Phoenix Power: The True Colors of the Empress - Chapter 10. No longer caring.

Cang Ling Ye looked at Wu’er, who was now shining with pure joy. He found himself smiling genuinely for the first time in years.

He had always kept his emotions buried deep, never letting them show.

For so long, he carried a heavy burden, feeling wronged and troubled.

But now, seeing this little girl’s bright and clear smile, all his bottled-up feelings seemed to fade away with Wu’er’s happy laughter.

Wu’er ran around on the grass, almost like she was dancing. Her hands and feet moved constantly as she laughed loudly in the sunlight. Her clear laughter echoed through the forest.

Noticing that Cang Ling Ye seemed lost in thought, Wu’er quieted down. She sat beside him, looking at him with a questioning gaze, pointing as if asking for his name.

“Me? My name is Cang Ling Ye,” he said. The sadness in his eyes lessened when he saw Wu’er, but there was still a hint of sorrow in his voice.

Cang Ling Ye—a name that sounded like it belonged to royalty from the Cang Qian Empire. It symbolized honor and prestige.

However, this name had only brought him endless humiliation, cold stares, and mockery, making his life harder than that of an ordinary child.

The wolf girl wanted to say his name, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get the words out. Instead, she kept saying, “Wu’er.”

A sense of unease began to fill her eyes.

“Cang … Ling … Ye …”

Seeing Wu’er struggle, Cang Ling Ye gently took her hand. He patiently taught her to say his name, pronouncing each word slowly.

“Cang …”

Wu’er tried hard to say the word, but her pronunciation was still off.

Having never spoken before, this was challenging for her, and her speaking ability was at an infant’s level.

Seeing Wu’er put in so much effort to practice his name, Cang Ling Ye felt pleased, but also a bit anxious watching her work so hard.

Cang Ling Ye felt uneasy, his heart aching.

“No need to rush, let’s take our time,” he said gently, taking Wu’er’s hand and patting her back to calm her.

Cang Ling Ye slowly pronounced his name, guiding Wu’er. It was challenging, but she was just starting, and any progress was good.

……

“Cang Ling Ye!”

After many attempts, Wu’er finally managed to say Cang Ling Ye’s name correctly. Her eyes lit up with excitement, more thrilled than when she first said her own name.

Cang Ling Ye saw Wu’er’s happy and excited face and smiled. For Wu’er, happiness was simple. Small things made her dance with joy.

He envied Wu’er’s carefree life, without many worries. Just a little progress made her happy for so long. Wu’er was pure and untainted by the world outside. Her heart was as clear as the lake water, without any impurities.

Cang Ling Ye felt happy seeing Wu’er’s simple joy. But remembering his past, his happiness faded.

Wu’er noticed his troubled look. She sat beside him, wanting to comfort him but unsure how.

Wu’er’s eyes were calm. She sensed Cang Ling Ye’s sadness and held his hand, trying to comfort and encourage him. She didn’t want him to stay sad.

Cang Ling Ye understood Wu’er’s gesture and held her hand, a bitter smile on his face.

“Do you know? I am the fourth prince of the Cang Qian Empire, but no one has ever treated me as a real prince. Not even my father. He has never looked me in the eye. In the Cang Qian Imperial Palace, my life is even worse than that of a servant. To me, the title of prince is empty!”

Cang Ling Ye sighed, speaking seriously to Wu’er.

He didn’t know why, but he had never shared this with anyone else. Yet, seeing Wu’er, he couldn’t help but let it all out.

Even though he kept telling himself to be strong, sometimes he needed someone to share his burdens with.

Wu’er, this kind girl, made him drop all his defenses and tell her everything.

Hearing Cang Ling Ye’s words, Wu’er sat beside him thoughtfully. She quietly looked at him, as if she understood, but also as if she didn’t. She just sat there, watching quietly.

“You are so pure, how could you know such dirty things? Even though I’m the least valued, there are still people who see me as a threat and want to get rid of me. Can’t they tolerate me?”

Cang Ling Ye’s eyes filled with hatred as he spoke to Wu’er. Though he spoke bitterly, there was a hint of ambition in his voice.

Wu’er saw his expression and didn’t feel afraid. She seemed to understand his thoughts and held his hand, her eyes filled with encouragement and a trace of unease.

“But I don’t care about these things now. I don’t care about my father’s love. I don’t care who my mother is or why she left me. I have more important things to deal with now.”

Cang Ling Ye’s eyes flashed with endless desire. He looked into the distance and spoke confidently to Wu’er, his tone filled with boundless ambition.