A brother’s love, as heavy as a mountain.

Xiaoying forced a dry laugh and declined her imperial brother’s offer to scrub her back, then returned to her room to rest.

Earlier today, while shopping and dining with the two nobles, she had left a secret signal in an inconspicuous spot next to a grain and oil shop on a busy street corner.

In this Lianjiang territory, she and her father’s public business was salt trading, combined with shipping cargo on empty vessels.

In recent years, their business has gradually expanded. With various shop acquisitions extending into different regions, they couldn’t claim to have associates spread throughout the world, but they did have people running back and forth across several nearby prefectures and counties.

That grain and oil shop was one of their outposts. She wondered when Uncle Jin and the others would notice her signal…

Tomorrow, Feng Yuan would part ways with her. After all, both he and Mu Hanjiang needed to serve under General Chen at the military camp.

She had heard that General Chen was highly experienced, originally a trusted lieutenant of General Yezhong. The fact that he was dispatched here demonstrated the Emperor’s serious attention to the bandit problem in Jiangzhe.

It was precisely because of this formidable general that her foster father remained trapped on Mount Ding, unable to escape.

If only she could find a way to infiltrate General Chen’s military camp. The military maps from there were unobtainable elsewhere, and only with inside information about their defensive deployments could her foster father break free.

So Xiaoying planned to cling to Feng Yuan and then display deep brotherly affection in front of Elder Teng, pretending she couldn’t bear to part with her eldest imperial brother, and follow him to spend some time in the military camp.

With this in mind, she got up and walked toward Feng Yuan’s room.

Walking along the corridor, she encountered two burly men coming toward her. Judging by their appearance, they must be Mu Hanjiang’s shadow guards. These men were easy to recognize—each with bulging head acupoints, clearly masters of internal energy cultivation.

Mu Hanjiang, out on official business, naturally brought various shadow guards with him. They rarely spoke to others and ignored the various ministers and princes, reporting directly to Young Master Mu when necessary.

At this moment, these two men were hurrying toward Mu Hanjiang’s room.

This would not have been noteworthy, except that Xiaoying happened to glimpse an official document in one of their hands, sealed with a distinctive black flame pattern.

Xiaoying’s pupils contracted sharply as her gaze fixed on the document’s seal. She summoned all her strength to resist the impulse to grab the man.

When the two hurried away, Xiaoying slowly turned to watch their retreating figures.

After watching for a while, she turned and knocked on the Grand Prince’s door, then pushed it open without waiting for a response.

Feng Yuan was quite accustomed to this. Hearing the familiar footsteps, he asked with eyes closed, “Can’t sleep at night again? Want to soak in the hot spring?”

Xiaoying was in no mood for jokes. She walked to the table, brightened the lamp, picked up brush and ink to draw the pattern she had just seen: “I want to ask you something—do you know what this symbol means?”

Feng Yuan took the drawing and examined it in the lamplight. His eyes also gradually contracted as he turned to ask Xiaoying, “Why are you asking about this?”

From his reaction, Xiaoying guessed he knew something. She only smiled and said, “I just happened to see it and became curious. Is there… something that cannot be said?”

Feng Yuan traced the pattern on the paper and explained: “This isn’t a flame, but a transformation of the character ‘courage’ in seal script.”

Xiaoying frowned and looked carefully. She thought this unique pattern seemed deliberately designed, not commonly seen in ordinary seal script.

“Which government office uses this mark? I’ve never seen it before.”

Feng Yuan looked into Xiaoying’s eyes and said flatly: “This symbol was drawn stroke by stroke by my mother…”

At these words, the room fell silent. The young woman’s eyes, usually so full of smiles, suddenly radiated killing intent.

She seemed to be exerting extreme self-control as she smiled and asked, “It looks so nice, it must have great significance. Why did your mother design this pattern?”

Feng Yuan lowered his eyes to look at the paper and said solemnly: “Years ago, Swordmaster Xiao Jiumu rallied widespread support and established the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards based on his reputation in the jianghu. But the old master was too lazy to manage mundane affairs, so at the beginning, all miscellaneous matters were handled by my mother. Many extraordinary individuals were also recruited and selected by her… At that time, she was the actual leader of the Shadow Guards. Besides the outposts, the ranked shadow guards were divided into four tiers according to martial arts skills: ‘Refined,’ ‘Progressive,’ ‘Courageous,’ and ‘Fierce.’ To distinguish them, my mother drew four corresponding patterns. Every five years, there would be replacements and eliminations, intended to motivate and remind them to improve their skills and not forget the original purpose of establishing the Shadow Guards.”

Having heard this, Xiaoying remained silent for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing: “May I ask what patriotic deeds this elite force created by your mother usually performs?”

Feng Yuan raised his eyes to observe the young woman’s reaction and calmly replied: “After giving birth to me, my mother could never leave the palace, so she no longer controlled the Shadow Guards. By then, the Swordmaster had his son-in-law, so such an elite force was naturally handed over to his own family. As for what the Shadow Guards do now, you’d have to ask Mu Hanjiang and his father.”

Xiaoying took a deep breath. From the timeline, indeed, the events of those years had nothing to do with Feng Yuan’s mother.

Feng Yuan looked inquiringly at Xiaoying: “Why did you suddenly ask about this?”

Xiaoying casually replied: “Someone was delivering an official document to Young Master Mu with this seal on it. It looked distinctive, so I was curious and wanted to ask.”

Feng Yuan knew things weren’t that simple. This woman called Yan Xiaoying claimed that she and her father had always been trading salt in Jiangzhe to make a living.

He had secretly investigated a bit, and it did appear to be so.

This young woman’s background seemed as clean as she claimed.

But judging by her bold and shrewd planning and actions, she hardly seemed like an ordinary merchant.

And now she was asking about the Shadow Guards’ emblem…

Thinking of this, Feng Yuan warned: “I’ve told you before to stay away from Mu Hanjiang. If you still don’t understand, let me be more direct—stay away from the Mu family and the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards. The waters there are deep; you can’t afford to get involved.”

Xiaoying raised her head and arched an eyebrow: “Why did you raise your knife to kill Mu Shen back then? Tell me about it. Perhaps we might find some common ground.”

Feng Yuan’s gaze was cold and unmoved: “Right now, you’re just a placeholder piece. Don’t develop your ideas.”

Xiaoying smiled. She understood Feng Yuan’s meaning: a pawn whose bottom can’t be seen can only be held in hand, never placed on the board!

After leaving Feng Yuan’s room and reaching the courier station’s courtyard, she didn’t immediately return to her room but stood in a place exposed to the wind, letting the cold breeze blow over her to help suppress the irrepressible magma in her heart.

Seven years ago, her foster father, Meng Zhun, was still a diligent military official of Dafeng.

He would leave early and return late every day, sometimes with barely any leisure time at home. Meanwhile, her father would take her to sell salt, occasionally bringing local products from other regions to her foster father’s home.

That day, as the sun was about to set, her foster father had an urgent matter. Her father offered to help and left her at the Meng family home while he went out with several subordinates.

In the evening, when the door was knocked upon, who could have guessed that evil spirits had come to claim souls?

The steward merely opened the door and was immediately beheaded, blood splattering onto the main gate.

She, still young at the time, along with the Meng family’s two little sisters, were carried by the Meng brothers and hidden in the back courtyard’s firewood baskets, covered by layers of kindling.

Ten years old at the time, she peered through the gaps in the basket with terrified eyes and witnessed the bloody scene.

Those splashes of red flying everywhere, mixed with the continuous cries of swords and knives, blended into one.

The Meng family’s two little sisters were too young. Hearing the commotion, they began to cry out in fear and were discovered by the masked men, who directly stabbed their swords into the baskets.

But Xiaoying, small and thin, hidden at the very bottom of the basket, and protected by the layers of firewood above her, somehow avoided a fatal stab, though she was wounded in the calf.

At that moment, she bit down hard on her hand, refusing to make a sound.

It was dark, with dim lighting, and the masked men, after randomly slashing at the woodpile, set fire to the Meng residence and left.

Xiaoying used all her strength to crawl out of the burning woodpile, crossed the courtyard strewn with corpses, and hid in the courtyard’s pond.

When Meng Zhun returned home, he found that his family was no more. The entire Meng residence had been slaughtered and burned to the ground, with only a little girl hiding in the pond surviving…

Afterward, the authorities closed the case as robbery by bandits, but the sole survivor knew that wasn’t the truth.

When the masked bandits slaughtered the entire household, they had reported to their leader that they hadn’t found Meng Zhun.

They weren’t there to rob; they were there to kill!

And when the bandit leader’s arm was wounded by the eldest Meng brother’s desperate slash, he rolled up his sleeve to examine the wound, clearly revealing that flame-pattern of the character “courage” on his arm…

Fearing she might forget, Xiaoying had drawn it down, and over these seven years, she would take it out to review from time to time.

After that bloodbath, her father, afraid she might become ill from shock, carried her to a temple to seek monks’ help in calming her spirit.

After all, such bloodshed was more than a small girl could bear.

But what kept Xiaoying awake at night wasn’t just the horrific scene at the Meng residence.

In her dreams, what flashed more often was the scene of her normally cheerful and steady foster father rushing back home.

The usually hearty, laughing man was in utter despair, clutching the charred bones from the ground, his eyes red with pain, his neck swollen, mouth open but unable to make a sound…

After the Meng family catastrophe, her foster father was framed, had nowhere to appeal, and was hunted. Finally, for self-preservation, he went into the mountains and became a bandit.

At first, her foster father was unwilling for her father to bring her, only ten years old, into the mountains to become outlaws.

But she told her foster father, “You are family to me and my father. Since we’re family, how could we separate?”

From then on, she studied martial arts and skills by her foster father’s side, and occasionally went down the mountain with her father to manage their salt business, helping her foster father with money. In the most difficult times in the mountains, she helped maintain their livelihood.

This journey was not one an ordinary girl could experience.

But Xiaoying never regretted it. She only hated that when disaster struck, she was too young, too powerless, only able to hide in a bamboo basket, unable to change anything, only able to watch helplessly…

She had thought finding the true culprits behind the massacre was a slim hope, but now the clue was unexpectedly close to her.

Dragon Scale Shadow Guards? Those who should assist the Emperor, how could they commit such an atrocity as slaughtering a military official’s entire family?

Was the massacre of the entire Meng household an official commission or personal vengeance?

Xiaoying knew that all these answers would have to come from the current leader of the Shadow Guards.

That night, Mu Hanjiang was drinking tea in his room while reviewing various secret reports and documents sent from different regions.

Suddenly, there was a knock on his door, and someone entered without invitation, pushing open his door.

As Mu Hanjiang frowned and looked up, he saw the Crown Prince walking toward him with a smile.

Since their frank meeting at the hot spring earlier that day, Mu Hanjiang’s attitude toward the Crown Prince had become somewhat cold, seemingly returning to the state of animosity they had four years ago.

However, the Crown Prince seemed oblivious to this and eagerly approached, seeking attention: “Is Master Mu busy? Would you like to take a break and have a drink with me?”

Without looking up, Mu Hanjiang replied: “No need. I have some official business to finish. If Your Highness is interested, perhaps you could drink with the Grand Prince.”

Such obvious dismissal would make any sensible person leave.

But the Crown Prince couldn’t take the hint and, carrying a wine pot, threw off his cloak and sat down casually beside Mu Hanjiang, pushing his face forward like a rogue, looking up at Mu Hanjiang.

“I refuse! He gets crazy when drunk and might strangle me! I want to drink with you!”

Mu Hanjiang retreated uncomfortably, closing the document in his hand with a snap and gathering the other documents neatly. He respectfully addressed the Crown Prince: “Then this subject will accompany Your Highness for a few cups.”

Having gotten his way, the Crown Prince gave a sly smile. That bright smile, illuminated by the yellow candlelight, resembled a midnight epiphyllum, with a fleeting charm.

Mu Hanjiang discreetly averted his eyes, suddenly regretting having agreed to the Crown Prince’s invitation.

However, the Crown Prince had already filled a wine cup and eagerly handed it to him.

“Master Mu, on this journey, only you and the Grand Prince are around my age. I certainly can’t seek out Elder Teng and the others! Especially for activities like visiting brothels or soaking in hot springs, it’s more fun with peers. Since we couldn’t visit that alley today, would you accompany me tomorrow?”

Mu Hanjiang sniffed the wine and calmly replied: “I was presumptuous and improper today. The Grand Prince was right to reprimand me. I shouldn’t have taken Your Highness to such places, and I request that Your Highness not mention this matter again. It’s better for both of us.”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince was greatly disappointed but persisted, leaning forward: “Master Mu, how can you tease and then abandon me? No, tomorrow you must accompany me… oh my, I’m sorry.”

While talking and tugging, the young man’s cup of wine accidentally spilled completely onto Mu Hanjiang’s pristine white robe.

The Crown Prince hurriedly reached out to help wipe it.

Mu Hanjiang, unwilling to let him get close, dodged the young man and took out his handkerchief to wipe it himself.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xiaoying, under the cover of her cloak, extended two fingers to snatch the already opened “courage” document and concealed it within her cloak.

She appeared dejected as she walked to a corner by the window. Under the cover of her cloak, she first carefully examined the broken seal, then opened the document and quickly scanned it.

Meanwhile, she spoke dejectedly: “Master Mu, why do I feel that your attitude toward me is not as friendly as before? I thought that after investigating the accounts at the theater, we had developed a friendship and could become close friends. Am I being wishful?”

Hearing these words, Mu Hanjiang’s hand paused as he wiped his robe, and he turned to look at the Crown Prince.

At this moment, the young man had his back to him, one hand on the window frame, head lowered dejectedly, appearing quite forlorn.

“Why would Your Highness say such a thing? You once helped this humble official investigate a case, and I am extremely grateful, but…”

But what? Mu Hanjiang couldn’t find the right words.

Having spent more time with this young Crown Prince recently, he felt an increasing sense of discomfort.

Originally, after hearing the Empress’s words, he seemed to understand the source of this discomfort—Feng Qiyuan was too much like a young woman.

So much so that he often had the illusion that it was a charming girl flirting with him.

Now this question was completely answered during today’s hot spring visit.

The truth was clear: the Empress must truly be insane to fabricate that the Crown Prince was a woman.

The problem wasn’t with Feng Qiyuan, and Mu Hanjiang thought he was fine now.

But just moments ago, when the Crown Prince was being unreasonable, that feeling returned, and he couldn’t quite pinpoint what was wrong.

Mu Hanjiang couldn’t make sense of it, but felt it was better to keep his distance from this Crown Prince.

But now the young Crown Prince was sorrowfully reaching out to him, accusing him of being hot and cold.

Mu Hanjiang felt a sharp pain in his head acupoint but didn’t know how to respond to this unreasonable troublemaker…

As he was thinking of what to say, about how to maintain a proper relationship between a minister and the heir apparent, the young man seemed to have stabilized his emotions. Sniffling, he turned around with his hands behind his back.

Walking up to him, the young man looked up with reddened eyes, pretending to be composed: “I’ve been presumptuous and forced myself upon you. I’m used to it anyway—no one has liked playing with me since childhood, let alone a jade-like gentleman such as Master Mu. The friendship of high mountains and flowing water is not meant for me… I won’t disturb you anymore. I’ll go to bed.”

After quietly placing the document back on the table behind him, Xiaoying swept her cloak and quickly walked out.

Leaving Mu Hanjiang, frowning as he watched her retreating figure.

When Mu Hanjiang turned to sit down, he casually picked up the document and opened it, but his mind still echoed with the phrase “not meant for me…”

However, after this brief distraction, he forced his thoughts back to the document. There were more important matters waiting for him. The words on the document made Mu Hanjiang’s spirits rise—the “Little King of Hell,” who had been dormant for nearly a year, had reappeared!

…

The next day, Yan Xiaoying purposely got up early. After washing up, she took the baked pancake handed to her by Jian Hu and stood at the second-floor railing, eating while watching the gentlemen ready for departure at the courier station entrance.

Elder Teng was going to inspect local accounts, taking a different route from the Grand Prince and Mu Hanjiang.

So once they reached their destination, the civil and military paths would diverge.

Feng Yuan and Mu Hanjiang were heading to the military camp near Mount Ding in Jiangzhe.

Xiaoying would accompany Elder Teng to Jin Shui County.

This courier station wasn’t far from the military camp, but they were separated by a deep and wide river. By boat, they could reach it in half a day.

Feng Yuan, appointed as a Guardian General, was not just for show. He was about to head to the frontline against bandits in Jiangzhe. Now in full armor, he was already mounted on his horse.

Last night, coming out of Mu Hanjiang’s room, Xiaoying had inadvertently noticed that the window of the Grand Prince’s room seemed different from when she arrived, slightly ajar, as if someone had been standing there, watching.

When Feng Yuan came downstairs earlier, Xiaoying tried to speak with him, but he ignored her. It seemed that an uncooperative pawn was indeed annoying!

Seemingly sensing Xiaoying’s gaze, Feng Yuan looked up at her.

Xiaoying smiled and waved at him, then silently mouthed: “When you have time, I’ll come find you!”

Feng Yuan’s nose turned cold; his handsome, deep features made more austere by the reflection of his armor. He did not respond to Xiaoying’s friendliness.

But Xiaoying felt happy inside, like she had sent away a plague god. Finally rid of one of them, she could act more freely now.

Feng Yuan turned his horse around and followed the soldiers who had come to escort him, preparing to take the ferry.

Mu Hanjiang, holding the civil position of Military Libationer, wore no military uniform. He remained in casual clothes, mounted his horse with his attendant Gao Qi, hurriedly exchanged a few words with someone, but didn’t accompany Feng Yuan. Instead, he led his men southwest.

Xiaoying’s gaze followed Mu Hanjiang’s horse until the group disappeared at the end of the official road flanked by dense forests.

She knew where Mu Hanjiang was going because the urgent document with the “courage” seal that she had stolen a look at last night was related to Mount Ding.

The document mentioned that Mount Ding was short of food, so the rebel army there seemed to be taking desperate measures. Recently, a small rebel squad led by that “Little King of Hell” had been repeatedly slaughtering nearby villages, committing arson, robbery, and all manner of evil deeds, acting quite brazenly.