Phoenix Reigns Over The Nine Heavens - Chapter 30

On a dark and windy night, outside the high walls of the Princess’s Mansion, a black-clad figure nimbly leaped over the wall, landing deftly inside the west courtyard of the Princess’s Mansion. However, as soon as his feet touched the ground, he was forced into a corner by several shadowy figures that emerged from the dark.

A cold glint flashed as several men in black closed in like ghosts. Just as it seemed as if blood was about to be spilled on the spot, the masked man suddenly said, “Please tell Her Highness the Princess that Feng Ci, the eldest grandson of the Feng family, is seeking an audience.”

The cold blade stopped two inches from his brows.

The black-clad men exchanged glances. One of them quickly turned around and left, while the others remained on high alert, their eyes filled with vigilance, and the cold steel in their hands radiating a murderous aura.

Feng Ci, who had come in disguise, stood quietly in the corner, inwardly shocked by the tight security within the princess’s estate. He suspected that these experts were likely arranged by Si Cang. Otherwise, an unfavored princess wouldn’t have so many highly skilled guards protecting her.

The shadow guard who had left relayed the matter to Leng Shuang, and Leng Shuang quickly reported it to Yun Zishu.

“Feng Ci?” Yun Zishu was reclining against the headboard of the bed, reading a book. Upon hearing the report, she raised her eyebrows. “The legitimate grandson of the Feng family visited so late at night. He’s quite bold… Let him come over.”

“Yes.”

Yun Zishu got up, draped an outer garment over her shoulders, and walked to the window to sit down. “Prepare some tea.”

“Yes.”

Leng Shuang passed the order down, and before long, Feng Ci arrived at the Qifeng Hall.

He was a young man of exceptional grace, refined and elegant like jade, and naturally noble in bearing.

The black clothes couldn’t conceal the brilliance he carried.

This was Yun Zishu’s impression and evaluation of him upon their meeting. In truth, she knew that Feng Ci, the eldest grandson of the Feng family, was deserving of such praise.

“Greetings, Your Highness. May Your Highness live a thousand years.” The young man knelt on one knee and respectfully performed the ceremony of paying homage. “I have taken the liberty of disturbing the princess. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

“Rise.” Yun Zishu leaned lazily on the brocade couch, her voice not as indifferent as it was during the day but rather carrying a hint of languidness. “What brings you here so late at night, Young Master Feng?”

Feng Ci stood up, keeping his eyes lowered. “I am here on my grandfather’s orders to better understand Your Highness.”

Yun Zishu’s lips curved, as if she found it amusing. “And how do you plan to understand me?”

Feng Ci went straight to the point. “Regarding the matter with the Xiao family and Yun Heng, what is Your Highness’s stance?”

“Oh?” Yun Zishu’s tone was playful. “Is the Duke of Feng so concerned about the affairs between this princess and the Xiao family?”

“If I have overstepped, please forgive me, Your Highness.” Feng Ci bowed, his tone humble and gentle. “My grandfather has reasons to be concerned about this matter.”

Yun Zishu fell silent for a moment before replying lightly, “There is no affection or obligation between this princess and Xiao Yunheng. Whatever decisions I am making now are all to achieve one final outcome—he dies, I live.”

Feng Ci was taken aback.

He had thought Yun Zishu merely wanted to sever ties with the Xiao family and to have nothing more to do with them. He hadn’t expected her to want to directly bring about the Xiao family’s utter destruction.

“Why?” Feng Ci asked, puzzled.

Yun Zishu picked up the teacup and slowly took a sip. “Because the hatred between this princess and the Xiao family is irreconcilable.”

Feng Ci was a little too surprised. After a long silence, he said, “After Your Highness severs ties with the Xiao family, does she have a suitable candidate in mind for a husband?”

“No.”

“Then…”

Yun Zishu stated, “This princess does not intend to marry again.”

Feng Ci bowed again. “This subject has been presumptuous.”

“It’s fine.”

Feng Ci pondered for a moment and said, “His Highness the Crown Prince seems to be dissatisfied with the princess.”

“He is indeed dissatisfied.” Yun Zishu took a sip of tea, her tone gradually becoming casual. “But what does it matter? His dissatisfaction is his own affair. This princess does not live according to his whims.”

Feng Ci said, “His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will ascend the throne as Emperor in the future.”

“But he hasn’t ascended yet, has he?” Yun Zishu chuckled mockingly. “Whether he can successfully ascend the throne in the future is still unknown. Until the day he sits on that throne, it means that unforeseen events could occur at any time.”

Feng Ci was inwardly surprised.

“If you have something to say, say it. If you don’t have anything to say, you can leave.” Yun Zishu said, “There is no need to enter like this in the future. This princess’s residence is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with many highly skilled individuals. If they were to accidentally hurt you, I’m afraid that both Imperial Uncle Feng and the Grand Preceptor Feng would be heartbroken.”

Feng Ci ignored her remark and instead asked a question: “Which prince in the court does Your Highness think is most qualified to be the emperor?”

Yun Zishu looked up. “Are you suggesting we discuss deposing the crown prince and appointing another?”

“The subject would not dare.”

Yun Zishu’s tone was indifferent, seemingly calm and unruffled: “Power is only safest when held in one’s own hands. Relying on others is never as good as relying on oneself.”

Feng Ci’s heart shook.

“It’s getting late; go back.” Yun Zishu ordered, “Leng Shuang, see the guest out.”

“Yes.”

Feng Ci bowed and took his leave, his etiquette impeccable, without the slightest hint of disrespect.

He was pondering Yun Zishu’s words the entire way. The more he thought about them, the more dumbfounded he became. This princess was unflustered and calm, her tone even and without fluctuation, making it difficult to discern any excessive emotions.

Yet the meaning behind her words was so profound and powerful, possessing a bearing that simply shouldn’t belong to a woman… What did she intend to do?

‘Power is only safest when held in one’s own hands. Relying on others is never as good as relying on oneself.’

Feng Ci adjusted his mask and quickly disappeared into the deep night.

Yun Zishu watched him leave through the window. She was just about to get up and go to sleep when another uninvited guest arrived at the mansion.

Leng Shuang stood outside the hall and reported, “Your Highness, the Commander is here.”

Yun Zishu paused mid-step, halting the motion of removing her outer garment. She slowly draped it over her shoulders again, turned around, and sat back on the brocade couch. “Let him in.”

“Yes.”

Si Cang came in, stepping through the night. Dressed in solemn black robes, he looked cold and stern, as if wrapped in a layer of frost. Only when he saw the woman he had been thinking about day and night did the layer of frost gradually fade away, replaced by a gaze that, though aloof, held a touch of warmth.

Walking into the hall, his eyes fell on Yun Zishu, and he quickly bowed his head and saluted, offering his greetings.

“There’s no need for formalities.” Yun Zishu asked lightly, “Is there something you need to see me about so late?”

Si Cang pursed his lips. Could he say that he simply wanted to see her?

Just now, when he heard the news that Feng Ci had entered the mansion in the middle of the night, he had found it difficult to restrain himself. After all, the eldest grandson of the Feng family was a noble young man of impeccable reputation, widely praised among the people as an outstanding figure of high character and integrity.

It was hard for ordinary women not to be attracted to him.

“What is it?” Yun Zishu saw that he was silent and asked in confusion, “What is so difficult to say?”

Si Cang shook his head and asked, pretending to be calm, “Did Feng Ci come here just now?”

Yun Zishu said, “Your information is quite swift.”

Si Cang said, “What did he say?”

Yun Zishu briefly recounted the content of the conversation between the two, her voice carrying a hint of laziness: “It was likely the Feng family testing my stance.”

Hearing her usual tone, without any particular emotions, Si Cang’s tense nerves relaxed a little. “What does Your Highness think of the Feng family’s way of operating?”

“Quite good,” Yun Zishu said casually. “They hold the military power in their hands, and there is also a prime minister with high status and power. As long as they don’t give the monarch a handle against them, they can live well. No one can do anything to them.”

This was far better than those who foolishly clung to blind loyalty, thinking that willingly handing over the military power would earn the monarch’s trust. In reality, once the military power is handed over, they will instantly become lambs to be slaughtered.

If the monarch wants them dead, they won’t have the strength to resist.

“What is your impression of Feng Ci?”