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

"Has Your Majesty never heard of that saying?" Chu Yingge retorted.

A hint of doubt appeared in Mu Jingyu's eyes: "What did you say?"

"Of course, it's about not using people you doubt, and not doubting people you use." Chu Yingge paused and continued, "If Your Majesty doesn't trust Yingge, you can simply not use her in the first place. Besides, back then, in order to cooperate with Your Majesty in staging a self-inflicted injury, Yingge risked half her life."

"But this is different. You promised me before that you would use the identity of the Ninth Miss of the Prime Minister's Mansion, but in three days you will be the proper Seventh Princess Consort. Can't I have some doubts?"

Mu Jingyu wasn't stupid; he knew perfectly well what was most important to a woman: her husband and children.

Chu Yingge is very loyal to him now, but if she really becomes Mu Ziyuan's woman, it's hard to say which side she'll side with.

Therefore, he had to be on guard.

Hearing Mu Jingyu say that, Chu Yingge couldn't help but chuckle, her mockery undisguised.

For an emperor to view things this way, it seems she really overestimated the person in front of her. She thought he was a tough nut to crack, but it turned out he was all show and no substance.

Seeing Chu Yingge smile, Mu Jingyu's doubts deepened.

"why are you laughing?"

"It's nothing, it's just that Yin Ge didn't expect the Emperor to be so petty, to take things out of context like this."

"how you said that?"

"Ahem." Chu Yingge coughed lightly, composed herself: "His Majesty made a promise to me that he would give me the position of Empress, so I don't even care about the mere Seventh Prince's Consort."

Indeed, the mere Seventh Princess Consort is not enough to satisfy her appetite. Therefore, the position of Empress is indeed hers, but the choice of Emperor may not necessarily be Mu Jingyu.

"Your Majesty, please trust Yingge, for Yingge will prove it to Your Majesty in due time."

"how to prove?"

"In fact, the Seventh Prince's eagerness to marry me is also a scheme. He is just using this method to test the Emperor. At this moment, the Emperor's distrust of me is exactly what the Seventh Prince wants."

Sometimes Chu Yingge admired herself, as she could spout nonsense with a straight face as if it were second nature, but Mu Jingyu actually believed her.

Her eyes were lowered, as if she were considering the credibility of Chu Yingge's words. After a moment, she slowly spoke: "Is there any evidence?"

"No."

"Then how can I believe that what you just said wasn't an attempt to exonerate yourself?"

With a cold snort, Chu Yingge put away her disdain. Was it a little late for her to only start using her brain at this point?

"First, if I were truly on the same side as the Seventh Prince, he wouldn't have exposed me so openly."

Secondly, even if the Seventh Prince is brainless and accidentally exposed me on a whim, I think it's a good thing.

"Good news?" Mu Jingyu repeated, a hint of doubt in his eyes. "Why do you say that?"

"Because this shows that the Seventh Prince is a man blinded by lust. How can someone without cunning achieve great things? Why would the Emperor bother to plan for such an unwise person for so long?"

Chu Yingge's words were comprehensive and watertight, and even Mu Jingyu, who grew up in the palace, could not find a single flaw.

Moreover, Chu Yingge's words were deliberately meant to lead Mu Jingyu astray, and sure enough, he fell into the trap.

If Chu Yingge hadn't mentioned it, Mu Jingyu definitely wouldn't have thought of all this, but Chu Yingge spoke so logically and clearly that, upon closer examination, it was indeed true.

Mu Ziyuan was an opponent he was wary of. If he really didn't care about the big picture, why would he take him seriously?

"What you said isn't without reason. It seems I have indeed misunderstood you."

"Yinge is not afraid of being wronged, but she is afraid that the Emperor will continue to misunderstand her." After saying this, Chu Yinge almost bit off her own tongue.

Although her acting skills are superb, she doesn't act in front of others and always speaks her mind without pretense.

Because she is at the top of the food chain, she doesn't need to pretend and despises affectation.

Now, in order to survive better, she has to speak against her conscience, and I wonder if she will have a guilty conscience at night.

Mu Jingyu already felt somewhat apologetic, and now that Chu Yingge had given him a way out, he felt even more that the person in front of him was suitable to sit and watch the world go by with him.

"Recently, some fine things have been sent as tribute from the west. Go and pick out a couple of items later as compensation from me."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Chu Yingge bowed slightly as a gesture of thanks.

Mu Jingyu nodded, said nothing more, and led Chu Yingge toward the treasure pavilion.

Chu Yingge had long been interested in the Treasure Pavilion. She had never found a suitable weapon since arriving here and wanted to forge one herself, but unfortunately, she lacked the right materials, so she had always given up on the idea.

Chu Yingge had long harbored the desire to infiltrate the palace, but many things always came up to obstruct her progress. This time, with the opportunity to openly and legitimately demand her share, she was naturally delighted.

Upon arriving at the treasure pavilion, Mu Jingyu signaled to the guards at the door to open it. After the door opened, he led Chu Yingge inside, and the guards all stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Everyone knows that no one but the Emperor can enter this treasure pavilion, let alone a woman without any official title. It seems that the harem will soon have another concubine.

As Mu Jingyu entered the treasure pavilion, a smile unconsciously appeared on his face as he looked at the dazzling array of treasures displayed before him.

"Take whatever you like; I'll allow you your little bit of greed."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I am not greedy." Chu Yingge glanced around but did not see anything she liked.

She wasn't a real young lady from a wealthy family, and she didn't like those gold, silver, jewelry, jade, or agate.

What she likes are weapons, weapons that can save lives in critical moments.

If it were anyone else, they would have already looted the entire treasure vault by now, but the person in front of them seemed uninterested, as if nothing could pique their interest.

Mu Jingyu's eyes showed a hint of admiration. Such a person, who remained untainted by the mud, was indeed far better than those who were short-sighted and lacked any insight.

"No one but me has ever been to this treasure pavilion."

"Is that so? Then I am truly honored." As she spoke, Chu Yingge continued to search around for something that could be used as a weapon.

Mu Jingyu stepped forward, turned Chu Yingge around, and forced her to look into his eyes.

"Aren't you curious why I brought you here?"

"Why?" Chu Yingge asked, following Mu Jingyu's words.

“Because…” Mu Jingyu released his grip on Chu Yingge’s shoulder, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"You, Chu Yingge, have won my heart."