LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 87: A Pawn

The Emperor commanded Consort Zhuang's lover to be arrested and executed by quartering. Whether or not they got their man remains unclear. Finding out is going to be difficult. You'll need some help. You look up at the gentleman scholar sitting next to you. You are revising your classwork and He Shen is casually turning a page.

He Shen: You don't have to stare at me to get my attention. Just tell me what's on your mind.

Xiu Ying: You are really something else, Master He - you're able to sense my gaze without looking up from your book. You must possess the legendary...

He Shen: Don't bother toadying up to me. Your restlessness is obvious to everyone in the room.

He Shen looks up, a half-smile in his eyes. The look give you goosebumps and you quickly blabber out your request.

He Shen: It should not be difficult to determine... Moreover, it touches upon the Emperor's fame. I will send someone to investigate at once.

Xiu Ying: [Relaxing a bit] Sorry to bother you, Master He... but there's another thing.

You promised Xiao Zhen you'd help get her out of the Hard Labor Camp. You think she would be better off out of the palace, given her current circumstances and lack of a formal position.

He Shen: [Murmuring] It can be done. But does she wish to leave the palace? You will have to ask her that.

The lesson ends and you head down to the maid's quarters to ask Xiao Zhen what she would like to do. To your surprise, a young eunuch blocks your way.

Little Eunuch: Keep moving! You're blocking the way!

Shi Lian: Impudent wretch! Don't you recognize a Noble Lady when you see one?

He finally notices you and drops to his knees, begging your forgiveness. Looking past him you see two eunuchs carrying a stretcher covered in white cloth.

Little Eunuch: A maid died, my Lady. I'm just keeping the way clear.

Xiu Ying: [Eyes widening] Who was it?

Little Eunuch: Zhuang's old handmaid, Xiao Zhen. Fifty strokes of the paddle. She didn't make it.

There's no way of knowing if she was killed or died from her injuries. On leaving the maids' quarters, you wander aimlessly for a while. You have serious misgivings about Xiao Zhen's death.

Shi Lian: My Lady, isn't that Lan Zhi?

The name sounds familiar. Now you remember! She's the maid who brought you your meals, the one who discovered Eunuch Yin putting poison in your food. You didn't trust her, so you asked Shi Lian to find her a position in another palace. Following Shi Lian's gaze, you see Lan Zhi talking to a eunuch, the very eunuch you spoke to just moments before! You keep your position, waiting for them to finish their conversation. The eunuch departs and you wander over, as if taking a stroll.

Xiu Ying: Lan Zhi, isn't it?

Lan Zhi: [Surprise] My Lady... you remember me.

Xiu Ying: How could I forget you? You saved my life, remember?

Lan Zhi: I just did my duty, my Lady. You are kind to remember me.

Xiu Ying: Which palace do you work in now?

Lan Zhi: I work in the Imperial Gardens. I maintain the flower beds. I enjoy it.

Xiu Ying: [Shocked] A clever girl like you, working in the Imperial Gardens? It seems such a waste of your talents. Tell me which Lady you like, and I will put in a good word for you.

Lan Zhi: My Lady surely jests... But I should like to work for whichever Lady would have me. Whoever it is, I will serve them gladly.

As you exchange pleasantries, you notice Lan Zhi keeps her cards very close to her chest. She lets nothing slip. The more you listen to her, the more you are convinced she already has a patron. But whoever it is will not be easy to determine.

Lan Zhi: It is getting late. I must excuse myself, my Lady. Perhaps I can answer you questions another time.

Lan Zhi is all pleasantness and her tone is mild, but you sense the bard in her words.

Xiu Ying: I'm sorry to have delayed you. Please go about your business.

Lan Zhi nods quickly and departs without looking back. You watch her fade into the distance, then turn to Shi Lian and instruct her to assign someone to keep track of Lan Zhi's movements.

Two days later you hear about Zhuang's madness. Apparently, she doesn't recognize food and is putting random objects in her mouth. People are laughing about it, taking pleasures in her misfortune, but you are becoming more and more convinced she's a piece in a game rather than a major player.