Very well, very well—Wei Zhi will marry none but you, you will marry none but Wei Zhi.

Feng Zhiwei laughed angrily in exasperation, calling out from mid-air with a “hehe”: “Princess, has anyone told you that forcing someone with brute strength often ends with nothing gained?”

“This princess only knows,” Princess Shaoning answered fiercely, “that when one should act but doesn’t, in the end it amounts to nothing!”

“…”

Eight burly men carried Princess Shaoning’s war trophy bound like a corpse, parading through the streets. Corpse Feng Zhiwei swayed suspended in mid-air, gazing up at the sky with a long sigh: “These days, male beauty truly misleads people…”

A group of inner servants following behind, dodging and darting while trying to watch the spectacle, all threw out their backs…

The raucous procession arrived at the Imperial Study. His Majesty wasn’t there—they said he’d been called to Fengyun Pavilion. They rushed to Fengyun Pavilion. Before they arrived, a second-floor window suddenly flew open and someone leaned out shouting: “Aiyou, isn’t that Lord Wei? Aiya, how did he go out vertical and come back horizontal?”

Feng Zhiwei looked up stiffly. Helian Zheng’s face with eyebrows flying in laughter burst into view. How was this fellow here?

“Good morning, Young Master.” She smiled sweetly. “Please forgive this official—in armor as I am, I cannot perform proper courtesy.”

Beside Helian Zheng, another person suddenly appeared, holding a teacup. He looked at Feng Zhiwei carefully and said: “Viewed horizontally as ridges, from the side as peaks—Lord Wei’s posture is quite alluring.”

Feng Zhiwei lifted her eyelids and examined the person upstairs just as carefully, saying: “Distance and height vary the view—Your Highness’s expression is also quite thought-provoking.”

Helian Zheng was in excellent spirits, laughing heartily. “Not recognizing Mount Lu’s true face—Your Highness, Lord Wei is no mediocre official for you to bully!”

“Only because one dwells within this wall.” Ning Yi held his teacup and turned around coolly. “That wall atop Qingming Academy’s tower truly is high.”

Helian Zheng: “…”

“Shaoning, what are you doing!” While this verbal battle raged, another window opened. Emperor Tiansheng stood at the window with an iron-blue face, glaring down.

Shaoning stubbornly raised her head, shouting loudly: “Father Emperor, I don’t want to marry anyone else! Wei Zhi and I in the Imperial Garden…” Halfway through her words, she suddenly heard the rigid Feng Zhiwei suspended in mid-air say even more loudly with eyes closed: “Your Majesty, please forgive this humble minister—in armor as I am, I cannot perform proper courtesy. This humble minister was just sleepwalking in the Imperial Garden and heard a theatrical script about a private pledge of eternal love in the Imperial Garden, a foolish scholar who didn’t understand romantic feelings. This humble minister found the script very good, very enjoyable, very dramatic. The Princess, however, did not enjoy it. This humble minister believes the Princess’s displeasure must be this humble minister’s fault—this humble minister failed to narrate the script vividly enough to make the Princess willingly enjoy it. This humble minister is ashamed beyond measure, burning with remorse in my five viscera, and therefore bound myself to apologize to you… Ah, many thanks to the Princess for dispatching guards to help carry this humble minister here. This humble minister accidentally bound myself too tightly.”

Someone upstairs was laughing. The cabinet ministers were all working inside the pavilion. Hearing this speech, they all exchanged glances, thinking Wei Zhi was truly as slippery as a loach—clearly black, he could make it white. Without revealing any emotion, he’d muddled the matter while explaining the whole story, blocking Shaoning’s words while preserving imperial face. No wonder His Majesty’s face lit up with smiles upon seeing him.

Emperor Tiansheng listened from upstairs, barely able to maintain his composure. He forced a frown and barked: “Still just children making such a fuss over this trifle at Fengyun Pavilion? All of you get back! Shaoning! You’re becoming more outrageous—do you truly want me to confine you to your quarters?”

Shaoning raised her face. Hearing Feng Zhiwei’s words, her face turned pale. She knew whatever she wanted to say had already been blocked by Wei Zhi. This person’s thoughts were deep as the sea, his heart hard as stone. She couldn’t fight him, couldn’t obtain him. Soft pleading, slow grinding, hard demands—nothing moved him even a fraction.

She stubbornly raised her face. Her eyes slowly filled with tears, yet because of that excessively upraised posture, the tears rolled but never fell, like two crystalline pearls trembling brilliantly in the sunlight.

Emperor Tiansheng saw his beloved daughter’s expression and was somewhat shocked that this child wasn’t merely interested—she seemed to have genuine feelings. His heart had just begun to waver when he heard Ning Yi laugh behind him: “Little sister is too unruly. A dignified court minister, a young talent with limitless prospects—after she makes such a scene, how can he conduct himself in future?”

Emperor Tiansheng snapped to alertness, his gaze cooling again. Indeed, the court had no shortage of talent. The Hanlin Academy was full of scholars, but most were bookish types who brought ruin to the nation. Among the occasional few who were administratively capable with real talent and learning, most had proud and aloof temperaments, difficult to work with. Wei Zhi was a rare talent in recent years who combined both brilliance and insight, moreover young and experienced, extremely measured. Given time, he would certainly become chief minister material. Such a person, made into a princess consort and thus cut off from an official career—it would be too wasteful.

Moreover, this Wei Zhi didn’t necessarily have feelings for the Princess. Even out of tender concern for his beloved daughter, there was no need to force the match.

“Shaoning!” He hardened his heart and shouted sternly: “Get back! Don’t come out again! This is not a place for you!”

He also ordered someone to untie Feng Zhiwei. Feng Zhiwei moved her hands and feet, bowed to Emperor Tiansheng, and smiled: “Your Majesty is magnanimous, not blaming this humble minister for impropriety. Please also don’t blame the Princess. Happy days lie ahead—don’t spoil the Princess’s mood.”

With these words, Emperor Tiansheng felt even more necessary to confine Shaoning. Someone about to discuss marriage still running around binding people like this—what if the prince consort became dissatisfied after the wedding? He immediately slapped the railing and barked: “Escort the Princess down! No one from Yuming Palace is permitted to leave!”

This meant indefinite confinement. This time Princess Shaoning didn’t cry or make a scene. Her face pale, head raised, she glared fiercely at her father, turned and left. In that instant of turning back, a single tear fell into the dust.

Feng Zhiwei stood with hands clasped behind her back, facing away, her expression calm and undisturbed—regarding Shaoning, failing to make a clean break would only harm her further. Today’s clear rejection should allow her to finally gather up that wrongly cast tender heart.

Looking up, she saw Ning Yi leaning at the window looking down, his gaze seeming to smile yet not smile. He suddenly mouthed two words at her.

Feng Zhiwei frowned and looked for a long moment before finally making out those two words.

“Black-hearted.”

—

Emperor Tiansheng selected the son of Marquis Yong’an of the Wang family for Princess Shaoning, tentatively planning the wedding for next year. Feng Zhiwei thus completed one matter. After leaving the palace, she first returned to Qiu Manor, because Lady Feng had recently gone to Cuifang Studio several times. If Feng Zhiwei hadn’t arranged for people to constantly block her, Lady Feng would have barged in.

“Hao’er has disappeared.” Upon seeing her, Lady Feng didn’t ask why she’d been gone so long, saying directly: “Can you help me find him?”

Feng Zhiwei looked at her, many questions surging in her heart. She said coolly: “In the Ministry of Justice prison.”

“What happened?” Lady Feng was shocked.

Feng Zhiwei briefly explained the situation. Lady Feng’s expression shifted. After a long moment she said: “Your brother is merely greedy for money. You should still find a way to rescue him. How can he endure such suffering?”

“You’re so certain I can rescue him?” Feng Zhiwei smiled. Lady Feng’s expression changed, then she also smiled.

“You are my daughter. What you can and cannot do, I know very well. Moreover, if you go and ask Young Master Huozhuo, Feng Hao should be able to be released.”

Feng Zhiwei’s heart sank. After a long moment she laughed coldly: “Last time when he came to propose marriage, you had him beaten out. Now you want to go beg him?”

“If you won’t go, I’ll go!” Lady Feng turned to leave. “I merely appreciated the prairie man’s righteous nature—I had no intention of sending you to him.”

Feng Zhiwei paused, vaguely feeling today’s mother was somewhat different. She softened her tone: “Alright, I’ll get him released, but…”

“What?”

“After rescuing brother, can our whole family leave the Imperial Capital together?” Feng Zhiwei thought of Ning Yi’s words, watching Lady Feng intently as she said slowly: “Living in the Imperial Capital is difficult. Let’s find a place with clear mountains and beautiful waters to live. How about it?”

Lady Feng suddenly stopped in her tracks.

From Feng Zhiwei’s angle, she could only see the fingers beneath her sleeves twisting together.

Feng Zhiwei knew her mother only made such gestures when deeply disturbed. She stared at those hands and suddenly said: “I won’t ask about brother’s identity. I won’t ask why you raised me the way you did—it’s nothing more than wanting me to protect him. For your sake, I accept it. I only want to remind you—since Feng Hao is the apple of your eye, why come to the complex and turbulent Imperial Capital? If you believe the greatest hiding place is in the city, the greatest hiding place is at court, then I tell you, this method doesn’t apply to Feng Hao. If he lives in some remote place unknown to others, he might live somewhat longer.”

Lady Feng shuddered but didn’t turn around. Those twisted fingers suddenly released.

After a long moment, she turned back, staring seriously at Feng Zhiwei. “Are these your true words?”

“Yes.”

“You have no attachment to the Imperial Capital?”

“…Yes.”

“Good.” Lady Feng looked at her, her gaze at once disappointed yet relieved, without a trace of hesitation. “Then once you rescue your brother, our family of three will leave the Imperial Capital.”

“Good.” Feng Zhiwei suppressed the sudden sourness and faint pain rising in her heart, saying word by word: “Bring back Feng Hao, and we’ll leave. From then on, the mountains are high and waters distant—we bid the Imperial Capital farewell forever.”

Leaving Qiu Manor, Feng Zhiwei was just preparing to write a letter to Ning Yi requesting he release Feng Hao when she suddenly received another imperial summons. She could only rush back hurriedly. Entering Fengyun Pavilion, she saw Helian Zheng gesticulating excitedly before a northern frontier map, spittle flying. It turned out Qiu Shangqi had achieved great victory in the first battle against Da Yue. The news reached the Imperial Capital, and because the Huozhuo tribe had also participated in the campaign, Emperor Tiansheng specially summoned him, partly to share in the celebration.

Feng Zhiwei offered congratulations. Emperor Tiansheng showed a trace of pleased expression, yet also displeasure. He threw down a stack of memorials heavily on the desk, saying: “Just received a batch of memorials from Nanhai—the Chang family’s grip is indeed deep. Those scoundrels in Nanhai are truly presumptuous. As soon as the edict to establish the Shipping Affairs Office was issued, memorials flooded in like snowflakes, most saying Nanhai Circuit already has a Navigation Office, now establishing an Affairs Office is completely redundant, bureaucratically bloated and wastefully draining national resources. They even included a petition from Nanhai elders saying aristocratic families monopolize all Nanhai industries, the common people suffer unbearably. Now to also grant these aristocratic families official status and honors—the Nanhai elders will have no place left to stand. Look at this line: ‘How can Your Majesty assist these massive parasites’ devouring power, placing us Nanhai ten thousand people in dire straits!’ They’re actually cursing me!”

“There’s serious trouble over there.” Hu Shengshan leisurely interjected. “Who knows who’s inciting it—commoners are taking turns attacking all the Nanhai great families, seizing goods, sinking cargo ships, hired workers are striking. The aristocratic families over there have also begun counterattacking, controlling commercial exchanges, buying up grain instead, prices are starting to soar. Yet the officials just sit by and watch, instead demanding disaster relief from the court. Ridiculous—Nanhai is rich in water and rice, Tiansheng’s foremost prosperous commercial region. What disaster needs relief?”

“Human-made disaster!” a cabinet minister said coldly.

Feng Zhiwei smiled slightly, knowing this was the Chang family’s counterattack. They must have seen through the true intention of establishing the Shipping Affairs Office—on one hand wanting to protect their conspiracy of colluding with pirates from being exposed, on the other hand also testing the court’s determination to eliminate the Chang family.

“What does Your Majesty intend?” she asked with a smile.

“How can national policy be casually changed? How can it be constrained by petty criminals?” Emperor Tiansheng said coldly. “However, one matter requires vigilance. The Nanhai aristocratic families are already powerful. Now with court support, if they expand too rapidly and become too large to control, wouldn’t that create another Chang family?”

“The Affairs Office is only a temporary institution.” Feng Zhiwei said. “Mutually independent from local government offices at all levels, with court officials dispatched to oversee—the aristocratic families’ hands can’t reach that far. This humble minister knows something about the Nanhai aristocratic families. For years they’ve been oppressed unbearably by Nanhai officials led by the Chang family. Now with the court taking a stance, they’ll certainly give their full support. Once the Chang family matter is settled, the Shipping Affairs Office can be reformed into other institutions. At that time, granting the aristocratic families honorary titles will suffice. Your Majesty need not worry excessively.”

“What you say is very correct.” Emperor Tiansheng’s gaze burned as he looked at her. “Establishing the Affairs Office is already difficult. Dealing with government offices at all levels requires someone both skilled at maneuvering and decisive. Even more difficult is establishing the initial institutional regulations and reasonable control over the aristocratic families. Right now we lack a capable official who is relatively familiar with the situation and utterly loyal to the court to handle and establish this matter.”

Feng Zhiwei paused, realizing the old fellow had said so much because his real intention was focused on her—waiting for her to volunteer.

“Your Maj…” She pondered: “This humble minister’s abilities are shallow and truly shouldn’t presume to volunteer, but since this matter originated from this humble minister’s proposal and now Nanhai is in turmoil, this humble minister has inescapable responsibility. It’s just that regarding the academy and the compilation office…”

“If not you, then who? I knew you were loyal and devoted to the nation!” Emperor Tiansheng beamed with joy. “The compilation office—one more or less of you makes no difference, no matter. As for the academy, since it’s temporarily short of management personnel, why not select a few of those aristocratic family sons who will enter through hereditary privilege? Take them along together. Saves leaving them here to cause trouble. In future, let them gain experience following you, then grant them actual positions. You can select them yourself.”

Feng Zhiwei paused, not expecting the Emperor to be so generous. This meant allowing her to cultivate her own power base. Speaking to this extent, further decline would be disastrous. She quickly knelt to give thanks: “This subject obeys the decree.”

“Shortly I’ll select some Changying Guards to accompany you to Nanhai. That Yan family boy will also return together.” Emperor Tiansheng said. “There’s still activity in Nanhai. Best you go early—depart immediately. In any case, you have no family in the Imperial Capital to bid farewell.”

Feng Zhiwei paused again, could only respond affirmatively, thinking she had no time to bid farewell to Mother, no time to fish brother out of the Ministry of Justice prison. She could only signal with her eyes to Ning Yi. Who knew that fellow acted as if he couldn’t understand, just smiled at her—smiled with that wind-rising water-flowing expression, eyebrows and eyes blooming like flowers, dazzling to behold.

What are you smiling at! Like an infatuated fool! Feng Zhiwei cursed inwardly, while also feeling glad—going far away, freedom at last, no need to constantly see Prince Chu’s soul-stealing smile, how wonderful.

Imperial commands always required departure the same day—exceeding one hour constituted defying the decree. Feng Zhiwei had no time to return to Qiu Manor. While hurriedly writing a letter in the carriage telling Lady Feng about this, obliquely stating in the letter: “After Nanhai affairs are settled, we’ll continue our previous discussion. The matter mentioned has been entrusted to someone’s care, please rest assured”—while dispatching someone to notify Gu Nanyi and send word to Yan Huaishi to rush to the city gate—while rushing to Qingming Academy to select people. As expected, registration was extremely enthusiastic. Everyone knew this assignment was a lucrative opportunity, and moreover with Feng Zhiwei taking full responsibility above them, following along on this trip meant gaining both fame and profit. They nearly came to blows fighting over it.

Feng Zhiwei selected several activists including Yao Yangyu. Yao Yangyu had been sullen all along, believing that having offended the Dean multiple times, he certainly had no chance. Unexpectedly Feng Zhiwei let bygones be bygones. He was so delighted he nearly wanted to kneel down and polish the Dean’s boots.

In the crowd, Feng Zhiwei saw a familiar face. Using his height advantage, he was jumping up and down, squeezing in there. Whoever squeezed ahead of him got pushed back, whoever squeezed ahead got pushed back…

Feng Zhiwei couldn’t bear it any longer and shouted angrily: “Helian Zheng, step aside! This has nothing to do with you!”

“As the academy’s most outstanding student, bar none.” Helian Zheng said solemnly. “I have inescapable responsibility for this matter.”

“As the academy’s current highest-ranking administrator, bar none.” Feng Zhiwei smiled falsely. “I do not approve this matter, and express my sincere disagreement with your previous statement.”

“I’m going to find my aunt.” Helian Zheng turned to leave. “My aunt taught me to convince people with virtue. I won’t argue with you—I’ll have my aunt come reason with you.”

Feng Zhiwei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She grabbed that fellow aside: “How can you go? His Majesty won’t allow it either!”

“Father King granted me one year’s period to come to the Imperial Capital to pay respects to the Son of Heaven and travel to broaden my knowledge.” Helian Zheng smiled. “Until Tiansheng’s military campaign against Da Yue concludes, I cannot return for a single day. As you know, I’m half a hostage.”

Feng Zhiwei raised her eyebrows, thinking you really lack self-awareness as a hostage.

“His Majesty is at ease with me following you.” Helian Zheng grinned. “Having me remain in the Imperial Capital would give him the headache.”

“Fine then.” Feng Zhiwei began counting on her fingers. “A few small requirements.”

“Done!”

“No peeping, no wall-climbing, no mentioning aunt at any time, no attempting to approach my carriage or horses, no enjoying any special treatment, must observe academy regulations at all times and obey any new academy regulations I add for any reason at any time.”

“Done!”

Feng Zhiwei looked suspiciously at the Young Master Helian who was being especially agreeable today.

But the Young Master had already gone happily to prepare his luggage, muttering as he walked: “No matter what, first deceive him into following along. Otherwise my half-cooked little aunt duck will fly into someone else’s mouth…”

“What’s he saying?” Feng Zhiwei asked Young Master Gu, who had just arrived.

“Him, duck.”

Young Master Gu was eating walnuts, speaking concisely.

—

The imperial envoy’s carriages and horses rumbled out through the Imperial Capital’s city gates. Feng Zhiwei bid farewell one by one to the Ministry of Rites officials who came to see her off. Amid the dust and smoke, she looked back at the prosperous Imperial Capital, a trace of melancholy suddenly rising in her heart—this was her first time leaving the Imperial Capital far behind, bearing heavy responsibility and facing a dangerous situation with uncertain prospects, yet her family still didn’t know of her departure. In a trance she felt like a kite with its string cut, whooshing away to fly far.

In her daze, she also seemed to see Mother leaning against the doorway looking out, worry between her brows. Immediately her heart sank slightly. Circumstances change and people cannot control themselves—the matter agreed upon with Mother would apparently have to wait until returning from Nanhai.

She shook her head, collecting her emotions, smiling at herself for suddenly becoming so melancholic, while making polite conversation with the officials seeing her off. She vaguely heard someone say with an envious expression: “For Lord to personally receive His Highness’s guidance truly makes one envious beyond measure…” But it completely entered her ears without entering her heart.

Beside her, Yan Huaishi was extremely excited, returning home in glory. He felt coming to the Imperial Capital had truly been absolutely correct. Even more correct was his decisive decision back then to become Wei Zhi’s servant. Otherwise, who knows which princely manor’s entrance he’d still be hanging around now—how could he have both become an imperial merchant and obtained official status?

The Changying Guards dispatched were actually led by Chunyu Meng, who at this moment had smiling eyes, muttering away with Yan Huaishi.

Those lads from Qingming Academy were beaming with spring wind. Atop the carriage, Young Master Gu was eating walnuts. He liked open high places and never cared whether that position was improper. Everyone looking up at him—he also felt this was good. Compared to people’s faces, he preferred looking at heads.

Everyone was very happy. What reason did she have not to be happy?

Feng Zhiwei arranged her face into a perfectly curved smile, slowly climbing onto the carriage. She lifted the carriage curtain and instantly froze.

Fine grape wine in luminous jade cups—someone was sleeping in her bedding.

That person slept on her golden silk soft mattress, leaning against her cashmere soft pillow, holding her crystal cup. Through the deep red wine, he looked at her with eyes more rippling and mellow than the wine’s color, saying: “This wine’s color is truly beautiful.”

Feng Zhiwei’s mouth corners twitched stiffly. Her mind was contemplating whether to perform grand ceremonial obeisance or secretly push the person down. Then she heard that person continue perversely: “Like your blood.”

Feng Zhiwei immediately made the latter decision. She looked up and called out: “Peach pit!”

Whoosh—a blood-red sword shot down electrically from the carriage roof, heading straight for someone’s head.

That someone leisurely drank wine without moving at all. Not even a ripple stirred in the wine cup.

The sharp sword rushed forward, unwavering in its course. From that momentum, it would momentarily pierce through the crown of his head, yet when only a cun away from the crown, it suddenly veered off. A line of startling rainbow slid past the crystal cup.

Thunder and lightning, ice and snow in a single sheet. Abruptly halting, not a speck of dust disturbed.

A drop of deep red wine liquid, like a coral pearl, leaped up from the calm grape wine surface, flying into lips that had long awaited. Ning Yi savored it endlessly, smacking his lips with a smile: “Many thanks, Brother Gu, for pouring the wine.”

Feng Zhiwei sighed and called: “Walnut shell!”

The blood sword withdrew. A hole remained in the carriage roof, plugged by an all-purpose walnut.

Peach flesh—kill! Walnut shell—flee! Peach pit—scare! Walnut shell—cease! Peach powder—handle yourself. Walnut—I want!

These were the new walnut code signals Feng Zhiwei and Gu Nanyi had researched together.

Young Master Gu liked using the fewest words to express the richest meaning.

Feng Zhiwei sighed and sat down opposite, taking out another crystal cup from the compartment beneath the carriage’s small table. She quickly poured out the rest of that bottle of grape wine, first handing it upward: “Wine!”

Young Master Gu reached down to take it. In the blink of an eye, he handed back down an empty cup with a walnut inside.

I want!

Feng Zhiwei said sadly: “That’s the only bottle.”

“Brother Gu, I have half a cup here. Do you want it?” Ning Yi’s face darkened by half seeing Feng Zhiwei hand the wine up first. His tone was icy cold as he asked.

Young Master Gu’s response was a worm-eaten walnut.

Ning Yi used his eyes to ask Feng Zhiwei what he meant. Feng Zhiwei examined that worm for a long moment, pondering: “Perhaps he means—ptui!”

Ning Yi’s mouth twitched. He raised his hand and used true qi to destroy the corpse and eliminate all traces of that wormy walnut.

“I say, Your Highness, a mere Nanhai Shipping Affairs Office isn’t worth you leaving the capital, is it?” Feng Zhiwei quickly put away that bottle of precious grape wine that had crossed oceans to arrive, while asking: “Are you so at ease about the Imperial Capital, so uneasy about me?”

“You really do think highly of yourself.” Ning Yi laughed lightly. “I’m the same as you—leaving the capital by imperial command as an envoy, responsible for inspecting Nanhai’s land and naval forces. My imperial envoy’s ceremonial procession is still behind.”

“The Chang clan has rebellious intent?” Feng Zhiwei immediately reacted.

“Preparing for a rainy day.” Ning Yi said coolly. “After years of operations, year after year expanding troops under the pretext of casualties, subordinate commanders mostly local trusted confidants and sons—now no one knows exactly how many troops Min Nan General Chang Minjiang commands. Jin Kaixing, sent to take over the Min Nan General position, also lacks sufficient credentials to suppress him. Without dispatching a sufficiently weighty imperial envoy, if something happens, it can’t be contained.”

“With you gone, what about the capital?” Feng Zhiwei didn’t think now was a good time for Ning Yi to leave the Imperial Capital.

“Second Brother went far away to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Seventh Brother was just dispatched by His Majesty to handle what Fifth Brother failed to complete last time—he went to Jianghuai Circuit. Now His Majesty only keeps Tenth Brother at his side.” Ning Yi showed no great concern. “It’s fine.”

Emperor Tiansheng had actually dispatched all his adult sons on external assignments. But speaking of it this way, no wonder Ning Yi agreed to leave the capital. As long as Hu Shengshan and Xin Ziyan remained, the Prince Chu faction wouldn’t have problems. The one left in the palace was Tenth Brother, close to him since childhood—no worries from behind either.

But Feng Zhiwei thought of another question, smiling: “His Majesty truly has confidence in his own health. How hasn’t he considered that he’s advanced in years, has severely fallen ill once—if something should happen, with all his sons far from the Imperial Capital, what then?”

“Perhaps he feels with his sons away, he can live somewhat longer.” Ning Yi answered brazenly, a trace of coldness showing between his brows.

Feng Zhiwei smiled. In her sleeve, squeaking sounds arose, then her sleeve opening moved as two golden little things emerged.

“Brush monkeys?” Ning Yi finally showed surprised expression. “These things didn’t die? Where did you get them?”

“That night when the Fifth Prince attempted assassination at the Imperial Study, before leaving I discovered them in a corridor outside the courtyard.” Feng Zhiwei gently stroked the brush monkeys’ golden fur. “The two little things were hiding in crevices beneath the Imperial Study’s long corridor, sneaking in nightly to lick the ink platform—they actually got plump from it. I’ve always liked these playthings. Knowing if I handed them to the guards it would mean one stab to death, I secretly brought them back.”

The two brush monkeys jumped and scurried on Feng Zhiwei’s fingers, their golden fur brushing her fingers. Ning Yi watched, his gaze flashing, seeming to want to reach out to stop her, yet withdrew halfway.

Feng Zhiwei saw his movement and smiled faintly.

When she brought the brush monkeys back, Gu Nanyi had forbidden her from touching them. He took the two little things out, then after a while brought them back and gave them to her. The brush monkeys’ originally dull fur color then recovered the brilliant golden radiance of their first meeting. These brush monkeys had indeed been tampered with. She wondered whether it was the Fifth Prince as the world believed, or Great Prince Ning? From what she now saw, it was indeed the latter.

Gu Nanyi hadn’t said, but she could guess—among the brush monkeys’ fur and that square paper at the time, there must have been drugs that triggered the brush monkeys’ frenzy, because only these two items were brought up later.

Since it truly was Ning Yi’s doing, given his character—once the bow is drawn there’s no turning back the arrow—he must have had backup plans to seize the imperial throne. Why then, after Emperor Tiansheng was poisoned, did he stop midway and retreat far to the side?

“Father Emperor wasn’t poisoned.” Ning Yi saw the question in her eyes and after a long moment said with some bitterness: “Whoever made trouble would meet misfortune.”

Feng Zhiwei was shocked, cold feeling flooding her heart in that instant—the Emperor indeed wasn’t poisoned!

Recalling when Emperor Tiansheng collapsed, those words “Yi’er, go investigate,” she suddenly broke out in cold sweat—how could someone stabbed and poisoned express their meaning so clearly in the instant of collapse? And those words “Yi’er, go investigate”—how sinister! If Ning Yi hadn’t guessed Emperor Tiansheng wasn’t poisoned but instead took drastic action based on the authority those words granted, then now, what would await him?

Imperial family calculations, treacherous as shifting clouds—one misstep meant heaven’s cold intent descending!

She was somewhat lost in thought. Suddenly felt her fingers grasped, then Ning Yi’s voice laughed low in her ear: “Your hand is so cold. Are you worried about me?”

Feng Zhiwei snapped back to awareness, smiling at him: “Yes, worried the grape wine payment can’t be recovered.”

“Heartless woman…” Ning Yi’s low laugh sounded at her ear, hot breath blowing until she felt faintly itchy. She dodged. Ning Yi pressed forward another step, leaning at her ear laughing: “You’re heartless, but I dare not be. That earlier statement was deceiving you. I truly am uneasy about you…”

Feng Zhiwei immediately put on a false smile ready to refute, but heard that person say intimately: “…Uneasy with wolves on your left and tigers on your right—you’ll be eaten without even knowing…”

The one who truly eats people is only you!

Feng Zhiwei was inwardly angry. She wanted to push him away but feared large movements would be discovered above. Then an exquisite carriage full of walnut holes wouldn’t be so good. However, the carriage space was cramped with truly nowhere to hide. Watching that fellow lean on her shoulder refusing to get off—this person, having left the capital and temporarily departed the palace’s treacherous situation, seemed much more relaxed. Even that heavy contemplative expression between his brows seemed to have faded. Feng Zhiwei immediately worried how to endure His Highness’s tyranny during the long journey ahead.

Can’t fight him, can’t scold him, his position higher than hers, methods more ruthless than hers, character more poisonous than hers, heart harder than hers…

Her eyes rolled. She suddenly smiled and grabbed a wine bottle: “Really? With Longxi’s famous wine ‘Half River Red,’ I respectfully thank Your Highness for your concern.”

Ning Yi lazily leaned against her, very satisfied with the carriage’s inability to move advantage. He waved his hand indicating you may come serve. Feng Zhiwei smiled falsely while reaching for a cup. Suddenly she pinched his high-bridged nose. Ning Yi gasped reflexively opening his mouth. Feng Zhiwei raised her hand and poured an entire bottle of wine down.

Her movements were extremely fast. Ning Yi, caught off guard by this woman’s viciousness, hadn’t reacted before an entire bottle of wine went down his gullet. He coughed violently, faint moisture rising in his eyes. A flush spread over his jade-white skin, shallow pink tingeing it. As his eyes moved, divine light separated and combined, his radiant beauty reaching its peak—a different kind of pure elegance from his usual manner, making one dizzy.

Unfortunately, Feng Zhiwei had never been a normal human type. She didn’t feel dizzy or dazzled. Without even glancing at the intoxicated beauty, she smiled and raised the bottle labeled “Half River Spring” but actually containing the desert strong liquor “Three Day Drunk,” then tossed it with a clap of her hands, calling for her little fool.

“Peach powder!”

Young Master Gu floated down from the carriage roof, hoisted up the noble Prince Chu, and amid everyone’s astonished gazes, strode with great thumping steps to the rear of the convoy, finding the most dilapidated-looking cargo carriage and stuffing His Highness inside.

The crowd, jaws dropped in shock, was still wondering when Prince Chu had appeared, still amazed how His Highness could receive such treatment, when Feng Zhiwei leaned out shouting from afar: “Brother Gu, that’s Prince Chu—mustn’t be discourteous—”

She stamped her feet and called out, her anxious feelings showing in her expression. Young Master Gu stood steadily atop the carriage roof, slowly eating his walnuts. Only when he felt Feng Zhiwei’s performance was too excessive did he whoosh and flick out a walnut.

Feng Zhiwei whooshed and shrank back inside, lying down to drink wine.

The crowd suddenly understood. Oh, so it wasn’t Lord Wei being presumptuous. Indeed, his martially supreme guard reportedly even dared beat up the Crown Prince—who could stop him? They quickly rushed forward, scrambling to rescue Ning Yi.

Helian Zheng rushed over with shining eyes, overjoyed as he pushed everyone aside. “Me! Me!” He grabbed up the noble Highness, hehe-hehe laughing as he carried him to the second carriage. Not placing him on the seat, he desperately tried to stuff him beneath the seat, stuffing and stuffing.

Ning Yi, instantly knocked out by a bottle of super-strong liquor, only managed to raise his hand amid Helian Zheng’s malicious manipulation, pointing from afar at Feng Zhiwei, before unluckily passing out drunk.

—

Several days had passed since the forced drinking incident, yet Feng Zhiwei felt not a trace of satisfaction—she had finally tasted the bitter fruit of her prank—it turned out His Highness couldn’t drink alcohol at all. This person only had one cup’s capacity. One drop over one cup could make him drunk for a night, let alone the entire bottle of strong liquor Feng Zhiwei had forced down.

Precisely because he couldn’t drink, at most times in the Imperial Capital he held wine cups, but inside was actually clear water. Only now did Feng Zhiwei understand why at that palace banquet, Ning Yi’s old injury had clearly relapsed yet he dared drink endlessly.

Imperial family children—at any time they dared not expose the slightest weakness, because any weakness could potentially become a handle to be killed by.

Feng Zhiwei sighed, miserably washing hand towels by the river, intending to use them to cool down a certain someone drunk and feverish all over. This person was truly miraculous—clearly drunk almost to unconsciousness, yet still recognized her alone. When anyone else went to attend him, he hazily waved them away to get lost. Only when she came would he lie quietly without sound, displaying an appearance of letting one pluck as one pleased.

Feng Zhiwei told herself—I am an upright gentleman I am an upright gentleman I am an upright gentleman I didn’t see a body full of spring I didn’t see a body full of spring I didn’t see I didn’t see I didn’t see…

She recited silently over a dozen times, carried water into the carriage, closed her eyes to unfasten his clothes. Her fingers had just undone a few buttons when Ning Yi suddenly opened his eyes, lazily drawling: “Don’t use force…”

Feng Zhiwei’s hand trembled, nearly yanking the button off. That person, eyes closed, added another line: “Be gentle…”

Feng Zhiwei smiled, sweetly smiled: “Dizzy?”

“Dizzy…”

Feng Zhiwei gently and carefully unfastened his clothes, her fingers nimble as a light breeze. Ning Yi comfortably half-lowered his long lashes.

“Comfortable?”

“Comfortable… Massage my left shoulder.”

That person beneath her fingers lazily half-sleeping, his clothing wide open, his skin tinged with faint red, smooth and lustrous, his lines refined yet powerful. In his breathing, faint wine fragrance and his unique gorgeous cool scent intertwined together, steaming in the narrow carriage—boundlessly fragrant and seductive.

Feng Zhiwei set aside the ice-cold cloth, rubbed her own fingers warm, smiled as she massaged his left shoulder, her conversational tone light as gossamer.

“What does drunkenness feel like?”

“…Golden stars bursting…”

“Next time I’ll drink with you…”

“Mm…”

Ning Yi’s eyelids gradually closed, his responses increasingly casual.

Feng Zhiwei watched him, slowly fastening his clothing buttons. One by one. Gently.

Her tone, like dusk twilight making one intoxicated, not arousing wariness.

“…Feng Zhiwei is quite troublesome…”

“Yes, her…”

Ning Yi’s eyes flew open.

Eyes hazy for several days instantly cleared like water, his gaze black as night.

He looked over with such burning gaze, actually making Feng Zhiwei’s heart tremble.

The two sat and lay facing each other in the cramped carriage. The surrounding air quieted. One could hear late-returning birds flapping wings sweeping past tree canopies. Some old crow somewhere began cawing loudly.

After a long moment, Ning Yi looked away: “Get out.”

Feng Zhiwei silently picked up the water basin and left the carriage. After a while, she saw Yan Huaishi summoned before the carriage, bowing to listen to a few sentences, then approaching with a puzzled expression: “His Highness says he wants to return to his own convoy behind, asking us to dispatch people to escort him.”

“You handle it.” Feng Zhiwei, hands clasped behind her back, gazed at the deep rich rosy clouds on the horizon, saying coolly: “Select the best guards. Of three hundred Changying Guards, send two hundred. His Highness hasn’t been well these past days, has no strength to protect himself. Tell them all to be careful.”

“Sending so many—if something happens on our side, what do we do?” Yan Huaishi was somewhat uneasy.

“Just escorting for a bit. Once safely sent back, they’ll return. What’s the worry?” Feng Zhiwei smiled. “If something really happens, no matter how many people, they won’t be enough anyway.”

Soon after, Chunyu Meng led two hundred guards escorting that carriage back. Ning Yi never got out of the carriage. Feng Zhiwei stood in the sunset watching the carriage depart from afar, thinking Ning Yi must believe she deliberately got him drunk like this to extract information. Actually, the forced drinking was completely because she didn’t expect he couldn’t drink. Actually, just now was truly only a momentary thought…

She smiled bitterly. Let him think whatever he wants. The trust between him and her was pitifully scarce to begin with. Even returning to the starting point now merely meant arriving a bit earlier.

The sunset filled the sky, dyeing people’s brows and lashes as if painted with gold. Feng Zhiwei looked at that fire-like dusk colors. Somehow feeling uneasy in her heart, she had the convoy find lodging early.

There was no relay station nearby. They found an inn in a small town called Dongtun to rest. The inn was small but clean, even the bedding was newly changed. Feng Zhiwei was somewhat surprised. The innkeeper smiled: “Some days ago there were quite a few distinguished guests who complained the inn’s bedding was shabby, paid to have it newly changed.”

Feng Zhiwei was preoccupied, coolly responding “oh.” The innkeeper, as if presenting treasure, fished out a silver ingot from his sleeve, smiling: “The inn has been open till now—first time seeing such a large silver ingot!”

Feng Zhiwei glanced once, again saying “oh,” waving her hand for him to leave. The innkeeper shuffled to the doorway. Feng Zhiwei’s mind suddenly flashed with inspiration. She turned swiftly: “Innkeeper, let me borrow that ingot to look at again.”

Holding the ingot, top-quality ninety-six percent purity filigree-patterned silver. Feng Zhiwei turned the bottom over. The two characters “Xi Ping” blazed forth.

Smelling it, there was a faint fishy odor.

Commoners weren’t allowed to privately mint currency, but one place had its own circulating currency—Xi Ping Circuit’s Changning Princely Domain, directly adjacent to Min Nan Circuit! There were silver mines there. Changning Prince’s domain was autonomous, even using their own silver. The neighboring Min Nan Circuit, its economy interdependent with Changning Princely Domain, also used this kind of silver.

Plus that fishy smell…

People from Min Nan’s Chang family, appearing on the essential route from the Imperial Capital to Min Nan!

Feng Zhiwei’s hand holding the silver instantly turned ice-cold.

Who was the Chang family’s current target?

Was it herself, about to establish the Shipping Affairs Office cutting off their retreat?

Or was it Ning Yi, about to travel far to the southern line to reclaim southern regional military authority and create constraints on the Chang family?

Ning Yi!

Two hundred guards, alone on the road, drunk and powerless, crisis at his side!

Feng Zhiwei suddenly stood up, rushing out of the room in a few steps, mounting her horse, charging toward the deep rich bewildering night!