The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 116

Chapter 116 Sudden Change In Fate
After returning from the palace, Chu Xizhi brought Xiao Xiwei to the Duke’s Mansion of Lu Country. Before leaving, he even specially sent a Imperial doctor to accompany him from the Taiyuan Hospital. Xiao Xiwei originally thought that Lu Haichuan’s so-called serious illness had the intention of making a big fuss. He didn’t want to see Lu Haichuan lying on the bed with a pale complexion and less breathing. Madam Lu’s eyes were red with tears, and even Duke Lu’s face couldn’t hide his haggard expression. The Crown Prince’s party suffered a series of blows. Duke Zheng suddenly passed away, and Imperial Concubine Shen also lost her position. The Duke’s Mansion of Lu was also in a state of turmoil. It was unknown when the Emperor was unhappy, but at this time, Crown Prince Lu Haichuan was inexplicably seriously ill.

Seeing Duke Lu frown bitterly, Chu Xizhi comforted him and ordered Imperial doctor to prescribe the medicine. Only then did he take Xiao Xiwei’s leave.

“Cherish it, I always feel that the Crown Prince of Lu Kingdom’s illness is strange?” Xiao Xi said as he held Chu Xizhi’s hand in the carriage.

Chu Xizhi frowned and looked at Xiao Xiwei with resentment, “Wrong.”

Xiao Xi raised her eyebrows slightly and looked at Chu Xizhi in confusion.

“Cherish it.” Chu Xizhi pursed the corners of his lips as he gripped Xiao Xiwei’s hand with some strength and said, “Didn’t you say you called me’husband ‘?”

Xiao Xiwei couldn’t help but smile, his face dyed a little red, “I’m telling you seriously, why are you here?”

“This is serious to me.” Chu Xizhi stared at Xiao Xiwei and said seriously.

Xiao Xiwei’s face couldn’t help but turn a little red. He couldn’t help but raise his hand and push Chu Xi, “Stop messing around.”

Chu Xizhi finally put away the smile on his face. He leaned back against the cushion on the carriage and faintly raised his eyebrows. “There is indeed something strange.”

Lu Haichuan’s sturdy body was like a cow. It was indeed strange for him to suddenly become so sick. Originally, he and Xiao Xiwei had the same thoughts. They thought that Lu Haichuan’s illness was mostly fake, but Duke Lu was currently at the peak of the storm. However, it was not impossible for the Crown Prince to stay away from right and wrong due to his serious illness. However, after seeing it for himself today, it really didn’t look like he was faking it.

“Xizhi, do you think this has anything to do with the Emperor?” Xiao Xiwei looked at Chu Xizhi and lowered his voice.

Chu Xizhi raised his eyes and saw Xiao Xiwei looking at him with a burning gaze. He couldn’t help but reach out and wrap her in his arms. “Don’t worry, everything is mine now.”

No matter what, he would always protect her.

The two of them returned to Prince Yan’s Mansion. As soon as they stepped into the gate, Xu Rui, the housekeeper of Prince Yan’s Mansion, came out to welcome them.

“Your Highness, His Highness Prince Qin has been waiting for you in the flower hall for a long time.”

Chu Xizhi nodded and turned to look at Xiao Xiwei. “Wei’er, why don’t we go to the flower hall and have a look?”

Xiao Xi loosened her grip on Chu Xizhi’s hand and said with a cold expression, “No need, I’m a little tired. I want to go back to sleep for a while.”

Ever since Chu Muzhi rejected Xi Chun, she felt a little uncomfortable every time she saw Chu Muzhi.

How could Chu Xizhi not know Xiao Xiwei’s thoughts? It was just that the relationship was between two people, so he could not say anything. Just as he was about to instruct the girl to take good care of Xiao Xiwei, Chu Muzhi smiled and walked towards them, followed by a person.

“Royal Brother, it has been a long time since you entered the palace. Master Du E and I drank two pots of tea before you arrived late.”

Following Chu Muzhi’s words, Xiao Xiwei finally saw clearly that the person behind Mu Zhi was actually a monk. His age was roughly younger than Chu Muzhi’s, and his eyebrows were delicate and refined. If it weren’t for him shaving off his head and robes, he would have been an elegant young master in a turbid world.

“I’m really sorry to have kept you waiting.” Chu Xizhi smiled and bowed to the two of them in apology.

“Senior Brother’s words are too heavy.” Du Er bowed back, his voice extremely clear and refreshing.

“Senior Brother?” Xiao Xi frowned slightly and looked at Chu Xizhi in surprise.

“Sister-in-law, you still don’t know! This Master Du E is Brother Huang’s junior brother.” Chu Muzhi explained with a smile.

Upon hearing Chu Muzhi’s words, Du Er turned to look at Xiao Xiwei and raised his hand to greet Xiao Xiwei. “This little monk greets sister-in-law.”

Xiao Xi raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at Chu Xizhi.

When did he have a monk junior brother? Why hadn’t she heard of it?

Chu Xizhi smiled and reached out his hand to deal with the green silk hanging from Xiao Xiwei’s forehead. He said softly, “I’ll explain it to you when we get back tonight. Didn’t you say that you’re tired?”

Xiao Xiwei nodded. Knowing that Chu Xizhi still had something to discuss with Chu Muzhi and the others, he led the girl back to her room first.

Unexpectedly, Chu Xizhi and the others discussed until it was dark.

At this time, Xiao Xiwei was sitting in front of the couch and making connections with Hong Yu Bi Yun and the other girls. Tuanzi, who was already half a year old, was dozing off at Xiao Xiwei’s heels. When she heard the sound of the door, she opened her eyes reluctantly and saw that it was Chu Xizhi. Her half-opened eyes immediately closed again and she changed into a more comfortable position to sleep.

“You’re back. Have you eaten yet?” Seeing Chu Xizhi enter, Xiao Xiwei put down Luo Zi in his hand and smiled.

The girls tactfully retreated.

“Yes.” Chu Xizhi wanted to walk to Xiao Xiwei’s side and sit down, but was blocked by the ball lying on the ground. He knitted his brows and kicked Dumpling, “Go back to your nest!”

The ball that had been kicked suddenly exploded. It stood up from the ground and stared at Chu Xizhi with its teeth bared. It even let out a low roar.

“Oh, is it heaven-defying!” Chu Xizhi raised his eyebrows and shot his gaze towards Tuanzi.

Tuanzi shook his head, then lowered his head and waved his tail. In the end, he waved his tail reluctantly and left.

“What’s with that fierce ball of yours? It’s not used to it just moving to the palace.” Xiao Xi said with a smile.

“Tuanzi is not used to it, so you?” Without the ball blocking the way, Chu Xizhi easily sat beside Xiao Xiwei and reached out to hug her in his arms.

Xiao Xi pursed her lips slightly and said, “You still haven’t said how did you suddenly have a junior apprentice-brother?”

Chu Xizhi smiled and raised a strand of Xiao Xi’s hair, which was hanging by his ear, to play with in his fingers. “It’s nothing much. When I was young, because some great masters of fortune and suffering taught me martial arts, Du Er was Master Suffering’s closed-door disciple, so he called me Senior Brother.”

“So it’s like this.” Xiao Xiwei replied with a faint smile, but she vaguely felt that something was wrong. She subconsciously looked at Chu Xizhi, only to see him lower his head and play with his hair. She could not see his eyes.

“Sigh! I’ve just sat here for a long time, but I suddenly feel so sleepy.” Chu Xizhi suddenly stretched his waist and yawned.

“Then I’ll ask someone to prepare a hot bath for you.” Xiao Xiwei stood up and said.

“Alright. Thank you, Madam.” Chu Xizhi grinned, his smile as usual.

Xiao Xi smiled and turned around to instruct the girl to prepare for the fever.

Seeing Xiao Xiwei turn around, the smile at the corner of Chu Xizhi’s lips suddenly disappeared. An indescribable sadness suddenly appeared in his ink-jade-like eyes. He raised his hand to look at the palm print on his left palm that represented life and suddenly broke.

Senior Brother, what did you do? Why did your fate suddenly change?

Du Er’s words suddenly sounded in his ears. Chu Xizhi curled his lips and slowly closed his palms.

To change one’s fate, one must first devour oneself.

Could it be that this was the price he had to pay? ‘

On the second day, as usual, he would return to the door.

Early in the morning, the housekeeper of Prince Yan’s Mansion had prepared the carriage and gifts for him to bring back.

Prince Yan’s Mansion was not far from the Marquis Mansion. The carriage only took about an incense stick of time to arrive. Xiao Yan led Concubine Zhou to wait at the door.

“Your Highness is here. Xiaoguan, this room is very polite.”

“Father-in-law, what are you doing? If you want to salute, you should be greeted by your son-in-law! Quick!” Chu Xizhi hurriedly reached out and helped Xiao Yan up.

Xiao Yan originally did not intend to make any big salute. With Chu Xizhi’s raise of his hand, he stood up. However, he did not dare to let Chu Xizhi salute him. He hurriedly pulled his hand and said, “They are all family. Don’t salute without salute. Quickly enter the house! Your grandfather and grandmother are waiting for you in the flower hall.”

“Yes. Father-in-law, please.” Chu Xizhi smiled and stepped aside.

While Xiao Yan was talking to Chu Xizhi, Xiao Xi slightly glanced at Zhou Shumei. Now, her heavy clothes could no longer cover her bulging belly. Seeing Xiao Xiwei looking at her, Zhou Shumei pursed her lips and gave her a friendly smile. Xiao Xiwei also smiled back. The two of them tacitly nodded and followed everyone into the room.

In the flower hall, the Old Marquis and the Old Grand Mistress were already sitting at the top of the hall waiting for them.

The so-called difference between a monarch and a subject meant that Chu Xizhi would give the Marquis a great deal of face as long as he was willing to accompany Xiao Xiwei back. However, Chu Xizhi did not put on the airs of a prince. Instead, he accompanied Xiao Xiwei to greet the Marquis, the Matriarch, and Xiao Yan and served them tea. “I heard from Wei’er that grandfather likes tea the most, so my son-in-law came to find some Pu’er. I hope grandfather likes it.” Chu Xizhi smiled as he pulled the gift box from his attendant’s hand and respectfully handed it over. Next, he brought over the gifts that he had chosen for Old Lady Jun and Xiao Yan. Even Xiao Xichun, who was standing quietly behind Old Lady Jun, had one.

“Your Highness is truly considerate.” Xiao Qi said with a smile. His impression of Chu Xizhi had also improved a bit.

“Grandfather, please call me Zimu. You call me Your Highness. I always feel like a bolt of lightning is about to hit me.” Chu Xizhi said with a smile.

Xiao Qi was stunned for a moment before laughing heartily. In his entire life, what he disliked the most was the comings and goings in the officialdom. Seeing that Chu Xizhi spoke so openly, he immediately stood up and patted his shoulder. He smiled and said, “Alright! Let’s go and play chess.”

“Then grandfather has to let me have three children!” Chu Xizhi said with a smile.

“That’s easy to say.” Xiao Qi happily pulled Chu Xizhi away.

Seeing that Chu Xizhi had been dragged away by his father, Xiao Yan turned around and looked at Xiao Xiwei, who had been hesitating for a long time, but did not know how to speak. Perhaps it was because he had never been close to this daughter before, so he could not say the words of concern in his mouth. It would be good if he was still gentle.

The matriarch gently glanced at Xiao Yan, then turned to look at Xiao Xiwei and said, “Wei’er, does His Highness treat you well?”

Xiao Xi blushed slightly, “Grandmother, take care of him … He treats me very well.” Xiao Xi lowered his eyes and whispered.

“That’s good.” The matriarch nodded in satisfaction.

Xiao Yan, who was at the side, also heaved a sigh of relief. “Xiwei, you entered the palace yesterday. Did the Emperor say anything?”

In the past, he wholeheartedly thought that the Emperor was intentionally helping Chu Xi ascend the throne. However, as things happened one after another, the Emperor’s actions became more and more puzzling. In fact, he even advocated marriage. He always felt that the Emperor seemed to be suppressing the power of Chu Xizhi and Marquis Mansion.

Xiao Xiwei raised his eyes to look at Xiao Yan, and the admiration in his eyes instantly faded away.

How could she forget that in her father’s eyes, the most important thing was always power.

Seemingly sensing the coldness in Xiao Xiwei’s eyes, Xiao Yan pursed his lips and hurriedly opened his mouth to explain, “Xiwei, I was worried about you.”

“Sister.” A voice suddenly sounded from behind him.

Xiao Xiwei turned around and saw Xiao Xi Yang strode in, followed by Lin Yushi, the bride who had just married into Marquis Mansion.