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

Chapter 7

Zhiwei managed to slink out of Yilan Palace undetected. She regrouped with Nanyi in an empty corridor. They walked along at their usual pace, as if they had every right to be there at that moment.

"What did you find out?" Zhiwei asked, as they kept their pace.

"I found ingredients to the perfume she made for the Emperor," Nanyi said in his usual clipped tone. He stared dead ahead as he reported. "There are herbs akin to opiates, they make fragrances or tonics addictive. They create a craving."

Zhiwei was surprised he knew so much. She gave him a questioning look.

Nanyi didn't meet her gaze. "Master Zong once handed me a book that listed every medicinal herb to study."

"You studied it?"

"I memorized it," he replied.

"How come this is the first I'm hearing of this?" she asked, smiling at her friend and guardian. She nudged him with her shoulder. "I could have used a doctor before."

"Knowing plants is different from using them," Nanyi answered before adding, "Watch out. There is a prince up ahead."

Zhiwei saw Ning Ji with Minister Peng several paces ahead. They had no choice but to keep walking.

"Lady Feng Zhiwei," Ning Ji greeted with a bright smile. "Guard Gu Nanyi," he greeted as well.

Zhiwei bowed to Ning Ji while Nanyi remained on alert five paces behind her.

As usual, Nanyi bowed to no one, but he nodded to the young prince. He was impressed the prince remembered him, even if his face didn't show it.

Zhiwei was grateful Ning Ji was not easily offended by Nanyi's refusal to acknowledge royalty, or else this would turn into a crazy incident. Fortunately, Minister Peng did not make a big deal of it either.

"I would like to express my admiration for what you and Sixth Brother did in Minhai," Ning Ji told Zhiwei. "I was just speaking with Minister Peng about what happened in the Imperial Court. I was not able to attend, since Father has me continuing my studies. I've only just arrived from Qingming."

Zhiwei bowed again. "You are too kind, Your Highness. Minister Peng must have exaggerated a bit," she said self-deprecatingly. Actually, she was sure Minister Peng had tried to make it sound terrible, but Ning Ji always thought the best of everyone and was just too much in awe of Ning Yi to think anything negative of him, especially if he had done something as huge as winning Minhai over.

"You have served Tiansheng very well, Lady Feng Zhiwei," Ning Ji said. "I can only hope that I will serve with such fervor as you and Sixth Brother when it is my turn to do something for Father."

Zhiwei smiled. "I have no doubt, Your Highness."

"I will take my leave. Father summoned me to Fengyun Palace to meet him after a rest," Ning Ji said.

Zhiwei bowed, and Ning Ji left.

Minister Peng gave a discourteous nod to Zhiwei and Nanyi and departed in a different direction as well.

-----

When Zhiwei and Nanyi arrived back at the Prince of Chu residence in the afternoon, Ziyan was on his way out. He seemed in good spirits and a bit red in the face from what Zhiwei could only guess was a great deal of wine.

"I believe congratulations are in order, Lady Zhiwei," Ziyan said with a bow to Zhiwei.

Zhiwei gave a small smile. "Thank you, Headmaster Xin." She was unsure of his true thoughts of her, and she didn't dare assume she could use the familiar title of "brother" that Ning Yi used for him.