LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 32: Victorious Comeback

The cold sword stabs into your chest. Pain and stench of blood overwhelm you. You hear someone calling your name, but soon you fall into darkness.

Shi Lian: Miss! Miss!

A familiar voice brings you out of the nightmare. You open your eyes and see Shi Lian.

Xiu Ying: [Weakly] Shi Lian, you are not my servant any more. You don't have to call me "young miss".

Shi Lian: [Eyes red] What are you saying, miss? I said I'll serve you forever...

Xiu Ying: [Smiles] How long was I out for?

Shi Lian: It's been five days, miss. The imperial physician said if the sword stabbed any deeper, you'd probably be dead. Thank goodness.

Matron Qin: [Opens door and rushes in] Is she waking up?

Xiu Ying: [Pushes up] I'm fine now. Thank you Matron Lao.

Matron Qin: [Smiling] What are you saying! A girl who's brave enough to protect the throne deserves everyone's respect!

As you talk, the imperial physician rushes in.

Imperial Physician: [Takes you pulse] Miss, you're still a bit weak. You should rest in bed a few more days. I'll get some medication for you to take.

Matron Qin: Don't worry about a thing. His Majesty decreed that you should rest first.

Matron Qin always does what she says. Seems like she's here to care for you by the Emperor's order. The wound hurts as you speak, let alone working. So, even if you want to, you won't be able to do anything other then resting.

In the evening, as you sip your soup, Fu Heng comes hurries over to you. Looks like he just got off duty.

Xiu Ying: [Widens eyes] Lord Fu Heng, welcome.

Fu Heng: How are you? Feeling better?

Xiu Ying: I'm better now, just hurts a bit. But you know what they say. Luck follows a tragedy!

You laugh a bit, but you cannot keep it up. Fu Heng looks at you teary-eyed. Your heart beats like crazy.

Fu Heng: Why would you throw your life like that?

Fu Heng's question shocked you a bit. But you don't know how to respond to him anyway.

Xiu Ying: I was the closest to the Emperor. I'm sure Lord Fu Heng would do the same, wouldn't you? But you are a master of martial arts. You be able to do more than blocking with your body.

Fu Heng frowns. He wants to say something. But someone comes into the door.

It's Yin Zhen.

Yin Zhen: Getting crowded here.

Xiu Ying: Your Highness, my apologies but I cannot greet you properly.

Yin Zhen: You keep resting.

Yin Zhen turn to Fu Heng right away. Fu Heng puts on a poker face. After a while, he says goodbye and leaves.

Xiu Ying: What is the Fourth Prince doing here? People are going to be badmouthing me if they see you here.

Yin Zhen: [Cocks brow] Are you saying I'm in the wrong? Fu Heng was here too. I didn't here you telling him the same thing. Don't worry though. You saved the Emperor. Nobody will dare to badmouth you.

Yin Zhen leaves after a short stay. Other people visit you once in a while. Even after you got back to the palace, many concubines send you nutritional supplements. The love and care from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor made you a bit overjoyed. Those who ridiculed you also visit you with smiles and love. It was a complete turnaround from how they were before.

Maid A: Hey, hurry and try these mandarins. They're really sweet.

You come back to you senses, and look at the mandarins. They have been peeled clean, even the pith was removed. They lie in the plate.

Xiu Ying: [Take a slice] Thanks for the mandarins!

Maid A: [Smiles warmly] You're welcome! We're all sisters!

Xiu Ying: (Taking a stab for the Emperor seems to have turned my whole life around!)