Chapter 160: Entanglements, his stance (2/2)

But when she remembered that she’d been forced on him by Emperor Tianhui as well, she only angrily lowered her head and resumed eating. Their entirely meal passed by in silence. Han Yunxi realized that this fellow could spend his night without saying a word if she didn’t find a topic to talk about. Still, his silence wasn’t oppressive, but a type of cold aloofness that kept others at a distance even as they drew closer.

—

After the meal, Long Feiye didn’t mention going anywhere else. Han Yunxi followed behind him as before while they circled around the city. When the liveliness in the streets finally dispersed and scattered, they returned to the Duke of Qin’s estate. Unluckily, they met Grand Concubine Yi escorting Duanmu Yao out as soon as they reached the gates.

Duanmu Yao was already gloomy from Long Feiye standing her up. She was out of sorts the entire night, but had to kindly accompany Grand Concubine Yi to eat dinner and chat while comforting her about Murong Wanru’s impending marriage.

When she saw Long Feiye return, she quickly ran up and demanded, “Senior brother, where did you go? I was waiting for you to open that flask of snow wine!”

“Let’s leave it for mufei to drink,” Long Feiye said mildly.

This…hadn’t he accepted it before? This was wine she’d sealed up for ten entire years for safekeeping! Duanmu Yao felt stifled and was about to speak up when she saw Han Yunxi appear from behind Long Feiye. It couldn’t be…did senior brother go out with this woman?

What a Han Yunxi. I can tolerate you refusing to honor me with your presence, but you even stole away senior brother. She couldn’t swallow this down easily.

Immediately, Duanmu Yao’s temper flared up as her hands clenched into fists inside her sleeves. She was crazed with anger as she ran out to interrogate him. “Senior brother, what do you plan to do about the marriage alliance in the new year?”

Han Yunxi started at these words. She hadn’t dared to ask about this, but Duanmu Yao did. Grand Concubine Yi was startled as well, her complex expression settling onto her son. But Long Feiye seemed to have heard nothing. He didn’t reply, but walked away with long strides.

Now Grand Concubine Yi grew angry. “Feiye, you stop right there!”

Too bad Long Feiye didn’t listen.

“Senior brother!” Duanmu Yao stomped her foot and chased after him.

Long Feiye’s figure flickered before he disappeared into thin air.

“Senior brother! Master’s been asking about us as well!”

“Senior brother!” Duanmu Yao shouted a few more times in a huff. Unfortunately, nothing but silence answered her calls. Utterly discomfited, she turned back to glare at Han Yunxi before throwing herself into Grand Concubine Yi’s arms. “Grand Imperial Concubine, senior brother’s bullying me again! Sobsob…”

Did this…count as bullying?

Only, if Long Feiye really was unwilling, why didn’t he refuse her outright? He wasn’t the type of person to dawdle about matters. Han Yunxi mused to herself before deciding that this might be a form of bullying, too. Maybe.

“All right now, don’t you cry. I’ll give him a good lecture later.”

“Be good. Yao Yao’s the most obedient one. The emperor and I will be the judge for this marriage alliance, so don’t you worry,” Grand Concubine Yi coaxed sincerely.

Han Yunxi couldn’t help the cold smile in her heart. Grand Concubine Yi, ah, Grand Concubine Yi, you’ve certainly taken a fancy to this daughter-in-law. This time you’re not even working against Emperor Tianhui?

Duanmu Yao wiped away her tears. “I knew it, Grand Imperial Concubine is the best person of all.”

“Silly child, your senior brother never said he wouldn’t wed you, did he?” Grand Concubine Yi smiled. Duanmu Yao lowered her head as her face finally turned red.

“As for that flask of snow wine, I’ll guard it for you. When it’s New Year’s Eve, I’ll bring it to the palace for unsealing.” Grand Concubine Yi’s patience towards Duanmu Yao was even more tolerant than her attitude towards Murong Wanru. On New Year’s Eve, families had a reunion feast, so Long Feiye would naturally attend as well. Duanmu Yao had been waiting for these exact words, because they meant that she could attend the feast as well.

Before she left, Duanmu Yao intentionally drew close to Han Yunxi and said under her breath, “Esteemed wangfei, in the coming year…I’ll have to trouble you to take care of me.”

“Things haven’t even started taking form yet. Don’t be happy too soon,” Han Yunxi replied, not willing to be outdone.

“We’ll see!” Duanmu Yao replied coldly. If not for Han Yunxi, she might have waited a little longer until senior brother saw her good points and willingly married her. Unfortunately, Han Yunxi’s existence gave her a strong sense of danger.

Even if she had to use Imperial Father to apply pressure, she would marry into the Duke of Qin’s estate after the New Year!

-o-

[1] jianghu (江湖) – phrase for a community of martial artists that live outside of the laws and politics of society.