Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 209

Prince Jing's subtle rebuke shamed Lord Hua Guo and caused him much embarrassment. Lord Hua Guo grasped his fist tightly before he stood. He tried to justify himself, but failed. He fell on his chair with a bitter smile on his face. Lord Hua Guo couldn't blame Prince Jing for the way he spoke about his birth and foster parents. Prince Jing didn't know the truth about his lineage, so what he said made sense.

Seeing Lord Hua Guo's odd behavior, Prince Jing stopped smiling. He asked coldly, "Lord Hua Guo, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?"

Lord Hua Guo couldn't deny the observation. He nodded, "Yes. I'm feeling uncomfortable. I'll take my leave and return to the inn."

Prince Jing looked down at his teacup. He watched as the tea leaves floated in the water. He avoided eye contact with Lord Hua Guo, "In that case, I'll see you another time. Chamberlain, walk Lord Hua Guo out."

After Lord Hua Guo left, Prince Jing put down the teacup and frowned. He stayed in his chair for a long time before standing and walking to the inner room. He acted as though nothing had happened.

Yun Shang was leaning on the couch. In her hand, she held a medical book. Prince Jing sat beside the table and looked at the beautiful girl. Yun Shang seemed to be at ease. Prince Jing spoke after a while, "Lady Jin has returned to the Palace."

"What?" Yun Shang raised her head, half surprised and half worried, "Mother is back in the Imperial City? Why haven't I heard of this? She can't be in the Palace right now. There are too many things happening here. She is pregnant and in a delicate situation. It's not safe for her to stay in the Palace."

Prince Jing put a smile on his face to comfort Yun Shang, "I asked my people to pick her up secretly. I knew you would be worried, so I didn't tell you. Our wedding is drawing near, and I want your mother present. I know that you will not consider our wedding perfect without her presence."

It was unexpected for Yun Shang to hear Prince Jing mention their wedding. Her ears burnt from shyness. Yun Shang smiled, "I'd love to have my mother present, too. But I'm not in the Palace, and the Empress has regained her power. I'm afraid something might happen to mother. Can we let mother stay with us in the mansion?"

Prince Jing smiled. Love and tenderness reflected in his eyes, "Your mother is a Lady. It's against the rules for a Lady to live with a Prince. If we allow your mother to live with us, I'm afraid it would reflect poorly on us. You don't need to worry so much about her."

Yun Shang was disappointed and her expression conveyed her feelings. She knew it was impossible to let her mother live with them. But somehow, she had a feeling that something bad was about to happen. She felt insecure when her loved ones were unprotected.

Knowing what Yun Shang was possibly worried about, Prince Jing thought for a while before he said, "Don't worry, please. I will send more guards to protect your mother. Your father must care a lot about her, too. He hasn't had a child in many years. I believe he will do his best to protect Lady Jin and their unborn baby. I'm sure nothing will happen to her. Don't worry. Your father is the Emperor. If he wants someone to be safe in his state, nothing will happen to that person for sure."

Yun Shang remained silent after Prince Jing's reassurance. After a while, she nodded, "Fine. But I haven't seen my mother in ages. Can you arrange a meeting so that I can see her?"

Prince Jing shook his head, "Your mother is too far along in her pregnancy now. She has been carrying the baby for eight months. I saw her today and was surprised at how big her belly had become. She was exhausted after the long trip from Laifeng City. It is unrealistic for her to come and see you now. Besides, your health is not good either. You are not supposed to move too much. She'll be fine. You can rest assured. You will see her when it's time."

Yun Shang knew Prince Jing was right. Under the circumstances, it was truly imprudent for her to meet Lady Jin. Yun Shang sighed and decided to stop thinking about this situation.

Then something else came to her mind. She hesitated before she asked, "The issue between Lord Hua Guo and you...."

Prince Jing's expression suddenly changed. Yun Shang noticed and stopped to rephrase her question. She hesitated again before she continued, "If Lord Hua Guo was telling the truth the other day in the woods, then

you are...." Yun Shang lowered her voice and carefully

examined Prince Jing's expression, "According to the rumor, the last Empress of the State of Xia fell off the cliff when she was pregnant. People from the Palace only found a skull under the cliff, and no one could be

sure whether it belonged to the Empress or not..Lord

Hua Guo's hair turned white overnight when he heard the news. It wasn't his fault."

Prince Jing took a deep breath. His expression was still cold. Yun Shang sighed and stopped talking. There were certain matters where she couldn't be of help.

After a long time, Prince Jing started talking. Instead of changing the subject or pretending that he didn't hear what Yun Shang had said, he faced Yun Shang's question directly, "What do you expect me to do? Should I claim to be the Prince of the State of Xia and return to my home country? The State of Ning and the State of Xia are at the brink of war. Any upheaval, no matter how small, can complicate relationships

between the two states. If I really do so...How do you

think the State of Ning will treat me?"

Yun Shang had thought about this dilemma before. But she believed that Prince Jing's attitude mattered more than anything else. Yun Shang had imagined their discussion over the sensitive topic to have gone differently. She didn't expect that Prince Jing would bring it up bluntly.

Now Yun Shang was the one who didn't know what to say. Prince Jing smiled coldly and stood to walk toward the door.

Yun Shang sighed and murmured, "You have always been alone. I'm afraid that you will now be lonely as well..."

Prince Jing paused. But he didn't turn to face Yun Shang. Prince Jing sneered, "So what? I am going to marry you soon. I won't be alone after the wedding."