Chapter 205: Gathering Storm

Jingxian Empress's life—legendary—prime minister's pampered daughter to Empress—marital estrangement—plots—mother-son parted—yet eye for eye—inner palace cleaned—satisfying—rose in adversity—regrets: Xie Chi's poison irreversible—no reunion with Xie Yuan.
Brothers Xie Chi and Xie Yuan more like Xiao Empress—beauty famed in Longye—sons inherited beauty and methods—Xie Chi in court—some Xiaowu shadow—balancing factions—marriage alliances—Xie Yuan different—Ming Qi opposition—no Xie Yilong trace—met Xiao's hope—not good man—never base man.
Shen never expected such twisted origin—Jingxian's life—admiration—similar to her past life—yet became winner—Shen couldn't match Xiao's resolve—sever flesh—bear separation pain.
Complex eyes—Xie careless smile: "Don't pity me—never met her—no attachment."
Grew alone in storm—born with father's hunt—never saw mother—more open than most—laughs off much.
Not caring for feelings—because expected little from start?
Silent—then: "I'll walk with you to the end."
Eyes flickered—smirk: "Sympathize—compensate me?"
Bad smile swept sentiment—Shen glared—remembered: "Then Emperor's illness…" Didn't finish.
Gao said Xie Chi won't pass thirty-five—Yongle now—how many years?
"Brother passed thirty-six birthday." Xie: "Sometimes prophecy wrong. But—" cold eyes: "Brother worsening."
"Lu and Ye know?" Shen asked.
"Dowager after Xiaowu died—silenced all who knew—now only Gao head—you me sister-in-law—rest dead."
Heart jumped—Dowager fierce—many worries gone.
"Queen knew before marriage—or after…" Shen asked.
Amused glance: "What asking?"
If Xiande knew Yongle won't pass thirty-five—still marry? Young widow hard—or deceived lifetime?
"If you—how choose?" Xie asked.
Shen: "When I married you—not fond enough to widow for you." Regret—cursing him?
He delighted—pulled—head to chest—grin: "Oh—now fond enough to widow?" Before answer—thoughtful: "So when married—you quite liked me."
"Who liked you!" Suffocated—furious—his lazy voice above: "Say if you like—I'm tender—won't let you young widow."
Not angry— laughed back: "Widow? Few women widow obedient now—widows invite trouble—Longye boy houses everywhere." No longer always held—could anger him half to death.
He paused—studied her—gentle: "Want boy house?" Gentle tone—chill neck—before speak—swept up—bed—scream—leisurely: "You remind me 'try harder'—husband won't slack."
Outside Tieyi—blush—stay or go—black face red—spectacle.
Panting—finally rested—Shen on his arm—pushed: "Queen knew or not—you didn't answer."
"Smart sister-in-law—if deceived marrying—big trouble." Sigh: "Dowager picking brother's wife—called sister-in-law—spoke—no need guess. Dowager hated exploiting hearts—even balance—tells truth."
Shen: "Knew yet married—Queen truly loves Emperor."
Xie silent.
Xiande's clan civil history—real power less than many—yet Dowager chose her—Changshi house absolutely loyal—Xiande gentle wise as name—Dowager unlike Xiaowu—Yongle can raise other consorts—wife one—lifetime companion—character matters—share fortune and ruin—true great lady—weather storms—hold brocade.
Clan honest—Xiande's love for Yongle unknown—royal true feeling luxury—yet calm about thirty-five limit.
Shen: "If only power—she'd plan for self."
Smile: "Sister-in-law smart—not greedy."
Not greedy best—tragedies root in greed—power—wealth—love.
Thought—"Jing pregnant—Lu clan plan?"
Xie played her hair—casual: "Jing pregnant—none of our business—water bears boat—caps boat—Lu think dragon seed amulet—wrong. Emperor with heir—opponents defect—Lu soldiers—how many fence-sitters—Lu or crown."
Looked: "Can't be only that?"
Brow up: "You think?"
"Prepared so long—Jing pregnancy accident—unplanned." Shen: "If not pregnant—how against Lu?"
"Simple." Xie: "Brother since enthronement—schemed Lu Ye—years gathering Lu military excess evidence—enough—time reveal—seal public mouth—one. Two—" "Great Li Lu heavy—but other generals—mostly brother's now—Mo Yu army building—simple now—show evidence—Lu confess—or Lu Zhengchun proud—rebel—net all."
Brothers alike—methods not roundabout—crude—effective—Xiao's traits?
"If so—why years—could fight early."
Ear whisper: "Girl—Xie men—hate dragging—hate 'evenly matched'—uproot whole. Lu roots deep—earlier harder—now ripe—clean pull—not good?"
Brow furrow—Xie: "Know you like gamble—alone schemed Prince Yu—too dangerous—self-harm high—I dislike." "Pyrrhic victory is defeat."
Had to admit—right. Alone vs Prince Yu—stone vs jade—jade hurts most—Shen family involved—can't loose hands.
Xie more—even match—long war—common people suffer—enough strength—one net—minimal sacrifice.
"Lu settled—Ye?" Shen hesitated—stopped.
"Brother planned woo Ye—crippled sole heir—no waves." Xie: "You told 'dream'—Ye siblings enemies—can't woo—self-destruction." "Your revenge—mine."
Long silence—soft: "Thank you." Change long plan—not words—all replanned—plans hate variables—he bears future for her.
How lucky meet such person this life.
Strange look—chin up—study—"Tsk—so moved—repay with body?"
Push—scold: "Nonsense. Ye plan?"
Thought: "Not hard—Ye not ours—Lu's partner—find secret Lu-Ye traffic—Lu falls Ye follows—smart you—can't frame now?"
Stunned—frame others—righteous tone—like great deed—frame chancellor not simple.
"Ye easier than Lu—civil ties complex—but Lu doomed—Ye dragged—scholars not fools—cut Ye. Xiaowu's two trusted—faded from peak glory."
Thought: "Not they faded—you grew beyond need to fear them."
Cub became king—clowns in forest—time to sweep.
Teasing: "So admiring?"
Deadpan: "Very admiring."
"Madame so supportive—must serve well." Solemn—flipped her down.
Shen: "…"
……
Ye manor.
Ye Mei and Ye Ke talking.
Ye Maocai scholar aesthetic—scrolls orchids—famous works—fine orchids—costly paperweight—rich true—scholar true—"poor" scholar not necessarily.
Fine pastries table.
Ye Mei silk lotus crystal yellow jacket long skirt—top material—outshines palace ladies—natural charm—vivid seductive.
Ye Ke opposite—simple dress—better cloth—siblings living well in Ye house.
"Sister—what did you mean before?" Ye Ke frowned.
Tea sip—cool: "Lady Ye claimed me daughter—chaos—true false unknown—good shelter anyway—parents dead—shops failing—official daughter beats merchant—same for you—Ye Chancellor father—career smoother."
Bitter smile: "I know—Ye Maocai doesn't believe our identity?"
Heaven's pie—they didn't believe—until Ye search—had to believe. Story—child lost in birth—found Ye Mei—Ye Mei knew—must be false.
She and Ye Ke born together—siblings.
People paranoid—seemingly normal Lady Ye insisted—wouldn't listen—brought Ye Ke into manor.
Siblings guarded—Ye Maocai clearer—straight— not Lady Ye's children—Lady Ye insists—hide lie—for her health—give Ye identities.
Ye Mei shrewd—pros cons before trap—learned Ye vs court delicate—only crippled heir—no successor—needs "children" plug mouths.
Mutual profit—cripple no storm—wealth to Ye Ke eventually—Ye name—fine marriage—if Ye Maocai plots—they're not fools—take what want.
Entered Ye house—miss and young master—Lady trusts—Ye Maocai guards—same to siblings—Ye only springboard—backer—faster road.
"Believe identity or not—doesn't matter. Merchants—we treat him merchant—this deal—looks losing—didn't expect now."
"Now?" Ye Ke puzzled: "Clearer sister."
"Thought Ye strong Longye—no fear—court delicate but balance. Lately wrong—Ye not as good—precarious—step forward safe—or abyss—lose all."
Face dark: "Ye situation dangerous?"
"Danger unknown—" cold laugh: "Old fox hides—won't tell—Lady trusts me but trusts him more—pry her harder than heaven—more hidden—more uneasy—Ye house bad."
"Maybe overthink." Ye Ke shook head: "Ye Chancellor Great Li—how that far—guard us—too short—same boat—else assassination Prince Consort—they agreed— pity Consort lucky—scholar saved—escaped."
Ye Mei stared—laughed: "Good fate—good luck."
"Sister—" Ye Ke: "Why kill Prince Consort? Really want Prince Rui manor? Rushed—ill-considered?"
Pause—thought: "First sight—I didn't want her alive—believe?"
Ye Ke stunned—Ye Mei lost in thought.
Came Longye—Xie Yuan returned from hunt. Ye Maocai gave antidote—play accidental bounty rescue. Ye had antidote—Prince's wound linked—Ye identity rescue suspicious—better found-family story later.
Ye Maocai wanted Ye Mei on Prince Rui—beauty—savior—longer stay—natural developments.
Then saw Prince Rui Xie Yuan.
Men—no love no hate—ambition—tools—better swap. Beauty needs fine dress—jewelry—house—noble husband.
Best she'd seen.
Young—high power—handsome—even lying—natural nobility—draws eyes—Ye Maocai said—capable—formidable—want possess—his cold—want conquer.
Had consort—never saw—Ming Qi general's daughter—despised—crude—alone no backing—not rival.
Until saw Shen Miao.
Dust on clothes—messy hair—travel-worn—stood before her—backlit—dignified majestic—beast declaring territory.
Ye Mei brightest—Shen disheveled.
Absurd—full strength—can't seize thread from this woman.
After—Shen cold— faint hate.
Women's feelings reciprocal—Shen uncomfortable—Ye Mei uncomfortable too.
Shen had parents—brother—friends—sisters—Xie's favor—cold war—observers know—no love no cold war—love to bone—every move pulls mood.
Compare—more unwilling—why all good things Shen alone? Straight no coquetry—why Xie's favor?
Worst—worse person lives better—jealous—hateful—loves snatching—Shen's hard to take.
Then—make Shen vanish.
Told Ye Maocai—Shen dead—consort seat empty—can win Xie's heart.
Less snatch Xie—can't bear Shen better—won't lose to Shen.
Ye Maocai wanted Ye on Prince Rui—agreed.
Shen didn't die—someone shielded—Ye rash move—Xie suspicious—watches Ye—Ye Maocai angry at Ye Mei.
Ye Mei never failed—used all—smooth—snatch things people hearts easy.
Hit wall at Shen.
Can't take man—life—or luck.