Chapter 267: You’ll Know... When You’re Ready To Know
The next morning, Rong Yue woke up first.
Carefully, he untangled himself from Ningyan’s sleep-heavy embrace, making sure not to disturb him. Ningyan merely shifted on the bed, rolling onto his side with a quiet, contented sigh.
A faint smile tugged at Rong Yue’s lips. He gently pulled the soft blankets back over Ningyan’s shoulders, tucking him in securely before quietly sliding out of bed.
Without summoning any attendants, Rong Yue washed and dressed himself in silence. He changed into layered robes of silver and gold, fastening his golden hair neatly with an ornate crown. He had intentionally dismissed the servants. The last thing he wanted was for a bustling court of attendants to wake Ningyan.
Only after everything was in order did he step out into the hallway.
His personal guard was already waiting.
"Is Rong Chen still within the palace?" Rong Yue asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The guard bowed deeply. "Despite all of his complaints and attempts to flee, I’ve made sure he remains locked within his quarters."
Rong Yue nodded with quiet satisfaction.
The two walked through the outer halls together. Beyond the open stone corridors, dawn painted the snowy palace in pale, quiet shades of blue and silver, with heavy snowflakes drifting lazily through the frigid air.
Just as Rong Yue was about to step onto the main thoroughfare, the guard spoke again, his tone far more hesitant. "Y-Your Majesty..."
Rong Yue didn’t stop walking. The silence was permission enough.
The guard quickly continued. "Yan Wuhen has arrived."
Rong Yue froze mid-step.
Slowly, he turned his head, fixing the guard with an icy feline stare. "...Why didn’t you say so sooner?"
The guard immediately lowered his head further. "My apologies, Your Majesty."
Rong Yue pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a long, weary sigh. "Where is he?"
"The Frozen Bridge."
"...Of course he is." Another heavy sigh escaped Rong Yue’s lips. "Do not follow me. And make sure no one interrupts us."
The guard bowed respectfully. "As you command, Your Majesty."
Without another word, Rong Yue turned and disappeared into the quiet depths of the palace grounds.
He crossed the silent courtyards, passed long rows of frost-covered trees, and followed a secluded path until he reached the small frozen bridge. Beneath the thick ice, clear water continued to flow despite the bitter winter.
Standing upon the apex of the bridge... nine crimson fox tails swayed lazily behind a familiar, graceful figure.
Rong Yue stopped.
Yan Wuhen slowly turned around. Wrapped in thick crimson robes against the cold, he looked every bit as dangerous and ethereal as ever. His sharp red-and-gold eyes narrowed the instant they landed on Rong Yue.
"Hen’er..." Rong Yue began.
Yan Wuhen cut him off immediately, his voice cool and heavy with warning. "When you said you’d handle everything, I don’t remember you mentioning that you’d also keep me completely in the dark about having him with you."
His displeasure was unmistakable.
Rong Yue sighed softly. "I intended to tell you. I simply..." He paused, his tone dipping with rare honesty. "...got distracted."
Yan Wuhen stared at him for several long, dangerous seconds. "You did..."
A faint light flashed in his red gold fox eyes before he slowly stepped forward. Rong Yue remained where he stood, patiently watching the nine-tailed fox approach.
Yan Wuhen stopped only inches away, close enough that their warm breath mingled against the winter air. He leaned in until their foreheads were nearly touching, his sharp gaze never leaving Rong Yue’s. Then, with ease, he gently brushed the tip of his nose against Rong Yue’s.
And in a quiet whisper, he confessed, "...I killed a lion beast on my way here."
Rong Yue’s regal expression immediately fell flat, practically screaming. Of course you did.
Yan Wuhen looked back at him as though Rong Yue were being completely unreasonable. "What? He was saying a lot of unpleasant things I didn’t care for, so I killed him. I disposed of the body properly after devouring his heart."
His tone was perfectly casual as if discussing the morning weather.
Then, before Rong Yue could even begin to lecture him, Yan Wuhen leaned in and stole a quick, lingering kiss from his lips.
The instant Rong Yue reached out to deepen the embrace, Yan Wuhen laughed softly and bounded backward out of reach.
"No," Yan Wuhen hummed, his nine red tails swaying triumphantly behind him. "That’s your punishment for keeping me in the dark. You go handle your tedious royal duties. I’m going to go have some fun."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned on his heel and sauntered away into the frost, his tails swaying mischievously as if each possessed a mind of its own.
Rong Yue stood alone on the bridge, watching the figure disappear into the snow.
After a long moment, he let out a low sigh... and despite himself, a fond smile broke across his face.
^°^
Waking up without that familiar warmth wrapped around him was... disappointing.
Ningyan hadn’t even opened his eyes yet, blissfully unaware that someone was already watching him from the shadows of the room.
He slowly blinked awake.
Across the chamber sat Yan Wuhen.
The Divine Beast prince was seated leisurely in a high-backed chair, one long leg crossed loosely over the other. His nine crimson tails swayed elegantly behind him, while those striking red-and-gold eyes remained fixed intently on Ningyan.
Ningyan immediately pushed himself upright, his sleepiness vanishing. "You..."
"It seems you’ve become quite comfortable here," Yan Wuhen said lazily, his voice smooth as silk. "Interesting, considering that the last time we met, you were trying very hard to get rid of me, Yan’er."
Ningyan stared at him for a quiet moment before nodding with blunt honesty. "I have grown comfortable."
"I’m glad." Yan Wuhen rose smoothly to his feet. "Yue’er has always had a way with words."
Ningyan frowned, his brows pulling together. "He promised to help me. There were no clever words involved."
Yan Wuhen chuckled softly.
Ningyan climbed off the bed and walked toward him, folding his arms across his chest. "I only want his help... not yours."
Yan Wuhen simply looked down at him. His crimson fox ears twitched once, while his nine tails continued their slow, hypnotic sway.
Then, he laughed quietly. "You misunderstand, Yan’er. I’m not here to help you."
Ningyan uncrossed his arms, his posture sharpening. "Then why are you here?"
Yan Wuhen’s smile deepened, a glint of mystery flashing in his eyes. "You’ll know... when you’re ready to know."
Ningyan gave him an utter, unimpressed stare. "What kind of answer is that?"
Yan Wuhen merely chuckled. Without another word, he turned on his heel and sauntered out of the chamber.
Ningyan scoffed loudly at his retreating back.
Later that morning, palace attendants helped Ningyan prepare for the day. After bathing and changing into fresh, layered white-and-violet robes, he decided to wander through the snow-covered courtyards of the White Tiger Palace.
The crisp winter air brushed cold against his cheeks, but his thoughts remained far elsewhere.
Why did it feel so... normal... having Rong Yue and Yan Wuhen around me?
With a thought, his red-and-gold flute materialized in his hand. Absentmindedly, he twirled it between his fingers as he walked.
A faint annoyance settled in his chest. Ever since arriving at the White Tiger domain... the memories had completely stopped. Not a single new fragment had surfaced.
Was Rong Yue somehow suppressing them? Or... what exactly was happening?
With a quiet sigh, Ningyan lifted the flute to his lips.
Just before he could play the first note, he froze.
Not far ahead... Yan Wuhen was speaking with a beast woman.
She was breathtaking. Elegant golden robes draped over her graceful figure, while long silver hair cascaded down her back like liquid moonlight. White tiger ears peeked through her hair, and a matching tail swayed gently behind her.
She smiled warmly at Yan Wuhen. And Yan Wuhen... actually looked relaxed. He seemed to be teasing her, judging by the amused curve of his lips and the casual tilt of his head.
Ningyan slowly lowered the flute, his violet eyes narrowing slightly.
The woman was beautiful. Exceptionally beautiful. And Yan Wuhen appeared... entirely comfortable with her.
The sight made his chest tighten with an unexpected, sharp pang.
It would be utterly selfish to expect him to spend three long centuries mourning his death without any intimacy. He knew that. Yet... Ningyan had always been selfish... at least when it came to the people who mattered to him.
His grip tightened tightly around the body of the flute.