As the hours passed into high noon, Chang Hu noticed something unusual. The midday sun beamed down upon the royal procession, its light catching and glaring off something so brightly that it blurred his vision. That glint came from a single carriage—more precisely, from the flag mounted upon it. A faint smile curled on Chang Hu's lips. At last, he understood what the message meant by "Keep your eyes on the phoenix flag."
He turned to his brother and ordered him to prepare. They would wait until Minister Zheng's men made their move to capture the woman surnamed Mu before carrying out the assassination. His eyes locked on the window of the target carriage, where the faint silhouette of a young woman sat just inside.
The two brothers began stealthily moving closer to the procession.
Chang Hu raised his bow, aiming at the carriage with intent to end the life of the woman who dared threaten the dragon bloodline.
But suddenly, he lowered his weapon.
A foreboding sensation stirred within him.
"Why didn't you kill her, brother?" Chang Xue asked in confusion.
Chang Hu frowned.
"It's strange. Why hasn't anyone tried to take her yet?"
"You're right," said Chang Xue, nodding. "The funeral procession is nearly at the imperial mausoleum, yet there's been no sign of anyone trying to capture the emperor's favored concubine."
Neither of them knew that the mission to seize Lady Hua had already been called off.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Chang Hu muttered. "Something isn't going according to plan. We need to be more cautious and avoid acting too hastily."
"Then what should we do?" Chang Xue asked.
Chang Hu pondered a moment before replying.
"Chang Xue, go on ahead. Do whatever it takes to delay the procession for a short while."
Chang Xue looked puzzled.
"Brother, what are you planning to do?"
"I'll infiltrate the funeral procession myself to investigate what's truly going on," Chang Hu replied coolly. "Something is definitely amiss."
After a brief pause of hesitation, Chang Xue nodded.
"Understood. I'll carry out your instructions—but please, be careful."
"Don't worry," Chang Hu said confidently. "They won't be able to lay a finger on me. Now go. We don't have time to waste."
Chang Xue immediately took off as commanded. Meanwhile, Chang Hu began quietly approaching the funeral procession, unaware that this very act would alter the course of his life forever.
The origin of the Four Phoenixes Above the Dragon Throne began here...