C220

After passing through the main street, the Xiao Residence's Duan Xingyi suddenly stopped and turned to face him. Both of his hands grasped onto Duan Mu Yan's shoulder without any forewarning, and his gaze was even more solemn than before.

After that, every day, Xing Yi hopes that his royal sister will be able to accomplish her goals. No matter how many thorns there are in the road ahead, Xing Yi will always stand in front of her royal sister to clear away all the obstacles in her way even if she is covered in wounds and bruises. There will be a day when the flowers bloom on the shore of the river and Xing Yi will accompany his royal sister to the other side to the end of the river to enjoy the flowers together. Her deep voice was filled with determination and persistence that had never been there before. Duan Mu Yan stared dazedly at the man before her, his gaze as deep as the ocean making her flustered, as she instinctively wanted to struggle free. However, for some reason, her body just stood there uncontrollably, listening to Duan Xingyi's solemn vows.

After the wind passed, when Duan Mu Yan woke up, there was no one before her. Looking at the empty streets, she suddenly trembled. Was that a dream? As she turned around, her cape flapped slightly. Looking at the cape that she was wearing, which was a light purple color, her heart sank into a quagmire.

In an inn opposite of the Spring Pavilion, Ye Li looked at Duan Xingyi in disbelief.

"Master, our previous plan should be flawless. If you want to leave after the ceremony, is it dangerous? Didn't you say before that the mysterious organization that was always opposing us would definitely take action during the ceremony? " Ye Li was perplexed.

I have changed my mind now. Although the Badlands Palace is not a firm place, not everyone can rush in here presumptuously, and there will be a lot of soldiers guarding tomorrow's grand ceremony, so I will be fine. I came here to inform you that you do not need to wait for me to return to the Southern Mountain, but when tomorrow's grand ceremony starts, bring the silver taels along with you. Duan Xingyi spoke with a solemn tone, not giving the slightest room for discussion.

"Master, please forgive Ye Li for his boldness. If there is a chance that you could take such a risk, then your subordinate will blame you for it even if I were to die." Master, forgive Ye Li for his boldness. Ye Li had the intention of making a request. Compared to those silver taels, the life of the Fourth Prince of the Southern Yue was even more important.

I know your loyalty, but I am fully prepared and I will not make any mistakes. Those silver taels are very important to us, with them, we will have the strength to fight against Shen Han Xin when we return! He never expected that the person behind the mysterious organization was actually far away in the horizon, near to his eyes, and was even the woman that he yearned for wholeheartedly. Perhaps this was heaven's will, if it wasn't for the fact that he had a deep affection for Duan Mu Yan, he wouldn't have neglected her actions that were too strange. Since Duan Mu Yan had her own ambitions, the only thing he could do was help her …

In contrast, the Imperial Palace was bustling with noise and excitement. Almost all of the eunuchs and maids had moved out at full strength, and from the east gate of the Imperial City onwards, the dark red silk of the palace extended all the way to the throne room. On both sides of the hall, there were lanterns and decorations, and a joyous scene played out in front of the head of the Imperial Palace. The head of the Imperial Palace was explaining the details of the inauguration ceremony and the places of attention to the ministers.

Imperial Hall, Eunuch Li carefully served Duan Chen while he changed his clothes. Even though he had served him for over thirty years, he was already familiar with these matters, but he was still as meticulous as before.

"Eunuch Li, you are so meticulous that even I am a bit nervous, there is no need to put in so much effort. Anyway, this is already the last time." Duan Chen's spirit was obviously more radiant than usual, however, all of this was just an illusion. Before this, he had asked the imperial physician to prescribe some divine medicines for him. Today was the day of his most treasured son's inauguration ceremony, so he naturally couldn't be careless.

"Even if it's the last time, for this old servant, it's the same as the first time. Your majesty, can your body withstand it? Do you want Imperial Physician Li to wait in the back hall? " Eunuch Li said worriedly. Duan Chen did not say anything as he lowered his head to look at Eunuch Li. A trace of different emotions flashed through his eyes.

"I have been fighting in the battlefield for decades and have fallen in love with Dou Jing and Zhu Xu, but now that I'm old, I can only have you by my side. Elder Li, it's not that I'm heartless enough to take Dou Jing's life, but compared to the Great Mo River Mountain, I can only do this …" Duan Chen was inexplicably hurt. When he ascended to the upper echelons, there were already few civil and military officials on his left and right sides who were familiar with him.

"Your Majesty, your foresight is all for the sake of the Great Mo River Mountain and the common people. I believe that Old General Dou will definitely understand your painstaking efforts." Eunuch Li tried to dissuade him, but a trace of bitterness flashed through his heart.

After this Duan Chen had fastened his belt, Eunuch Li retreated to the side.

"Your majesty, the inauguration ceremony will start in an hour. Would you like to rest a bit longer, or go to the throne room now?" Eunuch Li asked.

"Then let's go. I can't sit here, there's no need to call the dragon to chase me out. I want to walk, how long has it been since I left the Imperial Hall. Today is a rare opportunity, it's also good to have some leisure time." The low voice carried a trace of disappointment. In his thirty years of reign, he had never enjoyed the scenery of the palace before. Now, he could finally relax, but it was as if his heart had become empty. Gonggong Li naturally supported Duan Chen as they carefully made their way out of the Hall.

Duan Chen's mood seemed to be a lot better as he looked around at the lanterns and decorations around him.

"Your majesty, let's go this way. Closer?" Eunuch Li saw Duan Chen walking forward without saying anything, and wanted to remind him.

"It's still early. It's fine if we circle around for a bit." Duan Chen seemed to not have heard Eunuch Li's words, and continued walking forward, roughly a few meters. When he saw the three words, Duan Chen's body trembled, but fortunately, Eunuch Li managed to stabilize him in time, thus he did not fall down.

"Jingyang, royal father has let you down, royal father knows that you have always worked hard since young, that you have always tried your best in every possible way, that it was all royal father's fault, that I had never looked at you directly, that I had never cared about you at all, that even the position of crown prince was used by royal father to threaten you with Mu Yan's life, that royal father had only ever let you down, that there are too many people in this life, but you are the only one who filled royal father with guilt and uneasiness, perhaps in the near future, royal father will personally apologize to you." There was a trace of grief on his aged face as Duan Chen quietly stood in front of the door of Ting Ting Ting Pavilion, a layer of mist appearing in his eyes.

"Your majesty, it's about time. Shall we go?" Noticing Duan Chen was in a daze, Eunuch Li walked over and reminded him. Speechless, Duan Chen sighed before continuing onwards. All along the way, Duan Chen was no longer in the mood to admire the scenery. The scene of Duan Jingyang continuously flashed through his mind. He owed this child far too many things.

When Duan Chen saw the Jade Pear Pavilion, he finally understood the painstaking efforts of Eunuch Li. However, in the next moment, he had chosen this path.

The palace door in front of him appeared somewhat dilapidated, especially on a day like today. The red paint had fallen off in large part, and the white seal on the palace door made people uncomfortable. Duan Chen subconsciously walked towards the palace door, his withered hands slowly lifting the seal on the door.

"Your Majesty …" Eunuch Li said worriedly, but was stopped by Duan Chen.

"I still remember the dance that Zi Yan danced when he entered the palace. Of all the beautiful ladies in the batch, only her dance made Zhen's eyes light up, and then, I tasted the pear flower wine that she brewed. The fragrance lingered between my lips and lingered between my teeth for a long time, and I liked her because she was gentle and kind, and because she was light and elegant, she lived in seclusion. Among the many concubines, I was sincere to her … "But I never would have thought that she would carry me on his back to gossip about Yu Die. If it wasn't for her, how could Zitong and Xingyi have been living among the masses for more than ten years? It's not that I don't hate her for no reason, but that doesn't mean I haven't loved her …" His hoarse voice seemed to be trying to find an excuse for his own ruthlessness. Eunuch Li did not say anything. His loyalty to Duan Chen did not mean that he would be able to reverse the truth, just that as a servant, there was nothing else he could say.

As the door opened, Duan Chen slowly walked into the Jiliao Palace, looking at the familiar decorations, a trace of loneliness flashed past Duan Chen's eyes. Every time he met his in his dreams, he would see Ling Ziyan's sorrowful face, and she would only look at him silently. Was it wrong? Duan Chen asked himself over and over again. However, he firmly believed that everything he had done had a reason.

Currently, facing this room that he hadn't seen for a long time, Duan Chen kept telling himself that he had a clear conscience regarding Ling Ziyan. However, his heart was not as excited as it was just now. There were too many things pressing down on his heart, causing him to almost suffocate. The path he paved for Duan Xingyi caused him to lose too many things.

"Eunuch Li, have you informed Mu Yan of today's matter?" Duan Chen pursed his lips, a profound look in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. This old servant has already followed your orders and allowed the third princess and several other princesses to enter the palace to observe the ceremony." Eunuch Li answered carefully.

"She did well. No matter how many misunderstandings we had before, she is still my daughter after all. Currently, the Xiao family is few and far between in number, so how can she be worthy of such a large family property? When I abdicate, I will definitely find a good family for her to marry …" Gonggong Li didn't reply, only supporting Duan Chen as they walked forward. Yet, deep in his heart, he couldn't help but feel a sense of injustice towards Duan Mu Yan.

In the Phoenix Storage Pavilion, Duan Zitong struggled to put the brocade pillow under his inner garment before calling her maidservant to help her change. Ever since Qing Lan's death, she could no longer find such a convenient palace maid.

"Softer! Do you want to strangle the fetus in my womb!? " The ice-cold voice contained a trace of dissatisfaction. If his little brother had not ascended to the throne, she would have definitely punished this little girl.

"Your servant doesn't dare …" The maidservant carefully helped Duan Zitong tidy up her clothes, and only after the last belt was tied did she step back to the side.