The Phoenix Reborn Book II

Chapter 72 Late

“Mr Princess?” Wang Junsi looked at Wu Meilan who was walking out from behind the tree. “Since when were you there?” ask him with a heart that is back beating fast, like someone who has just been caught doing something wrong.

Yes, it is not wrong, the Fourth Prince has really just made a big mistake.

‘How could I not be aware of its existence?’ thought Wang Junsi. ‘So did Miaoling and Xiaoming, were they also unconscious?’ The man's mind was a little wild, starting to suspect that there was something the princess was hiding from everyone.

Perhaps, this was also part of Huang Miaoling's plan?

“Did you think so of me too?” wu Meilan asked without answering Wang Junsi's question. The girl's head bowed, her eyes not daring to stare towards the Fourth Prince.

“I don't understand what you mean, and you haven't answered me,” Wang Junsi replied with caution.

Wu Meilan raised his head, then looked at the prince's blue bead before him wryly. “Because it comes from another kingdom, then Mr Liang is a foreigner?” The girl was silent for a moment. “What is your view of me too?”

Pelipis Wang Junsi twitched, knowing that the answer would determine everything. His brain turned to find the right answer, something that Wu Meilan deserved to hear. If he were to hurt Wu Meilan's current feelings, then it was likely that the girl would stay away from him. Thus, everything to do with the Wu Kingdom regardless of the plaque Wu Huatai gave him would be gone.

In the end, Wang Junsi opened his mouth, “That's right.”

Wu Meilan felt like his heart was pierced by a dagger. However, he comforted himself while lowering his head, ‘We are indeed not close enough, even friends alone are not a suitable call for my relationship with him.’ The princess bit her lips. ‘That doesn't mean I don't stand a chance, does it?’

As if knowing what Wu Meilan had in mind, Wang Junsi added, “And, it will never change.” The man's look was firm.

Quickly, Wu Meilan raised his head and looked at Wang Junsi intently. Fine wrinkles formed on the girl's forehead, hinting at her confusion. “Why?” tanyakanya.

“No excuse,” reply Wang Junsi briefly while turning his gaze elsewhere.

“There is a reason ...” Wu Meilan insisted, “There must be a reason.” Those round eyes emitted hope that slowly cracked. “Tell me, what's the reason?”

Wang Junsi gnashed her teeth, then clenched her hands. The man turned his gaze back to the figure of Princess Wu. “I will never love you,” he said in one breath. “What is enough?”

Wu Meilan was speechless, just pensive as a fool in his place. After regaining his consciousness, he asked, “Is it only Mingwei Junzhu that is in your heart, even when he has been married?”

For a moment, Wang Junsi fell silent. His eyes did not turn a single bit away from Wu Meilan's chocolate bead. Then, with great confidence, he said, “Ya.”

The wind blew, sweeping Wu Meilan's face. The faint answer that channeled along with the gentle touch of nature made him freeze. Such a strong love, can it not change itself? No, does he deserve to change it?

Seeing Wu Meilan drop his gaze in lethargy, Wang Junsi felt his chest feel tight. However, he had no intention of retracting what he had said. It was a good thing for Wu Meilan to stay away from him. Thus, the girl could avoid much deeper heartache in the future.

Just now Wang Junsi wanted to say something to completely break Wu Meilan's expectations, but she stopped when she heard the princess say, “I understand.”

Wang Junsi was wide-eyed. ‘Does he really understand?’ the man questioned the reality.

“However, that doesn't mean I can just as easily stop my feelings, does it?” wu Meilan.

Wang Junsi's forehead wrinkled. “Princess, you—”

“I understand, Fourth Prince. You don't like me, and because of that, I won't vote for you when your father asks for my answer.” A smile rose on Wu Meilan's face, trying to cover up the sadness emanating from his eyes. “However, just as you can keep your feelings for Mingwei Junzhu, I also have the right to keep my feelings for you, don't you?”

Wang Junsi was speechless. Wu Meilan had just used his own words against himself, making Wang Junsi unable to dodge. As a result, the man could only shut up, staring at the sad face of Princess Wu who was so charming.

Wu Meilan again dropped his gaze. “I'll take care of my own feelings, Prince.” He added, “Dan, in order not to spoil your mood further, I resigned.” The girl rushed to leave the yard.

Quickly, Wang Junsi turned around, intending to chase after Wu Meilan, feeling extremely guilty for having hurt the girl's feelings. But in an instant, he stopped. Wang Junsi clenched her hands, and in the end fell silent in place.

‘Hold your emotions, Wang Junsi!’ Wang Junsi warned himself as he closed his eyes. ‘This is for her own good, and also for everyone ...’ His petals slowly opened, fearing that Huang Miaoling's disappointed expression and Wu Meilan would return to his mind. ‘This is my decision.’

Wang Junsi hurried to walk out of the courtyard from the other gate, he did not want to go through the same path as the two women and give clues to the people who might pass by regarding what happened. He had to clear his mind, there were still so many things to take care of, especially regarding Zhou and the tribes.

By the time his feet stepped on the outside of the courtyard, he froze when he found Huang Yan’an's figure casually leaning against the outer wall of the courtyard. The woman was seen wearing her training clothes, showing that she had improved and had resumed her ‘nakal’ routine. Not one or two times the woman ran away from her palace for ‘adventuring’ like this.

“Abunda ..”

Unlike Wu Meilan, Wang Junsi would not be surprised that he could not realize the existence of Huang Yan’an, his mother has a fairly extraordinary sword ability. This was not surprising considering that the woman was from the Huang residence. After all, Huang Yan’an himself was Wang Junsi's sword teacher since childhood.

Huang Yan’an's eyes were sharply directed at his son's figure. “I did teach you to avoid trouble.” There was displeasure in his eyes. “However, I don't remember teaching you to be a coward,”.

“Huang Miaoling is what kind of person you should understand, especially when you confess that you love her,” Huang Yan’an cut Wang Junsi. “In your opinion, why did he let Li Shijing live? To torture him? Because you can't touch it? Or maybe it was because of Wang Xiangqi?” Sang Shufei snorted, “Perhaps part of the reason is because of those things. However, part of it is because of you.”

Wang Junsi frowned. “My?” He snorted mockingly, “Nonsense.”

“Then you don't understand him. What right do you say that you love her?” ras Huang Yan’an. Then, the woman continued, “In addition, regarding Mr. Liang.” Huang Yan’an straightened his body and approached his son. “After what happened to Ling’er, he will definitely find a way to finish off Li Shijing, just as he did to make sure Yang Yuechan did nothing to defend Wang Wuyu.”

‘Liang Fenghong .. make sure Yang Defei does not defend his son? How?’ thought the Fourth Prince, slightly distracted by his mother's last statement.

Huang Yan’an placed the tip of his index finger on his son's chest as he said firmly, “However, because of you, he didn't do it!”

Hearing this, Wang Junsi frowned. “Mother, don't talk nonsense! Why make myself an excuse not to kill Li Shijing?! If they really did it for my sake, then they should have killed that woman so I wouldn't dirty my hands!”

Huang Yan’an's eyes grew bigger. “Wang Junsi! Has your intelligence been fully absorbed by your sixth sister?!” sniff the woman. “Surely because they want to give you a chance to avenge your mother with your own hands and feet!” The Huang Shufei looked at his adopted son with a mocking look. “Dirty your hands? Is avenging your mother something you now consider dirty?”

“You know that's not what I mean!” exclaim Wang Junsi. “However, Xiangqi—"

“Do not make Wang Xiangqi a reason!” snarled Huang Yan’an. “If you're afraid your sister will turn around to hate you, then you really are a coward!”

Silence, that was all Wang Junsi could do when he heard his mother's reply. His already chaotic mind became increasingly chaotic as a result of the Mother's words about the actions she had taken.

“In addition, the reason you pushed away Wu Meilan .. is because you were also worried that he knew of your cooperation with his father, right?”

Wang Junsi's eyes were wide-eyed. “B-how ..?” He was convinced that no spirit knew about it except himself and Emperor Huatai.

“Honorary Talent and also power over part of the Kingdom of Wu.” Huang Yan’an folded both his hands. “Do you consider me a fool?” crush the Shufei with squeaky eyes. “Wu Huatai offers you power on condition that you should marry and keep Wu Meilan, don't you?”

Wang Junsi averted his gaze, trying to move away from the look of accusing his mother. The Fourth Prince's mind turned around considering his agreement with Wu Huatai when he was still in Wu Kingdom.

“Fourth Prince, you certainly understand that with the departure of my sister, there must be someone who takes her place to marry into Shi Kingdom,” Emperor Huatai said with a serious look. “As the only princess left, my daughter will be her replacement.”

At that moment, Wang Junsi more or less understood the Emperor's intention of talking about it with him. He guessed that the Emperor was intending to ask for his help to watch over Wu Meilan in Shi Kingdom, especially since the expression of a father's worry was clearly plastered from the face of the Great Man of Wu Kingdom. However, who would have thought that the man was intending to propose a cooperation that sounded crazy?

“Marry my daughter, and I will give you great appreciation and help.” Wu Huatai gave a look full of confidence. “As someone who co-exists with First Miss Huang and Young Master Liang, I believe you are a trustworthy person.”

Originally, Wang Junsi had intended to refuse. He felt as if he was imposing a will on Wu Meilan who was not even involved with the conversation. However, when Emperor Huatai brought up the problems experienced by the Kingdom of Tubo, Wang Junsi was forced to accept. After all, he was also worried that he would offend Emperor Wu if he refused.

Surely, Wang Junsi intended to find a way to cancel the agreement. With the freedom of choice granted by Emperor Wu to Wu Meilan, Wang Junsi's agreement with Wu Huatai would be void if Princess Wu chose another prince.

Losing Wu's favor wasn't something Wang Junsi loved, especially since he felt uncomfortable using Wu's help to support Tubo. Could-be, his father—Emperor Weixin— would have thought he was gathering troops to depose Wang Zhengyi. Moreover, he felt that cooperating with Wu would give Grandpa the opportunity to exalt himself, a way to obtain redress for the death of his daughter, Yang Changxi.

For those reasons, Wang Junsi preferred to take down Huang Wushuang from his position. When Wang Zhengyi and Wu Meilan got married, it was a great celebration for both Shi Kingdom and Wu Kingdom. Wang Zhengyi's position would be strengthened, and Princess Wu would become empress, the highest-ranking woman in Shi Kingdom. Wu Meilan's life will certainly be guaranteed, whether in security and prosperity—put aside the back palace problem in this case.

However, who would have guessed that the noble girl from Wu Kingdom was even putting her heart to Wang Junsi? If Wu Meilan really ended up with her, then knowing her cooperation with Emperor Wu, wouldn't that break the girl's heart?

Wang Junsi did not want that to happen!

Huang Yan’an understood the expression painted on his son's face, an expression of guilt and fear. ‘Without himself knowing, he already has feelings for the girl ...’ The woman sighed. “Pakat and troop have you got. If you feel guilty towards him, then it would make more sense for you to take responsibility for him.”

Wang Junsi looked at Huang Yan’an, trying to figure out what his mother meant. Is Huang Yan’an trying to make him responsible for Wu Meilan?

“While clearly feeling for you, Junsi. You're worried she'll feel betrayed after marrying you? Then, you're not worried that he'll be used by another prince?” Huang Yan’an put on a serious expression. “If you push her into a hollow marriage, then it means you are running away from your responsibilities, and not thinking for her own good.” The woman snorted, “Don't find a reason to run away from your obligations!”

Wang Junsi fell silent in place, absorbing all the words of her mother. Slowly, he lowered his head, realizing all the mistakes he had made.

Then, the Fourth Prince smiled bitterly. “Slow, Mother.” He looked at Huang Yan’an. “There is no way to retract everything I have said.”

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A/N: Main focus changes first from main characters, yes. Pity the other actors less flashlight, wkwk