The past couple of days had been busy for Huo Yuan with matters outside the house, and he hadn't seen Murong Rui. He missed her a little. But this wasn't the right time to see each other.
Huo Hongyu simply nodded without saying much.
Today, the Zhou family was hosting a banquet, and Murong Rui would be attending as well.
Murong Rui had hinted to Huo Hongyu that she should inform Huo Yuan that she would be there today.
Standing at the entrance of the Zhou residence, Murong Rui waited for the carriage from the House of Marquis Huo. She was hoping to enter together with Huo Hongyu. However, only Huo Hongyu arrived, and Huo Yuan was nowhere to be seen.
Murong Rui's face momentarily darkened at the sight. Huo Hongyu, noticing her expression, whispered, "Rui'er, it's not that Huo Yuan didn't want to come; he's been injured and can't make it."
Alarmed, Murong Rui asked, "What happened? How did Yuan get injured?"
Huo Hongyu scowled, "I don't know which b*stard did it, but someone put a sack over my brother's head and beat him up. He's at home now, recuperating."
Murong Rui knew exactly who the culprit was—no one else but Murong Jin.
Murong Jin had even visited Murong Rui's courtyard once, scrutinizing her from head to toe, only to leave after saying, "You're on Your Own!"
Then, Murong Jin turned and walked away.
Yet in front of Huo Hongyu, Murong Rui said nothing about it. Murong Rui whispered, "After the banquet is over, let's go together to visit Yuan."
Huo Hongyu grinned, completely unbothered that someone else had been betrothed to her brother. She said, "He'll be delighted to see you."
The banquet was mostly for young ladies. One of the Zhou family's daughters had invited a considerable number of her peers, making her feel rather proud.
After the banquet concluded, there was still some time left. Murong Rui went with Huo Hongyu to Marquis Huo's manor. Huo Hongyu led Murong Rui into Huo Yuan's chamber before excusing herself to a spare room to have some tea.
"Yuan!" Murong Rui was startled to see Huo Yuan lying on the bed, bandaged.
Huo Yuan, equally surprised to see Murong Rui, joyously pulled her into his embrace. He asked, "What brings you here?"
"I heard you were injured, so I came to see you," Murong Rui softly replied. "How badly are you hurt?"
"It's pretty bad. Rui'er, could you massage it for me?" Huo Yuan asked.
Of course, Murong Rui wanted to show her concern, which deeply touched Huo Yuan. Without further ado, he lifted her chin and sealed her lips with a kiss. All she could utter was a low murmur of "Yuan" before she could say no more.
After the kiss, Huo Yuan was filled with passion, laying Murong Rui on the bed, contemplating taking their relationship to the next level right then and there.
Murong Rui, however, held back. After some coaxing, she hesitated and finally said, "Yuan, the reason I came here today is to be honest with you about something."
"If you want my life, Rui, you're welcome to it. What else matters?" Huo Yuan, holding her close, responded.
Pleased with her own allure, Murong Rui told Huo Yuan about the discovered love letters.
Huo Yuan paused for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said "So it was that brat Murong Jin who dared to hit me in a sack!"
Huo Yuan continued sarcastically, "The person I love is you, Rui'er, and it has always been that way. What does Murong Yu amount to? If she doesn't want to marry, then so be it!"
Murong Rui said earnestly, "Yuan, I know how you feel about me, but you must listen. You and my sister are the perfect match. My feelings for you can only remain in my heart."