoever it was—Li or prince—ill intent—we'll probe who puppeteers."
They didn't know the return of corpses wasn't prince or rival—but a third party—misdirection worked—princes' war sharpened.
While Shen house hunted grooms, the imperial decree delayed—Wenhui's headache.
He asked the crown prince, "What does Great Li mean—challenge Ming Qi? Never seen such arrogance!"
The prince dared not speak. Prince Rui had visited—after he left Wenhui smashed the study—tables, cups—near overturn.
Likely insolent words.
Wenhui raged inwardly. Ming Qi was no longer the old emperor's strength—Qin slightly ahead—Great Li rich and strong—little pride left. This tribute feast—big show—hid weakness. Huangfu Hao polite surface—still held Dali over Ming'an—officials busy clearing a princess—laughable—yet Wenhui dared not refuse—wanted Qin against Li.
Rui was worse—Huangfu at least performed respect—Rui did as he pleased. Wenhui told himself temperament—yesterday in the study Wenhui sought friendship—Rui refused without words—no face left—Wenhui darkened—Rui didn't care—casually named border towns—meaning to take them back.
Instant change.
Small towns—rich mines—weapons ore—on the boundary—once ignored—now claim?
Wenhui wasn't blind on land—one bite today—more tomorrow—Dingjing next—armies?
Ming Qi couldn't match Great Li.
Rui was Yongle's voice—those lines were ambition. Wenhui couldn't seize him—Yongle's wrath unbearable—Qin alliance might help—alone—endure.
Emperor without dignity—fire in the chest.
"Li's hunger—who knows next. Shen Miao's match can wait—can't anger Shen Xin now—Li might slip through."
Prince disappointed—nodded obedience—"Unexpected wolf heart—we must watch."
Wenhui pleased—patted shoulder—"Tomorrow I'll speak alliance with Qin—then no fear of Li—decree myself—Shen blades and girl—yours." Girl as goods—sure in hand.
Prince smiled—blamed Rui's timing—Ding's clever plan spoiled—helpless.
Word reached Shen house—marriage paused—reason tied to Rui—Rongxin exhaled.
She had pleaded with Wenhui after escorting Shen Miao—liked the girl—stop Eastern Palace match—Wenhui roared—women don't govern politics—she snapped—girl's marriage is girl's business—thrown out—heart ailment that night.
He didn't suspect why—past rescues looked like fondness—not guarding her for Xie.
"Good." Rongxin told Yang Mama. "Thought I'd fail—breathing room—can face Jingxing under earth."
Medicine arrived—scarce herb for her heart—once Xie filled baskets yearly—after his death—scarce again—suddenly a merchant sold a whole load—luck?
She waved send to kitchen—sighed—"When Jingxing lived—same baskets—now called fortune?"
"Help me to Xingzhi Court."
Sealed two years—built for young Xie after Yufeng—never entered since his "death."
Dreams lately—a purple youth, half mask—she lifted it—Xie Jingxing's face—calling "Princess Rongxin"—Rui's voice—sweat nights—madness from hearing courtesy name?
Longing drove her there.
Unchanged—dustless—yesterday's boy eating apple on the bed seemed near.
Toys on shelves—old robe on chair—she lifted fabric—"Same as before."
"Gold thread still bright."
She laughed—"Rules even as child— hated gaudy— loved purple—I wanted flowers—he wanted hidden gold thread on hem—flash without shouting—clever devil."
"Only he wore purple so well—palace thought him a prince."
"More royal than Yufeng." Smile died—grave.
Rui's sleeve gold pattern—identical.
Eyes weren't blind—momentary confusion at courtesy name—stranger manner—excuse accepted—unease remained—two years without this stitch—memory returned—same as Rui.
Fate's thread—one pull strung all beads—purple robes, hem pattern, "Jingxing," bond with Shen Miao.
The herb basket—none before—suddenly after her attack before Rui?
Too many coincidences—seed sprouted—tree—roots unmovable.
Young Xie's unplaceable nobility—maybe blood—habits survive—kin sense.
She collapsed—hand on heart—white face—sweat—"Doctor!"
Grabbed Yang Mama—"Study—bring a post."
She must verify.
Shen Miao woke to joy—palace match paused—Shen Xin's channels said Rui mentioned border cities—Wenhui must placate Shen Xin—marriage shelved.
Luo Xueyan said Rui came timely—more time to choose.
Shen Miao knew not accidental—few words shifted an emperor—breath eased—awe at his ease—she felt small—night's bed scene flashed—wanted to beat him.
Luo Tan: "Cousin—you'll tear the book."
She released pages—embarrassed—lately Xie unraveled her.
Luo Tan teased—Luo Ling, Su, Feng—which to pick?
"Too much thinking."
Luo Ling entered—talk of marriage—Luo Ling coughed—"Cousin—like the peace charm?"
"Peace charm?"
"Yesterday I—"
Servant—Luo Xueyan wanted her in hall.
Princess manor messenger—Rongxin invited her tomorrow.
Gratitude bound them—cannot refuse—heart heavy.
Once she'd gladly go—Rongxin kind—for Xie's sake—even argued with Wenhui.
Now a formal invite—face to face—not a message about the prince.
What so urgent—recluse Rongxin summoning her?
Palace day—courtesy name—Xie's cover—unease—loved ones spot traces—intuition sharp—collision inevitable—dread the cost—trouble arrived—refusal equals guilt.