Chapter 266: Anything For Peace
After spending a long while with Rong Chao and Tang Ruifeng, Ningyan was escorted back to Rong Yue’s chambers by a cheerful Rong Chao.
Along the way, Rong Chao spoke endlessly about their past days at the Celestial Beast Academy, recounting one amusing memory after another. Somewhere in the middle of his stories, he shyly admitted that, when they were younger, he had once been in love with Lan Meishan.
"It was... complicated," Rong Chao admitted, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "But that’s all in the past now. I’m happily married to Feng’er."
Ningyan couldn’t deny the sudden sting of jealousy that unexpectedly settled in his chest upon hearing those words.
So even Rong Chao liked Lan Meishan once...
The feeling was entirely irrational, there was no reason for it. He silently reminded himself that there was nothing to be jealous of, pushing the thought aside.
Eventually, they stopped outside Rong Yue’s residence. After chatting for a little while longer, Rong Chao finally waved goodbye and left, leaving Ningyan alone to return to the chambers.
A steaming hot bath had already been prepared inside. After soaking away the exhaustion of the journey, Ningyan changed into the neatly folded, luxurious robes that had been left for him.
He looked down at himself before letting out a soft sigh. "I really do feel like a pampered concubine..."
The room was quiet. Rong Yue still hadn’t returned. Outside, night had long fallen, and warm lanterns illuminated every corner of the palace courtyard with a gentle golden glow.
Ningyan climbed onto the enormous bed, sprawled across it like a starfish, and before he knew it, drifted into a peaceful sleep.
When he woke again, something felt entirely different.
He was warm... exceptionally warm.
Strong arms were wrapped securely around his waist, and a broad, solid chest rested against his back. The steady, rhythmic warmth of another’s breathing brushed gently against the back of his neck.
Ningyan froze. His first instinct should have been alarm or violence. Instead... Rong Yue.
He knew it without even thinking.
Carefully, he wiggled around within the tight embrace until he was turned facing the Tiger beast King.
Rong Yue was still asleep, his breathing slow and even. His usually stern features had softened completely in slumber, making him look far younger and infinitely more approachable. His golden tiger ears rested lazily atop his head, while his tail lay quietly behind him without the slightest twitch.
For a long moment, Ningyan simply stared.
What a beautiful sight...
His hand slowly lifted of its own accord. His fingers inched toward Rong Yue’s face, wanting to touch him.
Before his fingertips could make contact, the golden tiger ears twitched once. Blue feline eyes snapped open instantly, meeting Ningyan’s violet gaze without missing a beat.
Caught red-handed, Ningyan immediately lowered his hand. "Since you’re awake," he said with forced, cool composure, "you can let go of me now."
A low, husky chuckle rumbled deep within Rong Yue’s chest, the vibration traveling straight through the arm still wrapped around Ningyan’s waist.
It was... unfairly pleasant.
Heavens... this beast truly is a masterpiece.
"You were sleeping rather comfortably," Rong Yue murmured lazily, his voice thick with sleep. "So was I."
Ningyan held his gaze, adjusting to the sudden closeness. "You don’t look like someone who just returned from a war."
Rong Yue smiled faintly. "There was no war."
"There wasn’t?"
"I made sure there wouldn’t be."
Ningyan blinked. "What did you do?"
"I settled the conflict."
"How?"
Rong Yue answered as though it were the most natural, logical solution in the realm. "I arranged a marriage alliance."
"...A marriage alliance?"
"My younger brother, Rong Chen, will marry one of their sons."
Ningyan stared at him for several seconds. His expression clearly conveyed exactly what he thought of the idea, he wasn’t even attempting to hide it.
"I’ve met your brother already, and I sincerely wouldn’t wish him upon anyone."
Rong Yue couldn’t help breaking into a soft laugh. "Neither would I."
Ningyan blinked in confusion. "Then why would you...."
"For peace." The amusement slowly faded from Rong Yue’s face, replaced by the heavy weight of a monarch. "As a ruler, sometimes peace demands sacrifices that no one truly wants to make."
A heavy silence settled between them in the dark room.
After a long while, Ningyan asked quietly, "So... as a ruler, would you do anything for peace?"
Rong Yue studied him with mild surprise, his blue eyes clearing as the last traces of sleepiness vanished completely. "Are you asking me for advice?"
Ningyan hesitated. Then, somewhat awkwardly, he shifted beneath the heavy blankets until his legs tangled naturally with Rong Yue’s.
"I suppose I am."
"I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to seek ruling advice from me," Rong Yue said honestly, without the slightest hesitation, "when your current intention is to wipe out a large portion of beastkind."
The words were calm, entirely matter-of-fact.
Yet they struck Ningyan square in the chest.
He stiffened, staring at Rong Yue for a long moment before quietly turning his gaze away. "I’m not a terrible being." His voice came out softer, far more fragile than before.
Rong Yue’s expression gentled. "I never said you were," he spoke in a whisper. "And as I’ve told you before... I’m no saint either."
He paused, opening his mouth to explain further. "But—"
"It’s fine," Ningyan interrupted him gently.
Rong Yue blinked, studying him as though trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind those words.
Ningyan simply relaxed back against the bed, meeting Rong Yue’s feline gaze once more. "You know..." A faint, tragic smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I’m certain that, once I regain my memories, I’ll be in a great deal of pain."
Rong Yue’s blue eyes widened slightly. He clearly hadn’t expected such an admission.
Seeing the Tiger Beast King’s look of surprise, Ningyan’s smile softened a little more. Then, he slowly closed his eyes. Without another word, he leaned forward, resting his forehead gently against Rong Yue’s broad chest.
Rong Yue instinctively tightened his embrace, wrapping both arms securely around Ningyan’s waist and pulling him close.
Neither of them spoke again.
Surrounded by the steady, soothing rhythm of Rong Yue’s heartbeat and the enveloping warmth of his body, the tension in Ningyan’s shoulders completely melted away. Within moments, his breathing evened out, and he drifted back into sleep.
Rong Yue remained wide awake in the quiet chamber.
One hand slowly stroked Ningyan’s soft white hair, his heart aching with a bittersweet warmth as he held his husband tight against his chest.