Chapter 864: Chapter 864: Phoenix Dominates the Rivers and Mountains (6)
“Pri Minister, Pri Minister.”
At the Pri Minister’s Mansion, a servant rushed to the study, anxiously calling for the Pri Minister.
“What has you so flustered?”
A woman in her forties erged from the study, frowning at the servant. Such recklessness was unbecoming!
“Miss, Miss has encountered trouble!” The servant panted.
The Pri Minister’s expression slightly changed: “What happened?”
The Pri Minister had only one daughter, Miss Lin, who was cherished dearly, never scolded or disciplined harshly.
Never had she imagined that, one day, her daughter would be suspended and surrounded by citizens pointing fingers.
Pri Minister Lin hurried over and rescued Miss Lin.
Miss Lin, unaware of what she had gone through, was in a daze, refusing to speak and only shivering continuously.
“Who did this? Who did this!!”
Pri Minister Lin surveyed the people around, furious.
“How did you protect Miss!”
“It… it was the Grand Imperial Princess.”
The Pri Minister was taken aback: “Grand Imperial Princess?”
The Grand Imperial Princess thought dead, co back to life?
How could it be her?
–
In a teahouse not far away.
Ning Yao sipped the already cold tea.
The eyes filled with depth gazed at the crowded streets.
“What do you think is wrong with my Imperial Sister?”
Ning Yao spoke up.
There was another person standing behind her, and the question was directed at them.
“Your Highness, the fact that the Grand Imperial Princess has co back to life is already sothing worth investigating, and now her behavior is completely different from before; it seems like she’s an entirely different person.”
“Do you suspect she’s an imposter?”
“We cannot rule out that possibility.”
Ning Yao pondered: “But I’ve asked the people from Ziwei Palace, and aside from a slight change in personality, nothing else about her has changed. The Imperial Physician also saw the birthmark on her body during the examination.”
This indeed was the Grand Imperial Princess.
But why has she beco so strange?
“Are there really ghosts in this world?” Ning Yao mused.
“Do you need to invite a Taoist Nun to have a look?”
Ning Yao raised a hand to stop them: “Not in a hurry. How is that matter coming along?”
“Rest assured, Your Highness.”
“That’s good. No matter how she changes, it will not overturn the tide.”
Ning Yao drained the cooled tea in one gulp, placed the cup on the table, and got up to leave.
–
Chuzheng was accused by the Pri Minister.
With the Pri Minister lodging a complaint himself, the Empress had no choice but to summons Chuzheng for questioning.
In the Imperial Study, the Empress sat behind the dragon desk, dignified in deanor, emanating authority.
The Pri Minister, dressed in court attire, was slightly hunched over, wearing a pained expression.
“I did not hit her.” Chuzheng’s first words were a denial: “Pri Minister, do not speak nonsense.”
Was that called hitting?
No, it wasn’t!
“So many people witnessed it; does Your Highness still wish to deny?”
Thinking of his daughter, still bedridden and frightened at the slightest sound, the Pri Minister felt as if a knife was twisting in his heart.
Chuzheng placed her hands before her, maintaining a serious expression: “It was because she spoke out of turn, disobeying her superiors. As the Grand Imperial Princess, do I not have the authority to punish her?”
“Your Majesty, the Grand Imperial Princess beat my daughter into such a state; she is now not eating or drinking, and with just a flimsy excuse of a punishnt, the Grand Imperial Princess wishes to settle it. I implore Your Majesty to grant justice!”
The Pri Minister prostrated himself with a thud.
“Xiao Zheng,” the Empress rubbed her temples.
Chuzheng stood straight, eyes forward: “With the leverage of the Pri Minister’s official influence, she disregards , and when encountering , she does not show the due courtesies and even provokes verbally. Does the Pri Minister think himself superior to Your Majesty?”
The Empress, just about to speak, had her words halted by Chuzheng’s statent, causing her expression to turn somber.
Claiming to be superior to Your Majesty—isn’t that implying treachery?
The Pri Minister picked up on the implication in Chuzheng’s words, startling him to bow to the ground: “Your Majesty, I hold no such intentions.”
Chuzheng: “Then why do you condone your daughter disobeying her superiors? Disrespecting is disrespecting Your Majesty.”
What does an Emperor fear most?
Fearing that soone may plot to seize the throne.
So, you’ve lodged a complaint against , have you!
It’s not like others can’t do the sa!
The Pri Minister gritted his teeth: “I have not!”
Chuzheng seed not to hear, continuing: “The Pri Minister is busy with court affairs, leaving no ti to guide her. I disciplined her on your behalf, and instead of thanking , you lodged a complaint against . Do you think disobedience is correct?”
Chuzheng didn’t speak too quickly, yet she spoke with authority.
The Pri Minister tried several tis to interrupt, but failed.
By the ti she finished, cold sweat had already appeared on the Pri Minister’s forehead.
She had reached this position today by depending on the Empress’s trust.
Now, at the height of her power, should she incur the Empress’s suspicion…
“Your Majesty, my daughter absolutely did not disrespect Her Highness, why does she slander her so!”
“Is that so?” Chuzheng gave her a glance: “The entire Imperial City knows that your daughter and I do not get along; every ti we et, she does not show her respect. Would you like to call upon everyone in the Imperial City to confirm?”
The old Grand Imperial Princess would flare up instantly when provoked by Miss Lin.
Each ti issues arose, the Pri Minister would be the first to lodge a complaint.
Though the Empress would protect her, so formalities needed adherence; the original was frustrated to the point of fury.
“…”
The Pri Minister was well aware of what her daughter had done.
The Pri Minister hesitated.
Ultimately, she did not dare continue opposing Chuzheng.
The resentnt could only be swallowed back down.
–
Chuzheng erged from the Imperial Study.
Mu Mian imdiately stepped forward: “Your Highness, are you alright?”
“What could happen to ?” Trying to fight ! Such little tricks!
“Phew… scared to death.” Mu Mian sighed in relief.
The Pri Minister’s frequent accusations against Her Highness were nothing new, except this was the first ti Her Highness left before the Pri Minister.
Wen Wu, having acquired the news from sowhere, was already waiting in Ziwei Palace when Chuzheng returned.
Wen Wu, dressed in Phoenix Lord’s formal attire, sat in the courtyard.
His loose, flowing clothes trailed on the ground, and the blossoming flowers behind him complented his handso visage, exuding the dignity and grace of royalty with every move.
Truly a national Phoenix Lord.
This appearance, this deanor.
How could the Empress not favor him?
Wen Wu waved a hand: “You all may leave.”
Mu Mian gave a slight bow and led the others away.
“Xiao Zheng.” Wen Wu sighed: “Co sit down.”
Chuzheng strolled over: “Father, is sothing the matter?”
“I heard you beat up the Pri Minister’s daughter?”
“Didn’t hit.” Chuzheng denied.
That wasn’t hitting.
So it didn’t count.
Wen Wu naturally didn’t believe her: “Did the Pri Minister lodge a complaint against you?”
Chuzheng: “Mm.”
Wen Wu asked: “What did Her Majesty say?”
Chuzheng: “I did nothing wrong, so what could she say to .”
Wen Wu was a bit surprised; this ti, Her Majesty didn’t reprimand her.
In the past, when things went wrong and she got reprimanded by Her Majesty, she’d co here to cry about it.
“Xiao Zheng, you’re grown now, and there are so matters I wish to discuss with you.” Wen Wu used a questioning tone.
“Mm.” Chuzheng responded absent-mindedly.
Wen Wu softened his tone: “Do you think your mother, the Empress, cherishes and loves you, right?”
Chuzheng glanced at him, wondering if Wen Wu was aware of the Empress’s tactic to raise and crush his daughter?
In retrospect, Wen Wu had indeed warned the original many tis.
But the original didn’t listen.
Believing Wen Wu was speaking ill of the Empress, they had major quarreled twice.
Lately, when Wen Wu started speaking, the original would just walk away.
“But have you considered how many envy and hate you because of your mother’s affection, wanting your demise.”
Wen Wu chose his words cautiously.
“Father, there’s no need to worry; I know these things myself.”
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