Rising Phoenix

Translator: Aristophaneso

Even though this expert had a strange temper, Shen Junxin and Advisor Liu still grew excited. With this powerful expert helping them, it would be that much easier to accomplish the task the Commissioner had given them.

They glanced at each other — Master Shen was incredibly anxious about these pirates and a great desire for this merit burned in their hearts. Shen Junxin took out two slips of paper and passed them over to Feng Zhiwei: “Your Honor, these are the targets. They are said to be capable of flying over eaves and running on walls, and are glib-tongued and full of subterfuge, and Commissioner Shen has told us to never give them an opportunity to speak; if Master Yi is willing…”

Feng Zhiwei examined Ning Yi’s portray and tsked to herself: “What a vivid portrayal! Look at this shifting eyes and that sneaky face! Just by looking at him I can tell that he must be a vicious robber with a long list of evil crimes. Looking at him fills me with righteous indignation! Rest assured Honored Shen, capturing evil men is a civil servant’s duty!”

Ning Yi leaned over and grabbed Feng Zhiwei’s portrait, pretending to examine it. He smiled and commented: “You’re right, what a portrait. Look at that small nose and those tiny eyes, and these 八 curves of his falling brows. Just by looking at him I believe he is capable of flying over eaves and running on walls, and is glib-tongued and full of subterfuge. His face really makes me angry from the bottom of my heart.”

Feng Zhiwei held his portrait and he held hers and the two smile gently and sweetly at each other.

The woman who valued her looks stared at that shitty drawing and cursed the bastard who drew it! Clearly her nose was much higher and her eyes larger!

The man’s heart was filled with evil, and while the girl was still struggling over her portrait, he quietly pushed over the cup he had just spat into.

The girl was furious, so she slapped down the portrait and threw back the cup of tea.

When she finished drinking, she saw the man holding his cup and smiling joyfully, his eyes filled with ambiguity.

Feng Zhiwei regarded him with confusion. Why had he switched so suddenly from anger to this weird expression?

After a moment, she ignored him and passed the two portraits over to Young Master Gu, smiling at him and saying: “Master Yi, if I may trouble you.”

Young Master Gu looked down at the drawings; after a moment, he dipped a chicken drumstick into some sauce and edited the brows of Feng Zhiwei’s portrait.

Feng Zhiwei’s eyes glistened with tears, her heart touched by her Little Gu’s sweetness! At least one person could appreciate her beauty, not like some people whose eyes were only decorations.

Satisfied with his work, Young Master Gu turned to look at Ning Yi’s portrait and immediately stabbed it with his drumstick.

The paper tore and Ning Yi’s face was loudly ripped into pieces…

Helian Zheng’s struggled to maintain his composure and even felt like he had also been punched.

Feng Zhiwei smiled in satisfaction as she eyed the clueless tea drinking Ning Yi.

“Master Shen, rest assured. Leave this matter to me. Since you are hosting us, it is our duty to make this small contribution.” Feng Zhiwei replied. When she yawned once more, Advisor Liu and Shen Junxi tactfully bid her farewell.

But then Feng Zhiwei spoke as if just recalling the matter: “By Imperial Edict, this Minor Official has come to supervise Long Xi Way.” She said, smiling. “I’ve completed my investigation of Ji Yang. This place is doing very well; the lives of the people are stable; the granaries are full. The governing magistrate has achieved great things, and I will definitely submit his name for an award.”

Shen Junxin’s expression changed. It was unclear whether Feng Zhiwei was referring to Magistrate Peng or him, after all by all rights he had not actually governed Ji Yang.

“But the details of the Memorandum to the Throne will need to be discussed with Commissioner Shen.” Feng Zhiwei continued. “Honored gentleman, since the Prince will be heading to Feng Zhou City after two days here and we will surely meet Master Shen, do you two wish to stay here or accompany us?”

The two officials were delighted — if the censor wanted them present while writing the memorandum about their achievements, why would they refuse? Moreover, they could simultaneously curry favor with the Hu Zhuo Prince and the Special Censor and present them to the Commissioner. So of course, they hurriedly accepted: “If the Hu Zhuo Prince wishes to visit Feng Zhuo, we minor officials must escort and attend him.”

“Good. Very good.” Feng Zhiwei quickly acknowledged their acceptance. “Since you will be escorting the Prince to Feng Zhou, we are not in a rush to replace Magistrate Peng and can leave him temporarily in charge. When this brother confirms his crime, I will report the matter to the Imperial Court and we can for a Court Edict dismissing him from office. This way we can offer a proper explanation to the people of the land.”

Shen Junxin paused — for some reason, he felt that the Censor’s decision was rather problematic, but he could not pinpoint the cause. As he hesitated, Ning Yi calmly commented: “Minister Shen should wait until he returns from Feng Zhou, or else you will be too busy to accompany us on our journey.”

Ning Yi’s words sent a jolt through Shen Junxin’s heart. He thought once more about Magistrate Peng’s reputation with the people of Ji Yang and finally nodded. As he agreed to their words, he glanced surreptitiously at Ning Yi, guessing at the man’s identity. Helian Zheng had never introduced this person and simply acted as if he were just another hanger-on, but Shen Junxin’s gut told him that this man constantly drinking tea and barely touching his food was just as powerful as the other members of the group, if not more.

Perhaps he was a high-ranking official who did not wish to reveal his identity as he traveled. Regardless, Shen Junxin and Advisor Liu politely took their leave after arranging for servants to guide Feng Zhiwei and the others back to their houses.

Magistrate Peng had assigned them a yard without fussing about individual rooms. There were four rooms, enough for everyone to sleep alone, but how could Feng Zhiwei dare leave the blind Ning Yi alone? She hesitated as she turned from Helian Zheng to Young Master Gu, and as she looked at Helian Zheng, the Hu Zhuo Prince smiled and began taking off his boots.

Ning Yi and Feng Zhiwei both immediately declared: “Helian sleeps alone.”

Feng Zhiwei turned to Young Master Gu; he lifted up the oily portrait that he had stabbed with the chicken.

Feng Zhiwei decisively replied: “Brother Gu sleeps alone as well.”

Helian Zheng immediately began to protest: “No. Either I sleep with my Young Aunt or I sleep with His Highness.”

“I don’t want to be the first person in Tian Sheng Dynasty to die from smelly boots.” Ning Yi replied, not willing to budge.

“Do you know how many steppe women spend money just begging for my boots?” Helian Zheng replied haughtily.

“Your Young Aunt will never be one of your steppe women.”

“Even if she won’t be my steppe woman, she won’t be your wife either!” Helian Zheng retorted. “You’ve slept with countless women!”