Chapter 167: Identity

Silence.
Luo Xueyan couldn't meet Shen Miao's eyes—Shen Xin exhausted—Luo Ling stunned—Luo Tan mouth open—Shen Qiu slammed the table—"What kind of mess is this!"
Calmest—Shen Miao.
Surface calm—inside ripples. Xie's move—expected—yet so brazen—wait—how did Wenhui decree it himself?
While she thought—Shen Qiu jumped up—"Who is Rui King—a Ming Qi girl to Great Li—is the emperor mad?"
"Qiu'er!" Luo Xueyan glared—"Watch your tongue!" Walls have ears—imperial spies—Qiu enraged—treasonous words.
Qiu shut—glanced at Shen Miao—scratching head—"Anyway she can't marry that Rui—Rui—name so familiar—" Palm slap—"That man! No wonder Great Li prince greeted me—after my sister—damn him!"
Shen Xin frowned—"You've seen Rui?"
"Returning with Cousin Ling—we met—invited me to Rui Manor to spar—" Qiu fumed—"Known his intent—I'd have cut the horse's legs!"
Shen Miao: "……"
Luo Ling blank—then something—looked at Shen Miao.
Complex gaze—no time to ask—"Imperial decree? Why sudden match?"
Great Li has marriageable ladies—princesses—commandery princesses—no need to cling to her. She knew Xie's plan—still wanted how he bent Wenhui.
Shen Xin looked—heavy catalog—pause—long sigh—"Jiaojiao—your father failed—" Then today's tale.
Court near adjournment—Wenhui pivoted—Rui King seeks a princess bride in Ming Qi—ministers stirred—some glad—some afraid—daughters far— climbers wanted Rui match—at least princess consort.
No time to think—decree—Shen Xin's legitimate daughter Shen Miao.
Shock—everyone knew she was Shen Xin's pearl—send her to Great Li—Shen Xin would refuse—Ming Qi needs Shen Xin now—why provoke? Clever ministers blind this once.
Shen Xin fury—wanted to draw sword in hall—any humiliation—but not his daughter—no consultation—no chance to oppose—resist means whole clan—Shen Miao wouldn't want that.
Also puzzled—Wenhui wanted crown prince weeks ago—now Great Li prince?
After court—Wenhui kept Shen Xin—study—long talk—truth behind the match.
Rui wanted Shen Miao—border cities as leverage—meaning all Ming Qi land—Wenhui yielded—finally—"I'm Ming Qi's master—can't ignore people's lives—General Shen—bear this once—one girl for millions—she'll understand."
Subject obeys—emperor apologized—past life Shen Xin would grateful.
But "one girl for millions"—cold line—this lord he served lifetime—felt false.
My daughter is people too! Why hers? Lifetime at war—for realm—life expendable—can't protect own child—what father? Sacrificed him—now daughter?
Rest Wenhui said—gifts—splendid wedding—heard as mockery.
Even selfless hearts favor kin—especially Shen Xin—decades apart from daughter—estrangement deserved—mercy—they grew close—she matured overnight—pain in his chest—flower tended in manor—tree now—lost much—guilt—decree—no face to meet her.
Silence—Qiu quiet.
Wenhui said this much—what then? Watch her marry? Cruel.
Never seen face—temper unknown—no love—foreign land—Qiu couldn't imagine.
"So." Calm—untouched. They noticed—no surprise since hearing.
Luo Xueyan feared implosion—"Don't bottle up—not decided—"
"Don't soothe me—decree down—can't resist." Smile—"Rui consort isn't bad—princess life—fine food—Rui's bearing—face hidden—likely handsome."
"Strangers—" Qiu urgent—"how know his ways?"
"World's full of that—" Flat—"lifetime together—still unknown—Rui not so bad. Dingjing—easier target—Shen house can't shield me."
Shen Xin flashed—pain.
More troops—more chains—emperor fears—holds her—crown prince once—others next—thieves envy—can't protect.
Innocent man—jade invites crime—first time hated his own power.
"Great Li is good." Soft smile—yearning—"Travel notes—rich peaceful—doors unlatched at night—music—order—thieves cleared—fine sight."
"Alone in fine sight—" Luo Xueyan couldn't finish.
"Rui princess consort—below one above ten thousand—won't bully easily." Thought—"Rui wants me—maybe deep feeling—will treat well."
Rare joke—Luo Xueyan laughed—"Fool—he won't—" Pause—clever girl knew—Rui wanted Shen army—not her—comforting them—heartache.
Smile—"Joy—why glum—ill luck." "Decree soon—I'll embroider dowry."
No complaint—natural—as if long-planned—worse for parents.
Talk—tired—dinner—tasteless—scatter—Luo Tan arm in arm—Luo Ling called her back.
"Cousin Ling?"
"Do you truly want Rui?"
Luo Tan odd look—Shen Miao smiled—"Decree out—want or not—no matter."
"Thought you'd say no—" Eyes dim—bitter smile—"Like Little Spring refusing those young masters."
Smile silent.
"Congratulations." Bitter smile.
Nod thanks.
Luo Tan pulled her in—dismissed servants—door shut—whisper—"Little Cousin—you know—right?"
"What?"
"Rui forcing the emperor to match you!"
Heart jump—Luo Tan careless—wrong moments—sharp intuition.
Vague—"Impossible?"
"Why not?" Excited—"Remember kidnapping—woke—I told Rui your words—he found you fast—strange bond—must be good—storybook hero beauty?"
"Read fewer stories."
"Skip stories—" Chin in palms—"Rui capable—Aunt Uncle searched days—he found you instantly—Luo family respects skill—capable man—handsome—rare—pretty men often useless—like Gao physician—pretty—weak—one punch—look only not use."
Congyang on branch—nearly fell—useless—this cousin fierce—Gao's feelings—
"Enough." Side eye—"What's the point?"
"Smartest! Understand me—brother Luo Qian doesn't—one wish—take me to Great Li—companion cousin bride!"
Nearly fainted—"What?"
"Never been—heard it's fun—food play—Cousin Ling and I came to train—see more places."
"You stowed away on the carriage."
"Loyalty—take me!"
"No." Iron heart.
Half hour—Luo Tan clinging—Great Li with Xie—no smooth road—don't drag her.
Gone—sigh—open window—tree shadows—cold winter night.
Xie really—no warning—decree himself—then vanished—explain now—hit and run?
Slam window—shameless!
Sound—Congyang ear—probably mistress's monthly—mood swings—
……
Shen parents' yard—Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan.
"Go with Jiaojiao?"
Luo Xueyan nodded—"Not beside her—trouble afar—we won't know—girls married abroad—harmed by in-laws—never hear—"
"He dare!" Rage—suppressed—"I could go—emperor won't release."
Voice low—"Tension now—we all to Great Li—treason suspicion—can't. No way?"
Helpless—Shen Xin back to wall—calligraphy gift from old general—"Serve the realm with loyalty."
Loyal—served—what gained. Shen creed—no wrong emperor—die if ordered—why regret?
This lord—guarded—crushed—controlled—acceptable—even used.
Why hurt his children?
All emperors treat loyal thus—or only this one? If Wenhui resisted Rui one inch for Shen Miao—less rage—Wenhui yielded clean—as if she were nothing—knot in heart.
Stronger Ming Qi—no bowing—one Rui panic the throne?
Sudden disgust for Wenhui's weakness.
Didn't notice—resentment for Wenhui exceeded Rui in this trade.
Didn't know—someone predicted this shift long ago.
Luo Xueyan—"Why Rui wants Jiaojiao—Great Li lacks no troops—provoke—why so far?"
"Ask tomorrow—sleep."
Sleepless night.
……
Decree public at court—one day—all Dingjing knew—officials to commoners.
Princess Manor—solemn.
Rongxin on seat—cold laugh.
Nephew had skill!
Xie favored Shen Miao two years ago—became Rui—identity made match impossible—yet got what he wanted!
Afternoon—palace—demanded reason—Wenhui respected elder sister—told all.
Rongxin—chill down spine.
Pretty boy—"Aunt Rong"—memory far—stranger now—years hiding—gets all—domineering—ruthless threat—more ruler than boy.
Afraid.
Tell Wenhui his identity?
Wouldn't matter—Xie prepared.
Still—realm would see truth—not "young genius lost too soon."
Memory—childhood—rare outings—maids barred at night—consort memorial—cold fever—couldn't rise—five-year-old Xie from kitchen—hot porridge—spoon by spoon—stool bedside—poetry—
Beautiful boy—any woman moved.
Ten years—almost mother and son—how here?
National feud vs decades together—sorrow.
What to do?
Didn't know—Princess Manor watched—not one spy—few visitors—lazy guards—every move seen.
Pingnan Manor—Su Minglang at sweet steamed curd—righteous refusal—"Not for me—brother."
Beauty age—plump white dumpling to jade young master—sweet smell—won't touch.
Wait—maid—"Don't give brother—if Sister Shen marries him—fat brother shame—"
Maid speechless—Su Minglang sighed—"Since you're troubled—I'll eat." Fierce—"Don't tell Mother I stole brother's curd!"
Maid: "……"
Inside—Su Mingfeng paced—no appetite for curd—anxious.
Su Yu sympathetic—pat—"Son—I know—it hurts—imperial decree—can't help—bad luck—no fate—she goes Great Li—out of sight—forgotten."
Decree—parents feared suicide—locked study—Su Yu sent to comfort.
"Father—stop cluttering—not grieving that."
"Son—I know youth—" Su Yu—"Not romantic in vain—flowers everywhere—cheer up."
Unbearable—"Fine—I know—alone—no suicide—leave me—please?"
Mild son angry—Su Yu retreated—"I'll find fairy wife—don't mourn!" Fled.
Alone at desk—irritated.
Sudden decree—unexpected—crown prince tie weeks ago—now Rui?
Wenhui's mind—no time—Shen Miao.
Two years bond with Xie—tiger ring—special—Xie alive maybe.
Find Xie—watch Shen Miao.
Why decree unsettling—something rising—change coming.
Abnormal all day—spy returned—watched princess manor and Shen house.
"Lead on what you asked."
Joy—straight—"Speak!"
"Followed princess guards—someone watches Rui Manor—likely Rongxin's order."
"Rui guards at Shen house—watch or protect Fifth Miss."
Frown—all Rui—Rongxin watches Rui—Rui watches Shen Miao?
Wanted Xie—
Terrible thought—
Heart pounding.