Xiao Jin Feng stared fixedly at Chu Shirou in the bed. As long as she will say 'don't go', even if his head drop, he wouldn't marry the Princess. However, when Steward Zhou forcefully pulled Xiao Jin Feng out of the room, Chu Shirou still hadn't open her eyes or made any noise.
Hearing the sounds of footseps gradually getting farther and farther away, a weeping sound could be heard from the bed, but Chu Shirou still refused to open her eyes. Tears flood from the corners of her eyes, forming a string of pearls.
Imperial Palace
Even if she wasn't pampered, even if the Emperor didn't accept Duan Mu Yan's offering, for the sake of face, this unpopular wedding was still unusally grand. The entire capital was decorated with lanterns. Everywhere the bridal sedan went, flowers bloomed, gongs and drums ran out in the street, and a tide of people followed the speed of the bridal sedan. They all wanted to catch a glimpse of the Mo Dynasty's Third Princess' appearance.
Inside the bridal sedan, Duan Mu Yan carefully wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes. If she were to mess up with her make-up, she would appear disrespectful to others. She definitely couldn't afford to make the slightest mistake! Her cherry lips curved in a beautiful way, and she could only smile at the pain in her heart.
Although she and Xiao Yuxuan had known each other for a long time, Duan Mu Yan had never met Xiao Jin Feng, and had only heard this name from Xiao Yuxuan occasionally. Other than knowing that Xiao Jin Feng had already a main wife and were a loving couple, who respect and treated each other as equals; and that Xiao Jin Feng was known to be the 'myth of the battlefield' who fought bravely, Duan Mu Yan knew nothing of him!
In half an incense time, she would become the side concubine of the Prince Qi of Xiao Manor. However, how could she not know how awkward her identity was. For Xiao Jin Feng, who only had his main wife in his heart, naturally would not allow any woman to be in it. She did not care about that, what she cared most was how to face Xiao Yuxuan, who had been in love with her for so long, and now would suddenly had to call her sister-in-law. For her part too, she was truly afraid that she might not be able to resist hugging him and crying in his arms.
Tinker Pavilion
Duan Jingyang's sword-like eyebrows were knitted together and his head felt like it was about to explode. His hands were forcefully massaging his forehead and the moment he opened his eyes, a powerful light pierced through the window.
As he sat on the bed, Duan Jingyang slowly recalled what happened last night. He had drugged Mu Yan to lose consciousness, and then let Xiao Yanxuan abduct her out of the palace. But after he sent his sister over to Xiao Yuxuan, he hadn't even bothered to take another look at her. After that, he returned to his own residence and drank a lot of wine, because he knew that once the matter was exposed, his royal father would definitely punish him.
Looking at the time, logically speaking, royal father's people should have arrived. How could there be no movement? Just as Duan Jingyang was feeling suspicious, the sound of hurried footsteps from outside was heard. It chould be his father's men. Since Duan Jingyang was thinking this way, he decided to calmly stay in his bed and wait. At most, he would just die!
Unexpectedly, the person who barged in in a panic was Xue'er, his mother's maidservant.
"First Prince, First Prince! Quickly go and see Her Highness.. She is-she is… dying… First Prince, go quickly!" She burst into tears, her eyes red and swollen.
"What?!" Duan Jingyang's body froze for a second then trembled as if someone was tearing him appart. The next moment, Duan Jingyang dashed towards the Jade Pear Palace with all his might as tears welled in his eyes. 'Mother, wait for me…'
In the bed, Ling Ziyan's eyes seemed to be filled with emptiness, but when she heard the voice of his son calling-out her name, her blurry eyes turned towards the kneeling Duan Jingyang.
Ling Ziyan extended her withered hand and placed it on Duan Jingyang's hand.
"JingYang… You're here… what about Mu Yan? She went to play with Yuxuan again… JingYang, your little sister is still young, she doesn't know anything, you have to take care of her for mother. Hmm? There's more… what did the Han Lin Courtyard teach you today? Read it to mother…"
Hearing Ling Ziyan's words, Duan Jingyang could no longer surpress the pain in his heart and burst into tears.
"Mother, don't worry! I will take care of Mu Yan…. I won't let anyone bully her… Mother…" Perhaps it was because of Duan Jingyang's crying, that Ling Ziyan seemed to suddenly awoken. It was not known where she got the strength from as she tightly held onto Duan Jingyang's hand, struggling to open her pale lips.
"Jingyang…. Mother has let you and Mu Yan down... Forgive me...
"Mother, don't worry! I won't let Mu Yan suffer any more grievances..." Seeing his mother crying sorrowly, Duan Jingyang suddenly felt hatred! He hated his father! He was the one who forced his mother into this state.
"Duan Chen! You are vicious... Why are you unwilling to drink Mu Yan's filial tea... Duan Chen! You are unworthy to be Mu Yan's father! You deserve to die! I, Ling Ziyan, will curse you to a miserable death! Mu Yan... Mu Yan..." After the last tear fell from her eyes, her dispirited pupils weakly closed. With her heart full of resentment and curses, Ling Ziyan had died.
"Mother...? What did you say...? What filial tea...? No, I've already... Mother?... Don't scare me, Mother! Aaahh!" An extremely sorrowful cry sounded out from Jade Pear Palace. Duan Jingyang's entire body trembled as a bone chilling sorrow spread out from the bottom of his heart! The anger hidden in his heart all burst out like a flash flood!
"Imperial Consort...! Your Highness...!" When Xue'er ran into the room, Ling Ziyan had already passed away. Upon hearing Xue'er's voice, Duan Jingyang rushed to Xue'er and tightly gripped her shoulders.
"Tell me! Did Mu Yan ever come here to offer filial tea?! Is she married or not?!" His dark eyes were filled with deep hatred!
"First Prince..." Xue'er looked at Duan Jingyang in horror. Her body was shaking so hard that it was about to shatter!
"Tell me!"
"Replying to the First Prince... Yes, the Third Princess came to offer her filial piety this morning..." The trembling voice was like a bolt of thunder that struck Duan Jingyang's head!
"First Prince...? First Prince, are you alright...?" Xue'er noticed Duan Jingyang's abnormal expression and frantically tuggged at his sleeve! Duan Jingyang, who had been pulled back to reality by Xue'er, flew out of the palace! 'Mu Yan... Don't marry... Don't marry... Mother is dead... You don't have to... Do you know... Mother's only greatest wish is for you to be happy... Mu Yan...'