Chapter 80: Suspicion

A day passes quickly. On the third day Shen Miao came to Fengxian again—the Chen brothers had waited long.
They seemed changed—especially Chen Yueshan. Bold mountain air was gone; deep shadow replaced it. Shen Miao glanced at both and guessed: they had inquired—perhaps seen the younger sister themselves. Witnessing kin in such ruin could break jianghu men who killed without blink—else past life Chen would not have stabbed Prince Yu regardless.
"Miss Shen," Chen Yuehai spoke first, "the method you mentioned—keeping the throne from tracing Chen—can you tell us?"
Yushu stared at his teacup as if flowers might bloom there—deliberately not looking at Shen Miao.
Shen Miao sighed. "I wish to help—but as I said, my risk is great. In a sense Shen and Chen share one boat now—any mistake and Shen suffers too."
Chen Yueshan paused. "I know this asks much. If Miss Shen will help—half Chen's estate goes to Shen."
Even Yushu looked up at Chen Yueshan.
Chen was Jiangnan's richest; Jiangnan ancient wealth—Chen silver perhaps exceeded the throne's. Half estate willingly offered—wings for Shen like tiger's.
Shen Miao looked at Chen Yueshan's pleading face and felt dazed. Sisters tortured; for revenge Chen would pay such price—knowing her help might not bring peace. Still they would gamble—only showing the sisters' place in Chen hearts. Past life she was imprisoned, isolated in inner palace—if Shen family remained, would father, mother, brothers pay any price to save her?
"Miss Shen?" Chen Yueshan prompted when she drifted.
She returned, smiled faintly. "Half estate is enough—I help, not for your wealth. Goodwill only—when Chen is needed later, don't refuse. Also—I feud with Prince Yu's mansion. While it stands, trouble will come to my head." She looked at Chen Yueshan. "We share one boat now."
Chen Yueshan looked at her—clear eyes, earnest tone, every word sounding like it would be kept. From first meeting she never seemed a girl of fourteen. He thought: if the Chen sisters had this girl's mind and means, would they be so ruined?
Thinking of the sisters, his mood darkened again. "What is Miss Shen's method?"
"Throne side—you need not ask yet. In time it improves. If you move—best next month. Prince Yu marries my cousin; day after wedding guards slacken. Strike at dawn—safest."
"You…" Chen Yueshan wanted to speak, shook his head. "One month—how finish throne side?"
Shen Miao looked half-smiling at tea-drinking Yushu. "Not your worry. Urgent now—gather men." She paused. "Prince Yu's mansion is large—learn the layout first. On the day—except my cousin, after rescue, cut every root."
"Rest assured—we know," Chen Yuehai said.
"Jianghu annihilation has its rules. By cut root I mean—women, children, elderly, servants, concubines—no mouth left alive. Prince Yu's mansion becomes grave entire."
Both brothers paused. Chen Yuehai frowned. "Servants and concubines too? Most concubines are poor souls Prince Yu took."
Shen Miao laughed coldly. "Centipede dead but not stiff. Mercy now kills Chen—and drags Shen down."
She spoke cruel; after a moment Chen Yueshan nodded. "We won't leave mouths to harm Miss Shen."
"Good." Shen Miao said. "Then may you avenge fully and wash the prince's house in blood."
More talk; the brothers took leave. When gone Yushu finally spoke: "Miss Shen—young as you are, know much. I saw clear—Chen brothers seasoned men, yet walked your path. Smart and beautiful as you—first I've met. Perhaps someday chance to walk spring fields, summer lake in little boat, deep autumn…" Started well, ended rogue flirting with honest girl.
"Shopkeeper Ji—you didn't summon me for only this?"
"Ahem." Yushu cleared throat. "Fact is—I tell Miss Shen: news is made, reached the palace. Soon you'll have the result you want."
Shen Miao was slightly startled. She knew Fengxian capable—but not this fast. Surely eyes inside the palace—else penetrating rumor would cost effort. Fengxian's water ran deep. She had not hidden talk with Chen brothers—knowing hide was useless.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper Ji." Shen Miao lowered eyes. "When done—promises to shopkeeper will be kept."
Yushu silent a moment, rare gravity: "Miss Shen—I don't understand one thing."
"Speak."
"Miss Shen stakes Shen house in our deal—aren't you afraid someday I ask Shen do dangerous things, push Shen to the wind—bad bargain?" He stared hard at her face.
Shen Miao did not blink. "Rather worry present trouble than future hardship. If that day comes—it is Shen family's fate."
Yushu puzzled: "Truly?"
"False." In the secret chamber Xie Jingxing heard and said lazily.
"Only fool Yushu believes her." Gao Yang said. "Girl's lies perfected—Yushu is no match."
"Don't worry." Xie Jingxing said slowly. "Board my ship—disembark isn't so easy."
When Shen Miao rose to leave, Yushu suddenly said: "Right—Miss Shen—the Liuying girl you asked me find—seems there's a lead. If urgent, results these days."
Shen Miao's answer stunned him. "No hurry, Shopkeeper Ji—search slowly. I… wait slowly."
After she left Yushu shook his head walking inward. "More unreadable than Shao. Shao happy for pearls—this one… happy for heads?" He shivered and hurried inside.
……
Palace.
Emperor's study—memorials stacked high. Wenhui sat before open folds, reading none. He had reached heaven's allotted years, nearing sixty—still vigorous, yet star-white at temples. World's affairs turn in cycles—he had youth and bold command once; ambition remained—but eyes on him saw a tiger slowly aging.
New tigers would inherit his place.
Now Wenhui's face was heavy. Age thinned him; loose skin clung to bone—strange oldness. Hoarse voice—fury audible beneath.
"Old Eleventh truly killed a guard identical to the assassin?"
Two black-clad men stood before him. "Reporting Your Majesty—yes. Captured man tortured. Also prince's mansion caught prince's trusted man who confessed: prince executed a masked guard days ago."
Wenhui closed eyes, swept arm—paperweight flew, shattered on floor. After a moment cold laugh. "Old Eleventh—I underestimated him!"
Palace ears were many—consorts, ministers, even Empress. More news meant survival edge. Emperor too—only with eyes everywhere did the dragon seat sit secure.
At first hearing from spies that Prince Yu killed a guard matching the assassin, Wenhui did not believe. Imperial affection runs cold—this throne he took stepping brothers' corpses. Eleventh Prince remained because Wenhui remembered that night of danger—Prince Yu blocked the blade, blood-soaked, saved his life.
Wenhui often thought: all these years his kindness to Prince Yu was not only for one leg—but proof he still remembered grace. On the throne no affection stayed pure—even sons calculated. Prince Yu reminded Wenhui one person might block sword for him without thought—one true brother.
Now it seemed heaven's joke. That scene perhaps staged by this "true brother"—Wenhui even suspected the crippled leg was false.
What did Prince Yu want? Seize court? Usurp? Histories full of hidden patience then revolt—Wenhui felt only betrayed rage and insult.
Trust betrayed—trust withdraws and suspicion doubles. Imperial clan always suspicious; Prince Yu was trusted for sincerity—sincerity false, suspicion grew tree none could shake.
"Watch Prince Yu's mansion—I will see what game he plays!"
Lord Gao bowed head, eyes on nose, nose on feet—silent before imperial wrath. In heart he sighed softly: troubled season—troubled season.
……
Days passed. Dingjing seemed unchanged—calm. Near year's end people bought New Year goods; even poor households warmed with faint joy.
Yet some never rejoiced.
Palace—Prince Li walked the garden with Prince Xiang.
In Li's faction Xiang and Cheng were weak—bowed to Li, respectful. Unlike Crown Prince's steadiness, Zhou and Jing's sharp edge—Li walked middle path. Not most learned, mother not most favored—yet smoothed up and down, ministers and brothers sold him face. In private—a smiling tiger.
"Sixth Brother—lately hear Father cold to Royal Uncle."
"You heard too." Li smiled—fine wrinkles at eyes, easy temperament. He chatted with Xiang: "Father always favored Royal Uncle. These times Uncle asked favor, entered palace several times—Father pleaded busy affairs. Clear eyes see Father deliberately cooling Uncle."
Wenhui had been gracious to Prince Yu to the limit. Once a favored consort offended Prince Yu—her family had power—Wenhui sent her to cold palace without word and warned court: "Eleventh is my brother—disrespect him, disrespect me!" Because Wenhui almost always granted Prince Yu's requests, this sudden shift everyone noticed.
"But why?" Xiang puzzled. "Uncle angered Father? All these years however wild Uncle went Father never blamed. Lately no scandal either."
"Know what Uncle asked Father?"
Xiang shook head.
"Seventh Brother," Li patted his shoulder like elder advising naive junior, "palace affairs need open eyes. So honest—I can't mind everything for you."
Xiang laughed embarrassed. "I follow Sixth Brother—you're smarter—what you say goes."
"I hear Uncle asked about Shen family matters."
"Shen?" Xiang understood. "Uncle angered Father over Shen? But Uncle marries second branch's legitimate daughter Shen Qing—Father wouldn't rage over second branch?"
No one knew Wenhui like his sons. If Prince Yu angered Father—request crossed line. Living in imperial house so long—throne's bottom line was power. Shen Gui third-rank civil, no real force—hardly shifted the board. Wenhui need not rage for second branch.
"Exactly." Li said meaningfully. "But Uncle asked to marry first branch's legitimate daughter—Shen Miao."
"So." Xiang saw it now. "Shen Xin holds military tally—Uncle wanting Shen's legitimate girl touches Father's greatest taboo. But why suddenly Shen Miao? Before wasn't it Shen Qing? Even if Father indulged his wildness—such sensitive matter—Uncle wouldn't blunder so."
"I don't know either." Li shook head. "Uncle was outrageous but kept subject's bounds—this time absurd…"
"Father won't let Uncle marry Shen Miao. But this time Father didn't refuse directly—avoids meeting—as warning."
"Perhaps… patience worn clean." Li laughed bitterly. "We best not speak further—nothing to do with us. Father unhappy these days—don't stand in his way."
"Sixth Brother is right." Xiang nodded.
After they left, from garden depths a man emerged—green boots, jade belt—Prince Ding Fu Xiuyi. He had heard Li and Xiang's talk. Watching their backs he murmured thoughtfully: "Shen Miao?"
……
Linjiang Immortal top floor—Yushu showed Gao Yang the letter, then burned it in the brazier.
"News spread—Wenhui suspects old dog. Old dog lifted stone, dropped on own foot—doesn't know yet." Yushu gloated.
Gao Yang shook head. "Still careful—no mistake now."
"I know." Yushu touched nose. "What keeps Third Brother Xie busy—never see him."
"When isn't he busy." Gao Yang sighed suddenly. "Don't know if letting his temper run is right or wrong."
"I trust Third Brother." Yushu said. "So capable—why worry? Planned so long—even failure—retreat clean. Gao Yang—you think too much. Look at Third Brother—heart full of matters, still lives free—that's a man!"
Yushu was Xie Jingxing's faithful follower—admiration in every line. Gao Yang rolled eyes. "Bootlicker."
"Not bootlicking—and bootlicking depends who deserves it." He looked at Gao Yang with disgust. "You—kneel begging I wouldn't lick."
Gao Yang smiled gently. "Is that so? Then don't come for medicine—kneel begging I won't prescribe."
Yushu paused, changed subject fast. "Actually I thought Dingjing youth were embroidered pillows—look good, useless—only Third Brother a real man. Now I admire another—besides Third Brother, hero young in Dingjing."
"Oh—you admire someone. Fresh. Who passes your bar?"
"Shen Fifth Miss Shen Miao!" Yushu slapped thigh. "Damn—never saw woman with such nerve! Dares calculate throne—and Prince Yu's mansion—one pot, whole house gone."
"You didn't see before." Gao Yang snorted. Before—Shen Miao burned ancestral hall, bet her own life—Gao Yang thought her mad. They were used to planning every move, killing sure—her reckless style he first watched as spectacle, sure she'd die soon. He was wrong—every seeming rashness, she won.
Sometimes Gao Yang found it strange. They saw themselves as fine porcelain—never gamble life without certainty, opponent not worth the stake. Shen Miao was opposite—hardest stone; enemies became porcelain, shattered while she seemed to lose nothing.
Not everyone had courage to be stone—so Gao Yang found Shen Miao more dangerous. Best enemy—kill before she grew. Yet… he was unsure what Xie Jingxing thought.
Xie Jingxing must see her variable—if Shen Miao blocked their plan, great matters ruined.
"She had fiercer deeds before?" Yushu surprised, then nodded. "Mighty general's daughter—fierce normal. Though not raised in camp by Shen Xin—no one would bully that temper."
Seeing Gao Yang distant, Yushu remembered something. "Speaking—throne affair—I manufactured news but all followed Shen Miao's plan. Thinking now—she's frightening. Prince Yu seems maddened lately—directly told Wenhui he wants Shen Miao. Knowing Shen Xin holds tally—who marries Shen Miao becomes suspect in emperor's eyes—Prince Yu blundered so. Wenhui suspects to the root—add fuel—Prince Yu could die and Wenhui wouldn't blink. Perfect for Chen's move. Shen Miao's links—no error in calculation."
"Because she is person without 'accident.'" Gao Yang said with feeling. Xie Jingxing was right—every dangerous move ended exactly where she aimed. Her plans never held "accident."
Gao Yang mischief thought: someday see Shen Miao panicked, dumbfounded by "accident"—how satisfying.
"Anyway—I think Shen Miao worth befriending." Yushu said gravely. "And her looks—in years she'll be beauty. Smart and beautiful—how can Ji Yushu miss?" He showed what he thought a dashing smile. "Decided—rank her beside Shao in my heart. From now—besides Shao, she's my red-soul confidante."
Gao Yang turned away—wouldn't look at this fool.
That "red-soul confidante" was in the storeroom picking through things.
"Sister—so much stuff—for Shen Qing's wedding gifts?" Shen Qiu scratched head.
Shen Miao sorted part of imperial rewards in the vault—searching for something—finally found a jade pillow, smooth and cool, faint jade glow—very fine.
"Sister—not giving this to Shen Qing?"
As Shen Qing's wedding neared, the house busied for her marriage. Shen Yue had asked Shen Miao what wedding gift she'd send—Shen Qiu overheard. Seeing no movement until today he thought she'd remembered.
"This?" Shen Miao lifted the pillow, shook head. "No."
"Oh." Shen Qiu asked. "For yourself? Nice pillow."
Shen Miao lowered eyes. This pillow—Ice Silkworm Pillow. Past life after entering palace Shen Xin stuffed it in her dowry chest. Later as empress, Consort Mei favored, claimed headache, wanted this pillow. Ice Silkworm Pillow went to Wanyu; Wanyu refused, fought Mei, smashed pillow. Fu Xiuyi punished Wanyu harshly—not long after, Xiongnu marriage news came.
Now—all old dreams—still heart-rending.
"Sister?" Shen Qiu worried when she fell silent.
"For giving away," Shen Miao said. "Eldest Sister's wedding gifts—Brother if you have time pick casually. No time—Guyu buys same." Tone cold toward Shen Qing.
"Oh." Shen Qiu answered dull. After Shen Miao left he slapped forehead: "Stupid—forgot ask who gets the pillow!"
Outside Jingzhe asked: "Mistress—pillow for whom?"
"A friend."
Since Chen would be useful later—cannot give nothing. Grace and small favor in snow bring loyal allies. Art of leading men—learned bit by bit from Fu Xiuyi.
Calm spirit, quiet heart—for the disturbed Chen younger sister—undoubtedly good thing.