Hearing this, Xiaoying looked at Jin Zhong: “How do you know so much about the Grand Prince’s Xuanqing Palace affairs?”

Jin Zhong proudly puffed out his chest: “Your Highness, have you forgotten where this servant came from? Those old eunuchs in the former palace are my teachers. Just a quick visit there and I learned everything!”

Knowing Jin Zhong’s love for gossip, Xiaoying teased him: “Your former master has returned. If you wish to go back, I will release you.”

Jin Zhong shook his head vigorously like a rattling drum, hurriedly expressing his loyalty.

Everyone in the old palace had witnessed the Grand Prince’s madness. When that man had episodes, he would attack people without any trace of humanity—it was terrifying!

Who knew when he might have another episode?

Jin Zhong subtly indicated that the Crown Prince was a much better master, less demanding and easier to please, a rare good master in this world. He wouldn’t go back even if it killed him!

Xiaoying smiled and dismissed him, then quickly lay down to catch up on sleep.

However, in the middle of the night, she rose and headed toward the Grand Prince’s Xuanqing Palace.

This “Sun Wukong” had employed cunning schemes all along, breaking free from the desolate palace’s deadlock.

Xiaoying needed to meet with him privately, compare accounts, and repair their broken master-disciple relationship.

Fortunately, the Grand Prince’s former palace was secluded and not heavily guarded, allowing Xiaoying to slip in easily.

But the large bed in the sleeping chamber was completely empty, with no one there.

Xiaoying habitually looked under the bed, and after confirming there truly was no one, she frowned slightly, unable to figure out where the injured Grand Prince had gone.

Since she couldn’t find him, she decided to return to her quarters and make longer-term plans the next day.

The next day, as soon as dawn broke, the princes from various palaces rose to prepare for social obligations.

After all, with the eldest royal brother returning to the inner palace to recuperate, all the princes had to put on a show of brotherly affection and respect.

The Empress, however, had no heart to instruct her own two sons on proper etiquette and behavior.

After yesterday’s incident, she had become somewhat manic herself.

The guard captain who had beaten the Grand Prince had only spent one night in the Imperial Censorate prison before being found brutally dead in his cell early this morning.

With the man dead, the Empress would have to bear the blame herself.

She had been reprimanded by His Majesty for lacking compassion while managing the inner palace, for mistreating a sick child and causing him embarrassment before old acquaintances.

Added to this, the accumulated scandals of her commoner brother had led His Majesty to punish her with a month of kneeling in the Buddhist hall to recite sutras and cultivate her virtue.

With the Empress confined to the Buddhist hall, Xiaoliu had no one to look after him, so he naturally came to find the Crown Prince, wanting to accompany his Fourth Brother to pay respects to their returned eldest royal brother.

However, when he saw the gift the Crown Prince had prepared, he hesitated: “Your Highness… for visiting our brother… is this gift… appropriate?”

Xiaoying looked at the roasted lamb leg that had just been delivered from the imperial kitchen—not bad, perfectly cooked with a beautiful golden color.

She cut a slice to taste, nodding with satisfaction: “You don’t understand. This lamb is seasoned with Western Region cumin, a flavor your eldest royal brother has never tasted before. He’ll be more delighted with this than with gold or silver.”

Xiaoliu suspected his brother was just making excuses for being stingy, tactfully suggesting they find something else as a gift.

Xiaoying glared at him: “If you’re not satisfied with this, then contribute some money yourself to make it look better! Your brother’s pockets are empty—I don’t have money to cover for you!”

The Sixth Prince was even poorer than the Crown Prince. Still young, he relied on the Empress for food and clothing, had no monthly allowance, and was in no position to be picky.

A single coin could overwhelm the imperial descendants. He finally closed his mouth obediently and followed his royal brother to pay respects.

When they arrived at the Grand Prince’s Xuanqing Palace, the Second Prince happened to be visiting as well.

A favored prince was certainly different—he was generous, arriving with an impressive procession of gifts.

Judging by his display, there were at least five bolts of tribute silks and brocades, not to mention numerous ornamental vases and other decorative items.

Upon seeing the Crown Prince, Second Prince Feng Qiting smiled insincerely: “What a coincidence, the Crown Prince has also come to visit our eldest royal brother… Oh, you didn’t bring anything?”

Yan Xiaoying pointed to the tray Jin Zhong was holding behind her, indicating that the succulent lamb leg was their gift.

Feng Qiting couldn’t help but laugh.

This effeminate prince might have gained some cleverness, but once deprived of the Empress’s guidance on social matters, he remained as dull and deficient as ever.

Didn’t he know that the Empress was being punished precisely because she had failed to take proper care of the Grand Prince?

Everyone in the palace knew about the incident years ago when the Grand Prince had nearly drowned the Crown Prince. Yet the Empress had continued to mistreat the Grand Prince because of this, sending people to beat the sick child, completely losing the dignity expected of the mother of the inner palace.

Now that the Empress was being punished, Feng Qiyuan should have been mediating on his mother’s behalf, sincerely apologizing to the Grand Prince.

But instead, he merely brought a lamb leg to perfunctorily fulfill his obligation.

The Second Prince, advised by Consort Shang, was being extremely generous this time, immediately standing out among the princes. If this reached the Emperor’s ears, it would show how understanding and considerate he was.

When they reached the Grand Prince’s former palace, the Second Prince deliberately quickened his pace, hurrying ahead of the Crown Prince to pay respects to their eldest royal brother.

Xiaoying moved unhurriedly behind the Second Prince, raising her eyes to observe the tall, handsome eldest prince standing on the steps.

The formerly destitute madman had shed his tattered clothes, now dressed in a dark robe with a jade belt. His tall figure, topped with a golden crown binding his hair, made him appear as straight and dignified as a pine tree.

In the gentle breeze, the downtrodden A’Yuan had been transformed—his features clear, like a graceful jade statue, naturally exuding the aura of noble imperial blood.

Yet fine clothes and a golden crown could not brighten the gloom between his brows.

That pair of handsome eyes revealed a melancholy unsuited to a young man’s age—looking at them for too long seemed to infect one’s heart with some accumulated grief…

Feng Yuan remained as taciturn as he had been in the desolate palace.

The Second Prince was socially adept, offering a long string of pleasantries.

The Grand Prince stood unmoved, merely lowering his gaze to focus, faintly saying “Thank you for Consort Shang’s gift,” with no further words, and no invitation for his second brother to come in and sit.

The Second Prince felt somewhat awkward. No matter how socially skilled he was, he had no interest in pursuing a madman’s cold reception.

Having delivered his lavish gifts and made his appearance, he departed with an air of disdain.

When it was time for the Crown Prince and Xiaoliu, before Xiaoying could finish her courtesies, Feng Yuan coldly interrupted: “I’m tired. If Your Highness is busy, please leave…”

With that, he turned and returned to the palace, leaving the Crown Prince stranded at the entrance.

The onlookers weren’t surprised—after all, the enmity between the Grand Prince and the Crown Prince ran deep.

Although the Grand Prince had caused the Empress to be implicated and punished to kneel in the Buddhist hall, the Crown Prince seemed too stingy, bringing only a lamb leg for the Grand Prince.

No wonder the Grand Prince wouldn’t give the Crown Prince face—these two brothers seemed unlikely to ever reconcile!

Sixth Prince A’Ruo said dejectedly, “Your Highness, I told you your gift wasn’t appropriate. This… this is too embarrassing…”

Yan Xiaoying promptly gave him a flick on the forehead: “If anyone should be embarrassed, it’s me alone—what does it have to do with you! Don’t you still have homework to finish? Since we’ve already seen our eldest royal brother, you’d better hurry back to your studies.”

With the Crown Prince’s command, the Sixth Prince had no choice but to comply, holding his forehead and obediently following the young eunuch back.

Xiaoying took Jin Zhong for a stroll around the garden, then asked him to fetch her fan.

Seeing no one around, she returned to the Grand Prince’s palace.

Rather than using the main entrance, she slipped in through the back door while a eunuch was opening it to wash the stone slabs and pull weeds.

The Grand Prince’s sleeping quarters were sparse, with many furnishings not yet in place—just a large bed and simple furniture.

No palace servants were attending in Xuanqing Palace. On the table sat food that seemed untouched, apparently left there for some time.

Feng Yuan wasn’t sitting at the table but was cross-legged on the floor, examining the plate of lamb meat placed before him.

Feng Yuan seemed to have anticipated the Crown Prince’s return, not even looking up when Xiaoying entered.

Xiaoying, seeing no one else around, half-reclined on the couch, smilingly examining the Grand Prince up and down: “What’s the matter? No rat to test for poison, so you dare not eat? I already tasted it for you earlier—this lamb leg should have no other unclean seasonings!”

With no test rats available, Xiaoying, maintaining her kindness to the end, again tore off a piece and put it in her mouth, eating it to demonstrate for him.

Feng Yuan finally looked up at her, rolled up his sleeves, and pulled out a self-made knife from his waist…

Yan Xiaoying narrowed her eyes vigilantly, waiting for him to make an aggressive move.

Unexpectedly, he merely used the knife to cut meat from the tray, then began eating it in large bites.

Xiaoying got up to inspect the front and back of the palace, ensuring no one was eavesdropping, then strolled to the Grand Prince’s side. With no regard for her image, she sat on the floor, propped her face with her hand, and quietly asked: “Where did you go last night? I came looking for you but found no one.”

The Grand Prince didn’t want to answer, just continuing to chew vigorously.

Xiaoying tactfully changed the subject: “Was the collapse of Wenxing Palace your doing?”

She had asked the people from the Department of Works afterward. The craftsmen were puzzled as to why such solid beams and pillars would collapse—it looked as if someone had deliberately chiseled them.

Feng Yuan chewed his meat and nodded.

Xiaoying asked further: “Did you sneak out early to pry open the outer wall and the locks of your Tianlu Palace?”

She had examined the locks afterward and found traces of forceful prying—they certainly hadn’t been opened with keys.

Feng Yuan shook his head and said faintly: “Third Uncle arranged for an acquaintance in the Department of Works to open the locks.”

Yan Xiaoying raised her thumb in admiration.

This fellow had indeed escaped the Five-finger Mountain through his abilities.

This Grand Prince had lured her step by step to the gambling table, using her to deliver messages and bring in Xiao Tianyang. From him, he learned about the banquet invitation, and during the feast attended by General Ye and old friends, he deliberately provoked a severe beating.

Then, using smoke as a signal, he ensured Xiao Tianyang’s timely entrance to break the deadlock.

Taking advantage of the rare opportunity of the banquet with old friends gathered, Feng Yuan exploited Emperor Chunde’s concern for appearances and emphasis on benevolence, finally appearing before everyone to legitimize his identity, forcing his father to bring him back!

Such meticulous planning and flawless calculation—she had to admit she couldn’t match him.

Only, she didn’t know if this pretender had seen through her secret while playing the fool to catch the tiger.

Just then, a piece of meat was offered to her mouth. Xiaoying graciously accepted it and began eating.

Feng Yuan looked at the youth’s still somewhat childlike face, indeterminate between male and female, and asked in a deep voice: “You… are Feng Qiyuan?”

Xiaoying blinked her eyes, smiling innocently: “What do you think, my royal brother?”

That “royal brother” made Feng Yuan’s gaze slightly colder. He moved his Adam’s apple and said faintly: “Your Highness looks… not much different from childhood. Who taught you martial arts?”

This question she could answer! Xiaoying had an all-purpose, unfailing response ready.

“You know, I was as unfortunate as you. I was confined for four years before, and learned these fancy moves from a guard. I learned quite a lot—I can also use an abacus, make noodle soup, and weave straw sandals! Would you like me to make you a pair someday?”

Feng Yuan said nothing, just lowering his gaze and continuing to eat the lamb leg in large bites.

Seeing he wouldn’t pursue the matter of past events, Xiaoying tentatively asked: “With your abilities, you could have escaped from the palace long ago, from the desolate palace. But when I previously asked if you wanted me to help you leave, you flatly refused. This time again, you wouldn’t leave with Third Uncle Xiao, insisting on staying in the palace. Since you know Father Emperor doesn’t like you, why are you so persistent? Could it be… my royal brother has some grand ambition?”

Feng Yuan’s thoughts were profound—if he harbored intentions of seizing the crown, he would be aligned with the Second Prince. She, bearing the Crown Prince’s title, would sooner or later become his stumbling block.

The A’Yuan, who had feigned madness in the desolate palace, had unfathomable thoughts. Xiaoying still needed to remain in the palace for some time and couldn’t help but seek clarity.

Feng Yuan’s expression remained calm as he countered with a question: “Does Your Highness wish for me to leave the imperial palace?”

Xiaoying had witnessed the upheaval in the great hall that day and had heard something of it.

It turned out Ye Zhanxue had discovered her pregnancy before being captured, and it was for the sake of the child in her womb that she had endured humiliation to survive.

Unfortunately, no one believed her words. Later, when Lady Ye gave birth at full term, she could have proven the child’s pure bloodline by the timing, but Emperor Chunde happened to be away from the residence.

The physician, bribed by someone unknown, insisted she had delivered two months early. To Emperor Chunde, who had just returned from the campaign, the timing made it obvious this wasn’t his flesh and blood but a bastard conceived in the enemy camp.

From then on, endless suffering befell both mother and son.

In his youth, Feng Yuan had been poisoned and nearly died in madness. The bitterness he had endured these ten years was truly unimaginable for those who hadn’t experienced it.

Perhaps all his grudges and resentment were here—things he couldn’t leave behind or forget!

Xiaoying tactfully stopped questioning, but her sympathy for A’Yuan had reached its limit for now.

After all, he had used her quite thoroughly and almost dragged her down with him.

She still needed the Crown Prince’s identity to help her brother escape the city.

She only hoped that during this time, A’Yuan would remember her kindness in feeding him and the master-disciple relationship where she had wholeheartedly taught him martial arts—it would be enough if he didn’t expose her identity.

However, Feng Yuan asked first: “Your Highness… going to the desolate palace again yesterday, were you planning to silence me?”

Xiaoying couldn’t help but roll her eyes: “If I wanted to kill you, would I have waited until yesterday? I saw that guard seemed to be going for you, so I deliberately brought Mu Hanjiang along to help you out! Have you no conscience!”

Her purpose in coming was to clarify boundaries with A’Yuan, to establish a mutual understanding of non-interference.

So she cut to the chase, helping Feng Yuan sort through the complex palace relationships: “Back then, you wronged me, not the other way around. And the person who poisoned you wouldn’t have been my mother. Her character is such that she doesn’t waste effort on useless actions—she only strikes hard at those who obstruct her. You were born of a deceased wife, your bloodline questioned—you were no obstacle to her.”

Feng Yuan understood Xiaoying’s meaning: “You’re distancing yourself from involvement, suggesting you’re not my enemy, wanting me not to reveal your secret visit to the desolate palace?”

Yan Xiaoying knew he was clever and approvingly patted his shoulder: “That’s exactly it. I truly regard you as a brother. You do what you wish to do, and I absolutely won’t stand in your way. However… now that you’ve returned, you have no foundation in the inner palace. Wouldn’t it be more convenient to have a familiar person helping out? Though in public, you should maintain distance from me as you did today—that would be best for both of us!”

Feng Yuan didn’t agree, just looking at her inscrutably.