When Gu Qingxuan arrived at the East Palace, the first thing that hit him was the faint scent of medicinal incense, mingled with the sharp tang of both animal and human aura. But that wasn't what made him pause.
It was the roar—the restless, pained cries of the young dragons in the courtyard.
What… is happening? In his memory, they had been calm, healthy, untroubled. Yet the sound reaching his ears now was harsh, tortured, as though they were being tormented.
A flicker of anger sparked in his eyes. Something was very wrong. His pace quickened.
Elder Gu Zan, stationed there to monitor the East Palace for the Third Elder, saw him approach. He straightened and called out, "Young Master, you grace us with your presence today."
Gu Qingxuan didn't slow. He walked past, his entourage following in silence.
Gu Zan's face darkened, and his voice rose. "Young Master! You should show courtesy to your elders, especially those who humble themselves before you!"
Gu Qingxuan didn't spare him a glance. He continued.
Nearby, Lin Xingyu caught up, having been left behind due to his earlier haste.
"Miss Lin Xingyu," Elder Gu Zan said hurriedly, bowing stiffly, "pardon my impertinence for not greeting you sooner. I was… preoccupied."
"Hm," she replied coldly, following Gu Qingxuan. There was something about the elder that unsettled her, though she couldn't place it.
Gu Zan snorted as he watched them enter the courtyard.
"Those are Flood Dragons," Li Mo said, observing from a distance. "Their bloodline is nearly complete. If they eat the Dragon Soul Fruit, they'll become true dragons. Brother Yan, I hear these belong to your cousin—he's fortunate indeed."
Gu Yan's lips curled in disdain. "That trash? He owns these beasts but cannot even control them properly."
Li Mo shook his head. "Unfortunate, yes. The dragons are truly unfortunate."
Gu Yan frowned. "What do you mean?"
Li Mo's gaze remained on the dragons. "They seem poisoned. Not for long, perhaps, but enough."
"Poisoned? How can you tell?" Gu Yan's voice was tight with disbelief.
"Even as Flood Dragons, their cries have been relentless since morning, as if in great pain. Their skin is starting to rot—if you pay attention, the scent is… foul, almost fishy."
"Who would dare poison them?" Gu Yan muttered, alarm creeping into his tone.
Before he could answer, Gu Qingxuan and Lin Xingyu stepped fully into the courtyard. Gu Qingxuan's focus was entirely on the dragons; he hadn't even noticed Gu Yan's face twisting with anger.
"Gu Feng!" he called.
One of the maids rushed forward. "He left early to report to Old Master."
"Go and call Mr. Zan for me," Gu Qingxuan ordered. The maid hurried off.
"Qingxuan, how can you ignore me?" Gu Yan's voice cut sharp.
Gu Qingxuan's gaze flicked briefly toward him, irritation rising. "Oh… I didn't realize you were here."
A tense silence followed.
"Ha… seems you're enjoying yourself now, flitting around with Miss Xingyu," Gu Yan said, forcing a smile. "Miss Xingyu, it's been a while. It's a pity you're entangled with this… trash cousin of mine. If you wish, I can speak to the family head and dissolve the engagement."
Before Lin Xingyu could respond, Li Mo, who had been watching quietly, spoke. "What engagement?"
"Oh… I forgot to mention," Gu Yan said with forced cheer, "this cousin of mine has a marriage contract with your Lin Clan, Geniu."
Li Mo glanced at her, but she didn't acknowledge him. Her eyes stayed fixed on Gu Qingxuan, whose anger was simmering just below the surface, making his stomach churn.
"Miss Xingyu… you should know Brother Mo," Gu Yan continued. "He's also a genius from your clan. Truly, your clan produces many talents."
"I don't know him," she said sharply.
The sharpness in her voice made Li Mo uncomfortable. She wasn't even looking at him—her attention remained on Gu Qingxuan, silent but visibly seething.
Gu Yan's face tightened. This wasn't going as he had expected.
The maid returned, alone. "Where is Mr. Zan? Why isn't he with you?"
Shaking, she admitted, "He said he's busy."
Gu Qingxuan's chest tightened. For the first time since transmigrating into this world, he felt a rage he had never known before. A dark, new emotion, simmering, almost tangible.