Chapter 53: She Doesn’t Want the Scumbag Ex-Husband 13

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: She Doesn’t Want the Scumbag Ex-Husband 13

Ji Huadan, her pregnant belly prominent, walked slowly into Phoenix Splendor Hall. Ji Xiaosong and her family of three had not yet arrived.

Since it had been announced from the beginning that this celebration was for Ji Huadan, she hadn’t planned on attending anyway.

Feng Fan Yin was still being fed all sorts of rare, thousand-year Spirit Fruits by Feng Cangwu.

Ever since having this daughter, Feng Cangwu’s generous nature had become even more apparent.

Priceless treasures that others might not see in a lifetime—if Feng Fan Yin liked any of them, he would give them away without batting an eye.

Even Ji Xiaosong couldn’t help but chide him for spoiling their daughter too much. But Feng Cangwu would just smile and say, "My daughter, Feng Cangwu’s daughter, will naturally have whatever she wants."

Now, in Phoenix Splendor Hall, Ji Huadan sat down next to Xu Yang under the watchful eyes of the various branch clan members and elders.

"Uncle, where is my cousin?"

Ji Huadan glanced around but didn’t see any sign of Ji Xiaosong.

’She must not be showing her face because I’m pregnant again.’

"Fan Yin is still having snacks. Her family has other plans today and wasn’t intending to come," the Phoenix King explained patiently, but Ji Huadan didn’t believe him at all.

"Uncle, are you trying to cover something up? This is my celebration banquet. My cousin is my family, so she should be celebrating with me. But she’s still not here. Is it because I’m pregnant? Has my cousin grown so jealous that she’s deliberately staying away?"

After speaking, Ji Huadan stroked her pregnant belly again and continued, "Or perhaps, Uncle, there’s some unspoken reason you can’t tell me directly? I know I wasn’t as outstanding as my cousin in the past. But now I’m about to add a child to the Phoenix Clan. If she’s distancing herself from me because of this, well, that’s truly disheartening."

In the past, Ji Huadan wouldn’t have dared to say much, living under someone else’s roof. Even if Ji Xiaosong always looked down on her, she couldn’t say a word.

But now, she was the only phoenix in the Phoenix Clan who could get pregnant frequently. No matter what she gave birth to, for a clan that struggled with producing heirs, she was a spark of hope.

She was keenly aware of the change in her status, and she was beginning to stand a little taller.

All the forbearance and grievances of the past had now transformed into a foundation of confidence in her heart.

She was no longer the meek and underestimated Ji Huadan, but the one on whom the future hope of the Phoenix Clan rested.

Amidst the gazes of admiration and envy from the crowd, she grew ever more arrogant, as if she were already standing at a new pinnacle of the Phoenix Clan’s glory.

’So what if Ji Xiaosong gave birth to a Golden Phoenix? There’s only one.’

’I’m different. I’m pregnant with two at once.’

"Huadan, Song is just busy looking after Fan Yin. That’s why she didn’t plan to attend. What would I have to cover up?"

"Uncle, I understand. I just gave birth not long ago, and now I’m pregnant again. My cousin must be upset about it. But the Phoenix Clan has always had difficulty producing heirs. My cousin already has one child; there’s no need for her to be unhappy. Maybe if she came and soaked up some of my good fortune with pregnancy, she could quickly add another heir to the Phoenix Clan herself."

The other elders present chimed in one after another:

"Your Majesty, Lady Xu means no harm. The Eldest Princess has always been magnanimous; I’m sure she won’t take it to heart. You should still advise the Eldest Princess not to let this harm the harmony of our clan."

"Indeed, Your Majesty. It’s already a great blessing that the Eldest Princess has a Golden Phoenix as her child. Lady Xu’s ability to conceive frequently is also a blessing for the Phoenix Clan. Both are good things. Please tell Song to be more open-minded about it."

"Your Majesty, the matter of heirs is of utmost importance to the Phoenix Clan right now. The Eldest Princess should understand Lady Xu’s position. Everyone is working for the prosperity of the Phoenix Clan. We hope you will mediate and help the Eldest Princess put her mind at ease."

...

As everyone chimed in with their advice, the Queen Phoenix’s face turned ashen with rage.

Just then, the Great Elder let out a cold snort, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "The Eldest Princess already has a daughter who is a Golden Phoenix. Even if the quantity isn’t as high, what does that matter?"

The Queen Phoenix’s expression softened slightly. ’So what if her Song only ever has one child in her life? The quality is so high that one is worth more than countless others.’

Besides, her Song...

"Go. Invite the Eldest Princess and her family over."

A palace servant departed. A moment later...

"The Eldest Princess has arrived! The husband has arrived! Fanyin Fairy has arrived!"

As the palace servant’s announcement rang out, everyone’s gaze instantly focused on the entrance.

The sunlight fell perfectly upon the three of them, making them appear as if they were coated in a layer of golden light.

Feng Cangwu stood tall and straight, holding Feng Fan Yin in his arms. The little one’s big, round eyes were wide with curiosity as she looked around, her doll-like features utterly endearing.

Ji Xiaosong, dressed in magnificent robes, walked gracefully beside him, her own pregnant belly showing.

"Why are you pregnant again?!"

Ji Huadan’s shriek echoed, and Phoenix Splendor Hall was instantly plunged into dead silence.

Xu Yang’s brow furrowed involuntarily, his eyes filled with disgust.

Looking at the couple, Ji Xiaosong frowned slightly. Her expression calm, she looked at Ji Huadan and said slowly, "This is a blessing for my husband and me, and joyous news for the Phoenix Clan. I don’t understand why my cousin is so agitated."

’That’s right, why was she so agitated?’

’Didn’t she just say she was worried Ji Xiaosong would be sad about not being pregnant?’

Now she saw that the other woman was pregnant too, and from the look of her belly, she was clearly further along than Ji Huadan.

’They say Ji Huadan is carrying twins this time. In that case, Ji Xiaosong...’

"Eldest Princess, may I ask how many children you are carrying this time?"

The Great Elder, who had been childless his entire life, could never get enough of Ji Xiaosong’s daughter, Feng Fan Yin, who was both adorable and powerful.

Now the Eldest Princess was pregnant again, and judging by her belly, she was clearly carrying more than Ji Huadan.

’With the Eldest Princess’s aptitude, what do Ji Huadan and Xu Yang’s children even count for?’

"Great Elder, this time, I’m carrying three."

"Three!"

The crowd cried out in astonishment. Phoenix Splendor Hall instantly erupted.

"Heavens, the Eldest Princess is carrying three! This is wonderful news!" a member of a branch clan exclaimed, their face filled with pleasant surprise.

"Isn’t it though? The Eldest Princess is so outstanding, her children are bound to be exceptionally talented as well. It seems the future prosperity of our Phoenix Clan is even more hopeful now," an elder said, stroking his beard, his eyes full of gratification.

"Hmph, so what if she’s carrying more? It’s not certain she can even deliver them safely," Ji Huadan muttered under her breath, biting her lip. Her eyes revealed a trace of jealousy and resentment.

"Shut your mouth!" Xu Yang hissed quietly. Though he was also unhappy about Ji Xiaosong being pregnant again, he couldn’t very well make a scene in a place like this.

"Exactly! The Eldest Princess is deeply blessed; she will surely deliver her children safely," the other clan members chimed in, shooting dissatisfied looks at Ji Huadan.

"Great Elder, look! If the Eldest Princess gives birth to all three successfully, then with Fanyin Fairy as well, our Phoenix Clan’s power will surely increase immensely!" a young Cultivator said excitedly.

The Great Elder nodded slightly and smiled. "Indeed. The Eldest Princess has performed a great service for our Phoenix Clan. When the children are born, she must be rewarded handsomely."

As the crowd chattered on, one after another, Phoenix Splendor Hall filled with praise for Ji Xiaosong and hope for the Phoenix Clan’s future. Meanwhile, Ji Huadan stood to the side, her face pale with anger, yet completely helpless.

She looked toward the Phoenix King and Queen Phoenix, her gaze even more venomous.

"Everyone."

The Phoenix King raised his hand to quiet the hall, and the voices gradually died down.