Chapter 61

“An old acquaintance?” Murong Qiufeng muttered as he looked at the note in his hand, his expression full of doubt. Slowly, he unfolded the paper.

Shangguan Ye, however, frowned slightly, a bad feeling creeping into his chest.

When Murong Qiufeng saw the contents of the note—no, the elegant and vigorous handwriting on the paper—his eyes lit up. He knew that handwriting all too well; it belonged to none other than his eldest senior brother, Yun Feiyang. So, he had arrived.

The joy that lit up Murong Qiufeng’s face dazzled the onlookers, leaving countless hearts captivated. Yet, it caused Shangguan Ye’s heart to sink slightly.

“Ye, it’s my senior brother. Let’s go.” Murong Qiufeng, brimming with excitement, didn’t notice the darkened expression that momentarily crossed Shangguan Ye’s face. Without waiting, he started to walk away, only to be stopped by Shangguan Ye grabbing his arm. Confused, he turned back. “Ye?”

Shangguan Ye quickly composed himself, suppressing the shadow in his heart, his tone indulgent. “Don’t rush. He won’t leave before we arrive.”

Seeing the fondness and gentleness in Shangguan Ye’s eyes, Murong Qiufeng’s face warmed, and he looked away uncomfortably, nodding in agreement.

The two walked side by side toward the restaurant, though their moods couldn’t have been more different. While Murong Qiufeng’s heart brimmed with excitement, Shangguan Ye silently ground his teeth, mentally flaying Yun Feiyang a thousand times. Just thinking about that sly, fox-like smile made him itch to draw his sword.

In truth, Shangguan Ye had already met Yun Feiyang three days ago.

Back then, Yun Feiyang had learned from the prime minister’s manor that Murong Qiufeng had been sent on an errand. He had gone to the palace to inquire about his whereabouts. Shangguan Ye, having recently discovered Yun Feiyang’s formidable identity through Tian Sha Pavilion, knew that eliminating him wouldn’t be easy. Instead, he had resorted to trickery, luring Yun Feiyang to Yu Kingdom, hoping Yuwen Hui would delay him long enough. But it seemed Yun Feiyang had returned.

As soon as they entered the restaurant, a server approached them with a smile, his eyes lingering on Murong Qiufeng for a moment, likely due to prior instructions from Yun Feiyang.

Murong Qiufeng smiled slightly. “Indeed.”

“In that case, please follow me,” the server said obsequiously, leading the way upstairs.

The two followed, arriving at a door on the second floor. The server knocked lightly before opening the door and gesturing politely. “Please, come in.”

Murong Qiufeng nodded in acknowledgment before stepping inside. His gaze immediately landed on the figure by the window, drinking wine and smiling at him—Yun Feiyang.

Yun Feiyang, only four years older than Murong Qiufeng, bore a striking resemblance to him in demeanor, both dressed in white robes. However, Yun Feiyang exuded a maturity that Murong Qiufeng lacked. While his features weren’t as refined as Murong Qiufeng’s, he was still handsome and elegant, radiating the air of a master from an esteemed sect.

The most striking feature was his pair of peach blossom eyes. Despite his ethereal and ascetic aura, those eyes could easily transform with a single glance into something utterly captivating.

From the vantage point of the window, it seemed Yun Feiyang had witnessed the events on the street earlier and spotted him.

Murong Qiufeng’s lips curved into a warm smile, his eyes brimming with joy. “Senior Brother!”

“Haha, it’s been a while, Feng. Come here and let me take a good look at you. Have you lost weight?” Yun Feiyang’s gentle smile was laced with an edge of danger, a blend of softness concealing steel—a true smiling fox.

Deliberately ignoring Shangguan Ye, Yun Feiyang beckoned to Murong Qiufeng with the air of someone calling a beloved pet, his tone affectionate and teasing.

Shangguan Ye’s gaze darkened at the memory of Murong Qiufeng’s so-called “wine allergy,” his eyes narrowing dangerously. A subtle killing intent flickered.

Yun Feiyang, seemingly oblivious, cast a fleeting glance at Shangguan Ye, his expression a mix of provocation and mockery. Yet, his gaze returned to Murong Qiufeng, full of doting warmth.

Murong Qiufeng, long accustomed to Yun Feiyang’s antics, looked at him helplessly before remembering Shangguan Ye’s presence. Turning, he introduced them. “Ye, this is my senior brother, Yun Feiyang. Senior Brother, this is Shangguan Ye.”

The two sat down, Murong Qiufeng naturally taking the seat opposite Yun Feiyang. Shangguan Ye, however, chose to sit beside Murong Qiufeng instead of to the side, his lips curving into a playful smile as he addressed Yun Feiyang. “So, this is Brother Yun. I’ve heard much about you from Feng. Thank you for looking after him all these years. Allow me to offer a toast.” He poured himself a cup of wine, raised it to Yun Feiyang, and drank it in one go, his gaze brimming with veiled challenge.

His words clearly claimed Murong Qiufeng as his own, casting Yun Feiyang as an outsider. Though his tone was polite, Murong Qiufeng inexplicably felt his face heat up.

Yun Feiyang’s lips curled slightly, his eyes narrowing faintly. Instead of drinking, he toyed with his cup and replied nonchalantly, “The prince is too kind. Taking care of Feng is my duty. But it’s I who should thank you. Feng now serves under your command. He can be a bit scatterbrained at times; I hope you’ll be patient with him.”

Murong Qiufeng, oblivious to the invisible clash between the two, sighed helplessly. “Senior Brother, must you point out my flaws right after meeting? By the way, how do you know Ye is a prince, and that I now work for him?”

“Haha, I visited the prime minister’s manor but couldn’t find you, so I planned to inquire at the palace. As for your prince’s identity—come now, Feng, besides the imperial family, who else in Yan Kingdom dares bear the surname Shangguan?”

Murong Qiufeng was momentarily speechless, his face heating again as he glanced at Shangguan Ye.

Shangguan Ye chuckled lightly, patting Murong Qiufeng’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. When you’re scatterbrained, I’ll remind you.”

Since their relationship had taken on subtle nuances, Murong Qiufeng often found Shangguan Ye’s words carrying an inexplicable undertone, leaving him flustered. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he turned to Yun Feiyang. “Senior Brother, why have you come?”

“Why, to see you, of course. You’ve been gone so long without a single letter, leaving me quite worried.” Yun Feiyang’s tone remained light, but his grip on the wine cup tightened momentarily, his smile freezing briefly before returning to its usual calm.

Murong Qiufeng was taken aback, then looked apologetic. “I’m sorry.”

“Silly, there’s no need for apologies between us. Let’s not talk about that anymore. Have you two eaten? Come, Feng, you especially need to eat more. You look thinner. These dishes are all your favorites.” Yun Feiyang passed him a plate filled with food.

Murong Qiufeng accepted it with a warm smile, touched by the gesture.

After all, he had always seen Yun Feiyang as an older brother figure. Lacking fatherly love since childhood, he naturally transferred that yearning onto Yun Feiyang, whose care and indulgence felt more intimate than any familial bond.

 

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