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

After saying that, Zhang took a gold hairpin from her hair and handed it to Guozi: "Take it, do a good job, and you'll get your share of the rewards."

"Madam Xie." Guozi reached out and took it, then discreetly slipped it into her sleeve.

"If Madam has nothing else to say, Guozi will take her leave now."

"Hmm." Zhang responded faintly, returning to her seat to admire the nail polish on her hand.

Guozi struggled to her feet and limped out of Fangqing Garden, muttering to herself as she walked.

She must be having a bad day, otherwise why would her legs keep having these misfortunes?

Back in the backyard, Guozi walked towards the pear tree, her face filled with a pitiful expression, and large tears welled up in her eyes.

"Miss……"

Chu Yingge was somewhat taken aback, but then she returned to normal. She had seen this girl's acting skills before; if this were in the 21st century, she would definitely be a Golden Horse Award-winning actress who could easily outshine many stars.

She considered herself a decent actress, but in front of the person in front of her, she still lacked the necessary skill.

"Don't try to show off your acting skills in front of me, it will make me doubt my judgment of people."

"Oh." Upon hearing Chu Yingge's words, Guozi immediately stopped and took out a gold hairpin from her sleeve, placing it on the stone table.

"This was a reward from Madam. I dare not keep the fruit to myself, so I'll leave it to Miss to handle."

"Take it. Didn't she give it to you as a reward? Of course you should keep it. How can you refuse something offered to you with open arms?" Chu Yingge said calmly.

Guozi thought for a moment, then picked up the gold hairpin from the stone table and stuffed it back into her sleeve. She had knelt for half a day to get it, so of course she wanted to keep it and pawn it to buy herself some things someday.

"Since Miss has put it that way, then we won't stand on ceremony with the fruit."

"Mm," Chu Yingge replied without looking up. She had truly misjudged this time. She thought she had found a pitiful little thing, but now she realized that this was clearly just like her in nature. But that was fine too; she needed a maid like this by her side, to serve her. The maid, however, didn't reveal anything. She secretly glanced at Chu Yingge, who was lying on the rocking chair pretending to sleep, her probing gaze sweeping over her from head to toe, but she couldn't discern anything.

Watching the others bustling about in the backyard, Guozi walked over and sat down, rubbing her legs. She leaned over the stone table and stared intently at Chu Yingge.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on Chu Yingge's face. Guozi, watching this, grew bored and began to yawn.

……

Not long after Mu Ziyuan left, Mu Jingyu's imperial edict arrived at the Prime Minister's residence.

Chu Tian came out of the study, trembling with fear, to receive the imperial edict, only to be told that the palace eunuchs had already taken the edict and headed towards the backyard.

Chu Tian frowned slightly, but ultimately didn't say anything more. Only a subtle, unfathomable glint flashed in his eyes.

He originally thought his youngest daughter was only related to the Seventh Prince, but judging from the current situation, his youngest daughter probably also has some unclear relationship with the Emperor.

I really can't underestimate my daughter. If I'm not careful, she might really turn the world upside down.

Throughout Kyoto, among all the daughters of prominent families, none possessed the same boldness and courage as his youngest daughter.

Not only did she become engaged to the Seventh Prince, but she also persuaded him to move up the wedding date several times. But that's not all; the most important thing is that she has gained the Emperor's favor.

He recognized the person who came to deliver the imperial edict; that was a favorite of the emperor. If the emperor hadn't specifically ordered it, why would he send his most favored person to deliver the edict?

Such a daughter is truly extraordinary, but all of this is to be expected. After all, in the whole world, there is only one who can threaten her father, whip her mother, and disfigure her sister.

Just now, didn't his good daughter just ask him for a hefty dowry? Although he hasn't given it away yet, he's already agreed, so naturally he can't go back on his word.

Thinking of this, Chu Tian's face darkened even more. Oh well, as long as she didn't cross his bottom line, he would let her be. He would do it for Yu Rou's sake.

Mentioning Yu Rou, Chu Tian's mind immediately conjured up the scene of her death. If it weren't for what happened back then... perhaps he could have...

A pang of sadness gripped his heart, and Chu Tian walked into the study without looking back.

Upon hearing that it was someone from the palace, the people in the backyard hurriedly and respectfully knelt on the ground to greet them.

Guozi jumped up from her seat, looking at Chu Yingge who was still lying in the rocking chair with some concern, and cautiously asked, "Miss, people from the palace have come, should we...?"

Guozi didn't say the rest directly, but Chu Yingge was smart enough to understand. It meant that someone from the palace had come and she should behave properly.

However, Chu Yingge, who was lying in the rocking chair, did not react at all.

No sooner had Mu Ziyuan moved up the wedding date to three days prior than Mu Jingyu started to get anxious, proving he really is an impatient person.

However, she also received an important piece of information: Mu Jingyu did not completely trust her.

It seems this show will have to go on!

Slowly opening her eyes, Chu Yingge looked at the slick-haired, powdered-faced man in front of her, her disdain growing even stronger.

She wasn't prejudiced against eunuchs, but the person in front of her was simply too irritating to look at. She didn't like him at all after just one glance.

Insidious, cunning—the person before me fits all these descriptions.

"Steward Li, how have you been?"

"Not at all, Miss Jiu, it's me who's been well!" Steward Li said with a forced smile.

He was a favorite of the emperor, and even high-ranking officials of the court treated him with utmost respect. But the person in front of him clearly looked down on him, and this was the second time in a row that he had been treated with disrespect.

If he hadn't realized that the Emperor treated the person in front of him differently, he wouldn't have bothered to be so indifferent.

“Ninth Miss, I have come today on the Emperor’s orders to bring you to the palace. If you have nothing else to do, please come with me!”

The shrill voice that pierced Chu Yingge's ears felt like an auditory rape.

Getting up from the rocking chair, Chu Yingge glanced meaningfully at the fruit before turning her gaze to Steward Li.

"Does Your Excellency know why the Emperor summoned me to the palace?"

"Oh, Miss Jiu, this is putting me in a difficult position. I dare not guess the Emperor's thoughts." Steward Li straightened up and said in a sarcastic tone with a tense face.

Chu Yingge frowned, her displeasure growing more pronounced. She had long guessed why Mu Jingyu had sought her out; it was just a matter of exchanging a few polite words with the person in front of her. He really took her seriously.

"In that case, please lead the way, sir!"