Chapter 178: Concealment

Over a month since Shen Miao left Dingjing.
Wedding train somewhere—unreachable—storytellers still pack taverns—that splendor—
Two things after she became Rui consort—
Fengxian pawnshop closed overnight—sold cheap—emergency silver—decades gone—no one ever saw the boss's face—
General Shen promoted—Army Commandant—Imperial Guard—
Surface rise—hollow—orders not training—Shen army was his—Guard is Wenhui's—can't truly command—
Clear—Wenhui guards him—daughter in Great Li—might betray—
Loyal decades—emperors suspect—unlucky subject—
Court sees—people angry—imperial match then blame—
Wenhui courting Qin—Great Li uneasy—needs ally—
Ding Manor dark—
"A month—no Pei—fly away?—Alive or corpse—don't return—"
Wave—gone—
Dungeon fire—many secrets ash—furious—
No trace—smarter opponent—
Suspected Shen—cleared—not Shen—who?
"Maybe out of city—"
"Impossible—" Portraits all exits—"
"Except—" Pause—"Rui wedding exit—no checks—"
"Mixed in guards—"
"Rui fortress—how—no bond—" Stop—"Bond?"
Shen family vs Shen Miao—Pei serves her not Shen Xin—
Pei hers—now Rui consort—Rui might save for her—
Only Rui could burn dungeon vanish—
"Damn!"—wedding eve spies killed—secret lost—
Guard—intercepted letter—Princess to palace—copy—
Rongxin odd—no moves since departure—
Widow rarely writes—easy intercept—
Read—face changed—shock rage—flip teapot—
First such loss of control—
"Good!"—threw at adviser—
Letter—Rongxin—Rui resembles dead Xie Jingxing—
Absurd alone—her suspicion confirmed—
Xie is Rui—Ming Qi played—if colluded as heir—all seen—
"Treason exposed north—"
Imperial knife—Xie knows all—revenge visit?
Table grip—
"Emperor will act—"
"Useless—" Cut—"Gone month—Wenhui fears Great Li—too late—"
"Why late letter—"
"Stupid—she tried—wedding eve—like my men—Xie intercepted—"
"Deep hide—"
"Shen house—"
"Watch—" Cold—"Know or play dumb—"
Shen house unaware—
Shen Xin Army Commandant—less field—Qiu Luo Ling garrison—easier days—
Luo Xueyan—"Ask return Little Spring City—"
"No—" Shake—"Kept to watch Shen—pawn for Jiaojiao—"
Strange hint—"Luo Tan no word—can't face in-laws—"
Headache—messaged wedding train—fast—no reply—
Wedding day Tan absent—sulk—sleeping evening—
Didn't expect—next noon still ill—maid letter kneeling—
Galloped alone after cousin to Great Li—
Chase failed—month worry—
"Hope Jingxing sends her back—"
……
Tan wouldn't care—bigger problems—
Evening rest—
Tan hid in warrior train—disguise perfect—
Night hell—dozen men one room—snores stink legs—worse than death—
Baths—almost pushed in lake—scar excuse—
Tonight hot spring—moon—sneak—
Bliss—month of misery—
Moon—maybe tell Shen Miao—cousin soft—proper room—
Footsteps—hide underwater clothes—
Breath failing—modesty—
Stubborn—drowning for honor—
Voice—"Good swimmer—planning to suffocate?"
Burst up—head only—mist hides—
"Tsk—expected longer—"
Glare—"Doctor Gao?"
Lantern fan in cold—annoying—
"Why here?"
Smile silent—
"Remote patients—palace pays little—poor you—" Sympathy—
Choked—"Not that—"
"Why you?"
"Why you?"
"Cousin bride—escort to Great Li!"
Nearly laughed—
"Met man from Shen house—letter for consort—asked way—"
Alarm—"Sent to cousin?"
"No—resting at mine—"
Relief—panic—"Don't let him see her—"
"Why?"
"Bad man—frames me—"
"Frame you stowing away on Rui train?"
"You—you—" Speechless—
"Trouble—" Smile—"Send to Rui—you back Dingjing tomorrow—"
"No!"—month with warriors—"What for silence—"
"That's what I waited for—"
Felt trapped—
"What do you want?"
"Come out—"
Remembered—doduo only—embarrassed—
"Clothes wet—find some—"
He undressed—"What—!"
"Clothes—" Slow offer—"Your mind—"
"Turn around!"
Turned—"Nothing to see—"
Dressed his oversized—"Turn back—"
Smile—
"Conditions?"
"How you sleep?"
"With everyone—"
"Sleep my room—"
"No—propriety—"
"You're a woman?"
"You're not a man—"
"Letter man still in my room—"
"Sleep sleep!" Followed—
Gao changed—true face showing—