Emperor Chunde pondered these words as he looked thoughtfully at the Grand Prince.

Feng Yuan was different from the other princes. Although his mother had long passed away, the foundation she had left him was incomparable to what the other princes had.

His uncle was a decorated general of great military merit in the Dafeng court, and his martial arts master was Xiao Tianyang, one of the top experts in the Dafeng dynasty.

Feng Yuan himself had demonstrated remarkable military achievements in the battle at Fengwei Slope.

However, in the past, all these advantages had become worthless due to his madness.

Yet it turned out Feng Yuan wasn’t truly mad—his previous abnormal behavior had been caused by poisoning.

While Emperor Chunde felt relief, he couldn’t help but worry that this child had accumulated too much hatred. If he gained power and his nature changed, he might take a path of cruelty and tyranny…

Just as Duke Mu had suggested, if this child was secretly maintaining skilled fighters around him, what exactly were his intentions?

Thinking of this, Emperor Chunde sighed slightly: he was in his prime, and if his children were all like lambs, he would naturally worry about having no worthy successor.

But if he had raised a pack of capable wolf cubs, and these young wolves were growing too quickly, it would be even more concerning.

He worried not only that these little wolves might fight among themselves, tearing each other apart, but also that the wolf cubs might become arrogant and challenge the pack leader too early.

This was the dilemma of being a father in an imperial family—fearing both that sons might be incompetent, and that they might show their sharp edges too early, becoming overconfident and forgetting their place.

Mu Shen always knew when to stop speaking. Seeing that Emperor Chunde had taken his words to heart, he said no more.

Regarding that woman, Mu Shen was also curious. The informants he had sent to Xiao Tianyang’s place had not gathered any news about her.

Xiao Tianyang seemed to have been cautioned, keeping extremely tight-lipped, which made Mu Shen even more certain there was something significant behind it.

At this moment, Prince Appease raised his voice: “Since Dafeng has such an expert, why doesn’t the Grand Prince send out that female bodyguard to spar with my subordinates? It would provide entertainment for everyone while drinking.”

Emperor Chunde also thought that if this female martial artist were truly formidable, it would be a good opportunity to diminish Wei Country’s prestige.

Feng Yuan replied calmly: “Although I am not married, I have always had female attendants. Having a female bodyguard makes protection more thorough and convenient. My fiancée has not yet returned to the capital, and that bodyguard was ordered to protect and accompany her, so she hasn’t returned either.”

Prince Appease didn’t believe at all that the female bodyguard had truly gone to protect the Grand Prince’s fiancée. How would she have had time to ambush him and abduct Tang Mi?

Thinking of that woman, Prince Appease’s eyes darkened.

The unavoidable separation from before had indeed hurt Tang Mi’s heart. He knew he was at fault, but he hadn’t intentionally let her down.

Would she not forgive him?

If so, what were their past vows worth? He had heard that Emperor Chunde greatly favored her—perhaps she believed she could become the Empress of Dafeng and thus refused to leave with him?

Thinking of this, Prince Appease’s hand tightened slightly.

If that was the case, he would make that woman understand she had miscalculated. When the capital of Dafeng fell, he would see if this consort of a fallen nation still had any glory or vanity to cling to!

Seated beside His Majesty, Mu Shen observed the expressions of everyone at the banquet without showing any reaction. Seeing Prince Appease’s malevolent gaze, he gave a knowing smile.

As the banquet of mutual probing concluded, Dafeng had come to understand Wei Country’s intentions.

The Wei King hoped to turn weapons into jade and silk—to make peace—but also wanted Dafeng to withdraw from Fengwei Slope, returning to the previous state. Otherwise, they couldn’t guarantee that their forces wouldn’t seek revenge along the border later, reigniting the flames of war.

But who would spit out a piece of meat already in their mouth?

Although Dafeng currently had no desire for war, they were unwilling to back down.

The years of contention between the two countries, fighting over several border towns, were also under negotiation.

When the banquet ended and they emerged from the palace, Xiaoying ordered the palace attendants behind her to withdraw. Lifting her heavy ceremonial robes, she walked beside Feng Yuan and asked quietly: “Don’t you think these Wei Country envoys have impure intentions regarding the peace talks?”

For true peace negotiations, one side must be thoroughly beaten into submission, willing to bow their heads, before they can sit at the table to talk.

Although Wei Country had suffered defeat at Fengwei Slope, they were far from having their foundations shaken.

These negotiations were merely verbal fencing, with many provocative and trivial gestures.

This diplomatic mission seemed designed to fan the flames, showing no sincerity whatsoever.

Feng Yuan had also noticed this and said: “They are a diplomatic mission, but they are also spies, here to probe the reality of our Dafeng and the attitudes of the royal family members. That new king, Huo Buchen, has wild ambitions!”

Xiaoying raised an eyebrow: “You know him?”

Feng Yuan shook his head, then continued: “Master Ge has met him. When he and his brother were studying at the Dafeng Academy, they happened to be under the tutelage of Master Ge’s friend. I heard he was extraordinarily intelligent, standing out among all the students. Now that he has returned to inherit the throne, they say he is greatly promoting court rituals and working diligently to govern, eager to fulfill his ambitions.”

Xiaoying looked back at the envoys who had not yet dispersed from the hall and had a feeling that the upcoming peace negotiations would not go smoothly!

Her main purpose in returning to the palace was to act as bait, hoping to lure out the big fish from Xiaoying Mountain Villa.

But the fish wasn’t taking the bait, and her duties as Crown Prince were becoming increasingly burdensome. If she became too involved, it might be difficult to extricate herself later…

So Xiaoying wanted to carefully review the situation with Feng Yuan, to see exactly what had gone wrong since her entry into the palace.

It seemed she was the only one with this concern.

She watched as Feng Yuan was about to leave the palace, showing none of his previous clinginess and reluctance to part from her.

With shorter legs than his, Xiaoying found it somewhat difficult to keep up with him, and she couldn’t help but glance at him sideways and tease: “In such a hurry to get back? Do you have a lovely guest waiting for you at your residence?”

Feng Yuan replied without hesitation: “Of course, there’s a guest… who is somewhat delicate…”

The smile froze on Xiaoying’s lips—so what the Third Prince had said was true!

He did have a female guest at his residence! Who could it be? Most likely, it was the Ye family cousin the Third Prince had mentioned. Could it be that this delicate cousin was already living in his prince’s mansion?

He was an unmarried young prince—how could he house a female relative of the same generation without fearing gossip?

The sour plum juice she had drunk earlier somehow began to bubble up, rising toward her throat.

Although Xiaoying felt she and Feng Yuan probably wouldn’t end up together, she had assumed this unsuitable relationship would naturally fade after they eventually parted ways, allowing them both to move on.

But now this was even better—they hadn’t officially separated yet, the warmth of their intimate moments still lingered in her heart, yet this man had already found someone else, quietly housing a delicate guest in his prince’s mansion!

“How are you… Getting along with her?” she asked.

“Fine, we just have meals together every day.”

What did he mean by “just”? Was having meals together not enough?

Did they need to become more familiar, sleeping under the same blanket?

Xiaoying’s heart suddenly sank with pain. She asked bluntly: “What? Have you… fallen for her?”

This question seemed to stump Feng Yuan. He finally stopped walking and frowned: “Why are you asking such a disgusting question?”

Xiaoying laughed—apparently, he didn’t find his actions disgusting, yet couldn’t stand being asked about them.

Just as Madam Chu Yu had said, men’s talk of romance was all illusory! Feng Yuan’s so-called determination to marry no one but her had lasted barely a month.

Seeing Feng Yuan’s calm demeanor, showing no shame whatsoever, Xiaoying grew increasingly angry.

If they weren’t in the imperial palace, and she wasn’t disguised as the Crown Prince, she would have immediately slapped Feng Yuan’s face.

She forced out a cold laugh: “I was originally afraid you might not be able to move on, but seeing you like this, I have nothing to worry about. I wish you both an early marriage and many children and grandchildren!”

Seeing Xiaoying’s sudden anger, Feng Yuan frowned: “You… drank sour plum juice just now, not alcohol. What nonsense are you talking about?”

Xiaoying laughed: “What? Denying it now? Or perhaps you have too many choices and can’t decide? In that case, I’m the one who has wasted Prince Ruixiang’s youth—otherwise, by now you would already have women on both arms and wouldn’t be childless!”

Feng Yuan’s expression suddenly became peculiar, as if realizing something. He looked around to ensure no one was nearby, then suddenly pulled her into a side hall.

In this secluded place with no one around, Xiaoying had no reservations. With reddened eyes, she glared at him coldly: “What are you doing? If you don’t return soon, your delicate guest at home will be worried!”

“Who… do you think the delicate guest I’m hosting is?”

“Isn’t it your cousin…” Xiaoying began, then abruptly stopped.

She didn’t want to speculate improperly—after all, the woman was from a respectable family, unlike herself, who came from humble origins and needed to protect her reputation.

Since General Ye had allowed someone to stay in the Prince’s mansion, it meant the marriage must have been privately arranged.

After all, Yan Xiaoying had already tactfully declined Feng Yuan’s proposal.

She couldn’t expect Feng Yuan to remain unmarried forever.

As for how Feng Yuan would treat his future wife, it wasn’t hard to imagine.

He was a man cold on the outside but warm-hearted within.

Beneath his cold exterior, he was attentive and considerate. When not busy with official duties, he would return home early to cook for his beloved cousin-wife; he would stay by her side when she was ill or upset; on rainy nights, he would hold an umbrella, tenderly crouch down to wipe mud from her feet, and indulgently allow her to be willful, revealing the gentle smile no one else ever saw.

And of course, he would also wear that thin shirt for someone else to see…

She had once thought herself magnanimous enough to let go at the appropriate time, accepting their separate paths.

But once she imagined Feng Yuan doing for another woman all the things he had done for her, Yan Xiaoying suddenly felt her blood vessels swell and her chest tighten. A string of bubbling grievances burst forth like a breached river embankment.

Hearing Xiaoying’s words, Feng Yuan was silent for a moment, then asked: “So, you’re jealous?”

Xiaoying didn’t want to lose face. She tried to appear nonchalant, planning to say something like “What jealousy? I always knew we would end up like this.”

She even took a moment to compose herself before speaking, but what came out was entirely different: “Yes! So what if I am? You bastard! How could you get together with someone else so quickly? At least you should have pretended for a while! How dare you let an unmarried lady stay at your residence—have you no shame?”

Feng Yuan lowered his eyes to look at her expression, bright as fire, feeling an irresistible urge to touch her blushing cheeks, but Xiaoying unceremoniously swatted his hand away: “Go back and be affectionate with your cousin! You’re not allowed to touch me again!”

Feng Yuan’s chest trembled slightly as he tried to hold back, until he couldn’t contain himself any longer and laughed deeply: “Who told you my Ye family cousin was living at my residence?”

“Didn’t you say you had a delicate guest…”

“I was talking about Mu Hanjiang! That fellow is being cared for at my mansion now, and I even have to feed him at meals—quite delicate indeed!”

Xiaoying’s tears hung at the corners of her eyes. She opened and closed her mouth, realizing she had misunderstood, and asked awkwardly: “But the Third Prince said your cousin came to seek refuge with you…”

“She was sent over, but I didn’t even let her enter the gate. Feng Qiwu happened to pass by and caught a glimpse, then spread rumors wildly. You believed him?”

Xiaoying sheepishly scratched her cheek and turned to leave, but Feng Yuan caught her wrist and pulled her tightly into his arms. Pressing against her ear, he whispered: “Painful, isn’t it? Every time I see you being close to other men, I feel the same way…”

Xiaoying fell silent.

Although she was a socially adept young woman, at seventeen years of age, she wasn’t any more experienced in matters of the heart than Feng Yuan.

Before, when Feng Yuan kept everyone at a distance and never became entangled with other women, Xiaoying had never felt any sense of crisis.

But today, being stirred up by the foolish words of Feng Qiwu, she had lost her composure and was forced to drink a pot of bitter jealousy.

Only now did she understand how painfully acrid that sensation truly was…

Now, trying to imagine the future after they separated, with Feng Yuan falling in love with another woman, the sour bubbles she had just suppressed began to gurgle up again.

Feeling embarrassed, Xiaoying hugged Feng Yuan’s waist tightly and buried her face. “What kind of love potion did you give me? Why am I becoming less and less like myself?”

Feng Yuan gave a self-deprecating laugh: “If I truly had such a potion, I would have used it on you long ago. Why would I let myself be tormented and manipulated by you for so long?”

These days, Feng Yuan had been unable to sleep at night.

The young woman had returned to the palace alone, facing hidden dangers lurking in the shadows.

He couldn’t stop her, so the only thing he could do was prepare thoroughly, ensuring he could protect her completely in times of crisis.

For this, he had even set aside his grievances and reconciled with Ye Zhong, entering his military camp to work—this was the most direct way to access military power besides joining the Ministry of War.

It was precisely because of this that Ye Zhong had brought up the old matter again, wanting his cousin Ye Wen to spend more time with Feng Yuan, giving that fellow Feng Qiwu something to gossip about.

After hearing Feng Yuan’s brief explanation, Xiaoying felt even more distressed.

So his busyness these days was because he had joined Ye Zhong’s military camp.

She knew how much Feng Yuan despised Ye Zhong.

When Feng Yuan was born, it was his uncle Ye Zhong who, against his sister’s wishes, almost took the swaddled infant away.

But now, for her sake, Feng Yuan had swallowed his disgust and gone to work under Ye Zhong, pretending to get along…

Thinking of this, Xiaoying could no longer restrain herself. She reached up to embrace his neck, stood on tiptoe, and pressed her lips firmly against his.

The passionate breath instantly intertwined between them. The gentleman’s throat emitted sounds of long-thirsty desire as he lifted her onto a nearby table, enveloping her in his embrace, their lips and tongues entwined in fierce consumption.

Such entanglement was far from enough—their expanding passion sought a path for uninhibited release.

Yet even this moment of intimacy within the vast palace was stolen, a brief indulgence.

Just as Feng Yuan, unable to contain himself, moved to undo the Crown Prince’s robes, voices came from outside the hall.

“Strange, I saw the Grand Prince and the Crown Prince come this way, but now they can’t be found.”

“Are you sure it was the Grand Prince who pulled the Crown Prince away?” a male voice asked.

Another small eunuch replied anxiously: “This servant saw it with my own eyes. It seemed the two princes had some kind of dispute, then the Grand Prince pulled the Crown Prince away like a kite. What should we do? The Grand Prince wouldn’t strangle the Crown Prince, would he?”

“What nonsense are you talking about! Didn’t they say the Grand Prince has regained his clarity of mind? Quickly, find someone! Hurry!”

Xiaoying tightened her long robe, hastily arranging her clothes.

Heavens! In a moment of abandon, if they were discovered, the biggest palace scandal in Dafeng history would be fresh out of the oven.

She whispered, “If we go out now, we’ll still be seen. It seems we need to put on another act.”

Feng Yuan lowered his head and reluctantly kissed her red, soft lips once more before suddenly raising his voice: “Crown Prince, what do you mean by those words? What do you mean by saying that if I’m present, it would be unfavorable for peace talks? Do you think I deliberately provoke conflict?”

Xiaoying understood immediately. While fastening her belt, she called out: “Isn’t that the case? Who in court doesn’t know you’re in the pro-war faction? Back in Jiangzhe, if it weren’t for your stubborn insistence, how would Mu Qing and I have been implicated because of you, bearing the name of those who provoked war?”

The palace attendants searching outside immediately fell silent, presumably listening quietly to the argument inside.

Xiaoying turned around, letting Feng Yuan check that her appearance was proper, then kicked open the side hall door and stormed away from Feng Yuan, leaving in anger.

The news that the Grand Prince and the Crown Prince had quarreled over the peace negotiations quickly spread throughout the palace and beyond.

When the Second Prince heard about it, his eyes lit up, and he hastened to inform his mother.

“I guessed they wouldn’t get along for long. Before, when Feng Yuan was mad, the Fourth Prince was just using him as a convenient tool. But now Father Emperor favors the eldest, so the Fourth Prince, with his treacherous nature, must be anxious and will certainly try to trip up Feng Yuan.”

The Second Prince had suffered so many setbacks from the Fourth Prince that now just seeing that slippery little Crown Prince gave him a headache.

But thinking that Feng Qiyuan’s belly full of schemes would now be used against Feng Yuan, the Second Prince couldn’t help but feel excited and eager.

Consort Shang was facing her mirror, slowly picking out white hairs from her temples, letting her son pull them out one by one. Then she said, “You still don’t understand. Your father has always refused to accept aging, always feeling that a man reaches his golden prime in middle age. He has far more sons than just you few. Don’t let your brothers fight amongst yourselves, only to have several more brothers with powerful maternal families added, ultimately preparing a wedding dress for others.”

The Second Prince understood this reasoning, but he couldn’t control the emperor’s choice of consorts, nor could he administer contraceptive herbs to those consorts. He could only say with hatred: “If it weren’t for Feng Yuan, how would you, Mother, be confined in the Western Palace? These people who treat others according to their status—how can they not even prepare a decent brazier of coals for you?” Only then did the Second Prince notice that the room was cold, without even a coal fire.

“I told the servants not to prepare any. Since His Majesty has asked me to reflect behind closed doors, I should at least appear repentant…”

Consort Shang turned to look at the Second Prince and said, “After experiencing so much, you should have grown wiser. That Crown Prince was originally the one His Majesty most despised, but now he’s able to handle the peace negotiations—why is that? It’s because he knows how to endure! Feigning illness in Jiangzhe for so long—such determination even I admire! Since he and the Grand Prince are now at odds, let them fight it out! But you must understand, no matter how capable the Crown Prince is, he has one inherent deficiency…”

The Second Prince couldn’t help but ask: “What is it?”