"You scared sister!" Duan Zitong looked at Duan Xingyi with a displeased expression!
"How could that be? How could such a shrewd person like Elder Sister be afraid? I believe that Xiao Yuxuan did not bring Mu Yan with him?" Duan Xingyi slightly raised his nearly perfect chin, and a trace of smile appeared on his charming and handsome face!
"Why ask when you already know! The more I look at that Jingyang, the more I get annoyed! You really don't need my help?" Duan Zitong couldn't wait to clear the path for her little brother.
As the wind blew and the moist air blew against his face, Duan Xingyi remained silent. He turned around and left with an evil smile! Looking at Duan Xingyi's back, Duan Zitong couldn't help but sulk. She didn't know when his younger brother started to become more and more mysterious. In the past, they could talked almost about everything.
After Duan Jingyang faked his drunkenness and left Lovers Pavilion, he rushed to the Academy ground at the fastest speed possible. By the time he arrived, Xiao Yuxuan was already firmly seated in front of the carriage!
"Yuxuan…" His clear voice contained an unwillingness to part. Duan Jingyang knew that once he left, he would never have the chance to see his little sister again!
"JingYang… Thank You... Don't worry, I will take good care of Mu Yan and won't let her suffer even a little bit… You... Would you like to see her for the last time?" Xiao Yuxuan's clear eyes emitted a splendor as he spoke indifferently. The corner of his mouth was pulled up into an almost indiscernible curve.
"No!" With a firm tone, Duan Jingyang flatly refused. A trace of sadness flashed across his eyes. It wasn't because he didn't want to see his sister, but because he didn't dare to.
"Yuxuan, you take care!" Duan Jingyang raised a single hand and fiercely smacked the horse back. The gallant horse neigh and the wheels rolled forward, as the horse carriage moved farther and farther away until it finally disappeared in his eyes, he walked out of the area heavily, his shoulder dropped. A teardrop slowly rolled down the corner of Duan Jingyang's eye.
Dawn was like a sharp sword, silently slicing open the curtain of night. The sunlight shined through the mist and the entire palace was suddenly enveloped with morning light. It was the eighth day of the eighth month, the dreaded wedding day had finally arrived!
After staying under the bed for the entire night, Duan Mu Yan slowly regain consciousness. She felt an aching pain from her waist and couldn't help but stroke it with her jade-like hand. Her beautiful eyes trembled twice before slowly opening.
Right at this time, a mama called-out from outside the door, causing Duan Mu Yan to heave a sigh of relief. Luckily, she was still in the Imperial Palace, but a faint sense of loss still flashed within the deepest part of her heart. Everyone has a desire for happiness.
It was only at this moment that she realized that she had fallen under the bed, and couldn't remember how, however, she did not linger long about it. Today was the day of her marriage, and it was customary for a bride to pay respects to her elders prior to embarking on her journey towards her husband's residence.
Once again, the Lovers Pavilion bustled with noise and excitement. The head of the Ceremonial Department finally checked Duan Mu Yan's accessories and wedding dress, and after confirming that all was well, she left!
The ceremonial officials had already prepared their wedding trip early in the morning. With the support of two female attendants, Duan Mu Yan headed towards the Jade Pear Palace. And accordingly, a grand gathering was to be arranged in the Imperial Consort's palace, if not the Empress, to receive and accept a princess' kowtow.
Inside Duan Mu Yan's carriage, her peerless face was filled with a heartbroken smile. If her obedience could reduce the resentment in her father's heart by a few degree, then even if it meant losing her life's happiness, she would be willing!
The Jade Pear Palace was right in front of them, and a maid was waiting outside. Duan Muyan's cherry lips were raised as she walked out from the carriage and slowly walked in, her eyes flashed as she smiled stiffly!
However, Duan Muyan had never imagined that the only figures she saw in the entire Jade Pear Palace as she entered was of her mother, and her royal father! Just!
Without showing any emotions on what she saw, Duan Mu Yan gracefully approached her Mother and Royal Father, and kowtowed in front of them.
"Mu Yan offers Royal Father tea to show her filial piety—" Without letting Duan Mu Yan complete her offer of respect, Duan Chen simply 'Hmph!' and left.
Duan Mu Yan was shocked! But she continued to smile and instead looked at her mother. "Imperial Mother, this daughter would like to offer this tea to show her filial piety, and also to thank Imperial Mother for raising her for eighteen years…" Her clear and melodious voice concealed the deep sorrow in her heart.
Ling Ziyan's tears rolled down her pale, bloodless hands as she accept and drank the tea which was offered by Duan Mu Yan.
"Mu Yan... What mother regretted the most in this life was not being able to refute the grievances of the past and fight for justice for herself. She had been wronged for every single day and wronged for her entire life yet said nothing… Mother really feels regretful… My daughter, forgive this incompetent mother... Also, Mother wants you to remember this, do not be wronged by others, do not…
"Mother, don't worry… Mu Yan will be happy… I promise mother, this daughter will definitely be happy…" The corner of Duan Mu Yan's lips continued to smile, her tears had already been completely swallowed into her stomach, but that smile was still firmly hanging on her face!
"The appointed time has come…" A loud and clear voice rang out, and the official gestured for the maid to enter the door to help Duan Mu Yan walk out of the Jade Pear Palace! As she turned around, her tears fell without restraint. Duan Muyan really wanted to throw herself into Ling Ziyan's embrace and cry bitterly!
As she watched her daughter go, Ling Ziyan felt a salty taste in her mouth as blood splatered all over the ground. The blood appeared to form into life-seizing sand ball.
"Imperial Consort!..."
The servant girl beside her cried out with alarm, but she was pulled out by Ling Ziyan. She did not want her daughter to be worried. 'Mu Yan, Mother gives you her blessing...'
General Xiao Manor
The mansion was donned with red-silk lanterns, brocades, and festive decorations. All of the gongs, firecrackers, and drums had been prepared.
Inside the room, a red-crowned crane incense was burning with a faint fragrance of sandalwood, causing one to feel even more at peace. Xiao Jin Feng quietly sat by the side of the bed and looked at his wife, who was pretending to be asleep—although he could tell that Chu Shirou was still awake.
"Shirou... I will accept this marriage, I will marry the princess... But you have to fulfil your promise—don't leave me. And always remember, that you are the only woman I love and will always love in this lifetime..." Xiao Jin Feng's clear voice was choked with emotions. But he would not cry in this room, he would not want Chu Shirou to be unhappy.
"Your Grace...! Why are you still here? Master is looking for you everywhere! It's about time. Quickly change into your wedding clothes..." The Steward Zhou was out of breath as he ran to the door and urged Xiao Jin Feng. In the eyes of outsiders, this wedding was undoubtedly a sign of the Emperor's kindess, but Steward Zhou knew that every person in the Manor was not happy. The feelings of Prince Qi towards his wife was known to every single one of them, and becasue of this, they had already developed an explicable enmity against this Princess, who was yet to marry into their Xiao Manor.