Rising Phoenix

Very quickly, the gates were flung open and a green-robed, middle aged man walked out alongside a group of assistant officials. The man was white faced and clean shaven with a tiny tuft of beard, and he smiled as he called out: “I had no idea the Hu Zhuo Prince was coming or else I would have welcomed you at the gates! Forgive my sin!”

Feng Zhiwei smiled as she met the man, examining the comely face of the most powerful man in Longxi. Those soft hands were the ones that had commissioned their portraits? That ordinary mouth had hoped to devour two Imperial Envoys? The son of the reigning Emperor?

As she looked up at the cause of her suffering, the instigator of Feng Zhiwei and Ning Yi’s near death, Feng Zhiwei’s smile widened in happy friendliness.

Helian Zheng stared into Shen Xu’s face, reminding himself of Feng Zhiwei’s request to act like a many faced Han person; but when he looked into that healthy, round face, he could not help but think back to his miserable Feng Zhiwei looked when he found her in that ancient temple — covered in blood and mud, her hair a burnt mess, and her usual calm eyes filled with joy at the sight of Gu Nanyi and him. So Helian Zheng just stared silently, his heart aching.

He could not act as Feng Zhiwei had asked him to; he could barely keep his cracking fists under control.

Feng Zhiwei stepped forward and quietly bumped Helian Zheng aside, taking his place to salute and exchange pleasantries with Shen Xuru. Fortunately, Helian Zheng was the highest ranking man and did not need to salute anyone; all he needed to do was keep his chin up and maintain the noble arrogance of the Hu Zhuo Prince — Helian Zheng had already been adept at such arrogance before he met Feng Zhiwei, and now he just needed to return to his old skills.

As he chatted with Feng Zhiwei, Shen Xuru eyed the masked Ning Yi as he climbed out of the carriage. Feng Zhiwei calmly followed his gaze and introduced him: “This is Prince Hu Zhuo’s friend. He’s from Longnan and accompanied us to visit his family.”

Shen Xuru murmured understandingly and put it out of mind; he grasped Feng Zhiwei’s arm and smiled: “How fortuitous that the Hu Zhou Prince, Brother Tao, and Honored Yi should come to my place. You must stay with me; our Feng Zhou’s sights are definitely worth the time.”

“Of course, of course.” Feng Zhiwei smiled, creasing her eyes.” Before I see what I came for, you won’t be able to kick me out.”

They shared a laugh as Shen Xuru politely deferred to Helian Zheng, walking behind the Prince and holding arms with Feng Zhiwei as Shen Junxin, Advisor Liu and the rest of the officials trailed behind them.

The Yamen Mansion was heavily guarded with guards and patrols every three to five steps; clearly, Shen Xuru was on high alert after the failed assassination.

When they reached a tea room in the inner yard, Feng Zhiwei looked up at an inscription and smiled: “Halting Victory[1] Room … well written!”

Shen Xuru smiled proudly, accepting the compliment for his calligraphy as he gestured to the entrance: “Please!”

“Please!”

Everyone stepped into the room, while a flattered Feng Zhiwei still clutched Shen Xuru’s arm. The other officials smiled quietly about the Special Censor’s strange lack of decorum, none of them noticing Shen Xuru’s slightly unnatural smile.

“Master Shen, your mansion truly is a marvelous Feng Shui treasure! Surrounded by a lack and leaning against a mountain!” Feng Zhiwei called out in praise.

Just as Shen Xuru began a polite reply, the Eight Valiants entered the pavilion. He stirred and was about to ask the guards to leave when Feng Zhiwei spoke again, still smiling: “Your Honor will not be buried here in vain!”

At those words, the quick-witted Advisor Liu immediately turned and ran, but the Eight Valiants were ready, their golden whips instantly trapping Advisor Liu and Shen Junxin.

Behind them, Helian Zheng kicked the door shut.

Gu Nanyi waved a sleeve and a charging military official flew backwards and smashed into the wall.

Feng Zhiwei’s cold sword was already poised behind Shen Xuru’s heart, as Ning Yi approached, standing before the man, his hands clasped behind his back.

“You… you…” Everything had changed in a blink and most people were still reacting as Shen Junxin paled, stuttering.

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“Thank you for your escort and your help in entering the Commissioner’s Mansion unimpeded. Many thanks.” Feng Zhiwei replied kindly, turning to look at Shen Junxin. “Allow me to once again introduce myself. I am Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites and Imperial Envoy to the Maritime Department of the South Sea Region, Wei Zhi.”

A furious and terrified Shen Xuru began trembling.

A confused official called out: “Master Wei, what are you doing…”

“What we plan is something you must ask Master Shen.” Ning Yi replied, taking off his mask.

“This Prince’s name is Ning Yi.”

An absolute silence filled the shocked room and Shen Xuru’s shivers grew violent. Stuttering, he forced out: “This Minor Minister was unaware that His Highness was visiting; this Minor Minister has sinned and failed to welcome His Highness, but what does His Highness intend to do…”

“Pa!”

Helian Zheng could not bear listening any longer and slapped him, shattering a dozen of his teeth.

Ning Yi calmly spoke over Shen Xuru’s miserable cries, his gaze disgusted as he replied: “What will I do? … I’ll kill you.”

“You cannot kill me!” Shen Xuru cried out, pleading. “I have over a thousand guards in the mansion! You will never escape! I am the Commissioner! Even if I am guilty, you must bring me before Dijing’s Dali Court! Even if you are a Prince, if you just kill me then you’re also…”

“Chi.”

“Guilty.”

The blade cut so quickly that the man did not even know he was dead as he finished his sentence.

The terrified silence was now one of death as breath caught and blood gurgled. All the officials stared, pale faced, none of them quite able to believe that the most powerful man in their province had just been ended.

Helian Zheng began to laugh.

“Haha! Ting Shen[2] Room! More like Ting Shi[3]!”

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Shen Xuru crumpled bonelessly and a disgusted Feng Zhiwei let his body drop like a sack of potatoes.

“You are correct. No matter your crime, there is no way you’ll be immediately executed. You’ll put on the prisoner’s clothes and be presented to Dijing’s court. Your case will be dragged out, and all of your connections and your friends will be called on to aid you. Voluntarily or involuntarily, they will defend you and help you, and all your power and fortune will be turned to your case… in the end, your death sentence might be commuted, and then you will have the opportunity for a pardon, and you will wait and wait until you find the chance to rise again…” Ning Yi monologued, slowly wiping his hand on a pure white cotton handkerchief before tossing the fabric onto Shen Xuru’s astonished corpse. “So you must die here.”

[1] 停胜 Ting2 Sheng4

[2] 停胜 Halting Victory

[3] 挺尸 Stiff Corpse