The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 168

Chapter 168 Elusive
Prince Shenfu.

Chu Yanzhi stood at the corner of the corridor wearing a purple mink coat. He was holding a cup of enamel-colored plum blossoms in his hand. The tea in the cup had long since cooled down, but he still held the cup as if he hadn’t noticed it. He looked indifferently at the blooming plum blossoms in the courtyard.

He remembered that there were also a few bouquets of plum blossoms in the blue and white porcelain vases on the Yongchun Palace table. Ming Shuang was arrogant and snowy, delicate but not gorgeous, just like the person in the Yongchun Palace.

“Your Highness, Duke Lu and the Minister of Rites, Lord Wang, are here.” An attendant walked behind Chu Yanzhi and whispered.

Chu Yanzhi turned around and saw Duke Lu and Wang Shi standing not far away. He waved his hand to the attendant, then turned around and entered the flower hall.

In the flower hall, there was a purple copper stove with the word ‘Fu’. It was constantly emitting hot air.

“Your Highness.”

Duke Lu and Wang Shi stepped forward and bowed to Chu Yan.

“Sit down.” Chu Yanzhi smiled and raised his hand.

Hearing Chu Yanzhi’s words, Duke Lu and Wang Shi sat on the mahogany carved chairs on both sides. The maid quickly stepped forward and poured a cup of tea for each of them.

“Try it. This is the cloud mist of Mount Lushan that has just been paid tribute this year.” Chu Yanzhi said with a faint smile.

Duke Lu and Wang Shi hurriedly picked up their teacups and took a sip of their tea.

“It is indeed good tea. I heard that there is a severe drought this year and the tea leaves have decreased sharply. I will only drag Your Highness’s blessing to taste such a good tea here.” Wang Shi said to Chu Yanzhi with a smile.

“Lord Wang is joking.” Chu Yanzhi smiled faintly.

Seeing that Chu Yanzhi didn’t seem to be very happy, Wang Shi knew that he hadn’t flattered Chu Yanzhi, so he didn’t feel a little embarrassed for a moment.

Fortunately, Lu Guo, who was sitting above him, said publicly, “Your Highness, my son has sent a letter.”

“Oh.” Hearing Lu Haiyang’s letter, Chu Yanzhi raised his eyebrows slightly, and his interest was obviously much higher.

Duke Lu hurriedly stood up and handed the letter to Chu Yanzhi. “In the letter, my son said that there was no change in Wu City. However, Wu City Commander Xiao Xiyang has not appeared in Wu City’s military camp for several days.”

After reading the letter, the corner of Chu Yanzhi’s lips unconsciously hooked.

Seeing Chu Yanzhi’s expression, Duke Lu couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, “Your Highness, I wonder if I can ask you one more question. Is there something wrong with letting my son keep an eye on Wu City’s actions?”

Hearing Duke Lu’s words, Chu Yanzhi raised his eyelids and swept his gaze towards Duke Lu. He stared at Duke Lu with a faint smile and said, “Duke Lu, do you want to do this?”

“I don’t dare to guess.” Duke Lu hurriedly lowered his head.

This Prince Shenwang was truly elusive. Back then, he followed behind the Crown Prince quietly and treated everyone with a pleasant expression. But now, his intentions were unfathomable. Even if he spoke with the needles hidden in the brocade, there was not the slightest trace of the gentle and refined Fourth Prince’s appearance back then.

“Is that so?” Chu Yanzhi looked at Duke Lu and the smile on his lips gradually deepened.

Duke Lu, who had been staring at by Chu Yanzhi, hurriedly turned his eyes to secretly glance at Wang Shi.

“Your Highness, I recently received a lot of favors from the King Yan Party in the court. It seems that they have finally recognized the situation.” Wang Shi stood up and raised his hand with a smile.

Chu Yanzhi looked up at Wang Shi and did not say anything.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the room gradually became somewhat awkward.

Duke Lu and Wang Shi exchanged a glance. For a moment, no one could guess what this Prince Shenwang meant.

Chu Yanzhi lowered his head and looked at the tea in the cup that had long since cooled down. “Wu Cheng’s side … let Hai Yang continue to keep an eye on it.”

“Yes.” Duke Lu hurriedly replied.

He paid so much attention to Wu Cheng’s movements, could it be that there was really something strange going on in Wu Cheng?

Lu Guo lowered his head and secretly guessed in his heart.

“Your Highness, those officials who surrendered in the court …” Wang Shi probed.

Chu Yanzhi closed his eyes and sneered softly, “Stay and take a look first.”

The walls were piled up by everyone. It was useless to leave these rudder-like grass behind. However, if he rejected them, then these people would definitely form a group of ropes. At that time, they would probably assist Chu Muzhi in unison. At that time, it would be a bit troublesome for him.

“Yes.” Wang Shi replied. He raised his head and looked at Chu Yanzhi, “There is one more thing.”

Chu Yanzhi raised his eyebrows and looked at Wang Shi.

“This lowly official noticed that there are still some people coming and going in and out of Prince Qin’s mansion recently. The Crown Prince of Lu is one of them.” As Wang Shi spoke, the corner of his eyes sneaked a glance at Duke Lu. Unexpectedly, Duke Lu did not react at all.

“Oh.” Chu Yanzhi’s voice rose slightly, and his long and narrow eyes swept towards Duke Lu. “Duke Lu, do you have anything to say?”

“Your Highness, you also know that since that time, he has already had a relationship with this old official. He can’t even speak a word all day long.” The State of Lu was just.

Chu Yanzhi curled his lips and said, “It seems that Duke Lu and the Crown Prince are separated by a deep estrangement.”

“I’m ashamed.” Duke Lu lowered his head and sighed.

“Since that’s the case, has Duke Lu considered changing the position of the Crown Prince? Unexpectedly, the Duke’s Mansion isn’t just a talented young master, is it?” Chu Yanzhi looked at Duke Lu and smiled warmly.

Chu Yanzhi’s words were like a huge boulder, pressing down on Duke Lu’s heart.

Although Prince Shenwang was in the midst of a general trend, after the Crown Prince’s incident, he felt that it was better for him to leave a path of retreat. Even though King Yan was already dead, wasn’t there still King Qin? Besides, according to what he had heard today, the Xiao Clan in Wu City had already changed. It was not certain that Xiao Xiyang was prepared to support the Qin King. The situation in this world changed greatly, and no one knew what the result would be until the last moment. Therefore, it was a complete plan to leave behind a path for him.

“Your Highness, it’s not like these old officials haven’t thought about it. However, crippling the Crown Prince is no small matter. There must be a good reason. Besides … Hai Yang isn’t in the capital right now.” Duke Lu said carefully.

Chu Yanzhi’s long and narrow gaze stared at Duke Lu with a smile that was not a smile, causing his back to go cold. “That’s right, we still have to wait until Hai Yang returns to the capital, but at that time …”

Chu Yanzhi didn’t say anything else, but Duke Lu could already vaguely sense the threat from inside.

“If there’s nothing else, you can go back first.” Chu Yanzhi withdrew his gaze and said indifferently.

“Yes.” The two of them hurriedly replied, and at the same time, they stood up to walk out of the door.

“Right, there’s one more thing.” At this moment, Chu Yanzhi’s voice sounded again.

Duke Lu’s heart skipped a beat as his face turned slightly pale.

Looking at Duke Lu’s expression, Chu Yanzhi curled his lips and said, “I heard that Fourth Miss Xiao is pregnant?”

Fourth Miss Xiao.

Duke Lu was stunned for a moment before he suddenly remembered who Fourth Miss Xiao was. However, why would Prince Shenwang care about her? Although he was a little bit confused in his heart, Duke Lu did not dare to show it. He lowered his head and carefully replied, “Yes.”

Chu Yanzhi smiled. His slender fingertips lightly tapped on the table a few times. “Then don’t injure her. No matter what, her stomach is still Hai Yang’s flesh and blood.”

After hearing Chu Yanzhi’s words, Duke Lu heaved a sigh of relief.

It turned out that Prince Shenwang was paying attention to Xiao Xichun because of Hai Yang.

After Duke Lu and Wang Shi left, Chu Yanzhi poured out the cold tea from his teacup and poured himself a cup of boiling hot tea.

“Your Highness.” At this moment, another attendant walked in.

Chu Yanzhi raised his eyelids and asked, “What is it?”

“Your Highness, Lord Chang of the Dali Temple requests to see Your Highness.” The attendant said.

Chu Yanzhi curled his lips and said, “Let him in.”

Very quickly, the attendant brought Chang Lu in.

“This lowly official greets His Highness.” Chang Lu walked over to Chu Yan and bowed.

Chu Yanzhi held the teacup in his hand and lowered his head to breathe a mouthful of hot air. “I presume that you also met them just now.”

“Xiaoguan did meet Duke Lu and Lord Wang at the door.” Chang Lu answered truthfully.

Chu Yanzhi curled his lips, “Did they say anything?”

“Did you hear that? It’s just that when Xiaoguan came, he heard that Lu Guojun was asking Lord Wang about King Yan’s funeral.” As Chang Lu spoke, he carefully raised his eyes to look at Chu Yan.

Chu Yanzhi looked at the vivid plum blossoms depicted on the teacup in his hand, and the corner of his mouth couldn’t help but hook into a meaningful smile.

It was indeed an old fox.

“Thinking about it, Duke Lu must have heard some rumors in the palace.” Chang Lu looked at Chu Yanzhi and whispered.

I heard that Princess Yan stood in Chongde Hall for a day and claimed that the corpse was not King Yan. Please send someone to Su Yang to thoroughly investigate the truth.

Chu Yanzhi paused as he stroked his teacup and looked at Chang Lu with his long and narrow eyes.

Chang Lu’s eyelids twitched as he hurriedly lowered his head and smiled embarrassedly, “Xiaguan is just worried that these rumors will harm His Highness’s reputation.”

“Do you know the best way to clear up the rumors?” Chu Yanzhi looked at Chang Lu and smiled slowly.

Chang Lu was stunned.

The quickest way to clear up this rumor was for the Swallow King to personally stand up.

“Unfortunately, the person who can stand up and clear up this rumor will never get up again.” Chu Yanzhi looked at Chang Lu with a cold smile on his lips.

Hearing Chu Yanzhi’s words, Chang Lu’s originally somewhat empty heart was completely relieved.

As long as King Yan was really dead, even if that corpse was fake, what did it matter? Besides, even the Emperor had already acknowledged it. Even if Princess Yan said it again, it was already a foregone conclusion.

“Your Highness, Xiaoguan has something else to report to Your Highness.”

“What is it?” Chu Yanzhi calmly placed the teacup in his hand on the table.

“Two days ago, Song Yangong’s mother died of illness. He wants to resign and return to Ding You’s hometown. This way, this seat will be empty …”

“You have a candidate?” Chu Yanzhi looked up at Chang Lu and said.

Chang Lu probed Chu Yanzhi and said, “This matter still needs to be decided by His Highness. However, this subordinate feels that Li Qingfeng, Zuoshi Cheng, is a good candidate.”

“Li Qingfeng?” Chu Yanzhi frowned.

He has no impression of the man.

“Your Highness, Li Qingfeng’s son, Li Po, just married Uncle Ping An’s young daughter two months ago.” Chang Lu explained.

Although Uncle Ping An’s mansion had declined, However, he was still an old aristocratic family in the capital. In addition, Uncle Ping An’s heir Zhu Rubai had always had a good relationship with Lu Haiyang. From the very beginning, he had stood on the side of Prince Shen. This kind of relationship allowed Li Qingfeng to become the Young Qing of the Dali Temple. However, the only bad thing was that Li Qingfeng was the uncle of Prince Shen’s fianc é e, Xiao Xile. Originally, Chang Lu didn’t want to open this mouth, but the things that the Li Clan had sent him were really precious. He had only mentioned this in front of the Prince of Shenyang in case of any mishap, and if it didn’t work out, he had done his best.

“You can make your own decisions on these small matters.” Chu Yanzhi glanced at Chang Lu and lightly threw down a sentence. Then, he got up and entered the inner room.