Deep within Perching Phoenix Hall, the light was dim.
The celestial music celebrating victory outside, along with the earth-shaking cheers, seemed sealed away behind a thick curtain of water.
Yun Qing raised a hand and rather sluggishly rubbed between his brows. Eyes closed, he followed that familiar aura step by step into the depths of the hall.
The door to the inner chamber slowly swung open, its rosewood hinge giving a low, hoarse scrape.
Passing through layer upon layer of hanging merfolk gauze curtains, he was met by an exceedingly faint scent of cool pine.
Yun Qing stopped.
On the white jade couch in the center of the bedchamber, Yun Huang reclined against an ink-black bolster. Today, he was not wearing that elaborate, imposing white dragon ceremonial robe, but only a soft, plain white inner robe. His long hair hung loose, and his collar lay slightly open, revealing sharply defined collarbones.
At the sight, Yun Qing's thoughts inexplicably wandered for a moment. This Immortal Emperor of his family paid attention to his bearing at every moment. His clothes, food, lodgings, and travel arrangements were all exquisitely particular, and he changed outfits several times a day. Others saw only noble grandeur, but Yun Qing thought:
Brother Huang really was a "bird"-he was positively obsessed with looking beautiful.
The "Great Golden Crow," Yun Huang, held a yellowed ancient book. His long, well-defined fingers turned the pages with a faint rustle.
Hearing Yun Qing's footsteps, he did not look up, merely asking coolly:
"Finished reviewing everything?"
His manner was so elegant and composed that no one could have guessed he had just spent the entire journey avoiding his elder brother.
Yun Qing did not answer at once.
He walked up to the jade couch and, abandoning all dignity, sat straight down on the