Rising Phoenix

But since Qiu Yuluo had broken engagement twice, the gossips in Dijing had already labeled her as bad business. No matter how shameless Qiu Shanqi was, he could not ignore all decorum and introduce this daughter to Prince Chu, and there was no way that their Qiu Family's daughter could be taken as a concubine, so Qiu Shangqi had to give up on this plan.

When Qiu Shangqi recovered from his disappointment, he betrothed his daughter to Assistant Minister Scholar Li's eldest grandson. The Li family was famous for its unimpeachable conduct, and a civilian minister with such a reputation would be held in high importance no matter the dynasty. Qiu Shangqi had learned from the mistakes of the past and seemed to have finally made a good decision.

Since Young Master Li was studying away from Dijing, the marriage had been set for the following year.

Feng Zhiwei thought that Young Master Li sounded somewhat familiar, and after some careful recollecting, she remembered — wasn't this the same Young Master Li whose balls she'd grabbed?

The marriage of the Qiu Family's Third Young Miss really had many strange twists…

"Let us dine together, the kitchen has already prepared everything." Feng Zhiwei heard Madam Qiu say to Madam Feng and Feng Hao, and then heard her mother politely and quietly refuse.

Feng Zhiwei smiled coldly.

"Mother, don't go." Feng Zhiwei gently her Madam Feng's arm. "After such a long time, don't you miss me?"

She had repeatedly told herself to keep a cold heart and a cold mind, planning to only fake the motions on the surface, no longer bringing any trouble to herself, but when these childish words came out of her mouth, she could not help the sourness that rose up in her heart.

Madam Feng looked at Feng Zhiwei and silently touched her face. Her smell filled Feng Zhiwei's nose, and that sourness in her heart thickened and she had to retreat a step.

"Madam, mother." She turned from guest into host, smilingly pouring the wine, "This stored-in-cellar 'Yi Hu Zhu' is really nice. It is rich and mellow and has a beautiful aftertaste. Let's all drink a cup."

This homecoming feast had been extensively prepared but was hastily eaten, and other than the unhappy glutton Feng Hao, all the others seemed distracted by their thoughts as they picked at the food like dragonflies skimming over water.

After dinner, Feng Zhiwei went to the Cui Fang Residence. The Qiu Mansion Butler was very efficient and had already cleaned the whole place while the party was dining. Madam Qiu had announced that some decorative pieces would be arriving tomorrow, and had invited Madam Feng and her son to move in as well, but Madam Feng immediately refused.

Feng Zhiwei said nothing and entered, shutting the door and finally resting. After some time, Feng Zhiwei and Gu Nanyi changed clothing and snuck out, meeting Yan Huaishi along a compound wall in the Qiu Mansion's backyard.

"There are guests." Yan Huaishi said simply.

Feng Zhiwei examined his face and smiled: "It's not those important people, is it?"

"You really are a crystal heart." Yan Huaishi smiled. "Want to hide?"

"Hide where?" Feng Zhiwei smiled as she stepped forward, walking back to her own mansion. "I've long since entered the quagmire."

"What quagmire? Wei Mansion's terrace is elegant, its pavilion beautiful; if this is a quagmire then my Prince's Mansion must be a sheep pen, haha." A deep and powerful laughter called forth, followed by steps with a dragon and tiger's gait. If one were to judge just from appearances, it was as if he were the owner of the Wei Mansion.

Feng Zhiwei smiled and stepped forward, greeting: "This one did not know that Your Highness Prince Wei had already arrived. Not coming out and greeting you, please forgive this one's offense.

Second Prince Ning Sheng, titled Prince Wei, laughed as he stepped forward to grasp Feng Zhiwei's arms and halt her bow, his manners frank and clear, his attitude cordial and kind; just from his eyes alone, one could spot the clear unhappiness.

"Second Brother, even if you are being humble you cannot say this." A man approached slowly, a cold smile on his face. "Your Prince Wei Mansion has gathered so many capable talents, how could it be a sheep's pen. It should at least be a cattle's pen."

Chunyu Meng could not help but bark out a laugh — Second Prince Ning Sheng loved martial arts and did not read books, and because of this had often been scolded by the Tian Sheng Emperor. One time, the Emperor had commented that "Old Second is innocent like a clay ox or a wooden horse." These words spread through the entirety of the Imperial Court and was a standing joke for a long time. Now that the Fifth Prince had brought it up again, the honest and frank Chunyu Meng could not help but lose control.

As Ning Sheng cast a glance at Chunyu Meng, Feng Zhiwei graciously stepped forward, blocking him from view, smiling as she replied: "Fifth Prince has gloriously descended to my abode. My humble home is honored by your presence."

"Mister Wei does not need to be humble with him." Second Prince Ning Sheng placed a hand on Feng Zhiwei's shoulder. "Old Five always has reserve on his face, but in truth he has the warmest heart. As long as there is something good happening, he will never miss it."

Ning Sheng's words were accusing Fifth Prince Ning Yan of being involved in the Framing Founders case. Feng Zhiwei silently sighed, complaining inside about these brothers incompatible like water and fire, bringing their quarrel all the way to her family gate.

"Elder Brothers, what are you doing? Blocking the gate so that the owner cannot even return home?" A gentle and smiling voice called out, the so called "Virtuous Seventh Prince," Seventh Prince Ning Yii [1]had arrived to mediate.

"Today truly is a special day." Feng Zhiwei smiled with her eyebrows, gesturing with her arms in welcome. "Princes, please."

The several princes all laughed and followed Feng Zhiwei into the mansion. They had all long since decided to become friends with Feng Zhiwei, but it was actually rather difficult for Princes to casually approach ministers, so they had not dared act rashly. A few days ago, however, when Father Emperor had been examining their work in the Imperial Study, he had given them a listen and even left them with this phrase: "There are many scholars well-versed in both ancient and modern learning, and you idiots still don't know how to consult with them?" Now it was as if the clouds had scattered and the bright moon had appeared overhead in the night sky — was there anything more proper than consulting the new "National Scholar?"

And so Old Second had summoned all his beautiful concubines and compared them each to each, and when he had finally decided on the prettiest one, happily left early the next morning only to "coincidentally" bump into the Fifth Prince on the Dong Yang Boulevard, and was forced to send away the beauty and walk together with the Fifth Prince. As they passed by the "Shan Yue Bookstore" Fifth Prince suddenly announced that he had forgotten to bring the book that he wanted to consult Mister Wei about, and since they were here he should buy a new copy. But, "coincidentally" again, they met the Seventh Prince here at the Shan Yue study, and the party of two became a party of three.

Second Prince Ning Sheng nursed his grievances silently, smiling with a hidden coldness at everyone he met.

Feng Zhiwei watched every prince as they all entered the mansion — according to the Imperial rumor-mill, the Second Prince was fierce, the Fifth Prince cold, the Sixth Prince romantic, and the Seventh Prince virtuous, but it seemed as if the rumors were not necessarily true. If the Second Prince truly was only a forceful and explosive prince, then how did he respond so quickly to Fifth Prince's jab? And certainly, as a member of the Imperial Family, if he did not possess some shrewdness and cunning, he would have long since been burnt to ash.

Yet still, despite this Imperial struggle that had delivered itself to her doors, there was still something to be grateful of. The one person she truly did not wish to see had not come, so everything was still terrific.

The National Scholar and the three Princes walked together, each carrying their own hidden purpose. Feng Zhiwei smiled and commented: "The rooms will be quite muggy on this hot summer day. Princes, should we head to the Lan Yue Pavilion in the backyard? It is t cooler there."

"Sure." Second Prince chuckled. "I remember that this mansion used to belong to Old Wang, the old Justice of The Right[2] The Lan Yue pavilion is built on high ground, and is a nice platform to climb to sky gaze at the moon and enjoy the cool breeze. It truly has one of the more unique view in Dijing, and with wine cups and the river flowing by the pavilion, we can have a winding stream party as well."

"Your Highness is so heroic, I did not expect the Prince to also enjoy the literati's little hobby." Feng Zhiwei smiled as she replied. "I thought that the pursuits of warrior poet fit Your Highness better…"

[1] ok so this seventh prince 宁羿(Ning Yii) is different than our sixth prince宁弈(Ning Yi). But their names pronounced the same.

[2] 右中允 you zhong yun