Dance Of The Phoenix
153. Elberg

The Phoenix Palace held a banquet where many of the region's top brass came. Of course they not only wanted to enjoy the banquet that the Queen held directly, but instead looked for an opportunity to bring down the Queen to be in a complicated position.

Gu Yuena had already guessed it, but she was indifferent while drinking the wine in her hands. The elders were extremely loyal to the previous phoenix, unwilling for the Phoenix Region to be led by a tyrant. Despite knowing their strength was nothing in Gu Yuena's eyes, they remained firm-minded. That was what made Gu Yuena like those people.

However, there are times when they become troublesome. He doesn't like it at the same time.

So he announced the banquet after his arrival from the Ruler's Palace. Actually the elders had almost changed their argument when watching Gu Yuena's marriage to the Underworld Lord. However, they should not falter for the sake of loyalty.

The ruler of the Underworld was also his tyrant. They did not want the Underworld to be filled with a bunch of bloodthirsty madmen. The Ruler Palace could not touch them, but they could tighten the Phoenix Queen.

As a result, the atmosphere of the banquet became very tense and cold.

Gu Yuena looked very calm making them nervous themselves.

Until finally the silence was replaced by Gu Yuena's voice. "Some time ago, the stability of the Phoenix Region was disrupted and there were many reforms for the sake of territorial expansion. We have gained territory, our Phoenix Region is getting bigger. But it seems like the elders did not approve of the reform."

"Your Majesty, it's not that we disrespect you as Queen. We waited so long for your arrival that our dream of returning to the surface was finally achieved thanks to you. But ... the reforms carried out were too fatal and caused the phoenix to be exiled indirectly by the whole being."

"So, is this just a social issue? I admit my previous ways were not right, making you all have prejudices. We have just resurfaced, must gather strength and repair the previously vacant government. You guys are loyal phoenixes, but are you sure all phoenixes out there are really loyal?"

"We phoenixes have always been faithful."

"I believe. Then, what about some delinquents who planned a power struggle before my arrival? Aren't you guys so hard-earned to get rid of unfaithful people?"

The elders fell silent. The delinquents were already dead as bait when the reforms took place. Every year, there were always phoenixes tempted by those empty seats. The elders acted and locked them in prison for life. The rest will be decided by the future Queen.

But thanks to Gu Yuena's cruel ways, they became sorry for the hoodlums. These elders were very old and had soft and clean hearts. Seeing a tyrant occupying the empty seat, bad again the tyrant was the Queen they were waiting for, they had no other choice but to demand justice.

They want the bloody reform to stop and use the old, more peaceful means, or they will not hesitate to act rudely. Fortunately, the bloody reformation was not continued after the battle against the demons.

Gu Yuena did not blame them. He also made a long-term arrangement through Huang Jiu to reorganize the Phoenix Region. He had studied at Yuansu Palace and had little ability to govern a territory. At least to correct the mistakes of the past.

But it seemed like the elders were still dissatisfied. In their eyes, Gu Yuena still had the scent of slaughter blood. When the woman came back, they thought they would be faced with blood that was flooded again.

That's why this banquet became so tense. They were wary, thinking Gu Yuena would finish them off at this banquet to get rid of the pestle.

"Just calm down, I know my mistake and don't blame you guys." Gu Yuena was being lenient. The smile on his lips looked natural making the elders for a moment think that the woman was not the tyrant who had threatened them.

Gu Yuena continued, "I've arranged a new arrangement through Huang Jiu. You can see the change. If you still don't believe me, I'll trouble you a little to help with the surveillance and the briefing. If there's any advice, say it directly."

They did not believe Gu Yuena's overly open remarks in the affairs of his government. It's not like usual. The queen they knew had always done everything herself and even intended to get rid of them.

Is there a conspiracy behind it?

Gu Yuena knew it would be hard to gain trust, so she would try to be patient. The time is still quite long.

"So don't waste this fine wine." Gu Yuena was being friendly and asked them to relax in front of her. He showed his patience.

Yes, patience.

Although the results are not very satisfactory.

Gaining trust is harder than gaining power and power. The palace became awkward due to his strange demeanor, but at least it was better.

Huang Jiu himself could not help. He simply carried out the orders and tried his utmost to show that his queen had changed. He is no longer a tyrant!

Well, at least that was Huang Jiu's determination. It did not rule out the possibility that Gu Yuena was not a tyrant. Moreover, his actions several years ago caused his name to be printed in the dark history of the Underworld. He became a public figure.

The second tyrant after the Underworld Sovereign who once nearly destroyed the entire Underworld hundreds of years ago. The ruler of the Underworld was a madman. The women are more league.

Now the two tyrants had married, becoming a ruling couple that could not be provoked. They did not dare to think about what the Underworld would look like in the future.

Gu Yuena returned to the Ruler's Palace early due to boredom. He also got a letter from Su Churan, stating that the woman had come and wanted to meet him.

When he arrived at the Ruler's Palace, Gu Yuena was very well received and received the respect. No one dared to disturb him.

Xiao Hei came after pecking at Jiang Xixi for quite a while, then perched on Gu Yuena's arm. Xiao Bai was still nowhere to be seen.

"Xiao Bai went to the Mitian Plains with the demon." Xiao Hei said, "Regarding Jiang Xixi, there hasn't been much change. Since that demon had gone to the Mitian Plains, there was no time for Jiang Xixi to approach him. He's being nice at the Queen's Palace."

Gu Yuena nodded her head. "Where is Su Churan?"

"He's coming, I can smell his approaching scent." Xiao Hei returned lazily after reporting everything. Gu Yuena stroked her soft fur.

Su Churan came just as Gu Yuena was about to go to the Queen's Palace. The woman gave a moment's greeting, then forgot the formality and took Gu Yuena's arm in familiar fashion.

"Xiao Yuena, we meet again." Su Churan looked carefree as usual.

"Are you swapping positions with Bai Youzhe?"

Su Churan scowled, then gave a letter. "Someone from Wyvernia recognized you in Yin City."

"Then?"

"Then what else? They want to pick you back up to 'home' and recognize your mother's family. I don't know what purpose they're looking for, but I can confirm their position is very high. Not even the Emperor can. I suspect this has something to do with Linghun Palace."

Gu Yuena thought for a moment, then shook her head. "They shouldn't know about the Queen of Linghun Palace."

"How can you conclude like that?"

"I've cut ties with them. While the Queen of Linghun Palace had long wanted Wyvernia. Putting me there is like looking for things."

"Are you sure?"

Gu Yuena was not so sure. He smiled and looked at Su Churan. "But I have another speculation. If I become the Queen of Linghun Palace, I will use my old family to gain more power. I'm going to want the Wyvernia throne and use my family as my strongest support."

"So the Wyvernians who came were the plans of the Queen of Linghun Palace?"

"It would only happen if they knew of the existence of the Queen of Linghun Palace." Gu Yuena snorted. "Aren't they the Duke Elberg Family? Their military might was on par with the imperial military might, their influence was also as great as that of the imperial family. Plus, they were the empress family from generation to generation. If none of the Elberg descendants became emperors, of course they were restless. Now that I want to pick me up, I must have thought of seizing the throne through my hands."

Su Churan thought Gu Yuena had a point. This is not just about recognizing the family, but a war between heirs to the throne to seize the seat of the imperial throne. Gu Yuena could escape the war, on condition that she did not return to the Elberg Family.

But the Elbergs picked him up to come back. It was clear how their plan was.

"Then the Queen of Linghun Palace ...."

Gu Yuena said, "If the Queen of Linghun Palace wants to take control of Wyvernia, she should return to the Elberg Family or contact the royal family directly. The Elbergs won't be looking for me. The arrival of Duke Elberg gave the possibility that they had no contact with the Queen of Linghun Palace."

In the end, he still had to face Li Hua, Princess Vanya who returned to the empire. Gu Yuena was not too sure what Li Hua would claim her position back as a princess, because it was too futile. He thought, Li Hua could kill the emperor and seize the throne today as well.

Or maybe Li Hua had a plan. Duke Elberg did not know of its existence, so it was likely that Li Hua acted alone in the empire. I don't know when it's time. If it was to stop him, Gu Yuena would have to go to Wyvernia.

"Bai Youzhe is in Tianshuang Palace, right?" ask Gu Yuena.

"Yes. Are you going to Tianshuang Palace?"

Gu Yuena just showed a smile. Su Churan understood and immediately took Gu Yuena away to Tianshuang Palace.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

A silent atmosphere accompanied Duke Elberg. The handsome man fell silent when he heard the Tianshuang Palace King's words regarding who exactly the woman he was looking for.

Gu Yuena, Queen of Tianshuang Palace. Duke Elberg took a sip of saliva and felt that Elder Han's earlier remark was very reasonable. It was only fitting that Elder Han looked doubtful to him and said it should be based on Bai Youzhe's decision. Duke Elberg could not dwell in front of the King even though his position was very high.

Wyvernia is Wyvernia, Tianshuang Palace is Tianshuang Palace. Emperor Wyvernia could not mess with Duke Elberg, but the Tianshuang Palace King did not care about it and could kill him without a second thought.

He had heard many rumors along the way about the tyrant couple.

Duke Elberg never expected it. Plus ... Gu Yuena's relationship with Linghun Palace, led her to be forced to believe that her cousin was the dangerous Queen of Linghun Palace.

Huh, how could his cousin's sister fall that far? Duke Elberg was out of thought and became a headache.

This was a story with a complicated pedigree, at least that was how Duke Elberg thought.

In front of him was Bai Youzhe who was sitting down casually. His eyes looked lazy to face Duke Elberg, he was eager to return to the Underworld to meet his Nana after a few days of not meeting.

He misses his Nana. Very ....

When is the Nana coming?

All in Bai Youzhe's mind right now was Nana whom she missed. Duke Elberg is very depressed. Looking at Bai Youzhe's flat face, he thought that a certain king did not like her presence.

The face was very cold and flat. Although Duke Elberg looked expressionless, who knew that a drop of cold sweat had appeared from his temple. He was confused as to what to say after knowing this fact.

After a moment of silence, the Duke ventured to say, "Because the King is our Daughter's husband, I feel very honored and have no worries."

Bai Youzhe pulled her eyebrows. "Our daughter?" His tone sounded dislike.

"I mean, Queen." Duke Elberg lost his authority. He felt like shedding tears.

"Gu Yuena is the Queen of Tianshuang Palace. Isn't it in Wyvernia that one will be summoned through the highest title?"

"really. I'm the one who mispronounced 'cause I'm not used to it." Duke Elberg was being generous despite the headache. He thought the King's temperament would wear off a little because he was part of his wife's family, but he wasn't.

Tyrant is still tyrant.

"I asked once again. You intend to take my wife to Wyvernia for what kind of purpose? Is it just to be a princess who obeys the wishes of her family?" Bai Youzhe asked in a sarcastic tone.

Duke Elberg took a gulp of coarse saliva, then said, "Before, I thought that the Queen was not married and wanted to bring her back to recognize the family. After all, the Queen is the rightful heir candidate to the throne. Despite not being raised in the palace, he still had a pure Elberg bloodline."

"Oh? You want to make her empress for the next emperor?" Bai Youzhe deliberately gave the impression of misunderstanding to teach a lesson to the person who wanted to take his wife away.

Duke Elberg smiled bitterly. "The king misunderstood. The heir to the throne can only be Emperor."

"I just found out your imperial family has a strange habit. You want to make my wife emperor, while I as her husband become empress? Huh, is the world turned upside down?"

"...."

Duke Elberg wanted to scream annoyed right then and there. Although he wanted to make Gu Yuena emperor, but that was not the concept!

Was this King Bai really that stupid or intentionally upset him?

(Usually if the woman who ascended the throne would have the title of Empress/Queen, but not Consort Consort or Emperor spouse, their husband would not be Emperor but Prince, instead, because the Emperor has a higher position than the Empress. You can take the example of the Queen of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Philip.)

Bai Youzhe showed a sneering smile silently. He deliberately said silly things to make the Duke talk to him. Who told you to come uninvited?

Duke Elberg is still trying to be chesty. "For this matter, it is better to talk about it with the Queen as well. This matter cannot be separated from his involvement so we also need his opinion."

"Oh."

Did he hit the king? Seems not. Duke Elberg was eager to stomp Bai Youzhe's head with a cane. Fortunately, he has a good temper and can control his emotions.

At least get Gu Yuena!

Bai Youzhe sneered at the impatient man silently. He welcomed well, viewing the other party as his Nana distant family. He was just a little relaxed, but Duke Elberg was very impatient to meet his Nana.

On the other hand, Elder Han who became a statue could only show a 'friendly' smile'. He had been tense since at the corner like an alienated person, thinking the two men were planning something serious about Wyvernia.

Their faces were so solemn that it made everyone not think that the two were looking for a way to bring a nephew and keep his wife.

After facing the irritating atmosphere with their respective ways of thinking, the sound of footsteps sounded. The long-awaited figure finally came making the two 'serious' men change expression.

Women with beautiful red dresses, as well as an unparalleled beautiful and charming appearance. He seems to have a good temperament. Her pair of red eyes glittered beautifully like roses.

With just a single glance, Duke Elberg instantly recognized him. He stood up, and so did Bai Youzhe who went straight to Gu Yuena.

"You just came, why don't you rest? The journey must be exhausting." Bai Youzhe thought Gu Yuena had directly gone here when she had just returned from the Phoenix Region. Plus, he was not wanting Gu Yuena to meet the man behind him. He jealous.

Duke Elberg felt like vomiting blood seeing that drastic change in attitude. Look at that love boy! Previously it looked so cold and sharp-tongued that it made Duke Elberg upset half to death. But now ...the man showed a gentle expression with sweet words.

You love slave!

Was Bai Youzhe actually two people?

Gu Yuena had no idea how upset her uncle was. He only knew that Bai Youzhe had absolutely no authority when looking at him despite being in public though. He pinched the man's nose with anxiety.

After dealing with Bai Youzhe, Gu Yuena immediately turned her head towards Duke Elberg. He faced, then gave a special greeting to the Wyvernian nobility. Duke Elberg also greeted him politely.

"I heard Duke Elberg come looking for me." Gu Yuena showed a friendly smile.

"Yes, Queen. There are some important things you need to know about your identity."

Gu Yuena looked at him for a long while, then decided to sit down first. He asked Duke Elberg to return to his seat.

Gu Yuena's polite and gentle demeanor made Duke Elberg forget his little conflict with the shameless Bai Youzhe. Well, at least his nephew isn't like that shitty King. He became curious how Gu Yuena could want to marry that stingy-looking man. Was he forced?

If Gu Yuena knew what the Duke was thinking, he would definitely vomit blood from annoyance.

Bai Youzhe doesn't like Duke Elberg. Although Duke Elberg's age was already 4 heads, the man was ageless and handsome. Do not take Nana despite having an uncle relationship though.

Bai Youzhe sat down next to Gu Yuena without even stepping away.

"So you want to talk about the typical Wyvernia heir candidate?" ask Gu Yuena. He's getting serious right now.

"Not only that. Earlier, Prince James told me of your whereabouts and asked me to look for you. You are Princess Valentina, Princess of Wyvernia. Even though Princess Vanya broke off ties with the empire, you as her daughter remain part of the empire."

"Then what did my brother plan to do to ask you to look for me? In order, he's better than me."

"The prince has left some things for you in Duchy. As long as you are willing to join forces to obtain your true identity, the prince's plan will be accomplished and you will get what he left behind."

Gu Yuena was silent for a while, thinking. He was going to Wyvernia, but to investigate Li Hua's movements, not to inherit the throne. He was tired of the throne.

"What if I'm willing to leave, but not willing to be heir to the throne?"

Duke Elberg was not surprised at Gu Yuena's remark. "As long as you go back to Wyvernia. The reason I am talking about the issue of inheritance of the throne is, the current Emperor does not have a strong foothold in the eyes of the public. The public's confidence in the government had worn off, the empire had become shaky. The only way was to get rid of the current emperor and replace him. The emperor thought about it too. But the thing is, not many princes are as capable as Prince James and Prince Alfonso."

Prince Alfonso was on the Emperor's side. He will be the next emperor. But Duke Elberg as well as the noble faction did not want that. Prince Alfonso had good abilities, but he was extremely greedy. He likes women, possessions, and power. As Gu Yuena saw last time, Prince Alfonso came into contact with the Ye Clan and asked for a soul stone.

The first thing Gu Yuena thought about was, Prince Alfonso had contact with Linghun Palace. Or he was actually Li Hua's pawn.

Just this reason alone was enough for Gu Yuena to agree to Duke Elberg's suggestion of going to Wyvernia. He did not need to show his original intention of stopping Linghun Palace.

"If my brother trusted me so much, I couldn't possibly let him down."

Duke Elberg breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently it was not difficult to persuade Gu Yuena. His gray iris glanced towards Bai Youzhe who looked too relaxed.

It felt strange that the man did not comment.

Suddenly, his feelings were not good.

And sure enough, Bai Youzhe suddenly said, "I can't leave my wife alone in a stranger's place. Duke Elberg, you're gonna have to trouble me." He spoke with a smile as if he was creating a good atmosphere.

Duke Elberg could only endure the feeling of being depressed and emotional.