Chapter 121: The Emperor's Intentions!

The ball ended, and everyone left in high spirits.

Phoenix took Sheng Xinhai back to the Phoenix Cottage and said, "You've been drinking; you can't drive. Stay here with me tonight."

"If you wanted to sleep with me, you could have just said so. Do you really need to use the excuse that I drank? I can’t drive, but in this huge palace, there isn’t a single person who can drive me back?" Sheng Xinhai rolled her eyes at Phoenix, exuding charm.

"I just wanted to talk with you," Phoenix replied, her voice carrying a hint of coquettishness, the alcohol clearly loosening her tongue.

"Oh, it’s rare to hear our little princess act so coy. Didn’t you used to disdain women who spoke in such a whiny tone? Last time when Bai Ruizhi came to visit you, and spoke a bit softer, you complained to me for ages."

"I wasn’t complaining! You just thought she sounded sarcastic, so I agreed with you."

"Exactly. I have poor character and talk behind people’s backs. But you’re a princess, a model for all the people. How can you stoop to such low behavior?"

.

Phoenix sat down on the sofa, pulling Sheng Xinhai along, and Ball Ball immediately hopped over excitedly.

Phoenix cradled Ball Ball in her arms, gently stroking it, and rested her flushed cheek against Sheng Xinhai’s bare shoulder. “Sister Xinhai, I’m so happy today.”

“Is it because you’re an adult now? Or because you danced with Tang Fei?”

“Both.” Phoenix said, “Anyway, I just feel incredibly happy, like all good things are happening at once, and all the luck in the world is rushing toward me.”

Sheng Xinhai reached out and touched Phoenix’s cheek. “You’ve had too much; your face is burning hot.”

“I haven’t drunk that much,” Phoenix said. “We have to keep drinking—no leaving until we’re drunk.”

With that, she called over a maid. “Bring me another bottle of champagne.”

“Make it chilled,” Sheng Xinhai added.

Then she said to Phoenix, “I’ll help cool you down.”

The maid soon returned with an ice bucket and champagne glasses, poured for both of them, and tactfully withdrew.

They all knew Sheng Xinhai liked to chat about topics unsuitable for children, often leaving the maids blushing and wishing they could disappear. Strangely, a few days later, they found themselves eager to hear more.

Raising her glass, Phoenix said, “Sister Xinhai, here’s to you.”

Sheng Xinhai clinked her glass with Phoenix’s, then downed her champagne in one gulp before snatching Phoenix’s glass and drinking that too.

Phoenix scolded, “Why are you so greedy? It’s not like we’re out of wine. Drink as much as you want tonight—there’s plenty of champagne.”

“You can’t drink anymore.” Sheng Xinhai tossed the two empty glasses onto the small table in front of them, picked up the champagne bottle, and poured herself another glass. “If you keep drinking, you’ll just pass out. Then I can do whatever I want, right?”

“I don’t care! I’m going to drink.” Phoenix grabbed her glass back from Sheng Xinhai. “I’m an adult now, and today is a very important, meaningful day. So I want to get drunk. Come on, let’s drink till we drop.”

Seeing she was serious about drinking, Sheng Xinhai stopped opposing and clinked glasses with her. “Till we drop.”

They raised their glasses again and drank deeply.

The cold wine slid down their throats, clearing Phoenix’s head somewhat. She clung to Sheng Xinhai’s arm. “Sister Xinhai, you don’t know how grateful I am.”

“What is there to be grateful for? Didn’t you just buy me a drink? We’re even.”

“No, we’re not.” Phoenix shook her head. “I know you did so much for me. You helped me wholeheartedly. I only wanted you to accompany them and talk a bit; I didn’t expect you’d go that far.”

“Jealous? Are you blaming me for holding him and going around socializing and drinking?”

“How could I blame you? I know why you did it—you wanted to take the heat off me.”

Phoenix looked up, serious, and said, “You were willing to sacrifice your reputation to help me. I really don’t know how to thank you.”

“Pfft!”

Sheng Xinhai burst out laughing. “Are you trying to kill me? Sacrifice what? I don’t even have a reputation to sacrifice. How can I lose what I never had?”

“You always like wallowing in the mud. But actually, you’re cleaner than anyone else.”

“Hehe, have you ever seen ‘The Two Little Pigs’?”

.

“When I tried to imitate them jumping and rolling in the mud, I found it quite pleasant. If I splash mud all over myself first, no one dares to bother me. After all, they’re afraid the mud will splash onto them.”

“Men, they want both face and substance. They want a beautiful body and a good reputation. When these conflict, they have to choose cautiously.”

“That’s why I live so freely now—no one dares provoke me, not even your charming second brother. Who knows what crazy things this madwoman might do?”

“So when I went out with Tang Fei for a walk, people would at most suspect we had an affair. Whether we did or didn’t, you know very well.”

“They might think that since Tang Fei and I are so close, my relationship with you might not be so intimate. At least, not a serious one.”

“Truth and lies, lies and truth—who can really tell? It’s better than being under everyone’s microscope all the time. Even the most perfect person has flaws.”

“Do you think they’ll believe that?” Phoenix asked.

“Does it matter if they believe it or not? In this world, you only need to care whether one person believes it or not.”

“My father?”

Sheng Xinhai sipped her champagne delicately. “That old man is very cunning.”

.

“What’s that look? I’m praising him.” Sheng Xinhai said, half annoyed. “Do you think being emperor is easy? Without exceptional wisdom, deep strategy, and unique skills in managing people, one wouldn’t know how often he’s been fooled by those beneath him. The mind of a ruler is the most treacherous and extraordinary art in the world.”

“I always feel like you’re not saying anything nice.”

“Your Highness, you wrong me. If your father heard this, he’d chop off my head for sure.”

“He wouldn’t. If he wants to chop you, he’d have to chop me first.”

“See, are you drunk? On such a special coming-of-age night, why are we talking about life and death?”

“You’re blaming me again.” Phoenix brushed away Sheng Xinhai’s playful hands. “Didn’t you start it?”

“I was just speaking casually, and you always agree with me. It’s hard not to love you.”

“I don’t need your love.”

“Right, our little princess Xuexue already has someone she likes.” Sheng Xinhai sighed deeply. “Are you really that certain?”

Phoenix pondered for a moment, then said, “I don’t like someone because they’re outstanding. I choose to appreciate their excellence because I like them.”

“Oh, you’ve got your lines all ready.”

.

“You’ll understand someday.” Phoenix looked at Sheng Xinhai with conviction, her eyes sparkling. “Before you met him, you didn’t know what love was. But once you meet him, you’ll know for sure and say to yourself: yes, this is love.”

“I feel like you’ve convinced me.”

“I thought you were going to say ‘put to sleep’ again.”

“That’s not impossible.”

.

—

Zhong Daolong paused his work, listened carefully, and asked, “Is it over there?”

“Yes, Father,” answered the eldest prince, Zhong Tianque, who stood nearby.

“Why aren’t you out there dancing with them? Why are you standing here by me?”

“I’m afraid they’d feel uncomfortable if I joined. It’s better to stay by you, serve tea, and learn a few things,” Zhong Tianque replied.

Zhong Daolong sighed. “You’re too serious. Be serious when it’s time to be serious, and have fun when it’s time to have fun. Keeping a stern face all day is exhausting. Look at Tianyi—he’s living a more relaxed life than you.”

“My father doesn’t find it tiring, so I don’t either,” Zhong Tianque said, filling his father’s teacup. “Second brother has his own pursuits. No need to force it.”

“What do you think?” Zhong Daolong put down the documents and asked.

“About what?”

“Qin Jianyi challenged Tang Fei and lost. Isn’t that outrageous?”

“Father worries Qin family might have cheated to gain fame?”

“No, not really. The Qin family cares about their reputation. If they could win, Qin Jianyi wouldn’t have to admit defeat to some inexperienced newcomer.”

“So what’s your father’s point?”

“He wanted to win but lost,” Zhong Daolong said. “Still, that kid is a bit uncanny. Have Chen Fenglei check what kind of martial arts he’s using.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Qin Jianyi will be looked down upon after this setback,” Zhong Daolong said. “At times like this, we should give him some support. He’s been in the Fire Legion for some time, right?”

“Three years and five months,” Zhong Tianque answered promptly, as if expecting the question.

Zhong Daolong looked at him in surprise. “I heard he’s done well in the Fire Legion, achieving many merits. It’s time to give him some rewards. There’s a mechanical battalion in the Fire Legion, right?”

“Yes, Father. It’s one of their main forces.”

“Then assign him to lead it.” Zhong Daolong’s gaze was deep as he spoke.

“Yes, Father. I will handle it properly.”

(End of chapter)