There's Something I Have To Tell You (Rise of the Phoenixes)

Chapter 3

Ning Yi and Zhiwei stayed in Jiyang another week. They took the time to sound out the locals, to find out what the Changs had been doing and whether or not there were men who could be trusted to retain order, now that the ilk of Chang Yuan's direct descendants had been crushed. The extended Chang family had been given land that was far enough apart and difficult enough to rule that they would not be able to come together to pose a threat for a long time.

"I will ask the Qingming seniors to stay behind a few weeks to help Huaishi get things in place. Soon enough, students will graduate and will be able to come back and take his place as governors and officials here," Zhiwei told Ning Yi one night as they strategized over dinner. "That way, the furthest reach of Tiansheng is always under someone loyal to its future Emperor and its people's good."

"As long as Qingming is led by a silly woman," Ning Yi interjected.

Zhiwei smiled demurely at the veiled compliment. "It will be, as long as the tailor becomes Emperor," she replied.

"With you by my side? That's almost too easy." With their relationship out in the open between them, the teasing was still there, but it was no longer about using barbs to protect their own vulnerabilities and hide their feelings. Their exchanges grew in fondness and familiarity that they had previously forbidden themselves.

-----

They bid the Minister of Jiyang goodbye the next morning as they headed back to Minhai. Arriving at the Yan Residence, they were escorted into a room facing the small courtyard.

Huaishi came within a few minutes and bowed to both Ning Yi and Zhiwei in greeting. "Welcome back," he said. "It has been a busy week in Minhai while we rounded up any of Chang Zhongxin's loyalists."

"Have there been attacks?" Zhiwei asked.

Huaishi frowned. "A few, but those involved have been caught and will face execution for attempting to assassinate government officials loyal to the Prince of Chu."

Ning Yi nodded. "Make me a list, I want those officials rewarded," he ordered. He exchanged a meaningful look with Zhiwei. He had not forgotten what he promised on that fateful night, mere hours before he killed Chang Zhongyi. "Offer any remaining family members of Liang Shiyou a place at Qingming that they might serve well in honor of their late patriarch and patron."

"Yes, Your Highness," Huaishi said, bowing.

"Yan Huaishi, receive your orders: you will remain here in Minhai for three months. Chunyu Meng and Yao Yangyu will be your aides to keep order between here and Jiyang," Ning Yi said.

Huaishi bowed again, accepting his orders.

"And you have three months to sort things out with Hua Qiong," Zhiwei whispered in Huaishi's ear. "I expect to see you together in the capital in three months' time."

Huaishi cleared his throat. "Yes, Inspector Feng."

-----

That night, after supper, Ning Yi sat at a low table in the most lavish of Huaishi's spare rooms. His hair was hanging loose like a long silk curtain.

Zhiwei came to see him but stopped at the door. She observed him, watching as his nimble fingers held his brush and filled the pages before him in his neat handwriting. There wasn't a single blot of ink out of place, and there was no melting ice causing the ink to smudge. Zhiwei's heart melted a bit as she watched him, a visceral desire to protect him and preserve this peaceful state if she could. Foolish, she thought to herself in frustration, his ambitions won't give him much peace, but if he does not pursue this path for the good of Tiansheng's people, who will?