The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 170

Chapter 170 Just In The Way
It was night.

Yongchun Palace.

Deep into the night, a silhouette quietly rolled through the window and entered Xiao Xiwei’s bedroom

Xiao Xiwei, who was not sleepy at all, heard the commotion and quickly got up. He reached out and lifted the curtain in front of him. Even though the person was dressed as a night pedestrian and his entire face was covered in a black cloth, Xiao Xiwei still recognized the person at a glance.

“Why are you here?”

It took so much effort to convince Chu Yanzhi that he was already dead. How could he dare to come here at such a critical moment? If anyone were to discover this, then the consequences would truly be unimaginable.

Chu Xizhi pulled off the black cloth on his face and smiled. He walked to the bed and sat down. He reached out and hugged Xiao Xi slightly in his arms. “It seems that he is suffering from lovesickness. He specially came to Madam to ask for medicine.” After saying that, he lowered his head and took a deep breath between Xiao Xiwei’s neck, looking intoxicated.

“What nonsense did you say?” Xiao Xiwei was clearly worried to death, but hearing his words, Xiao Xiwei felt as if her heart was soaked in honey, sweet to the point of death, but she still said it brazenly.

“What nonsense is this? It’s clearly true.” Chu Xizhi reached out and held Xiao Xiwei’s hand. He clasped his fingers together with her and sighed softly, “Wei’er, when I think of you here, my heart feels like it’s being pulled by something. I feel uneasy all day long. Only when I truly protect you in my arms like this can I feel a little relieved.”

“Xizhi, I’m fine.” Xiao Xiwei reached out and grabbed Chu Xizhi’s fingertips. He leaned his head against his shoulder and lowered his eyes as he smiled.

Chu Xizhi lowered his head and leaned his chin against Xiao Xiwei’s forehead. His gaze landed on Xiao Xiwei’s slightly bulged abdomen under the brocade quilt, “Wei’er, I’m sorry.”

When she needed someone to take care of her the most, he had never been able to take care of her. Now, she was trapped in this palace alone, and she was pregnant and would fall into this whirlpool of descendants.

“Xizhi, do you know what I hate the most to hear from you?” Xiao Xiwei raised her head and looked at Chu Xizhi. She paused for a moment before continuing, “I’m most afraid that you will say’sorry ‘to me. We are husband and wife. We share weal and woe and are one. I’m not afraid of dragging you down. Don’t think that you will implicate me, because we are willing to do so.”

Looking at Xiao Xiwei’s bright pupils, the tip of Chu Xizhi’s nose suddenly turned sour. He lowered his head and kissed Xiao Xiwei’s forehead, hugging her in his arms for a long time without saying a word.

Xiao Xiwei raised her head from Chu Xizhi’s embrace. She smiled and stared into Chu Xizhi’s eyes. “I believe you.”

Chu Xizhi raised his hand and gently stroked the green threads scattered on Xiao Xiwei’s forehead behind his ear. “Xiwei, I can’t put you in any more danger. On this day, I will hold you in my heart for a day. I am truly afraid …”

In the past few days, he had always dreamed of the fire in the Phoenix Ceremony Palace in his previous life. He could even see her struggling and shouting in the fire. He desperately wanted to rush in to save her, but there seemed to be an invisible wall blocking him. No matter how he collided, he could only watch as the fire devoured her bit by bit …

Even though he woke up from his nightmare, he still felt a sense of despair and powerlessness surging in his chest.

No matter what, he couldn’t let her stay here anymore.

“Xizhi …”

“Wei’er, I’ve already made arrangements. In two days, Mother Concubine will leave the palace to stay in the An Temple for a while. At that time, you can accompany Mother Concubine.” Chu Xizhi said as he held Xiao Xiwei’s hand tightly.

“Chao An Temple? Xizhi, what do you plan to do?” Xiao Xi frowned slightly as he looked at Chu Xizhi and said.

Chu Xizhi curled his lips and reached out to hold Xiao Xiwei in his arms again. “Wei’er, you don’t need to worry about anything. I’m here for everything.”

Xiao Xizhi leaned against Chu Xiwei’s embrace and felt the scorching temperature of his body. As he listened to the steady heartbeat on his chest, Xiao Xizhi slowly closed his eyes and reached out to hug Chu Xizhi’s waist.

After a long while, Chu Xizhi saw that the person in his arms was gradually breathing steadily. He smiled and carefully placed her on the bed. Then, he tucked her in with his hand. Seeing her sleeping peacefully, he lowered his head and kissed her forehead before reluctantly jumping out of the window.

As soon as he left, Xiao Xiwei, who was originally asleep, suddenly opened her eyes.

Although she hadn’t stepped out of the Yongchun Palace these past few days, she had also heard about the Emperor’s kindness in allowing Imperial Consort Yan to leave the palace. She guessed in her heart that this might be Xizhi’s arrangement, but she hadn’t expected that Xizhi would include her in this trip to Chao An Temple.

The Emperor was able to allow Imperial Concubine Yan to leave the palace more or less because of guilt, but letting her leave the palace would not be easy. Moreover, even if the Emperor could agree, with Chu Yanzhi’s suspicious temperament, wouldn’t he be suspicious of her and Imperial Concubine Yan leaving the palace at the same time? It took them so much effort to convince Chu Yanzhi that Xizhi was already dead. If a flaw was revealed at this time, wouldn’t that be a failure?

Thinking of this, the space between Xiao Xiwei’s eyebrows gradually frowned.

A few days later, Honored Concubine Yan went to Chao An Temple and arranged everything. Before leaving, Honored Concubine Yan led the palace maids to Chongde Palace.

Apart from the Emperor, there was another person in the Chongde Palace, Chu Yanzhi, who was currently the most noticed prince in the court.

“Your son pays his respects to Your Highness.” Seeing Imperial Concubine Yan walk in, Chu Yanzhi gave her a faint bow.

Imperial concubine Yan acted as if she did not see him and walked over to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, I have something to tell you.”

The Emperor looked at Imperial Concubine Yan and saw that she was wearing a light purple palace robe today. Her face was painted slightly and her hair was waving with a golden step. Compared to the weak and bleak expression of the previous two days, although her expression wasn’t too good today, she was still a little more energetic.

“Tell me.”

Imperial Concubine Yan looked sideways at Chu Yanzhi.

Chu Yan smiled. “It seems that I don’t want my son to hear about Imperial Concubine Niang Niang.”

Imperial Concubine Yan stood there without saying a word.

The Emperor glanced at Imperial Concubine Yan and finally waved his hand at Chu Yanzhi, “You can go back first.”

“Royal Father, I still have something to report to you.” Chu Yanzhi raised his eyes and looked at the Emperor with a burning gaze.

The emperor’s decree to grant Consort Yan permission to leave the palace two days ago had already exceeded his expectations. Although this decree was nothing to outsiders, it was extremely shocking in his eyes. It was because this meant that since when did his father feel such pity and guilt for this woman? Although it wasn’t obvious yet, he knew that letting this pity and guilt grow bigger would sooner or later jeopardize his status.

The Emperor looked at Chu Yanzhi’s burning gaze. After a long while, he finally compromised, “Honored Consort, if you have anything, just say it.”

Although she already knew Chu Yanzhi’s position in the Emperor’s heart, when she saw it with her own eyes, her heart still felt a fierce pain.

She was also his flesh and blood, so why was her Xizhi born to pave the way for him? He was so tolerant of him, but so cruel to Xizhi? How could her Xizhi be inferior to him? Was it just because he was born from her stomach?

Her sharp fingernails stabbed deeply into her palm, and bursts of stinging pain pulled her back from her resentment.

“Your Majesty, this concubine wants to bring Xiwei to Chao An Temple.” Imperial Concubine Yan raised her eyes to look at the Emperor. Qiushui’s once gentle eyes looked somewhat empty and numb at this moment.

Before the Emperor could say anything, Chu Yanzhi’s eyelids twitched when he heard Consort Yan’s words.

What, she wants to take Xiao Xiwei out of the palace?

There shouldn’t be any deception in this, right?

Chu Yanzhi stared at Imperial Concubine Yan’s eyes and unconsciously imitated her.

“Your Majesty, Xizhi has left. As a mother, I naturally feel heartache and don’t want to face him. Isn’t that the case with Xiwei? Besides, she is pregnant now and is going to give birth in two months. I can’t bear to feel sad in the palace. I don’t have any sons anymore. I don’t want to lose my daughter-in-law and grandson.” Imperial Concubine Yan looked at the Emperor, her dry eyes gradually showing a hint of humidity.

Hearing Consort Yan’s words, the Emperor’s heart softened.

Back then, Xiao Xiwei was left in the palace, more or less to restrain Xizhi. But now, as Consort Yan said, Xizhi is gone. There is no point in letting Xiao Xiwei stay in the palace.

Just as the Emperor was about to let go, a voice suddenly interrupted him.

“Your Highness is right, Princess Yan is going to give birth in two months. Since that’s the case, why bother going all the way to Chao An Temple? Isn’t this even worse for the fetus in her stomach? If this happened, wouldn’t the noble concubine regret it? Besides, it’s already winter. The imperial city is already extremely cold. The cold air on the mountain is even heavier. In addition, it’s not as cold as the earth dragons burning in the palace. It would be even more impressive if they were infected with the wind chill. Please think twice about it. Chu Yanzhi looked at Imperial Concubine Yan. Although his voice was light, his gaze had been staring at her reaction and actions.

Unexpectedly, Imperial Concubine Yan sneered when she heard Chu Yanzhi’s words. The corners of her lips even curled into a mocking smile. “How can the coldness on the mountain compare to the coldness in her heart?” After saying that, she raised her eyebrows and looked coldly at Chu Yanzhi. “Prince Shenwang has probably never truly loved anyone, so how can you experience the coldness and despair of losing someone you love?” Besides … I won’t leave her here alone. Although Xizhi is no longer here, I am his mother. As long as I live, I will protect him with a wife and children. “Imperial Concubine Yan’s eyes and voice were unprecedentedly firm as she said this.

Chu Yanzhi’s eyes lit up. Suddenly, the corner of his lips curled up slightly. “Since Consort Yan’s decision is so difficult, I can’t say anything. However, there’s a long way to Chao An Temple. In order to ensure the safety of Consort Yan and Consort Yan, why don’t I personally escort you up the mountain tomorrow?”

“Your Highness Prince Shenwang is busy with court affairs, so I won’t bother you with these trivial matters.” Imperial Concubine Yan said coldly.

“How can escorting the Consort and Princess Yan be said to be a trivial matter?” Chu Yanzhi curled his lips and smiled, “Actually, I originally wanted to go to Chao An Temple to offer incense to Mother these past two days. Coincidentally, the Consort and Princess Yan are also going. Why don’t we get together and have a companion?” After Chu Yanzhi finished speaking, he looked up at the Emperor and said, “Father, you said it.”

The Emperor’s pitch-black gaze faintly restrained, and in the end, he nodded, “Whatever you want.” After saying that, he got up and entered the inner room.