"You came back just in time. I plan to go to the Grand Tutor's residence to propose in a few days."
Xia Feng smiled faintly and lightly patted Sikong Hun's shoulder.
"Brother Hun, on my wedding day, you must come with me to fetch the bride."
"Big Brother, what are you saying! That's what I should do!"
The three turned and walked towards the imperial city.
On both sides of the ancient street, countless Great Xia commoners applauded and cheered as if it were a grand celebration.
Especially Sikong Hun, flanked by Xia Feng and Qiao Shuang, attracted countless gazes.
"Don't you think… General Sikong and Miss Shuang'er are a better match?"
"Do you have a death wish?! If the Eldest Prince hears this, your entire clan will be exterminated!"
"How could that be? The Eldest Prince is gentle and kind by nature. How could he blame me for a mere joke? I actually hope the three of them can remain as close as they are now!"
"Yes! That way, our Great Xia's national fortune will surely prosper."
"Heh."
Hearing the passersby's words, Sikong Hun shook his head with a smile and turned to Xia Feng, "Big Brother, you don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not! I see you as my brother, and Shuang'er is your sister-in-law. 'As close as can be' is right!"
Xia Feng smiled lightly, his eyes clear.
Beside Sikong Hun, Qiao Shuang shyly lowered her head.
Only when the three reached the Loyalty Count's residence did Xia Feng stop. "Brother Hun, since you've returned to the capital this time, you're surely due for a promotion and reward. Go back and rest first. Father has instructed me to arrange a banquet, inviting the young masters from all the capital's clans to celebrate with you."
"Good! Big Brother! Then I'll go pay respects to my father first. We'll drink until we drop tonight!"
Sikong Hun bowed. At that moment, Qiao Shuang suddenly bit her red lips and said, "Brother Feng, it's been a long time since I've seen Uncle Sikong too. I'll go with Brother Hun to pay our respects to the elder. You don't mind, do you?"
"Not at all! Of course not! Then come with Brother Hun to the Yun Meng Immortal Pavilion tonight!"
Xia Feng chuckled and turned away.
From start to finish, not a trace of gloom showed on his face, as if he truly didn't mind Qiao Shuang's closeness with Sikong Hun.
---
In the Domain World, Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly.
Was Xia Feng truly pure of heart, or had he simply not developed feelings for Qiao Shuang?
Did he not know there was something in this world even better than dumplings?
Your fiancée is going to another man's house, and you can still remain so calm?
Interesting. It seemed he needed to spice things up a bit.
But before that, Ling Xiao still felt he should test whether Xia Feng knew about his demonic identity in his previous life.
---
"Shuang'er!"
Only after Xia Feng had gone far did Sikong Hun smile warmly and habitually reach out to ruffle Qiao Shuang's hair.
"Three years apart, and you've grown into a young lady."
"Brother Hun, you can't touch me like that anymore. If others see, they might misunderstand… and then…"
Qiao Shuang's face flushed red, looking as if she wanted to avoid it but couldn't bear to.
"Oh, I forgot. You're my sister-in-law now."
Sikong Hun gave a bitter smile, withdrew his hand, his expression somewhat downcast.
The Xia Sheng lineage, though princes, previously didn't dare get too close to the Grand Tutor's residence to avoid arousing Xia Yong's suspicion.
So, during their childhood, the one truly close to Qiao Shuang was indeed Sikong Hun.
But back then, the Sikong family wasn't highly influential, while Qiao Yunli was already the Grand Tutor.
Deep down, Sikong Hun felt he wasn't worthy of Qiao Shuang.
But now, with the new emperor on the throne, the Sikong family had the great merit of protecting the dragon, becoming one of Great Xia's most prominent clans.
The beauty remained the same, and he had achieved success and fame, but just… before his deep love could be spoken, she had become his sister-in-law!
Dammit!
But by now, Sikong Hun had come to terms with it.
Xia Feng was upright, low-key, and exceptionally talented, surpassing Sikong Hun in every aspect.
Shuang'er deserved it.
"Sister-in-law? Brother Hun, do you really think that?"
A trace of bitterness seemed to touch Qiao Shuang's lips, causing Sikong Hun's settled heart to inexplicably ripple.
"Since the news of your return to the capital for the reward spread, many people with ulterior motives started spreading rumors, saying that you… were heartbroken, which is why you chose to campaign at the border. They said… you've always had feelings for me… Is it true?"
Qiao Shuang gritted her silver teeth, her jade hands nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, looking very tense.
"Nonsense!! That's pure rumor! Who said that? I'll kill his entire family!! I see you as a sister, and the Eldest Prince as a brother. I'm genuinely happy from the bottom of my heart that you two are getting married. How could there be any talk of heartbreak?!"
Sikong Hun seemed very agitated, his voice filled with anger.
Qiao Shuang just looked at him calmly and finally nodded with a smile.
But the inadvertent sorrow in her eyes instantly made Sikong Hun's heart tremble again.
What was wrong with Shuang'er today?
Why was she happy one moment and despondent the next?
And, did he say something wrong?
Why did her eyes seem lonely and bitter?
"Brother Hun, I wish you can find your true destined love."
In the end, Qiao Shuang didn't say anything more. A trace of sorrow seemed to linger between her brows as she stepped towards the residence's exit.
"Shuang'er? Shuang'er?"
The more Sikong Hun called, the faster Qiao Shuang walked, until she finally covered her red lips with one hand and ran away.
"Shuang… er…"
How could this be?
What did she mean by 'true destined love'?
What exactly was wrong with Shuang'er?
Could it be… that Xia Feng was treating her poorly?
---
"Hun'er, you're back?"
A cheerful call suddenly came from the main hall in the distance.
Immediately after, a majestic Divine Emperor's might spread out. The Loyalty Count, Sikong Yu, flashed over from the void, looking at the young man before him with relief.
"Huh? Hun'er, are you unhappy?"
But when he saw the gloom in Sikong Hun's eyes, this currently highly influential minister of Great Xia suddenly frowned.
"Father! I'm back!"
Sikong Hun bowed. Sikong Yu waved his hand, releasing a strand of spiritual light that enveloped the entire residence.
"Hun'er, can you tell me now?"
"Father, what do you think of the Eldest Prince?"
After all, Sikong Hun hadn't returned to the capital for three years. Back then, he and Xia Feng met on the battlefield, fought enemies together, experienced life and death, and became sworn friends.
But…
If Xia Feng had truly wronged Qiao Shuang, he would not allow it.
"The Eldest Prince? Xia Feng?"
Sikong Yu's eyes darkened, an imposing aura unconsciously spreading around him, surging like rivers and seas, shaking the heavens.
"This child… his nature is extremely profound. I believe Great Xia will likely end up in his hands. Hun'er, I know you two share a deep bond, but those who aim to be kings or emperors, how could they sincerely befriend you? They merely covet our Sikong family's current status."
Sikong Yu looked deeply at the young man before him and gently patted his shoulder.
"You're still young, my son. Some things you don't need to consider for now. Xia Feng actively befriending you proves our Sikong family is powerful. As long as we are strong enough, even the imperial clan is not to be feared."
"Father means that Xia Feng wants to use the power of our Sikong clan to ascend the throne?"
Inexplicably, a complex emotion arose in Sikong Hun's heart.
"Otherwise, why do you think he traveled thousands of miles to the border and so coincidentally appeared in your army? Back when you joined the army, I went to great lengths to keep it secret, all to let the Emperor see your military talent."
Sikong Yu gave a cold laugh. Having been an official for a hundred years, how could he not see through the emperor's tactics?
An emperor studies the art of controlling people.
An official naturally studies the art of navigating the world.
This is the difference between the court and sects. Strength is indeed the foundation for standing at the top.
But to achieve an empire lasting for ages, in the court, one must… understand the human heart!
"Father… what if… I don't want Xia Feng to become the Crown Prince?"
A cold intent suddenly rose in Sikong Hun's eyes.