Arriving at Yishu's manor, Ningyan was overcome by an unfamiliar tension that tightened his chest. His heart felt suddenly off, beating too fast and far too aware of everything around him.
The journey itself had been anything but quiet.
Shen Taiyu and Liu Ruobing had filled the time easily, speaking of Jun Haoxuan's childhood, the structure of the clan, old memories that felt strangely… normal.
It was as if Jun Yongrui's death hadn't shifted anything at all.
They were warm, open, and unreserved with him. Somehow, that made it worse.
The guards welcomed them without delay.
They were led inside and seated in silence, the air heavy with expectation. Soon, the table was filled with wine and food, served with perfection that only added to Ningyan's mounting unease.
Ningyan didn't touch any of it. His mind wasn't here at all.
He was without Meishan in a place where he knew that he wasn't exactly welcome.
