Ningyan’s lips parted slightly in disbelief as Rong Chao’s words echoed in his mind, over and over, refusing to fade.

Even Lan Meishan looked momentarily stunned and then the tears came.

They slipped silently down Rong Chao’s cheeks, his composure breaking apart piece by piece.

"It... shattered me," he said, his voice trembling, uneven. "When I heard that you were married, I..."

His words trailed off.

Behind the shelf, Ningyan exhaled slowly and leaned back against the wood, his chest feeling strangely heavy.

Jun Shenzhen, still beside him, reached out and patted his shoulder awkwardly, but well-meaning.

"I apologize... if I have caused you pain." Lan Meishan’s voice was calm, gentle.

Ningyan and Shenzhen immediately leaned forward again, peeking through the narrow gap.

Meishan had placed a reassuring hand on Rong Chao’s shoulder.

"I was not aware of your feelings," he continued. "Even Ningyan has told me... I am not particularly perceptive when it comes to such emotions."

That made Ningyan pause.

A thought, sudden and unwelcome, slipped into his mind.

If Rong Chao had confessed earlier... Before I ever entered the academy...

Would they have....

He cut the thought off before it could finish.

Rong Chao looked up, eyes wide, regret flickering plainly across his face. "...I see."

"However," Meishan added, his tone unchanged, "there is nothing that can be done."

The words fell cleanly.

"I am already married. I have a family of my own. And I hope... you can let go of me."

Behind the shelf, Ningyan felt something in his chest loosen.

A small smile tugged at his lips despite himself.

Even Shenzhen looked faintly moved.

Meishan turned to leave.

But before he could take more than a step, Rong Chao ran forward and wrapped his arms tightly around him from behind.

"Please...!" His voice cracked completely this time. "I’m telling you now! Just...just be with me!"

Meishan stiffened, clearly caught off guard.

"You’re already one of Ningyan’s husbands. What difference does it make?" Rong Chao rushed on desperately. "He has all of you... you could have me too. I..I don’t mind, I just—"

Behind the shelf, both Ningyan and Shenzhen froze.

Then, very slowly, they both looked away.

That... was painful to watch.

"Please... let go of me," Meishan said softly.

There was no anger in his voice only discomfort.

Ningyan shifted, ready to step out. He couldn’t just stand here anymore.

But just as he moved, anew familiar presence entered the space.

Both Ningyan and Shenzhen looked.

Tang Ruifeng walked past them without a glance, his steps measured, composed.

Ningyan’s eyes widened.

What is he doing here?

"Chao’er." Ruifeng’s voice was gentle.

Rong Chao froze instantly. Then, as if burned, he released Meishan and turned around, his expression tightening into a frown.

Tang Ruifeng stepped forward, his gaze briefly flicking to Meishan before he bowed slightly.

"My apologies, Your Divine Majesty," he said smoothly. "Chao’er is... emotional by nature. Besides, you are his first and only love."

His tone remained polite. "Which means decisions without thoughts are expected to be made."

Ningyan stared.

Something clicked into place, slowly, then all at once.

No way...

Rong Chao and Tang Ruifeng. They were betrothed.

Ningyan’s expression stiffened.

Because suddenly, everything felt far more complicated than it already was.

...I almost slept with him. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Ningyan closed his eyes briefly.

Yes. This was a mess.

A complete mess.

"It’s fine." Lan Meishan’s expression softened vaguely as he gave Rong Chao a small, polite smile one that only made the other beast flush deeper in embarrassment.

Then his eyes moved, snapping straight to the shelves.

Ningyan’s heart nearly stopped.

He and Jun Shenzhen immediately ducked back, pressing themselves flat against the wood, holding their breath as if their very existence might give them away.

Rong Chao rushed out of the library, his robes brushing sharply against the floor.

"...My apologies once again," Tang Ruifeng’s voice followed, calm but edged with something unreadable. "It is... unfortunate, to have one’s betrothed confess to another especially when that person is already bound to another."

Then he left and silence returned.

Only then did Ningyan and Shenzhen slowly emerge from hiding, both placing hands over their chests as if they had just escaped something far more dangerous than a confrontation.

"That was... difficult," Shenzhen muttered.

"Yes," Ningyan breathed, pressing his palms against his warm cheeks. "I feel like a terrible beast, Shenzhen. What am I supposed to do? He won’t even look at me. Let alone speak to me."

Shenzhen scoffed, folding his arms. "Hmph. It’s not your fault. You and Meishan chose each other. His feelings were never returned. That is all there is to it."

"I know, I just..." Ningyan groaned softly. "It still feels awful. He used to talk about Meishan all the time back at the academy... what if he thinks I seduced him?"

Shenzhen gave a small shrug.

"I cannot advise you on wounded hearts," he said bluntly. "But he has a betrothed. That alone should draw a line."

"...Fine." Ningyan exhaled, though the weight in his chest didn’t fully lift.

^

They parted ways soon after.

By the time Ningyan returned to Jun Haoxuan’s chamber, the atmosphere had shifted completely.

It was warm and quiet.

Su Ruo lay asleep across Jun Haoxuan’s lap, her small body rising and falling gently with each breath.

In front of him, scrolls were stacked in careful order, each one sealed with precise movements.

Beside him, Su Mian worked diligently, carrying finished scrolls and stacking them neatly, her small face full of focus.

Ningyan paused at the entrance, a faint smile touching his lips. "You all seem busy."

Mian looked up immediately, her cheeks flushing as she gave him a shy smile.

Jun Haoxuan lifted his gaze as well, the sharpness in his golden eyes softening.

"Unfortunately," he said with a quiet chuckle, "choosing to spend time away from duties tends to create more of them."

"Strange," Ningyan teased as he stepped closer. "Meishan seems completely free. He has been raiding the library endlessly."

He moved without hesitation, gently lifting the sleeping Su Ruo from Haoxuan’s lap and placing her carefully onto the bed.

With a smile on his face, he claimed her place, settling comfortably against Jun Haoxuan and drawing him close with a loose embrace.

"Papa Xuan, can I seal the rest?" Mian leaned forward eagerly, her eyes shining as she watched the process.

"I do not think that is a good idea, Xiao Mian," Haoxuan said gently. "Perhaps you should rest with your sister."

"But I want to help..." she pouted.

Ningyan tilted his head, watching the exchange with quiet amusement before reaching up, his fingers brushing lightly against Haoxuan’s horns.

Jun Haoxuan exhaled softly in defeat "...Very well."

He passed the seal to Mian.

Her face lit up instantly as she began working with utmost seriousness.

Ningyan smiled faintly and shifted closer, pressing fully into Haoxuan’s warmth.

Haoxuan’s arm came around him naturally, holding him in place.

"Did something happen, Yan’er?" he asked quietly.

"Not really..." Ningyan murmured, his voice softer now. "I’m just trying to gather the courage to speak to a friend."

Jun Haoxuan’s gaze lingered on him for a moment.

"If that friend truly values you," he said calmly, "it will end well."

Ningyan let out a slow breath, resting more fully against him. "...I hope so too."