Chapter 164: Brother-in-Law

Ming Qi's stir couldn't hide from the world.
Huangfu killed by crown prince—rumors in markets. Wenhui tried soft confinement for Huangfu's guards—already out of control—chaos looms.
Qin Manor wouldn't sit—message to Qin emperor—days later—riders back—answer or armies flatten Ming Qi!
Old Qin—Ming Qi might resist—Great Li lurking—plus Qin—finished.
Evidence tight—Wenhui helpless—crown prince to jail too—special care ordered—still discard pawn to save chariot.
Age wore Wenhui's youth decisiveness—other sons watching—ministers chilling—knowing prince framed—still imprisoned—for Qin's eyes—and prince's safety—Huangfu's guards hungry for blood—prince careless—dead possible—prison—many guards—safer.
No one understood—empress couldn't sit.
Empress stormed Hall of Mental Cultivation—"You know prince is wronged—why jail him—what will ministers think?"
Wenhui frowned—hated interrogation—"I have my plan."
He still gave empress face—legitimate wife—her clan helped succession—power trimmed now—no in-law dominance—plus mother of crown prince.
Private virtue—empress fair—ran harem well.
"Withdraw the order." Empress—"Prince faces court—people will misunderstand!" Once she never opposed—motherhood sharp—no stain on prince's future—not even a drop.
Not ordinary fault—murder Qin crown prince—if proven—Fu Xiuyan's life hard. Empress ignored politics—not blind—nip danger at sprout.
Wenhui overwhelmed—irritated—"I need no finger-wagging!"
Empress knew his temper—softened—"Forgive impulse—I worry for prince—remember books and sums—tutor failed—Your Majesty taught him—prince sees you wisest—we know he's innocent—gentle nature—wouldn't kill—or not stupid enough midday—Your Majesty—his father—watch him bear false charge?"
Wenhui eased—nine sons—crown prince favored—wouldn't waste him—speaking—maid announced—"Consort Xu arrives."
Empress calm face—fists clenched in sleeves. Xu Xianfei boldest—twin sons Prince Zhou and Prince Jing—petted—pretty—wild—held Wenhui tight.
Zhou and Jing ambitious—empress knew—Xu wouldn't miss prince's fall.
Xu glided in—two sons yet unaged—goat-milk baths—skin tight—ripe beyond girlhood—jealous beauty—Wenhui knew her pride—still favored.
Greeting—smile—"Your Majesty troubled—kitchen made purple-snow swallow nest—didn't expect Elder Sister here."
Empress faint smile—silent. Xu wouldn't miss—"Elder Sister—for the prince?"
Empress bristled—"You meddle wide!"
Xu covered mouth—looked at silent Wenhui—then empress—leisurely—"Sister shouldn't speak—but Your Majesty already worried—Sister won't spare you at such hour?" Basket down—"Prince's matter—not one life—Qin prince died here—only prince and Huangfu—Sister trusts prince—but evidence?"
"No proof—who believes? Qin watches close—free prince—Qin uproar—Sister thinks only herself and prince—not the realm." Sweet poison—empress pale.
"Silence!"
Xu feigned fright—step back—wronged eyes at Wenhui—"Kind advice—Sister rejects—I'm wronged!"
Wenhui splitting—knew Xu provoked—couldn't deny truth—prince tied to Qin—Ming Qi no margin—bad handling—future disaster unknown.
Prince thought—irritation—empress too—"Leave—alone."
Empress nearly had loosening—Xu ruined it—empress bitter—Xu first—"Rest Your Majesty—guard health—don't overthink."
Wenhui waved—head down.
Empress left with Xu unwilling.
Outside—empress stopped—cold laugh at Xu—"Your sons will never replace mine."
Xu smiled—"Elder Sister flatters—golden prince—I wish him well—brothers harmonious—what replace?" Giggle at empress's fray—"What I want to replace—is you." Touched pearl flower—walked swaying.
Empress alone—teeth grinding.
Empress and Xu in sequence—news spread.
Dong Shufei on couch—maid playing zither—High Mountains Flowing Water—mountain and spring—peaceful—Buddhist—embroidery and music—not concubine—monk—most ignored of Four Consorts—how she rose puzzling.
Below—a man in jade brocade—smiling—listening long.
Piece ended—maid thanked—Dong Shufei waved—reward silver—sent out.
Hall empty—Fu Xiuyi smiled—"Mother seems happy."
"Empress couldn't sit—begged for prince—Xu followed—about to tear faces—worth joy."
Fu laughed—"Prince fallen—Xu won't miss—Zhou and Jing push replacement."
"Pity—not good method." Dong Shufei sipped tea—"Clams won't fight—fisherman wins."
Mother and son laughed together.
Fu's features like hers—cold usually—soft smile—no guard up.
"How are you lately?"
"Found interesting secrets—investigating—results soon."
She chided—"You always have plans—I won't meddle. You should marry—age enough—delay makes you a pawn—Xu wants you powerless bride." Sighed—"Shen Miao loved you—thought if it lasted—bring her in—Shen aid—world turns—she changed—now Shen match impossible for you."
Fu smiled—"I can't—nor can Ming Qi. Brothers except prince—Shen tie draws father's suspicion. Prince seemed sure—sudden twist—heaven on our side." No regret—"Power families won't marry Shen—big house—Shen Miao may marry poorly."
Dong Shufei agreed—then—"Prince's fall heavy—Huangfu won't end easy—Zhou-Jing—or Prince Li?"
Fu no factions—trusted no brothers—alone. Zhou vs Li fought hardest—Wenhui elevating prince—Shen marriage—both urgent—prince rival—remove at all cost.
Obvious frame—likely Zhou or Li—yet too blatant for their style.
Fu shook head—"Not necessarily them."
Dong Shufei blank—"Who else?"
Rui King and Shen Miao surfaced.
Secret bond—unclear why—Shen Miao always guided—Rui behind—queen's probe—marry prince rumor—Rui's ambiguous words—Wenhui paused Shen marriage.
Incense trap for Shen Miao—now both princes hurt—Shen Miao safe—supposed to go—old woman delay—too neat—Rui orchestrating?
If Rui—inside Ming Qi—dared strike two crown princes—terrifying.
"Distracted—what?" Dong Shufei asked.
"Nothing." Stood—"Sudden business—won't linger."
"Go—matters first."
……
Elsewhere—Ji Yushu and Gao Yang freed from tower prison.
Days guarding prisoners—many methods—Gao endured—Ji delicate—lost weight—daily nausea—no wonder.
Released—held hands—tears—speechless—Ji—"Bath and change at Fengxian—farewell"—ran.
Gao sighed—filthy—exhausted. Xie heartless—small neglect—tower prison! Tieyi struggled first entry—let alone soft lives like theirs.
Ji home—Red Luan drew bath—washed—snacks—study—dust choked—servants barred—secrets—wouldn't ask Red Luan— swept himself.
Barely tolerable—sat—thick letters—last envelope—sleep fled—face grave.
Pei Lang jailed by Fu Xiuyi? Exposed?
Heaven—who knows—who saves?
Probably no one. Watching Pei was Ji's private whim—why Shen Miao planted him—talent aside—spy needs loyalty—Fu masters men—why not fear turncoat—before that Shen and Pei barely knew—why dare?
Whim now mattered.
Ji rose with letter for Xie—stopped.
"Third Brother will cage me again."
Xie caged them for missing report—queen summoned Shen Miao—marry prince probe—tower.
"Third Brother values Miss Shen—Pei wants her—rival—tell Third Brother—beaten? Won't save." Ji muttered—like disliking Shaoyao smiling at chancellor's son—son fell from horse—glad—"Don't tell—no news means alive—let him rot longer!"
Ji proud—unknown future cost.
……
Shen Qiu and Luo Ling—garrison commanders—busy—Huangfu dead—mess left. Kill Qin guards—Qin anger—don't kill—they spread prince-killer rumors—Dingjing upside down.
Can't kill—soft confine—but guards were Qin emperor's pick—skilled—guard Qin Manor today—escape tomorrow—garrison doubled—patrols—fear innocents harmed.
Today done—near evening—walking together. New Year streets should bustle—Huangfu's death—citizens sent home early—sparse before night.
Shen Qiu sighed—"Ministry of Justice no plan—garrison can't hold."
Prince jailed—Qin pressing—Wenhui torn for sole legitimate son—people suffer.
"Uneasy New Year." Luo Ling—"Any outcome—Dingjing may riot."
Worried eyes met.
Shen Qiu—"Mother said—restart sister's marriage. Prince paused—but chaos uses Shen as pawn—special status—coveted—unsettled—hard later."
Luo Ling stunned—Shen Qiu—"Cousin—your thoughts?"
"Me?" Luo Ling flushed—"You know."
Shen Qiu clapped his shoulder—"Warrior—raised in army—why shy like scholar? Face thin—speak yourself—wait for sister to come?" Earnest—"Sister seems gentle—proud stubborn inside—won't chase you. Man likes—say it. You can't beat me—" Critical look—"times changed—barely qualified—brother-in-law—I accept!"
Bold—Luo Ling more ashamed—"She must agree—"
"Won't speak—how she know?" Shen Qiu glared—"Su Mingfeng—sick past—dislike. Feng Zixian—Feng house nearly killed her—skip. You're best."
"Thanks, cousin—if chance I'll—"
Fine steed from far—coat gleaming even in dusk—heroes love horses—both looked.
Rider superb—near—reined—forehooves high—steady seat—superb—Shen Qiu—"Good!"
Rider—"Young General Shen."
Shen Qiu blank.
Purple-gold flowing robe—lantern light—tall—silver mask—fine outline—smooth chin—curved lips—eyes down—half-smiling roguish.
"Prince Rui!" Both bowed—tribute feast memory—lazy wild air—only Rui.
Rui—"No formality—thought I mis-saw—young general—stopped to greet." Only Shen Qiu—not Luo Ling.
Shen Qiu flattered—Rui ignored Wenhui—polite to him—alert for tricks—yet pride—fame reached Great Li?
Missed Luo Ling gone pale.
At Rui's waist—a peace charm—strangely familiar.