LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 77: Become A Pawn

Many days pass and you find yourself once again in that meticulously kept courtyard, watching Yin Zhen idling beneath the trees. The sight provokes mixed emotions within you.

You swore you'd never ask for Yin Zhen's help again, yet here you are, just as he predicted.

Xiu Ying: (Luckily you never told him, otherwise it would have been very awkward right now.)

Yin Zhen: It has been a long time, my Lady. You must be desperate indeed to seek me out...

You find Yin Zhen's tone very unsettling, but you manage to maintain an appearance of calm.

Xiu Ying: You were right, my Lord, I'm back. Perhaps you have some special insight that I do not?

The reason you're here is that you've had time to think it over... and you believe Yin Zhen is hiding something. He might even know about the poison in the painting. All the clues point to him.

Xiu Ying: (Thinking about it, why would Yin Zhen cause so much trouble to hurt me? He could have made his move while the Crown Prince was still around. Perhaps he has an ulterior motive. Perhaps someone is trying to frame him.)

Yin Zhen: You have a good memory, but really, is this how you ask somebody for help?

As Yin Zhen lazily pours his wine, watching you out of the corner of his eye, you feel angry and helpless. How do you want to address him?

Xiu Ying: It seems I misjudged you. Sorry.

Yin Zhen: At least you admitted it.

Xiu Ying: [Biting your tongue] The evidence points to you. Don't you want to know who's behind it?

Yin Zhen: It's all circumstantial. Doesn't affect me in the slightest. Besides, whoever it was is after you, not me, You're the one should be worried.

MC: [Feeling cornered] If you know something my Lord, please tell me! I really need your help. Even the smallest clue could help.

Yin Zhen: [Puts wine down] Very well. Seeing you asked so nicely. I shall tell you what I know.

Resisting the impulse to strangle Yin Zhen, you wait patiently for him to speak.

Yin Zhen: It's no secret Bernie and I were good friends before he came to the palace. It would be easy to make a big deal out of it.

Xiu Ying: [Awkwardly] Of course I believe you. That's why I came to find you.

Yin Zhen: Qing'er was poisoned, you found the poison in the painting, that you learned Bernie was my good friend, by chance the paint had been spilled... Facts presented themselves to you one after another, like sweet berried falling into your lap. Didn't you find it odd?

But there's something else you find disturbing about Yin Zhen's words.

Xiu Ying: You sent someone to spy on me?!

Yin Zhen looks at you blankly.

Xiu Ying: How else could you know so much?

Yin Zhen: Not everyone is as foolish as you are. The adversary implicated me their plan. How could I NOT be aware of it?

Xiu Ying: If your Lordship is clever, perhaps you can tell me who this "adversary" is?

Yin Zhen: Hard to say-you've got a lot of enemies. And now you've given me a headache. You ought to apologize.

MC: I don't know about that. Why didn't they frame someone else? They chose you... They must have a vendetta against you too!

Yin Zhen: Clever girl.

Praise from Yin Zhen was never a good thing. Your brows furrow.

Yin Zhen: The adversary has anticipated your every move. They have control of you. You are a pawn and the adversary is playing chess. The question you need to ask yourself is, what do they want?

His words makes your blood run cold. You have fallen into a trap.

Xiu Ying: (If Yin Zhen wasn't an old acquaintance, I wouldn't believe him or bother asking his advice... Whatever will happen next?)

You decided to return to the Phoenix Hall, and then you run into Concubine Zhuang. She speak in an overly dramatic fashion.

Concubine Zhuang: [Calling out] My Lady! It seems we have a shared destiny! Every time I step out we run into each other!

Xiu Ying: [Conspiratorially] Concubine Zhuang! We do indeed share a destiny!

Concubine Zhuang: [Looking passed you, into the distance] But didn't I just see you with someone? One of Yin Zhen's company perhaps?

Xiu Ying: You're very familiar with his friends? I would not recognize them. You have a very good memory.

Lost for words, she glances at you disapprovingly and hurries past.