Thinking of the Crown Prince’s poor performance in previous years, the attendants preparing the horses had somehow found this short-legged pony.

However, riding such a horse failed to display the majesty befitting nobility. The Crown Prince looked comical, and though others wanted to laugh, they didn’t dare.

Emperor Chunde couldn’t bear to watch and coldly snorted, directly asking the Crown Prince why he didn’t just ride a donkey for hunting.

Hearing the displeasure in his imperial father’s voice, the Crown Prince immediately dismounted and ordered someone to find a proper horse.

Yet when the Crown Prince saw the tall steed brought to him, he became frightened and hesitated to mount it.

Mu Hanjiang wore white hunting attire embroidered with gold thread, unusually shedding his scholarly air and adding a dash of martial valor as he stood on horseback, attracting the gaze of many ladies accompanying the hunt.

However, the gaze of the young master of the Mu family skipped over the bustling, chattering crowd and fell upon the Crown Prince.

Seeing Feng Qiyuan timidly shrinking before the horse, Mu Hanjiang couldn’t help but smile.

Four years ago, he had witnessed Feng Qiyuan’s awkward fall from a horse.

He should have remained a detached observer as usual, but seeing the Crown Prince biting his lip in difficulty, Mu Hanjiang, as if possessed, dismounted and walked over, intending to help the Crown Prince mount.

He even thought that if there was time, he might speak with Teacher Ge about finding an old military acquaintance to properly teach the Crown Prince horsemanship and archery.

This youth was intelligent, though unfortunately physically frail. Some training would be good for strengthening his body…

But just as he intended to approach the Crown Prince, someone else stood beside the frail youth, extending a long arm to help him mount.

Mu Hanjiang looked carefully and saw it was the Grand Prince, Feng Yuan.

It seemed the brotherly relationship between the Grand Prince and the Fourth Prince had improved considerably after the cliff-falling incident.

After helping the Crown Prince mount, Feng Yuan still held the reins, looking up at the youth on horseback and carefully instructing him about something.

In this autumn hunting ground with half-dense foliage and trees providing cover, the slender youth sitting properly on horseback appeared impressively noble.

However, the youth seemed to dislike his brother’s nagging, finding it embarrassing, and quietly glared at his tall, handsome brother below, with a hint of coquettishness unbecoming of a man.

This scene could have been a beautiful impressionistic painting.

Emperor Chunde, watching the harmonious interaction between the brothers, stroked his beard with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, under the canopy, Consort Shang, who had accompanied the prince, angrily poked the Second Prince, who was leaning against cushions.

“Look at that! Learn from the Grand Prince! You’re truly confused, even less tactful than someone with hysteria! Why embarrass the Crown Prince in public when the Eastern Palace is collapsing? You’ve needlessly provoked your father’s temper!”

Feng Qiting had never suffered physical punishment from childhood to adulthood. With his wounds not yet healed, being poked by his mother caused him to sharply inhale.

Come to think of it, he should be grateful to his elder brother. If not for him and Mu Hanjiang rescuing Feng Qiyuan that day, Feng Qiyuan would have been shattered into pieces.

The punishment he would have suffered would have been worse than those ten military lashes!

Thinking of this, the Second Prince couldn’t help but shudder. Looking again at Feng Qiyuan, the hatred in his eyes intensified!

This effeminate person could drag him down even at death’s door! Why couldn’t he just die in that fall?

As for the Grand Prince… Feng Qiting gave a cold laugh, and the gratitude he had just felt didn’t last long.

His father had recently shown excessive favor to this madman, sending him gifts that had previously been reserved for himself, pouring them into Xuanqing Palace as if money were no object.

His mother had said that Feng Yuan’s mother had been his father’s original wife.

If Feng Yuan’s bloodline hadn’t been questioned at birth, and if he hadn’t gone mad, the position of Crown Prince of the Feng family should have been Feng Yuan’s.

This madman seemed to have had no relapses since returning to the palace.

If he truly recovered, wouldn’t he be even more irritating than the useless Feng Qiyuan?

Thinking of this, the Second Prince gave a cold laugh: Now, that golden divination was spreading throughout the palace and beyond. Let’s see what disasters this tough-fated Grand Prince would bring to the nobles in the palace!

…

As for Crown Prince Feng Qiyuan and his Grand Prince brother, they weren’t as harmonious and cordial as outsiders imagined.

After being helped onto the horse by Feng Yuan, Xiaoying, pretending to stroke the horse’s mane, lowered her head and complained to the prince who was offering his kind services: “What are you doing? I don’t want to ride a horse, otherwise, I’ll have to enact the falling-off-horse scene again. It’s unnecessary!”

Though her identity had been discovered by Feng Yuan, it would be no laughing matter if others found out.

Feng Yuan adjusted the stirrups for Xiaoying: “You don’t need to gallop with them later. Do you see those elderly ministers on the right? Move closer to them. That thin one is Elder Teng, who was instrumental in getting the Crown Prince released from Yiyuan. It’s thanks to him.”

Xiaoying followed his gaze and indeed saw a thin old minister being supported as he shakily tried to climb onto a horse.

There was no choice—accompanying the prince on the autumn hunt was a special honor. Even if the old ministers could no longer draw bows, they had to risk their lives to bounce around on horseback for a few rounds, going through the motions.

These physically weak ministers wouldn’t risk their lives; they would fall behind and simply chat along the way to fit the occasion.

Xiaoying couldn’t help but glare obliquely at the Grand Prince, saying sarcastically in a low voice: “Well done! You’ve only been out of Tianlu Palace for a few days, and you’ve already grasped the political situation… Teacher Ge is truly partial. When teaching me, it’s just a pot of old wine and feigned confusion, but with you, he’s completely open and unreserved!”

After Feng Yuan had recovered from his injuries, at Teacher Ge’s repeated request, His Majesty graciously allowed Feng Yuan to continue studying with Teacher Ge together with the Crown Prince.

Using the excuse that the Grand Prince’s foundation was too weak to keep up and fearing it would delay the heir’s studies, Teacher Ge divided the lessons into different sessions, morning and afternoon, for the two princes.

Her lessons remained, the two of them playing chess and joking to pass the time.

But when it came to the Grand Prince, every few days the Imperial Tutor would directly take him home to study.

Of course, Teacher Ge had a plausible excuse for this behavior, claiming that Teacher Ge’s wife missed the Grand Prince and wanted to cook for him.

This blatant favoritism was beyond even Emperor Chunde’s criticism. He was even pleased to see Teacher Ge favoring Feng Yuan.

Feng Yuan had a mental illness, and this natural defect couldn’t be compensated for with intelligence or strategy.

No matter how close Feng Yuan became with Teacher Ge, Emperor Chunde wouldn’t be on guard. Instead, he hoped Teacher Ge had the ability to teach Feng Yuan to better understand human relationships.

For the childless couple, the Grand Prince was no longer just a prince but rather the orphan of their old friend, the Ye family—almost a son they had raised themselves, incomparable to others.

Xiaoying could understand the Imperial Tutor’s favoritism, but wouldn’t let her favored classmate off the hook. Whenever she had the chance, she’d mock him for amusement.

Feng Yuan allowed Xiaoying her sarcasm, placing the riding crop in her hand, and straightening the hem of her long robe, softly instructing her: “Elder Teng’s hometown is in Jiangzhe Yunshan, and he’s quite familiar with local affairs there. So, for this review of Jiangzhe’s finances, it seems he’s been ordered to lead his students there. He enjoys teaching others, so you can chat with him more about your homeland…”

Xiaoying raised an eyebrow, immediately understanding Feng Yuan’s intention.

She reached out to adjust the Grand Prince’s collar, tightening his cloak strap viciously while smiling and whispering through gritted teeth: “Didn’t we agree that you would help me make arrangements? Why do I still have to do all the work myself in the end?”

Feng Yuan allowed this fake Fourth Brother to vent, looking up at her bright eyes, only letting out a muffled groan despite his neck being strangled, then reaching out to pat the horse’s rump.

The horse ambled forward, forcing Xiaoying to release her grip and hold the reins.

When she looked back, the man had already strode away.

Xiaoying glared at Feng Yuan’s back, silently cursing again: He truly isn’t a good person!

Before she could withdraw her gaze, a voice came from beside her: “What did the Grand Prince say to make Your Highness so displeased?”

The speaker was, of course, the mysteriously appearing head of the shadow guards.

It seemed that the little interaction between Yan Xiaoying and Feng Yuan had been observed by this perceptive Young Master Mu.

Ever since she was caught by Young Master Mu during her private investigation of the Empress, every few days, she would spot Young Master Mu wandering around her.

Xiaoying’s eyes reddened slightly, and with a face full of grievance, she complained to Young Master Mu: “Am I not masculine enough today? The Grand Prince came over eagerly to ask me whether I usually urinate standing or squatting… What does he mean? Is he implying I’m a woman?”

Mu Hanjiang was taken aback by the question and involuntarily looked at the Crown Prince’s fresh, delicate face.

Unlike his usual clever vivacity, the Crown Prince now had reddened eyes glistening with tears, truly resembling a fragile young woman…

If he spoke the truth, someone would jump off a cliff!

Mu Hanjiang couldn’t help but lower his voice to comfort the recently emotionally fragile heir, saying only that during the hunt, if the Crown Prince could catch more prey, it would certainly demonstrate his masculine prowess!

Xiaoying’s tears were always at her command. Seeing she had fooled him, she stretched her neck to instruct Mu Hanjiang: “Lord Mu, please do me a favor. If you catch rabbits or similar game later, share some with me. If I return empty-handed, it would be quite embarrassing.”

The normally refined and composed Young Master Mu stared at Yan Xiaoying with an indescribable expression.

He was in charge of the shadow guards, an iron-faced judge who monitored officials for corruption on behalf of His Majesty.

Yet this heir was so casual, asking him to cheat in the imperial hunting grounds?

Xiaoying didn’t care and added, “If you refuse, I’ll feel humiliated and might despair again. I don’t know if the nearby cliffs are high enough…”

This time, Mu Hanjiang couldn’t be bothered to speak with the heir. He tightly pursed his lips and rode his horse away from the Crown Prince.

When the drums sounded and banners waved, His Majesty led the company of mounted archers amid the horn blasts, galloping forward with roaring speed.

However, everyone knew their place and slowed down to follow behind Emperor Chunde, not stealing the sovereign’s spotlight.

In hunting, those at the front have the opportunity to discover more prey, and the ministers naturally let His Majesty enjoy himself fully.

But unexpectedly, one horse seemed to ignore the rules, shooting forward like an arrow released from a bow, rushing past His Majesty toward the hunting grounds ahead.

The speed was so fast that the ministers and guards behind His Majesty looked at each other in bewilderment, unable to react.

Yan Xiaoying saw clearly that the one showing off was Grand Prince Feng Yuan.

She wasn’t sure what play the madman was performing today, being so conspicuous!

However, Xiaoying’s prey wasn’t in the dense forest ahead. She turned her gaze toward the leisurely old ministers and directed her horse toward them…

Elder Teng was exchanging pleasantries with a group of old friends when suddenly, a dark head squeezed into the group of white-haired ministers.

Elder Teng paused in surprise and couldn’t help asking: “Crown Prince, have you mistaken the direction? The hunting grounds are to the west; we old folks are heading to the pavilion in the east.”

Yan Xiaoying blinked her large eyes innocently and said, “Elder, I was injured recently and cannot endure the jolting ride, but I fear my father’s reproach. I thought I’d accompany you, elders, engage in refined conversation, and broaden my knowledge, so the trip wouldn’t be wasted.”

The elderly ministers had heard about the Crown Prince jumping off a cliff at the military camp.

Hearing the Crown Prince speak this way, they didn’t dare continue in that direction and promptly agreed, inviting the Crown Prince to sit with them in the pavilion.

They had initially thought that with the young Crown Prince among them, the ministers would be constrained in their conversation. Unexpectedly, within a short time, the old and young were chatting harmoniously.

Elder Teng’s memory of the heir was still fixed on four years ago. Now, conversing with him again, he discovered the young Crown Prince was pure and straightforward, not at all as morally corrupt and filthy as rumors suggested!

The Elder was conservative, believing that the imperial succession shouldn’t violate proper order. After the Crown Prince was severely punished by His Majesty, Elder Teng had persistently argued with His Majesty, finally protecting the legitimate bloodline of the imperial family.

However, in the Elder’s heart, he also felt the Crown Prince lacked substance. Though not to the point of becoming a tyrannical ruler, he would need the assistance of wise ministers to follow the right path.

He had originally wanted to recommend himself as the Crown Prince’s tutor, but unfortunately, His Majesty had chosen Ge Danian, a man of cunning schemes. It was said that he drank daily, and who knew what kind of person he would turn the Crown Prince into.

Today’s casual conversation didn’t give the Elder much hope.

But unexpectedly, though the youth before him was frail and thin, his quick wit was truly surprising.

No matter what topics the old ministers brought up, even farming and cultivation, this youth could continue the conversation with unique insights, causing them to see him in a new light.

Elder Teng found the conversation increasingly enjoyable, more convinced that his initial insistence on preserving the legitimate heir of Dafeng was correct.

Feng Qiyuan was truly a virtuous heir of Dafeng, sensitive and compassionate toward the common people’s livelihood. He was not one of those pampered nobles who would ask why the poor didn’t eat meat!

Out of curiosity, the Elder couldn’t help but ask the Crown Prince how, living in the palace, he could understand so much about the common people’s lives.

Xiaoying couldn’t very well mention the eunuchs in the cold palace Yiyuan, so she shamelessly invoked Teacher Ge.

“Teacher Ge has taught me a lot. He said that when Jiangzhe is peaceful, the whole country is peaceful. When I worked at the Imperial Household Department, I also organized many Jiangzhe account books, but unfortunately, not being there in person, it was all theoretical. I think of how my father, at seventeen, was already inspecting fiefs for my grandfather and punishing corrupt officials. Alas, I was born at the wrong time. If only I could be like my father, how wonderful it would be. Now I feel my knowledge is truly shallow. Without experiencing the lives of the people, how can I understand their suffering?”

The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart.

Elder Teng felt the Crown Prince’s sentiments had some merit.

The previous emperor had emerged from the countryside, thus understanding the people’s conditions, and the current emperor had been a powerful supporter in the previous emperor’s ascension to the throne. He had mingled with all walks of life, traveled throughout the jianghu, and handled state affairs with great insight.

But by the Crown Prince’s generation, all the princes were raised in the deep palace, living in luxury, either singing or playing with their pet dogs and hawks.

If someone who neither exercised nor knew the five grains were to inherit the throne, wouldn’t they repeat the failures of incompetent emperors from past dynasties?

Thinking of this, Elder Teng became somewhat anxious. Just then, the Crown Prince sighed again: “I heard Elder Teng will lead his students to Jiangzhe. I truly envy this. If I could accompany Elder Teng, even if just at your side, I would surely learn a great deal!”

Elder Teng’s eyes lit up: “Your Highness speaks sensibly. If you truly wish to understand people’s lives, this is an excellent opportunity. Would Your Highness be willing to accompany me?”

Xiaoying had been waiting for this chance, but still feigned reluctance: “If I could accompany Elder Teng to inspect the countryside, it would be like learning from a great teacher. I would certainly learn much about national affairs and people’s livelihoods that I cannot learn in the palace… but I fear my father won’t allow it…”

Elder Teng dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand: “Your Highness needn’t worry about these matters; leave them to us officials!”

Xiaoying was naturally reassured. This Elder Teng was known throughout the court as a tenacious old devil.

Whenever he confronted His Majesty, he would cite astronomy above and geography below, quoting classics extensively, leaving the military-background emperor speechless.

Without such skill, he couldn’t have persuaded His Majesty to release Feng Qiyuan from Yiyuan Cold Palace.

Having settled matters with Elder Teng, Xiaoying could finally relax and ride back to the canopy to enjoy pastries and tea.

At this time, only the Second Prince, suffering from whip wounds, was lying on cushions in the canopy, while Consort Shang had retired to a nearby tent to rest.

Seeing the Crown Prince return, Feng Qiting smiled insincerely: “Crown Prince, why have you returned so early? You should know that later, Father will count the prey and award merits accordingly. As the heir apparent, how can you return empty-handed?”

Xiaoying, biting on honeyed walnuts, smiled mischievously at her second brother, taking rare pleasure in teasing him: “You can’t even mount a horse. If I were to display great prowess, wouldn’t it highlight the second brother’s incompetence?”

“You…”

Just as they were quarreling, a palace servant approached and bowed to the Second Prince.

Sharp-eyed, Xiaoying noticed that when the Second Prince saw the servant, he seemed to signal with his eyes, indicating not to speak yet, then smiled at Xiaoying: “Your Highness, do you really want to sit here like this, returning empty-handed, not fearing father’s reproach?”

Xiaoying was tactful, realizing the Second Prince wanted to get rid of her, so she smiled and left.

However, she was curious about what her second brother was scheming during the hunt. Had that palace servant brought him good news?

Thinking of this, Xiaoying casually made a large detour, passing through the woods, crossing the waterway at the back, and secretly circled to the back of the canopy, intending to eavesdrop.

“Tell your people to watch for the right moment and release them when closer!”

The servant obsequiously whispered: “This humble one has instructed them exactly as you ordered, and as you commanded, has secretly smeared the blood of the wolf cub on His Majesty’s red date horse. When the time comes, the mother wolf, smelling the scent, will naturally…”

The Second Prince collapsed on the soft couch, snorted a laugh, and waved his hand, dismissing the person to prepare.

Xiaoying frowned as she listened, momentarily puzzled, unable to understand what kind of stupidity the Second Prince was committing.

But a sudden insight made her understand.

The Second Prince had obtained the blood of a mother wolf and her cubs, clearly intending to cause an accident for Emperor Chunde.

If the imperial carriage were charged by fierce beasts, it would be truly inauspicious, wouldn’t it perfectly fulfill the divination of “the star of calamity striking the third palace”?

So this move by the Second Prince was targeting Feng Yuan!