Rising Phoenix

Young Master Gu's whistle flew over the academy and through Mount Song to the skies above Dijing ten miles away. After a while, the citizens of Dijing no longer needed the watchmen's call, and after a while, there was no longer any need for His Majesty's Morning Drum, for Young Master Gu's whistle was good enough.

All students woke at fifth watch and lapped around Mount Song. Weakness was accepted, but never laziness — the Academy's physician followed the students in a carriage, and anyone who dared fake illness would receive a walnut gift from the Vice Headmaster's retainer, Young Master Gu.

The countless lazy students had their faces struck and covered with the remains of delicious walnuts.

After the run, all students were gathered to practice Chinese Boxing. With the military expert Feng Zhiwei invited to instruct her students, the military students soon discovered that there was suddenly a group of students even fiercer than them.

The powerful and wealthy scions and peasants were treated the same without any special privilege. All the poor students applauded in praise, and the Dijing Family Heads all nodded happily — their sons and grandsons were suddenly behaving, their bad temperaments erased, their bodies strengthened, and they were no longer picky with food or hanging out at brothels. Every time they visited home, they would immediately collapse on their beds and pass out. Going out for women? As if they had the energy for that!

Feng Zhiwei was in very good spirits. She woke early with her students and enjoyed practicing Kungfu. Young Master Gu's brilliant and glorious moves had shown her the true extent and capability of mastery — out in the world, might made right.

But nevertheless, her happiness was not without flaws, especially one particularly large annoyance.

Helian Zheng often visited the manor to chase after his "aunt." This man really refused to learn his lesson, and after becoming a nephew and being forced to eat mouthfuls of salt, he still arrived almost everyday to report for duty. Sometimes he would pester her relentlessly, other times he would come to admire Gu Nanyi's extraordinary Kongfu, and as time went on, his interest in the jade statue's martial ability only grew and grew.

But of course Young Master Gu never paid the prince any attention, only sending him away in the typical Gu Style — simply and violently.

Feng Zhiwei tried basically everything to avoid Helian Zheng, refusing countless of his meetings. Only Ning Yi and Helian Zheng would ever see both Wei Zhi and his Gu bodyguard and Feng Zhiwei and her servant girl "Yiyi." Even though Young Master Gu covered his face wherever he went, palace or residence, his style never changed, and Feng Zhiwei was worried that sooner or later, Helian Zheng would notice something.

Whatever can go wrong will go wrong, and on a certain day, Helian Zheng arrived at the Imperial Palace and deliberately provoked Bodyguard Gu. An hour after his beating, he arrived at the Qiu Mansion Cui Fang Residence and challenged Yiyi.

After two successful beatings, the Hu Zhuo Prince stood, rubbing his face thoughtfully.

Feng Zhiwei watched the man walk away, thinking deeply before finally turning to Gu Yiyi: "So, should we silence him?"

Young Master Gu crushed a walnut and showed it to her.

"No, the consequences are too heavy." Feng Zhiwei answered herself, a bitter smile crossing her face finally: "Why did I come back?"

She had had so many reasons for returning to the Qiu Mansion. She had sworn an oath, she wanted to figure out what Ning Yi had come for, and… she wanted to take care of her mother.

She wanted her long suffering mother to be saved from her decade-long misery and live a proud and dignified life, reviving here in her home the glory of the Fire Phoenix Woman General.

She wanted everything and would not settle for secretly rescuing her mother and setting her up in a comfortable life, so she had risked the return.

But the greater the hope the harsher the fall.

"Let's take it one step at a time, and we can have some people carefully watch Helian Zheng." Feng Zhiwei continued, smiling wanly. "At least Helian Zheng must return to Hu Zhuo soon. When he is gone, he will no longer be able to bother me."

The next morning, Young Master Gu spotted a familiar face in the group of students as he whistled.

His bird cry immediately cut off, and the students could only watch in numb surprise as Master Gu flew down from the tower.

A new student stood in the group, his eyes glittering like diamonds as he raised his hand and loudly exclaimed: "New Student He Zheng greets the Vice Headmaster! Greets Sir Gu!"

Feng Zhiwei peered into his determined eyes and quietly sighed to herself as she slapped a fake smile over her lips: "A freshman?"

"Yes!" The man replied, his eyes glowing. "Fresher than fresh.'

"You look thick and sturdy, you should join the Military College." Feng Zhiwei smiled faintly and replied, quickly unfurling her school records. "How about I transfer you to the Military College?"

"No need." Helian Zheng shook his head immediately: "My Little Aunt said that wisdom triumphs."

Feng Zhiwei: "…"

The eloquent Feng Zhiwei was struck dumb as she pondered ways to transfer this brave over to the Military College. Suddenly, noise filled the gates to the courtyard and a residence master rushed over and whispered into her ears: "A young man surnamed Feng is yelling out that he's the Hu Zhuo Prince's brother-in-law and is demanding admittance into the academy, what do you…"

The Hu Zhuo Twelve Tribes were currently welcomed in Tian Sheng with great courtesy and fanfare, and Helian Zheng's unusual eyes were easily recognizable.

"Brother-in-law?" Feng Zhiwei echoed in surprise.

A boy finally rushed into the courtyard, guard trailing behind him as he yelled: "My brother-in-law is here! My brother-in-law will be my guarantor."

When the boy saw Helian Zheng he immediately rushed over and grabbed his sleeve: "My sister is your concubine, you have to support me no matter what!" (sooooo shameless. I am furious)

Feng Zhiwei stared at the pair, smiling faintly, her clasped hands crackling behind her back.

After half a moment, she cried out coldly: "Where did this insane fool come from? Kick him out!"

"Ai, don't do that." Helian Zheng replied, clasping Feng Hao under his arm and smiling down at Feng Zhiwei: "He really is my little brother-in-law, can the great gentleman bend the rules a little?"

"Impossible." Feng Zhiwei replied icily. "The academy bends no rules."

Feng Hao struggled in Helian Zheng's firm grasp as he tried to move forward to grab Wei Zhi's sleeve. The prince flicked the boy's forehead, saying: "Quiet, little brother!"

Immediately after, the crumbling sound of a crushed walnut filled the air.

"How about this — the Academy allows students to bring bodyguards right?" Helian Zheng bartered. "He will be my bodyguard."

Feng Zhiwei thought for a moment. Feng Hao was without shame, and he eagerness to join the Academy beyond bounds. If she refused his request, she knew he would run around with the Hu Zhuo Prince's name on his lips, cheating and bullying his way through the city. Heavens only know what trouble he would get up to then; if he were under her command, she could watch over him, and Helian Zheng seemed like a man who would quickly reign in Feng Hao and train him into obedience.

Finally, she flicked her hand in acceptance, turning and ignoring the gathered students. As Helian Zheng held the excited Feng Hao down by his shoulders, he watched Wei Zhi leave, deep in thought.

That night, a Politics and History freshman was caught trying to climb the walls of the Vice Headmaster's residence