Chapter 86: Kin

"Mother not care for me—care not even Brother's life?"
Calm words—Ren Wanyun's scolding stopped dead. She stared blank at Yuan: "What say?"
"Whole Shen house implicated—second branch first. Sister's case runs deep—Father and I lose office—Mother not care—but if Brother dragged—Mother not care?" Yuan said.
Ren looked at him—panic flash: "What to Yuanbai—so small—how tied? No one more innocent."
"Mother—all innocent." Yuan cold laugh. "Am I not?" Swallowed—continued: "Mother—as rumors blaze—Shen provoking now—whole house suffers." Heavy tone: "Even if Mother thinks mutual ruin fine—drag Brother in too?"
Ren shuddered—shook uncontrollably. She did harbor that thought—hate Shen Miao extreme—whole Shen house cold—Shen Gui heartless—Old Madam weather-vane—third branch cold eye—Ren hated the house unto heaven. Even if Qing dragged all Shen—pull first branch down together—revenge enough.
But Yuan named one thing—if Shen falls—Shen Yuanbai cannot escape. Emperors love eldest sons—folk cherish youngest. Yuan clever—Ren never worried much—Yuanbai small naughty—Ren loved him heart's tip—Yuanbai dead too—unacceptable.
"Then… Yuan—what do?" Ren looked at Yuan—madness gone—as if Yuan lifeline and backbone.
"Mother—can't be greedy." Yuan looked at her—cruel hardness in eyes. "Sister and Brother—you save only one."
……
Dingjing jail beside the yamen—guards at gate.
In Prince Yu massacre Shen Qing's position awkward. Surface—unlucky bride—massacre day after wedding—lucky alive. Deeper—doubts many—maybe her—even if not—salacious guesses or husband-killer gossip—street talk enough. Better died clean in massacre.
Wenhui's attitude puzzling—said investigate—handed to metropolitan magistrate and yamen—never asked once. With brother-love for Prince Yu—cannot dismiss so light. Son of Heaven's mind unreadable—officials guessed wrong—held Shen Qing pending trial.
Absurd—a sole survivor unarmed woman—treated chief culprit. World sometimes that strange.
Shen Miao at jail gate—head guard startled—stepped forward: "Who?"
"Our mistress is General Shen Fifth Miss," Jingzhe stepped—silver ingot sachet into guard's hand—"came specially see Eldest Miss."
Shen Miao flashed Shen Qiu's token—guard bowed respectful: "So Fifth Miss Shen." Shen Xin's fame in Dingjing—even officials give face.
"I wish see Eldest Sister—please lead." Shen Miao said.
Guard smiled: "Usually no visits these days—but Fifth Miss speaks—follow me." Told outer guards—Jingzhe and Guyu stayed outside—led Shen Miao in.
Shen Qing's status awkward—unclear acquittal—even acquitted—such reputation—life hard.
"Fifth Miss needn't worry too much," guard smiled. "Though Eldest Miss in prison—truth clear—she won't suffer long." Thought sisters close—please Shen Miao—favor to Shen Xin.
Shen Miao nodded: "Thank you sir."
Stone steps ahead—guard stopped. "Eldest Miss below—talk down. We wait outside—not too long."
Thanks again—guards deliberately avoided—Shen Miao descended graceful.
Long steps—end a cell—iron bars—fist-size window—major criminals' hole. Torches on stone walls—flicker in gloom—shadows eerie.
Straw floor—filthy quilt—lice specks black. Figure on straw—head in knees—asleep perhaps.
Shen Miao watched long—approached—knocked bars light.
Head snapped up—frightened face—seeing Shen Miao—fear became rage—teeth: "Shen Miao!"
"Me." Shen Miao stepped back—avoid Qing's grab through bars. Correct—Qing lunged—hands through bars vain flailing.
"Haven't learned clever yet." Shen Miao "pfft" laughed—easy watching her: "Don't waste—useless."
Qing dropped hands—suddenly laughed loud: "Shen Miao—come gloat? See my misery? One day you'll be hundred times worse!"
"Pity," Shen Miao pitied her, "if that day comes—you won't see it."
Qing paused—fear rose. Days in cell—unclear why. Pampered life—Wolong Temple night thought worst—then pregnancy, feast, wedding, wedding night blood, now prisoner. Forced calm—hard: "Don't fool me—nothing to do with me—how implicate me?"
"Why not understand." Shen Miao squatted—level with Qing—like adult to foolish child—shook head gentle: "Whole mansion dead—only you alive—plot or not—connection or not—while you live—you are greatest guilt."
"What connection to killer!" Qing retorted. "Why wipe Prince Yu—I no feud—if any it's you—" stopped mid-word—looked Shen Miao—disbelief: "You did it?"
Shen Miao lip corner curved.
"You did it?" Qing grabbed bars—staring—"You—deep feud with Prince Yu—you ordered annihilation— spared me to frame me—Shen Miao—fine scheme!" Shock and rage—this plight all Shen Miao's gift.
"Eldest Sister—need evidence." Shen Miao smiled. "Though your speech—two days prison—grown cleverer." Denied—but in Qing's eyes—confession.
Qing furious: "What plot? Shen Miao—you won't win—Father and Brother will save me—find proof—you in cell not me—then I'll flay you thousand cuts!"
"Still count Second Uncle and Yuan?" Shen Miao mocked. "Uncle fears implicated—never visited. As for Yuan…" laughed—"He had fine career—infinite future—trouble because of you—truly think he'll save you?"
Qing glared—knew truth. Shen Gui's nature clear—when he married her to Prince Yu she saw—same as Old Madam—profit and loss only. Mysterious Second Brother solved troubles before—this time career blocked—would he help?
"Shen Miao—stop nonsense!" Heart uneasy—still hard: "Mother won't abandon me! Mother will save—Mother moves—with Brother's wit—truth found—you're doomed!"
"Second Aunt?" Shen Miao sighed. "I know Aunt loves you—apple of eye—if harm comes Aunt fights like tigers—like once to me…"
Qing eased—some pride. Ren always indulged her—among three legitimate Chen Ruoqiu strict on Yue—Luo Xueyan rarely with Miao—only Ren hundredfold on Qing. Qing's difficult birth—mother nearly died—Ren treasured her. Even when Qing wanted Prince Ding—Ren said not a word against.
Others cold—Ren would not let her wronged. Proud smile not risen—Shen Miao's voice smiling: "But Eldest Sister—guess—you or Seventh Brother—in Aunt's heart—who weighs more?"
Qing stiffened—stared silent.
Shen Miao gentle: "All house knows how Aunt dotes Seventh Brother. If saving you costs Yuanbai—will Aunt risk? I too await answer—can Eldest Sister tell me?"
Qing shook violently. Knew Yuanbai's place in Ren's heart—late child precious. Yuanbai naughty but lovable. Most—Yuanbai is son.
This world hard on women—Ren leaned to youngest son. Sacrifice Yuanbai for Qing—Qing knew answer—she would be abandoned. Still before Shen Miao—would not weaken. Cold laugh: "What—you say dead end anyway? Shen Miao—forget—I carry imperial blood! Royal flesh in belly—for him—I cannot come to harm!" Stroked belly—tender smile—startling—days ago she beat belly wishing bastard gone.
"Eldest Sister—truly think he's talisman?" Shen Miao's light gaze on slight swell. "Before—Emperor valued Prince Yu—child would be kept. Now… perhaps your death warrant."
"What mean?" Qing did not understand—yet fear from Shen Miao's certainty—intuition not empty—why would child hasten death?
Qing did not know—some rumors reached palace—Emperor's ear—things quietly changed. Before—for Prince Yu's blood Wenhui would not bury Shen Qing early. Now suspicion risen—Emperor cruel—cut weeds to root—send Shen Qing and bastard to hell sooner.
Shen Miao smiled silent—Qing more panicked—sharp: "Shen Miao—no feud—why destroy me?"
"No feud?" Shen Miao heard joke. "When you and Mother plotted me—did you think no feud?"
"You…" Qing unwilling—looked at Shen Miao as monster. "Harm me—you die horribly! Wheel turns—first branch stray dogs—trampled—all die horribly!" Voice shrill—masking fear.
Through curses Shen Miao unchanged—low: "Wheel turns true—but wait heaven—too hard. World's affairs—human plan—glad nothing wasted."
Qing's curse of horrible death—past life she tasted. Luo Xueyan dead—Shen Qiu drowned—Shen Xin and all servants imprisoned—cold palace eunuchs said Shen Xin in worst dungeon—iron through shoulder blades against escape—"prisoner" brand on cheek—for battlefield general—unbearable shame. Body torture bearable—spirit humiliation worst. Then she in cold palace—watched Fu Ming stripped from crown—Consort Mei triumphant.
Qing growing unhinged—young—never tested—Ren spoiled always—when disaster—capacity to bear very low. Screamed: "Shen Miao—not human—you'll die horribly!"
Shen Miao watched quiet: "Shen Qing—how feels watching hope shattered one by one?"
Qing hated stare.
"I at dead end—you sent me a stretch—so this time—I send you last stretch." Smiled—no smile in eyes—clear eyes rippled—black mist heavy on her.
Past life before death she saw Shen Qing and Shen Yue behind Consort Mei—pretty laughing faces. First branch's bitter end—second and third branch helped pull down. She walked hard life again—to pull fangs from snakes not yet grown—then torture slow.
Qing did not understand—ground teeth: "Shen Miao die horribly…"
Shen Miao stood—looked down—young face in gloom cell—unbearable dignity and grace—dignity hiding faint black storm—finally cold smile on lips.
Purple skirt hem fluttered before bars—figure faded—last words Qing heard—
Shen Miao said: "Shen Qing—you are the first."
……
Shen house east yard—day unusually silent.
Shen Gui in room—face heavy gloom. Today from palace eunuch's hints—Shen Qing's affair truly hard.
Wenhui and Prince Yu—problem worse than court guessed. Stuck—help Qing—Emperor displeased—ignore Qing—rumors spread—trouble finds him first.
He sighed long—Concubine Wan pressed his shoulders gentle.
Shen Gui lecherous—many concubines—Ren managed strict—few bore children—those who did—quick death. Wan under Ren's eye bore Shen Dongling—raised fine—shows her skill. Servants said—had Wan borne son not daughter—might rival Ren.
Wan and Old Madam both songstress birth—Ren despised her—Old Madam annoyed too. Wan was famous—troupe star—charming—playing dan roles unmatched.
After Dongling born—Wan quiet in small yard—vanished from eyes—sickly Dongling rarely out—festivals only—forgotten. Now Qing's trouble—Old Madam displeased—Ren and Shen Gui fight on sight—Wan surged back—these days served Shen Gui comfortable—Ren and Qing more odious.
"Master still vexed over Eldest Miss." Wan massaged—coaxed: "If she didn't do it—truth will clear someday."
"Ah," Shen Gui sighed, "did or didn't—never simple. Qing this time—may drag everyone."
Wan worried face: "Still—world has right and wrong." "Concubine and Third Miss—nothing—follow Master—life death no matter. But Second Young Master career rising—Seventh Young Master so small—if dragged—what then?"
Shen Gui face moved—irritated. Selfish greedy lecher—but sons great hope. Shen house this generation thin heirs—two sons in his branch—Shen Gui's pride. Daughters—trade goods for rank—sons—heir treasures.
Lose daughter—lose both sons—Shen Gui suffocated thinking.
"Concubine hears Madam runs everywhere for Eldest Miss—poor parents' heart. If concubine had power—wish help." Wan continued.
"Help what!" Shen Gui at Wan mentioning Ren—more annoyed. "Mad shrew raised shameless daughter—now drags all—senseless!"
Wan seemed scared—shrunk back—hands stopped—pause—soft: "Master don't blame Madam—such matter—Madam suffers too. If Eldest Miss in prison—distressed—unwise act—Madam would break heart."
Shen Gui impatient: "What could she…" stopped—chewed slow: "Unwise act?"
Wan eyes flash—voice worried: "Young girl—just married—massacre—prison—pampered life—might not think straight—possible. Should persuade—not foolishness."
Shen Gui stood sudden—looked out—sun nearly set—winter dark early. "I go out."
"So late—where Master?" Wan asked.
"Business—eat without me." Shen Gui strode out.
When Shen Gui gone—Wan shut door—sat at table. Dinner spread lavish—east yard gloom everywhere—her food exquisite. Who knew years ago she ate moldy buns sour porridge—Ren blocked Dongling's doctor silver—what she thought then?
Wheel turns—her bad luck then—Ren and Qing's now. Ren made Dongling live cautious as low concubine—hardly leave yard—now Qing in prison—rest of life worse than Dongling's past.
"Fetch Third Miss for meal." She ordered maid—maid left.
"Aunt—will Master truly move against Eldest Miss?" another maid whispered careful.
"Of course." Wan smiled seductive. "He will." Years with Shen Gui—she knew his mind. Reminder deliberate—to nudge Shen Gui. If Ren knew daughter ended by own husband's hand—how sweet.
She spooned soup—slow savor.
Meanwhile Caiyun Court—Yuan also donned cloak—told no one—left Shen gate.