Phoenix Reigns Over The Nine Heavens - Chapter 24

“Imperial Father.” Yun Zishu bowed to the emperor. “Your daughter remembers that imperial sons and daughters who have been granted titles are permitted to establish their own separate households.”

The emperor nodded slowly with a sullen face. “Indeed. So didn’t I bestow this mansion upon you earlier?”

“As the emperor’s daughter and being personally enfeoffed by you as the Guardian Princess of the Nation, I am doubly noble.” Yun Zishu’s expression was calm, and every word she spoke adhered strictly to protocol. “I have the right to marry the consort into my household. If the emperor really wants me to reconcile with Xiao Yunheng, I can agree to let Xiao Yunheng move into the princess’s residence.”

What?

The few people in the hall were all shocked.

“How can this be?” Yun Chen was the first to stand up. “It’s simply absurd!”

“No!” Madam Xiao refused without thinking, “Yunheng is a man; how can he move to the princess’s mansion?”

Yun Zishu looked at her mockingly. “Why not?”

Madam Xiao’s expression turned ugly.

“Everything I said is in accordance with the laws of the royal family. If Madam Xiao thinks it’s inappropriate, you might as well state your reasons why it’s inappropriate.” Yun Zishu said coldly, “Is it because I won’t live in the Xiao family anymore that you won’t be able to control me in the future?”

“Zishu!” the emperor said in a harsh voice, “Stop talking nonsense.”

Yun Zishu lowered her eyes and said nothing. She was not talking nonsense.

Having been reborn, she knew that she had no powerful backing. Everything had to be achieved through her own cautious, step-by-step efforts. She didn’t want to be wronged again, and it was even more impossible for her to force herself to compromise on anything.

Since her father wanted her dead, she was prepared at all times to place herself in mortal danger. With this mindset, what else did she have left to fear?

“Imperial Father, I will not return to the Xiao family.” Yun Zishu’s attitude was respectful, but her tone was firm. “If Father is unhappy, I would rather die.”

She made her meaning very obvious.

If the Emperor or the Crown Prince wanted to punish her for disobeying the imperial edict, they might as well sentence her to death. She would rather die than return to the Xiao family.

Anyways, her mother was already gone, and she had no family behind her that would be implicated by her actions. She was alone and without any ties. If she died, so be it—it was better than a lifetime of being controlled.

General Xiao and his wife looked gloomy, obviously very dissatisfied with Yun Zishu’s decision. Yun Chen also stared coldly at Yun Zishu.

Only the emperor remained silent, deep in thought, as if weighing the feasibility of this. After a while, he slowly raised his head and looked towards the entrance of the hall, where Si Cang, clad in black robes, stood silently. His presence was cold and sharp, like a sharp sword waiting to be unsheathed at any moment.

The emperor couldn’t help but think that there was no harm in Xiao Yunheng moving to the princess’s mansion. As long as Si Cang’s hopes were dashed and his feelings for Zi Shu gradually diminished, he would naturally stop interfering in the affairs of the Xiao family and Zi Shu. Then, it would not be too late to let Xiao Yunheng coax Zi Shu back into returning.

Being close at hand was better than remaining deadlocked like this.

The hall fell into a prolonged silence, with no one speaking.

Yun Zishu lowered her head and sneered in her heart. She had long anticipated that her imperial father would not stand by and watch her sever ties with Xiao Yunheng. If given a choice, her father would prefer to have her killed right now.

But he had constraints.

In that case, certain matters required compromise from both sides, each taking a step back. Otherwise, she would rather see both sides perish together.

“Minister Xiao,” the emperor looked up at Xiao Yuanting, “what is your opinion?”

Before Xiao Yuanting could speak, Madam Xiao’s face changed suddenly: “Your Majesty?”

“The subject defers to Your Majesty’s decision,” Xiao Yuanting said, “and I am willing to respect the decision of the princess.”

Since the result was already determined, taking the initiative to show deference would certainly please the emperor more than being forced to compromise.

“Well, let’s leave it at that for now,” the Emperor said, emphasizing the word “for now” in particular. “When Yun Heng’s injuries have improved a little, he can move into the princess’s residence.”

Yun Zishu continued to add fuel to the fire: “When I married into the Xiao family, I didn’t bring a single maid with me. After Xiao Yunheng moves in, I hope he doesn’t bring anyone with him either.”

The emperor’s face was as dark as still water.

“Yes.” Xiao Yuanting nodded respectfully. “This subject will make arrangements, all according to Her Highness the princess’s wishes.”

Mrs. Xiao’s face was ashen, and she couldn’t help but inwardly curse this little bitch. She was doing it on purpose, intentionally seeking revenge against them!

The emperor looked at her and asked, “Do you have any other demands?”

“There are no more for the time being.” Yun Zishu thought for a moment, “If there is a need in the future, I will have someone notify General Xiao.”

Emperor Zhaoming looked at Yun Zishu and said in a voice that was full of imperial authority, “I hope that you and Yun Heng can resolve your misunderstandings as soon as possible and live in marital harmony. If you have a good relationship in the future, you may move back to the Xiao family’s residence any time you wish.”

When Lady Xiao heard this, she was slightly stunned, as if suddenly understanding the emperor’s intention.

Yun Zishu is now unwilling to return to the Xiao family because she had suffered grievances there and dared not go back. Having Yun Heng move into the princess’s mansion temporarily would allow him to get close to her and win her back. When the relationship between the two improves in the future, Yun Zishu will still be under the control of the Xiao family.

Madam Xiao thought that since Yun Zishu was married to Yun Heng after all, she could never wed another man in this lifetime. As long as Yun Heng treated her a little better, it was impossible for her not to be moved.

Now she was just resentful that Yun Heng was partial to Li Xue, hence her petty behavior.

Thinking this way, Madam Xiao felt a little better.

Both sides took a step back, and the problem was temporarily solved. However, neither the emperor and the crown prince nor Xiao Yuanting and his wife had ever thought that the day Xiao Yunheng stepped into the princess’s residence would mark the beginning of the step-by-step destruction of the Xiao family.

Yun Zishu had experienced the taste of being isolated and helpless. In her previous life, no one reached out to save her in the Xiao family until her death. Now she was creating the same situation for Xiao Yunheng—but Xiao Yunheng was different from her.

The eldest son of the Xiao family is the apple of Xiao Yuanting and Madam Xiao’s eyes. As long as she held this person in her hands, she wasn’t afraid that the Xiao family couple would not comply with her wishes.

The emperor thought she was still the daughter who obeyed his every word, and the Xiao couple believed she was only throwing a tantrum. Little did they know that every step Yun Zishu took now was for revenge and paving the way for herself.

“Since Your Highness has already forgiven Yunheng, can you release Lixuan and Lixue?” Madam Xiao hesitated for a long time but still couldn’t help but speak, “Lixuan and Lixue are both guilty of insubordination. I don’t dare to ask Your Highness to forgive them, but the Dark Shadow Pavilion is really an unsettling place. I beg Your Highness to be merciful and deal with them leniently.”

Yun Zishu was unusually easy to talk to this time: “The affairs of the Dark Shadow Pavilion are decided by Commander Si. After Xiao Yunheng moves in, I will plead with Commander Si to see if he can show them mercy.”

She was the victim, and as long as the victim was willing to forgive, the crime of insubordination could naturally be reduced accordingly.

This is stipulated by law, applicable in trials by the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple. As long as she speaks, Si Cang will no longer be able to detain Li Xuan and Li Xue on the grounds of rules.

So Mrs. Xiao breathed a sigh of relief.

This meeting had barely managed to solve all the problems. Madam Xiao thought to herself that it was indeed necessary for the Emperor to come forward.

What could a little princess do, no matter how stubborn her temper was? Sooner or later, she would still have to obediently return to the Xiao family.