When such a handsome young man acted coquettishly, it was as sweet and sticky as freshly boiled malt candy.

In the end, His Highness the Crown Prince, using his injured leg as an excuse, sat on the ground like a child, refusing to get up.

Feng Yuan, however, was remarkably patient. He managed to watch with cold eyes, saying indifferently, “Doesn’t Your Highness know how I treat my brothers? For each one I see, I’d like nothing more than to strangle them…”

The young man naturally understood this, so he sat on the ground, hugging Feng Yuan’s long legs, rubbing his face against his knees while acting coy: “You promised earlier that you wouldn’t get angry no matter what I did. But in the palace, you haven’t shown me a pleasant face. Do you even regard me, the heir apparent, with any respect?”

Indeed, the Crown Prince who entered the palace was not Feng Qiyuan, but Yan Xiaoying.

After Mu Hanjiang came to the Prince’s manor, Xiaoying had made a bold decision.

She would turn the situation to her advantage, replacing her brother and entering the palace again, personally infiltrating the plot to discover who was truly behind it all.

However, she hadn’t expected Mu Hanjiang to be even more ambitious. Without even informing anyone, he had gone directly to Five-Li Slope the next day to investigate.

Fortunately, at that time, Xiaoying was with Feng Yuan and her foster father, Meng Zhun, working out their plan, and they caught him in the act.

At that moment, Xiaoying was truly anxious, fearing that her brother might lose his life due to Mu Hanjiang’s recklessness, which could provoke the shadowy mastermind to take lethal action.

Unexpectedly, Mu Hanjiang’s impulsive actions had triggered a sudden assassination attempt and also baited out the big fish, Cheng Kun.

After Mu Hanjiang fainted from excessive blood loss, Xiaoying quickly bandaged her injured leg and then switched places with Feng Qiyuan. By the time they reached the neighboring county, they reunited with Jin Zhong and Jian Hu, and from there returned to the palace.

Although Feng Yuan had never tried to stop Xiaoying throughout the entire process, he remained quite disgruntled.

After all, he had obtained an imperial decree and prepared the wedding garments, originally hoping to make her his princess in one swoop.

Now, however, his bride-to-be had vanished, leaving only a “brother” clinging to his legs and refusing to rise.

Feng Yuan’s hard-heartedness couldn’t withstand for long against a brother as clingy as a dog-skin plaster.

Thinking of her leg injury and how sitting on the cold ground would be harmful, Feng Yuan bent down to pick her up, gently placing her on the bed.

Xiaoying contentedly rolled on the bed, looking at the familiar canopy with a bittersweet smile: “I never expected to return here again!”

After saying this, Feng Yuan coldly replied, “Had I known you loved living in the palace so much, why did I establish a separate manor? I might as well have stayed in the palace, waiting for you to multiply, ascend the throne, and become Emperor.”

Indeed, by evening, Feng Yuan, the Grand Prince with his manor, would have to leave the palace before the gates were locked.

After all, he had received His Majesty’s marriage decree. In others’ eyes, he should be busy with wedding preparations. He certainly couldn’t linger endlessly in his brother’s inner chambers for no reason!

With her brother rescued, Xiaoying’s worries had lessened, making her lively again. She was even in the mood to tease the Grand Prince, lying on his chest and asking what wedding gift he would like on his wedding day, promising that she, as his brother, would certainly provide it.

Feng Yuan narrowed his eyes and said flatly, “You said you entered the palace to rescue your brother and uncover the truth, but your ultimate goal was to wait for me to cancel this marriage myself, wasn’t it?”

Xiaoying smiled without speaking. So what if that was true? When had she ever been the type to meekly accept what others arranged for her?

Now that she had entered the palace, the Grand Prince’s wedding naturally couldn’t proceed.

Feng Yuan’s temper had been unusually good lately. Hearing her words, he smiled, seemingly unbothered by the collapse of the wedding plans.

With such outstanding features, when he relaxed into a smile, it was like a snow mountain releasing its thousand-year frost, exuding a unique, handsome charm.

If he had been sulking, Xiaoying might have felt more at ease. But with Feng Yuan appearing so unperturbed, Xiaoying felt unsettled.

She tried to change the subject, asking, “Earlier, you deliberately didn’t tell His Majesty that it was Cheng Kun who wounded Mu Hanjiang, and you’re keeping him close. Which big fish are you trying to catch?”

If Mu Hanjiang didn’t wake up, no one could determine what had happened, and whoever was behind Cheng Kun would likely be anxious, concerned about Young Master Mu’s condition.

Feng Yuan, however, had no interest in answering this question. He simply pushed away the malt-candy-like young lady and said decisively, “I’m leaving.”

Xiaoying felt it was still early and tugged at his wrist, saying, “Won’t you stay a bit longer? The Imperial Kitchen will be sending food soon. Why not eat with me before you go?”

“Today, Feng Yuan saved the Crown Prince’s life. Even if the Crown Prince retained him for dinner, it would be perfectly reasonable.”

But Feng Yuan gently replied, “No, I still need to report the case details to the Court of Judicial Review later. Also, my manor has just received fresh crabs from Jiangzhe via the postal station. They were still bubbling with freshness when delivered; if left until tomorrow, they’ll lose their flavor.”

Hearing this, Xiaoying sat up with a start. A few days earlier, she had mentioned to Feng Yuan how the crabs from Jiangzhe were sweet, fresh, and delicious.

She had even planned how to eat them—if in the morning, they would make crab porridge to line the stomach.

Of course, stir-fried with Jiangzhe’s red peppers would counteract the earthy taste of the lake water, creating a completely different flavor.

It would be best to make some drunken crabs using five-year-aged peach blossom wine from Jiangzhe, which would be the perfect match.

Yet unexpectedly, Feng Yuan had quietly arranged for them to be transported here!

He was doing this deliberately, wasn’t he? How coincidental that just as she entered the palace, the crabs arrived.

Xiaoying swallowed and tentatively suggested, “That’s too many for you to finish alone. Why not bring some steamed crabs tomorrow? I can help you eat some.”

Feng Yuan, like a loving older brother, lowered his head to tidy Xiaoying’s disheveled hair at her temples, kindly reminding her, “Recently, because of my poisoning incident, the palace has become even stricter with food and drink. Food from outside is forbidden in the inner palace. Even dishes from the Imperial Kitchen undergo rigorous inspection and cannot include strong spices or seasonings that might mask unusual flavors. You’ve also been injured, so the Imperial Kitchen will certainly prepare milder, nourishing meals for Your Highness.”

At this point, the Grand Prince smiled again, like a melting snow mountain: “So forget about crabs and such. Your Highness’s delicate stomach, nurtured to such sensitivity, wouldn’t be able to handle them occasionally anyway…”

With that, he turned around with a smile and strode away.

Xiaoying’s face was about to squeeze out bitter gourd juice from Feng Yuan’s words.

Previously at his manor, she had been spoiled by him and his chefs, developing refined tastes. How could she suddenly adjust to palace life?

Those perfunctory meals in the palace, aside from their precious ingredients, the cooking methods were all mediocre approaches that merely aimed to avoid mistakes!

She had completely forgotten about this. How could the remaining days be considered human life?

“Feng Yuan, you deliberately mentioned it knowing I can’t have any, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you!”

With that, she limped out in pursuit. When she reached the Eastern Palace gate, she grabbed an apple from Jian Hu’s tray and threw it outward.

The result was that it didn’t hit Feng Yuan, but instead struck the Second Prince, who had just entered the Eastern Palace sleeping quarters, causing Feng Qiting to cry out in pain.

The servant Jin Zhong, who was leading the way, ducked his head and quickly announced, “The Second Prince and Third Prince have come to pay their respects to the Crown Prince.”

Feng Qiting was truly having an unlucky day. Originally, he had planned to go to Five-Li Slope to welcome the Crown Prince.

Due to the Grand Prince’s longstanding poisoning case, Consort Shang had fallen under the Emperor’s suspicion.

She knew His Majesty valued harmony among the princes. Rather than waiting, it would be better for the Second Prince to welcome the Crown Prince early, sound out his thoughts, and demonstrate that the Second Prince had recognized his error and valued brotherly affection, preventing His Majesty from implicating the Second Prince because of the Western Palace’s past mistakes.

Unexpectedly, Five-Li Slope proved extremely inauspicious for the Second Prince. As soon as he arrived there, he encountered the Crown Prince returning from his ordeal.

Seeing Mu Hanjiang carried bloodied on a stretcher, the Second Prince couldn’t help but feel a chill of fear.

Had he not delayed his departure by dallying with his concubine, he might have been the one lying in a pool of blood.

But what exactly had happened? His secret informant in Jiangzhe had reported that the Crown Prince was critically ill, with coffins and funerary items prepared at the residence.

How had the Fourth Prince suddenly returned alive and kicking?

Furthermore, Xiaoyun Manor had just sent word, asking him to investigate the Crown Prince’s condition and report any anomalies.

Feng Qiting couldn’t figure out what was going on.

Recently, Xiaoyun Manor’s attitude toward him and the Western Palace had suddenly cooled. He had thought the Master of Xiaoyun was changing allegiances, turning to support the Crown Prince instead.

But now it seemed that Xiaoyun Manor was also uncertain about the Fourth Prince and needed his help!

So the Second Prince, calculating his advantages, deliberately invited the Third Prince to visit the Crown Prince together.

However, before they even entered the Eastern Palace, he was hit squarely by the Crown Prince’s apple.

The Third Prince watched with amusement, about to ask how the Grand Prince had offended the Crown Prince to merit being pelted with an apple.

But upon seeing the long-absent Crown Prince, Niu San froze, unable to help muttering, “Damn, he does look alike…”

What could he do? He had finally started to see Young Lady Yan more favorably, feeling she no longer resembled his fourth brother.

But now, seeing his fourth brother, he felt the prince appeared increasingly effeminate. Even the bright sparkle in his eyes when he smiled was identical to Young Lady Yan’s!

Consequently, when speaking to the Crown Prince, the Third Prince unconsciously adopted the same tone he used with Young Lady Yan, slightly lifting his voice, no longer displaying the previously rough and critical attitude he had shown to the Crown Prince.

After the Crown Prince apologized to the Second Prince, Feng Qiting, covering his face, probed: “Did our Grand Brother say something annoying again, upsetting Your Highness?”

Xiaoying waved her hand, beckoning Jian Hu to come support her, then limped back: “You all know what our Grand Brother is like. How would I dare be angry with him? He is my life-saving benefactor.”

Feng Qiting didn’t believe this at all and continued probing: “Speaking of which, why did Your Highness delay so long in Jiangzhe without returning with the Grand Prince? You must have been quite ill. I heard that some days ago, Jiangzhe even prepared funerary items? If so, your condition must have deteriorated significantly. How is it that in such a short time, Your Highness appears so vibrant again?”

Assisted by Jian Hu to a soft chair, Xiaoying raised her eyebrows at Feng Qiting and smiled, saying, “Second Brother, you’re still so perceptive. I suppose you even keep track of how many times I get up at night in Jiangzhe and whether my chamber pot is full?”

This remark was more offensive than a night-old chamber pot. The Second Prince wasn’t accustomed to being mocked by the timid Crown Prince, and his face changed with anger: “You…”

After so many lessons, Feng Qiting had finally made some progress, knowing to keep his tail tucked in front of the heir apparent and to behave somewhat like a respectful elder brother.

He forced a smile through his anger: “What are you saying, Your Highness? I merely heard it from officials returning from Jiangzhe to the capital. I was concerned about Your Highness!”

Xiaoying nodded: “I appreciate my royal brother’s concern. Not only were funerary items prepared, but I also ordered the servants at the residence to prepare spirit money and a funeral pavilion. I lay in the coffin, experiencing what it’s like after death!”

These words left the two princes looking at each other in astonishment. Feng Qiting couldn’t help saying, “What? Holding a funeral for a living person? Your Highness, the Crown Prince, this is too absurd! Aren’t you afraid the remonstrance officials will censure you?”

Xiaoying replied languidly, “This method is most effective for distinguishing the loyal from the treacherous! Among those servants, it was obvious which ones were feigning grief and which ones were truly sorrowful.”

Nearby, little Jin Zhong proudly thrust out his chest. So the Crown Prince had such insight into people’s characters!

Life was indeed full of tests! Fortunately, he had cried earnestly and forcefully at the funeral hall, barely passing this great examination!

A loyal servant to the Crown Prince—he deserved this title!

Speaking of this, Xiaoying sighed again: “You see, when I died, all the demons and spirits emerged. The journey back to the capital was quite eventful! Even like the Great Sage retrieving the scriptures, there were endless monsters and demons…”

At this point, she leaned forward: “Since we’re all brothers, my ‘living funeral’ is just between us three. How would the remonstrance officials know? If word got out, it would reveal which of you are true brothers and which are false, wouldn’t it?”

With that, Xiaoying broke into an exaggerated, theatrical laugh.

Though the Second Prince found the Crown Prince somewhat deranged, his guilty conscience forced him to smile along.

The Third Prince, however, frowned, looking at the Crown Prince with a wistful regret as he used his female-like face to produce such a crazed laugh.

When the two brothers left the Eastern Palace, the Third Prince looked back and sighed: “Well, there goes another mad one, perfect company for our Grand Brother!”

One day, he would have to remind his father, the Emperor, to have someone check the imperial tomb’s feng shui. Had someone cut off the Feng family’s wisdom meridian? Why did they keep producing lunatics?

But tomorrow he had to leave the palace to find a way to see Yanyan.

For some reason, Princess Anqing was so opposed to the Feng family that she had arranged a marriage for Yanyan.

So when Mu Hanjiang was injured, the Third Prince, after hearing he was in no danger, felt relieved and secretly fortunate.

At least with Young Master Mu injured, Princess Anqing would be too preoccupied to exchange marriage contracts with another family.

Tomorrow, he would accompany Yanyan to find a way to visit Prince Ruixiang’s manor to check on Brother Mu.

And while there, he would seek out Young Lady Yan to see if she could devise some strategies to help him and Yanyan, this pair of star-crossed lovers.

The Third Prince was preoccupied with his thoughts, and the Second Prince had no interest in idle chatter with him. After a few perfunctory remarks, he hurried off to report to the Master of Xiaoyun.

However, the Second Prince didn’t know that at this moment, Master had already received news from the palace, even hearing the casual conversation among the three princes.

The Master, wearing a hood, sat in a chair in a secret chamber and asked: “How did such chaos erupt at Five-Li Slope? Wasn’t the Second Prince supposed to welcome the heir apparent and then fall into a Wei Country ambush?”

This had been his original arrangement—the already discarded chess piece, the Second Prince, would be kidnapped and killed by Wei people, creating a sensation that would derail peace talks between Dafeng and Wei.

Who would have thought that in the end, Mu Hanjiang would be seriously injured and unconscious, while the Second Prince escaped unharmed!

And the Crown Prince, who returned to the palace—what kind of specter had emerged from nowhere?

The Crown Prince, who spoke eloquently before His Majesty, analyzing the competition with Wei, couldn’t possibly be that stupid actor who could barely string a sentence together!

So, which link had gone wrong?

After hearing the Master’s inquiry, Fan Shiqi hastily replied: “That was the original plan, but as the Second Prince was leaving the palace, he encountered his concubine vying for favor, was temporarily detained, and was delayed. Unexpectedly, Young Master Mu happened to encounter the Crown Prince and noticed something amiss with the people around him, beginning to question them extensively. The Wei Country bandits I hired didn’t recognize Young Master Mu or the Second Prince. Seeing someone approach the carriage, they assumed the target had arrived and rushed down to attack… Cheng Kun, seeing that the situation couldn’t be salvaged and believing the Second Prince wouldn’t come, took matters into his own hands, intending to kill Young Master Mu…”

One of the scouts, upon being discovered by a group of masked individuals who suddenly appeared, fled in fear.

He didn’t know when the Grand Prince had arrived…

Hearing this, the Master kicked Fan Shiqi off his wheelchair in rage: “Is this what the scout who escaped reported?”

Fortunately, one lookout had not revealed himself and managed to return alive. Otherwise, this tangled mess would be completely untraceable!

Fan Shiqi, his wheelchair broken, sprawled awkwardly on the ground, urgently saying, “Yes! I’ve already dealt with him, and with Cheng Kun and his men dead, nothing will leak out…”

“Nothing will leak out?” The Master laughed in extreme anger: “The biggest living witness is lying in Prince Ruixiang’s manor! As soon as he wakes up and reveals that Cheng Kun tried to kill him, His Majesty will certainly investigate thoroughly! And what about that group of masked people—who were they? You don’t even know? Fan Shiqi, you’ve truly disappointed me!”

Fan Shiqi was sweating profusely and couldn’t help saying, “This subordinate is arranging… to deal with Young Master…”

“Deal with him? How?” The Master’s tone grew colder.

Fan Shiqi sensed something was wrong and immediately changed his approach: “Anyway, we must first get the Young Master out. We absolutely cannot let him fall into Prince Ruixiang’s hands.”

The Master slowly sat down at the table, picking up a sheet of paper covered with dense writing detailing Mu Hanjiang’s activities the day before the incident.

“He has likely already fallen into Feng Yuan’s scheme. He stayed at Prince Ruixiang’s manor for nearly half an hour, then the next day went directly to the palace to request permission from His Majesty to investigate at Five-Li Slope. And so, coincidentally, he happened to intercept the Crown Prince… Tell me, could this be the Grand Prince’s handiwork?”

Fan Shiqi grew increasingly alarmed as he listened, leaning forward to ask: “Could it be that the Crown Prince truly faked his death in Jiangzhe and held a living funeral? Then the one returning to the palace is the real Crown Prince…”

The Master smiled: “At any rate, it’s not that stupid actor you found! Feng Qiyuan? That waste raised by the Empress? After ten years of not seeing him, has he developed into someone of substance? Interesting. I want to see how big a storm these two princes can stir up together!”

After giving a few simple instructions, the Master walked out of the secret chamber. After walking a bit further, the winding path’s secluded private residence transformed into a shop hung with framed calligraphy and paintings.

He removed his hood, tossed his cloak onto a nearby chair, and strolled out into the street.

By now, evening was approaching, with only hurrying peddlers and merchants, and a few stalls selling night snacks.

He took a scroll handed to him by the painting shop owner and, with a servant in tow, found a crossroads where he asked a vendor for a bowl of soup noodles. He didn’t drink it, but simply sat at the crude wooden table, slowly stirring the spoon, waiting for the sound of hoofbeats from the roadside.

At this moment, Feng Yuan, who had left the palace and reported the case details to the Court of Judicial Review, was riding past this location with his attendants.

He put down his spoon, stood up, and called out loudly: “Grand Prince, please wait!”