*Skipping over a big long paragraph describing how impressively designed and decorated the villa is.”

Feng Zhi Wei narrowed her eyes. She can’t see someone as vulgar as Second (prince) having this refined of taste. This sort of design that is half hermit but half with hidden ambition seemed like another person’s style. 

There were ten-plus tables spread out in the hall. On the snow-white carpet in one corner of the hall, a group of beautiful courtesans are playing the zither, the melodious music mingled with the bright shining glow from the crimson glass lamps embedded on the four walls. Exquisite purple copper tripod small furnaces were set on the four corners, not for warmth, but only to chase off the cold air of the mountain. The guests were seated scattered about in front of rosewood tables, with gold silk blankets on their bodies, delicacies lined up in front of them as they laughed and toasted one another, a picture of lavishness and sophistication. 

By this time, Second Prince is already at the banquet. Seeing the “couple” walking in, he immediately laughed and waved, “Official Huang, right? Why did it take you so long to come? Could it be that you couldn’t bear to be separated from madam even for a moment, and had to go off on a secret date again?” 

Naturally, Official Huang had to smile awkwardly and step forward sheepishly to greet him. Unlike her husband’s awkwardness, Madam Huang just raised an eyebrow and said crisply, “Greetings Your Highness. Of course I have to keep my husband company. Although Your Highness’ villa is great but there are too many seductive foxes around, it makes me very frightened.”

The whole hall bursts into laughter. Having already heard what happened before, Second Prince wasn’t angered by her words but said with a laugh, “It’s all my fault, my fault. I will personally toast Madam with a drink later, to calm Madam’s nerves.” 

Knowing to stop when she was ahead, Feng Zhi Wei gave a slight bow. A man standing by Second Prince with narrow eyes and a mole next to his eyebrow laughed, “I haven’t had the chance to interact with Official Huang much, who would’ve thought he would have such a bright and cheerful wife.” 

Judging by where the man’s seat was, this must be the Shannan Inspector Xu Minglin. They chatted for a while before they were led to their seat. Official Huang is a small fry among the bigwigs in the room but he and his wife still look ecstatic to be there.  

One of Second Prince’s advisors came forward and filled the wine glasses of all the guests. As the advisor greeted the guests, he ended up introducing everyone there. This was a rare chance to figure out Second Prince’s hidden cards so even as the two appeared timid, they were paying very close attention. 

Almost all who are present today are close associates of Second Prince. Because Second Prince is fond of material arts, he spent a few years at the border and has some he would consider to be old friends in the military. Not only are several of the high-ranking military officers here today, but a few of the cabinet members are here as well. Scholar Wu is not here but two deputy generals of the Tiger Battalion are here. 

Ning Yi and Feng Zhi Wei’s eyes drifted over their wine glasses and met each other’s gaze. Second has been working hard to win over Tiger Battalion, it looks like he has finally found a way in. 

Feng Zhi Wei frowned and thought of the defense forces within the capital that are more or less spread evenly among all the different political factions. Due to the death of Qiu Shangqi, the Fifth Army Commandery Office has not chosen a new commander yet and is temporarily in Seventh Prince’s charge. The Nine City Army’s Commander is Ning Yi. The Ministry of War and the Tiger Battalion both have been infiltrated by Second Prince’s faction. At this point, they are currently at a stalemate.  

Back when the crown prince was defeated and killed, he died at the hands of the Imperial 

Army. Ning Yi was able to smoothly take control of a portion of the crown prince’s forces. Then Fifth Prince was defeated as well. In everyone’s mind, Ning Yi’s power has extended to all areas, completely unstoppable and the usually boorish Second Prince has just been temporarily put in control over the Ministry of War. Who would’ve guessed, hidden out of sight, Second Prince has already amassed a formidable amount of strength…even if that strength cannot be compared with Ning Yi yet. Feng Zhi Wei smiled with a hint of derision until she noticed Ning Yi’s gaze falling on the first seat to the left. 

Strangely, the guests in the first seats on both sides were not introduced, and neither did anyone ask about them. 

Sitting on the left is a stoic man with an icy vibe. He looked only to be about thirty years old, wearing a dark silver robe. Even though the silver is quite bright in color but on him, it still makes people feel as if it was gloom hidden in the darkness. This man’s temperament was born with a kind of hidden introverted qualities. Despite sitting in such a conspicuous position, people still instinctively ignored him. This kind of neglect is not intentional, but an inability to find an existence, as if there are hidden natural signals emitting out of him. Hidden in plain sight, his gaze would occasionally sweep through the crowd, like wind racing through the rice paddies or like lightning flashing over the mountains, sharp and intimidating, but also instantly hidden. 

Feng Zhi Wei noticed that Ning Yi’s eyes didn’t linger much in that direction but there was a hint of somberness in his eyes. She couldn’t help but start searching under the table for his hand. Ning Yi smiled softly and slowly drew words on her palm. He refused to draw it nicely but would draw a line and then tickle her palm. Frustrated and amused at the same time, Feng Zhi Wei pinched him hard. Ning Yi promptly refused to move anymore, forcing Feng Zhi Wei to reluctantly let go of him. Ning Yi smiled before obediently finished writing. 

Once he finished writing, Feng Zhi Wei’s relaxed mood immediately disappeared. What Ning Yi wrote was: Gold Feather!

Commander of the Gold Feather Guard!

The commander of the secret Gold Feather Guard who only serves the imperial family! 

The culprit who killed Feng Zhi Wei’s family! 

Feng Zhi Wei doesn’t know much about this commander who had been hidden in the darkness of the imperial court and always spying on others. In her impression, she had once thought Gold Feather Guards was under the emperor’s direct command. She only found out later that even the Gold Feather Guards have a commander. This commander will at times have to travel far away on missions. At those times, Tiansheng Emperor will temporarily hand over the command of the Gold Feather Guards to his trusted man. This person is Tiansheng Emperor’s hidden blade, directed only by him, once the blade is drawn, blood will definitely drip onto the land of this empire. 

A person such as this who truly belongs to no faction at all would actually come to Second Prince’s feast? No wonder there is a somberness in Ning Yi’s eyes even while he is smiling. 

You can’t look too closely at someone like the commander of the Gold Feather Guards. Even one extra glance would be caught by him. Their gaze moved to the person sitting across from the commander. As one who is worthy to sit across from him, how important of person must he be?

Sitting there was a middle-aged man with an ordinary face, very quiet, with a dark complexion, a tall nose, and a deep set of eyes. His profile looked like he might be from the south. He was leaning forward talking to Second Prince. His voice was very low, they could only hear vaguely a phrase, “Over at our …” 

Something flashed in the eyes of two people who had both been envoys to the south– this is the accent of the South Sea! 

Feng Zhi Wei and Ning Yi are both with quick minds. Although they only heard a few accented words, but they quickly deduced from the lineup of the guests tonight, and the arrogant demeanor of this man that he must be from the neighboring country of South Sea. The envoy from the Tiansheng Empire’s only foreign prince (a prince not by royal birth) – the envoy of King Changning! 

Changning Fan!

A prince making connections with a vassal king in possession of a powerful military, what is he trying to do? 

The thought flashed through her mind like thunder, causing even Feng Zhi Wei’s usual steady heart to skip a few beats. She took the risk of coming here tonight with the thought of wanting to find out what Second Prince was planning to do to her next and figure out the secrets of this mysterious villa while she was at it. Who would’ve thought this villa was more mysterious than she had imagined? They not only chanced upon Tiansheng Emperor and Second Prince’s secret but also discovered Second Prince and King Changning’s connection. 

Feng Zhi Wei slowly lowered her head to drink the sweet wine that was specially prepared for the female guests. The wine was tasteless in her mouth while her thoughts were running frantically in her head. She keep feeling that things might not be what they appeared to be. Since the commander of Gold Feather Guard is so trusted by Tiansheng Emperor then how would he hook up with Second Prince so easily?  And tonight, Tiansheng Emperor appeared in the villa without notifying Second Prince…did he have some other ideas? 

While they have gained much this night but it’s too dangerous to explore any further, they must think of a way to leave quickly. Suddenly, a strange music started in the banquet hall, a line of female dancers come twirling in.

All text copyright @ www.Ninja-Reflection.com

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