The Phoenix Arises

Chapter 28.2: Banquet

The woman was dressed in the royal clothes of a Marquis with pretty looks, while the man face was like fine jade, highly handsome looking. This husband and wife pair were the Marquis An Ping, Situ Rui and the Eldest Prince, Duanmu Xian.

And right behind them, were their son and daughter Situ Jue and Situ Lan.

Upon seeing Situ Xian, a group of men became rather excited.

“His Highness the Eldest Prince looks absolutely stunning. See how loving he is with Marquis An Ping.”

Grand Scholar Guo Xiao Xian’s primary spouse Zhang said as he looked on enviously upon Duanmu Xian and Situ Jue.

“That’s right. I heard there isn’t even a single concubine in the Marquis An Ping Manor as the Marquis only has His Highness, the Eldest Prince as her husband.”

Imperial Censor Cao Shu Ying’s primary spouse Cui was similarly staring enviously.

“Sigh, the envy of all of us here!”

“Haha, all that you can do is to be green with envy.”

Chen, the primary spouse of the Minister of Military Affairs Luo Hong Qu then said with a laugh.

“His Highness the Eldest Prince is the lone son of the late Emperor and marrying the Marquis An Yang was a lowering of status for His Highness. Moreover, His Highness the Eldest Prince was the capital’s greatest beauty back at that time so the Marquis An Yang would naturally need to cherish His Highness more than ever.”

Currently, the greatest beauty in the Vermillion Bird Kingdom was naturally His Highness the Phoenix Empress.

“Announcing the arrival of Duke Rui, primary spouse of Duke Rui, Heir Zhao, and Princess An Yang…..”

Duanmu Fei came in, leading her primary spouse He Mi Xiu into the palace.

Behind the two of them, followed an adorable pair of beautiful children, the boy Duanmu Hua who was ten years old, and the girl Duanmu Zhao who was eight, both children fathered by her primary spouse He Mi Xiu.

Duanmu Fei saw that Situ Rui and Duanmu Xian were already inside and she immediately cupped her hand over her fist in greeting.

“My Royal Sister-in-law and Royal Elder Brother, you’re here so early.”

“Royal Sister-in-law, Royal Elder Brother.”

He Mi Xiu bowed before Situ Jue and Duanmu Xian.

Duanmu Zhao and Duanmu Hua then followed suit, obediently paying their respects.

“My respects to Royal Aunt, Royal Uncle.”

Duanmu Xian then gently patted the two childrens’ heads dotingly.

“Little Zhao and Little Hua are really such good children.”

Situ Lan and Situ Jue also came forward to pay their respects to Duanmu Fei and He Mi Xiu.

“My respects to Royal Aunt, Royal Uncle.”

After the greetings were done, the two older ones then pulled the younger children away to go play together.

“Your Elder Brother here misses the Crown Princess very much and so we came here earlier.”

Situ Rui said, her face indulgent as she hugged Duanmu Xian.

Duanmu Xian gave Situ Rui an admonishingly glance and then turned to Duanmu Fei to say: “I haven’t seen that lass Little Xi for more than a year already, and I am missing her to death!”

“That’s right, I heard that the lass has even lost her memory. I don’t know whether the physicians in the Imperial Physicians Ministry would be able to cure her.” Duanmu Fei said with a worried face.

“Announcing the arrival of Duke Jing, Heir Qing…..”

Duanmu Shuang stepped into the palace, with Duanmu Qing and Si Yun Han following behind her.