Chapter 207: Death of Consort Jing

Rockery end—long steps—woman below—blood spreading—Shen and maids startled—approached—Consort Jing.
Jing clutching belly—sweat—pale paper—curled—moaning in pain. Shen looked up—scrape marks on steps—Lu Jing rolled from above.
Seeing Shen—Lu Jing reached—two words: "Save me."—fainted.
Bajiao: "Madam—"
"Call people." Shen frowned: "She carries dragon seed—refuse save—Prince Rui blamed." Won't touch filth—won't take evil name.
Bajiao nodded—ran out. Huixiang looked around—shook head: "No one else."
"Ran long ago." Shen stared: "Bold to wound openly in palace." Looked dying Jing—sighed. Saw inner palace miscarriages—this look—child won't survive. No sympathy Lu Jing—pity unborn—wrong womb—disaster before birth. Child—remembered youth in woods—heart clenched—if Fu Ming—why avoid her? If not—why so alike?
Many coming going palace—after Jing settled—ask Xiande or Xie find youth—not illusion—sober.
Help came fast—Jing's state shocked all. Yongle seemed indifferent to pregnant Jing—but first child—obvious—child lost.
No words—sent Jinghua Palace—doctors—report Yongle Xiande. Shen first on scene—can't leave—linked regardless.
Huixiang uneasy—royal matters complex—dragon seed worst—Shen dragged in—conspiracy?
Yongle Xiande came fast—Xie not here—where—Fu Ming talk postponed.
Yongle asked surroundings—no maid beside Jing—fell unaided—could only beg Shen. Xiande frowned: "Jing talking Ye miss in Jinghua—why garden? Where Ye miss?"
Not a glance at Shen.
Shen surprised—before speak—inner room short scream—Jing's maids ran out—knelt Emperor Queen—kowtow.
Doctor out—wiped sweat—low: "Your Majesty—helpless—Consort Jing—dead."
Silence.
"Dead?" Xiande: "How dead?"
Doctor bowed: "Since pregnant—daily tonics—too much—body hollow strong—fall too hard—child lost—Jing terror—blood loss—so…"
Shen unspeakable taste—Lu Jing stupid—died believing belly held future heir—maybe fatal "terror."
Yongle face unreadable—neither glad nor grieved. Xiande low: "Why fall? Where maids?"
Jinghua maid knelt: "Lady talked Ye miss—suddenly wanted garden stroll—dislikes followers—we obeyed—neither returned—next saw Lady—Consort sent back."
Sharp tongued like mistress—blame shifted clean—maids still punished when mistress falls.
Xiande never doubted Shen—at once: "Where Ye miss? Find her!"
Dragon heir matter—inner palace—Six Palaces mistress must investigate. Yongle silent—let Queen command—from start—little emotion—unreadable.
Shen thought—where Xie now—possible causes. Ye Mei kill Lu Jing? No reason—probe palace—not kill—never hands dirty—always orders others—clean at end—if kill—stupid method—everyone knows left together—first suspect her.
Puzzling.
Jinghua thinking—woman's panicked voice: "Consort Jing!"
Turned—Ye Mei escorted by guards—flustered—disbelief—two steps—Queen's guards blocked. Xiande cold: "Miss Ye—where so late? Jing died after garden with you—Jing trouble—you gone?" Each sentence accusation—usually gentle Queen—sharp now—Ye Mei shrank.
Shen cold watched.
……
Ye Mei disbelieving head down—recalling: "Talked Consort Jing in Jinghua—cool outside—wanted breeze. Maids wanted follow—Consort said crowd inconvenient—garden walk only—no danger—miss beside—no need others."
Room faces varied.
Lu Jing arrogant—worse pregnant—maybe jealous Ye Mei's beauty—or other—made Ye Mei go—treat as maid—no own maids—to bully—Jing's character.
"Walked garden—Consort suddenly cold—asked me fetch silk cloak—not Jinghua—in Talented Lady's pavilion—unfamiliar paths—delayed—guards found—Consort trouble." Knelt: "Left she was fine—what happened—don't know!" Thought: "Don't believe—find Talented Lady in pavilion—witness—I fetched cloak—how harm while fetching?"
Xiande frowned.
Jing's temper clear—order Ye Mei far for cloak—fits.
"Tao Gugu—pavilion—clear truth—lie—heavy punishment."
Ye Mei quick: "Lady surnamed Cao."
Tao left.
Deadlock—Ye Mei knelt—frail shaking—wronged. Smiling like cat—bewitching—now silent tears—frightened pitiful—misty eyes—shoulders twitch—cat—pity—embrace urge. Kneel position subtle—Yongle down—see fine profile—fragile form.
Xiande saw all—ironic smile. Shen amazed—knew why lost to Lady Mei past life—emergency still beauty full charm. Shen loved Fu—silent giving—clumsy precious for him. Lady Mei wanted man—show best face—make him pay—precious to her. Glance Yongle—Ye Mei's plan fails—Yongle never looked.
Xie brothers iron plates—beauty not enough—Yongle less than Xie on women's looks.
Before Tao returned—Lu came.
Lu madam and general. Child gone—Jing dead—angriest besides dead Jing—Lu clan jumping. Lu Zhengchun fierce with madam—Jinghua—guards couldn't stop—Yongle didn't bother. Lu madam sat floor crying—wretched daughter.
Shen watched clown—if heart daughter—first see corpse—not cry before Emperor Queen—pity daughter false—pity dragon seed true.
Lu Zhengchun fiend face—board fierce—hell demon—almost regicide if timing allowed.
"Your Majesty—Jing and dragon seed poisoned—grave—raised her—please pity father's heart—give account!"
Shen nearly laughed—words like accusing Emperor—so arrogant—Xiaowu's favorite gave boldness? Never respected Yongle—disloyal shows in speech.
Yongle cool: "Dragon heir—grand matter—General Lu reminds—redundant."
Lu choked—Yongle once polite—now none—knows court striking Lu—thought Jing pregnancy chip—all lost—furious—can't open fight like before—yellow mouth became Emperor—more capable—Lu waning.
Some bully soft fear hard—yield—Jing so—Lu Zhengchun so.
Lu madam finished crying—looked Shen: "Jing fell—you there—see killer?"
Shook head.
Lu harsh: "You there—Jing could speak—killer just struck—how not see?"
Before Shen—Yongle: "Consort passed by—no killer—not crime. General—don't chase killer—blame wrong—concern muddled."
Shen didn't expect Yongle defend—always looked down on her.
Lu cold laugh: "World—thief cries thief."
Xiande frown: "Consort wouldn't—Queen guarantees."
Both spoke for Shen—Lu couldn't—smile vicious.
Shen: "Saw Jing fall—Ye miss with her before—General ask her." Redirect—Ye Mei's mess—won't carry blame.
Lu looked kneeling Ye Mei—flash keen—silent.
Clear—Lu looks warrior—has wit—Lu besieged—seek ally—Ye perfect—Ye Maocai smarter—Ye undecided—Lu wants Ye side—daughter grandson dead—future matters—won't offend ally for dead.
Power center—sacrifice children—sons considered—daughters less—others' family anyway.
Thought—guard came—Emperor—"Someone saw who pushed Consort Jing."
All startled—Yongle Xiande silent—Lu: "Who? Who killer?"
Lu madam clasped hands—heartbroken: "Heaven sees—find killer—blood for blood!"
Too theatrical—Yongle cold: "Bring in."
Shen looked Ye Mei on floor.
Ye Mei kneeling—curved back—wronged helpless—Shen noticed hands—long sleeves—fingertips out—left thumb index circle—rubbing.
Lifetime with Lady Mei—every gesture meaning—this one—plotting someone—goal near—involuntary.
Heart jumped—witness Ye Mei's ring? Goal reached? Jing death Ye Mei's work? Why.
Outside creak—wheels—Shen narrowed eyes—door.
Maid pushing someone in.
Wheelchair—blanket knees—hands folded neat—can't walk—maid pushes easy.
Near—eleven twelve—fine delicate youth—ivory robe—shy—eyes faint panic.
Shen frozen—statue—eyes hot tears—nearly fell.
Fu Ming!
Time reversed—palace corridors—bright yellow robe youth—plum branch—flattering sweet smile: "Mother Empress—plums bloomed—climbed tree—branch for you—red plum daily—comfort—illness heal fast."
"Sister gone—I'll stay with Mother Empress."
"Rest easy Mother—study with tutor—grow strong—none bully Mother."
Now—pretty youth before Ye Mei—small voice: "Big sister."
Eyes wide.
He is—Ye crippled heir—concubine's son under Lady Ye—Ye Hongguang.
Ye family?
Servant pushed forward—Hongguang to Yongle—nervous—before Great Li monarch—nowhere hands—"Hongguang greets Emperor—forgive lame—can't bow."
Yongle waved.
First time many people—afraid—turned chair mechanism—closer Ye Mei.
Shen gaze stopped.
Fu Ming intimate with Ye Mei? Impulse pull him away—can't—strangers now.
Her stare too fixed—Hongguang noticed—curious glance—her unblinking—startled—head down—fidget blanket edge.
"Young Master Ye?" Lu frowned: "Saw killer?"
……
Hongguang stunned—Lu fiend face—frightened—looked Ye Mei help. Each dependent look at Ye Mei—Shen heart knifed.
Xiande gentle: "Hongguang—you saw who pushed Consort—true?"
Xiande liked Hongguang—soft—Hongguang less afraid—nodded.
"Who?" Xiande asked.
Head down—timid—long pause—looked up toward Shen—eyes on Shen—slow hand point—soft: "Her."
Lightning strike Shen!
Xiande face changed—sharp: "Hongguang—lie to Emperor—lose head!"
Yongle cold: "Certain?"
Emperor Queen clearly disbelieved—Hongguang timid—under pressure firmer—looked Shen—sure: "This lady."
Shen staggered—ears disbelieving—"this lady"—son beside enemy—helping enemy accuse her!
Absurd!
Movement looked guilty.
Lu narrowed—hand at Shen—drag over guards—Bajiao Huixiang shield—nobody expected Lu sudden move—guards protect Emperor Queen—Yongle roared: "Lu Zhengchun—violence in Jinghua—rebel?"
Lu fought maids—shouted: "Your Majesty—lost Jing—killer here—let old man avenge daughter first—punish after—world would say right!"
Lu shameless—Yongle livid green.
Maids restrained—Lu lethal moves—losing. Shen dazed at Ye Mei's Hongguang—avoiding her eyes—whisper Ye Mei.
Lu suddenly legs soft—knelt—unclear what—clack—two gold ingots floor.
Lu clutching knee fallen.
Calm voice outside.
"Prince gone—any stray dog bullies my woman?"
More arrogant than Lu—calm—rage audible.
Xie at door—gold ingot in hand—shot Lu's knee.
Strides to Shen—pale—thought frightened—more furious—turned Lu helped up—indifferent: "General Lu—dissatisfied with me?"
Handsome—calm voice—spine cold.
Lu defiant—humiliated—righteous: "Jing murdered! Ye young master saw—Shen did it! Avenge daughter—heaven's law!"
"Ye young master?" Xie scanned room—stopped wheelchair Hongguang.
Slowly near—look down.
Xie pressure—Hongguang uneasy—avoid eyes.
Amused: "Which eye saw her kill?"
Before answer—cool: "Which eye saw—I dig out that eye."