Across from them, Ning Yi had originally tensed when he saw Feng Zhiwei restrained, but upon hearing those words, he instead calmed down and slowly stepped back, leaning against the window.

“Which expert might you be?” he said. “Judging by your actions, you seem unwilling to make a scene, otherwise you would have already notified the master of this place. Since that’s the case, why don’t we have a proper talk.”

“A clever person.” The Golden Feather Guard Commander let out a rattling laugh. “I just love talking with clever people.”

He pondered for a moment, then said: “Why did you two sneak in here tonight? Tell me the truth, and I’ll spare your lives.”

Feng Zhiwei lowered her eyes… This fellow was also lying, though his lying skills weren’t even as good as the Second Prince’s. Judging by his actions and tone, he indeed wasn’t on the same side as the Second Prince, which meant he was the Emperor’s man. Then he must know something about the East Pool incident. Just based on the fact that she and Ning Yi had been to East Pool, this top court eagle dog would never let them go.

She understood this in her heart, but said nothing aloud. With Ning Yi’s intelligence, these matters needed no reminder, and she confidently placed her safety in his hands.

“Judging by your actions,” Ning Yi did not answer directly but instead questioned him, staring at the commander of the Golden Feather Guards. “You seem… somewhat familiar. At the edge of the broken shore, pointing toward the divine capital—thirteen horsemen ride, their hooves shaking a city on the brink of ruin. May I ask which mansion you serve, and which gate you command?”

The Golden Feather Guard Commander’s eyebrow twitched.

Others hearing this would be utterly confused, but he knew it all too well.

This was the entire Golden Feather Guard’s secret code!

Besides the headquarters in the capital, the Golden Feather Guard had branch guards in all thirteen provinces nationwide, responsible for secretly investigating official affairs in each region. “Thirteen horse hooves stir the endangered city” referred to exactly this. The latter part was asking him which province’s Golden Feather Guard he belonged to, and what position he held in that provincial guard.

In an instant, the Golden Feather Guard Commander’s mind raced. He considered responding to the code to discover the other party’s identity, but worried it might be a trick that would instead reveal his own identity. He hesitated for a moment between playing dumb and probing further, then said coldly: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Answer my question.”

Ning Yi sighed with disappointment, stepped back against the wall, and said flatly: “Nothing much. Since that’s the case, there’s nothing more to say. Your fingers can go ahead and press down.”

The Golden Feather Guard Commander froze, then said ominously: “I have many ways to make people die. Do you want to choose the most painful one?”

“We also have many ways to die. If we don’t want pain, there won’t be pain.” Ning Yi’s response was equally absolute. He didn’t even glance at Feng Zhiwei, his eyes cold and emotionless.

Feng Zhiwei sighed helplessly, looking completely resigned as if she had expected this.

The Golden Feather Guard Commander frowned. It wasn’t that Ning Yi’s words frightened him, but rather that Ning Yi’s attitude shook him. The Golden Feather Guard had strict management – secret missions could only succeed, never fail. Failure meant suicide. Those who failed and revealed secrets would be hunted by the organization across the world, with nowhere to hide. Every Golden Feather Guard member had some weakness or vulnerability controlled by the leadership, so they dared not even try to escape. The organization indeed trained every member – whether they needed it or not – to be skilled at torture and enduring torture, knowing when to make themselves pass out, and how to die resolutely without pain.

As the Golden Feather Guard Commander, he naturally found these words extremely familiar, and hesitated again in his heart – could these two really be subordinates from a Golden Feather Guard branch, infiltrating the manor to execute a secret mission?

His actions had always been firm, his gaze steady, but because of his internal deliberations, the fingers moving on Feng Zhiwei’s throat shifted slightly.

Ning Yi saw this, his eyes flashing briefly, then suddenly smiled and said: “Please do as you wish, sir. As for me… I can only flip out this window!”

As he spoke, his body leaned backward, soaring up in a backward flip, actually showing no hesitation about jumping down.

“Wait!”

A sudden low shout, silver light flashing. The Golden Feather Guard Commander’s sleeve flew out, wrapping around Ning Yi’s boot and pulling hard backward, yanking him away from the window.

The moment Ning Yi leaped out, Feng Zhiwei’s heart tightened – though she knew he was faking, Ning Yi’s movements were genuinely about to jump out, without a trace of hesitation. Before the Golden Feather Guard Commander, unlike with the Second Prince, tricks like hooking toes on the window ledge wouldn’t work. If the Golden Feather Guard Commander hadn’t taken the bait, he would have truly jumped off the ten-thousand-zhang cliff, and even the greatest immortals would find it hard to save him.

Though Ning Yi was skilled at reading people and confident in his grasp of the Golden Feather Guard, for Feng Zhiwei watching from the side, his boldness and resolve had her breaking out in a cold sweat.

Ning Yi, whose body was pulled back, showed no joy. He frowned at the Golden Feather Guard Commander and said flatly: “You need not waste your efforts. I—”

“You’re quite talented.” The Golden Feather Guard Commander’s tone had already changed. Though still hoarse and cold, it carried some appreciation as he sized up Ning Yi. “The organization is fortunate to have someone like you. Commendable.”

He had finally admitted his identity. Yet Ning Yi showed no delight, looking at the Golden Feather Guard Commander with suspicion and saying coldly: “Don’t waste your efforts trying to trick me. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The appreciation in the Golden Feather Guard Commander’s eyes deepened. He felt this person was loyal and cautious – truly promising material. With growing fondness for talent, his killing intent diminished considerably. He smiled slightly and said: “Flashing golden scales, toward the jeweled caps, twenty-four bright moons light the return, this commander oversees the Changning mansion in the southeast, opening the first gate.”

Ning Yi suddenly raised his head, staring at the Golden Feather Guard Commander for a long while, then suddenly shook his head: “Still trying to trick me. Impossible.”

The Golden Feather Guard Commander now felt both amused and exasperated. He hadn’t wanted to reveal his identity as the top Golden Feather Guard, so he claimed to be from the Changning fief’s Golden Feather Guard branch, calling himself a branch commander. He hadn’t expected this young man to refuse to believe him.

He sighed and said: “I see you’re not very old. Have you participated in the internal selection yet? I think you’re quite good. I’ll put in a word for you with the capital’s three guards.”

Ning Yi froze, then finally showed delight. The Golden Feather Guard Commander was referring to the Golden Feather Guard’s annual internal selection, where based on each guard’s yearly performance, those with both virtue and talent were selected to go to the capital for awards and competitions. The especially outstanding ones might be transferred back to headquarters in the capital. This was truly something only Golden Feather Guard insiders would know. Apart from high-level members of the guard itself, no one else could speak of it.

He let out an “Ah,” his voice sounding relieved, and hurriedly bowed in salute: “Greetings to the Southeast Branch Commander, sir!”

The Golden Feather Guard Commander smiled slightly, still in that cold tone, carrying some satisfaction, but didn’t release Feng Zhiwei. He merely raised his hand: “Rise. You’re from the Shannan province branch guard?”

“Yes.” Ning Yi answered respectfully, but wouldn’t say another word.

“Are you taking this risk to enter the manor because Huang Zhiqiu is suspected of illegal activities in the Weiming County bandit gathering case?”

“Sir is wise.” Ning Yi nodded with heartfelt admiration, yet still had some doubt: “Sir is the Southeast Branch Commander – how do you know so much about our Shannan province case?”

The Golden Feather Guard Commander coughed, beginning to feel this young man was overly shrewd, though his doubts had slowly dissipated. He hummed and said: “Information is shared among high-level personnel in various regions. You needn’t concern yourself with this. Take off your mask and let me see.”

Feng Zhiwei’s heart jumped sharply.

Under his mask, Ning Yi hadn’t disguised himself again – it was his own face!

Ning Yi smiled, a rather cold smile, then suddenly stepped back again.

The Golden Feather Guard Commander frowned, staring at him coldly.

“I’m beginning to doubt you again, sir.” Ning Yi said loudly. “Sir’s code words were accurate, you’re very familiar with our guard’s internal affairs, but you know nothing of the regulations! If you were truly one of our guard, you should know clearly that we infiltration guards executing secret missions are never allowed to be questioned about our true identities or faces by anyone!”

He looked sideways at the commander, his expression clearly saying “if you say another foolish thing I’ll draw my blade against you.” The Golden Feather Guard Commander fell silent, then after a long while gave a dry laugh: “That was my oversight.”

His hand released, pushing Feng Zhiwei away. He said flatly: “Do you believe me now?”

Feng Zhiwei covered her throat and quickly retreated toward Ning Yi. The two exchanged glances. Feng Zhiwei’s eyes bloomed with laughter, while Ning Yi, facing the Golden Feather Guard Commander, remained completely expressionless – the act wasn’t finished yet.

“I misunderstood you, sir. I’m willing to accept punishment!” He bowed low. “But I must still ask sir not to inquire about our mission details. If sir wishes to know, you can send a letter to our Shannan province branch commander to inquire, but you shouldn’t learn it from our mouths. Otherwise we two will also bear inescapable guilt.”

Feng Zhiwei bowed along with him, a faint smile on her lips. What a cunning fellow – this blocked the Golden Feather Guard Commander’s words, avoiding being interrogated and revealing flaws.

He truly played a loyal and cautious Golden Feather Guard member to perfection.

“I won’t ask you then.” The Golden Feather Guard Commander sat cross-legged in the darkness, like a coiled serpent lying in wait. “The Shannan province has such excellent disciples as you – we in Changning province are also pleased. If there’s an opportunity, I’ll report you to headquarters and get you the commendation you deserve.”

“Thank you, sir!” Ning Yi saluted neither humbly nor arrogantly, then subtly changed the subject: “I dare not ask what brings sir here, but I would like to request that sir lend us the Changning envoy.”

“You want to take the Changning envoy hostage to leave the manor?” The Golden Feather Guard Commander nodded. “I have use for this person and cannot give him to you. You two can just leave the manor with me later.”

Ning Yi and Feng Zhiwei exchanged another glance, somewhat disappointed they couldn’t get their hands on the Changning envoy. The Second Prince’s most important plan couldn’t be fully controlled, but they couldn’t be greedy at this moment and had to agree.

By now dawn was breaking. The Golden Feather Guard Commander looked at the sky and said: “I still need to stay at the manor for a while. You two immediately disguise yourselves as my guards, then I’ll use the excuse of sending you out on business to let you leave the manor. After you leave, remember to wait for me at Ten Li Ferry on the outskirts of the capital. I have instructions for you.”

“Yes!”

Half an hour later, Ning Yi and Feng Zhiwei stood safely outside the manor, with the outer courtyard steward of the manor eagerly holding their horses and seeing them off in person.

After a night of dangerous twists and turns, to be sent out in this manner – both felt it was fortunate yet also amusing.

They exchanged glances and each mounted their horses. Feng Zhiwei turned back for a final look at the manor’s beautiful layered eaves in the morning light, her eyes showing a trace of mocking laughter.

Three li past the manor, Ning Cheng appeared with guards. He had been keeping watch near the manor entrance, but because of the formations outside the manor, he dared not rashly break in and cause trouble for Ning Yi. Later when Feng Zhiwei struck the cave with rocks, causing commotion inside the manor, Ning Cheng was anxious as fire, wanting to move but not daring to without a signal. Only now could he finally relax. Seeing the two of them, he stared and complained: “Coming out, not coming out – you were killing me with worry. Your Highness, if you hadn’t come out I was about to break in.”

Ning Yi glanced coolly at Ning Cheng and ignored him – ever since that winter, he had maintained this attitude toward Ning Cheng, completely ignoring him. You could follow if you wanted, or not if you didn’t – he didn’t care. But Ning Cheng, the world’s thickest-skinned person, didn’t feel neglected at all, didn’t feel awkward, and had no intention of restraining himself or showing self-awareness. He complained when he wanted to complain, questioned when he wanted to question. Ning Yi treated him as nothing, but he took himself very seriously, cheerfully following wherever they went.

Feng Zhiwei felt that living like Ning Cheng was actually quite happy – oblivious, not sensitive enough to grieve with the spring or mourn with autumn, forever living in his own cheerful world.

Turning another li, a stacked figure descended from a tree by the roadside, uninvited, landing on Feng Zhiwei’s horse. The horse sank under the weight. Feng Zhiwei sighed, thinking that child Gu Zhixiao had really been gaining too much weight lately.

The person behind her ate walnuts as if no one else existed, continuously dropping walnut shell fragments. Feng Zhiwei listened to those fine scattered sounds, feeling intimate and at ease. The entire night’s dangerous ups and downs seemed to have receded to the ends of the earth.

Suddenly feeling a slight itch on her neck, a small piece of walnut fell down. She couldn’t help but chide: “Young Master, please eat more carefully. All these skins and shells are falling into my collar.”

No sound came from behind. Suddenly a hand reached into the back of her neck—

Feng Zhiwei let out an “Ah—”

—That hand calmly fished around in the back of her neck, found the escaped walnut piece, threw it into his mouth without any waste, and crunched it down.

Gu Zhixiao wrinkled her little nose on her father’s shoulder, making a dissatisfied comment: “Dirty.”

Young Master Gu, eating walnuts behind Feng Zhiwei, calmly replied: “She’s not dirty.”

Gu Zhixiao thought for a moment, broke off a piece of walnut, threw it into her own collar, thrust out her little chest toward her father, and said: “Eat.”

Feng Zhiwei: “…”

Young Master Gu picked out that piece of walnut and, not at all gently, stuffed it into his daughter’s mouth: “Dirty.”

Gu Zhixiao opened her mouth and started crying. Young Master Gu tore off cloth strips and plugged both his and Feng Zhiwei’s ears, then let her cry.

Feng Zhiwei swayed atop the horse, leisurely squinting her eyes. Like Young Master Gu, she turned a deaf ear to the child’s fierce wailing. She was enjoying herself—after a night of terror, leaning against her Little Dullard, facing the sunrise on the horizon; even with Gu Zhixiao’s ear-piercing cries behind her, it still felt blissful and comfortable.

Ning Yi didn’t follow. Surrounded by his guards, he stopped far away under a tree.

Before the tree was the road toward the capital. She and he traveled the same route, but not necessarily to the same destination. In the manor they worked together in harmony. Outside the manor, that young woman who reached out from the cliff to pull him up, blooming with a smile like flowers toward him, seemed to have instantly become distant.

At this moment she looked leisurely and serene, leaning against Gu Nanyi without defenses, utterly different from when she was by his side – always alert, constantly tense.

What he could give her was storms, danger, bloody winds and rain, hidden blades and concealed weapons, this vast territory of treacherous courts, iron horses and golden spears, tigers fighting and dragons struggling, forever on the road with no rest.

He couldn’t give her pastoral landscapes, leisurely reading and farming, he couldn’t give her the pure reclusion of joining hands by rivers and seas. He couldn’t give her purity and singularity, couldn’t give her complete release.

But.

What truly suited her was struggle, wasn’t it?

Her naturally quiet exterior and passionate interior blood only surged and churned for this world’s territorial maps, like that hanging great banner, only fluttering and unfurling when great winds pass.

Banners forever await the wind.

Ning Yi smiled slightly under the tree, watching as Feng Zhiwei turned her head to smile at him, then spurred her horse away.

The morning sun’s golden light shot forth myriad beams, like a thousand swords stirring the sea of clouds, cleaving through the night’s final haze.

Zhiwei.

I only hope to see you resolutely wield your sword, cleaving through this storm-tossed territory’s misty barriers, even… cleaving through me.

Better than silent mediocrity, growing old in corners unknown to me.

One night banquet – what should be known was basically known, and what shouldn’t be known was also learned.

The two of them had disguised themselves as the Huang couple because there were no other roles they could play – it was unavoidable. They hadn’t expected that Lord Huang was also involved. Precisely because of this, during that night’s banquet, all those who knew the inside story spoke without avoiding him. During the time when Feng Zhiwei left and Ning Yi circulated among the guests, the Shannan province Inspector Xu Minglin had expressed to Lord Huang that the small place of Weiming County was beneath someone of Lord Huang’s talents, and that Lord Huang could fully handle the affairs of an entire prefecture – this essentially confirmed that Xu Minglin was indeed the Second Prince’s man. In other words, that incident when Shaoning climbed into bed at the palace, Noble Consort Shu was indeed involved.

As for why Noble Consort Shu, who originally contended with no one and had no sons, would get involved in this matter, there was now an explanation – since the Chang family incident, Emperor Tiansheng had become extremely vigilant toward maternal relatives and had frequently reduced their power these past two years. Each family lived in fear and trepidation. The Xu family’s decline naturally made them want to seek new allies among court powers to revive their clan. As for why they chose the Second Prince, it was probably also because the Second Prince used the bandit case to drag them in. The collusion between the Changning fief and the Second Prince made the Xu family feel the Second Prince’s strength was considerable, so they became co-conspirators.

Ning Yi very consciously shared information with Feng Zhiwei. Feng Zhiwei listened carefully, smiled faintly, and went to court as usual. On the way to court, she discovered the atmosphere in the capital was somewhat strange. On the surface everything seemed normal, but investigations and searches were even more intensive.

She looked at certain panicked faces mixed among the guards and soldiers, and couldn’t help but curve her lips slightly.

An eighty-year-old woman holding a baby upside down – the Golden Feather Guard Commander, who always controlled others, had now been played for a fool. Unable to find those two “Shannan province Golden Feather Guard branch subordinates” waiting for him at Ten Li Ferry, he must have realized he’d been tricked. This was him trying to find those people.

Where could he find them? The real Huang couple were already dead. No matter how these people racked their brains, they couldn’t imagine that “couple” were actually the current Prince and Loyal Righteous Marquis – their mortal enemies.

She went to court with a satisfied expression. Today Shannan Inspector Xu Minglin had an audience. After court dismissed, the imperial study summoned Xu Minglin. Both Ning Yi and she were present.

During this time, Emperor Tiansheng questioned him about the bandit uprising in Weiming County. Xu Minglin responded without the slightest flaw:

“In reply to Your Majesty, due to this year’s floods in Shannan Province, disaster relief from the provincial authorities was inadequate. As a result, a number of displaced people drifted into Weiming County and took to the mountains as bandits. They were nothing more than insignificant mountain rabble. However, because one of their leaders bore the surname Hang, some spread rumors that he was a descendant of Hang Shou, the loyal minister who followed the dragon during the founding of the dynasty and was later enfeoffed as the Brave Valor Marquis.

“They further claimed that Hang Shou had been executed by Your Majesty on false charges of involvement in the Third Prince’s rebellion, going so far as to spread slander that Your Majesty murdered loyal ministers and slaughtered meritorious officials. That Hang-surnamed leader even raised a banner, proclaiming himself a descendant of the loyal and upright, acting on Heaven’s behalf. In Shannan, he killed officials and committed robbery, thus giving rise to this incident.

“In truth, these people were merely a disorderly mob. Local government troops, with assistance from the garrison of the neighboring Changning fief, have already suppressed them. It is only because the matter touched upon the old case of the Brave Valor Marquis Hang from years past that it was reported to Your Majesty.”

Feng Zhiwei sneered inwardly. What skillful avoidance and distortion of truth. Speaking of Hang Shou, why not mention the rest of the Hang family? When Hang Shou was killed due to the Third Prince’s case back then, the Hang family wasn’t completely wiped out. The Hang family descendants received protection because of their marriage ties with the Changning Prince, and to this day there were still Hang family descendants serving in the Changning fief, quite valued subordinates. This so-called bandit gathering case was actually a problem between the Hang family descendants and the Changning Prince. In anger they attempted to establish their own faction, bringing their own troops to try to transfer from the Changning fief to Shannan to preserve and shift their strength, but were jointly suppressed by the Changning Prince and local officials who had already colluded with him. This matter caused such a commotion it couldn’t be covered up. This Hang-surnamed person also probably held some of the Changning Prince’s secrets, so the Changning Prince, the Second Prince, and the Xu family on that side worked together to create this so-called bandit gathering case, shifting the problem’s focus to the Third Prince’s old case from years ago. On one hand this covered up the unusual movements on their side. On the other hand, because Ning Yi and the Third Prince were close friends in the past, and he was implicated and snubbed by the Emperor for many years because of the Third Prince’s rebellion case, now bringing up the old matter again also had the meaning of secretly framing Ning Yi.

This court’s political intrigue was like a realm of ghosts – harming people without a sound. If they hadn’t risked going there that night, even if the Changning fief and Second Prince attacked their doorstep, they might not have noticed.

Emperor Tiansheng on his seat noncommittally hummed. Feng Zhiwei observed his expression, not knowing how much he knew – though the Golden Feather Guard Commander had entered the night banquet, the Second Prince wanted to curry favor but also dared not reveal too much of the inside story. That commander might not know as much as she did.

Seeing the Emperor hum and then casually set down his tea, someone emerged from behind the screen to pour tea for Emperor Tiansheng. He glanced at her, his expression freezing, probably not expecting her not to avoid this, then glanced at Feng Zhiwei but didn’t make a sound. That person poured the tea, her rippling eyes stealing glances at Feng Zhiwei – one glance, then another.

Feng Zhiwei, sitting below drinking tea, nearly choked – no wonder she’d felt like thorns on her back and uneasy earlier. It turned out this person had been staring at her from behind the screen!

Ning Yi diagonally across from her glanced coolly at her, laughter showing in his eyes. Feng Zhiwei smiled bitterly and lowered her head, nose observing the mind, but an idea flashed through her mind in an instant.

The matter was discussed for a short while before being dismissed. Feng Zhiwei walked last. Taking advantage of Emperor Tiansheng turning his head, she looked back and smiled at Princess Shaoning, whose eyes had been burning at her the whole time.

Before Princess Shaoning, whose soul had flown away from that smile, could respond, she quickly stepped out. Xu Minglin was waiting outside the imperial study. He saluted Ning Yi, then gave Feng Zhiwei a long bow, smiling: “Greetings to Loyal Righteous Marquis. The Marquis’s fame moves the realm and achievements shine brilliantly. We who dwell remotely in Shannan have long admired you.”

Yes, admired to the point of wanting to destroy me. Feng Zhiwei smiled cheerfully and returned the courtesy, grasping Old Xu’s hand: “Lord Xu flatters me too much. Actually I haven’t done anything much – just fought a battle with Nanhai and the Chang family, followed His Majesty’s imperial decree to establish the Maritime Trade Bureau, then later went to the borders where I crossed swords with the grasslands and Great Yue a few times. Ah, back then under Baitou Cliff…”

Her eyes glowing, she grabbed Xu Minglin’s sleeve and chattered on, looking like she’d finally found someone to listen to her great achievements. Xu Minglin, with his sleeve caught, could neither leave nor object, and could only endure it, perfunctorily making polite responses and listening, thinking: this Marquis Wei is famous throughout the realm, and according to rumors he’s an unparalleled gentleman and young hero that even the Second Prince speaks vaguely of – how come meeting him today he has such a frivolous manner?

Feng Zhiwei chattered for half a quarter hour. Xu Minglin had matters on his mind and wanted to leave, but Ning Yi was still there, smiling with hands folded in his sleeves, listening with interest. Since even the Prince showed no impatience and stood there accompanying them, how could he, a mere third-rank inspector, dare show any displeasure? He could only suffer through it with a sour face, constantly saying “Yes… that’s right… ah really?…”

“…The walls of Great Yue’s Pucheng were really high. At that time I closed my eyes and steeled my heart…” Behind her came subtle footsteps. From the corner of her eye, Feng Zhiwei noticed a little eunuch suddenly appeared behind her. She immediately stopped talking, released Xu Minglin’s sleeve, and smiled: “Ah, it’s getting late. I still have matters in my department. I dare not delay Lord Xu. Please, please.” Then cleanly and efficiently, she bowed in all four directions, didn’t even look at Xu Minglin, and strode away. That little eunuch followed closely behind her.

Xu Minglin first got dragged into listening to half a quarter hour of great achievements, then was abruptly abandoned mid-story. He stood there completely stunned, finding this Minister Wei, Marquis Wei’s style truly difficult to accept. After a long while he shook his head in bewilderment, muttering: “Truly a strange person.”

He couldn’t figure out the reason for Feng Zhiwei’s behavior, and naturally didn’t notice that originally Feng Zhiwei hadn’t brought any attendants, but when leaving there was suddenly a little eunuch behind her.

The little eunuch followed behind Feng Zhiwei, saying nothing, lips pressed together, head lowered, the corners of her eyes sweeping over the not-so-broad back ahead, her gaze joyful.

Feng Zhiwei walked very quickly, never turning back. If Shaoning could turn to her front, she would see that Marquis Wei’s expression was actually quite ugly.

Walking all the way to outside Zhengyi Gate where various families’ carriages and horses were waiting, Feng Zhiwei suddenly stopped. Shaoning nearly bumped into her back.

Glaring somewhat reproachfully at Feng Zhiwei, Shaoning’s heart was actually delighted. Her beloved had just given her a glance earlier, and she immediately understood – this was Wei Zhi asking her to find a way to meet. She immediately went to change clothes and disguise herself, and sure enough saw Wei Zhi kept talking with Xu Minglin while waiting for her.

Wasn’t this what’s called lovers having a spiritual connection?

“The weather’s overcast, my old injury is acting up with some lower back pain.” Feng Zhiwei glanced at the horse her servant was leading over, and said: “Go back and get a carriage.”

“Why trouble your servant to run back and forth, Lord Wei, when you’d still have to wait for the carriage?” An official immediately came over ingratiatingly. “Why not take my carriage?”

“Thank you, gentlemen, but we’re not going the same way, so it’s not very convenient. Better forget it.” Feng Zhiwei smiled and declined. Over there Ning Cheng wandered over and said: “His Highness was kept by His Majesty to discuss matters, so the carriage won’t be needed for a while. Lord Wei might as well take it back first – the coachman will drive it back later.”

“This… isn’t quite proper…” Feng Zhiwei hesitated, but Ning Cheng had already ordered the coachman to drive Ning Yi’s princely carriage over.

“Then I’ll ungraciously accept.” Feng Zhiwei smiled broadly, brought Shaoning onto the carriage, and drove away from Zhengyi Gate.

Inside the carriage, Shaoning was both shy and happy. First she sat motionless, waiting for her lover to come show tenderness. After waiting a long time with no movement, she looked up to see Wei Zhi leaning obliquely by the carriage window, not looking at her, his expression peaceful and contemplative. The morning’s finely fragmented sunlight was divided by the carriage curtain into countless water-wave-like horizontal shadows. His face was submerged behind the watery shadows, looking peaceful and ethereal in bearing.

Shaoning stared mesmerized at that face, thinking that such a bright and pure young gentleman would finally belong to her. Intoxicated and entranced with joy that seemed about to overflow as tears, a woman immersed in love who had shared intimacy with her lover was more delicate and tender than usual. Not wanting to loudly disturb her lover’s contemplation, she carefully leaned closer.

Knee touching knee, she felt a shock like electricity. But Feng Zhiwei’s knee instinctively drew back. Shaoning froze. Feng Zhiwei reacted and stopped.

Then she smiled to cover it, saying gently: “I’ve wronged Your Highness, having to disguise yourself to come out with me.”

“It’s nothing.” Shaoning glowed radiantly. “I was just wanting to go out of the palace for a walk anyway.”

“The site for the imperial temple has been decided, but I still want Your Highness to see it personally. After all, this is where you’ll be staying for a while.” Feng Zhiwei said gently. “It’s just that thinking His Majesty might not permit it, I had no choice but to do this.”

Hearing those words “staying for a while,” Shaoning’s eyes lit up. When she woke that day, she was told she would be given a title and sent to become a nun. She was confused at first, but then Father Emperor sent Eunuch Jia to hint at the deeper meaning of this move. She was both delighted and afraid to believe it. The princess title meant nothing to her – what mattered most was being able to spend a lifetime with her lover. Now hearing Wei Zhi’s tone, wasn’t it exactly as Father Emperor had hinted?

“Good.” She smiled sweetly. “What you’ve chosen, I’m sure to like as well.”

Feng Zhiwei smiled, letting her slowly inch closer, using the carriage’s swaying to bit by bit touch her leg. She propped her head with her hand, calculating the time and route, counting in her mind: “One, two, three!”

“Injustice!”

The moment her third count fell, a cry of injustice shocked both inside and outside!

This place was precisely Tiansheng’s busiest Jiuyang Street, lined with shops and flowing with crowds like tides. A sudden cry of injustice startled everyone on the street into stopping and staring with mouths agape.

They saw a disheveled person holding up a petition, throwing himself before a carriage with a golden top and jade-green canopy, loudly crying injustice.

After such long peaceful years, this kind of blocking carriages to cry injustice was rarely seen, moreover the blocked carriage seemed quite extraordinary. Everyone was attracted, abandoning their affairs to gather around.

Many officials’ carriages passed through Jiuyang Street regularly. People were used to seeing them and paid no attention, but now someone recognized it, saying: “Hey, this looks like a prince’s carriage!”

“A prince’s carriage – how come there’s no one clearing the way? The retinue doesn’t look right.”

“There’s Prince Chu’s mansion insignia!”

“To block none other than the prince who oversees the Three Judicial Offices? A major case! Major case!”

The people’s excitement was immediately mobilized, their eyes gleaming as they rushed closer, instantly surrounding the carriage three layers deep. Some passing officials also stopped their carriages.

The person crying injustice clung desperately to the carriage, wailing miserably: “Clear-skied great lord! Open your eyes and look at us pitiful people! The Shannan officials collude with others, acting perversely and distorting right from wrong – is there truly no one who dares intervene!”

While common people hearing this didn’t think much of it, the officials watching from the outer ring instantly grew grave.

This was actually a major case of commoners suing officials!

Though Shannan province was remote, it had always held special status in Tiansheng, because it bordered the Changning fief and to some extent was influenced more by the Changning fief than the court. Though no one yet knew what was in the petition of this person crying injustice, the officials’ keen senses already sniffed the dangerous odor within.

Daring to sue officials as a commoner, blocking the carriage of the prince overseeing the Three Judicial Offices, and involving Shannan province – this was clearly a hot potato. If mishandled it could be a shocking major case. Even for Prince Chu, whether to accept this petition or not was still unknown.

Accepting petitions might sound dramatic in theater, where anyone kneeling on the street would have some official accept it, then punish evil and promote good with everyone happy. But in the real official world, this wasn’t a simple matter of you handing and me receiving. Whether to accept, how to accept, from what position and stance to accept, what reactions there would be after accepting – all must be considered clearly in that instant. Moreover, the Tiansheng court didn’t encourage overstepping authority to accept petitions. As long as it wasn’t within one’s jurisdiction, all petitions could only be received by the Ministry of Justice. In other words, except for the Minister of Justice and the prince overseeing the Ministry of Justice, no one else could accept this petition.

Now this petitioner had found his way quite well, crying out directly before the highest person in the judicial system.

Everyone’s eyes burned intensely at the carriage curtain, waiting to see His Highness’s reaction.

The carriage tilted, the curtain lifted, and out came a young man in first-rank official robes – slender, bright and pure like a jade tree facing the wind. Standing in the morning’s warm spring light, he carried a gravity and steadiness that even spring light couldn’t wash away.

He stood with hands behind his back, brows knitted, looking at the kneeling man, his expression distant and remote.

Everyone on the street froze, feeling this person didn’t seem like the legendarily beautiful, romantic, and absolutely gorgeous Prince Chu. Then someone cried out in recognition.

“Young Marquis Wei!”

“General Wei!”

“Minister Wei!”

The forms of address varied, but all represented only one person – the young important minister who had made his name in Tiansheng in recent years and whose prominence was unmatched!

The admired idol of scholars and heroes throughout the realm, the dream lover in countless young ladies’ spring chambers.

That Prince Chu’s carriage produced Marquis Wei – everyone was both shocked and delighted. The entire street competed to admire the Marquis’s bearing, instantly causing a commotion.

The officials’ faces grew somber.

Whether Minister of Rites or Loyal Righteous Marquis, he couldn’t accept this petition. He could only direct this petitioner to go to the Ministry of Justice to file a complaint, and once it reached the Ministry of Justice, that was another matter entirely.

Feng Zhiwei stood lightly with hands behind her back in the wind.

She couldn’t accept the petition, but the petition also couldn’t be sent to the Ministry of Justice. This matter involved the Changning fief. Before the war with Yue ended, there was no guarantee that Emperor Tiansheng, focused on maintaining domestic stability, wouldn’t smooth things over again.

When she was framed back then, Emperor Tiansheng suppressed it for the sake of stability. These scoundrels who escaped punishment thus remained unrepentant and repeatedly pressed. Did they really think she was made of clay?

This time whoever wanted to suppress it again – she wouldn’t consent!

Hence this petition on the long street – she would expose the inside story of this bandit gathering case before ten thousand eyes!

Hence this secret meeting with Shaoning – she couldn’t accept it, but someone could!

With a faint smile, she reached out and took the petition, turned back into the carriage to read it. Inside the carriage, Shaoning stared with curious wide eyes. Feng Zhiwei silently handed the petition over.

The street couldn’t see inside the carriage, only saw Feng Zhiwei accept the petition. Everyone erupted in noise.

The officials, however, showed cold smiles.

In just a moment, this always-clever Minister Wei would surely throw the petition out, telling this audacious country bumpkin to go file endless complaints at the Ministry of Justice.

They waited for the curtain to lift and the petition to be hurled out.

The curtain suddenly lifted.

Ten thousand people held their breath.

In the complete silence, someone said resolutely:

“Accepted!”