LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 23: The Heartless Prince

Although many ministers impeached the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince received severe punishment, he still remains the Crown Prince. For two reasons. First, the Queen, his mother's clan is powerful. Second, the Crown Prince resembles the Emperor, and is favored. These two reasons made the Crown Prince sit comfortably as the heir apparent. You are disappointed, but it is the best outcome already. At least the Crown Prince's morale has been severely damaged and it left a scar in the Emperor's heart. As for Zhenmin, she's busy helping and comforting the Crown Prince, and has no time for you.

After a few days of peace, a Noble Lady visit. Noble Lady Ying come in quickly, and confuses you. You thought she's here under Princess Zhenmin's orders, but apparently not.

Noble Lady Ying: [Leans on chair] How did little maid like you offend Princess Zhenmin?

You can't tell Noble Lady Ying the truth, so you make up a lie.

Xiu Ying: It was a long time ago when I was still little and didn't know who she was. We fought when she was out on a trip.

Noble Lady Ying: She remembered for all these years? Just your bad luck though. That's how she is. 

Noble Lady Yin has a begrudging look. Princess Zhenmin has a bad temper. Looks like she's been forced to do things against her will.

Xiu Ying: What does Noble Lady Ying require of me today?

Noble Lady Ying: Nothing really, just wanted to ask you that.

As she's about to leave, you come up with an idea and call out to her.

Xiu Ying: Although I don't know how I offended Princess Zhenmin, but I think Princess Zhenmin is very caring towards the Crown Prince.

Noble Lady Ying: I know that!

She blurts out, but then realizes what she just said, and stops herself from spilling even more. You put on a surprised face but really hiding your laughter.

Xiu Ying: You know about it too? Princess Zhenmin seems to know a lot about the Crown Prince.

You watch Noble Lady Ying's expression. She looks flabbergasted. Now you are sure she's just Princess Zhenmin's pawn. Zhenmin is usually quite impulsive, but she's been hiding the rebirth secret very well. Seriously, who would belive such a thing? If word gets out, they might be burned at the stake.

Noble Lady Ying: What do you mean?

Xiu Ying: [Contemplating] I find Princess Zhenmin a bit hostile towards me, so I looked into it a little. It's just a hunch.

You take a peek at Noble Lady Ying, and she smiles in surprise, though just for a fraction of a second.

Noble Lady Ying: [Scolding] Such nonsense. Do not talk about such things again! That is, if you value your life.

You look scared and almost kneel.

Xiu Ying: Thank you for reminding me, I understand.

Noble Lady Ying is pleased at your fear. She then leaves quickly. As she completely disappears from sight, you crack a faint smile. The crack in the relationship between Noble Lady Ying and Princess Zhenmin is apparent, by the fact that Noble Lady Ying has such a good time knowing a bit of trivia. They more they fight, the more you benefit.

Five days later, the news of Princess Zhenmin dying from falling off a horse reaches you. You are completely shocked.

Xiu Ying: How did Princess Zhenmin fall off the horse?

Shi Lian: [Sighs] I heard Princess Zhenmin had alot to drink, and forced her way to the horse while drunk, then fell and hit her head against a rock...

Such a reasonable way to die. The most one can say about it is "poor girl". There's nothing worthy of suspicion at all. But you don't believe it at all. You know how great a rider Princess Zhenmin is. You've seen it many times in the last life. She wouldn't fall even if she's sleeping on the horse, let alone simply being drunk. You are suspicious, but you have no evidence. Plus, she tried to kill you many times.

The next day, you see in a distance the Crown prince and Noble Lady Ying together in the Imperial Garden's pavilion. Their expressions showed everything. Who would have thought Noble Lady Ying is now with the Crown Prince! You take advantage of the shrubs and sneak up to them.

Crown Prince: Thank you so much for helping me this time. Otherwise I wouldn't even know how much dirt Zhenmin has on me!

Noble Lady Ying: You thought Princess Zhenmin was helping the Crown Prince by how much she cares for him, but turns out she's been against you this whole time.

Crown Prince: [Scoffs] All that effort trying to get close to me, was just for getting some dirt on me. I think that is whole impeachment was her doing...

You feel a chill down your spine while listening to their conversation. You turn around and sneak away. Princess Zhenmin probably doesn't know that the one who killed her is the one she loved for two whole lifetimes!

Xiu Ying: (Just hilarious. The Crown Prince thinks Princess Zhenmin has dirt on him? She might as well have fed her love to a pig!)

What surprises you even more is Noble Lady Ying chose to stand with the Crown Prince, and take out Princess Zhenmin with him.

Noble Lady Ying: Xiu Ying!

You hear Noble Lady Ying calling out to you. It could be they discovered you listening in on them. Should you stop? The greater the emergency, the more one should remain calm. You force yourself to stay cool. You stop and turn around.

Xiu Ying: Greetings Noble Lady Ying.

Noble Lady Ying: Princess Zhenmin fell off a horse and died just like that. The Empress Dowager is overcome with grief, and asked the back palace to copy sutras for Princess Zhenmin. I injured my hand recently. Could you copy for me?

Noble Lady Ying gets Princess Zhenmin killed and immediately hogs the Crown Prince. She turns cocky and tries to give you a hard time. You want to laugh.

Xiu Ying: You have been the closest with Princess Zhenmin when she was still alive. Everyone knows that. Is this how you should act the moment Princess Zhenmin passes away? I don't think you want people to know about this.

Noble Lady Ying: Are you threatening me?

Xiu Ying: I'm just reminding you. Oh right. My mistress is copying sutras with the Empress Dowager. I'm just about to head over there... Are you sure you want me to copy sutras for you?

You might as well tell Noble Lady Ying that she needs to ask for Empress Dowager's permission first. Noble Lady Ying is not an idiot. She leaves you alone with her face looks sullen.