Chapter 201: Perfect Union

Half the Shizhou Xiang jar ended in Shen Miao's belly. Xie tried to stop—when she dug in, even Shen Xin couldn't move her—let alone Xie. This time—no drunk frenzy—calm after drinking—many words—staggered out hugging empty jar. Xie sent her to bed—told Jingzhe Guyu watch—maids startled: "Just healed—so much wine—bad for wounds."
Xie glanced—left room.
Courtyard breeze—summer—cleared some wine—he drank little anyway—mind like mirror.
Not as calm as surface.
Her words—thunder in chest—instant clarity on old puzzles—yet too shocking—almost supernatural—he never believed ghosts.
Didn't believe ghosts—believed Shen Miao.
He knew her—when lying—smooth face, full lies. Since Ming Qi—smiling knife to second third branches, Chang Zaiqing, Jing Chuchu—gentle schemes—warm face. When hesitant, stammering—that was truth.
Today's words—held long—relief after—he felt her unease—kept calm—heart already storming.
If dream was real—not pleasant—thinking she followed Fu Xiuyi—to that end—rage.
Rain before—green boots in puddles—rustle. Xie stopped: "Tieyi."
Tieyi appeared.
"Check Ye Mei siblings' ties to Ming Qi." If dream true—Ye Mei enemy—but Ming Qi to Great Li doesn't match. Now clear—why hostility from first meeting.
Tieyi surprised—bowed yes.
Thoughts tangled—frown at crescent moon—unclear feeling—yard to play with cub.
Cub long unseen—joyful—jumped—Xie distracted—played—night deep—cub drowsy—returned room.
Still no sleep—center room—removed outer robe—sit—sensed wrong—looked bed—big lump—soft breathing.
Brow furrow—lifted blanket—stunned—amused: "What doing?"
Shen wrapped in his quilt—pillow in arms—eyes on him.
Earlier calm—seemed sober—now wine hit—fair face red—clear eyes misted: "I'm 'offering myself.'"
Nearly misheard: "What?"
"Consort Li told me—win a heart—admire someone—'offer pillow'—man and woman—fish-water joy—natural law. I never 'joyed'—you neither—so I came to 'offer.'"
Shocking words—face flushed—stared—don't know react—finally: "What nonsense!"
Didn't know this "Consort Li"—dream context—some inner-palace "sister"?
Sat on bed—drunk—still held dignified posture: "Want discuss with you."
Rushed table—cold tea—one sip—heat eased. Drunk split personality unbearable—"fish-water joy"—what thinking?
"Not one to take advantage."
Silence—strange—turned—tea sprayed!
She clever—outer robe gone—dudou only—aggrieved: "Think I'm ugly—won't touch me?"
Skin like winter snow—warmer—milky—clearer. Hair messy—small face cute—eyes hazy—appetizing.
Scrambled cover her: "Really ill!"
Righteous: "We're married—consummate what's wrong?"
Deep breath—avoid misty eyes: "Wound not healed—another day."
Puzzled: "Didn't you say two months? I checked—due long ago."
Nearly collapsed.
Emphatic: "Not taking advantage—what kind of man think I am?"
"I know." Nod. "Here to fulfill your wish."
"…"
"Good—too late—another day." Tucked quilt—turned to leave—afraid stay—young man—prime—beauty in arms—beloved—no reaction would be problem—won't take drunk advantage—respects her.
Just stood—sleeve pulled—quilt slid—half-kneeling on bed—shorter—urgent—arms around neck: "No."
"…"
Soft warmth—slender body—light scent—little wine himself—body hot—reason fading.
"Today—or I regret tomorrow." Serious—drunk or fake drunk?
He paused pulling her down—glance: "Regret?"
Head dizzy—kneeling uncomfortable—shook head—looked carefully—suddenly smiled.
"This palace finds you very beautiful—fancying you is your fortune—follow me—bad?"
"…"
Again! Years ago manor—drunk Shen kissed him like boy. Familiar scene—voice dangerous: "Follow you?"
Nod—whisper ear mysterious: "Guarantee wealth and glory for life!"
He laughed. Drunk Shen had girlish silliness—green unripe fruit—not seductive—speechless—yet every move fatal lure—peerless beauties' eyes less than her clumsy hug.
"Unwilling—this palace finds another. Miss me—regret lifetime." Ominous threat.
"Another man? Hm?"
Suddenly forward—she clinging—pinned under. Smile—ear low: "Arrogant empress—want me serve—still think other men? Unhappy—punishment?"
Struggled one hand free—pulled booklet from under bed—eyes bright: "Look at this!"
Stunned—took—face spectacular—restrained: "Where from?"
Neck shrunk: "Mother gave. Said—I want discuss."
Pause—soft laugh: "Discuss?"
Head bobbing like pecking chicken.
"This subject naturally serves Your Majesty body and soul comfortable." Meaningful—eyes wolf-danger: "Truly won't regret?"
"You'll regret missing this palace." Mumble.
No more words—sleeve—candles out.
Dark—low voice.
"You're right."
Miss you—regret lifetime.
……
Sun high—tree shade—summer light through leaves—golden patches. Birds singing—cool happy cries.
Head splitting—turned—something blocking—opened eyes—froze.
In man's arms—hands tight on waist—face up—peerless beauty—peach eyes teasing—promotional smile.
Heart exploded!
Last night—what happened—remember nothing?
Tried sit—body sore—gasp—quilt slid—obvious marks.
Shen: "?"
Clothes floor—bowls table—room thick with intimacy. Even dull—could guess.
"Awake?" Brow up.
Forced calm—couldn't hide panic—amused him.
"Brave last night—scared now?"
Jolt—drunk blackout—whiter than paper. Memory stopped at telling past life—dream easiest to believe—rebirth sounds absurd.
Drank for courage—he seemed to believe—no strange mood—but—same bed?
Glanced messy her—lazy: "Know what you did?"
Wouldn't meet eyes—calm at quilt: "Sleep. What else."
"You slept me." He said: "Asked me serve well."
Nearly choked on saliva.
Her?
Dignified Empress Shen? Xie lying! How shameless!
"You said follow you—lifetime glory—boundless future."
"Drunk talk—don't believe—besides—" pivot: "How know you're not lying—I couldn't say that." Flat denial.
Unhurried—from pillow booklet—flipped: "Yes—you took mother's gift—discuss—let me explain. Remember?" Swiped booklet before her.
Light glance—nearly vomit blood.
No way—this exists!
Pre-marriage Luo Xueyan gave—teach—private matters—hidden—Xie couldn't find—she brought it?
What else to him—really asked "serve well"?
Lightning wouldn't hurt more.
Still not enough—cool: "Last night forced discuss—only first pages—long road—not rush—rare thirst—hardest poses—you tried…"
"Stop!" Red face—"Wine ruins—why not stop me!"
"How dare?" Wronged face—"Refuse—you'd cut my head."
"…"
Too humiliating—flirted Xie—two lives face gone clean.
Mood excellent—smiling: "You said tonight continue."
"Not tonight!" Jumped to run—pulled back—embrace—lazy smile gone—serious.
Frown: "Regret?"
Pause.
His eyes beautiful—sometimes wondered—man why such eyes—infinite affection—Ming Qi hearts fluttered—yet cold—dangerous—don't provoke.
Love such man—calamity—loved by him—lifetime luck. Respects—selfish—domineering cute.
Now serious stare—arrogant gaze—careful—feels you're on letter—protected—most important.
Eyes on red cord his wrist.
Mouth said disgust—never removed.
Looked up—honest: "No regret."
Just shy…
Eyes brightened.
"Done is done—why regret—not stranger." Still won't meet eyes.
Turned her face—force look: "Truly?"
"Truly!"
Stared long—more awkward—run—pulled: "Let me see."
"What?"
"Last night wouldn't stop—didn't check wound—skin injury—must see clear." Dragged to lap—he inner robe—bare chest—face burning—push: "No—I'll do myself."
"No way…" Pulled down on him.
Couldn't escape.
Outside—Jingzhe Guyu sweeping—ears up—no martial arts—door—hear nothing.
Congyang crouched door—teasing bird: "Sweeping hour—stone worn through."
Paused—Jingzhe looked Congyang—wanted ask—too shy—red face—silent.
Congyang thicker—knew—wave: "Relax—very smooth!"
Shy—sighed together—Jingzhe proud look—Guyu scolded glance.
Last night drunk—maids cleaning—accidentally found booklet Luo Xueyan gave. Shen asked what—Jingzhe idea—drunk never remembers—wanted match—marriage long—never consummated—good feelings—maybe both ignorant—push.
While drunk guided: "Booklet things—only Prince can explain for madam."
Now Jingzhe felt like brothel madam.
Drunk Shen took booklet out—Guyu couldn't stop—followed—tense all night—dark circles—never left Xie's room.
Congyang words—big relief—good deed—practice makes perfect.
Tang Shu from behind—roared Congyang: "Morning—loafing—go." Smiled maids: "You look tired?"
Shen's maids—Tang Shu polite—Congyang huffed off—maids excuse—fled.
Tang Shu alone before Xie's door—all gone—laughed foolish—murmured: "Need tonic soup." Hurried off.
Manor night merry—Mo Yu army knew—tacit. Bajiao Huixiang didn't.
Caring for Pei.
Pei worse than Shen—blade to bone—Gao Yang careful. Watch—call Gao Yang if bad.
Pei woke nights—brief—sleep again—repeat—Bajiao Huixiang busy—no news of Shen Xie.
Near noon—Huixiang porridge—Pei can't eat heavy—entered—Pei at window—staring branches.
"Master Pei?" Happy—set bowl: "Finally awake."
Slow turn—recognized maid: "Consort awake too?"
Strange certainty—Huixiang: "Yesterday. Madam light wound—you heavy—saved her life—blocked blade."
Head down—seemed laugh—low: "Save? Clearly I owed her."
"What?"
Absent again.
Remembered.
After blocking blade—life line—long real dream—suddenly clear.
Why her hostility?
Why guilt toward her?
So it was.
Dream abbot: sacrifice life—rebirth only "maybe"—might die for nothing. Rebirth scrambles fate—maybe pain.
Pei agreed.
Loved a woman—love like Fu's cold—step by step pushed her to ruin. Sympathized—yet weighed profit—abandoned her.
Life is constant surrender. He and Fu discarded Shen—this life she discarded them without hesitation.
Xie lucky—perhaps deserved.
Knowing all—no face to meet her. "Stay and help"—past-life guilt—repayment—can't face heart.
Karma tangled—cut wrong thread—shouldn't have started—he must sever.
Huixiang: "Drink porridge—rest—Gao Yang needles soon—awake—heal—fine."
Pause: "Thanks."
"Master Pei polite—you saved madam—manor's benefactor."
"Fetch paper and brush." Pale lips—dim eyes—firm.