Chapter 35

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Recruitment of Editors: https://gravitytales.com/recruitment-of-editors/

“Chirp, chirp, chirp…”

Outside the window, two sparrows flew by, their wings brushing against each other as they played affectionately. They darted in circles and tumbled in midair, carefree and lively.

The slightly heavy atmosphere was instantly dispelled. Catching Gu Yan Fei’s calm gaze, Gu Yun Zhen smiled faintly.

No words were needed; everything was understood.

She had overthought it.

“I understand!” After a moment’s contemplation, Gu Yun Zhen grasped Gu Yan Fei’s hand and said earnestly, “Second Sister, I will try to persuade Grandmother.”

Gu Yan Fei couldn’t help but chuckle softly. She hadn’t shared her thoughts to vent her emotions or seek anything in return—it was simply because she felt like it.

“Elder Sister, you’re the best!”

Gu Yan Fei reached out with two fingers to pinch the corner of Gu Yun Zhen’s handkerchief, gently swaying it before leaning against her sister’s slender shoulder. A radiant smile lit her face, as clear and bright as the sky after rain, impossible to suppress.

Her elder sister was truly adorable!

Gu Yun Zhen felt a wave of tenderness as her younger sister leaned against her. Gently stroking the soft strands of Gu Yan Fei’s hair, she thought to herself, As the eldest sister, it’s only natural that I should be the pillar for my younger sisters to rely on.

“Chirp, chirp!” A sparrow spread its wings and swooped down past the window, diving sharply toward the pavilion below, followed closely by another in hot pursuit.

Inside the pavilion, two figures who had stood silently for a long time finally moved.

Fang Ming Feng suddenly stepped forward, unable to contain himself. He raised his arms and pulled Gu Yun Rong into his embrace, his deep, hoarse voice seeming to emerge from the depths of his chest: “Rong Rong, if not for Gu Yan Fei, could we have been together?!”

In that moment, a renewed murderous intent arose within Fang Ming Feng. A faint crimson gleam flickered in his eyes.

Yes, it was Gu Yan Fei. It had always been Gu Yan Fei who had forced her way between him and her.

His Rong Rong—so kind, so perfect—was left with no choice but to yield!

Fang Ming Feng’s movements were so gentle, so filled with tenderness, as if applying even a bit more force might harm her.

Gu Yun Rong let out a soft gasp, completely caught off guard. She had never imagined that the always-polite Fang Ming Feng would act so boldly, pulling her into such an intimate embrace without warning. Instinctively, she tried to push him away. “Let me go!”

But he had no intention of letting go. The yearning in Fang Ming Feng’s heart surged uncontrollably, spilling over like a flood.

“Rong’er!”

A cold, commanding male voice rang out abruptly, startling the two sparrows mid-flight. Frightened, they fluttered about chaotically, scattering several brown feathers that drifted slowly to the ground.

At some point, the sun had become obscured by thick, overcast clouds, casting a faint gloom over the scene. The autumn wind rustled through the garden, carrying with it falling leaves and scattered petals.

Gu Yan Fei, intrigued by the sudden voice, turned her head in its direction. Sure enough, as expected, her gaze fell upon a tall, broad figure dressed in deep violet, standing in the floral corridor near the pavilion.

Kang Wang’s handsome face was alight with fury as he stormed into the pavilion like a whirlwind, striding directly toward Gu Yun Rong and Fang Ming Feng with an imposing air.

Ah, so Kang Wang has finally arrived! Gu Yan Fei arched her lips into a faint, knowing smile, her slender fingers idly tracing the intricate embroidery of the gourd-shaped pouch at her waist. Looks like I didn’t pick the wrong spot.

Still, there was one unexpected twist—What’s Fang Ming Feng doing here?

“Fang Ming Feng, let go of Rong’er!” Kang Wang roared, his rage flaring as he saw Fang Ming Feng holding Gu Yun Rong inappropriately. His fist shot forward with a powerful swing, the force of the punch whistling through the air.

Fang Ming Feng narrowly dodged, shifting swiftly to the side to avoid the blow.

Seizing the moment, Kang Wang grabbed Gu Yun Rong’s wrist and yanked her to his side.

As a seasoned martial artist, his strength was immense. The sudden force made Gu Yun Rong wince in pain, her left wrist aching sharply as she furrowed her brows and instinctively tried to resist.

A ripping sound echoed—“Tss!” Her sleeve tore apart under the strain, leaving a long gash that revealed a glimpse of her smooth, delicate upper arm.

“Your Highness, let her go!” Fang Ming Feng’s expression turned grim as he stepped forward decisively, showing no fear as he met Kang Wang’s fiery glare. He reached out and grabbed Kang Wang’s wrist, attempting to diffuse the situation.

The three of them froze in a peculiar standoff, an awkward entanglement of emotions and physical tension.

“Audacious!” Kang Wang’s anger burned even hotter, his presence sharp and menacing, like a drawn sword exuding a chilling aura.

He had come to Jing Wang Manor today specifically because he had heard Gu Yun Rong would be there. He wanted to explain that the matter of choosing a consort was the Empress Dowager’s decision, not his own. Kang Wang had no intention of letting himself be a puppet, but before he could say a word, he’d walked into this scene—Fang Ming Feng fawning over Gu Yun Rong. It left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Kang Wang was well aware of the long-standing familiarity between Gu Yun Rong and Fang Ming Feng. They had grown up together, the so-called “childhood sweethearts.” But it was clear to him—while Fang Ming Feng harbored intentions, Gu Yun Rong’s feelings weren’t mutual.

Kang Wang had made his dislike for Fang Ming Feng’s attentiveness toward Gu Yun Rong abundantly clear on more than one occasion. Yet, Gu Yun Rong had always insisted that she and Fang Ming Feng were as close as siblings.

She had said, with unwavering conviction, that her heart belonged to only one person—him.

Kang Wang’s heart momentarily swelled with sweetness, only for his anger to surge back, nearly overwhelming him. He wanted nothing more than to see Fang Ming Feng punished—preferably in a thousand excruciating ways.

This shameless man! Fang Ming Feng’s persistence knew no bounds, and now he had the audacity to take advantage of the situation and behave disrespectfully toward his Rong’er!

Fearing that Fang Ming Feng might try to sow discord, Kang Wang urgently turned to Gu Yun Rong and declared, “Rong’er, believe me, my princess can only ever be you.”

“And my heart belongs to you alone!”

The two short but impassioned sentences were spoken with unwavering conviction, blazing with fiery intensity.

Gu Yun Rong’s eyes reddened as she looked at Kang Wang. An indescribable mix of emotions rose within her chest—a twinge of sourness, a touch of sorrow, and an undeniable sweetness.

She believed him. She truly did. She trusted the man she had long admired. Yet, she also knew that the Empress Dowager’s intentions wouldn’t be so easily swayed.

Kang Wang’s status might seem illustrious on the surface, but in truth, it was precarious, like oil simmering over a raging fire. The recent return of the Crown Prince, Chu Yi, only added to the challenges Kang Wang faced. The Empress Dowager was undoubtedly using the consort selection as a political tool, aiming to consolidate support for Kang Wang by forging alliances.

In this era of supreme imperial power, marriage was often reduced to nothing more than a tool for gaining influence and control.

“Fang Ming Feng,” Kang Wang’s voice dripped with disdain as he glanced at him with an air of superiority. Encouraged by Gu Yun Rong’s gaze, he sneered coldly, “What right do you have to demand I ‘let her go’? Don’t forget, you are already betrothed. You don’t deserve Rong’er!”

The word betrothed hit Fang Ming Feng like a hammer, striking him deep in his heart. His face alternated between pale and flushed, his humiliation morphing into fury. With a roar of indignation, he thrust a palm strike toward Kang Wang while reaching out with his other hand to grab Gu Yun Rong.

Kang Wang scoffed with utter contempt. “Hmph!” Without hesitation, he drew the sword from his waist. The blade gleamed with a cold, menacing light as it sliced through the air, swinging directly toward Fang Ming Feng.

Seeing the escalating confrontation, Gu Yun Rong’s expression changed dramatically. She cried out in alarm, “Your Highness, don’t!”

She tried to intervene, but Kang Wang’s sword was already descending, its edge glinting like silver lightning, cutting through the air with deadly precision. Fang Ming Feng, refusing to surrender, dodged once again, narrowly avoiding the strike.

The tension between the two men reached its breaking point, the atmosphere crackling with danger and unresolved fury.

“Clang!”

The blade, sharp enough to cut through iron like mud, struck a pavilion column, leaving a deep, jagged scar that was both startling and chilling to behold.

Gu Yun Rong’s pupils contracted sharply, her face draining of color. She couldn’t stand idly by and watch Fang Ming Feng get hurt. In a desperate move, she snatched the scabbard from Kang Wang’s waist and tossed it to Fang Ming Feng.

This action only fueled Kang Wang’s fury. His sword flashed again, roaring like thunder as he swung with renewed intensity.

Fang Ming Feng quickly used the scabbard to block the strike. Sparks flew as the blade clashed with the metal.

Neither man showed any intention of backing down. The pavilion was soon a whirlwind of flashing steel, the clash of sword and scabbard echoing through the garden. Several of the wooden columns bore deep, crisscrossing scars from the relentless strikes.

Above them, loose tiles from the pavilion roof trembled with each clash. A few finally dislodged, crashing to the ground below and shattering into countless pieces. The scene was chaotic, tense, and brimming with danger.