Chapter 183: Secrets

"You concubine—me wife—"
Surprised look—Wan's gracious tone—where from—just now seemed smart—now unclear—real fool or fake—
"Miss Lu—tell Prince yourself—" Smile—"Useless to me—"
"Know—" Contempt—"Today—hope you know yourself—volunteer concubine to Prince—"
Nearly laugh—lip curl—"Can't—"
"What—" Eyes wide—didn't expect refuse—
Voices loud—ladies looked—no hide—smile—"Won't volunteer concubine—won't fill harem—Prince promised no other women at Shen betrothal—or I wouldn't come thousand li—"
Stunned—
World unfair—men many wives—rare one woman—ordinary tempted—rich official royal—
Rui handsome—power—young—flowers everywhere—one woman lifetime—
Ming Qi Shen—what face—knows no heaven earth—
Wan green—word by word—"Jealous—virtue lacking—"
Smile—"Probably—always jealous—wouldn't have agreed without his condition—"
Wan speechless—
Attitude—thorn—can't strike—ladies surprised—new arrival—not tail between legs—arrogant—even Lu Yongle fears—what nerve—stupid—
Not afraid—
Yongle dislikes—might match again—won't give Wan to Xie—career help—Xie not climbs women—Yongle won't link Xie Lu—
Jing—reluctance—Wan in Manor—both brothers tied Lu—consort kin power—bad—Fu bound Shen—Shen loyal—Lu ambitious—
Reason emotion—Wan not Yongle's pick—her fierce refuse—Yongle might prefer—
Lu mother daughter frozen—light laugh opposite—"Consort true romantic—Prince young—loyal—rare man—"
Speaker—beside Ji's mother—slim—tea brocade—dark skin—proper—aged hollow—cold—long eyes—probing—uncomfortable—shrewd stern—
Bajiao tea whisper—"Chancellor Ye's Madam Ye—"
One line—understood—civil Ye military Lu—legendary clans—Ye more restrained than Lu—harder—
Ye looked—smile—"Prince couple devoted—Royal Hunt in days—consort coming—"
Smile—"Ask Prince—" Can't careless—whole room hostile—
"New here—don't know hunt fun—join—" Ye continued—
Lu silent—blocked—unhappy—Ye speaks—no help—
Looks like Ye forcing hunt yes—
Ji Madam laughed—"Don't press—consort young—new—shy—old friends on field—need think—"
Saved her—
Surprised—Ji nodded—
Ji husband Left Minister—others won't refute—Ye stopped—probing look—brow knit—
Banquet bland—Wan furious—left—Madam Lu cool—host follows—deliberate cold shoulder—
Past Ming Qi cold shoulder—unmoved—tea—Bajiao explains webs—memorize—cold helped remember—
Leave—no sendoff—carriage—surprise call—
Ji Madam—
Dignified like Ji—smile—"Yu said Ming Qi—your kindness—thanks for him—"
Embarrassed—demur—used his Fengxian pawnshop—
No one near—low—"Saw Lu Fourth—wants Rui Manor—ignore—if possible already consort—lip service—Ye said Royal Hunt—tell Prince—deep water—don't be played—" Others exiting—"Rest—visit my house—Longye unfamiliar—I can explain—" Gone—
Return—thinking—Wan words nothing—Ye unsettling—
"Bajiao—no Ye daughter at banquet—how many misses—none brought—"
Startled—shake—"Ye has no misses—"
"No misses—" Frown—
"Longye knows—" Bajiao—"Chancellor Ye Madam Ye childhood match—one daughter—died early—Madam grief—bond faded—concubine later—son—current Young Master Ye—"
"Only that heir—"
Shake—"After son—assassination attempt—root injury—no more heirs—"
Surprise—great clan one son—"Only illegitimate—"
"Not quite—concubine weak died at birth—some say Ye strangled—son raised Madam name—legitimate—" Pause—"Even so—not favored—"
"Why—" Strange—not blood—but only heir—kindness pays—
"Born crippled—legs bad—can't court—some say Ye line ends this generation—"
Clear—lame—Madam dismisses—flash—Lu sent Jing—Ye didn't—no spare daughter—relatives hard control—
Pattern guessed—Ye can't match Lu heirs—alliance means Lu wins—why help rival fade—better turn—
Yongle likely pit Lu Ye—win Ye—then military Lu—easier—
Years allied—intertwined—each has leverage—split hard—
Thinking—Manor arrived unnoticed—"Madam—" Forehead flick—"So lost in thought—"
Xie—early—dark red official robes—towering—jolt—pull sleeve—study hurry—"Perfect—questions—"
Stunned—then helpless—dragged—Bajiao Guyu dumb—Bajiao smile—"Madam proactive—"
Guyu—"Should be—"
Tang emerged—"Look look—work—"
Tongues—scattered—Tang closed door—shake head—"No fallen red—what proactive—"
……
Inside—today's events—"Royal Hunt—"
Nod—"Seems unusual—"
"Every June second—previous emperor's rule—" Lazy—"Brother and I stroll outside—not deep—"
"Why—"
"Danger—" Low—
Pause—
Smile—brow up—"Scared—"
"What scare—" Look—"Someone move on Emperor you—Imperial Guard—who dares—"
"Mo Yu Army you saw—" Shift—"mine—not Great Li army—brother knows—why private troops—"
"Can't trust throne army—" Fast—incredible—
Snap fingers—
Speechless—
Legend Yongle wise—people revere—officials soldiers less loyal—palace no infighting—external threat—
Army generational—previous emperor's men—won't serve Yongle—recall cold "previous emperor"—curiosity—hesitate—"How you ended Ming Qi—truth—"
Eyes shifted—cold mood—she felt—
Beat—smile—pat head—"So many questions—want secrets—trade—" Wicked—"Body works—"
Eye roll—
"Not angry at Wan—" Slightly unhappy—"Someone eyes your husband—no rage—Jiaojiao—no conscience—"
"Won't agree—" Calm—"Lu ambitious—won't keep viper—"
Laugh—stare—"Already keep viper—beauty serpent—"
Three lines serious—lazy—"Ye family—view—"
Think—"Smarter than Lu—endure—few heirs—less bold—brother and I start with Ye—split Lu Ye—"
Finger shrink—Ye today—inexplicable dread—Ye harder than thought—
Saw her face—"Something to say—"
Shake—maybe paranoid—"Royal Hunt—you go—Ji Madam said don't be played—strange—"
Face cold—"This time—even if not want—you must—"
"Why—"
"Sixty-year rite previous emperor—brother must kill male lion in inner grounds—prosperous year—wise ruler—"
Male lion—"Fierce beast—" Usually safety—nobles—lion not rabbit—
"Wild beasts fine—" Cold smile—"Beasts don't ambush arrows—safer than men—"
"Only Imperial Guard inside—previous emperor's rule—loyalty doubtful—" Brow—"Trap left brothers—show for world—know it—no choice—"
Pinch cheek—"Relax—safe—royal consort title—not inner ground—"
"Confident—" Bad premonition—can't relax at his joke—
Stare—slow shake—"No—"
Heart tight—
Smile—"Kidding—"
Glare—stretch—lazy—"After hunt—palace affairs—stop guessing—" Smirk—"Xie family now—carry some weight—"
Heart moved—finally secrets—birth—Ming Qi exile—Yongle attitude—heavy past—light tone—not ordinary—
Glad to know—why hunt dread—something bad—heart hammer—can't calm—
Silent—fists clenched—
……
Palace—Empress heard maid report—Shen's words—refuse concubine—refuse harem—Prince promised—else wouldn't marry thousand li—couldn't stop laugh—usually calm—girl-like charm—
"Why so happy—" Yongle entered—cold—step in—Weiyang Palace—flash in eyes—
Open laugh—"Cailian—repeat consort's words—"
Maid imitated—finished—Yongle sleeves—"Nonsense—no rules—outrageous—"
Maid trembled—
Empress reproach look—"Leave—"
Maid fled—Empress smile—"Jingxing's wife—matched pair—same bold—true romantics—"
"Xie Yuan plays—you follow—" Unhappy—"Like Shen Miao so much—"
"Longye long since anyone interesting—" Sat beside—soft voice—admiration—"Clever—yet sincere heart—"
"Not clever—not sincere—" Cold—"Scheming woman—"
"If so—Jingxing sharp—how fooled—why chase—"
Dismiss—"Xie Yuan young—can't judge—bewitched—"
Sigh—stubborn—won't argue—"Anyway—fine person—"
"If fine—wouldn't boast jealousy before crowd—" Unhappy—"Queen think refusing harem right—"
Light smile—"Ideal—rare—consort manages—her fortune—"
"Queen!" Brow harsh—
"Forgive me—" No real fear—"Mend not split—less meddle Rui Manor—Jingxing has mind—more meddling—resentment—"
"I have plan—" Heavy—
Silence—"Next month hunt—ready—"
"Prepare one life—" Face unreadable—"All arranged—"
"May I follow—" Empress—"Stay beside you—"
"Taking Consort Jing—" Yongle—"If I fall—harem needs you—"
Head down—beat—smile gentle—"Understood—"
"Worry most—Xie Yuan—young hidden Ming Qi—I owe him—world settled—can't keep promise—hate me or understand—only this much—" Window—wistful—"Mother died—never saw him—"
"Mother below—proud of Jingxing now—" Comfort—
"Queen—" Sudden—
Look—
"Years—hard on you—"
"Serve Emperor—fortune—" Calm—grace unbroken—"Decades together—good to me—content—"
Look—lips moved—nothing—complex glance—away—bronze crane smoke—
Empress quiet sleeves—casual words—eyes slightly wet—