While Feng Xuanyi and Feng Xuanzhen were occupied with the unexpected arrival of Feng Xuanzhe, Ning Xuan suddenly erupted into a fit of coughing so violent it seemed to shake the heavens. Both men stared in surprise as his originally fair face flushed bright red, moisture gathering at the corners of his eyes.
Being closest to him, Feng Xuanzhen stepped forward to help. Since this was clearly his fifth brother’s newest favorite, it seemed only proper to show some concern. He gently patted Ning Xuan’s back a few times.
Feng Xuanzhe remained silent. A faint smile lingered at the corners of his lips as he looked down at Feng Xuanzhen and Ning Xuan from above. After a long while, Ning Xuan finally caught his breath. The moment he looked up, his gaze met Feng Xuanzhe’s. A chill ran through him. That gaze was too deep, impossible to understand and impossible to see through, yet somehow it inspired fear. Like a predator who wanted to possess everything in the world. Arrogant. Unrestrained. Confident. The confidence of someone absolutely certain of victory.
Dressed in snow-white robes untouched by even the slightest ornament, he seemed so pure and immaculate that he hardly appeared mortal. The wind sweeping through the hall stirred his robes and several strands of black hair. The contrast of black and white dazzled the eye. His skin was as smooth and flawless as the finest white jade, warm and delicate. The coughing fit had left a faint flush on his cheeks. His large phoenix eyes tilted slightly upward, adding a charm that was difficult to describe. It lent this seemingly immortal figure a touch of mortal warmth, yet made him all the more captivating. Even a cold glance devoid of emotion felt capable of ruining someone forever.
Every ripple of emotion in Ning Xuan’s eyes was captured by Feng Xuanzhe. One eyebrow lifted slightly before he calmly took the seat of honor. Feng Xuanyi and Feng Xuanzhen seated themselves on either side. Knowing that he was merely a lowly servant, Ning Xuan felt it inappropriate to remain at the same table under such circumstances, so he stood to leave.
Before he could move, Feng Xuanzhe spoke with a light chuckle. “What’s this? The beauty intends to leave the table the moment I arrive? It seems I’m not very welcome. Unlike Eighth Brother, who is apparently so charming and dashing.”
Unable to escape and unsure how to respond, Ning Xuan could only kneel respectfully and offer a formal salute. “This servant greets Prince Yi and wishes Your Highness good health.”
Seeing this, Feng Xuanyi quickly smoothed things over. “Elder Brother exaggerates. He’s merely a servant in my household. Dining at the same table might offend you.”
Though Feng Xuanyi was speaking the truth and was clearly trying to protect him, Ning Xuan still felt a sting in his heart when he heard himself dismissed so casually as nothing more than an ordinary servant, someone insignificant and unworthy of notice. He maintained his respectful expression nonetheless.
To his surprise, Feng Xuanzhe seemed unimpressed. “It doesn’t matter. With such a beauty nearby, even if he is only a servant, he’s pleasant to look at. Or are you saying Eighth Brother can tolerate it while I cannot?”
Though spoken jokingly, the unquestionable pressure beneath the words filled the room. Even someone as politically oblivious as Ning Xuan could hear the challenge and dominance hidden within Feng Xuanzhe’s tone. His temper immediately flared. When had Feng Xuanyi ever had to endure this sort of treatment? In this household, everyone practically worshipped him and catered to his every whim. Yet his own brother still insisted on posturing and throwing his weight around. No wonder stories of brothers killing brothers within imperial families were so common. Even though Feng Xuanzhe and Feng Xuanyi shared the same father and mother, there might have been brotherly courtesy between them, but brotherly affection was another matter entirely.
“Not at all,” Feng Xuanyi replied lightly. Whether he genuinely failed to hear the contempt and pressure in those words or simply pretended not to, no one could tell. “If Elder Brother doesn’t mind, then there’s naturally no problem.” He waved a hand toward Ning Xuan. “You may stay. Just mind your manners and don’t forget proper etiquette.”
Ning Xuan naturally understood the hidden meaning behind those words. Under normal circumstances, his eating habits and casual manner would have been considered improper even in the modern world, let alone in this strictly hierarchical era. To put it kindly, he ate with personality and enthusiasm. To put it bluntly, he looked like a starving ghost who had not seen food in eight lifetimes.
Understanding the hint, Ning Xuan rose and sat in the lowest seat, directly opposite Feng Xuanzhe.
Yi Xuan, who was serving nearby, immediately stepped forward with perfect timing. He cleaned up the minor chaos left behind moments earlier, replaced the bowls and chopsticks, removed the dishes that had already been touched, and worked with swift efficiency. Watching him, Ning Xuan sighed inwardly. As expected of someone who has served beside Feng Xuanyi for years. His talents extend far beyond that poisonous tongue of his.
Feng Xuanzhe studied Ning Xuan silently for a moment before turning toward Feng Xuanzhen. “No wonder you rushed over to Fifth Brother’s residence first thing this morning as though something were chasing you. You even refused Father Emperor’s banquet invitation. So there was someone occupying your thoughts.” He clicked his tongue. “Well, well. It seems our Eighth Brother has finally grown up and learned to harbor certain interests.”
Feng Xuanzhen looked utterly confused. He glanced at Feng Xuanyi. Seeing no reaction from his brother, he could only laugh awkwardly and let the remark pass.
Ning Xuan had originally been quite hungry, and under normal circumstances he would have gladly stuffed himself to death at a table like this. Today, however, he found the meal strangely unpleasant. Part of it was because of the way Feng Xuanzhe had spoken to Feng Xuanyi. Part of it was because Feng Xuanyi had publicly referred to him as nothing more than a lowly servant. Even though he knew it was for his own protection, he still could not stop himself from brooding over it. With those thoughts weighing on his mind, the food naturally lost much of its appeal. On top of that, there were outsiders present. And this particular outsider was especially terrible at reading the room. Not only had he made himself the center of attention, but he sat in the seat of honor and constantly looked down at everyone from above. Every now and then, Feng Xuanzhe would glance his way, making Ning Xuan feel as though every hair on his body was standing at attention. It was deeply uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, Feng Xuanzhe, Feng Xuanyi, and Feng Xuanzhen chatted happily about this and that. To Ning Xuan’s ears, however, it all sounded like neighborhood gossip. Even when the topics involved court affairs and political matters, it merely felt as though the subjects of the gossip had changed from ordinary people to influential figures. Bored beyond belief, he focused instead on finishing the remaining rice in his bowl.
Feng Xuanzhen had never cared much for politics. Compared to court affairs, he much preferred the thrill of charging into battle and displaying the valor of a warrior on the battlefield. After only a few exchanges, he too began suffering inwardly. Unable to say anything openly, he endured the conversation with a polite expression while his mind wandered elsewhere. Listening to Feng Xuanyi and Feng Xuanzhe talk back and forth, it seemed that Feng Xuanyi’s role consisted mainly of eliminating incorrect answers and occasionally receiving Feng Xuanzhe’s disdain or sighs of disappointment.
As a result, Feng Xuanzhen was the first to notice Ning Xuan poking at his rice with a pair of chopsticks, wearing an expression of complete disinterest and occasionally stabbing a grain or two with obvious misery. Amused, he said, “If you don’t want to eat, then don’t. Nobody’s forcing you to finish everything.”
Ning Xuan was in no mood to be polite to the man who had knocked him into the lake. He immediately shot Feng Xuanzhen a glare. “Spoken like a prince who’s been pampered since birth,” he retorted. “You don’t even understand that every grain of food comes from hard labor.”
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