Chapter 185: Descent from the Mountain

"Damn!" Xie turned—"Mo Qing—escort madam outer ground—Tieyi with me—"
"Inner now—" Dread heavy—almost grab him—
Deep look—first dark weight in eyes—"Plan changed—"
Fist—"I'll wait—"
Silent—whip—Tieyi followed—dust swallowed them—
Grip reins—no mood stroll—Mo Qing—"Madam—back—"
Nod—escort left—heart hammer—force calm—replay every detail—
Danger layered—Yongle throne less firm than legend—Lu military—rebellion whispers—served previous emperor—
Grudge between emperors—unwilling heir—Yongle's seat illegitimate—means—dead emperor's net—pull him down—
Brothers had plans—Emperor entered early—Flower Peak—two reads—Guard coerced him—forced early—or his own decision—unshared—
Second—outer field has witnesses—traitors wait inner—empty—
Why early—what decision—never saw Xie so grim—
Dazed walk—eagle cry sky—jolt—unbelievable thought—shake—hand on chest—
Outer exit—Ji Madam waiting—no hunt—greet—
"Consort out early—" Smile—"Black fox fur rare—warm pretty—"
Smile—"Tag along—can't hunt—" Look—"Don't call consort—kin—call Jiaoniang—I'll call aunt—"
Pause—warmer—"Jingxing told you—no formality—Jiaoniang—"
Smile—Luo Xueyan no sisters—only uncles—new aunt—fresh—dignified—warm—no wonder Ji Yushu—
Hand pulled—walk—"Jingxing and Xingzhi inner—you wait—sunset return—dinner Ji Manor—Jingxing hasn't eaten there since return—"
Smiled—then worry—"Aunt—inner fight—dangerous—male lion—"
Sigh—"Founding rite—years—almost abolished—previous emperor—" Stop—smile—"Don't worry—Guards—beasts fierce—Guards capable—brothers skilled—not helpless—"
Smiled back—thought—Aunt uninformed—if knew—not this easy—Guards unsafe—can't confide—regret not Pei Lang—no allies—blind moves bad—
Outer edge—cool tents—ice—nobles—tea—prey cheers—play—
Heart sank—Flower Peak cloud—steep—endless—here laughter—inside death fight—prey lion—or dragon in sky—
Footsteps—Ye Madam—sat Ji—smile—"You didn't go in either—"
"Can't hunt—watch—" Ji smile—surface courtesy—Ye Chancellor rank above Ji Left Minister—"Ye Madam neither—"
"Can't—" Wave—"bones can't ride—" Eyes Shen—"Consort out too—saw Prince accompany—why not play—"
Probe—Ye knows something—Lu Ye subtle—"Sun dizzy—came back—" Disgust act—"Can't bear killing—"
Ji laugh—"Soft heart—normal girls hate rabbit blood—" Deflect—"Heard Young Master Ye pain—better—"
Ye flat—"Old trouble—rain hurts—years no cure—"
Bajiao later—Ye heir surface respect—backroom no future—Madam cold courtesy—
Pitiful stranger—
Ji chattered—Ye impatient—left—
Wait together—
Sun set—no sign—
Mo Qing—"News—"
Ji smile—"Happened before—patience—steep path—dark—wait till morrow—" Eyes anxious—
Sensitive—if ignorant—might relax—bad feeling—Xie not easy—heart tight—
Dark—Emperor not back—some ladies left—officials linger—
Tents—cloth—summer dew—Ji too—
Walking—Wan far—pleading man—dragged carriage—guards gone—
Man turned—fierce face—bear build—bloodlust—volatile—yin eyes—Bajiao—"Lu family head—General Lu Zhengchun—"
Wan's father—general—unlike Shen Xin noble—violent—barely hidden killing—born war god—dumb women—this man holds Lu—Yongle can't move easy—
Lu stayed—for Flower Peak result—eyes passed—left—
Lu here—Ye here—Ye Mao back talking—both clans present—if Emperor falls—treason move—
Ministers tent night talk—game—wait lion offering—
Stop—sky—stars quiet—summer breeze—pleasant—
Surface peace—
"Aunt—cold—tent—"
Smiled—in—
Ji husband elsewhere drinking—officials clusters—rare leisure—
Hot tea—"Don't worry—safe—you catch cold—Jingxing blame me—"
Laugh—"He wouldn't—" Hesitate—"Prince and previous emperor—not close—"
Ji stunned—"Why ask—"
Mask failed—flash hate—
Strange role previous emperor—Ji sister to Empress Dowager—must know—
Open—"Prince mentioned—unclear—curious—"
Surprised—"He told you—" Smile—"Family matter—bad if I tell—talk with him—" Won't say—
Attitude confirms—previous emperor vs brothers—bad to Empress kin—
Thinking—Ji silent—"Enough—sleep—mororrow return—you'll tire—"
Can't sleep—"Sit awhile—"
Stubborn—Ji dozed—cloak on her—Shen sat—
All night—
Dawn birds—Ji lord sober—tent door—nod—"Aunt sleeping—quiet—"
"Eat—"
Out—
Ladies tired—gold life—tent rough—delicate left—flatterers or adventure—
Fennel porridge—palace cooks—sip—"News—"
Bajiao shake—
Sun over ridge—hour till full light—one night max—no two-day hunt precedent—
Not just hunt—
"Mo Yu signal—success—"
Bajiao Fennel blank—shake—"Plan not told us—"
Helpless—"What now—" Lu Zhengchun stretch—Ye Mao headache—
Figure—Ji Yushu—bowl down—chase—
Turn—"Why back—"
"Meaning—"
"Not with Xie—"
"No—outer only—royals inner—half royal—not enough—"
Thought Ji helped—alone?—"What does he plan—"
Nose touch—"Wrong person—Third Brother big things exclude me—danger especially—Ming Qi I ran pawnshop—yesterday Gao Yang with him—always Gao—wanted follow—refused—"
"Gao Yang—civil—how inner—"
"Disguised as attendant—" Ji—"clever—medicine—help—"
Tight—medicine because danger—Ji clear—Xie protects—like Su Mingfeng—save Ji family—
Ji smart—"Something wrong—"
"No—just late—anxious—"
"No—" Firm—"Not like you—strange—Gao secret—Ming Qi ok—Longye cut me off—solo mission—"
Exasperated—Xie bears alone—Lin'an Marquis—Rongxin—Su—now Ji—ignorance bliss—
"Sorry—can't answer—don't know—"
"Inner danger—" Ji—"they're odd—you really don't know—"
"Don't know what—" Behind—Ji Madam—"Xingzhi Jingxing—what mean—"
Heard—grabbed Ji—guards watched Lu Ye—not aunt—
"Mother—joking—"
"Don't fool me—" Angry—"Ming Qi find Jingxing—never back—what doing—I don't care—you're Ji heir—what know—danger—"
Speechless—look Shen—"Misunderstanding—play—late worry—Yu knows nothing—my imagination—don't blame—"
Stern—"Jiaoniang—not small—I—"
Bajiao ran—"Back—Emperor down mountain—"
Ji salvation—"See—fine—lion—" Fled—
Relief—smile aunt—"Let's go—"
Wanted speak—saw calm—swallow—sigh—arm in arm—
Guard column—Yongle front—walking—not riding—sword belt faint red—
Royal hunt—beast ritual—Guards aim—Emperor orders—
He struck himself—
Face unchanged—
Jing palanquin waited—coquettish—"Finally—suffered night—red eyes—"
Glance—silent—Ye normal—Lu yin—
Guards dump horses—roar—ladies scream—giant lion—blood—arrow holes back belly—fierce fight—
Flattery—"Wise martial—empire fortune—" Kneel praise—
Kneel—Yongle rise—
No Xie—
Rise—Lu Zhengchun—"Emperor alone—where Prince—"
Remembered absent—
Ice stare Lu—"Prince wounded—other route city heal—"
Uproar—