Transmigrated into the body of a prematurely deceased beloved child

Chapter 576 The Elder Doesn't Want to Take Care of the Child 18

The once bright sky was gradually shrouded in a thick haze, and the suffocating and heavy atmosphere made it almost impossible for everyone waiting to breathe. The ancient phoenixes that had been circling above the royal palace sensed a sense of despair and began to let out mournful and pitiful cries.

The sharp, piercing cry reached Zhao Zhao's ears, and they both knew perfectly well what was about to happen.

The Phoenix Lord, whose lifespan is over 50,000 years, is about to end.

The mournful cries echoed continuously in the royal palace atop the mountain, lingering around everyone and refusing to dissipate for a long time. This was the phoenixes bidding their final farewell to their great Phoenix Lord.

Inside the main hall, accompanied by a heart-stopping cry, Zhao Zhao and the other ancient phoenixes standing in front of the hall did the same thing in unison—they all knelt down on both knees facing the entrance of the hall and touched the ground with their heads, respectfully performing the kowtow.

Phoenixes rarely perform the kneeling ceremony, except in cases of life-or-death separation.

Elder Bai Yu, standing beside Zhao Zhao, was already in tears, the tears streaming down her pale cheeks as she wept bitterly.

The people grieved together, and all the phoenixes felt the familiar aura of rule fading away. In the dark sky, more and more phoenixes of all sizes gathered.

Meanwhile, inside the transparent time capsule that had been silent for fifty years, Yue, still in her cub form, clenched her fair fingers into a fist and reacted to the outside world for the first time.

However, at this moment, the faint reaction did not attract anyone's attention.

The boy pulled him out of his cold body...

He led her to kneel before the woman on the bed to bid her farewell.

"Kang Dang"

The tightly closed door slammed open with a loud thud, and from the shadows behind it, a rebellious young boy slowly emerged.

However, at this moment, Ye kept his identity in mind, put away his usual willful behavior, and instead showed a rare calm and composed demeanor.

Those who had watched him grow up, including Xi Yan and Zhao Zhao, couldn't help but look up and gaze intently at that figure, their slightly reddened eyes filled with pride and relief...

Ye held the sleeping Yue firmly in his arms with one hand, while his other hand tightly gripped the Phoenix Seal, a symbol of the Phoenix Clan's supreme power. His posture was upright, each step firm and powerful, as he walked out of the magnificent hall with his head held high.

When his gaze fell upon Zhao Zhao kneeling before him, his dark, deep eyes paused slightly before casually shifting to scan the assembled subjects.

Ye and Yue were destined for greatness from birth; they became the young masters of the Phoenix Clan, bearing the earnest expectations of the entire clan. Now, these two once-cherished cubs have finally ushered in their own moment of mission.

The heavy Phoenix Seal in his hand felt like a heavy mountain pressing down on Ye, constantly reminding him of his unique new identity—the Lord of the Phoenix Clan. His mother's repeated, worried, and earnest teachings before her death echoed in his ears like a warning bell, constantly reminding him of the immense responsibility he bore.

Just then, a respectful voice of congratulations came from all directions: "We congratulate Lord Ye and Lord Yue on their ascension to the throne!" The voice was like a surging wave, resounding through the sky.

Ye and Yue, these twins, one is exceptionally talented and possesses extraordinary strength; the other has pure blood and is a born king. For the Phoenix Clan, neither of them can be missing; both are indispensable.

Although Yue has been asleep, the loyal and united Phoenix Clan still waits patiently for their new Phoenix Lord to awaken.

Ye raised his chin slightly, his slightly reddened eyes gazing at the thousands of subjects watching him: "Rise."

"Having been entrusted with this critical mission, I will certainly not let you down."

Amidst the approving and respectful gazes of the crowd, Ye deliberately sought out Zhaozhao's eyes.

At this moment, those deep emerald eyes finally changed from looking down at him to looking up at him, filled with respect and awe, but lacking the usual friendliness.

He instinctively wanted to frown and question Zhao Zhao about what she meant, but before he could speak, he looked up and saw countless people staring at his every word and action.

So annoying...

He subconsciously thought this way, but then felt that as the new Phoenix Lord, he shouldn't have such thoughts.

Ye opened and closed his thin lips, recalling the etiquette and manners that Zhao Zhao had taught him. He immediately gave orders to handle all matters according to the rules he remembered.

Sleeping Yue then entrusted his care to his servants, Xi Yan and Zhao Zhao, who assisted Ye in handling the Phoenix Lord's affairs after his death and the upcoming enthronement ceremony for Ye and Yue in an orderly manner.

Everyone changed into simple white clothes, and the royal palace, which was already covered with white cloth according to etiquette, was still brightly lit late at night.

Yue's room is always so quiet. The cub that used to wake up crying is now lying in the transparent solid, being unusually well-behaved.

But Ye knew it was all an illusion.

In his view, Yue was a little green tea when she was young, and a complete hypocrite when she grew up.

A boy dressed in white, with his hair tied in a high ponytail with a white ribbon, leaned against the door of the cubs with his arms crossed. His dark eyes looked at his nominal older brother with a deep gaze, and he forced a smile: "Xi Yan said you seem to be waking up. This is the second sad thing I've heard today."

He genuinely disliked his older brother, not only because of the slap he received at birth, but also because Yue secretly competed with him for his attention when she learned that he had started to care about Zhao Zhao.

When they were cubs, everyone preferred Yue, who would cry and pretend to be well-behaved. Therefore, Ye was worried that Zhao Zhao would prefer Yue after she woke up.

The boy slowly walked to the small bed where the cubs were placed, and stretched out his slender fingers.

The cub was completely encased in a transparent solid. He had only intended to demonstrate it, but when his hand actually passed through it, a wicked smile immediately appeared on his handsome face. Without the slightest hesitation, he grabbed the cub by the neck.

Before he could even exert himself, an overwhelming wave of grief swept over him.

"I rely on!"

Ye quickly withdrew his hand, taking several steps back to distance himself from him. His still dazed eyes were fixed on Yue, who lay quietly on the bed, as he murmured, "What on earth has this brat been through?"

After a moment, he came to his senses and scoffed, "To think I've been trapped in this useless emotion for decades."

"Little trash."

"I don't care if you live or die, whether you wake up or not."

The boy flicked his ponytail and swaggered out the door toward his familiar study.

Over the past few decades, the Wangdian Study has become Zhaozhao's exclusive domain. If nothing unexpected happens, Zhaozhao should still be handling official business at this moment.

Before a desk piled high with various matters, the aloof and elegant young man in white carefully wrote down a series of points to note, and without looking up, asked the servant beside him, "How are the preparations on the Elder's side?"

"Everything is ready."

The young man nodded, and the elderly servant's eyes softened: "The Grand Elder said that if you are tired, you can rest first." A major event had suddenly occurred in the clan, and that night, several elders and other highly respected ancient phoenixes were busy handling their respective affairs.

Zhao Zhao has grown a lot over the years, but Xi Yan still subconsciously takes care of him.

Zhao Zhao shook his head and continued with his work. Preferring quiet, he dismissed his servants.

In the quiet palace late at night, light and carefree footsteps could be heard.

The young man stood tall and straight at his desk, his delicate, fair face flickering in the swaying lamplight. In the shadows before him, Zhao Zhao knew without guessing who it was and instinctively asked, "It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?" His words were as stern as ever, yet full of concern.

The tired-looking boy smiled and said, "You didn't sleep either, so why should you tell me what to do?" His tone was much gentler than it had been decades ago. His temperament had changed a lot; at least he no longer yelled at people.

Over the years, the relationship between Ye and Zhaozhao has improved considerably. On the surface, although Ye is not convinced by Zhaozhao's discipline, he only complains verbally each time.

He listened to Zhao Zhao more and more, and at the same time, he became more and more dependent on the boy who had grown up with him since childhood.

As before, Ye playfully tugged at Zhao Zhao's hair, but the white-clad boy in front of him suddenly realized something, stood up and distanced himself from him, his movements decisive and respectful, bowing respectfully as he had done to his mother.

"It's too late, your body needs rest."

Ye's smile froze, and he subconsciously said, "It's none of your business."

So Zhao Zhao nodded, "Okay, please go ahead." Her emerald green eyes looked at the stunned Ye with respect.

The sudden change in attitude left Ye speechless. His handsome features scrunched up, and he stamped his foot, "Yi Zhao! What do you mean by this?!" The last time he called him by his name was a long time ago.

"Shouldn't you be using your cold gaze to scare me into going to sleep right now?!"

"Or rather, you should do or say something to threaten me!"

"You're joking. You're the Phoenix Lord now." Zhao Zhao's eyes showed disapproval, but she ultimately said nothing more.

The moment Ye had longed for Zhao Zhao to submit to him with utmost respect had finally arrived, but he was not as happy as he had imagined. This feeling began to show when he stood before Zhao Zhao, who was kneeling before him, holding the Phoenix Seal, which represented power.

He felt extremely frustrated.

Ye tried to act spoiled and tantrums like before, but the heavy, ornate clothes he was wearing restricted his movements.

He wanted to say something childish and threatening, but his maturity prevented him from saying it.

Everything is different now. The time is different, their identities are different, and the relationship between them is different too.

Zhao Zhao looked up and saw the young boy dressed in neat white clothes, full of vigor and very handsome. The boy, who exuded nobility, looked at him but was slightly lost in thought.

An emotion seemed to flash through his dark, dazed eyes—it seemed to be sadness, it seemed to be doubt.

He sighed inwardly and solemnly promised, "Phoenix Lord, Yi Zhao will always be Yi Zhao. Whether you are the Young Master or the Phoenix Lord, my loyalty to you will never change."

"You can rest assured about that."

He is the fourth elder of the Phoenix Clan. In his youth, he was entrusted by the old Phoenix Lord to teach the young master. Now, he also shoulders the responsibility of assisting the new Phoenix Lord.

This is not just a task, but a sense of responsibility.

"Loyalty?" Ye forced a smile. From that unwavering gaze, Ye never doubted his loyalty. But, "All these years of getting along and taking care of you, just because of your loyalty?"

"Yes."

Zhao Zhao nodded seriously, acknowledging that this factor was indeed a factor; otherwise, given how bad Ye had been as a child, he would have ignored the brat long ago.

Ye's eyes reddened with anger. He suddenly stepped forward and hugged Zhao Zhao, wailing like a child, "I don't care! I've already considered you family, like a brother!"

He is never afraid to speak out about what he has decided.

His still-slender body only reached Zhao Zhao's chest, yet he exuded the aura of someone two meters tall. Zhao Zhao stood motionless at his sides, hands neatly placed, like a piece of wood, and said coldly and rationally, "Your brother is merely Lord Yue Feng." He suddenly felt a little tired. This child had his own tormenting moments at different times.

A cold, emotionless voice rang in his ears. Ye thought of the little one he had been holding in his arms earlier that day and suddenly found it a bit funny: "Yue? That Yue who was still a cub, what makes him worthy of being my brother?"

The cub's body was also frozen in time during his infancy by the time capsule. Now, he can grab Yue with one hand.

"Also, when did I ever admit to having such a brother?"

"Why are you still thinking about Yue? Do you like Yue more?!"

Here we go again... Ye's infamous "Why and by what right?" has been a headache for many.

During the fifty years that Yue was asleep, it was indeed much easier for Zhao Zhao to teach Ye. At the same time, without Yue by his side, Ye's emotions were much more stable, and sometimes, he was even quite obedient.

But now, he seems to be misbehaving again...

Zhao Zhao suddenly wanted to pull his ear. Just as she raised her hand, she saw that the boy, who had been looking listless just moments before, now had his dark eyes shining with anticipation after seeing her action, and even unconsciously brought his ear closer.

In the past, when he was disobedient, Zhao Zhao would pinch his ears when she was too angry, but now, this action has gone too far.

As he slowly lowered his hand, the light in the young boy's eyes dimmed.

This feeling is so uncomfortable.

Ye had finally come to like and respect someone, but suddenly he started talking to him about the etiquette between ruler and subject and stopped being close to him.

Today, he not only lost his mother, but it seems he also lost a good friend.

Ye remained silent, sulking with Zhao Zhao opposite him. The atmosphere froze. He glanced at the weariness in the boy's eyes and suddenly felt inexplicably angry. He asked defiantly, "Does the relationship between you and me, ruler and subject, have to be this stiff?"

Zhao Zhao: "Yes."

This is how the elders and the old Phoenix Lord all interacted.

Therefore, Zhao Zhao naturally had to change his way of interacting with the new Phoenix Lord Ye, since he used to resort to violence when dealing with the disobedient Ye.

Occasionally, when Ye has a fiery temper, they can still fight, but that's clearly not possible now.

Now, as long as Ye gives him instructions, he will obey and do as he is told, unless it is particularly outrageous.

"Humph!"

Ye angrily turned and stormed out, ignoring him completely.

The empty imperial study returned to tranquility, and Zhao Zhao returned to her seat, her mind suddenly blank.

He still remembered that Ye had said that once he became the Phoenix Lord, he would make Ye submit to him. But now that he had submitted, Ye was unhappy again.

The brat is still the brat, and his temperament is still as difficult to manage as ever.

Zhao Zhao sighed wearily. Over the years, he had devoted himself to teaching Ye, thinking that the delinquent boy he had just met had changed somewhat. But he was still so willful.

The task is arduous and the road ahead is long...

The burden on my heart is getting heavier and heavier.