The Rise of the Phoenix

The night is calm as the dark sky is magnificently brightened by the beaming crescent moon shining above. The narrow urban streets are empty and only the evening lights guard the place. At this late hour, people are enjoying their silk blankets and puffy pillows to sleep.

However, for the Lady of the Su Mansion, it was the perfect time to exercise her hidden talents. Clad on her new male servant's suit, she sneaked out through the back door and heads her way to the heart of the nearby forest.

Once she arrived, she immediately set the torches in every corner with fire. This created the perfect ambiance for her routine.

She then started dancing her sword to her might. She closes her eyes and let her soul feel the warmth of the evening.

She is Rong, the youngest among the five children of the late General Su Tse Sin. She may sprout like a tiny bud in the field full of wild flowers but her thorns are enough to make you stay off her. Just as what people would always say about her, a brat. But no, she was just no damsel in distress. Because she fights for what she only thinks are right, even if it breaks what others believe. She does not sugarcoat. Most importantly, she does not kiss anyone just to please them.

And just when she opened her eyes, a wild arrow almost struck her through her face. She was quickly alarmed by the sudden unusual movement. She squinted her eyes and look around on her surroundings. Her senses became more sensitive to every noise that could be made. Still, no one appeared to become her enemy.

She was about to leave the place when a dusty piece of cloth tied on the arrow caught her attention. In an instant, she found herself picking the material while unconsciously detached her tool off her.

"The unchosen ones will rise again" she read the writings on the cloth aloud.

"Unchosen? Rise? ─ Huh! What a fool?" She scoffed and ready to move to head home when a sharp and cold object touched her nape. Her stiffed, eyes widened.

"Move an inch or I will cut off your head." Says a deep hoarse voice of a man. "Now tell me, who sent you here and told you to spread that stupid words?"

The harsh way of the man when asking her made her eyebrow arc. But idea of having the intruder moving closer to her and holding her arm securely whilst the cold metal still on her neck made her brow arc even more.

"I don't know what you are talking about. Now, would you mind taking your hands and sword off of me?" She asked the intruder nicely. But the man just scoffed at her.

"Do not play games with me, Mister. Tell me all what you know and I will make sure your sentence will be less gruesome." The man sternly warns her. This made her blood boils.

As she waited a perfect chance to draw her sword, she took a deep breathe. When she finally sees the chance, she banged her head against the face of the intruder and pulled his foot forward from her behind. The man slipped and she gets free.

She quickly ran away to grab her sword. Unfortunately, the man was able to recover fast. The next thing she knew, she was pinned on the tree after the man caught her back and tries all her might to fight him.

She could feel the electricity flowing from her body when she finally met his gaze.

***

Zhang Hwa Jin is the second male born of the Yang State's Emperor. After many unfortunate events happened since he was born that was said to be caused by the bad luck he brings, he was sent on Sheng province and lived mostly of his life outside the palace with his master.

Fortunately, when he turns to the right age, His Majesty called him back and ask his help to solve the concurrence of corruption on the Imperial Army. As a filial son and responsible prince, he accepted His Majesty's order to held post and become the Head of the Imperial Guards.

And just weeks after he successfully clear the army, another problem seems to arise. Suddenly, another rebellion is sprouting in the midst of their victory. The rebels might have not yet caused an attack. But he worries as they spread malicious words that could poison the mind of the people. Thus, he is back in Sheng to ask his Master's advice.

Right after his journey to his master's house, he immediately went back home. However, along his way back, his carriage gets stuck on the from the heavy rain that poured last night.

Hence, without a choice, he has to leave the carriage and find some shelter as the night is approaching.

Then he remembered his best friend, Guan, once told him about their summer house on Sheng. He was relieved to remember the location and decided to ask someone from there for a temporary shelter.

It was already dark when he arrived. The person in-charge immediately recognized him since he once encountered him on Guan's home at the capital before getting assigned here in the province.

"Welcome, Your Highness. Please come inside." The old man on his 50s politely asked him which he willingly obliged. He also asked his companion to come.

Once they entered, they were given much attention by the servants. They were offered food, drinks, and clothes to change. Consequently, they gladly accepted the offers except the clothes.

They were enjoying the food and drinks together with the person in-charge when a woman on a petite physique came running. By the looks of her clothing, he assumed that the woman was an attendant.

"Brother Shang, Lady Rong is missing!"

Together, he and the person in-charge looked towards to woman's direction.

"What missing? She said she's going to her chamber early." He could Shang's getting tensed.

"Yes, she did say that. But when I came back to her room to bring the tea she asked, she was nowhere to be found. I even let the guards and maids looked all over the mansion." Hwa Jin himself can't help become worried at what he heard.

He did know that Guan had a sister. But what he did not know is where this young woman stay as he have never been able to meet her since then. Perhaps, Rong stays here.

Nevertheless, Rong is his best friend's sister. He has to help these people find her.

"Were there any signs of abduction?" He asked. But the servant shook her head which made his forehead creased.

"Perhaps she went outside by herself?" His companion and trusted man, Su Ki Qi suggested. He might be correct.

"I thought so, too. Don't worry I will find her." He said in his most determined voice. The servants were relieved with his words.

Thus, without any second wasted, he went outside and started searching for the lady.

As he gets nearer in the nearby forest, he heard footsteps over the dried leaves scattered on the ground. He immediately followed where the noise comes from.

And he was right, someone is in the forest. But then, he was about to take another step when an arrow almost hit him through his face.

He chased bandit who's clad on a servant's clothes. Unfortunately, he fell into the trap while chasing him. He hurriedly swishes his sword and cut the ropes to get free. Blag! He fell into the ground.

He then run as fast as he can and chased the bandit from the direction he last saw. Until he ended up on the two paths leading to an unknown end. Frustrated, he chooses the left path.

Then he finally saw him, reaching and reading the writings on the arrow he drew earlier. Thus, he pointed his sword towards the bandit's nape.

"Move an inch or I will cut off your head.", he could feel him stiffened his back. "Now tell me, who sent you here and told you to spread that stupid words?"

"I don't know what you are talking about. Now, would you mind taking your hands and sword off of me?" He was shocked by how the talented the bandit is by mimicking a feminine voice.

"Do not play games with me, Mister. Tell me all what you know and I will make sure your sentence will be less gruesome."

But the bandit banged his head against his face and pulled his foot forward through his behind. He slipped again.

Fortunately, he recovered fast. Thus, he immediately pinned him on the tree once he caught him.

However, his heart suddenly beats erratically just like a cliché heart throbbing scene in a play when he met his gaze.

How could he possibly feel this heart throbbing scen

The night is calm and silent. Only the unusual beating of the heart of two people could be heard as if they were chased by horses.

Rong was drawn to the young man's stare─ who's in front of her─ pinning her both arms on the sturdy old tree behind her. Meanwhile, Hwa Jin was also mesmerized by the beauty of the person whose gender is unknown to him.

How could such two people get enticed at each other during their first meeting? Was it because of fate and destiny? Or was it just all an act to gain one's advantage?

These thoughts caught her off guard and have awakened her from her reverie.

"Get your hands off me." She warned the young man.

The young man looked surprised at what she said. He was not even shaken by her indirect threat. Hence, he tightened his grip on her.

"Tell me, who sent you here" He emphasizes every word that he said. His expressions also tightened; the gentleness of his stares was all gone now.

Exasperated, Rong's teeth gritted as she began explaining to him once more, "No one has ever asked me to come here except for myself nor someone will."

The man's forehead creased, "Right, I forgot. No thief confesses his crimes."

With his jaws clenching, he grabbed Rong's wrist harshly and dragged her out of the woods. Panic was all over Rong.

"Where are you taking me?", but the man seemed deaf and has not bother answering her question.

Thus, she swung her arm which made him halt. She pulls him back and gives him a knee. He curled, clutching his stomach. She kicked him hard on the knockout point before he continued to fall and lose his consciousness. This allowed her to run.

***

Hwa Jin wakes up as the striking rays of the sun hit his face. He groaned as he felt sores all over his body. He curled up while trying to get up. He looked around his surroundings, trying to figure things out.

'What happened last night?'

Then he finally remembers; he was almost got struck by a wild arrow. He chased the bandit and confronted him physically.

He groans as he gets up lazily. But then, just like a lightning strike, he remembers what he came for. His eyes grew wide after realizing.

"Lady Rong!"

Suddenly, large and heavy footsteps were heard. Quickly, he looked over to find his sword. Meanwhile, the sound is getting clearer as it gets louder.

Su Ki Qi then appeared out of nowhere.

"Duke Zhang!" He greeted and bowed to him. Feeling relieved, he nods his head. "Where have you been? We've been looking for you the whole night. Why didn't you come back? Lady Rong already come back an hour after you went out─"

"What did you say? She came back already?" He asked with a creasing forehead.

"Yes, My Lord. She came home safe and sound." Ki Qi confirmed.

"Did she...mentioned where did she go?"

"Yes. She told us she went to a nearby river to get some fresh air."

"And did you believe her just like that?" Ki Qi was taken aback by what he just asked.

"Why, My Lord? Is there something we should be alarmed of?"

Hwa Jin sighed heavily before picking the arrow left last night and handed it to Ki Qi. The latter was shocked upon reading the writings on the cloth tied around.

"My Lord..."

"I encountered someone last night..." He narrated. But then, he couldn't find the courage to continue his words when those pair of eyes came to flash to his mind.

It was like he suddenly feels attached just by the look of those pair of eyes. Like in a spur of the moment, he feels complete and secure with that stranger.

"My Lord?" Ki Qi shook his arms which awakened him from his reverie.

"Nothing. Let's get going instead." He tapped Ki Qi's shoulder and preceded walking.

Soon enough when they reached the summer house of the Su family, Fu Shang, the person in charge greeted him.

"Your Highness, thank goodness you are back! ─ Lady Rong already came back last night." The old man gladly announced.

"I am glad to hear that. May I see her and extend my greetings to her?"

The old man's face turned sour after hearing him.

"Unfortunately, my mistress already left with her carriage just a few minutes ago─ But I told her that your Highness visited us last night. Yet she couldn't wait to go home because Master Lim Tan got sick."

This softens Hwa Jin's reaction. He then decided to follow.

"Then I guess, we must also get going." The old man could only do nothing but to agree.

***

Still clad on her another set of men's clothes, Rong and her companion Chui Yuan, went out of the carriage.

"Pardon me, Mistress. But the horse needs to rest already. It would no longer run no matter how much I beat it."

"Fine, fine. Just call us when it's done resting. We'll just look there ahead."

"Yes, Mistress." The coachman bowed.

Finally, Rong marched to the other side of the street and looked for something she could bring back home.

"Which do you think is good to bring, Chui yuan?"

The servant caressed her chin as if thinking even though she already had in mind what to bring as her Mistress' brother already told her so.

"I think baijiu* would be great, Mistress!" The servant cheerfully suggested which earned a snarl from Rong.

"Baijiu─ Don't be fooled by Tang'er! Let's have dates instead."

Chui Yuan couldn't argue anymore as she already walked away. Consequently, the servant hurried to follow her.

When they arrived at the snack store, many people were already in a queue which gave Rong second thoughts in buying.

"Should we line and buy?" Rong asked worriedly.

"I can manage to wait, Mistress." Rong looked at her and smiled.

"Great. Then, wait for me here. I'll just look around. You line there for me." Once again, Chui Yuan was left in despair.

***

On the other hand, Hwa Jin and Ki Qi are already approaching the capital when the latter asked him to stop in the market for a while.

"Your Highness, can we stop by at the market? My spy and I agreed to meet at the market today in exchange for the information you asked for."

"Alright."

Thus, both of them stopped when they reached the market. Ki Qi headed him to the block where they would meet the former's spy. Unfortunately, as they walked towards the block, someone familiar caught his attention.

"It's him...It must be him!" he murmured as he saw the stranger once again.

Rong was busy choosing fragrant pockets on one of the stalls in front of him.

Hwa Jin quickly called Ki Qi's attention, "Ki Qi, I will not come with you. Go look for your spy. I have something to attend to."

He said without breaking his gaze to Rong and left him quickly.

***

Rong was busy choosing the best fragrant pocket when someone pulled her out of nowhere.

"Ahh!", But what shocks her most is the person who pulled her. It was Gu Wu Ping.

Gu Wu Ping is a renowned businessman in their place. He is from one of the wealthy and powerful men in Shang who went to the city to try his fortune. With his good looks, no doubt he was sought after by many women. Yet, despite all of these, he remains humble. Especially when he's with Rong.

They have been friends since they met at Shang one time when the latter saved him 10 years ago. They've become very close with each other to the point that gossips about them like getting married to each other were spreading like a wildfire.

"My, my, my─ little follower, you're here!" She greeted him.

"Still doubting my sense of hearing?" She pretended to puke which garnered him a laugh.

They were laughing as they exchange funny conversations until someone caught her eyes. Those pair of brown eyes, she cannot be wrong.

"It was him!" she murmured.

Suddenly, they met each other's gaze. Her lips parted. She doesn't know what to feel anymore as she could only hear the familiar erratic beating of her heart.

Just when two people saw each other again, the world almost stop revolving. They can only see each other. They can only hear the melodies of their hearts who's singing loudly.

Soon enough, Rong gains consciousness and gets alarmed of what the young man could to do her after Gu Wu Ping snaps his fingers. Rong turns to him.

"What?"

"What 'what'? ─ You're spacing out. Something's wrong?" Wu Ping asks concernedly. But she did not answer him. She looked at the man whose standing on their opposite direction instead. He is scowling at her.

She then quickly turns to his old friend and bid her goodbyes.

"Little follower, I have to go. See you next time!", she did not wait for the latter to respond when she saw how determine the young man in capturing her.

She sprints her way to the busy street.

Meanwhile, Hwa Jin who saw her suspicious behavior, came over and chased her.

Panic is all over her. Her pace becomes faster and faster. She is already shouting and shooing away all that blocks her way which caused troubles for everyone behind her.

One poor old man has had his barrels roll over after she pushed him out of her way. However, despite her efforts, Hwa Jin hasn't lost her track. He gets even closer. Thus, she doubled her efforts and run away as fast as she can.

However, little did they know, they already passed by the gates of the Imperial palace. But it was already too late to realize that they were inside. The gates are already closing.

Rong unconsciously stopped running. She was panting. Sweat was all over her forehead and neck, her neatly bun hair turned to mess, hair strands were falling off her face─ but she did care.

She has to get home before the sun sets! But how could she do that? The gates will only be open the next morning.

Panic and fear are slowly consuming her. She was getting hopeless. She spaces back and forth whilst her hand on her hips. She couldn't think straight anymore.

Out of frustration, she decided to confront him again. Only to find out after turning her back that he was already on her back, trying to keep her away from the coming carriage. Hwa Jin jumped on her causing them to fall on the ground.

Their eyes grew wide upon realizing their scandalous position. Rong's body was on top him who was lying on the ground. His both hands were on her chest, specifically her not so big mounds. While their lips brushed against each other.

As a defense mechanism, she slapped his face. She unconsciously extends her arm on the ground and other to his middle, in between his thighs, to gain support and rushed to get up.

Hwa Jin could only groan in pain while curling his body, clutching his crotch. But Rong did not understand what's happening to him. She creased her forehead to him and said,

"Stop following me!" Her disguising voice trailed off which revealed her true voice. She covers her mouth quickly and run, leaving him still on the ground mutely aching.

***

Hwa Jin was chasing Rong to his fullest. Whatever happens, he will never let her go this time, he promises himself. But all those promises nailed down when he realizes that they already reached the Imperial palace from running.

Being the prince himself, he is always welcome to go in and out of the palace. But not today. He has to visit Lim Tan and talk to Guan. He can't be trapped inside the palace tonight.

Thus, he decided to stop chasing her and turns to an opposite direction when he noticed a carriage running towards her direction.

He would have ignored it, but something's telling him that he needs to save her. He had a strong suspicion that the young man he encountered last night was not really a he but a she. That despite that strong façade is a vulnerable person inside. He can tell after looking into her eyes. Thus, he runs towards her and quickly jumped at her.

Only to find himself in an awkward position; her on top of him while his both hand on her chest and lips pressed together.

In an instant, he gained a slap from her. Right, her. His assumptions were correct! He did not know, but he feels so alive despite what he got from her. Heck! He was beyond ecstatic to know that she was really a woman.

But all his hopes fell down when she unintentionally put her hand in between his thighs to lift herself.

He wanted to scream so loud and punish her for doing that. Yet, he could not even utter a single word until she left him.

"I will find you...", he said almost breathless.

***

Although Rong successfully escaped from Hwa Jin, she's getting near to feel despair. Surely, she will get punishments when she gets home.

Frustrated, she sighed and pulls the ornaments on her head, letting her long sleek hair to fall. She sat down the gutter near the gate.

She has already tried negotiating with the guards, but no avail.

She could only cup her face and hid them on her small palms.

What alibi should she give them when gets home? Will they still believe her?

She shook her head. No, they surely won't. Now that she's dressed in a man's suit- they'll definitely not gonna buy her alibi.

She silently whined like a eight year old child at the thought.

She then decided to collect the pebbles around her to ease her burden. The throws them again, one by one. The last pebble she threw rolls over and over. Until it finally stopped when gets a collusion with a familiar pair of embroidered shoes.

She gained hope and lifted her head up.

"Guan Gege!" She joyfully cried and clung into him despite his clothing.

Guan was overwhelmed by her sudden action. He was almost blown up. Yet, he manages to stay on her ground.

"Rong'er..." He muttered as he puts her down, "You're here."

It was a statement and not a question. Slowly, her nervousness came back.

"Uh..."

"I heard Lim Tan got sick. How is he?", thankfully! She was then reminded of their other brother. This gave her an alibi.

"Right! He was. So, I had to come over here and wait for you. So, we could go home together! There were some problems with my carriage earlier so I had to wait for you and ask for a lift!" She exaggeratedly answers which left Guan bemused.

"Alright, alright. Let's head home."

The older brother leads the way and mounted her first to his horse. He then follows and started maneuvering towards the gate.

Being one of the most trusted soldiers of the palace, he was given access to go in and out any time like Hwa Jin.

Although it has been a tradition that Imperial palace opens its gate at exactly six in the morning, it also closes its door exactly before the sun sets. Once it close, no one can no longer enter no exit from the palace.

But this time, Guan is exempted as he carries a decree containing a special assignment from His Majesty, the Emperor himself.

With this, amusement and relief were evident on her face as they passed by the gate smoothly.

She smirked at the thought of the man she encountered again earlier.

'Finally! You won't be bothering me again. Get rot in here, you minx!'