[{"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-210":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},2353334,4602,"Chapter 210: Each Harboring Ulterior Motives","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-210",210,"\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi did not expect the Old Lady and Jun Zhengming to be so heartless, not even giving her a decent dowry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gritted her teeth, stood up to cover her head with the bridal veil, and slipped out of the mansion gates, supported by her maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the gate, a bridal sedan chair was parked in front of the Jun mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi sat in the sedan chair, jolting all the way to the Prince Yi mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the Prince Yi mansion was also desolate; the banquet had been set according to the rites for an Imperial Prince taking a secondary consort, yet there was not a single guest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was because the Empress was hosting a flower-viewing banquet in the palace today, inviting officials of all ranks in the capital to bring their families into the palace to admire the flowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was reasonable to hold some nonsense flower-viewing banquet right after a palace banquet had just concluded, everyone knew the truth in their hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But who dared to say anything? And who dared to disrespect the Empress by going to eat at the wedding banquet of an unfavored Imperial Prince instead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had forgotten how Imperial Consort Gao was whipped by Quan Aoyu until she had only one breath left, while the Emperor merely gave a perfunctory punishment of three months' salary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Tianyi sat in the study with a gloomy face. How had this move turned out like this? It seemed he had been tricked by that damned woman, Jun Zijin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward came to report:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness, Miss Jun has almost reached the mansion gate. But... there is still not a single guest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Tianyi gave a cold snort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is nothing more to be done; let her in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Jun Yiyi stepped into the mansion, she was like a lone bird that had wandered into the depths of winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had imagined the scene of her marrying into the mansion countless times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must have been bright with red candles, filled with guests, everyone smiling and wishing her well on finding a good match and starting a happy life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been full of longing for the future, thinking the Prince Yi mansion would be her new home and a stable reliance for the rest of her life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, reality dealt her a harsh slap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene before her was like a basin of bone-chilling cold water; her anticipation was instantly extinguished by the biting cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mansion gates before her were cold and desolate, showing not a hint of festive spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no lively wedding procession, no hall filled with distinguished guests, no chorus of well-wishes, and not even the most basic of ceremonies to be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mansion gates closed quietly behind her, leaving only a deathly silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few servants walked up with expressionless faces and mechanically led her toward the bridal chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi’s footsteps faltered, a flash of disbelief and disappointment crossing her eyes as she gripped the corner of her garment tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath that exquisite makeup was a face filled with sorrow, tears of humiliation swirling in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid left after leading her into the bridal chamber, where a deathly silence reigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Jun Yiyi quietly took a needle from her bosom, her hands trembling slightly as she placed it under the pillow, thinking she would prick her finger during the consummation that night to feign innocence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment's thought, she hurriedly and clumsily took a small paper packet from her bosom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With trembling fingers, she finally managed to open the packet and carefully poured the sleeping powder inside into the wine cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt it would be safer to drug Quan Tianyi before proceeding; otherwise, if he discovered she was not a virgin, she would surely die without a burial place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing all this, she let out a long sigh of relief, a flash of determination in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She secretly swore that she must gain a firm foothold here and must conceive a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she did not know that Quan Tianyi was now impotent; how could he let her conceive a child?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night fell quietly, and the darkness surged in like a tide, swallowing the entire mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the bridal chamber, the candlelight flickered, and the shadows danced wildly on the walls, adding a sense of eeriness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi sat on the edge of the bed, her hands unconsciously clutching the bedsheets, her nails digging deep into the fabric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heartbeat accelerated rapidly, anticipation and nervousness intertwined in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Tianyi had drunk enough sullen wine and stepped into the bridal chamber, carrying a hint of drunkenness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To hide the secret of his impotence, he had to get Jun Yiyi drunk and then use tools to deflower her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, elusive smile hung on Quan Tianyi's face, but his eyes revealed a hint of unnaturalness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised the wine cup on the table, his voice as steady as he could make it:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yiyi, come, let us drink the nuptial wine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he was the first to drain his cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Jun Yiyi also picked up her cup and feigned composure as she took a sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two, each harboring their own ulterior motives and calculations, went back and forth; after a few cups, Quan Tianyi felt a wave of dizziness, and the scene before him began to blur. His legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi looked at Quan Tianyi collapsed on the bed and called out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness, what is wrong with you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Tianyi did not respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corners of Jun Yiyi's mouth curled up; she hurriedly fished out the needle from under the pillow, pricked her finger, and dripped the blood onto the white silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she stripped off her own clothes and Quan Tianyi's, and lay on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, sunlight filtered through the carved window lattice, casting a few fragments of light onto the messy bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi woke up leisurely; Quan Tianyi beside her was still in a deep sleep, the dual effects of the hangover and the sleeping powder keeping him in a heavy slumber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at the scene before her, her heart filled with mixed emotions—both the relief of her plan succeeding and the anxiety of the unknown future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a Mama came to collect the white silk; Jun Yiyi got up lightly, picked up the clothes on the floor, and hurriedly dressed herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing at the smear of crimson blood on the white silk in the Mama's hand, a flash of triumph crossed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mama glanced at Quan Tianyi, who was sleeping soundly on the bed, then looked back at Jun Yiyi, her gaze subtly scrutinizing as she asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is wrong with His Highness, that he is so sleepy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi’s heart tightened, and she hurriedly replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This consort drank a few too many cups with His Highness last night and cannot remember what happened; perhaps His Highness enjoyed himself too much yesterday and is exhausted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since that is the case, let His Highness sleep a while longer. You all set the morning meal inside; this consort will eat something first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maids filed in and filled the table with exquisite food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi felt triumphant and had a hearty appetite. Although Quan Tianyi had slept like a log last night and they had done nothing, she had already married into the Prince Yi mansion, and there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was eating, she suddenly heard movement from Quan Tianyi in the inner chamber, so she hurriedly stood up and walked quickly into the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She saw Quan Tianyi slowly sitting up, rubbing his temples with his hands, his face full of pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness, you are awake. How do you feel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi asked with concern, her voice carrying just the right amount of tenderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Tianyi looked up at Jun Yiyi, his eyes filled with doubt and inquiry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He always felt that last night’s events were somewhat suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My head aches terribly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said indifferently. Jun Yiyi hurriedly handed him a cup of warm water,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drinking some water might make you feel better, Your Highness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Tianyi took the water cup and said calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't remember much about last night; I only remember drinking and making merry with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi pointed to the messy bed, but feigned shyness, lowered her head, and coquettishly said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness, last night... last night you... have you forgotten everything?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1443,"2026-06-21T03:35:40.407Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","3c72b1597f8d174380b3caa3d027535d48e8edc9065bb316cdc76a5b68a6d017","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-211","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-209",224,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-cover.jpg"]