Xiaoying knew Feng Yuan wouldn’t negotiate with her anymore, after all, she had already used up her three chances.

But she never expected this man to be so petty.

She simply pushed Feng Yuan’s book aside: “Then tell me, how can I become an insider again?”

Feng Yuan leaned back, raising his sword-like eyebrows: “Once you’re out, you’re out. Why insist on forcing your way back in? What’s the point?”

Xiaoying, unusually serious, tried to reason with him: “But your method is inappropriate!”

If the Crown Prince died violently, all those who served the imperial heir would suffer.

Jian Hu, Jin Zhong, and the others wouldn’t escape punishment and would inevitably have to follow him in death.

Even Elder Teng, who had accompanied the Crown Prince to Jiangzhe, would be implicated! The old man was upright and honest; he shouldn’t suffer such a fate!

Hearing Xiaoying speak this way, Feng Yuan’s face showed cold indifference, as if the lives and deaths of these people couldn’t stir his heartstrings at all.

“The people you care about… are truly increasing!” He almost ground out these words through his teeth.

Xiaoying pressed her lips together, stubbornly saying: “I care about you too, Grand Prince! You’re so clever, you must know that my actions, besides not wanting you to recognize the fake military map, were also meant to have Chen Nuo restrain you, preventing us from facing each other with swords on the battlefield. I never wanted to be your enemy…”

“Enough!” This time, Feng Yuan suddenly slammed down his book heavily. He looked at Yan Xiaoying, saying word by word: “You still don’t understand, you need to stay away from me!”

This young woman was, to him, more difficult to quit than maddening poison or fine wine.

At first, it was fine; he just found her slightly more pleasing to the eye than others.

In the deep, dim imperial palace, such a spirited young woman had appeared. Her actions and behavior were beyond conventional reasoning, her boldness astounding.

She seemed to harbor many secrets, making people unconsciously curious. So when this young woman wanted to jump off a cliff to escape, Feng Yuan had only one thought: to catch her and bring her back.

Whether to use her to balance the Western Palace or because he temporarily couldn’t do without this chess piece, ultimately, she had once said—”The palace is lonely, how can one manage without a confidant?”

Since she had said she would accompany him for a while, how could she abandon him halfway?

But later, at some unknown point, the young woman’s sweet, alluring smile began to enter his dreams.

Like that day when he barged into her room at the courier station and saw her with loose, long hair and slightly open clothes. Feng Yuan finally realized that some uncontrollable addiction, like wild grass taking root, was secretly growing.

Feng Yuan had always known it was inappropriate, yet he allowed himself to sink deeper and deeper.

What’s worse, he knew this young woman had seen that pitiful creature called “A’Ruo” and knew his most wretched state.

If one day this young woman’s heart opened to love and she could accommodate a handsome young lord, that person could never be the A’Ruo from the abandoned palace!

The young woman said she cared for him, but she didn’t know that the care he wanted was different from others…

Just like a moment ago, when she closed her eyes waiting, there was no feminine tenderness—she was merely offering herself as a sacrificial offering.

He knew he was no deity, and the demon hiding in his heart was greedily howling. How could that insincere sacrifice subdue the demon?

It was time to push her away, otherwise, he feared he could never quit!

But that fly called Xiaoying just kept buzzing and buzzing, refusing to fly away.

“At least let me see my father and adoptive father! If you refuse, tomorrow I’ll go appear before Mu Hanjiang as a ghost from the grave!”

Feng Yuan looked up with a cold smile. Yan Xiaoying truly thought herself important—did he fear the threats of this little woman?

“You wouldn’t dare!”

…

This standoff didn’t last too long. Perhaps annoyed by the buzzing fly disrupting his studies.

Feng Yuan finally had someone lead Xiaoying to see her fathers.

The path was winding; without a guide, it would have been hard to find—it turned out there was another residence behind a dense forest to the north.

According to the guard escorting her, the injured brothers had received proper medical treatment, and her father had also received medicine in time.

When she arrived, her adoptive father and the others had just finished breakfast.

On the plates remained some braised meat with fermented soybeans, loose chicken bones, and her adoptive father was almost finished with a fist-sized fresh meat bun.

The lingering fragrance was pleasant, tempting to one’s stomach.

It seemed her adoptive father and the others were being treated well as prisoners, much better than their unchanging thin porridge meals.

Xiaoying silently looked at the messy table, then asked what they had eaten yesterday. Surprisingly, they’d had fish and meat, along with seasonal fruits.

All prisoners, yet their meals were of vastly different grades! Xiaoying shook her head and smiled coldly.

How petty was the Grand Prince? In the past, she had brought chicken, duck, fish, and meat to the abandoned palace for him every few days, taking great care!

Looking at it now, it had all been fed to the dogs!

Yan Shan thought his daughter had found something wrong with the food and anxiously asked: “Has that prince poisoned our food?”

Xiaoying came back to her senses and naturally smiled to comfort her father, stating that the prince was very economical. If he wanted to kill people, he probably wouldn’t spend money on poison.

Yan Shan held his daughter’s hand, asking with concern if that prince had mistreated her.

Xiaoying reassured him that she and the prince had a life-and-death friendship like sworn brothers. Although their friendship was now virtually nonexistent, she should be fine for now.

Yan Shan frowned as he listened.

Having grown up in a theater troupe, he had seen too much of human nature and worldly affairs. How could he not notice that the Grand Prince’s gaze toward his daughter was unusual?

Which man would look at a sworn brother like that? Could he have a preference for men?

Having seen too much of the filth within palaces and noble mansions, he feared his daughter might become the plaything of those in power since they held leverage over her.

So he pulled his daughter aside, but found himself too choked up to speak.

He was such a useless father, unable to protect his wife and children in the past.

Now he had to rely entirely on his daughter for help, causing her to attract trouble she shouldn’t have.

But when Xiaoying heard this, she strangely snorted, looking as if she was angry and resentful toward someone.

“Don’t worry, he’s a noble prince with high standards! Even if your daughter threw herself at him, he would discard her like an old shoe and push her away with a slap!”

Hearing Xiaoying speak so confidently, Yan Shan felt somewhat reassured.

Next, Xiaoying asked her adoptive father, Meng Zhun, if he had been coerced into agreeing to be escorted back to the capital.

Meng Zhun shook his head. The Grand Prince had talked with him at length yesterday, calmly analyzing his options.

Seven years ago, he had been implicated in a case of embezzling military funds and supplies, causing Chen Nuo’s subordinate Jiang Shen to lose an important battle with Wei Country on the western front, resulting in the loss of Fengwei Slope.

That Grand Prince wasn’t tricking him into achieving merit as a stepping stone. He had done his homework thoroughly, even producing old case files and clearly explaining the doubtful points and causes of that wrongful case from years ago.

The mastermind behind it all was probably not local, but in the capital.

Xiaoying nodded. She had also investigated for a long time. If her adoptive father had merely been a scapegoat for local officials, it wouldn’t have led to the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards coming to exterminate his family.

As Feng Yuan said, her adoptive father had indeed been involved in a shocking conspiracy back then. The loss of Fengwei Slope that year was shrouded in mystery.

Meng Zhun had lived a life of hardship all these years, yet he had never been able to clear his family’s tragic massacre. If he could find the true culprit behind it all, what did it matter if he sacrificed his life?

Moreover, this approach would at least ensure that Xiaoying would no longer live this dangerous life with him. She was grown now; how could she waste her youth with him?

So Meng Zhun had made up his mind. As long as Feng Yuan didn’t mistreat Xiaoying, he was willing to cooperate with the Grand Prince and go to the capital to gamble with his life.

As for Yan Shan and the other brothers, the Grand Prince had already promised that once they recovered from their injuries, they would be set free.

Unable to dissuade her adoptive father, and with her father saying he wanted to stay to look after Meng Zhun, the guard urged the young woman to leave quickly.

Xiaoying could only leave the North Garden for now and went to find Feng Yuan again.

The journey wasn’t too long, but Xiaoying’s mind worked quickly, and she had more or less come up with a plan.

Only, the person she was trying to negotiate with now was somewhat impenetrable. She wasn’t sure if she could fool him again…

When she reached the study door, Feng Yuan was still there, not even looking up at the fly that flew in: “You’ve seen them, now please leave.”

Xiaoying perched on the corner of his desk, looking slightly aggrieved as she muttered: “Your household doesn’t seem to be struggling to make ends meet, so why do my adoptive father and the others get meat and vegetables, while I’m given nothing but porridge meal after meal? It’s not filling at all; I’m hungry now!”

As soon as she finished speaking, her stomach obligingly rumbled twice.

Feng Yuan finally looked up, glancing at Xiaoying.

He hadn’t intended to mistreat this female prisoner. Initially, he had indeed instructed people to prepare light meals for her.

After all, she had been unconscious for too long from inhaling the sedative drug and needed something gentle for her stomach. But he hadn’t expected the servants to misunderstand and give her a thin porridge meal after meal…

Now Yan Xiaoying was pouting with a grieved expression, her bright, large eyes seemingly holding moisture, looking extremely wronged.

She was indeed adaptable—with her mask on, she was the fierce bandit king who struck fear into hearts; without the mask, she appeared pure and harmless, like a bright, innocent neighborhood girl…

Feng Yuan knew she was acting again, and if he wanted to get rid of her, he only needed to harden his heart and ignore her.

But his hand seemed to have a mind of its own as it reached for a box of pastries nearby and handed it to the young woman who refused to leave.

Xiaoying always pushed her luck. Biting into a ham and egg yolk pastry, she moved closer to Feng Yuan: “The pastry is a bit salty. Do you have anything else to eat?”

Feng Yuan glanced at her again, resisting the urge to brush away the crumbs at the corner of her mouth. He poured her a cup of tea and instructed someone to bring honey, dates, and newly made candied fruits from the kitchen.

While she was eating and drinking, Xiaoying was pondering how to continue staying without leaving, when suddenly a commotion erupted outside, followed by the sound of footsteps.

Xiaoying heard what sounded like Mu Hanjiang calling “Grand Prince” outside. She quickly swallowed the pastry, looked around, and moved behind the bookshelf.

It turned out Mu Hanjiang had forced his way into Listening Heart Garden, seemingly wanting to enter the study, but was stopped by people outside who wouldn’t let him in.

Seeing that Xiaoying had hidden herself, Feng Yuan raised his voice and asked: “Young Master Mu, what brings you here?”

Mu Hanjiang spoke urgently: “Grand Prince, the Crown Prince…”

Feng Yuan didn’t allow Mu Hanjiang to enter but had him stand outside the study to speak.

The reason was simple: this was his late mother’s study, and outsiders weren’t allowed in.

Xiaoying found this curious as she hid behind the bookshelf: If that was the rule, why had he brought her in like a treasure before? Was Ye Zhanxue’s study forbidden to men but not women?

Through the gaps in the bookshelf, she could see Young Master Mu standing at the study door, looking quite disheveled.

His face, handsome as ever, bore faint dark circles from lack of sleep. His normally snow-white clothes, neck, and face were covered in black soot. His pants and shoes looked even worse; who knew where he had been?

When Mu Hanjiang tensely announced that the Crown Prince had been burned to death in the courier station last night, he found the Grand Prince inside looking completely indifferent, still focused on the book in his hands.

Mu Hanjiang had to emphasize: “Grand Prince, the Crown Prince… has perished!”

Feng Yuan merely said “Oh” and asked: “If that’s the case, you need to contact local authorities to arrange the funeral. Why come to me?”

Feng Yuan’s cold reaction shocked Mu Hanjiang, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Even if Feng Yuan resented his fourth brother for stealing the military map and reporting him, such a cold response to death and separation was disturbingly indifferent!

Seeing Mu Hanjiang staring speechlessly, Feng Yuan coldly asked: “How could the courier station catch fire for no reason? Everyone else escaped, only he couldn’t get out, which suggests something suspicious. Who set the fire?”

Mu Hanjiang took a deep breath, calming himself before saying: “The person who set the fire was a laborer at the courier station. Fifty taels of gold were found in his home in the countryside. The person who bribed him was found drowned in a ditch, apparently drunk—someone killed him to silence him. But I’ve obtained some clues; the person behind this should be Shang Youdao!”

Perhaps the Crown Prince had found some evidence of Shang Youdao’s crimes, forcing this scoundrel to take such desperate measures, even plotting to harm the imperial heir!

Unfortunately, Shang Youdao had already had his throat cut by the Little King of Hell, leaving no way to confront him with the evidence!

After listening, Feng Yuan calmly said, “Since you know the culprit, go arrest him, so you can give His Majesty an explanation. My back injury is severe. I’ve already returned General Chen’s military seal, relieving myself of duty. I won’t be returning to the camp. If there’s nothing else, Young Master Mu, please leave.”

But Mu Hanjiang refused to leave, staring directly at Feng Yuan: “I thought you cared at least somewhat about the Crown Prince. He was, after all, your brother!”

Feng Yuan coldly replied: “When you two joined forces to betray me, all brotherly affection ended!”

Mu Hanjiang’s expression stiffened slightly, his usually elegant face showing a trace of helplessness.

He could only explain through gritted teeth: “The one who betrayed you was me. The Crown Prince acted out of good intentions. Please don’t misunderstand him.”

For the imperial family, when the Crown Prince died, it meant reshuffling the deck. For some princes, this was indeed good news!

But he had thought Feng Yuan would be different from the likes of the Second Prince.

Thinking of this, Mu Hanjiang looked at Feng Yuan, continuing to probe: “I examined the body at the scene. The body was burned black, unrecognizable.”

Feng Yuan looked at the blisters on his hand; it seemed Mu Hanjiang had personally searched through the fire scene.

This wasn’t like him; he was usually very concerned with cleanliness.

“If His Highness knew how diligently you investigated, he would rest in peace.”

“A’Ruo! Why must you be so cruel!” Mu Hanjiang finally couldn’t bear Feng Yuan’s attitude toward the Crown Prince and coldly said, “However, I believe that body… was not the Crown Prince!”

As he said this, Mu Hanjiang stepped forward, staring intently at Feng Yuan’s face, not missing the slightest change in his expression.

Feng Yuan remained expressionless, merely asking calmly: “What makes you think so?”

Mu Hanjiang said: “In the fourth year of his imprisonment, the Crown Prince injured his right leg, suffering a severe fracture. Later, the Empress found someone to treat it properly, which is why he doesn’t appear weak in public. But the body I examined showed no signs of bone callus!”

Hiding behind the bookshelf, Xiaoying secretly gave a thumbs up: Well done, Master Mu! Your master may yet live, thanks to your efforts!

As expected of the head of the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards, he was well-informed and good at finding discrepancies.

Let’s see how Feng Yuan responds to this!

But Feng Yuan didn’t want to respond at all, merely saying calmly: “If that’s the case, why are you wasting time here? Quickly go interrogate Shang Youdao to see where he’s hidden the Crown Prince. A’Yuan has a delicate constitution and can’t endure hardship…”

This statement once again changed Mu Hanjiang’s expression. Shang Youdao was already dead; where could he go to question him?

Whether the Crown Prince was alive or dead, Feng Yuan maintained his indifferent attitude, as if the Crown Prince’s fate truly had nothing to do with him.

Seeing no progress, he turned to leave. But suddenly he heard a slight sound from behind the bookshelf.

Xiaoying had accidentally disturbed a scroll on the bookshelf.

Mu Hanjiang paused, his eyes catching sight of two teacups on the table, indicating that the Grand Prince had been drinking with someone.

The food on the table and the messy date pits… everything looked like someone’s particular habits!

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, he suddenly rushed into the study toward the bookshelf, but Feng Yuan moved even faster, reaching out to block Mu Hanjiang.

If there was nothing to hide behind the bookshelf, why would Feng Yuan react this way?

Realizing this, Mu Hanjiang didn’t bother to fight with Feng Yuan. He simply kicked the bookshelf hard, causing it to fall.

Accompanied by a trembling female shriek, a woman with disheveled clothes and loose hair over her shoulders emerged from under the half-collapsed bookshelf. She shamefully covered her face, her skirt fluttering as she flew like a startled butterfly into Feng Yuan’s arms.

Her robe was half undone; she wore only a long, pale pink skirt that trailed to the ground.

Mu Hanjiang caught only a glimpse, seeing only the back of her neck. But her slender arms, willowy waist, and sobbing cries were unmistakably feminine.

Behind the bookshelf was not the person he had imagined…

Mu Hanjiang hadn’t expected his kick to startle such a colorful butterfly. For a moment, he was so embarrassed that he didn’t know where to look.

But as he lowered his head, he noticed a white scar on the woman’s exposed calf.

The Grand Prince was indeed loyal—the beauty was still the same one from the riverside.

Feng Yuan took off his outer robe and draped it over the woman, then held her as he coldly asked: “Does Young Master Mu have more anger to vent? Direct it at me, and don’t frighten my beloved concubine.”

After saying this, he suddenly groaned in pain, as if the beauty in his arms had pinched him out of embarrassment.

However, Mu Hanjiang paid no attention to the Grand Prince’s unusual reaction. Feng Yuan had been imprisoned in the military camp, and after coming out, he had been mingling with a woman here. Perhaps… he truly knew nothing about the Crown Prince’s situation.

“Get out!” Feng Yuan truly seemed to dislike outsiders entering his study; with just two simple words, he dismissed his guest.

Mu Hanjiang awkwardly cupped his hands in farewell and hurriedly left.

Xiaoying waited until the footsteps faded away before slowly raising her head, arching her eyebrow to ask: “What did you say I was to you?”

Feng Yuan released her, lowering his head to rub his waist where Xiaoying had just pinched him hard. Without looking, he knew it must be bruised.

But what he seemed to mind wasn’t this. With a displeased expression, he asked: “Why did you take off your outer robe in front of him?”

As if that needed asking! Naturally, it was to make it impossible for that gentleman Mu Hanjiang to look directly at her! Otherwise, at such close range, if he looked carefully, wouldn’t their secret be exposed?

Xiaoying smoothed her hair, looking at Feng Yuan with schadenfreude: “What now? He doesn’t believe it?”