Chapter 162: Kill

Two days later.
Shen Miao rose early—Luo Tan dressed—lively—cooped up since the incident—Shen Qiu and Luo Ling limited outings—long guard trains. Shen Miao fine—no real sixteen-year-old—quiet home suited her—Luo Tan bored—any exit thrilled her.
Shen Qiu and Luo Ling warned—A-Zhi and Mo Qing—best fighters in Shen Manor—now her personal guard. Shen Qiu—"Don't force yourself—leave if you dislike—no need to endure."
He opposed the Dongling invite—instinct—Dongling not kind—unscathed when second and third branches fell—bride swap with Shen Yue—Dongling's shadow—battlefield men smell danger—avoid her—don't let her use Shen Miao.
Shen Miao smiled—"Cousin with me—fine."
Luo Tan grinned—"Come with us, Cousin Qiu."
Shen Qiu shook head—"Army business—rough man at incense—chokes."
Luo Tan—"Relax—we'll guard Little Cousin."
Shen Qiu glared—"Your three-legged kung fu? Nearly died last time—Gao physician healed you a month."
Luo Tan feared that story—tongue out—pleading look at Luo Ling.
Luo Ling smiled—"Still—be careful—home before dark—unsafe for girls." Eyes on Shen Miao—warm.
When crown prince wanted Shen Miao—Luo Xueyan rushed matchmaking—Luo Ling spoke first—good man—family—favorite. Rui King's word paused urgency—but Luo Ling had declared to Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin—feelings obvious.
Blunt affection—even palace-hardened Shen Miao couldn't ignore—slight retreat—"Understood—thanks, Cousin Ling."
Luo Tan hurried—"Go—late on the road."
They parted—carriage rolling.
Inside—Luo Tan—"Little Cousin—what's your plan?"
"Plan?" Blank.
"Marriage." Worried face—"Crown prince paused—not forever—Aunt said settle this year—or others will covet—conditions too good."
Shen Miao silent—Shen position in Ming Qi delicate—blade or curse—court wants Shen Xin's troops—not necessarily the general—if he rebels—
As only legitimate daughter—marriage means much—often not her call.
Xie's words surfaced—
"When this is done—I marry you, Shen Jiaojiao."
Plain—sudden—not quite vow—yet promise—from him—undeniable—as if done when spoken.
Impossible—Ming Qi general's daughter—Great Li Rui King—Great Li strong—even Ming Qi princess might be reaching—her worse—if she married—Shen house where?
Heavy thought—Luo Tan shoved—"So deep—you didn't hear me."
"What did you ask?"
Luo Tan sighed—"Among suitors—who do you like?"
Shen Miao blank—Luo Tan counted fingers—"Cousin Ling—gentle—family known. Su Mingfeng—deep feeling—Lady Su likes you. Feng Zixian—bookish—Feng Anning shields you—fine youths—" Leaned close—reading her face—"None?"
Shen Miao laughed—"None."
Luo Tan straight—lecture mode—"Wrong—perfect is good—too picky bad—these top Dingjing—in Little Spring City girls brawl for concubine slots—all three swore no secondary wives—"
Looked again—shook head—"No spark—storybooks say flushed face—deer in chest—you—no deer yet."
Shen Miao amused—"Nonsense—why meddle—sick?"
"Don't—" Luo Tan clutched throat—"Dry days—night wind—wanted Gao doctor—no shadow—no medical ethics!"
Shen Miao speechless—Gao Yang was Great Li courtier—here imperial physician—headaches and sniffles—only Luo Tan would dare.
……
Dongling dressing—extra plain—almost no powder—pine-colored hundred-blossom skirt—fine cloth—simple jade only.
Xinghua looked—"Why so simple—beauty natural—outdoors—shouldn't brighter win?"
"You don't understand." Mirror—pretty—Wan Yiniang's soft charm—married woman added allure.
Servants whispered—"concubine face"—proper mistresses broad and round—honest look—Dongling big eyes sharp chin—fox pretty—typical secondary face—Wang parents disliked—Wang Bi loved—rest ignored.
She pulled jade hairpin—silver plain instead.
Xinghua hesitated.
"No lead today—flashy steals focus—fool's errand—plenty of chances later."
Xinghua flattered—"Natural beauty—first without trying."
Pleasure—not from flattery—today Qin prince "falls" for Shen Miao—she backdrop—duller she—brighter Shen—natural match.
Many witnesses—Wang Bi coming too—remind prince—Wang's credit greatest.
Stood—glanced at note—巳时—early—"Breakfast with husband—then Yifeng Pavilion—perfect."
She didn't know—Huangfu Hao already left.
Incense at Yifeng Pavilion—suburban pavilion—prior emperor built for prior empress—view gorge below—sky near—rich loved incense here—wind carries scent to heaven—vast feeling.
Winter—gorge silver—snow and scent—special charm.
Huangfu read the fine invitation—smirked—pretty place—love at first sight with a minister's daughter—sounds well—he's just acting.
Guard—carriage ready—Huangfu frowned—out the door. Post insisted 辰时 at Yifeng—too early—whole morning lost.
Full performance—dissatisfied—still agreed.
Yifeng outskirts—far from city—leave at dawn—mountain road—wealthy family's carriage lane—else worse—long still.
Huangfu left guards mid-mountain—walked alone—post ordered no escort—too many guards—unnatural romance—crown prince early—private talk—inconvenient with crowd.
Huangfu fearless—place surely had prince's hidden men—no assassins—prince wouldn't strike—Qin Manor knew he came—harm to him—prince implicated.
Guards stayed—he climbed.
No regret pill—pride would cost him forever.
Huangfu ascending—real crown prince on another path with guards—front and back—close gap—different routes—missed each other.
……
Two incense sticks—Huangfu reached Yifeng.
Long pavilion—someone seated—stood—crown prince.
Surprised—prince earlier—辰时 less absurd.
Looked around—"Where are the others?"
Love-at-first-sight needs audience—
Prince smiled—"No rush—early for private words."
Strange—didn't dwell—guards on the slope—near enough—prince's men present—safe—"Speak."
Prince beside him—"Odd—why so early—why your guards on the slope?"
"Important talk." Huangfu impatient—no more riddles at this stage.
"Doesn't it look like—silencing witnesses?" Prince asked.
Huangfu laughed—"Joking isn't your style."
No answer—Huangfu turned—heart jumped.
Prince calm—no move—calm itself—dread—cold spine. Why kill him—can't kill all Qin Manor servants—prince implicated—no motive—
Before answer—prince's eyes flick—Huangfu sidestepped—silver blade from behind—
Prince's personal guard!
Shock—fear—wrong—prince with guards—his on the slope—no reason—easy mark—"What are you doing?"
Prince blank—"Sorry."
Guards flew at Huangfu—desperate shout—"Fu Xiuyan—you harm me—Qin won't forgive—Fu Xiuyan!"
Fu Xiuyan—crown prince's name.
Voice cut—chest blade—silver snake—white gleam—blood and thin ice merged.
Yifeng backed the gorge—last roar—whole life—echo rolling down.
Layer after layer—ripples under water.
Other path—real crown prince halted—shaded back slope—echo faint—frowned—"Someone shouting my name?"
Guards—unclear—all said so.
Thought—"Misheard." None but emperor and empress spoke his full name—Yifeng should be empty—invites said 巳时—he habitually early—辰时—first arrival.
Hallucination—yet unease—quickened pace.
Yifeng—far off—pavilion—back to him—Huangfu—surprised—early too—smiled forward—"Didn't expect you so—"
"Early" never finished—hand on Huangfu's shoulder—Huangfu thudded down.
Startled—pulled—face up—prince screamed—let go.
Huangfu eyes round—mouth wide—rage and shock—robes cold and wet—chest silver robe—blood blocks red.
"What—" Panic—mind blank—Huangfu dead?
Impossible!
Before reaction—rush of men—guard dress—saw Huangfu—roared at prince—"Murderer of our crown prince—die!"— blades out.
Prince's guards—fight—Huangfu's men—where were they—why now?
Prince shouted—"Just arrived—already dead—not me!"
Leader—hate—"Lies! We waited on the slope on Your Highness's order—heard you confess from above—couldn't reach in time—witness and corpse—deny?"
Prince gaping—Huangfu accused him?
Joke—just arrived—already dead—why slander—wait—before Yifeng—name called—not illusion—real?
Why his name?
Chaos—still—"Just got here—how harm him?"
"Ming Qi cur—you lured our prince—post kept us on the slope—excuse to murder—unavenged—Qin shamed!"
Lightning strike.
Huangfu's post—prince wrote—natural romance—prince invites incense—Wang Bi's rare stick—new wife "ignorant"—invited sister—four meet—rest follows.
Post never said—leave guards halfway!
Guard before prince—"Can't hold—they're suicidal—Your Highness—go."
Prince looked—Huangfu dead—no return—those guards—fail to protect—Qin emperor's wrath—death anyway—blame prince—die together—savage—prince's men protect him—can't win—stay—default guilt—leave—live?
Teeth—glance at Huangfu—"Go!"
Yifeng's blood—outside unaware.
Dongling and Wang in carriage—still climbing—distance to foot—witnesses only—too early bad—Shen Manor farther—if Shen Miao absent—early awkward for prince and Huangfu—Wang ordered slow.
Dongling in his arms—"You're cheerful."
Wang held her—"Married beauty—naturally." After today—rank with prince rises—triumph.
Wang house rich on salt—hidden wealth—fear exposure—whole clan ruined—always forward—steady path—when silver ample—power mattered.
He wanted sky at once.
Wang served crown prince—legitimate name—once dull—now other princes fight—Wenhui favors easier control—supports prince—prince changed—followers ambitious.
Plus—glance at wife—steady decades—old before glory—what's the point?
Dongling matched—pushed daring moves—lucky—Shen Miao plan succeeds—throne nearer—rise with master.
Carriage stopped.
Wang lifted curtain—"What?"
Guard ran up—Wang knew—prince's messenger— familiar.
Face awful—clothes disordered—waved—"Lord Wang—trouble."
Dongling in the carriage—stilled.