"Prince of Qi's words were quite severe. Since Imperial Sister is sick, obviously she can't walk steadily. Its fine if you don't assist her, but why do you need to say so much…" Duan Xingyi's gaze swept across Duan Muyan before landing on Xiao Jinfeng. His words were obviously meant to reprimand him.
Xiao Jinfeng was displeased to hear this. And to begin with, he originally had a grudge with Duan Xingyi. He was about to retort when Duan Muyan beat him to it.
"Husband's kind reminder was for Mu Yan's sake. I wonder what Second Imperial Brother's purpose in coming to the Xiao Manor?" Duan Muyan knew of Xiao Jinfeng's temper. It wouldn't be good if both were to quarrel, thus, she intentionally butt in despite of her not willing to waste her energy dealing with the other party.
"Uh… Xingyi had merely come under the orders of Imperial Father to visit Third Sister… But seeing her like this, sister seemed to be being mistreated… Xingyi really doesn't know how to report this to imperial father back into the palace…" Duan Xingyi looked at Xiao Jinfeng provocatively as a sharp light flashed in his devil eyes!
"Did Imperial Father really send you here?" Duan Muyan's trembled, but she managed to calm down. How was this possible? The man who was supposed to be a father to her was always aloof and lofty that he had never showed any care towards her nor to her brother. And if he could, he would even wish for the Heaven for them and her mother to have never ever happened in his life.
"Naturally… What kind of question is that, Imperial Sister..." Duan Xingyi chuckled lightly. When his long and narrow eyes looked at Duan Muyan, they didn't conceal the bright light that shouldn't have been emitted from them.
"
"Is that right…? This Prince waited on his Imperial Sister for a long time, hoping that nothing had gone wrong, yet... Besides, I haven't talked to her properly, how should I know if she's okay? I really don't know how to report this to imperial father... Imperial Father would be very, very upset…" Duan Xingyi was intently staring at Xiao Jinfeng, his eyes clearly intending to challenge!
But in an instant, that challenging glint was dissolved to a mystifying smile that sent shivers to anyone's spine, more than the sudden change of his tone! "But anyway... since Xingyi had already met Imperial Sister, then staying longer is useless. Farewell!" Duan Xingyi slowly stood up and walked gracefully to Duan Muyan's side.
"Imperial Sister… You must take care of your body! Otherwise, this Imperial Brother would be heartbroken!" A strange and sinister smile appeared on his flawless face. As Duan Xingyi spoke, he actually lightly placed his hand on Duan Muyan's jade shoulder!
At the side, Xiao Jinfeng's sword-like eyebrows were tightly knitted. He abruptly pulled Duan Muyan to his other side and looked straight at Duan Xingyi.
"Jinfeng really needs to help Mu Yan back to her room. Forgive this official for not sending Second Prince off. Steward Zhou! See the guest out!" After Xiao Jinfeng finished speaking, he first stepped out of the main hall while supporting Duan Muyan.
Inside the main hall, Duan Xingyi's charming peach blossom eyes narrowed as his thin lips slowly curved into a smile.
In the dark, a pair of resentful eyes stared fixedly at Duan Muyan, who was being accompanied by Xiao Jinfeng. Her hands were tightly clenched! Just as Su Jinxiu glanced back, she saw Duan Xingyi's gaze looking in her direction. Her heart couldn't help but be shocked, that she immediately retreated.
After passing through the archway of the main courtyard, Xiao Jinfeng let go of the woman in his arms without a warning. His ice-cold gaze watched Duan Muyan, who was about to fall. He spoke in a mocking tone.
"It looks like this Prince has truly underestimated you… Duan Muyan! You are indeed capable!Knowing that the First Prince is being confined in his residence, you asked the Second Prince to give this Prince a hard time?!" A straightforward question filled with extreme anger came out from Xiao Jinfeng's mouth.
"You Highness thinks that… the Second Prince was invited over by Mu Yan?" Duan Muyan, who was leaning against the wall, suddenly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"If it wasn't for you, why would he come to the Xiao Manor?! How do you explain that?!" Xiao Jinfeng's face was cold and handsome, and the anger between his brows was a clear sign of his current indignation.
Speechless and frustrated, her tears welled in her eyes. At this moment, Duan Muyan really didn't know what to say. Because she knew, that no matter how much she will explain or deny it, Xiao Jinfeng wouldn't be convinced nor even listen. Since that was the case, why would she waste her strength and saliva talking to air and be humiliated?
Seeing Duan Muyan leaning weekly against the baluster as she slowly walk away, the fire in Xiao Jinfeng's heart grew stronger and wilder. Hence, he took a big step to stop her, and bellowed, "You haven't answered this Prince!"
Duan Muyan raised her head and looked at Xiao Jinfeng with teary eyes. Even though she wanted to show a stronger facade, the bitterness in her heart was too strong.
"Mu Yan has never asked for help from anyone and would never ask for help from Duan Xingyi! That day at the wedding, even Your Highness was present. If it wasn't for Daun Xingyi, how could Mu Yan be so regretful today and until the rest of her life...?! Mu Yan dare to ask Your Highness, if it was you in my place, would you have gone and begged someone who had broken your heart the most painful way just for this?! Mu Yan would rather die than see him, Your Highness...!" Tears silently rolled down her cheeks as Duan Muyan lifted her jade-like hand to ruthlessly wipe then off her face. She then slowly walked around Xiao Jinfeng and headed in the direction of the woodshed.
"You— Where are you going?!" Xiao Jinfeng's voice seemed to soften as he turned and looked straight at Duan Muyan.
"Firewood shed…" Without much words or explanation, Duan Muyan lifelessly answered him.
"Forget it! Go back to you room! In case someone might come again, we'll be in a mess!" But when he turned around to leave, he suddenly paused.
"Letting you leave the woodshed does not mean that I forgive you! From now on, I won't care what you do! However, there was one thing that you could never touch! I don't have to tell you what that is. Otherwise, even if the Emperor himself has come, this Prince will not give a damn!" The cold voice lost its temperature once again.
Xiao Jinfeng walked away with large stride, yet he did not notice the faint smile on Duan Muyan's face. When had she cared about Xiao Jinfeng's understanding?
After leaving the Xiao Manor, Duan Xingyi had nothing better to do. He wandered around the streets for an hour before returning to the Imperial Palace. However, before he could even enter his residence, someone rushed over like a tiger eyeing its pray.
"I thought my own brother was already hooked away by a fox spirit! So, you actually know your way back home?!" Duan Zitong was so enraged that even her voice had changed. She wished she could ruthlessly whip Duan Xingyi a few times to quell her anger!
"Elder Sister, why are you so angry that you're causing this little brother to be terrified? Please don't be so angry that your health will be compromised..." Duan Xingyi raised his brows as he looked at Duan Zitong. His thin lips slightly pursed into an arc.
"You still have the nerve to say that?! Follow me!" Duan Zitong dashed fumingly inside Duan Xingyi's residence living Qin Lan to stand guard outside.
Closing the door tightly, Duan Zitong abruptly turned around and glared at her younger brother.
"Duan Xingyi! What were you thinking?! I heard that not only were you unable to win over Xiao Jinfeng, you even managed to rescue Duan Muyan from the woodshed?! Is that true? That's not what we talked about yesterday!" Duan Zitong went straight to the point. She had to get to the bottom of this today! She could not allow his little brother to do whatever he wanted, foiling her revenge!
"Elder Sister's news is really quick…" Duan Xingyi's eyes narrowed as they flickered with a bright light. His beautiful lips curled up slightly as he smiled charmingly at Duan Zitong!
"I don't have the time to play words with you! You'd better explain it to me properly, no more, no less! Otherwise, I have my own ways to make that slut disappear from this world immediately!" Duan Zitong's voice was ruthless as her eyes glinted with a sinister light!
"Elder sister, why are you so angry… The reason your brother had done this is naturally because he wants to help Elder sister!" Duan Xingyi lazily raised his gaze. Glistening light glimmered in his eyes as he swept his gaze across Duan Zitong. The surging killing intent in his eyes vanished in a flash just like how it appeared!
"Help me?! In what way would that be helping me?" Duan Zitong looked suspiciously at Duan Xingyi before slowly walking to the table and sat down.
"Elder sister, think about it. If Duan Muyan were to spread her grievances to the palace, what would Xiao Jinfeng think?! That's right! Duan Muyan would now be under the impression that she tattletales her husband to the world! And what would ensue? That's right, again! The misunderstanding between the two of them will only grow deeper! Isn't this what Elder sister hoped for…" Duan Xingyi noticed that Duan Zitong's expression seemed to have relaxed, so he continued speaking.
"And Elder sister, don't forget! I was the one who brought the Imperial Guards to supervise their wedding. You were told what happened then, I am sure... So, without a doubt, Xiao Jinfeng hated me to the bones! It would be much easier to get rid of him than to win him over…" Hearing what Duan Xingyi said, Duan Zitong somewhat agreed to him.
"Since you have explained it this way, then elder sister has nothing to say!" Although Duan Zitong was still a bit unresolved, she was still her own younger brother, she didn't pursue the matter.
"Alright now… From this day forth, whenever Xingyi ate, or take a bath, or sleep, he would always report them to elder sister. Don't be angry anymore! Why don't we go to the Tutor Hall to visit your Yuxuan? Elder sister gave him a lot of personal favours, in a few more days he might already have a whole new level of respect towards her…" Duan Xingyi lightly grasped Duan Zitong's shoulders as he spoke like a spoiled child and ushered her to the door.
"Aiya… How old are you, and still acting like a spoiled child! Even before entering the palace, you weren't this animated!" Duan Zitong was both annoyed and amused. She lightly patted Duan Xingyi's hand on her shoulder then slowly parted with him, "I will go by myself. He might go berserk if he sees you...!" Then she turned around to leave.
Looking at Duan Zitong's disappearing figure, Duan Xingyi's smiling face had turned menacing. His eyes that were originally as clear as water were now as if they had been covered in ice! In this world, anyone who dared to harm the woman he fancied would end up in a miserable state.
In the kitchen of the Xiao Manor.
Qiu Yue happily carried the bowl of porridge that the kitchen manager, Li Ping, had personally made for her Mistress. As she was walking out of the kitchen, she bumped into Su Jinxiu!
"Ohh...? Isn't this Yue'er?" Su Jinxiu's willow-shaped eyebrows raised slightly. Her eyes subconsciously looked at the bird's nest porridge in Qiu Yue's hand. Her heart flashed with a trace of coldness.
Qiu Yue eyebrows furrowed slightly when she saw Su Jinxiu blocking her way at the door. She had been keeping her distance from Su Jinxiu after the woodshed incident. And as much as possible she didn't want to talk with her either. So she simply, bowed her head lightly and waited for Su Jinxiu to clear the pathway. But she didn't...
"Manager Li… Where's the Prince's birds' nest porridge?" Su Jin Xiu raised her voice and asked as if she was asking something very important. This question caused Li Ping to be stunned.
"What… When did you want it?" Li Ping scratched his head. If he remembered correctly, the prince didn't want any bird's porridge at all! However, everyone in the Manor knew the position of Su Jinxiu in the heart of the Prince of Qi. If he offended her, he wouldn't be able to live a quiet life.
"Manager Li, the older you get, the more confused and forgetful you become! Prince said his appetite wasn't good these days, so he asked me to ask for a bowl of bird's nest porridge in the kitchen. I asked some servant to tell you. Has he not come or Manager Li forgot...?! But I insist to pick it up now as per Prince's order!" Su Jinxiu's voice became sharper. Her eyes seemed to glance at the bird's nest porridge in Qiu Yue's hand.
"Uh… Yes…! Yes! That… Yue'er...!" Li Ping naturally understood Su Jinxiu's intention. Although he was sympathetic towards the Princess Consort, in order to protect his life, there was nothing he could do. "I am truly embarrassed… I was wrong… The bird's nest porridge I gave you was actually ordered first by the Prince. The one supposedly for Esteemed Wangfei, I forgot to make…" Li Ping then paced towards Qiu Yue to take the bowl, his eyes giving her a pleading look.
But Qiu Yue wouldn't take a farce! Her frustrations toward this bullying of her Mistress, she couldn't take them anymore! "How is this possible?! You said just now that this was for Wangfei! Now you're saying it wasn't?! Su Jinxiu, you're making a scene again! Did the Prince really want a bird's nest porridge or are you just making it up?!" She shouted in anger!
"How dare you suspect me of fabricating! If you don't believe me, then go... But don't forget who defied the Prince's order on that night. Don't ever think that the Old Zhou would always be there to stand up for you..." Su Jinxiu wanted to say something but stopped. Qiu Yue was startled and the bowl of bird's nest porridge in her hand was snatched away by Li Ping and hands it over to Su Jinxiu.