Fire Phoenix Chapter 28

   Chapter 28 Yun Canglan, Princess of Can Kingdom

Eight years later

Over the past eight years, there were many changes. The Emperor of the Jin Kingdom died, and the princes all fought to claim the throne. In the end, it was the eighth Prince Xi Quanwei who won the crown. The Emperor of the Feng Kingdom developed an obsession with kung fu and passed his crown to the tenth Prince Qin Liuren before disappearing.

The seven kingdoms, across the two continents, maintained peace on the surface; however, battles were breaking out always.

With the passage of time, children grew up. Several princes from the seven kingdoms stood out as Prince Charmings to the young ladies in the world.

Heroes emerged over this time too, and the most famous of these heroes were Mister Night Phoenix and Mister Yao Xi. Mister Night Phoenix had debuted eleven years earlier and was renowned for paintings and poetry. Mister Night Phoenix appeared from time to time over the last three years, which attracted new admirers, and his literary talent increased adding to his popularity. However, regardless of his achievements, Mister Night Phoenix was, just a bookworm when compared to Mister Yao Xi.

Rumors flew about Mister Yao Xi. One stated his visage rivaled that of Mister Night Phoenix. He was a master in the art of kung fu. The most important thing though was how clever, and cunning Yao Xi was, and that he single-handedly provoked several disputes across the four countries on the Water Continent in recent years. Therefore, Mister Yao Xi was a mystery to the world, reviled and cherished all at once.

Still more famous than either Night Phoenix or Yao Xi, remained Yun Canglan.

Out of the blue a month ago, the Emperor of the Can Kingdom declared Yun Canglan to be a girl. The rumor spread that when she was born, Fearless Armor told her parents to raise her as a male child until age fourteen. Therefore, from that day forward, Yun Canglan was known as a princess* of Can Kingdom.

(*TN: In Chinese, the title Junzhu meaning "Princess of a Commandery." She was not the Emperor's daughter)

Speculation flew and everyone wondered who was brave enough to marry Princess Yun Canglan. The Emperor of Can Kingdom announced the impending marriage of the Crown Prince Huo Liuyun to Princess Yun Canglan. The Royal wedding was to be held on the third day of the second month in 1011 in the Shuihuo Calendar*.

(*TN: Shuihuo Calendar* is used in this novel.)

On the second day of the second month in 1011 of the Shuihuo Calendar

In the General's House, Can Kingdom

Lin Wan'er was standing in Yun Canglan's bedroom. Some light wrinkles furrowed her pretty face, but she was healthier than she had been several years earlier. She was filled with affection for her daughter, as she took a wooden comb and pulled it gently through Yun Canglan's hair.

"You have such beautiful hair." Lin Wan'er admired.

Yun Canglan had on a light blue skirt that accentuated her slender figure. However, the similarities between mother and daughter ended there. She unquestionably didn't have the beautiful features Lin Wan'er's face had. Although she had the face of an angel as a child, she was rather ordinary looking now.

Yun Canglan twisted her hair around her finger in front of her, looking unhappy.

"This skirt isn't comfortable, I prefer wearing men's clothes and I don't like my hair like this." Yun Canglan complained.

Lin Wan'er continued combing Yun Canglan's messy hair as they talked.

"You are an adult now. Don't be so willful. You will be married to His Crown Prince tomorrow. What you say and do reflects on all of Can Kingdom. No more being rude."

Yun Canglan leaned back feeling the warmth of Lin Wan'er and felt contented.

"Mother, is marrying Liuyun right for me?" Yun Canglan uncertainty hung in the air when she asked.

Lin Wan'er stopped combing her daughter's hair, her own anxiety about the marriage came to mind.

Yun Canglan was an unrestrained free spirit and didn't fit in with imperial palace life. Moreover, Huo Liuyun would be the Emperor of the Can Kingdom one day. The emperor would have numerous concubines. What should Yun Canglan do then, she would be tormented for the rest of her life?

As her mother, Lin Wan'er wanted her to find her Mr. Right and happiness. But she wasn't sure if the Crown Prince was Mr. Right for her daughter.

Yun Canglan saw Lin Wan'er's hesitation reflected in the bronze mirror and began to doubt herself.

She was fourteen. Huo Liuyun revealed her identity and then announced they were to be married. Those were all under Yun Canglan's plan.

This was just the most recent of things she had done over the course of eight years, to protect her father. First, she had driven a wedge between Emporer Huo Yang and the Grand Preceptor secretly. She gave some of Huo Yang concubines a potent drug known as Dielianhua*, which gave Huo Yang an uncontrollable urge to have sex with them. Therefore, several concubines ended up pregnant.

(*TN: Dielianhua is a powdered aphrodisiac, that makes a woman irresistible to a man, compelling him to mate with her, when it is on a woman's body.)

Lady Lian thought the Emperor, Huo Yang had grown tired of her and was disillusioned.

After that, Yun Canglan sent guards to kill the Grand Preceptor's juniors. The Grand Preceptor thought the Emperor did it and they began to fight privately.

So for the past eight years, the Crown Prince, Huo Liuyun and His Majesty, Huo Yang were too busy with the Grand Preceptor, leaving no time to bring further harm to Yun Yajun.

Recently, the Grand Preceptor seemed to be plotting a conspiracy. Huo Liuyun needed to marry Yun Canglan and draw her father over to his side. Further, he wanted the Commander's Seal, which was in Huguo General's possession, through which he would control half of the army of Can Kingdom.

Yun Canglan agreed to marry Huo Liuyun because she never forgot his kindness when she was born. She was willing to overlook everything he had done, and give him another chance. If Huo Liuyun trusted her, she would seize the world for him.

"Don't worry, mother. I will be happy. Whether being the wife of the Crown Prince or ordinary people, I won't give it up as long as I want it." Yun Canglan said firmly.

Lin Wan'er felt relieved and continued to comb Yun Canglan's hair.

"Canglan, remember always; the General's House is your home. If for any reason you are wronged and want to return, we will always have your back." Lin Wan'er said.

Yun Canglan was silent while the words sank in before throwing herself into Lin Wan'er's arms, listening to her steady heart and rising chest as she breathed.

Once upon a time, she remembered she leaned against her mom*, holding her hands full of wrinkles, chatting with her.

(*TN: Here Yun Canglan is recalling her mother during the previous life.)

She wondered if her mom there was okay? Was her dad grey-haired now? Were their hearts broken when she left the world?

Yun Yajun entered the room; it was heartwarming seeing his wife and daughter together like that. He let them know he was there with short dry coughs. He was not used to Yun Canglan in female dress, and the sight still took him by surprise.

"You are 14, young lady, don't behave like a child!" He chided her gently.

Lin Wan'er gave him a warning glance as she greeted him, "Yajun."

Yun Canglan looked up at Yun Yajun with a mischievous expression.

"Father, tomorrow I will be the wife of the Crown Prince. If you dare to beat me again, I will see to it the Crown Prince punishes you!" Yun Canglan chuckled as she made her threat.

Yun Yajun grew angry. He pointed while scolding her, "Bastard! You should change this behavior. If you continue acting like this, you will disgrace all of Can Kingdom. Look what you have done already! You know, if you do continue to act like this, His Crown Prince is sure to marry several concubines, and then you will regret your actions."

Yun Canglan sighed and secretly believed her dad was going through menopause.

"No father would curse his daughter like you just did!" Yun Canglan talked in whispers. She dared not say it out loud.

"What did you say?" Yun Yajun questioned. His hearing was very good.

"What?" Yun Canglan played dumb. "I said that you and mom should work hard and give me a brother or sister." She pushed her parents together as she was speaking, "Dad, come on!" Yun Canglan joked.

Her parents' faces turned red with embarrassment. Yun Yajun stared at Yun Canglan angrily, scolding her before picking Lin Wan'er up and walking out.

"Bastard! Always such a playboy!" Yun Yajun threw over his shoulder as he left.

Looking at his tall figure, Yun Canglan called after him, "Dad, come on!"

When Yun Canglan spoke, Yun Yajun swayed slightly and nearly dropped Lin Wan'er when he did.

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