The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 213

Chapter 213 Whitewashing Heart’s Will
Looking at Xiang Mingxuan’s expression, the Emperor smiled with satisfaction.

Xiang Mingxuan was indeed Xiang Mingxuan. He was finally not mistaken about him. Even in front of him, he was still able to show his displeasure in such a neither humble nor arrogant manner. Such people are the hardest to buy.

“Of course not.”

“Then what His Majesty said just now …”

‘”Back then, when I was young and full of energy, the Sixth Prince Uncle conspired to rebel. Although the Xiang Clan was involved, they did not really participate. However, because of the wrath of the Sixth Prince Uncle, I have been enraged by me. Now, when I think about it, I always feel that I owe the Xiang Clan something.” The Emperor looked at Xiang Mingxuan and sighed heavily.

“Your Majesty, your words are too heavy.” Xiang Mingxuan bowed.

If he wasn’t clear about the emperor’s patience and what he had done to the former Crown Prince and King Yan, then he would have believed that he felt a little guilty about the Xiang Clan incident back then. Thinking of this, the corner of Xiang Mingxuan’s mouth couldn’t help but curl into an imperceptible sneer. If his mother wasn’t the daughter of the Xiang Clan, if Xiang Mingxuan wasn’t the deputy commander of the Imperial Army today, and if he didn’t discover that the current Crown Prince was no longer under his control, would he still say those words?

However, the Emperor did not notice Xiang Mingxuan’s thoughts. He wholeheartedly thought that this person was someone he could grasp. Thus, he continued, “Your mother’s contribution to your current achievements is indispensable. In this way, I will make your mother a third-grade Shu Ren. It can also be considered as a small reward for her to nurture a top scholar like you for the Great Yue Dynasty.”

After hearing the Emperor’s words, Xiang Mingxuan raised his head, his eyes filled with surprise, as if he could not regain his senses for a moment.

Zhang Shi, who was standing beside him, smiled and said to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, look at your Excellency. Are you so happy that you forgot to thank me?”

At this moment, Xiang Mingxuan seemed to regain his senses. He hurriedly knelt on the ground and bowed to the Emperor. “This lowly official thanked His Majesty on behalf of my mother for his kindness.”

“Get up.” The Emperor waved his hand at Mingxuan in satisfaction, indicating for him to get up.

Xiang Mingxuan came out of the Chongde Hall and just as he walked a short distance, a person walked towards him head-on.

“This lowly official greets His Highness the Crown Prince.” Xiang Mingxuan stood sideways and saluted Chu Yanzhi.

Chu Yanzhi smiled and walked to Xiang Mingxuan’s side to stand still. “Looking at Lord Xiang’s appearance, does it seem like he just came out of the Chongde Palace?”

“Yes.” Xiang Mingxuan lowered his head and replied.

“Oh, then I wonder why Father Emperor announced to His Excellency that he was going to the Revered Virtue Palace?” Chu Yanzhi asked with a smile.

Xiang Mingxuan frowned and raised his head to look at Chu Yanzhi.

Chu Yan smiled and said, “If it’s inconvenient for you to say it, then forget it. This palace is just asking casually.”

Although his mouth was soft and gentle, his pitch-black eyes flashed with an intriguing depth.

Xiang Mingxuan looked at Chu Yanzhi’s expression and pondered for a while before he said, “There is nothing inconvenient to say. His Majesty called me over to talk about the plot of the Six Kings against the Xiang Clan back then and said that the punishment for the Xiang Clan was a little too severe.”

“So?” The corner of Chu Yanzhi’s mouth hooked as he smiled and said to Xiang Mingxuan.

After a while, the imperial edict was issued, so there was no need to hide it from Chu Yanzhi.

Furthermore, Xiang Mingxuan had never thought of hiding it from Chu Yanzhi.

“His Majesty has decreed that the Conferred Minister’s mother be a third-grade Shu Ren.” Xiang Mingxuan said without dodging Chu Yanzhi’s meaningful gaze.

“Then I really have to congratulate Lord Xiang.” Chu Yanzhi raised his hand slightly, and the smile in his eyes deepened a little.

Sure enough, his father was intentionally trying to win over Xiang Mingxuan. Then, he should start to override the power in Gu An’s hands.

“I don’t dare.” Xiang Mingxuan raised his hand and bowed to Chu Yanzhi again.

Chu Yanzhi smiled and looked forward. “When is Master Xiang going to host the banquet? At that time, if Ben Gong is free, he can go ask for a glass of water and wine from Master’s Mansion. But …” Chu Yanzhi dragged his last words and his long and narrow eyes swept towards Ming Xuan. “If Master Xiang doesn’t welcome him, then Ben Gong won’t be bored.”

Once these words were spoken, even if Xiang Mingxuan originally did not plan to host a banquet, he had no choice but to make further plans. Unexpectedly, His Highness the Crown Prince had already opened his mouth. If he did not host a banquet, wouldn’t he really be asking for trouble from Chu Yanzhi?

“Naturally, I will be the first to send the invitation to the Crown Prince’s Mansion.” Xiang Mingxuan lowered his head and said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

“Then this palace will be waiting for an invitation to your Excellency.” Chu Yanzhi smiled at Mingxuan and then lifted his foot to leave.

Xiang Mingxuan raised his head and looked at Chu Yanzhi’s departing back.

That direction was clearly towards the Yongchun Palace.

His thoughts towards Princess Yan were completely clear, and he didn’t even have the slightest intention of concealing them.

That’s right, even the Emperor was afraid of him now. What he wanted to do, how to do it, how could he get anyone to interfere? A few months ago, the minister who said that the Crown Prince’s behavior was inappropriate was not secretly suppressed by the Crown Prince, but could not bear to submit a letter of resignation to return to his hometown?

Thinking of this, a cold smile quickly flashed across Xiang Mingxuan’s lips. Then, he turned around and strode towards the entrance of the palace.

The bright red couplets of the Yongchun Palace had already been pasted. However, this wisp of bright red did not add a trace of coldness to the deserted palace.

“Your Highness.” Along the way, whenever they saw Chu Yanzhi’s palace maids and eunuchs, they all bowed and said.

Chu Yanzhi’s face was expressionless as he directly entered the room. However, there was no one in the room.

“This servant greets His Highness the Crown Prince.” Hearing that, Hong Yu walked out and blessed Chu Yanzhi.

Chu Yanzhi glanced at Hongyu indifferently.

If it was Zi Yan, when she heard Chu Yanzhi address Xiao Xiwei by her girlfriend’s name, even if she didn’t say anything, she would still show some displeasure on her face. However, Hong Yu didn’t show any expression on her face, as if Chu Yanzhi’s address was the most suitable one.

“The princess has gone to pick up the princess. She must be in Yikun Palace right now.”

Xiao Xiwei was mostly accompanied by Zi Yan and Bi Yun. In addition, Hong Yu’s calm temperament did not speak much. Thus, even if Chu Yanzhi saw her a few times by chance, he did not pay attention to her. Now that he saw her so calm and did not show any fear on his face, he could vaguely see Xiao Xiwei’s shadow. He couldn’t help but feel a little interested in her.

“Aren’t you angry? This palace remembers that the girl beside her is always hostile to this palace. Why are you different?” Chu Yanzhi said.

Hong Yu still lowered his head and didn’t even raise the corner of his eyes. “This servant doesn’t dare.”

“Don’t dare?” Chu Yanzhi frowned.

Hong Yu raised her head and calmly looked at Chu Yanzhi, “Your Highness, do you want some tea?”

Chu Yanzhi looked at the pair of eyes in front of him. They were gentle and clear, like the clear sky after rain, without a trace of impurities.

There was indeed no anger or resentment in these eyes.

He suddenly remembered the imperial concubine who had just been sent to Chao An Temple.

She also had such eyes, neither angry nor resentful, as calm as a pool of stagnant water.

However, when he was snatched away from her, he watched helplessly as the despair in her eyes boiled … Finally, it dried up.

In these eyes, one of Chu Yan’s eyes sank into memories.

“Your Highness.” Hong Yu frowned slightly.

Chu Yanzhi’s enduring gaze made her feel that something was wrong. She didn’t understand why he looked at her like this.

Chu Yanzhi noticed that he had lost his composure and withdrew his gaze. He walked to the chair and sat down. He said indifferently, “Pour some tea.”

Hong Yu blessed herself and immediately reached out to pour a cup of tea for Chu Yanzhi. After doing all of this, she lowered her head and respectfully retreated to the side.

Chu Yanzhi looked at her while drinking tea. Finally, he couldn’t help but ask, “Why?”

Hong Yu looked up at Chu Yanzhi and frowned slightly again.

“Why don’t you hate me anymore? Are you sure you don’t dare?” Chu Yanzhi asked again.

“Then what did Your Highness do to make this servant hate you?” Hong Yu asked calmly.

Chu Yanzhi raised his eyebrows and looked at Hongyu with his eyes, as if he wanted to see something from her eyes. “Don’t you all think that this palace caused the death of the Swallow King?”

“Did His Highness really kill the Swallow King?” Hongyu did not panic at all because of Chu Yanzhi’s words. Instead, she followed his words and gave him an army.

Chu Yan was stunned. Then, he raised his eyebrows and said, “Ruo Ben Gong said yes?”

Red Rain’s eyes flashed, but she quickly regained her calm. “Your Highness, you’re joking.”

“Are you kidding?” Chu Yanzhi sneered, “Do you really think this palace is joking?”

Hong Yu’s eyes darkened. Since she had already said this, there was no need for her to pretend anymore. Thinking of this, she suddenly raised her head and looked coldly at Chu Yanzhi. “Then, little prince? Did little prince also kill him?”

Chu Yanzhi’s eyes narrowed as an indescribable undercurrent surged out of his ink-colored eyes. “If I said no, would you believe me …”

When he said this, his voice was slightly hoarse.

Hongyu was stunned, and she pursed her lips forcefully as she looked at Chu Yanzhi and did not answer.

Chu Yanzhi immediately smiled, his smile carrying a hint of sadness. “Of course you don’t believe me. However, since this palace is willing to admit what happened to King Yan, then why should I deny what happened to King Ning?” As Chu Yanzhi spoke, an urgent feeling suddenly surged out of his ink-colored eyes. It seemed that he was anxious to find someone to tell him, and he wanted that person to believe his words. “This palace is sincere towards Xiwei. Do you believe this?”

Looking at Chu Yanzhi’s pair of eager and sincere eyes, Hong Yu’s heart suddenly surged with a feeling that even she did not know. She lowered her eyes, opened her lips, and said softly, “Your Highness should say this to the princess.”

Looking at Hong Yu’s dodging gaze, Chu Yanzhi chuckled. “Even you don’t believe it, how could she believe it …”

Hong Yu still lowered his head and remained silent.

“Before I met her, I have never loved anyone, and I even firmly believe that I will never fall in love with anyone in the future. However, all of this was broken by her … I gave her a chance again and again, was rejected by her again and again, and my self-esteem was trampled on by him again and again. However, I just couldn’t help but miss her. I just couldn’t help but want to have her, and I couldn’t take back my heart. However, the funny thing is … she only pretended to be tamed by me. Am I not worthy of love? Do you think I don’t deserve love? Chu Yanzhi suddenly stood up and held Hong Yu’s shoulder with both of his hands. His ink-colored eyes were filled with enduring sorrow.

In that instant, Hong Yu only felt that she had fallen into a huge vortex. A moment later, she regained her senses and was about to open her mouth to shout, “Your Highness the Crown Prince” When she wanted to leave, a black shadow pressed down …