The Phoenix Arises

Chapter 25.1: Return

— Vermillion Bird Kingdom’s Imperial Palace, Imperial Study. —

Duanmu Xue held a folded memorial in her hand, but her mind was not on it at all.

[Wonder where Che and Little Xi has reached. They should reach here in about another two days right?]

“Reporting to Your Majesty, Duke Jing seeks an audience.” Red Maple came in to report in a soft voice.

Duanmu Xue’s black brows knitted up. [Why has she come again for?]

“Announce her in.”

“Yes Your Majesty.” Red Maple bowed and retreated out of the Imperial Study.

A short moment later, Duanmu Shuang came walking in and then bowed to offer her greetings to Duanmu Xue: “My respects to Your Majesty the Lady Emperor.”

“Dispense with ceremonies and rise.”

Duanmu Shuang complied and stood up with her head lowered.

“For what purpose has my Imperial Sister come for today?”

Duanmu Xue asked as she glanced at Duanmu Shuang, throwing the memorial she held in her hand onto the table.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, it’s about this matter. Little Qing has come to like a certain man and wants to take him in as her official spouse. Hence, your vassal has specially come here today to request for Your Majesty to bestow the marriage upon them.”

After coming to know her intentions for coming here, Duanmu Xue picked up the cup of tea on the table and brushed the lid over the tea a couple of times before taking a small sip. She then opened her mouth to speak.

“Oh? Which family’s Young Master has caught Little Qing’s eye?”

Upon hearing the question, Duanmu Shuang immediately bent her body in a bow and said: “It’s Great General Si Ru Xu’s eldest son, Si Yun Han.”

Duanmu Xue’s eyes narrowed slightly and the edges of her lips curved up with a faintly amused smile. [This Imperial Sister of hers is still not willing to give up is she?]

She knew the child Si Yun Han as well, as he had often played with Little Xi in the past. She had originally intended to keep the boy for Little Xi.

She could see that Little Xi had liked that boy. [Little Xi has left just for barely more than a year and he has…..]

[But since that is the case, she would grant them their wish as a man like that is not worthy of her Little Xi.]

Bright and early the next morning, Red Maple went to the Great General’s manor bearing the golden Imperial Edict.

“Son of the Great General Si Yun Han, come forward to receive the Edict.”

“Your vassal Si Yun Han is present to hear Her Majesty’s word.” Si Yun Han’s face was pale as he knelt to receive the edict.

He had not expected the Imperial Edict to arrive so quickly. He has completely lost any chance of refusing it now.

“By the will and mandate of Heaven, the Lady Emperor decrees: Son of Great General Si Si Yun Han, well endowed in talents and looks, kind and sincere, respectful and intelligent, moral and gifted….. is bestowed the hand in marriage to Duke Jing’s Lady heir Duanmu Qing, as her official spouse, on a date to be fixed. By the Emperor.”

“Your vassal accepts the edict and is grateful for the benevolence.”

Si Yun Han accepted the Imperial Edict in his hands and remained kneeling on the ground for a long while, not getting up.

……

Vermillion Bird Imperial Grand Hall. Scores of senior officials were standing around looking rather listless.

“Say, do all of you think the Lady Emperor Her Majesty would not come attend morning court again today?”