"Insolent! Hurry up and leave!" Xiao Yin's body flashed as he snatched the imperial edict from Xiao Jin Feng's hand and turned to see Eunuch Li out of the house.
When Xiao Yin turned around, Xiao Jin Feng was standing in front of him!
"I will go and see His Majesty now! He is clearly making things difficult for our Xiao General Manor by wanting Royal Father to come onto the battlefield, when I should be the one going out there! What kind of logic is this!" Xiao Jin Feng's sword-like eyebrows were like peaks as a hint of anger flashed through his deep eyes!
"How dare you! Who do you think you are? How could you doubt the emperor's decree?! Go back!" Xiao Yin let out a cold shout as he blocked the entrance.
"But…"
"Get back inside! Otherwise, forget you have a father!" Seeing the coldness in Xiao Yin's eyes, Xiao Jin Feng turned around in fury.
However, in that instant, he met Duan Mu Yan's dimmed eyes, and his eyes became sharp as knives!
"Your Highness…" Duan Mu Yan really wanted to apologize, but when she opened her mouth, her shoulder was ruthlessly slammed by Xiao Jin Feng as he dashed inside the hall, and her entire body staggered and nearly fell to the ground!
"Xiao Jin Feng! Stop right there!" Xiao Yin saw what had happen and he couldn't helped but seethe with anger towards his son as he looked at the pale-face Duan Mu Yan. If he were to leave, who would take care of this child?
Hearing Xiao Yin's angry shout, Xiao Jin Feng stopped his steps, turned around, and looked straight at Xiao Yin! His eyes were filled with dissatisfaction.
"Apologize to Mu Yan!" Xiao Yin walked to Duan Mu Yan's side as he coldly stared at Xiao Jin Feng. He couldn't understand how his own son had become so unreasonable! For Shirou? Shi Rou had already been dead for more than half a month. Even if he were to vent his anger now, would it make Shirou come back from the dead? What was Mu Yan's mistake?!
"No! Why should I?!" Xiao Jin Feng's black eyes emitted a piercing cold light as he pursed his lips and looked at Duan Mu Yan with hatred!
Ever since this woman married into the Xiao family, bad things keep on coming one after another! He hated her! He hated her more for having such a sorrowful expression. She wasn't the only one who was wronged! But he just hated everything about her...!
"Xiao Jin Feng! I'll say it one last time! Apologize to Mu Yan!" Xiao Yin clenched his fists tightly. He loved his son, but he could not allow him to bully Duan Mu Yan like this! And even going physical to prove his position! 'What would happen then if in will not be around? Mu Yan, forgive Royal Father for being incompetent...'
Seeing how stubborn Xiao Jin Feng was, Xiao Yin finally couldn't help but to teach this unfilial son of his a lesson! At this moment, Duan Mu Yan hurriedly turned around and knelt in front of Xiao Yin.
"Father... Imperial Father ordering Father to guard the borders was indeed a little inappropriate, but it was unfortunate that Mu Yan does not have enough strength and cannot so anything about it. Mu Yan and Jin Feng are the same, that Jin Feng was just worried about Father's safety… " When Duan Mu Yan saw this, she hurriedly changed the topic.
She knew Xiao Jin Feng's resentment towards her, and she knew too how much the old Duke cared for her, but she didn't want to hurt their relationship just because of her!
"Mu Yan, get up quickly!" Xiao Yin felt heartache for this daughter-in-law of his!
"Steward Zhou! Go get the family staff!" Lifting Duan Mu Yan up, Xiao Yan glanced at Steward Zhou who was at the side and said indifferently!
"Father—" Just as Duan Muyan was about to plead for mercy, she was stopped by Xiao Yin!
At the side, Su Jinxiu had seen everything. She didn't even need to think to know that this imperial edict should be Duan Zitong's idea. If she facilitated Xiao Yin's removal from the Manor, Duan Mu Yan wouldn't be able to rely on anyone anymore, and at that time, it would be as easy as flipping her palm!
It seemed that Duan Zitong was indeed a friend and not an enemy. Since they had the same goal, then that silver bill wasn't necessary to bribe her to do her biddings.
Not long after, Su Jinxiu saw Steward Zhou take out a three feet long dragon staff and walk in front of Xiao Yin. She took the opportunity to hurriedly kneel in front of Xiao Yin with tears in her eyes.
"I beg the Duke to spare the Prince of Qi! The Prince didn't do it on purpose…" Her gentle voice carried a humble request. Su Jinxiu would always show her frailty and delicateness in front of other people, especially in front of Xiao Jin Feng, at the most crucial times!
"Xiu'er! What are you doing?! Get up! I did that on purpose!" With a stride, Xiao Jin Feng pulled Su Jinxiu back, and with a cold and fierce look in his eyes, he shot them towards Duan Mu Yan!
"Your Grace…" Su Jin Xiu looked at Xiao Jin Feng with tears in her eyes. Even though Xiao Jin Feng's hand was hurting, her heart was enjoying this moment of contact.
Hearing this, Xiao Yin frowned but ignored Xiao Jin Feng and passed the three-foot-long Dragon Staff in Steward Zhou's hands to Duan Mu Yan.
"Father…" Duan Mu Yan looked at Xiao Yin in astonishment, and did not know what to do for a moment!
"Mu Yan, this is the symbol of the Xiao Manor's authority. I will pass this Dragon Staff to you! The one holding the Dragon Staff is the owner of the Xiao manor! If anyone is disrespectful to you, you can do whatever you want to them! No matter who! Now, promise me one thing... Don't let anyone bully you nor ignore your authority. I command you to exert your authority as the Mistress of this Manor!" Xiao Yin worriedly looked at Duan Mu Yan. This was all he could do for this child…
"This Dragon Staff... Mu Yan cannot accept it… " Duan Mu Yan was overwhelmed by the favor she received as she looked at the dragon staff that Xiao Yin handing over. However, she was unwilling to extend her hand! She understood Xiao Yin's painstaking efforts and was naturally moved!
"Promise me you'll take care of yourself! Royal father knows very well what kind of daughter you are. I'll let you marry Jin Feng... I've wronged you…" Xiao Yin's eyes dimmed.
Although what happened back then between the Emperor and Consort Li had nothing to do with him, but the fact that he did not say anything to negate the Emperor's assumption despite of him knowing of the entails, then perhaps Imperial Consort Li, Mu Yan and the First Prince would not end up as they were now!
Stricken with guilt and feeling of regrets in his heart, Xiao Yin passed the Dragon Staff into Duan Mu Yan's hands.
"Being able to marry into the Xiao Manor is Mu Yan's fortune… Mu Yan doesn't feel wronged…" Tears welled up in her eyes as they dripped down. They were tears of gratitude due to being moved. The trust and care Xiao Yin had given her caused her heart to feel warmth.
"Silly child... What are you crying for! Accompany this father for a breakfast. I don't know when we will be able to eat together again… " Xiao Yin pulled Duan Mu Yan around Xiao Jin Feng and headed towards the main hall.
An indescribable jealousy slowly brewed in Xiao Jin Feng's heart. He could not understand why his father did not pass the Dragon Staff to Shirou when she was still alive. But Duan Mu Yan, who had only been married into the family for less than a month had already obtained the Golden Staff?
At this moment, Duan Mu Yan was more like the biological daughter of his father, whereas he, had become an insignificant person! Duan Mu Yan… You dare?!
His deep and dark black eyes were as sharp as blades, and his sinister gaze shot towards Duan Mu Yan's back. Xiao Jin Feng clenched his fists tightly. Then he heard Su Jinxiu's low voice.
"Ugh…" Su Jinxiu cowered as she stared at Xiao Jin Feng holding her hand tightly. A look of helplessness and weakness appeared on her face that made people's hearts ache for her.
"I'm sorry…" There was no warmth in Xiao Jin Feng's voice as he released Su Jinxiu's hand and returned to his room!
Looking at Xiao Jin Feng's ruthless silhouette, Su Jin Xiu pursed her cherry lips as a sinister gaze shot towards Duan Mu Yan from the depths of her eyes.
After eating his breakfast, Xiao Yin sorted up everything. This trip would take him a few months or at most a year.
Xiao Yin watched worriedly as Duan Mu Yan walked him out and couldn't help but sigh in his heart!
As she looked at Xiao Yin's departing figure, the rims of Duan Mu Yan's eyes became moist!
"Esteemed Wangfei, the old prince has left. Let's go back inside now!" Qiu Yue carefully supported Duan Mu Yan as she turned around and walked back to the Manor.
However, the moment she turned around and saw Xiao Jin Feng's frame, her heart froze.
Imperial Palace
The news of Xiao Yin being sent to guard the border had quickly reached Xiao Yuxuan's ears. He didn't understand why the Emperor didn't choose him or his older brother and let his old father go on an expedition. This was completely illogical!
"The honored Imperial Tutor wishes to seek an audience with Imperial father?" Just as Xiao Yuxuan was about to walk out of the Tutor Hall, he met with the astute Duan Zitong.
"Yuxuan greets the Princess!" A clear voice came from Xiao Yuxuan's lips. As he watched Duan Zitong slowly walk in, Xiao Yuxuan pondered whether this matter was related to her!
"The Imperial Tutor is too polite. There's no need for the Imperial Tutor to be polite in front of this Princess. I believe the Imperial Tutor had already heard about the news of Old Duke Xiao guarding the border now?" Duan Zitong elegantly glided towards Xiao Yuxuan.
She made sure the Imperial edict was in total secrecy and only after the departure of the old Xiao Yin from the Xiao Manor did she let it spread into the palace. Because she knew that Xiao Yuxuan would definitely ask her father to retract his order and let him take Xiao Yin's place.
After all, it took her a lot of effort to convince the Emperor to transfer Xiao Yin immediately. Besides, how could she bear to see Xiao Yuxuan fall into the killing fields?
"That's right! Yuxuan wanted to see the Emperor. Father is already old, so it's not easy for him to lead troops. In comparison, this humble official should be a much more suitable candidate…" Xiao Yuxuan's clear eyes drooped slightly as he spoke in a light tone.
Duan Zitong's charming eyes flashed as she neared Xiao Yuxuan. "Please rest assured, Imperial Tutor. Duke Xiao will definitely be safe and sound in this expedition. In fact, although the Northern Yue is ready to make their move, but if they knew that it was the legendary Duke General Xiao, they would not definitely attack. Beside, the Imperial Father sent the old Duke Xiao because he knew of the old General's prowess in the battlefield."
"Even so, I still want to…" A trace of melancholy appeared between Xiao Yuxuan's brows and his watery eyes darkened. Suddenly, Duan Mu Yan's figure flashed in his mind. Now that his royal father had left the Xiao manor, no matter what kind of outrageous moves Xiao Jin Feng would do, no one would protect Mu Yan from him! Mu Yan's days would… Xiao Yuxuan didn't dare to think further.
"It's better for the Imperial Tutor to think how to record the remaining half of the song, 'Butterfly Love Flower', then to teach Zitong how to play the flute properly…" Duan Zitong's beautiful eyebrows twitched as she looked at the 'Butterfly love Flower' on the table. She couldn't help but frown!
"Yes…" Xiao Yuxuan didn't refute her, but in his heart, he was thinking about Duan Mu Yan. It had already been five days! He must think of a way to leave the Imperial Palace to meet Mu Yan. Before that, he must first ascertain Duan Jingyang's safety.
Duan Zitong had already calculated Xiao Yuxuan's thoughts. Her eyes rippled like the waves as her jade-like hands wrapped around her handkerchief. She slowly approached Xiao Yuxuan!
"There's no need for the Imperial Tutor to worry about old Duke Xiao. Since Zitong was able to say that old Duke Xiao would be safe and sound, then she has complete confidence of the situation. Not only that, Zitong also used all her good words in front of Imperial Father, which is why Imperial Father agreed to Zitong's request. So from today onwards, the Imperial Tutor can enter and leave the Tinkers Pavilion at any time, although in limited length of time…"
"Really?" A trace of pleasant surprise flashed through Xiao Yuxuan's clear eyes as he happily looked at Duan Zitong. His thin lips were slightly pursed, revealing his unmatched elegance!
Duan Zitong couldn't help but be mesmerised. Such elegant and refined man was something that hard to come by. To be able to obtain his attention and care, would be an achievement.
"Princess…" Under Xiao Yuxuan's gentle call, Duan Zitong came back to her senses and couldn't help but cough twice!
"Uhh... Of course it's true. I, Duan Zitong, promised you that I would do something…" As she spoke, Duan Zitong's jade-like hand had already landed on Xiao Yuxuan's shoulder.
"Yuxuan thanks the Princess for her consent…" Xiao Yuxuan turned around, cleverly avoiding Duan Mu Yan's hand, and respectfully bowed!
He didn't care about what purpose Duan Zitong had in helping him for this time. At the very least, he could go see Duan Jingyang and know about his situation! So when he saw Mu Yan again like this, he would have something to say!
Just as Xiao Yuxuan was about to turn around and walk out of the Tutor Hall, Duan Zitong was the first to reach the door. Her cherry lips slightly curved upwards as her charming eyes became like silk.