On the way here, Scarlett Jennings learned about the relationship between the Phoenix Family and the Pri Aspect Mansion from Lily Phoenix.
Though Lily Phoenix was gentle and quiet by nature, she enjoyed listening to gossip, so even within three months of returning to the mansion, without anyone’s deliberate hints, she had gleaned so news from the outside world.
"I heard that the Pri Aspect Mansion intends to send their daughter into the palace to beco the Empress. Do you think, if the Pri Aspect knew that Edith Phoenix is not actually a Phoenix Family bloodline, their daughter’s chances of becoming Empress might be better?"
In Scarlett Jennings’ view, the Phoenix Family’s reason for sacrificing their real daughter to protect their adopted one was not only because she was a child they had raised by hand, but more because Edith Phoenix, as the only one in a hundred years to receive the response of the Phoenix, had a high likelihood of producing another Empress for the Phoenix Family.
Thus, when Lily Phoenix inadvertently ntioned that she and Edith Phoenix shared the sa birthday, the Family Head ordered her confinent and fasting as punishnt.
Because he would not allow any unfavorable evidence to Edith Phoenix’s claim to the empress position to be leaked.
In Scarlett Jennings’ isolated and defenseless state within the entire Phoenix Mansion, the quickest and most effective way to retrieve Lily Phoenix’s identity was to leverage the Phoenix Family’s political rivals to achieve the results she desired for her.
In fact, after Scarlett Jennings uttered these words, not only did Lady Phoenix but also Edith Phoenix turned pale.
Jordan Phoenix couldn’t help but shout angrily, "How dare you?!"
"Knowing I’m ill, you wish to send to the villa to fend for myself. Since you act like dogs, what do I dare not do?"
From the mont Scarlett Jennings entered and started speaking, her words were hardly pleasant to hear. The people in the room thought they should have been immune, but hearing her openly call them dogs made everyone’s faces twist.
Jordan Phoenix wanted to lash out, but Lady Phoenix suddenly stopped him.
Looking at Scarlett Jennings again, Lady Phoenix had a bit more of an assessing look in her eyes, "You too are a Phoenix Family mber; destroying the family has no benefit for you."
Saying this, she suddenly softened her attitude, her tone becoming much gentler,
"I know you feel wronged. I promise, after Edith completes her coming-of-age ceremony, I will give you a proper explanation..."
Clearly, this was ant to placate her.
The forr Lily Phoenix might have accepted such comfort, but Scarlett Jennings wouldn’t.
No matter how sincere she sounded, she was not her mother.
So Scarlett Jennings bluntly and coldly refused,
"I didn’t co today to negotiate. Seven days from now, I demand to attend my coming-of-age ceremony as the legitimate daughter of the Phoenix Family; I will not accept any ambiguous solutions."
Saying this, she paused for a mont, not waiting for Lady Phoenix to refute, she continued,
"Don’t think about imprisoning or secretly killing during these seven days. First, you can’t do it.
Secondly, even if I’m dead, I have ways to let the Pri Aspect Mansion and even the whole Capital City know the truth about the switched daughters beforehand. If you don’t believe , ask Nanny Liao.
Furthermore, let remind you that instead of letting the Pri Aspect use this issue to attack the Phoenix Family and cause irreparable damage, admitting it yourselves at least retains a bit of dignity."
After Scarlett Jennings finished speaking, she ignored the unpleasant expressions of Lady Phoenix and everyone in the room, directly stating,
"I’ve said what I ca to say. The choice is up to the lady of the house."
After finishing, she was about to leave but not before passing by the set dining table in the side hall and noticing the maid who had disappeared, added to Lady Phoenix,
"From today, my food should follow this standard. Heating and clothing should not fall short either; if anything’s missing, don’t bla for coming over to scold you."
After giving her last instructions, Scarlett Jennings left as composed and decisively as she had arrived.
Leaving behind only a room full of people wishing to detain and harshly punish her, but also dreading the backup plan she ntioned, they could only turn their bla to Nanny Liao, who had been singled out by Scarlett Jennings earlier.
Jordan Phoenix was the first to challenge,
"Nanny Liao! What did she an by what she just said?! How could soone who’s been confined here daily connect with the Pri Aspect Mansion?! Are you the one helping her in the shadows!?"
Feeling a shock when she was nad earlier, Nanny Liao now felt even more unjustly accused and imdiately knelt down,
"Young Master, I’m wrongly accused. I am the lady’s servant. How could I do sothing so treacherous? It’s Miss Lily, she, she seems to have so supernatural skills."
Although Lady Phoenix was embarrassed by her daughter publicly, she still had so thoughts in mind and didn’t question aggressively like Jordan Phoenix. Instead, she asked Nanny Liao,
"Tell carefully, what did she an just now."
She didn’t believe Nanny Liao would betray her and wouldn’t act rashly until everything was clear to prevent losing all chances of reconciliation.
Nanny Liao thus recounted everything that happened when she went to summon Lily Phoenix.
Including when she revealed situations about her grandson.
Initially, she didn’t believe it either, but later, before preparing the sedan chair, Nanny Liao sent a handful of soil wrapped in a handkerchief to her grandson, who indeed showed improvent. That’s when she started treating Lily Phoenix with more respect.
Because of this, she believed Scarlett Jennings when she said she had a way to reveal the truth to the Pri Aspect Mansion, even if she were gone.
So she cautiously advised,
"Lady Phoenix, I’ve heard of many people with peculiar skills and arts. The Mystical Auditory Office directly under the emperor handles such matters. Miss Lily’s earlier fifteen years outside might an she’s learned so Strange Arts.
I think, Lady Phoenix shouldn’t rush to deal with Miss Lily but observe her skills first and then discuss it thoroughly with the lord..."
Nanny Liao was a trusted aide beside Lady Phoenix, and her words were more valuable than those of ordinary maids.
That’s why Scarlett Jennings chose to begin with her, and Nanny Liao evidently did not disappoint her.
Despite being Lady Phoenix’s companion maid, Nanny Liao had her small family within the household, with her grandson as her life’s treasure. Even just to heal her grandson completely, she had to speak on Scarlett Jennings’ behalf.
Hearing Nanny Liao’s apparent support for Scarlett Jennings, Edith Phoenix couldn’t help but feel anxious. She wanted to speak up and stop it but feared appearing overly biased, so she discreetly looked to Jordan Phoenix for help.
He had always been doting on her and would surely help her by urging their mother to directly deal with Lily Phoenix.
But, unfortunately, Jordan Phoenix didn’t catch her eye signals this ti.
Because he was still pondering over what Nanny Liao had just said.
If, as Nanny Liao ntioned, Lily Phoenix did have so supernatural skill or magic, would she use Magic to deal with them?
...
Speaking of, she did seemingly say sothing threatening to earlier.
Um, what was it exactly???
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