12

Ning Fan set the tea tray down briskly on the half desk as the Prince stared at the open garden outside.  Ning Ren lounged with his hair unbound in a beautiful silk dressing gown embroidered with small birds sitting amongst a tree in spring.  It billowed around him as his still gaze did not waver.  His fixation was deep as if something was disturbing him.

"Excuse me, my lord."

"Speak, Ning Fan."  Ning Ren without altering his gaze, took the cup offered to him and drained it.  He made a face as he wiped his mouth.  "Next time you make it, make sure the water is newer.  It takes bitter."  A drop of blood ran down his nose and he turned to Ning Fan, "Where did you get that tea, Ning Fan?"

Ning Fan upon seeing the blood rushed to his master.  He dove to his knees and produced a clean white handkerchief from his side pocket.  "Your highness please punish me. I should have tried the tea before handing it to you."

Ning Ren was unmoved, "Summon a doctor.  Summon our doctor that usually comes if someone is trying to poison me."  He cocked his head to the side. "Tell my little cat to not drink any of the tea and get her some milk.  She's been gaining back the weight she lost from being with the traffickers but it's not enough still."

"Your highness, I--"

"Go do it.  Get all the tea we have and bring it into this room.  Change your clothes and leave the ones you were wearing here.  If you have some skin irritation come back.  Otherwise, stand guard to make sure the cat stays amused and bring all the guard to be around my quarters."

Ning Ren started coughing violently in a matter of minutes and was carried to his bed.  The doctor arrived immediately.  Upon seeing the invalid with blood sputum all over his white nightshirt he shivered.  Then he set down his supplies and pulled out his needles to begin acupuncture.  A maid was sent out to fill the prescription, but as she did stayed out long someone was sent after her.

When the guard returned he reported, "The house servant sent out was found with her throat cut.  Her chest was cut open with an x."

The doctor waved this new on, "Did the prescription get filled?"

The guard nodded, "The herbs are being boiled now.  I'm assured by the kitchen it will be ready soon."

The local doctor was quickly packing away his things.  "When the seeing son assassins are near, I am not."  He explained gruffly while pulling at his beard, "The prescription will mean nothing if he has targeted this house.  I expect my fee immediately and refuse your carriage home.  I'll take a farmer's cart."  He bowed as Ning Ren burst into a coughing fit and walked out as quickly as he could.

A hand maid walked in with the tea shakily.  The porcelain tinkered as her shaking intensified as she looked at the master.  She set the tray down quickly and even without bowing left the room.

A guard unsheathed his sword and Ning Ren waved him off as he emptied the bowl.  As the bitter concoction slid down his throat, the burning in his stomach dissipated. 

The guard joined his fists while he bowed, "Master, shall we make precautions if the assassin truly is here?"

Ning Ren laughed, "Get me my cat.  I want to talk to her as I fall asleep.  Get Ning Fan.  There is a side servant's door which he will use as an entrance, have an archer trained at the ready.  Uncle told me Ning Zhuo would play some games before he revealed his hand.  If I can kill the assassin of seeing suns what an accomplishment that would be."  Ning Ren drew the blanket around himself as he sniffled again.  He closed his eyes.  "Tell all the maids, servants, and guards to empty the manor.  They should all leave for Jungpi immediately.  Have a decoy take the main carriage and leave the older one without paint in the backgate without horses attached."

"But your highness."

"Get head madam, Zong Ma."

The older dignified woman who reluctantly appeared was dressed in purple.  Her arms were thick as ham hocks.  A woman who knew lists and numbers, but also would be competent with an axe in case of a brawl.  "We will stay with you until they end my dear prince.  We would never abandon you.  Don't mind those snippering maids.  They're weak."

"Zong Ma . . . I would never let you down on that promise."

"But the assassin, your grace?  The house is in a wreck over the horror that one of the other princes would even dare.  Not willing even one affiliated with the crown prince himself.  How dare he?  Write to the emperor right away.  Caiwong is doomed to fall even further-"

"Zong Ma--go to Jungpi and if I don't come within a fortnight.  You may kill the emperor and become empress yourself of the kingdom.  Only then will--"

Zong Ma's dimples shown as the older woman smiled.  "Your mother would have killed me that I let you go through with this."

"She's not here, but I do appreciate the sentiment.  We don't have time to argue.  Take the staff and get out as quickly as you can.  Lock all the doors so we can't get out other than the side door.  Everyone is leaving, pack all but what I need to travel.  Do it quickly before the cat arrives."

Zong Ma bowed and began shouting orders.