Chapter 19
“The Chancellor has arrived, the National Guardian General has arrived, the Minister of Revenue has arrived~”
Announcements rang out repeatedly, filling the grand hall with a lively buzz. However, the announcements brought a brief pause to the commotion as everyone simultaneously turned to look at the entrance.
At the entrance, the Chancellor’s entourage and the National Guardian General’s entourage arrived simultaneously. It was well-known that the Murong and the Dugu families did not get along. At this moment, the heads of both families meeting was bound to spark another round of mutual glaring and cold snorts. But this time, it wasn’t just the two of them; they had brought their families along, which added more opportunities for mutual confrontation.
The first to speak was National Guardian General Dugu Xian. Upon learning that the recently returned Prince Ye was to marry into the Chancellor’s family, he had been frustrated for days because he had originally intended to propose the same. However, the Chancellor’s family had beaten him to it.
At this moment, he scanned the entourage behind Murong Hong, searching for the figure of Murong Qiuyun, intending to mock her, but his attention was first captured by a strikingly handsome young man. Stunned, he stared at the youth, whose elegant demeanor was enhanced by his exquisitely embroidered finery. Though the youth’s expression was devoid of a smile, it was very gentle, which brought a sense of calm to those who looked at him.
When their eyes met, the youth nodded politely. His clear eyes showed no trace of negativity, only respect, neither ingratiating nor insincere, as if he was merely greeting an elder.
Dugu Xian immediately frowned. Who was this exceptionally handsome youth? A distant relative of the Chancellor’s family perhaps, but if so, why would he appear here? “Oh, I don’t seem to recognize this young gentleman. Who might you be?”
Murong Xing noticed the cold smile on Dugu Xian’s face as he scrutinized his youngest son. This time, he had brought his son out mainly to introduce him, so he didn’t hide anything. “Oh, this young man is indeed my son, Feng’er. Come, greet the National Guardian General.”
Murong Qiufeng nodded gracefully, his clear and gentle voice sounding, “Murong Qiufeng, at your service, National Guardian General.”
“Oh~ So this is the Chancellor’s sixth son. I have never seen him before. Old Murong, you really know how to hide things. Such an outstanding young man, you should indeed keep him hidden.”
Listening to the sarcasm in his words, Murong Xing also responded with a cold smile, beginning to trade barbs with Dugu Xian’s family. This kind of exchange was quite usual, so no one stepped in to mediate. The people in the hall could only marvel at how it seemed like destiny that these two old rivals arrived together.
Meanwhile, the topic of their banter, Murong Qiufeng, the sixth son of the Chancellor’s family, caught the attention of many. They couldn’t help but marvel at the presence of such a strikingly handsome young man in the Chancellor’s family, someone they had never seen before. His sudden appearance naturally led to speculation.
Recently, the alliance between the Chancellor’s family and the Prince’s household had disrupted the court’s balance, shifting power towards the Chancellor’s side. Many had begun to favor the Chancellor’s family, paying close attention to everything about them. Additionally, the veiled seventh daughter of the Chancellor’s family, the future princess, also drew much interest.
However, among those watching, one gaze was different from the others.
Prince Ye’s eyes hadn’t left Murong Qiufeng since he appeared. In an instant, he was struck by the young man’s beauty. Today, Murong Qiufeng had traded his usual simple white clothes for something more luxurious, losing a bit of his celestial aura but gaining an air of nobility. The light blue robe embroidered with bamboo patterns shimmered, and his expression carried a hint of indifference, perhaps due to his discomfort with the scene or his lack of social skills, showing his true feelings.
This genuine expression made Prince Ye smile. He liked this unpretentious side of him. Although such straightforwardness could lead to trouble in court, as it would either corrupt him or lead to his downfall, Prince Ye was determined to protect him under his wing now that he had decided to have him.
Noting Murong Qiufeng’s slightly furrowed brow, Prince Ye downed his wine in one gulp and set his cup down, heading over.
He had been the first to arrive today, despite usually disliking mingling in such gatherings. Yet he couldn’t resist coming early to wait for someone. Even just two days apart had made him miss him intensely.
These past two days, he had restrained himself from seeking him out, knowing that his frequent presence around Murong Qiufeng would draw unwanted attention to him.
For both public and private reasons, he didn’t want that. Like now, he wanted to bring him to his side, away from prying eyes.
“Long time no see. The Chancellor and the National Guardian General still share such great camaraderie.”
Nonsense
Utter nonsense
The heads of both families turned, ready to vent their anger on the newcomer. However, upon seeing who it was, they swallowed their words and quickly suppressed their anger, putting on smiles to greet Prince Ye, their ability to change expressions unmatched.
With Prince Ye’s intervention, the two family heads stopped their quarreling and entered the hall, allowing the blocked entrance to clear and relieving the officials waiting outside.
Murong Qiufeng also sighed in relief, glancing gratefully at Prince Ye. He had thought Prince Ye was too preoccupied with socializing to notice him, but to his surprise, he met the Prince’s smiling, reassuring gaze.
Murong Qiufeng was momentarily stunned, but before he could react, his arm tightened as his sister clung to it, looking very uneasy.
Since the incident at noon, he hadn’t spoken a word to her. Seeing her now, his heart softened. After all, she was just a girl facing an unwanted marriage, and her actions were understandable.
Sighing softly, he patted her head in silent comfort.
Murong Qiuyun’s body stiffened, then she looked up in surprise at Murong Qiufeng, her eyes moist with grievance and guilt.
This expression melted away the last bit of resentment in Murong Qiufeng’s heart.
Not far away, amid the crowd of civil and military officials, Prince Ye, who kept glancing at Murong Qiufeng, saw him talking tenderly to Murong Qiuyun. His brows furrowed slightly in displeasure. Losing interest in socializing, he strode towards them.
