16

JUNGPI - CHU RESIDENCE

"Daughter, is that all that really occured?  Are you compromised?  Did he hurt you?  Did the crown prince see your face?  How much danger has been caused by this incident"  Official Chu put his hands over his face in horror as his eyes couldn't believe that his daughter was alive and before him.

"Yes Father."  They were in a secret room where only they were present in an underground area of the house.  Bingquing was not surprised that such trapping were available for her faher here in Jungpi too.  "Ning Ren is a surprising honorable man.  I did not think I would escape without becoming his concubine.  I thought of you every single day so I would not be slipped away in the net that was drawn tightly around me.  But he did not force any such arrangement on me as I did not want to do anything without my father's approval.  I wanted to be there only with you."  Bingquing had changed some details of the encounter with Ning Zhuo as it would have enraged her father to seek revenge against someone who did no wrong in her eyes.

"I was aware of Ning Zhuo's behavior.  But it cannot be inferred simply that he was both the assassin who massacred our people and the same who came to murder Ning Ren."

"Father will you help Ning Ren?  I feel that he could bring something very special if he was allowed to stop hiding in the shadows of others.  There is both a softness and a intelligence that I have found to be profound."  Bingquing removed the imperial decree from her dress and handed it to her father.

"Have you read it?"  Official Chu asked as he checked the contents and looked at the burned piece with some horror.

Bingquing nodded.

"This is actually one of the decoys.  There are several hidden in different places.  The emperor therefore can change his successor."

Bingquing's brow furrowed, "Why is there even a crown prince then?"

"The emperor thinks it will lesson his killing sprees.  He is still trying to temper the prince's military tactics to benefit who it is who will sit on the throne.  Each prince lacks in something which is why there is no chosen heir yet.  The emperor has tasked them to try to improve upon these.  Of this plan I am only aware of Jungpi.  Not of Wei or Yan. Or of what is planned for the crown prince."

"Father, I would like to serve you to learn to sift through these plots without disturbing them."

Official Chu's voice rose in warning.  "Bingquing."

"Father I do not wish to depend on men.  Not all of them are good.  I know you have kept me safe inside private quarters, but I wish to learn more so I may be self sufficient if you are no longer with me."

Official Chu considered his daughter's words carefully.  "I have always wished for you to have a carefree life with a noble or scholar with a smaller profile.  I do not wish for you to join the harem or participate with the throne's competition.  To learn these things so you will be able to survive, will take some thought.  I have some ideas, but implementation will take some time and preparation."

Bingquing bowed, "As always father, your knowledge is correct."