LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 193: The Poor One

Two days later in the evening, the light rain drizzled away the heat of many days. You took the advantage of the cool breeze and went to greet the Emperor.

Emperor: Is Pingle here? It's smart of you to come while it's not hot... Take a look at these paintings.

Several paintings were scattered on the table. The Emperor was picking up one of them to appreciate. Hearing this, you stepped forward slowly. Under the sign of the Emperor, you lay out a painting. The next moment, your eyes were wide open and you were slightly surprised.

Xiu Ying: These paintings are treasures made by famous masters, aren't they? They should be very rare.

Emperor: These are all sent by the Crown Prince. He knows that I like calligraphy and paintings. I like them very much.

After what happened before, the Emperor and you seldom mentioned Yin Zhen. But he suddenly mentioned him again, making you feel a little nervous.

Xiu Ying: His Highness the Crown Prince is very thoughtful.

Emperor: He is. Not just in these things. He has done many things for me these days. He does share my burden.

You only focused on appreciating the famous paintings and smiled when you heard the Emperor. You did nothing other than being respectful and courteous.

Hu Ling: Your Majesty, His Highness the 6th Prince asks to see you.

The Emperor seemed to want to say something to you, but the 6th Prince suddenly asked to see him so the Emperor took back what he was about to say. A moment later, the 6th Prince strode in with a smile.

6th Prince: Father... I heard that the Crown Prince presented many famous paintings. Are those the paintings? I wonder if I have the honor to see them?

Emperor: I thought you came to see me, but you came for the paintings! There!

The 6th Prince came forward and picked up a painting. He turned around and looked at you, smiled and nodded to you, as if none of your previous grudge existed.

6th Prince: The painting has in the princess hands seems to be nice.

Xiu Ying: Your Highness, take it if you want to see it.

The hall door is pushed open again, and Hu Ling comes in with a tea cup.

Hu Ling: Princess, 6th Prince, enjoy your tea. You and the 6th Prince put down the painting and sit down.

Hu Ling walks over to you, and fills up your tea for you. You wanted to drink a cup of tea after the greeting, but at this moment, an interesting scene happens in front of you.

Hu Ling: [Exclaims] I'm, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!

The tea cup is splattered all over the table, and Hu Ling kneels down and kowtows for mercy. The 6th Prince frowns, and kicks the teacup fragments next to his feet away in disgust.

6th Prince: What's wrong with you? How can you be so careless!

Hu Ling: It's all my fault... I will clean it up now.

Hu Ling hurriedly reaches for the fragments with her red and swollen hands that have been scalded by the boiling tea. She is badly burned. At this point, she directly reaches out to pick up the fragments, then accidentally cuts herself and starts to bleed.

Emperor: [Frowns] How have you been around me for so long, but still can't handle little things like this? Ask someone else to attend to me, you can leave now!

Hu Ling leaves with red eyes. After a while, you leave too. The rain has stopped , the summer night comes late. The sky is still very bright, and the wind is mixed with a moist essence. It's such a comfortable moment.

After walking a few steps, you hear a sound of sobbing. After turning the corner, you see a maid sitting against the wall, burying her head in her arms and weeping.

Xiu Ying: Why are you crying here?

Hearing the sound, the maid panics. She slowly lifts her head, revealing a pitiful face.

Hu Ling: Princess?

You are not surprised to see Hu Ling, but you don 't know if it was a coincidence, or if she was waiting for you on purpose.

Hu Ling: I'm making a fool of myself. I'm so weak, I can't even handle the Emperor scolding me.

Xiu Ying: You should apply medicine to the wounds on your hands. Don't make it too late or else it'll scar.

Hu Ling: Scars are fine, so long as they can remind me to do things more carefully.

Xiu Ying: I don't think it's like what you said. I was in the opposite position to you at the time, and I saw exactly what happened very clearly.

Xiu Ying: You deliberately broke the tea cup, didn't you?

Hu Ling is stunned, she lowers her eyes, feeling embarrassed. After a moment, she seems to have mustered up her courage and slowly lifts her head.

Hu Ling: I thought I did a good job. I didn't expect to be exposed by the Princess so easily.

Xiu Ying: Why did you do that?

Hu Ling: If I didn't do that, I would have to help the 6th Prince with something evil! You care about me so much, My Lady, how could I do something to hurt you?

Xiu Ying: What are you talking about?

Hu Ling looks around and gets up. She takes you to a quiet place, and starts to tell you the truth.

Hu Ling: The 6th Prince asked me to help him frame you. He intends to make you destroy the famous painting the Prince gifted to the Emperor to make him furious with you.

Hu Ling: I didn't want to do this, that's why I hurt myself to avoid it.

Xiu Ying: Why does the 6th Prince want to do this?

Hu Ling: [Shakes head] I don't know. But his hostility towards you is deeply rooted, this isn't the first time...

After saying this, Hu Ling starts crying again and kneels down in front of you. No matter how much you try to make her stand, she just refuses.

Hu Ling: I feel so guilty, I almost killed you, My Lady! Before, I was also ordered by the 6th Prince and mentioned the waterfall to you, which caused you to go see it. That's when you fell down the cliff. Fortunately, you were saved.

Xiu Ying: Do you mean the 6th Prince caused me to fall off a cliff?

Hu Ling: [Shakes head, brimming with tears] The 6th Prince doesn't trust me. I don't know what he wanted to do, but I think it was him who did it.

Hu Ling: I was in a panic, so I asked a maid to follow you, hoping she could secretly protect the Princess. I was threatened by the 6th Prince and had no choice but to try and kill her. Please forgive me, My Lady!

Xiu Ying: The maid who pointed out the suspicion of the Noble Consort was arranged by you?

Hu Ling: How do you know this? Yes, I arranged that. I guess that maybe the 6th Prince and the Noble Consort joined hands to fight against you.

Seeing you silent and thinking for a long time, Hu Ling kneels down and kowtows with tears in her eyes.

Hu Ling: I've realized how wrong I was. Please don't tell the Emperor about what happened, please forgive me, My Lady!

Xiu Ying: Why don't you tell the Emperor that you were threatened by the 6th Prince?

Hu Ling: The 6th Prince threatened me with my family members' lives, I dare not take risks... I told you the truth today because I feel guilty. From now on please be more careful so that I can be ease.

Xiu Ying: [Holds her up] OK, I see. Shi Lian, take Miss Hu Ling to the Imperial Physician.

Shi Lian helps Hu Ling to the Imperial Physician. Hu Ling keeps looking back at you. She looks nervous and anxious. Seeing that you are smiling at her, she seems to be a bit relieved.