Chapter 179: The Bridal Chamber

Three months on the road—finally Great Li soil—
Xie's train fast—ordinary folk half a year—she reached Longye early—
Never been Great Li—past or present—rich nation—Longye famed—Fu Ming once said he'd see its splendor—peace like books promised—
Time won't turn back—Fu Ming Wanyu dust—she carries his wish into Longye—
Long out of wedding dress—Xie had clothes made—Great Li princess consort rank—
At Longye gate—guards saw Xie—no token check—procession thundering—streets packed—
"Prince Rui returns with consort!"
Heart stirred—married in Ming Qi—yet locals know all—no surprise—word spread long before—
His claim Yongle knew—she didn't buy it—
Curtain lifted—Xie riding outside—"Want to see Longye?"
Mask off in Great Li—no need hide—lazy playboy edge gone—sharp—keen—
She looked out—
Books matched—Longye unlike Dingjing—Dingjing bustle for rich—taverns everywhere—common folk can't enter—Longye streets—faces smiling—
Cloth quality good—healthy bearing—everyone seems well—prosperous people—rumor true—
Longye vast—Dingjing towers delicate—Great Li shops inns grand—majestic—even Qin less alluring—
Seasoned eyes—still curious—
Xie raised brow—"No rush—I'll take you out often—Longye big—learn slow—"
Voice not lowered—nearby folk peek—"Prince dotes on consort—"
"No wonder refused imperial matches—devoted—"
"Consort beautiful—well matched—"
"Little heir soon—"
She heard—face burned—Longye folk kind—congrats praise—dazed—
Always thought human nature evil—comments destroy lives—Ming Qi outsider—expected scorn—heard none—strange—moved—
Rear—Ji Yushu to Gao Yang—"Third Brother worked hard—prep locals for sister-in-law—"
"Hero falls to beauty—" Fan sigh—"What can you do—"
"Emperor furious—noble daughters loved him—sister-in-law'll have trouble—"
"Fear what—" Gao—"Shen Miao no ordinary—who torments who—" Wistful—"Back to real roles—miss Ming Qi days—"
"Same—" Ji sigh—pat shoulder—brother tone—"Move—"
……
Great Li palace—vast—pavilions linked—golden tiles—red pillars—royal gold and red—overwhelming—
Stone lions proud—golden throne—dragon coiled—head on back—ruby eyes—tail to armrest—scales lifelike—might soar—
Empty hall—one man—straight—stern—sun dying—candles unlit—light fading—back lonely—
"Tap tap tap"—woman—long train—nine-phoenix crown—soft smile—toward throne—
"Emperor alone again—no word to me—"
He looked up—"Ah—Empress—"
She smiled—"What troubles you—"
"Jingxing returns today—" Yongle rubbed brow—"Ming Qi woman—told him cut ties countless times—wouldn't listen—intercepted my men—acted first—married her—brought to Longye—legitimate consort—"
"Don't you like Shen Miao—" Soft voice—
"Not our kind—not our heart—" Eight words—
Not Great Li—not loyal to Great Li—
"Your dislike—Jingxing likes—" Empress—"Else why thousand li—ninety-nine gift platforms—reputation among people—" Pause—"Else why defy you—"
"Fox beauty bewitches lord!" Low—suppressed rage—
"Perhaps she has merit—" Soothing—"Jingxing always had mind—refused every match you picked—does this for reason—won't you trust him once—"
"I don't trust him—I don't trust Shen Miao!"
"But you can't help it—"
Unhappy look—"Calling me weak—"
"No—" She laughed—"You can't be harsh on Jingxing—so he acts bold—knows your anger won't truly punish—"
Silence—
"True—" Half beat—"But no time left—"
"Who he marries—fine—I won't bind him—can't bring variables—her identity too special—if he listens—situation shifts—I won't allow—"
"No time—" Voice deep—"For empire—I'll sacrifice anything—harden any heart—"
"Tomorrow both enter palace—I'll see what woman stole his mind—remind him—don't forget who he is—two years in Ming Qi didn't change his nature—"
Empress brow faint crease—
"I let him marry consort—I can make him take side consort!" Stood—down steps—out silent hall—
Empress stood—sorrow in eyes—sigh—followed—
……
One prince only—Yongle's blood brother Prince Rui—mysterious—young—wandered with masters—almost none saw his face—even Chief Eunuch Deng knew nothing—
Two years ago—news he returned Longye—altar—people saw—handsome—elegant—hearts captured—
At first suspicion—impostor?—palace strict—couldn't mistake—face like late Empress Dowager—some likeness to Yongle—Xie family beauty—fact—
Back—restored rank—attended court—ministers opposed—years away—knows nothing—how govern?—Yongle furious—punished loud ones—most still opposed—can't punish all—
Prince himself—solved stale hard cases—opposition faded—genius untouched by absence—
In folk eyes—handsome—good temper—capable—rich—
Rui Manor nearly palace-grade—
Yongle wise—lenient to brother—no blame—passersby drool at gates—wonder which girl wins princess consort—better than palace—
Who guessed—Ming Qi bride—
She crossed threshold—uniformed guards straight—"Welcome, Consort!"
Xie arm around her—"Carry things in—bridal chamber ready?"
"All set—" Fifty-ish steward—kind face—simple—"Consort inspect—"
"Good work—" Xie—
"Not at all—" Steward smiled—"Prince home—" Curious look at her—
Steward rank high—Xie nasty to others—polite here—she met eyes—smile—
Steward startled—face flushed—
Xie pulled her—"Stop looking—"
New chamber—speechless—
Bed sleeps seven—soft rugs—red bedding—fine for wedding—but walls—all spring paintings—
Lamps incense—ambiguous—
"I'll sleep elsewhere—"
"Problem, madam?" Steward—"Unhappy—say—we fix—"
Xie glance—"What's on walls—tear down—"
"No—" Insisted—"Meaningful—wedding—no consummation yet—first time—searched long—"
Shen Miao: "……"
Servants too direct—even she blushes—
Xie set dagger—death stare at steward—"Thanks, Uncle Tang—"
"But no lessons—" Through teeth—"I know how—"
Tang stunned—"Still—lifelong learning—"
She fled sleeves—can't listen—
Chaotic day—no fuss—Longye fine land—servants respectful—"Consort" still awkward—
Dinner—Tang made Ming Qi light dishes—afternoon Xie out—busy—Ming Qi playboy—here Prince Rui in politics—
Evening bath—dark—back to chamber—not choice—no other room—Jingzhe Guyu serve—Bailu Shuangjiang promoted—
Jingzhe combing—"Before Longye—feared strangers—now relieved—Manor respects you—groom trained well—"
"Not girl—" Guyu—"Madam—"
"Right—madam—" Jingzhe—"No wonder Great Li praised—today proves—even maid loves here—"
"Oh?" Tease—"Dingjing bad—prefer here—"
Jingzhe thought—"Not bad—people treat madam better—Princess consort from arrival—good start—better ahead—"
She laughed—Ming Qi—Second Third House knives—Old Madam against First—precarious—maids saw hardship—Rough Pack rumor—distance—
Longye different—Princess consort title—Xie's attitude—respect—fresh start—forget past—
But truly better?—Ming Qi unresolved—Xie's schemes—not simple—Great Li danger maybe worse—complex—
Tiger back—dragon pool—only forward—
Yet heart—light rare—
"Greetings, Your Highness—"
Xie entered—"Leave—" Maids out—
Sat at table—waited comb—"Adjusting well—"
"No issues—Longye lives up—"
He poured tea—"Stay sharp—"
"More trouble—"
"Brother's decree—palace tomorrow—stern man—hates this marriage—may scare you—"
Side eye—"Unhappy—lied to parents he agreed—"
Smile—"Expedient—even if he hates you—world full of haters—Ming Qi like fish in river—you still—" Throat cut gesture—lazy—"sent them off—"
She smiled—"Hinting something—"
"No—" Xie—"Xie family unlike Fu—no fratricide—"
"Didn't see you sentimental—"
"Don't believe—"
Shake head—"Thrones have no affection—warm now—no conflict—or same side—different stance—grab something—protect own—brotherhood ends—" Calm words—disgust leaked—
Sharp stare—uncomfortable—"Why look—"
Shake head—sigh laugh—"You don't trust royal bonds—"
Lips sealed—no wonder—past life empress—saw secrets—women suffer for love—Mei fought half life for one man's favor—men different—prince doted concubine yesterday—gifted her to aide today—childhood love made flat wife—eight-palanquin minister's daughter—women discarded—brothers not always loyal—fratricide patricide common—
Seen too much—royal kinship—hard to believe—maybe exists—won't believe—
"You'll understand—" Shake—"Brother no prize—good emperor—for you—not friend material—"
Only Xie talks Yongle thus—
"He threatens—don't fear—I'm here—touch you—" Continue—"Sister-in-law Empress good—befriend—talk often—"
Heart moved—briefing—
"Not going tomorrow—"
"Afraid alone—" Brow knit—"I'll come—he'll dismiss me—whatever he says—dog fart—"
Silence—"Got it—"
Smile—chin on hand—"Shen Jiaojiao—"
"What—"
"Longye made you obedient—" Mischief eyes—"Relax—husband won't abandon—"
Deep breath—comb down—stood—"Sleeping—when leave—"
"Leave—" Brow up—"My chamber—why leave—"
Eyes wide—he lay on bed—
"……"
Shouldn't this be understood—storybooks—fake couples—study and bridal room—why like this—
"I'll sleep study—"
Arm yanked—fell on bed—strong arms—held—
Bamboo scent—chest rising—hot breath—daren't look up—
Frozen—
Low voice overhead—
"Two months—"
"What—" Looked up—smiling peach eyes—predatory—heart hammering—
Held her—lazy—"Two months—then I won't hold back—"
Stunned—smirk—evil—"Being gentleman not my hobby—never was good man—"
Jumped—"Study—"
Pulled—"I'll sleep outside—"
Daren't meet eyes—
Ming Qi—Shen house present—he restrained—Longye no acquaintances—can't refuse—married—everything permitted—
Door open—pleased exit—
Hand on chest—still racing—back in Great Li— bolder—Dingjing held back—now full self—
How do couples live—past life never knew—experienced elsewhere—here like child—
Eventually—pulled quilt over head—fell—
Road finds itself—bridge finds shore—other things follow past life—this—feel way—let nature—