Chapter

The phoenix cast a glance at the tempestuous swell on Sheng Xinhua’s chest, thinking to herself that she hadn’t been gone long—how had it grown again? If it kept developing at this rate, wouldn’t it become impossible for her to wear shirts and go to work at school?

“You know, I ran into some trouble back on the Old Lands…” The phoenix spoke slowly, carefully weighing her words.

“Could I not know? Anyone of importance in the Empire must have heard by now. I hear your father went mad with rage, lopped off more than a few heads… Now, all of Phoenix City is enveloped in a tense atmosphere. Everyone’s walking on eggshells, terrified the flames might reach their doorstep…”

“It’s that serious?” the phoenix asked.

“Of course it is. His precious daughter gets caught up in such a grave matter—how could he not be furious? You haven’t been out lately, but if you did, plenty of people would rush to you, complaining and pledging their loyalty.”

The phoenix gave a bitter smile. “Don’t make it sound so dreadful.”

“What, isn’t it pledging loyalty? Or are they trying to befriend you? They’d love to cozy up, just afraid you wouldn’t be pleased.”

“Friends aren’t so easily made,” the phoenix laughed.

In her position, naturally, many sought her friendship. Yet to be friends meant obligations—helping them, their ambitions, their relatives’ aspirations for riches and power…

“That’s true. Our little princess may not have much in the way of bosom, but her spirit is towering. Ordinary folk hardly catch her eye.” Sheng Xinhua finished her last puff, snuffing out her cigarette in the ashtray the phoenix had set aside just for her.

This ashtray was never brought out unless she visited; only when she arrived would the servants retrieve it. After all, if anyone could smoke in the princess’s chamber, what would become of propriety?

“That doesn’t sound like much of a compliment,” the phoenix said.

“I prefer people who aren’t ‘good’,” Sheng Xinhua replied. “If someone could befriend everyone, just how false would they have to be?”

“That’s rather reasonable,” the phoenix nodded in agreement.

She was surrounded by many, yet whenever trouble weighed on her heart, she always turned to Sheng Xinhua—the most unreliable of them all—for counsel. Despite her notorious reputation, Sheng Xinhua was truly devoted to her friends.

“We’re getting off track. If we keep chatting, dawn will break before we reach the heart of the story.” Sheng Xinhua reminded her, looking at the phoenix. “I’m curious about what happened to you on the Old Lands. I feel you’ve changed a lot since returning… You’re lost in thought, distracted—clearly, you’re hiding something…”

Sheng Xinhua’s alluring eyes watched for the subtlest shifts in the phoenix’s expression, her lips curling in a deep smile. “Or perhaps… hiding someone?”

This time, the phoenix didn’t deny it. She looked at Sheng Xinhua and said, “Let me tell you a story. I’ll start from when we went to the Old Lands seeking the ancient tomb, and then to my escape in the pod…”

“Then I’ll need another cigarette,” Sheng Xinhua said, drawing a slender lady’s cigarette from her ornate silver case and lighting it.

The phoenix cautioned, “You should smoke less…”

“Ever heard the saying? If you don’t smoke or drink, your life’s not even worth a dog’s.” Sheng Xinhua took a greedy drag. “This is my only little indulgence, Princess Xiuxue. Surely you won’t cruelly strip it away from me?”

“…”

“Go on, the cigarette’s lit.”

The phoenix took a sip of red tea to moisten her throat, then began recounting how she and her companions ventured into the Old Lands to search for the tomb, only to suffer betrayal and assault. Alone, she fled in an escape pod, only to crash into the human settlement of Hate Mountain…

Her time on the Old Lands had been brief, but her tale was long—so many things she wished to say, so many vivid memories, so much emotion to express. She wanted to share it all with her closest, most trusted friend.

When her story ended, the ashtray was filled with spent cigarettes; Sheng Xinhua had finished her entire supply.

“Did I talk too long?” the phoenix asked sheepishly.

Sheng Xinhua shook her head. “I think you could speak for a lifetime.”

“…”

“So, it was that Tang Bandit and the chubby one… Well, mainly Tang Bandit who saved you?”

“Yes.” The phoenix nodded.

“Tang Bandit—Bandit in the name, that’s amusing…” Sheng Xinhua regarded the phoenix thoughtfully. “So our little princess fell into danger in the forest, and a dashing hunter played hero, sweeping her off her feet. Her heart and body both surrendered, and now she’s haunted, inviting her bedmate over in the dead of night… You want him to come to New Star?”

“Yes,” the phoenix nodded. “He saved my life—many times. Without him, I’d be dead in the Old Lands. A drop of kindness must be repaid with a spring.”

“Repay it? Show me how.”

“???”

“Never mind, you probably don’t know how yet.” Sheng Xinhua waved a hand. “The story’s a classic, if clichéd, hero-rescues-beauty tale. But the way you told it—the look on your face says it’s not so simple… You’re in love with him?”

“How could that be?” the phoenix protested. “It’s just… the Old Lands are so harsh. Everyone struggles, living each day with care—slip up, and you’re dead. I can’t bear to see them continue like that. I want to help.”

“And it’s not just Tang Bandit—there’s Chubby, the old man… Uncle.”

Sheng Xinhua reached for her cigarette case, then remembered it was empty. Annoyed, she shot the phoenix a look. “All soft except for your stubborn mouth. You think you can hide this from me? Those two are just Tang Bandit’s companions, buy-one-get-two-free.”

“How can you… speak that way about my dear friend Chubby?” the phoenix retorted.

“You know it’s dangerous.” Sheng Xinhua’s gaze turned serious and stern.

“I know.”

“If word gets out, your reputation will suffer greatly.”

“I know.”

“Yet you still insist?”

“Yes. I’ve been thinking about this these past days. We’ve said goodbye; we shouldn’t meet again…”

“But when I imagine them living in that place, fighting fierce mutant beasts, enduring acid rain… while I live in comfort and abundance, I feel so guilty… so sorry for them…”

“So your reluctance to go out lately is really a battle within yourself. You know the rational choice is to forget them, as if they never existed. But you can’t persuade yourself—you can’t get past your own conscience. So you called me here in the middle of the night to discuss how to get them to New Star?”

“Yes.” The phoenix nodded again, her gaze resolute, her attitude unwavering. “I’m ready. I’m willing to accept all consequences.”

“Bringing up a few people is a huge issue for others, but for the Royal Family, it’s just a matter of saying the word. That’s not the problem,” Sheng Xinhua said. “The key is which method to use, which channel…”

She stood, stretching her arms high, showing off her enchanting figure—gray silk blouse tucked into black trousers, tall and slender, her waist supple, her chest swaying.

“We can try sneaking him in, but that’s not safe—for you or him,” Sheng Xinhua warned. “No wall is airtight. If it leaks, you’ll be gossiped about as keeping a young lover, but he’d be in real danger…”

“So the best way is to have your father personally speak—if he brings someone in, who would dare object? Who could make trouble?”

“You want me to tell my father directly?”

“Yes.” Sheng Xinhua nodded. “You should know your position is unique. The more someone matters to you, the less you must show it.”

“I understand.” The phoenix paused in thought. “I’ll say I wish to repay my lifesaver, and hope Father can help them come to New Star…”

“How you phrase it is your business. I’m not worried about that.” Sheng Xinhua looked down at the phoenix, her smile mischievous. “Just keep that restless spring heart well hidden—that’s the most important thing. Princess Xiuxue, put on your best performance…”

“…”

“Tang Bandit…” Sheng Xinhua savored the name. “I really do want to meet him.”

“…,” the phoenix stared at her in surprise.

“What, afraid I’ll steal your man?” Sheng Xinhua laughed, bold and carefree. “Relax, I’m not interested in boys like him… I just want to see what kind of talent could make our Princess Xiuxue lose her appetite and sleep.”

She paused, her eyes shining as she looked at the phoenix. “Is he particularly well-endowed? Have you tried it?”

“Sheng Xinhua, get out—!”

“Oh dear, the princess is angry…” Sheng Xinhua delighted in having provoked the phoenix, her joy unrestrained. “You heartless woman, you’ve just used me, now you want me gone… so fickle…”

The phoenix knew: as long as this wicked woman was around, every late-night conversation in the boudoir would inevitably veer into risqué territory.

(ps: Begging all 18-year-old fairies and handsome lads for a monthly vote!!!)