The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 166

Chapter 166 Please Respect Yourself
The snow was getting heavier and heavier. The cold wind swept past the eaves of the carved beams and painted buildings, past the tightly shut windows of the small households, and pounced towards the entire Imperial Capital.

Zhang Shichang pushed open the door and walked in. Countless snowflakes followed suit.

He rubbed his stiff hands and bowed to the emperor, “Your Majesty.”

The Emperor lowered his head and silently looked at the white jade paperweight in his hand. His voice was hoarse as he said, “Why, she hasn’t left yet?”

“Yes. This servant has already advised, but Princess Yan still insists on not leaving.” Zhang Shichang bowed his body and lowered his eyebrows in a pleasing manner.

After a long time, the Emperor who was sitting on the couch did not make a sound.

Zhang Shichang raised his head in surprise, only to see the Emperor staring at the paperweight in his hand.

Just as Zhang Shichang withdrew his astonished gaze, the Emperor’s voice suddenly sounded, “Little Chang Zi, do you think he is really dead?”

“Your Majesty is referring to” Zhang Shichang raised his head and carefully looked at the Emperor.

The Emperor tightened his grip on the paperweight. After a while, he slowly said the name, “King Yan.”

Upon hearing these two words, Zhang Shichang’s heart was filled with more than a hundred thoughts.

Could it be that the Emperor has already started to suspect him? These words are testing him …

Zhang Shichang lowered his head and carefully thought about how he should answer this question. “Why did the Emperor ask this? Haven’t the corpses of the Swallow King been found?”

The Emperor raised his head and furrowed his brows. He looked at Zhang Shichang and said, “Do you want to play an official role in front of me? Do you know what I’m talking about?”

“Your Majesty.” Zhang Shichang hurriedly knelt down, “Your Majesty, this servant truly does not dare to speak rashly.”

Looking at Zhang Shichang’s frightened expression, he waved his hand impatiently, “Alright, I’m just asking.”

The paperweight in his hand was translucent and translucent. After holding it in his hand for a long time, it was faintly hot. This was a birthday present given to him by Xizhi on his fortieth birthday. At that time, he was only a teenager …

Royal Father, this is a birthday present from my son. This paperweight was personally carved by my son. Do you think so?

A pair of eyes suddenly appeared in his mind, carrying a smile, as well as undisguised trust and admiration …

Thinking of this, an inexplicable undercurrent suddenly flashed through the Emperor’s heart.

The paperweight in his hand suddenly slid down his palm.

“Your Majesty.” Zhang Shichang hurriedly fell to the ground.

The Emperor leaned on his chair and stood up. He raised his eyes and looked towards the door, “Take her back.”

Zhang Shichang was stunned. He raised his head and followed the Emperor’s gaze. Only then did he realize that the Emperor was referring to His Highness’ Princess Yan.

“Yes, this servant will go now.” Zhang Shichang hurriedly bowed his head.

The Emperor glanced at Zhang Shichang and did not say anything. He only turned around and slowly entered the inner room.

Zhang Shichang slowly stood up and looked at the crooked back of the emperor. Suddenly, an idea came to his mind-this emperor who had overwhelmed the world was still old.

Perhaps the question he asked him just now was not a question of probing or suspicion, but rather, the little bit of guilt a father felt towards his abandoned son …

Even though all these years of pampering had been pretended to be for outsiders to see, after all these years, did they unknowingly use some true feelings?

Outside Zongde Hall.

Xiao Xiwei was wearing a moon-white plum blossom embroidered jacket and a silver fox fur cloak. The snow-white fur around her neck made her face snow-white.

“Princess.” Zhang Shichang walked over to Xiao Xiwei and bowed slowly.

Xiao Xiwei raised his eyes and looked at Zhang Shichang, “Eunuch Zhang, is Father Emperor willing to see me?”

“Princess, the snowstorm is getting heavier and heavier. You are a person with a body. This servant should send you back to the palace.” Zhang Shichang bowed slightly and said respectfully to Xiao Xiwei.

Xiao Xiwei glanced at Zhang Shichang, and then his gaze shifted from him. Finally, he stopped at the tightly closed door of the Chongde Palace, “I’m not leaving.”

“Princess, why are you doing this?” Zhang Shichang sighed and secretly glanced at Zi Yan, who was holding an umbrella.

Zi Yan understood and hurriedly stepped forward, “Princess, why don’t we go back first?”

The people standing in front of Chongde Hall remained motionless.

Zi Yan’s eyebrows gradually furrowed. She looked at Zhang Shichang begging, “Eunuch Zhang, why don’t you plead for the princess in front of the emperor? No matter what, you must invite the emperor to meet the princess.”

‘”Princess, the Swallow King died unfortunately. The Emperor is also very sad. Your Majesty is afraid of touching the scenery when he doesn’t see you. Please don’t forgive me. Besides, even for the Swallow King, you have to cherish your own body, right?” Zhang Shichang said in a low voice.

Xiao Xiwei still didn’t move.

Zhang Shichang sighed. Just as he was about to persuade him, he saw a tall figure walking towards him in the snow.

“This servant greets His Highness Prince Shen.”

Chu Yanzhi walked towards Xiao Xiwei step by step, facing the wind and snow.

Zi Yan coldly blessed Chu Yanzhi’s body and immediately turned her gaze away. Only Xiao Xiwei did not turn to look at Chu Yan from beginning to end.

“What, he didn’t see you?” Chu Yanzhi walked to Xiao Xiwei’s side and stood still. His gaze was calm as he looked at the tightly closed door of the Chongde Palace.

The person beside him stood with an indifferent expression, as if there wasn’t such a person standing beside him.

The corners of Chu Yanzhi’s lips gradually curled into an icy smile. He turned to look at the people beside him. The slender tassels were blown up by the cold wind, constantly shaking in her ears, as if something had lightly brushed past his chest, causing waves of ripples.

“How long do you plan to stand here?”

The person beside him still didn’t say anything, not even a single look in his eyes, completely treating him as air.

Suddenly, a wave of resentment burst out from his chest.

Why was she always like this, ignoring him again and again! How could he not compare to Chu Xizhi? Why was she still running for him at this moment!

“Follow me.” Chu Yanzhi suddenly reached out and grabbed Xiao Xiwei’s wrist, his face gloomy.

The intense pain from her wrist forced Xiao Xiwei to raise her head. She frowned and looked at Chu Yanzhi with an unhappy expression. She said coldly, “Your Highness, please respect yourself.”

Self-respect.

Haha.

Chu Yanzhi sneered in his heart.

If the person holding her hand today was Chu Xizhi, would she still say that?

Countless secrets surged past Chu Yanzhi’s smooth eyes. Suddenly, he bent down and quickly reached out to hug Xiao Xiwei.

“Princess.” Zi Yan was shocked. She moved her right hand and immediately stepped forward to rob him.

“How long do you want her to wait in this snow storm? Chu Xizhi asked you to protect her like this.” Chu Yanzhi’s cold gaze swept towards Zi Yan.

Zi Yan was stunned for a moment, and in this blink of an eye, Chu Yanzhi had already walked away with Xiao Xiwei in his arms.

“Let me go.” Xiao Xiwei pushed Chu Yanzhi hard, wanting to escape from his embrace.

“If you want to fall down and lose this child, then you can push hard.” As Chu Yanzhi spoke, he looked coldly at Xiao Xi’s slightly bulging abdomen. “Anyway, I’m not looking forward to his birth.”

Xiao Xiwei’s face stiffened. He subconsciously extended his hand to protect his abdomen and cut off Chu Yanzhi’s cold gaze.

Seeing that Xiao Xiwei was so nervous about protecting his stomach that he no longer struggled to leave his embrace, Chu Yanzhi felt an indescribable feeling in his heart.

From Chongde Palace to Yongchun Palace, Chu Yanzhi held Xiao Xiwei in his arms.

The palace servants he saw on the road knelt on the ground with horror on their faces. However, Chu Yan walked past them as if he didn’t see them.

Xiao Xiwei looked at Chu Yanzhi’s resolute chin, and a sarcastic smile suddenly flashed across his lips. “Isn’t Your Highness afraid of others spreading gossip?”

Chu Yanzhi lowered his head and looked at Xiao Xiwei. His sharp eyebrows raised slightly, “What, are you afraid?”

Xiao Xiwei curled his lips and smiled coldly, “What’s there to be afraid of now? It’s Your Highness. When the court starts tomorrow morning, the Imperial History’s impeachment will probably be filled with the Imperial Table of the Emperor.”

“Oh, what did you say those imperial historians would write about?” Chu Yanzhi looked at Xiao Xiwei and her eyes flashed with a faint light.

Xiao Xiwei’s eyes suddenly turned cold. She turned around and no longer looked at Chu Yanzhi.

Chu Yanzhi curled his lips and continued to carry Xiao Xiwei in the direction of the Yongchun Palace.

After arriving at Yongchun Palace, Chu Yanzhi did not put Xiao Xiwei down, but directly carried her into the inner room.

Chu Yanzhi’s actions shocked the people of Yongchun Palace.

One of them hurriedly followed Chu Yanzhi into the inner room. She wanted to persuade Chu Yanzhi, but before she could speak, Chu Yanzhi’s cold voice smashed over.

“Fuck off!”

The palace maid was stunned. She raised her head and touched Chu Yanzhi’s Yin Dove’s gaze. She was immediately shocked. She hurriedly retreated and closed the door.

Chu Yanzhi carried Xiao Xiwei to the front of the couch and carefully placed her on the couch.

Xiao Xi slightly shifted her heavy body, and the corner of her lips curled into a sneer, “Your Highness, do you know who sent the palace maid you just roared?”

Chu Yanzhi raised his eyebrows, “What do you want to imply to this king?”

“My body doesn’t dare. Actually, my body is unnecessary. This Yongchun Palace isn’t just for the Emperor. I’m afraid that His Highness has arranged for quite a few people.” Xiao Xiwei looked at Chu Yanzhi with a faint smile.

Chu Yanzhi raised his eyebrows and did not answer her. He only quietly looked at her.

A moment later, the calm on Xiao Xiwei’s face could no longer be maintained. “Your Highness, are you still not leaving?”

Chu Yanzhi smiled. He walked to Xiao Xiwei’s side and sat down. He reached out and poured himself a cup of tea. “You don’t have to drive me away in such a hurry. I will naturally leave after I finish my sentence.”

“Your Highness, are you trying to say that Ru got a fake corpse to deceive the world?” Xiao Xiwei stared coldly at Chu Yanzhi.

“I admit that the corpse is indeed fake. This king will not bear the charge of deceiving the people of the world, right?” As Chu Yanzhi spoke, he picked up his teacup and gave it to his mouth.

Xiao Xi’s eyes widened. “What do you mean by that?”

Chu Yanzhi stared into Xiao King Yan’s eyes and said word by word, “If Xiwei is indeed dead, then I shouldn’t be lying to the world.”

Her beautiful face was still very calm, without even the slightest fluctuation. However, her hands that were covering her lower abdomen gradually tightened and she couldn’t help but feel as if they were clenched into a fist.

Xiao Xiwei slowly raised her head. She looked at Chu Yanzhi. Her voice was gentle but she could faintly hear a slight tremor. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Chu Yanzhi’s pitch-black eyes were firmly locked onto Xiao Xiwei’s body. Every gaze, every movement, and even every breath of hers were completely visible under Xiao Xiwei’s gaze. After a long time, he finally withdrew his gaze and a cold smile appeared on the corner of his lips. “He is indeed dead. He died right in front of your brother …”

Xiao Xiwei’s delicate eyebrows couldn’t help but raise. At this moment, Xiao Xiwei’s face was already calm to the extreme. There wasn’t a trace of blood on her face. Her entire body seemed to be carved out of ice and snow. “Chu Yanzhi, I won’t be fooled.”