Chapter 87: Shen Qing's Death

Night darkened gradual—winter nights especially cold—walk outside and north wind seemed to blow into bone seams—movement hurt.
Gloomy cell—small window—wind howled in—prisoner curled tighter. She wrapped tattered quilt shedding strips around body—only head out. Struggled up—tried shut inward-blowing window.
On tiptoe still could not reach—gave up—feared too much effort only weakened her more.
Patrol guard saw—only sneered—did not help. Long in such yin place—people twisted somewhat—watching convicts suffer became entertainment—at least for now.
Shen Qing glanced guard—quickly lowered head—hid hate in eyes. Days here—all bitterness eaten—unclear if Yuan and Shen Gui paid guards or not—treatment same as others—mockery while she suffered. If any special care—not destroyed by guards—maybe not Shen family's doing—belly carried Prince Yu's flesh—shameful origin—still touched royal blood.
Shen Qing careful stroked small belly—only thing left to lean on. Why afternoon Shen Miao's words bred extreme fear—never before—even first brought to cell—not then—because she knew kin would save—family would not let her suffer for nothing.
But Shen Miao analyzed word by word—shattered hope—showed how fragile what she relied on—made Qing doubt—could she escape whole this time?
Guard glanced—walking away—Qing suddenly: "Brother."
He stopped—approached—disgusted wave at her odor—"What?"
"These days—family visit—or message?" She swallowed rage—little guard dared disgusted look—before they'd crawl to please. Fawning scum!
Guard laughed: "Dreaming Eldest Miss—case unclear—who dares visit. Besides your sister—family never asked after you." Mockery in tone. Qing's scandal—even acquitted—gossip heavy—Shen house implicated—hard days ahead. Family likely abandoning daughter—guard rougher still.
Qing unclear disappointment or relief—hesitated—looked at guard: "Brother—if my brother comes—say I'm heavy-hearted—won't see anyone—don't let him in—good?" Slipped bracelet from wrist—through bars.
In prison jewelry mostly seized—this bracelet wedding day Ren Wanyun put on her—precious—Qing kept selfishly—never offered—today forced—gave it out.
Guard eyes bright—snatched bracelet—lamplight examined—fine quality—smiled some: "You say so—I help. Brother visiting good thing—why push away?"
Qing forced smile: "My fault stirred house—too ashamed—no face see them."
Guard nodded—eyes contemptuous. True self-respecting woman—would not secret affair—unmarried pregnant—now shame talk—pretense. But gift softens hands—agreed and left.
Guard far—Qing squatted—helpless hugged shoulders—head in knees. Often this pose now—right or wrong unknown—road unknown—don't look don't think—as if eyes open again—back to graceful Eldest Miss of Shen house.
Slept muddled unknown long—knock on bars—raised head blank.
Lamplight—familiar face—before would delight—after Shen Miao's words—this face—Qing fell scared—eyes frantic.
Yuan said: "Sister—how fare?"
"Second Brother—you came?" Qing asked—body stepped back silent.
Yuan saw movement—slight frown—said nothing—key from sleeve—opened cell. Qing stunned—then joy—stood: "Brother—rescue me?"
Yuan shook head. "Cannot yet." Pulled pastry packet from robe—"Came see you—brought food."
Qing disappointed. Yuan entered—cell filthy—disgust on face—Qing sad in heart. Took oil-paper package—opened—fragrant hot—chestnut cake she loved most.
"You suffered these days," Yuan rare gentle. "Know you love this—brought to satisfy craving."
Qing nose sour—nearly tears—these days rotten food—not full—daily fear—old favorite—brother here—all grievance surged.
"Don't cry—eat—wait few days—I get you out." Yuan gentle urged.
Qing awkward took cake to mouth—glanced Yuan's gentle smile—hand shook—cold water poured—Shen Miao's afternoon words echoed.
"He had fine career—infinite future—trouble because of you—truly think he'll save you?"
Cake at lips—this bite Qing could not take.
Between people—trust precious—before Qing would trust Yuan without hesitation. Since Prince Yu affair—Shen family coldness seen—would this brother abandon career—risk so much for her? Swap places—Qing would hesitate too. Remembered bribing guard with jade bracelet—if Yuan comes—block him. Yet Yuan here—guard took bribe and failed—or Yuan used other way in?
Qing suddenly noticed—patrol guards—none appeared. This cell—no other prisoners—only she and Yuan. Closest kin—instant chill down spine.
"Why not eat?" Yuan asked.
Qing forced smile—quick wit: "I—I can't bear—save for later."
"Cold tastes bad." Yuan smiled. "Days later I bring more."
"No…" Qing declined. "I—I don't want now."
"You were hungry?" Yuan looked at her. "Why sudden no appetite?"
Qing waved frantic: "Just don't want—suddenly unwell—pregnancy maybe—eating odd sometimes." Re-wrapped cake—set aside. "When better—I will eat."
Yuan watched silent—eyes light and dark—finally sneered: "Sister cleverer after few days in cell." Voice lost gentleness—strange cruelty. "Pity—you knew. Meant easy road for you."
Qing shook violently. "Brother—what mean?"
"Sister so guarded—I thought you understood. Won't eat cake—fine—wasted brother's care—but pregnant—I won't blame."
Yuan calm—refined face—terrifying force. Qing understood— shook head mad—about to scream—throat seized before sound.
Usually refined man—such strength—more terrifying—hands on own sister—no hesitation pity—like stranger.
Qing eyes wide—stared—Yuan soft laugh: "Don't blame brother cruel—your trouble huge—one mistake—whole Shen dies. For you alone—parents Yuanbai pay life? Sister—can't be selfish."
Qing struggled—woman pregnant—days tortured half-dead—strength nothing against man in prime. Vain kicking—straw everywhere.
"I know Sister unwilling." Yuan soft. "Sister unrelated to this—yet pays life. I'm your Second Brother—will avenge you. I swear—first branch—Shen Miao—end worse thousand ten thousand times. Don't hate brother—only you die—second branch safe—brother's career rises—can avenge—understand?"
Qing body softened—eyes losing light—fish dying on dry bank drying in wind.
Yuan released—body "thump" soft floor—short time from alive to silent—Qing's life ended in cell.
Yuan looked at corpse calm—moment—needle pricked Qing's fingertip—dragged her hand—blood words on stone wall. Then Qing's belt—noose on bars—head through.
Done—stood—picked oil-paper package—last look at swaying shadow behind bars.
"Sister—you won't die in vain—brother will avenge." Soft.
……
Dingjing this winter—truly troubled season—wave after wave—Prince Yu massacre known to all—people secretly applauded—yet knew danger. Sole surviving bride Eldest Miss Shen in prison—case tangled—everyone craned for result.
Then news spread—Eldest Miss hanged herself with belt in cell. Blood letter before death—unrelated to case—husband's house all dead—unwilling live shame—death to prove innocence.
Strange—dead get mercy. Before unmarried pregnant marrying Prince Yu—called wanton—unchaste—now death drew sighs—praise for spirit and integrity—Prince Yu ruined her life.
Prior rumors collapsed overnight—think—a pregnant woman dying to prove—must bear heaven's wrong—besides gossip baseless—Qing no feud with Prince Yu—Prince dead—she widowed—no motive.
With Qing's death—Shen house and suspicion on Qing washed clean. Even palace Wenhui said little—killer never found—case likely cold file.
Shen house—seemed unchanged as before.
Qing married into Prince Yu—corpse buried with Prince Yu—Princess Consort title. Old Madam slightly comforted—dead or alive—Shen produced princess consort—title not bad.
Shen Wan and Chen Ruoqiu very sad—Shen Yue cried broken—yet before never visited prison—play or true—unknown.
Compared—father Shen Gui cold—routine work—no grief—occasionally flash of relief in eyes. For Shen Gui—Qing's suicide—less trouble—secret joy. Yuan—second branch weight on him—daily outside—rarely home—situation unclear.
Most sigh-worthy—Ren Wanyun. Hearing Qing hanged—fainted at once. Woke muddled—pulled Xianglan—said see Qing return from marriage—blow enormous—cannot run second branch. Shen Gui let Wan manage Caiyun affairs—servants whisper—Wan rising—sickly Shen Dongling may turn fortune. Old Madam doted Yuanbai—would not let Wan raise legitimate grandson—took Yuanbai to Rongjing—raised herself.
Second and third branch chaos—nothing to first branch. Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan returned already displeased with other branches—would not help. Daily sword drill or visit old friends—leisurely. Shen Qiu with Shen Xin meeting court figures. As Shen Qiu's merit grew—Shen Xin's seat would pass to him.
Shen Miao—after rest—returned Guangwen Hall.
Near New Year—lessons slack—teachers knew students unfocused—sold favor. Shen Miao absent long—studies not far behind. Scholars buzzed at her arrival.
Qing affair loud—never heard Shen family view. After Prince Yu trouble—Chen Ruoqiu kept Shen Yue home—avoid risk. Shen Miao's coming—curiosity to ask.
Yi Peilan: "Oh Shen Miao—you came? Why not plain mourning?" Loud deliberate. "No wonder—Sisters quarreled—probably not much grief."
Yi Peilan Qing's friend—vengeance for Qing—words full malice. All looked door—Shen Miao deep teal dress—simple jade bracelet—somber. Not wrong—but beside Shen Yue's plain white and white flower—looked lesser.
"Ming Qi law—family mourning—elders dead wear white—others dark colors. Miss Yi—can't count generations? Eldest Sister is sister—not elder." Shen Miao did not turn—walked to seat.
Feng Anning excited—words bottled. Yi Peilan stung—raged without thought: "Shen Miao—stop playing good—feuded with Qing—rejoiced inside—else why Qing in prison—Uncle Aunt—no help?"
All eyes on Shen Miao—hard question. True—Shen Xin did not help—else with merit could speak to Emperor—buy time—Qing might not despair and hang.
Shen Miao eyes cold—turned sharp at Yi Peilan. Yi felt chill—before speaking—Shen Miao's mockery: "Miss Yi and Eldest Sister close—fair anger for her. Second Aunt sought help—visited Yi house—hoped Lady Yi persuade Lord Yi—Lady Yi claimed ill—refused see."
Yi Peilan blank—face flushed red—classmates' weighted looks. Stuttered: "Mother—was ill!"
"If Lady Yi can claim ill—why not my parents?" Shen Miao merciless—no foul word—shamed Yi Peilan clean. "What Lady Yi couldn't do—why force my parents? Eldest Sister in prison—even Second Uncle and Brother helpless—you think rescue easy? Miss Yi—lips flap easy—deeds hard—do not do to others what you won't bear—before lecturing—do it yourself first!"
Pei Lang entering heard—looked in—Shen Miao straight—light words—Yi Peilan and whole Yi house shamed—Yi speechless—bit lip—glared.
Correct—Yi house weather-vane themselves—moral high ground—laughable.
"Shen Miao!" Yi angrier—rushed to fight—light cough—Pei Lang entered.
Seeing teacher—all silent. Yi still angry—Pei Lang flat: "No quarrel in hall." Warning look at Yi.
Guangwen Hall—Pei Lang scholar—gentle—respected. Even proud Yi dared not talk back. Shen Miao sat—Feng Anning nudged arm low: "Master Pei helping you—Yi too much—even he couldn't watch."
Shen Miao looked up—met Pei Lang's gaze—gentle with probe—as if reading her mind.
She met his eyes—lip corner faint curve—slow smile.
Pei Lang paused—young face clear cold dignified—that smile—mature woman's coquetry—hint lure—want explore secret.
Moment Shen Miao lowered head—that fleeting smile—illusion.
……
Dingjing gossip big and small—Fengxian knew all.
Yushu abacus—to two opposite: "Jiangnan Chen deal truly profitable—such silver—shop closed three years."
"Eat all silver—none for Shen Fifth Miss?" Gao Yang teased. "She sold the news."
Yushu curled lip: "She said silver all mine—I risked manufacturing message—else Prince Yu handled so clean no loose ends? Besides she told Chen Yueshan no silver—deal done I'd close thirty years. Her fault I earned less—if not woman—I—I'd teach her!"
"Really teach her—I send coffin." Gao Yang fanned gentle—words teeth-grinding. "Prince Yu wanted harm her—she wiped his house—sister schemed—she took a life. Such ruthless girl—I bet you dead in three moves."
"Stop." Yushu displeased. "Am I that weak? Besides—however fierce—she's woman—women have weakness." Looked at tea-drinking Xie Jingxing. "Say—if someday Shen Fifth Miss loves our Third Brother Xie—obsessive tender—steel becomes silk—Third Brother points sword—she won't blink."
"Heh." Gao Yang cold. "She'd chop Third Brother eight pieces—mince for dogs first."
"Third Brother Xie—Gao Yang calls you dog." Yushu tattled.
Xie Jingxing played pin in hand—eyed them—face rare solemn.
"They're here."