Chapter 109: Young Lady, Could You Spare My Brother? (Second Update)

At this moment, the mastermind behind the unfolding events, Lian Shangguan, sat upright beside Zhuge Jun. Idly toying with the strands of hair falling by her temple, a faint smile curved her lips.

“Lian, tell me you haven’t really taken a fancy to my brother Fang!” Zhuge Jun, scrutinizing the delicate Yulinglong, looked at Shangguan Lian in disbelief.

“Why not? Mind your own business~!” Shangguan Lian stuck out her tongue at Zhuge Jun, her cheeks flushing crimson.

Seeing this, Zhuge Jun found himself at a loss for words. After all, Fang Xu was his brother, one of the few he truly called brother. Yet, Shangguan Lian was like a younger sister he had watched grow up, making the situation all the more awkward.

In Zhuge Jun’s eyes, though Fang Xu held the position of a high-ranking official, there was still a notable gap between him and the prestigious Shangguan family behind Lian.

Moreover, several of Lian’s elder brothers, father, and grandfather were known to be doting to a fault, especially fond of their daughters and granddaughters. Zhuge Jun had heard many rumors. Most striking was the tale from when Lian was young—someone had merely played a minor prank on her, but by nightfall, that person’s family had been utterly destroyed by the Shangguan clan.

No clues were left at the scene, but everyone knew the deed was done by the Shangguan family. This weighed heavily on Zhuge Jun’s mind, worrying for his brother.

“Lian, little sister, can we talk about something?” Zhuge Jun gently placed Yulinglong down and awkwardly looked at Shangguan Lian, who was still playing with her hair.

“Brother Jun, what is it?” Shangguan Lian asked with curiosity.

“Well, can you just not torment my brother so much?” Zhuge Jun scratched the back of his head sheepishly, looking at her with honest sincerity.

For a moment, Shangguan Lian didn’t catch on. When she finally did, she pouted unhappily at Zhuge Jun.

“Brother Jun! What exactly do you mean by that?!” Shangguan Lian stood up, her previous shyness vanishing. This was the real Shangguan Lian.

“Uh... this... never mind! Never mind! Lian, get some rest; we’ll go see my brother again tomorrow!” Zhuge Jun said hurriedly, slipping away quickly.

He knew if he stayed any longer, Shangguan Lian would surely scold him to no end, having learned from past experience. As he walked through the courtyard, his mind was filled with concern for his brother Fang.

“Brother Fang, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but I really can’t. You’ll have to look out for yourself,” he murmured before returning to his room.

In the hall, Shangguan Lian muttered discontentedly to herself.

In her eyes, she had always been gentle and kind—why would Zhuge Jun say such things? Could it be he harbored ill feelings toward Fang Xu as well?

The thought sent a shiver through her.

She reasoned it was possible because she knew Zhuge Jun well, understood his tastes. Unlike other playboys, Zhuge Jun had no interest in women; instead, he admired men of exceptional talent and intellect. Instinctively, Shangguan Lian suspected he might have a certain preference for male companionship.

“No wonder Brother Jun won’t let anyone near Fang Xu! So it is! Fang Xu, don’t worry—I’ll make sure you’re safe!” she thought, retreating to her chambers.

Unbeknownst to Zhuge Jun, his concern for Fang Xu had inadvertently earned him the reputation of harboring such preferences. Had he known, he wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Meanwhile, in the Murong residence, Murong Fu furiously hurled a precious object to the ground. The shattered fragments sprayed out, cutting the cheeks of those nearby, yet no one dared speak.

Even Zhang He, standing trembling not far away, had a cut on his face.

"Damn it! Damn it all!" Murong Fu raged madly, making everyone present tremble with fear.

It was clear just how furious he was—this explained why no one dared to act or speak.

"Damn it! Zhuge Jun! Do you really think I, Young Master Murong, won’t dare lay a hand on you?!" Murong Fu growled through clenched teeth.

His anger stemmed from earlier events; in his eyes, if not for Zhuge Jun, he would never have lost face so thoroughly.

“Damn it all! The Shangguan family! The Zhuge family! Just wait, Murong Fu won’t rest until this grudge is avenged!” he muttered bitterly.

“And Fang Xu! Don’t think that just because you hold a high office, I won’t move against you! Someone! Bring me my guards!” Murong Fu roared to those around him.

Murong Fu’s guards had been sent by Old Master Murong, concerned that his volatile nature might make him enemies—these warriors were all top-notch fighters. The fact that Murong Fu now called upon them showed just how enraged he had become.

“Young Master Murong! Please calm down! The Shangguan and Zhuge families will surely send their own men to protect them. You must not act rashly!” Zhang He finally stepped forward, clasping his fists respectfully and pleading with the furious Murong Fu.

“Clang!” Before Zhang He could react, his vision darkened.

Murong Fu had seized a nearby teapot and hurled it at Zhang He.

“You useless fool! If it weren’t for you, would I be suffering like this?! You’re good for nothing! If you weren’t still somewhat useful, I’d kill you myself!” Murong Fu bellowed, slamming the table and standing over Zhang He, who was slumped on the floor.

Zhang He dared not say a word, clutching his bleeding forehead as he shakily rose.

“But you’re right! The Shangguan and Zhuge families are no weaker than the Murongs. If this gets exposed, it can’t be covered up. In that case, taking out a minor official like a Nine Minister shouldn’t be a problem, right?!” Murong Fu’s anger had somewhat subsided, and Zhang He’s counsel seemed reasonable.

“Young Master is wise and mighty! My admiration for you flows like the endless river!” Despite the blood flowing from his forehead, Zhang He bowed deeply to Murong Fu.

Murong Fu’s decision was exactly what Zhang He hoped for. In his view, Fang Xu’s survival was a persistent thorn in Murong Fu’s side, one that would hinder his future ambitions.

Though Zhang He lacked the courage to confront Fang Xu directly due to their difference in status, Murong Fu, now burning with rage, had no such reservations.

To Murong Fu, Fang Xu was the root of all his troubles; without him, he would not have been so humiliated in front of everyone.

By this point, Murong Fu’s hatred for Fang Xu far surpassed any resentment toward Zhuge Jun or Shangguan Lian.