Rising Phoenix

"Your Majesty…" She began hesitantly. "This Minor Minister has little talent and cannot ask for this responsibility, but this Minor Minister stands by his recommendation. The South Sea is in chaos and this Minor Minister is duty-bound, but my responsibilities in the Academy and Compilation Office…"

"If not you, then whom?" I know you are loyal to the country!" The Tian Sheng Emperor happily replied, "The Compilation Office will not suffer from your absence, and since the Academy needs you, why don't you bring some of those young masters along with you. That way they will be under your watchful eye and gain some experience in the field. Perhaps when they come back, there will be an official post waiting for them. You decide whom to bring."

Feng Zhiwei paused slightly. She had not expected the Emperor to be so generous — clearly, he was allowing her to cultivate her own power base; now that the Emperor had spoken, it would be disastrous to refuse, so Feng Zhiwei knelt and thankfully accepted the Imperial Grace. "This Minister obeys."

"I will send a portion of the Chang Ying Guard with you, and take that Yan Family child with you as well." The Tian Sheng Emperor concluded. "The South Sea is unstable, so you best depart as quickly as possible — since you do not have family here, leave immediately."

Feng Zhiwei stirred again, but she could only accept the orders. She had no time to bid her mother farewell or save her younger brother, so she could only turn a meaningful gaze towards Ning Yi, but Ning Yi only smiled back at her like a happy, blooming flower.

What are you smiling at! Are you an infatuated girl! Feng Zhiwei cursed in her heart, though she was not without happiness — she was traveling to distant lands and would finally be free from Prince Chu's soul piercing smiles. Excellent.

When the Emperor commanded an immediate departure, delaying past a long hour would be considered defiance of Imperial Edict. Feng Zhiwei had no time to return to the Qiu Mansion and could only scratch down a hurried letter for Madam Feng: We will continue our conversation after settling business in the South Sea. I have already dispatched people to take care of the matter you mentioned, rest assured.

She sent a servant for Gu Nanyi so that he could deliver the letter, and called for another servant to alert Yan Huaishi about their departure. Finally, she rushed off to Qing Ming Academy to pick the students — predictably, every student enthusiastically volunteered; everyone immediately understood that this was a juicy opportunity under Wei Zhi's full command. All they needed to do was follow and they would earn both fame and wealth, and full blown fights almost broke out as the students jostled.

Feng Zhiwei picked Yao Yangyu and a few other active students. Yao Yangyu initially did not have much hope, thinking that his chances were shot after he had offended the Vice President so many times, but Feng Zhiwei had unexpectedly forgiven his past misdeeds. For this grace, Yao Yangyu wanted to fall to the floor and clean Master Vice President's shoes.

While managing the eager students, Feng Zhiwei spotted a familiar face using his large stature to squeeze his way to the front of the crowd. Anyone who dared move in front of him was smoothly pulled aside…

Feng Zhiwei could not bear the sight any longer and angrily scolded: "Helian Zheng, get lost! You have no part in this!"

"As the best student in the Academy bar none," Helian Zheng replied seriously, "I am duty bound."

"As the current highest official in the Academy bar none," Feng Zhiwei replied, her fake smile on her face, "I refuse your request and sincerely disagree with the words you just said."

"I will fetch my Young Aunt." Helian Zheng replied, turning to leave. "My Young Aunt taught me that I need to use virtue to win people over. I will not argue with you; I will call my Young Aunt to argue with you."

Feng Zhiwei did not know whether to laugh or cry and quickly dragged the brat to the side, almost yelling: "How could you possible come? His Majesty will not allow it!"

"Father King ordered me to spend a year in Tian Sheng, formatting visiting the Son of Heaven and gaining knowledge and experience." Helian Zheng smiled as he replied. "As long as the war between Tian Sheng and Da Yue rages, I am not allowed to return. You know that I am half hostage."

Feng Zhiwei cocked her eyebrows, thinking that even if that were the case he did not act it.

"His Majesty has no objections to me following you." Helian Zheng chuckled. "I stay in Dijing, he will have headaches."

"Fine." Feng Zhiwei said, ticking off her fingers, "A few small requests."

"Deal!"

"No peeking no wall climbing no mention your Young Aunt under any circumstances no approaching my carriage no privileges you need to follow Academy Regulations and any regulations can be added at any time for any reason."

"Deal!"

Feng Zhiwei cocked her brows again and eyed the suspiciously agreeable Helian Prince.

The Helian Prince turned and marched off, happily preparing for the journey, murmuring to himself: "I must follow her no matter what, or else this half-cooked Young Aunt duck will fly into someone else's mouth…"

"What did he say?" Feng Zhiwei turned to the arriving Young Master Gu.

"He, duck."

Young Master Gu muttered past his walnuts.

The Imperial Envoy Carriages slowly passed through the Dijing City Gates as Feng Zhiwei bid farewell to courteous ministers from the Ministry of Rites. As she watched the flourishing Dijing pass by in the dust, a sentimental feeling welled in her heart — today, she was departing Dijing for the first time. An uncertain future awaited as she rushed forth to shoulder heavy responsibilities in a dangerous field. Where she went, her family did not know, and in that dazed moment she felt as if she were a lost kite floating farther and farther into the distance.

She could almost see her mother leaning against the doorway, a worried frown on her face. Feng Zhiwei's heart fell — the twists and turns of fate were beyond her control, and her agreement with her mother would have to wait until she returned from the South Sea.

Feng Zhiwei shook her head and composed herself, laughing at her own sudden sentimentality. She said some parting words with the officials, and vaguely heard an envious voice say: "Everyone is envious at the change to listen to His Highness's teachings…" but the words went in one ear and out the other.

Yan Huaishi strode excitedly by her side, eager for his triumphant return home. He felt that his choice to come to Dijing was truly masterful, and was even more sure in his decision to become Wei Zhi's servant boy. If he had not, he might still be wandering around the gates of the various noble families — how could he have ever become an Imperial Merchant or attained a true posting?

The Chang Ying Guard posted to the mission was led by Chunyu Meng, and he and Yan Huaishi were two happy brothers whispering and chatting.

The rest of the Qing Ming brats also beamed happily while Young Master Gu sat atop the carriage eating his walnuts. He preferred the lofty, open perch, and paid no mind to whether it was a proper seat — he liked it when people had to look up at him, and much preferred the tops of their heads to their faces.

Everyone was happy, why should she not be as well?

Feng Zhiwei smiled beautiful and slowly mounted her carriage, but as soon as she lifted aside the curtained door she froze.

Someone had already occupied her bed and the prepared vintage wine.

That man slept on her soft, gold silk mattress, leaning against her fluffy pillow, holding her crystal glass cup and drinking her deep, maroon wine. He gazed up at her with eyes richer than the wine and said: "The color of this wine is truly marvelous."