Nan Gongyue stayed on Xiaoyao Island, not only because Mu Xing pleaded for her, but also because Liu Liu treated Nan Gongyue as a friend. Naturally, friends could be guests on the island. Coincidentally, tomorrow was the wedding of Chu Feng and Qing Feng, and it would be livelier with more people.
Liu Liu sent people to settle Nan Gongyue, then led Cui'er back to her own courtyard. Tomorrow was Chu Feng and Qing Feng's big day, and everyone was very happy.
Only one person was unhappy, and that was Duan Mu. For the past few days, since they returned, Duan Mu had been silent.
She said nothing. She could tell that this fellow was deeply affected. Usually carefree, he now seemed to have troubles. Liu Liu gazed intently at Cui'er.
"Cui'er, you can see that Duan Mu is not doing well. Don't you have any feelings for him at all?"
Cui'er was startled. She hadn't expected her young lady to ask her such a thing. Thinking of Duan Mu's expression when she had seen him earlier, she became a little lost in thought.
Actually, she felt bad too. She did have feelings for Duan Mu, but compared to the feelings of her young lady and the others, hers seemed much smaller. She still wanted to serve her young lady for a few more years, at least until Mu Xing grew a bit older.
Seeing Cui'er's uncertain expression, Liu Liu knew that this girl actually cared about him. Since she cared, why was she unwilling to marry him? Could it be because of her? The thought made her face suddenly darken.
"Cui'er, tell me honestly, do you or do you not like that person?"
Startled by Liu Liu, Cui'er knelt down with a thud. "Young lady, I do feel for him, but I don't want to get married tomorrow. I want to wait a few more years. Because I have served Mu Xing since I was little, I don't want to be separated from him so soon. But I can't ask Duan Mu to wait for me for a few years. Perhaps in these few years, he might meet someone better."
"Why wait a few years? Aren't Mu Xing and I always on the island? We won't be separated,"
Liu Liu emphasized coldly. Unfortunately, Cui'er was unconvinced. The Emperor was such a powerful and astute person. If he liked the Consort, he would find any means to bring the Consort into the palace.
"Young lady, please don't try to persuade me. Anyway, I won't get married within these three to five years. I will only get married after Mu Xing is a bit older."
Cui'er looked at Liu Liu with a determined expression. Before Liu Liu could say anything, Mu Xing entered from outside. He didn't know what mistake his aunt Cui had made.
Seeing her kneeling, he quickly knelt down beside Cui'er, looking cautiously at his mother. "Mother, please forgive Aunt Cui."
The moment Cui'er saw Mu Xing, whom she had raised, by her side, her resolve became even firmer. Mu Xing was so lovable.
Although her young lady gave birth to him, she had raised him. She had affection for him that was no less than her young lady's. That was why she was unwilling to leave him.
Liu Liu looked at the two, one big and one small, gazing at her. Her heart had already softened. In fact, she had never thought of entering the palace. Everything in the palace was so distant from her. How could she adapt? Her eyes became a little distant, and a faint, cold smile played on her lips.
"Alright, you two can get up. However, Cui'er, let's set a three-year agreement. Go and talk to Duan Mu properly. Perhaps he is willing to wait for you for three years. You two will get married after three years." Liu Liu's face showed a determined expression as she ordered Cui'er in a deep voice.
Although Cui'er was unwilling, she was afraid of hearing a negative answer and felt distressed. However, under her young lady's compulsion, she had no choice but to brace herself and go to find Duan Mu.
When Duan Mu heard her reason, he was actually very happy, feeling that he hadn't misjudged. Cui'er was truly a loyal and righteous girl. She agreed to wait for Cui'er for three years without any hesitation.
Cui'er was stunned. She hadn't expected Duan Mu to agree to this as well. Her heart was filled with joy, and the two then set a three-year agreement.
Duan Mu finally became happy, appearing cheerful wherever he went.
Although everyone was very suspicious of his inconsistent demeanor, no one had the time to question him, because tomorrow was Steward Chu's big day, and they still had many things to attend to.
The adults were all busy with the wedding preparations. The little Mu Xing, having nothing to do, wandered around. xxs壹贰
He had originally wanted to find his handsome uncle, but his mother said that his uncle needed to rest and told him not to disturb him. So, he had to play alone by Mirror Lake with his two pets, Little Gold and Little Black.
The sky was blue, the clouds were white, the water was clear, and the willow branches swayed, reflecting in the water.
A gust of wind rippled the surface, and Mu Xing placed the golden snake into Mirror Lake. He saw its little golden head popping out from time to time, sometimes as fast as a flying sword, sometimes coiling like a silkworm's thread, making Mu Xing giggle.
Suddenly, a shadow overhead blocked his bright light. Mu Xing frowned displeasedly. It was strange that someone would come at such a time. Weren't they busy with tomorrow's affairs?
Mu Xing looked up and saw three tall, straight men standing in the sunlight. The leader of them was the man he hated the most. The moment little Mu Xing saw him, his face darkened, and he glared fiercely.
"Bad guys, how dare you come to Xiaoyao Island! Be careful, someone will deal with you!"
After speaking, he looked around, preparing to call for help. Ri Ying, afraid that the Crown Prince would shout, quickly reached out and covered Mu Xing's mouth. Feng Xie's face darkened, and he commanded coldly, "Let him go."
"Yes, my lord. This subordinate deserves to die."
Ri Ying was shocked. He had actually overstepped. This was the young Crown Prince, and he, a subordinate, had been so disrespectful to the Crown Prince. He truly deserved to die. With a thud, he knelt down.
Mu Xing, who was about to scold this fellow and let Little Gold bite him, saw him kneel and felt it wasn't appropriate to punish him further. He just glared at the tall, handsome man with a stern face.
"What are you doing here? Are you looking for trouble again?"
When Feng Xie heard his son's words, his heart ached. It seemed his son's aversion to him hadn't decreased at all. What good method could he use to change this situation now?
Feng Xie's expression softened, his eyes shimmering with light, and the corners of his lips curved into a gentle smile as soft as a spring breeze.
"Mu Xing, can I apologize to you for what happened before?"
It was not easy for an Emperor to speak in such a low and submissive tone, especially an Emperor who was a man who dominated the world. Because of guilt, he lowered his posture and showed weakness to his son.
What was most important was that he loved this son. Although he had been absent from his life for five years, he hoped to accompany him from now on until he ascended the throne.
Mu Xing didn't expect this seemingly overbearing man to apologize. He thought he was much more formidable. However, don't think he could be easily deceived just because he was a child. What if he apologized? He didn't want to pay attention to him.
With that thought, he blew a sharp whistle. The golden snake coiled into his sleeve. He stood up, his small body preparing to leave, not wanting to play with this man anymore.
"I'm leaving. I'm not playing with you anymore."
Ri Ying and Yue Ying saw Mu Xing about to leave and immediately, in their anxiety, blocked his path and blurted out, "Crown Prince, please stay!"
"Crown Prince?" Mu Xing was taken aback. A flicker of confusion crossed his small face, his eyes blinking as he tried to recall what the term "Crown Prince" meant from his memory. However, in his memory, no one seemed to have ever mentioned this term to him. Out of curiosity, he raised his small face.
"What does Crown Prince mean?"