The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 175

Chapter 175 For Women
At dusk, Chu Yanzhi finally returned.

“You said that after Qin King left Chao An Temple, he secretly sent people to Wuwu City?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure it’s Wu City?” Chu Yanzhi imitated his eyes, and his left hand subconsciously rotated the jade finger in his hand.

“This subordinate is certain.” The person replied affirmatively.

Chu Yanzhi’s finger twisting hand did not stop. “Is there any news from the Dali Temple?”

“Your Highness, Lord Chang said that everything in the capital is as usual. No one can be suspected of sneaking into the capital.”

Everything went as usual …

Could it really be that he was thinking too much? Chu Xizhi, is he really dead?

The reason why Chu Muzhi came to Chao An Temple today was because Xiao Xiwei had specially sent someone to call him over. Could it be because of his actions that Xiao Xiwei felt that Chu Xizhi was still alive? That’s why he asked Chu Muzhi to send people to Wucheng City to find out more? Otherwise, how could he explain why Chu Muzhi, who had pretended to be sick and had avoided him a while ago, would actually laugh at Yan Yan and talk to him today? His words even carried a bit of relaxation and satisfaction. Presumably, he also believed that Chu Xizhi was still alive, so he had such confidence.

But was it really as he thought?

Xiao Xiwei and Chu Muzhi really thought that Chu Xizhi was already dead. Was it because of his actions that they suspected that Chu Xizhi was still alive, or were these just smoke and mist bombs that they threw out to confuse him?

For a moment, Chu Yanzhi was truly unable to distinguish between them.

“Send someone to the Yan Palace and the Qin Palace to investigate again.” Finally, Chu Yanzhi said in a deep voice.

“Your Highness, didn’t we already investigate earlier?” That person said hesitantly.

Chu Yanzhi’s eyes narrowed as he swept his gaze towards that person, “Are you questioning this king’s words?”

“This subordinate doesn’t dare. This subordinate will investigate now.” The man hurriedly raised his hand and bowed, then turned around to leave.

“Wait a moment.” Suddenly, Chu Yanzhi’s cold voice rose.

“Your Highness.” That person turned around and bowed towards Chu Yanzhi.

Chu Yanzhi’s eyes narrowed, “Let Chang Lu find a reason to thoroughly search Prince Yan’s Mansion, especially the secret room.”

If Chu Xizhi was still alive, as he had originally guessed, and had planned for Consort Yan and Xiao Xiwei to leave the palace, and was prepared to take them away from the capital at Chao An Temple, then he must have sneaked into the capital. Furthermore, right under his nose, the most likely place to hide was … Prince Yan’s Mansion.

“Yes.” The man answered and quickly retreated.

After that person left, Chu Yanzhi slowly paced out of the room.

Outside the house, the sky was already dark, the sun had already sunk into the mountains, and the night was about to descend.

“Your Highness.” Accompanied by a series of hurried footsteps, a voice rushed into Chu Yanzhi’s eardrums.

The attendant brought Nanny An to Chu Yanzhi and retreated. There were only Nanny An and Chu Yanzhi left in the courtyard.

“Nurse, why are you here?” Seeing this person, Chu Yanzhi was obviously a little surprised.

The personal palace maids beside Concubine Nurse An also watched Chu Yanzhi grow up. After Concubine Li left, most of the palace maids and eunuchs of Jingyang Palace scattered. She was the only one who stayed behind until Chu Yanzhi moved into Jingyang Palace when he reached adulthood. Therefore, to Chu Yanzhi, Nurse An was not an ordinary palace maid. Instead, he only had a few people in this palace who could be trusted to speak.

“This servant is naturally worried about your highness.” Nurse An walked in front of Chu Yanzhi and stretched out his hand to clean the cloak on Chu Yanzhi’s body. “Normally speaking, His Highness has been in Chao An Temple for two days, so he should have given incense to the Empress. Since that’s the case, why don’t you follow this servant back to the palace?”

“Nurse, I still have some matters to attend to. I’ll have someone send you back to the palace tomorrow.” Chu Yanzhi looked at Nurse An and said indifferently.

“Your Highness, is there anything this servant cannot know?” Nurse An stared into Chu Yanzhi’s eyes and suddenly said.

Chu Yanzhi’s eyes widened as he looked at Nanny An and did not say anything.

Nurse An frowned slightly, and a trace of worry and sadness appeared in his eyes. “Your highness, you grew up as a servant.” Back then, when Your Highness gave birth to you, it was difficult for her to give birth. Imperial doctor said that she could only protect one. The Emperor was determined to protect Your Highness, but Your Highness did not agree. She held onto this servant’s hand and gave birth to you with her last breath. “After the Empress left, this servant has been guarding the Jing Yang Palace, waiting for you to come back one day to avenge her. But what are you doing today?”

“Nurse, I naturally have my own intentions, so you don’t have to ask anymore.” Chu Yanzhi glanced at Nurse An and said indifferently.

“Your Highness is doing this for Princess Yan, right?” Nurse An stared into Chu Yanzhi’s eyes, mercilessly piercing his mind.

Chu Yanzhi raised his eyebrows slightly. When he touched Nanny An’s unavoidable gaze, he paused slightly. “I admit that I did intend to do something to her, but I didn’t stay here for her.”

“What is that for?” Nurse An asked.

Chu Yanzhi frowned. Before he could speak, Nurse An spoke again.

“Your Highness suspects that the Swallow King is still alive, so you want to wait here for the Swallow King to trap you?” Nanny An looked at Chu Yanzhi quietly.

Chu Yanzhi raised his eyebrows, “Since Nurse knows, why ask this king again?”

At this point, he had already changed his self-proclaimed ‘I’ to ‘This King’. Although his tone was still the same as before, just this alone was enough to show that he was a little impatient with Nurse An’s relentless pursuit of questions.

Nurse An had stayed in the palace for so many years. After Concubine Li’s death, she had been guarding Jing Yang Palace by herself and had always been suspected by Consort Shen. A servant who was loyal to the old master was definitely not someone that Consort Shen could let go of peacefully. However, she could still live safely under Consort Shen’s eyes and wait for Chu Yanzhi to move to Jingyang Palace when he reached adulthood. How could such a person not see Chu Yanzhi’s current impatience and resistance? However, she had no choice but to say these words.

“That’s right. This servant can think of this. How could a person as thoughtful as the Swallow King not think of it? If the Swallow King is really alive as the Prince guessed, wouldn’t the Prince be alarming if he came to Chao An Temple in such a big way? Unless the Swallow King is an idiot, how could he fall into the trap?” Nanny An said as she looked at Chu Yanzhi.

Everyone knew this truth, but now, no one in the court knew that Prince Shenwang’s thoughts were unpredictable. The only person who dared to speak out in front of him, Lu Haiyang, was not in the capital. Other people, such as Chang Lu Wang Shi, did not dare to question his decision even if they had doubts in their hearts. Moreover, Chu Yanzhi had never completely trusted them. He had never revealed the purpose of his visit to Chao An Temple.

“Perhaps, he is a fool.” Chu Yanzhi turned around and looked at the darkened sky. The corner of his lips curled into a sinister sneer.

If Chu Yanzhi really cherished Xiao Xiwei as much as he had shown, then even if he knew that Blade Mountain Flame Sea was waiting in front of him, he would definitely come. If he was afraid of retreating, it would let Xiao Xiwei know that in his heart, she was actually not that important.

“Your Highness, regardless of whether the Swallow King comes or not, you just want to show it to Princess Yan, right? You want her to know that only you are worthy of her trust.” Nanny An raised her head to look at Chu Yanzhi, and said a single word to clear his mind.

Chu Yanzhi raised his head and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “Yes, Nurse, what you said is correct.”

“Your Highness …”

Even though she had already guessed Chu Yanzhi’s thoughts, Nanny An was still extremely surprised when she truly heard these words coming out of his mouth.

Was this still the fourth prince, Chu Yanzhi, who had endured for more than ten years in order to give his mother an explanation? Why would he take such a big risk for a woman? Didn’t he know what kind of danger it would be for him if King Yan was still alive and escaped because of his actions this time?

“I’ve already decided on this matter. There’s no need for Nurse to say anything else.” Chu Yanzhi looked sideways at Nurse An, his gaze as cold as his voice.

Nurse An took two steps back and looked at Chu Yanzhi in disbelief.

It had been so many years since Chu Yanzhi had spoken to him in such a tone, moreover, it was for a woman.

Nurse An pursed the corners of his mouth and took a deep breath. He continued to persuade Chu Yanzhi, “Your Highness, although there are rumors in the palace that you have been thinking about Princess Yan, this servant has never taken it to heart.” This servant knows that Princess Yan once rejected you, so you have some lumps in your heart. “Men have an obsession with things and people they have never obtained, but this servant thinks that if this obsession affects the overall situation, it should be completely removed.”

After hearing Nurse An’s words, Chu Yanzhi’s eyes sank. “Nurse, this king advised you to put away your thoughts towards her. She is not someone you can move.”

The last sentence carried a hint of threat and warning.

Hearing that, Nurse An’s face turned slightly pale.

She really did not expect Chu Yanzhi to treat her so mercilessly. This was something that had never happened in all these years.

Obviously, Chu Yanzhi also noticed Nurse An’s expression. In an instant, his expression softened. “This king has already made plans regarding Nurse. If he is still alive, he must be hiding in the capital. I have already sent people to search everywhere. Don’t worry if any of his actions can’t escape this king’s eyes.”

At this point in time, Nanny An could not say anything else.

She raised her eyes and looked at Chu Yan. Then, she lowered her eyes weakly and slightly turned to look at Chu Yan’s blessing. “This servant knows.”

Seeing that Nanny An didn’t say anything else about the conversation, Chu Yanzhi heaved a sigh of relief. “It’s getting late. Nanny will rest at Chao An Temple for a day today. The King of Japan will send someone to escort you back to the palace tomorrow.” With that, he beckoned for a servant and ordered him to take Nanny An to rest.

After leaving Chu Yanzhi’s courtyard, the weakness in Nurse An’s eyes faded away. A cold light appeared in his eyes, and even the lines around the corners of his eyes carried a faint killing intent.

Although she had never come into direct contact with Xiao Xiwei before, she knew that this woman was definitely not a simple person just because of the Yu Li Palace fire and the fact that she had pulled Lu Haiyang down from the position of deputy commander of the Imperial Guards. And now, for her sake, Her Highness even risked the risk of letting the Swallow King go, so she absolutely could not sit idly by and ignore him.

This woman definitely couldn’t be left behind.

“You, hurry up and send a message to Lord Lu in Wucheng City. Tell him to return quickly.”

Right now, the only one who could speak in front of His Highness was him.

As for Xiao Xiwei …

Nurse An’s lips curled into a sinister smile.