Rising Phoenix

Helian Zheng smiled at Feng Zhiwei’s surprised eyes, bitterness crossing his face for the first time. He explained again in a quiet voice, “The steppes also have struggles for power…”

Feng Zhiwei listened silently, understanding that political struggles were the same everywhere.

Both of them stayed silent and the room fell quiet. Summer wind blew in through the ajar window, tossing Helian Zheng’s dark hair over his prone back; framed by his hair, the color of his purple eyes gleamed even brighter, the amber mingling with the deep purple, outshining the moon.

His robe fell loosely against his strong, light honey chest, lazily curling up on Feng Zhiwei’s small bed like a big, gentle cat hiding away its claws.

His wild, almost palpable manliness blurred the silence.

Feng Zhiwei finally had to avert her eyes, and she listens as Helian Zheng spoke again, half pleading: “Come with me… the list cannot be changed, and you don’t want the Feng Family’s Young Miss to be noticed by the Imperial Court again, do you?”

So you’re clever! Feng Zhiwei cast a resentful glare at the man claiming her bed. Though his face had hints of pleading, his expression was complacent, and the situation filled Feng Zhiwei with despondence.

Feng Zhiwei’s eyes swept over the prince; her gaze filled with mistiness, a small subconscious pout on her lips; her entire demeanor completely transformed from her usual calm and tranquil poise, and a sweet, alluring seemed to fall over her. Helian Zheng’s heart stirred and his eyes perked up, and the prince was completely unable to restrain himself, hurriedly leaping upwards and rushing to grab Feng Zhiwei’s hands, saying: “Little Aunt, there is a Combining Bed Curtain ceremony that we perform in the steppes before marriages, how about we try it out…”

“Pa!”

“Peng!”

Young Master Gu tossed the unruly prince out onto the street.

Helian Zheng’s boots soon followed, smacking him on the head before tumbling into the outer yard pond.

Three days later, the fish all floated belly up, having died miserable deaths…

Two days later, Noble Imperial Consort Chang’s birthday celebration began. As the familial sister to the Empress, Noble Imperial Consort Chang assumed control of the Imperial Harem after the Empress’s death and was currently the most powerful woman in the palace. Even though her flourishing youth had passed, she had lost none of her Imperial Favor. The Emperor treated this now lifelong companion of his with suitable respect, and so the feat on her fiftieth birthday would be conducted with solemnity and grandiosity.

The feast was planned for dinner, but everyone gathered at the Imperial Palace early in the morning to congratulate Noble Imperial Consort Chang. The Imperial Consorts and Concubines celebrated in the morning, and after a birthday noodle lunch for all the women at the Long Qing Palace, the inner and outer Titled Madams came with the other guests to celebrate in the afternoon. Male and female guests only dined together in the evening feast and were separated for the rest of the day. When Feng Zhiwei learned of the packed schedule, she realized she had been foolishly tricked aboard a pirate ship.

Feng Zhiwei woke early to wash and prepare her makeup. Helian Zheng had sent servants with jewelry and a fine silk dress in the incredibly rare and valued Jiang Huai[1] style, the fabric a light, watery blue with hems and cuffs of pure snow white, like an ocean surf’s clear white spray marking the lines of a vast beautiful ocean sweeping in from the horizon to meet the beach. The dress was beautifully cut in a simple elegance, with exquisite detail in all its embroidery, truly exemplifying the mastery of Dijing’s top embroiderer, the Luxuriant Pavilion.

Her jewelry was a set of rare, valuable natural sea pearls, and even the concealed button at the neckline was made out of the extremely rare Southern Sea pearl. The whole ensemble was like that of a sea fairy or nymph, every part combining in a gentle, beautiful harmony.

A young woman naturally enjoys beautiful clothing, and even Feng Zhiwei’s stressed face relaxed as she examined her gift. As she touched the soft fabric, she was surprised again by the depths of a wild man like Helian Zheng.

Movement stirred behind her, and when she turned, Feng Zhiwei saw her mother leaning against the doorframe, watching her with complicated eyes.

Feng Zhiwei paused. The mother and daughter had not met since the Hu Zhuo Prince had come seeking a concubine, and both women were clearly uncomfortable with the situation. After a moment, Feng Zhiwei finally cleared her throat and asked: “May I help you?”

Madam Feng examined her daughter. The brilliant morning sun shone down on the light blue dress and shimmered over the beautiful fabric. The glowing pearls and the exquisite dress propelled Feng Zhiwei’s beauty into an otherworldly level; her face seemed to soak in the rays of sun, gracing her with a calm and noble glow — her extraordinary beauty, daily concealed by her ugly, raw clothes and masking makeup, was finally on full display.

Madam Feng’s heart twinged… her Zhiwei should have always been this beautiful.

“I came to tell you..” Madam Feng began, but as Feng Zhiwei turned away it was as if her heart had been stung and she quickly changed her words. “Your little brother, he was admitted to Qing Ming Academy.”

But not he had gone not as a student, but as a servant… Feng Zhiwei hid a cold, ironic smirk and calmly nodded her acknowledgement.

“Zhiwei,” Madam Feng looked into her daughter’s face, her words hesitant. “That day, I did not want to send him to Mount Shou Nan Academy because…”

Feng Zhiwei turned to meet her mother’s gaze and waited.

This woman was still the mother who had raised her for over a decade; Feng Zhiwei would always give her the chance to explain herself.

But as Madam Feng opened and closer her mouth, a flash of barely noticeable pain crossed her eyes, and finally she closed her mouth in silence.

Feng Zhiwei could only quirk her mouth in a self-mocking smile.

She could not express her disappointment, after all she had been disappointed too many times already.

“I understand, is there anything else you wish to tell me?” Feng Zhiwei replied even more politely than before.

Madam Feng bit her lips, hesitating as she said: “Nothing much, but since you are heading to the Imperial Palace, if you see Princess Shao Ning’s wet-nurse Chen, please ask after her health for me. It’s been many years, and I miss her a lot.”

Feng Zhiwei frowned, having no desire to meet with Shao Ning.

“With my status,” Feng Zhiwei replied courteously. “It is not easy for me to speak privately with the princess, but if I get the chance I will ask after her for you. Is this wet-nurse Chen an old friend of yours?”

“No… yes.” Madam Feng replied, carelessly blurting out ‘no’ as if in a trance. She hurriedly changed her words and panicked under Feng Zhiwei’s gaze, finally saying: “I need to finish with Hao-er’s clothes, I must go.”

Feng Zhiwei could only watch as her mother hurried away. In this short half year, her mother had already aged so much, her back already slightly stooped as if weighed down by countless secrets and worries.

Feng Zhiwei sighed, doing her best to put it out of her mind.

“Penny for your thoughts?” A familiar voice called out smilingly from behind her.

Feng Zhiwei turned once more. Helian Zheng stood framed by the sun shining through the door, dressed not in his steppe’s royal garb but rather the traditional Tian Sheng nobility’s robes. His clothes were the same light blue of her beautiful dress, and a dark-green jade crown tied back his hair. He was clean and handsome, and he carried with him a natural majesty like that of a great, precious gem.

[1] 江淮,Jiang, Yangtse River; Huai, Huai He River