Chapter 260: The Children....
Rong Yue let out a long sigh. Then, before Ningyan could react, he stepped forward and gently wrapped his arms around him.
The embrace was careful, somewhat hesitant, as though he feared holding him too tightly. His eyes closed, and his tail swayed slowly behind him.
"Will you let us help you?" The quiet question lingered between them.
Ningyan stood frozen. The scent of sandalwood and mountain snow clung to Rong Yue’s robes, and before he realized it, Ningyan had relaxed against him.
"It’s why I am here," his voice whispered, much quieter now. "I want answers."
Rong Yue’s arms tightened ever so slightly as he exhaled softly. "Good."
Ningyan hesitated. Slowly... almost unconsciously... he lifted one hand, pressing his palm against Rong Yue’s broad, powerful back.
Heavens, the beast was strong. His bare chest pressing against Ningyan was starting to feel hot, fanning the embers of a touch-starved spark deep within him. He was undeniably, intensely attracted to these beasts who claimed to be his husbands. His body and soul recognized them so easily, even if his mind remained locked in darkness.
He pressed his hands against that broad back more firmly this time, closing his eyes and letting himself sink into the embrace.
Rong Yue could definitely touch him whenever he wanted.
Eventually, Ningyan spent the night at the manor, though in a separate bedchamber.
When he awoke, a set of neatly folded robes had already been placed beside the bed. They were a pleasant shade of violet that matched his eyes.
Ningyan picked them up, staring at the fine fabric in mild surprise. "...He actually prepared clothes for me."
The thought made him smile without realizing it. Carrying the robes into the bathing chamber, he washed away the previous day’s fatigue before changing into them.
By the time he stepped outside, dawn had only just begun to paint the sky. Golden sunlight spilled over the clouds, and a cool morning breeze drifted through the grounds.
Standing on the balcony below was Rong Yue. Fully dressed, he was speaking quietly with a dragon guard who respectfully handed him a sealed letter.
"He has already left Water City with the children?" Rong Yue asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the dragon guard bowed deeply. "As instructed."
Rong Yue gave a slight nod. "You may go."
As the guard departed, Rong Yue caught sight of Ningyan standing on the upper walkway. With a flick of silver light, the letter vanished into his sleeve.
Ningyan walked downstairs without hesitation. "Jun Haoxuan was here?"
"Yes." Rong Yue smiled faintly. "It’s a pity you missed him."
Ningyan stopped directly in front of him. "I want to read that letter."
Rong Yue tilted his head. "...Why?"
"I want to know what’s happening," Ningyan replied, folding his arms. "I don’t intend to let myself be left out of everything. I also want to know whether you’re plotting to trap me."
Rong Yue chuckled. "You distrust me..." He looked at Ningyan with quiet amusement. "...yet you trusted Lan Meishan enough to kiss him."
Ningyan froze. "...How do you know about that?"
Rong Yue calmly walked past him. "Wuhen learned that Meishan managed to enter the Hidden Phoenix Clan. He kept bothering him until Meishan finally admitted he kissed you."
Ningyan’s ears immediately turned bright red. "I..." He coughed awkwardly. "That was..."
Stopping in his tracks, Rong Yue turned around with a gentle smile. "You don’t need to look so embarrassed, little bird. We’ve always known." He spoke so casually it almost stung. "Lan Meishan has always been your favorite."
Then he continued walking, leaving Ningyan rooted to the spot.
"...Has he?" He murmured to himself.
Thinking about it, it made sense. Lan Meishan was calm, gentle, patient... and exceedingly handsome.
..He’s rather adorable.
Realizing Rong Yue was leaving him behind, Ningyan quickly hurried after him.
They eventually reached the dining hall, where servants had already laid out a simple morning spread.
The moment they sat down, Ningyan brought it up again. "You still haven’t shown me the letter."
Rong Yue calmly poured tea. "I haven’t read it yet."
Ningyan narrowed his eyes. "Then let’s read it together."
"Why are you so determined?" Rong Yue asked, looking up.
Ningyan stuffed a bite of food into his mouth before answering, "Because it’s from Jun Haoxuan."
He continued speaking while chewing, making Rong Yue hide a fond smile.
"I’ve heard more about dragons than any other Divine Beast. The phoenixes seem to hate them the most." Swallowing, he looked genuinely puzzled. "So I really don’t understand. Why would I marry a dragon when my kin despises them so much?"
He poked absentmindedly at his food. "And after dragons... they seem to hate serpents the most."
Rong Yue watched him quietly. Only after Ningyan finished did he finally speak.
"The phoenixes were scattered for centuries. There were very few of them left, and no one knew where they had gone... not even you." His blue eyes softened. "And then one day... they appeared. They took you away from us, but in doing so... they hurt you."
A brief silence fell over the table.
"They hurt us as well," Rong Yue added quietly.
Ningyan lowered his gaze, slowly stirring the food in his bowl with his chopsticks. He wanted to argue, he wanted to defend the phoenixes, yet he no longer possessed the conviction to do so.
Instead, he quietly took another bite, lost in thought as he tried to piece together a past that still refused to yield its secrets.
"The children..." Ningyan suddenly looked up. "I was told we have children."
Rong Yue’s eyes widened. He had been in the middle of taking a sip of wine when he paused, nearly spilling it.
Ningyan had started to notice that Rong Yue had an absurd tolerance for liquor; he drank it as casually as one would drink water.
"...Yes," Rong Yue smiled softly. "We have three."
Ningyan’s violet eyes immediately lit up. "Really?"
His entire expression brightened with genuine excitement, and Rong Yue couldn’t help smiling in return. Ningyan had always adored children. Even after everything... that part of him had never changed.