It was in the early hours of the morning that Huang finally found Yenaigai.
The bird had searched all around the vast palace which size could really be comparable to a city. It was absolutely tiring; flying here, entering there, cloaked with its invisibility! Even when it finally saw that woman who had the golden lion, no trace of the servant was in her courtyard. Really, that one knew how to always put it in a foul mood. Wait until found and see how much it was going to pick his head!
However having found nothing, the red bird was quite reluctant to return near that woman. She seemed weak and quite approachable for now; but really, it didn’t want to know how she will react. As the night was becoming darker and the dawn was pointing in the horizon, the temperature was quite freezing. Whether it was Yenaigai’s fault or not, the bird kept cursing the poor young man in its mind. This was a bird that liked fire. Fire! How come it was forced to endure so much coldness for the sake of a human? As it flew out of the palace to try its luck, its thoughts were becoming truly gloomy.
Who would have thought that the very one subject of its irritability would actually become the one to lift its spirits! Here was the human!
Huang had never flown as fast as it did at the moment it recognized the one lying on the ground, on one of the corners of the capital’s road, not really far from the palace. But upon arriving near the lying figure it flew multiple times around it, to actually make sure.
He was lying on the ground with tattered and soaked clothes. The poor thing was bruised all over and sported some bandages on his body, even though there were many cuts that were left untreated. There were some people around him, and while one was trying to ask for a report of the case, some others were wondering about who the stranger had offended. It wasn’t really a usual thing but sometimes there were cases of noble families punishing their offenders. Be those servants or people that could be called nobody, those without a powerful backing to protect them. If that was the case now, who was daring enough to report this and caused calamity to befall on oneself and one’s family! The ministry of Justice tended to neglect those affairs and sided with the wrong party!
Once those words were said, the five others kept silent, and everyone looked at one another. On those four men and two women faces, was the same reality: they were going to pretend that they saw nothing. Really, they were just servants in charge of sweeping this part of the roads, it was still better for them to stay far from troubles. When the time came they would just say they didn’t see anyone when doing their duty. Let this matter be handled by another.
That there were just six people around Yenaigai at this moment wasn’t really strange. Of course, usually there were many early risers and the road would be definitely more affluent than this. But after the fervor passed, the fact that someone came attacking the palace yesterday was still real and a very troublesome matter. The day before they were all in a group, so their courage was big. However, now that most of them had been forced to return to their home, going out at this moment, they were reluctant to do so. They have waited around many of the gates until long in the night but no information came from the palace, and in the end, they have been driven away. The silence after something like this was alarming. It was frightening to think about what may have happened. That person controlled Fenrir after all. No one wanted to be where he shouldn’t be when he shouldn’t be. Even some officials were reluctant to go to court today.
It wasn’t like Huang was actually interested in listening to them. The moment it was sure that it was really that servant the woman was searching for, it descended on his body, releasing a cry while doing so, to have the troublesome persons go away. The cry was not as powerful as it wanted it to be but, since while descending it shot at the same time a particularly hot wind at them, they stumbled and fell on their behinds in fright.
“He actually has a contracted beast!” one exclaimed.
In that case, it really changed everything! That meant that he had a core and obviously, he would be very favored. Even if he wasn’t a noble it was fine, orphans with a core, be it female or male were taken care of with utmost sincerity by a branch of the imperial academy. In this situation, not helping while knowing would be bad, while if they helped they could receive some benefits. Who knew, even this young master could be grateful and help them rise in ranks.
Some immediately got up to see if they could recognize the person, while others were trying to coax the animal to take some distance so they could help lift its master.
Seeing them unwilling to go, Huang didn’t shy away from using its fire. They were quick to run away this time. A good thing! It then turned to face the sleeping man, the question now was, how to transport him, ah? At first, the bird had thought to turn him invisible and use wind to lift him. But really, now it was too tired! Too unwilling! So, since there was distance and that woman wouldn’t hear, it used qi to make its chirps be heard.
***
Seyran was still sitting on the Imperial Physician’s quarter’s sick bed, slowly eating what the woman in the room with her had previously ordered to be brought. Questioned, she didn’t respond, but she didn’t deny it either when the sets of trays were placed on her big bed. Soon, all the space around her was full of food and she picked up the chopsticks, slowly filling her stomach. It wasn’t like she would refuse ready-made energy now, would she? However, she did wonder if the woman would leave. Until now she behaved obediently, even though she seemed to be prepared for the moment Seyran would attack. It made this former queen remembered some of Unzu’s clans. Indeed, there were people like that there and they were many. Once their chief was dead, the killer became their new chief. She still had to wonder though, was it really the same case here? That the other was uncomfortable was quite obvious by now. Either because of her presence or the temperature, it could also very well be both.
While she was swallowing another mouthful, Seyran heard the loud chirp in her mind, wincing a little. Just how far did this thing think it was from her to shout like that? She didn’t actually get to dwell on that, that she was frowning over the information itself.
She put the chopsticks down and her voice, neither loud nor silent, without any fluctuations nor emotions in it, she asked.
“What did you say you were called again?”
“Replying to the crown princess, this subject is Shen Ai.” She hesitated a little then continued. “Captain of the crown princess’s personal bodyguards.”
“Shen Ai” Seyran called, tasting the name on her tongue.
“Yes,” the other responded.
Seyran looked at the almost completely closed windows. “That bird is outside the palace. Approximately three hundred meters in the direction of the north. Near a certain clock. A young man should be by its sides.” She reported her gaze toward the captain. Her eyes were clear, her voice calm, so calm and steady. The corners of her lips rose in an almost smile, that had she known its meaning, Shen Ai would be sweating in fright. “So willing you are to serve me, I trust I can leave to you the matter of bringing that person here.”
Shen Ai paused a little before acknowledging the order. Going out of the door, she actually had in mind to send Yue Meili and Tian Gu to retrieve that person, but in the end, when voicing the order, she included herself in the going party while those left were Yue Meili and Zhang Bei.
“Don’t enter, just guard the doors” she had said.
Why? She herself didn’t really know. If to say that the inside was suffocating, it wouldn’t be wrong; just that she didn’t know why it was suffocating. It certainly wasn’t just the temperature.
Once they two were out of sight, Yue Meili let herself sat on the floor, knowing that Zhang Bei was far gentler than Tian Gu and wouldn’t endlessly reproach. She was really tired. She wanted to profusely complain. A whole day, they had been on duty for a whole day! Of course, they were trained to be able to endure three days without sleeping and they could pass a week with just some couple of sleeping hours but those things were said before the situation occurred. It’s a psychological thing, okay? One needed to be aware of this beforehand!
Zhang Bei just chuckled lightly at her, before glancing one second at the door behind, wondering a little what the person inside was doing.
***
When Yenaigai had been brought, the sets of food were long gone from the bed and standing, Seyran ordered to let him lie on it even when other chambers had been proposed. From the beginning until now, apart from that suggestion, nothing else had been said.
The young man who was soaking the bed was extremely pale. It hadn’t been difficult to transport him at all, so light was he. His body was so cold that it turned out to be a good thing to have that room with the temperature it had, Shen Ai had thought.
“The poor little thing changed color” chirped Huang in a pitiful tone, perched on one of the bed’s corners, tilting its head to look carefully at the previously missing companion.
The little bird was feeling quite bad actually. It had cursed the little fellow to suffer a thousand times worse than what it itself was suffering from the biting of the cold. It was just an angry chirp, who would have thought that he was already suffering? …What was that woman thinking? It didn’t dare turn around to look at her face, stubbornly fixing its gaze on the young man’s face.
Seyran’s mood was really unknown to everyone in the room. Those two people who just came in hadn’t spent enough time with her to speculate about it with confidence. The previous one they served, her anger wasn’t really something she was doing her harder to hide but the one in front of them now had a serene appearance, her hands weren’t clenched at all but her gaze was unwaveringly fixed on the one on the bed. Who could tell them what temper this one in front of them had, ah?
Since before entering Shen Ai had already ordered for Zhang Bei to find a physician, this one came knocking on the door. It wasn’t Elder mistress Jing but another one. The newcomer tactfully refrained from asking unnecessary questions and just immediately proceeded to her patient. Seyran stood there, as her servant’s clothes were taken off, as he was wiped with a hot towel, tended to and given clean and dry clothes. The wet mattress was replaced and he was laid down in a comfortable position.
The most dangerous wounds had already been treated, the doctor had said. His life, from the start, wasn’t in danger. She retreated afterward, saying that there was nothing to fear. Zhang Bei escorted the person out of the door, leaving once again only her leader, the crown princess and the bird.
The morning was already installed, the capital was timidly waking up and the lamps' street were been extinguished. Yenaigai suddenly opened his eyes wide, startling Huang. Before it could chirp anything, the young man gasped, searching for breath, struggling with who knows what, tossing again and again. The sounds alerted those outside who rushed in and then paused at the sight of the man on the bed. Their captain was crouched on him, holding him down to not worsened his wounds. She was maintaining his two hands up and his feet were pressed under hers as he kept on debating. And the crown princess had her finger in his …mouth? Was he trying to bite off his tongue?
“Still here? Hurry and get the physician!” The clear cuttingly cold voice made them jump.
“…Yes” they stammered. “I’m going,” said Zhang Bei rushing.
Seyran frowned a little. Her finger was bitten until it drew blood yet he kept on increasing the pressure. His eyes were greyish, he was still very much unconscious even though they were open; tossing, turning, trying to harm himself like that, what happened? There were indeed occasions when she wished her mana could heal.
***
Looking at the bright sky and judging the time herself, Xue Zhi estimated that it was the right moment. It was almost time for her mother to head towards the imperial grand hall for the court. So, like every day, she left her courtyard with her small procession in the direction of her mother’s courtyard to greet her. Like this, the greeting wouldn’t be long and the chance to encounter others would be less too. They had long fallen in this pattern of an act; the royal advisor grew bored of reprimanding it.
For the third princess, what had occurred yesterday had occurred. For now, she would rather not think too deeply about it. Concerning this, she would just take the place of a spectator, it was far less dangerous.
However, it was already this time, people were almost late for the court affairs, who would have thought that today, everyone would come at the same moment as she? Biting her lips she remained silent, lamenting internally on why she didn’t come sooner. She was up since so early in the morning. Had she knew, she wouldn’t have dawdled! Nonetheless, she was polite as she greeted her twin and her fourth sister she encountered on the road. She was even politer as she greeted the first princess that she found still in her mother’s yard.
Actually, Su Qiun hadn’t slept at all. Getting out from that room, she directly came here to greet her mother since it was already the morning, that of course no one knew and no one asked either. Everyone with eyes could see that she was in a foul mood, barely keeping any civilities.
Xue Zhi was seated for less than five minutes that they were all dismissed. It was even shorter than usual, which honestly wasn’t displeasing at all!
The royal advisor had personally invited her first born to go to court together. She was thinking that the other was still angry with her youngster and had not wanted them to be in the same room for long. Shanlin didn’t know what occurred between these two but for now, Su Qiun was really angry, letting her by her sister’s side wasn’t really reasonable. After all, Bai Ming just returned; it wouldn’t do for them to quarrel, even though it was doubtable that Su Qiun would really openly quarrel with her.
Dismissed, the other children returned in their respective courtyards. Bai Ming left with her guards without words and Xue Zhi wasn’t complaining about this. She curtly nodded her salutations to her twin before getting up to return. Contrarily to her elder, she wasn’t needed in the court. The minister of Personnel had yet to give her an appointment. She glanced at the man following her, almost sighing. This one did have a place there but look, look, he was once again going to skip!
***
The imperial court hall was, frighteningly silent as it filled itself. No one dared to raise his voice. Words were said just in soft whispers and front time to time, they would glance at the seat that the crown princess was supposed to occupy. Everyone was waiting for her arrival. All those present here were also present yesterday. However, seeing as the fingers of a hand didn’t have the same sizes, they, of course, didn’t have the same information regarding this matter. Members of the assembly aside, no one knew how it ended; and between those ministers and officials, no one stepped in front to specifically ask.
However, even as the court began, the reports were submitted and treated; no one saw the crown princess’s shadow. They had waited and waited, glancing at the doors from time to time but the crown princess never set foot in the court hall that day. The decisions were taken by the members of the assembly and when in conflict, it was Elder Shen that had the last word. In the absence of Elder Zhang, she was the older one, so naturally, she took place as the head of the bearers of tradition and as such she had more authority than the royal advisor.
Those elites people made it seemed as though nothing happened, making one doubted one’s memory. When their superiors were trying to treat the matter like this, they just didn’t have the courage to openly bring it up anymore. The crown princess had been said to be sick, and in the end, no one contradicted. No one asked for clarification, so no one was answered. It was just that, it was unknown how long they would keep shut. After all, this matter certainly couldn't be ignored like this for very long!
Conversely, even though she was dealing with the matter of courts, the royal advisor was still informed from time to time about the crown princess’s movements. How could she not with all her people in the palace? So, every once in a while, her closest servant would whisper things to her ears and she would whisper back. That’s how easily she ordered for the best physicians of the palace to be held back for as long as possible.
That’s the reason why, Seyran had let five physicians entered through the doors, yet no one knew what ailed her servant. Huang was wondering at the side how long she was going to endure. The sixth one who came had put the young man to sleep even though she too, said that she couldn’t identify his illness.
Seyran was still expressionless when she received this piece of news. She didn’t know why, but she had been under the impression that she would find him as she left him. Completely intact. Albeit he would complain a little about her disappearing on him like that but now that he was in this state… Those who used to target what was hers knew better than to anger her by damaging it. This was the reality she was used to. Obviously, people here didn’t know this.
The previously asleep person suddenly opened his eyes once again. They were as empty as though he was already dead. This time with all his force, he used his hand to choke himself, strangling his neck. Shen Ai was fast to react as she held him, assisted by Zhang Bei. The physician was frightened paled. Obviously, this patient should be sleeping for at least three hours! How come he had the energy to try to murder himself. Again!
“This lowly …subject…” She was stammering while looking at the princess to whom she had said not ten minutes ago that the man would sleep soundly without moving anymore. “doesn’t… know what happened.”
The silent Seyran took her gaze away from Yenaigai and rested it on her. She was fast to kneel, kowtowing while begging for her life even though the other party hadn’t said anything. Her eyes had been that scary, as though she was already looking at a corpse! The blue of her irises had had so many layers of shades, while the small smile on her face, although beautiful had that terrifying side, tugging at the physician instinct telling her that the woman was thinking about killing! She didn’t have to courage to keep looking at that face.
“If this one… there is still… maybe asking the physicians with core… to help would be better!” She stammered a lot before outing that sentence.
All the physicians that came were those specialized in treating people without cores -the patient was male and thinking him without core wasn't strange-. They weren’t the best in their profession but since they were in the ranks of those working in the imperial palace, of course, they weren’t bad either. That the six of them could really see nothing was worrisome; then why not let other tried? –Or let another bear that misfortune too?-
“Invite a few more people”
The words were said in a cold whisper. Her anger was building, her desire to kill too, but she still had the patience to wait.
***
Since he was here, of course, Xue Zhi would make use of him and it wasn’t like he had in mind to refuse. So, those twins spend the morning swords in hand, fighting one against the other. It was, evidently, Jun Lin who had won. His sister would chase him away if he dared loose on purpose so he was half serious in these battle. He hadn’t made the matches quick of course. He had left her openings, slowly teaching her, and then slowly indulging her by fastening the pace. All of it with that smile that was forever on his face. He was really, really in good mood today, to the point of skipping two times consecutively his attendance in the court.
It goes without saying that Xue Zhi wouldn’t ask him what put him in this state; she had an idea about the reason anyway. Besides, when had he ever waited for her when he wanted to say something? When he was in the mood to be chatty of course he would chat, even if the other person didn’t respond back, so long as he had someone who listened. And evidently, he was commenting on yesterday’s events as soon as they were seated. Hearing him talked, one couldn’t help but fear if the whole thing wasn’t staged just so he could amuse himself.
Nevertheless, his nonsense aside, Xue Zhi responded quite sincerely for he did after all just spar with her.
“Whether true, whether false, one can only wait and see.” Then she added as an afterthought. “It’s still, after all, a matter of one family. One cannot rush.”
Who proclaimed that the first princess and the royal advisor were people who knew nothing of that affair, Xue Zhi would definitely not believe! Who said that the first princess didn’t have ambitions was either really stupid or too naïve. Her actions were laid out for all to see. Previously the crown princess was saying nothing and doing nothing to neutralize her. However, now that this one died and another stepped in to claim that place, how were these two people going to react? Really pacifically? Xue Zhi sneered.
Jun Lin treated it as though he didn’t hear the bitterness and the obvious accusation and instead asked.
“How do you think it will be handled?” He had a few ideas of his own but wanted to hear her opinions too. However, she just snorted, without any manner whatsoever before saying.
“Since they dared to do this, they have all the evidence erased of course.”
The ever jovial Jun Lin frowned and got up to pull his sister’s cheeks.
“You really should eat more sweets, it would make your mouth less spicy.” Where was it in the palace that their mother didn’t have spies? Originally she was stating things with ambiguity now that she was saying them so clearly, was it her wish to be restrained in her movement?
Xue Zhi slapped his hands and he just smiled while rubbing it.
“Why, you’ll tattle? You always do anyway.”
He showed a helpless smile while shrugging his shoulders, refusing to answer. When had he ever did? And she even said always!
“You risk dying without a burial site you know?” he said with a little laugh. “...Supposing that the one who came back is really second elder sister, do you feel like holding her thigh?”
She scowled. Was he mocking her?
“It will depend” came her reply in the end, without stating on what exactly.
“Is that so?”
***
Seyran was wordlessly looking at the young man, still waiting for the physicians who were efficient in treating people who had cores. He had said he didn’t have one, but at this point, it would be beneficial if one of them knew at the very least what he had. He was obviously, every time his eyes were opened, trying to kill himself. Waiting for ten more minutes and still no one, she smiled, lifting her blooded dry finger, and bringing it in her mouth, her desire to kill rising as the time passed.
She tried leniency, she really did. Even until just before Yenaigai was found she was ready to call everything quit. But what to do?… Now, she was eager to snap their bones, tear everything apart. They tortured him, didn’t they? Let them know what real torture is all about. What they started, she was going to finish!
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