The Phoenix Arises

Chapter 25.3: Return

“Your humble subject seconds the motion.”

Duanmu Xue looked at Si Ru Xu coldly, her gaze deep and profound.

When the rest of the senior officials saw that the Left Prime Minister and the Great General had stepped forth to request for another Crown Princess to be appointed, other junior officials who were on good terms with those two thought to win their favour by bootlicking, similarly stepping up to lend their support to the suggestion.

In an instant, the words “your humble subject supports the motion.” rang out throughout the Vermillion Bird Palace Hall.

Duanmu Xue’s beautiful face turned frighteningly dark, never expecting that more than half of the officials in the hall were her Imperial sister’s people.

“Your humble subject does not agree with the Left Prime Minister’s suggestion.”

Just as the air in the Vermillion Bird Palace Hall had turned frighteningly heavy, a young and pretty woman stepped forward.

Seeing that it was the Right Prime Minister He Min, Duanmu Xue’s face warmed up a little.

She rather like this He Min. Young and accomplished, always coming up with good suggestions, who had helped her quite a bit in the kingdom’s affairs.

“Tell me more of what you think.”

“Your humble subject is of the mind that Her Highness the Crown Princess has just gone missing and has not committed any major wrong, so we should not be removing the Crown Princess’ position now. Moreover, Her Majesty the Lady Emperor is still young, so there is no need for haste regarding the matter of appointing another Crown Princess.”

Duanmu Xue nodded her head and then looked at the young woman standing at the forefront on the right.

“What does Duke Rui think?”

Duke Rui, Duanmu Fei, handsomely beautiful, valiant and commanding.

Hearing those words, she took a step forward and bowed. “Your vassal agrees with what the Right Prime Minister said.”

“Your vassal thinks that what the Left Prime Minister said is logical. The Crown Princess is missing and Your Majesty is laden with illness. Appointing a new Crown Princess will also allow Your Majesty to have someone to share the burden with.”

Duanmu Fei’s voice had barely just fallen when Duanmu Shuang immediately stepped forth.

Duamu Fei’s face was one of scornful smile.

“Hmph! Has my Imperial Sister forgotten the rule laid down by the Founding Emperor? There is currently no one else in the Imperial Family who can be appointed as the Crown Princess.”

The mass of officials quickly pricked up their ears in curiosity. Secret news within the Imperial Family has always been what they liked to hear about the most.

Fiery rage flashed in Duanmu Shuang’s eyes as she glared at Duanmu Fei viciously.

Duanmu Xue saw Duanmu Shuang’s face turning an angry steely green and the ends of her lips curled up slightly in scorn.

The two dukes who held military might in their hands were pitted against each other and none of the other officials dared to utter another word.

In that instant, the atmosphere in the Vermillion Bird Palace Hall became a little strange.

Just as everything was completely still and quiet in the Vermillion Bird Palace Hall, Red Leaf came walking in from outside and then bent her body to whisper in Duanmu Xue’s ear.

Duanmu Xue’s face lit up in surprise as she nodded her head at Red Leaf.

Red Leaf immediately understood and sang in a clear voice to announce.

“Announcing His Majesty the Phoenix Empress seeking an audience…..”