Reign of the Phoenix

Chapter 19 – They are the Knife, I am the Fish
Murong Zhining was sitting in the courtyard. She plucked off a leaf from the tree next to her and fiddled with it. It had been over ten days since she was locked inside this small yard. Every day, the little servant girl would punctually deliver refreshments, meals, and warm water for her hygiene needs. The little servant never gave her a pleasant face and responded to her in any way. Murong Zhining was used to the loneliness, so it wasn’t particularly difficult to endure.

Murong Zhining understood Chiyun Yuexuan’s intentions. He took her away from the palace because he didn’t want his sister to be ignored by the emperor. Actually, whether staying in the palace or not didn’t mean much to Murong Zhining. She was simply optimistic to believe that it wouldn’t be long before Chiyun Yuexuan let her go.

Murong Zhining still remembered hearing the servants in Zhuang Estate gossiping about Chiyun Yuexuan, saying that he was ugly, vulgar, and could kill without batting an eyelash. That day in the palace, the Chiyun Yuexuan that she saw possessed not only a genderlessly handsome face, but also a refined and unrestrained bearing. Thinking of those unreliable rumors, Murong Zhining shook her head and chuckled. If that guy wasn’t so arrogant and rude, perhaps people wouldn’t find him so annoying, thought Murong Zhining.

Suddenly, a loud rumble resounded, the gates to the yard were kicked open from the outside. Murong Zhining was startled. She turned around to see Chiyun Yuexuan’s towering figure standing at the entrance like a demon from hell. He was full of murderous intent, and the white cloth wrapping around his head was blood-soaked. Those charming phoenix eyes were gleaming with an extremely dangerous light as they coldly glared at her.

Murong Zhining hadn’t even reacted when Chiyun Yuexuan already rushed over. He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her towards the room.

Murong Zhining let out a sharp scream in fright. Instinctively, one of her hand searched about for something to grab, while the other desperately held onto the doorframe. Chiyun Yuexuan simply yanked, and her body fell backward on the floor inside the room.

Chiyun Yuexuan lowered and approached her, the stench of alcohol and his vicious breath were suffocating. The intensely oppressive aura he emanated was only stronger but no less than that of the emperor.

Murong Zhining’s eyes were wide open in terror. She stared at Chiyun Yuexuan, trying to figure out his intention. Not waiting for her to get up, Chiyun Yuexuan reached out his hand to grab the strap around her waist, lifted her up and threw her onto the bed.

Murong Zhining realized the danger she was in and asked in a trembling voice, “General Chiyun, what do you mean by this?” But her words weren’t finished when Chiyun Yuexuan already pulled the blanket and covered her head. Her vision went pitch-black, Murong Zhining was scared and anxious. She tried to push away the blanket out in a flurry, but fear and panic rendered her arms and legs useless. Chiyun Yuexuan wanted to kill her, this thought flashed across her mind for a moment.

Murong Zhining struggled with all her might, but unable to breathe with Chiyun Yuexuan’s arm tightly pressing down on the cotton blanket over her head. Her mind gradually grew dimmed and blurred, and her body couldn’t move.

About to lose her consciousness, Murong Zhining suddenly felt her lower body go cold. Chiyun Yuexuan had violently shoved up her skirt and tore the silk pants inside. An intense fear and feeling of humiliation took over, devouring Murong Zhining little by little. She felt like a fish on a chopping board, helplessly waiting for someone else to drop the knife and hack her to death.

On the last hint of her consciousness, a tearing pain from below woke up Murong Zhining. She finally, and painfully realized that she was brutally robbed of the most precious thing in a girl’s life. In her despair, she felt distinctly the burning affliction from the flame of hell along with an acute humiliation that even the agony couldn’t hide. This extreme sense of shame made her suffer something even worse than death.

Chiyun Yuexuan chose his own method to simply and crudely settle this. He wanted to punish Murong Zhining who used her beauty to bewitch the emperor’s heart and climb the ladder, while, at the same time, cut off Yan Feng’s idea to appoint Murong Zhining and fortify his sister’s position in the palace.

Originally, Chiyun Yuexuan thought Yan Feng would give up when he said Murong Zhining had become his concubine. Never had he expected that Yan Feng was willing to hand over even the kingdom for this girl. Yan Feng’s refusal to let go made him realize the severity of the matter. He attributed all the blame and the solution to Murong Zhining’s responsibilities, stubbornly believing that for both their siblings’ as well as Yan Feng’s peace of mind, destroying Murong Zhining was the only way.

Chiyun Yuexuan covered Murong Zhining’s face with disgust, he loathed to even think of looking at that face. Absolutely devoid of pity, he assaulted her body and madly took away her dignity. He wanted to leave her no face left to confront Yan Feng.

After he was done viciously sullying Murong Zhining, Chiyun Yuexuan expressionlessly fixed his clothes and turned to leave. Ashamed and furious, Murong Zhining crawled up and stabbed her hairpin at his back. The hairpin deeply lodged into his right shoulder. Chiyun Yuexuan turned around and pushed her to the ground. He reached out his right hand to his shoulder, pulled out the hairpin, and pressed it to her face, furiously roaring, “You lowly slave, this is what you asked for. If you’re looking to die, I will gladly satisfy you.”

Then, he stood up and looked down at Murong Zhining, his voice chilly and haughty in the extreme, “I only let you understand a truth, and that is, a despicable woman like you is not even worthy to be my slave. Just give up on that idea of returning to the palace and obediently stay here. After His Majesty forgets all about this, maybe I will give you a chance to live.”

He angrily threw the hairpin on the bed. Where it landed on the white sheet, there were already scattered spots of red.

Chiyun Yuexuan left without turning his head, behind him echoed Murong Zhining mournful and bitter cries.

In Minghui Palace, Chiyun Yuexuan and Chiyung Ping were talking in the corridor. Cai Qin hid behind a pillar and peeked at the handsome and unrestrained figure that was deadly attractive to her, silently thinking of a way to catch his attention. She thought, even being a little concubine of such a strong and fearless man like him would already be a blessing accumulated in a hundred lives.

A palace maid named Shi Yan arrived to serve tea for Chiyun Yuexuan, but Cai Qin stopped her and took her tray. “Esteemed Consort told me to do this. You go do other things.”

Shi Yan shot her a glare and stomped her feet in rage, then left with a pair of red eyes.

Cai Qin respectfully offered the tea, but Chiyun Yuexuan didn’t even spare her a glance. After serving tea, Cai Qin didn’t leave and stood there playing with her handkerchief. Chiyun Ping could see through her little ploy right away, she swept Cai Qin a look. “This place doesn’t need you. You can leave.”

Chiyun Yuexuan came to find Chiyun Ping because of Murong Zhining. He didn’t expect her personality to be so stubborn. The servant girl said Murong Zhining hadn’t eaten or drunk anything in the last feel days and was visibly thinning down. Chiyun Yuexuan was afraid that things would escalate as well.

Chiyun Ping reprimanded him, “You’ve never considered the consequences when you act in the past. If that lowly maid dies in your estate, His Majesty absolutely will not forgive you.” She told Chiyun Yuexuan to bring Cai Sang back with him so that she could take care of Murong Zhining. After arranging everything, Chiyun Ping personally visited Yan Feng.

When she saw Yan Feng in the Imperial Study, she was shocked by his condition.

Yan Feng’s eyes were hollow, his face thin and sickly. He was leaning back in his throne, dispirited and without a word. Chiyun Ping’s heart ached a little. She walked over and knelt before Yan Feng. Resting her face on his lap, she said gently, “Your Majesty, please maintain your well-being. Since the matter has come to this state, there is no longer room to turn it around. It will be better if Your Majesty relaxes your heart a little. From now on, I will never be jealous of any other woman again. If Your Majesty feels lonely, you can recruit some more concubines into the harem to serve you.”

Yan Feng’s eyes brimmed with tears. He bitterly said, “In so many years, I have only fallen for one woman, and you people still want to take her away from me. If I can’t even protect the one I love, what’s the use of this kingdom anymore?”

Plaintive but earnest, Chiyun Ping tried to enlighten him, “There’s no such thing as fair love in this world, fate comes and goes. I love you even more than my own life, but didn’t I fail to capture your heart all the same? Somewhere that we cannot see, fate already has its own arrangements. Not getting what one begs for implies that your fate isn’t enough. What’s the meaning of keep insisting on it then?”

Yan Feng was a bit moved. He sighed. “I actually couldn’t see it as clearly as my beloved consort. You’re right, maybe I and Miss Murong truly have no fate. I’ll keep my spirits up, my country still needs me to govern it.”

Murong Zhining fell sick, her mental pillar had completely collapsed. After three days without food and drink, she looked extremely thin. While Chiyun Yuexuan didn’t feel one bit guilty, he still brought Cai Sang back from the palace to serve her.

Just like Chiyun Ping had expected, Cai Sang was the medicine for Murong Zhining’s heart. Cai Sang gently consoled and soothed her. She knew that Murong Zhining was a strong girl, nothing would be able to destroy her spirit.

With Cai Sang’s support, Murong Zhining quickly adjusted her mind and obediently ate the porridge that Cai Sang brought to her lips. She weakly said, “I must have been a sinful person in my previous life, that’s why I’m being punished like this. If I can’t go against the fate that heaven has for me, I’ll calmly accept it. I only wish for this nightmare to end soon, so that I can find Little Big Brother and return Biwu to him.”

Cai Sang’s heart ached so badly that tears fell from her eyes. “Heaven won’t unfairly treat a kind-hearted girl like you for so long. You’ll definitely find your little big brother, and he will definitely treasure you.”

Murong Zhining rested her head on Cai Sang’s shoulder. “You see, didn’t heaven already bring you to me? Cai Sang, you are an angel. My heart is truly at peace with you by my side.”

In the court, Yan Feng sat upright on the throne and accepted the homage from the officials. Today, he was going to continue the case impeaching Chiyun Yuexuan.

Imperial Envoy Hu Qizhi read aloud the people’s letter and the records of the local officials’ transcript with their signatures on it. These pieces of evidence fully cleared the accusations against Chiyun Yuexuan.

Minister of Revenue Yu Wei, holding the Wat board in his hands, bowed towards Yan Feng and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, although General Chiyun made laudable contributions during the disaster relief, he still set up a private trial to detain respected squires and nobles and force out a large amount of silver from them, and even crossed his authority to execute local officials. These crimes cannot be disregarded. I believe that his behavior was an open contempt towards Your Majesty. If the court officials follow what he did, what will become of Your Majesty’s dignity then? Therefore, I and several of my colleagues all agree that General Chiyun is not suitable of the ‘Bulwark Grand General’ title. Please reconsider, Your Majesty.”

Prime Minister Ning Zezhi took one step to the front. “Reporting to Your Majesty, General Chiyun is young and promising, and a rare talented general. While he may be reckless and act without thinking of the consequences, he was also forced by the situation. Had it not been for his extreme measures, the dire situation of Yuliang would not have been relieved, and the corrupt officials who embezzled from the support silver would not have been brought to punishment. This old man believes that General Chiyun’s merits are enough to offset his demerits. He should not be punished in any other way.”

At the moment, the court erupted as the officials divided clearly into two factions. The hall was filled with the sound of everyone discussing.

Imperial Envoy Hu Qizhi raised his voice to speak, “Reporting to Your Majesty, upon returning to the capital, I also brought two important witnesses with me.”

Yan Feng nodded sternly. “Bring the witnesses.”

A while later, a guard brought the witnesses to the hall. They were a man in his forties and a woman.