A decisive number poem executed with panache—one poem emerged and shocked the entire hall.

Hua Gongmei staggered backward, supporting herself on a table, stunned for a long while as tears rolled down like broken strings.

Ning Yi toyed with the wine cup in his hand, the smile at the corner of his lips thin as falling petals.

“Better to cast aside one piece of foolish heart, better to cast aside one piece of foolish heart.”

This supremely clever woman had actually used this method to refuse him.

Only, in refusing him this way, she’d also let him glimpse some thoughts in her deep, distant heart that she hadn’t wanted him to see.

There was a kind of woman like distant Penglai beyond the realm, far beyond high heavens and vast seas. To approach her, one first had to traverse layers of heavy mist.

Chaotic flowers gradually bewitching the eyes—yet as long as he remained at the heights, what fear was there of floating clouds obscuring vision?

He smiled, raised his cup, and toasted Feng Zhiwei from afar.

Feng Zhiwei raised her brows, returned the gesture toward the head table from afar, smiled and returned to her seat, refusing to say one more word.

Everyone’s eyes of amazement and admiration followed her. Who’d have thought this Feng family woman of ambiguous origins had been a pearl covered in dust for so many years? Now, once wiped clean, the dust gone and brilliance revealed, she was actually far superior to those aristocratic family daughters who frequently attended poetry gatherings and gained great reputations!

Only now did they recall Feng Zhiwei’s controversial, unconventional mother—Miss Qiu Mingying, eldest daughter of the Qiu Mansion. In those years she’d also been famous throughout the capital as an outstanding woman, called peerless in both literature and martial arts, excelling in poetry, books, zither and chess. Only later, leading troops into battle and appointed female marshal, her military achievements shone so brilliantly they overshadowed her magnificent literary talent, making people forget she’d also once worn light clothing and loose sashes, composing poetry at pavilions.

No need to ask—Miss Feng had always lived with her mother. Such outstanding talent must surely come from her mother’s day-and-night instruction.

“Truly worthy of being Fire Phoenix Female Marshal’s descendant.” After gazing at her thoughtfully for a long while, the Tiansheng Emperor finally spoke slowly. “Family scholarly tradition—the reputation is well-deserved.”

This phrase “family scholarly tradition” was absolutely incomparable to those previous “family scholarly tradition” remarks dripping with sarcasm. Once spoken from the Tiansheng Emperor’s mouth, it represented an attitude.

Everyone immediately understood.

“Fire Phoenix Female Marshal was peerless in literature and martial arts, already famous throughout the capital in those years. Miss Feng is truly worthy of her distinguished lineage…”

“Thinking of those years, the female marshal’s heroic spirit and chivalrous bearing made one yearn…”

“Haven’t seen the female marshal in so long—surely her elegance surpasses those years even more…”

Feng Zhiwei’s hand pressed on the table, her face wearing a modest smile, calmly listening. Half her face was submerged in the palace lanterns’ pale red light and shadow—no one saw the expression on her face.

No one noticed the crystalline flash in her eyes, water-light rippling.

Mother.

Many years ago at a spring banquet, you too composed poetry before screens—one poem emerged and shocked the entire hall.

You too smiled with flowers in your hair, entering palace halls, bearing that glory honored by ten thousand.

You too faced provocation in the golden hall, flinging a wine cup before the court—cup drained and verses emerged.

Now I recreate your generous, proud elegance of those years—a hundred poems with wine-drinking, laughing proudly before the Emperor.

Finally exchanging the Emperor’s nostalgic reflections on past events for a sigh.

With his words, from now on no one can bully you, no one can use those past events to humiliate you.

Her eyes crystalline bright, she wanted to drink another cup of wine, let that mellow, pungent taste wash away the surging heat in her heart at this moment—but couldn’t find the wine cup. She’d already thrown it away in her performance.

A full cup of wine suddenly appeared before her. Helian Zheng smiled slyly in her ear: “Hey, it’s just one cup of wine—don’t get so moved you want to cry.”

Feng Zhiwei turned her face. The crystalline brightness in her eyes had gone, her gaze gentle and warm, smiling at Helian Zheng. “Thank you.”

Helian Zheng looked at her smile, slightly stunned for an instant, then recovered his usual casual boldness, slapping his chest. “Auntie is my heart, my liver, my lifeblood, my treasure! Never mind one cup of wine—even if you wanted me to not marry the other nine wives, I’d accept it!”

What nine wives? Feng Zhiwei paused, then realized he’d circled back to that topic again. She rolled her eyes at him and smiled: “Don’t worry. Since Auntie is your heart and liver, I’ll definitely worry about precious nephew’s ten wives. Can’t have one less.”

Helian Zheng smiled without answering, pouring himself wine. But that cup lingered at his lips for a long time without drinking.

Because the consort selection hadn’t achieved their wishes, the young ladies’ spirits were somewhat dampened. Seeing this, Noble Consort Chang whispered a few words in the Tiansheng Emperor’s ear. The Emperor’s eyes lit up, then he smiled: “I knew you were the most thoughtful.”

“Your Majesty flatters this concubine, but this time this concubine dares not accept.” Noble Consort Chang smiled. “This is Prince Wei’s filial devotion—even this concubine has never seen it.”

She clapped her hands and music suddenly rose on all sides.

The music came abruptly, the melody gorgeous and strange, carrying some pure, distant etherealness yet also some eerie, dramatic quality. Hidden within was a strange, stirring rhythm—hearing it made one’s heart feel tight then loose, pounding wildly.

No musicians were visible on any side. One only felt that rhythm now far, now near, leaping and unrestrained. Between contraction and release, it seemed to squeeze the blood from one’s veins, stimulating pulses to pound. Some delicate young ladies had already flushed without realizing it.

The music alone was already commanding attention. The Tiansheng Emperor abandoned his previously casual demeanor, dropped his cup, and straightened slightly.

The red light of the palace lanterns on all sides suddenly dimmed, the rosy glow flashing.

With that red flash, evening breezes came. On the lotus pool before the hall, suddenly someone danced up from atop a huge lotus flower!

Draped in seductive red and gold silk, dancing robes and sashes caught the wind. Spirit-snake coiffure, lotus face, dual brows winding like enchantment. Between her brows, a golden wave-flower blazed like lovesickness.

She held a uniquely shaped, delicate golden pipa-like instrument. Slender fingers raised resonant sounds. In that strange music seeming near yet far, light and soft as lotus flowers after rain, the person danced on flowers with graceful steps. Now scattering the graceful lotus leaves to tumble and sway, now stirring the clear jade-green water to ripple slightly. Slender waist, supple fingers folded and refolded like silk—soft beyond belief. All her movements were thus even more seductive and enchanting. Clearly a dignified celestial dance, yet she danced it with several parts sensuality. That sensuality resided within the dignity, appearing and disappearing—instead more soul-stirring than an erotic dance.

Among the seated women, everyone’s face delicately flushed. Among the seated men, everyone’s breathing grew urgent.

The Tiansheng Emperor tried hard to maintain composure but still couldn’t control his rapid breathing. He only felt that woman dancing from afar—though her features weren’t clear, every frown and smile at the height of her beauty seemed directed at him alone.

The Second Prince who’d presented this dancing girl immediately came forward ingratiatingly, smiling: “Father Emperor, this is a dancing girl from Xi Liang. Since childhood she’s bathed in exotic herbs from barbaric dense forests to cleanse her body and refine her marrow. She doesn’t eat common food, cultivating a body soft as cotton with fresh breath. She’s also skilled in dance upon flowers—greatly different from our Central Plains style. What do you think?”

“Excellent!” The Tiansheng Emperor couldn’t help but praise loudly, then realized he’d lost composure. He quickly straightened his expression: “During wartime, we should practice frugality. Can’t waste on song and dance. If this reached the frontlines, it would look terrible.”

“Father Emperor, Mother’s fiftieth birthday—if there’s not even song and dance, that’s too unfair to Mother.” The Second Prince smiled. “Moreover, what this woman dances is our dynasty’s war dance ‘Fierce Yanguan Pass’!”

“This is ‘Fierce Yanguan Pass’?” The Tiansheng Emperor was astonished, carefully leaning forward to look, then murmured: “A war dance can be danced like this? Truly extraordinary…”

The Second Prince revealed a joyful expression.

Noble Consort Chang’s expression was somewhat complex—part pleased, part helpless. An aging consort, to maintain her position in the palace, what she could do was present beauties to the Emperor.

The dance finished. That woman descended from the lotus and walked with graceful steps, sleeves floating, the seductive red and gold silk trailing long behind her. Her bearing and elegance made those young ladies who prided themselves on their refined temperament ashamed beyond facing others.

She curtsied gracefully at the base of the steps. Her voice wasn’t an oriole’s crisp sweetness but carried low huskiness, instead even more arousing romantic thoughts, making one think of red silk bed-curtains and mandarin duck quilts, think of all things pink and soft and tender. And as she bowed, her slightly tilting neck and chest were what all men in the world dreamed of and yearned for.

All this woman’s allure combined dignity with seductiveness. Because of this uniqueness, she instead maximized seduction’s capabilities.

Delight flashed between the Tiansheng Emperor’s brows. Noble Consort Chang was very perceptive, immediately ordering someone to reward this dancing girl and arranging for her to rest in her own palace. As that woman left holding her pipa, she didn’t forget to glance back at the Tiansheng Emperor, eyes charming, nearly making him unable to restrain himself from chasing after her.

The princes below watched that woman depart, eyes complex. Only Ning Yi, though at first showing great interest in that dancing girl’s beauty and seductiveness, now instead grew calm, hiding behind the dark red lamplight slowly drinking wine.

Feng Zhiwei looked at him, thinking he clearly had his old injury flaring up yet drank extremely heavily—was it high spirits, or… unsettled emotions?

She also wondered why the Second Prince had come forward to present this concubine. This was the Fifth Prince’s mother’s birthday after all.

Unease stirred in her heart. She stopped Helian Zheng, who’d been drinking continuously.

At the head table, the Tiansheng Emperor was in excellent spirits. The more he looked at Noble Consort Chang, the more pleased he became. He smiled: “Last time I thought of writing you a birthday character, but got too busy and forgot. Today I’ll make it up to you right here. How about it?”

Noble Consort Chang’s eyes brightened. Having the Emperor personally write a birthday character for one’s birthday was tremendous honor. For the harem, it held special meaning—the Tiansheng Emperor had only written a birthday character for one woman: the late Empress Chang. For her thirtieth birthday, the Tiansheng Emperor had written her a framed piece.

Now if the Tiansheng Emperor wrote this birthday character for her, the meaning was naturally extraordinary.

She’d therefore hinted many times before the birthday about wanting a birthday character. The Tiansheng Emperor had been noncommittal. Now finally this dancing girl had suited his tastes and he’d opened his golden mouth.

Beside herself with joy, Noble Consort Chang hastily ordered someone to bring brush and ink. Brush, ink, paper and inkstone were ready—extras remained from earlier distribution. They were immediately brought up.

The Tiansheng Emperor took up brush and wet it with ink right at the table, brush moving like flying dragons and dancing phoenixes. A large birthday character was completed in moments.

Under dim red lamplight, the ink saturated and wet, the characters raised and prominent.

“Vigorous and unrestrained, phoenixes soaring and dragons rising!” Noble Consort Chang praised repeatedly.

The two brush monkeys Noble Consort Chang had brought—they always loved seeing brush and ink. Smelling the ink fragrance, they emerged from the brush holder, chattering as they went to hold that framed piece.

The Tiansheng Emperor laughed heartily and let go.

Golden light flashed!

The two brush monkeys touched that framed piece and suddenly went berserk, shrieking sharply as they shot out like lightning, lunging straight at the Tiansheng Emperor’s face!

So close, fast as lightning—the Tiansheng Emperor had just released his hands in joyful laughter. Guards were still far away. Noble Consort Chang was shocked into forgetting to move. How could they possibly save him in time?

“Whoosh!”

Another golden light shot up from the base of the steps, arriving after but reaching first, at an excellent angle striking both brush monkeys flying one after another, knocking those two small things squeaking and tumbling on the ground before scurrying away between the legs of rushing guards, disappearing.

At the base of the steps, Ning Yi leaned forward, face pale, the golden cup in his hand already gone.

The Tiansheng Emperor, his shock just settling, looked at him and with difficulty composed himself to say hoarsely: “Yi’er, go investigate—”

Before finishing the sentence, he suddenly swayed and collapsed.

On the back of his hand, two black scratch marks.

A grand imperial feast of prosperity and glory ended with the Emperor being assassinated.

No one expected the change to occur in an instant. No one expected those two adorable brush monkeys that attended Noble Consort Chang daily would explode during the birthday banquet.

The birthday star instantly became a disaster star. Noble Consort Chang removed her hairpins and jewelry, weeping as she knelt day-long before the Tiansheng Emperor’s bedchamber proclaiming her innocence—yet no one had time to deal with her. The Tiansheng Emperor was struck by strange poison, unconscious.

It was also very difficult for her to explain clearly. Those two brush monkeys attended her side morning and night yet carried strange poison—if she wasn’t under suspicion, who was?

However, the key issue now was actually no longer investigating suspicion—with the Emperor collapsed, everyone inevitably thought: what if this poison couldn’t be cured, the sacred carriage departed westward, and after him this supreme position—who would sit on it?

This was truly a proposition that made one’s blood surge just thinking about it.

Turmoil, serious turmoil.

News in the capital was still being suppressed, yet Prince Changning of Xiping Province had already sent someone to the capital, saying the Prince sent greetings to His Majesty and the princes, preparing to purchase items for next year’s imperial southern tour, and expressing the Prince’s longing for the capital and the Emperor—clearly Prince Changning had already received news. This was a probe. Once the Emperor died, this longing would certainly reach its peak. Prince Changning nine times out of ten would be unable to suppress his vigorous longing and use his abundant army and iron hooves to express it in the capital.

The Second Prince originally managed part of the Tiger Might Great Camp’s affairs. Recently he’d reportedly been frequently convening generals for meetings.

Several Cabinet ministers and ministers from the Seventh Prince’s faction proposed that with the nation leaderless, Cabinet elders should designate a prince to supervise the state. As for the candidate—that group indicated any prince would do, but at such an extraordinary time, with chaos about to show, the nation urgently needed a virtuous, benevolent person to pacify all quarters.

Naturally, the one with a reputation for virtue and benevolence was the Seventh Prince.

Reportedly, several consorts in the palace had also died mysteriously.

Amid the general commotion, Ning Yi, who should have been most active, instead showed no movement at all, only doing what he should do—before falling unconscious, the Tiansheng Emperor had said he should investigate this matter, so he truly did formally preside over investigating it. To the outside world’s storms of rumors and stirring desires, he seemed completely oblivious.

“There’s a big problem in this matter.” In her Wei Mansion, Feng Zhiwei said to her Yiyi: “Two possibilities. First, Ning Yi did it. Second, the Emperor himself did it.”

Seeing Feng Zhiwei once again adopt her posture of analyzing court politics, Young Master Gu very perceptively slowly produced a bag of small walnuts, grabbing out one large one, then grabbing out one small one.

Feng Zhiwei naturally took them to crack, cracking open the small one as she said: “Do you remember that time when the princes were drinking together at my mansion? At that time the Fifth Prince brought out the brush monkeys to show off. I remember then the monkeys’ fur color was brilliantly golden. When I saw them this time, I discovered they’d become much duller. The palace wouldn’t lack food, so it definitely wasn’t insufficient nutrition. I suspect the problem wasn’t in that ink—everyone used that brush and ink then with no abnormality. The problem should be in those monkeys. But too many people had contact with those monkeys. This fundamentally can’t be investigated at all.”

“Ning Yi.” Young Master Gu took the cracked walnut to eat, not knowing whether he meant the culprit was Ning Yi or he wanted to eat the larger walnut.

“Or it’s the Tiansheng Emperor himself.” Feng Zhiwei cracked open the large one. “He wanted to use this matter to see his various sons’ characters. This can also be seen from some clues in Ning Yi’s current actions. Everyone else is stirring restlessly—he’s still performing. Performing for whom? Who can still see? Isn’t it the Tiansheng Emperor? But then again, I absolutely don’t believe someone as selfish as the Tiansheng Emperor would be willing to use a painful self-inflicted injury to test his sons. He has better methods to test them. Why hurt himself? Then, who is Ning Yi performing for?”

“If Ning Yi made the move, he finally brought down the Tiansheng Emperor with such difficulty yet wasted this opportunity by not acting—then why?” Feng Zhiwei was utterly perplexed, unconsciously putting the walnut into her own mouth.

A hand suddenly reached over, gripped her chin, snatched the walnut already halfway into her mouth, and tossed it into his own mouth.

Feng Zhiwei’s mind full of conspiracy theories whooshed away to the ninth heaven. She stared dumbfounded at that walnut still wet with her saliva entering Young Master Gu’s mouth.

“Mine.” Young Master Gu said with satisfaction.

Who knew exactly what he was referring to.

Feng Zhiwei: “…”

After a long while, she suppressed the flush all over her face, patted Young Master Gu, and earnestly said: “Young Master, let me tell you, this isn’t right. Not clean.”

“You’re not clean?” Young Master Gu asked.

Feng Zhiwei: “…”

“I’m not clean?” Young Master Gu asked again.

No one under heaven is cleaner than you! I wash your underwear every day—I know! Feng Zhiwei tearfully: “…”

“The walnuts aren’t clean?” This time Young Master Gu’s tone was serious. This question was more pressing than the previous two.

Feng Zhiwei took a deep breath: “…”

“Then what’s not clean?” Linear-thinking Young Master Gu was rarely confused.

“Like this.” Feng Zhiwei’s voice was faint as a wandering thread, still trying to explain. “Snatching from the mouth isn’t clean…”

Young Master Gu suddenly leaned over.

He always kept three feet from people, never actively approaching anyone. This was the first time he’d leaned close to someone. Feng Zhiwei was so shocked she forgot to move, only seeing snow-white light gauze fluttering in gentle wind. The face behind the gauze came closer and closer. Vaguely, light seemed to suddenly emerge before her eyes. Feng Zhiwei closed her eyes with a swish.

Then she felt a slightly cool finger carrying walnut fragrance gently touch her lips.

The finger moved very lightly, seeming to carry some hesitation. First touching lightly, then stroking carefully, as if surprised by the smooth softness beneath the finger, so it stroked again.

Feng Zhiwei’s body trembled. She quickly tilted her head away and opened her eyes to see Young Master Gu had already returned to his original position, tilting his head, looking at the finger that had just touched her lips, as if searching for dirt on it.

Feng Zhiwei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Just as she wanted to divert his attention from this “clean” question, that fellow—there was no most shocking, only more shocking—after looking at his hand and finding no dirt, took that finger that had touched her lips and touched his own lips.

Finger snow-white, lightly touching lips, lips red as fire, jaw like jade.

That gesture of finger at lips, head tilted slightly with some confusion, exuded sweet and pure breath—natural seduction.

Feng Zhiwei stood up with a swish, too embarrassed to look at that finger again, and fled.

Decided!

She would never eat walnuts again in this life!

After returning from the palace that day, Lady Qiu quickly changed courtyards for Lady Feng and her son. Feng Zhiwei, who’d made such a splash at the banquet, also began receiving various invitations. If not for this troubled time with various mansions lacking interest in holding tea parties and poetry gatherings, Feng Zhiwei’s invitations would have filled the room.

The capital’s first talented lady had changed hands. The new first talented lady no longer participated in any social occasions—she was ill.

More than ill—Feng Zhiwei was even thinking of having Feng Zhiwei “die of illness.”

If the Wei Zhi identity wanted to continue, Feng Zhiwei couldn’t attract more attention. That day at the palace banquet, being schemed by Ning Yi and accidentally stealing the spotlight was not her original intention. If she didn’t keep a low profile now, trouble would inevitably arise.

First be ill for a while, not seeing outside guests, then use recuperation as an excuse to “leave the capital,” reasonably erasing the Feng Zhiwei identity from people’s vision.

Before claiming illness, she went to Lady Feng’s courtyard to relay Nanny Chen’s words.

“I understand.” Lady Feng, sitting in shadow, had her expression blurred by flying dusty light—only nodded.

Feng Zhiwei heard several parts weariness and desolation in that tone.

“You did very well.” Lady Feng looked up at her, a trace of smile at the corner of her mouth. “The palace banquet matter—I heard about it.”

Feng Zhiwei coughed lightly, actually somewhat at a loss for how to respond. Mother rarely praised her over these many years. She was a strict mother. Since Feng Zhiwei could remember, she’d constantly been forced to learn many things—not only classics and histories, poetry and prose, but also astronomy, mathematics, geography, military tactics and other practical studies. She’d even brought out thick previous dynasty histories to “use history as a mirror” with her, examining previous dynasties’ ministers’ political gains and losses.

What Mother hadn’t taught her was needlework, tailoring and such things women should most learn. She’d once thought Mother didn’t know them. However, before donning armor and entering battle, Mother had also been the dignified eldest miss of the Qiu Mansion. How could a young lady from such a high-gate great household not have learned these things?

At this moment, suddenly hearing Mother’s praise, faint red bloomed on her face, small joy flowing in her heart.

“Only… you shouldn’t have done so.” Lady Feng’s words took a sharp downturn. She looked at her mother in astonishment. Lady Feng stood up, gazing sadly toward the imperial city. “I told you very early on—don’t aim too high, don’t show off, don’t fight competitively… Now after going out once, you’ve actually forgotten it all…”

Feng Zhiwei stepped back, staring at Lady Feng speechless—how could she say this about her!

When had she aimed too high, when had she shown off, when had she fought competitively, when had she—been so frivolous?

It was just a small wish in her heart, a small wish that had stirred since hearing about Fire Phoenix Female Marshal’s heroic and spirited deeds many years ago. She hoped through herself to let that brilliant woman forced to fall into dust raise her head again, let her gain world recognition again through her daughter’s pride and excellence.

She wanted to win back the respect and glory that had already been lost. Even if she couldn’t return to superiority over others, at least she could obtain equal treatment from the world.

So this was what Mother thought?

So no matter what she did, in Mother’s eyes, it was all reckless?

Her heart sank inch by inch, falling into moonlight’s wave-heart, rippling out infinite coolness… Always like this, always like this. She only offered her heart and blood to that one person, yet every time it was discarded like worn shoes.

Her gaze momentarily didn’t know where to settle. She habitually lowered it, catching sight of the handkerchief Lady Feng had placed on the chair.

A pine-fragrance colored handkerchief embroidered with an exquisite soaring roc, not yet finished—clearly for Feng Hao.

“Heh heh…” Feng Zhiwei laughed with slight mockery. Really, why be sad? In the end, she was still foolish. Couldn’t blame others.

“Understood.” She straightened her sleeves, no longer avoiding eye contact, deeply gazing at Lady Feng for a long while. “Don’t worry. There won’t be a next time.”

Saying this, she stepped out the door, never looking back.

The room’s dim light and shadow rippled like water-light, thrown behind her without hesitation. In that floating, wavering faint light, she didn’t hear behind her, also clear and pale as water-light, a sigh.

Feng Zhiwei “contracted smallpox.” Cuifang Studio dispersed servants, closed doors and refused guests. Wei Zhi straightened his clothing and actively appeared on the Tiansheng court’s stage.

The situation churned with dark currents underneath. Officials linked up in waves to see people. Various princely mansions had streams of carriages and horses. The Fifth Prince, who should have returned to Jianghuai Province after the Noble Consort’s birthday banquet, used needing to attend to the Emperor’s medicine as an excuse to refuse to leave. He was a suspect in the Emperor’s assassination case yet wasn’t properly confined to his mansion for investigation—in fact, no one was investigating him now. Crown Prince dead, Emperor ill, Empress long deceased, Noble Consort Chang awaiting punishment, Prince Chu refusing to preside over government affairs—from inside to outside, no one could take charge. Whoever wanted to take charge, others wouldn’t comply. The Cabinet pressed down one end only for the other to rise. The Grand Scholars ran daily to the Emperor’s bedchamber, their mouth-corner blisters growing larger one after another.

And the Ministry of Works, originally presided over by the Fifth Prince, repeatedly submitted petitions to the Cabinet, accusing the Ministry of Revenue of deliberately delaying wage payment for the Nine Cities’ gate repair projects. The Ministry of Revenue retorted that the Ministry of Works hadn’t properly completed the Tonghang Canal project, causing this summer’s southern floods to destroy embankments so official grain transport ships couldn’t pass, delaying the Ministry of Revenue’s silver returns. The two ministries quarreled endlessly, dragging out that the Ministry of Works Minister’s nephew and a southern wealthy household undertaking grain transport had shady dealings, reportedly even killing someone yet remaining at large. Dragging on, it involved the Ministry of Justice in unlawfully shielding criminals. The Ministry of Justice wasn’t to be outdone, throwing out the old Northern Frontier Yu Ye grain depot case of passing off moldy grain as new grain sent to the battlefield causing military defeat, claiming to possess some new evidence—snowballing, the Six Ministries became one brawling heap.

“If His Majesty doesn’t wake soon, things will explode.” After returning from one palace visit, Grand Scholar Hu sighed worriedly to Feng Zhiwei.

“Old ministers should choose their tree to perch upon—wonder whose tree is sturdier?” Feng Zhiwei joked.

“Under heaven, all land belongs to the king; to the shore of the land, all are the king’s subjects.” Grand Scholar Hu stroked his mouse whiskers, glancing at her sideways, then tottered away swaying side to side.

Feng Zhiwei smiled watching him depart, thinking Prince Chu’s faction had also been quite restless recently. For instance, Chief Minister Yao seemed somewhat unsettled. In contrast, Xin Ziyan and Hu Shengshan appeared calm and composed. Xin Ziyan simply moved to live at the Compilation Office, adopting a posture of hearing nothing outside his window, actually handing Qingming Academy over to her.

Then quietly observe the changes. Feng Zhiwei also carried on as usual—nephew holding the lantern, as usual—daily bringing her Lord Gu to work.

Qingming Academy currently remained independent of the storm, naturally maintaining its transcendent attitude. Naturally some tried to curry favor. For instance, the Ministry of Works Minister, under the pretext of appreciating books and appraisals, sent Feng Zhiwei precious texts several times. Feng Zhiwei took them to flip through, politely returning them. After several rounds, people stopped sending them.

Feng Zhiwei was somewhat puzzled. She served in the Cabinet and Academy with no connections to the Six Ministries. This Ministry of Works Minister’s sudden great courtesies were thought-provoking. But everyone knew the current Six Ministries were muddy waters, untouchable. Rather than waste effort on this pulling, better to crack walnuts with Yiyi and drink with Prince Helian.

Helian Zheng no longer climbed walls now. Now he directly brought wine to visit Lord Superintendent. He’d finally discovered his auntie’s only weakness—love of wine. So today “Desert Drunk,” tomorrow “Thousand Valley Pure,” day after tomorrow “Jianghuai Spring”—all top-grade wines Feng Zhiwei couldn’t resist, making his auntie and auntie’s Yiyi drink until they beamed with joy and hearts bloomed daily.

Helian Zheng originally also beamed with joy and hearts bloomed. Gradually his face grew bitter—Auntie cheated again! Auntie’s alcohol tolerance fundamentally wasn’t two pots—she was drunk after a thousand cups!

So Prince Helian, scheming to get Auntie drunk and create chaos, countless times came in high spirits, departed with flags furled and drums silenced…

Bad mood naturally required venting on someone. The best punching bag was his auntie’s younger brother, his dear brother-in-law. So poor Feng Hao, every time Helian Zheng drank with Feng Zhiwei, was constantly ordered about: “Warm the wine!” “Bring a handkerchief!” “Carry me back!”

Feng Hao always lacked a young master’s fate yet had a young master’s airs, pampered and spoiled—how could he endure this suffering? Yet strangely, though his expression stank worse than a latrine, he actually obediently endured it. Couldn’t be compared to when he’d flattened the Duke with a brick. Feng Zhiwei watched coldly, somewhat puzzled in her heart.

She had another puzzle she’d kept in her heart. Finally once when drinking with everyone, she asked Yao Yangyu how he’d originally met Feng Hao.

That group of young masters had long been subdued by Feng Zhiwei and Gu Nanyi. Now if Feng Zhiwei told them to bark, they absolutely wouldn’t meow. Young Master Yao heard Feng Zhiwei ask this and smiled with drunken eyes, slapping his Lord Superintendent’s shoulder: “How would we look favorably on that boy? Once when playing outside with Prince Chu, we encountered this boy poking his head around. We wanted to chase him off, but His Highness was in good spirits and kept him, saying he was quite pitiable—might as well bring him along to play, let him see the capital’s glory. Too bad this boy had no money. Brothers said they’d front him, but His Highness wouldn’t allow it, saying there’s borrowing money to gamble, but who borrows money to whore? The Qiu Mansion—grand estate and great enterprise—taking out anything would be enough… Later this boy somehow disappeared, now he’s popped up again… I don’t look favorably on this boy—really don’t know what caught His Highness’s eye…”

Ning Yi again!

In an instant Feng Zhiwei thought of first meeting at the Qiu Mansion, thought of the golden lock under Fifth Aunt’s Cuifang Studio bed, thought of Feng Hao constantly asking Mother for money and his association with that group of young masters… Ning Yi’s shadow seemed vaguely present in all of it, hidden behind the scenes yet everywhere.

Was he trying to know something?

What secret on Feng Hao could interest him?

Also these days, though Feng Hao was being ordered about by Helian Zheng, his face showed barely suppressed excitement. What had he gotten up to now?

Feng Zhiwei held her wine cup at her lips, long not drinking, her expression seeming full of high spirits, but the wine cup only rippled with heart’s matter.

Heart matters not yet drunk dry, evil guests had arrived.

“My Lord!” A supervisor rushed over with a group, expression panicked. “The Ministry of Justice and Nine Cities Yamen have sent people, saying the Academy is harboring a major criminal, wanting to take us to the Ministry of Justice yamen!”

“Ridiculous!” Yao Yangyu today ignored Helian Zheng’s expression again and came to mooch wine. Hot-blooded Young Master Yao heard this and exploded like a firecracker, rolling up his sleeves: “Dare come to Qingming Academy to arrest people? Since Tiansheng’s founding until now, there’s never been such an absurd thing! I’ll go send them packing!”

He charged off with a group in high dudgeon.

“Wait!”

This person’s words Yao Yangyu dared not disobey. He turned back angrily: “Lord Superintendent, I know we can’t cause trouble, but there’s no reason not to fight back when bullied to our doorstep, right?”

“What matter hasn’t even been clarified yet—what’s the rush?” Feng Zhiwei in light clothing and loose sash stood in the wind, still holding a cup of wine, smiling: “Must give people a chance to speak.”

Pointing remotely toward the main gate, she said: “Open the gate. Don’t let people stand tired blocking the entrance. Let them come in to speak.”

“Superintendent!” Yao Yangyu said urgently: “Those Ministry of Justice bailiffs and Nine Cities Yamen lackeys are the worst scourge—”

“Let them in.” Feng Zhiwei’s one glance and Yao Yangyu trembled into silence. Fresh wind brushed past before his eyes. Feng Zhiwei had already walked lightly past him, the dropped voice faint.

“Since Tiansheng’s founding, Qingming Academy has never had absurd incidents. Then under my hand, there won’t be any either.”

Feng Zhiwei had already walked away. Yao Yangyu still stood dumbly, asking Helian Zheng somewhat confused: “Why do I feel Lord Superintendent’s every sentence is so incredibly correct?”

“Of course.” Helian Zheng opened his arms embracing the sky with heroic passion. “My auntie… oh no, our Superintendent—most fierce! Like a red-eyed hawk lurking in dense forest, venomously ruthless, gently fierce!”

He cheerfully chased after Feng Zhiwei, leaving Yao Yangyu continuing to stand dazed.

“…Is that praise?”

“There is a Jianghuai native named Jiang Xiao who in Changxing year fourteen assassinated a witness in the Tonghang grain transport embezzlement case, then fled anonymously, hiding in Qingming Academy under the assumed name Jiang Tao. Now our ministry has specially come to arrest him.”

The Ministry of Justice representative stated the purpose in three sentences. Feng Zhiwei’s smile didn’t change, but she furrowed her brow inwardly.

Qingming Academy was finally dragged into the muddy waters!

That Six Ministries court struggle finally brought disaster to Qingming. The legendary Ministry of Works Minister’s nephew and southern wealthy household undertaking grain transport, embezzling funds, being discovered then killing to silence witnesses, silencing witnesses yet miraculously escaping justice, afterward never to be found—unexpectedly great hiding is in the marketplace, actually skillfully hidden in Qingming Academy!

No wonder the Ministry of Works Minister desperately tried to curry favor with her these days.

Feng Zhiwei inwardly praised herself for truly having foresight, while smiling: “Ah, is that so? My lords also know the Academy’s organizational structure is special, allowing students to enroll under assumed names. If someone received help, first whitewashed their background then enrolled under an assumed name, the Academy is also difficult to discern one by one.”

“Lord Superintendent speaks very well.” The leader was a Ministry of Justice supervisor, rolling his eyes in a half-smile: “Only no matter what, you must hand the person over to me.”

“Of course.” Feng Zhiwei immediately directed subordinates to bring Ministry of Justice and Nine Cities Yamen people to search for that Jiang Xiao, specially instructing not to alert the target.

Unexpectedly after a long while a pile of people ran back panting. The leading Ministry of Justice supervisor’s expression was violently angry. Feng Zhiwei’s heart sank.

“The person fled!” The Ministry of Justice supervisor coldly watched Feng Zhiwei. “Only caught the one who tipped him off!”

Several bailiffs pushed someone out. Feng Zhiwei’s eyes turned cold.

It was actually Feng Hao!

“I didn’t! I didn’t!” Feng Hao struggled in panic in the bailiffs’ iron-clamp hands, desperately trying to break free. “I didn’t!”

Bang—a bundle was thrown at his feet. The bundle scattered open, revealing several gold ingots and several bank notes.

“Not you, what were you doing in Jiang Xiao’s room? Not you, where would a poor scholar get gold? Not you, how would you have Jianghuai Province Huifeng Bank notes? Huifeng Bank is precisely Jiang Xiao’s maternal grandfather’s family bank!”

Those several questions left Feng Hao speechless. After a long while his eyes went straight, voice faint as a wandering thread: “This was his gift… he’s a good friend I recently made…”

“Jiang Xiao did have a good friend in the capital, reportedly also involved in that case back then.” The Ministry of Justice supervisor showed a cold smile. “I think it’s you!”

Beside him, a Nine Cities Yamen Deputy Commander waved his hand violently: “Search! Jiang Xiao has accomplices! See if they’re also harboring in Qingming!”

“Wait!”

“Does Lord Superintendent have something to say?” The Ministry of Justice supervisor turned, an unsurprised expression. “Our ministry’s search of Qingming has Prince Chu’s hand warrant.”

Feng Zhiwei laughed coldly.

Ning Yi indeed didn’t want her to hold any power. If she thrived at Qingming, he would drive her out.

Otherwise, clearly both Ministry of Justice and Qingming were his forces—how would Ministry of Justice come make trouble for Qingming?

Otherwise, how could Xin Ziyan so coincidentally recently release control of Qingming?

If today she allowed Ministry of Justice to thoroughly search Qingming, tomorrow she could never stay at Qingming again.

If today she didn’t let Ministry of Justice search Qingming, it absolutely wasn’t a situation that could be resolved.

“Is Lord Superintendent obstructing the search?” The Ministry of Justice supervisor pressed relentlessly.

Feng Zhiwei extended a hand blocking the angry Helian Zheng and the fight-ready Gu Nanyi, silent for a long while.

Her expression was tranquil, yet her eyes gradually rose with a kind of solitary purity, so distinctly black and white and brightly shining, like a black, immovable mountain peak in the snowy plains of the extreme north.

The Ministry of Justice supervisor and Nine Cities Thunder Commander looking at such eyes both felt a shock in their hearts, somehow feeling guilty, vaguely recalling this Lord Wei though exceptionally young, was reportedly very difficult to provoke. Only today’s purpose was open and aboveboard, also having Prince Chu’s hand warrant. However formidable this one was, surely wouldn’t dare defy the Prince’s warrant?

With Feng Zhiwei’s silence, the air on all sides grew more tense. Some bailiffs had already pressed hands on sword hilts. Qingming Academy’s guards also nervously drew closer.

In the distance, students blocked by bailiffs were shouting loudly: “Make them scram! Make them scram!”

Feng Zhiwei smiled.

Then she said lightly: “Search.”

The Ministry of Justice and Nine Cities Yamen people released a long breath.

Students on all sides looked at each other in astonishment, unable to hide the disappointment in their eyes.

Yao Yangyu led people and began cursing angrily.

Helian Zheng spun around abruptly, but caught Feng Zhiwei’s eyes in one glance.

Those eyes rose with faint mist, various thoughts, couldn’t see clearly.

Yet Helian Zheng frowned for an instant, suddenly decided not to say anything more. He stepped back, leaning against a tree standing, wanting to continue watching.

But Ministry of Justice and Nine Cities Yamen people were already beside themselves with joy, enthusiastically to search.

“Scram! Young Master’s place—is it yours to search?” Yao Yangyu blocked the room door, kicking a bailiff out with one foot.

The bailiff rolled once, half-knelt on the ground, drew his waist saber with a clang, but fearing Young Master Yao’s powerful backing, dared not act.

“Those obstructing official searches, all please leave the Academy!” Remotely, Feng Zhiwei stood with hands clasped behind her, voice stern.

“Bah! Coward! Misjudged you before!” A young master who’d fawned over Feng Zhiwei days ago spat viciously.

Feng Zhiwei glanced at him, eyes not rippling one bit, turned her head, lowly said a few sentences to Gu Nanyi.

Young Master Gu nodded, disappeared in a flash. People on all sides busy searching didn’t notice where he went or what he did.

The search was indeed symbolic. After a while, bailiffs gradually gathered.

“Did you find anything?”

“No further suspicion. Apologies for the disturbance. My Lord may continue.” The Ministry of Justice supervisor nodded, preparing to leave. They originally weren’t trying to topple Qingming. As long as allowed to search, the purpose was achieved.

“Really no problems?” Feng Zhiwei was very polite.

The Ministry of Justice supervisor looked at her with sympathetic eyes—this youngster was still too green. Too bad even being polite couldn’t salvage the reality of plummeting at Qingming…

“No.” He was somewhat impatient, turning.

“Wait.”

Behind, Feng Zhiwei called out.

The Ministry of Justice supervisor stopped in his tracks.

“You have no problems. I have problems.”

The Ministry of Justice supervisor spun around abruptly, eyes fierce.

“Your side searched all the rooms, correct?” Feng Zhiwei ignored his gaze, asking with a faint smile.

“Correct.”

“Biling Courtyard was also searched, correct?”

Biling Courtyard was where the Academy Head and important Academy figures resided.

The Ministry of Justice supervisor hesitated, wanting to say no, but having just said all the rooms, could only continue answering: “Yes.”

“So I have a problem.” Feng Zhiwei spread her hands. “I don’t care that you searched student rooms, but the people living in Biling Courtyard aren’t here now. Since I’m currently managing the Academy, I must be responsible to them. You searched their rooms—what if something was disturbed or lost… I’m not reassured.”

You’re not reassured, but why didn’t you go with us earlier? The Ministry of Justice supervisor cursed inwardly, but his tone softened: “We didn’t touch anything in the rooms…”

“Seeing is believing, hearing is false.” Feng Zhiwei’s tone brooked no argument as she gestured with her hand. “Please.”

The Ministry of Justice supervisor hesitated for a long while. Feng Zhiwei said coolly: “I must account to Academy Head Xin…”

The Ministry of Justice supervisor and the Commander exchanged glances, recalling Prince Chu’s instructions before departure—besides requiring the search, they must not be discourteous to Superintendent Wei. If Superintendent Wei insisted on not allowing the search, they also shouldn’t use force. Knowing in their hearts that His Highness regarded Superintendent Wei somewhat specially, they could only nod.

At this point everyone vaguely sensed something was wrong. Now it was the Ministry of Justice supervisor’s turn to look distressed. Everyone’s eyes brightened as they followed along.

Before they’d even reached Biling Courtyard from afar, they discovered the courtyard gate wide open.

The Ministry of Justice supervisor exclaimed “Eh,” thinking—earlier it didn’t seem this fierce, seemed like we just looked from the doorway.

“Oh no, what happened here?” Feng Zhiwei took one look at the courtyard and showed an expression of earth-shattering collapse, hurrying over. “Oh no, you people—you people—”

She stood in the courtyard, face full of anguish, trembling as if enraged.

In the courtyard, flowers and trees lay toppled, objects overturned—complete chaos. The Ministry of Justice supervisor and Nine Cities Commander stared blankly, looking at each other, using their eyes to ask “Did you do this?” “Did you do this?”

“Oh no, you people—” Feng Zhiwei’s shocked cry rang out like thunder on the second floor. Everyone’s hearts tightened. They hastily rushed up in a few steps, only to see Academy Head Xin’s room door wide open on all sides, books scattered all over the floor.

The Ministry of Justice supervisor’s heart relaxed—a few books scattered isn’t a crime, right?

However, the expressions on everyone’s faces were completely not like that. The Nine Cities Deputy Commander stared fixedly at the paper and book pages on the ground, face iron-blue.

“Thirty-Eight Bedroom Arts Methods” was pressed beneath “Great Cheng Rongxing History.” Beside “Jade Maiden Strategy,” “Treatise on Punishing Rebellious Ministers and Traitors” had a corner sticking up, each with a large footprint stepped on it. “One Hundred Eight Flying Together Methods” used a messy pile of letter envelopes as bookmarks. The envelope header clearly read: “Respectfully presented to Prince Chu Your Highness…”

Spring palace pictures and forbidden books flew together, handwritten copies and secret letters of one color.

The Ministry of Justice supervisor stared dumbfounded at those messy things, thinking “Great Cheng Rongxing History” was the number one forbidden book that had long been ordered completely burned, even the author’s family exterminated to nine generations. What was Academy Head Xin doing keeping it in a box in his own room? “Treatise on Punishing Rebellious Ministers and Traitors” was even more the battle declaration when Great Cheng’s Yu Qing attacked Tiansheng—couldn’t even mention it. And those letters… the intimate relationship between the Academy Head and His Highness, until now was only a secret known to very few people. How was it now exposed…

The Ministry of Justice supervisor and the Commander exchanged glances, hastily shifted their bodies to block the bailiffs behind them. But they saw Feng Zhiwei had already stepped forward first, stepping on those letters.

This action made both relax—very grateful Feng Zhiwei knew the stakes and was willing to cover up. But Feng Zhiwei only had two feet. Stepped on the letters, those spring palace secret methods and forbidden books naturally became clearly visible. Students poked their heads in, exclaiming “Ah! Wa! Oh!” desperately.

Academy Head’s reputation instantly went downhill. Worse yet, there were also those forbidden books that anyone wasordered not to possess.

“Oh no, you people—” Feng Zhiwei issued another shocked cry. Those two people looked up and saw a cloisonne golden vase on the curio shelf pitifully broken in two pieces.

Feng Zhiwei stared wide-eyed and exclaimed: “Worth ten thousand gold!”

Those two people’s minds rumbled.

Feng Zhiwei rushed to the neighboring courtyard with thumping steps. After a long while, “Oh no, you people—”

Now when she issued this phrase, those two people’s vision went black.

Feng Zhiwei came out holding a broken sword rack, clanged it down on the ground, cupped her fists toward the imperial city and bowed, face full of solemnity. “This is the Tenth Prince’s residence at the Academy. Among the items, many are imperially bestowed. This is his most beloved purple sandalwood sword rack…”

Those two people who’d rushed over looked at the sword rack on the ground and began backing away.

Feng Zhiwei rushed toward another courtyard. The Ministry of Justice supervisor and the Commander exchanged glances, quietly shifting steps, wondering if they should leave first.

Two people stood firmly over, blocking the way. Prince Helian smiled with sunny brilliance, quietly saying: “My room hasn’t been looked at yet. Inside my room, there are also many imperially bestowed items!”

Young Master Gu looked at them calmly. In his hand the cloisonne golden vase’s sharp broken edge flashed with cold light.

“Oh no, you people—” Feng Zhiwei called out again.

Stick out the head and it’s one slash, pull back the head and it’s also one slash. Those two people stopped dodging, trudging over tragically.

Feng Zhiwei solemnly held up a cracked eight-panel tomb-flower glass jeweled mirror. “The Princess’s beloved item!”

“…”

“Lord Wei,” The Ministry of Justice supervisor began wiping sweat, knowing that even Feng Zhiwei was framing them it was useless. Only regretting his own careless underestimation. “This is our ministry’s fault. Our ministry will return to report to superiors, apologize to the Princess and Prince, and definitely provide compensation.”

Saying this, he signaled bailiffs to take away Feng Hao.

“Wait!”

That batch of people stiffened their backs, bitter-faced, not wanting to turn but could only turn around.

“You wanted to search, I let you search.” Feng Zhiwei laughed coldly, clasping hands behind her back and stepping forward, slowly pacing in a circle. “But did I allow you to destroy the Academy, smash precious items, ruin imperially bestowed tribute items?”

“Did I allow you to enter Biling Courtyard without permission?”

“Did I allow you to intrude into the Prince’s sleeping quarters?”

“Did I allow you to touch an unmarried Princess’s boudoir items?”

“Entering the gate—easy! Searching for major criminals—allowed! Thoroughly searching the entire Academy—up to you!” Feng Zhiwei stood at the head position, center of the crowd, heavily sweeping her sleeves. “But, I want you to know—allowed to search, not allowed to leave!”

“Close the gates—” She called out in a long voice.

The students who’d been suppressing their anger for a long time, now beaming with delight, excitedly rushed off whooshing, heavily closing the Academy main gates with a rumbling sound and rumbling laughter.

“The crime of destroying imperially bestowed items, naturally the Princess and Prince will settle with you.” Feng Zhiwei said coldly. “I will truthfully beg forgiveness from the Princess and Prince. But those destroyed precious items are other people’s property. I have supervisory Academy responsibility. This matter naturally falls on you to demand compensation.”

“Even if we compensate, you must let us return to get money!” That Commander’s temper wasn’t too good. He laughed coldly. “You couldn’t possibly detain us, could you?”

Feng Zhiwei tilted her head looking at him, looking until that person’s fierce eyes couldn’t help but shrink, then said faintly: “You guessed right.”

She smiled contemptuously. “Yamens have always been the most slippery. We honest scholars can’t outplay you. If we let you leave today regarding this matter, in the future you’ll refuse to acknowledge it—who do I cry to? I couldn’t possibly cover the costs myself, could I? Naturally must trouble you gentlemen somewhat.”

“You dare!”

“Very unfortunately.” Feng Zhiwei smiled. “You’re about to know—I dare.”

“Come, help the lords undress. Valuable items will be held as collateral first!” Feng Zhiwei raised her brows and ordered. The “honest scholar” students whooshed with excitement, howling as they pounced. Helian Zheng pounced at the very front.

A pile of wolf-like tiger-like students with backing instantly stripped out a pile of pale pigs.

Feng Zhiwei turned around, gazing remotely toward the imperial city’s direction.

“Servants not taught—the master’s fault. Children make mistakes, naturally the adults must come apologize and fetch them.”

“You.” She pointed at a bailiff who’d been left with his trousers.

“Go invite your biggest master to come compensate.”

That bailiff looked at her astonished, thinking you’re crazy—what status am I, me go invite Prince Chu?—

Feng Zhiwei already ignored him, leisurely turned with hands clasped behind her back, her silhouette carved against the newly rising full moon, proud and lofty.

“Tell Prince Chu to come speak with me.”