Phoenix Reigns Over The Nine Heavens - Chapter 26

Three days later, Xiao Yunheng’s injuries had improved slightly. Although he still could not get out of bed and walk, due to the emperor’s decree and Madam Xiao’s anxiety over Li Xuan and Li Xue, Xiao Yunheng had no choice but to pack his clothes and frequently read books ahead of time. He went to the Princess’s Mansion by carriage under the close escort of his mother and the servants of the General’s Mansion.

Two matrons and the steward of the Princess’s Mansion came out to greet them politely and sent someone to carefully support Xiao Yunheng: “Madam Xiao, please return. The Prince Consort will be in our care in the future, and we will definitely serve him attentively and thoughtfully.”

Several maids took the initiative to take Xiao Yunheng’s luggage.

Mrs. Xiao frowned and said, “I’ll send him in before I leave.”

“That won’t do,” said Matron Ren with a respectful smile. “Her Highness the Princess has given strict orders that only the Prince Consort can enter, and all other unrelated persons are prohibited from entering.”

Madam Xiao’s expression darkened, her heart burning with suppressed anger: “Yunheng is still severely injured. Can’t I even send him in?”

“No,” the nanny said firmly. “Please don’t make things difficult for us, Madam Xiao. We are only acting on the princess’s orders. If Madam Xiao feels it is inappropriate, you can take Master Xiao back.”

The implication was clear: once he entered, he was the Princess’s Husband; if he didn’t, he would remain Young Master Xiao. The choice was hers.

“Mother, I’ll be fine.” Xiao Yunheng reached out to hold the wall for support. Cold sweat seeped through his layers of clothing, dampening his inner robes—whether from blood or sweat, it was hard to tell. “I’ll go in by myself.”

Two servants stepped forward to help Xiao Yunheng.

Madam Xiao gritted her teeth, still feeling uneasy: “Then please be gentle.”

Matron Ren turned around and walked in. “Follow me.”

And so, supported by two servants, Xiao Yunheng hobbled along in pain through the front yard, the middle yard, the inner yard, along the long winding corridor to the rear garden, and through the backyard pavilion towards the Qingchen Yard in the northwest corner.

The journey had left his wounds soaked in sweat; the pain made Xiao Yunheng’s face turn pale, devoid of any blood.

It was not until the surroundings became increasingly remote and the environment became desolate that Xiao Yunheng sensed something was amiss.

“Where are you taking me?” Xiao Yunheng demanded coldly. “I want to see Yun Zishu.”

“The prince consort’s injuries haven’t healed yet. You should lie down on the bed and rest.” Matron Ren replied with a faint smile. “The princess, out of consideration for the prince consort, has  arranged this quiet little courtyard where no one will disturb you. The prince consort should be grateful for Her Highness’s favor.”

Favor?

Xiao Yunheng pursed his lips tightly, a surge of anger rising in his heart. What exactly did Yun Zishu want to do?

Did she really think that once he moved into her princess’s residence, she would be in charge? And this so-called “favor”?

Who is favoring whom?

“I want to see Yun Zishu,” he said coldly, staring at Matron Ren. “Take me to her now.”

Ren Mama respectfully replied, “I dare not disobey the princess’s orders. Please forgive me, Prince Consort.”

Xiao Yunheng’s forehead was covered in cold sweat, and his face was as white as a sheet. He had no energy to argue with her, but thinking about his future predicament, he had no choice but to order with a cold face, “Go and deliver my message that I want to see Yun Zishu.”

Matron Ren was tempted to tell him to drop the act of a young general—this was not the general’s mansion, and definitely not a place for him to flaunt his authority.

However, she knew her place, and upon hearing this, she spoke even more respectfully, “Her Highness the Princess is resting and has not yet risen.”

Xiao Yunheng frowned. “She’s still asleep at this hour?”

What’s it to you? Matron Ren was complaining in her heart, but outwardly she said, “Your Excellency is still recovering from his injuries. It would be best for you to rest in bed first.”

Xiao Yunheng gloomily stared at the matron and the two guards supporting him. Realizing that persisting would be pointless, he grimly made his way towards the Qingchen Yard.

In the Qifeng Hall, Yun Zishu sat by the window. “Has Xiao Yunheng arrived?”

“Yes.”

“Find a physician who is proficient at treating external injuries. Don’t delay his treatment these next few days.” Yun Zishu ordered. “After his body has recovered, this princess will take time to repay him properly.”

“Yes.”

“Your Highness.” The steward came over with an invitation and bowed, “The Jinning Princess’s Mansion has sent an invitation.”

Yun Zishu took the invitation and examined it.

Leng Yue frowned. “Why would Princess Jinning invite Your Highness at a time like this?”

“What else could it be?” Yun Zishu smiled faintly. “The daughter of the Xiao family married the son of Princess Jinning, so now they are all one family. Naturally, they will stand on the side of the Xiao family. Inviting me is undoubtedly about the Xiao family matter.”

Leng Yue was silent for a moment. “Will the princess go?”

“Of course I’m going.” Yun Zishu put the invitation aside and calmly took a sip of tea. “I can’t stay cooped up in my mansion forever. When it is time to go out, I will go out. When it is time to see someone, I will see them.”

If others give her face, she will naturally respect them; but if someone wants to humiliate her, she will not hesitate to retaliate.

After sitting by the window for a while, Yun Zishu stood up and walked out. “Let’s go to Qingchen Yard to take a look.”

“Yun Zishu actually arranged for me to live here?”

Xiao Yunheng looked at the simple courtyard in front of him in disbelief. Although it was not dilapidated, it was really remote and crude. There were no flowers, plants, or scenery. When he walked into the house, the simple furnishings of the bed, table, and chairs were all old, and there was no sign of life.

“The bedding on the bed has been replaced with a clean set.” Matron Ren reported dutifully, “The teacups and utensils used by the consort are also newly delivered. The most important thing for the consort now is to recuperate from his injuries. Her Highness the Princess said that a noisy courtyard is not conducive to recuperation, and the servants coming in and out will inevitably disturb you.”

Xiao Yunheng gritted his teeth, afraid of disturbing him?

Yun Zishu was simply mistreating him.

“Get me another courtyard immediately,” he said coldly. “Otherwise, I will leave this place at once.”

“As expected, General Xiao never forgets to put on airs wherever he goes.” A leisurely female voice rang out, with a hint of indifference and mockery, “Is this courtyard not worthy of your status?”

Xiao Yunheng stiffly turned around and looked at Yun Zishu’s face full of ridicule. A wave of fury surged in his heart.

In just a few days, the dynamics between them had completely reversed. The severe pain that tormented him incessantly brought forth a mix of old and new grudges. Seeing her was like facing an enemy; Xiao Yunheng wished he could tear her apart. “Yun Zishu.”

“I’m here to tell you in person that this courtyard is the only place you will be allowed to move around in from now on. You can choose to live here willingly, or you can sleep on the ground—the choice is yours. I will not force you.” Yun Zishu said with a faint smile. “But there’s no need to make things difficult for the servants. You have to know your current situation. You’re seriously injured and need people to serve you. If you offend everyone in my mansion, no one will serve you, and I’m afraid General Xiao will have an even harder time in the future.”

After saying this, she turned around and left, ignoring Xiao Yunheng’s furious shouts of her name as he vented his rage.

In her previous life, she had lived such a life in the Xiao family—seriously ill with no one to take care of her, left to wither away in a dilapidated courtyard. Now, she was merely returning what she had suffered to Xiao Yunheng.

What’s the rush?

This was only the beginning.