Phoenix Cries Across the World: The Cold-Hearted Princess is Too Alluring

News of Mu Ziyuan's visit to the Prime Minister's residence to propose marriage spread quickly. As the person most concerned about Mu Ziyuan's movements, Mu Jingyu truly found it increasingly difficult to understand his potential rival.

Having traveled from his place of exile all the way to Kyoto, he had always been wary of Mu Ziyuan. Fortunately, even after arriving in Kyoto, Mu Ziyuan had never done anything out of line and had always kept to himself.

Now, he was actually using eight kinds of precious gifts to marry the ninth young lady of the Prime Minister's mansion, Chu Yingge. This practice really puzzled him.

Are they already prepared to go to war with him?

But if that's the case, then why hasn't there been any further action? He had people keeping a close eye on the Seventh Prince's residence at all times, but they hadn't noticed anything unusual.

Letting out a long breath, Mu Jingyu had no interest in looking at the memorial in his hand. He was the new emperor, and although many people in the court supported him, his power was still unstable. The appearance of Mu Ziyuan made him wary.

Chu Moran, standing to the side, appeared much calmer. He had also heard about the Seventh Prince personally extending the betrothal gift, and he had to admit that he had become interested in this younger sister whom he had always ignored.

Putting aside his drastic change in temperament, bullying Yanran, insulting his mother, and even making the usually cautious Seventh Prince take such a huge risk—if he didn't have some kind of cunning, even he himself wouldn't believe it.

Mu Jingyu looked up and frowned slightly at Chu Moran, who was in a daze. The person in front of him was his capable assistant whom he had personally promoted. Now that he was back in Kyoto, he felt a little more at ease.

This is equivalent to giving oneself an additional force to rely on on top of one's original foundation.

"What are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought."

Hearing Mu Jingyu's question, Chu Moran nodded slightly: "It's nothing, it's just that there's something I'm puzzled about."

"What is it?" Mu Jingyu pressed.

Chu Moran paused for a moment, then continued, "I have been in Luocheng for the past three years and have not been to the capital. I was unaware that my younger sister's personality had changed so drastically that she is now quite unpredictable."

"Yanran?" When Chu Yanran was mentioned, a hint of coldness flashed in Mu Jingyu's eyes.

He didn't have any good feelings towards this woman; he was only concerned about her status as the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's family.

Chu Moran shook his head and said, "Yanran hasn't changed. She's always been like this since she was little. I'm referring to my ninth sister, Chu Yingge."

"Chu Yinge?" Mu Jingyu's tone rose a few decibels.

If Chu Moran hadn't brought it up, he would never have thought of Chu Yingge, since all his attention was focused on Mu Ziyuan.

What makes her different?

“She used to be very docile, but now she’s become somewhat arrogant, but that’s not the most important thing.” Chu Moran paused for a moment and continued, “The most important thing is that she can make the usually cautious Seventh Prince take such a big risk, which makes people think a lot about it.”

Yes, that is indeed the case.

Mu Jingyu recalled what had happened before. He originally thought that Mu Ziyuan would be very resistant to his arranged marriage, but he unexpectedly asked him to move the wedding date forward. At the time, he did not think anything of it and always thought that it was just a way for Mu Ziyuan to cover up his true intentions.

But now that he heard Chu Moran say that, he could no longer ignore Chu Yingge.

Chu Yinge was originally a move he made to deal with Mu Ziyuan, but judging from the current situation, it seems that he made a mistake.

How much do you know about Chu Yingge?

"Not many," Chu Moran said respectfully.

“Her relationship with me has always been distant. She has never been close to me since childhood. But after all, she is my sister. I will pay attention to her in the future and try to strengthen my bond with her.”

Chu Moran was a man of great talent; with just a casual question, he had already guessed what Mu Jingyu was thinking.

On the surface, he has no relation to Mu Jingyu, but in reality, he owes his current position entirely to the person sitting on the throne.

Therefore, he would naturally understand everything Mu Jingyu said.

He had only asked one more question about Chu Yinge, but to him it sounded like he was being told to pay close attention to Chu Yinge.

What Mu Jingyu admired most about Chu Moran was this: he could understand his meaning without explicitly stating it.

"You always win my heart so deeply."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I am unworthy of such praise."

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you may leave. I have important matters to attend to."

"Yes."

As Chu Moran emerged from the imperial study, his once composed demeanor vanished, replaced by a fierce and menacing expression.

Thinking of Chu Yingge and the betrothal gifts from the Seventh Prince, she felt a surge of anger rising within her.

He had originally intended to ignore Chu Yingge, but now it seemed he had no choice but to pay attention to her.

If things continue like this, this younger sister will eventually become a major worry for him.

……

Inside the Prime Minister's residence, in the Manxiang Garden.

A series of cracking sounds came from inside the room. Green Bamboo stood outside the door, her anxiety written all over her face.

Ever since hearing about the Seventh Prince's betrothal visit, her young lady has been locking herself in her room, which is quite worrying.

"Miss, are you alright? Please open the door! I was so worried about you!"

"Do I need you to worry about me?" Chu Yanran's words came from inside the room.

Green Bamboo felt wronged, but didn't know what to say. It was all that bitch Chu Yingge's fault for making her young lady so unreasonable.

"Miss, I know you're unhappy, but you still have your own body to take it out on.

"If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll marry you off to that lame man who empties the chamber pot!"

These words were indeed impactful. Green Bamboo remained silent. Having served Chu Yanran for many years, she naturally knew that her young mistress was not joking.

She already had someone she liked, and even if she couldn't marry that person, she wanted to stay by their side.

It was quiet outside the door, but the scene inside was hard to describe.

Chu Yanran smashed everything she could in the room, but looking at the shards scattered on the floor, she still hadn't vented her anger.

She had already stopped caring about that bitch Chu Yingge and planned to devote all her energy and effort to the Emperor's side, but who knew that the Seventh Prince would come to propose marriage at this time.

It's one thing to offer betrothal gifts, but to use the Eight Treasures of the Eight Items? Don't they even consider whether that bitch Chu Yingge is worthy of them?

Picking up the broken pieces from the ground, a ruthless glint appeared in Chu Yanran's eyes. Why should Chu Yingge, a concubine's daughter, enjoy the same treatment that she herself could not?

Hadn't she already ruined her reputation? She wanted to see if the Seventh Prince would still care so much about someone who had lost her virginity.

"Chu Yingge, we'll see. If I, Chu Yanran, ever let you get away with this, then I'm not Chu Yanran!"

The shard pierced her palm, and blood slowly flowed down her palm lines. A vicious plan was drawn in Chu Yanran's mind.