The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 237

Chapter 237 Banquet Is No Good Banquet
After leaving, the ministers gradually walked out of the main hall.

Zhang Shu was embraced in the middle by several ministers, flattering him endlessly. Only when the Crown Prince, Chu Yanzhi, who was wearing a purple royal uniform, walked over did everyone hurriedly salute and tactfully bid farewell one after another.

“Your Highness,” Zhang Shu raised his hand and saluted Chu Yanzhi.

Chu Yanzhi smiled and said, “There are no outsiders here. Why would father-in-law be so courteous?”

Zhang Shu’s expression froze. “The Crown Prince’s words are too serious. Although this lowly subject is a general, I know that the courtesy of a monarch and subject cannot be abolished.”

Hearing Zhang Shu’s words, the smile on Chu Yanzhi’s face did not diminish at all. “Father-in-law should go back tomorrow, right?”

“Thank you for your concern, Crown Prince.” As Zhang Shu spoke, he raised his hand and bowed again. Sihao did not go overboard because of Chu Yanzhi’s’father-in-law ‘.

After hearing Zhang Shu’s words, Chu Yanzhi smiled again, “Since that’s the case, then this palace will host a banquet in the manor to send father-in-law off tonight! Coincidentally, the Crown Princess also has a lot to say to you.”

Since he had already said this, how could Zhang Shu refuse? He could only nod his head in agreement.

It was night.

Chu Yanzhi hosted a banquet in the Eastern Palace.

Compared to wearing a dignified royal uniform during the day, Tonight, Chu Yanzhi only wore a dark brown robe, and his eyebrows were no longer as sharp and oppressive as when he was in court during the day. He looked like an ordinary son-in-law hosting a banquet for his father-in-law, but it was only like that. Zhang Shu did not really think that this thoughtful Crown Prince had called him over just to have a simple meal with his so-called father-in-law.

“Father-in-law is here. Quickly sit down.” Upon seeing the number of chapters, Chu Yanzhi welcomed them with a smile.

“Father.” Zhang Duo’er, who was standing beside Chu Yan Zhi, was also wearing a light blue robe. She only wore a few ordinary beads at her temples. She took off the heavy makeup on her wedding day. The Crown Princess’ face was too clean and even a little cowardly.

“This lowly official greets the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.” Zhang Shu raised his hand and bowed to the two of them.

When Zhang Shu bowed to the Crown Princess, Zhang Duo’er’s face turned pale. She could not help but raise her foot and hide behind Chu Yan Zhi.

Zhang Shu frowned slightly, but then he turned to look at Chu Yanzhi and smiled at him, “Thank you, Crown Prince, for hosting a banquet for me tonight.”

Chu Yanzhi smiled at Zhang Shu as if he hadn’t noticed, “Yes, father-in-law, please.”

Zhang Shu smiled and bowed before taking his seat. He originally thought that Chu Yanzhi’s words would hint at something, but from beginning to end, he only talked about trivial matters that were unimportant, as if it was really just a chat between husband-in-law. However, this made Zhang Shu even more vigilant. He always felt that there were countless hidden surges hidden behind this calm, and he would fall down if he wasn’t careful.

Seeing that Zhang Shu’s expression was tense, Chu Yanzhi pursed his lips and smiled. He picked up the wine cup painted on the table and gently took a sip of the wine. Immediately after, he turned to look at the similarly nervous Crown Prince Concubine Zhang Duo’er and said with a smile, “Why hasn’t the Crown Princess spoken tonight?”

Upon hearing Chu Yanzhi mention him, Zhang Duo’er’s entire body stretched into a string. Her hands subconsciously grabbed onto her clothes, and even her voice carried an uncontrollable tremor, “I… I…”

“Crown Princess, are you reluctant to let the Great General leave?” Nurse, who was behind Zhang Duo’er, smiled and said.

Hearing this, Zhang Duo’er nodded her head repeatedly.

Nurse smiled and blessed Chu Yanzhi, then turned to look at Zhang Shu and said with a smile, “Great General, knowing that you are leaving the capital, the Crown Princess has always been uneasy these past two days. She ordered someone to prepare gifts early in the morning, including your favorite dessert. I am looking forward to seeing you.”

A rare smile appeared on Zhang Shu’s hard face. He stood up and bowed to Zhang Duo’er, saying, “This lowly official thanks the Crown Princess for her concern.”

“No … Father is too polite.” Under the gaze of that granny, Zhang Duo’er stood up and gave Zhang Zhou a proper salute.

“The Crown Princess and her father-in-law are really close.” Crown Prince Chu Yanzhi, who was sitting on a high seat, sighed while holding a wine cup.

Zhang Shu pulled the corner of his mouth.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Nurse hurriedly asked someone to bring up the things he had prepared.

“Crown Princess, what kind of dessert does father-in-law like to eat?” Chu Yanzhi suddenly turned to look at Zhang Duo’er and smiled.

Zhang Duo’er’s face turned pale, and the corner of her eyes subconsciously turned to look at the nanny behind her, “I… I…”

Then Nurse smiled, “Crown Princess, the general’s favorite dish is osmanthus cake. Didn’t you order this servant to make some for Lord Zhang to bring back this morning?”

“Yes, yes, it’s osmanthus cake.” Zhang Duo’er lowered her head, her voice so soft that it was almost inaudible.

Chu Yanzhi lowered his eyes and smiled. He stared at the dark patterns on the wine cup in his hand. “When can a servant go past Master and reply without permission?”

Every word he said sounded very soft, but it sounded like a huge rock crushing down on people’s hearts. Especially that Nurse, he hurriedly knelt down and said, “The Crown Prince, forgive me, this servant knows my mistake.”

“In my Eastern Palace, I definitely won’t allow Slave Diao, the Yue Lord, to be here.” Chu Yanzhi put down the teacup in his hand and slowly raised his pitch-black eyes. The smile on his lips did not change in the slightest, but the words he said caused his entire body to freeze. “Someone, drag this Slave Diao down and beat him to death.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the granny felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her entire body lay on the ground, kowtowing incessantly as she said, “Your Highness, please spare me, Your Highness, please spare me …”

Zhang Shu’s expression froze as he stood up, “Crown Prince …”

“I really made father-in-law laugh just now. Come, let’s continue drinking.” Chu Yanzhi raised his glass and smiled at Zhang Shu.

All the words were immediately stuck in his throat. Although he knew that the Crown Prince’s actions were aimed at him, so what? What could he say?

Zhang Shu smiled with difficulty and bowed to Chu Yanzhi. Then, he raised his head and drank all the wine in the cup. “This lowly official did not teach me properly. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

“How can this have anything to do with father-in-law? Since this servant has entered the Eastern Palace, he is naturally a member of the Eastern Palace. What does he have to do with father-in-law?” Chu Yanzhi said with a smile.

Zhang Shu’s chest froze, and he could only sit down resentfully.

Seeing that the Crown Prince had blocked Zhang Shu’s plea for mercy, Nurse had to put all her hopes on Zhang Duo’er. She stood up and reached out to grab the corner of Zhang Duo’er’s clothes. “Crown Princess, save this servant, save this servant …”

Zhang Duo’er couldn’t bear it anymore. She timidly raised her head and looked at Chu Yan Zhi, but was pushed back by a sharp gaze from Chu Yan.

“Crown Princess …”

The Nurse beside him still refused to give up and grabbed Zhang Duo’er’s clothes.

“Crown Prince, why don’t you spare Nurse this time?” Although she was scared and frightened, Zhang Duo’er still lowered her head and said.

However, Chu Yanzhi acted as if he didn’t hear anything, and only glanced sideways at the attendant beside him.

The attendant understood and immediately summoned two people to pull and pull Nurse off.

The mournful voice gradually disappeared, and the banquet was completely silent.

Not only Zhang Duo’er, even Zhang Shu’s expression was not very good at the moment.

The Crown Prince was clearly slapping him in the face!

“Father-in-law, please.” However, Chu Yanzhi did not seem to notice the strange atmosphere in the flower hall. He still smiled and raised his glass towards Zhang Shu.

Although Zhang Shu was unhappy in his heart, because this person was the Crown Prince, he still raised his wine cup and drank a cup with Chu Yanzhi.

“Ah, if it weren’t for the fact that the two uncles couldn’t find time in Yan Yunwei, the banquet wouldn’t have been so quiet today.” Chu Yanzhi put down his wine cup and sighed unintentionally.

Hearing him mention his two sons, Zhang Shu’s heart tightened, but he didn’t dare to reveal much on his face. He only lowered his head and replied, “My son knows that the Crown Prince has such intentions, so he will definitely feel flattered.”

“Really?” Chu Yanzhi raised his eyebrows and looked at Zhang Shu.

“Naturally.” Zhang Shu hurriedly lowered his head and said.

Things were getting more and more uncontrollable. He really couldn’t figure out what the Crown Prince was thinking. This side-stepping made him tremble with fear.

“With father-in-law’s words, I’m relieved.” Chu Yanzhi smiled and shook the wine cup in his hand.

Looking at the meaningful smile on the corner of Chu Yanzhi’s mouth, Zhang Shu felt even more uncertain in his heart. A layer of fine sweat unconsciously oozed from his forehead.

“Look, the food is cold. Crown Princess, go to the kitchen and collect some dishes that father-in-law likes to eat.” Chu Yanzhi suddenly turned around and smiled at Zhang Duo’er.

Zhang Duo’er was stunned. She subconsciously lowered her head and did not dare to look into Chu Yan Zhi’s eyes.

“Crown Princess.” Zhang Duo’er’s dowry girl stepped forward to help Zhang Duo’er up.

“Lianxia, accompany the Crown Princess.” Unexpectedly, Chu Yanzhi’s voice sounded.

“Yes.” Lianxia Dynasty’s Chu Yanzhi blessed his body, and then he looked at Zhang Duo’er who was still in a daze. He pursed the corner of his mouth and said with a smile, “Crown Princess, please.” After saying that, regardless of Zhang Duo’er’s reaction, she reached out to lift Zhang Duo’er up and pulled her down.

First was Nurse, then was Zhang Duo’er. How could Zhang Shu not have guessed that today’s banquet was clearly aimed at him?

“Your Highness, it’s getting late. I still have other matters to attend to, so I won’t win over Your Highness.” As Zhang Shu spoke, he stood up and prepared to take his leave.

Want to go?

The smile on the corner of Chu Yanzhi’s lips gradually deepened. “Father-in-law, are you not waiting for the Crown Princess? She wants to personally cook some of your favorite dishes for you? Did I hear that the fish head that Father-in-law likes the most is the roasted fish head personally cooked by the Crown Princess?”

Zhang Shu’s face stiffened.

Indeed, his favorite dish was the roasted fish head. Chu Yanzhi even knew this, so …

Seeing the panic in Zhang Shu’s eyes, Chu Yan Zhi stood up with a smile and walked towards him step by step. His voice sounded icy cold in the hall, “General Zhang, I thought that you should know that Li Dai Tao Jianzhang is not a good method after all these years of living in the official circles. Especially since this person is the Crown Princess … Isn’t the crime of bullying a joke?”