The Tian Sheng Emperor's heart was still filled with gloom so he casually nodded at Feng Zhiwei's request. She smiled and stepped forward, gently rolling up Ning Yi's sleeve. Carefully moving, she picked up the sharp silver knife and placed it against his wrist.
Yesterday she had held his wrist to take his pulse, and today she would cut him, administering a test of life and death.
Ning Yi's dark, deep eyes reflected back her misty gaze, circles of light shining in an abyss, dim and blurred, so close and yet so far apart.
Feng Zhiwei turned, avoiding his eyes.
The silver light flashes as the knife cut, spilling blood.
A light golden liquid fell, too bright to face.
Cries filled the court as the Emperor's face fell.
Ning Yi lifted his head, staring in disbelief at the light gold blood flowing from his wrist. The blood flowed downwards into the golden basin, mixing indistinguishably with the water colored gold by the basin's light.
