Phoenix in the Moonlight

His shadow guards retreated, only the servants remaining. Wang Yifeng knew that someone had put the idea in the emperor's mind. His shadow guards would give their life to ensure his safety, but would the royal guards do the same? He didn't think so.

He suspected that something unbecoming would meet them on the journey and prepared for it.

On the day of the journey, Jia Lixue clung onto his sleeve and cried, asking him not to go.

"My heart hurts, wangye." Her rosy cheeks were stained with tears, her eyes glossy and making her look pitiful. If it had been any other man, he wouldn't have been able to hold back from expressing his love. But this was Wang Yifeng. He smiled as he wiped the tears on her face and pressed his lips to her forehead.

That was considered more than consolation. It was the affection of such a powerful man. Those who looked on were filled with envy and wonder. The Qinwang was in love with his consort and never looked at other women. While the men could admire, the unwed women and servants could only grit their teeth and wait for a time when they were no longer in love.

The procession was nothing grand, considering that they were going to abate a civil disobedience. Grandeur would ruin their reputation.

The royal guards rode alongside them and the servants followed the carriage. Wang Yifeng spent his time as usual, studying the maps of the south and the intelligence he had received about the key players in the region. There was corruption and lechery in abundance and the men had forgotten that there was the royal family who had their eyes on them.

Wang Yifeng knew that he had to bring them under order. He quickly listed who to bring in his faction and whose power to usurp. By the end of three days of the journey, he was done with his plan, now he would only have to step carefully and fulfil it seamlessly.

On the fourth day, they entered the wilderness. The guards looked out for the wild animals that threatened them. Wang Yifeng noticed early in the morning that the forest was devoid of sounds. He had expected to hear the sound of birds and that of prey and predator going about their lives, but the eerie calm told another story.

Night fell and they set up camp. Wang Yifeng found himself walking around the wilderness, waiting for the attack to come. He had known that it wouldn't happen during the day, but in the shadow of the knight, the royal guards would have more reason for laxing on their duty. It would come after they had gone to sleep. The ones on night shift would be swiftly taken care of and his tent would be raided. He knew how it would go, and he didn't think much of it.

When he came back, the eunuch trailed behind him and dismissed everyone else from the tent. The servants who were preparing the bed retreated.

"This small one awaits your command," he said.

"Remain by my side tonight and prepare the peach blossom needles for yourself." Coldly, he moved to the bed and disrobed. He kept his trusted knife under his pillow and slowly closed his eyes. Time passed and the noises of the camp ceased. In the dead of the night, the rustle of the tent's flap caught his attention.

His lips curled up. Sitting up, he glanced at the figures in black. Their faces covered and swords in their hands, they approached him. Wang Yifeng could see the surprise in their eyes. They had not expected him to be awoken so easily.

"Finally here," he taunted. The eunuch standing at the side glanced at the prince and waited for the signal. "Come, let this prince see what you are made of."

Daring words, they thought. For a carefree prince who had no knowledge of martial arts, he was truly good at bullshitting.

The swords came at him in one go and he dodged without flinching. He flew to the back of the tent, his hands tucked behind him, a cruel look in his eyes.

From their moves, they were not royal guards. They were mercenaries contracted to kill him. Good, good. They wanted to keep this hidden. Wang Yifeng deduced that it was not the Emperor but someone from the royal family. He could think of a few names, the one that came to his mind instantly was the Crown Prince, Wang Wenyin.

The crown prince had limited power in court, as the courtiers thought him wasteful and lustful. He had seven concubines at the age of twenty and was competing with Wang Yifeng to strengthen his hold. There were still a lot of loyal followers of Wang Yifeng who hoped that he would take the throne after the current Emperor. If not for the circumstances at the time, he would have been crowned. Wang Wenyin knew this and nothing was stopping him from acting on his hatred. He had to make sure that no one found out that it was him behind the assassination or that his father was accused.

The men at power in the south had already heard of the arrival of the Qinwang and it was expected that they would try to curb his power or do away with him before he could meddle in their business. It was the perfect alibi.

'Well played,' Wang Yifeng thought. 'But I am a better player.'