Chapter 85: No Way Out

After such an affair all Dingjing talked of Prince Yu's annihilation. Rumors snowballed—wilder and wilder—every guess imaginable. Some even suspected the killer was the new princess consort's lover—wrath for beauty burying the whole mansion with her. That rumor added perfume to brutality—a thread of romance in cruel truth.
Such gossip was everywhere—the principals might shrug. But in the flood one stream stood out sharp.
This rumor said: Prince Yu's mansion wiped in one night was Shen family's doing. Why the general's house would—water too deep—let readers guess.
Earlier rumors brought mockery to Shen Qing and her kin. This conspiracy-flavored guess truly pushed the Shen house before the crowd.
Whole mansion dead—not one beast left—only the bride spared. What merit let killers spare her—unless connection. If Shen kin—it fits. Why Shen would strike Prince Yu—surface maybe displeasure at the match—dig deeper—court currents churning now—who knows if Shen acted on orders or signaling. Common folk miss it—old officials won't. Shen house at the wind's edge overnight.
Early morning Bailu and Shuangjiang brought Shen Miao breakfast. Shen house had no mind for anything else—even kitchen meals perfunctory. Except Rongjing Hall most fended for themselves. Bailu and Shuangjiang bought pastries outside—sweet soup to warm her.
After breakfast Shen Miao dressed—glanced mirror—slight frown—to Guyu: "Fetch the fox-fur collar Brother sent."
"Oh—mistress remembers the collar!" Guyu dug from chest bottom—about to wrap—Shen Miao stopped: "I'll do it myself."
Snow-white fox pelt—not one stray hair—Shen Qiu hunted northwest mountains—precious—tailor made fine collar for Shen Miao. She never wore it—buried in chest. Today suddenly remembered—Guyu happy—such fine fur hidden was waste.
Collar on—Guyu praised: "Beautiful—whiter still—warm and lovely."
Shen Miao lowered eyes—finger brushed soft fur—remembered mirror bruise on neck—Xie Jingxing's throttle yesterday. He did not soften—unnoticed yesterday—obvious today. Winter collars high—but one careless glimpse—Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan would not let it pass. Less trouble—wrap tight.
Set mirror down—opened door—Shen Qiu under tree instructing soldier. Shen Qiu's guards from camp—not ordinary—martial iron breath. Seeing Shen Miao—Shen Qiu finished with soldier—turned smiling: "Sister."
"What happened?" Shen Miao asked. Usually dawn Shen Qiu drilled sword and spear in west yard's open space—Shen Qiu and Shen Xin loved sparring here—sometimes Luo Xueyan joined. Shen Miao had grown used to opening door to his practice—today silence—something wrong.
Shen Qiu "heh heh" laughed. "Nothing—why so early Sister—sleep more?"
Clumsy deflection—Shen Miao did not blink. "Eldest Sister and Shen family matter."
Shen Qiu coughed—pulled Shen Miao inside—dismissed servants—closed door. "Sister—don't say that outside."
"What happened?"
Shen Qiu scratched head. "Nothing big—leave to Father Mother and me—you stay in these days—ignore it."
Vague—trying to fool her. If he could fool Shen Miao she could not live in Shen house. She stared: "Enough Brother—don't hide. Prince Yu massacre—they suspect Eldest Sister—now suspect Shen house."
Shen Qiu paused—looked at her—helplessness rose. He felt less and less like an elder brother should—Shen Miao knew everything. When she was stupid he feared bullying—now clever—no handle.
Shen Qiu silent—Shen Miao continued: "Brother worried about this?"
"Sister." Shen Qiu grave. "You're young—don't understand court. Looks simple—slanderer aims elsewhere—one mistake—whole Shen dragged in." He looked at her—hesitated—asked slow: "Sister—Prince Yu case—you know?" Immediately answered himself: "You couldn't—closet girl—no such power."
Since Shen Miao told him second branch and Prince Yu plot—Shen Qiu could not swallow rage. But she forbade telling parents, forced no rash move—or he would have avenged her. Always she said she had method.
Then second branch seemed cursed—bad luck chained. Shen Qing's pregnancy exposed at feast, marriage to Prince Yu—Shen Miao's hand—Shen Qiu shocked enough. Whole mansion annihilated—if Shen Miao involved—cold crept in—wipe a prince's house silent—even Shen Xin would struggle. Tender girl—how? Impossible—yet intuition—Prince Yu and Shen Miao feud—this end—her push behind?
Shen Miao looked at Shen Qiu—sighed. "Brother suspects me?"
"No no no Sister—how could I. Little girl—such skill—people would laugh teeth out." Shen Qiu hurried—feared angering her.
Careful look—Shen Miao sighed inwardly—invisible. Could not tell Shen Qiu truth. First branch upright, kind, loyal—knowing poison from her hands would pain them. Lie only. She smiled faintly. "I truly lack such power—Brother need not suspect. What Brother worries—need not worry so much."
Shen Qiu looked at her—unconsciously talks now held asking tone. "Why Sister think so?"
"World not fools—few rumors convict. Real conviction needs iron proof. Eldest Sister—what to first branch? Parents years away—filth won't reach us. Chaos hundredfold—not our turn to mind—some 'capable clever' one solves all."
"Capable clever?" Shen Qiu puzzled. "Who?"
Before answer—Bailu loud outside: "Second Young Master—you're here?"
"See," Shen Miao turned—smile flashed gone. "Capable clever arrived."
Shen Qiu's eyes turned—three steps to door—opened—Yuan stood there. Always fastidious—now weary from busy night—haggard. Less pretense than days before—look at Shen siblings openly dark. "Fifth Sister—I need speak alone."
"My sister has nothing to say to you." Shen Qiu blocked—emphasis on "my sister."
"No matter Brother," Shen Miao said. "I also have words for Second Brother."
"Sister." Shen Qiu urgent—almost "he's no good." Shen Miao patted his arm. "Rest easy—if worried—guard the door."
"Then I guard the door." Shen Qiu said fast.
Their act darkened Yuan's face further. Before Shen Qiu disliked him but kept surface peace. This return—needle against wheat—Yuan's eyes on Shen Miao—many things on set road—deviation even unrecoverable—all because Shen Miao.
She was Shen family's greatest variable.
"Fifth Sister—inside." Yuan cold glance at Shen Qiu. "Brother guard outside." Entered first.
Worried eyes—Shen Miao followed in.
Door closed slow—Shen Miao turned—Yuan's dark face: "You did it."
Tone certain—no probe. Shen Miao smiled faintly. "Second Brother means which? Mansion massacre—or rumor storm?"
"Which isn't you?" Yuan cold laugh. "I underestimated you."
"Second Brother overestimates—I lack power—such crime and walk away clean."
"Oh?" Yuan looked her up down. "You seem quite comfortable."
"Mouths belong to others—I can't control. Second Brother insists—I won't explain—you won't believe. You came not just to blame?"
Yuan swallowed rage—girl's smile light—lip curve mockery—eyes clear water reflecting his slight wretchedness. Proud—outplayed by girl—unwilling. Yet this far—he underestimated.
"You dare drag Shen house in—Uncle's branch won't win either!" Yuan vicious.
Shen Miao heard joke—smiled at him till his rage brimmed—then flat: "I did nothing. Second Brother's words strange—even if Shen implicated—what to first branch?" Light: "Parents and brother northwest all year—you can't say little girl rules first branch. Even if Shen dragged in—Second Brother—first branch stays clean."
Yuan sucked breath.
He thought of it—raised words hoping she knew no court—backyard clever only—Shen Gui? Shen Wan? Laughable. Her mockery showed she read the board clearer than anyone.
"Had backup all along." Yuan face shifted—cold laugh. "First branch won't lift a finger?"
"We never had idle heart for others' business." Shen Miao easy. "Second and third uncles must explain well. Most worried should be Second Brother—" shook head regretful—"just returned to office—this blocks your career alive."
Deliberate rhythm—days with Shen Qiu taught silent anger—Yuan's fist tightened.
Shen Miao turned—touched soft fur collar—smiled: "All surnamed Shen—I have idea—urgent relief."
"Fifth Sister's ideas—I dare not use." Yuan stared. "Die unaware."
"Second Brother jests—not so terrible. Sincere for you. Clever as you—probably thought already. Shen implicated—detach Shen—that's all. Rumors false—spread long breeds doubt. While fresh—treat as 'rumor.' Make it rumor—Eldest Sister must clarify."
She looked window—Shen Qiu crouched by tree with spear peering in. Faint smile: "Strongest clarification—I think—is life itself."
"You!" Yuan fist shot—stopped above her head—stared. "Your age—such viper heart—Fifth Sister—first I ever met."
"Likewise." Triumph flashed her eyes. "Guess will Eldest Sister volunteer clarify—for Second Brother's career?" Gentle smile: "Surely yes—blood siblings—" paused—shook head—"No—Eldest Sister loves herself most. Second Brother loses career—Eldest Sister pays life."
"Shen Miao—not lucky every time." Yuan ground teeth—wanted swallow her alive—suddenly understood Ren Wanyun's mad hate—truly bone-deep hateful person.
"Lucky every time—I don't know." Shen Miao looked at him. "But Second Brother—you have no road now."
"Boom"—Yuan kicked door open—sleeves swept—gone. Shen Qiu heart clenched—rushed in—Shen Miao safe—relief. Curious: "What said—so angry?"
"Oh—probably guilt watching sister suffer in prison helpless." Shen Miao took cloak without turning. Shen Qiu: "Sister going out?"
"Eldest Sister in prison—as sisters—should visit." Shen Miao smiled faintly. "After all—kin."
……
Such Dingjing storm—Fengxian ignorant would be odd. Baixiaosheng's founders might climb from coffin to scold.
Linjiang Immortal pavilion—Hongling brought fine cakes and tea—withdrew silent. Yushu bit cake—"ptui ptui" spat—all out. "What is this—awful." Shameless to Xie Jingxing: "Third Brother Xie—lend your cook few days."
Xie Jingxing one word: "Leave."
Gao Yang sipped tea. "Whole city on prince mansion—you eat pastries. Yushu—admirable."
"Don't admire too much." Yushu straightened collar dashing. "Always outstanding. Prince mansion—what to me—why not eat?"
"Forget—Chen brothers moved because Fengxian spread news." Gao Yang reminded. "Assassin rebellion—you manufactured no small thing."
Yushu exploded. "Message-maker was Shen Miao—she's not anxious eating? Hear this morning she visited Shen Qing in prison. Heart like glass—calm face—I'd die if I were Qing."
Xie Jingxing smiled—bit cake—displeased—frown—half left—never another bite.
"Can't compare to her," Gao Yang cool. "Shen Fifth Miss's nerve—pierce heaven unafraid—stab Third Xie with pin and walk away—first I met."
"What?" Yushu yelled at Xie Jingxing. "Third Brother—you got stabbed?"
Xie Jingxing glanced Gao Yang. "Want to go back?"
Gao Yang sat straight. "I was talking nonsense."
Yushu found new fun—pursued Xie Jingxing: "How she stab you? Sword? You didn't dodge—fast then. Walk away—heavens—Third Brother—you can't beat her?"
Xie Jingxing finally: "Shut up!"
"Such skill—pretty too—Shao can't compare—Third Brother Xie—help me woo her—girl like that best snatch home early." Yushu nagged on.
"One more word—you and Gao Yang leave together." Xie Jingxing blank face.
Yushu sulked shut.
Gao Yang fanned—changed topic. "Shen Miao's move so big—I feel prince mansion not over."
"Not over?" Yushu said. "All dead how not over. Strange though—why spread such rumor—fear drag whole Shen in? Others flee—she seeks trouble."
"Seen angler land big fish and stop?" Xie Jingxing glanced—smile interested. "Links in chain—her plan never ended at prince mansion."
Caiyun Court—Yuan dragged heavy steps home. Ren Wanyun pounced—hopeful: "Yuan—how?"
Yuan shook head. "Hard."
"Yuan—you must save Qing." Ren wept—days of tears—eyes swollen terrible—neglected—odor on her. Yuan subtly stepped back—Ren grabbed his arm. "She's your sister—you must save! Qing pitiful—in innocent—prison terrified—we not there—only you brother can save!"
Tears and spittle sprayed Yuan. Already vexed—Ren's display deepened irritability. "I know." Turned to room.
Ren frantic—pulled Yuan. "Why to room—not yamen—petition Emperor—you're clever—know people—speak for sister—need silver—Mother fetches."
"Mother," Yuan forced calm, "yamen—I can't help now—don't muddy."
"I muddy?" Ren blank—then shrieked. "I save your sister! This house no good man! Your father heartless—trysts with that vixen—our life death ignored. You abandon sister too—learn father? I raised you bitter—you repay so! Shen Gui heartless—you little heartless!" Louder—near mad—cannot bear stimulus—Yuan's words touched somewhere—raved like madwoman.
Not only scold—pushed Yuan—cursing—no past dignified rich lady—like poor-house shrew. Yuan suddenly exhausted. Shen Miao's words echoed.
He had bright career—return to capital was soaring start—choose wise lord—be famed minister—all underfoot—everyone look up. Now—mother shrew—father useless—sister prisoner—all stumbling blocks.
Kin matters—but career too? Secret Fu Xiuyi's man years—outside post prepared return. Now this—Shen Miao right—rumor as rumor if early—spread too far—throne hears—however Fu Xiuyi valued him—fear—dare not touch.
Shen Miao offered two roads—blood or career. In a sense—truly no road.
Yuan looked at Ren Wanyun—spoke calm: "Mother not care for me—care not even Brother's life?"