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By the time you get back to the party, dusk is falling and the rain has stopped. As you stroll slowly along the covered walkway, the rain starts falling again wetting the flagstones and lifting your spirits.
Eunuch A: 3rd Prince! 3rd Prince! 3rd Prince! Where are you?! Everyone is worried...
Up ahead a rain-soaked eunuch is calling out for his master, Yin Zhi.
Xiu Ying: (3rd Prince doesn't like being ordered around. The only reason he came was because the Emperor commanded it. Now the ceremony's over, he could be anywhere.)
Eunuch A: [Seeing you, he runs up and kneels] Greeting my Lady. Have you seen the 3rd Prince?
Xiu Ying: No, I'm afraid I haven't.
He groans audibly. At that moment another eunuch appears.
Eunuch B: 4th Prince just invited 7th Prince and 11th Prince to drink tea in the Plumflower Garden behind the observatory. 3rd Prince could be with them! Why don't you go and take a look?
Eunuch A: Yes!Thank you! I'll go over and have a look... Excuse me, my Lady.
It's not really any of your business, but you call out to the eunuch anyway.
Xiu Ying: I don't think it's very likely the 3rd Prince will be in the Plumflower Garden. He hates gossiping. If you don't find him there, you could look for him in the Antique Shop at the bottom of the mountain.
Eunuch A: [Realization hitting] oh YEAH! 3rd Prince loves antiques and the Antique Shop will be very quiet. Thank you, my Lady! I'll look there first.
Tomorrow you begin the journey back to the capital. The rain shows no sign of stopping tonight. The thunder on the mountain is constant and stops you getting to sleep. You sit on the edge of your bed staring at the wall, your mind drifting further and further afield.
Xiu Ying: It's a big storm. I wonder if 3rd Prince is back...
The handmaid Yun Mo outside the door hears you speak. She politely knocks and asks you if there's anything you need.
Xiu Ying: I'm fine. The storm's keeping me awake, that's all. Go to bed if you're tired.
Yun Mo: 4th Prince, 7th Prince and 11th Prince are still drinking in the Plumflower Garden. They're all drunk. I'll go and prepare some hangover soup presently.
Xiu Ying: [Frowning] I thought they were drinking tea? Why are they still drinking wine?
Yun Mo: They're are probably celebrating... but they should be careful in such a big storm!
Xiu Ying: Send someone to get them. Otherwise they'll be stuck out there all night.
Yun Mo hurries out. You pour yourself a glass of water and sip it slowly. For some reason your eyelid starts twitching, and won't stop. Lightning strikes nearby. The room fills with white light. Thunder booms, then all is dark except for the faint light of a single lantern. Your heart is pounding hard.
Xiu Ying: [Calling out] Hello?
All you can hear is the pitter patter of rain. You try to calm yourself. You feel for the dagger hidden in your sleeve and tip toe to the wall beside the door. Extending your hand, you push the door open. The lantern above the porch swings in the wind, throwing shifting shadows around the courtyard. You spot the dark luster of spilled blood on the flagstones. A figure in black stand over a lifeless guard, knife in hand.
Assassin: [Look at you] Another one!
You turn and bolt for the side door. The weight of the dagger in your sleeve give you some cold comfort.
Xiu Ying: (I won't go down without a fight! I've already died once, what terror does death hold for me?!)
You sprint as fast as you can, the assassin's footsteps pounding along behind your own. They stop suddenly and someone yells.
Yun Mo: RUN MY LADY!!!
You heart jumps a beat and you keep running. If you pause even for an instant both of you might die here tonight.
Xiu Ying: [Quavering voice] Help! Anyone! Where is everyone?!
You run, mind blank, heart in your throat, trembling. You stagger several times and nearly fall. Gradually your legs tire and you slow down. The sickly smell of fresh blood assails you nostrils. A pile of dead guards, bleeding out onto the earth.
Xiu Ying: [Muttering to yourself] What is going on?
There's a chill on the back of you neck. You want to hide, but you hear the sound of blade hitting the ground. You turn and see the assassin who was chasing you lying prostate on the ground. Turning again, you see Yin Zhen sword in hand, his eyes cold and clear, without a sign of drink... Your heart skips a beat.
Xiu Ying: Was it you?
Lightning flashes. Yin Zhen's eyes smolder black in the bright light. The thunder fades, replaced by the sound of torrential rain.
Yin Zhen: [Frowning slightly] What?
Xiu Ying: [Taking a deep breath] Did you do this?
He regards you in silence, his dark eyes like two bottomless wells.
Yin Zhen: Am I so unworthy of your trust?
Your mind starts to overcome its blankness and the events of the night start to reorganize themselves into a logical sequence.
Xiu Ying: The idea to come to Mount Tianchi was yours. You took care of the arrangements, the ceremonies, the security. You were perfectly placed to organize an assassination. You invited the 7th Prince and 11th Prince to the Plumflower Garden to drink tea, but ended up drinking wine. Yun Mo said you were all drunk, but clearly you are not! 7th Prince and 11th Prince already died in the Plumflower Garden, didn't they? With them out of the way, you'll have two fewer rivals for the throne... and by shifting the blame onto 6th Prince you'll get three for the price of one!
The very thought of it sets your body trembling. You should have known. You've watched Yin Zhen developed into the crown prince's greatest rival. How could a man achieve such a thing, if not by being ruthless?
Xiu Ying: I was wrong about you. I thought we were having a bit of fun. I thought we were close, like friends. But now I see there is nothing some people won't do for power.
You start to back away, but Yin Zhen grabs you and pulls you close, unspoken rage filling his handsome face.
Yin Zhen: Even If I wanted the throne, I'd never do anything that would put you in danger. Do you understand?
