[{"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-42":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},2353166,4602,"Chapter 42: Imperial Consort Gao","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-42",42,"\u003Cp>Xiang Junzheng had been keeping an eye on the entrance to the Imperial Garden; the second girl was the County Princess Qingping just conferred by the Emperor, and since the Emperor had personally declared he would summon her today, he had to be attentive. Seeing Jun Zijin arrive, Xiang Junzheng hurriedly squeezed out from the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Jun Zijin and her father seemed to have things to discuss, He Linger stepped away first. Xiang Junzheng approached and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you only just arriving? Go and take your seat quickly. The Emperor is going to summon you today, so don't wander off later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin nodded: \"Daughter will take the Fourth Sister to take a seat over there; Father should take your seat as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Xiang Junzheng notice Jun Shuyan beside Jun Zijin, and he nodded. The two sisters bowed slightly to Xiang Junzheng in greeting, then turned and walked toward He Linger on the opposite side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Jun Zijin reached He Linger's side, she was chatting with another young lady about what kind of rewards the Emperor would bring out today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as He Linger saw Jun Zijin approach, she immediately introduced the other person at the table:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From the Prince Xiang Wang Fu, County Princess Qingle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quan Qingle.\" Quan Qingle smiled brightly at Jun Zijin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jun Zijin. This is my Fourth Sister.\" Jun Zijin smiled; it seemed County Princess Pingyang was another person who was quick to make friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you are Jun Zijin! The County Princess Qingping personally conferred by the Imperial Uncle the day before yesterday! Zijin, we are truly fated; your title is Qingping, and my name is Qingle...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The excited Quan Qingle chattered away on her own. He Linger held her forehead, Jun Shuyan ate pastries to herself, and while Jun Zijin felt helpless listening to Quan Qingle’s endless stream of words, she still wore a faint smile on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Quan Qingle’s voice trailed off, Jun Shuyan swallowed a bite of pastry and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What reward were you talking about just now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin did not understand either: There is a reward? Does everyone get one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before He Linger could speak, Quan Qingle leaned in toward Jun Zijin:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could everyone get one? There is a talent competition at the palace banquet every year, and the Emperor will bring out a treasure as a prize for the female guest who takes first place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A treasure? Wouldn't everyone want that?\" Jun Shuyan said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin’s mind was not on the Emperor’s prize; her gaze fell on Jun Yiyi, who was dressed in white twenty meters away. Jun Yiyi seemed somewhat absent-minded, glancing at Jun Zijin from time to time, and at this moment, she was looking toward Jun Zijin as well. As soon as she met Jun Zijin’s eyes, Jun Yiyi hurriedly looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin’s gaze darkened slightly; there was certainly no good in store for today. Jun Zijin withdrew her gaze without a change in expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, following a loud cry from a Eunuch: \"His Majesty arrives—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The protagonist of today’s palace banquet had arrived; the Emperor of Tianqi came, followed by a crowd of imperial concubines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Garden immediately fell silent. The crowd, who had been laughing and talking, all stopped what they were doing, their expressions becoming respectful. They stood up quickly and knelt down in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Long live, long live, long, long live Your Majesty!\" the crowd shouted in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tianqi Emperor, Quan Wuji, looked down at the crowd and raised a hand:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All officials, rise!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Your Majesty!\" Only then did the people stand up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s gaze swept over the crowd and finally landed on Jun Zijin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Jun Zijin was also secretly looking at the Emperor; she had never seen the Emperor and wanted to see the true face of this spendthrift ruler. Their gazes unexpectedly met in mid-air! In an instant, Jun Zijin’s brow furrowed; she thought to herself that he was indeed the Supreme Ruler—had she not been prepared, she feared that the Tianqi Emperor’s gaze of supreme majesty would have caused her to falter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Tianqi Emperor, Quan Wuji, was actually slightly startled! He knew that the girl the Crown Prince had taken a fancy to was the granddaughter of the County Princess Qingping, Fang Jizhou. Not only did she possess astonishing medical skills at such a young age, but he had not expected that this little girl before him would dare to meet his gaze head-on. Even more unexpectedly, she had not lost to him! Seeing this, Quan Wuji felt a stir in his heart; as expected, the person the Crown Prince had taken a fancy to would not be mediocre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have come today to join in the fun and also to see the new County Princess Qingping I have conferred,\" Quan Wuji withdrew his thoughts and said jokingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin stepped forward, neither humble nor pushy, and bowed, \"This subject’s daughter pays respects to Your Majesty; long live, long live, long, long live Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her graceful posture and steady steps, Quan Wuji nodded inwardly, coughed lightly, and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rise!\" the Emperor said with a smile, his voice resonant and gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"County Princess Qingping, your contribution of the stainless steel formula is truly a great achievement! It not only provides a tremendous boost to our dynasty’s manufacturing industry but is also an act that will benefit the people and promote the country’s prosperity. I am deeply gratified!\" The Emperor nodded slightly, expressing his commendation for the County Princess Qingping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the crowd began whispering to one another; when had the Emperor ever been so amiable to anyone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty is too kind; this subject’s daughter once met a Persian, and he was the one who gave me the formula.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Wuji did not care where her stainless steel formula came from, as long as it was beneficial to the state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quan Wuji sat on the dragon throne and waved his wide sleeves, and an attendant immediately shouted loudly: \"The Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet begins!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once finished, the sound of strings and bamboo instruments rose once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Princes and ministers toasted the Emperor in turn, and the female relatives also raised their glasses to one another in friendship; the banquet was filled with a harmonious atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the high seat sat a woman in magnificent attire with a cold and arrogant expression. She wore a shimmering brocade robe, with exquisite peony patterns embroidered in gold thread on the sleeves and hem. The collar of the magnificent garment stood high, and her waist was bound by a jade belt encrusted with jewels. Her hair was densely adorned with various pearl hairpins, dazzling and eye-catching, emitting a crisp clinking sound as she moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze swept over the crowd indifferently, and when she saw the two Jun sisters and He Linger, a trace of imperceptible emotion flashed in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin felt a gaze land on her, looked up, and happened to meet the woman’s eyes. For some reason, her heart tightened inexplicably. At this moment, He Linger beside her whispered: \"That is Imperial Consort Gao, the biological sister of Chancellor Gao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1208,"2026-06-21T03:35:39.629Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","4e197ed4ce4b5ae684f36c3c487f0a832d512c1f1a6ec8a2315e72e50acc75f4","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-43","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-41",224,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-cover.jpg"]