Chapter 35: Contention

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Chirp chirp chirp …”

Two sparrows happened to be flying past the window at that moment. They had their wings close to each other and were frolicking affectionately, sometimes circling, sometimes doing cartwheels.

The slightly solemn atmosphere was instantly broken. Meeting Gu Yanfei’s calm gaze, Gu Yunzhen smiled.

Everything was said without words.

She had made a fool of herself.

“I understand!” After thinking about it, Gu Yunzhen held Gu Yanfei’s hand and said solemnly, “Second Sister, I’ll help persuade Grandma.”

Gu Yanfei could not help but laugh.

She did not say this to Gu Yunzhen to vent her emotions, nor to ask for a favor. She was just following her heart.

“Big Sister, you’re so kind!”

Gu Yanfei reached out two fingers and pinched a corner of Gu Yunzhen’s handkerchief. She gently shook the handkerchief and leaned on her slender shoulder with the corners of her lips curled up uncontrollably. Her bright smile was as clear and bright as the sky after the rain.

Her Big Sister was so cute!

Gu Yunzhen’s heart softened when she saw her sister leaning against her. She gently stroked the little girl’s soft hair and thought to herself that as the eldest sister, she naturally had to become the support of her sisters.

“Chirp! Chirp!” A sparrow spread its wings and flew past the window, swooping neatly down toward the pavilion below, another in hot pursuit.

The two people standing quietly in the pavilion finally moved.

Fang Mingfeng suddenly took a step forward and could not help but raise his arm to pull Gu Yunrong into his arms. His deep and low voice seemed to come from the depths of his chest. “Rong Rong, if it weren’t for Gu Yanfei, wouldn’t we already be together?!”

At this moment, the killing intent in Fang Mingfeng’s heart rose again, and his eyes were slightly red.

That’s right, it was Gu Yanfei’s fault.

It was Gu Yanfei who insisted on standing between them.

His Rong Rong was the kindest and most good-natured. She had no choice but to give in!

Fang Mingfeng’s actions were so gentle and pitiful, as if he would hurt her if he used too much strength.

Gu Yunrong let out a low cry. She did not expect Fang Mingfeng, who had always been respectful, to suddenly do such a rude thing and hug her, catching her off guard.

Automatically she tried to push him away. “Let me go!”

He wouldn’t let go! Fang Mingfeng’s desire surged.

“Rong’er!”

A cold male voice suddenly sounded, scaring the two sparrows in the air. They flew around and a few brown feathers fluttered down.

At some point, the sun in the sky was blocked by dense clouds. The sky was slightly gloomy, and there were leaves and fallen flowers in the autumn wind.

Gu Yanfei looked in the direction of the voice with interest. As expected, she caught sight of a slender and muscular purple figure in the flower corridor beside the pavilion.

Anger surged on Kang Wang’s handsome face. He rushed into the pavilion like a gust of wind and approached Gu Yunrong and Fang Mingfeng.

Kang Wang was finally here! In other words, Gu Yanfei had come to the right place. Gu Yanfei’s lips curved into a faint smile as her slender fingers casually rubbed the gourd-shaped pouch by her waist.

However, why was Fang Mingfeng here?

“Fang Mingfeng, let go of Rong’er!” Seeing that Fang Mingfeng had taken advantage of Gu Yunrong, Kang Wang was furious. He raised his fist and punched him, causing a gust of wind.

Fang Mingfeng quickly sidestepped and avoided Kang Wang’s punch.

Kang Wang saw an opportunity and grabbed Gu Yunrong’s wrist, pulling her to his side.

He was a martial artist and was extremely strong. Feeling pain in her left wrist, Gu Yunrong frowned in pain and subconsciously resisted.

Her sleeves were torn with a ripping sound, leaving a long tear. Her white, delicate upper arm was exposed.

“Your Highness, let go of her quickly.” Fang Mingfeng’s expression turned cold as he hurriedly took a few steps forward. He faced Kang Wang’s furious eyes fearlessly and grabbed his wrist.

The three of them stood there in a strange stalemate.

“How dare you!” The anger in Kang Wang’s eyes intensified. He was like an unsheathed sword with overflowing cold air.

He had come to Prince Jing’s residence today because he had heard that Gu Yunrong would be coming and wanted to personally explain to her that it was the Empress Dowager’s intention to choose a consort. Unless he wanted to, he would not let the Empress Dowager order him around. However, he did not expect to see Fang Mingfeng fawning over Gu Yunrong the moment he arrived at the residence. This made him feel very uncomfortable.

Kang Wang also knew that Gu Yunrong and Fang Mingfeng were childhood sweethearts. He could tell that Fang Mingfeng was willing, but Gu Yunrong had no desire.

Kang Wang did not like Fang Mingfeng circling around Gu Yunrong. He had hinted at Fang Mingfeng’s thoughts more than once, but Gu Yunrong insisted that she and Fang Mingfeng were as close as siblings.

She told Kang Wang that she only had him in her heart.

Kang Wang felt happy for a moment, but it was quickly replaced by anger. He wanted to cut Fang Mingfeng into pieces.

Fang Mingfeng refused to give up. He actually wanted to take advantage of the situation and was even rude to his Rong’er!

Kang Wang was afraid that Fang Mingfeng would sow discord, so he anxiously said to Gu Yunrong, “Rong’er, believe me. You’re my only consort.”

“I only have you in my heart too!”

The two short sentences were powerful and straightforward, burning like fire.

Gu Yunrong looked at Kang Wang with slightly red eyes. An indescribable sourness arose in her heart. She was a little touched and relieved… and also felt very cherished.

She trusted him, of course, and those she loved. But she also knew that the Empress Dowager’s heart might not be so easily swayed.

Kang Wang’s status seemed to be noble, but in fact, it was like boiling oil. Now that the eldest prince, Chu Yi, had returned to the country, it made Kang Wang’s situation even more difficult. The Empress Dowager must be trying to use the selection of concubines to rope in Kang Wang’s people.

In this era where imperial power reigned supreme, marriage was often just a tool to obtain power.

“Fang Mingfeng.” Gu Yunrong’s gaze seemed to have encouraged Kang Wang. He looked at Fang Mingfeng disdainfully and said coldly, “What right do you have to tell me to ‘let go of her’?! Don’t forget, you’re engaged. You’re not worthy of Rong’er!”

The word “engaged” was like a heavy hammer that struck Fang Mingfeng’s heart. His face turned green and white. He flew into a rage out of humiliation and slapped Kang Wang’s hand away and grabbed Gu Yunrong with his other hand.

Kang Wang snorted disdainfully and drew his sword from his waist. The gleaming blade slashed down at Fang Mingfeng.

Seeing this, Gu Yunrong’s expression changed and she exclaimed, “Your Highness, no!”

Gu Yunrong tried to stop the fight, but Kang Wang’s sword still slashed down fiercely. The edge of the sword cut through the air like a silver bolt of lightning. Fang Mingfeng naturally would not sit still and he managed to dodge again.

Clunk!

The razor-sharp blade struck one of the pavilion’s columns, leaving a deep, shocking gash.

Gu Yunrong’s pupils constricted and her face turned pale. She could not watch as Fang Mingfeng was injured. She grabbed the scabbard at Kang Wang’s waist and threw it to Fang Mingfeng.

This action angered Kang Wang even more. The sword in his hand slashed out again like lightning…

Fang Mingfeng immediately blocked Kang Wang’s sword with his scabbard, causing sparks to fly with the friction generated.

Neither of the two men was willing to back down. There was a flurry of swords in the pavilion, and several of the columns were covered in sword marks.

Several tiles from the pavilion fell from above and crashed to the ground, shattering into a million pieces.