The phoenix became enraged, making a move to attack the Princess. Every hair on its body stood on end.
The National Master furrowed his brows from a distance. The Great Phoenix was a Divine Bird, a messenger of the Celestial Dao. If the phoenix showed affection toward someone, it was naturally because it sensed their strong fate.
But if it angrily attacked someone, it regarded that person as an enemy, or it meant the person had provoked its wrath.
Initially, the Great Phoenix had been calmly stationed at the entrance of Cining Palace. But once Nanny Xiao and the Princess arrived, the phoenix became agitated.
He could see clearly that the Great Phoenix had flown over and stopped in front of the Princess, lowering its noble head.
The Princess had touched it, yet it had become furious.
Then Xie Pan’Er reached out to touch it, and that gesture...
The National Master’s brow knitted tightly, forming deep vertical lines between his eyes. Could it be that the Great Phoenix had discerned that Xie Pan’Er was the natural possessor of the Phoenix Destiny?
So that was why it acted so obediently and docilely in front of Xie Pan’Er.
As the National Master thought this, his gaze involuntarily intensified, and he paid even more attention to Xie Pan’Er and the Princess.
"Pretty Sister, during the last Palace Banquet, Li Yanyan’s illusionary phoenix carrying Miss Li from the Li Family was so majestic! Suisui also wants the Great Phoenix to carry Feifei!"
At Xiaosuisui’s words, alarm bells began to ring in Xie Pan’Er’s heart!
"Princess, do you still want to ride the phoenix?"
Xiaosuisui nodded her tiny head like a chick pecking at rice. "Yes, yes!"
Xie Pan’Er pressed her forehead. "Do you think it would let you ride it?"
Let her ride? That went without saying; of course, it would!
The Great Phoenix COOED eagerly and spread its wings, appearing to invite the Princess.
Everyone watched this scene in astonishment, particularly the National Master, who had been intensely focused on them.
Shocked, the National Master watched the Princess and Xie Pan’Er. He wondered, is the Great Phoenix’s strange behavior due to Xie Pan’Er, she of the natural Phoenix Destiny? Or is it because of this commoner Princess?
As the National Master pondered this, Xie Pan’Er’s exasperated voice reached his ears.
"It seems it’s willing to let you ride."
After Xie Pan’Er said this, she heard the Princess giggling, her sweet, childish voice speaking to her.
"Pretty Sister, let the Great Phoenix carry us for a flight!"
"Ah—" Xie Pan’Er exclaimed. Hearing this, she rushed to cover Xiaosuisui’s mouth, but it was too late. Xiaosuisui grabbed her outstretched hand and, with a tug, pulled Xie Pan’Er onto the Great Phoenix’s back.
"We’re flying! Great Phoenix, fly, fly!"
Xiaosuisui’s joyful laughter and excited shouts, combined with the phoenix’s resounding CRY as it took flight, echoed through every corner of the Imperial Palace!
The National Master’s expression grew even more horrified.
Nanny Xiao stared up at the phoenix in the sky, her heart trembling. The Divine Bird has become a mount! she thought, her mind reeling in utter shock.
Inside Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager, who was chatting idly with Prince Yi, was startled by the CRY of the Great Phoenix.
"Why does the Great Phoenix sound agitated again? I must go and see!"
Prince Yi also heard the CRY. At first, he wondered what kind of bird could make such a sound. Only after hearing the Empress Dowager’s words did he realize it was the phoenix crying.
The Great Phoenix? What kind of name is that? Who came up with it?
Such an unrefined name. Clearly not one a Scholar would choose.
"The Princess named it," the Empress Dowager explained. "I originally thought about changing its name, but no matter what I called it, it paid me no mind."