LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 51: Calm and Unruffled

Yin Zhen brings a letter to you a day later.

Yin Zhen: Ji Yun acted fast. Now all we have to do, is follow the script.

Xiu Ying: [Take the letter] Are you ready then if the Crown Prince has this, he would not let you off.

Yin Zhen: No worries, it's all just minor stuff. It's the only way for us to have a better retaliation. [Laughing] What, are you worried?

Xiu Ying: No, not that. I just don't want you to drag me down with you!

You bring the carefully prepared letter to the Easter Palace. Eunuch Deng give you an odd look when he sees you, like looking at a dying person.

Xiu Ying: Eunuch Deng, I would like to see the Crown Prince. It's urgent. Please.

Eunuch Deng: [Complexing] Come with me girl.

The Crown Prince still acts composed despite having discovered your act, though he does have an interrogating demeanor as well.

Crown Prince: What's so urgent then? Speak up.

Xiu Ying: Your Highness, I must tell you about the Fourth Prince. A while ago the Fourth Prince asked me to spy for him.

The Crown Prince looks confused as he didn't anticipate you talk about the Fourth Prince right away.

Crown Prince: I can't believe that he would arrange his people about my father. How did you respond?

Xiu Ying: I told him that I'm part of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. I cannot do such a thing to the one I serve. But the Fourth Prince still pestered me, so I pretended to agree.

Crown Prince: Pretend? So what have you done for him already?

The Crown Prince watches you, trying to detect the truthfulness of your words and what you have already done.

Xiu Ying: [Calmly] There's no way I'd really help him. I simple made excuses to get things over with. The Fourth Prince can't do much either. [Justly] However, I have discovered something while contacting him. The Fourth Prince looks honorable and upfront, but the truth is he's done quite a few shady deeds.

Crown Prince: Oh? What sort of shady deeds?

Instead of responding, you take the letter out of your pocket for Eunuch Deng to bring to the Crown Prince.

Xiu Ying: I believe as the next ruler and His Majesty's aid, you might have some use of this.

The Crown Prince takes a while to grasp what you said, until he finishes reading the letter. He then begins to smile deeper and deeper.

Crown Prince: My brother has always been flawless in his work. Who'd have thought that he's done all this behind our backs. If my father finds out about this, he'll be livid. However, as the older brother and Crown Prince, I cannot let him go even if it means his punishment.

A man of no shame is a man of no bounds. Only someone like the Crown Prince would say such a thing. The show isn't over yet. You must continue your act.

Xiu Ying: [Sigh] The Fourth Prince asked me to meet with him in the Imperial Garden the day before. I thought I'd get something out of him, but someone found us and we were interrupted... [Tense] I'm worried that if His Majesty finds out, I'll be done for.

Crown Prince: [Eyes flicker] It's just an encounter with the Fourth Prince. Nothing could go wrong, don't worry.

Xiu Ying: I feel much better now. Thank you, Your Highness.

The Crown Prince turns into the gentleman again. His cheers are only there to encourage such events to happen more often.

Crown Prince: Alright, you should return now. I will remember what you have done today. You will be rewarded in the future.

Xiu Ying: (Finally. If I stay any longer I wouldn't even be able to eat a bite of dinner from so much exposure to disgust.)

Zhuxi rushes to the Eastern Palace after you leave, as she hears of your arrival before.

Zhuxi: Your Highness, have you dealt with the traitor, Xiu Ying?

Zhuxi receives a hard slap across the face as soon as she finishes.

Crown Prince: You almost ruined everything! You think I don't know that you've been harassing her all this time out of jealousy? Listen,  Xiu Ying is loyal enough. You are not allowed to look for her without my orders.

Zhuxi: [Worried] Your Highness, I heard everything loud and clear that night! She's in cahoots with the Fourth Prince!

Crown Prince: Enough! It's not what you think. Stop overreacting towards everything and stay within your line.

Zhuxi is shaken by so much scolding that she almost starts crying. She calms herself and bows to the Crown Prince, and leaves the palace.