Pheonix Ascending(PA)

Chapters 26-30

Chapter 26: The Officials Waver

Nan Xun seriously considered the question and analyzed the current situation. In the end, he had to shake his head. “This matter is too important, we need to plan for the long term.”

The return trip passed in a flash as the retinue arrived at the capital in short order. Qi Chen had taken care of an urgent matter for the emperor this time, and had done so quite well. The emperor was immensely gratified and smiled broadly, even personally welcoming Qi Chen early in the morning as part of the party outside the city.

Qi Chen was well aware of what Jun Huang meant to him and his ambition, so although the two had had their disagreements in the past, he couldn’t put on airs right then. Instead, he invited Jun Huang to avoid the toils of travel and join him in his carriage. He only did this when they were about ten miles out from the capital. The scenery that greeted their eyes around them was currently one of peaceful lushness. Jun Huang alighted from her horse with flair and entered the carriage, only to see Qi Chen seated inside with a teacup in hand. The tea in the cup sloshed back and forth with the motion of the carriage, closely resembling a lively river.

“What might Your Highness need me for?” Jun Huang asked Qi Chen.

The prince smiled fawningly and placed the tea cup on a low table. The rocking from the carriage immediately spilled some tea onto his robes, but Qi Chen paid no heed. He warmly greeted Jun Huang and had her sit down for a discussion. Jun Huang didn’t stand on ceremony and took a seat across from Qi Chen, waiting for him to state his intentions.

“Brother Feng knows of my status in my royal father’s heart. You’re also on good terms with Nan Xun. I hope you talk some sense into him so that he won’t tell my royal father about the robbery at theyamen. Please do this favor for me.” Qi Chen even raised a cupped fist salute to Jun Huang, a look of utmost seriousness on his face.

Jun Huang sneered inwardly, but maintained her usual indifferent expression. She nodded, “Leave it to me. Although I don’t have much to do with him, I’m still willing to try on behalf of Your Highness.” She responded very openly and subtly drew a line between herself and Nan Xun at the same time. She couldn’t have Qi Chen suspect the relationship between the two of them just yet.

Qi Chen heaved a sigh of relief after receiving Jun Huang’s affirmative response. She no longer had a reason to exchange superficial pleasantries with him and rose to take her leave. HOwever, right when she was about to alight from the carriage, she paused and turned with a smile. “Might I beg a jug of wine off Your Highness?”

Qi Chen blinked, but hastily passed over a jug of wine. Jun Huang left in style after receiving the white jade jug. When she came down, she happened to meet Nan Xun’s eyes, the latter still mounted on his white horse. She curved her lips and raised the jug in her hand. Nan Xun reined in his horse, waiting for her to rejoin him on her horse.

The two lagged behind as they approached the capital and finally dismounted beneath a towering tree. They took seats on the ground, with Jun Huang having scrounged up two white jade cups from somewhere. She handed Nan Xun a cup after filling it with wine.

“What did Qi Chen want with you earlier?” Nan Xun asked after accepting the cup.

“He wanted me to ask you not to mention to the emperor that the yamen was robbed.” Jun Huang didn’t hide everything and spoke bluntly.

Nan Xun was slightly taken aback, but immediately gathered his thoughts, shaking his head with a smile. He took a sip of wine and spoke, “I hadn’t planned on doing so either. There’s no need for the emperor to know of this matter.”

“Indeed. You were supposed to be the robber, so how would you tell the emperor of that endeavor? You might as well let this matter pass and do me a favor.” Jun Huang nodded in agreement and grinned widely. She raised the cup to toast Nan Xun with a deep look and flung her head back, draining the contents.