LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 136: Fencing Lesson

In the blooming mansion garden, Si Yan is dancing in the flowers like a butterfly. Her beautiful dress and graceful movement are fascinating.

Xiu Ying: (How does Prince Jin feel seeing Si Yan like this?)

You quietly turn your gaze toward the prince in the pavilion, but his feature is as cold as covered in frost. See this, you suddenly have a unsettled feeling. The next moment, Prince Jin throws down the tea cups on the table, shattering them on the ground. Everyone else in the garden, including you, immediately kneel down. Si Yan is stunned for a moment, then slowly kneels down as well.

Prince Jin: No. Yan'er wouldn't be like this.

He walks up and grabs Si Yan's face, forcing her to face him directly. Si Yan's eyes are full of confusion seemingly unaware of what her fault is.

Prince Jin: Yan'er was much alluring. She wouldn't be so simple and innocent like you are.

He casts Si Yan aside as he finishes speaking. Si Yan coughs and lower her gaze to conceal the mockery and coldness in her eyes.

Prince Jin: [Look at you coldly] You can't even get this job done after so long! Slack one!

Feeling such menacing gaze, you immediately bow down deeply, your head touching the floor.

Xiu Ying: It's all my fault! I'm sorry to not fully learn about Lady Yan'er! I shall remember my mistake and never repeat it!

Prince Jin is staring at you, seemingly thinking on how to punish you. A young servant suddenly rushes in.

Servant: Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.

Xiao Ze has arrived at Prince Jin's Mansion? Not just you, even the normally emotionless Prince Jin is clearly visibly surprised. After confirming that Xiao Ze has only brought two guards with him, the prince sweeps his hand.

Prince Jin: I'll spare you this time. Fail me one more time, and you shall feed yourself to the beasts. Understood?

Xiu Ying: Yes, Your Highness.

Despite the subtle relation between Prince Jin and the Crown Prince, publicly they are still friendly, and it's natural for Prince Jin to welcome the Crowned Prince personally to the mansion.

Prince Jin: Why do Your Highness suddenly leave the palace? It's too dangerous that you only have two guards with you.

Xiao Ze: I'm just walking around when I pass your mansion, so I'd like to ask you to instruct my swordsmanship, uncle.

Just as Prince Jin is leading him into the main hall, the Crown Prince suddenly stops.

Xiao Ze: Tea is too boring. How about you start instructing me right now, uncle?

The Crown Prince tilts his head slightly and smiles innocently. Prince Jin quietly moves away his gaze and smiles too.

Prince Jin: As Your Highness wishes. Let's go.

When Prince Jin and Xiao Ze have walked through the corridor and arrived at the garden. Si Yan and you are still practicing dance here. You immediately kneel down before the Crown Prince.

Xiao Ze: Rise! Your dance was beautiful. Not even the dancers in the palace can match.

Si Yan just smiles slightly at the Crown Prince's praise, but Prince Jin fixes his eyes on you and suddenly speaks.

Prince Jin: Afu, don't just stand there idly. Serve His Highness with tea.

Asking an ugly handmaiden to serve the Crown Prince. Is it an act of mockery or provocation? You don't understand Prince Jin's intention, but all you can is to follow his command. You quickly leave to prepare the tea. After you return with the tea, you find Prince Jin and Xiao Ze holding a long sword respectively, trading blows on the lawn.

Xiu Ying: What's going on here?

Si Yan: His Highness the Crown Prince asked His Highness to instruct swordsmanship, so they started sparring. The Crown Prince is... too unwary.

Xiu Ying: (Too unwary indeed... Doesn't he worry that he could lose his life in an "accident"? Is he so certain that Prince Jin wouldn't do it here?)

Although you don't really think Prince Jin would do so, you are still worrying about the Crown Prince. Xiao Ze's sword falls to the ground in a clank sound. He is defeated by Prince Jin.

Xiu Ying: [Seize this moment to come up] My Lords, the tea is ready. Please enjoy the tea in the pavilion ahead.

Prince Jin: Who are you to come here without permission?

Seeing that you are about to kneel again, Xiao Ze stops you with his hand.

Xiao Ze: It's nothing. I'm thirsty now. Let's have some tea! Uncle, your swordsmanship is as excellent as ever! I've tried all I can and yet I never managed to get the upper hand.

Prince Jin: You are still young, and I've been practicing for decades. It's not a fair comparison.

Xiao Ze: Something must be wrong with me. I feel that I'm not making progress.

Prince Jin: [Laugh loudly] Your skill is already remarkable, Your Highness! You are just asking yourself too much. Come on, let me help you analyze as we enjoy the tea.

Both of them take the seats and start drinking.

Xiao Ze: Your tea is excellent, uncle! And whoever made the tea is skillful too...

Xiao Ze looks at you as he speaks, then quietly blinks at you when no one else notice. You realize that Xiao Ze has come to Prince Jin's Mansion to check if you are all right.

Si Yan: [Suddenly drag your clothes] What are you doing here? Just leave! I can take care of this alone.

You slowly shake your head and gesture Si Yan that you can stay. Seeing this, Si Yan speaks no more, but there is clearly suspicion in her eyes.

Xiu Ying: (Xiao Ze is here to see me, so I've got to be here! What's more, I need to keep an eye on Prince Jin in case he has any plot again Xiao Ze.)

Xiao Ze: If only you can instruct me more often, uncle. It's a pity that I seldom have the chance to leave the palace.

Prince Jin: Don't worry. Your Highness can summon me to the palace anytime you need me.

Xiao Ze: That's great. Thank you, uncle.

Prince Jin: Come on. We are family.

Xiao Ze: This maid makes good tea. I wish to be served with her tea in the future.

Prince Jin: [Glance at you] Ugly as she is, she has some useful skills.

You know that Xiao Ze is looking for a chance to summon you into the palace and even to take you from Prince Jin. But Prince Jin has always been suspicious, and you are perturbed that he may detect this. Thinking of this, you don't even care about being called ugly.

Xiao Ze: I don't care her look as much as her skills. What's more, she does have some talent making tea.

Prince Jin: [Smile coldly] I see. If Your Highness like her tea, I shall bring her with me to the place to serve, Your Highness.

After Xiao Ze leaves, Prince Jin snorts in mockery and shakes his head.

Prince Jin: The Crown Prince is so weak and kind-hearted as ever... He must know that I won't treat such an ugly maiden well to say so... He must be quite unsatisfied with my doing.