LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 105: Close Call

6th Prince is something of soft target. 11th Prince attacked him suddenly, knocking him out. He was badly hurt. The 6th Prince's mother, Empress Rong, was enraged by the attack on her son, and begged the Emperor to punish him severely. To your surprise, the Emperor merely ordered the 11th Prince back to his quarters to reflect on his behavior. Apparently 11th Prince's mother died many years ago. She was of low status and as a result, her son has always been overlooked by the Emperor.

Shi Lian: My Lady, they are whipping anyone who says 11th Prince lost his mind because of the events on Mount Taichi!

Xiu Ying: Only fools speak in such a way about a prince. They got off lightly in my opinion.

Shi Lian: [Creased brow] But Hui Xin said the tonic the Imperial Physician prescribed for 11th Prince was actually... for nervous disorders. The Emperor asked him to do it. My Lady, do you think the 11th Prince really is...

The image of 11th Prince floats through your mind. It's true, since being released from his confinement he has seemed depressed... but mad? You just don't believe it.

Xiu Ying: He isn't mad... but his actions ARE out of character... The question is, why?

You continue asking questions around the court. You quickly discover 6th Prince is the prime suspect. Outwardly a gentleman, the 6th Prince is a notorious schemer, his smile concealing a thousand daggers. Those he has backstabbed hated him for it, among them the 7th and 11th Princes who have locked horns with him many times.

Xiu Ying: (The three princes are bitter rivals. They thwart each other at every turn. I have seen it with my own eyes. Could the 6th Prince really be responsible for the events at Mount Tianchi? 7th and 11th Prince are both acting strangely. Perhaps they have come to the same conclusion?)

Shi Lian: A penny for your thoughts, my Lady.

Shi Lian's voices draws you back. You consciously stop frowning and let out a long sigh.

Xiu Ying: Come on! We haven't paid our respects to the Empress for quite a while. We ought to go.

You had hoped that a visit to the Empress would furnish you with more clues, but in the end you don't even get an audience.

Maid: I'm sorry, my Lady, but the Empress is not feeling well. Please come back another time!

You take one more look at the huge door, sigh, and walk slowly back to your quarters.

Xiu Ying: Refusing to see me? How suspicious.

Shi Lian: [Inspiration hitting] My Lady! 6th Prince is still recovering from his injuries. The Imperial Physician attends him every day. Why don't we talk to Physician Wen, and ask him to tell us if he notices anything suspicious?

Xiu Ying: You're right. We're not going to get anywhere by ourselves. I'll leave it to you to ask him!

Shi Lian heads straight for the Imperial Infirmary. You plan to meet up with Yin Zhen to see how his investigation is going. As you are passing along a rather long corridor, deep inside the palace, you see a figure approaching. He begins to scowl and you start to feel very uncomfortable. It is 11th Prince, no longer exiled to his room.

Xiu Ying: (You don't believe him to be mad, but clearly his countenance is not quite right. No wonder the Emperor asked the Physician to prescribe him some medicine.)

11th Prince: Stop.

When you were little your father's concubine always said, if you meet a vicious dog, never run, or it will chase you. Remembering her advice, you decide to pretend everything is fine and brush past him. To you surprise, he speaks abruptly to prevent you from leaving.

Xiu Ying: [Putting on a fake smile] 11th Prince, you're looking well today.

11th Prince: [Cold smile] Is that so?

Xiu Ying: If you don't believe me, go and look in the mirror.

11th Prince: Ha. You think I'm crazy too, don't you?

He walks towards you as he speaks. You tense up, getting ready to retreat or even run away. However you realize you probably can't outrun him, so decide to keep standing where you are.

Xiu Ying: [Looking uncertain] What are you saying, 11th Prince?

11th Prince: You have animal cunning. You're good at dissembling... but that's about all. It's been so long and you STILL haven't figured out who was behind it?

Xiu Ying: [Raised eyebrows] Then tell me, 11th Prince, who do YOU think the culprit is?

11th Prince: [Scowling] Guess. Why do you think I hit him?

Xiu Ying: (I don't want to guess. I just want to get as far away from you as possible.) Why DID you hit him?

11th Prince looks surprised, perhaps because he expected you to ask him if 6th Prince was behind it, and your answer was not what he expected.

11th Prince: I wanted to let off steam.

Xiu Ying: (If he's capable of lashing out at the 6th Prince, how easily he could lash out at me! I've got to get out of here.) 11th Prince, there is somewhere I have to be. I must excuse myself.

11th Prince: In such a hurry. Which of my brothers are you going to see?

He is standing directly in front of you now. He goes to take another step forward, and you back away.

Hu Ling: Greetings 11th Prince, My Lady.

Just as you're about the flee, a sweet girl's voice carries across to you. You turn towards the speaker. Hu Ling is standing there, not far from you. She bows. With Hun Ling's arrival, 11th Prince loses interest and walks past you. Grateful for her timely appearance, you exchange pleasantries with Hu Ling and go your separate ways.