Phoenix Reigns Over The Nine Heavens - Chapter 8

In less than an hour, all the mansions in the imperial city knew that the son of General Xiao had been divorced by the princess.

They also knew that the concubine of the Xiao family had falsely claimed to be pregnant and accused the princess of pushing her into the lake, causing a miscarriage. However, after the imperial physician’s diagnosis, it was proved that the concubine had only had her period, and the pregnancy was completely fabricated.

The farce led to Madam Xiao and her son jointly accusing the princess and nearly subjecting her to family law. As a result, the princess divorced her husband in a fit of anger, making the Xiao family a laughing stock in the imperial city. In addition, the concubine Li was taken away by the Dark Shadow Pavilion, leaving her fate uncertain.

At the mention of the “Shadow Pavilion,” all the people who were waiting to see the excitement could not help but feel a chill in their hearts.

However, Yun Zishu was unaware of all of this for the time being.

She was taking a bath.

The bathhouse was filled with steam, and the air was filled with a light fragrance.

She leaned quietly against the edge of the pool, her exquisite white body enveloped in hot water and petals. As she gently splashed the water, ripples spread across the surface of the pool.

…She really had been given a second chance at life.

Yun Zishu lowered her eyes and stared blankly at her slender, fair hands. There were no cracks, no bloodstains from being cut by a sharp sword, no heart-wrenching pain, and no warm blood.

Yun Zishu closed her eyes, a dull pain in her heart mixed with cold and bone-chilling hatred—an overwhelming tide of resentment and bitterness swept over her, making her want to rush into the palace immediately and question that person: why did he treat her like this?

But in the end, she just opened her eyes and calmly hid all the emotional fluctuations in her eyes.

She had died once and been reborn.

This was the opportunity that God had given her, and she will not waste it.

In her previous life, her father had forced her into the abyss step by step, and the beasts of the Xiao family had gradually driven her to death. None of the many royal relatives of the Yun family had ever pitied her plight.

No one had ever stopped the Xiao family from doing what they did, and no one had ever stood up for her.

No one shed a tear for her after her death.

On the contrary, Si Cang, the leader of the Dark Shadow Pavilion, who had no blood ties with her, rushed into the Xiao family like a madman after learning of her death. He cut down everyone in his path, leaving the ground littered with corpses and drenched in blood.

Those eyes were filled with cold hatred, wrapped in a murderous aura that could destroy the heavens and the earth, but they were also surrounded by endless sorrow and despair.

Yun Zishu would never forget the scene she witnessed in the final moments before her soul disappeared. The man who struck fear into everyone’s hearts avenged her single-handedly and almost wiped out the Xiao family.

Xiao Yunheng, the main culprit, had his limbs severed and begged for mercy, but Si Cang did not feel any pity for him. He cut off his head with one stroke, and his body was separated from his head.

Madam Xiao watched her son die a tragic death with her own eyes; she screamed and fainted, but that did not stop the sword of death from piercing her vitals.

However, he was only a mortal man; how could he withstand the onslaught of arrows raining down from all directions?

Yun Zishu raised her hand to cover her chest. Whenever she recalled that scene, a sharp, stabbing pain pierced her heart.

“Your Highness,” said the maid kneeling beside her to serve her bath, her voice filled with worry, “are you not feeling well?”

Yun Zishu suddenly came back to her senses and slowly shook her head: “It’s nothing; I just thought of some unpleasant things.”

“Your Highness, need not dwell on it. If someone has dissatisfied you, simply return the displeasure.”

Yun Zishu turned her head in surprise and met the elegant and calm face of the maid. “I remember that the person who served in the inner chambers before was not you. What’s your name?

“This servant is Leng Yue. The Great Commander ordered this servant to come and serve the princess.”

Yun Zishu was stunned. “You are also from the Dark Shadow Pavilion?”

Leng Yue nodded. “Yes.”

“How many women are there in the Dark Shadow Pavilion?”

Leng Yue said, “Currently, there are sixteen women capable of carrying out missions outside the pavilion.”

“Are they all about the same age as you?”

“Roughly,” said Leng Yue. “The difference is only two or three years, because everyone has different talents. Some leave the pavilion earlier, and some leave the pavilion later.”

Yun Zishu hummed and said nothing more.

“Does the princess want to continue bathing?”

While she was lost in thought, Leng Yue had carefully bathed her and applied scented essence. “It’s not good for your health to soak for too long.”

Yun Zishu said, “I’m done.”

She got up and stepped out of the bath. Leng Yue stepped forward to dry her body and helped her change into a clean blue dress.

After tying her belt, Yun Zishu turned and walked out. As soon as she reached the outer hall, she saw Si Cang, clad in black robes, standing at the foot of the palace steps.

“Your Highness.”

Yun Zishu said, “Did the palace send an imperial edict?”

“His Majesty asked the princess to enter the palace now, but I refused him with an excuse.”

Refuse?

Yun Zishu glanced at him calmly, turned around, and walked into the bedchamber. “Come in.”

Si Cang followed her into the room.

Yun Zishu sat down on the brocade couch near the window and asked, “Si Cang, do you have any evidence of my father’s wrongdoings?”

Si Cang was silent for a moment. “Why does Your Highness ask this?”

“No one can disobey the emperor’s will, even if you are the leader of the Dark Shadow Pavilion.” Yun Zishu said lightly, “Besides, since you have chosen to listen to me, you will definitely find a way to protect me. Defying the imperial decree at this time offers no benefits.”

She raised her eyes slightly and looked at him with a thoughtful expression. “Unless you have a winning card in your hand.”

Si Cang looked at her.

The two looked at each other—in this moment there was no distinction between a superior and subordinate, no suspicion, no weariness, or doubt between them. It was simply a quiet, wordless exchange.

After a while, Si Cang lowered his eyes and said, “Your Highness is right. I do indeed hold a secret of His Majesty’s.”

“So that’s why Father doesn’t dare to kill you?”

“Yes.”

“What if he tries to do it in secret?”

“He won’t,” Si Cang said in a calm tone. “I have made thorough preparations. The Emperor would not dare.”

Yun Zishu fell silent.

In the entire world, perhaps only Si Cang would dare to speak with such confidence.

It wasn’t arrogance, nor was it treason or insolence.

He was simply telling her that no one could do anything to him, so she need not worry or hold back.

“This secret is related to the princess.”

Yun Zishu was surprised. “Related to me?”

“Yes.”

“Can you tell me?”

“I can,” Si Cang said, looking at her, his eyes filled with deep emotions. “But Your Highness is tired today. You need to have a good meal, sleep well, and then talk about other things.”

Yun Zishu smiled faintly. “Will I be able to sleep?”

The Xiao family will not come to make trouble later? Li Xue was taken to the Dark Shadow Pavilion; can the Li family sit still?

A letter of divorce was sent to the Xiao family, enraging the Emperor. The entire court would inevitably face repercussions—how could there possibly be peace and quiet for her?

General Xiao had gone to the military camp. Once he returned in the evening and learned of the upheaval at home….No, perhaps he wouldn’t even need to wait until evening. If someone rushed the news to the camp on horseback, he would likely be on his way back already, wouldn’t he?