Chapter 22 The Phoenix Master
It was widely known that, a few years ago, the Long Princess met a remarkable person while touring the realm.
She brought them back to her mansion and honored them as the Phoenix Master.
After that, the usually reserved Long Princess began stepping into the public eye.
In just a few short years, she became the true power behind Da Zhou.
She had been personally tutored by the Emperor since childhood, her talent and vision rivaling any man’s.
Yet talent alone was one thing—displaying it boldly was another.
Her rise owed much to the Phoenix Master’s counsel and quiet push.
Xie Chengzong stood frozen. “It’s you. It’s really you.”
He muttered under his breath, then spun around and fled as if chased.
“Mother, what’s wrong with him?”
“Nothing. He looked terrified.”
Mother’s eyes curved with a faint smile. “Many years ago, shortly after I arrived in this world and married him…”
“I was taken in by his sweet words. I thought he had potential.”
“So I told him about the place I came from.”
“About equality between men and women. About a world working together.”
She lowered her gaze. “I shared it hoping he’d help me open a school for girls.”
“He agreed with his mouth, but inside he was horrified.”
“He drugged me in secret. First I carried Xie Yunting, then you.”
“The school was forgotten.”
“I overheard him, drunk, telling his students—”
“Once a woman has children, she’s shackled. She’ll stop dreaming wild dreams. She’ll stop causing trouble.”
I wrapped my arms around her. “Mother!”
She trembled slightly, but her hand on my back was warm and steady.
“Yaohua, it’s all right. It’s over.”
“What I’m building now is far greater than anything I planned back then. And far more successful.”
“He finally understands. The dignity he clung to, that pitiful pride—it will all be trampled beneath my feet, and beneath the feet of countless women.”
I glanced toward Xie Yunting.
He was hurrying after Xie Chengzong, trying to explain, stealing glances back at Mother.
“He’s my son, but he’s his father’s even more. They’re the same. I gave up hoping for him long ago.”
She adjusted my cloak. “Let’s go. We don’t need to spare them another thought.”
“I’ve taken a new name and established my own household. They can’t touch us now.”
I nodded.