LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 132: Substitute Exist

After your wound from the punishment is fully recovered, you are brought before Prince Jin. Prince Jin is sitting in the vast hall rubbing his thumb ring, and Si Yan is by his side perturbed, until she sees you and seems to calm down with some light in her eyes.

Xiu Ying: [Kneel] Greeting to Your Highness.

Prince Jin: Do you remember my word? You are alive because you are still useful.

Xiu Ying: I dare not to forget. I owe my life to Your Highness, and I shall follow Your Highness' every command.

Prince Jin: Now you know how to behave. It seems punishment is fit for wrongdoings. Only in this way do you learn to behave, don't you?

Xiu Ying: (It's bad for him to be sadistic already, and now he is even forcing others to agree with his sadism.) Yes. As Your Highness commands. I shall watch my every behavior.

Prince Jin snorts as he stares at the girl kneeling on the floor, as if he doesn't believe her promise. Though he doesn't really care either.

Prince Jin: From this day forward, you are no longer a kitchen maid. You shall serve as Si Yan's handmaiden.

Si Yan is a handmaiden herself, and it's unusual to assign a handmaiden for her. However, no one questions this decision. In this mansion, Prince Jin's will is everything. No one dares to question or oppose to his decisions.

Xiu Ying: As Your Highness wishes. I shall take good care of Lady Si Yan.

Prince Jin: Not just that. Si Yan will be whoever I wish her to be. Do you understand what I mean?

You understand Prince Jin's meaning clearly. Obviously he wants you to turn Si Yan fully into Yan'er. Si Yan will stay at the prince's side as a replacement.

Xiu Ying: (It's hard to believe that a person like him would have such a lasting love for someone passed away... But why would he cause the death of Yan'er if he does love her so much?) [Quickly recovered]
I understand. I shall not let Your Highness down.

Prince Jin: If you fail me, then you will outlive your usefulness.

Prince Jin stands up and leaves as he finishes his words. You slowly relax your stiff back and let out a deep breath.

Xiu Ying: (Do those with power always enjoy threatening others? Doesn't he feel tired himself after repeating such words for so many times every day?)

While you are complaining in your mind, you don't notice Si Yan has come your side, her eyes weeping.

Si Yan: What should we do?

Xiu Ying: [Stand up and pat the dress] The chance of what you always wanted to achieve is right in front of you, Miss Si Yan. Why are you weeping?

Si Yan: I feel... regret... I was hoping that I could live a life of luxury just like Yan'er, but now I'm more afraid of losing my life! Don't you afraid?

Xiu Ying: [Resigned] What's the point of being afraid? It would be better if you could do it right. This way you can keep your life and all the luxury.

Si Yan: [Grab your hand] You've got to help me!

Si Yan grabs the only person that can help her tightly like a startled deer. You gently pull back your hand and pat her shoulder.

Xiu Ying: I will help you, because that will be helping myself as well. We will be on the same boat from this day forward, and our fates are intertwined with each other. Do you understand what I mean?

Si Yan: Understood... We are on the same boat? Interesting. I've never been on a boat before.

Xiu Ying: Just a metaphor I've learned. Come on. We need to practice Yan'er's dance. The more you like Yan'er, the greater chance for you to survive.

Si Yan nods and walks ahead of you. You don't notice that the tears on her face are gone, replaced by a weird smile.
It's not easy to make Si Yan resemble Yan'er. First of all, you haven't even met Yan'er! How can you turn someone else completely into her? You ask many staff in the mansion, but everyone's impression on Yan'er differs. You couldn't get much useful information after much labor.

Xiu Ying: [Sigh] It's too hard. I'm not gonna make it.

Prince Jin: What are you doing here?

Just as you are complaining to yourself. Prince Jin shows up unexpectedly and startles you. How to answer him?

Xiu Ying: Your Highness, why are you here?

Prince Jin: This is my mansion. Where else should I be?

Xiu Ying: I mean Your Highness no disrespect. I just didn't expect Your Highness in a place so close to servants' residence.

Prince Jin: [Wrapped in mystery] Yan'er used to love the courtyard up ahead. I'm just taking a walk in my leisure time.

You follow Prince Jin's gaze and find a locked courtyard up ahead. It's quiet and peaceful as everybody seems to avoid it. So this was Yan'er's residence.

Xiu Ying: [Think for a moment before comforting] Lady Yan'er would be happy if she knows Your Highness' feeling for her.

Hearing your words, Prince Jin's expression becomes more mysterious. You can't help but worry if you have said something wrong. Just as you are perturbed, you hear the prince's slow voice.

Prince Jin: She wouldn't be happy.

You're regretting that you've talked too much. Anywhere wrong may invite the wrath from this moody prince's wrath.

Xiu Ying: Your Highness... I shall take my leave. I have other matters to attend to.

Prince Jin: Stop.

MC: What is Your Highness's wish?

Prince: I heard your sigh. Why did you sigh?

Xiu Ying: (What? Why are you so curious, your mighty prince?) I want to learn more about Lady Yan'er, yet I have run into some difficulties. That's why I sighed.

Prince Jin: No one else knows Yan'er better than me. She had been by my side since  she was 7. If you have any question, just ask me.

You don't want to stay with Prince Jin any longer, yet you dare not to leave rashly. So you come up with a few questions. However, the prince doesn't seem to know Yan'er as good as he claims.

Prince Jin: What did she often say? What did she do when she felt shy? What kind of questions are these?

Xiu Ying: ...I am sorry for the inappropriate questions. I shall ask Your Highness after I have fully prepared myself.

Prince Jin: [Stare at you for a while] Just go.

Finally allowed to leave, you dare not to relax yourself and salute to the prince before taking your leave. Only after you have left Prince Jin's vicinity do you let out a deep breath. Yet your curiosity on the prince and Yan'er grows after this encounter.