Zhou Huailing was also confused. How could he have expected that the phoenix wasn't Ruxue's, but Gu Chaoyan's. He had a terrible expression on his face, but Zhou Huailing simply could not tell the truth in front of the King. He needed to defend Gu Ruxue.
After thinking for a while he said, "Who knows where Gu Chaoyan got such a thing. She is trying to show off at the Spring Hunt. I believe that she just couldn't stand it when she saw hundreds of birds flying above Ruxue's head at her Adulthood Ceremony. That is why she got such a thing today to try to exceed her.
"Gu Chaoyan is the future Princess Consort of Lord Huai rather than the unknown Elder Miss of the Gu Family. So it is much easier for her to get something special to show off.
"Father, don't be baffled about this. After the Spring Hunt, I will look into this," Zhou Huailing said confidently.
When the King heard what he said he nodded seriously. That seemed to make sense.
If Zhou Huaijin had helped her during the process, it would make everything easy. He could drop this matter at the moment for later investigation. He turned to De Fu and said with a small voice, "Go and don't let the news spread before the conclusion is drawn."
De Fu nodded and went to carry out the order.
The King asked the eunuch next to him to get Zhou Huaijin.
Zhou Huailing was extremely annoyed. He was blaming Gu Ruxue within his heart. When he was among the ladies, he also heard Gu Chaoyan saying that she had not intended to bring the phoenix out if not for Gu Ruxue who insisted on having a competition.
Back at the mansion, Gu Ruxue also mentioned about bringing down Gu Chaoyan. She was already the Phoenix Girl, why did she bother to do such a thing?
Zhou Huailing was extremely annoyed as he thought of what happened.
If she had not been this wild, nothing like this would have happened today, and the whole thing would not have been so difficult to deal with.
The King might not accept the words at the moment, but maybe he would someday.
Zhou Huailing was wearing a displeased expression on his face.
He was planning to scold Gu Ruxue when he returned and make her understand the current situation.
Damn Gu Ruxue. She did not focus on the affairs within the mansion and kept on bringing trouble on such important occasions.
As Zhou Huailing was thinking about this, Zhou Huaijin came to the King's side as well. He was still wearing a cold expression on his face as he stood before the King. "What do you need, father?"
The King nodded and asked, "What was going on just now? What happened to the phoenix?"
Zhou Huaijin had suspected that the King must be curious about this.
He replied quietly. "Nothing big, it is just that Chaoyan once cured the phoenix so it became close to her. It obeys Chaoyan's order obediently. It seems that Sister-in-law forced Chaoyan to bring the phoenix out so Chaoyan had to do so. It is not a big deal anyway, the phoenix is just a bird, rare yet it was saved by her before."
Zhou Huaijin recounted the whole thing composedly, but the King and Zhou Huailing had a terrible look on their faces.
The King waved his hands. "Alright then, you can leave now, the Spring Hunt starts very soon."
Zhou Huaijin nodded, then he headed towards the pitch.
Xuan Lin came rushing to him at that moment. "Lord Huai, can Lady Chaoyan make the phoenix obey her order?!"