Chapter 182: Wife and Concubine

That night Xie back—told invitation—can refuse—Lu Ye arrogant—won't truly tear with Rui Manor—she can refuse—
Won't refuse—know enemy know self—Great Li map blank—chance learn—Lu intent clear this time—
Xie won't stop—agreed—reply—on time—
Two days—Color Summer Banquet—
Early rise—breakfast—Xie gone—back Great Li—daily dawn out—night dusty return—capital not calm—she agreed—
Jingzhe combing—still own maids—Manor few women—cooks old matrons—mostly men—Uncle Tang—two years ago—fake maid spies caught—women trouble—holes—stopped adding women—
Hence iron wall—outside jealous—no breach—
Guyu—"First Longye banquet—dress beautiful—others silent—Ming Qi face—"
Xie swagger Longye—maids shopping—outsiders say past-life fortune to marry Rui—maids furious—best Ming Qi—clever kind—bearing matches princess—why beneath—
One mouth can't win—facts better—Guyu hoped stunning—no gossip—
"Why care—" Laugh—"Comfort themselves—can't touch us—"
"Guyu right—" Jingzhe picking hairpin—"Can't lose wind—"
Knock—Uncle Tang—young girl behind—younger—slightly plump—cute—smiling eyes—wide grin—round white—Suddenly Su Minglang—but girl—
"Banquet today—" Tang—"Master ordered familiar guide—brought Bajiao—take as maid—strangers—she explains—"
Smile—"Thanks Uncle Tang—"
Waved humble—"Thought refuse invitation—surprised accept—bold—admire—" Strangers—fear—bold ones—hostile crowd—courage—
"Just tea talk—" Light—"no courage needed—"
Nod—"Exactly—" More satisfied—two words—left—
Look Bajiao—straight—smiling at her—silly cute—no guide hard—Xie thoughtful—smile—"Manor has no maids—you—"
Manor no maids except cooks matrons—only boys guards—her Jingzhe Guyu—Manor treasures—
Bajiao smile—"Not Manor maid—Mo Yu Army—assigned escort madam—"
"Mo Yu Army—" Vague Ming Qi memory—private troops—powerful—bold action—Yongle probably knows—
"Know martial arts—"
"I know killing—" Smiling—Jingzhe Guyu gasp—looks like grown Su Minglang—killer—
Satisfied—Xie wicked—Bajiao to banquet—won't lose physically—
"Then come—Jingzhe stay—Bailu Shuangjiang organize stores—Guyu Bajiao with me—"
Jingzhe almost ready—can't go—wronged—jealous Bajiao—feared chopped—reluctant warn—care madam—left—
Ready—carriage—Lu Manor—
No Mo Qing—Rui guards—consideration—Mo Qing Ming Qi—Rui men—foes hesitate—hands—she loves verbal war—
Longye unlike Dingjing—east—sunny—winter milder—May—Dingjing spring—Longye early summer—heat hint—
Crack curtain—streets bustling—emotion—
No wonder conquered small states—citizens open gates—good life—dynasty name distant—Yongle talent—
Near hour—stopped—
Bajiao curtain—"Madam—Lu Manor—"
Guyu Bajiao helped down—many carriages—no greeter—
Guyu stunned—"Wrong place—no welcome—"
Doors open—waiting—
Glance—thought—"Invitation hour—"
Guyu pulled card—"Si hour—not yet Si—"
"Only ours like this—" Flat—
"Meaning—"
"Horses outside—guests already—too many for early—no greeter—door left—know we come—others Chen hour—ours Si—deliberately late—" Inward laugh—Ming Qi Great Li—same tricks—
Bajiao still smiling—Guyu woke—angry—"Benefit bullying—"
"Benefit?" Voice cold—"Many—enter ungreeted—rude—blame Ming Qi Shen wild—not enter—disrespect—broken promise—their reasons—caught fault—low head—laughter follows—"
Opening battle—can't give fault—Mei decades—knows—
Bajiao—"Still enter—"
"Enter—wrong—not enter—wrong—why—" Guyu—
"Make them fault bigger—" Smile—"Then yours forgotten—"
Inside—warm atmosphere—Lu famed general—grand manor—Madam Lu hosting—flattery endless—
Madam Lu forties—youth probably pretty—now thin sharp—less dignified—flashy dress—can't hide age—
"Great fortune—" Round face—"Consort Jing favored—filial—Emperor sent gifts—weight in heart—"
Proud—humble face—"Emperor generous—pity Jing—whole family blessed—"
"Second Miss married commandant—twins pregnant—share fortune—" Short one—
Headache act—"Still Third and Fourth—headache—"
Exaggerated—"Third talented—martial—whose luck—Fourth—heavenly—arts all—need worry—"
Shake bitter—"Third fine—Fourth marriage can't delay—headache—"
"Mother slandering me again—" Coquettish voice—girl entered—sixteen seventeen—light purple butterfly cloud brocade—cherry lotus vest—butterfly pearl pin—pretty—pampered richness—jewels—spring butterfly—eye-catching—
Lu Fourth—Jing's sister—Lu Wan'er—
Pat head—"Daren't slander our Wan'er—"
Pout silent—stood—other girls dim—
Arrogant look—"Where's Ming Qi Shen girl—"
Loud—whispers—
"Ming Qi Shen girl"—not Rui consort—tells all—Fourth supposed Rui consort—Xie pleased—Shen Miao cut in—Lu unhappy—Wan'er unwilling—
Banquet not about tea—spectators—maybe climb Wan'er—Shen flashy now—no roots Longye—how long Rui's favor—bad ending likely—
Smile—"Maybe delayed—"
"Big airs—" Unhappy—"Others punctual—she late—Ming Qi rules dead—"
Round face entered—"Is this Color Summer Banquet—"
Startled—"Yes—you Rui consort—"
"Not me—" Smiling—"Consort here—" Turn—helped young woman in—
Round face contrast—or imagined consort worse—when she entered—all stunned—
Lotus green butterfly smoke phoenix skirt—smoke purple magnolia gauze—tassel bun—not flashy not plain—Longye girls love dress—harmonious—tasty—
One phoenix gem hairpin—lean—noble—
Crescent brows—clear apricot eyes—small straight nose—red lips—refined—gentle yet chin up—straight back—smile step—heart tremble—look up—unreachable—
Both purple—Wan's light—hers deep—young light soft—deep usually stiff—today hers tailored—stately—holds room—Wan's like opera costume—unfit—
Wan always center—stolen—by Shen who stole consort seat—
Madam flash smile—"Consort finally—ladies waited—"
Smile slow—"Didn't expect so early—card said Si—told Prince—leave early—not hungry—still late—my fault—Prince's fault—no reminder—should've been Chen—"
Heart jump—said outright—others look different—
Outsider—bias Lu—childish trick—laughable—regret—wanted下马威—not extreme on card—Wan insisted—now exposed—others Chen hour—Lu funny—
If Rui hears—sharp—displeasure Lu—bad move—
Wan can't bear good—look up down—"Consort entered without announcement—say we neglect—"
No gate report—slightly rude—smile—"What I meant—if short staff—needn't force—huge gate—no guards—dangerous—" Gentle—"Sent Manor guards guard door—strange people—bad—"
Mother daughter nearly spit blood—
Wanted say her rude—deliberately no gate—now like Lu too poor for gate boys—Rui guards—passersby think—
Kind—"No thanks needed—future need—Prince send men—"
Send men—who knows spies—Rui dares—they daren't accept—
Ladies understood—soft persimmon?—Lu setup fail—error trap—vague words—shake confidence—
She won first round—
Forced smile—"Consort sit—"
Obscure seat—
Noncommittal—came not fight—attitude—and observe—
Bajiao whisper—"Round—Privy Council Madam Yuan—Lu friend—Short—Finance Madam Wei—Ye in-law—Lu close—Far left yellow—Left Minister husband—you know son—Young Master Ji—"
Ji's mother—look—dignified—unlike Ji—
These ladies rich noble—Lu power—Jing arrogant Empress—big tree cool shade—web deep—
Yongle Xie crush Lu—not easy—many families tied—Lu falls—they fall—won't watch Lu die—
Thinking—someone sat beside—Bajiao straight—turn—proud pretty Lu Fourth—
"Consort—may I ask—"
"Please—"
"How long know Prince Rui—"
Inward laugh—know why—Xie youth Ming Qi—only Yongle insiders know—others think wandering master—mysterious—
"Know" from return Little Spring City—tribute banquet—less than year—
"Less than year—" Wan smiled—triumph—contempt—"Then much you don't know—"
Smile—"Fourth Miss knows him well—"
"Don't mind—" Wan—"Shen status Ming Qi—Lu Longye—not less—Prince good man—every girl wants Rui Manor—ordinary family unworthy—"
Look—"Consort—Prince ambitious—"
"Since Longye—court career—won't cling romance—what help you—sweet now—useless later—discarded—"
Surprise—thought naive—clear on interests—
"So—"
"Emperor wants me flat wife—Prince can't two consorts—" Grace—"You concubine—me wife—"