Chapter 160: Star-Crossed Lovers Ultimately Become Siblings

Inside the inn, Qiao Feng and Duan Yu exchanged pleasantries for quite a while before finally shifting their attention to the others.

Unfortunately, among Zhu Yu's entourage, not a single person could be introduced openly and properly, leaving Zhu Yu to gloss over them with vague words.

Qiao Feng and Azhu understood this and already had their own guesses regarding the identities of the others, while Duan Yu felt that Zhu Yu lacked manners, wondering how much one had to look down on others to make such a vague introduction.

In truth, given Duan Yu's natural disposition, he would not normally harbor such thoughts, but regrettably, Zhu Yu was now his love rival in his eyes. What good could possibly be seen in a rival?

Azi, unaware of the situation, did not share Duan Yu's sentiments. She merely glanced at the impressive figures gathered in the main hall, her curiosity about Zhu Yu's identity growing even stronger.

By the time they descended the mountain, the sun was already sinking in the west. With the delay of so much time, although the sky was not yet pitch dark, the hour was no longer early and it was time for dinner.

Under the charm of money, the other guests in the inn automatically checked out, leaving ample space for Zhu Yu and his party.

At a specially combined large table, steaming local delicacies were laid out one after another. Against the backdrop of such fine food, the atmosphere should have been lively.

However, seeing Duan Yu continuously showering Wang Yuyan with solicitous questions and warm attentions, Zhu Yu's face involuntarily grew cold.

Once Zhu Yu's face chilled, how could the rest dare to laugh? The temperature of the atmosphere plummeted right along with his expression.

It took Zhu Yu a long time to realize this. Once he perceived it, he hastily put on a smile and urged everyone to eat, which finally lifted the mood somewhat.

When the meal was nearly finished, Zhu Yu opened his mouth to deliver the grand gift he had prepared.

"Brother Duan, it just occurred to me that you have quite a few relatives at this dining table."

"Relatives? No, I don't? Where is Young Master Zhu getting this from?"

Faced with Duan Yu's puzzlement, Zhu Yu smiled without answering. Meanwhile, Qiao Feng, who was drinking nearby, slapped his forehead, signaled Azhu and Azi to stand up, and said to Duan Yu:

"Second Brother—wait, no, how should I address you now? Never mind, we can discuss this later. Let me introduce two people to you first. This is Azhu, and this is Azi. Both are your biological half-sisters."

"Ah!? This... how is this possible? Big Brother, are you pulling your younger brother's leg?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Yu was stunned at first, followed by a face full of disbelief.

Seeing Duan Yu's expression, Qiao Feng stopped drinking his wine and solemnly described to Duan Yu the romance between his father and other women, concluding with a heavy emphasis on the two love-fruits born of those affairs.

Listening to Qiao Feng's account, Duan Yu's eyes dimmed, yet he still forced himself to pull together some spirit and smile as he faced his two biological sisters whom he had never met before.

Inwardly, however, he thought with bitterness: *Father, oh father, just how many sisters do I still have that I've never laid eyes on? How on earth am I supposed to explain this to mother?*

Having gained the acknowledgment of her elder brother, Azhu was somewhat happy, whereas Azi appeared indifferent, though Duan Yu paid no mind to that.

An event as joyous as recognizing family added fuel to the atmosphere at the table. Everyone was beaming, save for one person wearing a metaphorical mask.

That person was undoubtedly Duan Yu, but his temperament was simply that way; as the atmosphere gradually warmed, the mask on his face slowly melted away.

Seeing that Duan Yu had recovered almost enough, Zhu Yu prepared to reveal his ultimate move. The moment Zhu Yu spoke, the entire hall fell silent.

"We've barely scratched the surface, Brother Duan. You still have one relative you haven't acknowledged yet. Yuyan, didn't you say you've never laid eyes on your father? Although I can't make you meet your biological father right this instant, your half-brother is right here before your eyes. Why don't you hurry and pay your respects?"

At these words, Wang Yuyan wore a look of utter bewilderment, while Duan Yu's complexion changed drastically. Disregarding all etiquette, he sprang to his feet, pointed at Zhu Yu, and exclaimed:

"You're talking nonsense! How could Miss Wang possibly be my sister? You just can't stand the sight of me, and seeing my big brother bring two sisters to acknowledge him, you're deliberately making this up!"

In truth, not just Duan Yu, but everyone present had their doubts.

Zhu Yu swept his gaze across everyone's expressions and slowly said, "What? You don't believe me?"

Meeting Zhu Yu's steady gaze, everyone snapped to their senses. Given Zhu Yu's status, how could he possibly fabricate lies?

Seeing that no one raised any further objections, Zhu Yu finally turned his gaze back to Duan Yu.

"You say I'm tricking you? I won't hold that against you; anyone thrust into such a situation would react the same way. But if you don't believe my words, you can simply go home and ask your father. Also, don't forget to mention the identity of Yuyan's mother all at once. The truth will reveal itself in due time.

"By the way, Yuyan, when is your birth date? Speak it out so Brother Duan can make a note of it. Don't get it wrong, otherwise the Prince of Zhennan won't be able to calculate it."

Wang Yuyan naturally believed Zhu Yu unconditionally, yet still, with an incredulous expression on her face, she stated her birth date to Duan Yu.

In matters of recognizing family, if both parties accept it, naturally everyone is overjoyed; but if one party rejects the connection, the scene inevitably plunges into an indescribable awkwardness.

This dinner party could no longer continue, but fortunately, Zhu Yu had waited until everyone had finished eating before bringing it up.

After the meal, apart from the Eastern Depot elites assigned to guard duty, everyone retired to their respective rooms.

"Your Majesty, are you telling the truth? Brother Duan's father is the Prince of Zhennan of Dali. How could he possibly be my..."

Back in her room, Wang Yuyan could not help but confirm it with Zhu Yu once more, trailing off at the end as it remained somewhat difficult to utter.

"What? You don't believe me either? Rest assured, I would not stoop to fabricating such things."

Having received Zhu Yu's definitive answer, Wang Yuyan sat back down on the bed with a complex expression. Yet her complexity had nothing whatsoever to do with Duan Yu.

Back then, her mother had clearly stated that her father was the master of the Mantle Blossom Manor and had died around the time she was born. How was it that another father had suddenly popped up now? And the Prince of Zhennan of Dali at that?

Seeing that Wang Yuyan was still wrestling with her thoughts, Zhu Yu did not disturb her. He quietly withdrew from the room, intending to spend the night resting in Jiang Yuyan's chambers.

Entering the room, just as Zhu Yu closed the door securely, Jiang Yuyan pounced like a tiger, pinning him flat upon the bed.

This sudden move startled Zhu Yu thoroughly. What had gotten into her? This was completely unlike her!

How could Zhu Yu know that he had driven Jiang Yuyan to distraction today?

All those overt and covert targeted jabs Zhu Yu had thrown at Duan Yu today—when it all boiled down to it, wasn't it entirely for Wang Yuyan's sake? The vinegar Jiang Yuyan had been hoarding for so long finally boiled over in an eruption.

A passion unlike any before left Zhu Yu suffering yet blissfully happy, with the ensuing ten thousand words omitted...

During those ten thousand words, Duan Yu, unable to bear the torment within his heart, resolved to set off overnight and return to Dali to question his royal father thoroughly.

If it turned out to be true, hmph, then he could not blame his son for showing no mercy; he would tell his mother about every single one of those sisters!

Just as Duan Yu stepped out of his room and headed downstairs, still clinging to a sliver of hope, strange sounds drifted out from a certain passing room. He dimly recalled that this particular room seemed to belong to Miss Wang. This instantly dashed that remaining sliver of hope before it ever had a chance to be verified.

From that moment on, Duan Yu vanished from Zhu Yu's sight with a heart as dead as ashes, while Zhu Yu remained entirely clueless as to the reason why.