Chapter 210: Letter to All Compatriots

"I see."
Ye Ke careful glance—no special reaction—relief—tried: "Sister—think bad?"
"Bad?" Surprised—laughed: "Why bad—palace wealth—below one above ten thousand—think I'm fool—spit fortune?" "Always wanted high man—Emperor most noble—Emperor's woman fine."
Wind charming again—seemed agree—Ke clapped: "I said! Father feared refuse—sent me persuade—waste—such good—sister takes—not fool—why refuse?"
Relaxed—blurted Ye Maocai sent him persuade. Ye Mei eyes flash—laugh: "Father doesn't know me—you're brother—you know me."
"Sister—palace favor—don't forget brother." Ke: "Father brought me court—sister help—road smooth—Longye obey us—wind rain—Queen decoration—Jing with dragon seed gone—no rival—smooth."
Ye Mei laugh: "Naturally."
Ke satisfied—left discussing career path—gone—Ye Mei face cold.
Ye Maocai bought Ke fast—not surprise—Ke craves power—Ye Maocai painted cake—Ke sold sister—palace dream—doesn't know dangers—Yongle hard grasp—Prince Rui watching.
Both extreme selfish—interest over kin—Ke wouldn't change if knew palace bad—career first.
Won't pave road for Ke.
Walked room anxious—Ke now enemy some ways.
Long thought—stood—opened chest—Lady Ye compensation dozens outfits—fashion fine—knelt—picked carefully.
Shen heard Mo Qing report.
"Venus Ming?" Shen frowned.
"Merchant son—nothing special—Qinzhou to Longye suddenly—settling Jin long contracts—won't take business years."
"Won't take business?" Jingzhe: "Eat what?"
"Preparing leave." Shen: "Leaving signs?"
Mo Qing: "Right—sold things for silver—travel—large sum."
Understood: "Check who linked—clothes—route—short long—north south—close contacts—watch Ye siblings—if Venus Ming private—follow tight."
Mo Qing left.
Jingzhe Guyu sewing lamp—Guyu: "Madam—Ye miss and shop son—love despite merchant—must be together?"
Smile shake head: "Know vine grass?"
"Know!" Jingzhe: "Countryside—everywhere—spring pull or strangles trees."
"Ye Mei like vine." Strong life—anywhere—any man her tree—climb—sun rain—tough—highest tree.
Trees drained—wither dead.
Maids looked—Jingzhe small: "That strong?"
"Looks strong—fatal trait—" Shen: "Last tree dies—no nutrients—she dies."
"Rely on what—stripped—worst fall."
Sure—Ye Mei wants from Venus Ming—merchant settling—leaving—board his boat—escape Ye abyss.
Shen won't let her.
Ye Mei's end—Shen will fix this time.
……
Days—Xie not returned—Tieyi gone—Congyang knows nothing—guards busier.
Soon capital news—Southern General Lu Zhengchun rebel—troops Ruyang—fortress—open war crown.
Longye shocked—Lu troops many—years secret recruitment—Ruyang vast—occupation surprise—Lu courage fight royal.
Shen guards surprised—Shen calm—ancients suppress then raise—Xie Yongle likely that—sweet taste—Lu warrior thinks court fears—careless—proud—better net.
Confident Xie—Lu can't match Xie house—Shen worried else. Lu arrogant—targets crown—in people's eyes Lu like old Xie—founding merit—rebel yet Lu mouths—court forced them—Xiaowu's death Yongle involved—Dowager maternal power—mother son killed Xiaowu princes—illegitimate throne.
World uproar!
Xiaowu died—Xiao handled princes clean—no handle—suspicious—people dared not speak—Dowager died—Yongle ruled—prosperity—forgotten—not forgotten.
Lu narrative—shock—hesitate—small believe—most doubt—emperor without hearts—future trouble—like Xiao—clean yet trouble for Yongle now.
Thunder silence rumors—road eyes lifetime suppress?
"Lu shameless." Jingzhe: "Dirty water on Emperor."
Guyu sigh: "Rebel—you die I live—basin dirty what?" "Lu cruel—mutual ruin—win maybe lose hearts."
Brow knit—"Paper brush."
Jingzhe: "Letter Ming Qi?"
Shake head: "Huge—bigger than gate prisoner notice."
Brush dragon—sharp—maids saw calm letters—today different—grave weight—fervent—Hanlin debater—faster—no pause—done—lift huge white paper—shake dry.
Maids looked—black characters—usually soft—here sword from paper—heart.
"What…" illiterate—important feel.
"Truth nobody cares—result matters." Dry ink—Jingzhe: "Copy shop three thousand—guards post night—fast!"
Maids left careful.
Relief watching backs.
Martial settles realm—literary settles world—realm set—world not—Lu stirs—turn tables—boost morale—Lu tongues—she stratagem—who wins—Lu lose—stifled—nothing gained.
Night—Xie still out.
Shen alone—eat—manage manor—noble teas—calm them—cold sleep—think Xie—cover quilt sleep.
Dawn—Longye sun—doors white paper dense words—butcher neighbor scholar—"Scholar—what this?"
"Good calligraphy!" Read: "Letter to All Compatriots…"
Days—streets know—realm knows—white sheets everywhere—scholars pocket—want meet author.
Hanlin youths reading aloud—crowd—shame—anger—rebels—rumors believed—heart cold—Yongle benevolent—prosperous—better Xiaowu—forget grace—believe traitor—ashamed?—civil military—fight traitors—scholars correct—not fuel fire.
Fine prose—sharp—politics aside—top essay—reasonable—reflect—Lu rumors collapse?
Good Emperor—people kind—officials too—Lu rebel—not loyal—almost fooled—ashamed.
Scholars want meet author—can't find—military youths—serve country—behead rebels.
Xiaowu patricide rumor—nobody mentions.
Congyang posted all night—unexpected echo—easy rumor fix—admires Shen—"Madam hand like palace top scholar—scholars chase—know woman—shock."
Smile: "Lu in Ruyang—can't reach Longye—rumor agents in crowds—people not fools—two lies—empty wind vs reasoned—which believe?"
Congyang thoughtful.
"People lean Emperor—easy pull—if Lu had hearts—rock solid—rumors—ten letters useless."
Scratch head: "Good move—master happy—general house—such talent."
Noncommittal.
Talent? Letter—deceive world—hearts managed—Lu could too—Fu Xiuyi ascended—doubts—Pei Lang same letter—black white—Fu spotless Ming Qi sage.
Now on Lu—eye for eye—Lu can't ruin royal name.
Yongzhou town—green robe man street—old teacher sixty reciting same opening—class copy tomorrow.
Pei Lang paused—looked—thought—soft laugh—then dim—left.
Weiyang—Xiande holding copy—read to Yongle—Yongle pale—soft never before.
"Jingxing married treasure—thought general daughter—heart-stirring top scholar—academies seek author—woman unknown."
Light snort: "Fox cunning."
"She helped you." Xiande: "Rumors down—good?"
"Don't care." Yongle.
"Care for Jingxing them."
Silent.
Pause—"Qingzhe."
Xiande "mm"—stunned—turned—maiden name—long unheard.
Yongle stared half incense—"Regret?"
Smile: "Never regret."
"After I die—follow Jingxing—good man—remarry—new name identity—you're good—live well."
Tears—forced down—"In Your Majesty's eyes—I'm worthless?" Self-mock: "Always unimportant." Stood: "Understood—will as wished." Left first.
Tao wanted advise—couldn't—Queen never angry with Yongle—first quarrel.
Yongle watched incense ash—scent disperses—like memory affection.
……
Ye Mei dressed long.
Beautiful—Ye house tonics—should brighter—yet dull—weariness in brows.
Picked peach gauze gown—peach embroidery—careful makeup—eye waves—stunner.
Met Ye Ke—surprised: "Sister—where?"
"Sun lady tea." Smiled.
Ke believed—Ye guards—veil—Sun house—Sun official small not common.
Small room—Venus Ming waited—eyes lit—obsessed: "Mei'er—more beautiful."
Nausea inside—sweet outside—aggrieved: "Hard to see you today—almost couldn't."
"Sun brother old tie—sister's name invite—or couldn't meet." Sigh.
"Jin Brother capable." Sweet face—happy—then: "When take me from Ye? Can't stay moment."
"Must plan—Ye not small—perfect scheme."
Cold laugh inside—no perfect—Venus Ming stalling—checked Ye power—retreat.
Pitiful face: "Drag forever—no Ye wealth—only happy life with Jin Brother…"
Few men resist—rare beauty—moving eyes—every move invite—throat dry—she licked lips helpless.
Couldn't hold—grip hand—impulsive: "For Mei'er fear nothing—beauty—heart in your palm." Pulled tight: "Mine—I'll save you soon."
Nearly vomit—instant—brain calculating—arms snake neck—ear breath: "Fine."