Chapter 180: Emperor Yongle

Next morning—palace with Xie—first meeting—princess consort court dress—Xie emerged—she stared—
Great Li robes unlike Ming Qi—Ming Qi delicate—Great Li grand—Xie in qilin purple-gold—official hat—green boots agate belt—towering—playboy shell gone—unapproachable—
Breakfast together—carriage to palace—last night awkward—he pleased—teased in car—wicked—
Truly unrestrained in Great Li—first Yongle meeting heavy—his jokes lightened—
Manor near palace—maybe deliberate—guards saw Xie—through—Jingzhe Guyu behind—breath held—afraid disgrace—
Palace servants heads down—still probing eyes—first time—officials unlike common folk—generous to her—cadres different—Rui identity sensitive—many wanted princess consort title—
Every move—Rui consort—and Shen house face—
Back straighter—dignified—past-life empress bearing slipped out—
Xie noticed—amused—whisper—"Don't tense—you'll outshine empress—"
Glare—when serious—still clown—ears everywhere—Yongle's men—this posture—" femme fatale" label—past life virtuous empress never temptress—
He grabbed her hand—instinct pull—"Seen—"
"So what—" Unhappy—"Prince holds consort—need permission—"
Side hall—fat eunuch—"Prince well—Emperor Empress waiting—"
No bow to her—
"Deng Gong—my beloved wife—" Pushed forward—"Why no bow—"
Inward eye roll—master's orders—Yongle—should yield—instead escalated—here to fight—
Deng smile unchanged—"Consort—blind servant—forgive—"
She gentle—"No matter—"
Xie swept Deng—"Brother so displeased—why summon—" Smirk—"If consort hadn't urged—wouldn't come—"
Deng Shen Miao: "……"
Tug sleeve—"Fear what—Rui Manor mistress—needn't fear—bully you—husband handles—"
Voice not lowered—Deng awkward—violent cough inside—"Please enter—"
Pulled in—
Head down—first audience rule—Yongle dislikes her—no detail wrong—marble clouds—soft wool carpet—
"Brother greets Emperor—" Lazy—barely bow—
Xie reckless—she couldn't—no kneel—bend—"Consort greets Emperor—"
"You are Shen Miao—" Heavy voice—"Raise head—"
Raised—
Throne man mid-thirties—sword brows star eyes—high nose thin lips—seven-eight parts like Xie—Xie soft features sharp spirit—beauty and valor—this one—years in power—no softness—stern vs Xie's roguish—deep eyes cold—see through—
Brothers similar face—opposite temper—Xie playboy lazy—this man harsh on self and others— ceaseless shrewd—
Surprise—legend Yongle so young—handsome—not white-haired old—
Mutual appraisal—his sharper—pressure—cold face—about to rage—ordinary girl would cry—she faced Fu Xiuyi's cold more—
Still calm—flash in Yongle eyes—lazy voice—"Brother done looking—more and I'll sulk—"
Pause—surprise—guessed bond real—more than Ming Qi princes—didn't expect this tone—Yongle not angry—
Royal rules—subtle positions—ordinary brotherhood impossible—no mutual kill already luxury—Xie years in Ming Qi—yet like brothers raised together—
"Jingxing—I'll get angry too—" Warm voice—looked at woman beside throne—
Empress Xiande—younger than Yongle—green-gold court dress—plain belt—elegant restrained—well-bred—intelligent calm—smiled at Xie—
Xie praised her rare—must be special—even without that—Shen Miao liked her—grace past-life empress envied—
"Jingxing's wife—Ming Qi Shen girl—" Nod—gentle—"Curious who tamed him—now I see—good eye—"
She demurred—
Praise displeased Yongle—glance at wife—unhappy—"Ming Qi rules differ—married Great Li woman—obey Great Li—"
"Brother—" Xie cut—"I'll teach her—if fail—don't worry—Rui Manor mine—mind your business—"
Shielding her—no face to Yongle—finally rage—"So protective—can't I speak—want this throne—"
"Pass—" Wave—"You keep it—no interest—hard-won bride—more meddling—she runs—what then—lonely life—"
Shen Miao: "……"
Fu Xiuyi brother—dead ten times—
Yongle stood—threat look at her—turned sleeves—halfway—Xie still beside her—no follow—furious—"Get over here!"
Helpless to Empress—"Sister-in-law—Jiaojiao yours—" To her—"Done—I'll fetch you—"
Both gone—Empress smiled—stood—"Stuffy—first time palace—I'll show gardens—"
She agreed—
Empress warm—no airs—Imperial Garden stroll—accustomed to Longye—like elder sister—comforting—
"Since Jingxing returned Longye—never saw him care for any girl—thought he'd never marry—surprised Ming Qi—relieved—or I'd fear him alone forever—"
Smile—"Prince wouldn't be alone—Ming Qi—many girls loved him young—"
Empress shook head—"Seen him treat anyone special—"
Pause—
Continued—"Jingxing and Emperor look different—same inside—Emperor cold face cold heart—Jingxing gentle talk cold heart—knows special identity—mustn't want forbidden—" Look at her—"He told you secret—not secret—"
"Small child—hide to live—identity—feelings—self-control forged—heart hardened—good for royalty—bad for him—always hoped if like Emperor—life too bitter—luckier—met you—"
Listening—doubt—Empress instantly likable—unlike Chang Zaiqing's flattery—subtle ease—real—not typical harem woman—
But luckier than Yongle—what mean—
Too hard—listened silent—
"Emperor deep trust in Jingxing—" Empress—"Wants comfort joy—won't let comfort change purpose—Emperor's path bitter—if he hurts you—don't blame him—"
Smile—"Emperor decides—consort can't blame—but—" Look—"Empress has words for me—"
Sigh laugh—"First meeting—familiar feeling—clever girl—clever sees dead—won't open knot—"
Brow knit—something hidden—
"Emperor values Jingxing—marriage agreed—heart unhappy—Jingxing can resist—you can't—Ming Qi girl—Great Li limits—" Empress—"I like you—also Emperor's wife—can't change him—hope you comfortable—"
"Emperor will act—"
About to speak—coquettish voice behind—"Sister in fine mood—garden stroll—"
Turn— corridor— attendants—woman in silver-red phoenix skirt—agate flower silver crown—spring—dress brighter than season—pretty—gaudy—slightly restless—
Lazy bow to Empress—not much respect—
"Ah—Consort Jing—" Empress flat—
Shen Miao thought—early twenties—Consort rank—great family or favor—vs Empress—younger prettier—far inferior grace—why Yongle favors—
Noticed her—"Strange face—which house—"
Married hair—young face—still matron—
"Prince Rui's consort—" Empress brief—no eagerness—
Jing's face changed—"Rui consort—" Up-down look—
Not Yongle's probe—nor Empress kindness—rude—appraising toy—snort—"Thought national beauty—thousand li to fetch—now—" Mean smile—"Maybe my eyes bad—see nothing special—"
No grudge known—silent—Empress cold—"Few pass your 'special' test—"
Surprise—Empress defended—suddenly like Yongle—
Jing unfazed—smile at her—"Sister close to Rui consort—garden walk—whispers—should tell—new here—much unknown—"
Look—
Giggle—"Rui Prince busy—no time for consort—other day Fourth Sister asked when he returns—learned piece—wants his critique—"
"Jing!" Empress angry—
Suddenly clear—why hostility—Ming Qi girls—Great Li Rui—flocks of beauties—just arrived—already hated—
Jing beaming—"Consort free—invite Fourth Sister—she loves friends—more sisters good—"
More sisters—backyard sisters—cold laugh—
Meant dismiss—eyes fell—white jade thumb ring—changed mind—smile—"Afraid not—"
Jing stunned—Empress stunned—
"Prince gave me all Manor affairs—silver to shop ledgers—servants guards—invitations—too busy for guests—" Gentle apologetic—"Fourth Sister fond of Prince—visit him—consort has no time—"
Jing speechless—fire—
Surface busy—flash Rui trust—full household—only one mistress—else why shop servants—almost manages Prince too—status boast—
Busy legit—stepped on Fourth Sister idle—trouble maker—not virtuous—
Empress corner lifted—
Jing green—
Usually avoid enemies—unfamiliar ground—Jing provoked—don't strike back—everyone steps on head—
Timing place backing—yield—fool—
Smile—"Kind women feel others' loneliness—Consort Jing worries my solitude—wants sisters—must feel lonely too—invite sisters to palace—you'll cheer up—"
Jing breath stuck—
Her backyard sisters—returned palace sisters—
Bite teeth—prime years—new beauties yearly—Emperor favor precious—rivals—how survive—
Sharp tongue consort—
Empress laughed—"Jing lonely—easy—tomorrow tell Emperor—palace quiet—add sisters—"
Jing panicked—"Not lonely—not lonely!" Empress secure—side consorts harmless—Jing in favor—terrified—
Grateful push—knowing bluff—solemn—"Don't refuse—you were kind—I return favor—" As if Jing should thank her—
"Chih—" Nearby laugh—Yongle and Xie behind trees—hidden—unknown how long—
Yongle cold—unreadable—"Prince Rui—your consort—sharp tongue—" Displeased—heard teasing Jing—
Jing ran—"Emperor—"
Xie came—pat head—white cub in yard—proud—"Jiaojiao sensible—considers others—" Glance Yongle—"Jing wants sisters— indulge—palace can feed idlers—"
Jing urgent—bite lip—pitiful look—
Almost laugh—Jing fierce—brainless—now bullied victim—how Yongle raised this—
"When did you govern my harem—" Yongle—
"Brother's consort governed mine—" Brow up—Jing—
Handsome lazy smile—harem liked—knew dangerous—
Eyes sharp—voice calm—body cold—
"Jing—sure you want my Fourth Sister's music—"
Jing shivered—