The Rise of Phoenixes Novel Translation #53

“Official Shen can rest easy now. We will certainly help in this matter. Since we are guests here, we need to do what we can to be of service.”

The two officials wisely excused themselves after Zhi Wei said what they wanted to hear and yawned again.

Before they left though, Zhi Wei said as if it was an afterthought “I was ordered by the Emperor to come this way. Judging by what I am seeing so far, this city has been managed quite well. The economy is good and the people are happy. I of course have to write a glowing report and ask the Emperor to reward the appropriate officials.”

Shen Jun Xin’s expression darkens, unsure if Zhi Wei is talking about himself or Magistrate Peng.

“How this report will be worded exactly is something remained to be discussed with Official Shen.” Zhi Wei’s gives Shen Jun Xin an encouraging smile “So the question I have for you, sir, is that in two days His Highness (Helian) will have to set out to Feng province and meet with Governor Shen. Are you two officials going to stay here, or come with us?”

Both of their hearts jump with joy, the two men thought: Of course we have to be around to help write the glowing report about ourselves. Plus, taking good care of Prince Helian and the Royal Censor will only add to our accomplishments so naturally, we should show our faces to the governor.

Their mind made up in an instant, the two men promptly answered “Since His Highness is going to Feng province, then we of course need to follow along.”

“Alright, that’s great.” Zhi Wei quickly replies “Since you will soon go with His Highness to Feng Province then you won’t have time to assume the duties here yet. Let’s just let Magistrate Peng deal with all the official business in your stead for now and when the Capital finally gives their decision on his case then we can deal with him then. This way, we will also be able to lessen the grumblings from the people. ”

Something in Zhi Wei’s words seems a bit off to Shen Jun Xin but he couldn’t pinpoint what’s wrong with it no matter how he mulled it over in his mind. In the time Shen Jun Xin is hesitating Ning Yi has already spoken up in his nonchalant and cool manner “It might be more troublesome for Official Shen to assume the magistrate duty for a few days then have to leave in a hurry soon after than if you just waited until after you get back to take over completely.”

Reminded of how much the people love Magistrate Peng, Shen Jun Xin quickly nods in agreement. Glancing over at Ning Yi, Shen Jun Xin wonders who this man could be. Prince Helian never did introduce him so he could very well be just another guard…but as someone who has spent many many years in politics, Shen Jun Xin is betting that this man who had quietly sipped his tea the whole time is not someone insignificant. Perhaps he is an important official who likes to keep his identity a secret for now? Giving Official Liu a tug, Shen Jun Xin leaves with him after making sure there is a servant to take Zhi Wei’s group to their room to get some rest.

Magistrate Peng had already assigned a separate courtyard for them previously but they hadn’t had time to make room assignments yet. The courtyard has four rooms so they could just each take a room but how could Zhi Wei dare to let Ning Yi sleep in a room by himself now? Should she let him share a room with Helian or Master Gu? Just as Zhi Wei turns towards Helian, His Highness flashes a big grin then proceeds to take off his boots. Ning Yi and Zhi Wei immediately say in unison “Helian, you sleep alone.” Zhi Wei turns towards Master Gu…who stoically holds up the oiled stained painting of Ning Yi that he had ram a hole into it with a drum stick. Zhi Wei immediately says “Brother Gu, you sleep alone as well.” Helian complains “No, either I sleep with my aunty or I sleep with His Highness.”

“I don’t want to be the first person in Tian Sheng empire to die by suffocation from foul odor of a boot.” Ning Yi proclaimed his rejection quite clearly.

“Countless women in the wild grasslands would spend fortunes for one of my boots!” Helian complains.

“Your aunty will never be one of your wives in the wild grasslands.”

“Not mine but not your princess (wife) either!” Helian counters, “You, a man who has been slept by many young women!”

“According to what I know, when a man come of age in the wild grasslands, the tribe would then send an experienced older woman to teach him things. They like to call it a coming of age gift.” Seemingly not provoked to anger by Helain’s words at all, Ning Yi says nonchalantly “A man who has been slept by an older woman.”

“YOU–”

“Stop!” Zhi Wei finally couldn’t take it anymore and explodes.

What the heck?! How did a simple assignment of rooms turn into personal attacks? Look at these two highly esteemed men going at it like some village women who had years on the street to hone their squabbling skills.

“You and Gu Nan Yi will each take a room. Right next door. I will sleep in the small room right outside of this suite.” Pushing the two out of the door, Zhi Wei slams the door shut. Before she even had time to let out a sigh, a certain person is already ordering “Go fetch some water. I want to take a bath.”

After ordering some water to be brought in, Zhi Wei waits for a while thinking that a certain mercenary prince is not going to miss the chance of making her act as his servant. Feeling strange when no sounds came from the room, not even sounds of water, Zhi Wei finally climbs into her bed to meditate. Unable to focus on her meditation since she keeps wondering how he is going to take a bath without being able to see, Zhi Wei jumps up in alarm when she hears a thump. Grabbing a piece of towel to tie around her eyes, Zhi Wei sprints into the room. She couldn’t see so the moment she enters she begins to call out in a low voice “Hey, Ning Yi. Are you alright? Ning Yi?”

No one answered, the only thing she could hear is heavy breathing followed by another thump. Feeling a slight panic by now, Zhi Wei starts to feel around blindly but it was no use so she finally yanked off the towel around her eyes. The moment the towel was off, light filled her eyes along with the steam from the hot water. Perfectly fine, Ning Yi stands by the bathtub with a smile as his hand gives the tub another tap producing the thump sound she had heard.

 

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