Phoenix Reigns Over The Nine Heavens - Chapter 9

The crown prince Yun Chen relied on the military power of the Xiao family, and it was absolutely impossible for him to watch the Xiao family suffer such a great humiliation. He must be thinking of ways to restore their honor.

“What are the princess’s thoughts at the moment?”

Yun Zishu leaned against the brocade couch, massaging her temples with her fingers. “First, completely resolve the matter of the Xiao family—sever all ties and go our separate ways.”

Si Cang stepped forward, his slender fingers gently massaging her temples with just the right pressure, bringing her immense comfort.

“Second, I want the military power in the hands of General Xiao.” Yun Zishu closed her eyes. “As for Li Xue, don’t let her die. Let her stay in the Dark Shadow Pavilion for a few days as a lesson, then return her to the Xiao family unharmed.”

Si Cang paused slightly, frowning. “Unharmed?”

“Yes, unharmed.” Yun Zishu replied, her voice languid yet carrying a tone of unwavering confidence. “She deceived the Xiao family’s mother and son first and then framed this princess. These are the sins she committed. Xiao Yunheng got the letter of divorce, and she will become the cause of the Xiao family’s gradual decline in the future.”

Si Cang heard the words and instantly understood what she meant.

When the Xiao family was prosperous, Madam Xiao could dote on her niece unconditionally, turning a blind eye to her mistakes and shielding her without question.

However, once Xiao Yunheng was divorced and the Xiao family began to decline, everyone in the Xiao family would remember with bitter clarity who was the culprit for this downfall.

When discontent grows and resentment deepens, Li Xue will naturally get what she deserves.

This is to make them turn against each other—a dog-eat-dog scenario.

“But she shouldn’t be released too soon.” Yun Zishu turned to look out the window, her eyes cold. “Otherwise, how will this princess negotiate with them?”

Si Cang fell silent, his handsome features softening almost imperceptibly. “Your Highness is wise and perceptive, exceedingly brilliant. I admire you deeply.”

“You don’t have to praise me.” Yun Zishu mocked herself, “In essence, I am also a stupid person; otherwise I would not have agreed to marry into the Xiao family.”

Si Cang slightly raised his eyes, studying her delicate profile. A complex emotion flickered in his eyes. After a while, he slowly lowered his eyes and suppressed the restlessness in his heart.

While the two were talking, another imperial edict arrived from outside.

“Your Highness!” A guard in blue stood in the bluestone courtyard outside and respectfully reported, “Someone from the palace has come to deliver an imperial edict. The Emperor has asked Your Highness to enter the palace immediately.”

Yun Zishu did not respond.

The guard outside waited quietly.

“I should indeed go to the palace,” Yun Zishu said coldly. “I want to see how Father plans to deal with the matter of Li Xue framing me and Xiao mother and son’s insolence.”

Si Cang said, “Does Your Highness want Xiao Yunheng to be punished?”

Yun Zishu glanced at him. “If he could be beaten to death in court, that would be best.”

When Si Cang heard this, his face softened a little.

So she really had no lingering feelings for Xiao Yunheng?

That’s good.

It meant he could act without restraint.

“However, judging from the Crown Prince’s protection of him and the power and prestige of the Xiao General’s Mansion, this wish is obviously impossible to achieve at present.” Yun Zishu stood up and was about to walk out. “But I’m not in a hurry. The Xiao family’s downfall is near—they have at most three to five months left. I have patience to wait.”

Si Cang hummed in agreement and raised his hand to stop her. “Your Highness needs to rest now. I will deal with everything outside.”

Yun Zishu frowned.

“I will take care of everything.” Si Cang looked at her, his eyes gentle. “The Emperor must be furious at this time, the Crown Prince can’t wait to lodge a complaint, and Xiao Yunheng has likely already entered the palace. General Xiao will definitely rush back after receiving the news later. They are all on the same side—there is no need for Your Highness to engage in a war of words with them.”

Yun Zishu looked at him steadily, recalling the despair and grief on his face when he held her lifeless body in her previous life, the image of him bloodied and riddled with arrows. Her heart ached, and she nodded involuntarily. “Alright.”

“Leng Shuang, Leng Yue,” Si Cang called out.

Two women walked in from outside, knelt on one knee, and bowed their heads to listen to orders.

“When I’m not here, protect the safety of Her Highness.” Si Cang’s voice was cold and hard: “If the princess suffers any damage, you two will atone for it with your lives.”

“Yes!”

“It’s not that serious.” Yun Zishu said in a light voice, turning around and sitting back on the couch, “You should be careful and don’t confront the emperor head-on for the time being.”

“I know, Your Highness; please rest assured.” Si Cang replied, “Besides Leng Yue and Leng Shuang staying by Your Highness’s side, enough manpower has been arranged inside and outside the Princess’s Mansion to ensure your safety.”

Yun Zishu was silent for a moment, her expression a little subtle. “Si Cang, you don’t have to treat me as a fragile woman. I used to let the Xiao family manipulate me because I was willing to endure it. In the future, this princess will not be willing to endure it, and no one can hurt me.”

Si Cang’s lips curled up almost imperceptibly. “Understood.”

Seeing him like this, Yun Zishu felt a strange sensation in her heart.

She always felt that Si Cang seemed somewhat different from before. In the eyes of outsiders, the commander of the Shadow Pavilion was always cold and taciturn, often not speaking a word for an entire day. Everyone knew of his ruthless methods—he was the number one fearsome figure in the imperial capital, his aura so chilling it made people shudder.

Even with his peerlessly handsome appearance, no one ever dared to stare at his face for long.

Today you can even smile?

Though it was subtle, that slight upturn of his lips a moment ago couldn’t have been her imagination.

Yun Zishu thought this to herself, smiled faintly, and quickly dismissed the trivial thought.

After Si Cang left, the steward of the princess’s mansion quickly came to report. “Your Highness, Prince Li has brought a lot of people over and is strongly demanding to see you immediately.”

Yun Zishu smiled faintly: “A strong demand, and they must see this princess immediately?”

“Yes.”

“How impressive. Quite courageous.” Yun Zishu raised her hand to signal, “Let him in, alone.”

“Yes.”

Leng Yue frowned. “Wouldn’t it be better if I went to send him away? To avoid him disturbing Your Highness.”

“I haven’t completely vented the anger I suffered in the Xiao family.” Yun Zishu leaned against the windowsill, her voice calm but carrying a distinct chill. “Since a target is delivering himself to my doorstep, there is no reason for me not to accept it.”

“Understood.” Leng Yue lowered her head. “But Your Highness asked him to come in alone. Will he obey?”

“If he doesn’t obey, he can’t enter. He’ll listen eventually.”

The eldest son of the Li family, Li Xuan, was no fool—just somewhat arrogant. Relying on his father’s position as the Vice Minister of Revenue, his aunt’s status of being the wife of General Xiao, and the fact that the Xiao and Li families were both relatives and allies of the Crown Prince’s faction, he naturally held himself in high regard and was fawned over wherever he went.

Li Xuan was also fiercely protective of his younger sister, Li Xue.

So Yun Zishu was not surprised that Li Xuan came knocking at her door.