Chapter 23 (1/2)

She was unable to determine precisely how many guards there were in this yard, but she also could not remain in this yard without moving. Within the study, a shadow could be seen pacing back and forth. This would mean that something had gone and ruined Feng Jin Yuan’s original plans. Not only that, but it brought chaos to his mind, making him unable to sit or stand still.

Feng Yu Heng was also finding it hard to stay still. She subconsciously raised her hand to the phoenix-shaped birthmark and suddenly entered the pharmacy.

Inside a closet in the rest room was a military-grade telescope. It had a length of half her arm. It was something great that she had managed to sneak away from the Marine Corps. Now she had a great place to use it.

Pulling the telescope out, Feng Yu Heng pushed her body in to a crevice in the rockery, hiding herself well. Only then, did she bring the telescope to her eyes.

One at the eight o’clock position, one at the ten o’clock position, twelve o’clock, two o’clock, four o’clock…

The deployment of guards at Pine courtyard was very orderly. With the courtyard partially surrounded, it was protected very well. Yet, there was no guard at the door! Smart people wouldn’t allow for important areas to be truly watertight. There would always be an entrance or an exit in order to intentionally lure uninvited guests.

Unfortunately, Feng Yu Heng was an observant person. Not only was she smart, she had skills. She also had a cheat-like personal space.

She tossed the telescope back in to her pharmacy and carefully took note of the distances. She moved with light steps along the outermost circle of cypress trees, heading towards the back of the study. Each time she entered a guard’s field of view, she would hide her body within her space.

The uses of this space had already been completely figured out along the path back to the capital. It wasn’t limited to just using her consciousness to pull items out, but she could enter with her body as well. As long as her hand was touching the phoenix-shaped birthmark and her mind willed it, she would enter the space in the blink of an eye.

Furthermore, once inside the space, it was not a static one. She had experimented and found that every time she entered, she would be at the main door on the first floor. No matter which way she moved, be it left or right, the space inside was the same as on the outside.

In other words, if she walked left in her space, she would have moved the same number of steps when she returned to the real world.

If she went to the second floor, she had to first return to the first floor, else she might reappear in midair and fall on her butt.

Feng Yu Heng measured carefully and moved towards a guard’s monitoring range then entered her space. Inside, she moved as far left as possible then came out. She was perfectly in the guards blind spots.

She continued to do this five more times before finally reaching the study’s back window.

She had no intention of doing anything like poking a hole in the window, as she had never believed the person inside would not notice a hole being poked in their window.1

Entering her space again, she went straight for the second floor. Coming out, she found herself on the roof of the study.

She leaned against the roof and examined the shingles. Finding a weak point, she slowly and carefully removed the piece. The study now had a small skylight the size of a fist.

Feng Jin Yuan paced about inside the room, never once stopping. By his side stood a man wearing a dark blue short robe. At his waist was a sword, and he had an appearance of being rather quick and agile, thus he must be a personal guard.

Feng Yu Heng held her breath and lowered her ear to the skylight. She wanted to what the two were talking about. This, however, only lasted the duration of one incense stick2. From inside, came the sound of footsteps followed by a period of complete silence.

Feeling a little bored, she turned her head and looked around behind her. At that moment, Feng Jin Yuan ceased his pacing and spoke towards the personal guard: “Talk later.”

The guard cupped his hands: “Understood.” Opened the door and vanished.

Feng Yu Heng found a second wind. They would talk later? Then she would wait for them.

Of course, she could not lay on the roof in wait, so she placed the shingle back in place and entered the pharmacy. She made herself a cup of chrysanthemum tea and lounged about for around two hours before returning to the real world.

Appearing in the same location she was previously, she opened up the skylight. Not too long after, the guard returned to the room.

“Master, the news has been verified. The ninth prince was severely wounded during the final battle in the Northwest. Both his legs are now worthless and his face ruined; furthermore, during his visit to the imperial physician this afternoon, it was said that he can no longer bear an heir.”

Pa!

The girl on the roof’s heart sank rapidly, her body along with it. The clear sound from the roof alerted the guard within. She only felt a wild wind blow from behind, but this caused her to quickly replace the shingle. Bringing her hand to the phoenix-shaped birthmark, she entered the space.

The guard that had chased on to the roof looked all around, yet there was not even the shadow of a person to be found.

He had trained in martial arts for many years, with his specialty being concealment, he was very keen to notice that someone was indeed there just moments ago. Even now, he could feel that person’s presence.

Before him, however, there was nothing. There wasn’t even a hair, much less a human.

He furrowed his brows, then he heard Feng Jin Yuan’s voice come from below: “Come back, Can Yang.”

With a single movement, he returned inside the study. After some time, the candle was put out, and Feng Jin Yuan left, hands behind his back, while Can Yang returned to hiding in the corner.