LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 47: Sound out

Things changed so quickly that nobody was prepared for it.

You are aware that the Emperor hasn't gotten any happier, but rather gets lost in thought often. Even the Emperor probably has a hard time to decide on whether or not to trust the Crown Prince. You want the Emperor to spill a little about what he thinks. How should you do it?

Xiu Ying: Shall I tell you a few interesting stories, Your Majesty?

You begin telling stories after he approves. You stories are fun, that the Emperor begins to laugh.

Xiu Ying: (It's his first laugh in days. I should ask him about The Crown Prince).

Xiu Ying: [Confused] Your Majesty, wasn't the Crown Prince proven innocent, and he was framed?

Emperor: You got a lot of guts asking about that.

Xiu Ying: I see Your Majesty being too bottled up, hence I asked. I'm actually trembling.

Emperor: You have a way with words. So, do you think he was framed?

Xiu Ying: I have had little contact with the Crown Prince, but I know he's cherished by Your Majesty. Logically, he wouldn't do such a thing.

Emperor: [Pauses] Yeah. He's my most cherished son...

Emperor: [Points to the table] This is the evidence. One claims he's colluding, one claims he's innocent. Take a look.

Xiu Ying: I dare not.

Emperor: I order you to take a look. Refusing a royal decree? Plus, it's a good opportunity to see how much you've learned under He Shen.

Under the Emperor's awesome gaze, you force yourself to read through the two documents.

Xiu Ying: At first I felt that the evidence point to the Crown prince's treason is indisputable. But after I finish reading the opposing evidence, I feel that the Crown Prince should have been framed.

Xiu Ying: [Pause] There's something I feel is strange though.

Emperor: What is it? You are forgiven for what you wish to say.

Xiu Ying: When I was little, I snuck out to play with my friends. We were afraid that we'd be caught and scolded, we we made sure to tell the same story when we get back. But my mother noticed right away.

Xiu Ying: I couldn't figure out what went wrong no matter how I looked at it. But my mother said "Your lie was obvious because it sounded like you recited it."

The Emperor looks at the two documents in silence. His expression is unpredictable.

Xiu Ying: The evidence that shows his innocence is just too perfect. It's as though it was prepared ahead of time.

You kneel as you speak.

Xiu Ying: Of course, it's possible that the enemy is doing this deliberately to make Your Majesty suspect the Crown Prince even more. That'd be extremely malicious.

The Emperor laughs after he hears you out. It looks like he thinks what you said was absurd.

Emperor: That's all the guts you have? Kneeling after just that? You may leave. I wish to be alone.

You are disappointed. The Emperor is definitely suspicious, but he still hold out hope. This won't be enough to fatally strike the Crown Prince. Still, what you said today was enough to plant a dagger in the Emperor's heart, stabbing at him whenever. You leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and on your way back, you see Zhuxi coming in your direction.

Zhuxi looks threatening. You can guess why she's here, but the good things is she's easy to fool. You figure out how to deal with her right away.

Zhuxi: [Interrogating] Such betrayal to how much the Crown Prince has helped you before! Why haven't you taken any action when the Crown Prince is in danger?

You give a scared expression, and look around. Then you grab Zhuxi and move somewhere secluded quickly.

Xiu Ying: Ms. Zhuxi, don't you know that His Majesty refuses to hear anything about the Crown Prince.

Zhuxi: [Half convinced] But His Highness was framed. Isn't the evidence already there?

Xiu Ying: That's true indeed, but do you think His Majesty would easily admit his own mistake? It's going to take some time. At least the person who framed the Crown Prince needs to be exposed first!

You see Zhuxi's resolve soften. She must have believed it. You continue.

Xiu Ying: If I had tried to clear his name, it might even be counterproductive. Also, don't let anyone see you looking for me. It's only going to make it worse for His Highness.

Zhuxi decided to leave when she hears that I might trouble the Crown Prince. It gives you some time to breathe.

Zhuxi is easy, but the Crown Prince is not. You need to figure something out for when you face the Crown Prince.