See through it, but do not say it.
Zi Shou and Long Ji rode Hu Ximei back to the mountaintop together.
To the ministers who had endured hours of cold wind, this sight was tantamount to the ancestors acknowledging the title of First Emperor.
Zi Shou figured Kong Xuan probably would not come looking for trouble. Hu Ximei had never claimed to be a phoenix, and her clucking had been so obvious. Everyone had simply mistaken her out of ignorance.
An old hen could fly, too.
Zi Shou said little more. After shouting a few slogans, he boarded the carriage with Long Ji and headed down the mountain.
Long Ji's identity was difficult to explain. If he said she was the Heavenly Emperor's daughter, the ministers might truly believe he bore the Mandate of Heaven. That would be disastrous, so he simply said nothing.
I just happened to meet a pretty girl in the Mountain Forest and brought her into my Imperial Harem. What of it?
A depraved ruler! And proud of it!
Wen Zhong recognized Long Ji, but he thoroughly approved. There was something questionable about Daji in the Imperial Harem. Although she had caused no trouble yet, no one could guarantee she never would. Having another immortal maiden there to balance things out would be good.
The clouds and mist were dense, reluctant to part.
Mist filled the mountains, stretching as far as an ocean.
Looking out on the descent, the peaks beneath the gray sky all seemed to bow their heads and bend their backs in homage.
After this series of events, Wen Zhong could only marvel that one had to reach out and part the clouds to see the sun. The Mandate of Heaven decreed that Shang would fall and Zhou would rise, yet a variable