Chapter 181: Great Clans

Jing used to swagger—spoiled stupid—none touched her—even Empress ignored—never thought stumble here—or on Prince Rui—
Shen Miao sharp-tongued—Jing could still frame her—random charge—
Rui not someone she could offend—
Rui first came Longye—ministers opposed—obstacles—lazy devil mask—two years—rats flee cat—none dare provoke—Jing's father warned—never enemy Rui—
Even arrogant—won't cross Rui—Yongle helpless—what's one consort—
Forced smile—"Prince too busy for Fourth Sister's music—" Pleading eyes Yongle—"I'll teach her—Prince don't mind—"
"No mind—" Xie smile—arm around her—"Consort no spare time—Consort Jing—worry for Emperor instead—"
Bite lip—awkward look Yongle—
Yongle dark—again and again shaming his consort—unhappy—maybe once didn't care—now hates Xie spoiling her—what indulgence—cold to Shen Miao—"Rui consort—your meaning too—"
Meek bow—"Wife follows husband—"
Empress surprised glance—didn't expect backbone against Yongle—then thought—smile shake head—
Yongle silent—stare long—fierce—she head down—gentle eyes—ignored—
Xie pulled her—"Brother nothing else—we leave—" Grin—"New marriage—much to do—"
Shen Miao: "……"
"Remember my words!"
Smirk—"Oh—"
That oh—nothing like remembering—
Left—Yongle furious—sleeves—ignored Empress and Jing—both knew rage—didn't follow—
Jing to Empress—"Sister and Rui consort close—spoke for her—seem old friends—"
"Consort learned—clever—virtuous—naturally liked—" Empress smile—
"Don't forget—Ming Qi person!" Jing harsh—"Who knows her heart—help her—drag yourself down—Emperor punishes you too—"
"Married Great Li—Great Li person—Consort Jing suspect Rui Manor too—consort and prince one body—" Jing no match in tongue—
Jing cold laugh—"Still eloquent—trust Rui consort—stand her side—"
Empress noncommittal—
"But what—" Jing sudden smile—"Help moment—not lifetime—Rui Manor won't have one woman—Fourth Sister fails—someone succeeds—" Look at face—"Emperor clearly dislikes that consort—"
"Rui Manor affairs—not ours—Prince has mind—"
"Daren't volunteer—" Jing—"Advise sister—not Buddha—kind to all—need ability—Sister's today—Rui consort's tomorrow—" Head high—maids gone—
Empress smile sank—worry flash—
Carriage—"What did Emperor say—"
"Court trivia—" Xie—
Not trivia—wouldn't pull him aside—must concern her—today proved—dislikes her—dislikes Xie valuing her—sensitive identity—or—better choice—
Silent—Xie turned—pinch cheek—"Impressed today—ferocious—long unseen—"
"Ferocious—"
"Sigh—" Memory—"Wo Long Temple—Ming Qi—thought Shen girl fierce—which unlucky young master marries this tigress—"
Calm look—"Want a fight—"
Smirk—"There—true Xie—"
Distraction—annoyance at hidden words gone—"Won't tell fine—who is Consort Jing—Emperor dotes—yet—" Pause—"I see nothing special—"
Nearly laughed—Jing said same—repaid—grudge—"Jing—General Lu's legitimate eldest—General Lu—like Shen standing in Ming Qi—"
Brow up—military power—no wonder lenience—
"Great Li unlike Ming Qi—Ming Qi few generals—Shen Xie half country—Great Li civil military equal—many generals—hard concentrate—Lu among largest—therefore—bold—" Cold flash—
"Consort's harem attitude—Lu attitude in Longye—" She said—harem woman—family reputation—backing—bold—favor alone insufficient—past life—without Shen house—Fu wouldn't glance—Mei—Fu Sheng near crown prince—brother's merit—
Mei thought—stunned—past Mei years after Fu enthroned—went Qin—this life Fu east campaign?—she in Great Li—Mei appear?—
Xie missed drift—"Good—Jing spoiled—Lu bold—brother wants suppress—slow—"
"Can't balance—"
Shake head—"Lu—previous emperor's men—previous emperor's leftovers—brother cleared most—except two—military Lu—civil Ye—deep roots—many factions—uproot—hurt throne—brother can't rush—they know—bold—"
Frown—blood brothers—same father—why "previous emperor" not "father"—Lu Ye both previous emperor's—Yongle legitimate—should serve—yet ambitious—Yongle wants suppress—wolf hunger—
Previous emperor didn't want Yongle rule—or Lu Ye rebel after death—
Sensitive—secrets sensed—
Ironic—Ming Qi—Shen Xie honest—throne suspicious—no daughter in palace—still crushed—Great Li reversed—treacherous ministers swagger—throne yields slow—
"Empress which family—"
"Ke—historians—"
Stunned—"Historians—light power—no real authority—made empress—must love her—"
Noncommittal—
"But—" Continue—"Heart has empress—why allow Jing disrespect—Jing dares—clearly Emperor's influence—" If loved—Jing wouldn't dare—yet she clashes—knows no punishment—
Willing marry without power—why not simplest shield—
Light smile—"Brother unlike me—" Pat head—"Sister-in-law unlike you—"
Swat hand—"So Lu Fourth Sister loves you—"
Stunned—laughed—"Still jealous—"
"Strange though—" Self—"If Lu wants power—one daughter in palace—enough—why second—" Look—"Why to you—Prince not Emperor—control all royal brothers—"
Look up—stunned—deep gaze—unreadable—before ask—pulled close—arms waist—head on shoulder—half hug—
Low laughing complaint ear—"Keep this up—no secrets left before you—"
Secret—heart stirred—said something right—
"Secrets from me—" Tease—
"From me too—" He—
Pause—released—eyes locked—smirk—breath tight—
"Trade—my secret yours—"
Heart slammed—fast recovery—turn away—"Don't want your secrets—"
"Oh—" Laugh—"You'll investigate anyway—"
Look back—silent—
Lazy—"My secret—you'll find—your secret—think I know—"
Panic flash—
Secret—past life—never told—Shen Qiu Shen Xin Luo Xueyan—silence—
Madness if spoken—or disbelief—or strange eyes—
Too stupid coward—killed children family—would they blame—daren't try—
If he knew—married—Fu's empress—served Fu's empire—how look—
Thought didn't care others—suddenly fear—don't want enemy's eyes—
Strange face seen—eyes deep—sigh—hug again—
"No forcing—won't ask what you hide—"
"But don't make me wait too long—"
……
Manor return—Xie out again—busy—no ask—Great Li map unclear—Lu Ye on carriage—same essence—surface prosperous—undercurrents maybe worse—bigger nation—bigger ambition—
Yongle Xie toward father—strange—past Ming Qi—Xie searched something—general manor—ancestral hall fire—Yuzhou Prince secret room—Gao Yang—
What thing—
Thought military maps—unlikely there—unknown—
Another matter—
Pei came Great Li with train—hide Fu—Firefly too—Firefly easy—Pei proud—once Firefly—now risked life—no right demand more—
Stood—go talk Pei—
Pei yard—east wing last—good—Manor huge—easy spare—maybe deliberate—diagonal—farthest from her—
Pei playing chess—two green maids—pretty—pour tea—eyes on him—restrained longing—
Strange—stopped—watched—past life rose—
Past Pei—talent boundless—Fu enthroned—Grand Preceptor—handsome proud—green robes—otherworldly—ministers feared—famous Ming Qi—
Young handsome—Fu offered minister's daughter—declined—genius temperament—Fu let be—before Qin hostage—decent relations—asked beloved—
What answer—
Dazed—
Pei said—Empress—my ambition not here—four words—clear—rational—exclude emotion from Fu's decisions—
Until death—alone—no beloved—
Now two women—dazed—even Guangwen Hall—girls chased—right age—thoughts wander—
Fanning maid saw her—startled—"Greetings, Consort—"
Other bowed—
Pei looked up—saw—she smiled—"Leave—"
Maids looked Pei—wave—gone—watching backs—rare mischief—"Rare see Master Pei romantic—red sleeves and incense—"
Maids' eyes—barely hidden adoration—
Pei shake head—bitter—no defense—under another's roof—Rui maids assigned—past would dismiss—not Ming Qi—not his—maybe Xie's plan—endure—
Her unaffected—slight sour—
"Came Great Li—reluctance—" She—"Limbo now—plans—" Pause—"Firefly—I forced you—wronged you—exile—guilty—if you want leave—allowed—"
Surprised look—
Always righteous before him—from Firefly threat—subtle hostility—not just hostility—investigated—nothing—
Now hostility gone—peace—flat—Pei lost—
Looking at him—emotion—
Defined him—owed much—dungeon—tortured—never named her—words fail—
Hate because—always Fu's side—Shen family—stood aside—crown prince deposed—silent for Fu Ming—Wanyu marriage—no stop—
Help kindness—not help duty—never "must help"—
This life—not Fu's—enemies—no reason grudge—
Revenge—self—hate useless—
Pei pressed loss—"Your plans—"
Pause—"Me—"
Eyes clear—Grand Preceptor again—"Rui Manor position—not impregnable—Great Li court variables—"
Look—"Royal house not my business—Manor can survive—your road—not smooth—"
Brow knit—"True—why say—"
"Can assist—" Pei—
"Master—"
"Not world-shaking talent—still effort—Firefly and I depend on you in Great Li—you stable—we thrive—even selfish—I must help—stay Manor—" Pause—"If court affairs—or your schemes—strategy—better—"
Silence—"Master Pei—think clear—you owe nothing—needn't bind life to mine—without me—your skill suffices—excuses— you're not fame fortune hunter—"
Bitter heart—she knows him—better than self—when obsession—don't know—stubborn won't cut ties—
"This—my choice—"
Deep breath—about speak—Jingzhe entered—fine invitation—"Color Summer Banquet—Rui consort invited—accepted—madam look—"
First Great Li invitation—first Longye ladies circle—obvious purpose—
"Who sent—"
"General's Manor Longye—Madam Lu—"
Pause—
Civil Ye—Military Lu—two great clans—subtle throne ties—
Truly ill intent—