Rising Phoenix

Meanwhile, Da Peng was far from the fire and away from Medora, always keeping watch from some vantage point or another; though the steppes were united, Helian Zheng’s personal bodyguard clearly understood the dark currents flowing within Hu Zhuo, and Da Peng did not dare take security lightly.

Medora suddenly called to him, and when Da Peng turned it was to the astonishing sight of all the other guards sleeping around the bonfire. His astonishment was so great that for a moment his mind blanked, and he could not react as a force shoved him from behind, and his mind was a dizzy whirl as he fell from the tall stone he was perched on.

A different figure quietly leapt from the stone, casually standing on Da Peng’s back as he smiled at the standing Medora: “It’s good that you are clever, knowing to stop here. A little further ahead and the King’s Army patrols would be too frequent for me to casually move.”

Medora looked at the man with sharp venom flashing briefly in her eyes, and she turned away and ignored him.

“Don’t be like that.” Kereyid chided, chuckling as he floated forward and cupped her face, “You should be happy. Very soon your King will return to your side.”

Medora pulled away, her voice filled with disgust as she cried: “Don’t touch me!” Her eyes found the body of Da Peng hanging from Kereyid’s grasp, and she asked: “Why did you have me find where the King was heading? Are you trying to harm him?”

“Don’t ask so many questions.” Kereyid smiled as he replied, “In the end, if you listen to me, you will return to your King’s side; but Helian Zheng really is cruel, even looking like this and begging for aid he rejects you. While I was following him, I was almost spotted by Wei Zhi’s secret agent, so it’s good that you found me an opportunity here.”

“I asked these guards.” Medora said, “None of them know where the King is heading. Every time the provisions train near wherever they are, Wei Zhi’s people come and take the grain, but I think Da Peng should know.”

“Well.” Kereyid began in reply, his thin eyes gleaming with a heady excitement, “I have a lot of good news, and I’m certain that the Da Yue Prince An will find them very interesting…”

…

It was almost dark when the noise of carriages and horses found the Feng Zhiwei’s staging ground by White Head Mountain.

“King’s Court has sent the stuff.” Feng Zhiwei heard, happiness in her eyes as she hurried out to meet the team. As she walked, she heard a voice laugh: “Fortunately Helian Zheng has fulfilled his mission and arrived on time.”

“Why are you here personally?” Feng Zhiwei asked, happy and surprised. Helian Zheng did not immediately reply, pacing around the guards as he called out order to unload the goods from the carriages, before saying:

“There is grain from Yu Zhou, and also dried beef, lamb, and cheese, and these are blades from Hu Zhuo’s forges. Hu Zhou men will fight best with our steppe’s food in their stomachs and our weapons in their hands!”

“To think you are so thoughtful.” Feng Zhiwei smiled teasingly, “Our grain stockpile is managing, but we welcome more. The dried beef and lamb and cheese can be directly handed out, let everyone have their fill!”

Yao Yangyu and the others did not have much of a reaction, but the Hu Zhuo horsemen were already cheering. After so much time on the battlefront, all of them had long since grown were of Central Plains’ dry bread, and they were gleeful at the thought of the home food.

Meanwhile Helian Zheng was examining Feng Zhiwei, frowning as he asked: “You’ve thinned?”

Feng Zhiwei glanced at Yao Yangyu and the others, worried that King Helian would say something strange and inappropriate to General Wei Zhi, so she hurriedly said: “Why are you all still lingering instead of preparing food for the others?”

Yao Yangyu glanced at Helian Zheng and muttered an “Oh,” before dragging his brothers away, murmuring to himself, “The General is really popular with men…”

Helian Zheng caught the quiet words and burst out laughing while Feng Zhiwei spat: “Brat bastard, lawless and unbridled!”

But though her words and tone were harsh and resentful, her eyes gleamed with amusement.

When Helian Zheng looked into those gleaming, misty eyes, all his words died on his tongue. He had planned questions, but now they seemed so uninteresting and meaningless — why ask? A person with eyes like those could never do something so vicious.

She may scheme, and she may employ devious tactics, but all her evil had reasons and principles.

Helian Zheng smiled brightly, and his body grew light as a heavy weight lifted from his heart, but that was exactly when the perceptive woman asked: “You wanted to say something?”

“No, nothing.” Helian Zheng shook his head as he looked down at Feng Zhiwei with sincere eyes. “I only feel that your presence is very relaxing.”

“Fool.” Feng Zhiwei chuckled quietly, quiet happiness in her eyes.

Young Master Gu finally appeared, and as soon as he spotted Helian Zheng he floated right in front of him, his eyes gleaming through his veil.

Helian Zheng brought his hand to his forehead, smiling as he said: “You want to ask about your Zhi Xiao, right? Well…”

The King hesitated, and Young Master Gu immediately stepped forward, and even Feng Zhiwei turned to listen more closely.

“It’s nothing,” Helian Zheng hurriedly explained, “A few days ago she had a small fever and some diarrhea and was a little grumpy. The King’s Court Physician examined her and said she was fine, but the fever had not broken yet when I departed.”

Young Master Gu immediately turned to Zong Chen, and the medical master frowned as he asked: “How hot? Did you check her dorsum? Was there a cough?”

Zong Chen asked a quick series of questions, and Helian Zheng answered every one. Zong Chen’s frown deepened.

Feng Zhiwei finally asked: “Could it be smallpox?”

Zong Chen thought silently before replying: “I cannot be sure without seeing the patient.”

At those words, everyone grew solemn. Young Master Gu did not understand the significance of smallpox, so he turned to Feng Zhiwei. She could only comfort him by saying: “It’s probably nothing, but we should ask Mister Zong to return and examine her.”

“No, we need Mister Zong’s assistance here, he cannot leave.” Helian Zheng immediately objected, and even Young Master Gu shook his head.”

Feng Zhiwei glanced at Gu Nanyi, and though the man shook his head, his eyes were staring off in the direction of King’s Court. He clearly understood that danger was upon Gu Zhixiao, but for her safety, he refused Zong Chen’s assistance.

Others might not understand, but Feng Zhiwei knew the place Zhixiao had in his heart; she was Gu Nanyi’s first conscious attachment, his first true experience with a child, and the key to his opening soul and the doorway to his heart. It was from her that he learned warmth and happiness and pity, and he cherished the child’s life as much as he valued his own.