Morgan Shangguan held the teacup in her hand, gently caressing its rim as she smiled softly, "This world would be rather dull without Damien Gray. Besides, even if I expose him, Emperor Alexander wouldn’t be able to do anything about it!"
"But, Miss, you could do something to him!" Susie Yun looked at Morgan Shangguan, puzzled by her words. What did she mean by saying the world would be boring without the Ghost King? Wasn’t that almost like a confession?
Morgan Shangguan shook her head. "That’s not necessarily true!" She wouldn’t dare underestimate that man, after all... "And besides, I have no grudge against him. Why should I want to do anything to him?"
Susie Yun nodded in agreement. "That’s true."
Damien Gray pushed open the door and saw the figure sitting with her back to him. He called out, "Master, why have you come?"
The elderly man in green robes, exuding an air of wisdom, turned and smiled kindly. "Damien..."
Damien Gray deeply respected the elder who had saved his life. Indeed, the old man treated him well, but the affection in his eyes always carried a trace of pity—a look Damien disliked. He didn’t need pity, nor did he have anything worthy of pity.
"Damien, come back to the Valley of Destiny with me! Stop thinking about revenge. Wan’er wouldn’t want you to live unhappily, and your junior sister misses you as well."
Damien Gray sat down in the chair, repeating the words he had said countless times, "I’m not seeking revenge!"
Master Ethan Yi frowned. "If you’re not after revenge, then why insist on coming back?"
Damien Gray frowned. Why did Master Ethan Yi refuse to believe him, no matter what he said? Was it Damien who couldn’t let go, or was it Master Ethan Yi? Not wanting to discuss this pointless topic, Damien sighed, "I’m going out for a walk."
"Damien..." Master Ethan Yi watched his departing figure and sighed. After a while, he walked to the window, lost in thought as he gazed at the crescent moon hanging in the night sky.
Morgan Shangguan had just lain down on her bed and hadn’t fallen asleep yet when she sensed someone approaching. She didn’t react, waiting until the person was at her bedside. Though he tried to conceal it, she could still sense that his aura was different from ordinary people. Finally, Morgan slowly opened her eyes and smiled, "Your Highness, sneaking into my chambers so late at night—I almost thought you were a thief!"
Damien Gray tossed a luminous pearl onto the table, flooding the room with light. His face still wore a gentle smile as he said, "I’m suddenly feeling restless, so I came to ask you to drink with me." He sighed inwardly; maybe no one in this world truly understood him. He used to not care—he did as he pleased and didn’t need understanding, nor should his emotions be so easily swayed. But tonight, for some reason, he felt unsettled.
Morgan Shangguan’s forehead creased with three black lines. She gently reminded, "Your Highness, I am a woman." Coming to her in the middle of the night to drink—she wasn’t a tavern girl!
Besides, if he wanted to drink, shouldn’t he find a man to accompany him and drink until dawn?
Damien Gray chuckled, "Do you also think women are inferior to men?"
Morgan Shangguan smiled gently, "Your Highness, just consider that this little woman is not as good as you, a great man!" With that, she turned over, intending to go back to sleep.
Damien Gray slowly walked to the bedside, elegantly pinched the corner of the quilt, and with a swift motion, lifted the covers and pulled her up.
Morgan Shangguan frowned at him, then rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Drinking, is it?" It seemed if she didn’t give in, she wouldn’t get any sleep tonight!
Morgan Shangguan didn’t care that her clothes were slightly disheveled as she walked over and sat down at the table.
Though her attire was loose, nothing was exposed—everything was properly covered. Yet, in this patriarchal, feudal society, such behavior was considered excessive. Damien Gray, despite appearing the perfect gentleman, was hardly one to follow strict etiquette. He acted as if he hadn’t noticed, heading straight for the door. When he returned, he was carrying two large jars of wine.
Bang—
Damien Gray boldly placed one large jar in front of Morgan Shangguan, keeping the other for himself. Morgan pursed her lips, her smile gentle but resigned, and repeated, "Your Highness, I am a woman!"
Damien Gray smiled just as gently. "I believe my princess consort is truly extraordinary!"
Morgan Shangguan’s smile was forced. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
Damien Gray nodded. "You can take it as one!" Then he turned and fetched two large bowls from the doorway—clearly, he’d come prepared.
Watching Morgan Shangguan down an entire bowl of wine in one go, Damien Gray laughed in approval. "You truly are exceptional."
Morgan Shangguan snorted. Though she kept insisting she was just a woman, her alcohol tolerance was formidable. Anyone who survived that terrifying training base wouldn’t go down so easily. Even if she couldn’t, she’d force herself to stand—she’d made it a habit. Otherwise, only death awaited her.
Damien Gray, sensitive to her shift in mood, asked, "What’s wrong?"
Morgan Shangguan replied carelessly, "It’s nothing. Weren’t you here to drink?" She glanced at his untouched bowl—so he wasn’t even drinking!
Damien Gray didn’t hesitate. He picked up the bowl and drank it all in one go, his boldness tinged with elegance. Every gesture was pleasing to the eye.
Morgan Shangguan, however, didn’t seem to appreciate it. She appeared indifferent, calm and unruffled. A woman gulping wine from a large bowl might seem crude, but she did it with such ease and grace that it soothed the restless heart.
The two of them sitting together made for a beautiful scene.
Bowl after bowl, neither of them got drunk. Morgan Shangguan tossed her bowl aside, lazily remarking, "All this drinking is pointless." Leaning her elbow on the table and resting her chin on her hand, she smiled at Damien Gray, "What could possibly drive Your Highness to drown your sorrows in the middle of the night?"
Perhaps the alcohol had some effect—Damien Gray’s gentle aura now carried a subtle, cold dominance. He mirrored Morgan’s posture, resting his head on his hand as he smiled, "It’s nothing serious."
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