[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world":3,"chapter-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-199":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Phoenix Returns to Rule the World",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2353323,4602,"Chapter 199: A Moment of Itchy Hands","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-199",199,"\u003Cp>He had a handsome face and a humble expression; he bowed slightly and spoke in a clear voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, our country is barren, and I have no extraordinary treasures to offer. However, we happened to obtain a spirit fox, which is naturally clever and possesses some human-like intelligence. I wish to present it to Your Majesty to add a touch of liveliness to your court.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Jin bowed again and said respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his voice fell, two attendants carried a carved nanmu wood cage into the great hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cage was covered with a layer of gauze as thin as a cicada's wing, through which a nimble figure could be vaguely seen moving about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Jin stepped forward himself and gently lifted the gauze, revealing the spirit fox to everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spirit fox was snow-white all over, its fur as smooth as silk, shimmering with a faint luster under the candlelight of the hall, as if every strand of hair were imbued with spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its eyes were like two brilliant rubies, clear and bright, carrying an innate cunning and liveliness as it curiously sized up everything around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spirit fox's ears were held high, with a touch of black velvet at the tips, making it look even more clever and adorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its tail was fluffy and huge, nearly as long as its body, and as it swayed gently, it seemed as if it could sweep away all the dust in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eyes of everyone in the hall were instantly drawn to the spirit fox, and for a moment, low exclamations and discussions rose one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the ladies and young misses present, their eyes filled with love and longing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Ziqin was also captivated by the spirit fox's cuteness, just as everyone else was drawn to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Aoyu added another remark:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like it? If you like it, it's yours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Ziqin rolled her eyes at him and replied, moving only her lips:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't you already give a night-luminescent pearl? Let's skip this one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Aoyu smiled lazily, a smile that seemed to melt all the ice and snow in the world, warm and brilliant, and he replied silently:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All the good things in the world should belong to my Dandan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Ziqin was amused by Quan Aoyu and laughed out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the hall turned their attention back to look at Jun Ziqin, and even the little fox tilted its head, looking at her curiously with its watery eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Ziqin coughed lightly, suppressed her smile, and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This little fox is so cute.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Aoyu finally spoke up, but his words were to ask Quan Wuji for the little fox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father Emperor, this little fox is very cute, could you bestow it upon your son?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Wuji understood; it was clear his son was asking for his wife-to-be, but he, the father, also had a wife—the brat was actually competing with his own father for things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Wuji feigned anger and glared at Quan Aoyu:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You brat, you haven't even married yet, and you're already so calculating? This little fox is something I intended to give to my wife.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Quan Aoyu quickly stood up, walked to the front of Quan Wuji, and bowed with cupped hands:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father Emperor, how about Ziqin brings the little fox to the palace to visit Mother Empress every day? That way, Mother Empress can see the beloved little fox and also see Ziqin's filial piety.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Wuji laughed heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The brat even knows how to please both sides.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the Empress smiled and spoke from the side:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough, enough. For the sake of your infatuation, I will make the decision to give the little fox to Ziqin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Aoyu was overjoyed, quickly expressed his gratitude, turned around, picked up the little fox, and handed it to Jun Ziqin:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wife, this little fellow is yours from now on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Ziqin quickly stood up and bowed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Father Emperor; thank you, Mother Empress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress said affectionately:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Silly child, why be so formal with me? This little fox is indeed lovely; you can keep it with you from now on, and it will be a companion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Ziqin looked at the fluffy little fox, filled with joy, and gently stroked its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little fox was not shy, nestling obediently in her arms and occasionally rubbing its head against her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its ruby-like eyes were full of joy, and a soft \"woo-woo\" sound came from its throat, as if it were expressing the happiness of meeting a kindred spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Quan Aoyu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a doting smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems it likes you very much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress watched this scene, her eyes full of smiles:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems this spirit fox is fated to be with Ziqin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A room full of women stared at the little fox in Jun Ziqin's arms, unable to look away even for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuoba Yaoguang bit her lip secretly; she had wanted to ask for the spirit fox herself, but she didn't expect Quan Aoyu to take it and give it to Jun Ziqin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sense of resentment rose in her heart, and she snorted, turning her head away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun outside the hall was just right, and the time was nearly up, so the Emperor waved his hand, and the Eunuch shouted loudly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The palace banquet officially begins—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Palace maids filed in, carrying exquisite dishes, the fragrance overflowing and mouth-watering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everyone's attention was drawn to the tableware on the tables that reflected their own images.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was surprised to find that this palace banquet used stainless steel bowls and dishes; apart from having appeared in the imperial court once before, this was the first time they were used at a palace banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, except for some court officials, everyone else was seeing them for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was shocked; these were not just bowls and dishes, they were clearly works of art!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stainless steel shimmered with a unique metallic luster under the candlelight, its texture hard and smooth, completely different from the steel products still in their infancy in other countries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Envoys from various countries whispered to each other, their faces full of shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Tianqi stainless steel, besides being used to forge weapons, can actually be made into bowls and dishes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Such fine utensils, I fear only Tianqi possesses them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed, no wonder Tianqi's national power is so strong, even their daily utensils are so advanced.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Tianqi country is truly an eye-opener!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Northern country envoy Wang Baolai stroked his chin, his face full of shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the envoys from various countries were whispering, suddenly, Wang Baolai, as if possessed, picked up a plate and quietly took a bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people around burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing his faux pas, Wang Baolai's face turned bright red; he hurriedly put down the plate and apologized without looking up:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry, I... I had a moment of itchy hands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor, however, did not mind, and instead asked with a smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Envoy Wang, how does the plate taste?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Baolai scratched his head in embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, please forgive me. Your country's utensils are too peculiar, and I was curious for a moment, losing my decorum.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No matter. On the day you return to your country, you may take some stainless steel tableware with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Baolai was overjoyed and hurriedly knelt to kowtow in gratitude:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty's holy grace, Your Majesty is generous and magnanimous, truly a wise monarch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor waved his hand, signaling him to rise and take his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chenggan and Liu Jin were also drawn to the stainless steel bowls and dishes, sighing inwardly. It seemed that the request to purchase vaccines during this year's tribute would be even less likely to go smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chenggan gave a look to Liu Jin, who understood and cleared his throat before stepping out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, your country's stainless steel weapons and tableware are truly eye-opening. However, we have come primarily to request that Your Majesty bestow upon us the smallpox vaccine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1356,"2026-06-21T03:35:39.629Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","984f4d75636cfb79a57d2836b024893b1b7887b2ae100a364d6912c3b4a50bb7","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-200","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-198",224,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-cover.jpg"]