LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 41: Into Danger

Wind howls outside as the firewood crackles inside. You hear Yin Zhen clearly. You pause for a long time. Yin Zhen is patient, and even passes you a cup of tea.

Xiu Ying: Do you know what I want to do?

Yin Zhen: I don't know why you want to do it. But, as long as we have the same goal, it'll be enough, right?

You find it even harder to grasp Yin Zhen than before. You want to remind him.

Xiu Ying: You know how I am, right? I'm not like your other people. I won't follow your orders easily.

Yin Zhen: I'm not asking you to serve me. You don't have to follow me.

Xiu Ying: However, you do know it's going to be dangerous?

Yin Zhen seems to have remembered something. He chuckles and turns to you.

Yin Zhen: As far as I know, you have tricked people quite a few times. It is pretty dangerous indeed.

Yin Zhen: You've shown me your scary looks so many times. You seem to hate me too.

Xiu Ying: [Shyly] And you still want to team up with me?

Yin Zhen: I like a challenge. Danger excites me.

If you didn't know already from your past life that Yin Zhen's really capable, you'd think that he's got problems.

Xiu Ying: I'm just a maid, yet you use words such as "team up". Do you really trust me that much?

Yin Zhen: Yes. It's my intuition.

It sounds absurd, but Yin Zhen's serious look makes you feel that he's telling the truth.

Yin Zhen: Like I said just then, you don't have to agree.

Xiu Ying: I trust you. Let's team up.

Yin Zhen smirks as he gazes at you.

Yin Zhen: I thought it might take a while to convince you. But I guess you and I are the same. Intuitive, and trust one another.

Xiu Ying: [Take a deep breath] I hope the Fourth Prince won't disappoint me.

You hear girls chatter outside while you talk with Yin Zhen.

Xiu Ying: It's Hui Zin and Shi Lian! They can't find you here. Please hide.

Yin Zhen looks displeased, but he still decides to hide behind the cupboard as you urge him..

Shi Lian: Miss! Stop hiding inside, let's go view plum blossoms!

Hui Xin: My brother's waiting outside! Let's go, he's even here to pick you up himself.

You manage to find an excuse to make them wait outside. You dash to the cupboard.

Yin Zhen stands behind it calmly, looking at you, almost laughing.

Xiu Ying: You'd best leave after I go out.

Yin Zhen: I see.

Xiu Ying: Hush!

Yin Zhen: If you need me, you can go look for Eunuch Gui. Also, the guards outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation are my men. I left word with them that if you need anything you can look for them.

Xiu Ying: You left word with them? You knew that I would agree?

Yin Zhen: If I can't even predict something like this, I would really be a disappointment to you. Plus, I'm pretty sure I know you quite well.

You hear Shi Lian and the others call for you before you can reply. You leave in a rush. Yin Zhen leans on the table. He hears the girls' laughter and chatter grow distant. He scoffs, and leaves the tea room slowly.