LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 144: Deep Relationship

After being found burning joss paper, Si Yan looks uneasy when facing you. Her eyes are fixed on you when you are before Prince Jin, fearing that you would speak out anything bad for her. You already suspected that Si Yan and Yan'er have some close connection, and this incident only strengthens your belief. But you don't have any proof yet, and Si Yan's reaction is too extreme. You have no choice but to stay patient and seek the opportunity to uncover the truth.

This evening, when you just arrive at the kitchen to bring Si Yan's dinner, Cui Cui hurriedly comes to you.

Cui Cui: Afu, Lady Si Yan was taken to His Highness. I've heard that she had been doing something wrong! You'd better check her out!

Xiu Ying: [eyelid twitches] Something wrong? What's going on?

Cui Cui: I'm not clear, but she has been doing things wrong this days. You need to be careful yourself.

After thanking Cui Cui, you hurriedly walk toward the front hall with the food box. There must be where Si Yan is if she is taken to the prince for her fault. The guard outside the front hall look at you without expression, insisting that you can't get in no matter what you have said.

Xiu Ying: Sir, I am Lady Si Yan's handmaiden. What has my mistress committed?

Guard: Just get away. You can't get in without His Highness's summon. I'm just a guard. How do I know if your mistress has done anything?

It's quiet in the front hall, and the guard won't let you pass. All you can do is worrying alone, your heart deeply troubled. Suddenly, your eyes are brightened as you see Steward Zhou approaching, but what are you going to ask him?

Xiu Ying: Steward Zhou! I'm Lady Si Yan's handmaiden, and I should accompany her! Please let me in!

Steward Zhou: It's none of your business. Get away from here, now!

Inside the front room, Prince Jin is leaning lazily on the chair, rubbing his thumb ring carelessly. Suddenly he hears the noise from outside.

Prince Jin: [slowly raise eyes] Let her in.

Just as you are about to leave in desperation, Steward Zhou suddenly calls you, his brows frowned.

Steward Zhou: His Highness asks you to come in.

As you step into the front hall, you see Prince Jin's indifferent gaze falling on you. Si Yan is kneeling on the floor, her eyes hollow. Scattered before her are piles of joss paper and some clothes. You feel it unthinkable when you see the joss paper. After you reminding her, not only did Si Yan still commemorate by burning joss paper, but she also got caught for it.

Xiu Ying: (Si Yan, can't you wait until when everyone has fallen sleep to burn your joss paper? Why did you have to do that in the evening...)

Prince Jin: [calm] Tell me, what is your relationship with Yan'er?

Si Yan keeps her eyes low and says nothing.

Matron: [remind] Lady Si Yan, if you don't speak, I will have to compel you to confess!

Hearing Prince Jin's question, you have confirmed of your guess. Si Yan must have some close relationship with Yan'er. However, Si Yan just keeps her mouth shut despite the matron's threat. Thinking of Yan'er's importance to the prince, you have quickly made up your mind to unlock the secrets through this incident.

Xiu Ying: [sigh at your heart and kneel] Lady Si Yan is innocent. She can't speak because these are my stuff.

Matron: [voice louder in surprise] What are you talking about? These are your stuff? Confess everything!

Unexpected of you saying so, Si Yan immediately raises her head and looks at you, her eyes full of surprise.

Xiu Ying: [tearful] Please forgive me, Your Highness. The joss papers were used to commemorate my late mother, and Lady Si Yan was merely helping me to clean them up.

Xiu Ying: As for the clothes... I stole them from Yan'er's courtyard. Since Your Highness mentioned of her courtyard, I thought I could get some money out of it...

Xiu Ying: Lady Si Yan is too kind to cover me, but I can't afford to see her punished for my fault. She is innocent, and it is I who deserve the punishment.

Matron: [furious] You insolent bitch! How dare you have done that!

Xiu Ying: I'm so sorry for my crime. I shall never repeat them! Please forgive me, Your Highness!

Prince Jin looks at you coldly without a word. The matrons, believing the prince no longer cares about you, kick you angrily with great strength.

Matron: Forgive you? After what you have done? You're dreaming! Your Highness, we shall drag her out and beat her to death!

The two matrons' strength is great, as they pull you up and are about to drag you out. Recovered from the shock, Si Yan hurriedly tries to stop them.

Si Yan: No, it's not Afu's fault. She... she didn't mean to do it! Your Highness! Please! Have mercy on Afu! Your Highness!

Matron: Lady Si Yan, it's up to His Highness to judge your action of covering the criminal. Stay aside at this moment!

Si Yan: Matron! Please! Spare Afu's life! She doesn't deserve to die for her crime! Please! Your Highness! I beg you...

Si Yan is crying and begging with all her strength, and you feel relieved at this sight. At least your efforts have not been in vain. Although she occasionally acts like crazy, there is still kindness for you in her heart.

Prince Jin: [suddenly] Stop.

Matron: Your Highness, let me drag her out so that she won't bother you.

Prince Jin: She doesn't deserve to die... Punish her as the rule indicates.

Any offense on Yan'er is considered an unforgivable crime in the mansion, but now the prince has spared your life, the matrons are stunned for a moment.

Matron: [recovered] Yes! As Your Highness command!

You are thrown to the ground. An old matron steps forward, raises her hand, and slaps you. All you can feel is the buzzing in your ears and the darkness in your eyes. The old matrons are the executioners of punishment in the mansion, and their strength is immense. You almost faint at the first hit, but this is only the beginning.

Matron: [sneer] This is the first hit! Get yourself ready, Afu! Strange... others' faces would have already turned swollen, but there is no change on your face!

The second and third slaps soon follow. The buzzing grows louder, and you can't see a thing with your eyes, let alone speaking. Prince Jin watches the beaten girl as he keeps rubbing his thumb ring, feeling unknown agitation from his heart.

Prince Jin: Stop!

The matron holds her hand in mid-air and looks at him in surprise, but not even the prince himself can't tell why he gives the order to stop.

Prince Jin: Enough. She is annoying me. Get her away.

Matron: As Your Highness command... Huh? What's this?

There is only pain in your face, your eyes are shrouded in a mist. The buzzing in your ears becomes weaker, but you can't hear what they are talking about yet. Suddenly, you feel your face become cool. The matron holds the skin raised at your chin and pull hard. A complete mask of paper thin falls from your face.

Matron: [shock] This... this is a mask!