After confirming that Feng Yuan wasn’t joking, Xiaoying immediately stopped playing around.

“Have you gone mad? Me, go to your princely residence? With so many servants there, if someone sees my appearance, how would you handle the ensuing uproar? Are you planning to display your peculiar taste in front of everyone, making it known to all?”

Because he caught a glimpse of reluctance in her eyes, Feng Yuan tilted his head slightly, looking at Xiaoying with an indecipherable expression.

His long fingers applied slight pressure, splitting open the flat, elongated bean pods, then using his fingertips to tease out the beans, causing them to fall one by one through the cracks into the porcelain bowl.

“What peculiar taste do I have? Perhaps Ying’er would care to elaborate.”

Xiaoying didn’t know why, but watching his slender fingers work, she suddenly felt her cheeks burning hot, with blood rushing downward. She turned her face away and retreated.

For a moment, her mind wandered elsewhere, recalling the tingling sensation of his fingertips lightly tracing down her cheeks…

Xiaoying uncomfortably stood up, wanting to sit farther away from him.

But Feng Yuan wouldn’t allow it. With one sweep of his long arm, he secured her slender waist and asked: “Tell me, are you afraid of revealing your identity, or unwilling to live with me long-term?”

Xiaoying remained composed: “Is there a difference between the two?”

Feng Yuan didn’t speak. He had always preferred action over words and couldn’t make flowery vows and promises like other young men.

Moreover, he didn’t believe that the young woman in his arms would be like ordinary girls, easily deceived by a man’s promises, and obediently remain in place waiting.

He still remembered the first time he saw Xiaoying, hiding in the shadows of the desolate palace, watching the young woman with her wet hair and water droplets on her cheeks, mistaking her momentarily for an orchid spirit.

When she leaped down from the high wall, Feng Yuan felt his heart pound violently in his chest, yet had no idea how this sudden intruder would change his barren existence.

Later, he increasingly realized that this woman was uncontrollable, like a spiritual bird on the distant horizon—if not careful, she would flutter past his eyes and be impossible to find again.

He needed to employ immense patience and a hundredfold thoughtfulness to covertly covet her, approaching step by step.

And now, he held her slender waist, drawing her inch by inch into his embrace…

Since that night, Xiaoying had thoroughly learned what the young lord was capable of when uninhibited.

No matter how bold a young lady she was, she could never have imagined what Feng Yuan would do.

Thus, in her heart, she added another reason not to enter the prince’s residence: besides avoiding the exposure of her appearance, it was also to stay away from this improper person!

Now, as Feng Yuan pulled her into his embrace, he kissed her cheek before gently biting her neck.

Through the thin skin, he could even feel the slightly rapid flow of the young woman’s blood.

Feng Yuan sometimes resembled an untamed beast from the wilderness, his eyes filled with reckless abandon.

Xiaoying even had the illusion that he wanted to bite her throat, then drag her to a secluded den, never to see daylight again…

She didn’t know that Feng Yuan’s thoughts weren’t far from this.

These days in the palace, every morning upon waking, the first thought flashing through his mind was the longing to have a cat-like young woman curled up in his arms, just like that dawn.

His request to Emperor Chunde for a princely residence to leave the palace was also for this reason.

Even if Xiaoying didn’t like living in the prince’s residence, after he established his separate residence, he could stay overnight at this small courtyard without the restrictions of the palace gates closing.

After confirming that Feng Yuan wasn’t insisting that she move to the prince’s residence, Xiaoying felt somewhat relieved.

There was no choice; Feng Yuan was sometimes too unpredictable, and Xiaoying couldn’t help but be cautious.

Seeing Feng Yuan’s head gradually moving downward, Xiaoying hurriedly pushed him away a bit.

“Stop fooling around, quickly tell me about the Court of Judicial Review.”

The Court of Judicial Review had been quite lively the previous night—deadly poison was discovered in the food delivered to the “rebels.”

The servant boy responsible for delivering the food was caught red-handed by the Grand Prince’s men, but the boy didn’t seem to be part of the plot, claiming he had no idea the food was poisoned and that someone was deliberately framing him.

Currently, Emperor Chunde was preoccupied with the Geng iron case and had no time to deal with the surrendering volunteer army from Jiangzhe.

It remained to be seen what the hidden hand behind this would do next.

Feng Yuan had already briefly mentioned this matter to Emperor Chunde today. His Majesty would summon Meng Zhun to the palace tomorrow. If someone wanted to prevent Meng Zhun from interfering, tonight would be their last opportunity.

Regarding the audience with the Emperor and the false accusations against her foster father over the years, Xiaoying had long made preparations.

When she last impersonated the Crown Prince to see Mu Hanjiang, she had entrusted Mu Hanjiang to deliver a message to Director Dong of the Imperial Household Department, asking him to cooperate with the Grand Prince in examining the accounts.

The specific accounts had been prepared when she worked at the Imperial Household Department, stored on the bottom shelf of the old document bookcase.

As for the slander spread by Shang Youdao, Elder Teng would testify, posing no threat.

Fu Ansheng had also been found, though his mouth was too tight—he wouldn’t speak a word about the events of those years. They could only bring him back and see if they could question him face to face.

Only by uncovering the truth behind her foster father’s false accusations could they uproot the mastermind.

Everything was ready; they just had to see if those who had framed her foster father would make desperate moves tonight.

But before the dogs could jump the wall, they heard sudden knocking at the courtyard gate.

Xiaoying and Feng Yuan exchanged glances, and the guard from the outer courtyard came to report.

“The Third Prince is at the door.”

Feng Yuan wasn’t surprised that Feng Qiwu knew about this courtyard.

It must have been Mu Hanjiang who told the Third Prince.

This capital city was Mu Hanjiang’s territory, and it wouldn’t be difficult for him to find Feng Yuan’s outer residence.

However, his informing the Third Prince to come here was somewhat intriguing.

Xiaoying got up and looked at the pot: “There’s not much food. He didn’t come on an empty stomach, did he?”

Feng Yuan had just prepared the red-braised ribs that she loved. Given the Third Prince’s appetite, he would probably steal her portion!

Feng Yuan gave a cold snort; he had no intention of inviting anyone for dinner.

So he rose and went to the front courtyard. At the door, he saw the Third Prince unabashedly peering inside, just catching sight of a row of clothes hanging on the drying pole in the outer courtyard.

“Oh, living the good life? Elder Brother, you certainly know how to enjoy yourself, having such a comfortable little haven!”

The Third Prince’s expression was hard to read as he greeted Feng Yuan casually.

“What are you doing here?”

Feng Yuan, tall and imposing, stood at the door with no intention of inviting anyone into the inner courtyard.

The Third Prince, familiarly shouted toward the inside: “Is the lady in? I brought some grapes from the Western Regions to the palace, perfect for you to enjoy.”

When Xiaoying heard there were delicacies, she immediately responded with a smile, poking her head out: “Third Prince, you’re too kind!”

The Third Prince then stretched his neck, greeting her over Feng Yuan’s shoulder.

Feng Yuan endured for a while, but still couldn’t help asking: “Besides delivering grapes, do you have any other business here?”

Only then did Feng Qiwu remember his actual purpose: “Young Master Mu asked me to find you here and deliver a message.”

It was exactly as Feng Yuan had surmised—Mu Hanjiang was under punishment and couldn’t leave his residence. Fearing the numerous eyes and ears in the palace, he had sent the Third Prince to Feng Yuan’s outer residence to find him.

“Young Master Mu said that someone named Fu Ansheng has been captured by people from the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards. However, the order wasn’t given by him. He said once he tells you, you’ll understand… But who is this Fu Ansheng, and what case is he related to?”

Before the Third Prince could finish his question, the young lady had already rushed out, her gaze intense as she looked at the Third Prince: “Why would Young Master Mu tell the Grand Prince about this?”

This Fu Ansheng was someone she and her foster father had recalled after much deliberation.

Mu Hanjiang shouldn’t have known about this at all, so why would he suddenly send the Third Prince to mention him?

The Third Prince was equally confused: “I don’t even know who this person is. Young Master Mu said the man has already been escorted to the capital. Additionally, he asked the Grand Prince to take special care of the young lady, as he feels this courtyard will not be peaceful in the coming days…”

At this point, the Third Prince worriedly asked: “What’s happening? Is someone threatening the young lady? Not Wei people again, is it?”

Feng Yuan remained silent, only thanking the Third Prince for delivering the message.

In the end, Xiaoying invited the Third Prince to stay for dinner. The red-braised ribs were so delicious that Feng Qiwu nearly swallowed his tongue.

When he heard that the Grand Prince had cooked the ribs, the Third Prince added another person to the short list of those he admired in his life.

Elder Brother was truly a remarkable talent! How could his cooking be even more flavorful than the imperial kitchen’s?

Feng Yuan had been enduring for a long time. When the Third Prince was reluctantly sucking on the bones, he finally spoke: “If you have no other business, you may leave.”

The Third Prince, still savoring the taste, expressed that the next time the Grand Prince showcased his culinary skills at the small courtyard, he shouldn’t forget to invite him. He would bring his collection of fine wines to enhance the enjoyment for the Grand Prince and his Sister-in-law, Xiaoying.

Feng Yuan’s disdain was so obvious that he didn’t even bother to hide the coldness in his expression, but Xiaoying cheerfully agreed.

The Third Prince was one of the few sincere people in the palace. She didn’t know how Feng Yuan would treat this brother in the future.

She wouldn’t presume to think she could soften Feng Yuan’s dark heart, but it was always good for him to have more connections with the world.

In a life barren for ten years, having some bull-headed brothers and friends as decoration was better than having all his thoughts focused solely on her.

After the Third Prince left, Xiaoying asked: “Was Fu Ansheng captured by Princess Anqing’s people?”

Feng Yuan turned to look at Xiaoying and said, “It seems the people I sent to find Fu Ansheng encountered problems.”

The consequences of Fan Shiqi completely withdrawing the support he had provided were becoming apparent.

Without Xiaoyun Mountain Manor’s swift network of information and connections, Feng Yuan in the capital was receiving information much slower than before.

And the people he had sent to Jizho to find Fu Ansheng had made a mistake, allowing the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards to follow the trail and capture Fu Ansheng first.

Mu Hanjiang hadn’t sent a written note but had the Third Prince deliver the message in person, probably also fearing interception, preventing the message from reaching Feng Yuan.

Who else would be interested in Fu Ansheng? Xiaoying immediately thought of Princess Anqing.

Tomorrow, His Majesty would summon her foster father. According to Xiaoying’s earlier preparations, there should generally be no issues.

But if at this critical juncture, something unexpected happened, or if someone slandered them before His Majesty, Emperor Chunde, could order the execution of her foster father and the others with just a casual word.

Those in power have no empathy for those beneath them.

Moreover, her foster father and the others had taken risks to come not to seek the Emperor’s pardon from on high. Her foster father was more hopeful of uncovering the truth of those years, clearing the family’s name.

But such hopes obviously couldn’t be entrusted to His Majesty’s clear judgment in the case.

They could only continue investigating after her foster father gained freedom.

So if they had captured Fu Ansheng, it might be safer for her foster father.

At the very least, the misunderstanding from those years could be clarified, and the hidden mastermind would know that Meng Zhun and his family had suffered an unjust calamity.

However, Mu Hanjiang’s warning that this courtyard was no longer safe troubled Feng Yuan.

Although he didn’t know why Mu Hanjiang gave this warning, Feng Yuan didn’t want Xiaoying to risk danger.

So after some thought, he said: “Someone will come to pick you up later. My third granduncle has long wanted to meet you.”

Xiaoying blinked, knowing he wanted her to avoid the brewing storm, but she teased: “Swordmaster Xiao Tianyang? Why? Aren’t your training sessions enough? Does your third granduncle want to personally take over?”

Feng Yuan, looking at her face scrunched like a bitter gourd, smiled and pinched her cheek, casually reassuring her: “Don’t worry, he’s very picky about disciples. He just heard you killed Broken Silver single-handedly and wants to meet you. The capital will be chaotic for a while. The place where he lives has beautiful scenery; you can go there to relax.”

Xiaoying hadn’t expected that killing the white-haired Broken Silver would make her so famous. She wondered when this tiger skin she was wearing, pretending to be mighty, would be blown away by the wind.

Feng Yuan accompanied her for dinner, discussed a few more things with her, then rose and hurriedly departed.

The unexpected developments in Jizhou needed careful investigation; he estimated that the “Master” had likely played a hand in this.

As Xiaoying changed clothes, packed a simple travel bag, and stood at the door wearing a veiled hat, she keenly noticed that there were many new stalls around the alley entrances, with numerous unfamiliar burly figures moving about.

It seemed Mu Hanjiang’s warning that this place couldn’t be stayed at for long wasn’t a deception. If they were Wei bandits, that would be manageable, but if they were the Master’s spies, things would be more complicated.

She thought for a moment, turned back to the courtyard, set up a ladder by the wall, and looked around.

Soon, she saw a team from the Court of Judicial Review approaching, questioning each stall, saying they were pursuing Wei bandits who had infiltrated the capital.

Xiaoying knew these people were arranged by Feng Yuan.

So, during the commotion as they questioned people and the hidden agents became flustered, she didn’t use the door but nimbly jumped down from the back wall. Accompanied by Shen Jing, she went to the neighboring street, boarded a carriage that had been waiting there, and headed toward Xiao Tianyang’s retreat in the suburbs.

Xiao Tianyang’s residence wasn’t far, located opposite Mount Qiuming, where he offered wine sacrifices to Ye Zhanxue.

However, the courtyard built on the high mountaintop was truly exhausting to reach.

The carriage couldn’t go up, so they had to climb step by step.

When Xiaoying was halfway up, she began to want to curse—building a house on a mountaintop, how many workers must have died from exhaustion!

No wonder Feng Yuan said it was safe; even assassins would only have half a life left after climbing to the top.

Upon arrival, she disregarded everything and first sat on a large rock to catch her breath.

But looking around, she could see the waterfall of Mount Qiuming in its entirety. The continuous mountain scenery was dyed thick with autumn colors, truly refreshing to the spirit.

No wonder Xiao Tianyang built a house here. Morning practice here each day would indeed absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, invigorating one’s dantian.

“Just this little girl, able to kill Broken Silver?”

At this moment, an old man’s voice came from behind Xiaoying.

Xiaoying turned to look and saw Shen Jing leading Xiao Tianyang toward her.

The old man still had his white hair loose, wearing a wide robe, standing there untamed and unrestrained, looking her up and down.

This old man was used to disregarding minor formalities. Seeing Xiaoying with a veil covering her face, he suddenly, without any greeting, pulled off her veil.

“Hiding your face when meeting people, what’s there to hide?”

Xiaoying had no choice but to wait for Xiao Tianyang to challenge her appearance.

But Xiao Tianyang only looked at her appearance, dissatisfied with her frailty and thinking she was too small to have killed Broken Silver.

Then he had no further reaction.

Although Xiao Tianyang had seen the Crown Prince in the hall, at that time, his mind was preoccupied with saving Ayuan, and he hadn’t bothered to remember the appearances of the young generation crowding there, let alone the Crown Prince’s face.

Additionally, since Feng Yuan had mentioned that this Xiaoying was his concubine, Xiao Tianyang didn’t think of the Crown Prince at all.

So he only felt she looked somewhat familiar, but didn’t dwell on her appearance. Instead, he scrutinized her thin arms and legs with slight disdain.

“Has that old beast Chen Xifan’s disciples deteriorated to such an extent? Even a little girl like you can defeat them?”

Xiaoying wasn’t irritated by Xiao Tianyang’s face-to-face mockery. She simply raised her hand in greeting and teased, “Elder, since you live so remotely, you should come down the mountain if you want to see people. Had I known you lived on a mountain, I would have refused to come even if offered a sedan chair!”

Xiao Tianyang hadn’t expected Xiaoying to speak so impolitely, without any of the shyness or gentleness of inner chamber ladies.

“Don’t you know I’m Feng Yuan’s third granduncle? Daring to speak to me like this, as such a minor concubine, aren’t you afraid he’ll discard you?”

Xiaoying simply sat back on the large rock, stretching lazily, and said indolently: “Is being a concubine such a glorious position? Should I fear being discarded? I thought you, Great Master Xiao, were above worldly concerns, but why do your words sound so vulgar and conventional?”

Xiao Tianyang was unrestrained in character, and with his cultivation and seniority, he was accustomed to having the upper hand in conversation wherever he went.

Even in front of Emperor Chunde, Xiao Tianyang dared to speak bluntly and curse.

But unexpectedly, this thin young woman, knowing full well who he was, spoke so impolitely.

Xiao Tianyang found it oddly interesting and glared at her provocatively: “You truly dare to speak! Aren’t you afraid I’ll pinch your neck and throw you down the mountain?”

Xiaoying quickly stood up and staggered toward the courtyard: “Since I’m here, do you have any food in your residence? Let me fill my stomach, and then you can throw me down the mountain.”

Xiao Tianyang snorted again, suddenly attacking Xiaoying from behind.

The training with Feng Yuan along the way hadn’t been in vain. Xiaoying immediately reacted, dodging while countering with a move.

Xiao Tianyang engaged her easily, but his eyes showed initial surprise, then increasingly undisguised admiration.

He despised mediocrity all his life, so when creating his martial arts style, he never followed conventional patterns.

This set of martial arts he created to counter Chen Xifan’s curved blades seemed simple, yet it was extremely difficult. It wasn’t suitable for women to practice, and even men couldn’t easily master it in a short time.

Even those with a good foundation would need a year or more of effort to learn it.

Yet this young woman was incredibly clever. Although her strength was somewhat insufficient and she lacked internal energy, she had completely grasped the essence of the martial arts, not just for show!

Especially when fighting, the sharp aura in her eyes was something no sheltered woman could cultivate.

Only someone who had fought for their life on the battlefield could possess such an aura.

But how could this young woman, who was so young, have such a forceful presence? And those occasionally emerging, tricky, and vicious little moves delighted Xiao Tianyang!

This young woman—where had Feng Yuan found such a treasure? She was truly interesting!