Chapter 34

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The soaring eaves and upturned corners of the Moon Pavilion spread overhead like a giant umbrella, shielding Gu Yun Rong and Fang Ming Feng from the world outside. From their vantage point on the second floor of the Moonlight Tower, Gu Yun Zhen and Gu Yan Fei were positioned just outside the pavilion’s line of sight. This gave the sisters a clear and unobstructed view of the scene below.

Gu Yun Rong and Fang Ming Feng stood no more than two feet apart, surrounded by the lush sea of blooming roses that encircled the pavilion. The vibrant hues of purple, red, and pink mingled with the soft chirping of birds and the gentle fragrance of flowers, painting a picturesque scene straight out of a master artist’s portfolio.

“Yun Rong,” Fang Ming Feng murmured, stepping closer to her, his voice tinged with an undeniable tenderness. His hand reached out, catching her slender wrist in a gentle grip.

Their faces were now less than two feet apart, and Fang Ming Feng’s gaze was locked on her, unwavering and intense. His eyes roamed over her delicate features—from her gracefully arched brows to the flutter of her long lashes, the faint dimples at the corners of her lips, and finally her soft, alluring mouth. He seemed utterly entranced, his gaze deep and consuming, like an ocean ready to drown anyone caught in its depths.

“Don’t push me toward someone else,” Fang Ming Feng said firmly, his voice steady but imbued with an unmistakable plea.

His voice carried clearly on the wind, reaching even the second floor of the Moonlight Tower.

The meaning behind “someone else” was unmistakable. Gu Yun Zhen furrowed her brows, instinctively gripping her handkerchief tightly. She turned to glance at Gu Yan Fei, unsure how her sister would react to the scene unfolding below.

Gu Yan Fei, however, seemed utterly unperturbed. She leaned lazily against the window frame, her right hand propped under her cheek, watching the pair below with a languid gaze. Though the situation didn’t entirely align with the rumors she had heard in her past life, it seemed far more intriguing. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, her amusement subtly evident.

Gu Yun Rong, meanwhile, had also caught the implication behind Fang Ming Feng’s words. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise as realization dawned. Instinctively, she tried to step back, but the round column of the pavilion behind her left her nowhere to retreat.

Usually composed and restrained, Fang Ming Feng now appeared startlingly out of character. His face, typically as polished and elegant as jade, betrayed a rare and unguarded intensity, as though years of suppressed emotions were spilling forth all at once. The rawness in his expression was as captivating as it was unsettling, hinting at a storm brewing beneath his gentlemanly facade.

Fang Ming Feng let out a bitter laugh before continuing, “All these years, do you truly not understand my feelings for you?”

From their childhood, he had always treated her differently from others. He had taught her to ride horses and play polo. When he played the qin, she accompanied him on the zither. They had painted together, side by side. They were childhood sweethearts, sharing countless memories over the years.

He knew her, and she knew him. Their bond had always been close, seamless, and unbreakable. So why had Gu Yan Fei appeared?

If not for her, he and Gu Yun Rong would have been the perfect match, destined by heaven.

“Fang Ming Feng!” Gu Yun Rong’s voice trembled as the heat from his palm seared against the delicate skin of her wrist. Her eyes shimmered with a complex mix of emotions as she finally spoke, her tone soft but heavy with meaning. “You know that to me, you are like a brother, a dear friend… almost like family.”

“I am not your brother!” Fang Ming Feng interrupted, his voice trembling with barely restrained anguish. Pain twisted his features as a bitter taste rose in his throat, his chest tightening unbearably. He couldn’t believe it—he refused to believe that she didn’t care for him.

No, his Yun Rong was too kindhearted. She must be sacrificing their love to give way to Gu Yan Fei. That was the only explanation!

Gu Yun Rong, seeing his distress, let out a helpless sigh, her breath tinged with resignation. Her silence hung in the air like a fragile thread, threatening to snap under the weight of unspoken words. She had grown up with him, and to her, Fang Ming Feng was more like an older brother than anything else.

From a young age, she had been aware of their engagement. Yet every time she imagined marrying someone who felt as familiar as a sibling—sharing a bed, a life—she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. She had once worried about this dilemma, but fortunately, Gu Yan Fei had come along…

Gu Yun Rong had always believed herself to be incredibly lucky. Fixing her gaze on Fang Ming Feng’s reddened eyes, she sighed softly, as though offering a gentle reprieve. “Ming Feng, you’re a good man.”

As she spoke, her voice was both tender and firm. With a deliberate motion, she slipped her wrist free from his grasp. “The one betrothed to you was never me,” she continued slowly, her tone unwavering. “Now, things are finally returning to their rightful course.”

Fang Ming Feng’s eyes turned red, his sharp features clouded with a mix of defiance and pain. His brows, usually refined and composed, now twisted with a trace of unrestrained intensity—a rawness he rarely revealed.

“Rong Rong,” he suddenly reverted to the childhood nickname he had used for her, his voice hoarse with emotion. “You are unique to me! There’s no one else like you!”

His words carried a desperate sincerity, but they only deepened the distance between them as Gu Yun Rong’s resolve remained firm. Fang Ming Feng’s words were so heartfelt, as if he was ready to bare his soul to prove his sincerity. Yet Gu Yan Fei nearly laughed aloud.

Watching the expression on his face—overflowing with longing, pain, and desperation—she curled her lips into a faint smirk. So, he truly loves Gu Yun Rong, she thought, her gaze cool and detached. Loves her so much that he’s willing to eliminate every so-called “obstacle” standing in their way, including me.

As memories of the atrocities he had committed over two lifetimes resurfaced, Gu Yan Fei’s eyes turned cold, an icy sharpness cutting through her usual composure.

The scent of roses lingered in the air, carried by a gentle breeze. A few petals fluttered into the pavilion, landing softly on their clothing, adding a fragile beauty to the tense moment.

“Fang Ming Feng…” Gu Yun Rong murmured his name, staring at him with a mixture of emotions swirling in her chest. Her heart felt heavy, a bittersweet ache that left her unsure whether she felt more moved, helpless, or burdened by something even more complex.

She knew well how good Fang Ming Feng was. He was loyal, virtuous, and disciplined—one of the finest young men among the noble sons of the capital. Any woman would be fortunate to marry him. For Gu Yan Fei, the engagement to him was more than a promise—it was compensation for the fourteen years she had endured.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Yun Rong reminded herself that she couldn’t falter. What doesn’t belong to me, I won’t take.

Her resolve firmed, though her heart still carried the weight of all that had been and all that could never be.

The autumn breeze swept gently, stirring her skirts so they fluttered like butterflies, accentuating her delicate and slender figure.

Inside Moonlight Tower, Gu Yun Zhen bit her lower lip, clutching her handkerchief tighter as a faint ache throbbed at her temples.

Ever since she had seen Gu Yun Rong laughing and chatting with Fang Ming Feng on the polo field earlier, Gu Yun Zhen had felt uneasy. The two of them, childhood sweethearts, had always been close. However, since their grandmother had already decided that Gu Yan Fei would marry into the Duke of Ying’s household, Gu Yun Rong should have been more mindful of her behavior and avoided giving rise to misunderstandings.

Gu Yun Zhen had intended to speak to Gu Yun Rong discreetly, to offer a few words of advice, but she hadn’t expected… this.

Her mind in turmoil, Gu Yun Zhen glanced again at Gu Yan Fei, her lips parting slightly as if to speak. After a brief hesitation, she murmured, “Second Sister, Third Sister and the Duke’s heir grew up together…”

Even Gu Yun Zhen herself wasn’t entirely sure what she was trying to explain. Fang Ming Feng knew full well that his engagement was with Gu Yan Fei, yet he still openly expressed his feelings for Gu Yun Rong. No matter how one looked at it, it was improper.

“Big Sister,” Gu Yan Fei interrupted calmly, her voice steady and cool. She raised her hand and pointed toward Fang Ming Feng, who stood in the pavilion below. “Do you think Fang Ming Feng is a good match?”

Her directness cut through Gu Yun Zhen’s muddled thoughts, bringing a stark clarity to the moment.

Her dark eyes were like the surface of a still lake, calm and impenetrable, revealing nothing of the depths beneath.

Gu Yun Zhen pressed her lips together, hesitating. Fourteen years ago, the mistake of the switched daughters had condemned Gu Yan Fei to a life of suffering, robbing her of everything that should have been hers. Now that the truth about her and Gu Yun Rong’s origins had been revealed, it was only right for each to return to her rightful place.

Since Gu Yan Fei had come back to the Gu family, she naturally deserved to reclaim the engagement that should have belonged to her. It was not only a correction of past wrongs but also an attempt at compensation.

But if this marriage would only bring Gu Yan Fei pain, could it still be called “compensation”?

Meeting Gu Yun Zhen’s conflicted gaze, Gu Yan Fei stared steadily at her, her voice slow and deliberate. “Why should a pearl pretend to be a fish eye?”

Her tone was sharp, laced with unmistakable mockery.

Gu Yun Zhen was left speechless, her words caught in her throat. In that moment, clarity struck her like a flash of lightning. The answer rose vividly in her mind—

Fang Ming Feng was not, and could never be, a suitable match for Gu Yan Fei.

The moment clarity dawned, Gu Yun Zhen felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as though a heavy burden had been lifted from her heart. Her mind cleared, and a sense of brightness filled her chest.

For a few seconds, silence hung between them. Then, Gu Yun Zhen turned her gaze to Gu Yan Fei, her expression serious but gentle. “Second Sister, have you truly thought this through?” she asked, her voice steady.

Reality was often harsh. Gu Yan Fei wasn’t at fault, but her complicated background made her situation precarious. If she let go of Fang Ming Feng now, finding another good match in the future could prove difficult. The noble circles were not forgiving, and opportunities like this didn’t come easily.