LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 147: Departing the Palace

Right now, it's urgent for you to leave Prince Jin's mansion. Fortunately, Si Yan has acted quickly to arrange everything. This evening, she has bribed a guard to let her using snacks as her excuse.

Si Yan: The mansion is heavily guarded. After my investigation, I've found the only way for you to secretly leave is to get on the kitchen's purchase carriage. Every morning, buyer from the kitchen will drive the carriage out to buy food. If you hide yourself in the carriage tonight, you may find the chance to get off once the buyer drives the carriage out of the mansion tomorrow morning. Rest assured, I've had a mechanism set inside the carriage. It is more than enough to hide one person.

Xiu Ying: Thank you, Si Yan.

Si Yan: [snort] You're welcome. I'm just returning your favor. However, with Prince Jin's power in the capital, it won't be difficult for him to take you back... Even if you can leave the mansion, you may not be able to escape from him.

Xiu Ying: I'm just an ordinary handmaid. I don't think Prince Jin will spare any thought on me if I escape.

Si Yan: [look at you critically] Sometimes you were smart, yet sometimes you are like an idiot.

Si Yan's look at you is complicated, but all you are thinking is how to escape the mansion and how to cooperate with Si Yan to stop Prince Jin. You do not think much about her eyes.

Xiu Ying: Si Yan, maybe we can work together to take down Prince Jin.

Si Yan: Work with me? Why? Don't you just want to leave the mansion?

Xiu Ying: It's a secret. I'll leave you to decide whether you want to hear my lie or hear nothing from me.

Si Yan: Such secrecy? It seems you do have a lot of big secrets. I won't ask your reason to take down Prince Jin, but at least tell me how you can take him down?

Xiu Ying: The Crown Prince and I are old acquaintances.

Si Yan: [surprised] The Crown Prince... What a surprise... However, he can't even ascent to the throne yet. How can he stand against Prince Jin?

Xiu Ying: Long story. All I can tell you is that he will take the throne very soon.

Si Yan: [stare at you] Good. I'll work with you to take down Prince Jin if the Crown Prince can really ascend. Death is too easy for him. He deserves the pain of losing all power!

Xiu Ying: That's the deal.

Si Yan: Don't you worry that I could leak the information of your relationship with the Crown Prince to Prince Jin?

Xiu Ying: We know each other's secrets, so no need to worry about each other. What's more, Prince Jin knew that I was the Crown Prince's acquaintance.

Si Yan: [stunned and laugh] Prince Jin knew that and yet he didn't kill you? Is he really the person I knew? Since when did he become so tolerant?

Si Yan is laughing loudly, and hatred flashes in her eyes for an instant, but soon she stops and resumes her indifference.

Si Yan: I do believe that you have the power to take down Prince Jin right.

Xiu Ying: Just trust me. You'd better restrain yourself and stop commemorating Yan'er after I leave. No one is gonna cover your error anymore.

Si Yan: I commemorated her because a Fortune Teller told me that her spirit could not rest unless I commemorate at dusk. I will watch my behavior.

Xiu Ying: [nod] Take care of yourself.

Hearing such caring words, Si Yan's face turns uneasy and she lifts her gaze from you.

Si Yan: [whisper] There is a pot of drugged wine in the box. Find a way to serve it to the guard watching you. There will be the fewest number of guards along the road to the kitchen at midnight, which will be the best chance for you to move.

At this moment, your conversation is interrupted by a guard knocking on the door and shouting.

Guard: [loudly] Lady Si Yan. It's time for you to leave!

THE ESCAPE

Midnight is approaching. You carry the food box and open the door. The sleepy guard immediately wakes up at your sight.

Guard: Lady Afu, it's late already. Why don't you sleep yet?

Xiu Ying: I'm about to sleep, but I just remember there is some snack and a pot of wine that Si Yan brought me today. I can't finish eating them alone, so I'd like to share some with you.

You hand over the food with a smile. The guard hesitates for a moment, then slowly take the box at your insistence.

Guard: Thank you, Lady Afu. Take some rest! I've heard that His Highness will summon you tomorrow. You need to rest well for His Highness' summon.

It seems your timing is exact. One more day and you could be sent out by Prince Jin and never get the chance to escape. The guard soon falls to the ground unconscious after drinking the wine. You immediately leave this courtyard and shut the door to make sure no one will realize you are gone until tomorrow.

Xiu Ying: It seems Si Yan does know the mansion well. There are indeed very few guards on this road...

You cautiously look around and quietly walk towards the kitchen. Suddenly, you hear the voice of a matron, whose footsteps are getting closer to you.

Matron: Pappy! Are you there, Pappy?

You thought there won't be any trouble with guards, but this matron is unexpected! You immediately walk toward some shady corner, but she has spotted you nonetheless. The matron frowns and try to stop the silhouette she spots, but the figure just walks even faster.

Matron: [loudly] Who's there?! Stop!

Xiu Ying: (How can I stop?! And you matron... Why are you walking so fast?!)

You almost want to break into a run to get rid of her, then pause and want to wait until she leaves. Suddenly, a large hound appears from the nearby bushes, its gaze cold under the moon. Always afraid of dog, your legs immediately turn soft. As the hound barks, you hear the matron's voice again.

Matron: Pappy? Are you there, Pappy? Guards! Guards! There are intruders in the mansion!

Xiu Ying: (Caught between the hound and the matron. What an unlucky day for me!)

Knowing that you can't stay here, you immediately turn around and stride away. You can hear the vague footsteps of guards, but you are more afraid of the hound chasing you. At this moment, you've reached a lake in the remote corner in the mansion. The water is sparkling beneath the moon.