Chapter 57
“Yeah, she’s an interesting girl.” Perhaps in a good mood, Shangguan Ye’s tone was considerably lighter.
Murong Qiufeng, however, sensed something different in his tone. He frowned slightly, feeling the air was a bit stifling. He opened the car window, looked outside, and casually asked, “Do you like her?”
Shangguan Ye’s smile deepened, his eyes sparkling with mirth. “She’s beautiful, talented, and clever—definitely likable. But her personality doesn’t suit me; she’s too lively and pretentious.”
Murong Qiufeng felt the air clear a bit but also became slightly cold. He closed the window, missing the white figure rapidly approaching in the distance.
“What kind of personality do you think would suit you?” Murong Qiufeng asked curiously. What kind of person would someone like Shangguan Ye like? Someone similar to him?
Shangguan Ye didn’t answer but gazed deeply at him. Then he chuckled softly before bursting into hearty laughter, seeming to find great joy in it.
Murong Qiufeng felt a bit perplexed and awkward at his laughter, unable to comprehend what was so funny about his question.
Outside, Youxiang naturally heard the conversation inside the carriage and couldn’t help but smile helplessly, thinking that sometimes Murong Qiufeng was sharp and perceptive, while other times, he was utterly clueless.
Amidst the laughter, the carriage finally came to a stop, and the group entered the Wangfu one after another. Murong Qiufeng never did get an answer from Shangguan Ye.
But he hadn’t really cared much; he was merely asking out of curiosity. On the contrary, seeing Shangguan Ye laugh so heartily lightened his own mood, dispelling the gloom from the past few days. The barrier between them vanished, and both felt a sense of ease.
Meanwhile, on the quiet street, a horse galloped swiftly, and a white figure appeared like a night spirit or a gust of wind. The horse soon halted in front of a mansion, its hooves clattering against the stone pavement.
The rider pulled on the reins and looked up at the plaque above that read “Xiangfu.” The white-clad figure’s smile deepened, eyes brimming with anticipation and longing.
In the hazy mist, the strong scent of medicinal herbs filled the room, pungent enough to make one dizzy.
A large bathing tub was filled with a black medicinal liquid, gently rolling and emitting swirling smoke like boiling water.
Murong Qiufeng tilted his head back slightly, beads of sweat dripping down his sharp jawline into the medicinal water. His tightly closed eyes fluttered slightly, and his brows were drawn tight, clearly in pain.
Youxiang was not feeling well either; her lips pressed together, sweat glistening on her forehead as she deftly placed golden needles on his acupoints.
At some point, the door was pushed open gently, and a figure appeared in the room, glancing at the person in the tub with a slight frown, eyes filled with pity.
After a long while, Youxiang finally withdrew the needles, followed by the sound of bones cracking.
Murong Qiufeng gritted his teeth but couldn’t help letting out muffled groans.
Youxiang glanced at the pained Murong Qiufeng, a softness flickering in her eyes. Just as she was about to help him massage his muscles to relieve the tension, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
Startled, she turned to see Shangguan Ye looking at Murong Qiufeng with a gentle expression.
Shangguan Ye raised his hand slightly.
Youxiang quickly lowered her head, pressed her lips together, packed up her things, and exited, shutting the door behind her.
Shangguan Ye reached out, took off his outer robe, leaving only a white inner garment. He rolled up his sleeves and gently pressed his hands on Murong Qiufeng’s shoulders, meticulously massaging and soothing every muscle.
Murong Qiufeng gripped the edge of the tub, his body trembling lightly. The sound of bones cracking grew clearer, and the tub creaked under his grip.
Shangguan Ye paused for a moment before suddenly flipping into the tub, wrapping his arms around Murong Qiufeng and applying pressure to his acupoints beneath the water.
Fortunately, the tub was large enough for both of them, and it didn’t feel cramped.
However, this time, Murong Qiufeng hadn’t been drinking, and combined with the pain, he was fully awake. At first, he thought it was Youxiang, but when he realized another person had suddenly joined him in the tub, he was startled. He opened his eyes, turned his head, and found Shangguan Ye gazing deeply at him, filled with intense concern and regret.
“You…”
“Close your eyes; if it hurts, just bite me. It will be over soon,” Shangguan Ye said, gently covering Murong Qiufeng’s eyes with his hand and pressing his head against his shoulder. He continued to massage him.
Murong Qiufeng’s body trembled slightly, perhaps from the pain or for some other reason. He didn’t refuse, burying his head into Shangguan Ye’s shoulder, closing his eyes, gritting his teeth, and feeling the man’s gentleness. It seemed to alleviate the pain significantly.
Perhaps he was too exhausted, or maybe he didn’t want to leave this warm, comforting embrace; he unknowingly drifted off to sleep.
Shangguan Ye carefully cleaned him up and laid him on the bed. Then he turned to sleep beside him, pulling him into his arms. He gently kissed Murong Qiufeng’s pale face, softly stroking the furrowed brow. “Sleep now; when you wake up, it will be fine.”
In his dreams, Murong Qiufeng seemed to sense something, turning to cuddle closer to that warm body, sleeping soundly.
He felt a tickling sensation on his face, as if something soft was gently brushing against him. Murong Qiufeng frowned, opened his eyes, and touched his face, feeling a furry, soft texture. Turning his head, he was met with a pair of round, black eyes, and he froze for a moment.
The little wolf seemed delighted to have finally woken him up, nuzzling into his shoulder affectionately.
Murong Qiufeng quickly sat up, and the little creature rolled off his shoulder onto the bed, then twisted its round, soft body, whining as it burrowed into Murong Qiufeng’s arms.
Murong Qiufeng held the little creature, a bit surprised. “Haha, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, little one. You seem to have grown quite a bit.”
Since that time when the little wolf was taken away by Shangguan Ye, just as they were entering their subsequent cold war, the little one had stayed with Shangguan Ye. It had been a long time since they’d seen each other, and Murong Qiufeng found he had missed it. Seeing the little one lively and plump, it was clear it had been well cared for.
The little creature wagged its fluffy tail, nuzzling against him as if it were a wronged child returning home to confide in its parents.
As Murong Qiufeng held it, he suddenly felt something was off. This room felt somewhat familiar yet strange. Wasn’t it Shangguan Ye’s room? Looking at the knife on the wall, it confirmed that he was indeed in Shangguan Ye’s room.
He remembered what happened last night…
His face immediately turned as red as fire, clearly recalling the events of the previous night. He frowned again, feeling helpless and weak, gently stroking the little creature in his arms. “What do you think his reason was?”
“What reason?” a teasing voice chimed in.
Murong Qiufeng jumped in surprise, turning to find Youxiang entering with something, wearing a mischievous smile.
Murong Qiufeng cleared his throat, hugging the little creature and pulling back the quilt to get out of bed.
It felt as if life had returned to the way it used to be, with only subtle changes, all carrying various flavors of unspoken understanding.
After resting for three days, Murong Qiufeng began following Shangguan Ye into the palace to handle government affairs.
