Feng Yuan said, “I found the old master chef from the shop, though I don’t know if it will taste the same as before.”

Xiaoying took a bite—it was crisp and fragrant, with the walnut kernels blended with honey to remove the bitterness, exactly the authentic taste from before.

Feng Yuan noticed she had suddenly stopped eating and asked: “What’s wrong? Is the taste off?”

Xiaoying pressed her lips together. It wasn’t that the taste was wrong, but that everything else felt wrong!

When Feng Yuan had been kind to her before, it could be understood as stabilizing a chess piece, a mutual utilization.

After the incident of selling the military map, all her secrets were exposed to this prince.

At that time, he had looked as if he wanted nothing more than to kill her. After all, eliminating her and leaving no hidden dangers would have been the wisest move.

Someone as intelligent as Feng Yuan couldn’t have overlooked this.

Yet not only had he shown mercy, but he had also accommodated her, changing his plans to let “Feng Qiyuan” come back to life, protecting her servants and Elder Teng’s life.

Finally, he had followed her strategy, allowing her foster father and the others to surrender and defend the city in the name of righteousness, giving them capital for negotiation in the capital.

The Grand Prince doing all this wasn’t entirely due to his chess game considerations, and Xiaoying couldn’t help but feel grateful.

But with utilization no longer in play, his deliberate and detailed kindness toward her was a weight Xiaoying couldn’t bear.

She took a large sip of tea and muttered quietly: “Weren’t you serving me thin porridge daily, wanting to drive me away? Why be so nice now, especially finding a master chef to make pastries?”

Feng Yuan raised an eyebrow, listening to Xiaoying’s question. As she continued to complain about the misery of drinking thin porridge for a day, he couldn’t help but tug at the lady’s hair bun: “I only made you drink porridge for one day, and you hold a grudge? Who was it that devoured three tiger-skin pork trotters the next day and still wasn’t satisfied?”

Xiaoying was drinking tea when he tugged, causing her to tilt her neck and cry out in surprise. The tea spilled onto her body, irritating her enough to want to pull his hair in return.

But having just been tossed around by him on the martial arts field, her feet were unsteady, and with a simple trip from him, she fell neatly into his embrace.

Xiaoying knew she couldn’t overpower him and didn’t bother with empty threats, only trying hard to break free from his arms: “Didn’t Teacher Ge teach you not to be too attentive to ladies? Fortunately, it’s me; if it were someone else, wouldn’t they cling to you?”

This statement was not wrong, merely casual, teasing banter.

But Feng Yuan’s eyes suddenly darkened, as if she had said something unforgivable, and he drawled: “Oh… then what would it take to make you cling to me?”

Just then, there were voices and footsteps from the garden, sounding like gardeners or maids.

Xiaoying wanted to break free from Feng Yuan and quickly walk away, as she had done previously.

But this time, Feng Yuan scooped her up in his arms, then with a sweep of his long legs, jumped to a nearby corridor, turned the corner, took several large steps, and carried her into his study.

Then he pressed the squirming lady against the door. Xiaoying was forced to look up at Feng Yuan’s eyes.

Feng Yuan had indeed learned her playfulness and was becoming addicted to teasing.

However, Xiaoying now had less interest in teasing, only avoiding his scorching gaze by quickly lowering her eyes, calmly reminding him: “You haven’t been drinking; don’t stir things up!”

Hearing her words, Feng Yuan’s deep eyes narrowed slightly, and then, as if challenged, he grabbed the back of her neck with one hand and pulled her close.

The fierce tiger that had long coveted his prey broke free, swiftly capturing the young rabbit, still unaware of danger, treasuring his catch, refusing to let go…

The lady had teased countless people in her life, but it had all been theoretical.

Only when he enveloped her with his jasmine tea-scented breath, when her slender body was firmly held by him, their breaths intertwining, did she realize that this fellow was kissing her again!

But this time, unlike the somewhat clumsy exploration of the rainy night, without alcohol’s assistance, Feng Yuan’s kiss was no longer gentle. Like his boxing, it was swift and fierce.

Those domineering lips bypassed any exploration and precisely captured her small tongue, refusing to release it.

In a daze, Xiaoying felt as if her entire being was being devoured and enveloped, sensing a sudden heat rising from the soles of her feet.

She wanted to push him away, but her hands against his muscular chest couldn’t exert any effective force.

This time, Feng Yuan didn’t want her to escape easily.

She was trapped in his solid arms, like a rabbit pinned in an earthen burrow by a fierce dog, unable to move or hide.

If she wanted to break free, her only option was to bite that intruding tongue.

But before she could gather her wits to apply force, Feng Yuan had already slightly separated from her, their noses still touching, his breath somewhat unstable as he asked in a deep voice: “Neither of us has been drinking. This time… does it count as matching up?”

Xiaoying glared at him, her chest heaving as she tried to suppress her anger: “Feng Yuan, are you determined to bully me?”

Feng Yuan looked at Xiaoying’s eyes, bright with anger—even when angry, the young lady was so beautiful.

He lowered his gaze, his eyelashes casting shadows beside his high nose: “It’s you who’s bullying me. These past days, you’ve seen me but wouldn’t speak to me. Yet with Mu Hanjiang, you’re all smiles and conversation…”

As he said this, Feng Yuan’s expression subtly changed, the bridge of his nose gleaming coldly, the jealousy in his eyes impossible to hide even with his long eyelashes.

If she hadn’t deliberately avoided him, why would he have to sleep in the stinking military camp at Linchuan?

So it seemed that it wasn’t just her who had been troubled these days. Xiaoying’s mood inexplicably lifted, as if a stone had suddenly been removed from her chest.

She tentatively asked: “What? Are you unhappy about me talking with him?”

It was more than unhappiness. If Xiaoying knew the bloodthirsty thoughts that had churned in his mind during that incense stick’s time standing outside the room, would she be so frightened that she would never look back?

This lady was cunning and exceptionally skilled at manipulating hearts.

His feelings might not be worth much in this lady’s eyes. But if understood, they would surely be well-utilized by her, played with in the palm of her hand.

Yet even knowing the possible consequences, when Xiaoying froze her little face and pretended not to see him, the string of rationality still snapped.

Feng Yuan knew he had lost composure again, revealing the thoughts he had tried so hard to conceal, exposed defenselessly before this lady.

If she wished, a sharp blade could effortlessly carve out his heart…

Seeing Feng Yuan press his lips together without speaking, Xiaoying deliberately said: “Being a silent gourd again? Then I should go bid farewell to Lord Mu! We only spoke for the time of one incense stick, not enough chat, and then you came in. How disappointing!”

With these words, she rose to send off Lord Mu, but Feng Yuan wouldn’t let go, forcefully pulling her back into his embrace: “You dare!”

Xiaoying looked at the eyes beneath Feng Yuan’s thick eyebrows—the usually cold young lord’s eyes were now filled with fire.

She knew that with the slightest carelessness, she would be burned by this fire and unable to escape…

Courage and recklessness sometimes differed by only a fine line. Moths, before their wings are scorched, all believe they are formidable enough to withdraw unscathed.

But Xiaoying particularly enjoyed walking along the edge of danger. Even knowing it was a flame, she still wanted to flutter her delicate wings a few times, personally testing the intensity of the heat…

When Feng Yuan’s nose tip brushed against her cheek again, Xiaoying didn’t dodge. Instead, she raised her hand and hooked her slender wrist around Feng Yuan’s neck.

On the young lord’s neck was a mark she had bitten. Though scabbed, it was so deep that it would leave a scar, difficult to eliminate.

A boat might leave no trace on water, but when crossing a heart made of flesh, even a brief stay would leave something behind.

Xiaoying had never feared the path ahead, nor did she care about or need any outcome.

She was merely indulging the moth’s brave foolishness for a moment, closing her eyes to meet it…

The lady’s compliance was tantamount to encouragement. That bit of lip still carried the sweetness of honey, so tender and fragrant it was exhilarating, making one want to march straight in and devour everything.

Xiaoying was fine at first, but as time passed, she gradually couldn’t keep up, only managing to push against his chest with effort, finally making the man lift his head slightly.

The lady’s lips had been kissed to a bright red, a color that even the finest rouge couldn’t match.

Feng Yuan opened his mouth to say something, but Xiaoying placed her long finger against his lips, remaining silent for a moment before saying: “Shh, don’t say anything…”

With an uncertain future, her foster father’s family’s unjust case still unresolved, she shouldn’t have fallen into the emotional web woven by this powerful prince.

This was an ocean depth she had never ventured into before, not knowing where to set foot, much less what the future held.

So she would just treat it as a momentary bewitchment, without the need to exchange some childishly laughable promises.

Perhaps before long, she would be struck to clarity by reality, emerging from the mirage Feng Yuan had set for her.

Feng Yuan should be the same; after all, he wasn’t a fool. With his deep scheming, a man who had climbed out of the abandoned palace by his strength, when it came to the crux of interests, he wouldn’t need teaching on how to choose…

Thinking that she wouldn’t have to remain in a cold war with him anymore, Xiaoying suddenly felt much lighter. She reached out and hugged Feng Yuan’s straight waist, placing her face against his chest, listening to the young lord’s slightly rapid heartbeat, softly saying: “No need to say those things. I understand…”

Feng Yuan’s eyes lit up at Xiaoying’s words, somewhat disbelieving, as he slowly embraced the lady in his arms as if holding a precious treasure.

At this moment, the study was quiet, with the scattered sunlight falling perfectly upon the embracing man and woman.

…

The aftereffects of Feng Tail Slope had been cleared, and the Grand Prince had also put military affairs in order.

After packing their luggage, everyone prepared to board the ship for the return journey.

However, Mu Hanjiang, who should have left early, suddenly appeared at the dock just as the ship was about to anchor.

He had learned to be cunning, pretending to leave first with Elder Teng and the others.

When Feng Yuan was loading the ship, preparing to depart, he leisurely appeared with Gao Qi and his luggage.

After offering some insincere excuses, Lord Mu was too elegant to be refused, and so he gracefully boarded the ship, lifting his long robe.

Then the shadow guard leader, with a penetrating gaze and expressionless face, scrutinized Meng Zhun and his trusted followers, moving his gaze back and forth.

“Grand Prince, shouldn’t these people be in leg irons? After all, they are being escorted to the capital. Such laxity might invite criticism.”

He was checking if the Little King of Hell was among those headed to the capital.

Feng Yuan calmly said, “I am responsible for the escort. If they escape, the blame won’t fall on you, young master!”

Mu Hanjiang sensed Feng Yuan’s unfriendly tone and frowned, looking at him: “Why do I feel that the Grand Prince is rather partial to these rebels? Don’t you know what crimes they’ve committed…”

“Enough, stop arguing. We’ll wear them! We’ll wear them!” In the end, it was Meng Zhun who couldn’t stand seeing the Grand Prince being harassed, and he voluntarily went to the guards to get leg irons, shackling himself.

Yan Xiaoying hid in the cabin, not coming out, obediently covering her face veil. This man had boarded suddenly, specifically to search for traces of the Little King of Hell.

This shadow guard leader truly wouldn’t give up until pushed to the limit!

When Feng Yuan handed her a washed pear, Xiaoying couldn’t help but frown: “What should we do? Why is Lord Mu so persistent? Haven’t you probed him about why he’s so determined to find the Little King of Hell?”

The pear’s skin was somewhat astringent, so Feng Yuan took out a dagger and skillfully peeled it, then handed it to Xiaoying.

“He says the Little King of Hell isn’t revealing his identity, so he’s not on the amnesty list. This fierce bandit killed people and escaped right in front of him. If caught, he would naturally be dragged to the shadow guard torture chamber, daily subjected to fire, whips, and tools to compensate for years of difficult pursuit.”

Xiaoying choked a bit, finding it hard to continue eating.

But such cruel words didn’t seem like something the upright Lord Mu would say.

“Are you making this up to frighten me?”

Feng Yuan put his arm around her waist, his handsome face smiling as he stared at Xiaoying’s delicate face: “Should I call Lord Mu over, so you can clarify with him directly?”

Xiaoying stuffed the half-eaten pear into Feng Yuan’s mouth, giving him a fierce glare.

Feng Yuan laughed quietly, taking a big bite of the pear, then holding Xiaoying’s hand and swinging it: “Don’t worry, with me here, Mu Hanjiang won’t take you away.”

But just then, Meng Zhun’s loud cough came from outside the cabin.

Ever since boarding, Meng Zhun had felt something strange between the Grand Prince and his foster daughter.

That cold-faced, murderous Grand Prince, who knew when, had become clingy, always intentionally or unintentionally staring at Xiaoying.

The meaning in those gazes was evident to anyone with half a brain!

Now dressed as a woman, the little girl was indeed very beautiful, but that didn’t mean these princes could take advantage of her based on their noble status.

Old Yan’s cough hadn’t improved, so he had stayed at Xinxin Garden to recuperate.

Thus, Meng Zhun was on high alert, prepared to look after the daughter for Old Yan throughout the journey, not letting her be snatched by wolves.

Hearing the sound, Xiaoying quickly let go of Feng Yuan’s hand, whispering: “You should go out, or my foster father will get ideas!”

Feng Yuan was still lazily unwilling to leave, so Xiaoying had to push him, urging, “Hurry!”

Feng Yuan’s deep eyes finally showed amusement, and he whispered near her ear: “It’ll be better when we go ashore in a couple of days…”

Xiaoying initially didn’t understand what he meant until four days into the voyage, when they reached Yao City.

Today they would be staying in Yao City, a prosperous area with large, clean inns.

But this meant that when Feng Yuan arranged the rooms, he had a legitimate reason—to avoid Mu Hanjiang discovering anything amiss—to share a room with her, his “beloved concubine.”

Thinking of the long journey ahead, Xiaoying helplessly rolled on the inn’s bed, then asked Feng Yuan: “Can you let me have the bed to sleep?”

If she had her room, she would enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep. But now, because of that nuisance Mu Hanjiang, she was forced to share a room with Feng Yuan.

Fortunately, her father had stayed in Jiangzhe to recuperate and hadn’t come along; otherwise, seeing this situation, wouldn’t he have cried with anxiety?

Even so, foster father Meng Zhun had widened his eyes and privately said with a stern face that this wasn’t acceptable.

Seeing Mu Hanjiang’s hunting-dog-like gaze looking over, Xiaoying could only find time to explain to her foster father that this was a temporary measure.

Feng Yuan was a man who kept away from women, and with her, it was just an act.

In the mountains, she had slept in a cave with more than ten brothers! So sharing a room wasn’t a big deal.

The Little King of Hell had quite a few grudges with Lord Mu. If she were discovered by Mu Hanjiang, the torture chamber of the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards was no joking matter.

Seeing her repeatedly assure him that Feng Yuan wasn’t a lustful person, Meng Zhun was somewhat reassured, then muttered curses: whose stupid idea was it to have Xiaoying disguise herself as a serving concubine to enter the capital?

Now that night had fallen, Xiaoying needed to negotiate the bed ownership issue with the “stupid one.”

However, Feng Yuan felt this was entirely unnecessary; while Xiaoying was speaking, he had already removed his outer robe and casually lay on the bed, his large body occupying most of it: “It’s not like we haven’t slept together before, why so troublesome? The floor is so hard; I don’t want to sleep there!”

Xiaoying was squeezed inward by the tall, robust young lord.

Who didn’t know the floor was hard? Xiaoying didn’t want to sleep there either!

“Hey, couldn’t you request another room? Even with a serving concubine, one doesn’t have to sleep with her every night!”

Feng Yuan gave her a strange look: “I am in my prime, and you are quite beautiful. We’ve been on the ship for over four days without intimacy. If we were to sleep in separate rooms now, don’t you think Mu Hanjiang would investigate the hidden truth?”

Xiaoying’s eyes brightened slightly at his compliment—which woman in the world doesn’t like being praised for her beauty?

But hearing his predatory words, Xiaoying suddenly remembered his impropriety in the carriage that time.

“In his prime” wasn’t an exaggeration; Feng Yuan’s physical assets were quite substantial!

Xiaoying grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around herself, isolating Feng Yuan outside: “Though I may be beautiful, you shouldn’t have improper thoughts!”

Hearing this, Feng Yuan turned to look at Xiaoying, his long fingers tugging at the blanket cocoon to reveal her soft face: “If you treat me like this, won’t it give us away if someone comes in?”

Xiaoying couldn’t help but burst into laughter: “Come on, who would dare barge into the Grand Prince’s room in the middle of the night?”

Truly, words shouldn’t be spoken carelessly. Just as they were laughing, urgent footsteps could be heard from the corridor outside.

Then someone impatiently knocked on the door: “Grand Prince, are you in there?”

The voice belonged to a young woman and sounded somewhat familiar.

Xiaoying quickly opened the blanket to let Feng Yuan in, and also conveniently loosened the front of his inner robe.

But after embracing Feng Yuan, Xiaoying belatedly asked in a low voice: “Wait… is this someone you arranged?”

Surely Feng Yuan wouldn’t be so desperate to steal a kiss that he would arrange for someone to disrupt them in the middle of the night?

Feng Yuan seemed unwilling to answer, only swiftly lowering his head to press her beneath him, kissing her cheeks.

Just then, there was a loud bang at the door, which was kicked open, answering her question.

Xiaoying hid beneath Feng Yuan, peeking out with one eye from beside his ear.

Well, no wonder the door-kicking style seemed so familiar—the intruders were none other than the bull-like Third Prince, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time, and Miss Yanyan from the Mu family.

However, the Third Prince hadn’t expected to encounter such an intimate scene in his Grand Brother’s room.

He saw Feng Yuan’s bare, scarred, muscular back, with the blanket pressed at his waist, while the beauty beneath him cried out in fright, her slender arms embracing Feng Yuan’s neck, hiding her face.

This scene of passionate lovemaking stunned all those who had burst into the room.

Mu Yanyan had never imagined that after hurrying all this way, what she would witness was a scene that broke her heart. She forgot her original purpose in finding the Grand Prince, only trembling her lips, standing dumbfounded.

It was the impulsive Third Prince who regained his senses first, grabbing Mu Yanyan’s sleeve while uttering insincere apologies, pulling the young woman out the door.

Feng Yuan got up, let down the thick bed curtains, put on his outer garment, and went out, walking downstairs to speak with the Third Prince and the others.