Reign of the Phoenix

Murong Zhining came running over. After taking a glance at the mushroom, she praised, “Great eyesight, General.”

Chiyun Yuexuan carefully pulled the mushroom out from the soil and wrapped it in a white cloth. The two then carried out a detailed sweep of the area but didn’t find any more of the mushroom.

When Chiyun Yuexuan and Murong Zhining returned to the camp hand in hand, the fool was delighted when he spotted Murong Zhining. “Wif… Princess…”

Murong Zhining smiled brightly. “Wow! Who taught him that? The fool is really clever.”

Chiyun Yuexuan was obviously pleased by this too. “Not too shabby. If he dares to address you wrong again, I’d totally want to beat him to death.”

Chiyun Yuexuan seemed to dislike the fool and refused to eat with him. He had the food sent to his big ten and pulled on Murong Zhining. “Let’s go and eat in my tent, just the two of us.”

Murong Zhining chided, “You can’t look down on him.”

Chiyun Yuexuan made a face. “I don’t look down on him, I’m just not accustomed. Besides, with me here, the three of them won’t be comfortable having their meal. Let’s go.”

Cai Sang looked angrily at Murong Zhining’s and Chiyun Yuexuan’s departing backs. “Brazen!”

The fool happily imitated her, “Bra…zen.”

Luo Siyao covered her mouth and chuckled. “If the fool follows Cai Sang, maybe he will become smarter.”

…

Chiyun Yuexuan served the food to Murong Zhining’s bowl and urged, “Eat more, Ning’er, you’re too thin, I’m worried.”

Murong Zhining playfully opposed him, “General, are you raising a pig? If you like fat, there are a few pigs in the camp for you to choose from.”

Chiyun Yuexuan shot her a glare. “Be a good girl and eat as you’re told, or your husband will punish you. We’ll return to the capital in a few days. You’re going to meet your future parents-in-law soon. Are you nervous?”

Murong Zhining looked on edge. “Does Ning’er seem silly like this? What if they don’t like me?”

Putting down his bowl, Chiyun Yuexuan inched closer to Murong Zhining and gently embraced her. “How are you silly? Your strategy just helped us win a city without losing a single soldier. Such wisdom is nothing an average person can have. It’s the blessing accumulated from all of my previous lives to be able to marry you, even the emperor’s opposition is invalid. For Ning’er, I’m willing to go against the whole world.”

Those words deeply moved Murong Zhining. She tightly hugged him. “General, why would your emperor oppose our marriage? Ning’er is so afraid, afraid that the people around you won’t accept me.”

Chiyun Yuexuan dropped a peck on her forehead. “It’s because I stole Ning’er from the emperor. Can’t blame him.”

Murong Zhining furrowed her brows. “So the man who played the qin in my dream was your emperor. How am I going to face all this?”

Chiyun Yuexuan’s attitude turned domineering in a blink. “That’s all in the past. From now on, you’re only allowed to dream of me. We forged a bond when you were only five years old. No one can win over that.” He resumed delivering food into her bowl. “Hurry and eat lots, or your future mother-in-law will scold you for being thin and fear that you won’t be able to raise a little grandson for her.”

Murong Zhining pursed her lips. “That’s right, Ning’er isn’t lovable at all, and weak and thin to boot. General should just marry a happier wife.”

Chiyun Yuexuan threw her a glare. “Just eat, and stop saying such stupid words. I won’t marry anyone but you.”

The two were enjoying their meal when Cai Sang’s voice rang out outside the tent, “Reporting to Princess, Cai Sang has something to tell you.”

Murong Zhining quickly put down the bowl and ran out of the tent. She held Cai Sang’s hands. “You don’t have to be so polite. I know we used to be sisters. Although I don’t remember, I can feel it. What do you want to tell me about?”

Cai Sang pulled Murong Zhining to her tent. “Let’s go, there’s something that’ll definitely make you happy.”

Chiyun Yuexuan chased after them. “Cai Sang, can’t you let people finish their meal first? She had only eaten a little.”

Murong Zhining turned back and smiled at him, “Don’t worry, Ning’er will come back in just a bit.”

When Murong Zhining entered her tent, Chiyun Yuexuan also caught up with a bowl in his hand. “What’s the deal? Passing on your meal now? Come on, you can eat while talking.”

There was a soldier sitting in the tent. When he saw Chiyun Yuexuan, he frantically knelt down and said, “Greetings, General Chiyun. This little me is Du Youtian, a soldier under Captain Wu and also Cai Sang’s older cousin, brother of Ning’er… Prin… Princess. My mother, Mrs. Yin, once adopted Princess.”

Chiyun Yuexuan nodded in a visibly happy mood. “So you’ve been under me all this time. Since you are Ning’er’s relative, there’s no need for formality.”

Murong Zhining was pleasantly surprised. “Although I don’t remember my past, I had a dream a few days ago that I went back to Lotus Pond Hollow with Cai Sang. Fate is truly wonderful. How did you two recognize each other?”

Cai Sang smiled. “At first, I didn’t know he was Big Brother A’Niu. I left my hometown for the capital when I was quite little and we didn’t remember each other very well. A few days ago in Songyang, he accidentally killed the vile servant of the Bai family to save me. When I went to see him today to thank him, I asked his name, and tada – he’s our brother.”

Chiyun Yuexuan said with a smile, “So you are my older brother-in-law. I heard about your mother’s adoption of Ning’er. A few days ago, I even sent some money to your mother to construct a small villa in her home village.”

Du Youtian respectful bowed to Chiyun Yuexuan. “My father sent a letter saying that some days ago, several officials inexplicably reconstructed our house also provided them with a lot of money and food. He even asked me if I had rendered contributions. I said I had not and that I was puzzled as well. So it turns out it’s all thanks to my little sister.”

Moved by what she heard, Murong Zhining inched closer to Chiyun Yuexuan. “Thank you for being so kind to my family.”

Chiyun Yuexuan looked at her lovingly. “It’s what I should do. I’m grateful to anyone who has been kind to Ning’er.”

The next day, Chiyun Yuexuan once again arranged the team, and the cavalcade began to march in the direction of the capital.

As usual, Chiyun Yuexuan rode Flash with Murong Zhining his arms. They didn’t want to part for just a moment.

Looking at Murong Zhining’s gloomy face, Chiyun Yuexuan blew in her ear. “What’s the matter? Still worried that your future mother-in-law won’t like you? My Ning’er is this cute, who wouldn’t like her? I’m actually worried that she’ll like you too much, so much so that she won’t even want this son of hers anymore.”

Murong Zhining scowled. “I heard from Cai Sang last night that you went against the imperial edict and ran to Shangxia for me; that when we return to the capital, you’ll be condemned by the emperor. I’m not worried about myself but your safety.”

Chiyun Yuexuan comforted her softly. “Ning’er needn’t worry about me, it’s no big deal. If worse comes to worst, I can just take you to Fuling Pass and claim the city there as the local king. Whatever happens, we’ll definitely accompany each other until our hair turns white. No one can break us up.”

Murong Zhining grew even more anxious. “Then wouldn’t that mean you’ll become a rebel? The imperial court will try to exterminate you.”

Chiyun Yuexuan laughed out loud, then whispered in her ear, “You look down upon your husband too much. If I want to dominate a region, nobody can do anything about it. Not to mention that I hold one-third of Huayan’s military power, even if I only have several tens of thousands of troops, I can still defend the several cities around Fuling Pass.”

Murong Zhining pouted. “General wants to be a wild king? But I don’t want to be the wife of a wild king.”

A displeased Chiyun Yuexuan retorted, “What do you mean a wild king? If I rebel for real, I can take over half of Huayan. Even if Ning’er wants the entire Huayan, it’s not impossible either. Alright, alright, what I mean is, as long as His Majesty doesn’t push me to the wall, I’ll honestly be the grand general I am. Only that I have to wrong my wife as she can only be a general’s wife.”

Murong Zhining buried her head in his chest. “Ning’er doesn’t care about your status. As long as I can be with you, there’s nothing else to ask for.”

Chiyun Yuexuan tightly hug her, a satisfied smile splattered on his face.

Huayan’s Imperial Capital, Jingci Palace. Yan Han invited Chiyun Nan and Ning Zezhi into the palace to discuss Chiyun Yuexuan’s return.

Yan Han’s expression was heavy. “When Xuan’er returns to the capital, I want to let him accept his ancestors and return to the imperial clan. Didn’t he forcefully bring back the princess of Shangxia with him? If he likes, let’s take this opportunity to hold his wedding as well. What do you think?”

Ning Zezhi frowned. “I heard that the emperor was furious because of that girl. I’m afraid he wouldn’t easily forgive Xuan’er’s sin.”

Chiyun Nan was on edge as well. “The emperor also summoned me a few days ago and said he absolutely wouldn’t let Xuan’er off this time. With Xuan’er’s unruly character, I’m afraid he’ll have ideas of revolting!”

Yan Han lamented, “I’ve done wrong by Xuan’er and his mother. Now, it’s time I made up for my sins. I’ve explained everything to the emperor, he promised me that he wouldn’t make it difficult for Xuan’er. Today, I’ve called you here to discuss, how do we get Xuan’er to accept me and return to the imperial clan? The current situation is also a perfect opportunity.”

Ning Zezhi still frowned. “For the past several days, I feel like I’ve been dreaming and keep worrying about this. If Your Majesty really wants the best for Xuan’er, it’s actually a good thing that you don’t let him return to the imperial clan.”

Chiyun Nan also nodded in approval.

Yan Han, however, was very firm. “I absolutely won’t allow my only son of first wife to drift about outside. No need to try to oppose any further, my mind has been made up. Don’t you think it’d wrong the princess of Shangxia if Xuan’er married her with his general identity?”

Ning Zezhi actually thought otherwise. “If the princess can accept Xuan’er’s general status that she’d marry low for him, isn’t it proof that they really love each other? If she covets his prince status, she could have just chosen the emperor directly.”

Chiyun Nan’s emotions seemed unsettled. “This is what I am worried about. I believe that the emperor is wise and Xuan’er is upright, but how many brothers have turned against each other for a woman since ancient times? I just fear they can’t pass this beauty’s trial. Besides, I heard that Xuan’er once hurt the princess. If the princess doesn’t want to be forced by him and the emperor intervenes again, things will get very messy. You know Xuan’er’s character, he’s someone who dares to poke a hole in the sky.”

The three men lapsed into silence.

After a while, Yan Han sighed. “It’s all my fault that caused this situation. In any case, I won’t let Xuan’er suffer again, even just a little. The emperor is very filial to me, I’m worried that he’d go against my will. As for Xuan’er, though, I must trouble you two to put in some effort and get him to accept me as soon as possible.”

Chiyun Nan said, “When Xuan’er returns, let me tell him about his identity first.”

Ning Zezhi nodded. “Your wife and my beloved daughter Yuetong were as close as sisters. And you have brought up my grandson to be an excellent man. I’m truly grateful for you. When my wife heard that Yuetong had left a son, she was so happy that she prayed to the gods every day. To all three of us, Xuan’er is our closest family, we need to join hands and take good care of his affairs.”

Yan Han was particularly emotional. “I’ll protect Xuan’er even if I have to wrong the emperor. In my heart, even if I had to abolish the emperor and put him on the throne, I should have done so.”

Chiyun Nan disapproved, “Your Majesty, you shouldn’t have made this kind of mistake. The emperor is a rare monarch with sagacity. What has he done wrong? Beside, Xuan’er is a born general. He has been familiar with military books since he was a child, and his ambition has always been to be a good general.”

Ning Zezhi also tried to enlighten Yan Han, “I deeply understand Your Majesty’s love for Xuan’er, but no matter if they’re born from the first wife or concubines, they’re both your sons. You must not favor one and discriminate against the other. The emperor is a wise monarch. You can’t let things get out of hand and make the brothers turn into enemies for the sake of your obsession.”

Yan Han’s voice was choked, “Except for this country, I don’t know what else I could do to make up for my Xuan’er.”

Ning Zezhi said, “Xuan’er grew up in Prince Yan’s Estate, he and his wife and treated Xuan’er like he was their own. Ever since he was young, he never lacked warmth and love. You don’t have to blame yourself so much. Xuan’er is also my grandson, but I’ll never approve in helping him to the throne.”

While the three carried out a heated discussion, outside the closed hall gates, an ear was pressed to the door, eavesdropping on their conversation.