Rising Phoenix

“Why is it not good?” Feng Zhiwei looked down at him, her hand still in his.

Helian Zheng felt as if he were holding ice, and though she sat right beside him, he felt as if she were on the farthest edge of the world. Her hand was here, but her mind and soul were not.

A bitter smile lifted the corner of his lip as he gently replied: “Life is bitter and short; why spend so much on hatred when you could let yourself be happy. I… just want you to be happy.”

He clumsily reached down into the medicine chest beside them and pulled out more cloth and ointment. As Feng Zhiwei watched without understanding, the young king turned her wounded hand towards him and carefully plucked the small spikes from her wound, applying the ointment and binding her wound even as every small move covered him with layer and layer of sweat.

Feng Zhiwei stared down at him, finally reaching out with a handkerchief and wiping the sweat off his forehead. “I am very happy today, for I finally understand how many people in this world have failed you and how many respect you. Helian, than you, but I truly do not think your wounds are worth a mere title of queen. You understand that being queen is not important to me.”

Helian Zheng fell silent. He was not a fool and could hear Feng Zhiwei’s warning reminder, but he still smiled as he replied: “Yet I am still willing.”

With those words, he turned away and closed his eyes as if to sleep, so Feng Zhiwei quietly packed the medicine chest and left.

As the door shut behind her, Helian Zheng once again opened his eyes.

His purple amber eyes stared up at the ceiling, pain flashing in them.

After a long moment he murmured: “Zhiwei… even if it is an empty title, I still want it, because… it is the closest we’ll ever be.”

Outside Helian Zheng’s bedroom, Feng Zhiwei summoned Zong Chen and Gu Nanyi for orders, ignoring the circus in the front palace.

Not long after, Mudan Hua found her and explained that the coronation had been settled for the day after tomorrow. She spoke of how the Living Buddha’s spirits were not so good, after all he was 113 years old, and it looked like he would be giving way to the new Living Buddha when next he was needed.

Mudan Hua was no longer as loud and boisterous as she usually was, a troubled expression on her face ever since the Dama had spoken.

Feng Zhiwei watched as the woman’s face shifted, and she suddenly asked: “Mudan Hua, do you want to kill me?”

Mudan Hua stirred with shock, her eyes widening as she stared blankly at Feng Zhiwei. Finally, she managed: “What kind of question is that?”

“It’s a very ordinary question.” Feng Zhiwei replied, frowning at her goat milk. “You believe in Dama’s prophecies and have enough killed seven of your children for Helian Zheng, why would you not kill the wolf Feng Zhiwei?”

Mudan Hua paused before smiling bitterly: “Even so, I would need the ability.”

“You’re honest.” Feng Zhiwei smiled in reply, setting down her bowl. “So easily admitting it.”

“That was my first reaction after Dama spoke.” Mudan Hua confessed. “The Dama’s properties are very accurate, at least those he spoke to me. I didn’t believe before, but the old man convinced me.”

Feng Zhiwei just smiled.

“But after more thought, I realized that perhaps we do not understand what the prophecy truly meant.” Mudan Hua chuckled. “You carry poison all over, but if a woman is not poisonous then men will bully her. This is not a fault. You are followed by blood and war, but Da Yue and Tian Sheng’s war still rages, meanwhile Irgi has been betrayed and many innocents lost their lives. The Da Yue debt must be repaid, and war is inevitable; this is not your fault. And as for Jadran’s calamity… love is a calamity.”

Feng Zhiwei laughed. Truly the coarse and loud Mudan Hua had a brilliant mind.

“But in the end words mean nothing.” Mudan Hua continued, a frown covering her face. “The real problem is that I cannot kill you, so it is better that we be friends. I cannot deal with you as my enemy, so it is better to be your ally. Zhiwei, my cheap duaghter-in-law, I am trusting you with Jadran.”

The woman leaned back, her eyes narrowing as she continued:

“You can poison him to death and lead him to calamity. His fate will depend on his luck.”

“I feel as if the Queen Dowager is the most clever person in the steppes.” Feng Zhiwei quietly praised.

Mudan Hua smiled with knowing agreement.

“It’s late.” Feng Zhiwei sipped at her buttered tea, her smile as pretty as the night skies. “Hopefully everyone will have a good rest.”

Though of course there were many people Feng Zhiwei would never allow to rest easy.

After third watch, [1]she swept out her door with Zong Chen, Gu Nanyi, and Hua Qiong.

The Second Potala Palace had three different guards troops — the original King’s Court guards, her escort team, and her own people led by Gu Nanyi.

Last night, Mudan Hua had quietly shifted the guards throughout King’s Court. The Data Living Buddha was no longer partially guarded by her bridal team, now fully protected by King’s Court men. Feng Zhiwei knew that Mudan Hua was worried that the female wolf would target the Dama in her fury.

But she had underestimated Feng Zhiwei. Murder does not require a blade.

Through the back palace gates and inside the front palace, Feng Zhiwei’s group stumbled upon Liu Mudan and her entourage of maids. The Queen Dowager smiled at her daughter-in-law as she called out cheerfully: “It’s a stuffy night, dear. I’m out on a stroll, where is Weiwei heading?”

“It is stuffy. I’m thinking about taking a walk by Dama Living Buddha’s residence.” Feng Zhiwei calmly replied.

Mudan Hua chuckled and latched onto Feng Zhiwei’s arm: “Excellent, we can go together. I’ll ask the old man to calculate Tsamuttu’s fate.”

“Alright.” Feng Zhiwei agreed easily, smiling.

“Ay yo!”

As Dama Living Buddha’s yard came into view, Hua Qiong cried out in alarm.

Heads turned in worry as Hua Qiong clutched her belly, leaning heavily against a veranda pillar. The woman murmured quietly: “It’s nothing, just a bit of discomfort…”

Zong Chen walked over and took her pulse before announcing: “Lady Hua is nearing the end of her term. You must be careful or you may disturb your pregnancy, perhaps you should return to bedrest.”

Feng Zhiwei immediately stepped forward: “I’ll walk you back.”

“No.” Hua Qiong protested, pushing her aside. “Go and let Living Buddha read your fate, I’ll…”

[1] 11pm-1am