Red Mansion Rebirth: Ghost Phoenix

At four o'clock in the morning, birds came and went in Yinyu Palace, rising and falling in waves.

On a fine night in early summer, the sky is filled with stars that are exceptionally bright, causing many people to suffer from insomnia.

In the Wangxiantai, Shi Ronghua looked at the starry sky greedily and was reluctant to sleep no matter what.

However, it was still a little chilly at four o'clock in the morning, and my throat felt a little uncomfortable, so I coughed lightly twice.

Sang Ronghua, who lived next door to her, happened to be up at night. Hearing the noise, he wrapped himself in a cloak and quietly walked out to see what was going on.

Shi Ronghua was staring at the sky in a trance and didn't hear her approaching.

"Ajin, what are you doing?" Sang Ronghua tilted his head and looked at her, asking softly.

Shi Ronghua was startled, turned around and saw that it was her, and smiled: "Sister Xian, why are you up so early?"

"I heard you coughing. The night wind is still a little cold, and you are wearing too little." Sang Ronghua walked up to her and sat next to her. He gave her half of his cloak, and the two of them wrapped themselves together.

"The stars tonight are so bright and beautiful, just like my hometown..." Shi Ronghua still looked up in fascination.

Sang Ronghua then realized that she was homesick, smiled slightly, hugged her, and said softly: "Yes...

“It’s like my hometown too.”

Shi Ronghua was slightly startled: "Sister Xian, aren't you from the capital?"

Sang Ronghua shook his head, looked up at the deep blue night sky dotted with gem-like stars, and said softly:

“My family originally lived in the northeast, which is considered the birthplace of our Great Yong Dynasty.

"But my ancestor was not one of the first officials to follow Taizu in the uprising. Instead, he was drafted into the army by one of them later..."

Speaking of this, Sang Ronghua smiled and turned to look at Shi Ronghua, "It's almost the same as your family."

They were all unwillingly swept up in the change of dynasties.

Shi Ronghua said nothing, but reached back and grabbed the cloak to wrap her tightly.

“Luckily I survived.

“But our ancestor was born as a farmer, and he was rough by nature. In addition, he was straightforward and didn’t know how to be tactful. Therefore, despite his numerous military achievements, he was only promoted to the commander-in-chief of the capital’s guards.

“I was actually born in Beijing. But after I was born, my grandfather didn’t like Beijing anymore and insisted on returning to his hometown to live in his old age.

“The post of general was handed over to my father long ago.

“At that time, there was no one in my hometown, and it would be too lonely for my grandfather to go back alone.

“My parents couldn’t bear it, so they found an excuse to entrust me to my grandparents, and they kept my younger brother with them.

"I grew up in my ancestral hometown. Later, the Ministry of Internal Affairs notified me of the selection, and my grandparents sent me back to the capital three months in advance."

Sang Ronghua leaned on Shi Ronghua and looked up at the stars, "I don't know if I can see my grandparents again...

"I guess it's impossible..."

Shi Ronghua remained silent for a long time before she said softly, "I envy my sister.

“No matter whether your parents love you or not, at least you have been loved by your grandparents.

“My mother is from the Qiang ethnic group…so even though I am the eldest daughter, I am an annoying eldest daughter.

"Especially, my mother gave birth to me too early. When the first wife came into the family, I was already six years old."

Sang Ronghua hugged her tightly: "What about your childhood..."

"Not very good." Shi Ronghua let out a long breath, but then pulled the corner of his mouth, "My mother, although she loved me very much, she 'died' of illness when my father and his wife started to discuss marriage...

"Later, I grew up alone in the backyard. The stars in the sky were my only friends."

At this point, Shi Ronghua paused, looked at Sang Ronghua with a smile, and said, "But now I have one more friend."

Sang Ronghua also laughed, stretched out his hands and hugged her gently: "Well, I have one more friend too."

The two were trying to keep each other warm when suddenly Shi Ronghua looked up and blinked in surprise.

Sang Ronghua sensed her abnormality, let her go, and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"Look." Shi Ronghua pointed his finger into the air.

Dozens of birds gathered from all directions and headed towards the same point, the same palace.

"Is this... someone feeding the birds?" Sang Ronghua looked at him stupidly.

Shi Ronghua looked a little silly: "How is it possible? It's only the fourth watch. If they weren't fed every day, how could the birds gather together..."

Her expression was too obsessed and her voice was too light. Sang Ronghua couldn't help but take a closer look at her and shook her shoulders gently:

"What's wrong? Is something wrong?"

"This appearance... reminds me of an idiom in the Central Plains, called 'a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix'..." Shi Ronghua said softly.

"What are you talking about?!" Sang Ronghua quickly stopped her, "That's not the direction of Penglai Palace!

"You must not tell anyone about this. If people find out, the concubine in the palace where the bird landed will probably be hated by the Queen..."

The two of them whispered a few words when they saw the birds over there flying up again and flying in all directions.

There was also a night owl that flew over their heads. Its flapping wings suddenly stopped, and it even opened its mouth and called out before flying past.

Shi Ronghua looked at the night owl, his eyes flashing with joy and excitement: "Did it just glance at us?!"

"If this bird can really communicate with spirits to this extent, it is not a good thing!" Sang Ronghua looked solemn and pulled Shi Ronghua's hand, whispering,

"You swear to me, you just wanted to look at the stars tonight because you wanted to go home. After I came out, I watched with you for a while, and then you went back to your room to sleep!"

Shi Ronghua was a little disappointed: "Ah, you can't say that?"

"No. We didn't see a single bird tonight! Remember?" Sang Ronghua warned word by word, "My dear sister, the secret to surviving in the palace is to be deaf and blind!"

Shi Ronghua puffed out his cheeks and pouted his lips, then nodded reluctantly.

She also wanted to find out who had the great ability to "communicate with birds and beasts" as her mother mentioned!

After whispering a few more words, the two parted ways.

Shi Ronghua quietly returned to the bedroom. Her personal maid A Ke heard the noise, got up from the couch, and rubbed her eyes when she saw her coming back:

"Spirit Master, you're back? Is the starry sky looking good tonight?"

Shi Ronghua quietly lay down on the bed and whispered, "I told you not to call me 'Spirit Master' anymore. Why do you always forget?"

"Oh. Ak is sleepy... I'll remember it next time." Ak laughed, yawned again, and closed his eyes, "Spirit Master, go to sleep...

"There will be a flower festival at the beginning of the month, and I heard they will use our main hall...someone will come to check out the place tomorrow morning!"

Shi Ronghua turned over with a smile and whispered, "It won't come."

Ak opened his eyes: "Huh?"

“Someone died tonight, and it seems that the flower show will still bloom, but there will be twists and turns.

“No one will come tomorrow.

"We can sleep in a long time!"

Shi Ronghua closed her eyes, fell into a deep sleep with a sweet smile.