Chapter 18

“Brother, you must help me think of a way out. I don’t want to marry into the prince’s household. I don’t want to marry!” Murong Qiuyun, having just received the news, stormed into Murong Qiufeng’s small courtyard. At this moment, he was the only one she dared to speak to, the only one she could confide in.

If their father knew her true feelings, he would be furious and use both soft and hard tactics to force her, cutting off all her escape routes.

Murong Qiufeng was currently working on a piece of music that had been delivered to him through the gatekeeper the previous day. The unfinished melody captivated him so much that he had been immersed in it since yesterday, tinkering with the tune on the zither at his desk.

The sudden forceful opening of the door, followed by a waft of fragrance and a tight grip on his arm, interrupted his thoughts. His sister’s pitiful voice snapped him back to reality. Murong Qiufeng’s face darkened, and he frowned as he quickly put down his brush and carefully stored away the music sheet, fearing she might accidentally damage it.

“Yun’er, don’t be willful. What’s so bad about marrying into the prince’s household? I’m sure the prince will treat you well,” Murong Qiufeng said, a bit displeased.

“Brother, how can you be so sure? I’m your real sister, yet you always speak for the prince. Do you also covet his power and want to ingratiate yourself with him? Would you sacrifice your sister’s happiness for power and status?” Murong Qiuyun’s desperation made her speak without thinking.

Murong Qiufeng’s face immediately turned grim, anger surging within him. Her words cut him like a knife. He cherished his sister more than anything, but her misunderstanding pained him deeply.

Feeling suffocated by the hurt, Murong Qiufeng couldn’t find the words to respond and didn’t want to say anything. He turned his head coldly, pried her hand off, and started to leave.

Murong Qiuyun’s face went pale. She hastily tried to follow and explain, “Brother, I was just speaking in haste. I didn’t mean it.”

“There’s no smoke without fire. What one says unconsciously reflects their true thoughts. I never imagined you’d think of me this way. It seems I’ve failed as a brother,” Murong Qiufeng said with a bitter smile, finding it hard to move his stiffened lips.

Murong Qiuyun’s face turned even paler, her eyes reddening. Her brother had never treated her so coldly before. Realizing she had hurt him, she tried to explain, but a respectful voice interrupted from outside.

“Young Master, the lord asked me to inform you that the emperor is hosting a banquet tonight for the prince. Please prepare early to attend the palace later,” the voice said.

Murong Qiufeng, standing at the door, saw several people in the courtyard, including the servant and several maids holding trays.

Seeing the elaborate outfits on the trays, Murong Qiufeng frowned. He understood his father’s intention to use this opportunity for him to build connections.

With a sigh, feeling in no mood to deal with this, he waved his hand dismissively. “Wait outside; I’ll be there shortly.”

“Yes, sir,” the servant responded, leading the maids to Murong Qiufeng’s private bathhouse.

Murong Qiufeng glanced at Murong Qiuyun, seeing her lost, pale face and red eyes. Softening slightly, he spoke more gently, though still distant, “Yun’er, you must attend the banquet tonight. People are likely already waiting at your courtyard. Go quickly and don’t alarm mother.” With that, he turned and left the room.

Murong Qiuyun watched the door close behind him, feeling weak and leaning against the table, biting her lip. It seemed seeking help from her brother was futile. Was she really destined to marry into the prince’s household? Was she to resign herself to fate?

Tears welled up again at the thought. When her maid Xiuer came to find her, she followed her back, still dazed, and couldn’t help glancing towards the bathhouse.

She thought more deeply than Murong Qiufeng. Tonight’s banquet was likely for more than just making connections. It might also be to select a future wife. Would her brother agree? Surely he would, as he had never gone against their family’s wishes. Just like whenever she asked for his help, he never refused.

She remembered how, despite his frail health as a child, he climbed a tree to get her a pear and fell, nearly losing his life. Her heart ached, realizing he had changed, everyone had changed.

Feeling her tantrum was pointless, she considered the bright side. Maybe, as her brother said, the prince would treat her well…

But…

Tears fell uncontrollably.

In the bathhouse, Murong Qiufeng had finished bathing. The maids were helping him dress, their faces slightly flushed as they admired his form with a mix of shyness and infatuation.

Murong Qiufeng’s body, once pale and frail, had become fair and smooth due to his treatment. His skin was now as soft as cream, even finer than a woman’s. Thanks to Yun Feiyang’s efforts, his skin remained exceptionally delicate and beautiful. Despite his lean, muscular physique from martial arts training, he was still strikingly graceful, captivating the young maids.

Once dressed in luxurious attire, Murong Qiufeng looked transformed, leaving the maids in awe.