Chapter 223: My Friend, My Family

Over the next few days, Ningyan kept most of his attention on the construction of the academy within the Heavenly Realm.

Thankfully, after speaking with the elders from the Sky Palace, everything had been progressing smoothly.

There was no interference or disturbances.

At least for now.

Still, despite keeping an eye on the academy, most of Ningyan’s focus remained fixed upon Su Mian.

At that moment, she was outside playing happily upon the soft green grass alongside Su Miao and Su Ruo.

The outskirts of the Abyss Serpent Clan capital were peaceful.

Far removed from the suffocating politics and tension of the palace.

Ningyan had chosen to remain there for the time being inside a smaller countryside residence surrounded by nature while his husbands handled their royal duties elsewhere.

Flowers bloomed endlessly around the house. Tall trees swayed gently beneath the wind. Streams flowed quietly nearby.

The entire place looked almost like a painting from a fairytale.

And yet, even while watching Su Mian laugh and play so brightly with her siblings... Ningyan still could not completely relax.

Ever since the incident with the phoenixes, he had repeatedly asked Jun Haoxuan to examine the crystal while stabilizing it.

Again and again.

But every single time, Haoxuan found nothing unusual.

No demonic corruption. No abnormalities.

Which meant there should have been nothing to worry about.

Right?

Ningyan leaned quietly against the doorway of the house, his bare feet brushing lightly against the cool grass while the gentle countryside wind flowed through his loose robes and long hair.

He liked this.

The serenity. The sound of nature.

The children’s laughter. And the simple knowledge that somewhere out there, his husbands still existed safely.

For a brief moment, everything truly felt peaceful.

Then suddenly, Ningyan sensed a familiar presence approaching.

His eyes flickered immediately.

Without hesitation, he stepped onto the outer surface of the building before moving along the roof toward the front entrance.

The breeze swept through his robes softly as he landed soundlessly near the gate.

Then he stopped.

Two familiar figures were approaching.

Rong Chao. And Jun Shenzhen.

The two of them seemed to be in the middle of a conversation before finally noticing Ningyan standing there.

Jun Shenzhen immediately brightened. "A-Yan!"

He waved his fan excitedly toward Ningyan.

Meanwhile, Rong Chen hesitated slightly before awkwardly lifting a hand in greeting as well.

Ningyan stared at them in disbelief.

Honestly, he truly had not expected them to appear here.

Eventually, the three of them settled inside the house together.

Steam rose softly from the cups of tea resting upon the wooden table between them.

As expected, Jun Shenzhen was the one speaking the most.

"I already told her I was not bothered by it." He scoffed lightly while fanning himself. "I enjoy the way I dress. And if I am comfortable with myself, then why should she become offended on my behalf?"

Rong Chao sighed beside him. "I think she was simply upset that Bai Ziru married you instead of her."

Then after a brief pause, he added calmly, "Besides, I doubt anyone expected the wolf beast prince to suddenly marry a dragon. And not just any dragon either. You are from a divine beast bloodline."

Rong Chao spoke while carefully avoiding Ningyan’s eyes.

And Ningyan was also avoiding looking directly at him.

Which immediately made the atmosphere feel painfully awkward.

Jun Shenzhen looked between the two of them with growing frustration while holding his teacup.

Ningyan finally cleared his throat softly before nodding toward Rong Chao’s words. "He’s right. So you should not let other people’s opinions affect you."

Jun Shenzhen narrowed his eyes and pointed his fan directly between the two of them. "You both are being strange."

Then he pursed his lips, flicking open his fan with confidence. "I am not letting anyone get to me. No one can shake my confidence."

Both Ningyan and Rong Chao smiled at his words, genuine pride surfacing in their expressions, yet neither of them still looked directly at the other. The awkwardness between them lingered heavily in the air like an invisible wall.

Shenzhen looked between the two of them several times before finally giving up. He let out a long sigh, set his teacup down, and clasped his hands together dramatically.

"I think it is finally time for the two of you to speak properly. You know... expressing your feelings instead of sitting here like wronged lovers in a tragic play."

Ningyan and Rong Chao glanced at each other.

Ningyan had already prepared himself to speak, but Rong Chao suddenly turned his head away with a frustrated sigh. "I want to vent first."

Ningyan sat upright, looking almost solemn. "Alright."

Rong Chao crossed his arms tightly over his chest, his tiger tail swaying irritably behind him.

"You knew," he said bitterly. "You knew how much I admired Lan Meishan. I spoke about him constantly back at the academy, yet you never once showed any sign that you were interested in him."

He paused, visibly trying to suppress the jealousy spilling from him.

"How did things even progress that far?" His brows furrowed deeply. "One moment you were my closest friend, and the next moment you were suddenly married to him. Married, Ningyan."

Ningyan parted his lips slowly.

"I... do not know how to explain it." His voice softened. "We simply connected naturally. But Chao, I truly never meant to hurt you."

His expression filled with guilt.

"I thought about it many times after learning how you felt." He lowered his head sincerely. "I am sorry. I should have apologised to you long ago."

Rong Chao huffed softly, though the sharpness in his expression eased somewhat.

"There is nothing you should apologise for." He muttered stubbornly. "Feelings are not something anyone can control." Then he sighed heavily. "Besides... you did end up marrying my brother too, so perhaps I should have realised something was wrong from the beginning."

Ningyan moved across the seat and wrapped his arms around Rong Chao tightly.

"Thank you for not hating me," he said quietly. "And I really am sorry for making you suffer."

Rong Chao stiffened from the sudden embrace before awkwardly relaxing, his face gradually turning red.

Shenzhen watched the scene with open amusement, laughing loudly while Rong Chao covered part of his face with his hand in embarrassment.

"I cannot believe I humiliated myself that badly in front of Lan Meishan." Rong Chao groaned. "I practically begged him to accept me. I sounded completely desperate."

That only made Ningyan and Shenzhen laugh harder.

Rong Chao’s face burned even redder. "Stop laughing!"

Shenzhen nearly fell over from laughter while Ningyan wiped tears from the corners of his eyes.

Eventually, Rong Chao sighed deeply and leaned back against his seat, looking far more exhausted than embarrassed now.

"...I am actually not very happy about my betrothal to Tang Ruifeng."

The laughter died instantly.

Ningyan and Shenzhen exchanged a glance before looking back at him carefully.

Shenzhen tilted his head. "Then why agree to it?"

Rong Chao smiled bitterly.

"It was never truly my choice." He looked down at his teacup quietly. "It is political. A union between clans." He paused before exhaling softly. "Still... I will try. Perhaps feelings can grow with time."

Shenzhen slowly placed a hand on Rong Chao’s shoulder while Rong Chao forced a smile, lowering his gaze as he picked up his teacup and took a slow sip from it. The steam curled against his face, yet the bitterness in his eyes did not fade.

Ningyan pressed his lips together quietly.

"Ningyan?" Shenzhen suddenly called, pulling Ningyan out of his thoughts.

Ningyan looked up. "Hm?"

Shenzhen’s teasing expression had long vanished, replaced with something gentler. More careful.

"Are you truly alright?" he asked softly. "We have barely spoken since the day Su Mian was taken."

Rong Chao’s attention shifted over as well. The atmosphere in the small house immediately quieted, the earlier laughter fading like smoke carried away by the wind.

Both of them were watching him now.

Ningyan was slightly caught off guard by the sudden question, but he still forced a smile onto his face.

"I am perfectly fine," he replied lightly. "Why would I not be?"

Shenzhen frowned faintly. "You killed Han Yunyi."

Ningyan’s expression immediately cooled.

"She deserved it," he answered without hesitation.

The air stiffened for a moment.

Shenzhen instantly raised both hands in surrender, laughing awkwardly.

"I did not say she did not deserve it," he hurriedly said. "I am only asking if you are alright. You are not merely my friend anymore, Ningyan. You are family."

The defensiveness in Ningyan’s chest immediately softened into guilt.

He lowered his gaze toward the tea in his hands, his fingers tightening slightly around the cup before loosening again.

"I know," he murmured quietly. "I just..."

Before he could finish speaking, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded from outside.

"Father! Father—!"

Su Mian rushed into the room excitedly, only to abruptly stop the moment she noticed Rong Chao and Shenzhen seated there. Her bright face immediately turned shy.

Rong Chao and Shenzhen both laughed softly at the sight.

Ningyan’s expression eased almost instantly.

"What happened, A-Mian?" he asked gently.

Su Mian clasped her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels excitedly. "Baba Meishan said there will be a blue moon tonight!"