The Phoenix Reborn Book II

Chapter 98 The Scattered Net

*Some days in advance*

‘Seventh Prince went to Zhou-Shi Border?!’ huang Yade choked inwardly with widened eyes, just as a number of other officials were shocked by the news the emperor had just announced.

Had Huang Yade heard a few days ago that the little prince proposed to join the expedition, he said the reason for doing so … is to regain her shattered credibility after what her mother did. However, with Wang Wuyu's death as well as Wang Xiangqi's abilities so minimal in the war world, of course Emperor Weixin did not agree to this. Three sons had preceded him, was Emperor Weixin willing to send one more son?

Wait, does that mean Emperor Weixin doesn't care about Wang Junsi? I don't know, no one can guess what's on an emperor's mind.

Huang Yade glanced forward, towards Huang Miaoling who was standing firmly in his position. When Wang Junsi and Huang Jieli were sent to the battlefield, Huang Yade clearly remembered that her younger sister had taken into account all the possibilities she had to attend to.

Although he had a fight and looked unconcerned, Huang Miaoling was actually still quite watching Wang Junsi. Not in bad intent, but good. For some reason, Huang Miaoling was much more careful with the safety of a number of royal families.

‘Wang Junsi, Wang Xiangqi, Wang Qiuhua, and more ...,’ Huang Yade's eyes turned towards the throne, ‘Emperor Weixin.’ Minister Huang's mind bounced slightly, ‘What does this have to do with the dream Miaoling mentioned?’

“With the number of Nanhan and Sihan Tribal Forces divided, I think the potential defeat of our side is minimal, Your Majesty.” Shao Yanjun suddenly raised his voice, “Kurasa, there is no harm in using this opportunity to give experience to the Seventh Prince, especially since he has gone through his maturity ceremony.”

Hearing this, Emperor Weixin's expression slightly deteriorated, he was too intelligent to not understand the meaning of his subordinates' words. Shao Yanjun meant that Wang Xiangqi had grown up, it was time for him to prove himself as a man.

However, before Wang Weixin could spout her anger at Shao Yanjun, Wang Chengliu had first said, “Minister Shao was right. It was time for Seventh Sister to understand a thing or two about war. What would the people say if Seventh Sister could not even be compared to Mingwei Junzhu who had carved a name in the war history of another kingdom.” The black-brown-eyed man glanced towards Huang Miaoling, “Not so, Junzhu?”

At this moment, Qing Gangtie who was next to Huang Miaoling frowned. Originally, she planned to keep her mouth shut and not interfere in the court, it was already hard enough for her to refrain from pleading with Wang Weixin to forgive her nephew's actions—Qing Zhuang. However, hearing Wang Chengliu's words that had a thousand meanings, which was one of them was insulting Huang Miaoling as a woman and also insinuating the woman for helping other countries, which was wrong, Qing Gangtie felt her anger stir.

“Pang—!”

No time Qing Gangtie finished one word, a voice had first sounded, “Sixth Prince was right, Your Highness.” Everyone was a little surprised by the remark of the figure in the front row of the left wing of the court, “I'm sure the Seventh Prince will be fine. After all, my second brother and the Fourth Prince are there, they will not allow anything to happen to the Seventh Prince.” Huang Miaoling put on a flat face, not intending to divulge even the slightest bit of emotion within him.

Since even Huang Miaoling said so, it made no sense for Wang Weixin to continue forcing Wang Xiangqi back. If he continued to do so, everyone would think that he had more plans for his smallest son.

Yes, it was as if Wang Xiangqi was a backup in case something happened to Wang Zhengyi.

What about Wang Chengliu? Did the emperor not intend to give him power, even if all his other sons ended up unable to continue his throne? Even when Wang Xiangqi ... was also Li's descendant?

Wang Weixin growled inwardly, not wanting that misunderstanding to be present among the officials. Finally, he also announced, “Trial today .. just get here.”

After the departure of Emperor Weixin, one by one the officials stepped away from the court. Huang Miaoling and Huang Yade did the same.

While stepping down the stairs towards the main courtyard of the palace, Huang Miaoling, Huang Yade, along with Great Master Qing who were walking silently were startled by a voice that said, “What will happen if there are no other princes besides the Sixth Prince in the kingdom?” The three people immediately stopped their steps and turned their heads, finding Shao Yanjun behind them. “What will Emperor Weixin do?” The man's eyes were fixed on Huang Miaoling.

“Dragon talks to you,” growled Huang Yade. “Do you curse the other princes?” His eyes swept around, realizing the distance of the palace guards was far enough, unable to hear the words of the Minister of Justice.

At this time, Wang Chengliu appeared from behind Shao Yanjun, briefly following because the four people who were ‘talk’ stopped their steps. “Wise father, why did you help him think of such an easy choice?” said the sixth prince as he stepped through the entourage. Then, he threw a glance at Huang Miaoling. “If he is unable to choose, then the situation will force him.”

Huang Yade was speechless, he did not expect that Wang Chengliu no longer intended to pretend and devise a plan in the dark. Now, the prince was openly showing his intentions!

While gazing at the departure of Wang Chengliu and Shao Yanjun, Huang Miaoling put on a cold glance. “He knows,” he said in a low voice, making Huang Yade and Qing Gangtie stare at him, asking for more explanation for his statement. Huang Miaoling threw a glance at the Great Master Qing, “Your identity .. he knew it.”

***

“You mean to say,” the middle-aged man's face looks bad, “that the Sixth Prince has known Gangtie's identity?” His tone sounded coated in frustration, “How is it possible?!”

Huang Miaoling's gaze directed at his own hand lifted, he stared at Huang Liqiang's worried expression. “Grandfather, this is not surprising,”.

“Junzhu is right,” added Qing Gangtie who was seen putting on a ferocious face “Given that she could have a relationship with Chen Meiping, then it is not surprising if she can find out my identity.” The man's eyes suddenly darkened, “Most likely, there was a spy Zhou inside the palace.”

“Chen Meiping,” Huang Liqiang repeats this name. “A venomous woman who has the ability to poison the mind of Crown Prince Qing.”

“He is already emperor now,” Qing Gangtie confirmed. “My stupid niece ...,” the man spoke with a face shrouded in regret, not expecting Qing Zhuang to be easily manipulated by a woman.

“How about the letter I asked you to send, Great Master Qing?” huang Miaoling asked who was only followed by the old man's trinket. “Of course,” breaths accompany the words of Mingwei Junzhu. “Even before the war happened, it would not be easy to communicate with Zhou, especially after the slander that was shed on Shi.” Kingdom

Qing Zhuang rashly decided to attack Shi Kingdom, even after knowing the difference in military power he had, all because of his father's death. Somehow, Chen Meiping managed to devise a charade to slander Shi's emissaries over the death of the late emperor Zhou.

“Wang Chengliu clearly has a hand in that,” chirped Huang Liqiang.

In his past life, Huang Miaoling remembered that Chen Meiping had also done the same to kill Emperor Zhou, Qing Shan. However, unlike in this life, the scapegoat he used was not Shi Kingdom, but rather the Wu Kingdom which at that time was led by Empress Dowager He through his son, Li Changsheng. And, in contrast to this life as well, it happened a few years after Wang Chengliu ascended the throne, which was carefully calculated … there should still be three to four years before that happens.

‘In the past life, Wang Chengliu had a good relationship with the Zhou Kingdom, even after Qing Zhuang became emperor and Chen Meiping successfully ascended the position of empress.’ Huang Miaoling's mind began to have an assumption, ‘Obviously Zhou and Shi's relationship in this life deteriorated due to Wang Chengliu. With the memories that the man had from his past life, it was no surprise that he was able to establish a relationship earlier with Chen Meiping.’ A question went on the air, ‘Then .. what ties Wang Chengliu to Chen Mei—!’ Her eyes widened. ‘Chen?’

Huang Liqiang caught the change in Huang Miaoling's expression. “What do you now realize?”

Huang Miaoling glanced towards Qing Gangtie, ‘There is no way that Great Master Qing would not know this.’

As if being able to read Huang Miaoling's mind, Qing Gangtie put on an astonished smile. “You saw a scattered net,” he said full of puzzles.

Huang Miaoling frowned, a little worried about the answer he would get, but knew that this he had to ask. Her lips opened, “Chen Meiping ... and Chen Meilian, what is their relationship?”

___

A/S:

Miaoling: Chen Meiping .. and Chen Meilian, what is their relationship?

Author: Chen Meiping\, Chen Meilian. *Pretending to think hard*Sodara not really? The Chen clan. Where the name is both similar to Chen Mei the same Chen Mei\, different characters behind the doang.

Miaoling: *Throw teflon* If it was that easy\, I wouldn't have it