The Anarchic Consort

As he watched the God of Tian Shan left, Little Monk was troubled, “What should we do with his betrothal gifts?” If Honored Sir saw this, my lord, you would surely be grounded again.”

“Betrothal gifts?” Phoenix laughed, “Easy, keep the ones that are worthy and throw away the rest.”

Little Monk opened his mouth wide, “Keep them? What if those from Tian Shan come asking for them next time? Moreover, Honored Sir…”

“Remember, these are not betrothal gifts. Instead, they are donated by Tian Shan to Leiyin Temple as incense money.” Phoenix was playing with a jewelry while she was saying, “Are those from Tian Shan so stingy to take back what they have given?”

Little Monk hesitated. Although the solution given by his lord sounded nice.

But why do I feel as if we are stealing somebody’s fortune? Wasn’t the God of Tian Shan really here to send betrothal gifts?

It was done now. The God of Tian Shan was not only embarrassed, he could not even get back his betrothal gifts.

Why would he choose to provoke the lord instead of anyone else?

But… Why is the Emperor still here?

Phoenix was having the same thought as Little Monk. She raised her eyebrow while asking the man before her, “Anything?”

The man replied calmly but in an uncourteous way, “Ask your Little Monk to serve me tea. I’m not used to talk while standing outside.”

Phoenix was surprised by his response. He’s really here for me?

“I don’t have tea here.” No Gods or Buddhas had ever paid any visit here, so it was reasonable that Phoenix had no tea leaves or spring water prepared.

Upon listening to his lord’s words, Little Monk tugged at the corner of Phoenix’s robe.

Phoenix looked at him and wondered why he acted like that.

Little Shami tried to smooth things over, “Since Lord Phoenix has no tea leaves here, why don’t we go somewhere else, Emperor?”

It is all good as long as both of you don’t start fighting!

He even suspected that the Emperor said that he wanted to have tea only to tease Phoenix!

The man ignored Little Shami’s words. He stopped and turned around. Then he walked toward Phoenix, lowering his body while stretching his arm to her back for support. There was a strong aura emitted from him along with a hint of danger, “No tea?”

Oh no! Surely they would fight this time!

Not only was Little Shami nervous, even the forehead of Little Monk was covered in sweat.

“Yes.” Phoenix smiled and continued, “But I have wine. I’ve brought it from the magical realm last time. Interested?”

“Sure.” The man smiled while looking at her. He put his hand back and tidied his long robe, “After you.”

Just like this?! Little Monk and Little Shami looked at each other. Unexpectedly, they did not fight! Besides, they are going to drink together! Drinking in Buddhism?! Isn’t this irrespectful?

Golden Lotus was still standing there and the smile on her face faded. She thought Phoenix would say yes to anyone she recommended to her, the God of Tian Shan’s qualification was of satisfaction after all.

Now that she thought of it, she had underestimated her.

She was indeed the almighty Lord Phoenix.

Little Shami noticed Golden Lotus’ gaze, “Lady Buddha, today you…”

“I’m not chanting sutras for the Emperor today, we’ll see again tomorrow.” Golden Lotus smiled gently, “Those from Tian Dao kept asking me to go over. So both of you should stay with the Emperor and Phoenix to prevent them from having any conflict.”

Little Shami responded with an ‘Amitabha’ and watched as Golden Lotus left. After that, he quickly ran toward the shrine, worrying that both of them would be arguing and eventually starting a fight again.

But the fact was that all of them were thinking too much.

It was just that Phoenix had never drank wine with anyone before. After thinking carefully, she realized this was the first time someone had ever visited as a guest in a few hundred years. So she felt really excited and therefore decided to take out all the flagons from underground.

The table looked a little too simple with just the wine, so she served some peanuts as well.

Phoenix lowered her head as she peeled the peanuts. After peeling, she put it into his wooden plate without even considering the Emperor’s preference.

She just wanted to be a good host.

However, after noticing her actions, the man raised his eyebrow, “For me?”

“Yes.” Phoenix nodded her head in excitement. It was rather interesting to be able to have a guest like that.

The man then said calmly and coldly, “I don’t like to eat food that has been touched by others.”

Phoenix did not really care, she pouted as she took the wooden plate back and continued peeling. But this time, the peeled peanuts would go straight into her mouth, “What’s the matter?”

It was unbelievable for both of them to sit down together and chat. If this were to be spread out, everyone would be dumbstruck.

“It’s no big deal.” The man was playing with the glass cup in his hand as he spoke in a carefree manner, “I’m here to propose to you.”

Before Phoenix could respond.

Little Monk and Little Shami stood up at once!

“Propose?!”

“Who’s proposing to who?!”

“I must have heard wrongly!”

Little Monk rushed over with his face flushed, “Emperor, you’re just joking right?”

Phoenix looked at him. She could not understand why this kid was way more excited than she was.

Nevertheless… What’s wrong with this man?

“You all should leave first.” Phoenix had decided to let Little Monk and Little Shami out first after thinking twice.

How would it be possible for Little Shami to leave? It was such a surprising news!

Lord, please don’t…”

“Get out.” Nobody could go against Phoenix’s order.

Little Monk pulled at the corner of Little Shami’s clothes and went out. Once they were outside, they looked at each other.

Little Shami asked Little Monk, “Do you think this is a new way that the Emperor came up with to provoke our lord?”

“Provoking by proposing?” Little Monk felt as if his world had been overturned. This must be a nightmare!

Little Shami replied seriously, “I think it’s most probably just a joke.”

“Hope so.” Little Monk had decided to watch closely at the door. If both of them happened to start fighting, then the Emperor really meant it. Otherwise, if they were still being polite to each other, it must have been a joke.

Or it might be just as what Little Shami had said, the Emperor meant to provoke the lord in order to take revenge for the injury back then in the Hall of Great Strength.

It was not a good sign regardless of each of the possibilities, Amitabha…

After chasing them out, Phoenix laid down lazily by using only one of her hands as support, with her gaze fixed on the man, “What’s wrong with you?”

The man’s gaze followed along her actions, from the side of her face downward, to her slender, fair neck, and lastly ended at her half-opened cassock. Her fine and beautiful collarbone was urging him to break it…

“I’ve been to too many matchmaking feasts recently, I’ve had enough of that.” The man retreated his gaze, put down the cup and said, “Perhaps you too are getting tired of receiving betrothal gifts lately. It doesn’t feel good to be confined, isn’t it?”

Phoenix raised her pretty single-eyelid eye, “Even if I wanted to find someone to help me with this trouble, why would I need you? Emperor, you yourself is already a big trouble to me.”