This kind of scene made Xiao Jinfeng's heart feels as if it was being roasted on fire. He unceremoniously flipped the table!
"Duan Muyan! Put away your hypocrisy! If you are truly merciful, then you shouldn't have had married into the Xiao Estate! You shouldn't have had appeared in front of me! If it wasn't for you, Shi Rou wouldn't have died! If it wasn't for you I could have seen Shi Rou one last time! If it wasn't for you, how could I become enemies with Yuxuan! If it wasn't for you, Father would never have to go to the boarder! It's all because of you! It's you who caused the fall of the entire Duke Xiao Estate!" With cold and sinister eyes, he roared at Duan Muyan, blaming all of his crimes to her like some lunatic brandishing all his might. He pointed furiously at Duan Muyan, wanting nothing more than to beat the crap out of this girl.
"If Prince hates me so much… why don't you just strangle me now… If death could solve the hatred in your heart… It's not like Mu Yan doesn't want to meet my Mother sooner either…"
Her now paled face was extremely sorrowful. Duan Muyan tightly pursed her cherry lips, her curled eyelashes trembling as she looked at Xiao Jinfeng who was like the asura of hell. Her eyes gradually became moist, and her sparkling tears silently flowed down.
Even if she told herself a million times to be strong, at this moment, she could only cry.
"You—Great…! Do you want to die?! This Prince will not let you die that easily! Steward Zhou, someone come!" Xiao Jinfeng bellowed.
As Xiao Jinfeng's called in, Steward Zhou rushed in with his fastest speed.
"Prince…"
He had been waiting outside for a long time and wanted to come in and plead for the Princess, but he knew the Prince's temper too well. The more he plead, the more suffering the Princess would suffer. What a sin!
"Steward Zhou! Order people to drag this slut to the woodshed and let her reflect there for ten days! She would only be given a porridge, just she wouldn't die! Drag her away!" Xiao Jinfeng said in a ruthless tone, his deep eyes brimming with a bone-chilling coldness! How he hated her! Every time he remembered Chu Shirou passing away with tears in her eyes, his hatred filled every cell of his body like some venomous poison. It made him crazy every time!
"Your Highness… Esteemed Wangfei, she…" Steward Zhou finally couldn't help but want to persuade him, but before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Xiao Jinfeng.
"Cut it!"
Speechless, Steward Zhou sighed inwardly. He turned around and waved his hand. A servant then stepped forward and dragged Duan Muyan out of the room.
"Yue'er… Steward Zhou… Mu Yan pleads Steward Zhou, please save Yue'er… I took the bowl, it has nothing to do with her… Please…" Duan Muyan looked at Steward Zhou with tears in her eyes, never shifting her gaze from him even when she was dragged out!
Facing such a gaze, Steward Zhou was feeling hopeless. He couldn't believe that the Heavens were torturing such a kind-hearted girl. However, he could not do anything…
After Duan Muyan was dragged out of the room, Xiao Jinfeng's anger lessened a bit. When his stinging eyes landed on Yue'er, they flashed a hint of regret.
Steward Zhou saw the opportunity and took a step forward.
"Your highness, this girl has just arrived at the manor not too long ago. I presumed that she was not yet familiar with the rules of the manor, if she had done anything wrong, after she was awakened and saved, this old servant will punish her! It's just that with her current appearance, if she won't be saved now, I am afraid…" Steward Zhou wanted to say something, but hesitated. He was just waiting for Xiao Jinfeng's decision.
"Just do as you say!" With a wave of his sleeve, he walked out of the room. As soon as he left, Steward Zhou ordered for Yue'er to be carried out of the room, straight to the infirmary.
In the dark corner, a sharp cold glint burst out from that dark figure's eyes! Duan Muyan…. 'This was only the beginning! Your bitter days are yet to come. I'd like to see how long you can hold on for! Xiao Jinfeng is mine. No one could snatch him away.'
Imperial Palace: Grand Tutor Hall
When Xiao Yuxuan returned to the Tutor Hall, Duan Zitong was already inside, who seemed to have waited for a long time.
"When did the Princess arrive? Yuxuan was truly lacking in manners for letting the Princess wait…" A clear and melodious voice rang out. Just at the entrance, Xiao Yuxuan's ink-black hair flawlessly hanging at his back, and with a white robe which was whiter than snow, he appeared like an immortal general that had transcended the mortal world.
Every time he saw Xiao Yuxuan, Duan Zitong's heart would be drawn an invincible force. That pair of eyes that were like black crystals, would always make her lose her focus.
"Princess…" Sensing Duan Zitong's losing of focus yet again in front of him, Xiao Yuxuan couldn't help but to let out a cough to gain her awareness of her surrounding.
"Uh… Hmm… Zitong had thought that Yuxuan would be staying for good in the Tinker Pavilion…. But it is good that you still remember your identity…." Duan Zitong slowly rose and walked towards Xiao Yuxuan. Although her voice was soft, it contained a reproach that could not be concealed.
"Yuxuan had momentarily neglected his responsibilities… I hope the Princess would forgive this humble official. Yuxuan will definitely be more careful in the future."
It was beyond Duan Zitong's expectations to see Xiao Yuxuan to be so submissive and humble. However, how could someone as intelligent as her not be able to guess Xiao Yuxuan's intentions behind his humility.
"It's fine to wait for a few hours, but you've been in and out of the Tutor Hall so many times. In the end, I am afraid that from the perspective of outsiders, this doesn't seem right. Although Zitong's words were a bit harsh, it's still with a good intention." Duan Zitong calmly said. Her watery eyes couldn't help but shine with a brilliant splendour when she looked at Xiao Yuxuan's handsome face. The Xiao Yuxuan before him was like a white lotus, elegant and refined.
"Of course, Yuxuan understand the Princess' painstaking efforts…" Seeing Duan Zitong turn to walk towards the study room, Xiao Yuxuan followed behind her. He wanted to speak but was hesitant to open his mouth. Although he wasn't willing to beg Duan Zitong, but she was the only one she could ask for help in this Imperial Palace.
"Princess… Yuxuan has been in the Imperial Palace for many days, but he has yet to return to General Xiao Estate's, so—" Without waiting for Xiao Yuxuan to finish, Duan Zitong suddenly stopped and turned to look at him.
"Therefore, Imperial Tutor wished to leave the palace?" The light in Duan Zitong's eyes flickered. Now she understood in her heart. No wonder Xiao Yuxuan wasn't as indifferent as he was before. He had a request, ah!
"I plead for the Princess to grant my wish." If it was in the past, he could leave the Imperial Palace while it was still dark. He didn't know why, but ever since he had entered the Imperial Palace, there had been many top-notch imperial guards.
Even if their martial arts were inferior to his own, it would not be easy to avoid their line of sight. He had tried several times but all in naught, and had almost been caught red-handed once.
Asking Duan Zitong for help was an act of helplessness. He missed Mu Yan so much. He really wished to leave the Imperial Palace and return to the Xiao Manor right now. He couldn't even dare to imagine how Xiao Jinfeng was treating her now that no one was around to protect her.
"Yuxuan is too serious. How can the two of us not feel what each other's desire. As long as Zitong can help, she'll do her best to assist you. However, … you have only been in the Imperial Place for less than a month, and you already want to leave like that? If there is no enough reason, Imperial Father would definitely not agree to it, not to mention that the matter between you and Third Royal Sister had spread throughout the capital, and Yuxuan has to understand that due to this fact, Imperial Father wanted you to move out of the General Xiao Manor. If Father will learn of you wanting to go home with just few days after Third Sister's marriage, he might think differently."
Her clear eyes were so harmless and genuine. For a moment, Xiao Yuxuan really thought that this woman in front of him was sincere, but it was only for a moment. Xiao Yuxuan hadn't forgotten how Duan Zitong had humiliated Mu Yan in the Imperial Garden that day.
Seeing how Xiao Yuxuan's eyes darkened, Duan Zitong's cherry lips pursed slightly as a trace of vexation slashed across her heart. Just as Su Jinxiu came to report that Duan Muyan had been locked in the woodshed, he wanted to leave the palace? They were really of one mind.
"But of course, this was just a matter of how it will be presented to Imperial Father. Because if you really want to leave the palace, this Princess can try her best to plead with Imperial Father… It's just that I can't guarantee he would allow it." Duan Zitong said with a face full of understanding.
"This humble official appreciates Princess' kindness…." The Princess' words were extremely so good, so good that it was almost deafening.
As he fiddled into his table for the reading 'Rites of the Phoenix and the Song of the Phoenix', which was today's topic for Duan Zitong, Xiao Yuxuan pursed his lips, his handsome face revealing a sense of loss that he couldn't be concealed.
Looking at Xiao Yuxuan's back, a light flashed across Duan Zitong's eyes as the corner of her lips curled up in a sinister manner. 'Duan Muyan, heh! Just you enjoy your woodshed life. Don't expect anyone to save you.'
General Xiao Manor
The setting sun gradually sank, and the crescent moon hung high in the night sky like a hook. The cold and clear moonlight shot through the window and into the dark room, instantly adding a hazy glow.
Duan Muyan leaned in a corner of the wooden shed as she quietly stared at the moonlight shining through the window. The scene was so eerie and desolate, yet so beautiful and enigmatic.
Thinking back to the moment when Yue'er was struck by Xiao Jinfeng and sent flying, Duan Muyan's heart felt as though it was tightly clenched by someone. Tears silently rolled down her cheeks. She felt guilty towards Yue'er.
Suddenly, a clanging sound came from outside the woodshed. Someone was unlocking the door. She hastily wiped her tears off her face.
With the creaking sound as the door opened, Su Jinxiu walked in with a bowl of porridge. She was dressed in plain clothes and had already a look of disdain on her face.
"Tsk tsk! I thought that a Princess of a palace wold have golden branches and jade leaves surrounding her… However, what is this sight. It has only been few hours since you entered the woodshed, and you are already in this state. You could not even match up to a maid!" The hostility of Su Jinxiu had long been within Duan Muyan's expectations. She originally wanted to probe Yue'er injuries, but now it seemed that there was no chance.
Duan Muyan did not respond. Her clear eyes were like water as she subconsciously looked in the direction of the door.
"What is this?! Does the Royal Concubine expecting for the Prince come?" Su Jinxiu tauntingly shrieked, then slammed the door shut.
Originally, Steward Zhou had ordered Feng Xue to deliver the porridge. Luckily, Feng Xue's stomach wasn't feeling well, so she had to take advantage of it and initiated to do the task out of Feng Xue's hand. She really wanted to see how this fallen phoenix would wash her face with tears.
Duan Muyan remained silent as she slowly retracted her gaze from the door. She didn't think that she needed to explain anything in front of Su Jinxiu. That day in the mourning hall, she had already experienced the viciousness of this girl.
Even so, Duan Muyan didn't hate her at all. Just like Xiao Jinfeng, Su Jinxiu was probably blaming her because of the death of her Mistress.
One day, when Duan Muyan realized that Su Jinxiu's hatred was filled with malice and a had been selfishness, she would no longer hold back.
Seeing that Duan Muyan had shut her mouth and had no plan of responding, Su Jinxiu was irked to the extreme that her dark eyes became so sharp as a blade ready to pierce Duan Muyan to death.
"Do you really take yourself a mighty and illustrious princess?! Even if you call yourself a princess, you are still the lowest and cheapest one! You can't even be compared to the lowest kind of maids. Everyone in the world knew that your mother, the Imperial Concubine Li, had an improper conduct. Although her title was promoted to Imperial Consort, but she was still the lowest kind of concubine in the palace. Besides, in the eyes of the Emperor, you and that First Prince are insignificant people. You shouldn't even have had come into this world!" A cold, bone-piercing voice, filled with suppressed jealousy, burst out from Su Jinxiu's mouth. That originally elegant and beautiful face was now so ferocious that it looked like some wild beast possessed by evil.
Su Jinxiu's curses were like thousands of silver needles piercing into Duan Muyan's heart. The two people she most cared in this whole world were her mother and brother. How could she allow anyone to insult them!