Xiaoying gave Jian Hu a sidelong glance as she finished repeating what was said, then remarked with a sigh: “The fact that only you were assigned to my side… was it because you lack tact and offend people with your words?”

Jian Hu looked at the young lady with renewed admiration, her eyes widening in surprise: “How did you know that? Who told you?”

Xiaoying couldn’t be bothered to mock the tactless little palace maid and simply asked: “Do you think Feng Yuan was just placating the Second Prince just now?”

Jian Hu shook her head: “Actually, the Grand Prince has been preparing for his wedding for a long time! Jin Zhong told me that His Highness requested ceremonial items for royal weddings from the Ministry of Rites a few days ago. He must be getting married soon.”

Xiaoying stopped in her tracks: “Are you saying that during this time, he’s been continuously preparing for the wedding without stopping?”

Jian Hu nodded.

Goodness, he had been busy cleaning up the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards and taking over the Ministry of Personnel, already stretched thin—how could he have the spare time to arrange for ceremonial items from the Ministry of Rites?

Xiaoying frowned and asked: “Then why didn’t any of you tell me?”

Jian Hu replied innocently: “Jin Zhong thought that since the Grand Prince’s marriage was bestowed by His Majesty, preparing for a wedding wasn’t anything unusual, so he didn’t consider it news worth mentioning! Even I only heard about it from him by chance today…”

As for Jian Hu herself, although she had noticed the looks exchanged between the Grand Prince and this young lady, she guessed that the Grand Prince probably wouldn’t marry this lady in the end!

After all, the Grand Prince knew this lady’s background—how much madness would he have to consume to marry a cold-blooded female star of slaughter as his princess consort?

And the occasional hints from Miss Yan seemed to indicate that she was merely playing along with the Grand Prince, without any intention of marrying only him!

Since the Grand Prince was going to marry someone else, why should she mention it to the young lady and risk upsetting her?

Xiaoying was truly annoyed. Feng Yuan knew full well that “Yan Xiaoying” couldn’t return, yet he had been planning this for so long, and now the wedding day was fast approaching—who exactly was he going to marry?

Unfortunately, that fellow had such long legs that he had disappeared in the blink of an eye, and now it was too late for her to chase after him and ask.

So she returned to her palace chambers and summoned Jin Zhong with a wave of her hand. Upon questioning him, it was indeed as she suspected, and Prince Ruixiang’s mansion had already prepared a stack of wedding invitations and started distributing them.

However, since Prince Ruixiang’s social circle was limited, not many people had been invited to the wedding banquet.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, you didn’t receive a wedding invitation? Your relationship with the Grand Prince seems quite good!”

Jin Zhong, thinking the Crown Prince was upset about the Grand Prince’s neglect and distance, immediately spoke up in indignation.

“Would you like this servant to remind the Grand Prince to send you an invitation?”

This time, Jian Hu showed more tact. While serving fruit, she gave Jin Zhong a meaningful look, warning him not to touch on a sore subject.

This looked completely confused Jin Zhong.

What? The Grand Prince was getting married, and the Crown Prince was unhappy about it.

Oh, right! He had heard that the Grand Prince’s fiancée resembled the Crown Prince—according to those who had seen her, she looked the same.

The Crown Prince must be displeased that his eldest brother was mocking him by marrying someone who looked exactly like him, causing people to laugh!

But the Grand Prince didn’t seem to dislike the Crown Prince at all!

Today, when the Grand Prince came to the Eastern Palace to see the Crown Prince, he had pulled out a bamboo tube from his sleeve, filled with four liang of rich yellow Jiangzhe sweet crabs, steamed to fragrant perfection.

The Crown Prince had cried out in delight at the sight.

Then the Grand Prince personally used crab tools, sitting at the table next to the Crown Prince, picking out the meat piece by piece, dipping it in ginger and vinegar, and feeding it to his fourth brother!

That scene showed brotherly affection and harmony, extremely pleasant to see!

This illustrated how thin royal family affection was—true and false, real and illusory—truly difficult for his master, walking on thin ice every day!

So Jin Zhong decided that on the day of the Grand Prince’s wedding, he would spit forcefully in the direction of Prince Ruixiang’s mansion, thoroughly expressing his contempt for the Grand Prince who had humiliated his master!

……

These days, His Majesty had suddenly increased the time he sought the Crown Prince’s company.

Perhaps it was because Xiaoying entered the palace this time, no longer bothering to conceal her sharpness. Ever since she recommended the Grand Prince to the Ministry of Personnel, His Majesty had summoned her to the Imperial Study to hear about the progress of peace talks with Wei Country.

It was said that the envoys from Wei Country had once again started doing what Wei people loved to do whenever they came to Dafeng—showing off their martial prowess.

Years ago, that Sui Yin had become famous in a single battle when, while escorting the princess for a diplomatic marriage, he defeated numerous Dafeng experts in front of the courier station by himself.

Now that the Wei people had lost face at Feng Wei Slope, they had come to the capital of Dafeng to seek redemption.

Prince Fu of Wei had set up a fighting stage in the most prosperous part of the capital, offering a high reward, declaring that whoever could seize the challenge flag would be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold.

So for the sake of the reward, the fighting stage was surrounded so densely that not even water could seep through. However, it seemed that Wei Country had sent several top experts this time, and no one had been able to capture the flag. Even more Dafeng martial artists who challenged the stage were injured, and the medicinal wine for treating injuries in medical houses around the capital had increased in price threefold.

“Your Majesty, in recent days, many young military officers in the capital have been eager to try their hand at the fighting stage, but being young and impetuous, they are no match for the Wei warriors. Yesterday, the only son of Minister Chen from the Ministry of War was thrown off the stage, his spine broken, leaving him paralyzed and unable to rise. The Wei people setting up a fighting stage in Dafeng’s capital, injuring Dafeng citizens—it’s truly outrageous! I implore Your Majesty to issue an order to arrest these Wei people and bring justice to those young men!”

The speaker was the eldest grandson of Duke Jing, Tang Qingyue, who was also Tang Mi’s elder brother.

However, after speaking, his grandfather lightly coughed and glared at his grandson.

Xiaoying watched from the side, finding it quite interesting.

Regarding the matter of the Wei people injuring others, they had specifically sought out the Crown Prince for communication before entering the Imperial Study.

Minister Chen, who was close to Duke Jing, had appealed to the Tang family, hoping Duke Jing would present a memorial to His Majesty on his behalf. Duke Jing had passed this task to the Third Prince, who was also in the Ministry of War, hoping he would ask His Majesty to suppress the Wei people’s arrogance.

This twist was quite interesting.

Duke Jing surely knew His Majesty’s reluctance to go to war, yet the Tang family members didn’t speak up themselves but instead instigated the Third Prince to take the lead.

They wanted to gain Minister Chen’s goodwill by bringing this matter to His Majesty while avoiding irritating His Majesty, making the Third Prince the scapegoat.

Xiaoying, as the Crown Prince, had also been pulled aside by Duke Jing to listen to a few words.

Seeing the ox-like Third Prince getting so angry he was practically shouting, ready to file a complaint and then go flip the fighting stage, Xiaoying knew he was about to stir up a hornet’s nest.

Even without blood ties, they were brothers who had shared hardships and tribulations, and Xiaoying didn’t want the Third Prince to be used.

So before entering the study, she deliberately asked a nearby little eunuch for a bowl of sticky purple sweet potato porridge, then “accidentally” spilled the entire bowl on the front of the Third Prince’s clothes.

The Third Prince had no choice but to glare at the Crown Prince twice before going to change his clothes.

As a result, he didn’t serve as the scapegoat, while the Tang family’s eldest grandson, not understanding his grandfather’s intentions, seeing the Third Prince absent, rashly brought up the matter.

Emperor Chunde listened and looked up at this Tang family member who had recently started serving alongside his grandfather, asking in a calm tone: “In your opinion, after arresting these Wei people, what crime should they be charged with?”

After Tang Qingyue finished speaking, he noticed his grandfather giving him a look. Suddenly panicked and confused, he could only stammer, following his grandfather’s earlier words to the Third Prince: “Naturally, to expel those who caused injuries from Dafeng, and then make clear the consequences to Prince Fu, asserting our Dafeng national prestige.”

After hearing this, Emperor Chunde turned to Yan Xiaoying: “Crown Prince, what is your opinion?”

Yan Xiaoying envied His Majesty greatly—the greatest convenience of being in a high position was that when faced with troublesome matters, he could let those below rack their brains, then he could simply pick the best solution.

Since she was asked, she spoke frankly: “Although injuring people is despicable, it happened on the fighting stage. In such martial contests, life and death are not at stake. This is what everyone who steps onto the stage must sign and agree to. If we intervene just because the injured is Minister Chen’s son, it would be dishonorable, and might instead cause Dafeng to lose face.”

Hearing this, Duke Jing couldn’t help but frown at the Crown Prince.

His family was standing up for the Chen family this time. Originally, his plan was for the Third Prince to take the lead—if successful, that would be best; if not, the Third Prince would take the blame.

But now that the Crown Prince had spoken against it, wouldn’t this make the Tang family appear untrustworthy? After all, the Crown Prince’s birth mother was from the Tang family, so naturally, he would be considered part of the Tang faction!

What made it worse was that the tactless Crown Prince, unable to read the atmosphere, even asked: “Duke, why does your eyelid keep twitching? Oh my, when the left eye twitches, it means disaster is coming…”

If not for being in His Majesty’s presence, Duke Jing would have punched this grandson. He could only awkwardly reply: “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. This old man’s eyes are just a bit dry…”

At this point, Duke Ding Mu Shen said: “The Crown Prince is correct. Since they are following jianghu rules, voluntarily mounting the stage where life and death are one’s responsibility, how can the court interfere? However, allowing them to be so arrogant also damages Dafeng’s face. I have already informed Swordmaster Xiao Tianyang of this matter. His disciples are excellent, and if he sends his finest students, they will certainly be able to capture that challenge flag and uphold our Dafeng national prestige!”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chunde nodded in satisfaction.

Although Xiao Tianyang had a foul mouth and a stubborn temperament, his martial skills were truly admirable.

Even the legendary Swordmaster Xiao Jiumu had once said that given ten years, his martial arts-obsessed brother’s accomplishments would certainly surpass his own.

Moreover, it was said that the female expert who killed Sui Yin was also a disciple of Xiao Tianyang. Therefore, Emperor Chunde didn’t take the fighting stage matter to heart.

When Duke Ding left the palace, he boarded his carriage but didn’t return to Duke Ding’s mansion. Instead, he went to a suburban villa.

After entering a secret room, someone was waiting there.

Mu Shen asked leisurely: “How have all the arrangements been made?”

A thin man with a short beard said softly, “We’ve already sent people to Xiao Tianyang’s side, all acting according to your instructions. I’ve calculated the timing carefully; when it’s time to mount the stage, there will be no mistakes.”

Mu Shen nodded and asked the man calmly, “Old Meng, what is your rank in the manor?”

“Reporting to the master, I rank eighteenth!”

“Speaking of which, when I promoted Fan Shiqi back then, you were only one step away from the position of manor steward… Do you know how Seventeen rose to that position?”

“Years ago, Steward Seventeen led his subordinates to massacre the Meng family in Jiangzhe, and also established a secret channel for smuggling refined iron, establishing great merits for the Mountain Manor!”

Mu Shen smiled and said: “He’s crippled now, no longer suitable to be a steward. I have you in mind to replace him.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Shiba immediately cupped his fists: “To contribute to the master’s grand plan, even if it means sacrificing my life, I will not decline!”

Mu Shen, while pruning orchid leaves, said calmly: “Now that the Grand Prince is closely watching Xiaoyin Mountain Manor, none of the iron ore shops can move, and the manor has been too high-profile and conspicuous over the years, likely to attract attention. It’s time to pull back and change course. However, given the Grand Prince’s temperament, if we don’t let him uncover something, he probably won’t give up…”

Meng Shiba looked up and asked: “You mean…”

“All this trouble was caused by Fan Shiqi’s carelessness. Let him take the blame.”

“But the Grand Prince has seen Fan Shiqi before. If we make him pose as the master, the Grand Prince won’t believe it.”

Mu Shen carefully trimmed the fine edges of the orchid, saying calmly: “Then naturally, we need to find another candidate for a master that he would find convincing.”

After giving Meng Shiba further instructions, he said: “Go now, and don’t forget to prepare generous gifts for Seventeen’s family. Those who sell their lives for my Xiaoyin Mountain Manor—their lives are valuable and can ensure their descendants live without worry…”

Meng Shiba repeatedly agreed, though beads of cold sweat appeared on his temples.

All those who sold their lives to the manor had their loved ones held in the master’s hands. If they betrayed him, their wives, daughters, and descendants would not be spared.

But if they died for the master, they could provide their loved ones with wealth and freedom.

Brother Fan Shiqi has finally reached the end of his journey!

Although he felt some sympathy for Fan’s fate, Meng Shiba didn’t dare show it on his face and hurriedly left.

Meanwhile, in the capital, the day for Swordmaster Xiao Tianyang to battle the Wei Country experts quickly arrived.

The Grand Prince personally went to the main gate to welcome his third grandfather.

Swordmaster Xiao didn’t come alone; following him were the two men whom Feng Yuan and Xiaoying had encountered when descending the mountain.

Swordmaster Xiao also introduced these two disciples to the Grand Prince: one named Ning Yu and the other Liu Cheng.

Both were disciples Xiao Tianyang had accepted in recent years. These two had good aptitude and were diligent. When they had no other duties, Xiao Tianyang was happy to have disciples around to help with cooking.

Xiaoying, as the Crown Prince, naturally represented His Majesty in welcoming Swordmaster Xiao.

This time, after Xiao Tianyang glanced at the Crown Prince, he quickly turned his eyes away. Just as he was about to exclaim in surprise,

Feng Yuan grabbed his arm with slight force, pulling Swordmaster Xiao aside.

When they returned a moment later, Xiao Tianyang finally managed not to shout something like “Why is Miss Yan disguised as the Crown Prince?” However, he still couldn’t help but look Xiaoying up and down occasionally.

Before the contest, Feng Yuan arranged a welcome feast for Swordmaster Xiao at a restaurant.

The high vantage point by the window offered a perfect view of the fighting stage set up by the Wei people below.

On the tall stage, the challenge flag fluttered. The current Wei champion defending the stage was reportedly someone called Breaking Wind, the senior martial brother of the deceased Sui Yin.

Before this, he had already killed or crippled more than ten Dafeng experts by throwing them off the stage, and now no one dared to challenge him.

Xiao Tianyang looked down at the scene below and snorted coldly: “Just showy external techniques, not worth my effort. Ning Yu, you go down later and loosen up the muscles and bones of this stage master.”

Disciple Ning Yu, having received orders, didn’t even finish his meal before immediately turning to go downstairs.

Xiaoying followed the principle of eating more and talking less, just politely accompanying them while focusing on her food.

However, she remembered that Old Master Xiao loved fish, so when the prince’s guards served the dishes, she specifically had them place a clear-steamed sea fish in front of Xiao Tianyang.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Tianyang pushed it away in disgust: “Take it away quickly, I don’t care for fish these days.”

Feng Yuan found this puzzling and asked, “Why? Third Grandfather doesn’t like sea fish?”

Xiao Tianyang couldn’t help complaining to Liu Cheng: “It’s all thanks to this disciple of mine! He left me to travel for a year, and when he came back, his cooking skills had deteriorated. Every time he stews fish, he breaks the gallbladder, making it bitter! It’s made me taste bitterness even in other foods.”

Liu Cheng quickly said, “Master, it’s all my fault for being clumsy. In the future, I’ll be more careful when cooking for you.”

“If the journey down the mountain wasn’t so far, even a dog wouldn’t eat the food you make! After finishing the contest today, you don’t need to attend to me anymore. Go take care of your own business!”

Having eaten too much bitterness on the mountain these days, Xiao Tianyang was now thoroughly enjoying the wine and dishes brought by the Grand Prince from his mansion.

Xiaoying looked up and couldn’t help glancing at Liu Cheng, smiling as she said, “Breaking the gallbladder every time? That’s quite a coincidence, isn’t it?”

Liu Cheng smiled awkwardly: “I don’t know how to prepare fish…”

“If you don’t know how to prepare fish, why not buy some meat or other foods? I’ve heard Swordmaster Xiao lives in the mountains. If you wanted to eat fish, it wouldn’t be easy to get, would it?”

Xiao Tianyang smiled appreciatively: “All my disciples are filial. Liu Cheng knows I love fish, so he specially went down the mountain and carried back a basket of live fish, keeping them in a vat. I heard they were quite expensive, and I couldn’t bear to waste them. Even if they weren’t well-prepared, I ate them all.”

Feng Yuan glanced at Xiaoying, then helped serve his third grandfather.

Just then, thunderous cheers erupted from the stage below.

It turned out that Ning Yu had achieved the first victory, forcing Breaking Wind to the edge of the stage with his divine Xiao family palm technique.

The two were now fighting back and forth, unlike the one-sided matches of the past few days, prompting passersby to cheer and drawing an increasingly large crowd.

Just as Ning Yu was about to push Breaking Wind off the stage, at the critical moment, someone in the crowd suddenly puffed their sleeves, using palm wind to push Breaking Wind back onto the stage from a distance.

Such force was completely imperceptible to laypeople. Since no one was touching Breaking Wind, people would only think he had stabilized himself with his waist.

But how could a martial hero with internal energy like Xiao Tianyang not see through this?

He didn’t even bother with the stairs, leaping directly from the high building, gliding toward the stage like a kite, the wind billowing in his two sleeves, causing the spectators to part like water, surging to both sides.

When Xiao Tianyang arrived at the stage, he slightly raised his foot, immediately causing the person who had cheated in secret to step back twice.

The person wore a hood, concealing their features, but their build was robust, similar in height to Xiao Tianyang.

Unlike Xiao Tianyang’s wild white hair, the hair visible from under the hood was jet black.

After looking the person up and down, Xiao Tianyang said: “Brother, if you wish to intervene, why not mount the stage openly? Hiding below, using internal energy and palm wind to support someone—isn’t that cheating? Can’t handle losing? Afraid of embarrassment?”

Upon hearing this, the person laughed: “Xiao San, you’re still as flashy and unrestrained as ever. I don’t understand how your brother, such a steady person, could have such an impetuous younger brother.”

Hearing the voice, Xiao Tianyang’s white hair seemed to stand on end. He glared, gnashing his teeth: “Chen Xifan… It’s you, you old beast!”