Chapter 8
“Since my younger sister has returned home, I won’t trouble the prince any longer. I’ll take my leave.” After the initial surprise, Murong Qiufeng breathed a sigh of relief.
Shangguan Ye didn’t detain him either, exchanging a few polite words before seeing him off.
Once Murong Qiufeng left, the smile vanished from Shangguan Ye’s face, replaced by a cold demeanor. He turned and headed back to his study.
The old steward followed him. “Your Highness, there’s a visitor from the palace. The Emperor requests your presence for a meeting tonight.”
Shangguan Ye sneered. “Do you know the reason?”
“Reconnecting old ties, Your Highness. But I don’t think it’s merely a friendly reunion between brothers. The apparent harmony and camaraderie between you and your brothers are merely based on cooperation.”
Yang Bo nodded subtly and handed him a letter. “The Emperor intends to make a move against the Dugu family.”
“Oh?” Shangguan Ye took the paper and scanned it briefly, furrowing his brow slightly. “Marrying into the Murong family?”
“Exactly. Recent rumors from the palace suggest that the Empress Dowager wishes to find a husband for Murong Qiuyun, the seventh miss of the Murong family. Upon hearing this, the Emperor recommended you, intending to use the Murong family’s influence to weaken the Dugu family and then deal with the Murong family.”
“Hmph, he certainly knows how to manipulate situations.” Shangguan Ye slammed the paper onto the table, a cold smile playing on his lips. He realized he had been too complacent in recent years, or perhaps he had appeared too amiable. And now, he was being dragged into this scheme.
But…
Murong Qiuyun? Wasn’t she the woman he had just encountered?
As if struck by a realization, Shangguan Ye pondered for a moment. His expression shifted from cold to puzzled and finally, a smirk appeared, containing a hint of intriguing amusement.
However, the calculations in his eyes sent a chill down one’s spine. Seeing his master’s expression, Yang Bo knew that Shangguan Ye had already devised a plan, and someone was about to be in trouble.
“Yang Bo, prepare. I’m going to the palace to ‘reconnect’ with the Emperor.” With clarity on the matter, Shangguan Ye turned and entered his inner chambers, his slightly narrowed eyes betraying a sense of excitement and anticipation. Murong Qiufeng, it seems fate is eager to bring you to me.
After leaving the mansion, guided by the guards arranged by Shangguan Ye, Murong Qiufeng quickly returned to the Prime Minister’s residence, which was only two streets away.
The sun was setting, casting a red glow over the sky, and servants were already anxiously waiting at the door.
Seeing Murong Qiufeng’s return, they were overjoyed and hurriedly welcomed him, explaining the Prime Minister’s intentions before escorting him inside.
Learning from Murong Qiuyun that Murong Qiufeng was with Prince Ye, the Prime Minister didn’t send anyone to disturb them. Instead, he was delighted. Prince Ye’s presence in the Yan Kingdom was well-known, and everyone wanted to be on good terms with him. However, since he didn’t often return, hearing from his own sister that he was back this time meant that he might temporarily take over the court and focus on civil matters.
If Qiujun’s marriage could be arranged, the Prime Minister’s residence would become relatives with the Prince’s residence. It would be beneficial to foster a good relationship between his son and Prince Ye as soon as possible.
Murong Qiufeng was led to the main hall, where he heard hearty laughter and a charming voice of complaint.
Glancing around, he saw only five or six people seated in the hall: his mother and sister, along with three men. The middle-aged man in the center was his father, while the other two young men, one was his half-brother, and the other he had only seen briefly but remembered, the man who had left with his sister on horseback, named Yu Hui.
Yu Hui had sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, his demeanor was straightforward, yet he carried an air of elegance. Although his emotions were restrained, he appeared composed, giving off an air of stability, his dark eyes sparkling like stars.
“Father, Mother, Brother.” Murong Qiufeng first paid his respects to them one by one before nodding slightly at Yu Hui. “Sir Yu, I appreciate your kindness in accompanying my sister today.”
Yu Hui turned to him, appraising him carefully, then smiled faintly. “Heh, Mr. Yu is new to the scene, but unexpectedly, I’ve made acquaintance with the Prime Minister’s household thanks to Miss Murong. It’s my good fortune.” Despite his words, he didn’t seem like he was trying to curry favor with the Prime Minister’s family. His casual demeanor and straightforwardness didn’t hint at any intentions to climb social ranks. It seemed like he was merely joking, his casual and easygoing attitude not arousing any enmity.
The Prime Minister continued the pleasantries, and Murong Qiufeng remained silent.
To receive such courteous treatment from his father was a clear sign of Yu Hui’s significance. However, as a friend of the War God, Shangguan Ye, how could he be an ordinary person?
After they were seated, he inquired about his sister’s well-being, but noticed her acting strangely. Her eyes kept drifting towards Yu Hui, her cheeks flushed, a hint of shyness in her gaze.
Murong Qiufeng’s heart skipped a beat, his brow furrowing involuntarily. Could it be that his sister was…?
Feeling a vague unease, he couldn’t help but think of Shangguan Ye when he looked at Yu Hui, and a heaviness settled in his heart.
