Feng Yuan, having heard her, reached out to feel her forehead. Finding no fever, he asked: “Do you want me to call the traveling physician to examine you?”

Xiaoying repeatedly waved her hands, forcing a smile to indicate it wasn’t necessary.

If the physician diagnosed the Crown Prince with menstruation, no one would sleep that night!

The physician here wasn’t like the imperial doctors in the palace who had been arranged by the Empress—he couldn’t be allowed to examine her!

When the leather tent was set up, Xiaoying lazily rose to enter and avoid the cold, but Feng Yuan suddenly grabbed her arm from behind, preventing her from proceeding.

Xiaoying was startled, frowned, and glared at him: “What are you doing?”

Feng Yuan hesitated, then said: “There’s blood… on your back…”

Xiaoying turned her head, pulled the back of her robe to look, and even with her usual nonchalance, her face flushed red with embarrassment as she stared at Feng Yuan without speaking.

This was bad. Her cloak had been splashed with water earlier, so she’d given it to Jian Hu to dry. The clothes chest was on the boat and couldn’t be brought over immediately. Now she had nothing to cover herself with.

Feng Yuan initially thought she was injured. He quickly looked her up and down, frowning: “Where are you hurt?”

Xiaoying smiled awkwardly, trying to free herself from his large hand, thinking: Would it be too late to cut my finger now?

But just then, Feng Yuan suddenly stared at her, as if comprehending the situation. He quickly walked to the side, took his cloak to drape over Xiaoying, then turned to intercept Mu Hanjiang, who was approaching, saying: “Let’s walk by the river. I have something I want to discuss with you.”

After saying this, Young Master Mu seemed somewhat resistant, not wanting to be alone with Feng Yuan, but was still pulled away by him, heading toward the riverside.

Xiaoying had a bad feeling, sensing that Feng Yuan had understood and was deliberately helping her out of this predicament without a word.

If so, did that mean… he had known all along that she was a woman?

Knowing Feng Yuan had deliberately taken Mu Hanjiang away to give her some privacy, she quickly entered the tent to wash up and change her undergarments, then had Jian Hu bring her a new set of clothes.

By the time Feng Yuan returned to the tent wrapped in cold air, Xiaoying had already bundled herself in blankets and fallen asleep.

The tent was small, with nowhere to avoid each other. Feng Yuan didn’t lie down but sat with one long leg bent beside Xiaoying.

The cold air he brought with him made Xiaoying uncomfortable. She half-opened her eyes, glancing at him.

The bonfire outside flickered, casting heavy shadows across Feng Yuan’s profile through the tent, making his expression indiscernible. It felt like a mountain cliff pressing down, making it difficult to breathe.

This Feng Yuan was like that night in the desolate palace when he had pinned her to the ground—full of uncomfortable, unfathomable depth…

Xiaoying slowly sat up, smiling lightly and asking: “Grand Prince, why are you looking at me like that?”

Feng Yuan didn’t speak but suddenly pulled a leather water pouch from his bosom and tossed it to Xiaoying.

When Xiaoying touched it, she found it was remarkably hot—too hot to drink immediately. It was filled with hot water intentionally.

“Press it against your stomach, it will make you feel better. Inside is ginger sugar water that I had someone prepare. When it cools a bit, you can drink it.”

Feng Yuan’s voice was cold, like the chilly night river wind blowing into the tent, not warming the heart.

Xiaoying listened with a sigh, certain that Feng Yuan knew everything.

She pursed her lips, unsure whether to break through that last paper-thin barrier. Finally, she tentatively asked: “How do you know about these things?”

He had been imprisoned for ten years, without maids or the like. Surely the rats in his courtyard hadn’t gotten their periods for him to care for?

Feng Yuan seemed to hear her internal mockery and looked up at her deeply: “Teacher Ge taught me.”

Xiaoying almost laughed: “Really? The Imperial Tutor taught you this?”

Was she and Feng Yuan having completely different conversations? Did he understand what she was talking about?

Feng Yuan couldn’t be bothered to quibble over such trivialities and said concisely: “One can find a medical book and understand the general idea of male and female matters. It’s not just words, but it has illustrations too. Haven’t you studied this? Do you want me to teach you?”

Xiaoying smiled speechlessly, and Feng Yuan added, “Teacher Ge used to make ginger sugar water for Teacher Ge’s wife on fixed days each month, not letting her touch cold water. He would also massage her acupoints. After a long time, I figured out why… Are you still in pain? Do you want me to massage your acupoints?”

Xiaoying’s face was slightly reddened by the bonfire outside. Her hair, messy from sleep, had fallen somewhat loose, giving her at last some of a young woman’s bashfulness.

He even knew this was a husband’s way of caring for his wife, and yet he had the audacity to suggest this?

Teacher Ge and his wife were married, but where did he think his paws would be reaching to massage her acupoints? He truly didn’t understand propriety between men and women!

Nevertheless, she gratefully pulled the water pouch under the blanket, placing it on her abdomen. The warmth quickly relieved her discomfort.

She deliberately lowered her voice and asked: “When did you find out I was a woman…”

Feng Yuan gave her a strange look, feeling the question hardly worth asking.

“The first time I saw you. Though after returning to the palace, I did verify it several times.”

“Verify what?”

This time Feng Yuan smiled genuinely, though full of mockery: “To prove that everyone in the palace was blind, and I wasn’t just going mad over nothing…”

Xiaoying smiled—indeed! The first time she appeared in his courtyard, her hair had come loose during the fight. It was quite normal for him to have noticed.

Just then, Feng Yuan’s cold words came again: “To send a woman into the palace to rescue your brother… your father must love you!”

Yan Xiaoying answered honestly: “My father doesn’t know about my plan. He’s not like you, knowingly keeping a woman here!”

Feng Yuan seemed struck at a vital point by this retort. His gaze at Xiaoying gradually turned unfriendly, and finally, he coldly said: “In this world, there aren’t many with courage like yours. Might as well make use of it.”

True enough—after all, he was the Emperor’s son. Even if her secret was exposed, what did it matter to him?

What concerned Xiaoying most was something else: “Since you knew so early, why did you embrace me that night, seeking comfort? And why sleep in the same bed with me? Feng Yuan, as a prince, aren’t you lacking in integrity?”

Feng Yuan leaned back with his eyes closed, resting, and replied nonchalantly: “Didn’t I say I verified it several times?”

Oh, so the Grand Prince was quite thorough, confirming so carefully!

Xiaoying reached out to measure his neck, suddenly having an uncontrollable urge to strangle him on the spot.

“So why are you still lounging in the tent without leaving? What are you planning to verify now?”

Though she said this, she didn’t hold much hope that Feng Yuan would give up the tent.

The place was cold, and sleeping outside would certainly be uncomfortable. By any calculation, it should be her, the fake royal, who should sleep outside.

Today, however, Feng Yuan changed his attitude and simply rose, saying: “Sleep. When the water pouch cools, I’ll bring you a new one.”

With that, he left the tent.

Xiaoying lay for a while, then reached out to lift the tent flap to look at Feng Yuan. He hadn’t gone far but had made a bedroll by the bonfire and was sleeping wrapped in his cloak and clothes.

The night was cold and windy. Most of the guards without tents had returned to the boat to rest.

Yan Xiaoying watched for a moment, then lowered the curtain. Taking comfort in the principle that if disaster struck, the bigger person would die first, she closed her eyes to rest.

However, with her condition, she couldn’t sleep soundly. In her half-dreaming state, she knew Feng Yuan truly entered the tent twice to replace her hot water pouch. The scalding pouch was wrapped in a cloth, dispersing the night’s chill.

Though this fellow had deep thoughts and occasionally seemed cold, fortunately, he had learned some human compassion from Teacher Ge over the years, mastering his mentor’s techniques of caring for others.

The last time, Xiaoying closed her eyes and said to him: “The latter half of the night will be colder. You’d better sleep in the tent.”

As she spoke, she actively moved to the side, making room for Feng Yuan. Feng Yuan didn’t stand on ceremony. After a moment of silence, he went outside to retrieve his bedroll and cloak, then lay down beside Xiaoying.

This night by the water’s edge in the wilderness, Xiaoying slept very warmly.

When morning came, she found herself rather close to the Grand Prince, her entire body pressed against his side for warmth.

Yet Feng Yuan, just like that night they shared a bed, lay straight as a board, without any impropriety. Xiaoying, grateful for his care throughout the night, sincerely thanked the Grand Prince, then, without any embarrassment, rose and turned her back to him, asking: “Can you check if I’ve stained my clothes in the back?”

Since he had already seen her embarrassing moment, it seemed appropriate to ask for convenience’s sake.

Feng Yuan seemed somewhat shocked by her casualness in not treating him as an outside man. He stared at her for a moment, then suddenly pulled her to sit down and whispered in her ear: “If you don’t wish to treat yourself as a woman, don’t blame me for being less than proper with you in the future!”

He was too close, but Xiaoying didn’t dodge. She deliberately whispered back: “I momentarily took you for a close sister—my apologies, Grand Prince!”

Feng Yuan pursed his lips, looking as if he didn’t want to speak further, and lay back down to catch up on sleep.

Xiaoying turned to check herself, then reassured, put on her cloak, and walked along the river.

The morning mist hadn’t dissipated, shrouding the river’s surface. Walking along the riverbank into the cold air was refreshing.

Xiaoying had studied the map. Starting this morning, after half a day’s journey, they would reach Yongyang Town at the border of Jiangzhe—a much livelier place.

Because of Elder Teng, the meals during the journey catered to the old man’s appetite. Xiaoying had been drinking thin porridge for half a month.

She was determined that upon reaching Yongyang Town, she would feast heartily to make up for the deprivations of the journey.

Just as she was thinking this, someone walked by. Xiaoying turned to look and saw it was the young master of the Mu family.

Recently, he seemed to have learned his lesson. No longer dressed in snow-white, he had followed her advice and changed into darker clothes.

“Did Your Highness sleep soundly last night?”

Yan Xiaoying nodded casually, then heard Mu Hanjiang ask: “When I got up during the night, I saw the Grand Prince sitting alone by the bonfire. He seemed to enter the tent very late…”

“Oh, I snore when I sleep. It probably disturbed the Grand Prince.” Xiaoying lied without hesitation.

Mu Hanjiang said no more, discreetly observing the Crown Prince’s profile.

Recently, he had been watching the Crown Prince a bit longer than usual because a phrase kept echoing in his mind that he couldn’t dismiss.

Outside Fengming Palace, the Empress had hysterically cried out that the Crown Prince was fake, that he… was a woman.

Though the Empress was deranged, why would she say such a thing?

Afterward, Mu Hanjiang had sent a sutra to Tang Shi in his mother’s name, including paper and pen inside.

If the Empress had hidden information, she could have written it down to inform him.

But when the sutra was returned, the attached blank paper had been torn off, with faint ink marks visible at the base. It seemed the Empress’s palace maid had prevented her from writing.

Mu Hanjiang hadn’t tried again. The answer was right beside him—no need to seek it from the Empress.

So he looked at the young Crown Prince and suddenly suggested, “The boat will soon reach Yongyang Town. It’s very lively there. When we arrive, may I accompany Your Highness for a walk?”

Xiaoying smiled and nodded: “I’ve heard there are many local snacks in Jiangzhe. We can also buy some for Elder Teng and the others.”

After saying this, she turned back, entering the tent to wake the Grand Prince for departure.

When the boat reached Yongyang Town, Xiaoying changed into casual men’s clothes, then took Jian Hu and went to walk the streets with Young Master Mu.

Elder Teng, seeing Young Master Mu accompanying them, was happy to let him temporarily take responsibility for this precious charge.

As for Feng Yuan, having not slept all night, he went to rest in his room at the hostel as soon as they arrived and hadn’t emerged since.

When Xiaoying walked through the streets of Yongyang Town, seeing the bustling crowds and smelling the various street foods, she truly felt like she had returned from heaven to earth. Her whole body felt alive, as if she had just finished a set of invigorating exercises.

Of course, if the head of the shadow guards wasn’t beside her, it would have been perfect.

But Xiaoying knew that, bearing the title of Crown Prince, Mu Hanjiang wouldn’t let her run around freely.

If she guessed correctly, many Dragon Scale Shadow Guards were probably deployed around her.

So she focused solely on eating and drinking, and since there was someone else paying, she didn’t have to be frugal.

Mu Hanjiang initially just calmly paid, watching the Crown Prince eat and drink. But when he saw what the Crown Prince was buying, his brow slightly furrowed, and he couldn’t help reminding: “Your Highness, you… seem to be eating intestines…”

Xiaoying pretended ignorance, holding a ceramic bowl of fragrant braised intestines, eating while asking: “Oh, that’s what it’s called? Young Master Mu, would you like some? I can share a bowl with you.”

Young Master Mu seemed unable to tolerate the smell of intestines and retreated slightly, but still couldn’t help reminding: “Does the Crown Prince know what intestines are?”

Xiaoying buried her face in the bowl, feigning innocence with wide eyes, trying to eat as much as possible before Mu Hanjiang could give his unpleasant explanation.

Indeed, how could someone like him—born into an aristocratic family and raised as a noble son—eat these offal scraps that only poor commoners would consume?

Mu Hanjiang also seemed to realize his words might spoil the mood, and since the Crown Prince had already eaten most of it, he promptly stopped himself. He simply sat to the side, silently enduring the strange smell of the braised offal, drinking tea brought by Gao Qi.

When Xiaoying had eaten to her satisfaction, Mu Hanjiang suddenly pointed to a nearby alley and said softly: “Your Highness, would you like to walk over there?”

Xiaoying stood up and looked in that direction. The alley seemed filled with flowing crowds, quite lively.

After following Mu Hanjiang for a few steps into the alley, Xiaoying noticed something was amiss. Why were there red lanterns hanging in the alley, and many powdered women leaning against doorways to greet guests?

She halted her steps and smilingly asked the man beside her: “Is this a famous local restaurant? What good food do they have?”

Mu Hanjiang looked ahead, his expression unchanged: “Didn’t Your Highness once say you wanted to experience pleasure houses? In the capital, with so many eyes and ears, news might reach His Majesty. But here, far from the capital, if Your Highness wishes to see such places, there’s no harm.”

As he spoke, Mu Hanjiang closely watched the frail youth before him, seemingly exploring his reaction.

Yan Xiaoying remained composed, breaking into a delighted smile as she looked ahead: “So this is a pleasure house! If not for following Young Master Mu, I wouldn’t have experienced such sensual pleasures!”

This man was always proud and aloof—how would he lower himself to accompany a nation’s heir to such a filthy place?

Xiaoying understood clearly that visiting a pleasure house was just a pretense. Mu Hanjiang was suspicious of her and wanted to use the courtesans to test her true identity!

But refusing now would make Mu Hanjiang more suspicious. If his suspicions reached a certain level, he wouldn’t respect the etiquette between ruler and subject—he would just restrain her and expose her identity by tearing off her clothes!

She looked up at the alley, wondering which establishment might help her find someone familiar to smooth things over…

Just as she was considering her options, someone suddenly gripped her shoulder from behind.

“Your Highness, why have you come to such a place?”

Xiaoying turned to look and immediately smiled with delight: “Grand Prince, how did you find us?”

Mu Hanjiang saw that Feng Yuan, who should have been resting at the hostel, was standing behind them with two guards.

Feng Yuan glanced into the alley, then lowered his head to coldly ask her: “Do you know what place this is? Why did you bring Young Master Mu here?”

The young Crown Prince replied innocently: “Young Master Mu said he wanted to broaden my horizons. He said the pleasure districts in the capital are difficult to visit, but here, where no one recognizes him, he doesn’t need to pretend to be proper—he can set aside his burdens and enjoy himself. Grand Prince, you probably haven’t seen such places either. Would you like to join us?”

Hearing this, Feng Yuan discreetly observed the embarrassed Mu Hanjiang and said sarcastically: “Young Master Mu certainly knows how to choose locations. But I wonder if Lord Mu would bring his brothers to such places to see the world?”

The implication was: you may corrupt your own family’s sons, but why lead my Feng family’s sons to such a filthy place?

Mu Hanjiang hadn’t expected Feng Yuan, who should have been resting at the hostel, to appear here.

His thoughts couldn’t be declared publicly, but the crime of leading the heir to pleasure houses was indeed severe.

Mu Hanjiang calmly tried to backtrack: “I was just joking with the Crown Prince. Your Highnesses should not take it seriously.”

Xiaoying inwardly laughed coldly. This man’s desire to verify her identity was certainly no momentary joke.

If she didn’t satisfy his curiosity this time, he would likely continue testing her, which would be truly annoying.

Just then, Feng Yuan pointed in another direction and said, “If you want to relax, you should find a clean place. I heard from Elder Teng that hot springs are popular here—even in the city, there are wooden carts carrying water to the bath houses. After the exhaustion of travel, it’s best not to engage in activities that drain one’s energy. Soaking in hot springs would better relieve fatigue…”

Mu Hanjiang looked in the direction Feng Yuan pointed and saw a sign for “Hot Bath” fluttering in the wind not far ahead.

This place had hot springs with unique bath houses not found elsewhere.

Mu Hanjiang smiled pleasantly, realizing his approach had indeed been poor.

If he had known the local specialty was hot springs, then finding a pool to soak in would be a legitimate way to verify her identity, much more elegant than visiting pleasure houses.

Xiaoying quietly turned to adjust her direction, looking at Feng Yuan and vigorously winking at him.

Feng Yuan grabbed her arm, pulling her slightly forward, and said: “Your Highness should relax your muscles and bones. Soaking in hot water would be comfortable.”

His expression as he said this was somewhat meaningful. Xiaoying found herself being pulled into the bathhouse.