"Yuxuan...! I... It's just that sooner or later, I have to let go of Mu Yan... that's why I did not drink the medicinal soup these past two days..." Duan Jingyang couldn't helped but to feel guilty. He knew really well of his sister's personality.
"Jingyang, you can't do this to Mu Yan. She could not let you go, but how could you do this to her, how could you easily give up on her? Enough, we are not to talk about this anymore, and you are not to think about it again..." Wanting to deviate Duan Jingyang's thinking, Xiao Yuxuan switched back to the topic about his medicinal soup.
"So, there's a problem with the soup... Could it be Duan Xingyi?!" Xiao Yuxuan's eyebrows tightly knitted together as that enchantingly face came into his mind.
"I'm not sure about that.
"No! The Emperor was like a tiger that would not eat its prey! Besides, you are still the Emperor's biological son—" But before Xiao Yuxuan could even finished what he was saying, Duan Jingyang suddenly spoke with a spite!
"Isn't Mu Yan the biological daughter of imperial father?!" A malicious glint burst out from his eyes. From the moment his mother died from hatred and her own sister married into a concubine, he had already lost his last hope for that so-called imperial father if his, who he had been calling 'father' for more than twenty years, to treat them like a father should treat his young.
He had originally thought that as long as he did his best into everything, he would be able to win his attention. That one day, he would be graced with a nod or even a smile from him! But it turned out, it was just some wishful thinking. Because no matter how good he did, that man... would still treat them as strangers, not worthy of his eyes!
"Jing Yang, wait until I return to Xiao Manor tomorrow. If I could persuade Mu Yan to run away with me, we will leave together! I'll send you out a letter to inform you, trust me... But remember this, Jing Yang... Even if the whole world gives up on you, Mu Yan and I would never... ever... give up on you! So, you must pull yourself together!" Xiao Yuxuan resolutely spoke, his clear black eyes became dark and profound, and held Duan Jingyang's shoulder with one hand, giving him strength to fight on!
When Xiao Yuxuan returned to the Tutor Hall, it was already late at night. He stepped into the hall contemplating, not knowing that Duan Zitong had been waiting for him for nearly four hours in the hall!
"The honoured tutor is back?" Her gentle voice didn't have the slightest hint of reprimand. Duan Zitong slowly rose up, her beautiful eyelashes fluttering as she walks toward Xiao Yuxuan!
"Uh... Yuxuan didn't know that the Princess would come, so he went outside to take a leisure walk. This humble official hopes that he will be punished..." Xiao Yuxuan looked up at Duan Zitong. His heart trembled, and he lowered his eyes to humbly beg for forgiveness! However, his eyes were uneasy. Could it be that there had been a changed in his departure tomorrow?
"Yuxuan, what are you saying? This isn't the time for studying, thus, it isn't your fault but mine for not informing you before my visitation..." Duan Zitong's lips slightly pursed. Her glassy eyes seemed to be attracted by Xiao Yuxuan's elegant and refined appearance, that she couldn't shift her gaze away.
"Yuxuan wonder if the Princess has a business with this humble official at this late hour?" Xiao Yuxuan went straight to the point. If Duan Zitong had changed her mind and refused to let him leave tomorrow, then even if it would cost him his life, he would still make this trip.
"There's nothing important, really. It's just that, since entering the palace, Zitong has never gone out. Yuxuan, you are to visit the Xiao Estate tomorrow, so I decided that I should follow you out and relax my mind..." Duan Zitong casually spoke, her gaze fixated on Xiao Yuxuan's reaction. Sure enough, a trace of perplexity flashed through his eyes!
"This... This would be dangerous and inappropriate. The Princess' identity is noble and honourable. If anything to go wrong, this humble official will not be able to take the responsibility!" Xiao Yuxuan's eyebrows creased, his heart instantly filled with annoyance. If Duan Zitong were to follow him, how would he be able to bring Mu Yan away?!
"Noble? Before this Princess entered the palace, she was just a wild girl in the mountains and fields. Besides, Yuxuan will be by my side, so I believe that this Princess would never suffer in the slightest bit..." Duan Zitong said softly, her eyes filled with confidence and adoration!
"But..." Xiao Yuxuan still wanted to refute, but was cut off by Duan Zitong.
"Enough... It's getting too late, so I should go back...! Tomorrow at dawn, at the east gate of the city, you will see everyone..." Not giving Xiao Yuxuan the chance to reject, Duan Zitong left with a sway! Only Xiao Yuxuan was left alone in the main hall, his face full of hesitation!
General Xiao Manor
The night was sad, and the sky's starlight was dim. The room was filled with the smell of an incense, and the flickering candles gave up a sense of solemnity and desolation. The beautiful figure of Duan Muyan was outlined on the window as she lean against it. Her gaze was fixated in the direction of the Imperial Capital, her heart in a state of confusion and helplessness; and yearning... She couldn't help but shuddered as her tears fell continuously! It's just one month, but to her, it was akin to a year of loneliness.
The door opened with a 'squeak'. Duan Muyan hadn't move his gaze away, but spoke indifferently, almost lifeless.
"Didn't I tell you to rest... It's getting late... Your injuries haven't completely healed yet. You can't exert yourself into exhaustion..." Duan Muyan had been advising Qiu Yue that she need not to watch and wait on her at night while she's recuperating.
Speechless, the footsteps behind her suddenly stopped. Duan Muyan frowned slightly, and when she looked back, she saw Xiao Jinfeng standing halfway the room with an ice-cold expression. As far as she could remember, they hadn't met since the last time Duan Xingyi came into the manor.
"Chenqie pays her respect to His Highness..." Supposedly, in an imperial hierarchy, there was a difference in status between a monarch and a subject. So, even though Duan Muyan was married into Xiao Manor, it wasn't needed for her to pay respect to Xiao Jinfeng. However, Duan Muyan really disdained her identity as an Imperial Princess... If she could choose, she would rather have nothing to do with the ice-cold palace!
"Forget it! This Prince came to know that tomorrow... the Prince of Ping and the Seventh Princess will be coming to the Xiao Manor. Do you know about this...?!" Even though Xiao Jinfeng did not directly interrogate her, Duan Muyan could still hear the accusation in his words!
"Is that so...? Chenqie doesn't know..." Duan Muyan's eyes flickered briefly, then replied indifferently!
"You really don't know?" Xiao Jinfeng's facade right now was so cold, his narrowed eyes suspiciously probing at Duan Muyan.
"Since His Highness doesn't believe me, why the need to ask?" Duan Muyan calmly spoke. She turned back around as though no one was present, and continued to stare at the direction of the Imperial Palace.... 'He's coming back tomorrow...?' It's been a month since I last saw him...'
"You—! This Prince just want to remind you... Don't forget your status!" Xiao Jinfeng spoke harshly, but as he flicked his sleeve to leave, he heard her mild voice again.
"As long as Your Highness doesn't forget..." Her gentle voice was calm as a deep lake. Duan Muyan was still leaning against the window, this time she didn't look back at him. Her heart at the moment was filled with bitterness of her fate, and longing for the past...
Xiao Jinfeng was startled when he heard this. His eyes suddenly swept past Duan Muyan's lonely figure, his mind suddenly into turmoil. Unable to think of how to rebut her, he 'hmph' and left!
The night became increasingly dark and gloomy. The autumn wind gradually grew cold, but it could not be colder than the human heart.
Early the next morning, when Xiao Yuxuan arrived at the east gate of the Imperial City dressed in a white robe atop a handsome horse, Duan Zitong was already waiting for him.
"This humble official greets the Princess..." Xiao Yuxuan dismounted from his horse and walked up to Duan Zitong in a few steps to pay his respects. With a jade-like face and bright eyes, Xiao Yuxuan seemed to have gained a bit more clarity of mind and vigour.
"There's no need for formalities, it's about time...! Lan'er, lead the way to General Xiao Manor!" Duan Zitong's lips pursed, a strange glint appeared in her eyes. 'Duan Muyan, we are going to meet again! I'd like to see how well you are doing as a concubine!'
General Xiao Manor
Because of the notice from the palace last night, Old Zhou got busy before dawn. Around the first light of the morning, sounds of horses galloping could be heard outside. Old Zhou was excited! He hadn't seen the Prince of Ping for a month!
"His Highness is back...! The Prince of Ping is back...!" Old Zhou quickly sent someone to the main hall to report to Xiao Jinfeng, while he himself and other servants hurried to the main entrance, to ceremoniously welcome their Prince of Ping and the Imperial Seventh Princess.
"Princess, please..." Xiao Yuxuan was the first to arrive at the Xiao Manor. Even though he wished to immediately rush into the manor to see Duan Muyan, he couldn't ignore the etiquette he had to act upon in accompanying a member of the sovereign.
"This General Xiao Estate is much more imposing than what I had imagined... It is no wonder that in the eyes of Imperial Father, the Xiao Family is the most outstanding among the three Dukes of the First Prefecture..." Duan Zitong leisurely prance in front of the Xiao residence with no intention of entering... yet!
There was no response. Xiao Yuxuan only stood silently by Duan Zitong's side, his eyes full of anxiety and ardent anticipation as he gazed into the manor's entrance!
When that refined figure appeared in front of him, Xiao Yuxuan had the urge to run forward and embrace her, but their situation wasn't longer the same. In the eyes of the world, that dignified and magnificent woman whom he loved the most, was no longer his to keep. She was now the Prince of Qi's concubine, his royal-sister-in-law! At this very moment, his heart was hurting, so much so that he could barely breath and even had to struggle to keep his stance.
"This humble official, Xiao Jinfeng and Royal Concubine, Duan Muyan pay their respects to the Seventh Princess..." There wasn't a trace of warmth in his clear voice. Xiao Jinfeng naturally kept his distance from Duan Xingyi's sister.
"Hurry and rise...! If we were in an ordinary household, Zitong would have to call Prince of Qi his brother-in-law... We're all family now, there's no need for us to be so formal...!" Duan Zitong's eyes narrowed as she sized up the so-called battlefield legend, Xiao Jinfeng!
His cold and handsome face was with eyebrows that were like swords; with nose that was straight and proud; and with thin lips that were pursed into a nearly perfect curve. He was dressed in a dark blue robe with the collar high up, and the jade pendant on his waist was similar to that of Xiao Yuxuan's; and his long ink-black hair which was kept untied, fluttered freely in the wind. This overall appearance of Xiao Jinfeng had given him the sense of unpredictability.
Xiao Jinfeng's serious aura was in stark contrast to Xiao Yuxuan's warm and amiable. A man like this, if fallen in love, would definitely love with resolute and determination! Thus, since he had given all his love to Chu Shirou, then Duan Muyan would never get the love from him in this lifetime. 'Duan Muyan, Duan Muyan... You will never, ever attain his heart... Just get use to being alone from now on... Heh!'
"The sovereign is the sovereign, and the subject is the subject. This rule is made to keep...!" Hearing Duan Zitong's words, Xiao Jinfeng naturally cupped his hands in response. Xiao Jinfeng did not have a good impression of this Seventh Princess who suddenly came out from a foreign land!
"Whatever... Then do as you wish, Prince of Qi." Duan Zitong's eyes narrowed. 'Hmph! No wonder Xingyi said that this man couldn't be handled! It seems like not just anyone can smooth out his domineering attitude! Indeed, it would be better to just get rid of him completely!'
Duan Zitong's gaze shifted to Duan Muyan as her red lips parted into a smile.
"Third Sister, it's been a long time! Last time, if it wasn't for the fact that the body of this sister had failed, she would not have definitely missed the Third Sister's wedding! It was unprecedented... What a pity..." Duan Zitong swayed her body, wanting to rush toward Duan Muyan, but Xiao Yuxuan stopped him.
"Seventh Princess has exhausted herself on the way here. Please take a rest in the main hall first..."
Looking at Xiao Yuxuan in his white robe who stood in front of her like a tall mountain, protecting her from surging storm, Duan Muyan's heart was full with gratitude.
"Yuxuan is right... Then come in with me..." Duan Zitong's willowy eyebrows slightly raised, her lips curved modestly. As she spoke, she placed her slender hand in Xiao Yuxuan's ushering hand! Xiao Yuxuan hadn't expected such intimate action. However, just as he was about to withdraw his hand, he felt Duan Zitong's hand pulling it back.
"Seventh Princess...!" Xiao Yuxuan was startled at first, but then quickly spoke up. He wanted to remind the princess to act with propriety, but Duan Zitong beat him to it.