Xiao Jincheng stared blankly at Duanmu Shenghua.
Should he be made the Phoenix Lord?
But he is now the Phoenix Lord!
She didn't understand at all that he wanted to be Duanmu Shenghua's Phoenix Lord, but Duanmu Junyu's Phoenix Lord, her true Phoenix Lord!
As for Xin'er, if Duanmu Junyu hadn't returned, she might have had a chance to become the crown prince of Xiliang. But now that Duanmu Junyu has returned and has her own daughter, Xin'er no longer has that chance.
Most importantly, Xin'er has not gained the approval of the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast. Even if Xin'er were not Duanmu Junyu's daughter, she would still have no chance of becoming the Crown Prince of Xiliang, just like Duanmu Shenghua back then.
Therefore, he knew all too well that what Duanmu Shenghua was thinking about was impossible, but looking at Duanmu Shenghua in such a frenzied state, he no longer knew what words to use to comfort her.
Not wanting to stay in the side hall with Duanmu Shenghua and attract criticism, Xiao Jincheng went to the main hall to visit Duanmu Qingxin again.
When he arrived, Duanmu Qingxin was already awake and throwing a tantrum, smashing things!
"Feng Jun." The palace servants who were tidying up inside the room saw Xiao Jincheng and quickly bowed.
Upon seeing Xiao Jincheng, Duanmu Qingxin's anger not only did not subside, but intensified: "Why can't you win the Empress's favor? Why did you let that bastard child rise to the throne so easily? I am clearly the Empress's most favored crown prince. It's all because of you, it's all because you fell out of favor that the Empress dislikes me and that I can't get the crown prince position!"
Duanmu Qingxin's furious rant left Xiao Jincheng completely speechless.
He never expected that Xin'er would harbor so much resentment towards him.
Yes, he did not receive Duanmu Junyu's favor, but that was not the reason she fell out of favor.
She was not Duanmu Junyu's daughter at all, and Duanmu Junyu never intended for her to become the Crown Prince of Xiliang. The mother she had always believed to be the Empress was actually Duanmu Shenghua in disguise, and she was indeed Duanmu Shenghua's daughter.
This is the truth, but he can't tell her anything about it.
Duanmu Shenghua followed her into the room and heard Duanmu Qingxin's angry outburst at Xiao Jincheng. She immediately became angry and said, "Xin'er, how dare you speak to your father like that?"
Duanmu Qingxin saw that Duanmu Shenghua was equally annoyed: "What's it to you? You said you would help me fight for the position of crown prince, but in reality, you haven't done anything. Besides saying some high-sounding words, what else can you do?"
Seeing that Duanmu Qingxin was becoming rude to her, Duanmu Shenghua became a little anxious: "So what if you didn't get the approval of the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast? What's the big deal? Even if you didn't get the approval of the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast, I can still make you the Crown Prince of Xiliang."
Duanmu Qingxin immediately snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "That sounds nice. Everyone in Xiliang recognizes the Vermilion Bird. According to the rules of Xiliang, without the approval of the Vermilion Bird, one is not qualified to become the crown prince. Isn't that what you are doing? You are still just the Prince of Wisdom, yet you are trying to elevate me to the throne?"
Duanmu Qingxin's words were like a knife to Duanmu Shenghua's heart. Duanmu Shenghua couldn't care less about being angry or sad. She looked at Duanmu Qingxin anxiously and coaxed her, "Xin'er, what I said is true. I will definitely find a way to make you the crown prince of Xiliang. You have to believe me."
Duanmu Shenghua's gentle persuasion finally calmed Duanmu Qingxin's restless heart a little. She frowned and stared at Duanmu Shenghua: "Do you have some kind of plan?"
It wasn't that she wanted to believe her; it was simply that she was now at her wit's end. She hadn't gained Suzaku's approval, which meant she would never have the chance to sit in that position again in her lifetime.
She didn't know what way Duanmu Shenghua could help her, but the military power in Duanmu Shenghua's hands was clearly her only lifeline.
There were no legitimate methods left, but if there were any unorthodox ways to help her reach that position, she would be willing to do so!
Xiao Jincheng ignored the mother and daughter's plot and quietly left the room, returning to the inner palace.
No matter what they were plotting, she didn't want to get involved. She didn't want to harm Duanmu Junyu, and she didn't want Duanmu Shenghua and Duanmu Qingxin to go down a path of no return. But now that the two of them had become demons, no matter how he tried to persuade them, they would definitely not listen.
How could anything that happened in the palace be kept from Duanmu Junyu?
As soon as Duanmu Junyu and Su Xuening returned to the palace, the shadow guards reported on Duanmu Shenghua's meeting with Xiao Jincheng and the secret plot between Duanmu Shenghua and Duanmu Qingxin.
Duanmu Junyu showed no surprise or anger; everything was under her control.
Seemingly to deliberately provoke Duanmu Shenghua and Duanmu Qingxin, Duanmu Junyu held another grand banquet that evening, inviting imperial relatives and officials to celebrate Su Xuening becoming the Crown Princess of Xiliang.
During the banquet, imperial relatives and officials all toasted Su Xuening and flattered her.
Today's event is different from the ancestral recognition banquet of the past few days. Even if the Crown Prince successfully recognized her ancestors at the previous banquet, she would at most be just a princess of Xiliang. After all, there is also the Second Prince, and she is not the only princess of Xiliang.
As a newcomer to Xiliang, she had no backing in the country. Even as a princess, aside from her slightly more prestigious status, she couldn't really gain any real benefits.
But today, she has gained the approval of the Vermilion Bird divine beast, and has risen from a commoner princess to become the crown prince of Western Liang. That has a completely different meaning.
Even the legitimate second prince did not gain the approval of the Vermilion Bird divine beast, which means that among the princesses of Western Liang, only she is qualified to ascend to the position of empress.
This is the future empress! Whether it's royalty or officials, everyone is vying to flatter her.
"Your Highness is so handsome, I wonder if you are married?"
"Yes, judging from the Crown Prince's young age, he should be unmarried."
“My son is handsome and well-behaved, and is a perfect match for Your Highness.”
"My grandson is exceptionally talented and handsome. Would Your Highness like to meet him?"
"Furthermore, my nephew is physically strong, skilled in riding and archery, and has a dashing appearance. If he could marry Your Highness, even as a concubine, it would be a blessing for my family!"
The ministers who were now swarming forward to propose marriage to their sons, grandsons, nephews, and brothers had clearly forgotten about their previous attendance at the baby's one-month celebration.
Of course, it's also possible that they simply overlooked the fact that Su Xuening had already given birth. After all, His Majesty didn't say who Su Xuening's husband was; perhaps he was just some nobody.
Since they were nobodys, they didn't need to take them seriously at all.
Moreover, the Crown Prince only had a son, so there was nothing to fear!
Once their sons marry the Crown Prince, if the Crown Prince gives birth to a daughter, she will be a legitimate daughter and will have the same chance to become the Crown Prince of Western Liang and ascend to the throne as the Empress of Western Liang!
Therefore, whether the Crown Prince is married outside the palace or who his husband is is completely unimportant!
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