Passing through the tunnel, the exit was actually covered by a screen. There were big words splashed with thick ink on the screen: “To be recognized for one’s talent or not depends on the state of the world. Why not sit idly by and observe.”
Feng Zhi Wei paused, looked at the words for a few moments, and laughed, “Good words, good phrase. Strong and filled with power yet leisurely and calm. What a perfect combination.”
“You are beating around the bush and poking fun at people again.” Behind her, Ning Yi chuckled and rested his chin on her shoulder, “You are obviously making fun of how pretentious that writing is.”
Feng Zhi Wei just smiled and said nothing. Ning Yi sighed softly and said, “I really don’t like this medicinal smell on you…” He walked away, personally rummaged through the cabinets for a bit before taking out a set of clothes and handing it over to her.
He then laughingly explained, “I wrote on this screen when I was ten years old. The original sentence was “On the high mountain, I shook off the dust off my clothes and washed off the dirt in the rolling water.” (Part of a poem that expresses: I care not for fame and wealth of the world so why stay? Instead, I am going to leave, shake off the dust and the dirt that had stained me.)
One time Father came to visit on a whim, saw the screen, and left in a huff without another word. He didn’t summon me for three whole months. Later, Xin Ziyan gave me some advice so I changed the phrase to this one now.
When he mentioned Xin Ziyan, his expression was calm, his eyes were serene as he looked at Feng Zhi Wei. Her expression was also calm, Feng Zhi Wei nodded casually, took the clothes from him, and said with a smile, “Then wouldn’t the phrase, “Focused on painting heedless of getting old. Riches and fame are nothing but clouds to me.” be even better to show off how indifferent you are to power and fame? Wouldn’t that please your suspicious father even more?”
Ning Yi sneered, “You still don’t understand him well enough. His suspicion is a very mysterious sort. If you have lofty world ambitions, that’s not good. That means you have thoughts of being disloyal. If you are always indifferent and resolutely retreat when you could’ve reached great heights, then he would be suspicious that you are secretly harboring resentment. What’s more, as a prince, as one who was born at the pinnacle of the world with royal wealth, how can you say that wealth is like floating clouds to me? He will definitely criticize you for being pretentious!”
Feng Zhi Wei listened carefully and said with a smile, “I have been taught.” She looked around curiously. It looks like they are in Ning Yi’s bedroom. It is her first time coming to Ning Yi’s living space. After a careful look around, the layout is a bit peculiar. At first glance, it looked very luxurious. The purple and gold bed was covered with gold brocade bedding, giving off a rich and noble feel. But under the silk bedding, a corner fabric poked out underneath. The corner fabric was the comfortable kind, not the rich and luxurious kind. The gold quilt must be one to show off for other people to see, while the layer underneath is the one he actually sleeps in every night.
This person, is forever living a two-sided life.
Feng Zhi Wei didn’t dare to let her gaze linger too long on Ning Yi’s bed, for fear that someone would use to opportunity to tease her so she lowered her eyes to look through the clothes, and as soon as she did, her face turned red.
This pile of clothes was surprisingly complete. From the silk satin thin outer cape, to the inner silk halter tops and stockings. The worst is that the silk halter top was rather skimpy that it probably can’t be considered a halter top. The thing was made up of countless thin ribbons around a palm-sized gold color brocade. On the palm-sized brocade, instead of the usual flower, birds, or mandarin ducks embroidery, it was actually a fair-skinned woman with half-exposed breasts, singing and playing an instrument under a willow tree. The workmanship was so exquisite that even the thin ends of the woman’s hair and the dignified yet suggestive expression on the woman’s face were vividly embroidered.
“Such exquisite embroidery work, to be used on something like this, it is truly a waste….” Feng Zhi Wei turned the thing over and over in her hand, wondering if there was any way to simply cut off the straps and turn the thing into a handkerchief?
“You are wrong. Such exquisite embroidery work belongs on things like this.” Ning Yi looked at the halter top with a smile, “An embroidery on an outer garment can be seen by anyone and everyone, but an embroidery on the inner garment is only for the beloved to see.”
“Your Highness, these treasures should be left to your beloved concubines, for them to wear for you, the beloved to see.” Feng Zhi Wei raised her hand and tossed the clothes back, “I will not accompany you.” After saying this, she turned around to head back through the tunnel.
“Second (prince) is hosting a banquet tonight at Shuyu Mountain Villa on the outskirts of the city. The banquet is for the retired Shannan Inspector, Xu Minglin.” Ning Yi’s words made Feng Zhi Wei stop. “Xu Minglin is the father of Royal Concubine Xu. When Second’s mother Concubine An was alive, she was very close with Concubine Xu. Concubine Xu doesn’t have offspring and doesn’t involve herself in the concubines’ power struggles, so she has a good reputation both inside and outside of the palace.”
“You suspect the incident with Shaoning was orchestrated by Second Prince, with Concubine Xu involved as well?” Feng Zhi Wei asked, “I don’t think Second Prince is smart enough to do this. Besides, Concubine Xu has spent all these years staying out of the palace power struggles, why would she get involved now?”
“That’s why I want to go and see for myself.” Ning Yi narrowed his eyes and replied, “Second’s Shuyu Villa is his most secretive place. It is said all his advisors are kept there, there seems to be quite a few talents there. He will often use the excuse of being out hunting late to stay there. Logic says His Majesty would be displeased once he knows of this villa’s existence but His Majesty didn’t say anything after going there once. These last few years, Second hasn’t done great with the tasks that have been handed to him and His Majesty has not been pleased, but every time His Majesty would only give him a slap on the wrist. The brothers all feel something is off and suspect Second has his own way of scoring points with His Majesty, so they have been interested in that villa for a long time.”
“People have been sent in before? No success?”
“More than once.” Ning Yi gave her a wry smile, “Ning Cheng also went there but he got turned around by the tactical formation there and returned without success.” (tactical formation: formation that is staged by items such as stones that create a mystical effect of either trapping or blocking people from a certain place.)
“It doesn’t even work if people go in as guests?”
“That doesn’t work either. There are some officials who seem neutral but belong to other princes’ camps privately. They had found opportunities to go in and tried to participate in Second Prince’s night banquet but that villa had a strange stipulation that on top of a thorough security check, all guests must bring a female guest with them.”
“Then that’s even easier.” Feng Zhi Wei smiled, “Famous prostitutes and concubines from the Imperial Capital, any of them would do.”
“It’s not that simple. The villa seems to have strict checks on women and found a way to target shallow talkative women.” Ning Yi frowned, “The women that were brought in, no matter how loyal they were, nine out of ten would still make a mess of things. Instead of figuring out other people’s secrets, they would end up exposing their own. After a few times, even we don’t dare to act rashly anymore.”
“Then why do you dare now?”
“You have done something to Second lately right?” Ning Yi squinted his eyes at her, “After you came back, the two Ministry of Rites immediately became criminals. His Majesty has already ordered a thorough investigation. You wanted to clean up the Ministry of Rites and His Majesty went along with it since it would allow him to clean it up through you. How could Second and his people rest easy? As their master, he first has to worry if Wei Zhi will dig out more of his people. Next, he will also need to answer to his loyal subordinates. (As in showing his men that he can get revenge for them against Wei Zhi) You and he are already in a stalemate. Whoever strikes first has the upper advantage. If he fails the first time, he will try again the second time. If the second time fails, then there will be a third time. There is no end. I don’t believe you haven’t thought of this. If you really haven’t, then I have thought of it for you.”
“Your Highness’ sincerity really moved me.” Feng Zhi Wei clapped, “But Your Highness didn’t mention the thing with Shaoning. How you were able to quietly replace the Imperial Army in the palace with your own guards. His Majesty also released a group of palace servants, re-selected palace maids and eunuches, almost replacing all of the senior servants in every section of the palace. I have of course angered Second Prince, but have you not as well?” (Since the emperor had put Ning Yi in charge of cleaning up after Shaoning’s “incident”, Ning Yi was probably able to take out Second Prince’s people hidden amongst the palace servants and replaced them with his own.)
“That’s why we have to go together to work together…” Ning Yi whispered, his hot breath blowing into her ear, his voice filled with laughter, “Ordinary women will only mess things up when they enter the villa. Of all the women in this world, who else but you can do this?”
All text copyright @ www.Ninja-Reflection.com
Thank you for this delightful chapter. Ning Yi thinks of everything, and is always one step ahead.
Ah, Ning Yi….always devising political reasons to go on a date with his beloved! Lol!
Can’t wait till next week!!! Why do they omit this plot in the drama?
Love this chapter! Such a magical couple🥰. Hey, do you think Ning Yi saw her and Gu Nanyi in that compromising position? To me, he is showing some jealousy, but I suspect if he actually saw what happened he would have been furious.
I just can”t get over how badly the show butchered the book-like the only thing they have in common is the character names! I would love to see Chen Kun and Ni Ni in a more faithful version!
Me too😭. They are the only people that can play the role to my satisfaction.
I really appreciate your efforts translated the Rise of Phoenixes chapters. Off topic, back 2020 you mentioned the “Song of Glory” drama. Do you think you might look into this novel ? I’ve searched high and low through the web, hoping to find the explanation of end of this drama. My search engine kept leading me back to your website . Do you think you could the time to translate the ending of this novel?
I did a bit digging around and as far as I can tell Song of Glory is not a novel adaptation. However, if you are confused about the ending as most of the viewers were at the time, the show’s production actually did give an explanation after the show ended. According to the Song of Glory production team, the ending was a happy one and they gave two reasons: 1. When our hero ran in with the imperial edict to pardon our heroine, he didn’t cry thus proving he didn’t see our heroine’s dead body. What our hero found instead was one single wind chime. At the end, the two wind chimes were together again which meant our hero must have found our heroine. 2. When our hero was eating the meal on the table he said “It still taste so bad.” According to production, that meal was made by our heroine.