A day later, Shen Qianxue returned to the foot of Phoenix Pavilion Mountain.
Before he could even return to Phoenix Pavilion, he was stopped by the prince's men, who told him to go back to the prince's residence first, as the prince was worried about him.
Therefore, Shen Qianxue went into the city first and went to the Prince's Mansion.
At the Prince's residence, Yang Jiaoruo was the first to greet them. She rushed forward anxiously and looked Shen Qianxue up and down.
Seeing that Shen Qianxue was safe and sound, and even looked more cheerful and at ease than when she left, he felt even more resentful.
Does this mean that he has reconciled with Su Jin again?
Shen Qianxue had a bad feeling when he saw Yang Jiaoruo. He was just about to ask Yang Jiaoruo if she had said something to the prince again when the prince came out.
Zhou Ji hurried forward, looking terrified, and only felt relieved after making sure Shen Qianxue was alright: "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
Shen Qianxue...
Anyone who didn't know better would think he had ventured into some dangerous place.
Shen Qianxue greeted him and said, "I'm sorry to have worried Your Highness, but I know what I'm doing. You... don't need to do this."
From childhood to adulthood, Shen Qianxue had received countless acts of kindness like this, but this time she didn't want to accept them anymore.
Zhou Ji's expression froze for a moment, but he quickly masked it and smiled with relief, "It seems you've seen Su Jin and cleared things up?"
Shen Qianxue nodded slightly, "Your Highness, rest assured, there are other hidden reasons behind the cooperation between the Southern Kingdom and the Liuli Society. I will explain them to you in detail later."
Zhou Ji's heart stirred, and a hint of joy appeared on his face. It seemed that his choice was right; there was still genuine affection between Su Jinxia and Shen Qianxue.
Zhou Ji didn't hide anything and laughed generously, "That's good then. Don't blame me for going out of my way to pursue you. After all, I really don't know Su Jin's character and may have misunderstood her."
In the past, Shen Qianxue would have been happier to hear this, but for some reason she was very calm today.
After returning to their room, Shen Qianxue focused on explaining Nie Qingyi's control of the Liuli Society and its collusion with the Southern Kingdom, and also expressed Su Jinxia's attitude.
As for the rest, those are matters between Su Jinxia and himself, and there's no need to explain them to outsiders.
Zhou Ji was overjoyed and changed his attitude towards Su Jinxia from what he used to do.
“Alright, alright, I misjudged her. This Su Jinxia does have some conscience. But…” Zhou Ji suddenly paused, looked at Yang Jiaoruo and said, “But why did Su Jinxia try to snatch the wooden sword? Who is she trying to get against?”
This is also a concern for Zhou Ji.
Shen Qianxue's brow twitched, and she looked at Yang Jiaoruo.
Yang Jiaoruo's eyes flickered, and she lowered her head.
Shen Qianxue's eyes flashed with displeasure. She licked her lips and explained in a deep voice, "The wooden sword is a secret treasure of the Liuli Society. It was lost from the Liuli Society many years ago. Su Jinxia only followed the wishes of her predecessors and retrieved it. She did not intend to target anyone."
Zhou Ji did not blame Shen Qianxue for concealing this matter, and Shen Qianxue did not explain, but directly told him the reason why Su Jin had done it.
Zhou Ji narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly. In the past, Shen Qianxue would always take the initiative to take the blame for his mistakes.
This time it's different.
Zhou Ji did not show his dissatisfaction, but only sighed, "In the end, it is a sword hanging over our heads. Now we can only hope that the Liuli Society will really not get involved in the struggle between the two countries, as Su Jinxia said."
Su Jinxia never said that, nor did Shen Qianxue. This was just Zhou Ji's presumptuous conjecture, putting Su Jinxia in a high position.
If Su Jin fails to do so, needless to say, she will be subjected to public criticism.
For example, Yang Jiaoruo would definitely be at the forefront.
Shen Qianxue frowned slightly, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. After exchanging a few simple pleasantries, she didn't mention anything else unrelated to the grand plan, and then took her leave.
Yang Jiaoruo hurriedly followed, while Shen Qianxue was as cold as an ice sculpture the whole way.
Upon returning to Phoenix Pavilion, Shen Xi rushed over after hearing the news, and upon entering, he saw Yang Jiaoru kneeling on the ground.
"What's wrong?" Shen Xi asked with surprise and concern.
Shen Qianxue leaned back in her chair, her eyes slightly closed, revealing a hint of weariness.
"Yang Jiaoruo, do you know what mistake you made?" Shen Qianxue asked, her voice filled with deep disappointment.
Yang Jiaoruo's eyes welled up with tears in an instant. She wasn't afraid of Shen Qianxue scolding, reprimanding, or punishing her; what she feared most was that Shen Qianxue would be completely disappointed in her.
She instinctively retorted, "I didn't intentionally reveal the secret of Phoenix Pavilion. I was just too anxious and worried about your safety. Besides, isn't the Prince one of our own? Why should we keep it from him? I don't understand!"
Shen Qianxue frowned as she listened.
Shen Xi also realized what was happening and looked at Yang Jiaoruo in surprise, "You told everyone about the lost wooden sword?"
In the past, Yang Jiaoruo would only feign disobedience and secretly engage in underhanded tactics. This time, however, she openly defied the Phoenix Lord's orders and leaked information.
This is a huge no-no!
If an ordinary disciple made this mistake, he would surely die.
"One of our own?" Shen Qianxue pondered these three words. "He is the ruler, and we are his subjects. How could we possibly be one of our own?"
Shen Qianxue treated Shen Xi as one of her own, Yang Jiaoruo as one of her own, and even many of her trusted subordinates as one of her own.
The only one they dared not treat was the prince as one of their own!
Subtly, Shen Qianxue has become less close to Zhou Ji.
"Yang Jiaoruo disobeyed orders and leaked information. She went to the Discipline Hall to receive punishment and was demoted to an ordinary disciple, relinquishing all her authority."
Shen Qianxue made the punishment directly; he had already explained enough and didn't want to say anything more.
Yang Jiaoruo looked up in disbelief.
Shen Xi also became anxious, "Young Master, Jiao Ruo is only thinking of your safety. Isn't this punishment too harsh?"
Shen Qianxue's eyes suddenly turned deep and dark. He stood up and stared at the two people below.
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