The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 235

Chapter 235 Deep Meaning of Finger Marriage
The next day, the news of the Second Young Master of the Duke’s Mansion of Lu getting drunk and accidentally falling into a coma spread out in the capital. However, this news did not cause any splashes of water in the capital, because the situation in the northwest was getting more and more serious. The Northern Desert people frequently entered and left the northwest. If the Imperial Court did not send troops, the northwest would probably be drawn from the territory of Great Yue. Therefore, sending people to the northwest to eliminate the rebellion was already imminent. Originally, the Crown Prince was opposed to Qin King leading troops to the northwest to exterminate the rebellion. This time, he suddenly changed his mind and agreed with Qin King. However, he suggested that the Emperor order General Xiao Xiyang of Wu City to send troops to assist Qin King. As soon as these words were spoken, not only the Emperor was surprised, even Chu Muzhi himself was extremely surprised.

Actually, after thinking about it carefully, it wasn’t difficult to guess the meaning of Chu Yanzhi’s actions. In the past, he was afraid that Chu Muzhi would collude with Zheng Lin’s Northern Desert once he left the capital. But now, he was sure that he had a grudge against Zhongyong Marquis Mansion, and that there were Imperial Consort Yan and Gu Qingyou in the capital. Even if he really had that intention, he would still have to think about it for a few times. Furthermore, the Emperor already had the intention to give Chu Mu the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards. Leaving him in the capital was obviously more harmful than beneficial to him. Therefore, letting him leave the capital was the best choice at this moment. Once Chu Muzhi left the capital, apart from the eight thousand imperial guards Xiang Mingxuan held and the personal soldiers of the Military Ministry, the Martial Temple, and the various palaces, Zhang Shu’s Divine Policy Camp was the closest and most important barracks to the capital. Once Chu Mu left, it meant that the entire capital was under the control of Crown Prince Chu Yanzhi.

Chu Yanzhi’s calculations were good, but the Emperor was not willing to be outdone. He sent the Qin King to the imperial decree of the northwest, and the Emperor immediately ordered Zhang Shu’s two sons to enter the Yan Cloud Guard.

The Emperor and Chu Yanzhi’s father and son fought like a raging fire, but King Qin, Chu Muzhi, was so anxious when he received the imperial decree.

What was going on?

Chu Xizhi secretly raised the soldiers under Zheng Lin and lent them to him. Wasn’t he hitting himself? At the beginning, the plan was clearly for the Crown Prince to go, but now, why did it become him instead?

However, no matter how anxious Chu Muzhi was, Chu Xizhi, who was hiding in the hot spring villa in the west of the city, did not send anyone to give him any information.

In this way, not only was Chu Mu in a hurry, even Prime Minister Zhang and Xu Sheng, who had always been calm, could not sit still anymore and headed straight for the Qin Palace.

After confirming that there was no one since Zhou, Prime Minister Zhang lowered his voice and said, “Your Highness, let’s quickly think of a way to spread this news to King Yan!”

Only a few trusted aides knew that Chu Xizhi was still alive, and Elder Zhang Ge Xu Sheng was one of them. Back then, Chu Yanzhi had planted many spies around the Qin Palace. It was Lu Haichuan who took Chu Xizhi’s jade pendant and passed on his plan to the two of them.

Chu Muzhi frowned, “I think Seventh Brother should have already received the news?”

“Then what does His Highness mean?” Elder Zhang said impatiently.

After hearing Elder Zhang’s words, Chu Muzhi’s brows furrowed even more tightly. “Seventh Brother hasn’t sent any news.”

“Your Highness, the imperial edict was issued today. How could King Yan know about the capital so quickly when he was far away in Wu City?” Compared to Prime Minister Zhang’s urgency, Xu Sheng thought of a crucial point.

Hearing Xu Sheng’s words, one of Chu Mu immediately hesitated and stammered for a long time without saying anything.

Zhang Ge always had a bad temper. When he saw Chu Mu Zhi’s appearance, his eyes immediately widened and he opened his mouth to say, “Your Highness, are you really talking?”

Chu Muzhi looked at Prime Minister Zhang awkwardly. “Actually, Seventh Brother is in the capital …”

“What!” Zhang Ge was so angry that his beard trembled, “Your Highness King Yan is in the capital? Where is he in the capital?”

Chu Muzhi looked at Prime Minister Zhang and smiled stiffly at the corner of his mouth.

On the other hand, Xu Sheng’s expression was gloomy as he said, “Elder Ge, is there a need to ask this question? Where Princess Yan is, His Highness Prince King Yan is naturally there as well.”

“Hu Nao!” Zhang Ge was so angry that he almost swept the teacup on the table to the ground.

What kind of situation was the capital now? King Yan actually dared to come to the capital. If he was discovered, wouldn’t all his plans be in vain?

“Actually, Elder Pavilion doesn’t have to be angry. Actually, His Highness King Yan’s actions may not be the best. Moreover, he doesn’t listen. The most dangerous place is the safest place.” Xu Sheng said calmly.

“That’s right, that’s right.” Chu Muzhi echoed.

Apart from his seventh brother, no one else could cure Elder Zhang Ge’s explosive temper.

At that time, he didn’t know what Seventh Brother had said, so much so that he respected Seventh Brother and wholeheartedly recognized him and assisted him.

“Then what does it mean to be the Swallow King now?” Elder Zhang said angrily.

Chu Muzhi turned around and secretly wiped away his sweat.

Not to mention Prime Minister Zhang, even he didn’t understand what Seventh Brother meant by being indifferent.

“I think that King Yan didn’t answer. Perhaps he wanted to … play it by ear.” Xu Sheng hesitated for a moment before finally speaking with a serious expression.

“Turn sb. ‘s trick to one’s own use?” Chu Muzhi and Prime Minister Zhang said in unison. Then, they looked at each other and saw hesitation and confusion in each other’s eyes.

“In the past few days, news has come from the palace that the Emperor has consumed more Gold Cores.” Xu Sheng said with a serious face.

“What? Lord Xu, what do you mean by that …”

Xu Sheng knitted his eyebrows and said with a serious expression, “Xiaguan is just testing wildly. If there is still no news from King Yan tomorrow, then Your Highness, you can take the decree out of the capital.”

Chu Muzhi nodded solemnly, “Alright.”

The Qin Palace was filled with solemnity, and the more someone who knew all of this, the more they took advantage of the night to enter Xiao Xiwei’s bedroom again.

Xiao Xiwei was already accustomed to sleeping by her side until midnight, but she couldn’t sleep tonight. Therefore, almost as soon as Chu Xi entered the room, she lifted the curtain.

“Madam, why haven’t you slept yet? Are you … waiting for your husband?” Chu Xizhi smiled and climbed onto the bed. He lowered his head and stole a sweet kiss.

“Why didn’t you go back?” Xiao Xi frowned slightly.

“Go back?” Chu Xizhi frowned, as if he didn’t understand what Xiao Xiwei meant. “Madam, where do you want me to go back?”

“Don’t tell me that Mu Zhi didn’t send a message to you?” Xiao Xiwei stared at Chu Xizhi with a serious expression.

Chu Xizhi reached out and touched his nose. “There was such a tiny bit of news, but is this important?”

Xiao Xiwei’s expression suddenly changed, and his eyebrows became serious. “Xi Zhi, how did you plan to go to the northwest? Didn’t you ask Chu Yanzhi to go to the northwest at the beginning?”

As long as one of Chu Yan left the capital and captured him, the outcome would naturally be decided.

Seeing Xiao Xiwei’s serious expression, Chu Xizhi sighed, “Xiwei, have you ever thought that a cautious person like Chu Yanzhi would leave the capital if he wasn’t very confident?”

Although the general under Chu Yanzhi’s command had been pulled out by the Emperor, as long as he kept himself safe, the Emperor would not be able to touch him. Therefore, the capital was a safe place for Chu Yanzhi. Moreover, now that he had the card of Zhang Shu, he could naturally defend the capital firmly. Therefore, letting Chu Mu Zhi leave the capital could first test whether Zheng Lin had Chu Mu Zhi’s secret support for seizing the northwest, and secondly, test whether Xiao Xi Yang was still standing on Chu Mu Zhi’s boat. Thirdly, if Chu Mu left, he would definitely vigorously purge their people in the court.

“I guess … he will secretly give your brother an order.” Chu Xizhi suddenly lowered his eyes and quietly looked into Xiao Xiwei’s eyes. “He will let your brother secretly eliminate Mu Zhi.”

Xiao Xiwei’s eyes sank, “Then what do you plan to do?”

Chu Xizhi’s eyes suddenly smiled. “Wei’er, tell me, why did that person from the Chongde Palace suddenly remember to give Zhang Shu’s daughter to him?”

Xiao Xi frowned slightly, “Is there something wrong with you?”

Chu Xizhi looked sideways at Xiao Xiwei, but he didn’t say anything.

Seeing this, Xiao Xiwei couldn’t help but lower his head and ponder.

That’s right. The Emperor was obviously afraid of Chu Yanzhi, so he knew that the assassination on New Year’s Eve was the work of Imperial Consort Yan. However, he still acquiesced and took this opportunity to pull out several chess pieces from Chu Yanzhi’s body, especially Gu An, who was in charge of the Imperial Imperial City’s Imperial Army. Since that was the case, why would he point out Zhang Shu’s daughter to Chu Yanzhi? Could it be that there were other reasons for this?

“Have you heard of Zhang Shu’s wife?” Chu Xizhi’s smiling voice sounded again.

“Of course I know. I heard that Madam Zhang’s personality is extremely fierce. The Emperor once rewarded several beauties to General Zhang, but Madam Zhang chased them out.” Xiao Xiwei said.

At that time, she was still in her girlfriend’s room, and she had heard a few Nurse talking about Mrs. Zhang privately. I heard that the emperor wants to apologize, but that madam Zhang is not only not afraid of running over to the emperor and crying, saying that although I am despicable, I still love my husband. I heard that it is not easy to be rich, so I am benevolent. How is it not good for my husband and I to have feelings and righteousness? Why does His Majesty still want to bestow a beauty? If you are truly grateful for my husband’s devotion to you, why don’t you reward him with a plaque so that he can serve His Majesty even more wholeheartedly? I heard that the Emperor did not know how to refute these words. At that time, Imperial Concubine Yan came forward and smiled. Madam Zhang’s words seemed to be unreasonable and despicable, but she could learn from Lord Zhang’s heart. Please forgive her, Your Majesty. As soon as Consort Yan opened her mouth and Zhang Shu pleaded for mercy, the Emperor had only beaten Madam Zhang ten times before exposing this matter. But after that, Madam Zhang’s name spread throughout Great Yue.

“Mrs. Zhang is not only shrewd, she also loves her children exceptionally.”

“Oh?”

Chu Xi smiled, “Do you think why Lu Haichuan asked to marry Zhang Shu’s eldest daughter back then?”

For example, nobles from wealthy families in the capital usually chose to get married privately. At that time, the public power of the Lu Kingdom was great. Adding the Crown Prince, how could this marriage not be successful? However, Madam Zhang was extremely smart. She did not want her daughter to be involved in the snatch of her daughter’s inheritance. In addition, the Emperor had purposely suppressed the Crown Prince’s faction at that time, so she let Zhang Shu send a message to the Emperor. Therefore, before the marriage between the two families could be discussed, the Emperor issued the imperial edict for the marriage.