Young Master Gu, with his magnificent beauty and flowing garments, drifted over so slowly and gracefully. Aside from being a bit too tall—a minor flaw—he actually had considerable charm. To Central Plains eyes, this woman was too tall with too loose a gait. But in the eyes of Helian Zheng and the Eight Tigers, their eyes all brightened simultaneously.

“Central Plains women can be this tall too!” Helian Zheng turned to the Eight Tigers with a smile. “Even taller than my royal sister.”

“Princess Jieslili is the grassland’s most beautiful nightingale—no one can compare.” A man with an indigo flying eagle tattooed on his face said in a rough voice. “However, this woman also looks quite good.”

“Has Third Falcon taken a liking to her?” Helian Zheng laughed loudly. “Then go ahead. If you win, I’ll reward Yiyi to you.”

“Thank you, Crown Prince!” The burly man called Third Falcon enthusiastically stripped off his upper garment, revealing powerful, sinewy muscles. Helian Zheng called after him with another instruction, “Go easy—don’t hurt the beautiful maiden.”

“No problem.” Third Falcon casually waved his whip. “This subordinate will cherish his own woman.”

Feng Zhiwei slowly peeled walnuts, listening to those men talk among themselves, saying leisurely, “Crown Prince, you know we Central Plains people speak rather subtly. Though we say ‘give pointers,’ this is still a martial contest. Every contest has a winner and loser. Shouldn’t we wager something?”

“A wager?” Helian Zheng’s eyes widened incredulously. “Do you actually think you have a chance of winning?”

“It’s only fun with a wager.” Feng Zhiwei carefully removed the walnut skin. “Since you’re completely confident of victory and rewarded my Yiyi to someone without asking my opinion, do you dare not even accept a wager?”

“What’s yours is mine, your maid is also my person.” Helian Zheng looked sideways. “Why would I need to ask your opinion? Fine, wager away. Since you want to gamble, don’t blame me when you lose everything.”

“Willing gambler, willing loser.” Feng Zhiwei smiled. “Whoever reneges will crawl backward out of the Imperial Capital from now on.”

“Done!” Helian Zheng readily agreed. “This Crown Prince has never reneged in his life.”

“Good.” Feng Zhiwei smiled, propping her chin, looking at him with great interest. “If this concubine wins, this matter of being a concubine will never be mentioned again. From now on, whenever you see me, you must call me ‘Little Auntie.'”

“Audacious!”

Eight whips raised golden silk flowing light in mid-air, shooting straight at Feng Zhiwei’s face.

Amid fierce wind and golden shadows, Feng Zhiwei sat calmly unmoved, not even moving an eyebrow, carefully peeling her walnut.

Helian Zheng stared at Feng Zhiwei. Suddenly, his arm shot up vertically. The eight fiercely approaching whips responded like arms, immediately freezing mid-air.

“Very bold.” Helian Zheng narrowed his eyes for the first time. “Then what if you lose?”

“If this concubine loses.” Feng Zhiwei blew away the walnut’s floating skin, her eyes rippling as she glanced over. “Naturally, if you want me to go to the grasslands I’ll go, if you want to give away my maid I’ll give her away. North, south, east, west—accompanying you wherever. Anything in this world, as long as this concubine can do it, take and demand as you please.”

Helian Zheng’s first reaction to these words was that he’d gotten the worse deal. She was already his concubine—of course she’d go to the grasslands if he wanted, give away her maid if he wanted. However, hearing the phrase “take and demand as you please,” spoken in such a delicate, soft voice, drifting and swaying like spring wind and peach blossoms; watching that woman delicately blowing walnut skin, her slightly raised eyes rippling with water, floating and swaying like feathers, seeming to drift right into his heart, rustling and itching yet impossible to scratch—in a daze, he wondered, are those walnuts being peeled for me to eat…

In this daze, he couldn’t recall what he’d said, then saw the people in the courtyard showing surprised expressions, while Feng Zhiwei was already clapping loudly, praising, “Crown Prince is straightforward!”

With this praise, Helian Zheng no longer felt he’d gotten the worse deal. He sat down boldly, waiting for “take and demand as you please,” but heard Feng Zhiwei say, “This concubine’s side sends out just this maid. What about the Crown Prince’s side? Will it be wheel battle, chaotic battle, collective battle, or you as the final battle?”

Helian Zheng listened, feeling something wasn’t quite right. His eyebrows rose. “You’re only sending out a maid for pointers—why would I participate? Why wheel battle? Just let Third Falcon go.”

“This concubine is staking all my wagers on my Yiyi.” Feng Zhiwei raised her eyebrows with a smile. “Does the Crown Prince dare do the same?”

“What’s there not to dare?” Helian Zheng said proudly. “Third Falcon, give good pointers.”

“Rest assured! Today, both you and Old Third will have time for wedding chambers tonight.” Another man with a pixiu tattoo on his brow smiled even more confidently and proudly than Helian Zheng.

Feng Zhiwei rose and walked to Maid Gu’s side, sighing with infinite sympathy, “Alas, poor Yiyi—such delicate frailty, having to fight the most valiant warrior under Crown Prince Huzhuo’s command for my sake…”

“She can also propose a wager.” Helian Zheng grew even more magnanimous, pointing casually without concern.

Feng Zhiwei immediately leaned close to Maid Gu’s veil, whispering, “Quick, propose one.”

She’d originally thought the taciturn Maid Gu would ignore her, but unexpectedly he said, “After the fight.”

Feng Zhiwei looked up at Maid Gu somewhat dazedly. No way—you’ve actually thought about a wager? Which kitchen’s cooking fire rubbed off on you today?

She was excessively dazed, leaning too close unconsciously. Her upturned face nearly touched Gu Nanyi’s chin. If not for the veil between them, her long, curling lashes would seemingly sweep against Gu Nanyi’s face. Gu Nanyi, indifferent to all things, lowered his eyes. The young woman’s smooth forehead rushed into view. He froze, suddenly feeling this woman seemed a bit too close, far too close.

His heart felt somehow rough and uncomfortable—like seeing little walnuts below a cliff, fragrant for ten miles, yet frustratingly out of reach.

Gu Nanyi stood there thinking, unable to figure out this feeling’s ins and outs, cause and effect. So he adopted the most direct method—with a swish, he pushed Feng Zhiwei away and walked forward without looking back.

The Huzhuo subordinates were still casually joking, teasing Third Falcon about tonight’s wedding chamber. Helian Zheng sat to one side, drinking tea sent by Qiu residence servants while carefully scrutinizing Feng Zhiwei’s every movement with intermittent glances. The more he looked, the better she looked—just like the tea tasted better the more he drank.

Then, as Gu Nanyi took those few steps forward, the Eight Tigers who’d been teasing each other suddenly fell silent.

Helian Zheng felt this silence and turned back to see Gu Nanyi. A mouthful of scalding tea nearly choked in his throat.

Somehow, Gu Nanyi’s hand now held a strangely-shaped jade sword. The jade was blood-red throughout, intensely colored—extremely rare blood jade. The hilt was golden with faintly embossed pagoda-like patterns.

Golden pagoda, blood-colored blade—this combination was clearly discordant, yet inexplicably made one’s heart grow cold.

And Gu Nanyi’s standing posture seemingly left openings everywhere, yet looking carefully, there were no openings at all. It was completely integrated, traceless.

Footwork, weapon, aura—clearly not a simple character. If they still couldn’t see the problem at this point, the grassland-renowned Crown Prince Huzhuo and his Eight Tigers would have lived in vain.

Third Falcon’s expression grew serious as he looked toward Helian Zheng.

Helian Zheng slowly set down his tea, raised his face toward the sky. After a long moment, he still resolutely waved at Third Falcon.

Third Falcon’s expression turned solemn. Without speaking, he solemnly retrieved a pair of golden hammers from his back and strode forward.

At this moment, Feng Zhiwei gained some respect for Helian Zheng.

Having already seen that Gu Nanyi was formidable, he still willingly staked his lifelong relationship and reputation on his subordinate, letting him fight freely. This Crown Prince Huzhuo’s trust in his subordinates and adherence to promises surpassed ordinary people.

Such a person could make others die for him with a smile.

Third Falcon strode forward, his heart filled with gratitude and respect for his master. Hot blood surged up tremblingly, rushing until his temples pounded. He weighed the pair of heavy golden hammers in his hands, recalling his undefeated record, then looking at the lazy Gu Nanyi across from him, suddenly feeling he’d misjudged.

Where was the expert’s appearance? Look—he was still holding a walnut.

“Heh!”

When the massive golden hammer struck down with fierce wind, it was like the sun falling from the horizon, pressing down on Gu Nanyi’s crown like a collapsing mountain.

That fierce wind’s momentum seemed intent on smashing Gu Nanyi into the ground. The wind raised Gu Nanyi’s garments. Tall and thin, he seemed about to be swept away by wind.

“Clang.”

An extremely clear sound, thin and drawn out. Before the echo finished, the golden light suddenly withdrew.

A section of blood-red pressed against the hammer’s face—precisely Gu Nanyi’s jade sword. In the instant the hammer descended, it flashed out like lightning, piercing through the hammer!

The golden hammer was hard, the jade quality thin. To pierce through a falling golden hammer with a jade sword section required what kind of internal power and vision?

Helian Zheng’s expression changed.

The Eight Tigers, who’d been dismissive throughout, all gasped in cold air simultaneously.

Feng Zhiwei lay languidly on the stone table under the eaves, fingers tapping the table surface, thinking that red pole skewering a yellow ball looked very much like a kind of lollipop drawn in the universal manual. She should make one accordingly sometime to reward Maid Gu?

The jade sword still skewered the golden hammer. Third Falcon’s face was ashen. Gu Nanyi looked up at the hammer, moved his finger slightly. Red light flashed—the golden hammer was neatly split open. Two became four.

Then he kicked the hammers aside and lazily turned to leave.

But Third Falcon suddenly grabbed half a hammer scattered on the ground, roared, and charged again.

Maid Gu didn’t look back, kicked him back with one foot. Red light flashed—four became eight.

Third Falcon rolled on the ground and scrambled up, grabbed an eighth of the hammer, and charged again.

Maid Gu kicked again. The eighth became golden dust flying everywhere.

Third Falcon rolled on the ground, several teeth falling out. He spat out broken teeth with a “ptui.” One tooth swayed annoyingly—he reached into his mouth and viciously yanked it out, crushing it viciously underfoot, then grabbed a stone bench nearby and with a “heiya” charged crookedly again.

“Enough!” Helian Zheng smashed out his teacup, shouting angrily, “Third Falcon, enough! If you lose, you lose!”

“No!” In the blood light, Third Falcon’s voice was even more fierce than his. “I can lose, I can die, but my master who gallops across the grasslands cannot be called ‘Little Auntie’ by a Central Plains woman!”

He charged forward, the stone bench smashing down. Gu Nanyi’s arm turned—the stone bench and Third Falcon’s head were simultaneously caught under his armpit. His arm twisted. The bench became dust. Third Falcon spewed blood amid the billowing dust in his face, then was thrown to the ground by Maid Gu like a rotten sack.

Thrown on the ground, Third Falcon struggled for a long time unable to rise, yet still wriggled his body, scraping along the ground, trying to extend his arm toward Gu Nanyi’s heel.

Amid dust and blood everywhere, he raised his ravaged face. Even his eye corners had split open, blood flowing.

Sworn to die rather than let his master be humiliated!

Feng Zhiwei was moved.

She hadn’t expected Helian Zheng’s subordinates to be so loyal. If this continued, they’d become mortal enemies.

She hesitated an instant, thinking she might as well recall Gu Nanyi and simply take a step back, settling for a draw. Helian Zheng was clever—from now on, he naturally wouldn’t come bother her again.

Unexpectedly, when she gave the signal, Maid Gu ignored it, slowly turning back to look at Third Falcon, the light veil on his face moving without wind.

Feng Zhiwei was astonished, thinking what was happening—Young Master Gu seemed angry today?

He could get angry? He understood anger?

Before her thought fully flashed through, she saw Third Falcon grab Gu Nanyi’s leg and viciously bite down, while the jade sword in Gu Nanyi’s hand shot down like lightning—

“Crack.”

A blue shadow shot over, stopping Gu Nanyi’s sword at the critical moment.

Using a stone bench to block that slender jade sword, that person trembled slightly under the unbearable weight, yet raised his eyebrows laughing loudly. “If we lose, we lose! Even if he won’t acknowledge it, I will!”

Third Falcon’s face streamed with tears as he tried to charge forward again. Helian Zheng kicked him away.

At this moment, Gu Nanyi’s jade sword pressed down relentlessly. The stone bench split in two, along with Helian Zheng’s long robe, also split in two—his pants nearly fell down.

Helian Zheng acted as if nothing had happened, casually grabbing a willow branch to tie up his robe. He first stared at Gu Nanyi with shining eyes, praising, “Formidable!”

Then he magnanimously walked before Feng Zhiwei, examining her even more carefully for a long while, then performed a deep bow, loudly calling, “Little Auntie!”

Feng Zhiwei startled, crushing the walnut in her hand.

He actually called it!

“This expert still has a wager.” Helian Zheng showed no embarrassment, turning back calmly. “Say it together. We’ll accept it all.”

Feng Zhiwei felt somewhat anxious. Today’s Maid Gu was a bit off. She didn’t know what wager he’d propose—hopefully nothing unmanageable.

Gu Nanyi stood impassively, pointing at those packages of salt set aside.

“The loser eats the betrothal gifts.”

“…”

The entire courtyard fell silent. Feng Zhiwei accidentally crushed another walnut…

Helian Zheng whirled around abruptly, gazing at Gu Nanyi for a long moment. His eyes flashed. He laughed heartily and grabbed a package of salt to eat.

“Don’t, don’t eat it! Let us eat! We’ll eat!” After being stunned for a long while, the Eight Tigers scrambled forward to snatch the salt from their prince’s hands.

The entire courtyard stared dumbly at the grassland warriors competing to eat salt, all feeling the heavens were changing today…

After choking down several small packages of salt, the Eight Tigers all had ashen faces and ghastly expressions. Only Helian Zheng maintained that calm demeanor. This person seemingly could never have his steely hardness worn down under any circumstances. He patted off the dust and salt on his body, tightened the willow branch belt at his waist, walked with legs spread, his movements half-revealing two strong, powerful thighs. He walked straight to Feng Zhiwei and stared directly at her.

Feng Zhiwei calmly met his gaze, smiling. “Grassland men—today, you’ve truly made this auntie look at you with new eyes!”

The Eight Tigers’ faces turned ashen. Helian Zheng suddenly laughed.

His laugh was somewhat different from usual. His amber-purple eyes flashed with brilliant light, carrying a hint of slyness like a grassland fox emerging from its burrow at midnight.

Then he patted his clothes and left. As he walked, he croaked in a voice hoarsened by salt, “Forgot to tell you… on our grassland, aunties can be married too.”

“…”

As always, good news never leaves the gate while bad news travels a thousand miles. Within days, the story of Crown Prince Huzhuo going to Governor Qiu’s residence to propose to Governor Qiu’s niece and being thoroughly rebuffed had spread throughout court and country.

No one knew the specific details. They only knew that after leaving the Qiu residence, the famous Eight Tigers looked extremely bedraggled, and Crown Prince Huzhuo didn’t speak for many days, only communicating through hand gestures that no one could understand.

Thus, countless versions spread inside and outside court. Even Feng Zhiwei heard some. Some said the Crown Prince was frightened into fleeing by Miss Feng’s ugly appearance. Others said Miss Feng threw a tantrum that drove the Crown Prince away. Most dismissed these first two theories, claiming it was actually Miss Feng’s always-shocking mother, the Qiu family’s eldest mistress, who’d driven him away with her tantrum.

Hearing this rumor, Feng Zhiwei silently mourned for Madam Feng, who innocently took the blame, for a quarter hour.

She also mourned for herself for a quarter hour—not wanting fame, she’d still become famous. Now her reputation exceeded even the Imperial Capital’s most renowned virtuous lady, the daughter of Minister of Personnel Hua Wenlian, Miss Hua Gongmei.

However, regardless, she’d at least had peace and quiet recently. Then she received a new assignment. To demonstrate his civil and military achievements, Emperor Tiansheng prepared to compile a “Tiansheng Chronicle”—content encompassing classics, history, philosophy, astronomy, geography, historical artifacts, and local customs. Second Secretary Hu Shengshan served as Chief Editor, with Qingming Academy’s Head Xin Ziyan and Administrator Wei Zhi as Deputy Chief Editors, gathering Qingming’s outstanding talents and Hanlin Academy’s palace graduates. Numerous talents assembled, determined to compile this magnificent work into the first book with no predecessors before or successors after.

To rush completion for presentation at Emperor Tiansheng’s birthday next year, this compilation staff was concentrated in a side hall near the Imperial History Archives. The chief and deputy editors were also arranged lodging within the palace. When necessary, if they worked late, they’d rest in the palace.

Feng Zhiwei recently traveled frequently between Qingming Academy and the palace. To avoid discovery at the Qiu residence, she had people guard all four sides of Emerald Fragrance Studio, playing ghost whenever anyone approached to scare them away. She also “claimed illness,” refusing visitors. Over time, the Qiu residence staff said Fifth Concubine’s living spirit haunted the place. Even fewer people dared approach Emerald Fragrance Studio.

Early one morning, she went to Qingming again. Before she’d even settled in, the handsome uncle’s signature semi-transparent white pants floated into view. “Little Zhi, Little Zhi—”

“What are the Head’s instructions?” Feng Zhiwei greeted politely, thinking when Uncle called her this way, he was usually up to something troublesome.

“Little Zhi, don’t be so formal.” Xin Ziyan pulled her hand, smiling with flying brows. “Aiya, I was just thinking about you. You see, recently it’s been too busy. Elder Hu has the title of compilation chief editor, but actually just matters like front-line troop deployment, grain supplementation, and military report transmission are enough to keep him busy. The compilation work all falls on me. I really can’t manage Qingming. Look, as administrator, shouldn’t you take over the Politics and History Institute?”

Feng Zhiwei smiled. She knew that now Ning Yi’s attention toward Qingming had shifted to the Military Institute. With war imminent, excellent military forces were the most powerful resources. The Politics and History Institute that he’d initially worked to control—those wastrel sons—had lost their original utility value as he stepped onto the front stage, gradually gained power, and stabilized his position. That’s why Xin Ziyan felt comfortable handing the Politics and History Institute to her.

She’d heard those wastrels had recently been completely unmanaged and extremely outrageous. If not handled well, she’d likely offend the entire Imperial Capital’s bureaucratic layers. Was Uncle annoyed that she’d been too smooth lately and wanted to see her make a fool of herself?

“Head…” Feng Zhiwei examined Xin Ziyan’s radiant brows and eyes very affectionately. “Look at you lately—truly sallow-faced, emaciated, droopy-browed and lifeless.”

“Indeed.” Xin Ziyan grabbed her sleeve to wipe away non-existent tears, looking distressed. “You should sympathize with me…”

“The Politics and History Institute has many students from prominent backgrounds.” Feng Zhiwei looked even more distressed. “I’m insignificant and powerless—can’t beat them, can’t scold them. I’m truly helpless…”

“You can beat and scold them.” Xin Ziyan wiped tears so smoothly he answered smoothly too. “Whatever happens, I’ll take responsibility for you.”

“Good.” Feng Zhiwei immediately stopped looking distressed. She grabbed Xin Ziyan’s newly-made Fuchou patterned silk wide-sleeved robe draped over the chair, wiped her face of non-existent sweat, crumpled that expensive garment into a ball, held it like a rag, and sauntered out, saying, “Then this junior will reluctantly take over management for you…”

The Head squatted on his chair, looking at the empty chair back, then at Feng Zhiwei’s leisurely departing figure, suddenly feeling that perhaps, maybe, probably, possibly… he’d been taken advantage of by this kid again…

“Five-flowered horse, thousand-gold cup…” Half an hour before afternoon class, the already-finished dining hall was still raucous. A large group surrounded a table playing finger-guessing games. The losers had birds and turtles drawn on them and crawled under the table. Laughter shook the heavens.

These were all noble sons with no hope of passing examinations, who’d rely on hereditary privilege in the future. Previously, when Xin Ziyan held the academy, they’d all been obedient. Now that Head Xin was busy with no time to manage them, these young lords gradually went wild.

At the noisiest moment, someone asked politely from the outer ring, “Gentlemen, what are you doing?”

“Stupid—don’t know finger-guessing?” Someone answered casually. “Want to play? One tael of silver per round. Pay ten taels first.”

“No silver. Will this work?” That person asked good-naturedly, passing something through the crowd.

The person squatting on the chair grabbed it and set it on the table, finding the texture odd. Looking closely—it was an academy senior staff identity token. The two characters for “Administrator” were carved on the bronze-colored plaque.

The person froze, then turned back. Feng Zhiwei smiled at him. “Young Master Yao, you’re in high spirits.”

“It’s you.” Yao Yangyu, eldest son of Chief Grand Secretary Yao Ying, whose fingers had once been stepped on and broken by Gu Nanyi, had originally been intimidated by those two characters “Administrator.” Seeing it was his mortal enemy Wei Zhi, nameless fire immediately flared up. His mouth twisted, tone drawn out. “What’s this? Does Administrator want to play a round too? Ten taels silver—same price for everyone…” He twirled the plaque with his fingers, flicking it away in one motion. “Your rotten plaque isn’t worth it!”

With a clatter, the plaque hit the ground with a clear sound. Everyone fell quiet.

“Not worth it?” Feng Zhiwei still smiled. “Imperially engraved, Interior Affairs Bureau manufactured, personally bestowed by His Majesty, personally delivered by your father—I’d like to exchange it for ten taels silver, but I fear His Majesty won’t agree, your father won’t agree, the solemn dignity and laws of our great Tiansheng won’t agree—pick it up for me!”

She’d been smiling and speaking calmly throughout, but the last sentence suddenly turned fierce and severe—thunder and lightning, electric light piercing clouds—like a sword light sharply turning downward. Everyone had been listening numbly and peacefully, but were suddenly shocked by this shout, trembling all over.

Yao Yangyu stared at Feng Zhiwei incredulously. He’d never seen the usually mild Feng Zhiwei become so intimidating in fury—like a phoenix gracefully flying across the vast sky suddenly revealing sharp, fierce talons when it turned its head.

He stood frozen, not yet reacting, when Feng Zhiwei kicked, snapping a leg of the chair he squatted on with a crack.

Caught off guard, Yao Yangyu’s body tilted and he fell to the ground, landing right at Feng Zhiwei’s feet, eating dirt.

Feng Zhiwei stepped on his back, flicked the plaque up with one foot—it landed on the table with a slap—and resumed her elegant smile. “Gentlemen, is it worth something now?”

The young lords stood frozen. After a long moment, they finally reacted, nodding repeatedly.

Feng Zhiwei waved her hand. Academy guards closed the dining hall doors.

“Then let’s begin playing.” Feng Zhiwei said lightly. “You want to play—I’ll play with you. I stake this priceless administrator token that you’ve all acknowledged. You still stake one tael silver per round. Everyone must participate. Play until I lose. As long as I don’t lose for one day, you play for one day—can’t leave, can’t eat, can’t sleep, can’t relieve yourselves.”

Facing countless ashen, iron-blue faces, she smiled. “Play until thoroughly satisfied.”

Behind her, several veteran hall supervisors who’d followed to watch the show cursed silently—shameless!

Using a priceless plaque to gamble silver in finger-guessing—she’d never lose. Wasn’t this forcing them to lose everything? And no eating, drinking, or relieving themselves—this move was far harsher than those previous ineffective scoldings and expulsions.

The young lords started playing again—the first time so unwilling to play finger-guessing. Feng Zhiwei’s despicability was unparalleled—though she claimed she wouldn’t eat, leave, sleep, or relieve herself to accompany them, she actually did all those things. Who in the academy could stop her? When she left, the young lords wanted to slip away quickly—no good. Imperial fourth-rank sword-bearing guard, Great Master Gu was there. His signature white gauze hat announced absolute force’s absolute deterrence. He stood before the table, hands holding walnuts, imposing authority over the dining hall, dominating alone.

“I have diarrhea…” Someone tried the shit-escape.

Young Master Gu flicked out walnut shells. Fierce wind whooshed—scared that shit and piss right back in.

“I have an emergency…” Someone fell convulsing, trying the illness-escape.

Young Master Gu flicked out walnut shells. Fierce wind whooshed—knocked you unconscious and you’re not ill anymore.

“Not playing anymore! I’ve seen forced buying and selling, but never seen forcing people to have fun!” All tricks exhausted, someone went hard.

Young Master Gu flicked out a pile of walnut shells. Fierce wind whooshed—exchanged for a head of blue walnut-colored lumps.

Someone slowly edged toward the outer ring to slip away while the crowd was large. Hall supervisors and guards turned a blind eye. His hand joyfully touched the door bolt when suddenly a rapid rain hammered down before his eyes. The thick wooden door instantly gained countless holes. Stars leaked through. A pair of beautiful eyes smiled at him through the walnut-punched holes—fully rested and fed Administrator Wei had come to change shifts.

This person rolled his eyes and simply fainted.

The Walnut Formation—ghosts and spirits retreated.

Three days and nights later, bodies lay scattered everywhere in the dining hall. Only two people remained standing.

Naturally, Administrator and her walnut guard.

“In life, one seeks a single defeat but cannot find it…” Feng Zhiwei stood alone amid the crowd, sighing deeply and forlornly.

Young Master Gu ate his eighth walnut of the day.

From then on, no one at Qingming Academy participated in entertainments like finger-guessing or card games. That group of young lords ravaged for three days and nights fled at the sight of finger-guessing, felt nauseous seeing little birds drawn on cards.

Qingming Academy quieted down considerably for a time. But after being stifled for a while, the young lords grew bored again. This time they didn’t play the academy-forbidden finger-guessing or cards. This time they played flying ball—a noble entertainment, body-strengthening. Even His Majesty advocated playing it. Surely Administrator Wei had nothing to say?

Flying ball was played enthusiastically on the plaza before the Politics and History Institute. Privately, they quietly began betting on games.

After playing two days, Administrator and her walnut guard came.

Seeing these two, the ball-playing young lords felt somewhat weak-kneed. However, today’s Administrator was very amiable, purely an audience member. Seeing Administrator made no moves, everyone gradually grew bolder.

Watching the third round, Feng Zhiwei asked Young Master Gu, “Understand?”

Young Master Gu answered, “Grab ball, smash into opponent’s goal.”

Feng Zhiwei highly praised Young Master Gu’s intelligence, suggesting he go play. Young Master Gu went.

The flying ball team entered doomsday.

When no matter from what angle using what trajectory taking what method doing what feints rushing left breaking right trying to pass carry spin get past defense lines jump over barriers you’d raise your head at the moment closest to your goal to see someone eating walnuts standing before you like an eternal jade carving while spitting walnut shells in your face and casually, lightly taking your ball then scoring into your goal—you’d feel your vision darken, heaven and earth collapse, unbearable pain, all thoughts turning to ash.

Flying ball team captain Young Master Yao Yangyu, after being blocked for the eighteenth time, suddenly grabbed the ball on the ground and cried out to heaven with bloodshot eyes, “Heaven! You’ve wrongly judged the worthy from the foolish, unjustly calling yourself Heaven!”

Young Master Gu took the ball and flattened his face.

“Foul.”

Young Master Gu said calmly while eating walnuts.

Qingming Academy welcomed its most peaceful, harmonious period in history.

Qingming Academy’s Administrator became a true second-in-command power figure rivaling the Head. Academy students encountering Administrator, especially those young lords, wished they could walk backward.

Administrator said innocently and kindly, “Actually, I’m very easy to talk to.”

Easy-to-talk-to Administrator made a whistle. Easy-to-talk-to Administrator, considering that Qingming Academy now had no entertainment and was deathly dull, reformed the academy’s exercise management system.

Every day at the fifth watch, before dawn, imperial fourth-rank sword-bearing guard Young Master Gu would fly to the Politics and History Institute plaza tower top and blow that whistle.

When the whistle sounded, no matter how agonizing, all Politics and History Institute students must immediately get up and run.

Because Young Master Gu had very strong breath control, if even one person didn’t arrive, the whistle would continue blowing endlessly and incomparably loud until you went mad from hearing it.

Young Master Gu’s whistle grew wings, flying over the academy, over Pine Mountain, over the bustling capital ten miles away. For a very long time, the capital’s citizens didn’t need night watchmen for wake-up calls. For a very long time, His Imperial Majesty’s wake-up drum didn’t need to sound. Young Master Gu’s whistle was enough.

Fifth watch exercises, running one circle around Pine Mountain. Falling behind allowed, slacking forbidden. Academy physicians followed by cart. Anyone pretending illness would receive a walnut express message from Administrator’s household Young Master Gu.

Countless students attempting to slack off clutched fragrant walnuts with ashen faces.

After running, they practiced martial arts. Military experts specially trained them. Military Institute students climbed walls to watch, expressing: Damn, even fiercer than us!

Treating high and low equally, absolutely no distinctions. The academy’s poor scholars clapped and praised. The capital’s bigwigs with descendants studying at the academy also praised—sons and grandsons recently became obedient, better-tempered, stronger bodies, hearty appetites, abandoned their bad habits of frequenting flower districts—came home and immediately collapsed sleeping. Whoring? No time!

Feng Zhiwei’s spirits were also good recently. Students rose early, she rose early, practicing martial arts enthusiastically. Young Master Gu’s glorious deeds deeply educated her—in this world, hard fists make you boss.

However, one matter developed a hitch—a significant one.

Helian Zheng recently came frequently to “pursue Little Auntie.” This person, despite becoming a junior and eating salt, didn’t learn his lesson. He reported almost daily—on one hand pestering her, on the other pestering the supremely skilled Gu Nanyi. His interest in the latter seemed even greater.

Young Master Gu ignored him completely. Each time, his dismissal method was Gu-style—simple, brutal.

Feng Zhiwei desperately avoided him, refusing him countless times. Because besides Ning Yi, Helian Zheng was the only one who could see both Wei Zhi in court with his guard Gu, and also Feng Zhiwei in her boudoir with her “Yiyi.” Though Young Master Gu wore a veil, his behavioral style never changed. She feared Helian Zheng would see through something.

Fearing what would come, it came. Finally, one time Helian Zheng encountered Guard Gu in the palace, provoked him verbally, and got slapped. Half an hour later, at Emerald Fragrance Studio in the Qiu residence, he again got slapped by Yiyi.

After two consecutive slaps, Crown Prince Huzhuo rubbed his face and walked away looking thoughtful.

Watching his retreating figure, Feng Zhiwei pondered for a long while, asking Maid Yiyi, “Say, should we silence him permanently?”

Young Master Gu crushed a walnut to show her.

“Can’t—consequences too severe.” Feng Zhiwei vetoed it herself. After thinking for a long time, she smiled bitterly. “Why did I come back?”

Returning to the Qiu residence—too many reasons. Because she’d vowed to return. Because she wanted to investigate what Ning Yi had done at the Qiu residence back then. Because… she wanted to care for Mother.

She wanted Mother, who’d been oppressed and humiliated at the Qiu residence for ten years, to finally hold her head high in the Qiu residence, to regain the status and dignity of Fire Phoenix Lady Marshal in the Qiu residence—her home.

These things couldn’t be substituted or compensated by secretly taking Mother out to enjoy life. So she’d risked danger to return.

However, the hotter the hope, the colder the reality.

“One step at a time. Have people carefully watch Helian Zheng.” Feng Zhiwei smiled bleakly. “Fortunately, Helian Zheng should return soon. When he’s far away with the emperor distant, he can’t do anything to me.”

One day after saying this, the next morning when Young Master Gu blew his whistle, he saw a familiar face in the lineup.

Young Master Gu’s whistle stopped abruptly. With a swoosh, he flew down from the tower. Students looked up dazedly, not understanding what had changed Master Gu’s disposition today.

That person in the lineup had gem-like eyes shining brightly, raising his hand and loudly reporting, “New student He Zheng, greets Administrator! Master Gu!”

Feng Zhiwei looked at his determined gaze, silently sighing, then putting on a false smile. “A new student?”

“Yes!” That person stared at her intently. “New as can be.”

“Seeing you’re robust and healthy, you’re suited for the Military Institute.” Feng Zhiwei smiled lightly, rustling through enrollment records. “How about I arrange for you to enter the Military Institute?”

“No need.” Helian Zheng resolutely shook his head. “My auntie said—conquer through wisdom.”

Feng Zhiwei: “…”

The rarely-speechless Feng Zhiwei was considering how to stuff this talent into the Military Institute when she suddenly heard commotion outside the gate. A hall supervisor hurried over, whispering in Feng Zhiwei’s ear, “There’s a youth surnamed Feng, claiming to be Crown Prince Helian’s brother-in-law, demanding enrollment. What do you think…”

Huzhuo tribe received great courtesy in Tiansheng. With Helian Zheng’s distinctive eyes, most people could recognize his identity.

“Brother-in-law?” Feng Zhiwei froze.

Then everyone saw a youth charge in, dodging pursuing guards while loudly declaring, “My brother-in-law is inside—let my brother-in-law vouch for me!”

Seeing Helian Zheng at a glance, he hurried over, grabbing his sleeve and calling, “My sister is your concubine—you should at least give me some support!”

Feng Zhiwei stared at those two, smiling. The fingers clasped behind her back crackled.

After a long moment, she said coldly, “What madman is this? Throw him out!”

“Hey, wait.” Helian Zheng had already reacted, clamping Feng Hao in place, smiling at Feng Zhiwei. “This really is my brother-in-law. Be flexible.”

“Cannot.” Feng Zhiwei said coldly. “The academy has no such rule.”

Feng Hao wanted to rush forward and grab Feng Zhiwei’s sleeve to beg, but was clamped tightly by Helian Zheng, unable to move. Helian Zheng flicked a finger at his forehead. “Brother-in-law, be quiet!”

Crack—someone crushed a little walnut.

“How about this—the academy allows guards, right?” Helian Zheng negotiated. “Count him as my guard and let him stay.”

Feng Zhiwei pondered. Feng Hao was so eager to enter Qingming Academy, so shameless. If she persisted in refusing him entry, he’d likely parade around outside under the banner of “Crown Prince Huzhuo’s brother-in-law,” who knows what trouble he’d cause. Better to keep him under her own watch. Besides, looking at Helian Zheng, he might actually be able to subdue Feng Hao properly.

She waved her hand, leaving with waning interest. Helian Zheng, clamping the beaming Feng Hao, watched her retreating figure thoughtfully.

That evening, a new Politics and History Institute student climbed Administrator’s courtyard wall and was caught.

That evening, reportedly Master Gu went berserk.

That evening, Administrator issued new academy regulations—one hundred eighty-eight articles, the vast majority targeting newly-enrolled students.

That evening, Prince Chu, still working through the night in the palace, received the guest list for Noble Consort’s birthday celebration in two days from the Ministry of Rites. One entry made Prince Chu stare for a very long time, as if he could see flowers blooming from it.

“Crown Prince Huzhuo Helian Zheng, fiancée Feng Zhiwei.”