Rising Phoenix

Clashing cries gradually neared, and it was very clear that the assassin had not escaped. The sound of sword hitting blade piercing through the white yarn curtain never ceased, and on this side of the gauze, everyone held their breath. They all knew that every second lives were lost, and having the scene hidden from view seemed to only heighten their emotion.

Only the Tian Sheng Emperor relaxed, surrounded on all sides, slowly tasting his tea, with his eyes on the scattered Golden Sand Crab Apples.

The clashes neared, and a faint cry of distant misery could vaguely be heard, followed soon by Ning Yi’s hurried shout: “Leave him alive!”

The waiting group grew solemn, and their expressions intense.

Leaving the assassin alive was the most direct path to the mastermind behind this plot. Prince Chu clearly grasped how strange this assassination had been, and knew the grievous consequences of his choice — investigating would inevitably involve the entire Imperial Court, and he refused to let this matter go!

Every prince began examining those around him, and in every eye was speculation and alert vigilance.

As the princes traded glances, the Tian Sheng Emperor looked to the Crown Prince and suddenly smiled. “Sheng Er, if we bring this assassin back alive, how about you take charge of the investigation?”

The Crown Prince was surprised, and had not thought the Emperor would trust him so much, immediately replying. “I will definitely follow the orders of Father Emperor! This son will definitely find the real killer!”

Outside the circle of bodyguards, a few of the tardy, Eastern Palace ministers still heard the conversation, and they could only exchange looks and sigh.

Expressions changed all around the room — the Crown Prince’s stupidity had reached a whole new level! The assassin had clearly ignored the Crown Prince to target the Emperor, and of course the Emperor would have his suspicions. This question he had asked was at its core a test, and if the Crown Prince was able enough, he would have quickly given away this hot potato, and should have been the first to suggest that his political enemies should take charge, absolving himself of any hint of suspicion. Now that he had actually accepted, what could the Emperor think?

The Tian Sheng Emperor remained expressionless and even replied with a sound of approval, but only Feng Zhiwei noticed the old man’s fingers tremble as he lifted his tea.

Feng Zhiwei cast a secret glance of sympathy — the Emperor’s power did not come without a price, and no matter how great his anger, he could only suppress it, and no matter how useless his heir, he had to endure.

And the truth was that there was an even greater unhappiness waiting for him, but it seemed like this old man had not realized that yet.

It was then that with a dull thud, a figure was tossed into the front hall, slammed down into the dark stone floor. Another man quickly followed, calmly stepping into the already pooling blood. The bamboo on his once moon-white silk robe was blackened with blood, but could not detract from his elegance.

He bowed towards the gauze screen. “This minister-son was lucky, and successfully captured the assassin. Father Emperor, please give your command.”

The Tian Sheng Emperor’s expression showed some improvement, and he for his attendants to pull back the curtain, his tone slightly more gentle than before.

Feng Zhiwei secretly glanced over at Ning Yi’s figure, wondering what kind of medicine he was selling? In this chain of strategies, other than Killing with a Borrowed Blade, and Deceit from Self-Injury, what other play did he have?

Was he planning on framing someone? This seemed almost unnecessary, with the old man already suspicious of the Crown Prince.

The bloodied man lifted his head from the floor, and it was clearly the assassin from before. Ning Yi quickly passed this burden to the overseer of the Chang Ying Guard before retreating.

“Have Imperial Physician Zhang take a look at your wound.” The Tian Sheng Emperor said, but to this rare display of concern and tenderness, Ning Yi showed no flustered face or overwhelmed expression. His face was calm as usual, and he bowed in response before calmly leaving. As the Tian Sheng Emperor watched Ning Yi leave, his eyes gained a touch more gentleness and care.

Feng Zhiwei could only watch in admiration as Ning Yi retreated behind a screen partition — His Highness was a natural born actor!

Barely before she was finished with this observation, Ning Yi’s calm voice was already filling the air. “Your Majesty has faced a great trial, it is best that Imperial Physician Zhang stays by your side… I’ve heard that National Scholar Wei is also accomplished in medicinal science, and is more than able to deal with a small matter like my wound. May I request the use of his talented hands to treat me?”

Feng Zhiwei blinked … it couldn’t be that you refuse to let me go?

Beside Feng Zhiwei, the Tian Sheng Emperor thought about Ning Yi’s words and thought that they were well put. He was already old, and it was true that he did feel somewhat uncomfortable after this shocking scene, and it would be best if the Imperial Physician stayed by him. And the truth was that in this day and age, did not every talented man learn something of medicine? And so he nodded in approval.

Feng Zhiwei looked to the sky in defeat, and could only walk over, with Gu Nanyi naturally following behind. Feng Zhiwei knew that he should not accompany her, and so he hastily said: “I’m going to change clothes … change clothes!”

Gu Nanyi frowned and looked at the black screen, seemingly finding this excuse unrealistic. Feng Zhiwei felt a headache coming on, and hurriedly continued coaxing him, “Using the toilet. Really!”

For better or for worse, this Young Master Gu finally gave up on following her, taking three steps away from the screen, eyes follow Feng Zhiwei as she walked behind the screen to “use the toilet”.

As soon as Feng Zhiwei turned around, she saw Prince Chu’s face gloomy and dark as night — clearly, he had heard this “using the toilet” excuse.

Alright … this girl accidentally slandered you this time… Feng Zhiwei awkwardly smiled.

The man sitting on the stool did not even look at her as he extended his arm.

Feng Zhiwei just stood, staring blankly at the offered, bloodied sleeve.

“Change it.” This Royal Highness sat as usual, ordering this Lady Feng to help, this girl who had lived as a serving boy but had never learned how to take care and change clothes for others.

Feng Zhiwei smiled faintly. “Your Highness, three steps to your left are the maids of the Imperial Palace, and three steps to the right are the attending eunuchs.”

Her meaning was, for a minor as small as this, could his highness please not bother a National Scholar like me.

Ning Yi glanced sidelong at her, his eyes flashing like a cold, lacquered blade, and without a word he nodded to a maid. Just as she had come up and was about to touch his sleeve, he flicked his wrist.

The maid was pushed back and fell to the ground, knocking down the healing ointment from another maid’s hand. Both maids cried out in fear and fell to the ground, kneeling and begging for punishment. Ning Yi quietly and impatiently scolded, “Clumsy! Leave!”

All the maids and eunuchs quickly disappeared, and Ning Yi turned to Feng Zhiwei, the anger on his face already gone, replaced with a cold smile.

Feng Zhiwei had no choice — if she insisted on leaving, she would be leaving misfortune for the innocent servants.

She had already known for a long time what kind of person Ning Yi was, seemingly casual and salacious person, but in fact tough and persistent, definitely not one who would easily give up.

She bent and picked up the healing ointment, but as she reached down, the tip of a boot pressed down on her finger.

Feng Zhiwei lifted her head. The man had leaned downward, his fine silk riding boot lightly place on her finger, and with this forward lean, that extraordinarily beautiful face famed throughout Dijing was only a breath span from her face.

Face to face like this, close enough to smell the other’s breath, in a room tinted with the tang of blood, his gorgeous and cool breath and her warm misty air mixed and tangled, and the noise from behind the screen seemed to retreat to the distance, and a silence fell upon this little closet.

He did not speak, and Feng Zhiwei did not know how to respond. All her counterfeit gentleness and hidden wit seemed unnecessary in front of this man, and all she could think to do was to lean backwards, finding their distance inappropriate.