The Phoenix's Revenge

I understood from a young age that the man I would marry was not someone like the Crown Prince.

To be precise, whoever I married would become the Crown Prince.

Unfortunately, in my past life, I was bewitched by the promise, "If I win Ah Jiao as my wife, I shall build a golden house to keep her," and ended up deposed, trapped in the cold palace for ten years.

Thankfully, fate granted me a second chance.

I watched that boy, still groveling to please everyone, and a smile crept across my lips.

1

"Our Ah Jiao marrying him is already an honor for Leo! And he dares to dream of making my daughter a concubine? I will not let this slide!"

My mother was fuming, and I felt a bit dazed.

This scene... was both familiar and strange.

It felt like something that happened decades ago, when I was still a child.

My imperial uncle wanted to pick the most suitable husband for me.

My mother casually said, "Then let Ah Jiao marry the Crown Prince."

But unfortunately, Leo's mother, Lady Chestnut, spread the word that I could only be a concubine.

They thought they could bully us with their power, not realizing that his son's position as Crown Prince wouldn't last.

Because it wasn't Claire Ashford who needed to marry the Crown Prince.

It was that whoever I married would become the Crown Prince.

2

My mother was the Grand Princess, the Empress Dowager's own daughter, and the Emperor's own sister.

I had an Emperor grandfather, an Emperor uncle, and a future Emperor husband.

I was more favored in the palace than any prince.

In my past life, after being humiliated by Lady Chestnut, my mother immediately turned to support another prince.

Back then, the insignificant Charles said to my mother with determination:

"If Sister Ah Jiao is willing to marry me, I will build a golden palace and hide her away."

I thought that golden house was a sign of his deep love.

Only later did I realize it wasn't love—it was a cage built for me.

He used my mother's power and influence to overthrow Crown Prince Leo. Once he seized the throne, he turned on my family, purged the Ashford clan, allowed his favored dancer to frame me, and finally deposed me, imprisoning me in Everlong Palace until I died.

I thought I would be reincarnated with my hatred for him. But because I was burdened with heavy purple energy yet died unjustly, my soul couldn't move on.

I drifted through the palace.

I watched with my own eyes as Charles—no, Emperor Charles—favored one woman after another.

And I no longer hated those women.

The only one I hated was Charles.

If I were given another chance, I would make him understand:

Without me, Claire Ashford, he would never sit on that throne!

...

When I woke again, I stared at the ornate canopy above my bed. My hands were still as delicate as they were before my marriage. Only then did I truly believe I had been given a second life.

My maid, Luna, teased me:

"Miss, are you mesmerized by your own reflection? Luna has never seen a woman more beautiful than you. But you still have to meet the Crown Prince later—don't be late."

The Crown Prince?

Too bad Leo had a mother as stupid as a pig. His time as Crown Prince was numbered.

The person I needed to deal with wasn't Leo, but I could use him along the way.

I waited for my mother on her必经之路.

When she saw me, the anger on her face melted into a smile:

"What are you doing standing here, Ah Jiao? The wind is strong—you'll catch a cold."

"I just thought it was getting chilly. I was worried about you, Mother, so I brought you a cloak."

She wrapped the cloak around herself, her smile widening. She took my hand, her eyes full of pride:

"Ah Jiao is so thoughtful. Too bad some people can't see clearly."

When she mentioned Leo and his mother, a cold glint flashed in her eyes. She was clearly still furious.

"Why get so angry, Mother? If someone can't see clearly, just get rid of them."

She paused, then nodded approvingly.

"Well said, Ah Jiao. That's the way of royalty. Useless people don't need to be kept around."

I smiled and nodded.

"But don't act yet, Mother. I have other plans for them."

After I died, I watched Charles rule every day, and I learned a new way to eliminate enemies.

Let the dogs fight.

3

"Why? Does Ah Jiao still care about Leo?" My mother frowned at me.

I snuggled into her arms like I used to, acting spoiled:

"What are you saying, Mother? How could I possibly care about them? I just want to make them regret it—my way."

I said "them"—all those who had humiliated me, Claire Ashford.

But my mother thought I was only referring to Leo and his mother.

"My child has grown up. Then I'll leave that mother and son for you to practice on."

She nodded casually and led me to the Empress Dowager's chambers.

Though the Empress Dowager was past forty, she was still beautiful and well-preserved.

When she saw me, she waved me over immediately:

"Jiaojiao, come to Grandmother."

I hurried over and sat beside her, acting cute.

She pinched my cheek and laughed:

"Ah Jiao is a grown young lady now, still so clingy. Speaking of which, how is Ah Jiao's marriage coming along?"

At that, my mother's face darkened, and she told her about Lady Chestnut.

The Empress Dowager was furious:

"Guards! Bring Lady Chestnut here and make her kneel at the entrance of my chambers!"

Just like in my past life, when my mother and I came out, Lady Chestnut had already been kneeling for a long time, her face pale.

My mother snorted coldly and took my hand as we left.

I had grown up under the Empress Dowager's care, and everyone knew how much she doted on me.

Only Lady Chestnut, with her empty head, didn't take it seriously.

My mother and I strolled through the imperial garden for a while. Just as we were about to leave, I spotted a mother and son standing nearby.

Willow and Charles.

My mother paused.

"Charles... What do you think of him, Ah Jiao?"

I knew she was considering whether Charles could be useful.

Strictly speaking, today wasn't a day off. Charles should have been studying, yet he was standing here.

Clearly, he was waiting deliberately, hoping to win a prosperous future from me.

Too bad, in this life, I wasn't going to let them have their way.

"Mother, the sun is so hot. I don't want to go home. Let's stay at Grandmother's palace tonight and go back tomorrow."

My mother doted on me. The moment I whined, she agreed without a second thought and turned to lead me back.

I glanced behind me.

Sure enough, Willow and Charles's faces were sour.

The Empress Dowager was delighted that I was staying. I casually mentioned seeing the two in the garden.

I knew the Empress Dowager was sharp—she would understand immediately.

And she did.

"Lady Willow is to be confined to her quarters for a month and have her salary docked for six months for私自 taking the prince out to play!"

As for me, I sent someone to casually mention Lady Willow's intentions to Lady Chestnut.

Once the seed of suspicion was planted, all I had to do was fan the flames.

Then sit back and enjoy the show.

4

Lady Willow's intentions were clear.

She knew her son was neither the legitimate heir nor the eldest, nor was he favored by the Empress or the Empress Dowager.

So she thought she could use my influence to rise.

A month later, as my mother and I were returning from paying respects to the Empress Dowager, Lady Willow walked straight toward us.

I knew the wind was coming.

"Greetings, Grand Princess Celeste."

Lady Willow pretended to invite my mother to her chambers for a visit, and my mother agreed.

Sure enough, as soon as we entered, I saw Charles practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard.

"Tenth Prince is truly diligent. I will certainly put in a good word for you with His Majesty," my mother said casually.

Lady Willow couldn't hide her smile and grew even more deferential.

My mother called Charles over.

"Charles, how would you like to marry your sister Ah Jiao?"

Charles was overjoyed.

"Thank you, Auntie. If Sister Ah Jiao marries me, I will build a golden palace and hide her away."

My mother chuckled, covering her mouth.

"What an interesting child. What do you think, Ah Jiao?"

Charles looked at me with the same hopeful eyes as in my past life.

Too bad I was completely unmoved.

I smiled innocently. "A golden palace? Hide Ah Jiao away forever, never to see the light of day? Like... the cold palace?"

The moment those words left my mouth, my mother's smile vanished. She studied Charles carefully and dropped the subject.

"Of course not. Ah Jiao is beautiful—how could she be hidden away? The child is just joking," Lady Willow quickly said.

I pretended to be naive. "So saying you'll treat Ah Jiao well—is that just a joke too?"

As they stood there flustered, my mother coldly took my hand and left.

I gave Luna a look. She nodded and headed toward Lady Chestnut's chambers.

That night, I received word.

Lady Chestnut stormed into Lady Willow's chambers, humiliated and berated her.

Rumor had it she made Lady Willow kneel all night.

Meanwhile, I was in the Empress Dowager's chambers, playing chess with her.

"Jiaojiao, have you thought about what kind of man you want to marry?"

5

I shook my head.

"Ah Jiao is afraid that after marriage, Grandmother, Uncle, and Mother won't love me anymore. And I'm afraid my husband won't treat me well. And I'm afraid I'll be trapped in a deep courtyard forever."

"Nonsense! How could your mother stop loving you?" My mother glared at me playfully. "And if anyone treats our Ah Jiao badly, I won't let them off! Neither will your grandmother or your uncle!"

The Empress Dowager nodded and smiled, patting my head.

"Ah Jiao is a pearl. How could she be trapped in a deep courtyard? She is destined to astonish the world.

"Grandmother will protect our Ah Jiao forever."

Hearing this, I buried my face in her lap to hide my tears.

In my past life, until her dying breath, the Empress Dowager's heart was always with me.

After a moment, I whined, "Grandmother, is Uncle planning the autumn hunt? Ah Jiao wants to go too!"

As expected, the Empress Dowager agreed and ordered the palace to quickly make me the most splendid riding attire.

In the following days, I heard that Lady Chestnut kept picking fights in Lady Willow's chambers.

Lady Willow endured it all.

It seemed Lady Chestnut had learned her lesson after kneeling in front of the Empress Dowager's chambers.

Too bad those lessons weren't enough.

Then came the autumn hunt.

My uncle, the Emperor, selected several princes to accompany him. As expected, Charles wasn't among them.

Leo was smug, a stark contrast to Charles's dejection.

But how could that do?

If these two weren't on the same level, how could they fight?

I walked over to Charles with a smile and handed him a bow through a servant.

"Charles, can you hunt a little rabbit for me?"

The Emperor looked our way.

"Ah Jiao likes rabbits? I'll hunt one for you!"

"No, I want Uncle to hunt something big to show off his majesty! Little rabbits can be left to Charles."

"Very well then. Charles, mount up and come with me!"

6

Charles was overjoyed. He grabbed the bow and mounted his horse swiftly.

I saw Lady Willow's faint smile in the distance, while Lady Chestnut's face was dark as thunder.

I raised an eyebrow arrogantly.

Their sons might be princes.

But I, Claire Ashford, was also a child of royalty, born of the heavens.

A single word from me could change my uncle's mind.

I was increasing my own value while making Leo feel threatened and giving Charles hope.

That way... the real show could begin.

Sure enough, just before they set out, I saw Lady Chestnut pull Leo aside and whisper something.

I made a gesture toward the shadows of the forest.

When I saw the leaves there rustle in a pattern, I smiled.

If all went well, tonight wouldn't be boring.

I hoped Crown Prince Leo wouldn't disappoint me.

And he didn't. That night, the imperial physicians gathered in a flurry.

Prince Charles had fallen from his horse.

When I arrived, the guards were kneeling everywhere.

Lady Willow was sobbing beside my uncle.

My uncle's face was grim, and the Empress Dowager was furious.

"What happened? How did the Tenth Prince fall from his horse? And the guards—can't they protect their master?"

The guards kowtowed frantically, begging for mercy.

"We are guilty, Your Majesty. The Tenth Prince said he wanted to hunt rabbits deeper in the forest and ordered us not to follow, lest we scare them away. It was our negligence. Please punish us."

My uncle's expression softened. He waved his hand and dismissed them.

Just then, Charles slowly regained consciousness, looking around in confusion.

"Charles, are you all right?"

Lady Willow threw herself at him, grabbing his hand and wailing.

"How did you fall? Tell the truth—your father will get justice for you..."

As expected of someone who had survived the palace's brutal games—she was already trying to drag others down with a few words.

Charles lowered his eyes slightly, then pointed at Leo.

"It was Brother Leo. Something hit my horse, spooking it, and I fell. And at the time... only Brother Leo was nearby!"

"You're lying!"

Before Leo could speak, Lady Chestnut jumped in, shouting, "How could the Crown Prince do such a thing? You're slandering him!"

Both sides were at each other's throats. My uncle immediately intervened.

"I will investigate this thoroughly. No more wild accusations until the truth is clear."

The last words were directed at Lady Willow and Charles.

Clearly, my uncle wanted to downplay the matter.

After all, one was his favored Crown Prince, the other a son he didn't care much for.

Lady Willow and Charles looked displeased, but they had no choice but to obey.

Just as everyone was about to let it go, I stepped forward, feigning innocence.

"Did Charles get hurt hunting a little rabbit for me?"

Charles nodded and immediately had someone bring in the rabbit.

The snow-white rabbit was adorable.

I held it in my arms.

"Thank you, Charles. I'm sorry you got hurt because of me."

"It's not your fault, Ah Jiao. I'm glad you like it."

I stroked the rabbit, then looked up at my uncle with pleading eyes.

"Uncle..."

As expected, his heart softened.

"Ah Jiao and Charles get along well?"

I held up the rabbit. "Charles gave me a little rabbit. I like Charles."

My uncle laughed. "Uncle has given you so many things, but you never say you like me."

I threw myself into his arms, still holding the rabbit. "I like Charles, but I love Uncle the most!"

He patted my head and looked at Charles again, his gaze much warmer.

"I will get to the bottom of this. For now, Charles is injured and needs to rest. The physicians must treat him well."

Then he turned to Leo, his tone flat.

"As the Crown Prince and elder brother, you stood by while your brother fell from his horse. Confine yourself to your quarters for half a month and copy the 'Augmented Sayings' three times."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I obey."

Leo and Lady Chestnut's faces were pale. They were unhappy but had no choice but to comply.

Just as he was leaving, my uncle suddenly stopped.

"Oh, and 'Charles' is a bad name. Let's change it. From now on, call him... 'Charles the Great.'"

7

"Charles" meant "pig."

Charles had hated his name for a long time but never had a chance to change it.

But because of me, my uncle had renamed him.

Charles the Great ignored his injuries and immediately knelt to thank him.

Beside him, Leo clenched his fists, veins bulging on his hands.

I took in everyone's expressions before following my mother out.

That night, after everyone had gone to sleep, I quietly opened my window and gazed at the moonlight. I tapped the window frame three times.

A figure immediately dropped down from the roof.

"Tell me, what happened today?"

The figure knelt respectfully.

"The Crown Prince had the intention but not the courage. He threw a small pebble, missed the horse entirely, and was spotted by the Tenth Prince. So I took the opportunity to prick the horse with a needle."

"Any evidence left?"

"Don't worry, miss. While everyone was busy checking on the Tenth Prince, I pulled out the needle and disposed of it."

I waved my hand, dismissing the shadow guard.

I was very satisfied with how things had gone.

Through this incident, Lady Chestnut would finally realize who her real enemy was.

All I had to do was balance their power and watch the dogs fight.

...

Palace people were masters of sycophancy. Because of me, Charles the Great was visibly gaining favor.

As a result, Lady Willow's chambers were constantly flooded with visitors.

Meanwhile, Lady Chestnut's once-bustling palace grew cold and empty.

She finally figured it out. She brought gifts and came to visit when my mother and I entered the palace.

My mother snorted coldly.

"Go tell Lady Chestnut that this Princess lacks nothing. Her gifts are beneath me."

After the servant withdrew, I laughed loudly and deliberately.

"Lady Willow is beautiful. My uncle really likes her. But Lady Chestnut? My uncle is already tired of her!"

My voice was loud enough for Lady Chestnut, still outside the hall, to hear.

I hated Charles, but I didn't like Lady Willow either.

If not for her instigation, the phrase "golden house" would never have existed.

Since she and Charles were one and the same, she could share my wrath too.

8

Sure enough, within half a month, bad news came from the palace.

Lady Willow's medicinal meal had been poisoned.

Half an hour later, her face began to redden and ulcerate. Her once-beautiful face was now horrifying. Rumor had it the condition was contagious, so no one dared step into her chambers—even the physicians were cautious.

After three days of treatment, the itching finally stopped.

But Lady Willow's beauty was greatly diminished.

The investigation revealed that a low-ranking concubine had done it.

The concubine was beaten to death. Lady Chestnut remained untouched.

And I, the one who had casually planted the seed, stayed hidden in the shadows.

I thought that was the end of it. But half a month later, something else happened.

When Charles the Great tried to stand, his legs gave way. His entire lower body was paralyzed.

The physicians did everything they could but were helpless.

Finally, they summoned the retired Master Physician Wang.

After acupuncture, Charles barely recovered, but he would never walk normally again.

As for riding and archery—those were out of the question.

I timed my visit perfectly. Carrying a small food box, I went to Charles's chambers.

Ever since his injury, I had occasionally visited, pretending to care.

But this time, Charles turned his face away.

"I'm a cripple now. Ah Jiao shouldn't associate with me anymore."

I sneered inwardly but kept my innocent expression.

"Why would you say that, Charles? In my heart, you're still the best! We grew up together. I won't abandon you."

He hesitated, then pretended to be conflicted.

"But what about the Grand Princess..."

9

"My mother is still a bit displeased. Don't worry, Charles. I'll put in a good word for you. But I'll be leaving the palace soon, so I can't visit as often..."

Give a sweet date, then a slap.

The rest was for Charles to figure out.

Lady Willow had lost favor. She was probably frantic as a cat on hot bricks.

Charles wrote me several letters.

I either ignored them or replied with a sentence or two, pretending to be troubled.

Since I didn't want to enter the palace, I stayed at home and sent people to gather news about the common people.

In my past life, I never cared about the empire's affairs.

I vaguely remembered that at the beginning of that year, many refugees had fled famine. Poor governance had nearly caused a major incident.

Sure enough, my men soon reported:

"There's a drought this year. Many families have no harvest and have fled to the capital to survive.

"But no one is helping them. They're starting to band together...

"They're not a threat yet, but the news hasn't reached His Majesty."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

Somehow, things in this life were slightly different from the last.

The famine, which should have come in early spring, only arrived near autumn.

But it had come. And this was the opportunity I had been waiting for.

I immediately took out the gold and jewels I had set aside and exchanged them for money.

"Set up a porridge kitchen in my name."

If anyone else tried to buy public favor so openly, the Emperor would suspect them.

But not me.

It wasn't arrogance. I knew too well how much my uncle and grandmother doted on me.

When they heard, they would only praise me: "Our Ah Jiao has grown up."

Within half a month, my name spread throughout the capital.

Everyone knew.

Claire Ashford, daughter of the Duke of Chen, was a reincarnated bodhisattva, a celestial maiden descended to earth.

When the palace heard, my uncle praised me lavishly, gifting me a thousand taels of silver and a chest of jewelry.

I immediately used that gift to build a shelter for the refugees.

And I openly declared that it was my uncle's gift.

Naive, straightforward, innocent—not deliberately currying favor.

My uncle cherished me even more because of it. He often sighed to my mother, "I want to give the best to my Ah Jiao."

My mother smiled and told me, "Wait for your uncle to choose an emperor for you as your husband. Then my Ah Jiao will be the most honored woman in the empire."

I said nothing.

Was the position of Empress the best the empire had to offer?

But I... wanted more.

10

I gave charity without counting the cost. As people's hearts turned toward me, I began to cultivate my own people.

One day, shortly after I left the house, a man dropped to his knees before me.

"Your humble servant, Jaxon Zhang, thanks you for saving my life. I am willing to serve you with all my strength."

The man was about thirty, and even kneeling, his back was straight.

He looked like a trained fighter.

"What can you do for me?"

"My wife and daughter were nearly starved to death. Thank you for the food. I have no great skills, only strength. I've trained in martial arts since childhood."

I was intrigued. I immediately had my shadow guard spar with him.

The guard, trained from childhood, was evenly matched.

I threw him twenty taels of silver.

"Take this money, settle your family, and await my orders."

...

There were many hidden talents among the people, and my influence quietly expanded.

Soon, the Empress Dowager's birthday was approaching.

Charles the Great must be getting restless.

Just then, my informant in the palace sent word.

Charles had a new maid.

Her name was Vera Wei.

Hearing that name again stirred no emotion in me.

In my past life, I had hated her deeply.

In status and history, she was inferior to me in every way.

But she understood Charles.

Unlike me, who was proud and spoiled, she used tearful eyes to win his favor.

And she used crude tricks to frame me for witchcraft, leading to my deposition and imprisonment.

Until my soul was trapped in the palace.

I watched as Charles gradually grew disgusted with Vera, and she ended up worse off than me.

I felt a grim satisfaction, but also a deep sadness.

Wasn't that me in the past?

Loving Charles with all my heart, only to end up like this.

Did Charles love Vera?

Probably not.

Vera was born lowly, always fawning. Before her, Charles was a complete sovereign.

But I, Claire Ashford, was born a princess. I couldn't learn those seductive tricks.

And I knew how pitiful Charles had been in his youth.

So whenever he saw me, he was reminded of his former self.

In the end, that man only loved himself.

When Vera framed me for witchcraft, Charles was the one who orchestrated the whole thing.

We were both his pawns.

Thinking of the past, I smiled coldly.

I held the letter over a candle and watched it burn.

My soul had followed Charles for decades. I had not only learned his imperial tactics but also inherited his ruthlessness.

In my past life, everyone said Claire Ashford was defeated by "love."

So I cut off that root of emotion!

In this life, let's see who wins.

11

The next day, I submitted a request to enter the palace. Carrying a food box, I went to see Charles.

Vera Wei was by his side.

He was teaching her to read.

When he saw me, he immediately sent her away.

"Ah Jiao, you finally came. I thought you would never visit me again."

I stopped pretending. My face cold, I asked, "Who was that woman?"

"A new maid. She has a pitiful background, but her dancing is exquisite. Would you like to see, Ah Jiao?"

"No need. Enjoy it yourself."

I shook him off and turned to leave. He quickly blocked my path.

"Ah Jiao, are you angry? I just missed you so much. Watching her dance reminds me of you."

He gazed at me with feigned deep affection, reaching for my hand. I dodged.

"Dance? What do you take me for, Charles? A dancing girl to amuse you?!"

"Ah Jiao, that's not what I meant!" He scrambled to explain.

I flicked my sleeve and walked away, not giving him a chance.

He had played his hand well.

He wanted to use Vera to provoke me, make me realize my feelings, and beg my mother to bless our union.

My doting mother would then eliminate Vera and help him seize the Crown Prince position.

Too bad I no longer loved him. I only hated him.

With less than ten days until the Empress Dowager's birthday, she asked me to stay in the palace with her.

"Ah Jiao, you look thinner," she said, touching my face affectionately.

My uncle, who was playing chess with her, looked up.

"You do look thinner. Is something troubling you, Ah Jiao? Tell me."

I snorted, pretending to be angry.

"It's Charles! He has a new dancer, and he ignores me now. Uncle, am I not as good as a dancer?"

My uncle's face darkened.

"Nonsense! Ah Jiao is my most precious pearl. That dancer isn't even worthy of touching your hair. Charles has gone too far. I'll reprimand him for you!"

Satisfied, I ate several pieces of pastry.

That made my grandmother and uncle laugh. They gifted me the imperial pastry chef.

As I was leaving, I passed a long corridor and saw Vera Wei waiting.

Just like in my past life, she stood at a distance. When she saw me, she bowed respectfully.

Just to let me know she existed.

"Greetings, miss." Her voice was pitiful, the kind that made men want to protect her.

Too bad, in this life, I didn't even pause. I walked right past her.

When I stopped loving Charles, Vera Wei was nothing but an ant I could crush at any time.

Who stops for an ant?

But I didn't expect that before I could deal with Vera, my grandmother, who had always doted on me, would act first.

According to her attendants, the Empress Dowager summoned Charles and Lady Willow.

She asked, "Charles, do you love Ah Jiao?"

12

"Of course. We grew up together. Our bond is deep."

"Is that so? I heard you recently took in a beautiful maid and are teaching her to read."

As she spoke, Vera Wei was dragged in, bound and gagged. She looked at Charles with pitiful eyes, hoping he would save her.

Too bad Charles couldn't even save himself.

"Charles, I ask you: will you choose Ah Jiao or this maid?"

Charles glanced at Vera, then knelt firmly.

"I choose Ah Jiao."

The Empress Dowager smiled in satisfaction.

"Very well. Guards, take this seductress away and beat her to death!"

It was said that Vera's screams echoed through the entire palace.

Charles thought that after the Empress Dowager killed Vera to vent her anger, I would be betrothed to him.

Too bad he underestimated me, the princess born of heaven.

"Ah Jiao's marriage will be decided by her. If she doesn't like you, I won't grant it.

"But if you anger her, don't blame me for being ruthless.

"After all, Leo is more suitable for Ah Jiao than you."

Charles's face changed instantly.

After hearing everything, my heart, which had been frozen for decades, felt a flicker of warmth.

My grandmother, my uncle, and my mother... they were the people I loved most in this world.

Time flew, and soon it was the Empress Dowager's birthday.

My uncle, being filial, wanted to hold a grand celebration. Everyone was racking their brains over gifts.

Under my grandmother's expectant gaze, I stepped forward first and presented a huge, precious night pearl.

It had been given to me by a talented person I had helped during the famine, as a token of gratitude.

My grandmother loved it. She hugged me, laughing so hard she couldn't stop. "My Ah Jiao..."

My uncle even had me sit beside him during the feast.

My status was clear to all.

Soon, the Crown Prince presented his gift—a tapestry of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, woven with silk.

From afar, it shimmered brilliantly.

"Bring it closer. Let me see."

13

The servant brought the tapestry forward and unfurled it. It was incredibly lifelike, especially the phoenix soaring proudly above the birds.

The Empress Dowager looked very pleased.

"Excellent! Reward him!"

She reached out to touch the embroidery, but stopped at the phoenix's eye. Her expression changed.

Curious, I looked closer. Red liquid was slowly seeping from the phoenix's eye.

"Ridiculous! What is this?!"

She threw it to the ground in anger. My uncle's face turned grim.

Everyone in the hall trembled and knelt.

Everyone knew the Empress Dowager had an eye condition.

How dare the Crown Prince send such an inauspicious gift?!

"Grandmother, please calm down! This must be a misunderstanding!"

Leo kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy.

But the Empress Dowager was furious. With a wave of her hand, she ordered Lady Chestnut to be thrown into the cold palace.

As Lady Chestnut's wails faded, I clearly saw a faint smile on Charles's lips.

So this was his counterattack.

I suppressed the guilt I felt toward my grandmother.

In this storm and the future turmoil of the capital, many would die because of my interference.

But I wouldn't stop.

The cold palace and decades of death had worn away all my innocence and kindness, leaving only a heart colder than any emperor's.

Since Charles had made his move, I privately ordered my family's retainers to expose all of Leo's hidden crimes.

The Emperor was furious.

Three days later, he issued an edict.

Crown Prince Leo, for disrespecting the Empress Dowarden and lacking virtue, was deposed. He was made Prince of Chen and ordered to leave for his fief within ten days.

The position of Crown Prince was suddenly vacant.

All the princes immediately set their sights on it.

That night, I took Luna and walked toward the cold palace.

Lady Chestnut had lost all her arrogance. Dressed in coarse clothes, she was disheveled and filthy.

When she saw me, her eyes lit up. She crawled to my feet and knelt.

"Miss, I beg you, save me! Let me out! I am the Crown Prince's mother. I can't stay in the cold palace!"

"Indeed. But your son is no longer the Crown Prince."

I read her the Emperor's edict word for word.

Her vision went dark. She collapsed to the ground, sobbing and muttering.

"How could His Majesty and the Empress Dowager be so heartless? How could they?"

"My uncle was merciful to let him keep his title. Do you know what happens to deposed Crown Princes in other dynasties?"

This was my leniency toward Leo.

He wasn't the one who truly killed me in my past life.

So I would spare his life.

But Lady Chestnut—I needed her.

"The former Crown Prince made many enemies. Whether he survives the journey to his fief is uncertain."

Her sobbing stopped. She snapped back to reality.

She kowtowed to me frantically, until her forehead bled.

"Please, save my son! I beg you!"

I pulled out a dagger and threw it in front of her.

"An eye for an eye. Take your revenge."

She stared at the dagger, then grabbed it, her eyes wild. She nodded fiercely.

I glanced at her once and turned to leave.

The cold palace was eerie at night, filled with the wails of mad women.

Luna shrank back in fear. "Miss, how are you so familiar with the cold palace?"

Of course I was familiar.

I had been trapped in this prison for too long.

Everything I did now was to stay as far away from this place as possible.

14

Leo was about to leave the capital. Lady Willow came to see my mother.

I told my mother not to receive her. She smiled and agreed.

After being turned away several times, Lady Willow grew anxious.

After all, we weren't in the palace every day, and she couldn't leave.

Luna looked at my indifferent expression and couldn't help asking, "Miss, don't you like the Tenth Prince?"

"Like Charles? He has no power, plenty of ambition, but he's not the best among the princes. Ten Charleses put together aren't worth as much as me, Claire Ashford. Why would I like him?"

I laughed bitterly at myself. How foolish I had been in my past life.

With a heart full of passion, I begged my mother to spend her blood and treasure to put Charles, the least outstanding prince, on the throne.

When he first ascended, I used my mother's connections to purge the court of those who opposed him, clear out the spies in the palace, and help him secure his rule step by step.

And what did I get in return?

A weakened Ashford family, humiliation from a dancer, deposition, and more than a decade of imprisonment in Everlong Palace.

And that Everlong Palace—it was my mother's wedding gift to me!

It became my prison until death.

Charles, you went too far!

Since that was the case, I would make him understand that without me, Claire Ashford, he could accomplish nothing!

I was lost in my thoughts. After a long while, I heard Luna whisper, "Miss, if you don't like him, just get rid of him. Don't... be sad."

I looked at her worried eyes and reached out to pinch her cheek.

In my past life, when I was "proven" guilty of witchcraft, Luna took all the blame without hesitation and threw herself at Charles's feet, killing herself to protect me.

But she was too naive.

A cold emperor's heart couldn't be changed by one or two lives.

Thankfully, I had a second chance. In this life, I would protect her well.

Pulling myself together, I casually stuck a hairpin in my hair and said slowly, "I'm not in a hurry to get rid of Charles. Because... I need him to help me accomplish one thing."

One thing that would ensure I, Claire Ashford, would never be controlled by anyone again!

...

That night, I left the palace.

The next day, I summoned Jaxon Zhang to my residence.

"You said you would serve me."

He knelt immediately. "I await your orders."

"What if I want to do something treasonous, something against heaven's will?"

He paused, then lowered his head and said firmly, "You saved my family. I am willing to shed my blood and risk my life for you."

"Good."

I handed him a piece of paper.

"This is what I want you to do."

His eyes widened in disbelief, but he took the paper, burned it with a flint, and kowtowed heavily.

"I accept."

I looked at the first snow outside and sighed.

The new year was coming. Everyone was bustling with excitement.

But after the new year, the capital would be drenched in blood.

The deposed Crown Prince Leo left the capital before the new year.

A day later, the cold palace caught fire. As everyone rushed to put it out, Lady Chestnut escaped.

Lady Willow's chambers happened to be near the cold palace, so many people were called to fight the fire.

Lady Chestnut seized the opportunity. Dagger in hand, she stabbed Lady Willow.

Over a dozen wounds, each one fatal.

By the time the servants discovered them, Lady Willow was already dead.

Lady Chestnut had also撞柱