Unable to Hold On

"Prime Minister Feng, such praise is too much for a humble servant like me," Yun Xueyan said deliberately, lowering her head in a show of humility.

"Yan’er..." Feng Xilou tried to step forward and grasp her hand, but all he could do was watch her retreat, step by step. In her bright eyes, he saw only rejection and distance.

"Come here, now!" Duan Nanyu barked, standing his ground, his cold gaze fixed on the scene before him. Hearing Feng Xilou call her Yan’er, his expression grew even darker. When had their relationship become so intimate?

When Yun Xueyan remained motionless, Duan Nanyu’s impatience flared. He shouted again, "Did you not hear me? Get over here!"

"Wait," Feng Xilou interjected softly, yet his words were firm. "Your Highness, is it necessary to lose your temper? I merely brought out a maid who was left in the Xuan Yue Pavilion."

He knew well what the Xuan Yue Pavilion was—a cold and desolate wing of the Prince Xiao’s residence. Yun Xueyan had been abandoned there by Duan Nanyu. Was this not a sign of his disregard? Then why this sudden anger? He could not fathom it.

"A maid?" Duan Nanyu repeated, his gaze settling on Yun Xueyan in the distance. This was what she had told Feng Xilou, that she was a servant here? "I think, Prime Minister Feng, you are mistaken. She is not a mere servant in my household, but a favored slave. The Xuan Yue Pavilion is where she belongs!"

His reply was sharp, his voice brimming with undiminished fury.

Yun Xueyan’s body trembled ever so slightly as she masked the pain in her heart. He could mock her, humiliate her, but did he have to do so in front of Feng Xilou as well?

Where did he want to cast her, to finally be satisfied?

No longer hesitating, resigned to her fate, she stepped forward, passing by Feng Xilou. She paused momentarily at his side, but moved on again. He must have tried to stop her just now, but at this moment, he could do nothing for her.

Before she could reach Duan Nanyu, he seized her wrist and yanked her toward him. Her body lost balance and fell into his broad embrace—trapped, unable to move.

His voice, clenched with rage, brushed her ear. "Wait till we get home. Then I’ll deal with you."

"Prime Minister Feng, if there’s nothing more, I’ll take my leave," Duan Nanyu said, turning away with Yun Xueyan in his arms. The anger in his eyes was nearly overflowing.

At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to crush the woman in his arms.

"Your Highness Xiao, wait!" Feng Xilou called to halt them, though he did not know what to say next.

"Is there something else, Prime Minister Feng?" Duan Nanyu had no patience left for this exchange. If it was a contest of endurance, he knew he was no match for Feng Xilou.

Clutching Yun Xueyan, Duan Nanyu sneered inwardly. Was Feng Xilou pleading for her? That was entirely unlike him.

"Your Highness, could you perhaps spare her from punishment?" After weighing his words, Feng Xilou continued, "It was I who forced her to come out tonight."

Forced? Did he take him for a fool? If she had been coerced, would she have willingly stood by his side, lighting lanterns upon the river? Would she have hidden behind him the moment she saw Duan Nanyu?

The memory of their closeness just now made Duan Nanyu’s chest tighten with anger.

"I believe you already understand her true status, Prime Minister. By doing this, you make a mockery of my honor. No other man may touch what belongs to me," he replied icily, and, without another word, carried Yun Xueyan away in long, determined strides.

Left standing by the empty riverside, the warmth in Feng Xilou’s eyes faded to cool indifference, and the smile at his lips disappeared. Would she be alright when she returned?

"Yingye, keep me informed as best you can," he said, closing his eyes and gazing up at the sky. "If you can’t, then so be it..."

"Understood," came the swift reply, and Yingye vanished into the night.