Chapter 209: Venus Ming

Shen silent.
Xie didn't release—locked in arms.
Long after—Shen looked up.
Xie stared too—carefree arrogant man—wild boy to now—playful never changed—now tiny nervousness in eyes.
Heart moved—brief moment—suddenly laughed.
"Then what's my benefit?"
Xie stunned—joy in eyes—relief—disbelief: "Whatever you want—yours."
"If what I want—you want too?" Shen asked.
Brow up: "What want?"
"Thirteen prefectures of Youzhou."
"Yours." Waved hand—like rouge trinket.
"Mo North Dingyuan."
"Yours." Didn't blink.
"Jiangnan Yuzhou—Dingxi East Sea—Lin'an Green Lake—Luoyang old city."
"All yours!"
So smooth—no thought—Yongle hearing might vomit blood—Xiaowu might rise curse spendthrift son—another "state-wrecking femme fatale" on Shen.
Xie never cared others' eyes—Shen wouldn't really seize realm—felt he carried too much—joke—scatter attention—ease him.
"All mine—what you want?" Shen asked.
Wicked smile—teasing: "Thirteen times one night?"
Shen: "…"
Grabbed fleeing Shen—serious: "Madam—you can't discard me."
"Such vigor—tell Tang Shu bring ice cool down."
Pushed down—lazy: "With madam—who needs ice."
Outside Congyang covered ears—pained. Jingzhe passed—kind: "Guard Yang—you shake—ill?" Hand to forehead.
Young man—forced hear spring palace—cold hand on forehead—jumped up—startled Jingzhe—hand: "I… what?"
Ghost look—fled like ass on fire—Jingzhe blank—Tieyi in tree saw all—silent—knowing smile—sword hugged.
Below—Tang Shu—closed door—satisfied click—kitchen soup again.
Next days—Xie truly busy—Yongle worse—Lu Ye matters personal—early out late return.
Xie busy—Shen not idle—Lu Ye years in Longye—royal kill one warn hundred—can't look too cruel—future dissent. Shen talked Longye noble wives—spread ideas subtly.
Wives seem women—indispensable in households—thought Ming Qi woman—general's daughter—no insight—after talks—changed view—proper speech—knows what they don't.
Fashion—kept pace—grand situation—followed—north south wonders—fluent.
Past life Ming Qi inner palace—bad years—grew sight—envoy odd tales—know much—use right place—best effect. Xie can do—Shen maybe not—but interest web—silent guide to goal—rebirth specialty.
Few days—wives warm to Shen—hesitate—ask her advice—including situation—Prince Consort—royal kin—know court mood—younger than some daughters—yet gentle settled calm—trustworthy words.
Both worked for Longye storm—Lu Ye not idle.
Lu lost daughter—Yongle harder—panicked—mobilizing private troops everywhere.
Ye from wait-see—dragged into water unawares—did nothing—court attitude shifted—from woo to indulgence—meaning clear.
Ye Mei's moves—Mo Qing watched—palace disaster angered Ye Maocai—offended Yongle and Lu—Lu Zhengchun wild but eats old capital—no brains—Yongle different—young thunder—didn't punish Ye Mei—Ye Maocai more uneasy—brewing something.
Ye Maocai angry—confined Ye Mei days—cold—today released—Lady Ye compensation—jewelry shop—visitor to Ye house—Lady Ye returned—own shop—Ye Mei pick alone—return after.
Shopkeeper fawning—best pieces—Ye Mei listless—shopkeeper annoyed.
Merchant daughter—recognized by Ye—heaven's luck—still picky—what wealth satisfies?
Didn't notice shopkeeper—Ye Maocai cold days—furious—Ye not long stay—Ye Maocai profit-first—sacrifice anytime—wanted Ye ladder—strength lacking—only pawn—Ye Maocai's path not enough.
Eyes over jewels—how escape—where escape.
Two entered shop—man thirty—rich dress—plain plump—woman young—gaudy—strong scent—brothel type.
Woman coquettish: "Buy bracelet—must pure gold."
Man laughed—generous: "Pick today—good mood."
Rich son with courtesan—mark.
Shopkeeper annoyed Ye Mei—new guests—left Ye Mei—best pieces to woman—"New stock—look."
Woman squeezed Ye Mei—scent unpleasant—turned—saw man—stunned—man saw her—joy: "Mei'er!"
Woman looked up—alert at Ye Mei—shopkeeper ears—"Mei'er"—old ties—merchant daughter once.
Ye Mei wanted flee—thought—paused—glance shopkeeper—"Since met—step aside speak."
Man eager—woman pulled arm: "Sir—still pick jewelry."
Impatient—silver notes from chest—"Yourself."
Woman took—no fuss. Out—Ye Mei veil—"Find wine house."
Private room—man looked Ye Mei—odd: "So many guards? You and brother vanished Qinzhou without word—I searched—didn't expect here."
Ye Mei drumbeat—childhood friend—not other—Li family Qinzhou merchant—Jin family eldest Venus Ming—Jin Li friends—Jin joked marry Ye Mei to Venus Ming—Ye Mei proud—merchant wife not goal.
Disliked Venus Ming—never showed—sweet clever—Venus Ming obsessed—worship goddess—treasure love.
Li parents died—shops needed Jin care—more sweet to Venus Ming—Jin planned marriage—only Ye Mei could decide.
Ye Mei refused—official's concubine better than merchant wife—Ye family appeared—fit—left Longye—hated Jin—no word—Venus Ming didn't know she here—chance meeting.
Plan ready—shook head sighed: "In Li house—Jin cared—brother and I well—suddenly claimed—real parents elsewhere—Chancellor Ye's daughter—shocked—no explain—taken."
"Chancellor Ye?" Venus Ming shocked: "Longye Chancellor Ye?"
Nod—"Arrived—wrong person—Ye only crippled heir—big search—wrong face—forced me as daughter—thought bear it—Ye Maocai beast—wants me marriage chip—for career!"
Tears—beauty—heartbroken Venus Ming—furious: "How! Own daughter not so cold—not his daughter—control my marriage—hateful! Sue officials!"
"Useless." Shake head: "Officials shield—Ye Maocai rules Longye—letters Qinzhou blocked—brother and I soft confined—today rare out."
Venus Ming dark face—liked her—gone—Jin said fled marriage—angry—now beauty crying—no anger—only blame self—found earlier.
Looked up: "Days missed Big Brother Jin—hope freedom—Jin Brother help?"
Nod nod: "Help—what do?"
"Only leave Ye house." Tearful smile: "With Jin Brother—no daily fear."
Nearly melted—past sweet but veiled—now clear—he matters.
Some float—Venus Ming not lost reason—Ye Chancellor house—merchant son—"Ye house thorny."
Silent—beautiful eyes on him—heart sway—"Not no way—Mei'er know why I came Longye?"
Shook head—didn't care Venus Ming—only use escape—didn't think layer.
Proud: "Friend merchant—went Ming Qi last year—tied imperial merchant—maybe official. Rather wander than Qinzhou merchant forever—friend invited—Longye settle business—"
"Hesitated—parents here—now met Mei'er—fearless—decide Dingjing Ming Qi—official maybe not—more money sure." "Ye hand long—flee Ming Qi—Ye can't reach—Mei'er think?"
Heart moved—calculating while he spoke—smiled: "Perfect—Jin Brother—my pillar—world unreliable—luckily you…"
Sweet charming—Venus Ming heart jump—hand on her small hand—Ye Mei endured disgust—let grope—past disdained—now must humble.
Shen left lady's house—tea party—wives accepted her "influence"—court calmer Xie said—rubbed neck—carriage—saw teahouse—man woman out—woman veiled—lifetime with Lady Mei—gait posture—Ye Mei.
Man intimate—not noble manners—vulgar merchant air.
Shen aside—carriage shadow—Ye Mei didn't see—few words—intimate look—Ye Mei carriage left—man other way.
Thought—Mo Qing: "Follow man—investigate all."
Mo Qing watched Ye Mei—related man—natural—left.
Carriage—pondering.
Man low birth—Ye Mei values rank—won't talk commoners—yet teahouse—maybe tea.
Ye Mei uses all—especially men—first thought—use him for goal—else too proud for low man.
What planning?
……
Ye Mei evening Ye house—Ye Maocai early home rare—entered—stared: "Where?"
Ye troubles—scholar ease gone—face dark.
Calm: "Mother sent jewelry shop."
"Mother?" Ye Maocai echoed.
Yin-yang tone—unhappy—knows not Lady Ye's flesh—he wanted fake—now acts she schemed in.
Silent—"Jewelry?"
"Nothing liked—didn't take."
"Know yourself—not yours take." Loaded—turn: "Man met street—who?"
Startled—rage—guards reported—surface protect—watch—tell Ye Maocai—daren't anger—"Qinzhou old friend—deep ties with family—father can investigate."
Venus Ming merchant—check finds little—calm—Ye Maocai eased—"Don't think unfeeling—Longye big move soon—Ye daughter—all watched—disaster for all." Fake warm smile: "Smart child—know do don't do—we're one—help each other."
Heart heavy—Ye Maocai using her—plan—few words—room.
Ye Ke waiting—smiled: "Sister—where—late—I waited long."
Vexed—wanted tell Venus Ming—Qinzhou Ye Ke wanted Jin brother-in-law—Jin helped Li—Ye Mei looked down—Ke persuaded long—Venus Ming would treat well.
Flee Ming Qi with Venus Ming—take Ke—Ke's attitude uncertain.
"Remember Qinzhou Jin Venus Ming?" Ye Mei asked.
"Jin Ming?" Suspicious: "Why sudden?" Stood—shocked: "Sister—you'll marry him now?!"
Frown: "You liked him before."
"Merchant then—official now." Ke: "Sister status—Jin not match—official daughter to merchant—laughingstock."
Excited—looked while—"Who should marry?"
"Sister—prince not excessive—Longye no princes." Mysterious lean—grin: "Father wants you palace—I looked—Emperor young handsome—cold to Queen—beauty talent—six palaces yours—sibling wealth endless." Eyes bright—treasure found.
"Oh?" Ye Mei: "Really think so?"
"Sister—why unconfident?" Pat chest: "Trust me—most noble Great Li woman—listen father—palace—Ye behind—what great thing?"
Smile odd: "Brother—busy lately—tell sister what busy."
"Father office Longye for me!" Beaming: "Meet colleagues!" Stopped—panicked look at Ye Mei.
Unchanged—nod: "I see."