In the deserted hallway, Wang Yuan finally stopped and turned to Xiao Feng, his movement abrupt. "You're following me like this without thinking, do you wish for death as well?" he asked.
His voice carried a restrained anger, but the anger wasn't aimed at Xiao Feng, and as he spoke, it was clear he was holding it back not to spill over at Xiao Feng, his voice remained low and controlled.
His gaze was fixed on Xiao Feng with an intensity that was hard to read, "Stop what you're doing," he added.
The words struck harder than Xiao Feng expected. But even so, he didn't let himself react outwardly, or show it on his face either.
It had been a long time since Wang Yuan had spoken to him directly like this, and even with the coldness, even with the hostility in his words, there was something unsettlingly relieving about being acknowledged by Yuan at all.
He hated himself a little for that feeling, but it remained.
"Why are you overthinking this?" Xiao Feng finally said. He made an effort to keep his tone composed, almost casual, as if the exchange meant nothing more than an inconvenience. "I'm not doing anything wrong. It's not like I'm clinging to you or crossing any boundaries. We're two men bound by the same marriage, and we already promised the Emperor to get along wi.."
"Do not mention that name to me," Wang Yuan interrupted, his voice cutting in with unrestrained anger this time.
Only then did Xiao Feng truly register that whatever had happened earlier had affected Wang Yuan far more deeply than he had realized.
"You need to control yourself," Xiao Feng said after a brief pause. "Me following you here is not the real death wish. But you reacting like this, over this kind of thing, is what it's real death wish."
"What do you mean, this kind of a thing?" Wang Yuan snapped back. "The reason I can't accept what he did is simple.. death was unnecessary. Whatever a person has done, unless it is on the level of repeated, intentional murder, execution should not even be considered. There is no justification for it." His voice rose despite himself, the restraint he had shown earlier beginning to crack. "So don't twist this into something else. This has nothing to do with anything personal. It's about justice."
As he spoke, he repeatedly emphasized on certain reasons as if he were trying to convince not only Xiao Feng but also himself,.. that his reaction had been rational and principled.
Xiao Feng watched him closely. "Executions like that have happened countless times in this empire," he said. "So why is this the only one that affected you this much? What..."
His words were cut short by a voice calling his name from behind.
Before Xiao Feng even turned his head, he already knew who it was. His father's presence carried the same chill it always had.
He didn't look back until his father appeared right beside him. Anger rose inside Xiao Feng, but he forced it down, holding it behind the careful mask he always wore.
But the heat in his chest burned anyway.
His father had just shattered something he had been craving for years: the chance to talk with Wang Yuan, even if it was just an argument like the one they had seconds ago.
That thought alone made his teeth grit.
He had longed for the chance to face Yuan, to speak directly, to feel something like clarity between them, and now that opportunity was gone.
Xiao Feng knew his behavior was reckless, exactly as Wang Yuan had said- he was doing things without thinking.
But he couldn't stop himself.
Following him, speaking out, daring to confront the tension between them, it was all thoughtless. Especially after witnessing what had happened in the courtroom, after seeing those two men executed for the very same thing he was struggling with in his heart, the same dangerous craving he had promised himself last night that he would extinguish.
The weight of that reality pressed on him, twisting inside his chest, making every breath a struggle.
Despite his spinning thoughts, Xiao Feng bowed deeply to his father out of habit, letting his head lower.
For a moment, he felt himself shrink, as though the act of submission was a habit when it came to his father.
Wang Yuan's gaze caught that gesture, and his eyes lingered on him as though stunned to see Xiao Feng flinch and restrained like that.
"Wang Yuan," Alpha Zhao called, his voice softer, carrying a warmth and exaggerated fondness that it hadn't when he spoke to Xiao Feng.
Wang Yuan responded with a slight bow. His eyes briefly flickered toward Xiao Feng, before he turned and walked away, moving with a quiet reluctance that betrayed the effort it took to leave.
Xiao Feng's gaze followed him until he disappeared, only then did his attention turn back to his father.
His father attacked instantly. "How many times have I asked you not to act like a wet chick in front of other people? What was that just now in front of Wang Yuan?! You think anyone will believe you are an alpha if that's how you act in front of them?!" Zhao's scolding was sharp but brief.
Before Xiao Feng could say anything, the man spoke again. But this time, a small, satisfied smile formed on his lips. "But at least you're doing something right. Trying to get close to Wang Yuan and make him your friend again.. that's the right move.
I was thinking, now that you're married in here and closer to everyone, we should redo our strategies. Come, let's sit somewhere open where no one can suspect we're talking about anything suspicious."
He led the way without waiting for Xiao Feng's response. Xiao Feng followed quietly, not even sure if he wanted to follow or not.