Rising Phoenix

Then Feng Zhiwei bit Ning Yi's ear!

Ning Yi felt as if he had been struck by lightning. This man who would not lose composure even if Mount Tai collapsed before him suddenly froze by the table.

Feng Zhiwei roared, flipping the table!

"Your Highness actually insults scholars!" The table fell to the ground as chairs and tea flew through the air. Feng Zhiwei ripped her sleeve, tore the buttons from her collar, and splashed in the tea puddle, drenching her robes and splattering Ning Yi's. She grabbed a piece of porcelain and ran out of the courtyard, holding the porcelain to her neck as she cried out: "The horror! A scholar prefers death over humiliation!"

Everything happened in a flash, and while Ning Yi was trying to relive that pained, happy moment and memorize the feel of her soft lips on her ear and her smell in his lungs, Feng Zhiwei had already smashed everything and ran off. From start to finish, he had had no time to react.

If Ning Yi's clever brain was not schooled in political machinations, how could he keep up?

The outcry prompted investigation from every direction and many people rushed over. They were greeted by their mussed Vice President crying out, loudly threatening suicide. The gathered crowd could only exchange stunned looks, completely baffled by the sudden turn in events.

Then they moved onto Prince Chu, his face blushed, his expression unsettled, tea splashed here and there. And the sharp eyes noticed the faint bite mark on Prince Chu's ear lobe!

Right by the bite was a tiny tea leaf, loudly out of place.

Hearts pumped as the burning beat of gossip ran through every mind, and sparks flew as shocked eyes met.

A bite mark! Ripped collars! Scandalous! An affair!

The brains of academics were very well developed and were exceedingly good at filling in the blanks. Everyone immediately understood what had happened.

Prince Chu had been so polite today because he was ruled by his gayness. Today, he had come to take advantage of Vice President Wei's offense, but of course the honorable Vice President immediately turned him down. Unfortunately, the rapacious wolf of a Prince could not resist this rare opportunity and clearly lost control, obviously ripping Vice President Wei's sleeve as he pulled the beleaguered scholar. down into a forceful kissed, and in order to defend his honor, the angered Vice President could only bit down on Prince Chu's earlobe. After escaping the demonic Prince, Vice President Wei could not bear the humiliation and was contemplating suicide. Yes. This was exactly what happened.

The experts of gossip were already beginning to worry! Princess Shao Ning was also interested in Vice President Wei! Were this brother and sister pair planning on serving the same husband, or were they going to quarrel over him?

"A handsome boy is the root of all troubles…" A white-haired scholar shook his head as he worriedly examined the heavens.

These psychopaths with nothing better to do than gossip were the minority, and most people were rushing forward to stop the indignant Vice President Wei from doing anything rash. Some of them grabbed at the porcelain shard while others comforted him.

"Master, it is better to live a coward than die a hero…" An optimistic voice called out.

"Your honor, truly this was nothing…" An honest voice said.

"Your Honor, you did not suffer here…" A bold voice announced…

"Great one, you will always be as clean as ice and as pure as jade in my mind…" An opportunistic confession called out…

Feng Zhiwei let go of the shard and silently accused with her blank stare and tears, all the while surreptitiously signaling to Prince Chu.

Go! Run! Leave! What are you still sitting there for? Why are you touching your ear so yearningly! I know you want to draw attention to the bite, do you really need to touch it so longingly? Look at that sultry face, people would even believe that you are a pimp!

Feng Zhiwei cried — what a misfortune this Prince Chu was. Either she needed to fake madness or act the shrew… her reputation in this life…

"Wanton!" Ning Yi roared, glancing at Feng Zhiwei's red lips as he wondered when they could put on another show like today's. He angrily flicked his sleeves: "The audacity! What nonsense! Just wait for this Prince to get the officials to reprimand you in the Imperial Court!"

"This Minor Minister will accompany you in punishment! After all its just a life!" Feng Zhiwei hopped up and down and yelled back, perfectly displaying the death before dishonor stereotype.

"Just wait to be impeached and jailed!" His Highness roared as he turned to leave!

"Come any time!" Feng Zhiwei cried out, rolling up her remaining sleeve as she rushed forward, only held back by the crowd.

The students were deeply moved by their Vice President's willingness to offend the most powerful prince and even risk his chastity, and their eyes become even more sappy as they admired their leader.

Ning Yi huffed as he left with his Chief Officer and Vice Commander. The unfortunate officials were saved, but their anger was not relieved — so Prince Chu was interested in having this boy toy. After being bitten, he was all thunder but no rain, and it looked like there was little nope for revenge.

Feng Hao was also dragged away. Feng Zhiwei had clearly demonstrated her intentions — was Feng Hao not suspicious? Well even if he was innocent, you had to make him a suspect. The best is if you could lock him away in the Ministry of Punishment's jail for a year or two.

The Academy regained its peace. Feng Zhiwei had Young Master Gu retrieve the forbidden books from Xin Ziyan's room — these books were here only for the sake of the Records of Tian Sheng compilation, stored for the moment in the basement before their eventual destruction. The secret letters were all forgeries Feng Zhiwei had had Young Master Gu prepare. People as cautious as Ning Yi and Xin Ziyan would never leave evidence of their relationship. The unfortunate Chief Officer was not in the inner circle and was not qualified for any true understanding of the situation, which was why he had panicked.

Young Master Gu carried on with his day, only somewhat upset that the walnut he had left behind was gone. Helian Zheng pulled a face as long as a coffin and refused to speak with Feng Zhiwei for the rest of the day.

The next day, their conversation began.

"What's up with you?"

"Nothing, my ear is itchy."

"…"

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm wondering when my dad dies whether I should marry my step mother or my brother's wife."

"…"

Gossip spread faster than any Imperial Order, and the day after the new scandal between Prince Chu and Qing Ming Academy's Vice President had already passed through the entire Imperial Court. With the help of the ever attentive gossipers, many versions of the event were soon tossed around, whether the event was one in a long standing affair, etc. etc. etc.