LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 91: New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve, and the Emperor is dining in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. The hall is filled with singing, dancing and drinking, but suddenly a feeling of disquiet comes over you. A few glasses of wine, you started feeling a little tipsy - muddleheaded even. You get up a bit unsteady, wave off Shi Lian who offers to accompany you, and head out of the hall on your own. The snow has stop falling, but the wind whips a few flakes up into your face, clearing your head. You decide to take a walk in the grounds of the Palace of Heavenly Purity. It's very quiet outside with everyone attending the banquet.

6th Prince: Who's there?

Hearing the 6th Prince's voice, your instinct is to hide, but fearing he's already seen you, you walk forward and wish him a good evening.

6th Prince: Oh! It's you.

The son of the new Empress, he is someone of great importance and many people are currying his favor these days. Everyone wants to talk to him a the banquet... so what is he doing out here on his own?

Xiu Ying: [Looking around] 6th Prince, what are you doing here? Where is your eunuch?

He smiles coldly, then responds.

6th Prince: Still think you're better than me?

You don't know what he means.

Xiu Ying: What do you mean, sir? Why would I think I'm better than you?

6th Prince start moving towards you. He looks a bit unsteady on his feet. Clearly he is drunk. Unsure what's happening, you start to withdraw. He speeds up, but slips on the snow and staggers comically, finally saving himself by grabbing onto a nearby tree.

6th Prince: [Enraged] Wretch! You want to do me in? Do you know who I am?!

Looking at him, you feel like laughing.

Xiu Ying: You are the 6th Prince! How can I do you in from all the way over there? Where's your servant? Let me find someone for you.

6th Prince: You're a common palace girl, that's all! Marrying a Prince is a great honor! Generations of breeding not good enough for you, huh? If it was, how could you refuse me!

He is still brooding over your rejection of his marriage proposal.

Xiu Ying: (No point arguing with a drunk man.)

6th Prince: Who knows what kind of dirty deals you've done to get where you are? Besides passable good looks, what have you got? And you think you're too good for me! If you still want to get married with me now, I'd tell you to GET LOST!!

The 6th Prince HATES you. He's so vain, he even thinks you might want to marry him! Perhaps he thinks that because his mother is Empress, he is now one step closer to the throne.

Xiu Ying: [Quietly] Marry you? For what? Your filthy mouth? Your fine looks on the outside but rotten on the inside?

6th Prince: [Mumbling] What are you whispering about? Still not happy? Get over here and hold me up!

You make a fist and approach him. When he sees you coming, he bursts out laughing, but then slips over again, landing hard upon the snow. He howls and hollers but cannot get up. You could easily help him up, but you would probably regret helping him later.

Xiu Ying: [Wiping your hands] 6th Prince, you are stuck. Let me get someone to pull you out.

You turn around and hurry away. 6th Prince is well and truly drunk. He can't even get up out of the snow, and now he wants you to fetch help. The wind will blow away any evidence of you presence. Just pretend you didn't see him there. Drunk people come to grief all the time. Suddenly through the plum trees a concerned looking Fu Heng bursts into view.

Xiu Ying: (If Fu Heng realizes what I'm up to, he will be very disappointed in me. Better think of a reason to get him out of here.)

You briskly walk over, shuddering theatrically, and give him your best doe-eyed look.

Xiu Ying: Lord Fu Heng, it's so cold out here. Let's got somewhere warm.

Fu Heng takes his cloak off and wraps it around your shoulders. He takes you by the arm and you're about the leave, when you hear a groan from the bushes.

Fu Heng: [Frowning] Is that you, 6th Prince?

Somehow the 6th Prince ended up buried in the snow. He looked ridiculous, but you can't forget the things he said, his angry accusations and vile speculations.

Xiu Ying: [Looking down at your feet] He insulted me... so I gave him a bit of a push...

Fu Heng's posture flags. He looks down at your hand lightly gripping his sleeve and resentment clouds his face. A nameless fire sweeps over him. He erupts forward, charging in the 6th Prince's direction. Worried, you chase after him.

6th Prince: There you are, Xiu Ying! I thought you'd left me for dead. You just wait until I get up! I'll show you!

Saying nothing, before 6th Prince knew what was happening, Fu Heng grabbed a big lump of snow and crammed it hard into his open mouth, pushing his head deep into the snow. You look on, totally dumbstruck. Fu Heng briskly wipes the snow of his robes, returns to your side, and leads you away.

Xiu Ying: [Stifling a laugh] I hope he enjoys his shaved ice! [Quietly] He was drunk, Lord Fu Heng, but you should be more careful. If it is discovered you attacked the 6th Prince, the Empress will not be happy.

You look around, In the distance you hear 6th Prince's eunuch cry out. He has found him. Reassured, you lead Fu Heng away.

Fu Heng: [Muttering to himself] If I knew he was about to be found... I'd have hit him a little harder.