Chapter 170: At the Door

Su stumbled away—soul shaken.
Shen wanted words—Xie careless again—smile—rest early—no revisit—she obeyed.
Some share pain for sympathy—true hurt won't share—each recall a knife—Xie won't expose weakness—world sees invincible.
She heard erasure in that line.
Home thinking—what erasure means—past life surfaced.
Past life Lin'an fell—Xie Ding and Xie Jingxing dead—concubine sons promoted—Fang rose—this life three sons gone—Xie Ding lives—remarry possible—son again—bleak but better.
Difference from two years ago—past life north later—timing shifted—what drove Xie's choice?
Because of her? Ming Qi's push?
Past life she sighed Shen fate—suspected throne—wouldn't dig—Shen loyal—merit killed—too heartless?
Guess returned.
If throne marked Lin'an early—father son die—burn planned—Xie volunteered early—plan advanced.
"Death" achieved—Xie Ding lived—two sons lived—ambition remained—Xie Ding broken after son—no rush.
Two years later—both concubine sons accidental death—Xie Ding finished—throne mercy show—benevolent lord.
If Xie foresaw—all—north march not impulse—only way to save house—as told Su.
Her guess—truth unknown—ask Xie someday—past life avoided—this life curious.
Heavy night—Su tormented—others sleepless.
Ding Manor—lamps all night.
Fu Xiuyi high seat—"Su Mingfeng went Rui Manor?"
"Yes—came out stunned."
Wave—gone—adviser—"Midnight visit—private tie?"
"Pingnan out of office—Rui won't partner them." Cold—"Su was good pawn—if Su Mingfeng hadn't sudden illness—withdrawn—escaped luck." Smile—"That illness odd—resignation—no fight—dying in years—two years fine—prudent retreat—someone warned—Pingnan and Lin'an close—only bosom friend—not busybody."
"Why Xie Jingxing not Xie Ding?"
"Xie Ding couldn't save himself—proud—merit—provoked father—elimination planned—never restrained—Xie Jingxing—" Eyes narrow—"underestimate."
"Also wild?"—"Everyone knows reckless young marquis."
"Remember—never entered office."
"Says spoiled for Xie Ding—I disagree—Golden Chrysanthemum feast—crushed two brothers—martial awe—genius hidden—called hiding talent."
"Xie Ding decades—blinded by glory—young Xie saw clear—most dangerous—warned Su—not Xie Ding—only Xie Jingxing."
"Overrate him—warning Su proves nothing—"
"Nothing?"—"Add Xie army?"
"Xie army?" Shock—"You mean—"
"Lin'an's terror—not Xie Ding—Xie Jingxing—young ambition brains—power—Dingjing turns—bone never chewed."
"Dead now—relief—Lin'an no waves."
"Yes—kill danger young—" Turn—"Why Su and Rui?"
"Princess Rongxin investigates Rui—Su men watch Shen house—Fifth Miss—princess too."
"Su—Rui—Rongxin—Shen Miao—" Fu—"Special link—Shen and Rui—imperial match—father never gifts prey—Shen army his—why give Rui—bad trade for Ming Qi."
"Your meaning—"
"Rui forced—method—emperor had to—" Weird smile—"Suspected bond—not man who changes realm for woman—I was wrong—he wants her—decree effort."
"No accident—Su Rongxin never left Dingjing—can't know Rui—yet familiar—Rui Shen few meetings—this far—Rui been Ming Qi before?"
Adviser shock—"Visited Dingjing—knew them—bond?"
"Open impossible—" Smile—"We were fooled—or Rui lived as Ming Qi man—why mask—Great Li royalty beautiful—why hide face—"
"Face—we know."
Silence—stunned.
Another smile—"Guess only—watch continues—Rui secret more eager—" Pause—"Pei Lang status?"
"Still won't talk."
"Continue—don't die." Smile—"Shen people—hard bones—enviable."
Adviser chilled—retreated.
……
Days passed.
Shen house accepted—match set—betrothal letter—gift list—bride must show respect—parents disapproved—but slack prep looks neglect.
Shen Xin wouldn't let daughter slighted—gift list monstrous—dowry problem.
Both generals—early merit rewards—unused in Dingjing—except old madam share—two children—split even—generous once.
Little Spring years—Luo army silver—thinner now—Rui list beyond peak Shen.
Qiu thought boasting—ten great houses—joke—next day Tieyi—two gold geese—
Empress treasure—"lucky color" in box—
Believed—Great Li rich—Rui spendthrift—real—dowry crisis.
Qiu offered marriage fund—"Can't half Rui gifts—looked down in Great Li—Shen girls best—shame if less—sell antiques—poor not faceless!"
Shen Xin agreed.
Shen Miao: "……"
Top Dingjing house—Qiu made them beggars selling furniture—
Laughable.
New Year lull—imperial match—Wenhui leave for Shen parents—time with daughter—after wedding return.
They'd focus on her anyway—Qiu Luo Ling army idle—home—help Luo Xueyan New Year—Shen Miao.
Hall chat—warm brazier—pastries—Luo Tan grin—"Little Cousin—marry after New Year—no time embroider—all—measure for seamstresses—rush gowns."
Ming Qi brides embroider—early match years ahead—late match—tailor gown—symbolic stitches—harmony meaning.
Shen match not urgent—find suitors after New Year—embroider then—decree ruined—full gown impossible—act fast.
Luo Xueyan slapped head—"Almost forgot—Tan'er right—gown start—don't know Dingjing seamstresses—ask friend—best cloth—slender—gown beautiful."
Memory—Xie's hug—"know from hug"—face hot.
Qiu—"Sister red—doctor?"
Luo Ling dim—silent.
Luo Tan patterns with Luo Xueyan—servant rushed—"Master mistress—visitor."
"Closed door—no guests—" Shen Xin displeased—"Why not stop—" wanted family time.
Servant near tears—"Great Li—Prince Rui."
Luo Tan eyes wide—Qiu stood—killing air—"Why here?"
"Didn't ask—"
Voice behind servant—
"Delivery gown."
Tall figure—Shen servants neat—beside him shabby.
Purple-gold robe—smile slight arrogant not offensive—playful—silver mask cold—deep—fine outline—lazy noble steps—unignorable power.
"Rui King."
Self-intro arrogant.
Qiu nearly drew sword—slapped table—dishes jumped—"You're Rui?"
Nod.
"Why marry my sister—what plot?" Roared.
Luo Tan jaw dropped—hostility huge—everyone thought it—asking face—rude—
"Jiaojiao gentle sensible dignified—long admired—begged—imperial grace—fortune not failed."
Shen Miao shivered—gentle Xie unfamiliar—first meetings—probe cold mockery—
Shen Xin Qiu rage—surface praise—sour after—imperial grace?—coerced grace—fortune not failed—whose mission?
Powder kegs—wolf in sheep's clothing!
Luo Xueyan softened.
Women see details—"I" not "this king"—"Jiaojiao" not "Fifth Miss"—if power only—got it—needn't perform—real or act—effort good—Fu Xiuyi teased Shen—neither reject nor accept—no effort—no love—Shen feared Fu identity and no love.
Love spends effort—none now—none later.
Studied Rui—effort better—looks hard to hate.
Versus Fu—spring breeze—prince mask—smooth—Rui lazy—some truth—royal truth rare—husband not false daily.
"Your Highness—"
"My name Yuan— courtesy Jingxing—call me Jingxing."
Nearly choked on tea.
Unexpected—royal rules—brothers formal—Great Li guest—Yongle's brother—ask courtesy name—
Courtesy name—close only.
Softer—"Jingxing—sit." Jingzhe—"Tea."
Shen Xin Qiu shocked—Luo Xueyan so kind—Luo Ling studying.
"Jingxing." Luo Tan—"Isn't that Lin'an heir's name?"
Shen Miao weak.
Bold—courtesy here—Su and Rongxin know—why not more suspects—won't avoid—runs toward suspicion.
Tea felt like wine.
Qiu sullen—mother seating tea—Luo Tan—"Rui knows Lin'an heir?"
Turned—"Oh? Who?"
"Also Xie Jingxing—Lin'an heir—South Xie North Shen—martial house—young marquis—prodigy—one move many down—literary martial—face unmatched—Ming Qi hero—" Sigh—"Heaven jealous—fell north—" Provoking—"Same name—how feel—That one unmatched—your odds?"
Shen Miao: "……"
"Sounds like Young General Shen admires that marquis?" Slow.
"Of course!" Bold—ignored Luo Xueyan signals—Shen Xin encouraging—"My hero—irreplaceable!"
Face in hands—
Pretend not know Shen Qiu.
Xie secretly—thrilled.