The snow was falling softly outside, and despite the chilliness Zhao Ling Feng had left the window propped open to the garden. Sitting on the bed, with his ankles elegantly crossed, he read the words again, and then glanced at the concubine laying on her stomach looking bored.

 

“Stay still,” he ordered, and poked her with the brush as it swished over her shoulder.

 

“Ahhh! Your Highness Crown Prince,” she whined. “That tickles!”

 

“This Prince said to stay still,” he insisted. “I’m not finished.”

 

The woman pouted.

 

The words on the letter said: I owe you a dance. Come to the Hundred Flower house with the children.

 

He gave a short laugh. That girl is a fool. Does she really think that she can outsmart me?

 

But he suddenly remembered the tantalizing sight of her robe sliding off one creamy, enticing shoulder, the feel of her body under his hand, and that slender delicate throat that would feel wonderful with his fingers wrapped around it as he choked the life out of her.

 

“I want to see you cry,” he said aloud.

 

“W-What, Your Highness?” the concubine asked, startled.

 

“Nothing. Be obedient for your Prince,” he smiled, kindly.

 

She simpered, but he dropped the smile as soon as she had turned to face the other way.

 

I owe you a dance…the words echoed about in his head. He felt something stir in his gut.

 

Then he smirked wondering how annoyed his Seventh Brother would be, if he stole his woman out from under him…

 

Hah. How would his face look?

 

Also, the idea of tormenting her amused him. In the end, she could struggle all she wanted; he would keep the children, he would have his way with her, and she would still have to obtain the tally from his father, all while he sat back and enjoyed the play.

 

“Ah! The poem is done my dear…you may take leave…”

 

He smiled down at his handiwork.

 

None the wiser, the concubine stood and without even bothering to cover herself, simply left the room. However, it was not her nakedness that caused the servants to gasp, but rather the painting on her back of a woman very lewdly engaged with two snakes.

 

Zhao Ling Feng smiled, staring out into the garden.

 

***

 

That evening, A’Lian and Hong’er were surprised to see the Cosmetics Goddess when she entered the pleasure house via the mezzanine, covered in a transparent veil and a fur collared cloak. Even though it was not a night when she would normally perform her Xinyue dance, her little feet jingled with silver bells as she passed from the balcony level and into the third-floor corridor.

 

Accompanied by Xiao Hei, Xiao Yu, and Su Qing, she finally arrived in the room that the Madam kept for Cui Xi’s use when she came to the pleasure house. Settling herself down at the low table next to the painted screen, she sipped from her teacup and waited. Cui Xi felt strangely calm…Or is it that I feel empty? In the end, do I even know that he will let them go? It’s unlikely…

 

It wasn’t long before Xiao Hei, who was keeping watch at the window, turned to her.

 

“He’s here,” he nodded. “I didn’t think he’d come…”

 

“The children?” she asked, without looking up from her tea.

 

He paused, turning back. Then he puffed air out of his nose.

 

“They’re taking out three people…about the size of the children, but their faces are covered…” Xiao Hei said, eyebrows came together in a frown.

 

“Go with Xiao Yu and see to them. Do whatever you can do disable the guards once I give the signal. Su Qing, go and greet his Highness and bring him to the door. No matter what happens, you must not come in unless I call you. Do you understand?”

 

Su Qing nodded. Although she hated the idea that her Mistress was doing this, since she had taken this route, she obviously had a plan.

 

“Got it,” she nodded, her lips set in a straight line, exiting out the window and into the street.

 

Xiao Yu took a deep breath, gripped Cui Xi’s hand, and then swiftly followed after Xiao Hei.

 

“Be careful,” she said at the door, and then slid it shut.

 

The next time the door slid open, a man covered in a heavy hooded cloak entered.

 

She rose, giving her greeting:

 

“Your Highness, Crown Prince.”

 

Amused, he stood in the doorway for a moment, contemplating her. She had removed the veil, but not her cloak, and she let him look his fill. If things did not go to plan, then she would ensure that she was last thing he saw.

 

She held out a cup to him filled with wine. He could smell its fine fragrance, but initially shook his head. She smiled, bringing to her lips and drinking, then walked it up to him and pressed it into his hand.

 

He snorted, but took it, and sipped it. Not detecting anything suspicious, he downed it and handed it back to her. She gestured for him to sit, but he remained where he was.

 

“Your Highness, did you bring the children?” she asked after a pause, setting down the wine cup.

 

“You saw them,” he said, folding his arms.

 

She shook her head.

 

“Not their faces. Your Highness, please have them brought up. Once I’ve seen them, I can give you my full attention” she said, smiling.

 

He smiled back genteelly.

 

“Very well. Since you’ll become mine tonight, I suppose I can afford to indulge you this once.”

 

Oho…you monster! Still playing nice? Please be overconfident…

 

He leaned out the doorway, gesturing.

 

A moment later, Xiao Hei came in carrying Xiao Chuan, and the two younger boys peaked from behind Xiao Yu, clinging and teary-eyed, but looking otherwise unharmed.

 

Cui Xi’s heart squeezed when Xiao Chuan turned his pale face toward her to smile bravely, but she could see that he was in pain and that his sword arm hung at an awkward angle.

 

Oh Xiao Chuan…

 

“Are you satisfied?” the Crown Prince asked, jerking her out of her thoughts.

 

She nodded, unable to speak as the words caught themselves in her throat. Then she straightened.

 

“Xiao Yu, take care of them,” she said firmly.

 

They backed out and she nodded to them giving them the signal. Turning back, she let the Crown Prince shut the door, watching him shed his cloak at the same time. Gazing down at her as he advanced, his smile took on a hungry look.

 

“Are you going to wear this all night?” he asked, almost teasingly. He tugged at the ties of her cloak with casual unhurried hands.

 

I can see why women might be charmed by you. Playing the lover at a time like this…Ugh…

 

“Your Highness…I thought you might want to do it yourself…” she whispered, as the cloak dropped off her body and pooled at her feet.

 

He noticed that she had taken a great deal of care with her appearance and the sheer pink dress that she was wearing was clearly meant to tempt him. He was pleased to see that her face was flushed.

 

Cupping her cheek, he drew his thumb over her bottom lip and then pushed it into her mouth. She closed her eyes and tried to turn her face away, but he grabbed her chin and held her. Her eyes opened, and he was stirred with delight at her expression. She looked like a frightened deer. Seizing her, he kissed her hard, pushing his tongue into her mouth. One hand moved slowly down to stroke the throat he so greatly desired to crush.

 

“My brother…has he touched you yet?” he asked, pulling away and biting her ear. “He can’t be the only one when you dance that terribly lustful dance that stirs so many into a frenzy…”

 

She struggled to pull away, but there was already no turning back.

 

“That’s right,” she breathed. “I promised you a dance, Your Highness. Do you want to see it?”

 

“Yes…” he laughed. “Why not?”

 

I have all night. Why make things unpleasant so soon? She can struggle all she likes. She still can’t escape.

 

“Very well…it’s a new dance…I call it the dance of the seven veils…” she said.

 

He jerked in surprise when she suddenly and seductively slid her foot up the inside of his ankle.

 

It’s a dance where, in the end…I take your head…

 

A moment later the Prince’s expression shifted as she struck out at him.

 

Duck, dodge, block, step to the side, back, back, duck, block…I need to force him use internal force…

 

“This is wearisome,” the Crown Prince breathed. His expression was rapidly changing from surprised amusement to one of annoyance. He couldn’t believe that she actually intended to fight him. Even without his inner power, he could just break her arms.

 

Well, if she wants this Prince to be rough, I can do that too…

 

She smiled maddeningly, continuing to block, but attacking at the same time. She reached out, the heel of her hand speeding towards his heart. He slid sideways, avoiding the open-handed hit, and reached for her wrist. He hissed, twisting his wrists with her as she twisted, trying to grab hold of her, but she continued to slip free and block him.

 

“You don’t like my dance? Aren’t you enjoying this?” she asked, laughing softly, taunting him.

 

“I admit it’s a little entertaining, but now I really want to kill you. Come here, you slippery little eel. Let’s end this,” he laughed, gathering spiritual force in his palm, but then his eyes widened when he suddenly spat up a mouthful of blood.

 

Choking a bit, he stared at her, stared at the red spatters across her eyebrow and on her cheeks, at the trickle at the corner of her mouth, and at the determined look on her face.

 

“Y-You!” he gasped, as the blood dripped off his lower lip onto the floor. Pain shot through his heart, and he pressed his fingers into his chest to supress the sharp ripple. With his heart pounding so quickly, he felt like his veins were squeezing under the pressure.

 

Putting a shaking hand to his lips, he carefully wiped his mouth, returning to his elegant composed self.

 

“You evil witch,” he said softly. “I see what you’ve done…When?” he asked.

 

She was panting slightly, but slowly reached up to rub at her own lips.

 

“When you kissed me,” she replied. “On my lips…and on my throat…if you weren’t a pervert who likes to strangle people, you might have escaped…”

 

If he had not touched her throat, then the substance in the wine would never have activated.

 

 

He closed his eyes, breathing in through his nose, anger flickering over his face. Yet, when he opened his eyes, he smiled.

 

“Even without using my spiritual force, I can kill you with my bare hands, but before I do that, I’m going to make you regret this...” he murmured.

 

Cui Xi had gambled on two things: the Crown Prince’s greed and his over confidence.

 

“No…I don’t think so, Your Highness. The drug that I used not only disables your spiritual force, it should weaken your muscles. You won’t be able to move in short order. I’m sorry I had to use such underhanded tactics, but you must admit that stealing my kids was very low. I still intend to keep my promise to you to go into the palace and ask for the tally. So, I’m asking you to leave while you still can.”

 

He looked a little surprised at this, but it did not quell the anger burning in his eyes.

 

Cui Xi sighed internally. In truth, she had very much wanted to kill him, but she simply wasn’t in a position to deal with the consequences of it. She could hardly protect herself much less the people around her. However, that didn’t mean that she would forgive him for hurting the children and threatening her with it.

 

“You’re a fool. I can have you killed right now.”

 

She shook her head.

 

“You’re right, but you won’t. You wouldn’t have asked me to enter the palace if there was someone else you could use. My reputation in the City is well known. The Emperor knows all about it. How titillating would be if the Crown Prince could simply call the most famous courtesan in Tiansheng into the palace and present her to the king?”

 

“This Prince underestimated you,” he breathed.

 

“I’m letting you live on the account of your brother,” she said, grabbing an excuse.

 

He snorted.

 

“That’s unlikely,” he responded. “The antidote?”

 

“Give the command for the children to be released, Your Highness. When you and your men are outside, I’ll throw it out the window to you,” she said.

 

He laughed, but the pain pressing in on his heart made him grimace.

 

“You will truly regret this,” he promised.

 

“I already do, Your Highness, so please leave quickly,” she snapped, folding her arms.

 

Despite being in terrible condition, he still managed to look dignified, taking his cloak over his arm and slowly walking toward the door. He opened it and called out. When the guard stepped forward, the Crown Prince leaned toward him and whispered something into the guard’s ear. Surprise shuttled across the face, and the man reached over to assist the Crown Prince, but the Prince only scowled.

 

“Let’s go,” he said, pushing away from the door and walking down the corridor.

 

Xiao Hei came around the corner and from the look on his face, the Crown Prince’s guards were leaving without making a fuss. She tossed him a bottle, and he went to deliver it to the Crown Prince.

 

Su Qing appeared suddenly at her shoulder.

 

“Mistress! Are you bleeding?”

 

“Haah? No…it’s not my blood,” Cui Xi lied, slumping against her. “I’m tired. Let’s go home.”

 

At least…it’s not all mine.

 

In her head, Gu Jia Er’s words echoed: You made enemies when you came to the capital…enemies…What a mess…

 

But for now, it was over.

 

Outside in the street, two sets of eyes watched a tall hooded figure move slowly toward a plain carriage. The man in the cloak seemed to need help getting in and was lifted into the carriage. Before they could leave, Xiao Hei came out, tossed something to one of the guards, and then returned to the pleasure house.

 

There was a sharp command and then the carriage quickly drove away.

 

Sighing with relief, Murong Yan released his grip on his bow and nodded to a figure across the way. Looking over his shoulder, he gave a sharp chopping motion with his hand, and the dark figures that had been hidden on multiple roof tops relaxed and quietly slipped away into the night. In the building on the opposite side of the street, the Seventh Prince turned away from the window and went to pour himself some wine.

 

That girl! thought Zhao Ling Xian, smashing his fist down onto the table.

 

That was dangerous! Why did she say nothing to me? Argh! What am I going to do with her?