Chapter 52: Old Trick Again

On the stage the boy stood natural grace—one morning, enemies scattered. Young in years—no less than veterans. Arrogance? He earned it. High and low—settled.
Maidens below were dazed. Rear-garden lives rarely saw such war—yearly review was the feast. Past years paled beside today's Xie. Girls adored heroes; face and bearing both rare—another harvest of hearts.
Some boys jealous—more awed. Su Mingfeng on the distant pavilion shook his head, smiling: "So *this* was worth celebrating—still the same swagger." Yet he knew today's show was an iceberg tip. Xie hid depths—was this signal upward? His face sobered; his friend's intent blurred.
"Young Marquis Xie is no common sort," Feng Ning glowed. "In Dingjing—or young Ming Qi—I see no peer."
Shen Miao shook her head.
Xie's best skill was not review ground. He excelled in the cruelest field experience. Had Ming Qi royalty not destroyed him in her last life, Xie arms and camp fame might have split the realm with the throne.
Still—the house's fall held mystery. She had poured her life into Fu Xiuyi and knew little of the Xies then. Now she was somewhat lost.
Changchao and Changwu nearly spat blood at his words. His moves looked light—only they felt how deep the hurt. No sympathy from the crowd—they had used sneak attack. Fair play was review's soul; the twins lost every eye, and the judge despised them. Years of good name—gone in a day.
"Well calculated indeed." She watched the purple boy arms folded on stage, voice soft.
Today he had led them by the nose until they broke measure and used filth. Perhaps they woke now—too late.
Dirty tricks before the crowd—legitimate son and bastards, the line drawn clear for all.
Xie lazy to both: "Winner set—any more challengers?"
Silence.
All had seen him drop the twins—almost one stroke each, and they were elite. No voice. He tossed the lance aside. "None, then—farewell." Sleeve sweep—gone as if never there—another wave of cries.
"Fellow's martial skill is not weak," Zhou said. "Good fists, useless—hard bone."
Pei Lang sighed inside. Ming Qi royalty seemed shrewd—eyes were short. The boy hid deep; the stage act was deliberate. If not to awe, then it touched the throne.
He glanced Zhou and Jing. Royal house against Xie Jingxing would grow wretched later—for he was a lion. As Shen Miao had been moments ago.
The judge, vexed at the self-willed exit, still proclaimed first rank. Servants hauled the brothers down—too shamed to nod—slipped to their carriage and fled early.
Later challenges, after jade before mud, felt flat—yawns through the hall.
Shen Yue and Shen Qing glanced at Shen Miao again and again. Today in the Shen line only Fifth Girl shone; Third and Fourth were eclipsed. Qing, for Fu Xiuyi, hated her teeth-deep—stolen due. Yue could not swallow being outdone.
Shen Miao ignored them—or cared not. She murmured Guyu close; Guyu's face turned stern; she slipped away quiet.
Meanwhile Prince Yu in the men's seats beckoned. A guard appeared, listened, vanished like shadow from the seats.
On the far pavilion Xie returned to Su Mingfeng's side.
Su clapped slow, slanted eyes: "Quite the spotlight in Dingjing today."
"Small matter." Xie shrugged.
"Cleaning up your brothers?" Su asked. "Sudden move—not your usual style."
"Someone advised me." Brow lift. "Some things—sooner the better. Wait too long—I lose patience."
Su frowned—words under words. He did not ask. Years of friendship, yet he never probed the other's hidden roots. Gaze dropped a moment. "That beauty you saved—trouble brewing."
Xie's eyes swept the women's seats—a guard handing something like an invitation to Second Mistress Ren Wanyun, glance sliding the purple girl.
Ren held the note, thrilled. "His Highness honors us—this wife is overwhelmed. Fifth Girl—come thank the Prince for his invitation."
Shen Miao's gaze sharpened on Ren Wanyun—lip corner cold smile sudden.
Old trick again?
Under Yue and Qing's gloating eyes she stretched lazy. Clear eyes gained a dark glint.
"Good," she said, lifting her chin. "I will thank him—properly."
Interest flashed in Xie's eyes. "A show worth watching."