Chapter 9
“Yun’er, are you ready for bed?” After chatting with the family for a while, Murong Qiufeng came to find Murong Qiuyun. He couldn’t shake the unease he felt from her demeanor upon returning today.
His sister’s marriage was a significant matter this time. If Shangguan Ye agreed to it, there was absolutely no possibility of opposition. Furthermore, the family wouldn’t allow her to object. His father’s recent implications were clear; they were determined to win Shangguan Ye’s favor.
Today, it was evident that Shangguan Ye had a favorable impression of Qiujun. If Qiujun didn’t have feelings for anyone yet, there might still be a chance. However, if she did have someone in her heart, this marriage would undoubtedly become a tragedy. It was especially so because the person she liked was a friend of Shangguan Ye’s, which would be a slap in the face for him. If he found out, Qiujun’s days ahead would likely be even more difficult.
He couldn’t bear to see his sister’s marriage end in tragedy, so upon learning that Shangguan Ye also had feelings for her, he had hoped to facilitate it as much as possible. But he didn’t expect it to turn out like this.
Inside the room, Murong Qiuyun had been sitting at the dressing table, lost in thought. Upon hearing Murong Qiufeng’s voice, she quickly turned her head, putting on a sweet smile. “Brother, why are you here?”
Although her smile was sweet, Murong Qiufeng noticed a fleeting look of guilt in her eyes.
Without showing any change in expression, Murong Qiufeng frowned slightly. He indulgently smiled and asked, “It’s late, why aren’t you in bed yet?”
“Well… I was just about to go to sleep.” Murong Qiuyun discreetly placed the golden thread she was holding into a small silk box, handling it with care as if it were a treasure.
Murong Qiufeng glanced at the golden thread without a word, then sighed softly. He decided to get straight to the point. “Yun’er, did anything happen between you and Young Master Yu today?”
Murong Qiuyun’s hand trembled involuntarily, her face changed slightly. Although she quickly recovered, she couldn’t hide her stiffness and nervousness. “Nothing, why do you ask like that, brother?” Despite her forced smile, her eyes betrayed a sense of unease and tension.
Seeing her reaction, Murong Qiufeng’s heart sank even further. He looked deeply at his sister. “Yun’er, I don’t want you to hide anything from me. Please answer honestly, do you have feelings for Young Master Yu?”
Murong Qiufeng’s question was more direct and sharp than before. Murong Qiuyun’s face turned pale again, and she stopped trying to conceal her emotions. She sighed and smiled bitterly, “Brother, how did you notice so clearly? Did I show it that obviously?”
Hearing her reply, Murong Qiufeng’s expression became even more serious. It was one thing to speculate, but another to get an answer. “Yun’er, you only met him today.”
“Brother, feelings are hard to explain. It’s just a momentary impulse; it doesn’t require long-term interaction. I understand what you’re worried about, and I understand it very well. In the past, I was carefree and joyful, never getting involved in matters of the heart. First, I never met anyone I liked, and second, I didn’t want to suffer in the future. But today, I couldn’t help but feel something. It’s not something I can control.”
Hearing her words, Murong Qiufeng felt a pang of sadness. He walked over and gently stroked her head, comforting her silently. The family’s honor required sacrificing the happiness of women, just as Auntie did, and so did her sisters. Now, his only sister was about to embark on the same path.
“What do you plan to do?” He asked the question, feeling somewhat ridiculous. What plan could there be besides giving up?
But Murong Qiuyun suddenly raised her head, her gaze filled with determination. “Brother, I don’t want to give up.”
“Do you know…” Murong Qiufeng was suddenly at a loss for words, looking at his sister’s determined eyes. He couldn’t speak.
Murong Qiuyun pursed her lips, stood up, and faced Murong Qiufeng. “Brother, I know I have no right to resist the family’s arrangements, nor the ability to resist. So I don’t plan to resist. I just have another idea. Young Master Yu is Shangguan Ye’s friend, and judging from Father’s attitude today, he likely has another identity that’s just as important. If I can be with him, Father shouldn’t object too much. As for Shangguan Ye, I think, a friend wouldn’t betray another friend’s wife. I’ve heard that Shangguan Ye values brotherly loyalty greatly. If he knows that Young Master Yu likes me, as long as we talk to him, he should agree to our relationship.”
Murong Qiufeng stared at Murong Qiuyun in astonishment, his eyes filled with complexity. He realized that his sister had truly grown up. Several years apart, the innocent and carefree girl had changed.
After a long while, he sighed. “Have you considered Young Master Yu’s feelings? If he doesn’t reciprocate your feelings, how will you deal with it then?” For the first time, he felt a surge of anger toward his sister’s actions.
Perhaps it was because of his favorable impression of Shangguan Ye today. If Shangguan Ye hadn’t shown any affection for Qiujun, this plan might still have been viable. But since Shangguan Ye clearly had feelings for his sister, this marriage would likely not be opposed. Qiujun had already crossed the line by rejecting him in public today. If she were to pursue this further, it would be more embarrassing than giving him a slap in the face in public.
“Brother…” Murong Qiuyun suddenly looked up, tears welling in her eyes and wetting her cheeks. “Yun’er really doesn’t want to give up. I know Young Master Yu probably feels the same way about me. Regardless, if I don’t try, how will I know? Brother, you’ll help Yun’er, won’t you?”