Xiaoying watched Feng Yuan smiling, but felt her heart constricting.

She finally understood the reason for Feng Yuan’s alternating cold and indifferent attitude toward Mu Hanjiang.

Those who had committed grave errors lived without any sense of shame, while Ayuan, an innocent child who had suffered, had silently endured the erosion of these filthy secrets, trampled upon and humiliated.

Yet when the young Ayuan, filled with hatred, had swung that knife, he had found ways to repay it ten years later.

Feng Yuan kept saying that the debt was settled, and at the cliff, he had the opportunity to let go and have Mu Hanjiang shatter into pieces, tasting the bitterness of old grudges. But Feng Yuan had still grasped Mu Hanjiang’s hand.

If this secret were to leak out, it would destroy the pure reputation of the jade-like young master.

But Feng Yuan had strictly kept the secret, never mentioning to Mu Hanjiang this hidden truth about his birth that would completely shatter the jade-like young master’s mind and body.

This hard-mouthed, soft-hearted Ayuan—was he as bad as he claimed?

He was merely constantly torturing himself, wandering between two extreme emotions with no way out…

As she came to understand more about the truth of those years, Xiaoying felt increasing sympathy for this man who had been poisoned for ten years and didn’t know how to deal with love and hate.

She regretted why she had maintained a cold war with him for so many days, and today had forced him to speak about secrets he had never wanted to face.

She wasn’t good to Feng Yuan at all, yet he had specially come to cook for her, doing everything in his power—albeit somewhat awkwardly, to please her.

Like a beggar with nothing, stubbornly searching his tattered clothes, determined to find something presentable to offer.

Thinking of this, she could no longer hold back, using her slender arms to tightly embrace the demonically smiling man.

Feng Yuan hadn’t expected Xiaoying to react this way. He slowly stopped smiling and, somewhat hesitantly, reached out to cup her face.

He wanted to see her expression, to check if she was teasing him.

But when he saw the glint of tears in the young woman’s eyes, he became uncertain about for whom she was shedding tears of sympathy.

Could she be feeling sorry for Lord Mu’s background, worried that the elegant and aloof young master couldn’t handle the truth if he knew?

“You… what is…”

Xiaoying slowly hooked her arms around his neck, embracing him as one would a child, tightly holding the Ayuan who had been confined in the desolate palace since he was twelve.

“It’s nothing, I just want to hug you… You’re not as bad as you say. At the cliff, didn’t you also save Mu Hanjiang’s life?”

Feng Yuan wanted to say that he couldn’t bear to let Mu Hanjiang die so easily.

He kept his accounts in his heart. If there was any old affection left, after repaying that knife wound, it would be time to recalculate debts.

In the revenge plan he had schemed for ten years, there would be an appropriate time to reveal the truth, to make that face-saving emperor lose all reputation, to tear away the dignified Princess Anqing’s elegant facade, and most importantly, to make that flawless jade-like young master recognize clearly what filthy and corrupt man and woman had given him his bloodline and body!

The malice he calculated in his heart would make them suffer a hundred times worse than death!

Falling to the bottom of the cliff with his reputation intact? What kind of punishment would that be? How could it comfort the departed soul?

But now he was being genuinely and softly embraced by the young woman, who said he wasn’t that bad.

There were no passionate kisses like before, just this simple embrace, yet Feng Yuan could feel the young woman’s heart beating in resonance with his.

The malicious words about to escape, filled with venom, were swallowed back bit by bit.

He didn’t even dare to move, and even though he knew this moment of tenderness might be false, he feared something would break this brief moment.

Especially when that fragrant body embraced him, every part of his body cried out his longing for this young woman. He couldn’t even remember when he had last held her.

Xiaoying buried her face in the crook of his neck and said softly: “Even the monkey pressed under the Five-Finger Mountain had a woodcutting boy to talk with him. In the future, when you have troubles in your heart, you can talk to me. I may not immediately relieve your melancholy, but it’s better than being alone, isn’t it?”

This little lady still remembered his angry words about the Five-Finger Mountain when they were in the desolate palace.

Ever since Xiaoying had expressed her intention to leave him, Feng Yuan had been constantly tormented by anxiety.

Today, she had actively embraced him and said she would listen to his heart’s words in the future…

The word “future” truly made one’s heart tremble with sweetness.

Feng Yuan had never dared to hope that his barren life would be colored with such brilliance, but this soft young woman in his arms was an unimaginable blessing from heaven.

He always felt he couldn’t hold onto her properly, feared crushing her, and could only solemnly hold her in his arms, hoping this wasn’t just a brief dream.

Xiaoying was not one to remain melancholic for long. After embracing the young lord for a while, she suddenly remembered he hadn’t finished his meal, so she led him back to the table, urging him to eat quickly.

Seeing the dishes had cooled, she even took the initiative to reheat the fish for Feng Yuan.

The perfectly good fish, after being reheated by the domestically inclined Xiaoying with a generous addition of firewood, had its flesh charred and stuck to the bottom of the pot. She only managed to scrape a whole fish skeleton onto the plate.

When Xiaoying brought the blackened fish to the table, she smiled guiltily.

Feng Yuan, however, relished sucking on the fish bones. Then he ate his flatbread heartily with the blackened fish meat.

After the meal, Feng Yuan washed the dishes, and Xiaoying volunteered to help.

During the washing, Feng Yuan wasn’t very well-behaved. After preparing the water for her, he stood behind her, encircling her slender waist, with his high-bridged nose constantly nuzzling her neck.

Xiaoying felt ticklish and patted his hand: “Didn’t you say the palace gates would be closing soon? If you don’t leave now, you won’t be able to return.”

Feng Yuan said in a low voice: “I don’t want to go back. I want to spend more time with you.”

This wasn’t like on the road to the capital, with her foster father and others accompanying them. Now, with just the two of them in the small courtyard, clearly a lone man and woman, if he stayed overnight, there would be no one coughing outside the door as a reminder—it was truly improper.

If she were a lady who knew etiquette and understood propriety, she should certainly drive him away.

But Xiaoying saw nothing improper; she also wanted Feng Yuan to spend more time with her, except…

“However… you can’t be like last time!” Thinking of what he had done with her on the bed before, Xiaoying felt somewhat shy and couldn’t help bringing it up.

Feng Yuan thought for a moment, hesitating slightly: “I’ll try my best…”

Xiaoying had imagined various excessive things he might do, but she never expected that Feng Yuan could be excessive in… this way!

“Feng… Yuan! You bastard! How dare you… be so cruel!”

She was drenched in sweat, her whole body trembling as she gasped for breath, struggling to support herself and adjust her breathing.

Feng Yuan tapped Xiaoying’s leg with a fire poker, his face serious: “It’s just two more sandbags added, what are you shaking for? Hold your horse stance properly!”

Xiaoying now deeply regretted her soft-heartedness, having so easily reconciled with this scoundrel.

Was he completely devoid of conscience? Not returning to the palace late at night, but running to the courtyard to continue grabbing her—for training!

Feng Yuan said he thought he had been too lenient and indulgent with Xiaoying before, allowing her to misunderstand her martial arts capabilities, which was why she dared to act like an expert, entering Master Ge’s courtyard alone to confront those Wei people.

Since that was the case, training couldn’t stop. At the very least, the next time she recklessly risked her life, she might barely be able to save herself.

So the sandbags for basic training had doubled. Xiaoying stood on two plum blossom stakes with sandbags hanging on her body, swaying unsteadily, clearly about to lose her balance.

Without her foster father nearby to intervene, was this beast going to train her until the end of time?

Xiaoying could no longer hold on. She stumbled down from the plum blossom stakes, laboriously untied the sandbags, and staggered toward the house.

Feng Yuan raised an eyebrow and asked: “The time isn’t up yet, where are you going?”

“Packing my luggage… going back to Jiangzhe!” If she didn’t leave, her life would end in this small courtyard!

Feng Yuan grabbed her waist in one swift motion, raising his sword-like eyebrows: “What are you thinking? I won’t let you go anywhere!”

Xiaoying didn’t even have the strength to pound his chest, her gaze unfocused as she muttered dejectedly: “Why do you keep clinging to me? We… we’re not suitable in any way. I just want to stay away from you…”

Feng Yuan’s expression turned cold, and he asked with a drawn-out tone: “Not suitable in any way?”

Before his words faded, he scooped Xiaoying up in one motion, strode into the room, and kicked the door shut!

Then he pressed the woman, who was as soft as cooked noodles, against the wall, lowered his head to kiss her lips, and after a moment, spoke indistinctly: “Isn’t this quite suitable?”

“What are you doing? Coming at me like this now! This young lady isn’t willing!”

“Now? Did you mean when you said not to be like last time… you were referring to…”

Feng Yuan lowered his head to look at the crimson-faced young woman in his arms, finally seeming to understand. He lowered his gaze and asked in a deep voice: “What exactly did you mean? Not letting me see, or not letting me talk about your little…”

“Get off!”

Xiaoying wanted to punch him, but her arms were as soft as noodles. She was easily hoisted up by Feng Yuan and placed on the large bed embroidered with intertwined flowers.

Xiaoying had a feeling that his previous intense training might have been deliberate!

In her current state, even if she wanted to resist, she was too exhausted to have any strength!

This scheming dog—had she gone blind to think he was pitiful?

As the bed curtains were lowered, angry curses could be heard from inside at first, but later the laughter faded, replaced by confused whispers: “How… can you still do this…”

The faint words seemed to be swallowed up, with only the candle flame flickering slightly until it was consumed and about to die out.

This night for Feng Yuan was both sweet and full of restrained pain.

Meng Zhun had previously spoken privately with Feng Yuan, saying that if he couldn’t give Xiaoying proper status, he shouldn’t trifle with the young lady.

As for titles like concubine, they should certainly not be used to humiliate Xiaoying.

Feng Yuan hadn’t responded to Meng Zhun’s words, but the elder’s words had somewhat entered his heart.

If he couldn’t give her proper status, he should not tarnish a maiden’s purity.

But the boundaries of this purity, in the mind of a madman who had lived outside the constraints of propriety for ten years, clearly differed from those of normal young lords.

For instance, last night, although he had pulled back at the last moment, the boundaries of purity had become rather blurred.

Being close to his beloved young lady, kissing and entangling with her, naturally made him want to act according to his desires.

Yet Xiaoying, so clever and scheming in other matters, was like a little wild fox new to the human world when it came to interactions between men and women.

With innocent charm and bold curiosity, she stirred him without realizing it.

For a man, how could one maintain proper restraint?

It was half sweetness, half self-imposed torture of enlightenment.

As the dawn’s light appeared, the young woman under the covers burrowed into his arms, seeking warmth. Feng Yuan kept his eyes tightly shut, obviously suppressing a groan.

Awakening in the early morning, the young lord’s mind was completely free of power struggles. All his vigor surged like a river, truly stirring his heart and mind.

Looking at the soundly sleeping little fox in his arms, her face flushed with sleep, her eyelashes completely still, Feng Yuan couldn’t help but gently bite her cheek.

Displeased at being disturbed, the young woman wrapped herself in the blanket, rolled to the side, and continued sleeping.

Feng Yuan wouldn’t let her go, using his arm to hold her close…

By the time Xiaoying had finally slept her fill, there was no one beside her pillow.

Feng Yuan had already gotten up and left. He had been granted permission by His Majesty to attend court, so he must have risen very early and departed.

The clothes that had been scattered on the floor last night had been picked up by him, and the soiled undergarments had been washed and hung on the clothes rack, emitting the fragrance of soap.

New clothes prepared for Xiaoying had been carefully tucked into the bedding, so they would be warm when worn, not feeling the chill of early morning.

When Xiaoying dressed and came out, she found a clay pot of hot porridge on the table, along with two small dishes.

Xiaoying had long known she wouldn’t make a virtuous wife, but she hadn’t expected Feng Yuan to be so naturally skilled at being a virtuous husband.

On this ordinary morning in the small courtyard, there was unexpectedly a fresh feeling of newlywed bliss.

This was very different from what Xiaoying had originally imagined. She didn’t know why, after just one meal, one bout of martial practice, they had returned to this ambiguous state.

She had mocked Mu Yanyan for leading Feng Qiwu on, but hadn’t expected that she herself, when faced with such love, would be even less decisive than Lady Yanyan—so wishy-washy, taking advantage in every way, even causing herself to despise herself.

What was she thinking? Feng Yuan would ultimately aim for the imperial throne, with only two possible outcomes.

Either he would fail in his contest and lose everything—and if she accompanied him, she would also lose her head.

Or Feng Yuan would succeed in seizing the throne, becoming the new emperor of Dafeng, with his own harem of three thousand, filled with gentle and beautiful women.

And that palace—she had already been there and felt no attachment whatsoever to its splendor.

No matter how much she loved Feng Yuan, it wouldn’t be enough to make her accept being trapped in a cage, spending her days scheming and competing with a group of women for one man’s favor.

Xiaoying sighed, not knowing why she now felt a tightness in her chest at the thought of separating from Feng Yuan.

She wondered how long this feeling would persist after they eventually parted.

However, Feng Yuan’s mindset seemed very different from hers.

In his view, the cold war between him and Xiaoying had come to an end. The young lady had promised with her lips to accompany him on the lonely road ahead, to listen to his heart’s words.

This was a promise for the future. Thinking of the word “future,” even when he returned alone to the cold palace, it raised an indescribable sweetness in his heart.

When Emperor Chunde summoned him again and asked what reward he wanted for the great victory at Feng Weipu, Feng Yuan unhesitatingly asked to leave the palace and establish his own residence.

Emperor Chunde was somewhat surprised that this eldest son wanted something so simple.

But his age was indeed appropriate for establishing his own household and taking a wife. Emperor Chunde thought he had marriage on his mind and said he would have Consort Shang select suitable young ladies for him.

But Feng Yuan coldly interrupted: “If Father Emperor has officials he wishes to align with, it would be better to arrange it through the Second Prince and others. No matter how good the marriage, given to me, it would ultimately turn into enmity.”

Emperor Chunde’s face darkened upon hearing this: “What do you mean by this?”

Feng Yuan lowered his gaze, his face cold: “I find it annoying, and fear that in a moment of carelessness, I might strangle her in bed…”

“Nonsense! What kind of talk is this!” Emperor Chunde was so angry he smashed his teacup, causing palace servants to kneel all around.

Feng Yuan slowly rose, lifted his robe, and knelt down, saying coldly: “Among all the noble ladies of the court, which one doesn’t fear my reputation for madness? Why should Father Emperor harm these young ladies by sending them to suffer beside a murderer like me? This son despises false pretenses and disdains the whole business of mutual respect. I beg Father Emperor to grant me a residence, giving me peace and freedom!”

Reports of Feng Yuan’s brutal methods in killing Wei’s Gu Zhi at Feng Weipu had reached Emperor Chunde’s ears.

This child Ayuan had a murderous nature, which was truly troublesome. Generally, royal marriages were meant to stabilize relationships between the ruler and his ministers.

If he truly broke a young lady’s neck in a moment of displeasure, it would indeed turn good intentions into enmity.

Very well, his expectations for this eldest son were not high to begin with. If Ayuan could avoid falling into fits of madness and frenzy, that would be good enough.

As for establishing a separate residence, it was time to give this child a title and reward.

Thus the imperial edict was issued, naming Prince Feng Yuan as Prince Ruixiang, granting him a princely residence, servants, and land.

This title was full of the intention to reduce Feng Yuan’s murderous aura.

Feng Yuan thus became the first among the princes to be titled and leave the palace.

The Second Prince heard this and naturally felt discontented, believing his father’s love was shifting toward the eldest.

But Consort Shang said: “His Majesty has granted him a prince’s title, not named him crown prince. If your father granted you such a reward, that’s when you should worry!”

The Second Prince thought for a moment and immediately understood: “Does this mean Father has excluded that madman from the list of potential heirs to the throne?”

Consort Shang laughed coldly: “Your father has so many sons, how could it possibly fall to that madman! I had thought the Grand Prince would use this victory at Feng Weipu to get involved in court politics and gather supporters. But instead, he declined His Majesty’s goodwill in arranging a noble marriage for him, asking only for the empty title of prince, away from the palace. Looking at it this way, his madness is still manageable, and we can temporarily ignore him.”

The Second Prince, upon hearing this, felt somewhat dissatisfied. He had suffered much physical torment at the hands of the Grand Prince and was not willing to let it go easily.

Consort Shang reprimanded him: “Everything has its order of importance and urgency. Elder Teng keeps fixating on Shang Youdao’s affairs, attempting to implicate me. Have you not considered who is behind that old man?”

Feng Qiting listened and seemed to realize something: “You mean… that fourth one pretending to be ill in Jiangzhe?”

Consort Shang said resentfully: “I was indeed careless. As expected of the son of that poisonous woman Tang, after his mother fell from power, he went to Jiangzhe and created such a big commotion for me. Most troublesome is that the Mu family has clearly aligned with the Crown Prince’s faction. With him hiding in Jiangzhe refusing to return, what game is he playing?”

Thinking of this, Consort Shang picked up a black invitation card embossed with orchid patterns, pondering: “Is this what you brought? Do you know this ‘Master’ of Xiaoyun Mountain Manor?”

The Second Prince looked at the invitation, his eyebrows showing signs of delight: “Though he may be a man of the jianghu, he’s a financial god with far-reaching influence. Half the officials in Dafeng have business dealings with him. They say this ‘Master’ has eyes and ears everywhere, and if there are matters that shouldn’t see the light of day, he can clean them up thoroughly…”

“Kneel!” Consort Shang’s face suddenly changed, and she coldly commanded the Second Prince.

“Tell me, how long have you been doing business with this Master? Was Shang Youdao’s collusion with Wei people also related to these dealings of yours?”

Seeing he couldn’t hide it, Feng Qiting immediately confessed everything: “Mother, it’s just that Your Son was short of money recently, and he sent people to approach me, saying there was a business opportunity in smuggling cast iron. So I had Shang Youdao… pave the way, to sell some to Wei Country for silver…”

Hearing this, Consort Shang felt a chill in her hands and feet. Despite her lifelong cunning, how could she have given birth to such a short-sighted young lord!

“You think that Master is giving you money? He has put a controlling leash firmly around our necks!”