After Kai departed, the air in the chamber grew heavy, thick with unspoken tension. Lord Thor straightened his posture, summoning his guards with a commanding voice that brooked no hesitation.
"Guards! Fetch Rong Yue for me," he ordered sharply.
One of the stone-faced sentinels nodded and hurried out. Moments later, Rong Yue was ushered into the room, his expression calm but eyes flickering with a faint tension, as if he sensed something was amiss.
"Father?" he asked softly, tilting his head, searching his father's face for clues.
Lord Thor's gaze sharpened, a flicker of sharp intent igniting behind his calm exterior.
"Rong Yue, have you noticed Xing Li engaging in any strange activities? Speaking with outsiders?" he inquired. "Because of your close relationship with him, I thought you might have seen something."
Rong Yue frowned, "As far as I know, Xing Li has kept to himself."
Lord Thor's expression shifted, calculating. He leaned forward slightly, voice lowering. "I've heard about the Emperor planning to gather noble sons from all seven kingdoms into a prestigious cultivation school in the capital within the month."
"Is that so, Father?" Rong Yue asked, a hint of unease creeping into his tone.
A sly smile curled Lord Thor's lips, cold and knowing. "Xing Li wants to be our representative at that school. Did you already know about this?"
Rong Yue's stomach clenched. He answered with a voice barely above a whisper. "Not yet."
"As the elder brother, do you have objections?" Lord Thor pressed, gaze piercing.
Rong Yue hesitated a moment. "I think it's good for him to volunteer."
"We'll proceed with Ying's wedding without him," Lord Thor declared, the finality in his tone leaving no room for debate.
Having concluded his business, Rong Yue retreated into his chambers, heavy with thoughts. Once inside, he summoned Lord Ying with a tone that brooked no delay.
"Bring the second young master to my chambers immediately," he ordered.
Minutes later, Lord Ying entered the dimly lit room, the scent of medicinal incense curling in the air. Rong Yue sat in the shadows, a troubled expression flickering across his face.
"Brother Rong, you called for me?" Ying asked, a flicker of happiness crossing his face as he stepped inside.
Rong Yue's eyes darkened, the weight of unspoken concerns pressing down on him. Without a word, he reached out, fingers brushing softly against Ying's wrist, pulling him closer with a slow, deliberate motion. The contact lingered, just enough to send a quiet shiver through Ying's body, hinting at something deeper beneath the surface.
"Why can't you do it right?" Rong Yue's voice was low, almost a whisper, infused with a charged undertone.
Ying's eyes widened slightly, heart pounding. He instinctively leaned in, craving reassurance or perhaps the closeness itself. His breath hitched as Rong Yue's hand traced along his jawline, fingertips grazing skin that tingled at the gentle touch.
"What did I do wrong, brother?" Ying whispered, trembling, vulnerability shining through.
Rong Yue's gaze darkened further as he leaned in, their faces close enough to share breath. His voice was quiet but intense. "I told you to cripple him." His lips brushed near Ying's ear. "Didn't I?"
Ying shivered, eyes fluttering shut for a moment before slowly opening again, uncertain, eager. Rong Yue's hand moved to cup Ying's face, thumb tracing along his lips, lingering there as if savoring the moment.
"You're too soft," Rong Yue murmured huskily. "That's why I need you to understand... what I want."
Ying's cheeks flushed, a mixture of shame and something darker flickering in his gaze. He leaned in, pressing his forehead against Rong Yue's shoulder, trembling, caught between obedience and a craving he couldn't quite name.
Rong Yue's grip tightened just slightly, then relaxed as he drew back enough to look into Ying's eyes. His voice was softer now, but no less commanding. "Now Xing Li is going away," he said quietly, the words weighted with emotion and resolve.
Ying's face betrayed a flicker of confusion. "Going away? Where?"
Rong Yue's expression softened, but his tone remained firm. "We'll worry about that later. For now, focus."
Ying hesitated, then nodded, still caught between obligation and something more primal, something that pulsed beneath their words and touches.
The night stretched on, shadows flickering along the walls as Rong Yue's hand lingered on Ying's.