“Ha ha, younger brother, you finally brought the consort out of the estate! I was beginning to think you wanted to keep her hidden forever,” the Emperor teased with a hearty laugh as the couple arrived.
Shangguan Ye tightened his embrace around the person in his arms and replied earnestly, “If I could, I would indeed want to keep her hidden forever, for a lifetime.”
The seriousness in his tone made Murong Qiufeng pause slightly, his brows instinctively furrowing.
The others, unaware of their personal matters, took no notice of the oddity.
“Heh, it seems Qiu’er is living quite happily. As her aunt, I can rest assured now. Qiu’er, come, speak with your aunt,” the Empress said warmly, her expression full of relief.
Shangguan Ye remained unmoved and serious, replying, “Sister-in-law, the consort’s throat is a bit sore and she shouldn’t speak too much. Let’s catch up another day.”
“Haha, it seems like younger brother’s nights have been quite short these past three days. But do take care and be gentle with the consort, lest she becomes overtaxed. I see she looks a bit weak; you should take good care of her,” the Emperor said with an ambiguous smile, eyeing Murong Qiufeng, who seemed to be in a somewhat frail state.
Though he had seen Murong Qiufeng many times before, never had he seen him looking so captivatingly serene, with a pale face, tired eyes, and a refined demeanor. It was a stark contrast to his previously lively and willful self, making him seem much more mature.
This comparison stirred the Emperor’s curiosity and regret, and he couldn’t help but think of Murong Qiufeng’s resemblance to someone he had seen during a palace feast, not just in appearance but in aura as well.
The thought of Murong Qiufeng brought a hint of gloom to the Emperor’s mood. Remembering Shangguan Ye’s edict to have Murong Qiufeng under his command, and considering that both Murong Qiufeng and Murong Qiu’er were now in Shangguan Ye’s sphere, made him feel a bit unsettled. However, given that he still needed Shangguan Ye’s support, he could not refuse him.
Murong Qiufeng, aware of the subtext in their conversation, felt his neck flush with embarrassment and his eyes well up with a mix of shyness and frustration. Choosing to stay silent, he followed Shangguan Ye’s lead, unwilling to break his silence.
After a brief visit, Shangguan Ye took Murong Qiufeng back to their quarters, intending for him to rest before the evening banquet.
Although Shangguan Ye’s actions were genuinely meant for Murong Qiufeng’s well-being, the concern from earlier had caused Murong Qiufeng to become particularly reserved around him, keeping his distance as if to avoid upsetting him further.
In the evening, when Murong Qiufeng was called to wake, he appeared noticeably improved, with more color in his face and a bit more energy.
Shangguan Ye had timed their arrival perfectly so that by the time they reached the banquet hall, everyone had already been waiting for a while.
The so-called family banquet was essentially a royal gathering, attended by the Emperor, Shangguan Ye, various princes and princesses, consorts, and their families. The lively atmosphere was marked by a lot of social maneuvering, with many consorts eager to make connections for their families or themselves.
Murong Qiufeng remained detached and uncharacteristically subdued, causing some of the women present to speculate about potential conflicts between him and Shangguan Ye. This led to even more efforts from them to gain favor.
Shangguan Ye, noticing Murong Qiufeng’s subdued demeanor, chose not to stay as close to him as he had during the day. This was not a tactic but rather an attempt to avoid further disturbing Murong Qiufeng’s mood, giving him some space.
In the midst of the gathering, Shangguan Ye paid close attention to Murong Qiufeng’s reactions, though his approach might have seemed a bit petty. He was disappointed to see that Murong Qiufeng remained aloof, with only a distant yet seemingly friendly smile, treating the entire event like a spectator.
Unbeknownst to Shangguan Ye, Murong Qiufeng’s mood was significantly affected by the earlier cold treatment. His irritation and frustration were compounded by the current situation, making it even more difficult for him to mask his inner turmoil.
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