The Beloved Guide Was Forced in a Love-Rival Shura Field - Chapter 49

That night, the imperial palace was a magnificent cage, built from lights and gold.

Deep within the palace was a small flower hall, not open to the public. There were no clusters of nobles here, only a handful of people at the very top of the empire’s power hierarchy.

The air held no scent of perfume—only the crackle of burning wood in the fireplace and a silence as heavy as death.

The formalwear on him had been sent earlier by Gu Qingfeng. The fabric was as light as clouds, flowing under the light with a moonlit shimmer, perfectly fitting his delicate frame. It outlined his tiny waist and fragile shoulder blades.

His silver hair was meticulously styled, making his face even more striking. The moment he appeared, he became the center of a storm.

Countless gazes wove a net around him. These eyes no longer whispered; they openly scrutinized, coveting, evaluating. He felt like a small animal dragged onto an auction block, each beam of light assessing what price he might fetch.

[This isn’t a dinner—it’s a triple court trial! The people at this table are top-tier BOSSES, and I feel like the roasted piglet being divided up…]

[Host, the energy in the scene is already off the charts. Fainting may trigger even more intense physical conflict. Suggest activating ‘If I Don’t Embarrass Myself, Everyone Else Will’ ultimate mindset mode!] the system 89 cheerfully prompted.

Ning Ning took a deep breath, his fingertips cold, almost crushing the crystal glass in his hand.

“Don’t be nervous.” A warm voice sounded at his ear.

Gu Qingfeng had somehow come to his side, his tall figure gracefully shielding him from most of the gazes. He wore royal formalwear in the same color palette as Ning Ning’s dress. His black hair and deep eyes, along with a gentle smile, made the two of them appear inexplicably matched.

“They are just opportunistic vines. Their eyes will only dirty yours,” Gu Qingfeng whispered softly, his fingers lightly brushing Ning Ning’s elbow, enclosing him in a protective circle that left no room for refusal.

He guided Ning Ning to stop briefly in front of a few neutral dukes, skillfully portraying Ning Ning as “accomplished yet fragile, sacred and untouchable,” announcing to everyone that this rare treasure was now under his protection.

At the far end of the banquet hall, in the corner that could not be ignored, stood Xiao Lin like a silent black mountain.

He hadn’t changed out of his military uniform. His straight, sharp marshal’s coat reflected a chilling light from his medals. Arms crossed, his dark-gold eyes locked onto Ning Ning like a hawk.

A young, slick-haired viscount, emboldened by drink, attempted to approach Ning Ning. He had barely taken two steps when the crystal glass in his hand shattered with a loud crack—for no apparent reason.

The cold wine and glass shards splashed his hand. The viscount’s face turned pale, staring at Xiao Lin, who hadn’t even raised an eyelid. The invisible pressure froze the temperature in the corner; no one dared to cross the line.

One used gentle protection, the other enforced it with sheer dominance.

Ning Ning was caught in the middle, nearly suffocating.

[Left: the forced socializing of the smiling tiger boss. Right: the distant high-pressure surveillance of the overbearing CEO. And I’m just a cubicle worker trying to get off early…]

Halfway through the banquet, a commotion broke out.

The Crown Prince appeared, holding a glass of red wine, surrounded by his entourage, walking directly toward Ning Ning. A sinister smile was on his face, his eyes brimming with hatred.

Gu Qingfeng’s eyes briefly darkened, but his smile remained gentle as he lightly patted Ning Ning’s hand, signaling him to stay calm.

The Crown Prince stopped in front of them, his leering gaze scanning Ning Ning like he was evaluating a commodity, finally lingering on those pure purple eyes with blatant malice.

“Ning Ning,” he raised his wine glass, his voice just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, “I’ve long wanted to see you in person. On behalf of the Empire, I offer a toast to your ‘achievements’ on the front lines.”

He deliberately emphasized “achievements,” dripping with sarcasm.

Ning Ning nervously clenched his fingers, instinctively shrinking behind Gu Qingfeng.

Gu Qingfeng stepped forward, smiling softly: “Your Highness, Ning Ning is in poor health and cannot drink. This cup should be for us to honor him.”

“Ah, second brother, you mustn’t say that!” The Crown Prince exaggeratedly waved his hand, his smile growing more malicious. “This is a toast for the Moon God. How can one not drink? Moreover, I have an unusual request.”

He paused, deliberately scanning the room.

Using a napkin, he wiped his mouth, then deliberately turned to Ning Ning: “Father, second brother, since Ning Ning is the Empire’s treasure, who should safeguard this ‘treasure’? Where should it be kept safest? Shouldn’t we decide on a regulation now?”

Then, with a cruel twist, he smiled at Ning Ning: “Of course, before discussing, we must confirm the quality of this ‘treasure.’ Ning Ning, would you mind showing us your abilities? This is not a performance—it is for your better ‘protection.’”

The words were light, but malicious to the extreme.

The banquet hall went silent.

Ning Ning’s face turned pale, his blood seeming to chill. He froze, cold to the core, forgetting even to breathe.

At that moment, Gu Qingfeng’s smile didn’t waver, but his eyes, filled with affection, instantly froze.

He spoke softly, clearly enough for the whole hall to hear: “Brother, Father has honored Ning Ning as a guest because he is crucial to the Empire’s survival. Yet you now ask him to perform publicly. Do you think the Empire’s safety can be reduced to a child’s game and mockery?”

Before he finished, an icy, blood-scented killing intent erupted like a tsunami!

It was no longer a warning—this was undisguised murderous intent!

The hall’s temperature seemed to drop instantly. Nearby noblewomen gasped, some dropping their fans.

Everyone stared at the source of the killing intent in terror.

Xiao Lin lowered his crossed arms. His dark-gold eyes surged like a storm. Expressionless, he walked step by step toward the Crown Prince.

Each step struck everyone’s heart, heavy and lethal.

The Crown Prince’s face instantly changed.

Xiao Lin reached Ning Ning’s side. His towering shadow fully enveloped the trembling youth.

Then he lifted his eyes. The cold gaze cut into the Crown Prince like a knife.

“Want to see a miracle?”

His voice was low but carried the force of war.

He paused, then spat two words:

“Are you worthy?”

“Xiao Lin! How dare you! You are threatening the royal family!” The Crown Prince trembled, screaming in a mix of rage and fear.

“Threaten?” Xiao Lin tugged the corner of his mouth into a merciless curve. “I’m merely stating a fact.”

He stepped forward. The S-tier sentinel pressure forged from corpses and blood surged, tangible and crushing!

“My soldiers risked their lives on the frontlines for peace—not for you to humiliate him here with your foul mouth.”

“He is a hero of the Empire.”

“Whoever lays a hand on him, lays a hand on me.”

Each sentence colder, each heavier than the last!

The terrifying pressure forced the Crown Prince and his nobles to stagger back, their faces as pale as paper. One even collapsed, leaving a suspicious wet patch in his pants.

The hall fell silent. No one dared utter a word under the unmasked military authority.

Xiao Lin ignored the grotesque, blubbering fool.

He turned to the still-shivering Ning Ning. The murderous aura instantly retracted, leaving the scene utterly calm, as if the beast from before had been an illusion.

He reached out, brushing Ning Ning’s icy face with a rough, callused fingertip, soft and gentle.

The stark contrast between coarse touch and extreme gentleness was profoundly reassuring and possessive.

“Don’t be afraid.”

The man lowered his head. His prominent nose nearly touched Ning Ning’s soft silver hair. His low, husky voice was heard by Ning Ning alone, carrying a care even he didn’t realize himself:

“I’m here.”

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