These distinguished guests were so generous that silver ingots secured the entire hot spring bath for themselves.

After dismissing the other patrons, the two princes and Young Master Mu could change and enter the bath.

In the steaming mist, one could see that the changing area consisted of individual wooden compartments.

When Mu Hanjiang and Feng Yuan were about to enter, Xiaoying clutched her stomach and said she needed to use the facilities.

She knew that if she didn’t leave now, once they entered the bath, she would be dragged to the shadow guards’ interrogation chamber, with Mu Hanjiang, that cruel official, tormenting her all night.

That mad fool! Was this his revenge because she hadn’t let him sleep in the tent last night, arranging such a trap for her?

As she looked around, trying to locate the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards’ positions, suddenly a hand pulled her into a side room meant for guests to rest.

The person pulling her was Feng Yuan. After closing the door, Xiaoying bluntly asked: “Tell me, what kind of scheme is this?”

Feng Yuan calmly said, “Mu Hanjiang is suspicious of you.”

Xiaoying wasn’t surprised, merely raising an eyebrow and saying: “It’s not like this is the first day he’s been suspicious. Why don’t you lend a hand and let me leave? Otherwise, I won’t withstand his interrogation, and I’ll implicate you first.”

She couldn’t be blamed for being disloyal. Just this morning, she had reminded Feng Yuan that when they reached Yongyang Town, if anything went wrong, he should intervene and help her out of the situation.

But instead, he had first broken his promise, retiring to his room to sleep without showing himself, and now he had dragged her into the bath house.

Now they were all in hot water together!

Hearing her threat, Feng Yuan remained remarkably calm: “Last night when I walked with Mu Hanjiang by the river, he asked if I thought the Crown Prince seemed different from before.”

Xiaoying frowned slightly: “How did you answer?”

Feng Yuan smiled and honestly replied: “I said the Crown Prince wasn’t masculine enough… and looked like a delicate young woman no matter how you looked at him.”

As he spoke, he reached out to untie Xiaoying’s belt.

Yan Xiaoying slapped his hand away, almost laughing with anger, her eyes wide as she asked: “What are you doing? Stripping me naked to present to the head of the shadow guards?”

Feng Yuan lowered his head with an enigmatic smile, urging in a low voice: “Take off your clothes. We don’t have much time—we need to be quick!”

…

Xiaoying looked him up and down askance, momentarily curious about just how “quick” he could be…

Meanwhile, Mu Hanjiang entered the inner cabinet of the changing room but wasn’t in a hurry to undress. Instead, he waved over a shadow guard outside the window.

“Guard the exterior, seal all doors and windows of the bath house. Without my command, don’t let anyone leave.”

After speaking, Mu Hanjiang waved his hand, signaling the shadow guard to deploy.

Today he was determined to clear up this matter, no longer letting the doubts about the Crown Prince occupy his thoughts.

If the Empress’s words were true, and Feng Qiyuan was an impostor—truly a woman in disguise—entering the bath would reveal the truth.

If Feng Qiyuan was deceptive, he wouldn’t willingly expose himself and would surely find a way to slip away.

He called the shadow guards to surround the bath house precisely to cut off Feng Qiyuan’s escape plans.

Remembering how that youth had once looked down on him arrogantly, casually tossing a shoe at him, Mu Hanjiang couldn’t help but smile coldly.

He wondered how the Crown Prince, who always smiled carelessly, would respond when the truth was revealed.

Would he stubbornly deny it, or would he prostrate himself, tearfully begging for mercy…

For some reason, Mu Hanjiang found himself anticipating this.

As his thoughts wandered, Mu Hanjiang had already changed his clothes, wrapped a towel around his waist, and entered the bath first.

The warm water couldn’t relax his nerves. When he opened his eyes, a scar on his arm came into view.

Mu Hanjiang frowned, tracing the scar with his fingers. Just then, footsteps approached. Feng Yuan and the Crown Prince entered one after another.

However, they hadn’t changed clothes yet. Mu Hanjiang discreetly observed Feng Qiyuan behind Feng Yuan.

He seemed somewhat dejected, drooping his head. His waist wasn’t as straight and upright as usual, and he walked slowly, with a slight limp.

According to Feng Yuan, the Crown Prince had slipped on water on the floor and twisted his ankle.

Mu Hanjiang stirred the water surface with his hand, calmly urging: “The water temperature is perfect. Your Highnesses should change quickly.”

Before long, Feng Yuan, like Mu Hanjiang, was bare-chested, revealing his muscular physique, with a towel wrapped around his waist as he entered the bath.

Only Feng Qiyuan, with his hair loose, dawdled for a long time before emerging.

However, he seemed uncomfortable with this exposure in the bath. He still wore his undergarments, not having fully undressed, and entered the bath with long sleeves and clothes. His squeamish appearance, with long hair hiding his face, made him look even more like a woman.

The white medicinal bath, infused with herbs, submerged the youth’s shoulders. Even through the rising steam, one could see the flush on his downcast face.

Mu Hanjiang moved closer to Feng Qiyuan and lowered his head to ask with concern: “Your Highness, are you unwell? Why have you been so quiet?”

Feng Qiyuan shrank back, his face hidden behind his long hair, appearing somewhat timid as he mumbled: “Headache…”

Mu Hanjiang was unusually approachable today. Hearing Feng Qiyuan mention a headache, he reached out to massage the prince’s temples.

Feng Qiyuan appeared frightened by Mu Hanjiang, instinctively standing up to avoid him, muttering that the water was too hot and he couldn’t breathe, needing to go out for a moment.

As the youth rose, the water splashed, and his wet long pants and undergarments clung to his body. The truth Mu Hanjiang sought to discover almost struck him in the face.

This time, it was Young Master Mu whose face darkened, instinctively pulling back.

As the Crown Prince grabbed a nearby towel to wrap himself, turning to go to the changing room, Mu Hanjiang hadn’t yet recovered. His usually composed and calm face displayed an inexplicable rigidity and daze…

Feng Yuan slowly removed the wet cloth covering his face, quietly enjoying Young Master Mu’s confusion for a moment.

When his gaze fell on the scar on his arm, Feng Yuan discreetly shifted his eyes and finally spoke gently: “His Highness doesn’t seem to enjoy hot springs much. He just told me he hasn’t had enough street food, and I’m also somewhat hungry. We’re going back to the street to eat more. Would Young Master Mu like to join us?”

Mu Hanjiang finally came to his senses, wiping the moisture from his face, and struggling to regain his composure: “No, Your Highnesses may go as you please. I… would like to soak a bit longer.”

Feng Yuan didn’t press him and rose to change.

Then, he led Feng Qiyuan to a side room across the way to drink a cup of tea and cool off before leaving.

Upon entering the room, there was surprisingly another “Feng Qiyuan” with disheveled hair sitting solemnly on the edge of the bed.

Seeing the two of them enter, Yan Xiaoying’s expression finally relaxed. Earlier, she had been coerced by Feng Yuan to give all her clothes, from inner to outer garments, to her brother. The two were of similar build, so it worked well.

She hadn’t put on her brother’s clothes, instead opting for convenience by wearing the bath house’s snow-white robes. With her hairpin removed, she let her long hair hang loose, as if she had just bathed.

When Xiaoying lifted the hem of her loose robe and nimbly jumped off the bed, her black waist-length hair rippled at her cheeks, and the young woman’s light movements caused a gentle ripple in the observer’s heart as well.

Feng Yuan’s gaze followed Xiaoying, discreetly watching as the long-haired girl embraced her brother.

“How was it? Did he notice you?”

Feng Qiyuan thought his sister was asking about the identity verification and somewhat shyly said, “He should have seen clearly. Young Master Mu’s eyes were wide open, and then he ignored me.”

Hearing this, Xiaoying breathed a sigh of relief for her brother, while glancing at Feng Yuan standing nearby, her voice slightly cold: “When did you set up this plan, and when did you bring my brother here?”

Feng Yuan had been fixated on her appearance with loose hair and clean face, only lowering his eyes when she spoke: “I had already intended to let you two meet. It happened to be timely. My people brought A’Yuan here early this morning. When I came over earlier, I went to find A’Yuan and mentioned it to him, asking him to help you out of your predicament.”

As he spoke, he gestured for the Yan siblings to exchange clothes quickly: “Shadow guards are deployed all around. Only when both of us and Mu Hanjiang have left will they withdraw. You’ll leave with me first. Mu Hanjiang probably won’t stay much longer either. Once they’ve all gone, A’Yuan can leave with my people…”

Xiaoying knew they needed to avoid Mu Hanjiang, so with their time together being brief, she seized the moment to talk with her brother and give him some instructions.

Feng Qiyuan looked as if he might cry, holding his sister’s hand while whispering: “Xiaoying, aren’t you afraid? He… he is the Grand Prince…”

He glanced timidly at Feng Yuan.

Xiaoying knew he had nearly been drowned by Feng Yuan and was afraid even to mention this madman, so she comforted him: “He’s recovered from his illness. Don’t be afraid.”

But Feng Qiyuan’s expression remained troubled: “You’ve also aroused Mu Hanjiang’s suspicions. He’s even more… more… than the Grand Prince.”

Feng Qiyuan wanted to say that both of them were Yama kings not to be trifled with, but seeing the tall man’s dark, profound gaze nearby, he swallowed all his words.

Finally, Feng Qiyuan could only shake his sister’s arm with a crestfallen face: “I’ve already left the palace. Why don’t you come with us?”

Feng Yuan coldly interrupted: “Her staying is what ensures your safe days. Otherwise, as useless as you are, how could you successfully escape danger?”

Xiaoying could no longer restrain herself and glared fiercely at Feng Yuan: “Shut up!”

If he continued to intimidate her brother, she wouldn’t be polite!

Previously, to persuade A’Yuan, Feng Yuan had nearly exhausted his patience.

Compared to Xiaoying’s willingness to sacrifice herself for her brother, her brother only needed to meet with Mu Hanjiang, but was frightened into hesitation.

In the end, he had to hold a sword to A’Yuan’s throat before this weak youth finally made up his mind and gathered a bit of courage.

Feng Yuan disliked Feng Qiyuan, just as he disliked his uncle. He could barely maintain appearances, but ultimately couldn’t disguise his lack of warmth and pleasure in their company!

After Xiaoying and Feng Qiyuan exchanged a few more instructions, she changed back into her clothes, tied her hair properly, and bid her brother a reluctant farewell.

When they left the bath house, Yan Xiaoying and Feng Yuan’s relationship hadn’t improved.

They walked one ahead and one behind through the bustling market, both with stiff faces, neither speaking first.

Only when they entered a deserted alley did Xiaoying turn and swing a fist at Feng Yuan’s face.

Feng Yuan could have blocked it, but as he raised his hand, he hesitated for a moment and ultimately stood still, taking the punch directly.

This young woman didn’t hold back her strength. Feng Yuan’s handsome face was hit to the side, his lip splitting open, a trace of blood appearing.

Xiaoying glared at him, grinding her teeth: “You think you’re the only clever one who could come up with such a substitution plan? If I had wanted to use it, I would have arranged it long ago. Why would I need you?”

Feng Yuan laughed coldly: “This is the simplest method, yet you refused to use it. Are you so reluctant to part with him? Are you afraid he might face danger again, wasting your previous efforts?”

“Yes! Mu Hanjiang is just one person—I can handle him. A’Yuan fears him most. Why did you have to drag him into this ordeal?”

Feng Yuan coldly said: “You care for him, but I have no such obligation! If he were a real man, it would be natural and right for him to protect and support his sister. We agreed that without my consent, you wouldn’t abandon the plan or make mistakes. If you want to act out brotherly and sisterly affection with him, what does it have to do with me?”

Xiaoying laughed coldly, feeling she had truly wasted her concern.

This man only resembled a human in appearance; in reality, he was a cold-blooded monster nurtured in the desolate ruins of the abandoned palace.

He would likely do anything to survive, using everything and everyone around him, and then do anything to plot and exact revenge!

What did the happiness of humble pawns matter to a noble prince like him?

Understanding this, Yan Xiaoying shook her head with a self-mocking smile, recovering her composure first, and asked: “What’s this? You clearly could have dodged, but took the hit instead. Are you trying to extort something? Was that the third time?”

Feng Yuan didn’t look at her. His eyes were dark, his face expressionless as he stared at the mottled marks on the alley wall, saying coldly: “Today was my fault for meddling. It doesn’t count!”

Xiaoying gradually suppressed her anger, trying to turn the page, and casually saluted: “Thank you, Grand Prince, for your mercy. Weren’t you hungry? Let’s go eat something.”

At the braised offal stall, Xiaoying ordered two bowls of intestines, then found a wooden table to sit at and passed a bowl to him: “Here, you probably haven’t had this before. Want to try it?”

But Feng Yuan only looked without eating. Following her usual practice, she tasted a bite first to check for poison, then passed it to Feng Yuan.

Feng Yuan seemed to have calmed his anger, calmly taking the bowl, first taking a small taste, then eating with big bites.

Xiaoying was also eating. Delicious food indeed improves one’s mood.

When he was halfway through, Xiaoying felt mischievous and imitated Mu Hanjiang’s annoying manner, asking: “Grand Prince, do you know what you’re eating? Which part of the pig is it?”

Feng Yuan glanced at her without speaking.

When she revealed the answer after building suspense, Feng Yuan’s chopsticks never paused; he continued eating with hearty enjoyment.

Xiaoying found it boring—she had forgotten that Feng Yuan was somewhat different from Mu Hanjiang and others raised in luxury since childhood. A dish of pig intestines wouldn’t frighten him.

When he finished the bowl, he finally looked up at Xiaoying, unusually talkative: “I not only know what it is, I’ve even helped Teacher Ge’s wife clean them! You should eat less of this kind of street food in the future. It’s never as clean as when prepared at home. If the vendor is lazy and doesn’t wash them thoroughly, there might be things inside… like that piece in your bowl, which isn’t clean!”

As he spoke, he pointed his chopsticks at a piece in Xiaoying’s bowl, which indeed contained a large black thing inside…

Xiaoying couldn’t help but gag. As she felt nauseated, Feng Yuan suddenly reached out and flicked her forehead: “I’m teasing you. It’s just braising spices!”

Xiaoying prodded it with her chopsticks, and indeed it was! Feng Yuan! That dog! He truly was petty! Was this revenge for her punch?

The most annoying part was that he had stolen her forehead-flicking move!

Seeing Xiaoying’s face flush red with anger, Feng Yuan finally laughed heartily.

This handsome young lord usually wore an icy expression. Having grown accustomed to his cold, serious demeanor, one wouldn’t know that when Feng Yuan laughed joyfully, he somehow gained the bright air of a young man.

Xiaoying had to admit that male beauty could sometimes be captivating. When flowers are in full bloom, one should appreciate them.

The atmosphere was perfect for moving past their previous conflict, but Xiaoying stirred her bowl and suddenly asked: “Why are you so harsh with my brother? Is there some unresolved grudge?”

It wasn’t that she couldn’t get over this hurdle, but if Feng Yuan harbored hostility toward Feng Qiyuan, she couldn’t let him keep her brother hostage. Their previous alliance would no longer stand.

Feng Yuan gradually stopped smiling, put down his chopsticks, and said coolly: “There’s no grudge. I simply dislike him.”

Before Xiaoying could raise her eyebrows, he continued explaining: “A man without the strength to bind a chicken, waiting for his sister whom he’s never met to rescue him, and still with that innocent, entitled look—I just… dislike seeing it!”

Xiaoying was speechless. Did Feng Yuan expect everyone to be like him, lurking in the desolate palace, plotting for years before calmly escaping?

Her brother, ruined by the Empress’s upbringing, had managed to preserve a pure innocence amidst the palace’s filth, which was already fortunate. How could he be expected to plan across thousands of miles?

His criticism of her brother was truly annoying!

Xiaoying didn’t want to continue their outing and planned to buy some soft foods for Elder Teng and the others before returning.

Feng Yuan seemed to realize his candid remarks had again angered the protective sister, but he didn’t want to explain further.

He knew this woman’s untouchable bottom line and also knew how to say things to make her happy.

But ultimately unwilling to flatter falsely, he silently followed behind her, watching her shop, then quietly reaching out to help carry her purchases.

After walking for a while, he coldly said, “Don’t worry, I… won’t speak of A’Yuan like that again, nor will I put him in dangerous situations.”

Xiaoying was selecting steamed rice cakes, acting nonchalant: “Regardless, you helped me out of a predicament today. Though it was to protect your scheme, I must acknowledge the favor. I owe you one. Do you want to try this date-steamed cake? I’ll buy you a piece too.”

Feng Yuan looked at her and nodded slightly.

Xiaoying knew Feng Yuan liked sweet foods, so she specifically asked the vendor to sprinkle extra white sugar on his portion.

Then the two of them boarded the carriage and returned to the hostel.

Because of their eating and drinking, they had been delayed somewhat, and by the time they returned, Mu Hanjiang had already come back ahead of them.

Young Master Mu’s hot bath seemingly hadn’t been enjoyable. After resolving his confusion, rather than relaxing, he seemed more silent than usual.

The usually gentle and jade-like young master occasionally appeared momentarily absent-minded, as if part of his soul had dissolved in the hot spring.

Seeing the Crown Prince return and distribute local delicacies, Mu Hanjiang stood far away, not approaching.

Now that Xiaoying knew he had dispelled his suspicions, she was happy to tease him a bit, bringing over a box of fruits.

“Today I was so greedy, I didn’t properly accompany Young Master Mu in the bath. How about we make another appointment? Next time, I could help scrub Young Master Mu’s back, how about that?”

The youth was still frivolous and annoying as usual, his cheeks like white jade, setting off his bright, crystalline eyes.

Mu Hanjiang glanced at her quickly, his face darkening further. He lost some of his usual refined courtesy and stiffly said: “Thank you, Crown Prince, but that won’t be necessary!”

Xiaoying looked disappointed and stepped closer: “What a pity. Today, while bathing, I glimpsed Young Master Mu’s broad shoulders—truly solid and full. If there’s no chance to admire them again, it would be regrettable!”

Mu Hanjiang no longer scrutinized the Crown Prince up and down as he had in previous days.

Under the Crown Prince’s advancing steps, the tall man very self-restrainedly lowered his eyes to avoid contact, even stepping back slightly.

By his demeanor, if there had been a high platform nearby, the elegant Young Master Mu would have preferred to break his legs jumping again rather than endure this.

Before she could finish teasing him, Feng Yuan walked over, standing between them, asking the Crown Prince if he hadn’t had enough of the bath, whether he’d like to go out with him again later to relax.

At that time, as an elder brother, he would certainly help the Crown Prince with back-scrubbing and shoulder-massaging, ensuring the heir’s complete enjoyment.

Mu Hanjiang looked relieved and gave Feng Yuan a grateful glance.