Xiaoying ate her bun while pulling out a handkerchief from her pocket to wipe the soup from Feng Yuan’s face, whispering: “My father and foster father are both here, so be sweet-tongued when talking to them!”

Feng Yuan shifted his gaze toward the two stern-faced prospective fathers-in-law, appearing unperturbed. He held Xiaoying’s hand and leaned on his crutch as he walked toward them. Even though Xiaoying felt it was improper, she couldn’t pull her hand away no matter how she tried.

When Feng Yuan addressed them as “Uncles” and gave his greetings, Meng Zhun was quick to speak: “Grand Prince, there’s no need for such formalities. We only recently learned about your marriage to Xiaoying. May I ask which of us two you asked for her hand?”

Yan Shan wasn’t as forceful as Meng Zhun in his speech, but he still tried to maintain a commanding presence: “General Meng is right. Your Highness, isn’t this marriage proceeding rather hastily?”

Feng Yuan didn’t use the Emperor’s decree to pressure his future fathers-in-law. Instead, he bowed deeply and responded calmly: “My heart has chosen its path. In this life, I will marry no one but Lady Xiaoying. I beseech both uncles to grant their approval.”

As Meng Zhun glared and prepared to say more, Xiaoying quickly intervened: “Enough, Foster Father. The Grand Prince’s leg injury hasn’t healed. Standing for too long will cause him pain. Whatever needs to be discussed can wait for another time!”

Her favoritism was too obvious. Meng Zhun’s attempts to signal her with eye movements were futile.

This girl was usually so clever and shrewd—how could she be so confused when it came to the important matter of marriage!

The Feng family’s history of romantic fickleness and heartlessness was well-established. If Feng Yuan took after his father Emperor Chunde, wouldn’t Xiaoying become the second Ye Zhanxue?

As everyone moved to the hall and sat down, Meng Zhun carefully chose his words: “The Grand Prince’s love for my daughter seems genuine. But have you considered that a wild bird accustomed to freedom will not be happy when confined in a golden cage? Though Xiaoying may look delicate and lovely, her nature is wild and domineering. If the Grand Prince should have three wives and four concubines in the future, she lacks the wifely virtue to tolerate it. With her methods, I fear she would be even more clever and vicious than Empress Tang or Consort Shang. How would the Grand Prince manage such discord in his household?”

Meng Zhun wasn’t exaggerating. If the Little King of Hell from Jiangsu and Zhejiang truly set her mind on plotting against someone, it wouldn’t be mere jealousy among women—her knife would draw blood with every strike!

Yan Shan nodded slightly, also feeling apprehensive. It wasn’t that he wanted to speak ill of his daughter, but Yan Xiaoying was indeed this way, and the Grand Prince’s temperament was far from gentle and kind.

When the passion of young love faded, how could two people with such strong personalities live together harmoniously?

The young lovers, blinded by affection, couldn’t see these things, so they had to point them out to prevent future tragedy!

But when Feng Yuan heard that Xiaoying would become jealous and even kill for him because she cared about him, his eyes seemed to fill with something resembling anticipation. He couldn’t help but smile slightly, lowering his head to look at Xiaoying and ask: “You… would truly do this for me?”

Xiaoying understood this man’s disposition all too well. One look and she knew his unique thought process had taken him in a strange direction—he was probably delighted at the prospect.

She couldn’t help but roll her eyes, secretly jabbing at his waist: “Is that what my foster father meant? Behave yourself…”

Feng Yuan obediently composed his expression and, appearing grateful for the fathers’ warnings, said seriously: “Please rest assured, uncles. There’s no need to worry about Xiaoying having second thoughts in the future. She has said she will marry only me in this lifetime, and I will certainly keep close watch over her, never allowing her to develop other ideas…”

He was well aware of the lady’s wild heart—if he weren’t vigilant, she might flee to the ends of the earth without a trace. After marriage, he would devote all his attention to Xiaoying, never giving her the chance to slip away from him!

“You… you are…”

Meng Zhun’s face flushed with anger. He hadn’t expected the Grand Prince to be so poisonous, openly defying them to their faces!

What did he mean? Was this a threat to the two prospective fathers-in-law that if Xiaoying didn’t behave in the future, they would confine and discipline her?

Yan Shan was nearly in tears, intuitively feeling that such threats before the marriage even took place proved that this union was not Xiaoying’s willing choice but rather Feng Yuan using his power to bully and forcibly take what he wanted!

How would his daughter’s life be in the future?

With this thought, Yan Shan’s eyes reddened, and his knees weakened. He was about to kneel before Feng Yuan to beg him to release his daughter.

What were they all talking about? Why didn’t Feng Yuan simply tell his future fathers-in-law about the pitch-dark dungeon he planned to build for her, complete with special steel chains?

With this attitude, what good family with enough food to eat, who didn’t need to sell their daughter, would marry their precious child to him!

Xiaoying never imagined that a son-in-law meeting his father-in-law could make such a serious blunder!

How could she explain to her two fathers that in her relationship with Feng Yuan, it was always Feng Yuan who lacked a sense of security, constantly carrying tales of abandoned wives in his heart?

She simply tugged on Feng Yuan’s arm and said: “Why aren’t you promising my two fathers how much you’ll cherish me in the future? What nonsense are you spouting? Go make dinner now! My foster father likes strong flavors, while my father prefers milder tastes. Make plenty of your specialty dishes—go quickly! Go!”

Saying this, she didn’t mind Feng Yuan’s leg injury as she shooed him off to the small kitchen. Only then did she speak affectionately to her two fathers: “Don’t listen to his nonsense. He never restricts me at all—he just loves to joke! Hahaha…”

Amid the young woman’s exaggerated laughter, Meng Zhun and Yan Shan looked at each other, truly unable to believe that Feng Yuan was an easygoing person who liked to joke.

While the engagement feast was being prepared at Prince Ruixiang’s mansion, the Mu family’s suburban villa was quiet and desolate.

When Mu Shen entered the courtyard, he asked the steward: “Has the young master returned? How is his injury?”

The steward quickly replied: “It seems there’s no major problem, but the young master appears somewhat dejected. He has shut himself in his room, barely eating anything, just drinking continuously…”

Mu Shen paused, then walked to Mu Hanjiang’s bedroom. He pushed open the half-closed window, and a nauseating stench mixed with alcohol fumes immediately assaulted him.

His son, who was usually as pure and unblemished as a clear breeze and bright moon, was now lying with disheveled hair among his vomit…

Mu Shen looked at him with a faint, cold smile—though not his biological child, he had invested his effort in raising and carefully teaching this boy, yet he turned out to be so disappointing. Something must have happened to make him so dejected.

“Are you satisfied? Do you need to destroy this child before the resentment in your heart is eliminated?”

At that moment, Princess Anqing spoke softly behind him.

Years ago, a single instance of drunken indiscretion had led to irreversible consequences.

When her husband returned home after five months away, she was already three months pregnant.

She thought she could deceive Mu Shen by bribing the physician to change the dates, but Mu Shen eventually discovered the truth.

From that time on, Mu Shen was devastated. He claimed illness, withdrew from official duties, and left the capital alone, staying away from home for years at a time.

“An accident?” Mu Shen laughed coldly. “Princess, you make your promiscuity sound too poetic. Once might be considered an accident, but during those five months, how many times did you meet with His Majesty in secret? You must know the count. Was it so thrilling and exciting to have an affair with your best friend’s husband?”

“Enough!” Princess Anqing couldn’t help raising her voice slightly. “All of this was forced by you! Your eyes were always full of Ye Zhanxue!”

Mu Shen turned to look at her, saying word by word: “What’s wrong with having her in my heart? If it weren’t for you, Zhanxue would have married me originally. And you could have fulfilled your wish to marry Feng Qishu and become the exalted Empress!”

Princess Anqing instinctively straightened her back, struggling to explain: “But you married me in the end, so you should take responsibility for me! Have you considered how I felt with my own husband’s heart longing for another woman?”

Mu Shen smiled: “Out of consideration for the Princess, I’ve kept silent about your affairs all this time, enduring it and even treating Hanjiang as my son. What more are you dissatisfied with?”

Princess Anqing had been waiting for Mu Shen at the villa for many days, not to discuss these old, tangled grievances that could never be sorted out.

Thinking of what Feng Yuan had told her, she asked in an icy tone: “That Cheng Kun was acting under your instructions, wasn’t he? How could you be so heartless, actually wanting Hanjiang’s life!”

Mu Shen didn’t admit to it. His tone finally showed anger: “Who has been inciting you? Cheng Kun’s actions had nothing to do with me. I never intended to harm Hanjiang. He and Yanyan both grew up under my care. You should know that I’ve never held adults’ grudges against children. Besides, I accepted your apology back then and put the past behind us, wanting to live well with you; otherwise, would Yanyan have been born? It was you who broke your oath, meeting with His Majesty again, causing Feng Yuan to stab Hanjiang’s arm. I couldn’t face you both, so I used illness as an excuse to go elsewhere. What more do you want from me? To falsely accuse me of things I haven’t done? If I truly wanted to harm Hanjiang, how could he have lived until now?”

Saying this, Mu Shen took a deep breath, finally regaining some composure: “You should direct your paranoia elsewhere!”

The man before her remained as elegant and proper as he had been twenty years ago, and his words were convincing.

Princess Anqing was once again persuaded by him, just as in every dispute they had had.

She ultimately didn’t want to think the worst of her husband.

In her youth, that young man from the Mu family who spoke so eloquently at the academy, whose grace and talent overshadowed everyone else, remained forever in her heart.

After they married, they lived together with mutual respect and courtesy.

If not for that accidental drunken incident… she would never have been so bewitched as to do something to betray Mu Shen!

But at that time, perhaps it was because her husband was away, and every night felt empty.

It happened that Prince Feng Qishu, who was visiting Mu Shen’s father on official business, was staying at the Mu residence.

After that drunken accident, both she and the Prince knew they had committed a grave mistake.

But at that time, the Prince was also having troubles with Ye Zhanxue. He was tired of Ye Zhanxue’s strong personality and sought comfort elsewhere.

She was as if bewitched then, half resisting and half yielding, never expecting that Mu Shen would see upon his early return.

Fortunately, he didn’t burst in on them, but later confronted her privately, preserving her dignity. She had knelt before him in remorse and had broken off all ties with Feng Qishu.

Mu Shen seemed to truly forgive her then, never mentioning the incident again, and treating Hanjiang very well…

Mu Shen didn’t want to waste more words with her. He simply said, “Have someone clean up the room. I’ll wake Hanjiang.”

As he spoke, he entered the room and found torn wedding invitations beside Mu Hanjiang. He picked up a piece and looked at it—it was Prince Ruixiang’s wedding invitation.

In Mu Hanjiang’s hand was still clutched the piece with the bride’s name—Yan Xiaoying!

Just then, Mu Hanjiang mumbled drunkenly: “Xiaoying… Xiaoying, why are you marrying him? I knew you first…”

Hearing this, Mu Shen first raised his eyebrows in surprise, then smiled in understanding: Could it be that Heaven thought the previous generation’s misplaced love wasn’t dramatic enough? This generation was enacting the same scenario.

This child, Hanjiang, was actually in love with the same woman as his half-brother from the same father, but different mother?

Yan Xiaoying? What charm did she possess to bewitch both men so completely?

Thinking this, he picked up a cup of cold tea and splashed it on Mu Hanjiang to wake him.

Mu Hanjiang suddenly opened his eyes. Seeing it was his father, Mu Shen, he habitually sat up, intending to straighten his clothes, but then remembered something and slumped back down.

Mu Shen lifted the hem of his robe and sat cross-legged beside him: “Hanjiang, why are you so dejected?”

Mu Hanjiang moved his lips but didn’t know what to say.

All along, he had tried to live according to his mother’s wishes, hoping to eventually achieve success and truly take control of the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards.

But it turned out that everything he had prided himself on was built upon lies.

Even his father might not be his biological father.

Mu Hanjiang didn’t want to face this chaos. His only escape was to drown his sorrows in alcohol, hoping to avoid the absurdity of it all.

Hearing Mu Shen’s question, he slowly opened his eyes and asked: “Are you… My father?”

Mu Shen guessed that Feng Yuan must have told him.

His expression remained unchanged as he said in a gentle tone: “When you were still in swaddling clothes, I indeed asked myself this question. But as you gradually grew up, reaching for me with outstretched arms when you couldn’t stand steadily, as I held your hand guiding you step by step forward, I told myself that regardless of the previous generation’s grievances, children are innocent. I only asked myself if I had fulfilled a father’s responsibilities in every way. Rather, let me ask you: Have I earned the right to be your father?”

This question made Mu Hanjiang break down again. He covered his eyes with his large hands, allowing tears to slide through the gaps between his fingers.

How could Mu Shen not be qualified to be a father? When he was young and Xiao Tianyang refused to take him as a disciple because he wasn’t as good as Feng Yuan, it was Mu Shen who found renowned teachers and personally guided his swordsmanship.

Every time his mother punished him harshly, it was always his father who spoke gently and spared him from punishment.

The happiest times of his childhood were spent with his father and sister at this villa, catching cicadas from trees together.

He was too short then and could only ride on Mu Shen’s shoulders, holding up a long bamboo pole, laughing like a carefree child…

“Mother said that the broken bridge and the five-li slope incidents might have been your doing. Did you… Think I was in your way?”

“Your mother wronged me, but she is not a villainous person. I said long ago that she wasn’t fit to manage things, yet she insisted on controlling the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards. But her virtue didn’t match her position, which led to her subordinates becoming disloyal, secretly colluding with Wei people, and even forming covert connections with jianghu forces like the Xiaoyin Mountain Manor. What those people did, your mother probably couldn’t even explain clearly, so how would I know?”

Saying this, he solemnly raised his hand: “I, Mu Shen, swear to heaven that I never ordered anyone to harm my son Hanjiang’s life. If I break this oath, may I die without an intact corpse!”

Mu Shen wasn’t lying by saying this. The broken bridge and five-li slope incidents were truly his subordinates’ independent actions.

After raising this son for so many years, how could he let him die so easily and with no value?

So Mu Shen’s words were quite sincere.

Mu Hanjiang slowly raised his head to look at his father, as if trying to find a trace of insincerity on his face.

But Mu Shen wore the familiar, slightly melancholic smile that Hanjiang knew well as he said: “Regardless of what others or your mother have said, I consider you to be my son, Mu Shen’s son. But if you feel I’m unworthy, that’s your prerogative. Whatever you choose, I won’t blame you.”

Mu Shen’s words were as peaceful and magnanimous as always. Mu Hanjiang could no longer contain himself. He finally let down his guard and collapsed onto Mu Shen’s lap, silently sobbing.

Mu Shen caressed the back of his head as if soothing a child, then softly asked: “Hanjiang, is there anything else troubling you? Tell me…”

Mu Hanjiang felt too embarrassed by his behavior. He finally composed himself, slowly sat up, and didn’t want to speak.

But Mu Shen picked up the red paper from the ground and asked: “Do you know the woman Prince Ruixiang is going to marry?”

Mu Hanjiang silently nodded: “We traveled together on my return to the capital.”

“But you seem unhappy about Prince Ruixiang marrying this woman?”

Mu Hanjiang looked up at his father, then smiled bitterly while holding his forehead.

Mu Shen sighed softly and recited: “Going to seek spring too late in the season, no need for melancholy to blame the flowering time… Hanjiang, you are still young. While things remain unsettled, there’s still time. You must strive for what you want. Don’t follow in my footsteps—if I had dared to fight back then, perhaps I wouldn’t have married your mother, becoming a resentful couple and causing you suffering…”

Mu Shen’s words imperceptibly touched on Mu Hanjiang’s concerns. He raised his eyes and asked himself in a daze: “Do I… still have a chance?”

Mu Shen’s smile deepened as he said in a low, gentle voice: “Things are determined by human effort. If you put your heart into it, it’s never too late…”

Meanwhile, the bride-to-be Yan Xiaoying finally began to feel like a maiden about to be married as the wedding approached.

These past few days, Chu Yu, Shen Wen’s wife, had been frequently visiting the prince’s mansion to help the future princess with the numerous details of her wedding preparation.

Her husband now served under the Grand Prince and was thriving in the Ministry of Personnel.

Of course, what Chu Yu brought wasn’t just head ornaments and jewelry, but also all sorts of steaming hot political secrets from inside and outside the palace.

“Have you heard from the Grand Prince? The Crown Prince is gravely ill and has voluntarily petitioned His Majesty, asking to be relieved of his position as heir!”

Xiaoying naturally knew about this. She also knew that His Majesty had exploded with rage upon hearing this and had pointed at Feng Qiyuan’s nose, berating him for a full half hour in the imperial study.

Although Emperor Chunde had never fully acknowledged this Crown Prince, there was a vast difference between the prince being deposed and voluntarily abdicating!

Emperor Chunde was wary of his sons having too much ambition, but if they had none at all, being as meek as sheep and accepting everything passively, that was equally intolerable to him as a father.

But Feng Qiyuan was determined to yield his position. He had even tremblingly stated during a pause in His Majesty’s tirade that when His Majesty had someone verify his gender, he had been stripped naked in front of his mother and the palace concubines, utterly humiliated.

Throughout history, had any crown prince ever suffered such degradation? He now couldn’t sleep at night. When he closed his eyes, he felt the entire court was mocking him. If he were forced to remain Crown Prince, it would be the death of him. After saying this, Feng Qiyuan had broken down in tears, sobbing until he fainted. Since then, he had been confined to bed in the Eastern Palace, refusing to see anyone.

Even Elder Teng and other ministers loyal to the Crown Prince were turned away.

In short, the current Crown Prince was sickly and had xgiven up his responsibilities.

Incidentally, the Grand Prince had also been present when the Crown Prince was humiliated.

Thus, a rumor had somehow spread through the court: the Crown Prince’s false accusation of being a woman was orchestrated by the Grand Prince.

Otherwise, why would the Grand Prince suddenly marry a woman of such low status as his princess consort?

They said the woman had no particular talents—she merely had a face identical to the Crown Prince’s.

Such a vicious attack on one’s character!

The Crown Prince had been so thoroughly defeated by the Grand Prince’s scheme that his spirit was now scattered, and he could no longer summon any energy.