Feng Yu's Story 2

He crosses his arms. “I’m hurt you would consider me something else. But then again, I did cultivate the image for years.”

“So running after me is also just—”

“No!” Feng Yu cuts me off and grabs my hands. “Never! I truly love you! You captivated me at the tournament with your effortless attacks and elegant techniques. I’ve never seen a more beautiful person than you, inside and out! Please believe me, I love you with all my heart!”

It’s hard to stay resolute in the face of such a passionate declaration, even though it’s not actually meant for me.

“We would’ve been doomed in the forest today, if not for your help, Murong-xiaojie. Strong, capable, always defending the people. How can one not fall for you?”

Now this is going to require some careful manoeuvring.

“I appreciate your words, and I can’t say I don’t like you, but I also like Shixiong.”

Feng Yu’s face falls slightly, yet he doesn’t let go of my hands, so I try to push it a bit further.

“No matter who I choose, the other one will feel resentment. You were such good friends once. I don’t want you to continue fighting over me.”

“I think that’s impossible, as much as I wish it wasn’t. There’s only one of you and two of us.”

That is true. But I’ve thought long and hard about a solution, and believe it or not, the queen was actually helpful.

“I will choose neither of you, if you don’t make up,” I say, trying to sound resolute. “And if I don’t, the queen will make a choice for me.”

There’s a complicated emotion on Feng Yu’s face, but I know what it means. He’s sure he wouldn’t be chosen, and logically he’s right. Why choose the playboy over the general’s son?

“You’re not playing fair,” he says, smiling sadly.

“I just don’t want to be the thing that stands in the way of your friendship.” Well, and the future of this city, I add in thought.

Feng Yu sighs deeply. “Fine. I’m willing to try. To be honest, I do miss his company.”

Yes! YES! YESSSS! I’m doing imaginary backflips. I don’t know if he’s only agreeing to get on my good side, but as long as they attempt some sort of reconciliation, my job will get a lot easier. And concluding from their interactions so far, I think they actually still want to be friends. Oh! That will make one of the ideas I had for my fanfiction actually viable…

I must grin stupidly, because Feng Yu laughs. “Why are you so invested in our friendship all of a sudden? No, don’t answer that. As long as you don’t ignore me, I’m content.”

It’s not fair to him. If he doesn’t play along, he will have no chance at all. But it’s the only hope I have.

“Now don’t mention this anymore. I’m going to tell my mother you’re awake. She’ll want to talk to you, I’m sure.”

“You didn’t tell her about me?”

“Your dragon people lineage? No. She only knows you stumbled on us while on patrol and saved us together with Dai Xuan.”

Oh, right! Dai Xuan!

“Where is Shimei?”

“I could convince her that my family can care for you and she left to report to Sect Leader Dai, while I brought you back to the Feng family residence in the city.”

“And the merchants?”

“Some injured, but all alive.”

I breathe a deep sigh.

“Well, I’m going now. I’ll send someone to help you change the wound dressing. They’ll also bring you some new clothes. Your uniform was torn and stained with monster blood.”

“Thank you.”

Feng Yu reaches for my hand and bestows a kiss onto it. “Anything for you, my love.”

He actually winks and leaves me speechless, blushing. Merciful heavens, why do you test me so? He is absolutely perfect. Even if I ignore my mission, there is no guarantee I can stay in this world once the attack from the North is over, no matter if I manage to successfully deflect it or not.

Right. The attack. With the monsters eliminated, the enemy should theoretically have had no opening to plant their traps, but I should examine the wall myself to make sure. I don’t know where exactly they would’ve planted the explosives, but since the monsters would’ve lured the guards to the south, it probably is in the north. Great. Another sleepless night. At least I got some sleep here.

There’s a knock on the door. Some minutes after Feng Yu left, two attendants enter. They are incredibly polite and proficient. I let them undress me, care for my wounds and dress me again in fresh clothes. I end up in Feng family colours—a flowy dark red robe with yellow belt and accents. Staking a claim everywhere he can, I see. The attendants do my hair, but only in a simple updo. I wish there was a mirror to look at myself, because the clothes are simple, but rather pretty.

——

I am led through the door into another set of rooms, which are more airy. There’s a desk there and many shelves, piled high with writings. I take a moment to look around while the attendant waits politely. There are large windows, but since the sun has already gone down, I can only imagine the light flooding the space. Right now there are a few lanterns lit, golden light illuminating the floor just enough to not trip over the steps.

“This is Young Master Feng’s office,” the attendant helpfully supplies.

“Feng Yu?”

She nods.

“So that was…” I trail off and point behind me.

“The bedroom he uses when he works late. Or rather his main bedroom, since he always works late when he’s not out.”

Huh. I take another look around as I go. The desk is piled with correspondence, stacks of letters and small boxes. Several brushes lie in waiting to be used, ink stones next to them.

Secret informant, undercover agent, capable bodyguard and dutiful office worker all in one? And then such a handsome face and gentle personality on top? [The Ballad of Falling Snow] really did this man dirty. Sure, he looked nice enough, but the rest of it was a mere glimpse of the surface. He was a parody of himself. No wonder people gravitated towards Liu Renqing.

“Murong-xiaojie!” Feng Yu welcomes me in the hallway in front of the office with a smile so brilliant, it seems to glow like the lanterns the people behind him are carrying. “You look beautiful.”

So does he, damn it. We walk together like a couple through the gardens. I’m silently stealing glances, until he looks back pointedly and laughs at how obvious I’m being.

“Am I so handsome you can’t look away?”

I cough. “I was just worried about your injuries.”

Feng Yu touches his left cheek, where the biggest scratch is already healing and shakes his head.

“It’s nothing. Phoenix magic won’t let me be injured for more than a day.”

“I can see why the people are envious of your clan.”

He looks me up and down and raises his eyebrows as if to say ‘You’re one to talk.’ but says nothing.

“You’ve met my mother before?” he deflects.

“Fleetingly.”

I can’t tell if I've seen her in the drama, but I get the feeling she might be very different here. She was only ever there to fight with Feng Yu over his escapades and to reprimand him. If she’s actually the one behind setting him up as an informant, their home life is likely very different.

“Does she know you like… like me?” I ask.

“She’s known for a while, but I don’t think she’s taken it seriously until I brought you here today.”

“Mhm…”

Feng Yu leads me to a pavilion in the garden, where there’s already someone sitting and waiting, with several more people standing at a distance. The air grows cold during the night here, this close to the northern desert, but for now it’s still warm and the high cliffs around the city block most of the wind. The woman sitting at the small table looks up from her book and smiles as she sees me. She stands up to greet me as I do the same.

“Murong Zhiyu. It’s been a while.”