Futile Devices Scans

In the past, Feng Xuanzhen would definitely have protested indignantly. He’s just an old man nearing fifty. How impressive could he really be? Even if he was impressive, that was all in the past. But after witnessing everything firsthand this time, even the proud and self-confident Eighth Prince, Prince Yu, had no choice but to admit defeat wholeheartedly. A man like Marquis Dingbei—if he ever decided to turn against the dynasty and claim Hua Dynasty for himself, it would not be impossible. Leaving aside the fact that more than half of Hua Dynasty’s territory had been won through his own efforts, just considering his conduct and the loyal soldiers under his command, he could easily establish a kingdom of his own. Yet why did such a man willingly serve beneath their father? Compared to military achievements, their father valued civil governance far more. For a military genius of this caliber, it was almost a waste. The greatest tragedy in life was to possess talent and never be fully appreciated.

Although within Hua Dynasty no military official held a higher status than Marquis Dingbei, people still could not help feeling that his talents were underutilized. Especially after following him throughout the campaign and witnessing how flawlessly he managed military affairs, warfare, logistics, and even government administration, Feng Xuanzhen had to admit that even as a civil official, Marquis Dingbei would have excelled.

Seeing Feng Xuanzhen unusually subdued, particularly regarding a subject in which he normally prided himself, Feng Xuanyi could not help laughing. “What’s this? Has even he won you over completely?”

“Of course not,” Feng Xuanzhen replied unhappily, though there was little conviction in his voice.

“Whether he has or not, you know the answer yourself. Besides, I never said that was a bad thing.” Feng Xuanyi smiled. “Having someone worthy of striving toward is a good thing. Better than spending all your time pestering me to go hunting. Learn from Marquis Dingbei properly. After all, he’s the closest thing you’ve ever had to a mentor.”

Feng Xuanzhen neither agreed nor disagreed. Suddenly, his dark eyes shifted, and he looked directly at Feng Xuanyi with a mischievous grin.

“But Fifth Brother, what you did in court today was really—”

The rest went unsaid.

Knowing he was being teased deliberately, Feng Xuanyi shot him a sharp look before instantly putting on a bright, innocent smile that seemed warm enough to melt hearts.

“It’s enough that you understand.”

The sight made Feng Xuanzhen shudder.

“This afternoon, visit Eldest Brother’s residence. Take that beast-hide coat you brought back from the frontier with you,” Feng Xuanyi said suddenly between sips of tea. “Do what needs to be done. Say what needs to be said. Be arrogant. Be conceited. Be dull.”

Feng Xuanzhen showed no surprise at the abrupt change in topic. His thoughts shifted just as quickly. His expression became serious as he nodded.

“I understand.”

At that moment, a hysterical scream suddenly erupted from the inner chamber.

The content amounted to little more than a single desperate cry of “No!” Yet considering the location, the time, and the people involved, it was more than enough to send one’s imagination running wild.

Feng Xuanzhen lost his balance and nearly spat out his tea, while Feng Xuanyi remained perfectly calm, looking at him with an expression that clearly said, Is that really necessary?

The next instant, Ning Xuan burst through the door. One leg was outside the room, the other still inside. One hand braced against the carved sandalwood door, while the other clutched his neck. He had changed into a clean servant’s outfit from head to toe and was glaring with murderous hostility at the fluffy object in Qing Zhu’s hands.

“I’m warning you! When I say no, I mean no! If you dare bring that fluffy, soft thing anywhere near me again, don’t blame me for forgetting all brotherly loyalty!”

In truth, it was not nearly as terrifying as Ning Xuan made it sound.

The weather had turned cold, and some time ago someone had presented Feng Xuanyi with a snow rabbit fur collar. Its fur was pure white, every strand translucent as crystal. The texture was soft and silky, and Feng Xuanyi had immediately given it to Ning Xuan without a second thought.

The problem was that while Ning Xuan genuinely liked it, he could not stop thinking about where it had come from. The fur had been stripped directly from a rabbit, skin and all. Given the level of craftsmanship in ancient times, he did not dare think too deeply about how “cleanly” that process had been done. It was not that the fur smelled bad. Holding it or stroking it was fine. But wrapping it around his neck felt strange. Every time he tried, he pictured skinned rabbits—red, bloody lumps of flesh. Judging by the size of the collar, it probably required more than one rabbit. Just imagining several blood-covered carcasses piled together was enough to make every hair on his body stand on end.

So Ning Xuan absolutely refused to wear it.

Even the fox-fur coat had taken endless persuasion before he finally accepted it, and only because the cold had become unbearable. He had spent ages preparing himself mentally, forcing himself to adapt to the sensation of wearing fur. In the end, sheer survival had won out.

But now, adding a rabbit-fur collar on top of the fox-fur coat?

Not a chance.

Qing Zhu stubbornly advanced with the rabbit-fur collar. He had only taken two steps when he suddenly froze, staring toward the doorway with a stunned expression.

A sense of dread shot from Ning Xuan’s feet straight to his scalp.

Slowly, stiffly, he turned around.

There, seated on opposite sides of the table in the main hall, were two men drinking tea with equally rigid expressions.

Shouldn’t long-separated brothers reunited after returning from battle be happily raising cups together? Why are they both sitting here like stone guardian statues?!

“And what exactly are you two doing sitting there without saying a word?”

Ning Xuan quickly abandoned his aggressive stance and straightened his rumpled clothes. Somehow, instead of feeling embarrassed, he sounded as though he were the master of the room questioning unwelcome guests.

His words instantly destroyed what little composure Feng Xuanzhen had left.

He had seen arrogant people before.

He had never seen anyone this arrogant.

This was Fifth Brother’s residence.

This was Fifth Brother’s bedroom.

Yet somehow it felt as though he and Feng Xuanyi had intruded into Ning Xuan’s territory.

Most astonishing of all was the fact that one of the people being questioned was the actual owner of the room—Feng Xuanyi himself.

Turning to look at Feng Xuanyi, Feng Xuanzhen found him completely unbothered. In fact, he seemed accustomed to it. Calmly sipping his tea, he replied:

“We’re waiting for you to eat.”

Feng Xuanzhen nearly dropped his jaw.

Not only had the lord of the residence lost every trace of authority, he even seemed inclined to obey a servant’s every whim. There was unmistakable indulgence—and perhaps even a touch of coaxing—in his tone.

Waiting for you to eat?

So all that conversation just now was merely because he was bored while waiting?

Feng Xuanzhen stared at Feng Xuanyi in disbelief, desperately searching his brother’s face for some sign that he had misunderstood.

Instead, Feng Xuanyi seemed to have completely forgotten that anyone else was present. His dark eyes rested gently on Ning Xuan. To outsiders, he might still appear expressionless, but Feng Xuanzhen knew better.

At this moment, his Fifth Brother was being extraordinarily tender.

Hearing that, Ning Xuan thoughtfully rubbed his stomach. Now that it had been mentioned, he realized he had not eaten anything since early morning.

“Mm.”

He nodded and started walking.

Before he could take more than a step, Feng Xuanyi casually extended an arm and blocked his path.

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