LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 180: Having Doubts

When you walked out of the Noble Consort's palace, the sun has already gone. It seemed that the winter sun was dimmer and didn't make you warmer.

Yin Zhi: Why did you sigh?

Xiu Ying: Did I?

Yin Zhi stood by your side and looked at you, your figure was reflected quietly in his deep eyes.

Xiu Ying: [Coughing] Thank you for doing this today... But I didn't know that you're good at lying, Your Highness.

Yin Zhi: Haven't we been studying gears together that night?

Xiu Ying: That's True...

Yin Zhi: It's their fault that they didn't ask about when we were together that night.

Xiu Ying: That's also true...

Yin Zhi: In addition, can you put away that guilty face of yours? It's showing everything.

You wanted to make fun of Yin Zhi, but you didn't expect that he would say this. After holding it to yourself for a while, you finally came up with something to talk back.

Xiu Ying: But Your Highness, what you said is not perfect. What do you mean by "together all night"? It will make people misunderstand if it wasn't for my wit!

Yin Zhi: You're never witty at the right time.

Xiu Ying: What do you mean?

Yin Zhi has gone straight away in a blink of your eyes. You looked at his back and a feeling grew in your heart. He seemed a little angry.

Xiu Ying: [Shaking your head] Why am I feeling weird?

It was getting dark, you didn't return to Phoenix Hall. You learned that the Emperor returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. You immediately went to see him. In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Emperor sat in front of the desk, looking up when he heard your footsteps. He took one look then turned to the documents again.

Emperor: Say what you have to say.

Xiu Ying: Your Majesty, I saw the 3rd Prince by coincidence, so we talked about gears together. You know how much His Highness likes gears.

Emperor: You came here just to explain this? I know that there is nothing between you two. There is no need to explain.

You were relieved in hearing this. However, you came here not only to explain this, but also to tell the Emperor what you found out from the 7th Prince. Although the Emperor didn't say much today, he was obviously on your side. So he wasn't behind whoever impersonated you. Thinking about that, you decided to ask the Emperor to look into it thoroughly. Hearing what you said, the Emperor put down the documents, weighing the magnitude of this matter.

Xiu Ying: At that time, I was already on my way to Western Liang and couldn't have showed up in the capital. So I suspect that someone was impersonating me. I don't know what they want.

You've thought about it over and over again, but you still didn't know what they want. The 7th Prince has lost his chance to the throne. Hurting him would bring nobody anything. It would be too much trouble if they did this to frame you, and there was no follow-up after you return to the capital.

Xiu Ying: Your Majesty, I hope you can look into this. Someone may want to harm the 7th Prince, you can't let them get away.

Emperor: Well...

The Emperor raised his hand and was about to agree. Then he suddenly stopped and went silent for a while. You had a weird feeling and looked his way. You saw the Emperor changing his expressions, as if he has come up with something.

Emperor: Someone will be sent to look into this. Now that everything is fine, you should just leave it.

What the Emperor said meant that he didn't intend to look into this. Did he think of something?

Emperor: [Looking at you] Hmm? Anything else?

The doubts in your heart surged, and before you know it, you were so lost in your thoughts that you even forgot to respond. When you heard the Emperor asking you, you reacted quickly.

Xiu Ying: Yes, Your Majesty.

All in all, you couldn't refute the Emperor's decision, in that case, you would have to find a way to solve the mystery yourself.

Emperor: I know you have many thoughts, but don't do anything to the 7th Prince anymore.

Xiu Ying: I see that the 7th Prince is not well now and it seems to have something to do with me. I'm just worried.

Emperor: What he said is certainly not true. I know that you went to Western Liang. In a word, I trust you. You just have to do your job and be the princess you are.

Xiu Ying: Yes, Your Majesty. I'll be relieved with your trust.

Emperor: In a few days, I plan to send the 7th Prince to Mount Huayin. He'll return to the capital when he recovers. In other words, just let it go, will you?

The Emperor said this to remind you not to go after the truth alone. Your heart sank to the bottom. You could do nothing but sigh and leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the cold wind.

A few days later, the 7th Prince was sent to Mount Huayin. On that day, you were unlucky enough to see the Noble Consort who had just bid farewell to her son with tearful eyes. You wanted to pretend not to see her and made a detour. But the Noble Consort saw you first so you had to greet her.

Noble Consort: Huh, hypocrite!

The Noble Consort clenched her teeth and said. She wanted to walk pass you but she seemed to think of something. She stopped and stared at you.

Xiu Ying: What else can I do for you. Your Highness?

Noble Consort: Don't gloat, this won't go away like this! I'll settle everything with you when the 7th Prince returns.

Although the Noble Consort was not likeable. But in this palace of intrigues and plots, her candidness made you feel quite comfortable. At the very least, you didn't have to guess what she thought.

Xiu Ying: I want to sort out these misunderstandings too. When the 7th Prince returns, if you permit, we can figure this out together.

You stayed gentle and the Noble Consort looked at you suspiciously. Still, she didn't trust you. She then walked away, surrounded by her maids. Looking at her back, you sighed again. The Noble Consort was quite hostile to you. You're afraid that she won't leave you alone if she got the next opportunity. You should be fully prepared as soon as possible.