Chapter 165: Conviction

The charm's pattern unique—one glance enough—Luo Ling's face awful—"Your Highness—that peace charm—where from?"
Shen Qiu startled—Luo Ling measured—steady outside—yet blurting at Rui—rude. Rui greeting you was grace—your initiative needs his consent.
Today Rui indulgent—unclasped charm—turned in hand—lazy smile—"This? A lady gave it."
Shen Qiu: "……"
Too many words today—why tell strangers his romance—embarrassed—know too much die early—no interest in Rui's affairs—why ask nonsense.
Luo Ling paler—eyes locked on the charm—Rui glanced—hooked it back—"Business calls—won't linger, General Shen—visit Rui Manor when free." Half-smile—"I'd love to spar."
Reins—hooves—gone—two men standing.
Shen Qiu mumbled—"Recruiting me?" Why invite him—probably never said that to Ming Qi princes—his martial fame—Rui spotted skill—pleased—
Then Luo Ling's face—"Cousin—ill? So pale?"
Luo Ling forced smile—"Nothing—home."
"Right." Shen Qiu looked where Rui vanished—"He likes that girl—betrothal on his waist—lucky woman—dreams laughing."
Big-hearted Shen Qiu missed Luo Ling's stumbling steps home—heavy blow.
……
As expected—Huangfu's death in Ming Qi—trouble spread. Crown prince faction pleaded—injustice—Ministry of Justice silent—as if prince jailed forever.
Wenhui's move—court recalculated—tea cools when man leaves—some switched princes—new pattern—later tale.
Night cold—day shopping New Year cloth with Luo Tan—Luo Xueyan wanted many dresses—whole Dingjing—home exhausted even for Shen Miao.
Jingzhe and Guyu drew bath—out in inner robe—towel wringing wet hair—extra person in room.
Xie turned—Shen Miao in thin damp robe—hair wet—bud blooming—youth and scent—lamplight—red lips white teeth—mist in eyes—black wet hair on cheeks—snow glimpsed below—
Xie looked away—before she reacted—heavy cloak thrown—nearly knocked over—clutching—"What are you doing?"
"Put it on." Frown—"Catch cold—no one cares."
She steamed—he always ruined kindness—felt cold—wrapped in.
He glanced back—she unbothered by a man—still wringing hair—corner twitch.
No wonder—past life loved Fu—one-sided—never mutual—Fu's act—thanks and respect—no blush scenes—later empress—thousands beauties—mostly eunuchs—no sense of impropriety.
Wringing—sat—he studied her—face warm—"What?"
"Thought you'd never blush." Lazy—"Good—relieved."
She blank.
Chin in hand—"Why summon me?"
Today she'd had Congyang fetch him—messenger in house—useful—here he was.
She stopped wringing—hesitated—"Mr. Pei hasn't written—check Ding Manor—is he in trouble?" "Mr. Pei" stuck—she never told Xie—he'd mapped Pei and her—Pei used to send Ding news—silence now—trouble—without Xie she'd use Fengxian—Ji and Xie together—entrust Xie.
His eyes paused—meaningful—"Pei Lang?" Flat—"You care."
Frown—"I'm not the sort to burn bridges." Past grievances—this life Pei stood with her—no betrayal.
Xie nodded idle—"Fine—I'll ask."
Her: "……" Felt like courtesy brush-off.
Silence—awkward—she diverted—"Prince still jailed—palace situation?"
Scan—"Don't worry—prince is finished."
"What?"
"Qin emperor final ultimatum—handle prince for Huangfu—or invade." Eyes on floating tea leaves—flat—"Old emperor won't gamble now."
"Ultimate threat already—no wonder—" She looked up—"So fast—Qin didn't investigate—certain scapegoat? Why—not want real killer?" Expected outcome—still fast—death serious—should probe—standoff—
Xie smiled—"Naive."
Her: "……" Long since anyone called her that.
"Royal houses want results—truth irrelevant—Huangfu won't revive." Played cup—"Qin lost prince and princess—other princes exist—court chaos now. Guard against Ming Qi—Ming Qi must pay same price."
"Guilty or not—prince must die." Thin smile—"Only then—balanced."
Cold breath inward.
Ruthless—yet stripped the bright cloth. Ming Qi and Qin once even—Qin lost heir—succession war—if Ming Qi thrives—insult.
Mud-dweller's first move—drag others down—"shared hardship" alliance—interest bound—interest calculated.
Wenhui saw it—prince becomes weight—Ming Qi had extra heir—erase him.
However reluctant—for realm—all must go.
Silence.
Xie laughed—"Two birds—well done."
"I thought—you executed."
Her plot—his polish—disguise masters—timing paths—acting—not simple.
His credit largest—she thought.
Smile—neither confirm nor deny.
Talk—hair dry—yawns—he rose to leave.
She stopped him—hesitated—"Princess Rongxin—look for you?"
"No." Brow up.
"Then—you plan—?"
Out the window—three words—
"Nothing much."
……
Dongling and Wang—deepest cells—Wenhui fair-ish—didn't sweep Wang kin—only those two.
Didn't help—Wang sole heir—if he falls—house ends.
Jailers no kindness—many fallen high—outer-court official—no face.
Dongling mortified.
Dreams of glory—this end—once respectful harmony—crisis—clever Wang and clever Dongling—cracks exposed.
Wang blamed her—incense was her idea—buried them—if prince not freed—their fate worse—queen fights for prince—Wang has hidden silver—what else?
She defended—who knew Huangfu would die—conspiracy—someone framed prince and them—innocent.
Today's meal different—fresh—even meat—Dongling pleased—rotten hard fare—surprise—"Brother—for us?"
Jailer odd smile—"Yes—for you."
Wang understood—face dark—"Meaning?"
"Heh—one sharp." Jailer—"Last meal—road ahead."
Chopsticks dropped—Dongling couldn't believe.
Wang collapsed—expected—strength gone.
"What's happening!" Dongling shrill—fast frantic—"When release? Wronged! Huangfu unrelated! So long—when home?"
Wang first saw her unravel—stared blank.
Jailer annoyed—step back—"Even crown prince convicted—what innocence?"
Wang blank—"Prince confessed?"
Snort—"Aye—share his fortune—" Malicious grin—"Even if cleared here—Wang salt smuggling isn't small."
Wang shook—"How known?"
"How would I know—rumors outside." Glance—"Raiding Wang—gold carried out in boxes—all morning—enjoyed wealth—no loss—eat well—better rebirth."
Heart sank—last hope—salt exposed—no road out.
Treasury empty—Wenhui poor—Wang salt-rich—must punish—house raided—none escape.
World spinning—bride swap from Shen Yue—planned marriage—Wang satisfied—silver not power—comfort—why chains—why smoke?
Unwilling!
If she hadn't advised Wang—escaped—Huangfu alive—prince not framed—not sacrifice—why scheme Shen Miao—enemies of Shen Miao fall—why crash herself?
Shen Miao!
Behind this—Shen Miao!
Flash—bracelet off—bribes spent—mother-in-law's gift—buy a shop—pressed on jailer—"Find Fifth Sister—message—words for her—" Pleading—"Dying words—kindness—last favor."
Pretty—tearful—jailer softened—took it—"Once—I'll tell—whether she comes—not my promise."
Thanks.
Wang cold laugh—tired—mocking self or her—"Think Shen Miao saves you?"
"Don't know if she comes." Softness gone—hard—"If she saves—I'll grovel. If not—why only first branch safe—family shares disaster."
Jailer delivered—Shen Miao cut off—won't go—Jingzhe sealed heavy purse for jailer.
Shen house mostly gone—first branch wall in Dingjing—Shen Xin returned harder—not merely humble—no handle—Wenhui polite—prisoner vs general—jailer won't offend general for inmate.
Gone.
Shen Miao at mirror—Jingzhe combing—"Thought you'd see Third Miss."
Guyu glared—"Why—second third branch nothing to us—death crimes—visit risks gossip harming miss."
Jingzhe tongue—"Didn't you see Second and First Miss last time?"
"Dongling isn't ordinary." Shen Miao—"Dug a pit—I won't jump."
"Pit?" Jingzhe pale—"She wants harm?"
"Guard never wasted." Flat.
Shen Yue and Shen Qing—spoiled—vicious—shallow—young—Dongling different—pressed with Wan Yiniang by Ren Wanyan—father Shen Gui absent—survived—decades hidden—underestimated—never underestimate.
Heavy blow—panic—Dongling might scheme till last breath.
Cold to own father—no feeling for her.
Guyu—"In jail—what tricks left?"
"Don't go—no error." Calm maids—"Right—not go."
She lowered eyes—strange—prince and Wang jailed for Huangfu—conviction so fast—Qin pressure plus salt—Wenhui won't tolerate secret wealth—even son—Qin rage plus Wenhui fury—swift decree.
How salt leaked?
Xie? Chin in palm—thinking.
……
Palace—outside Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Empress knelt all day.
Dawn to afternoon—ice ground—no cushion—knees frozen—sun out—sweat streaming—teeth clenched—silent—about to collapse.
Maid—"Return—His Majesty busy—don't harm yourself—cold wind—"
"I kneel—" Firm—"until he changes mind."
Message to Wenhui—rage—"Let her kneel! Change mind—dream on!"
Since conviction scroll—empress begged audience—Wenhui refused—kneel outside—shame might open door.
Huangfu affair—obvious frame—Wenhui still protected son—salt smuggling erased last guilt—anger and disgust—won't hear empress.
No choice—years of marriage—she read him—prince only son—kneel lifetime—one day nothing.
Stalemate—giggle behind—peach-gold brocade—bright—"Sister kneeling—frightened me—such bow—don't joke again."
Empress gnashed teeth—Xu Xianfei. Salt leak—suspected Zhou and Jing—prince dead—rival gone—no proof—Xu adds fuel.
Pretty smile—"Why not enter—wrong done—beg forgiveness—shall I plead for you?"