LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 57: Unexpectedly Hard

Spring is in the air as the rainy days are over. Peach blossoms sway the wind. It was last year around this time that you entered the palace. Now, a new batch of maids will come.

The Emperor falls ill at this time. The Emperor has always been healthy. However, starting the rainy season the Emperor often gets tired and nauseous. The imperial physicians have no idea what it is, and claim that he's been overworked. Now the Emperor gets even worse than before. to the point of fainting at times. Everyone is worried.

Noble Consort: [Standing outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation sternly] His Majesty is unconscious, and the Noble Consorts cannot even visit?

Queen: [Walking out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation] His Majesty is unconscious and the Noble Consorts are yelling outside his door! The imperial physicians said he needs to rest peacefully, away from people.

Noble Consort: His Majesty was just fine a few days ago. He even stayed at my palace overnight. How did things get like this? I think I have some right to know!

Queen: [Laughs coldly] Who knows, maybe it was you who did something to him!

Noble Consort: Just what do you mean by that, oh Queen of mine? Everyone knows how true I am to His Majesty, and you dare defaming me?

Xiu Ying: [Goes up] My Queen, His Majesty has called out your name in his sleep. Please go take a look.

The Queen turns to give you a look of approval. She ignores the Noble Consort and goes straight into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Noble Consort: [Stomps in fury] His Majesty calling out HER name? He would call out to the dog before Her! Like the Noble Consort, there are many ladies who wish to visit the Emperor. But even the Noble Consort couldn't see him, let alone the rest of the ladies.

However, this means that rumors will spread in the palace. Still, with the Empress Dowager's command that the Emperor needs to rest, only the Queen is in command.

Crown Prince: My mother is the ruler of the back palace. How dare they talk about my mother! Good thing there's grandmother on her side. Grandmother is really helpful when it counts.

Xiu Ying: (It's too bad that your grandmother has long been notified by your father of your treason. It's all just a play, and your getting into the role.)

Crown Prince: You did great work. This isn't enough though. If my father ever wakes up, you'll be the first suspect.

Soon the Crown Prince stare at your coldly.

Xiu Ying: [Tense] Please enlighten me, Your Highness.

Crown Prince: [Laughs] You are smart enough to know what to do. Some among imperial physicians are ours, but an ill Emperor means all of them are attending to him. So, I'll have to leave everything to you since our physicians are helpless.

Xiu Ying: [Understand] So you mean... I should continue to do things to the medicine so he doesn't wake up unexpectedly.

Crown Prince: Good that you know, but be quiet.

Xiu Ying: Oh right. The drugs from the Queen is almost finished, sire. Why don't you tell me which of the imperial physicians are ours, so I can get the drugs myself.

As everything progresses smoothly, the Crown Prince has lowered his guard to the minimum. He tells you several names without a hint of suspicion. You memorize all of them. It's expected that the Emperor will take care of them later.

The Emperor stayed unconscious in bed even when the new maids are arriving. People are anxious, the court is restless. The hearts that should have been calmed by spring winds are uneasy again.

Shu Xian: [Calls you with a worried look] What's going on with the Emperor? He's been unconscious for so long. I'm worried.

Xiu Ying: Relax Miss. The imperial physicians are skilled, and he will be okay.

Shu Xian gets calm because of how confident you look. She wipes away her tears and leaves with Shi Lian. You walk away only a few steps before seeing the Crown Prince talking with a general. Eunuch Deng stands far away, but he's looking at you.

Eunuch Deng: That was Attendant Shu Xian, right?

Xiu Ying: Eunuch Deng. I used to work at Shu Xian's palace. She's been worried about His Majesty, and came to ask me a few things.

Eunuch De: What did you tell her?

Xiu Ying: I said that His Majesty is the Dragon, son of heaven, and he'll be fine. Things will go bad if this back palace unrest isn't pacified soon.

Eunuch Deng: [Smiles] That's a well thought out answer. If it were me, I don't think I'd know what to tell her.

Just as you were talking with Eunuch Deng, the Crown Prince ends his conversation with the general. He walks to you with a dark look.

Crown Prince: I thought it was going to be taking candy from a baby, but nothing's going my way! Those stubborn geezers go against my ever will! It was because of them that I was restricted. As everything stands now, they can't blame me for being merciless!

Eunuch Deng: [Tense] Your Highness, are you going to take out those old ministers? If you do that, the future generations will not hold you in high regards.

Xiu Ying: Eunuch Deng, that's not how things work. The Crown Prince will be the ruler of this world. How history will be written goes by what His Highness says.

Crown Prince: Xiu Ying is right! I am the Crown Prince! Everything is just a course of nature, and not a shred of it is indecent. I've already gone so far. What of another gamble now?

The Crown Prince sets off quickly with his hardened resolve. You stand in place and extend you hand. A peach flower petal falls into your palm.

Xiu Ying: Such vibrant colors. A perfect season to disappear in all his glory.