LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 108: The Real Manipulator

Soon the sounds of the Emperor's fury, the Noble Consort's accusations and 6th Prince's pleading fill the Hall of Mental Cultivation... creating an unholy racket.

When the 6th Prince was accused of stealing the red letter, all he stood to lose was his chance at the throne... but now he was being accused of orchestrating an assassination, his very life hung in the balance.

Empress Rong's face turns deathly pale. She falls to her knees and starts sobbing loudly, protesting her son's innocence.

Xiu Ying: (The Emperor is so angry. The Noble Consort must have produced some kind of evidence... but I doubt he's the one behind it. Maybe she has faked the evidence?)

Queen Rong: Dowager! Dowager! You have known 6th Prince since he was a boy! You know he would never do such a thing to his brothers! Help him, I beg you...

The Empress Dowager steps out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The Empress grabs at her sleeve, tearfully begging her to save her son. What is an Empress' pride, in the face of a son's death?

Empress Dowager: Empress Rong, if 6th Prince is innocent of the charges brought against him, the Emperor will not harm him. Wait and see. Don't let it drive you to desperation. Let's go, Yongqing. All this noise is giving me headache.

Despite his rage, the Emperor did not condemn the 6th Prince on the spot, but handed him over to the Ministry of Justice.

The next day you see 7th Prince down by the lake feeding the fish. He looks happier. 11th Prince stands impassively by his side. Seeing both of them together at a time like this, it makes you wonder...

Xiu Ying: (Surely not... Two bitter foes, now become friends. Could they be in cahoots?)

7th Prince: 11th Prince, isn't that Lady Yingqing over there. Call her over.

11th Prince: Boring.

With that, 11th Prince stalks off. 7th Prince waves you over, a cheeky smile on his face.

7th Prince: My Lady. Come! Let's feed the fish together.

A playful smile from an irascible despot like the 7th Prince is a rare treat indeed, especially considering he is still confined to a wheelchair. You smile faintly and walk over. He hands you some fish food and you stand there beside him, tossing it into the water.

7th Prince: Nothing to say today?

Xiu Ying: You are in good spirits today, 7th Prince.

7th Prince: The person who did this to me has been caught. Of course I am happy.

Xiu Ying: I never imagined 6th Prince would be the one who hated you enough to do this. He looks gentle and refined, and not at all cruel.

When you finish speaking, the smile on 7th Prince's face starts to fade. As he watches the fish swimming back and fourth in the lake, his gaze grows distant.

7th Prince: Neither did I.

Xiu Ying: Huh? You didn't either?

7th Prince: I thought I knew him. We hated one another, but I never thought it was this bad. I mean, to do this to another man, even your worst enemy, is really the act of a madman.

Your eyelid twitches. In 7th Prince's words, you grasp another possibility.

Xiu Ying: 7th Prince, please continue. There's something I have to attend to.

You go to find Yin Zhen.

Xiu Ying: 4th Prince, I honestly don't think 6th Prince is our culprit.

You may not like the 6th Prince, but you want the real culprit to get away even less. You will do everything you can to make sure the truth comes to light.

Yin Zhen: If not him, then who?

Xiu Ying: I don't have proof yet... I want to make some.

You have his attention. His tone is slightly sarcastic, but his eyes are friendly.

Yin Zhen: You always have so many ideas. Can't you just wait and let other people take care of things?

Yin Zhen: Go on. Tell me what you're thinking.

Xiu Ying: 6th Prince broke into the Hall of Mental Cultivation and was caught red-handed. Furthermore, the Noble Consort has provided proof of some kind. The 6th Prince is in a very tight spot. The real culprit will have let down their guard...

You tell him your idea from beginning to end. He doesn't appear to be listening very carefully, but afterwards he makes several suggestions to improve the plan.

Yin Zhen: Actually this will make 6th Prince harder to deal with. You and he have had your differences in the past. Why not take advantage of the current situation and be rid of him for good?

You find his suggestion shocking, and stare at him for several moments.

Xiu Ying: They are two completely different matters, and I'm not that kind of person.

Yin Zhen can't help smiling at your answer, then reaches out and mussles your hair.

Yin Zhen: I just wish you could be a little more ruthless sometimes.