The beasts of the Hundred Clans all knew that the Phoenix Emperor, Li Feng, doted on her daughter, Li Xuanyue, to a fault. It was precisely because of this that Li Xuanyue had grown increasingly arrogant and lawless within the Phoenix Clan, looking down on everyone else.
However, this did not mean she had the right to show disrespect to the Five Clans on her wedding night. The young men sent for this marital alliance were either princes or sons of elders. For Li Xuanyue to be so bloodthirsty and cruel—was she not showing a total lack of regard for them?
"Could Princess Xuanyue have truly laid a hand on them last night?"
The "them" mentioned by the envoys of the Five Clans were none other than the princes and noble sons they had personally sent for the alliance. If this were true, they would immediately return to their respective clans to report to their kings, then band together to demand an explanation from the Phoenix Clan. They could not allow their kin to die in the Phoenix Clan for no reason; to them, that would be a grave insult.
Li Feng furrowed her brows. She had already explained the situation to them clearly—that the rumors from last night were baseless. Why were these old fools so insistent on not listening? Did they really want to wait for her daughter to step out and slap them in the face?
"Phoenix Emperor, we demand to see the five consorts."
Seeing Li Feng’s irritated expression, the five envoys mistakenly assumed they had hit upon the truth, and they all knelt before her at once.
Li Feng was deeply annoyed. Just as she was about to speak and tell them that Li Xuanyue would arrive with the five consorts at any moment, a crisp voice rang out from outside the hall.
"I have caused you all much concern."
Hearing the voice from outside, the five kneeling envoys looked up in astonishment. Li Xuanyue, dressed in a magnificent red phoenix robe, was seen walking slowly into the hall, accompanied by the five consorts. Her complexion was fair, her beauty radiant, and the five consorts at her side were each striking in their own right. Together, they looked like a golden boy and a jade girl—an exceptionally pleasing sight.
"I pay my respects to Mother Empress."
While greeting the five envoys, Li Xuanyue did not forget to bow to Li Feng, who sat in the seat of honor. The five consorts followed suit and bowed as well.
"Good, good, good. Everyone, rise."
Watching her five sons-in-law, Li Feng could not have been happier. The irritation she had suppressed moments ago vanished the instant she saw Li Xuanyue.
"Envoys, can you believe what I told you now?" Li Feng’s mood had clearly brightened, the earlier impatience completely gone.
"Please, rise."
A flash of embarrassment crossed the faces of the five kneeling envoys. They stood up under Li Feng’s gaze and immediately began to inspect the princes and young masters they had sent. Seeing them all safe and sound, without a single scratch on them, they finally felt at ease.
However, Li Xuanyue’s reputation as a madwoman was well-known, and the envoys could not entirely let down their guard.
"Phoenix Emperor, although this was a misunderstanding, we have all heard the rumors about how Princess Xuanyue treated her consorts in the past. Since this alliance is intended to foster friendship between the Five Clans, I wonder if the Princess could give us her word today that she will treat them well from now on."
They did not want to keep sending waves of princes and noble sons to the Phoenix Clan. This request from the envoys was, to some extent, a slight against the Phoenix Clan’s authority. In her past life, Li Xuanyue would have been furious, but after everything she had experienced, she found she could understand their concern.
"Very well." Li Xuanyue agreed without the slightest hesitation. This stunned even Li Feng, who was sitting above.
"I, this Palace, promise you that I will treat them well from now on. If I fail to do so, may I meet a wretched end."
The five consorts were equally shocked by Li Xuanyue’s words. They had never dreamed that this high-and-mighty Phoenix Princess would make such a pledge to them in person. However, they believed it was merely a facade; once the envoys left, Li Xuanyue would likely reveal her true colors.
***
"Second Princess, Consort Lin is here."
Meanwhile, at Chaoren Hall, Li Qinghe had not rested well since returning, as her plan had failed. She was in the middle of vetting her suspects when Ruyue hurried in. A flicker of displeasure crossed Li Qinghe’s eyes. *Why is he here at a time like this?* She looked impatient.
"Lin Yue pays his respects to the Second Princess."
Soon, a young man in elegant cyan robes stood respectfully before Li Qinghe, cupping his hands in a bow. He was tall, with refined features and an indescribable air of elegance in his every movement.
"Did I not tell you to avoid coming to see me unless absolutely necessary?" Li Qinghe tried to mask her displeasure as she asked in a cold voice, "Speak, why are you in such a rush? Was anyone following you?"
Lin Yue was, after all, one of Li Xuanyue’s consorts. If someone with malicious intent discovered that her consort was sneaking off to meet her, it would be highly detrimental to her.
Lin Yue, oblivious to Li Qinghe’s internal thoughts, appeared genuinely worried. "I heard that the Phoenix Emperor ordered Princess Qinghe to be confined to Chaoren Hall for three months of self-reflection. I couldn't stop worrying, so I came to check on you."
"Are you all right, Princess Qinghe?" Lin Yue asked cautiously.
Li Qinghe had saved his life. If she hadn't intervened back then, he would have likely perished under Li Xuanyue’s cruelty. Hearing the news of her confinement had caused him immense distress; Li Qinghe was like his very life, and he felt deeply pained by the Phoenix Emperor's treatment of her.
Li Qinghe did not need Lin Yue’s concern, but knowing that the person closest to Li Xuanyue was here worrying about her—while Li Xuanyue remained indifferent—made her feel a bit better.
"I am fine. It is just three months of seclusion in my own palace." Li Qinghe dismissed the matter; she was far more interested in uncovering who had sabotaged her scheme.
She refused to believe that Li Xuanyue hadn't consumed that bowl of porridge. So many eyes had watched her drink the hundred-year lotus seed porridge. How could she be perfectly fine? *Could she have taken some kind of medicine to counteract her madness in advance?*
Li Qinghe’s gaze darkened. "You’ve been by my sister’s side lately—have you noticed anything unusual, or did she say anything in particular?" *How else could she have escaped this disaster?*
Lin Yue was taken aback, not expecting Li Qinghe’s train of thought to jump so quickly. However, he did not suspect her motives. He lowered his head and thought carefully. "No. The Eldest Princess has been acting as she always does. Second Princess, why do you ask? Do you suspect the Eldest Princess framed you?"
From his understanding, the Eldest Princess did not seem like someone capable of such calculated schemes. Could there be a misunderstanding in all of this?