Chapter 25

"No! With me there, nothing will happen to Jingyang. Beside Duan Xingyi won't be taking risks because majority of the ministers in court are supporting Prince Jingyang! So you don't have to worry about him. Mu Yan… Are you really planning to stay and not come with me?" Xiao Yuxuan was unwilling to accept this outcome. His pitch-black eyes flapped as he stared at Duan Mu Yan!

"Yuxuan... I am really, really sorry…" Duan Mu Yan lowered her gaze, speechless!

"I understand… But I want you to know, that no matter where you are, I will always be by your side! I will think of a way for the Emperor to remove Jingyang's house arrest and bring him out to see you!" Xiao Yuxuan's eyes shone with determination.

"Tsk tsk… So a princess is a princess, that someone else should be outside her room to watch the night? Yue'er, your life is really bitter!" Duan Mu Yan was able to discern that the ear-piercing sound coming from outside was Su Jin Xiu's voice!

Hearing Su Jin Xiu's mocking, Xiao Yuxuan couldn't help but teach this servant a lesson. Ever since Mu Yan had married into the Xiao family, this maidservant had never stopped making troubles!

"Don't…" Duan Mu Yan abruptly pulled Xiao Yuxuan's hand and shook her head. The sudden pull caused her chest to hurt even more. She frowned as she silently endured the pain.

"Sister Jin, you must be joking! When the main wife was still alive, you worked so hard to keep watch for her, too. Amongst the maids, Yue'er really admired elder sister the most… " The sweet voice rang out slowly, and Qiu Yue opened her mouth with a faint smile!

"Hmph…" Su Jin Xiu annoyed by the unexpected retort, shot a fierce glance at Qiu Yue before leaving.

The moment she left, a trace of ruthlessness flashed through her eyes! 'Duan Mu Yan, you dare come and snatched my place?! Starting from this moment, Xiao Jin Feng is mine! No one could take him from me! So what if you were a princess? A destitute phoenix is inferior to a chicken? Hahaha!' A demonic voice from hell came from the bottom of Su Jin Xiu's heart.

As she listened to Su Jin Xiu's footsteps gradually grow further away, Duan Mu Yan slowly pushed Xiao Yuxuan. Although her movements were light, a ripple appeared in the hearts of the two. The vow they once made was already enough.

"Yuxuan… Hurry up and leave. If the servants were to see you coming from my room, they might think differently and might cause problem for everyone… <cough> Big brother's way of doing things could be sometimes radical and extreme. I'm afraid that he would find Duan Xingyi to argue with, so…"

"Mu Yan, don't worry. When I get to the palace tomorrow, I will look for an opportunity to meet Jingyang. I definitely won't let him do anything foolish! But I'm worried about you... Brother is completely unreasonable. I'm afraid he might…" Xiao Yuxuan looked worriedly at Duan Mu Yan, her clear eyes filled with unwillingness and worry!

"I'll be fine... He just couldn't accept the death of his first wife... His feelings and emotions... I understand them. Yuxuan, don't blame him… It was of great sorrow to not see your beloved wife for the last time… Just like how I am now tormented for not being able to see my mother's face for the last time. No matter how big the compensation was, it still couldn't fill in the gaps in someone's heart… Yuxuan... If I could see you before I die... Then I'll be satisfied…" Duan Mu Yan couldn't helped but blurted out the words from the bottom of her heart.

"Mu Yan... With me here, I won't let anyone hurt you..." His deep eyes flashed with a resolute light.

At this time, Qiu Yue lightly knocked on the door. "Esteemed Wangfei, it's getting late. After a while, the steward will send someone to patrol the palace. According to the rules of the manor, the lights should be extinguished in a little while…" Qiu Yue's voice was soft and gentle.

Even though she did not directly remind Xiao Yuxuan that he should leave, it was not without inconvenience, but it was what she meant. During this period of time, if there was some gossip, Duan Mu Yan's days would not be good.

Duan Mu Yan was grateful for Qiu Yue's reminder as her clear eyes turned back to Xiao Yuxuan.

"Yuxuan... Take care of yourself. Unlike outside, you should be more cautious in everything you do inside the Imperial Palace… Do not provoke Duan Xingyi…" A trace of reluctance appeared in Duan Mu Yan's bright eyes. No matter how tranquil she let herself appear, but how could she bear to part with these seven years of love!

Xiao Yuxuan nodded and left the room filled with yearning for Duan Mu Yan. Sensing that Xiao Yuxuan had left through the window, Qiu Yue lightly knocked on the door before slowly walking to Duan Mu Yan's bed.

"Esteemed Wangfei, Yue'er will cover you with a blanket so as not to let you catch a cold…" Her voice was clear and melodious, carrying a hint of maturity that was rarely seen among her age. Qiu Yue lightly pulled up Duan Mu Yan's brocade quilt.

"Yue'er… Just now, thank you... Sorry for making things difficult for you…" Her clear and limpid eyes lightly flashed. The light in her eyes rippled, concealing a trace of guilt.

"Wangfei is too serious. Yue'er is from Wangfei's side, so everything is for Wangfei's sake. This is what it means to be a maidservant! Although Yue'er didn't read much, she knew how to write the word 'loyal'! As long as esteemed wangfei doesn't dislike Yue'er, Yue'er will follow you for the rest of her life…" Qiu Yue's voice was crisp and clear, and her jade-like eyes made others feel a sense of sincerity!

A trace of emotion flashed in Duan Mu Yan's heart as her cherry lips showed a trace of a gratified smile. Her eyes narrowed as she relaxed and fell asleep. With Yue'er accompanying her in the future, things might not be so difficult for her.

How could she have known that one day, Qie Yue would be her eternal pain.

Early in the morning, there was a complete silence. The sky was starting to brighten. The night was about to fade when a loud roar from a horse broke the tranquility of the break of dawn in front of the Xiao General Manor.

Steward Zhou wiped his sleepy eyes and reluctantly opened the door. He saw a group of Imperial Guards standing outside the gate. "Quickly go and report this! On the order of the Seventh Princess, we have specially come to fetch the Imperial Grand Tutor, Prince Ping into the palace! " The leader of the guards was a burly man. His voice was loud and clear as he stared at Steward Zhou who was coming out to welcome them.

"My lord, please wait a moment…" Steward Zhuo didn't dare to dally and hastily turned around, but he was mumbling under his breath. At this time, he didn't know if the Seventh Princess was in a hurry to be reincarnated. Why was she in such a hurry?

Before long, Xiao Yuxuan had brought along a saber, a bamboo cub, and a horse prepared by the imperial guards. As she rode, Xiao Yuxuan's eyes couldn't help but look back at the main entrance of the manor. 'Mu Yan… Yu Xuan's life is only for you.'

Xiao Yuxuan was escorted out to the Tutor Hall by the guards. "Greetings to the Imperial Tutor…" A clear and gentle voice slowly spilled out from Duan Zitong's mouth, and her eyes were as silky as silk.

The first time she saw Xiao Yuxuan, Duan Ziteng immediately recognized this man as hers. And that no matter what, she had to obtain this man's heart! She swore.

"This humble officer wouldn't dare! The Princess is from a golden branch, and a maester of the Han Lin Institution. This servant is not qualified to teach the Princess who considered himself to be weak, so to be able to be awarded the title of Imperial Tutor is truly a shame." Xiao Yuxuan's eyes were as clear as water but they contained an unspeakable depth to them. He cupped his hands and spoke indifferently!

"Why does the Prince of Ping needs to be so modest... Since Imperial Father believes in you, I also believe that Prince Ping will not let Imperial Father down in his efforts." Duan Zitong's cherry lips pursed as she heard the unconcealed discontent in Xiao Yuxuan's heart!

"Yuxuan thanks the princess for her trust!" Without any formalities, Duan Zitong entered the Tutor Hall first!

"From then on, I'll call you Imperial Tutor Xiao. As your master, you can call me Zitong…" Duan Zitong's eyes lit up!

"Princess is jesting. The ruler is the ruler, and the subject is the subject. How could a mere official call the Imperial Princess by her given name." Xiao Yuxuan said indifferently, her eyes devoid of emotion.

Duan Zitong frowned as a hint of anger appeared in her eyes. She wanted to retort, but she managed to hold back her anger!

"If that's the case… But let me call you Yuxuan then, it sounds more kind and intimate... Let's see if there's anything else that you're not satisfied with in the Tutor Hall. I will get someone else to provide them or repair them for you." Duan Zitong's gaze wavered as her cherry lips pursed into a smile!

"Seventh Princess, you've troubled yourself. Everything is fine here!" If it wasn't for the fact that he wanted to borrow Duan Ziteng's strength to see Duan Jingyang, how could he be so humble?

Xiao Yuxuan thought about how he would face this Duan Zitong constantly who had shown extreme hatred towards the woman he love. But Xiao Yuxuan warned himself to endure. No matter what, he had to ensure Duan Jingyang's safety for now as he promised to Duan Mu Yan.

"If that's the case… Rest for now, I'll send someone to bring your breakfast later." Duan Zitong turned around with a faint smile and walked out of the Tutor Hall.

The moment she stepped out of the hall, a cold light flashed through her gentle eyes before it disappeared in a blink of an eye. Just as Duan Zitong left the Hall, Xiao Yuxuan left for Tinker Pavilion!

Tinker Pavilion

"Please wait a moment, Grand Tutor Xiao. The imperial palace is a restricted area. Without an Imperial edict, no one is allowed to enter or leave!" In front of the door, a guard raised his blade to block Xiao Yuxuan from entering the pavilion!

"I only wish to speak a few words with the First Prince outside the door. I hope that both of you will forgive me!" Xiao Yuxuan's tone was soft and his eyes flashed a hint of humility!

"Forgive us for not being able to obey! Honourable Grand Tutor, it is best that you return!" The guard forcefully opened his mouth, but there was no room for turning back!

At this moment, Duan Jingyang's voice suddenly rang out from inside! "Yu Xuan?! Is that you, Yuxuan? How was Mu Yan…? <Cough>…" His deep voice was somewhat stifled.

Ever since Duan Jingyang had been grounded in the pavilion, he had daily quarrelled and caused ruckus to everyone for his father to come.

However, Duan Chen had never came to see him even once! Duan Jingyang's heart had already died. He knew that in the eyes of his royal father, he and his sister were nothing but eyesores. His father had never considered him his son! Father and Son... Heh, this is the imperial family's father-son relationship.

"First Prince… Don't worry, everything is fine with Mu Yan. As long as you are fine, Mu Yan will be fine! You can rest assured that I will find a way to help you regain your freedom!"

"This Prince…<Cough, cough>… No need... Yuxuan... Please... Help Mu Yan find her happiness. I have no regrets in this life… <Cough, cough>…" Hearing Duan Jingyang's intermittent coughs, Xiao Yuxuan couldn't help but frown, a trace of worry flashing through his clear eyes!

"Imperial Grand Tutor Xiao! Please leave!" The guard once again warned Xiao Yuxuan that this was a forbidden area!

In the dark, Duan Zitong's eyes narrowed tightly. Her long and dense eyelashes trembled from anger as the corners of her mouth widened into a twisted arc!

"Elder sister… Now you see it! Your Xiao Yuxuan is missing that pair of siblings! Is transferring him into the palace really the best method? It seemed not the case though…" Duan Xingyi bent his body slightly and moved close to Duan Zitong's ear.

Although his voice was gentle, it caused others to tremble in their hearts when they heard it! A hint of light flashed through his deep eyes. Duan Zitong's cherry lips couldn't help but twitch as she smiled.

"Rather than making him think about the sister, it's still better to make him think about the brother…Duan Jingyang was only a trash and his death was only a matter of time! Even if he has the heart to want to help, he would still be powerless…If he wanted to save Duan Jingyang, he will need my permission… Don't worry, I will take advantage of it... With elder sister here, she would naturally look after Xiao Yuxuan! On the other hand, Duan Jingyang has already been locked up for several days… I didn't see any movement from you! Don't blame elder sister for being a nagger. There are some things that cannot be delayed…" Duan Zitong glanced back, but Duan Xingyi had already walked several steps away.