Chapter 203: Dragon Seed

Deep night—Prince Rui manor asleep—suddenly voices—Tieyi urgent report—never disturbs this hour—Shen half-asleep—felt Xie rise—talked outside—rustling clothes—opened eyes—Xie dressing at desk—middle of night—why leaving?
"What happened?" she asked.
Saw her awake: "Palace trouble—I'll look—sleep—don't wait."
Sleep fled—midnight departure—serious—palace matter: "What? Very bad?"
"Queen pushed Lu Jing into pond." Dressing outer robe: "Details—can't explain quickly."
Relief first—thought assassins—then puzzled: "Queen pushed Consort Jing?" Rarely saw Xiande and Jing—Xiande wouldn't stoop to fight Jing—not impulsive—Jing pushing Queen believable—not reverse.
"Lu clan in palace now." Xie: "They love harassment—I'll see."
Shen sat up: "I'll go too."
"Too late—sleep—fine."
Shook head: "Called you in—not simple—can't sleep—alone I'd imagine worse—go with you—know what happened—maybe help."
Thought—left alone uneasy—"Fine—come."
Changed clothes quickly.
Too late—servants resting—only Tieyi Congyang—carriage empty Longye streets—Xie cold—Shen thinking.
Even if Queen really pushed—no need summon Xie midnight—if Jing died—inner women's fight—dismiss Lu—Yongle and Lu nearly open war—why uproar for Lu?
Ming Qi inner palace—jealousy tricks—Jing pushed by Queen—clumsiest frame—why Xie summoned? Not simple—Tieyi said messenger unclear—nobody knew.
Palace gate—Eunuch Deng—joy seeing Xie—startled Shen from carriage—smiled: "Prince finally—Emperor waiting."
Deng led—Shen behind—asked Deng: "Queen well?"
"Queen fine—thanks Consort's concern."
Eyes shifted—Queen fine—big fuss—other one trouble?
Sure enough—Deng: "Consort Jing not awake yet."
Xie cold laugh: "Lu Jing playing again?" Angry.
Deng smiled—said no more—Shen felt meaning in smile.
Entered—Deng to Jinghua Palace—Jing's residence—midnight—lights bright—maids kneeling hall—Yongle and Xiande seated—Xiande calm—Yongle ice face.
Hand in hand entered—Deng announced—Yongle startled Shen—Xiande stood—smiled—took Shen's hand: "Body wasn't well—wanted you visit—so many troubles—didn't expect you this late."
Shen smiled: "Prince entered—unknown trouble—followed."
"Recovered?" Xiande asked.
"Healed—thanks Your Majesty."
Xiande: "Then relieved."
Xie to Yongle—dark face: "Brother—what happened?"
All knew Xiande wouldn't push Jing—Jing not awake—Yongle already striking Lu—no need face for Jing—why summon Xie for Jing's body?
Yongle cold: "Lu clan just came."
"Came?" Brow furrow: "Didn't see Lu entering." Lu harass—merit tails high—Jing fell water—Lu losing lately—must scream—twist Queen—no Lu shadow—already fought on way?
"They fear nothing happens to Jing." Xiande: "Confident."
Heart moved—confident—what meaning?
Palace doctor from inner room—bowed Emperor: "Consort Jing fell—wind cold—constitution good—dragon seed in belly safe—two doses rest—mother and child well."
Jing pregnant?
Shen and Xie startled—Shen looked Xiande—corners smile—still dignified—yet mockery—Yongle eyes cold—face sunk—not happy.
Inner room—Jing awake—coquettish "Your Majesty" "Consort wants Emperor"—Xie amused glance Yongle—Yongle looked Xiande—Xiande smile: "Your Majesty see Jing—child innocent." To Xie: "Emperor will talk—wait here." To Shen: "Long night—I'll change—Consort accompany—Weiyang Palace hot tea."
Xiande flawless composure—more painful—Shen saw wet skirt hem—both at pond—Jing fell—Xiande wet too—busy with Lu Jing—no time change.
"Good."
Yongle stared Xiande silent—Jing's calls sweeter—Xiande: "See Jing soon—tired one isn't Jing—child in belly." Pulled Shen away regardless Yongle's face.
Outside Jinghua—air fresher—bitter summer ending—soon autumn—summer flowers best—later wilt coldest.
Head down—Yongle Xiande strange mood—Xiande tired today—even sharp with Yongle at Jinghua—unlike calm nature—Jing's child?
Right—Xiande no children—first visit noticed—Yongle prime—no own heir—Lu Ye followers—besides late emperor's legacy—no heir—throne looks unstable.
Now Jing pregnant? Son—future crown? Realm bound Lu— maternal clan power—Yongle's nightmare—no joy hearing pregnancy. Xiande unhappy—not just Queen seat—woman's jealousy.
Outsider sees clear—Xiande looked Yongle like she once looked Fu Xiuyi—deep love—another woman carries husband's child—even Xiande must ache.
Still only a woman.
"Consort?" Xiande's voice—Shen startled—Xiande looked—tolerant smile: "So deep in thought—didn't hear me."
Sorry: "Offended Your Majesty."
"No matter—late—drowsy natural—don't blame yourself."
Walking—couldn't help ask: "Your Majesty—one question?"
"Ask."
"Did you really push Consort Jing into water?"
Pause—smiled: "What does Consort think?"
"Your Majesty wouldn't. Jing not new—peace years—no need strike now." Shen: "Why accept the charge?"
Stopped—looked Shen smiled: "You trust me. Strange—first meeting felt alike—you fiercer—general's daughter. Heard your deeds—skilled—scheming—yet general's boldness—clean cuts—I can't—civil family—indirect—even killing—soft to end— we're different."
Silent.
Xiande laughed: "Needn't push her—Emperor knows—Lu knows—only Lu Jing fool. Charge—pointless—frame deceives world—lie known to you newly arrived—let alone Longye officials."
"Won't explain?"
"Too lazy—too disdainful. Jing do what she wants—I don't care." Cool.
Thought—even here different—not her crime—wouldn't accept—bones fierce—Xiande like still water—inclusive—makes others small.
Unwittingly Weiyang near—Tao Gugu waiting—hurried: "Your Majesty well? Consort Jing fine?"
Xiande didn't answer Tao—smiled: "Fine—change clothes. Tao—Consort to hall—hot tea." Went inside.
Tao led hall—tea perfect—poured—couldn't help: "Consort—Jing what matter—no harm—why so long?" Loyal anxious servant.
Thought: "Jing fine—child in belly safe."
Tao froze—nearly spilled—stopped—face pale.
"Didn't know Jing pregnant before?"
Forced smile: "Consort jokes—how know—if knew…" Didn't finish.
Didn't miss flash hate—if knew—extinguish womb first—like inner palace women often do?
Xiande emerged—changed—moon-white gauze gown—faint orchid embroidery—without court robes—different person—light brows comfortable—Shi family grace—like Pei Lang—more effortless.
Sat beside Shen—tea: "Sleepy night—cup warms well."
Tao suddenly knelt: "Your Majesty—still mood for tea?"
Startled: "What doing." Mild stern.
Unmoved—grieved: "Consort Jing pregnant—tried frame you—still endure—how long endure life?"
Overstepping—atmosphere cold—Shen eyes down tea silent—Xiande: "Qiushui—years as kin—you overstep."
Tao wouldn't rise.
Sigh: "Enough. Lu Jing didn't know pregnant—her temper I know—if pregnant—wouldn't use child to frame—only protect 'dragon seed'—no risk to child."
"Fact remains she's pregnant." Tao looked up: "Consider yourself!"
Shen spoke: "Tao right—Jing must be considered—not only Queen—for Lu situation—for Emperor—Queen can't sit idle."
Xiande surprised glance—didn't expect Shen speak—soon smiled: "Jingxing told you much."
"Rise Qiushui—won't say twice." Command.
Tao hesitated—stood.
To Shen: "Made you laugh. Qiushui close—means well—hasty—heart good." Sigh: "Thought Lu Jing stupid—disdained fight—was wrong—some skill—avoided contraceptive soup—bore dragon son—first in palace." Pause smile: "Maybe not first—I once had child—miscarried."
Tao eyes red.
Shen's hand trembled on cup—silent.
"Emperor often thought you bad—Jingxing best— celestial maiden worthless in his eyes. Jingxing wanted Ming Qi girl—Emperor inquired—said you vicious." Xiande looked Shen: "Now I find you kind."
Puzzled—Xiande: "You wanted ask miscarriage—feared wounding me—held back."
Soft: "I only dared not."
"Frank—Jingxing found interesting wife—I like you more." Smiled: "Long ago—I've accepted. Pregnant—Lu Jing put cold herbs in imperial kitchen pastries—tiny bit—child gone. Lu Jing just entered—favored—Lu watching—Emperor light punishment. Felt no fate with child—let go."
Listening— guessed tearing pain. Ming Qi inner palace—women's battlefield—women crueler than men—many children sacrificed—however vicious consort—losing child—desperate wails—this gentle Xiande—same despair once? Scar heals long—pain only self knows.
Worst—can't avenge child for child. Why?
"Don't blame Emperor—don't pity me—poor yes—but I'm villain too." Xiande: "After miscarriage—never bear again—lifetime no own child. So Emperor let no woman in inner palace bear his seed. I suffer—none shall thrive."
Stunned.
Because Xiande barren—Yongle forbade all heirs?
Then loves Xiande deeply—yet why such grievance—even silent—Yongle would want kill child-killer—why favor her?
Great Li imperial secrets no fewer than Ming Qi.
Seeing stunned—suddenly laughed: "You believed. Emperor wouldn't abandon all consorts' heirs for me—Jingxing could—for luck—Emperor unlucky—he is Emperor."
Meaning layered—Shen speechless.
"But you're right—must plan ahead. Lu Jing's child came timely—child keeps her life for now—Lu clan—no such luck." Smile turned sharp.
……
"Child cannot stay." Study—Xie cold eyes to Emperor.
"Know cannot—wish could pour draught now." Yongle cold—as if not his son but stranger.
"Why not pour just now?" Xie sharp.
"Qingzhe forbade." Yongle.
Qingzhe—Xiande's maiden name—long silent from Yongle's lips.
Pause—Xie mocked laugh: "Sister-in-law soft—maybe pities own dead flesh."
"Xie Yuan!" Yongle glared—struck sore.
Xie's careless smile: "So now what? Lu Jing I don't care—child I ignore—Lu came and left—sure think belly is amulet—how gift them?"
Emperor without heirs—suddenly only heir—life rope—whether Yongle wills—crown falls on Jing's child—today Lu came—saw pregnancy—no noise—left quick—maybe think Queen seat soon gone—pity not quarrel—charity.
So secure—reality?
Since ancient times—four words—world unpredictable.
"Lu always forgets—we both surnamed Xie—Xie blood flows." Yongle indifferent: "Xie family—all heartless."