Within the Ethereal Chasm, a majestic Phoenix soars – 3

 After settling the bill and leaving the tavern, they ran into several people passing by the door. When they saw each other, they were all taken aback.
 “What a coincidence, to meet the lords here.” The man leading the group greeted them first, and the people following him also saluted the six of them.
 “It is a bit of a coincidence, Lord Liang.” Feng Ji returned the greeting with a slight smile. Huang Ti and Bai Yima also nodded to the group. However, Hua Jingtai, Feng Duying, and Nan Pianyue only glanced at them briefly before ignoring them.
 The man leading the group was about forty years old, with a pale face, a slight beard, and a slightly plump figure. He looked amiable. He was Liang Duo, the eldest brother of the Liang family, one of the five major families of the current dynasty, and also the elder brother of Empress Liang. He served as the Grand Master in the court.
 “What are the lords doing here?” Liang Duo looked at them with a feigned puzzled expression.
 “We brothers haven’t gathered for a long time. We happened to meet today, so we had a few drinks here.” Feng Ji looked at the people behind Liang Duo with a puzzled expression. “And what about you, Lord Liang?”
 “Oh, Lord Zhu has written a new piece of fine literature that has been praised by the great scholar, Mr. Qin. We were planning to go to ‘Listening Wind Pavilion’ to have a few drinks to celebrate.” Liang Duo looked back at a tall and thin man behind him.
 “Then I must congratulate Lord Zhu. It’s rare for Mr. Qin to praise someone. It shows that Lord Zhu’s work must be a masterpiece.” Bai Yima said to the tall and thin Lord Zhu when he heard this.
 “Where, where, Lord Bai is too kind.” Lord Zhu quickly saluted.
 “Ha… You lords really have a refined taste. This poetry and prose is really not something we rough people can do.” Hua Jingtai inserted a lukewarm comment.
 “Lord Hua, doesn’t this make us feel ashamed?” Liang Duo laughed amiably. “You lords are busy with state affairs all day, where do you have the leisure to do such idle things?” He looked up at the tavern in front of him and said, “This tavern looks ordinary, but with you lords here, it’s like a Golden Hall where important state affairs are discussed. Don’t you think so, lords?” As he spoke, he looked back at the people following him. His face was full of smiles, but his eyes were flickering and his words were ambiguous, implying something deeper.
 “Haha… Lord Liang is right. The place where the six lords are is not ordinary.” Everyone laughed and agreed.
 Upon hearing this, Huang Ti, Feng Ji, and Bai Yima all subtly furrowed their brows.
 “Lord Liang’s words are interesting.” Feng Duying suddenly spoke, looking at Liang Duo with a smile that was not quite a smile. “This tavern is comparable to a Golden Hall because of us six. I wonder, with Lord Liang and the other lords in the Listening Wind Pavilion, what can it be compared to? Is it the Morning Qin Tower or the Evening Chu Pavilion?”
 As she finished speaking, the room fell into a moment of silence. The smile on Liang Duo’s face faltered, his face flushed crimson, his eyes fixed on Feng Duying like a serpent, yet he was unable to act. The faces of the men behind him turned from red to green, then from green to white, showing signs of fear.
 Hua Jingtai and Nan Pianyue, standing aside, suppressed their laughter, finding the situation quite amusing.
 “I must return to the Palace, so I won’t delay your enjoyment of poetry and music,” Feng Duying gestured, “Du Kang, let’s go.” With that, she turned and left, Du Kang following her like a shadow.
 “Eh, Seventh Sister, wait for me!” Hua Jingtai and Nan Pianyue hurriedly chased after her.
 “Farewell,” Feng Ji, Huang Ti, and Bai Yima bid their farewells politely and followed their younger sister. Behind them, Liang Duo’s gaze turned gloomy.
 “Lord Liang…” someone tentatively called out.
 “Gentlemen, let’s go,” Liang Duo turned around, his affable demeanor returning, “I’ve specially ordered some fine wine. Tonight, we won’t return until we’re drunk.”
 “Oh… good.” The men chuckled in agreement, and together they headed towards the Listening Wind Pavilion.
 Meanwhile, once they had left the street, Hua Jingtai couldn’t help but scoff, “Their gathering is considered refined, but our drinking is seen as plotting against the state! Tell me, where is the justice in this world?”
Huang Ti, Feng Ji, and Bai Yima remained silent.
 “Ah, I’m starting to miss Third Brother,” Nan Pianyue looked towards the city gate, feigning nostalgia, “When dealing with these petty people, Third Brother is the best.”
 “Second Brother, should we distance ourselves because of these people?” Feng Duying looked at Huang Ti.
 Huang Ti was the first to move out of the Palace, and also the first to reduce the frequency of their gatherings. The seven of them understood his reasons and didn’t blame him, but they couldn’t help but feel a sense of unwillingness.
 Huang Ti looked at his siblings, his expression calm, “Seventh Sister, we live in this world, and this world is not just the eight of us.”
 Feng Duying pursed her lips, wanting to say something, but when she saw the gentle gaze in her elder brother’s stern face, she held back. She turned around, held her head high, and strode away, “Du Kang, let’s go.”
 Du Kang bowed to the others and followed Feng Duying, leaving her brothers behind, silently watching her retreating figure.
 After a moment, Huang Ti withdrew his gaze, “It’s getting late, let’s all go home.”
 “Yes, we have to attend the morning court tomorrow,” Hua Jingtai murmured.
And so, the brothers each bid their farewells and returned to their residences.

 At that moment, Ning Jingyuan’s carriage had already left the Imperial City by several tens of miles. He leaned against the window, watching the scenery rushing by in the twilight, contemplating the purpose of his journey.
 Feng Duying returned to the palace. As she passed by Jingchen Hall, she saw a group of people coming towards her from afar.
 “Seventh Aunt!”
 Before she could see who it was, a cheerful call rang out, and then a small figure rushed towards her, hugging Feng Duying’s waist when he reached her. It was a seven or eight-year-old boy, dressed in brocade and wearing a crown, his jade-white face adorned with black eyebrows and eyes, extremely adorable.
 “Tian,” Feng Duying stopped, and as she pried the small hands from her waist, she held onto them.
 “Seventh Aunt, are you staying in the Palace today?” The current Fifth Prince, Dong Tian, looked up at Feng Duying with eager eyes.
 “Mm,” Feng Duying nodded.
 A woman in her mid-twenties led several attendants towards them. When she was about ten feet away, she smiled and nodded at Feng Duying in greeting, then stopped and watched with amusement as Dong Tian clung to Feng Duying, bombarding her with questions.
 “Seventh Aunt, can I go to your Palace to play today?”
 “Seventh Aunt, will you teach me swordsmanship today?”
 “Seventh Aunt, I have to recite books today, will you accompany me?”
 “Seventh Aunt, when will you take me out of the Palace to play?”
 “Seventh Aunt, can you take me to live in your residence outside the palace?”
…

 The little boy’s questions came one after another, and even Feng Duying couldn’t ignore them. She could only press her forehead helplessly, “If you still have to recite books, why did you run here?”
 “I wanted to see Father Emperor first, then recite books later. Mother agreed,” Dong Tian held onto Feng Duying’s hand tightly.
 Feng Duying looked up at the graceful and elegant woman opposite her, Dong Tian’s mother, the Phoenix Consort.
 “Seventh Aunt, since you’re staying in the Palace today, can I go to your Palace to play?” Dong Tian tugged at Feng Duying, his eyes full of anticipation.
 “Alright, child, don’t bother your Seventh Aunt anymore,” the Phoenix Consort stepped forward and took Dong Tian’s hand, “You’ve already given your Seventh Aunt a headache.”
 Upon hearing this, Dong Tian immediately became anxious, “Seventh Aunt, are you bothered by me? Is Father Emperor not coming to see me because he’s bothered by me too?”
 Feng Duying’s eyebrows furrowed as she looked at the Phoenix Consort.
 “The child hasn’t seen his father in half a month, and he’s been clamoring to see him. But the Emperor is busy with state affairs and doesn’t have the time, so I brought him here for a walk. If he happens to run into the Emperor, then he’ll have seen him,” the Phoenix Consort explained with a light smile. Her words were free of embarrassment or resentment, exuding a sense of calm and composure.
 If there was anyone among Emperor Dong Shixiu’s many consorts that Feng Duying respected, it was only the Phoenix Consort. It wasn’t because she was unambitious, but because this woman knew her place, and her every word and action were always just right.
 Feng Duying looked down at Dong Tian, his little face full of gloom. He was still too young to face his father’s neglect with the same composure as his mother, nor could he hide his longing for his father with indifference like his mother.
 “How about Seventh Aunt teaches you swordsmanship?” she said to Dong Tian.
 Sure enough, upon hearing this, Dong Tian’s eyes lit up, and his face was filled with joy, “Yes, yes! Seventh Aunt.” He grabbed Feng Duying’s hand and turned to look at the Phoenix Consort, “Mother, I’m going to practice swordsmanship with Seventh Aunt. Can I recite books tomorrow morning?”
 The Phoenix Consort raised her hand and stroked her son’s head, “As long as you promise to recite books tomorrow morning and practice swordsmanship seriously, without making Seventh Aunt angry, I’ll agree.”
 “Mm, I promise,” Dong Tian nodded solemnly.
 The Phoenix Consort adjusted the hairpin and crown on Dong Tian’s head, then looked up at Feng Duying, “Then I’ll have to trouble the General.”
 Feng Duying nodded slightly, leading Dong Tian towards Fengying Palace, “If it gets late from practicing swordsmanship, Tian will sleep in my Palace tonight.”
 The Phoenix Consort’s heart stirred. She bowed to Feng Duying’s retreating figure, “Thank you, Seventh Sister.” She knew that whenever Feng Duying returned to the Palace, Emperor Dong Shixiu would visit his sister no matter how busy he was. Today would be no exception, and Dong Tian, who would be staying there, would naturally be able to see his long-absent father.
 Feng Duying waved her hand without turning back.
 When they arrived at Fengying Palace and just stepped through the door, Dong Tian’s stomach growled. It turned out that he had been holding back from eating earlier because he wanted to see his father. Feng Duying flicked his forehead, a mix of amusement and annoyance, and ordered the servants to serve dinner.
 Although he had been acting stubborn earlier and refused to eat, Dong Tian was now too hungry to maintain his composure. However, he still refused to lose his manners. He sat up straight, and because his arms were short, he let the attendants place the food in the bowls and plates in front of him first, then he ate himself, chewing slowly and not being picky.
 After dinner and a short rest, Dong Tian stood up and bowed to Feng Duying as if he were saluting his tutor, “Seventh Aunt, teach me swordsmanship.”
 In fact, Feng Duying’s offer to teach him swordsmanship was just an excuse. Seeing his serious expression, she thought to herself that this child was indeed a man of his word. So, she had Du Kang find a short sword for Dong Tian to use, led him to the spacious courtyard, and demonstrated a simple set of sword moves.
 Dong Tian held the short sword, following her movements earnestly. After he remembered the moves, Feng Duying stopped demonstrating and watched from the side.
 The little arms and legs couldn’t exert much force, but Dong Tian practiced over and over again, not finding it boring or showing any signs of laziness. His serious demeanor was not at all like an eight-year-old child, making Feng Duying smile, but also sigh. The Phoenix Consort had indeed raised a good son, but ordinary children were not like this.
 After an hour of practice, it was already completely dark. The palace attendants had prepared a fragrant bath for the two of them.
After bathing and coming out, the silver moon was already hanging in the pitch-black sky.
 Feng Duying, with her still slightly wet hair, sat under the eaves, wiping her treasured sword. Dong Tian imitated her, wiping his own sword.
 As Emperor Dong Shixiu stepped into the Fengying Palace, he was greeted by two figures, one tall and one small, under the corridor. The sight left him somewhat dazed.
 Although it was the dead of night, the moon hung high in the sky, and the palace lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, casting a hazy grey-white light across the courtyard. It was not particularly bright, but neither was it dim.
 Leaning against a pillar under the corridor was Feng Duying, meticulously cleaning her long sword with a piece of silk. Her wide snow-white robe and long black hair fluttered gently in the night breeze. The dim yellow light of the lanterns fell on her indifferent face, giving her an air of tranquil laziness. Yet, the cold, silvery glow reflected from her sword hinted at her stern and formidable nature. It was as if she was a figure from an ancient painting, depicting a moment of peace after a great battle. Beside her, a small figure mimicked her posture, creating a mirror image.
 This scene, viewed through the eyes of the reigning emperor, was one of serene beauty.
 Dong Shixiu never allowed his attendants to announce his arrival loudly when he visited the Fengying Palace. Thus, the few attendants present merely bowed silently in respect when they saw him. With a wave of his hand, Dong Shixiu dismissed them all.
 He moved quietly, slowly approaching the figures under the corridor, careful not to disturb the tranquil scene. However, to those with sharp senses, even the lightest footfall was as loud as a drumbeat.
 Feng Duying looked up at his approach, showing no surprise. She merely greeted him with a soft, “Big Brother,” and continued her task without pause.
 It was Dong Tian who was startled by the sound of his voice. He quickly put down his sword and respectfully bowed, “Your Majesty, my Father.”
 Dong Shixiu waved his hand, signaling Dong Tian to rise, then turned to Feng Duying, “Why is Tian here with you?”
 Feng Duying didn’t look up from her task, her gaze focused on the gleaming blade of her sword. “I ran into him when I returned to the palace. I thought it had been a while since I last taught him swordsmanship, so I brought him here. We just finished practicing when you arrived. Tian promised his mother he would study tonight, so you can take him back to the Phoenix Consort’s Palace later.”
 Dong Tian was surprised by Feng Duying’s words. He wanted to argue that his aunt had promised he could stay with her tonight, but the image of his mother waiting for him under the lamp flashed in his mind, and he swallowed his words, bowing his head in silence.
 Dong Shixiu showed no reaction to Feng Duying’s words. He walked over to a stone bench in front of the corridor and sat down, rubbing his stiff neck. “Tian, come and massage your father’s back.”
 Dong Tian hesitated for a moment, then joyfully agreed, “Yes, Father.” He moved to his father’s side and began to massage his back with just the right amount of pressure.
 The courtyard fell silent once more. Dong Tian was diligently massaging his father’s back, Feng Duying was quietly cleaning her sword, and Dong Shixiu was gazing into the distance, seemingly looking at Feng Duying, yet his gaze seemed to be lost in the far-off night.
 After a long while, Feng Duying sheathed her sword and handed it to Du Kang, her servant standing nearby. She looked at Dong Shixiu and stood up, “Big Brother, do you have something to tell me?”
 Dong Shixiu didn’t answer immediately. He seemed to be considering how to phrase his words. After a moment, he said casually, “Yesterday, I discussed some military matters with our second brother. After we finished, he suddenly mentioned that you’re not getting any younger, and we, as your older brothers, should start thinking about your marriage.” He looked at Feng Duying, trying to gauge her thoughts from her expression.
 However, Feng Duying showed no reaction. She simply looked at him calmly.
 Dong Shixiu waited for a moment, then continued in the same casual tone, “Our second brother also said that you’re past the age of marriage. If I, as your older brother, truly care about you, I should find a good man for you to marry.”
 Feng Duying still showed no reaction. She simply shifted her gaze away and after a moment, said lightly, “Our second brother is content with his wife and children, so he thinks everyone should be as happy as he is.”
 Dong Shixiu’s gaze remained fixed on her.
 Feng Duying looked up at the night sky, “Big Brother, you don’t need to worry about these trivial matters. I’ve said it before, I will never marry in this lifetime.” Her voice was calm and serene, like a still pond, “In this world, men can be my brothers, my friends, my enemies, but nothing more.”
 When her words fell, Dong Shixiu felt a jolt in his heart. For a moment, he couldn’t tell whether he felt relief or tension, but then a heavy feeling settled in his chest, as if a giant stone was pressing down on him.
 After a long while, he looked at the woman standing under the moonlight, her figure radiant like a phoenix, and said calmly, “There are few men in this world who are worthy of my phoenix sister.”
 Feng Duying didn’t reply. She continued to gaze at the stars in the night sky. Perhaps the stars were too bright, causing a slight sting in her eyes, so she closed them slightly.
 That night, Dong Shixiu didn’t stay long in the Fengying Palace. He left at the hour of Xu, taking Dong Tian with him.
 That night, Feng Duying stood alone in the courtyard, gazing at the night sky, her figure solitary and her expression serene.

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