Translation notes:

　　Cla.s.sical Gardens of Suzhou: It is an UNESCO heritage site that is nearly 1000 years old. The garden was designed by scholars, which incorporated many meaningful aesthetics. The landscape was made to look like natural scenery of rocks, mountains and rivers. Each feature usually had a deep and poetic meaning. The layout of the garden is also suspected to have ties with celestial importance, such as constellations and alignments with the sky.

　　http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cla.s.sical_Gardens_of_Suzhou

　　Double entendre

　　Double meaning, in this case Feng Ming is in the way of Ruo Yan’s plans. 

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　　Fan Jia’s Imperial Royal palace was composed of several magnificent and distinctive red buildings. The perimeters were boldly decorated to showcase the King’s grandeur.

　　Feng Ming had led General Tong and Official Xia into the main entrance to the King’s palace but Li Er was required to remain in the carriage due to his lowly status. 

　　By this time, the heavy snow fall had stopped. But inside the palace grounds, the floor was absolutely spotless. It was obvious that the palace maids had worked towards sweeping every speck of snow off the ground.

　　Gui Sen had been awaiting Feng Ming’s arrival along the main hallway, once seeing the party arrive he scurried across to greet the Prince.

　　‘Prince, we meet again.’ Gui Sen’s face was beaming with a smile. His demeanor showed no signs of being disgruntled with having his companions.h.i.+p rejected openly the day before.

　　The older man took Feng Ming’s hands into his own, and in a grave voice he warned, ‘To be honest to Prince, the King’s health has not been fairing well in the past days. It is likely you were summoned upon the Third Princess’s instigation. Prince needs to be cautious around that woman. She has already made arrangements with Master Dong and Ruo Yan.’ 

　　Feng Ming was stunned for a brief moment.

　　Gui Sen was already rolling around in treachery, and now he dared to front as a friend and provoke distrust between the Third Princess and Xi Rei.

　　What a despicable man.

　　Feng Ming turned his gaze on the man, the corner of his lips jerked into a soft smile. In a low voice he replied, ‘Thank you Royal Uncle for your warnings However, during our visit in town, we heard the people on the streets discussing the state of the King. It seems they suspect that it is not ill health consuming their King but rather a case of poisoning. Royal Uncle, you need to take care with your own meals.’ 

　　Although Feng Ming had only intended to toy with his Uncle, it was like he had served the man a final blow. All color immediately drained from Gui Sen’s face. The older man’s mind was off somewhere momentarily before he regained his composure. He quickly asked, ‘Prince, where did you come across such news?’

　　‘On the streets, it’s the current talk of the town!’ Feng Ming feigned innocence and pretended to be shocked, ‘Don’t tell me Royal Uncle has not caught wind of this rumor?’

　　‘This…’ The man stuttered, ‘This…’

　　It was obvious that Gui Sen was harboring a guilty conscious. Failing to talk coherently was a dead give away.

　　Gui Sen clasped his hands in respect to the Prince as he dismissed himself.

　　‘Gui Sen has many state matters to attend to, my apologies for not being able to accompany Prince. Please remain here as the King shall summon your presence soon.’

　　The man hurried away, most likely to investigate the word spreading amongst the people of Fan Jia.

　　Feng Ming giggled at the thought, shortly messengers that had left to herald the King returned.

　　‘Our King is unwell and currently needs his rest. It is unadvisable for a large audience to attend. The Prince may proceed alone.’

　　‘Proceed into the palace alone?’ General Tong was the first to lash out his dissatisfaction and looked for consensus from Official Xia.  He politely cupped his hands and signaled to the messengers.

　　‘Please report to the King, General Tong is under direct orders from King Rong to never leave the Prince’s side by even a step. With all due respects, is it possible for Tong to accompany the Prince to great his Highness?’

　　Feng Ming pa.s.sed the General a glance.

　　If the regent king had laid orders for General Tong to act as a shadow, why did he not bring up this spirit of loyalty when Feng Ming was asked to proceed alone into the Third Princess’s inner residence? 

　　The attendant that was sent as a messenger served the King directly, he replied dutifully, ‘That being the case, please excuse me as I will return to seek the King’s command.’

　　The man disappeared once again, and returned roughly half an hour later to address the Prince.

　　‘The King is out of sorts and is no condition to see too many visitors. If the Prince is apprehensive about proceeding to the palace alone, please consider seeking an audience two days later when the King has recovered. At that time, he would be able to hold a session in the proceedings hall where many people can be catered to.’  

　　Feng Ming thought to himself, ‘I am afraid in two days I may have to visit the King in heaven.’