Reign of the Phoenix

The atmosphere of dinner could still be considered harmonious, with Chiyun Yuexuan being the only unhappy one. Chiyun Nan gave him a painful look. “Tomorrow, I’ll go to the palace to discuss with the retired emperor about your wedding with Princess. If you want to make your marriage grand and honorable, you’d better return to the imperial clan as soon as possible. Also, it’s inevitable that people will gossip if Princess stays at the General Estate. She will move to the Commandery Prince Estate until you two get married.”

Chiyun Yuexuan had always respected Chiyun Nan since he was a child and obeyed his word. This time, however, he insisted on his own opinion, “Princess has lost her memory because of a poison called the Exquisite Heartwash Pill. Since I’ve done things that hurt her before, it would be unfair to her if I marry her when she has no ability to distinguish. I have decided, I’ll take her back to Fuling Pass tomorrow and talk about marriage when her memory is recovered. As for my identity, you should give me some time to accept it.”

Chiyun Nan wanted to persuade Chiyun Yuexuan, but Madam Chiyun tugged on his clothes under the table and said, “Okay, okay, let’s not talk about marriage for now. Since it’s hard that you finally got back to the capital in a while, shouldn’t you spend a few more days with your mother? Or you don’t want to accompany me now that you know I am not your real mother?”

Chiyun Yuexuan got up from his seat and knelt down. “You will always be my mother. Your child will listen to you and stay for a few more days.”

Madame Chiyun helped him up, “Up, up. Tomorrow, you take Princess to the Prime Minister Estate and pay his wife a visit. Goodness! She is the most pitiful.”

Chiyun Yuexuan cupped his hands. “I will do as you say and visit her tomorrow.”

After sending off Chiyun Nan and Madam Chiyun, Chiyun Yuexuan went to the study in a low mood. Murong Zhining personally brewed a pot of tea and brought it into the study as well. “Why do you mind your identity so much? People would pay to be born in the imperial family. You know, you can confide in Ning’er if you have something on your mind.”

Murong Zhining handed a cup of tea to Chiyun Yuexuan, who took it and placed it on the table. He then reached out and pulled her over, helplessly burying his face in her chest. His voice was choked, “I’ve only learned today that I’m the son of the retired emperor. Someone framed my mother and he then banished her to the Cold Palace, where she gave birth to me. In her despair, she sent me out of the palace and died there all alone before long. I clearly know that she was murdered, but there’s nothing I could do about it. Both the retired emperor and the emperor are trying their best to prevent me from looking into the truth.”

Murong Zhining stroked his back and gently comforted him, “There are some things that when they’ve passed, they passed. They are probably doing it for your own good by not letting you find out the truth, because some truths can come at a heavy price. There’s no need to be too persistent.”

Chiyun Yuexuan weakly lifted his head to look at her. “I don’t want to be a prince. You don’t care about my identity, do you? I’ll take you to Fuling Pass in a few days. Although it’s a small place, we can live a free and happy life there.”

Murong Zhining nodded with a smile. “Ning’er already said that I would follow you to the ends of the earth. Even if you become a bandit, I’m willing to be the bandit’s wife.”

Moved beyond words, Chiyun Yuexuan stood up and hugged her. The two locked each other in a tight embrace.

He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Tomorrow, I’ll take Princess to visit my grandmother. She will be so happy to see you.”

…

Decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, the Prime Minister Estate was as bustling as the New Year Festival. The servants were busy to and fro preparing for a family banquet.

Madam Ning pointed to the eaves outside the hall. “Hang some red lanterns there, it must look festive. Lay carpet on the corridor, put out some more flower pots.”

The servants passing by would bow and congratulate her respectfully, “Congratulations to Madam Ning! Not only did you find your grandson, he’s even going to marry the princess of Shangxia to be your granddaughter-in-law. We little ones in the Prime Minister Estate are honored to share this exhilaration!”

Madam Ning was leaning on a phoenix-headed cane, which had been bestowed upon her by Yan Han during his reign. Next to her was a little maid carrying a bamboo basket half-full with silver ingots. Laughing merrily at the congratulatory words, Madam Ning grabbed a silver ingot and put it into the hands of the servants. “Mmm! Very good! This estate hasn’t been this lively for a long time now. Work hard and do your best, there will be more reward for you later.”

Madam Ning was 63 years old this year. From a glance, she looked ruddy and energetic. 23 years ago, she had almost chosen to follow her beloved daughter to the afterlife. However, Ning Zezhi encouraged and comforted her, and the two slowly walked out of the shadow of losing their daughter with each other’s support. Some time ago, when she had learned about her daughter Ning Yuetong leaving a son behind, she had fainted in a surge of emotions.

For the past several days, Madam Ning felt like she was in a dream and couldn’t calm down from her mixed feelings. Last night, upon hearing that the grandson whom she had never met before would come to visit her, she had been even more overwhelmed with excitement.

Madam Ning asked the little maid beside her, “Zhi Xia, am I dreaming? I’m so scared this is only a dream that when I wake from it, everything would disappear.”

Zhi Xia was stuffing silver ingots into the hands of the servants passing by. “Madam, you’re just being too happy, this is not a dream. Your grandson and granddaughter-in-law are coming to see you soon!”

Madam Ning dabbed tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. “Luckily Old Ning didn’t let me die, so now I have the blessings to see my grandson.”

Zhi Xia said, “Madam, you should get your spirits up, you can’t be sad on a good day like this. You are a first-rank dame by the court title, your grandson is the eldest prince of first wife, and your future granddaughter-in-law is the princess of Shangxia. The average person cannot afford these kind of blessings.”

Madam Ning nodded. “I am really muddled. When I am happy, I’d think of Yuetong. You help me keep an eye on the servants, urge them to do their work carefully.“

Zhi Xia nodded an assent.

Ning Zezhi came out from the study and held Madam Ning’s hand. “My wife, don’t overwork yourself. Leave everything to the housekeepers and servants. You only need to keep up your spirits to see your grandson. At that time, remember to be happy and don’t get all sobbing.”

Madam Ning nodded repeatedly while helping Ning Zezhi fixed his attire. Tears uncontrollably fell from her eyes.

It was just getting dark when the Prime Minister Estate was already brightly lit. From a distance, it looked like a small city of its own.

Several luxurious carriages stopped in front of the Prime Minister Estate. Chiyun Nan and his wife got off and walked ahead while Chiyun Yuexuan and Murong Zhining followed behind side by side. Since Ning Zezhi was their senior, he stayed inside and let the head housekeeper welcome them in accordance with the regulations.

In the courtyard, Madam Ning was at a loss of what to do when she saw the line of people approaching.

Before she could do anything, Chiyun Yuexuan fell to his knees. “Your grandson greets grandfather and grandmother.”

Madam Ning rushed forth and hugged him, calling out as she cried uncontrollably, “Oh my child! Heaven blesses me and my old husband! “

Ning Zezhi quickly helped her up. “I already told you to be cheerful. Look at you, you’re scaring the children.”

Murong Zhining stepped forward and curtsied. “Fengyi greets Prime Minister Ning, Madam Ning.”

Madam Ning happily walked over to help her up and lovingly gazed at her face. “No, no, you’re a precious princess!”

Murong Zhining smiled sweetly, revealing a pair of dimples. “Before Madam, Fengyi is only a junior. What’s wrong with a junior saluting their elders?”

Madam Ning couldn’t stop smiling. After everyone exchanged greetings, they proceeded to a hall where a sumptuous banquet had been set up and sat down in order of priority.

Ning Zezhi’s eyes fell on Wu Siyuan. “So this is the real junior Chiyun. The Chiyun family does not only produce talented generals but also princess’ husbands.”

Chiyun Nan laughed. “Prime Minister flatters us.”

Meanwhile, Madam Ning’s eyes have been lingering on Chiyun Yuexuan’s face. “They all say Xuan’er’s eyes take after Yuetong’s, it’s indeed so. The Heaven has pity on us old couple and leaves us a bloodline.”

Chiyun Yuexuan’s eyes reddened. “This grandchild will take care of grandfather and grandmother in my mother’s stead.”

Chiyun Nan nodded in relief upon these words.

The joyful event resounded in Ning Zezhi’s spirit. He held up his wine cup towards Chiyun Nan. “The Chiyun and the Ning family have always shared a close relationship, Madam Chiyun and my daughter had been good friends. Thank you, Commandery Prince Yan and Madam Chiyun for raising Xuan’er, and bringing him up so well.”

Chiyun Nan replied with a raised cup, “It’s Xuan’er who was born smart. From when he was a little child, he never forgets a thing and understands everything he learns without having to explain twice.”

Ning Zezhi nodded and turned to Chiyun Yuexuan. “Xuan’er, the retired emperor only made a careless and unintended mistake, have sympathy for he’s suffering for it as well. Your grandmother and I can understand him. After all, your mother, she… wasn’t strong enough.”

There was stubbornness in Chiyun Yuexuan’s eyes. “One becomes strong when she becomes a mother. I don’t believe she would commit suicide. In any case, I will find out the real cause of her death. As for the retired emperor, I have yet to find a reason to accept him.”

Ning Zezhi shook his head. “There has never been any evidence that your mother’s death was a murder. And about the retired emperor, it’s not that we’re rushing you to accept him. Everyone has their own difficulties, and he has suffered for so many years. Goodness!”

Madam Ning wiped her tears. “We only hope you don’t live your life in hatred. People should always be looking ahead. After all these years, the truth is no longer important. The important thing is that the living aren’t tormented by the past.”

Murong Zhining gently placed her hand on Chiyun Yuexuan’s. “What the seniors said is right. Hatred only makes people selfish and narrow-minded.”

Chiyun Yuexuan said stubbornly, “Then, didn’t my mother send me out of the palace just to show her determination to break off with the imperial family. How can I disobey her intention now?”

Madam Chiyun sighed deeply. “Your mother’s intention wasn’t to break off, but that you wouldn’t get caught in the struggle of the imperial family for the throne. She and the retired emperor loved each other, and the fact that he never appointed a new empress proves that his love for her is sincere. Xuan’er, you should let go of your grudge and slowly get yourself to accept him.”

Madam Ning’s kind eyes fell on Chiyun Yuexuan. “We won’t force you. Just slowly calm yourself and think with a clear mind. The most important thing now is your marriage to Princess. You aren’t small, and Princess can’t afford to miss the right age for marriage. Xuan’er, what do you think?”

Chiyun Yuexuan was ashamed. “Reporting to Grandmother, Princess is bearing a slight illness and is still recuperating, so we’re not anxious for a wedding. We’ll make plans when she’s well again.” He turned to Murong Zhining, who smiled and nodded in response.

Ning Zezhi revealed a concerned expression. “Princess is unwell? Have you seen the doctor? I’ll send someone to invite Imperial Physician Gao over. Princess’ well-being is too precious to be taken it lightly.”