Xue Yu had always been eager to avoid Xiao Huang’s crazy pursuit, and now that Xiao Huang had landed on me, it would certainly not come over. I stroked Xiao Huang’s wing, saying, “What, thinking you’re some divine bird?”
It turned its green bean-like eyes to look at me for a moment, then turned towards Xue Yu and flapped its wings, as if greeting it.
The most incredible thing happened. The white peacock thought for a moment and actually changed its previous route, confidently walking towards me. Soon it was at my feet, obediently lying down and looking up at Xiao Huang in my hand, motionless.
My mind went blank. I looked at Xiao Huang, then at Xue Yu, and murmured, “Xiao Huang, what have you been doing to it these past few months…”
Xiao Huang seemed quite proud. I was at a loss, Jiang Yunqiao’s expression changed dramatically, looking utterly unexpected and regretful. The High Priest could barely stand. They presumably never thought the situation would turn out like this, let alone that this unremarkable Xiao Huang would become the key to reversing the entire situation.
A deafening cheer erupted from below, the people united in a single voice, calling out my title. The Emperor was nearby, nodding and smiling at me.
Heaven’s will was set, and the people’s hearts were aligned. Not long after, the Emperor issued a decree, establishing me as the heir apparent and announcing that next spring, he would choose a fief for Second Princess Jiang Yunqiao and have her relocate.
However, rumors began to spread, claiming I had cheated in the trial, with the parrot as evidence, suggesting something was wrong. Some even claimed I had a chronic illness and couldn’t bear children.
Chapter Seventy-Two: Love and Killing
The rumors circulated for a while, but the Emperor paid no attention and didn’t change his attitude towards me. I and An Jin continued to appear at various events and hosted the Mid-Autumn Festival, frequently appearing before the people. Without evidence or further discussion, these rumors gradually died down.
Soon after Mid-Autumn, Fengzhu experienced several major events that made people gradually forget these rumors.
