Emperor Chunde hadn’t yet decided how to deal with this young woman.

Just then, footsteps approached from outside, and Feng Yuan entered directly without being announced. He glanced at Xiaoying kneeling on the ground, then bowed to Emperor Chunde and asked, “Your Majesty, Xiaoying and I fought all night at Small An Mountain. If there are no further matters, I wish to take her out of the palace to rest.”

Emperor Chunde laughed bitterly in his extreme anger: “What’s this? You’ve grown fond of her already? Marrying such a reckless woman with hidden malicious intentions. Your audacity exceeds even hers!”

Fearing Feng Yuan might say something wrong, Xiaoying quietly reminded him: “Your Majesty is perceptive. He knows everything about my brother and me…”

Feng Yuan raised his eyes to look at Emperor Chunde and said calmly, “The Yan family’s misfortunes all originated with the Feng family. Xiaoying lost her mother shortly after birth and was separated from her birth brother. From childhood to adulthood, she endured tremendous suffering. If it were me, I truly would harbor ill intentions and disturb the peace of the realm. But Xiaoying is kind-hearted and believes in directing blame where it belongs. Her and her brother’s misfortunes were caused by the Tang family. Xiaoying has never misdirected her resentment toward the imperial family. Being able to investigate Xiaoyu’s crimes this time was because Xiaoying returned to the capital to pursue justice for a family’s massacre. My son and she have weathered storms together, knowing and loving each other. Now that she is my Princess Consort, it is only right that I care for her. What kind of man would I be if I couldn’t even protect my wife?”

As he spoke, Xiaoying tugged at his robe discreetly, signaling him to be more cautious.

Emperor Chunde, with a gloomy face, said to Xiaoying: “You may leave first!”

As father and son needed to speak privately, Xiaoying naturally got up and left.

When only father and son remained, Emperor Chunde spoke directly: “Among my sons, as the eldest, I have placed great expectations on you. You should cherish yourself and prioritize the greater good. That woman is not worthy of being a Princess Consort now, how could she ever be worthy of you in the future?”

Feng Yuan replied calmly: “I have already decided that after marrying Xiaoying, I will return to the Jiangzhe region. I hope Your Majesty will graciously grant permission.”

Emperor Chunde was stunned. At this critical moment when the Crown Prince had been deposed, any ambitious prince would be eager to seize the opportunity. Even the sixth prince, who had yet to come of age, would occasionally “coincidentally” encounter him in the gardens to show off newly learned poetry.

Yet Feng Yuan voluntarily expressed his desire to leave the capital? What scheme was he planning? Was he declaring his lack of interest in becoming the heir apparent?

If Feng Yuan wanted it, Emperor Chunde might not necessarily grant it. But his straightforward refusal made Emperor Chunde deeply uncomfortable.

“Mu Hanjiang once lay low in Wei Country for years, carefully planning, but was set aside. It would be a waste to abandon those plans. Our Dafeng dynasty will eventually face war with the Wei Country, and we must prepare. He should have told Your Majesty about his intention to continue his covert operations in Wei. As he is isolated without support, my presence in Jiangzhe would provide him with assistance.”

Emperor Chunde narrowed his eyes, intending to enlighten Feng Yuan: “Do you understand what would happen if you leave the capital for territories not your own?”

It would mean distancing himself from the court and influential officials. Combined with his marrying a woman of low status, he would lose all support from aristocratic families. Once imperial power shifted elsewhere, he would never have another chance to enter the game!

Feng Yuan looked up at Emperor Chunde and said calmly, “Doesn’t Your Majesty have many brothers? Why did you ultimately inherit the throne? Not because you could flatter and please the late emperor, but because you fought for and won this vast inheritance for him. Regardless of legitimacy, based on merit alone, you deserved the succession. Therefore, I wish to follow your example and earn my achievements.”

He did not hypocritically claim to have no interest in competing for the throne. Instead, he candidly expressed his intention to follow Emperor Chunde’s path—building military achievements through genuine ability rather than lingering at court like the second prince, navigating among noble families and engaging in scheming and intrigue, living like a despicable creature!

In that moment, Emperor Chunde truly glimpsed his father. Not only did this child resemble the late emperor in appearance, but how did he also spoke with the same air as his imperial grandfather.

Although Emperor Chunde had always strived to emulate the late emperor’s straightforward, magnanimous spirit of a martial hero, even imitating his mannerisms, treating Swordmaster Xiao Jiumu’s descendants well, and former officials from his time as crown prince.

But he couldn’t quite master that innate broadmindedness.

If someone else had spoken as Feng Yuan did today, it would have seemed like awkward imitation.

But Feng Yuan had already proven through his actions that, despite having been mistreated in his childhood, he wasn’t vengeful or plotting to usurp power.

During this palace upheaval, Feng Yuan’s behavior had been that of an honorable gentleman.

Even toward the second prince, with whom he had never been on good terms, he hadn’t taken the opportunity to kill him when convenient, but had simply thrown the unconscious Feng Qiting onto a carriage and safely transported him back.

So when Feng Yuan said he aspired to the throne but wanted to compete honorably through merit, he spoke his true feelings.

Emperor Chunde felt a rare pride in his son, yet still puzzled, asked: “If you are interested in competing for succession, why not seize this excellent opportunity? You could have obtained the throne much earlier! Have you truly never considered it?”

Feng Yuan replied calmly: “Of course, I’ve considered it. During the days and nights of my imprisonment in the Desolate Palace, my mind was filled with thoughts of revenge and how to gain power to establish an invincible position. But later, I met a woman who told me that the world is full of both grievances and joys in equal measure. If one’s heart is filled with vengeance, how can one appreciate this journey through life? Although I was framed by Mu Shen and subjected to poison cultivation for ten years, if my hands were truly stained with the blood of father and brothers, wouldn’t that fulfill the wishes of those who poisoned me? My mother bore the burden of false accusations and suffered humiliation to give birth to me, certainly not so I would become a monster consumed by revenge and slaughtering indiscriminately.”

Emperor Chunde’s heart trembled as he listened, surprised that the young woman could speak such righteous words.

At this point, Feng Yuan changed the subject: “Today is my wedding day. If Father Emperor can acknowledge the merit of my wife and me in saving your life, and allow us to return home temporarily, regardless of future rewards or punishments, could Your Majesty grant me this favor?”

Feng Yuan spoke these words while still wearing his blood-stained clothes. Emperor Chunde couldn’t help but look up at his son. Though he felt his son’s words contained criticism directed at himself, he was too exhausted to respond immediately.

The court now needed thorough cleansing. With loyalties unclear and not knowing how many more hidden agents Mu Shen had planted, he couldn’t do without this eldest son.

Moreover, this woman indeed resembled Ye Zhanxue. A woman of such courage, intelligence, and loyalty was truly rare in the world!

He even momentarily wondered with a sense of loss: he, too, had once gained such an extraordinary woman, but how had he ultimately lost her?

In just this one night, Emperor Chunde suddenly felt he had aged considerably.

For a moment, he recalled his days as crown prince. His old companions were still around then; they studied and played together, and met women who stirred their hearts.

Back then, he too had been like Feng Yuan, willing to do anything to provide his beloved with a magnificent house and fine clothes and jewels, never allowing her to suffer the slightest grievance…

Yet now, he sat alone in the most magnificent palace, cold and solitary.

Thinking of this, he finally waved his hand, gesturing for the couple to leave.

As they stepped out of the palace gates, night had fallen. Xiaoying hadn’t slept all night and was now so exhausted she collapsed into Feng Yuan’s arms.

After hearing about Feng Yuan’s conversation with his father, Xiaoying felt concerned: “Do you think His Majesty will let you leave?”

Taking advantage of Mu Shen’s incident, His Majesty would surely become vigilant and purge the court. Those powerful aristocratic families would certainly be on the list for purging.

After all, Mu Shen had bribed numerous sons from noble families. In the coming days, the capital would inevitably experience bloody turmoil.

Master Ge intended to prevent Feng Yuan from becoming the emperor’s blade for killing.

Severed connections could be reestablished. Distance from the capital could one day be overcome. But once one’s reputation was tarnished, history would record him as a tyrannical and foolish ruler.

In that case, it was better to seize the opportunity to leave the capital and gather strength for future endeavors!

Moreover, the wealth of Xiaoyu Manor was substantial—this piece of fat meat couldn’t be allowed to fall into others’ mouths.

As for the empty title of Crown Prince, what was there to fight for? Before Emperor Chunde passed away, the Crown Prince’s position was too hot to sit on comfortably!

Having money and the ability to raise an army was what truly mattered!

Xiaoyu’s actual account books had been revealed by Mu Shen’s confidants. Many shops and properties were located in the Jiangzhe region.

The former “Little King of Hell” of Jiangzhe was already eager to plunder extensively.

Such a lucrative opportunity must be firmly secured for Feng Yuan! Hence, Feng Yuan’s proposal to return to Jiangzhe.

Now it remained to be seen whether His Majesty truly appreciated his eldest son and would allow him to leave the capital, this cesspool, to freely seize those riches.

Thinking of this, she comfortably adjusted her position, burying her face in the crook of Feng Yuan’s arm, musing with some emotion: “Do you think the Third Prince will reject Yanyan because of her background?”

With Yanyan’s unknown paternity, plus the recent events, the future relationship between her and the Third Prince would likely become even more arduous and uncertain.

Feng Yuan replied calmly: “If that’s the case, wouldn’t separation be better for both of them?”

Feng Yuan was about to continue speaking when the young woman fell soundly asleep in his arms.

Feng Yuan reached out to touch her cheek. Had she forgotten that today was their wedding day?

But seeing the woman in his arms sleeping peacefully like a cat, Feng Yuan simply wrapped her tighter in his cloak and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek.

And so the new bride slept back, returning to the prince’s residence. Under the glow of red lanterns lining the corridors, Feng Yuan carried her back to their new chamber.

Only when she was undressed and placed in a warm bath did she hazily open her eyes, momentarily dazed in the warm atmosphere.

Discovering that she was sharing a large wooden tub with Feng Yuan, Xiaoying, still groggy from sleep and forgetting she had already married him, murmured confusedly: “Why are you in my room again? If Father and the others see, they’ll grumble! Hurry back to your room!”

Seeing she was finally awake, Feng Yuan merely gazed with deep eyes as water droplets rolled down from her forehead, then playfully trailed along her cheeks and slender neck. He reached for a towel, wrapped the confused woman, lifted her, and strode to the bed, lowering the layers of crimson bed curtains in the alluring candlelight…

At first, Xiaoying didn’t think much of it, just like their usual playful interactions—after all, Feng Yuan had always stopped at the appropriate moment.

But today, he became increasingly uninhibited.

In her hazy state, Xiaoying felt as if she had returned to the bathtub, enveloped in moist, scalding steam, then pushed by waves, concentrating the heat in one place, wrapping around her limbs and body.

Being steamed and pressed by this heat, when the water reached boiling boil, she suddenly remembered that she had married Feng Yuan!

This man didn’t want to miss the sweetness of their wedding night.

But… wasn’t he tired? How could he still have such energy after fighting all night?

“Elder Prince… no… I’m so tired…” Xiaoying said softly, with misty, moist eyes, deliberately calling him “Prince” to tease him.

Feng Yuan buried his face in the crook of her neck, obligingly replying: “How dare I tire my Crown Prince? You should rest, and let this prince serve you well…”

When her nails dug deeply into her husband’s solid arms, he let out a muffled groan of pain.

But soon, her hands were pinned above her head by another pair of large hands, firmly gripped with no chance of escape. She could only passively rise and fall with the boiling turbulence, repeatedly pressed and steamed…

The next day, Xiaoying didn’t manage to get up until almost noon.

Her father and adoptive father didn’t even wait for the newlyweds to serve tea before rushing off to the Imperial Court of Justice.

Mu Hanjiang had already taken Fu Ansheng out from Princess Anqing’s custody. The full truth of the Meng family’s wrongful case finally came to light.

Although Mu Shen was dead, several of his core henchmen who had personally massacred the Meng family were still alive. Feng Yuan had already asked Shen Jing to obtain their names and quickly deployed men to capture them before the government officials could, bringing them to be sacrificed at the graves of the Meng family’s wives and children.

When Xiaoying finally opened her eyes and struggled to get up, she was pulled back into the bedding by an iron arm: “Why are you getting up so early?”

Xiaoying yawned from lack of sleep, then looked at Feng Yuan solemnly and whispered, “No wonder you always stopped in time before. Otherwise, I would have discovered earlier that we weren’t so compatible…”

Hearing this, Feng Yuan pressed his nose against hers and drawled: “Not compatible in what way?”

Had he not tried hard enough to satisfy her? But who was it who cried tears last night, begging him softly to rest?

Xiaoying raised her head and bit his nose tip, knowing full well what wasn’t compatible—naturally, it was the size that didn’t match, stretching her too much!

Despite her bold personality, this was her first time being intimate with a man!

Her previous pitiful experience with Feng Yuan hadn’t prepared her for the end. She had been like meat repeatedly kneaded on a cutting board, at his mercy!

Feng Yuan couldn’t help but bend down to kiss the young woman. Seeing how his kisses were again pressing her toward the bed, Xiaoying couldn’t help but wrap her arms around his neck and say softly: “If you continue like this, I’ll have to run away!”

With that, she made a move as if to jump out of bed and flee.

These words were not pleasing to hear. Feng Yuan promptly pressed down on her waist: “Try running and see what happens?”

His intention seemed to be to eagerly tie her up and severely punish her again.

Xiaoying recalled what he had done yesterday and blushed slightly: “Where did you learn all that? It couldn’t have been taught by Master Ge, could it?”

Feng Yuan pressed her down beneath him again and said softly, “Naturally, you taught me. Night after night in my dreams, you untied your silk clothes, begging for even more techniques…”

Ah, Xiaoying was somewhat dumbfounded, certainly not admitting to such absurd seductions of her husband. What had filled his mind before?

He had always stayed up late and risen early to study diligently, and when asleep, had only had shameless spring dreams.

Feng Yuan was brushing Xiaoying’s hair, her long tresses twining around his fingertips, smooth as silk, making it hard to let go.

Initially, Feng Yuan wasn’t skilled at hair-brushing, but this woman loved beauty. Yet she wasn’t good at cosmetics and hairdressing. Thus, Feng Yuan had become practiced, his long fingers calloused from swords, now deftly able to create glossy braids.

But now, as a newlywed, Xiaoying’s hairstyle needed to change to the cloud-piled bun of a married woman.

Meng Zhun and Yan Shan, who had just returned home, saw the young couple chatting happily and couldn’t help but exchange glances.

Previously, they had always felt the Grand Prince was not good with words and rather cold. Now, they didn’t notice much change in him.

But whenever they saw him with Xiaoying, he seemed to have more vitality, as if a cold, handsome stone statue had suddenly come to life.

Yan Shan had just learned that the Grand Prince would personally wash his hands to cook for Xiaoying, and even tasks like brushing a woman’s hair—something he had never done for his own wife—the Grand Prince did with pleasure.

Knowing that Feng Yuan would truly cherish people, Yan Shan’s heart could finally settle.

In Prince Ruixiang’s residence, a room filled with spring’s warmth, but this spring breeze couldn’t reach elsewhere.

The capital was in a state of fear and alarm, with searches and arrests happening in mansions everywhere.

That long list from Xiaoyu Manor was truly devastating.

Even the usually adaptable Madam Chu Yu was so frightened that she suspended her business and hurriedly came to the prince’s residence to gather information from the Princess Consort.

Yan Xiaoying lazily stretched on the soft couch, then propped her cheek as she ate honey dates: “Your Song family’s names aren’t on the list, so you should be more at ease.”

But Chu Yu didn’t believe it and probed: “Not a single one?”

Xiaoying smiled: “You should know our prince’s character by now. He’s most protective of his own. Your grand-uncle merely coveted some easy money and was used by others. If his younger generations were implicated because of such an old man, it wouldn’t be right. The prince will personally admonish that grand-uncle, so there’s no need for a visit to the Imperial Court of Justice.”

Hearing this, Chu Yu finally put her mind at ease.

When she arrived at the prince’s residence today, many people were crowding at the gate to deliver their calling cards, each humbly pleading with the prince’s steward.

Unfortunately, hastily seeking Buddha’s protection when trouble comes couldn’t move the true Buddha.

Now the benefits of being in Prince Ruixiang’s inner circle became apparent. Chu Yu merely had to state her name and was allowed entry without needing a formal announcement.

This made those begging Prince Ruixiang for protection look on with envy and longing.

Of course, besides those close to the Princess Consort like Chu Yu, others who could easily enter the residence were those coming to discuss important matters with Feng Yuan.

Mu Hanjiang and Feng Yuan sat in the prince’s long pavilion, both silent, just drinking quietly.

After a pot of wine was consumed, Mu Hanjiang finally looked up and asked Feng Yuan, “You trust me so much, aren’t you afraid I might betray you and Xiaoying at the last moment?”

Feng Yuan looked at him, personally pouring him a cup: “Xiaoying said you’re not that kind of person.”

Hearing this, Mu Hanjiang smiled bitterly and looked up: “I’m not as good as she thinks. When we were alone in the dungeon… I truly wanted to keep her, to prevent her from seeing you again…”

At that time, they were discussing their next strategy, also to confuse Meng Shiba outside the prison door.

The woman’s mischievous playfulness during those brief two hours was enough to shake all gentlemanly conduct and an official’s composure.

Feng Yuan was still smiling, but the hand holding his wine cup revealed slightly bulging blue veins as he said calmly: “You won’t have such opportunities in the future.”

Mu Hanjiang smiled: “Don’t speak so definitively. There’s still a long future ahead. A fortune teller once predicted I would live to a hundred.”

If Feng Yuan treated Xiaoying well, that would be fine. But if one day he held power and became a second Emperor Chunde, Mu Hanjiang wouldn’t maintain his gentlemanly restraint and would wait for his chance to pick up what was discarded.

Hearing these words, Feng Yuan looked at him with a slight smile, grinding his teeth as he asked: “Is that so? I see written on your face nothing but the words ‘seeking death.'”

Mu Hanjiang couldn’t be bothered to provoke Feng Yuan further. He raised his cup, swallowed the spicy liquid in one gulp, then stood up: “You’re right. Wei Country is dangerous, and my departure today truly means walking into a dragon’s lair and a tiger’s den. I’ll take my leave now. You and I… will meet again.”

Princess Anqing and Mu Yanyan were also leaving with Mu Hanjiang.

They had already left earlier and were waiting outside the city.

Though His Majesty had pardoned the other members of the Mu family in consideration of Mu Hanjiang’s meritorious service, Mu Hanjiang knew his mother could no longer hold her head up in the capital. It was opportune for her to leave the capital with him, taking his sister back to their hometown to live in seclusion.

As for Mu Yanyan’s marriage, after the incident, the other family returned the betrothal gifts, ending the engagement.

When Mu Hanjiang left the capital, Feng Yuan personally rode on horseback to escort him out of the city gates, then tossed him a finely forged steel sword, saying calmly: “I commissioned a master to forge this for you. Wei Country is dangerous, take care of yourself… A fortune teller also predicted my fate, saying I have a hard destiny that brings misfortune to my mother and friends. If you die, my reputation for having a hard fate would become reality.”

These words sounded awkward, full of curses, but Mu Hanjiang understood. From childhood to adulthood, Feng Yuan had only one good friend—Mu Hanjiang—a friendship of life and death, unrelated to blood ties!