LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 134: Mansions of Yesteryear

Back in the days in the palace, lonely as you were, new years were always vivid and active. This new year's eve in Western Liang, however, is so cold, without the slightest feeling of celebration. Until Prince Jin is hosting a New Year's Eve Banquet in the mansion in the evening.

Cui Cui: Why are you sitting here doing nothing?

Just after you have seized a chance to slip from the banquet to sit on the artificial mountain alone, you are spotted by Cui Cui, who is passing by.

Xiu Ying: Cui Cui, you are supposed to be busy in the kitchen during the New Year's Even Banquet. How do you have the leisure of going out?

Cui Cui: Nothing to busy with. There are a few attendants beside His Highness at the banquet, so it's not really busy at all.

Xiu Ying: His Highness doesn't seem to care about the new year. He is such an ambitious man.

Cui Cui: Not really. The new years in the past used to be more lively.

Xiu Ying: The past? Was it... when Lady Yan'er was alive?

Cui Cui: [Stare at you] Why do you mention her again!? Don't you remember? I wonder whether you are too bold or too stupid!

Xiu Ying: Come on, there are just two of us here. It should be okay to talk about her a little. What's more, now that I'm serving Lady Si Yan, His Highness wishes to see Lady Yan'er's impression on Lady Si Yan. You should have known this too, but this is no easy task, and I wish I could know more about Lady Yan'er.

Hearing that, Cui Cui looks hesitated. You try harder to beg her, and she has indeed relented.

Cui Cui: [Sigh] Yes. When Lady Yan'er was alive, she was in charge of the daily business in the mansion. His Highness has always been indifferent to festivals, and it was Lady Yan'er who made the new years' celebration less cold.

Xiu Ying: How did you celebrate new years when Lady Yan'er was alive? Tell me please!

Just as Cui Cui is about to speak, you are interrupted by a sudden voice.

Si Yan: I wonder where you've been. So you are being idle here!

Dressed in white skirt, with her long hair falling unbound, Si Yan is approaching gracefully, and an artificial beauty mark is particularly beautiful under the light. This look was designed by you. When Prince Jin saw Si Yan at the banquet, his expression became immediately gentler, and that made you and Si Yan relieve greatly. Seeing her presence, you and Cui Cui immediately stand up.

Xiu Ying: Lady Si Yan, weren't you accompanying His Highness? Why are you here? Banquet is not a suitable place for someone with my look. So it's better that I leave early.

Si Yan: You don't mind your own look at all, do you? Now you are laughing at yourself.

Xiu Ying: [Smile] I've got used to it!

Si Yan: [Glance at you and Cui Cui] What were you talking about? I've heard everything!

Unable to answer, Cui Cui can only look at you and gesture you to speak.

Xiu Ying: Now that you have heard us, why do you ask again? I just come up with a question. What would Lady Yan'er do at the banquet if His Highness is going to discuss something with someone else?

Si Yan: [Hesitated] What would she do?

Xiu Ying: As far as I know, Lady Yan'er would stay to accompany His Highness rather than leave.

Si Yan: Perhaps. Perhaps she would stay to His Highness.

Si Yan is calm as she speaks, yet her expression has betrayed some complex emotion.

Cui Cui: I shall return to the kitchen.

Si Yan: Wait!

Just as Cui Cui is about to leave, Si Yan suddenly stops her.

Si Yan: I know you've stayed in the mansion for many years and known lots of things, but you should be aware of the mansion's taboo and that His Highness hates people that talk too much. Don't talk about Yan'er anymore. Understood?

In the eyes of Cui Cui, Si Yan is now no different from Yan'er. Not just the look, but the feeling too.

Xiu Ying: [Softly] Lady Si Yan, please don't blame Cui Cui. I just wanted to learn more about Lady Yan'er so that I can help you better.

Hearing your words, Si Yan speaks no more, and you gesture Cui Cui to leave. Silence has returned to the artificial mountain, and you stand face to face with Si Yan.

Si Yan: I have learnt something about Yan'er during my time disguising as her. What do you want to know.

Xiu Ying: Yes. I do want to ask you how did Yan'er come to His Highness' side?

Si Yan: As far as I know, Yan'er was sold to a brothel by her parents at the age of 7. She was lucky to meet His Highness that day and taken by the mansion. Since then she had been by His Highness' side. His Highness liked her tough characteristics, and she has served His Highness over many matters. She was also an excellent dancer...

Si Yan's account of Yan'er past coincides with what you've learned, but that's not what you care most.

Xiu Ying: How did she die?

Si Yan: Now we are back to your previous question. Yan'er would have been staying at His Highness' side at this moment... So she knew a lot of thing. [Mouth corner twitching] The more you learn, the quicker you die. So I think.

Si Yan's expression in the dim light is weird, as if she is mocking, feeling sad, and being resentful at the same time. Perhaps she doesn't notice her own emotion, and you lower your gaze seeing her expression.

Xiu Ying: I hear that Lady Yan'er was sacrificed in His Highness' contest for power?

Si Yan: It wasn't that simple. Lady Yan'er knew lots of things, and His Highness was already suspicious of her. Her death was inevitable.

Xiu Ying: You know quite a lot of things, Lady Si Yan.

Si Yan pushes her scattered hair aside, seemingly not notice your hidden meaning. Instead, she speaks dryly.

Si Yan: His Highness might have loved her, but he valued his power over everything else.

Xiu Ying: [Suddenly] Lady Si Yan, do you pity Lady Yan'er's death?

Si Yan: Not worth it.

Three words are all Si Yan has said. Although you don't understand her meaning yet, you can detect that Si Yan seems to have a complex emotion toward Yan'er, and that she knows her tale well. She is also cautious of you and refuse to tell you everything. You may have to discover the rest in time or let Si Yan lower her guard at you.