"I thought you forgot…" Duan Zitong's thick eyelashes fluttered twice as she took two steps forward, her graceful figure swaying to Duan Xingyi's side.
"But elder sister, you seem to fall in love with that Prince Ping at first sight…" Duan Xingyi continued to play with the jade pendant in his hand as his mind flashed with Duan Mu Yan's tear-stained face, such unparalleled beauty.
"Not bad… I do have a good impression of Xiao Yuxuan, but it's not love at first sight. What I want to do the most right now is to make Ling Ziyan die with grievance! Did she think that it was a cruel thing for her daughter to be a side concubine? more than... I must make Duan Mu Yan wish she was dead…" The light in Duan Zitong's eyes suddenly turned cold. A bloodthirsty and malicious glint appeared in her piercing gaze!
"It seems like sister has a plan?" Duan Xingyi was aware of Duan Zitong's vengeance, that it had already burnt through every cell of her body. Every single moment, her nerves were constantly thinking of ways to take revenge on that woman and her children. She was too narrow-minded.
Duan Zitong lowered her gaze and a sinister smile blossomed on her lips.
"Plan...? Hhmp! That's right! I already planned Duan Mu Yan's entire life… But you! That Duan Jingyang was the First Prince after all. The Mo Dynasty had only passed the crown on their eldest son and to their eldest grandson, how about it? Do you need me to help you? "
Duan Xingyi suddenly stood up with disdain in his eyes.
"First Prince?! He was just a good-for-nothing! Who would have thought that the formidable Emperor would actually have such a weak son! He wants to inherit the Mo Dynasty? This is simply a pipe dream…"
A hurried knock on the door interrupted the dark conversation in the Sage Storage Pavilion.
"Enter!" There was no trace of warmth in his clear voice as Duan Xingyi lazily returned to his jade chair. He watched as the person who pushed open the door carefully walked in!
"Your servant greets the second prince, and the seventh princess. I'm here to report… Your servant has already done as you instructed!" Eunuch An bowed and reported the matter truthfully!
"Mm… Well done! Xinghan, I still have some matters to attend to. I'm going back to the Phoenix Storage Pavilion. Remember what elder sister said just now. If there's anything you need, I'll definitely help you out to the best of my ability…" Duan Zitong's bright eyes flickered, then she waved her hand, signalling for Eunuch An to lead the way as she walked out of the room.
As he watched Duan Zitong's back gradually disappear from his line of sight, a pair of deep and serene eyes suddenly turned cold. Duan Xingyi fiercely gripped the jade pendant on his waist as his lips curled into a thin line. In an instant, fine sand like droplets of foam quietly slid down between his fingers. One day, the Mo Dynasty would submit to him and the woman he desired.
Jade Pear Palace
Ling Ziyan fell asleep in the bed. Even so, pain and fatigue still remained between her brows. Her pale hands clenched from time to time as she muttered. Even if Duan Mu Yan stuck even closer to her, she still couldn't hear mother's weak voice!
"Little sister…" By the time Duan Jingyang arrived, the imperial physician had already left. Duan Mu Yan's jade-like fingers were raised to her lips as she shushed him. When she looked back and saw that their mother was sleeping soundly, she stood up and walked out of the Jade Pear Palace with gentle footsteps!
"Brother, are you alright?!" Her watery, clear eyes flashed past Duan Jingyang's handsome face like fire. Duan Mu Yan pulled her brother over and asked with a pained heart!
"I'm still okay… I just met Doctor Zheng... Mother's illness, since there is no way out, we should do our best to fulfill her at least one of her wishes. Right? " Duan Jingyang's heavy eyes seemed to have a deeper meaning as he looked at his younger sister.
Before Duan Jingyang could say anything, Duan Mu Yan was already able to guess what he wanted to say. His clear eyes were trembling like a butterfly's wing!
"I will marry the Prince Qi as planned…" Duan Mu Yan was clear that even if it wasn't for their mother, she had to think for her brother. If she did something outrageous, with royal father's personality and his loathing for his brother, he would definitely depose the first prince to inherit the Mo Dynasty! She could not allow such a thing to happen! If it wasn't for the favor of royal father, how could Duan Xingyi be so overbearing! No matter what, she cannot become an excuse for royal father to punish his brother!
"Mu Yan, why are you so stubborn! Do you know that this marriage will ruin your life's happiness?! Even if you don't want to think for yourself, then think for Yuxuan! He has already done too much for you! Yu Xuan had a weak personality, yet he still fought on the battlefield in order to reach the standard of a prince consort! Do you not care about all this?! How could you bear to hurt Yuxuan's heart…" The deep voice was close to choking as starlight shone from his dark eyes. Duan Jingyang spoke as if he was begging for mercy! He only wished that his sister would no longer sacrifice herself!
"Brother… No matter what you say, I will marry the Prince Qi as scheduled. Don't try to persuade me anymore… As for Yu Xuan … What I owe him in this life shall be repaid in the next…" Duan Mu Yan suppressed the pain in her heart and spoke indifferently!
"Mu Yan…"
"Brother… I'm a bit tired... You stay in the Pear Palace... I'll come back later to help you... " Duan Moyan left the place with light and swaying steps. Tears flowed down her face and her cherry lips held a hint of bitterness.
After leaving Duan Jingyang's line of sight, Duan Mu Yan could no longer suppress the heart-wrenching pain. He sobbed like a small beast and her footsteps came to a halt at the Garden's Carp Pool!
Crystal clear teardrops continuously fell into the pool like broken beads, stirring up strings of fragmented ripples. Looking at the increasingly blurry appearance of the pool, Duan Muyan burst into tears! The grievances in her heart turned into tears that rolled down her cheeks. She also wanted to be happy, just like others wanted her to be happy. How could she bear to hurt Yuxuan? How could she not feel pain as she let him down? But there was nothing she could do… She was powerless. In the face of such cruel fate, she could only bow her head and submit, if it will make her royal father to feel less hatred for her mother; and if it will make him show a bit more concern for his first born son—she will gladly embrace this fate. If all of this worked out as she wished, she would be willing to do even if it meant a lifetime of suffering.
Seemingly sensing that there was someone behind her, Duan Mu Yan subconsciously stood up and twisted her body. However, when she saw who it was, she abruptly retreated and her foot stepped on empty air. Her entire body couldn't help but to fall into the pond!
In the nick of time, the figure leaped into the air like a ghost, and after circling around Duan Mu Yan's waist, it flew towards the other edge of the pond!
As she landed on the ground, Duan Mu Yan was still in a state of shock. Her chest was heaving from her heavy breathing. The dangerous situation just now still left a lingering fear in her heart.
Duan Xingyi looked at the girl in his arms. His devilishly cold eyes flashed with a hint of heat. His clear eyes were like black butterfly feathers that reflected a gentle and beautiful brilliance.