The carriage carried us through the imperial gate where all the guards only let the noble family in the palace. This is where all the people standing and celebrating me and Xiao Wen when we became the emperor and empress in the last life but not anymore.

He's nothing but the cruel monster who destroyed the people's life by taken their life, their family, their home and even friends.

I will make Sheng as the future emperor and make the world peaceful since the messenger told me about the phoenix of life that I had inside of me. I was destined to become an empress and I can't let Xiao Wen know about them.

I remember my mother told me about a story that she knows. When the person who has the life of the phoenix, was killed by the enemies who desired the power. If the person dies and the sun will die along with her as the darkness comes, the sovereign is a part of the sun and the life force in the human. There will be no sun where light in the sky but only darkness as the god punishment.

Xiao Wen and Qiao Lian killed me and my child in the last life as the world became darkness. If I die then the sun will die along with me but I don't understand, why? Why me? The Suo family were alive in my last life, they are also the descendants of the crimson king, I wish my mother was here. She's the only one who knows the secret behind the legend.

"My daughter, are you alright? You seem bothered." Father said with a curious look.

"It's nothing, father. I'm just nervous about that all." I said, leaning back as he nodded.

The carriage has stopped, "My lord, we have arrived."

The coachman said as Li Qin opened the curtain and stepped out. My father also went out as he turned and held his hand toward me. My hand on his and let me out of the carriage, standing in front of the carriage where the guards were standing.

"Let's go, my daughter." Father said as I held his arm and walked to the palace hall.

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Meanwhile, in the imperial hall where the banquet was held, the quests were starting to arrive. Prime minister Qiao Dun has arrived along with his family standing there with a proud face, rumours said that he has a lot of followers on his side even Lady Kaka's family who gave him power.

"Prime minister Dun, lady Kaka, lady Daiyu and their daughter, the 1st daughter, Qiao Lian and the 3rd daughter, Qiao Zhu have arrived!" The Eunuch announced as everyone gossiped at them.

The prime minister, Qiao Dun greeted the officials as lady Daiyu and her daughter, Qiao Zhu went along to talk to other noble girls. Others whispered and stared at Qiao Lian and her mother, Lady Kaka.

"Is that Qiao Lian the eldest daughter in the Qiao family?"

"Yes, but not only she's from Qiao mansion. Her mother's family are very rich and noble too!" Which makes Qiao Lian smirk for getting attention.

"Even she's from the powerful family but her sister is much prettier than her even though her mother is from a lowly family." The girls in the noble clothes mock Qiao Lian.

"True but Lady Daiyu has gained a favour from Prime minister Qiao Dun who loves her so much more than his wife." The others whispered behind her back which made Qiao Lian glare at them and was about to shouted at them but was stopped by her mother.

"My dear daughter, don't let them get to you. This is the royal banquet and it's very important. You don't want to ruin your reputation from them." Lady Kaka whispers in her ears, Qiao Lian listens to her and calms herself.

"I know but these bitches were mocking us because father has favours with that lowly dancer and her pathetic daughter!" She gritted her teeth in anger and didn't know why her father lost interest with her and her mother, "Because her, her daughter is much prettier than me and gained more attention from others! I wish I could disfigure her face and ruin her reputation!"

Lady Kaka knew her daughter hated them as she hated them but it's not for long as she smirks, "Don't worry, my dear. When the time comes, we will be ready soon. But focus because the 4th prince will be attending soon, you don't want to let this opportunity go, do you?"

Qiao Lian blushed very hard, lowering her head to hide her bashfulness and shyness from her mother, "What are you saying, mother..." She spoke softly.

Lady Kaka laughed heartily, "Silly girl, did you really think you can hide it from me, I know you like the 4th prince."

Which made her blushed deeper as the sweet memory flashed in her mind. The wind was blowing gently over the grass, making it sway slowly as if it's following a symphony. There was a man in the green robe sitting at the chair in the royal garden. His expression was cold, aloof and dangerous, yet perfectly handsome. His bloody dark eyes seemed as if they could see everything, adorned in a sharp gaze.

One look at that person, and her heart was captured beyond recovery. In the entire world, to her only he could be worthy of herself, only he would she marry.

"Qiao Lian, in this banquet, you should start making your move on the 4th prince. As attractive as you are, there's no way he wouldn't notice you. Not only that, you would be the one taking the initiative, so his pride won't be hurt! Take this chance to get closer to him, and your father will set up an engagement for you two! More powerful you become as the empress of the Xia kingdom!"

"Yes!" Qiao Lian knew the 4th prince was after the throne and needed a power to destroy the Xiao family. Her grandfather who was an old friend with Consort Ding's father and planning to help the 4th prince to get the throne.

Qiao Lian was happy to hear her mother's plan but she looked around the hall and noticed Song Xue is not here yet. She couldn't help it but to smirk, her spy has successfully completed her mission and waited to see everyone laugh at her face.

She wonders if Qui Yue has managed to poison the general with a drug? She didn't want the old man to come and help his daughter. She was glad Song Xue chose to marry the 3rd prince but she didn't want Song Xue to get more powerful than her.

"General Song Shun and his daughter, Song Xue have arrived!" The people started gossip as they saw them, entering the banquets.

They were shocked to see Song Xue wear such an elegant dress which they felt like they were bewitching her beauty. They never realized how beautiful she was in the red dress. The rumours said that she's only worn the man clothes in the past but when they saw her, her skin is white as snow, her hair is smooth as silk and her body is slender.

She was like a goddess from heaven as everyone started to whisper and watched them, walking at the hall.

"Oh my god, she's gorgeous!" The noble girl gossiped about her.

"The first female who was conferred as the general Phoenix of Xia by the emperor." The man whispers to the other man next to him. 

"Yes, she's the true born of Song's bloodline and was skilled enough to defend the most powerful army from the Hou kingdom." The man spoke. 

"And everyone called her the goddess of war."

"She's such a beauty!"

"It can't be her? The rumours said that she's a tomboy and always wears the man's robe!"

"I never realized she's so beautiful. I'm so jealous of her." The noble girls bit her napkin and felt jealous as the others nodded.

Qiao Lian gasped in horror as she saw Song Xue who was more beautiful than her which made everyone attracted to her face. Anger popped her vein, she doesn't see her face get disfigured under her veil and surprise to see Song Shun is here.

"Why Song Xue's face didn't disfigure?! Did Qui Yue fail the mission!? Or was she caught?" In her thought as she clenched her fist hiding her sleeve, "Song Xue this bitch dared to steal all my limelight away, just wait I become the empress. I'll make her suffer in hell!"

We arrived at the banquet as everyone was staring at us but their eyes were gazing at me, yet I didn't even flinch, much less panic than my last life. I sense the presence of hatred and jealousy was Qiao Lian, my so-called best friend who betrayed me and killed my child. I will make her pay without any mercy

She make a fake smile at me as I also gave her a fake smile. I'm holding the grudge inside of me and I can't wait to humiliate her in front of everyone. My father was talking with his old friends as I walked toward her and her mother.

"Hello sister Lian'er. It's been a while since I went to the battle, I see that you are growing more beautiful and delicate." Pretend to praise her and make sure that I pretend to be a naive girl. Qiao Lian will think that I'm still friends with her. It's no wonder all the noble girls hate her attitude.

"What are you talking about, sister Xue'er? You're more beautiful than I've ever seen. It's my first time to see you dress like this." She pretended to be happy while hiding her jealousy.

I nodded and looked at Lady Kaka. A cunning woman with a malicious heart and wanted to destroy everyone's life. Her father was a friend of Xiao Wen's grandfather, they must have known his true identity.

"Greeting lady Kaka. It's been a while since we saw each other." I greeted her. Father didn't want me to be friends with them expect Lady Daiyu and her daughter because they are gentle and kind people. I think I know why he dislikes them so much by knowing their true faces.

"Indeed, it must be hard to fight against the enemies. The Xia kingdom are glad to have you as their side." She said in a stern voice.

"Thank you for praising me." I heard my father calling me.

"Xue'er!" I saw him, standing with Qiao Dun along with Lady Daiyu and her daughter.

"I have to go, sister Lian'er." I said and walked towards him. I'm glad my father called me, I didn't want to spend them anyway. While they were distracted by the others who wanted to greet them.

Qiao Zhu suddenly hugged me with a bright smile, "Sister Xue'er, it's been a while! You look so beautiful in these dresses! Everyone has been talking about you!" She exclaimed in an excited voice as she was pulled by lady Daiyu.

"Zhu'er, behave. You know that you are in the royal banquet." She said gently.

"I know but I want to spend time with her." She pouted with puppy eyes as Qiao Dun chuckled.

"Of course, you can spend time with her if you like." Qiao Dun said as lady Daiyu gave him a slap on his arm and glared at him.

"Husband, you spoil her again. What have I told you before?" She spoke. Qiao Zhu has been friends with me since she was a toddler. Qiao Dun who was my father's old friend and a gentle man who served his country.

I notice the smell, coming from lady Daiyu. I look at her golden bracelet on her wrist, why do I have a bad feeling with that bracelet, "Lady Daiyu, you have a beautiful bracelet on your wrist."

She notice something and looking at me with a curious look because she knows that I never interest of rich jewel or clothes much only interest with martial art and weapons, "Thank you, it was given by Qiao Lian as a gift. I have been wearing this for 9 years." She explained with a smile.

9 years... Huh? That bracelet smells like a seed somehow but what? We notice all the servants and the maids are coming from the door. Everyone made their way to a seat and sat down as we finally sat down, the eunuch on the door announced what everyone was waiting for.

"The emperor and the empress have arrived!"

"The 2nd prince and his wife, princess Cuifen, the 3rd prince and the 4th prince have arrived!"

The emperor and the empress arrived at the banquet along with princes as they walked to the throne chair as my body froze. I heard the name and saw the man in the blue robe was Xiao Wen! The vicious snake!

A man that I once fell in love with, who betrayed me for using me as a pawn and killed my son with his own hands! Gritting my teeth in anger and wanting to kill him with one move. I have to calm my anger and wait when the time comes when I gather the warriors as everyone bowed to the royal family. 

All the people present bowed to the man wearing the golden dragon embroidered robe.

"Long live the emperor and the empress!"

"May the emperor and the empress live and reign for 10000 years!"

Sitting at his throne, the Emperor looked at his subjects with kind eyes.

"Rise, my beloved subject!"

We all rose as I noticed Xiao Sheng staring at me with a seductive smirk, I turned my head with blush. I wanted to swipe the smirk of his face as I glared at him.

The emperor smiled in satisfaction and let the empress pour the wine in the silver cup and made a toast, "Today, we celebrate our general who defeated our enemies with only 45,000 army on her side." He looked at me, "General, please come forward!

I calmly went up towards the Emperor and knelt before him, "This subject greets His Majesty!"

Eunuch Gao came with the wine and the cup on the tray as he gave me the cup and poured the wine.

"For years, the Hou kingdom tried to take over our kingdom but we are glad to have you on our side and managed to defeat 80,000 army with your army! Now we shall have a toast for your victory!"

The emperor announced as he raised his cup and drank as I thanked him and drank the wine. After the emperor settled down, the banquet started in full heat.

Dancers from all over the country were invited, their every move exquisite and beautiful. The musicians and court entertainers all sang and played the musical instruments they were best at, as the nobles socialized and prattled on.