When facing Ming Li, Jiang Fu felt a degree of fear. Ever since the incident at the Prime Minister's mansion, Jiang Fu had stationed people to keep watch nearby. Early this morning, the person he had sent to the Prime Minister's mansion reported that the Prime Minister's daughter had returned, had killed the Emperor's men, and was now heading towards the imperial palace. He was afraid she would get into trouble, so he rushed over without delay. Fortunately, he had arrived in time.
Jiang Fu exerted all his strength to stop Ming Li, and Ming Li, obligingly, did not proceed into the imperial palace, instead leaving with Jiang Fu. They arrived at a very large teahouse, where Jiang Fu booked a private room. Once inside the room, Jiang Fu and Ming Li sat opposite each other. The teahouse attendant served the tea and then withdrew. Suddenly, only Jiang Fu and Ming Li were left in the room. Jiang Fu sat opposite Ming Li, desperately searching for topics to break the quiet atmosphere.
"Has Miss Bai eaten?"
Ming Li glanced at the somewhat nervous Jiang Fu, placed her hands on the table, and her expression was placid, showing no trace of the cold, ruthless demeanor from outside the palace. Her tone was even, "No, I'm not hungry."
Jiang Fu: ... He awkwardly picked up his teacup and took a sip, his gaze shifting to the small phoenix on Ming Li's shoulder, and he once again tried to find a new topic. "Oh?! Miss Bai, what kind of bird is this you're raising? It's so beautiful! I've never seen this breed of bird before."
Ming Li:
The little phoenix: ?! It was enraged! What was wrong with these humans?! It was clearly a phoenix! A noble phoenix! Were these humans blind??
The little phoenix flew from Ming Li's shoulder and landed on Jiang Fu's shoulder, pecking at his handsome face. "You detestable human! Remember this! I, this divine beast, am a phoenix! A venerable phoenix! Not some bird!"
Jiang Fu: ?! The "birdie" actually spoke?! He was so shocked that he couldn't swallow his mouthful of tea and spat it out. Fortunately, Ming Li had moved quickly, otherwise, she would have been covered in his spittle.
Ming Li: With a numb expression, she moved to sit in a different spot.
Jiang Fu wiped his mouth apologetically, then stared with renewed astonishment at the little phoenix now perched on his shoulder, swallowing hard. "You—what are you?!"
The little phoenix: ?! It gritted its teeth. So, this human had selectively forgotten what it had just said? Just as the little phoenix was about to attack Jiang Fu's face again, it heard its master's emotionless voice. "Alright, little phoenix, don't bully him."
Jiang Fu: ?!
Upon hearing this, the little phoenix flapped its little wings and obediently flew back to Ming Li's side, perching on her shoulder again. Its little head turned proudly to the side, refusing to look at Jiang Fu.
Jiang Fu: ?! He swallowed again and looked at Ming Li. In that instant, he seemed to understand something. Although he was very curious, he still didn't ask anything. He brought up another matter to chat with Ming Li. Although it was mostly Jiang Fu talking, Ming Li would occasionally nod or reply with a single syllable.
Thus, as evening fell, Jiang Fu pulled Ming Li to go drinking again. Ming Li obligingly agreed. Just as Jiang Fu felt he had successfully stabilized Ming Li, she took advantage of his inattention and knocked him out with a single blow.
Jiang Fu: ?!
After knocking Jiang Fu unconscious, Ming Li vanished into the night. The next day, when Jiang Fu awoke, he heard people saying that the imperial palace had collapsed, having been set ablaze.
Jiang Fu: ?! Jiang Fu was utterly shocked! After his shock subsided, Jiang Fu quickly looked around. As expected, Ming Li was nowhere to be seen in the room.
Jiang Fu: ?! This wasn't something Miss Bai did, was it?!