Phoenix Destiny

Chapter 200: Do You Still Remember?

Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales

The king of Yijun stood there like a rock. He wasn’t very intelligent. Speaking about people capable of government affairs, he was the worst among everyone present.

Everything Xie Lianzhen said was clear and logical, and he had nothing to say in response.

Right at this moment, Ding Qingqing sneered. “Young Master indeed talks fancily. One or two sagacious prime ministers – how easy would that be? We should be happy if we could get even one after three generations. Does Young Master think that choosing sagacious prime ministers is the same as choosing fruits in the market?”

“Emissary Ding, don’t look down on the heroes of this world!” Xie Lianzhen slowly replied. “I’ve mentioned it just now; it’s possible since the queen has already tidied everything up perfectly. They only need to go by the book, and nothing will go wrong for the next few years. As for sagacious prime ministers, they don’t need much talent, they only need to put morality first and be virtuous. There are so many disciples in the School of Mingde, so how could they not pick out a few? Just take yourself, Emissary Ding, as an example. How many smart students did you step on back then? They may not be as scheming as you, but as for other characteristics, they may be better than you, who knows?”

“Young Master, you’re thinking that way because you look down on me. If any random smart student could be a sagacious prime minister, then we would already have a bunch!” Ding Qingqing shouted. “King Shi, don’t listen to his nonsense. We can’t turn back now!”

Lu Mingshu looked at the situation silently. Even though it was the King of Yijun who brainwashed Ding Qingqing into doing this, it’s Ding Qingqing who’s more unwavering at the crucial point. She can clearly tell that what’s done is done. Even if they stop midway, the queen won’t let them off. If they just finish it now, they may still have a chance. As long as the King still takes him as a brother, he may be able to make a comeback.

“You’re right.” Hearing her, the king of Yijun came to see the truth.

“Haish!”

“Why are you sighing?” He planned to ignore it, but he couldn’t help asking when he heard Xie Lianzhen sighing.

“Such a pity.”

“What’s a pity?”

“I pity Jiayan. She won’t live a good life from today onward.”

The king of Yijun stared at him coldly. “I’m only putting up with you because of Jiayan. You best not cross the line!”

Xie Lianzhen smiled thinly. “King Shi, you should take note. She may be headstrong, but there’s still a future for her. Now, because of you, it’s all ruined. You thought that you’d win, but did you even think about what would happen if you lost? How will Jiayan survive on her own? I’m afraid that neither the royal family nor the Seventh Truth Platform will shelter her any longer.”

“King Shi, don’t listen to his nonsense,” Ding Qingqing said. “If you can take control, people will only respect State Master more, but if you concede defeat now, his words will be the State Master’s fate! This kind of thing... either we do it all the way or not at all.”

Seeing the firmness in the king of Yijun’s eyes, Xie Lianzhen shook his head. It wasn’t hard to get him to do whatever he wanted with his words, but with Ding Qingqing here, it was hard. Even though she was currently muddle-headed, her intelligence still remained.

That’s all he could do. Hopefully...

“King Shi, do it quickly!” Ding Qingqing shouted. “His Majesty could escape at any time, and the Seventh Truth Platform elders...! The longer we take, the more unfavourable it is.”

The king of Yijun nodded and took up his sword.

Xie Lianzhen grabbed his armrest more tightly, and Lu Mingshu placed her hand on her sword hilt.

Ding Qingqing turned over to stare at them, smiling coldly. If they dare to do something, they’ll die too.

The king of Yijun growled, and the sword-light slashed down.

Ding—-!

In the blink of an eye, the situation changed.

The rays of light binding the queen suddenly lit up and broke. A ray of sword-light dashed forward.

The ray of sword-light broke the king of Yijun’s sword. Even after doing so, it didn’t stop; it continued straight toward the king of Yijun. In this critical situation, the king of Yijun tried to dodge at all costs.

“King Shi!” Ding Qingqing’s eyes widened in shock. She abandoned Lu Mingshu and Xie Lianzhen, dashing forward to save the king of Yijun.

However, the ray of sword-light was more powerful than she could imagine. It had an irresistible force as it dashed forward. With a Clank!, it dashed through a tree and finally stopped.

The king of Yijun sat on the floor, and he heard the sound of the tree trunk falling beside him. He touched his head, only to realize that half of his crown was gone, and his hair was now loose, draping down his shoulders.

He couldn’t breathe properly, and cold sweat was running down his face. His heart was still racing. A bit... just a bit more, and my head would be the thing cut in half.

“Do you both really think that I would be completely defenceless?” The queen rubbed her wrist, which was bruised from the binding. She exhaled, and the sword on the ground returned to her hand.

“That’s impossible!” Ding Qingqing looked at the queen in disbelief. She was the queen’s personal servant, so she knew the queen like the back of her hand. There was no such thing in the past!

Ding Qingqing thought for a while, and she suddenly shouted in surprise. “You were on guard against me from the beginning!”

The queen sighed. “Qingqing, do you think you’re my only informant? Because you’ve been in a position of power for too long, have you forgotten the fear and trepidation you used to face? What makes you think I was unaware of you and the king of Yijun having a clandestine love affair in the palace?”

“I gave you a chance. It’s okay to seek pleasure with him, but you shouldn’t have become a love-struck idiot and done such things with him! Do you even know how capable the king of Yijun is? Fucking blind moron, you’re such a disappointment!”

Ding Qingqing bit her lips. She was extremely unresigned.

“You already knew that we were going to set a trap at this time?”

“I didn’t,” the queen said softly. “But since I dared to let you stay beside me, I was more than prepared for anything.”

After a long silence, Ding Qingqing started, “I have nothing to say, I’m not as skilful as you.”

The queen walked to her slowly and looked at her. “Why would you do this? Would the taste of love really send your spirit and soul upside down? With your intelligence, don’t you feel wronged to be together with a useless guy like him?”

“Isn’t Your Highness the one who knows the answer better than me? After so many years, despite everything that the king gave you, and even after you had the little prince, the most important thing in Your Highness’s heart is still the man who died at the Yin Mountains!”

Lu Mingshu saw Xie Lianzhen tightening his fist. His veins had already popped out.

The man who died at the Yin Mountains... is that his father?

“Do you dare to say that you wouldn’t give up everything you have now and go with him if he ever comes back? I’m sick and tired of this ice-cold royal life. All I wish for now is a hug... to feel some warmth.”

“Indeed touching,” the queen said coldly. “I think the thing that you’re sick and tired of is being under someone else’s control, right? Greed is not a sin, but lying to yourself is so lamentable.”

“Heh.” Ding Qingqing smiled gloomily. “Your Highness is right; I’m greedy. I want both love and power. Humans have endless greed. When I was poor, all I hoped for was to get into the School of Mingde. After I got selected into Mingde, I wished to get into the palace. After that, I wanted to be the best female official. After I got the highest position of what a female official could be...”

“You wished for unlimited power,” the queen said softly. “Qingqing, I have always told you that having desires is not a bad thing, but you can’t let them control your life. You must always have your original intention in mind. Such a pity that you have forgotten it all.”

“What about Your Highness? Do you still remember your original intention?” Ding Qingqing looked up at her. “Leading a royal life and having the whole world in your palms... do you still remember why you became the queen of Zhongzhou?”