BXBX NOVEL Chapter Volume 1 16.2
“Don’t make a fuss, just follow me.”
Both men remained silent, venturing deeper into the mysterious path. One lead and one followed obediently after 5 to 6 minutes they finally halted.
They had reached the end of the corridor where a small door sat. The metal details on the door had long lost their metallic lustre by the aging of countless months and years. The main highlight of the rustic relic was a large cast iron padlock which had turned slightly green from erosion.
Feng Ming’s heart started to race as he couldn’t refrain from associating this situation with the television shows about Ancient martial arts sects, where each usually held a dark and forbidden secret only the disciples were privileged to learn.
A shiver ran down his spine, as gloomy thoughts circled his mind.
It couldn’t be that the King isn’t in acoma and instead Rong Tian has imprisoned him in here!?
Over the past months he had gradually developed good feelings towards the Regent King, at least managing to get along. His impression of Rong Tian had progressively shifted to a positive light. Regardless of their development, deep down inside Feng Ming knew a malevolent beast resided inside Rong Tian. He had witnessed it awaken several times when the Regent King handled matters. On occasion the man’s resolve was vicious and merciless, driven not yield to others nor offer any kindness. It was possible that he would rebel against his superior and commit treason without a blink of his eyes.
The Prince’s heart was hammering hard against his chest.
There was a chance that this was the scheme of treacherous officials conspiring to overthrow the current King, to seize the throne out of greed or discontent.
As he pondered over the possibilities, there were flaws which remained perplexing. Especially, why was Feng Ming brought here by Rong Tian?
Although he was speculating, the thought about being entangled into such terrible traitorous conspiracies within the Palace sent more chills over his body.
Their surrounding was smothered by a deadly silence and there was no trace of guard footprints or any disturbances on the dusty floor.
Rong Wang’s face was determined, he reached into his bosom and drew out a key, steadily clicking the metal in place and turning it firmly to unlock the padlock. Removing the rusty metal, he pushed the heavy iron reinforced door open, revealing a steep and dark staircase.
A rush of cold wind blew up from the staircase and assaulted Feng Ming’s senses. Even his mink cape couldn’t prevent the chill from seeping in, the cold air were like tendrils lashing at them. The Prince shivered against the icy breeze.
“Why are your hands so cold? This staircase will lead to is a secret chamber that is underground, there is a large harbour of ice, make sure you don’t catch a cold.”
Rong Tian had turned around to face Feng Ming, grabbing hold of one of the boy’s frost bitten hands he carefully lead him step by step down the stone stairway.
Eventually they reached the end of the stairwell, and entered a completely different world. As if they walked into a fairy tale of a Crystal Palace made of ice. The temperature inside the cavity was beyond freezing but the beauty of the translucent ice walls gave a feeling of ethereal magic.
To Feng Ming’s surprise he was standing in a grand chamber constructed solely from ice.
He spun around to face one of the many ice walls that divided the room, and was shocked to see two rows of jars. It was pottery was used in Xi Rei to keep relics of the dead during funeral rites. These vessels were stacked neatly everywhere within the room.
The next object that made Feng Ming reel backwards was a glassy coffin that had been carved out of ice, the surface was embedded extravagantly with countless precious crystals and rocks. The casket was positioned in the middle of the icy room and there was a person lying inside.
Feng Ming swallowed and he moved closer to take a look.
His eyes set on a handsome looking individual, who was wearing the royal clothing of Xi Rei. The man appeared young not a day over thirty.
It can’t be! This is the King of Xi Rei?
Sure enough as if Rong Tian had heard Feng Ming’s inner thoughts, he suddenly knelt down beside the coffin and proceeded to bow three times.
As he stood up he confirmed the question in Feng Ming’s mind, “He is the King of Xi Rei, your father.”
Feng Ming’s eyes fixated on the cold dead corpse lying in front of him, his skin tingling from the news. He felt numbness swept over his body.
“He was in acoma right? How is this…”
The Regent King cut him off.
“That is what is known and accepted by everyone outside, in truth the King had passed away many years ago.”
“Who did it?” spat Feng Ming as he nervously stared in disbelief at Rong Tian.
If ‘An He’s’ situation was the result of the cold blooded murder then it was just too cruel. Everything that had happened to the Original Prince was all because someone wanted power and the throne. The downstream tragedy was that the Crown Prince became a prisoner within his own Palace and a man’s plaything.
His stomach was making knots in disgust.
“I do not know who was responsibly as the King’s death was extremely sudden. There was not even the slightest clue that could explain his death or a trace thereafter. On the morning of his death, the maids had routinely entered his bedchambers to wake and prepare him for his official duties. However, they found that the King had stopped breathing. Afterwards, we executed everyone that knew of his death, and then fabricated a story that the King was ill. A few days passed and we officially announced that the King had fallen into a mysterious incurable sleep. The power of the state was assigned to me and I govern as the Regent King.”
Seeing Feng Ming staring at him and his complexion whiten the Regent King prompted, “Are you suspecting that I am the culprit?”
His guess was spot on, that was the doubt running through Feng Ming’s mind.
“The King is dead, aren’t matters currently in your favour? If it wasn’t so, how else would you be able to monopolise the Royal court?” accused Feng Ming.
Rong Wang’s face remained emotionless and he stared blankly at Feng Ming before abruptly swinging his arm across to net the boy by the waist. Feng Ming was caught off guard by the King’s sweeping motion, startling him to the point he froze over like the ice around him.
All he could do was look wide eyed into Rong Tian’s face.
“Don’t be foolish, I’ve purposely of brought you here to inform you of this matter,” Rong Tian planted the corner of his lips onto Feng Ming’s, kissing him deeply twice.
He gently continued “secrets within the palace are vast and limitless, what I’ve exposed to you is the biggest kept secret in all of Xi Rei. The King passed away years ago and the suddenness of this death would have been a golden opportunity for an uprising within the Royal court. There are countless individuals within the ranks that are blood thirsty and crave the throne for their own. The death of the King was never announced, and an excuse was used to conceal his passing.”
“Was it really necessary?”
“The Prince was too young at that time, he was unable to inherit the throne and succeed his father. The King has a younger brother, who is ambitious and would have jumped at the chance to claim his birth rights as the Crowned Prince to become the next King. To avoid having him surge into the Palace with soldiers we had no other choice but to conceal the King’s death.”
“Such a big matter and you’ve managed to maintain everyone in the dark?”
Rong Wang’s lips eased into a soft smile, he gazed down at Feng Ming and lovingly whispered.
“The matter depends on the individual.”
Inside Feng Ming could only compare the attitude and treatment the ‘Original Prince’ received. He was confused to how Rong Tian who treated him so harshly was so willing to risk so much for the ‘Original Prince’s’ sake?
Standing huddled together in the wintry room, Rong Tian sweet and kind moment was in a hard to come by, Feng Ming knew better than to say something to offend the man.
“The Prince was in a dire circumstance as his fate lied with the destiny of Xi Rei and was constantly surrounded by conspiracy and danger. Since he was born he has been the target of several assassination attempts. For the sake of protecting the Prince so he can reach the day he could ascend the throne, the Queen and the most trusted court official Rong Wang** discussed and arranged for the Crown Prince to be ‘exchanged’ and raised externally.”
“Huh?” Feng Ming was shaken by what his head was trying to process.
“Then An he, that means? The Crowned Prince within the Palace…”
“Yes, he was a fake.”
“So after all this, I am actually a fake?” Feng Ming then lit up with excitement.
“Then who is the real Prince? Don’t tell me it’s you?”
Rong Tian nodded in confirmation, “Yes, it was me. I was the Prince that was smuggled from the Royal Palace to live at Official Rong’s Estate. There I was raised sheltered from danger by living under an assumed identity as Rong Wang’s son. When I grew up my adopted father passed away, naturally I inherited his title and took over the matters of the court.”
Feng Ming blinked his eyes in disbelief for a long time, before finally saying “Anyway, that means you aren’t a Cao Cao, instead you are a raccoon!”
He shook his head, conceding “No wonder the Queen was indifferent and treated me so coldly, in contrast to you being fawned by her love.”
“Feng Ming, the reason why I’ve told you my story today, is because you are in danger.”
“Don’t try to frighten me again!” chills ran down his spine, he growled “If you want me to return the title of your rightful heritage just ask me directly! Don’t scare me in such a creepy place!”
King Rong didn’t budge, he was not joking.
“I’ve received a message, and the message informed me that the secret surrounding the King’s death has been exposed. Previously they did not have significant definitive evidence to prove otherwise and we were able to smother any suspicions. We weren’t so fortunate this time as it appears our opposition has in their possession proper concrete evidence.”
“So what?” Then the Prince thought about it for a moment and it immediately struck him. “Oh, I know. Now that there are rumours spreading around Xi Rei, the King’s brother must be storming in to claim back the throne! That means Xi Rei will be in utter chaos.”
“Yes.” Rong Wang flashed him a praising smile which quickly shifted into a stern look.
“This man’s name is An Xun. He had failed time and time again to win the title as the Crowned Prince in favour to his older brother. His forceful efforts were fruitless, so he left Xi Rei and married into the Royal family in the Country of Fan Jia. Now that there is an opening to seize what he has sought for so many years, it is only right to say it’s his opportunity of a life time which he will certainly not miss.”
“Even if he returns, you are here to see over matters, there’s no need to fear him.” Feng Ming stated calmly.
“An Xun has planted numerous spies within the Palace, I’ve caught and rooted out the majority of them. However, there remain countless enemies which have concealed themselves well. Even I have failed to detect them.” He paused.
“Feng Ming, think about it, if you wanted to seize the throne, what would be the most convenient solution?”
“A solution?” Feng Ming scratched his head then a spark lit up, “Kill the Crowned Prince?”
“In your words precisely, even a child would use this method. That’s right, if the Prince was killed, then An He could use his authority and fairly overtake the throne. Even all the ministers and the Queen would not be able to suppress his uprising, that’s because An Xun carries the Royal lineage in his blood, it is his birth right.”
“But I’m not the Crowned Prince, you are the Real one.”
“In the past I never concerned myself if the ‘fake’ Prince was to be murdered, he was sought to fill my role and live a life of luxury, in the end he would have merely been my scapegoat. But you…”
Rong Tian took a deep breath, bracing Feng Ming tighter in his arms.
“Did you know that recently someone had been tampering with your food and drinks?”
“What? I didn’t notice.”
“I have already dealt with the problem however the servant that had been slowly poisoning you committed suicide; I never had the chance to interrogate her.”
Feeling Feng Ming’s heart racing so much it practically fell out from this chest made the King laugh, “Don’t be afraid, I am here. No one will be able to harm you. However, the situation we have at hand is critical, you must exercise caution everywhere. For instance, in the garden today you made a small mistake make sure not to repeat it. When food, clothing and gifts are sent to you by others don’t just casually consume them. I’m more worried about your impulsive and naive behaviour. You are too easy to take advantage of.”
Feng Ming’s face bittered.
“How could being a Prince be more terrifying than living as 007 with all his enemies?”
“Alright, well let’s end the conversation here. Behave yourself from now on, and don’t stir trouble. Now let’s go horse riding.”
“Great! Let’s go quickly!” Just hearing the word horse had lightened Feng Ming’s mood, he was anxious to leave the strange and gloomy sanctuary, he took the lead and pulled Rong Tian in a hurry out of the room.
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