LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 139: Act of Rebellion

After meeting with Xiao Ze, you realize Prince Jin is long aware that you could have known each other, yet he is clearly neglecting you without any move. Perhaps he just considers you as some nobody saved by Xiao Ze previously and not any real threat. If that is true, you must take this opportunity. You thought Prince Jin would be testing you again, yet you haven't seen him for the next few days. Moreover, he hasn't summoned Si Yan anymore. Confused, you decide to ask for more information.

Xiu Ying: [Hurried catch up] Steward Zhou!

Steward Zhou: It's you. What's the matter?

Xiu Ying: I haven't seen His Highness for quite some time, Steward Zhou. Is His Highness so busy with some affairs?

Steward Zhou: [Displeased] You think His Highness's business is within your concern? Don't think yourself as somebody just because His Highness spared your life!

Xiu Ying: I dare not to trespass! Lady Si Yan is missing His Highness, so she is sending me to ask.

Steward Zhou: Humph! Don't you think I'll be fooled. I'm not falling into your trap! You can ask His Highness yourself if you like.

After being refused by Steward Zhou, you walk around aimless and suddenly hear some voice from a side door of the mansion.

Xiu Ying: Huh? What's going on?

Someone is knocking the door heavily, and the knocking soon turns into terrifying clashing with something hard.

Male A: Death to Prince Jin! Death to the tyrant! Look how big this tyrant's house is! It's built on the blood on people! His dogs are all cowards! Let's burn this house down and see if his dogs can stay still!

... Angry voices can be heard on the other side of the door. You are surprised. What else has Prince Jin done to arouse such indignation?

Guard A: [Wave at you impatiently] Get away and don't stay here!

Several patrolling guards are coming, but the indifferent expressions clearly indicate inaction against the crowd outside.

Xiu Ying: Sir, what's going on?

Guard A: [Snort] A bunch of mob! How dare they intrude this mansion! They're gonna learn a hard lesson soon.

MC: [Remind them] Sir, although we have no fear of the mob, their number is great and they seem desperate... I'm afraid they are gonna do more than this.

Guard A: What do you mean?

Before he finishes his words, thick smoke suddenly arises from behind the wall.

Guard A: [Panic] Fire! Hurry! Put it out!

Believing they are just some unruly people, the guards haven't been concerned of their threat and never expect them dare to set fire. Soon the fire burns brighter.

Steward Zhou: [Hurriedly come] What's hell is going on!? What were you doing on your post? Put the fire out! [Angrily point at you] Why are you standing still? Help them with the fire! Forget it. Just get out of here and don't get in the way!

Clearly angered, Steward Zhou starts rebuking you, but you are neither angered or concerned, so he soon ignores you. The well-trained crew in Prince Jin's Mansion soon put out the fire, but the arsonists are nowhere to be found.

Steward Zhou: [In sharp voice] Get those thugs back to me!

Xiu Ying: Steward Zhou, please calm down. Let's think about it. How could they dare to set us on fire without support? I'm afraid someone behind them has laid a trap for His Highness!

Steward Zhou: Who has the gut for this? They have set fire on us, and it's only fitting to catch them!

Xiu Ying: Steward Zhou, don't you think they could have prepared for this? If we hastily try to catch them, we could walk directly into their trap and cause trouble to His Highness.

Steward Zhou: [Frown] There are more and more thugs like them these days. His Highness is angry but always restraining himself...

Xiu Ying: That's right. Moreover, His Highness won't be pleased if he leaves a bad reputation in history for standing against all the people in Western Liang.

Although you've just made up all these nonsense, Steward Zhou is convinced by your words and stops the guard who are about to hunt down the arsonists. Suddenly he remembers something and casts his gaze at you.

Steward Zhou: Didn't I tell you to leave? Why are you still here?

Xiu Ying: [Apologetically smile] I just want to help you.

Steward Zhou: [Snort] You've got plenty of ideas, so I'll listen to you this time. However, we must double our guards and not allow them cause any trouble!

Xiu Ying: Steward Zhou, you just said there are more and more thugs recently. What's going on?

Steward Zhou: They are just refuges from Qiuzhou. How dare they stand against His Highness!

Refugees from Quizhou? Even in Prince Jin's Mansion, you too have learned of the locust plague in Qiuzhou, because it was one of Prince Jin's men who was sent to relieve the plague, and he has sent multiple gifts to the prince for assigning him on such profitable job. It is inconceivable that such people care more about filling their own pockets instead of helping people with the plague, the refugees' wrath is understandable.

Xiu Ying: [Thoughful] No wonder I haven't been seeing His Highness for quite some time. His Highness must be busy dealing with this.

Steward Zhou: [Warning] Mark my word, mind your own business!

After learning the refugees have come to the capital to seek justice, you begin to acquire information on it and soon have some discovery. Simply put, people of Western Liang have been suffering during the regency of Prince Jin. The locust plague is Qiuzhou is merely a spark of uprising. This is more than rebellion of refugees from Qiuzhou. It's an uprising of Western Liang people.

Xiu Ying: [Murmur] This presents an obstacle to Prince Jin as well as an opportunity to Xiao Ze. Whoever wins the hearts of people will win the throne. How can Prince Jin not understand this?

Xiu Ying: (If Xiao Ze could seize this opportunity to demonstrate his virtue as a benevolent monarch, many problems will be gone swiftly.)

You write down everything you think about this issue into a letter, leave the mansion and arrive at a pawn shop that Xiao Ze told you. The shop owner is someone he trusts and will help you deliver the letter.

Boss: Rest assured, My Lady. I guarantee you that this letter will reach His Highness.

Xiu Ying:Thank you, mister.

You let out a breath in relief and leave the pawn shop after handing the letter out, but someone is suddenly calling you as you walk out of the shop.

Dark Guard: His Highness is summoning you!