Phoenix Reigns Over The Nine Heavens - Chapter 56

“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, the emperor, and the Imperial Concubine,” the eunuch reported respectfully, bowing at the inner side of the imperial platform, “Her Highness the Ninth Princess has arrived.”

Yun Zishu walked up to the imperial platform and knelt down to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. “Zishu pays her respects to the Empress Dowager and to Father Emperor.”

When Consort Wu noticed her empty hands, she frowned almost imperceptibly. Seeing that Yun Zishu only greeted the Empress Dowager and the Emperor while ignoring her, she suddenly felt really displeased, and her grip on the wine cup tightened involuntarily.

“Zishu, I heard that you bought a set of phoenix crown head ornaments worth ten thousand taels of gold at the Imperial Treasure Pavilion.” In front of the Empress Dowager, the Emperor’s tone was still gentle, and he smiled straight to the point, “Today is the Noble Consort’s birthday banquet; why haven’t you presented them?”

Yun Zishu’s gaze swept across the Empress Dowager’s face, noticing her momentary emotional lapse and the hands that she clenched in an attempt to restrain herself. Feeling more assured, she lowered her eyes and said, “Your daughter did indeed purchase a set of phoenix crown head ornaments.”

“Oh?” The emperor thought that this was Yun Zishu’s gesture of goodwill to the imperial concubine, and he was very happy. His tone became more amiable. “It just so happens that the atmosphere is very lively now, and the relatives, nobles, and civil and military officials are all present. Why don’t you bring out the phoenix crown for the imperial concubine so that the officials can see the sincerity of your filial piety?”

“For the imperial concubine?” Yun Zishu looked up at her father in confusion, as if bewildered. “Isn’t the phoenix crown exclusively reserved for the empress?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the smiles on the faces of the Emperor and Consort Wu froze at the same time, and their expressions visibly darkened.

“Zishu,” the emperor said in a slightly lower tone, as if warning her about something, “Today is the birthday of the Noble Consort; you should be careful about your words and actions.”

“Your Majesty, I did not act without discretion. It’s just that Your Majesty may have misunderstood something.” Yun Zishu said calmly, “That set of phoenix coronet and hairpins was not bought to be given to the Noble Consort.”

She said “give” instead of “present”. Though the difference was slight, it implied a distinction in status and respect. She was reminding the people present that this legitimate princess did not need to bow her head to the noble concubine.

But as soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the concubines sitting next to her all became serious. They all lowered their eyes to look at the teacups and fruit plates in front of them. Even if they had a few thoughts of watching a good show in their hearts, they did not reveal any strange expressions on their faces.

The emperor’s gaze, filled with implicit authority, fell on Yun Zishu’s face, his anger simmering.

“Your daughter does not know who told the imperial consort about this, but I never said that the phoenix crown was prepared for her.” After Yun Zishu finished speaking, she turned to Leng Yue, who was standing in the shadows on one side of the imperial platform. “Bring the phoenix crown over.”

Leng Yue obeyed the order and walked up with the precious tortoiseshell brocade box and respectfully handed it to Yun Zishu.

Yun Zishu reached out to take it, turned slightly, and handed the tortoiseshell box to the Empress Dowager herself: “Your Majesty, this is a gift from your granddaughter.”

“Zishu.” The emperor’s face changed. “What are you doing?”

The Empress Dowager was also taken aback, but she quickly recovered. She reached out to accept the tortoiseshell box, opened it, and looked inside. The golden phoenix crown lay quietly on the red velvet cloth, appearing luxurious and noble. The few rubies on the tail were particularly exquisite and dazzling, bringing her immense joy.

However, this style was particularly suited for a young woman, not quite appropriate for someone her age.

“If my mother were still alive, I would have presented this phoenix crown to her,” Yun Zishu said with a sorrowful expression, completely ignoring the ugly faces of the Emperor and Consort Wu. “However, the Empress Dowager is also a phoenix, so she should wear it. May your granddaughter sit by Your Majesty’s side?”

The Empress Dowager snapped out of her thoughts and looked intently at the young girl before her—barely 16 years old but well-acquainted with the complexities of human relationships. She felt both remorseful and distressed for her. She nodded slowly and said, “Of course you can.”

As she spoke, she quickly ordered the personal eunuch to prepare a chair for Yun Zishu. “You are the legitimate princess; it is only fitting for you to sit by my side.”

“Mother,” the emperor said in a deep voice, “Xiao Jiu, she…”

“It’s okay.” The Empress Dowager smiled kindly like a benevolent elder. “I haven’t seen Xiao Jiu for a long time. Let her sit here with me.”

After saying that, she turned to look at Consort Wu and asked, “Consort Wu doesn’t mind, does she?”

Of course Consort Wu minded, but did she dare say it?

“This subject wouldn’t dare,” Consort Wu said with a stiff smile. “As long as Your Majesty is happy.”

However, as she spoke, she slowly tightened her grip on the wine cup. Her good mood today was swept away in a moment, replaced by simmering resentment. What did Yun Zishu mean? She openly pleased the Empress Dowager at her birthday banquet. Did she want the Empress Dowager to support her?

What a joke.

The Empress Dowager had withdrawn herself from worldly affairs all these years and has been devoted to Buddhism. She rarely even met with the emperor, let alone a mere princess. Why would she bother to support her?

Moreover, she came to the palace to attend her birthday banquet, but she didn’t even bother bringing a gift.

Was she deliberately trying to embarrass her?

The imperial concubine Wu’s eyes fell on the hands of the senior maid beside the empress dowager. The phoenix crown was exquisitely crafted, luxurious yet simple and elegant. It wasn’t the elaborate type reserved for formal occasions. This style could be worn anytime in daily life, and wearing it would undoubtedly enhance her aura as the mother of the nation.

But this little bitch hadn’t presented it to her.

The more Consort Wu thought about it, the angrier she became. She wished she could tear Yun Zishu apart.

“Zishu.” The emperor suppressed the displeasure in his heart and asked calmly, “Didn’t Yunheng come with you?”

Hadn’t he instructed the Consort to pass on the message, ordering Zishu to bring Yunheng to attend the Qianqiu Banquet?

“Xiao Yunheng hasn’t recovered yet, so he can’t come for the time being.” When Yun Zishu mentioned Xiao Yunheng, her attitude was very cold. “Li Xue has been taking care of him during this period.”

The emperor guessed that Zishu was unhappy because Li Xue was there. “If you dislike having Li Xue around, you can send her back to the Xiao family.” This would help Xiao Yunheng and Yun Zishu repair their relationship.

“I don’t dislike it,” Yun Zishu said calmly, with a hint of imperceptible indifference. “With Li Xue around, I have one less thing to worry about. Although she is sometimes rude to me, as a princess, I naturally don’t care about her minor offenses—I just have her slapped. Xiao Yunheng is the same; even though he is injured, he still doesn’t know his place and often yells at me. I can only have him properly punished.”

The emperor’s expression changed suddenly. He looked at Yun Zishu’s beautiful face, which was as light as the clouds and wind, without any expression. He keenly heard the rebellious and untamed nature hidden in her tone. A storm gathered in the emperor’s eyes, his gaze gloomy and dark.

Such arrogant and unyielding words—could they be seen as openly challenging him, her father?

“Xiao Yunheng dared to offend you?” The Empress Dowager spoke as if unaware of the Emperor’s mood, her tone filled with anger, “He simply doesn’t know what’s good for him! Does he still have the royal family in his eyes? He even dared to offend the legitimate princess; punishing him is letting him off lightly.”

“Mother,” the emperor said in a gloomy tone, “Xiao Yunheng and Zishu are husband and wife, and it is inevitable that the two will quarrel. There is no need to be so serious.”

“That won’t do. How can anyone bully a princess of the royal family?” The Empress Dowager was tough and domineering. After she finished speaking, she turned to look at Yun Zishu. “If you’re unhappy in the future, or if anyone bullies you, just come to the palace and tell me. I’ll stand up for you.”

The emperor heard this, and a dark look flashed across his face. He looked at Yun Zishu and tried to warn her with his eyes, but Yun Zishu did not look at him. Instead, she respectfully lowered her head and said to the Empress Dowager, “Granddaughter understands. I will definitely not let anyone bully me in the future.”

Consort Wu’s expression was extremely grim. She sat stiffly beside the Emperor without saying a word. The other consorts, seeing this, grew as quiet as snow, suppressing all their schadenfreude while secretly hoping the conflict between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor would escalate.

But isn’t today the birthday of Noble Consort Wu? Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly come to join in the fun?

I always feel something is not quite right when I hear them talking.

“Your mother died early, and with no one to protect you in the palace. It must have been hard for you all these years.” The Empress Dowager patted her hand lightly, and her voice became more gentle and loving. “I will temporarily lend you Cao Mama, who is by my side, for a few days, and let her help you train the servants in the mansion. What do you think?”

Yun Zishu was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. “I will follow Your Majesty’s arrangements.”

“In that case, I will send her over tomorrow.” The Empress Dowager said calmly. “With Cao Mama there, I’ll see which other people with no sense of propriety dare to bully the legitimate princess.”

Consort Wu’s face was as dark as water, her expression stiff and pale. She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but she always felt that the Empress Dowager’s words were secretly criticizing her.

Yun Zishu lowered her eyes and fell silent.

She understood that the Empress Dowager was genuinely protecting her, but it could also not be denied that her mother’s death was inextricably linked to the Empress Dowager. She did not expect any family affection in her life, but she would not pass up any relation that could be used.

There are countless demons and monsters in the palace, all wearing false masks. She only has herself now, so if she gets a powerful ally backing her up, she would use it.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, his gaze fixed on the intricate patterns on the rim of the wine cup. The icy coldness in his eyes would have terrified anyone who saw it. However, Yun Zishu sat beside the Empress Dowager and acted as if nothing was amiss. She was happily chatting with the Empress Dowager as if she was deeply favored by her.