Mu Hanjiang and the Third Prince had lost interest in continuing their stroll through the streets and followed behind the Grand Prince and the young lady, preparing to return to the inn.

The Third Prince watched his elder brother holding the woman’s hand, finding it increasingly uncomfortable no matter how he looked at it.

He spat in disgust, then said to Mu Hanjiang: “I don’t understand… what’s going on in my elder Royal Brother’s head? Even madness should have its limits! When Fourth Brother returns and sees the Grand Prince keeping such a woman, he’ll surely cry like a girl without end, bringing shame to our Feng family!”

Feng Qiyuan had been a tearful, sensitive child from a young age. Although after four years of tempering at Yi Garden, he seemed to have loosened up a bit and was no longer so fragile and sensitive, being so blatantly humiliated by the Grand Prince would likely be more than he could bear!

Mu Hanjiang said nothing, only gazing coldly at the tall man and the petite woman walking ahead.

The Grand Prince was truly good to that woman, his large hand steadily holding hers as they walked side by side—one tall, one short—completely disregarding societal ethics, so arrogantly that it provoked jealousy, as if he carried no restraints or burdens…

Halfway through their walk, Mu Hanjiang suddenly said to the Third Prince: “Your Highness, I’m going to buy something over there. Please wait a moment.”

Without waiting for the Third Prince to respond, Mu Hanjiang quickly turned and crossed a street.

Arriving at a calligraphy and painting shop, he tossed a silver ingot to the painter, sending him away, then picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and began to draw. With just a few strokes, he outlined the features of the woman he had just seen.

Mu Hanjiang of the Mu family was a master of poetry, literature, and painting. His skill in meticulous brushwork was renowned throughout the capital.

But few knew that his calligraphy and painting were never merely artistic pursuits.

In his youth, forced by his mother, he had practiced this skill of capturing and depicting the features of suspected criminals, enduring countless beatings with rattan and ruler. Now, as he casually sketched the Grand Prince’s concubine, the likeness was about ninety percent accurate.

When the painting was completed and dried, he summoned Gao Qi and quietly instructed: “Send a reliable person to Jiangzhe to investigate this woman’s background and origins! Also, find someone to check on the Crown Prince, see if he’s still in Jiangzhe, and what his current situation is. Remember to verify in person! And these matters… don’t let my mother know.”

As the young master’s trusted confidant, Gao Qi naturally understood. The Dragon Scale Shadow Guards were infiltrated with the Princess’s trusted spies. If the young master wanted to circumvent his mother, he needed to find trustworthy people.

Fortunately, during the four years when the young master had feigned lameness in Wei Country, he had privately cultivated many capable individuals as hidden agents…

Rolling up the painting, Gao Qi hurriedly departed.

After Gao Qi left, Mu Hanjiang sat quietly for a while, then couldn’t resist picking up the brush to sketch another small portrait.

Unlike the earlier criminal-style portrait that emphasized distinctive features, this small portrait depicted a graceful young lady with a veiled face. The lady’s figure was slim as she reclined with one leg crossed, a single embroidered shoe barely hanging from her foot, her expression so imperious that it seemed she might at any moment fling the shoe at the viewer’s face…

The beauty’s features were elegant, her smile playful and vivid, yet forever concealed behind a thin veil. On her head was a plum blossom hairpin with pristine white snow falling upon it.

“Snow falling on plum blossoms, eventually there will be a reunion…” Mu Hanjiang murmured in a deep voice, writing “Snow Falling on Plum Blossoms” beside the portrait.

Snow and plum blossoms were originally worlds apart, each in their place.

But once the white snow fell upon the plum blossoms, they had a brief encounter between heaven and earth.

When the sunlight shone, the beautiful dream would vanish like smoke, beautiful yet fleeting.

Was the doubt in his heart also like this snow on plum blossoms—non-existent and quickly melting away?

Hearing the Third Prince calling him, Mu Hanjiang finally came to his senses. Looking at the painting, he frowned slightly, as if regretting why he had drawn such a vulgar thing.

He casually used a fire stick from near the incense burner on the table to set the painting aflame, scattering the ashes into the burner.

……

Upon returning to the inn room, Xiaoying removed her veil and flopped onto the bed: “Day after day, why is this even more tiring than pretending in the palace? Mu Hanjiang is naturally suspicious. Now that he’s caught me red-handed, won’t he start digging deeper?”

From what she knew of Mu Hanjiang, he would not be satisfied with the few words exchanged at the teahouse and would likely have further probing actions in store.

Originally, the “Crown Prince” was supposed to “die from illness” in Jiangzhe. At such a critical moment, they couldn’t afford any additional complications!

After complaining, she noticed Feng Yuan wasn’t responding. He was sitting by the table, and from his expression, he didn’t seem very happy.

Xiaoying took off her shoe and threw it at Feng Yuan: “Hey, what are you thinking about? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Feng Yuan caught the shoe steadily, walked over, sat beside her, and placed the shoe neatly at the bedside: “I’ll send someone to handle matters in Jiangzhe. After returning to the capital, he shouldn’t have so much leisure time. As long as you don’t frequently appear before him, Mu Qing won’t bother thinking about you!”

What he didn’t say was that if Mu Qing wasn’t busy, he would make sure to keep him busy.

The way Mu Hanjiang had stared at Xiaoying today made him very uncomfortable.

That gaze hidden beneath scrutiny and doubt, as one man to another, was tacitly understood.

Recalling Mu Hanjiang’s repeated partiality toward the Crown Prince, his unusual tolerance that far exceeded the limits of the usually rule-abiding Young Master Mu.

Seeing his protective manner now, it was hard to imagine that he had once pretended to be lame for four years to frame the Crown Prince.

Thinking of this, Feng Yuan’s gaze darkened as he leaned down toward the fresh peach-like young woman…

Seeing Feng Yuan’s face drawing closer, Xiaoying belatedly edged away: “Hey, it’s broad daylight, why are you getting so close?”

Feng Yuan spoke frankly without any shame: “Didn’t Xiaoying say she would warm my bed, prepare my bedding, and offer her jade arms as pillows? Since I’ve already been labeled as licentious, I might as well live up to it…”

Live up to your big head! Xiaoying tried to push him away, but Feng Yuan pinned her wrists.

The gentleman lowered his head, his half-loose long hair falling, his nose tip touching Xiaoying’s as he asked softly: “Didn’t you say you act according to the weather? Today the sun shines warmly, is the young lady happy enough to nurture some thoughts?”

He still remembered Xiaoying’s excuse for avoiding intimacy last night. If her heart only grew fond in good weather, naturally, this matter should be done during the day!

What twisted logic—so he accompanied her around town all day, desperately spending silver, just to coax her into a good mood?

Before Xiaoying could argue, Feng Yuan had already gripped her slender neck and kissed her intimately.

This prince’s talent for learning was evident not only in matters of the civil and martial arts but also in these private aspects of male-female relations.

Compared to the first time when he had been somewhat clumsy, knocking teeth in experimentation, and the second time’s overwhelming passion that gave her no escape, this time Feng Yuan clearly showed more experienced composure and patience, gently guiding and enticing the young lady’s tongue to dance with his.

Xiaoying, pinned to the bed with nowhere to hide, soon lost her strength. Her slender arms wrapped around the gentleman’s back as she surrendered to his lips and tongue, unable to stop the ripples of desire…

Xiaoying had to admit that although she was adept at perceiving people’s hearts, she didn’t quite understand young men in their prime.

She had previously thought Feng Yuan’s cold temperament meant he was a great talent who avoided women.

Now she realized, for him to reach that level, he would still need one thing—castration!

At some point, her collar had loosened, her outer robe hanging disheveled on the edge of the bed. Such uninhibited behavior was truly improper.

Fortunately, she still retained a last thread of reason and, when Feng Yuan became increasingly audacious, stopped him with her knee…

This move was clearly done without proper control of force. Luckily, Feng Yuan dodged in time, or it would have resulted in a broken branch.

He helplessly buried his face in the crook of her neck: “Do you have to be so harsh…”

Xiaoying’s face was red as she whispered a complaint in his ear: “How old are you now, still… still wanting… that!”

Feng Yuan extended his long fingers to pinch her cheek: “If I were truly hungry, would this little bit satisfy me?”

“Get lost!” Xiaoying felt Feng Yuan was too abominable, actually daring to mock her slender figure!

Feng Yuan rolled over, holding her in his arms, his high, straight nose against her face: “Are you angry?”

Xiaoying was certainly angry and, unusually, felt a tightness in her chest. She turned her face away, unwilling to talk to him.

But Feng Yuan turned her face back, his expression solemn as he said softly: “To me, Xiaoying is beautiful everywhere…”

Such words were typically what frivolous young masters used to deceive women, falsely sweet and oily!

Yet Feng Yuan’s eyes were deep, his expression serious as he spoke these words, as devout as if worshiping a deity he had sought with great difficulty.

Xiaoying was momentarily speechless, unsure of what to say to this blind devotee.

Just then, there was a clattering sound from outside the room, followed by deliberate, heavy coughing.

From the sound of it, if the people inside didn’t come out, Meng Zhun intended to cough up an entire set of lungs and liver.

Xiaoying hurriedly pushed Feng Yuan away, straightened her clothes, and after composing herself, went out to find her adoptive father standing in the corridor.

He wore shackles on both his feet and hands, which rattled as he walked.

There was no helping it; originally, they weren’t necessary. But with Mu Hanjiang and Princess Anqing’s successive arrivals, Meng Zhun had conscientiously put on the shackles to avoid giving Feng Yuan any trouble. After all, he hadn’t yet received a special pardon and was being escorted to the capital, so appearances had to be maintained.

Besides, Feng Yuan had given him the key, so whether to unlock them or not was entirely up to him.

Seeing his adopted daughter emerge, Meng Zhun called Xiaoying aside and asked, barely containing his anger: “I saw the Grand Prince take you out for half the day, then bring you back into the room. Closing doors in broad daylight… It’s too improper!”

Xiaoying feigned composure: “Oh, the Grand Prince wanted to discuss some important matters with me.”

What could a man of Meng Zhun’s age fail to see? The young lady’s cheeks were flushed red, and her hair was still disheveled and not properly arranged.

But judging from Xiaoying’s demeanor, she didn’t seem to have been forced by the prince.

When they had returned earlier, the way they had held hands while walking was too intimate.

When Xiaoying was climbing the stairs, Feng Yuan had even helped lift her skirt from behind, showing no sense of propriety between men and women.

Given Xiaoying’s personality, if she were being coerced, she would certainly not meekly submit to such treatment.

But no matter how clever and resourceful she was in military matters, she was still an innocent young lady. How could she outmaneuver Feng Yuan, a man over twenty years old who had been nurtured on palace intrigue and scheming?

Meng Zhun was anxious to say something but was constrained by the fact that he was a man and couldn’t speak too explicitly with a young lady.

He paced anxiously on the spot, feeling that both he and Yan Shan had failed the child by not arranging for an older woman to properly guide Xiaoying.

Earlier, he had watched the Grand Prince buy a pile of clothes and accessories for Xiaoying, spending extravagantly—how was this different from the tactics of profligates who threw silver to deceive young women?

If not for him, why would Xiaoying need to associate with these powerful nobles? A good young lady was about to be corrupted by these pleasure-seeking gentlemen!

Thinking of this, Meng Zhun deliberately raised his voice, addressing Feng Yuan’s closed door: “Our Xiaoying is suitable for home and family. In the future, she will find a good man to marry, raise children, and grow old together in love. Xiaoying, you don’t need to seek attachment to wealth and power. Even as a couple behind closed doors, living a peaceful life… I hope certain noble persons understand, don’t entangle with a good girl who doesn’t match your status, playing those games of taking advantage without responsibility!”

Xiaoying listened with a throbbing headache, fearing Feng Yuan might come out and clash with her adoptive father.

She quickly pulled her adoptive father downstairs, appropriately changing the subject: “I heard Princess Anqing left at noon. Did she meet with you before leaving?”

Meng Zhun nodded: “When we were eating in the dining hall, we crossed paths with the Princess as she was about to depart. I had seen Princess Anqing seven years ago when she accompanied her husband passing through Jiangzhe, and I was assigned to be responsible for security. I thought I recognized her, but didn’t expect her to remember me. Surprisingly, Princess Anqing took the initiative to speak with me.”

Xiaoying raised an eyebrow: “…What did the Princess say to you?”

“She said she remembered me, and that she knew something about my case from back then. After arriving in the capital, she hoped I could clear my name and have justice served.”

Hearing this, Xiaoying couldn’t help but be surprised. For someone of Princess Anqing’s status, who had encountered countless local guards, what outstanding qualities did her adoptive father possess that made the Princess remember him?

Just as she was about to say something, her adoptive father suddenly gave her a meaningful look.

Because Mu Hanjiang and the Third Prince had also returned to the inn and were looking in their direction.

So Meng Zhun could only drag his shackles back to his room.

He silently resolved that once they reached the capital, regardless of whether his own matters were resolved or not, he would send Xiaoying back to Jiangzhe.

By then, Yan Shan would also need to pay more attention to finding a good family for Xiaoying.

Given Xiaoying’s capability and efficiency, finding an open-minded and gentle husband, marrying into a wealthy merchant family, and becoming the mistress of the household would be a smooth path for life.

That somewhat dark and scheming Grand Prince, besides his tendency toward violence, now also had the flaw of being smooth-talking and seducing innocent young women—hardly a good match!

After resting in Yao City, the group prepared to continue their journey by carriage.

From the moment that peach-red dressed, gauze-hatted figure appeared on the second floor until she went downstairs and boarded the carriage, Mu Hanjiang’s gaze followed her closely, as if trying to spot flaws in the young lady’s behavior and demeanor.

Xiaoying was grateful that when she had impersonated the Crown Prince, Empress Tang had provided her with adequate attire. Shoulder pads, chest expanders, and thick shoe soles—nothing was missing. These had modified her figure, so now she wasn’t afraid of Mu Hanjiang’s scrutiny while wearing a dress.

She just didn’t know how long his suspicion would last. Mu Hanjiang seemed to have lost interest even in questioning her adoptive father about the Little King of Hell.

His mind was completely focused on her.

Throughout the journey, whenever Xiaoying lifted the carriage curtain for fresh air, her gaze would meet Mu Hanjiang’s as he rode alongside.

Xiaoying couldn’t show any signs of guilt by avoiding his gaze, so she could only give Young Master Mu a shy smile before slowly lowering the curtain again.

This happened so frequently that even the bull-headed Third Prince noticed something was amiss.

He seized an opportunity to quietly warn Mu Hanjiang: “That is, after all, Elder Royal Brother’s woman. Even if you fancy her, you should be more discreet!”

Mu Hanjiang gave him a cold glance, frowning as he said: “Your Highness, what nonsense are you talking about?”

But the Third Prince didn’t believe he had misread the situation, scratching the back of his head in puzzlement: “I don’t understand what you two see in her. Although the young lady’s appearance and figure are fine, quite graceful and attractive. But her face looks just like Fourth Brother’s—doesn’t that bother you both? Besides, she’s so thin, hasn’t fully matured yet, you…”

This time, Mu Hanjiang could no longer restrain himself. Disregarding the etiquette between ruler and subject, he glared fiercely at the Third Prince: “Do you also speak so unfiltered in front of my sister?”

Feng Qiwu felt wronged: “I… how could I say such things in front of Yanyan? I behave very well around her!”

Saying this, the Third Prince harbored a different grievance—he could see that Yanyan seemed to have feelings for the Grand Prince.

Whenever that cold madman appeared, Yanyan’s gaze would involuntarily follow him.

All along the journey from the capital, people everywhere were praising the Grand Prince’s thousand-li pursuit, his slaying of Wei Country’s Gu Zhi, and his recapture of the lost territory at Fengwei Slope.

Hearing this made Yanyan look at him with admiration; whenever she mentioned the Grand Prince, the corners of her mouth would turn upward.

In the mouths of those ignorant country folk, the most valiant prince of the Feng family had somehow changed from him, Feng Qiwu, to Feng Yuan! This was something the Third Prince could hardly tolerate.

Supposedly, this madman had saved Mu Hanjiang and his sister Yanyan when they were young, and Yanyan had always followed behind Feng Yuan, calling him “A’Yuan” this and “A’Yuan” that.

But now, everything had changed! Why couldn’t Yanyan see this clearly, still fixating on Feng Yuan?

Thinking of this, Feng Qiwu felt gloomy again. Originally, he had been the first to propose to the Emperor about assisting General Chen to quell the disturbances in Jiangzhe, but Feng Yuan had used a cruel trick to take precedence, stealing this merit.

Otherwise, the one who pacified Fengwei Slope, killed Gu Zhi, and established a monumental achievement should have been him, Feng Qiwu! If so, would Yanyan have looked upon him with favor?

With such thoughts, the Third Prince’s tone when speaking to Feng Yuan was somewhat disgruntled.

For the remainder of the journey, there was awkwardness among the masters, and the atmosphere was not harmonious.

Even Xiaoying became a target of the bull-headed prince’s anger, being mocked as a “bewitching Daji” who looked inauspicious and such.

Xiaoying smiled and tolerated it for a while, but eventually couldn’t resist asking the Third Prince if he had some celestial being inside him, allowing him to open his heavenly eye to catch demons and exorcise evil spirits.

His Highness the Third Prince didn’t think much of such a lowly woman who served with her beauty.

Hearing her mockery, he glared with bulging eyes, rolled up his sleeves, ready to discipline the disrespectful servant on behalf of the Grand Prince.

Unfortunately, before he could make his bovine roar, Feng Yuan and Mu Hanjiang both arrived, staring coldly at Feng Qiwu. From their expressions, if he spoke offensively to this woman, they would be brewing bull soup the next moment.

Feng Qiwu muttered, “They’re all mad,” and walked away huffing.

Xiaoying missed her days as the Crown Prince. At least with the title of heir apparent, she could directly mock and tease the wild bull with impunity.

The day’s journey was somewhat rushed.

Feng Yuan had originally planned to rest in the next town, Wan City. After all, that town was prosperous, and the accommodations would be slightly better.

However, this meant the journey would be tight, requiring non-stop travel to reach there in time.