LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 149: One Month's Time

The capital is busy and lively as ever in the morning. You put on a set of men's clothes and come to a pawn shop in the street.

Xiu Ying: [Turn to look at the guard behind] What is your name?

Shadow: My Lady, just call me Shadow.

Xiu Ying: [Nod] Let's stay alive.

Shadow pauses at your words, his heart full of complex emotion.

Shadow: Rest assured, My Lady. As long as I draw breath, I will protect you with my life.

You step into the pawn shop, and the shop owner immediately greets you.

Xiu Ying: [Faintly smile] Mister, I'm here to see your master. Please inform him for me.

Boss: [Expression change] Sir, what do you mean? We are a proper pawn shop. Are you mistaking us for something else?

Xiu Ying: Mister, we've met before, although I looked different from now. Just hand this letter to your master, please.

You hand over the prepared letter. The shop owner hesitates for a moment before taking it.

Boss: Please wait for a while, sir.

You wait for almost half a day before the shop owner politely comes to you.

Boss: Sir, my master is here. Please follow me.

The shop owner leads you into a room in the backyard and opens the door. Xiao Ze is waiting inside, but he looks confused when he sees your face.

Xiao Ze: Who are you?

Hearing their master's question, his guards immediately draw weapons in alert. Seeing this, Shadow quietly stands before you, and he seems to be a match for Xiao Ze's guards.

Xiu Ying: [Resignated] Please calm down. I'm Afu. Xiao Ze, can't you recognize me with this face?

Xiao Ze: [Shocked] Afu? Is that you?

Xiu Ying: I was wearing a mask previously, and this is my true face. I'm sorry.

Xiao Ze: I see. Please sit, Afu. I didn't expect you to come to me. Thank you for writing to me about the uprising.

Xiu Ying: You're welcome. You have already known about that without me telling you, haven't you?

As you calmly tell him, Xiao Ze is stunned for an instant, then sighs.

Xiao Ze: Afu, are you suspecting that I was planning for the uprising? Let me tell you the truth. I didn't plan it, but I did use it.

Xiao Ze: As the Crown Prince, I'm facing too strong an enemy, so instead of stopping the uprising, I used them to take down Prince Jin.

Xiu Ying: [Nod] Yes. It's a good move. Prince Jin is too occupied now, and you have lots of opportunities to make your moves. It's just that I didn't expect the people of the imperial blood are all faithless.

Xiao Ze's guards are all staring at you in dissatisfaction. Xiao Ze seems shocked and unable to answer.

Xiu Ying: I was happy that you saved the rebels risking being detected by Prince Jin, but I was also disappointed that you forgot me of all people.

Xiu Ying: I thought we were friends.

Xiao Ze opens his mouth, but no voice comes out.

Xiu Ying: [Sigh] I'm relieved that you are calculative enough. It's right for you not to trust others easily.

Xiao Ze: [Urgent] Sorry, I was ill-considered, but I didn't mean to forget you. I thought Prince Jin would not trouble you. Did he... did he trouble you that day?

Xiu Ying: Anyway, I'm now standing in front of you in one piece, so there is no need to mention things of the past.

Xiao Ze: It's my fault. I should have considered better for you. You must be disappointed to see my action after saving me and helping me.

Xiu Ying: I was really disappointed, I didn't expect you not to trust me.

Xiao Ze: [Anxiously] I have always been trusting you, but then I had to take every step carefully, unable to afford for a single mistake. Can you understand, Afu? I was afraid and tired.

Xiao Ze is anxiously explaining to you, and you finally relent seeing his face. After all, he is just a child who is carrying the fate of a nation. It's natural for him to be afraid.

Xiu Ying: I come to you today just for one thing. I hope that you can trust me. I escaped from Prince Jin's Mansion to help you take him down.

Xiao Ze: It's good that you've escaped his mansion. Prince Jin is a cruel man, but why do you want to take him down?

Xiu Ying: I think almost everyone in Western Liang wishes to see his downfall, right?

In the end, you haven't changed your decision. Xiao Ze did have deceived you out of mistrust, but he wasn't wrong to do so. As the besieged Crown Prince, he has too many reasons for his choice. You feel disappointed by his method, but you still support him to be a good monarch for this country. As long as you have achieved your purpose, you can go your ways separately. Before Xiao Ze speaks, one of his guards suddenly speaks out in prevention.

Guard: Your Highness, don't trust this woman! She is from Prince Jin's Mansion. Who knows if she is working for him!

Xiu Ying: Trust is based on more than words. Xiao Ze, we've been through many things. What kind of person do you think I am?

Xiao Ze: [Smile bitterly] You have saved me and helped me. Without you, I may not even be able to stand here. You are a kind person, Afu.

Xiu Ying: Even so, I may still deceive you.

You smile faintly and stare at Xiao Ze. He gradually calm down in your gaze. Somehow he has a feeling that he should trust the person in front of him.

Guard: [Urgent] Your Highness, we cannot trust someone from Prince Jin's side!

Xiao Ze: Keep quiet. I will make my decision.

Xiu Ying: [Calmly] His Majesty has passed away for over a year, but Your Highness hasn't ascended to the throne yet. The people of Western Liang are suffering under Prince Jin's power.

Xiu Ying: To take down Prince Jin, the first step is for you to take the throne. Xiao Ze, if you trust me, then let me serve at your side. Give me one month, and I will give you the throne you deserve.

Your soft voice is echoed in the empty room. Although you look thin and powerless, somehow you are giving an impression that you can make it. At this moment, not even the Crown Prince's guards interfere anymore. Xiao Ze closes his eyes in shock, then slowly speaks.

Xiao Ze: [Seriously] Afu, if you can really make it, I have no reason not to trust you. Once we take down Prince Jin, you will be rewarded with unrivaled glory.

Unrivaled glory? You just give a faint smile and speak no more. What you truly want is to complete your goal to return home as soon as possible.