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

Chapter 12

Outside in the courtyard, Ning Yi could see the light of several torches. A battalion of soldiers was standing at attention, waiting for Ning Qi's orders.

Ning Qi had ordered Secretary Yao to be brought and to read the imperial edict he was holding.

The old official gingerly unfurled the yellow scroll. He looked horrified.

"Read it!" Ning Qi commanded.

"It's alright, Secretary Yao," Ning Yi piped up. "You don't have to read it unless it matches the Emperor's copy."

Ning Qi signaled to Yueling, who had come out a different way from the banquet hall. She was carrying a box that no doubt contained an imperial edict.

"The Emperor sealed it himself," Yueling told Ning Qi.

"Secretary Yao?" Ning Qi said, indicating the box.

Secretary Yao gave one of the guards that had dragged him in the first edict he was holding. He opened the box and pulled out another yellow scroll. He unfurled it and read aloud. "This imperial edict is only to be opened in the event that the Prince of Wei breaks the seal of his imperial edict. This edict shall stand as testimony against the Prince of Wei for colluding with the concubine Yueling to bewitch the Emperor into assigning him the position of Crown Prince. I order his arrest and exile to Zhongzheng Temple."

Ning Qi was perplexed. "How?"

"The Emperor is arriving!" came a unified shout from Zhiwei and Zhaoyuan.

Everyone knelt and bowed as the Emperor appeared at the top of the stairs of the courtyard. Gu Yan and the rest of the imperial guard bowed behind him.

"Gu Yan, execute my orders," the Emperor ordered.

Gu Yan and his men scrambled to obey, binding Ning Qi despite his protest before taking him away.

"Read the rest in Imperial Court tomorrow," the Emperor ordered Secretary Yao.

Secretary Yao glanced down at the edict, and his hands visibly trembled again as he looked up at the Emperor. He bowed immediately.

----

The pretentious concubine Yueling was also arrested, and the staff of the palace quickly set the place to rights after the conflict. After checking to make sure the entire palace grounds were secure and none of Ning Qi's men remained, the banquet was relocated to another hall where the royals were allowed to finally partake of a good meal in celebration of Helian Zheng and Shaoning's betrothal. A new place was set up beside Ning Yi for Zhiwei.

At the end of the night, Helian Zheng bowed – the way men did in Tiensheng rather than how the men of Jinshi bowed – to Shaoning. "I will return home to my people with the good news of our agreement to marry, and I will make arrangements for you, Jinshi's future queen."

Shaoning bowed in return. "Thank you, Your Highness. I look forward to your return." She almost sounded like she meant it. Perhaps the way Helian Zheng honored her made a better impression on the princess.

As the Prince of Jinshi respectfully said his goodbyes, all the occupants of the banquet hall except the Emperor stood to do the same.

Once outside, Ning Ji approached Ning Yi. "Liu ge," he said.

"Ning Ji? What is it?" Ning Yi asked.

"I want you to know that you and Father have my loyalty. If there is any way for me to prove it, name and I will do it," the younger prince asserted. "Every brother of ours before me, except for Ning Qiao, has tried to betray Father or kill you. I swear to you that I will be different."

Ning Yi placed a hand on Ning Ji's shoulder, sensing his fear. "I know you are. Stay the course you are on."

Ning Ji nodded immediately. "Yes, brother."

Ning Yi released Ning Ji before walking off towards the doors.

Arriving at his carriage, he found Zhiwei inside.

"You have very good timing," Ning Yi commented.

"You looked like you could use some help," she said, sidling up beside him, her arms winding around him.

"Thank Nanyi for me," he said.

"You should thank him yourself," Zhiwei replied.

"I'm not sure he has truly warmed to the idea of speaking to me," Ning Yi answered.

A laugh bubbled out of Zhiwei. "He will in time."

"How is Minhai?" Ning Yi asked.

"Very well," Zhiwei answered. "The refugees have settled in somewhat. Huaishi will come with me to court tomorrow to make a full report."

Ning Yi pressed a kiss to her temple, utterly content to have her in his arms again. He allowed the adrenaline and nerves brought on by tonight's events to calm down. As all the excitement drained away from him, he held Zhiwei closer, basking in her warmth. "I've missed you," he whispered seriously.

Zhiwei turned her head to look him in the eye. "I missed you, too," she said earnestly.

-----

The next morning, the Imperial Court convened as commanded.

Yan Huaishi came before them to deliver the report on Minhai as Zhiwei's deputy. "The men and women rescued from the market underground have been given homes and are slowly becoming part of the community in Minhai. Some have accepted places within households and others are applying their skills in farms, markets and support for the city guards."

The Emperor nodded his approval. "Well done, Inspector and Deputy," he said. "You may go."

Huaishi and Zhiwei bowed and backed out of the chamber.

Ning Yi resisted the urge to try to catch Zhiwei's gaze as she departed. They would talk later.

"Secretary Yao, read the last half of the edict," the Emperor ordered.

Zhaoyuan brought the Imperial Edict that they had opened last night.

Secretary Yao took it and unfurled it to be read again. "The Emperor declares that the Sixth Prince, the Prince of Chu, Ning Yi shall serve as Crown Prince."

Ning Yi fell to his knees in a bow with a gasp. He had known the Emperor was well-prepared for Ning Qi's rebellion, but he had not known that this was waiting inside the Imperial Edict.

"Rise," the Emperor said. To Zhaoyuan, he ordered, "Prepare for the Crown Prince's public declaration tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhaoyuan said with a bow. He grinned broadly at Ning Yi who was slowly picking himself up off the floor.

The rest of the chamber bowed to Ning Yi.

Ning Yi gave an unsettled nod.

-----

Ning Yi returned to the Chu Residence after Court was dismissed and was not at all surprised to see Zhiwei's carriage already there. He got off his carriage and entered his residence immediately, not even bothering to conceal his eagerness to see Zhiwei.

He found Zhiwei in his study, reading one of the reports he had left earlier this morning.

"I heard congratulations are in order," Zhiwei said, putting the scroll down and rising from her seat. She approached Ning Yi with a bright smile and bowed low just a few feet before him.

Ning Yi grabbed her arm to stop her. He gave her a smile that said she was being absurd yet amusing. "If I had it my way, you would never bow to me or anyone ever again," he said, stroking her cheek with his nimble fingers.

Zhiwei brought her arms up around Ning Yi's shoulders, winding them behind his neck.

Ning Yi leaned closer, searching her eyes for permission. Seeing no objection, he closed his eyes, and their lips met in a gentle kiss.

Heart pounding at Ning Yi's words and the feel of his lips, Zhiwei closed her eyes and reveled in the connection.