Suddenly, another pair of men approached me. One of them wore a pristine white hanfu, similar to mine, exuding an air of authority and calm. The other was clad in a vibrant red hanfu, his demeanor soft and reserved, a faint blush coloring his cheeks as his gaze flitted nervously between me and the surroundings.
Wei Xiaotian leaned in and whispered, "That's your big brother, Yu Zhenfeng, and his husband, Lin Yuhai."
"My brother?" I asked, genuinely surprised. "Why didn't you tell me about him before?"
Wei shrugged casually. "I don't know, I forgot. Maybe seeing him will jog your memory." He waved off the topic nonchalantly and wandered over to join a group in a nearby discussion, leaving me alone to face the two.
Yu Zhenfeng strode forward with the confident yet warm demeanor of an elder sibling. "Three years," he said, his voice steady but laced with emotion. "Do you have any idea how much this throne has felt like a sore burden without you on it?" He leaned down slightly, lowering his voice. "Though, even now, I see you still shy away from it,
Lin Yuhai hesitated before stepping forward, his red hanfu catching the light in a way that matched his bashful expression. "Why are you always so unserious when addressing him?" he scolded Zhenfeng softly, his tone carrying a mix of exasperation and fondness. Then, turning his kind gaze to me, he added with a warm smile, "He's only trying to make you feel at ease, but, truly, we've all missed you dearly."
As Yuhai moved closer, he tilted his head slightly, studying me. "Oh, your crown is tilting a bit," he said, his voice genuine and calm.
"Wait, is it?"
Yuhai chuckled lightly and stepped forward, his hands steady as he fixed it for me. "There," he said with a satisfied smile, "Perfect."
As Yuhai stepped back, he smiled warmly, his demeanor gentle yet firm. "I'll see you around, Hengtian," he said softly. "I need to discuss something with your brother." Without giving Zhenfeng a chance to protest, Yuhai took his hand and gently but insistently led him away.
Zhenfeng turned his head back as they walked off, protesting lightly, "But I wanted to talk to Hengtian—"
"You'll have time later," Yuhai replied, his tone patient but leaving no room for argument. His smile never faltered, even as he guided Zhenfeng toward another part of the hall.
I sighed, a mixture of amusement and relief washing over me at their interaction. Just then, my gaze caught sight of Shun Yi lingering near the edge of the gathering. I called out to him, "Shun Yi!"
He immediately approached and bowed slightly. "Yes, Lord Hengtian. What do you need?"
As Yuhai stepped back, he smiled warmly, his demeanor gentle yet firm. "I'll see you around, Hengtian," he said softly. "I need to discuss something with your brother." Without giving Zhenfeng a chance to protest, Yuhai took his hand and gently but insistently led him away.
Zhenfeng turned his head back as they walked off, protesting lightly, "But I wanted to talk to Hengtian—"
"You'll have time later," Yuhai replied, his tone patient but leaving no room for argument. His smile never faltered, even as he guided Zhenfeng toward another part of the hall.
I sighed, a mixture of amusement and relief washing over me at their interaction. Just then, my gaze caught sight of Shun Yi lingering near the edge of the gathering. I called out to him, "Shun Yi!"
He immediately approached and bowed slightly. "Yes, Lord Hengtian. What do you need?"
I gestured for him to come closer, and he obeyed, stepping into a more private space with me. "Now," I began in a low voice, "tell me about everyone in this celebration. I need to know who's here, their sects, and anything important I should be aware of. I can't afford to make any mistakes."
Shun Yi nodded, his expression serious. "Of course, my lord. Allow me to explain…"
Shun Yi nodded, stepping forward with a small smile. "Of course, my lord." He gestured toward the pair I had just spoken with. "Your elder brother, Yu Zhenfeng, and his husband, Lin Yuhai. Lin Yuhai is from the Crimson Blaze Sect—hence the red hanfu. He's calm, helpful, and easygoing. A perfect balance to your brother, who, well… is a troublemaker, much like you were." He chuckled softly, then added in a more serious tone, "But they work perfectly together. Zhenfeng may seem brash, but he deeply respects his responsibilities and those he loves."
Next, he motioned to Xian Lian and Yan Yue. "Over there are Xian Lian and his husband, Yan Yue. Xian Lian is from the Shore Sect, while Yan Yue hails from the Moonlight Sect. They're quite the admired couple." He leaned in slightly, his voice taking on a playful edge. "Yan Yue is strict, composed, and honestly, a bit scary with his cold demeanor. He's rude if you don't know him, but incredibly respectful to those he deems worthy. Xian Lian, on the other hand, is his complete opposite—a loudmouth, clumsy, and occasionally makes mistakes on purpose just to annoy his husband. But if you look closely, you can see they're madly in love."
Shun Yi's gaze shifted to the center of the hall. "In the middle, you'll see another pair, both wearing green hanfu. That's your cousin and his partner. Both are from the Green Forest Sect. They believe deeply in equality and had an arranged marriage within the same sect, just from different families. Despite the arrangement, they've built a strong bond."
Finally, Shun Yi sighed softly, glancing toward the right side of the hall. "And over there… your xinfu and lingfu." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, his tone becoming more respectful. "Your xinfu, Yu Zhenhai, and your lingfu, Qiu Meiyu. They are a reflection of your heritage and power, and their presence here is to remind everyone of your importance to the Tianquan Sect."
He smiled, then glanced toward Wei Xiaotian, who stood at a distance, observing the proceedings. "And, of course, there's our lord Wei Xiotian. Though you already know about his linfu, who is likely here to keep everyone on their toes."
I couldn't help but smile at Shun Yi's thoroughness. "Thank you, Shun Yi," I said, feeling slightly more prepared for the grand celebration.