CHAPTER 104: CONFRONTATION AT LONGJING MANOR

Yue Mingxuan also laughed. "I dare not listen to the private joys of my sister and brother-in-law." Then he tugged Bai Huayue’s hand gently. "Sister, your singing is so beautiful. If I am your little brother, shouldn’t you be afraid people will call the nightingale followed by a sparrow?"

Hearing Yue Mingxuan call him "brother-in-law," Tang Lubao straightened from head to toe. He said, "I cannot let this ’brother-in-law’ go to waste. This afternoon, I will find some famous old doctors to help you see patients. That way, your clinic will gain fame quickly."

Hearing this, Yue Mingxuan was overjoyed.

He wanted to open the clinic both to search for medicine to cure Sui He and to improve his medical skills.

If Tang Lubao could bring some famous doctors, that would be perfect. "Then I owe you this, brother-in-law."

Hearing Yue Mingxuan call him repeatedly "brother-in-law," Bai Huayue who is usually so calm, felt a faint blush rise on her face.

Seeing this, Tang Lubao’s heart grew even more joyful. "We’ll have a proper lunch at Longjing Manor to celebrate."

The three of them laughed and chatted until noon.

When the owner of Longjing Manor saw Tang Lubao come with some guests, he immediately led them to a table by the window.

After they sat, Tang Lubao said, "Little brother, this is my usual spot in Longjing Manor. I’m a rough man. I don’t like private rooms or fancy seats. I like a place where I can see the surroundings."

Yue Mingxuan looked around and as Tang Lubao had said, the view from the table showed the restaurant and surroundings clearly.

Soon, the servers brought Longjing Manor’s signature dishes, along with a fine pear wine.

Yue Mingxuan immediately took a small sip.

The fragrance of the pear filled his chest and he exclaimed, "Excellent wine."

Good food, good friends, fine wine... Yue Mingxuan felt that today had been the happiest day since he came to this era.

Unfortunately, his joy vanished when he saw Xie Lianhua and her group approaching.

It was still the solid "iron triangle" of Rong Tieshan, Rong Yuelin, and Xie Lianhua.

Yue Mingxuan smiled bitterly.

He knew Xie Lianhua was the one who had harmed Sui He, yet he could only sit there and watch the enemy smiling happily.

Xie Lianhua and Rong Yuelin had their backs to Yue Mingxuan and did not see him, but Rong Tieshan’s position was directly opposite him.

Upon seeing Yue Mingxuan, his eyes brightened and his lips moved as if he wanted to stand, but in the end, he stayed seated.

Yue Mingxuan glanced at him once, then turned his attention back to the view outside the window.

Sitting in the same place as Xie Lianhua made even the food seem tasteless.

They finished the meal quickly.

Yue Mingxuan excused himself, saying he had matters to attend to at home and he quickly took his leave from Bai Huayue and Tang Lubao, rushing toward the palace.

Earlier at Longjing Manor, he had instructed Sui He to return to the palace first and seeing Xie Lianhua suddenly made him worry for her.

Just as he reached the first gate of the imperial city, someone blocked his way.

Yue Mingxuan realized it was none other than Rong Tieshan.

Seeing Rong Tieshan, Yue Mingxuan felt a surge of anger.

If it weren’t for this troublesome men, his life in Beirong Kingdom would not have been so miserable and Sui He would not have had her face ruined.

"Prince Rong, what is your business here?" he asked sharply.

Rong Tieshan who saw the tension and resentment in Yue Mingxuan’s eyes felt a knot in his chest.

Once, this young boy had always followed him around like Xie Lianhua and calling him "Brother Rong."

Though he had disliked him, he never gave up on him.

But everything changed the night he disappeared.

He not only stopped chasing him but even suggested breaking their engagement.

Sometimes, he wondered if the Yue Mingxuan in front of him was even the same person as before.

When Rong Tieshan remained silent, Yue Mingxuan’s annoyance reached its peak.

He tried to walk past him into the palace, but Rong Tieshan suddenly grabbed his arm.

"What are you doing? Let go!" Yue Mingxuan was startled and began to struggle.

But because of the difference in strength, Rong Tieshan held him tightly and drew him into his embrace.

Rong Tieshan’s embrace was dry and warm, carrying the scent of grass.

If it were the old Yue Mingxuan, he would have been ecstatic.

But that version of him had long disappeared.

Now, Yue Mingxuan was like a hedgehog, prickly and defensive.

He kicked Rong Tieshan hard and breaking free from the embrace.

"If you’re in heat, go bother Xie Lianhua. I’m busy, don’t waste my time."

"Mingxuan, I..." Rong Tieshan looked at the anger on his face, unsure what to say.

He had only intended to stop him, yet the moment he touched his wrist, his own control completely failed...

At that moment, applause echoed from the shadows.

Shang Qinghua who is his presence previously unnoticed suddenly show up.

No one knew how long he had been there or what he had seen.

"Prince Rong, if you have feelings for Prince Yue, you might as well ask the emperor to issue an edict. A broken engagement that was restored could still be a beautiful story," he said while subtly mocking him.

Seeing Shang Qinghua, Yue Mingxuan felt both anger and embarrassment.

When he heard his veiled words of praise and ridicule, his eyes stung as if on the verge of tears.

"Prince Rong, I have nothing to do with you now. So, please stay away from me. I don’t want deal with your little sister or Xie Lianhua. And Prince Shang, please show restraint, do not ruin my reputation further."

After he said this, Yue Mingxuan slipped past Rong Tieshan and ran into the palace, afraid that if he stayed another moment his tears would fall.

He hated fate.

He hated this ancient world that brought him here.