After the Princess posed the question, Feng Ming thought momentarily over the possibility of a hatching collusion.

　　He glanced at her, ‘Princess, have you ever heard of a man called Cao Cao?’

　　‘Cao Cao?’ She obviously would have never heard of the name.

　　‘Cao Cao’s most famous phrase, ‘I’d rather carry the burden of the people, than let the people bear mine.’

　　‘I’d rather carry the burden of the people, than let the people bear mine?’ She repeated with intrigue.

　　‘That’s it, actually he was quiet a callous and ambition man, in his lifetime he betrayed countless people. Even when he triumphed and achieved impressive feats, in his pa.s.sing he was despised by generations. My way of thinking is his exact opposite.’

　　He spoke with sincerity, ‘If I don’t have confidence in Princess, the balance of your life could be in my hands. If it turns out to be a scheme between Princess and the King of Li, I rather suffer this outcome knowing that I didn’t betray Princess’s trust.’ 

　　Miao Guang was touched, she trembled.

　　From her first impressions she thought King Ming was extremely attractive. After several interactions, she could sense that he was well learned but remained naive. More importantly, he was easily duped by a sob story and gobbled bait up. She couldn’t but to lower her expectations of him.

　　But now, his frank and n.o.ble manner took her by surprise. It was the first time she had contact with someone who behaved like him.

　　Who wouldn’t admire his self sacrificing att.i.tude towards others?  

　　Her eyes were starting to sting and water began to well in them. Realizing she was losing self-control she turned her head to blink away the tears.

　　‘King Ming’s favor, how could I ever repay?’

　　‘Don’t consider it as a favor!’ he waved his hand dismissively.

　　‘How about we get back on track and discuss about our diversion plan for your pursuers?’

　　Despite being moved by Feng Ming, she had to carry out her brother’s instructions. She gathered her emotions and sat down to strategize with the King.

　　‘Yong Yi has already delivered the gifts from Yong Yin. He will leave the capital today. I agreed to meet him in person the day after tomorrow. I will secretly leave the capital tomorrow. King Ming can act as my body double by adorning my clothes and lead the trail east bound. About twenty li, you will stop at a river. There my aids will prepare a corpse similar to my appearance and deposit it in the river. It will appear as if I had fallen off my horse and drowned.’  

　　Feng Ming clapped, ‘That’s ingenious! I will draw them towards the corpse. Once there is a corpse there isn’t a need to trace your whereabouts. Alas, there remains an issue. Princess you are staying at a consulate, it is heavily guarded. How could you escape without being caught?’

　　‘I have an idea. I will feign illness and retreat to my room and order people not to disturbed my rest. During this time I will make my escape. This excuse would buy me a half hour head start. If King Ming could secretly sneak out of the palace and hide until the soldiers stir, then you can make a run to the east with them hot on your tail.’

　　She smiled, ‘the men chasing you down will be Xi Rei’s soldiers, incase they catch you will you be able to manage?’

　　Feng Ming affirmed, ‘They would never lay a finger on me.’

　　‘That’s a relief,’ she gazed into the King’s eyes before reaching into her belt. She produced a small fragrant silk bag often used to carry spices and dried flowers.

　　‘I have nothing of value to return your kindness. Please take this pouch. It was a gift from my love.’

　　‘In the future, if you need to seek a.s.sistance from the country of Yong Yin, all you need to do is present bag this to Yong Yi. He will comply with your requests.’

　　‘Something so precious, you are willing to part with…’ Feng Ming looked at the bag in her hand.

　　‘King Ming, if you can accept this as a token of my good will.’ She held onto the satchel dearly, a bit reluctant to pa.s.s it over.

　　Feng Ming nodded.

　　‘Shall we proceed as discussed? We will act out independently tomorrow. Miao Guang is worried, even if I don’t manage to escape it may be the last time I will be able to see King Ming. This can also be a keepsake in the memory of Miao Guang.’

　　‘Alright,’ Feng Ming took the small package and hid it within the inner chest pocket of his clothing. ‘I will keep this safe.’

　　The pair continued to talk about minor details. Afterwards, Feng Ming returned to the palace.

　　--- --- --- ---

　　Parallel to Feng Ming’s meeting, after Rong Tian’s departure from the Prince’s chamber the King hurried to a private room to meet with Li Er.

　　‘Your Highness, brother has sent news.’ The young man kneeled before his master.

　　‘What is it?’

　　Li Er replied, ‘Ruo Yan has not made a move, he has been handling the affairs of his state as normal. He showed no signs of concern over Princess Miao Guang in our territory. It is as if he knows he has the upper hand, with King Ming poisoned, Xi Rei wouldn’t harm the Princess.’

　　‘What about the antidote?’ Rong Tian was growing impatient.

　　Li Er dipped his head in shame, ‘We have not been able to steal it, but my brother has caught word. There is an eccentric medicine man of which Ruo Yan studied under. This man is highly skilled in his knowledge of toxicology and pharmacology. However, he likes to live in seclusion. Rong Hu has already set out in search of him, and will bring him to Xi Rei to manufacture a remedy for King Ming.’ 

　　Rong Tian let out a heavy sigh, ‘We need to make haste! Otherwise, Feng Ming would not be able to resist the poison much longer. We only have pain alleviating agent at hand. The one month mark of Feng Ming’s exposure to the poison is fast approaching!’  

　　‘Rest a.s.sured, Your Highness. My brother is giving his all.’

　　--- --- --- ---

　　As Feng Ming whipped his horse to gain speed, he revised a few things in his mind.

　　He wasn’t completely airheaded enough to not suspect Miao Guang or the possibility this was all a scam.

　　The next day, all he needed to do was to leave the palace, hang about the city until he needed to make a run for it. It would be Xi Rei’s soldiers after him, and if he got tired of playing the scapegoat he could straightforwardly hand himself over. Especially under the watchful eye of Xi Rei’s troops, if Miao Guang or any of her co-conspirators wanted to make a move on him, wouldn’t it be a difficult task?

　　Their opportunities would be next to none.

　　It seems that Miao Guang didn’t have the intention to harm him.

　　Once he returned to the Prince’s hall, it was just his luck that he beat Rong Tian. Chiu Lan and the other maids were resting at a table laughing and giggling amongst themselves. Seeing their master’s return, they promptly stood up and greeted him. 

　　‘Welcome back, King Ming!’ As Feng Ming pulled up a seat, Chiu Xing was already beside him, serving him a big bowl of a rare fruit that was recently offered as a tribute.

　　‘King Ming should try moon fruit! It is very fres.h.!.+’

　　The name was befitting to the shape of the fruit, it was around half the length of a finger and emerald in color.’ He grabbed on and popped it into his mouth, his eyes lit up. ‘It’s so juicy and sweet! It’s delicious!’ He hurriedly scooped up several more into his mouth.

　　He turned to the girls and encouraged, ‘You girls should try them too!’

　　‘We already stole a few to eat!’ Chiu Yue laughed.

　　Chiu Lan was getting fired up, she scolded the younger maid, ‘You are behaving more and more out of line! The moon fruit was a tribute!’

　　Chiu Xing came into her friend’s defense, ‘Didn’t you take part in it too?’

　　‘I only ate one but you and Chiu Yue had four or five each!’

　　Feng Ming chortled and delivered a plump moon fruit into Chiu Lan’s mouth.

　　He roared with laughter, ‘Alright, that’s enough quarreling. Then you should eat four or five too!’

　　As the group entertained themselves they were entirely engulfed with their conversation.

　　Rong Tian had returned unnoticed into the room. He crept up behind Feng Ming stealthily. As the younger man lifted a fruit to his lips, Rong Tian swooped down and used his mouth to steal the bounty.

　　‘It’s sweet.’ The King muttered as his tongue licked the tips of his lover’s fingers.  

　　Chiu Lan and the girls quickly dropped to their knees to bid their dues before discreetly scattering out of sight.

　　Feng Ming yanked his fingers away, ‘You are like a naughty dog!’

　　‘Feed me another one.’ Rong Tian said with a sly grin.

　　‘No, I won’t.’

　　‘Then I will feed you instead,’ The King lent over and clamped his mouth over a moon fruit and lifted it up to Feng Ming’s lips.

　　Last night, Feng Ming had used up a sizable amount of his energy on devouring the King. Of course, tonight he was going to play it calm. It was better to submissively let the King pamper him. After all, he needed to maintain his strength for an important a.s.signment the following day. As for getting another taste for his ‘little Tian’, he would have many chances later. 

　　That night the pair slept comfortably with the King wrapped around Feng Ming. At daybreak Rong Tian awoke and left to attend the morning court proceedings.

　　Feng Ming pretended to be sound asleep, he peeped to check the coast was clear before scrambling out of bed in record time.

　　Just as he got onto his feet, he was met with a sudden intruder.

　　His locked eyes with a very cheeky looking Li Er.

　　‘King Ming, where are you off to?’

　　‘Outside,’ he replied hurriedly.