Feng Zhiwei started in alarm, rolled over and sprang up. With one hand she grabbed her clothes, dressing while rushing to the window to look out. A squad of guards had already surged into the front courtyard.

She hastily fastened her clothing buttons. In an instant, her mind raced through possibilities. She suddenly recalled that day when the Tiansheng Emperor had bestowed Fengyun Pavilion to Ning Yi—in a certain small garden, Princess Shaoning had focused her gaze on a particular palace chamber and said there was still a good show to come. Looking carefully now, that palace chamber behind the garden back then—wasn’t it right here?

It was all her fault for being blinded by the heavy rain, and having her attention diverted by Ning Yi, that she hadn’t thought of this.

Faintly she heard Princess Shaoning’s laughter carrying over: “…Prince, I came to this courtyard when I was small. Though it’s been abandoned for many years now, it’s still worth looking at. Perhaps your sweetheart also accidentally wandered in here…”

Feng Zhiwei spun around abruptly. Her gaze met Ning Yi’s as he simultaneously dressed and stood up. In that instant both understood Princess Shaoning’s purpose. She simply wanted to corner Ning Yi. Regardless, his appearance here during Noble Consort Chang’s birthday banquet—others might not know the details, but the Tiansheng Emperor would certainly understand and would certainly be very displeased and wary. After all, Ning Yi’s mother had suffered much bitterness while alive, died under mysterious circumstances, and had a special status.

Otherwise Ning Yi wouldn’t have appeared here alone without a single guard. This was an extremely secretive matter that couldn’t be exposed. If not for Noble Consort Chang’s birthday coinciding with his mother’s death memorial, with most people in the palace concentrated at the Noble Consort’s residence, he wouldn’t dare come during daylight.

As for Feng Zhiwei, no one would expect her to appear here. She was just an unlucky soul who’d stumbled in by accident.

However, being discovered alone with Ning Yi in this Yilan Residence—damaged reputation would be a minor matter. If this caused any incident, she would also be implicated.

In an instant their gazes collided, both clearly understanding.

They simultaneously lunged back to the bed, their movements coordinated and swift—one rapidly pushed the brazier beneath the bed, the other secretly used internal energy to quickly tear apart the bedding, then soundlessly toppled all the stools, scattering them in disarray.

Busy collecting the brazier, Feng Zhiwei stared in astonishment at Ning Yi making everything utterly chaotic, momentarily not understanding his meaning. Then she saw him tilt his head toward the rear courtyard, immediately spring up, and exit through the back window.

Feng Zhiwei froze—he’d abandoned her and run? With all four sides surely surrounded, where could he run?

She rushed to the window, only to see the rear courtyard was precisely that garden where Princess Shaoning had arranged to meet her previously. The exotic plants from the Northern Frontier she’d seen that day were planted there—more than half had withered and died, but some still survived.

Feng Zhiwei flipped through the window and dropped into the garden. Hearing the guards had already entered the second courtyard, heading straight here, Ning Yi was still unhurriedly and carefully searching for something in the garden, while quickly instructing Feng Zhiwei: “Redraw the disguise on your face.”

Without a word, Feng Zhiwei immediately hastily retrieved her ever-ready adhesive clay and false eyebrows, quickly restoring her yellow-faced, drooping-browed appearance.

“Found it!” Ning Yi suddenly exclaimed joyfully in a low voice. From a half-withered plant he plucked a vermilion fruit and handed it to Feng Zhiwei. “Eat this!”

Feng Zhiwei raised her hand to receive it and swallowed it in one gulp without asking questions.

As the fruit went down, heat surged within her body. Her complexion immediately flushed hot red, yet she smiled at Ning Yi as if nothing had happened.

Ning Yi actually paused, his expression complex for an instant. Then he raised his hand to check her pulse. After a brief touch he frowned and said, “A bit too late…” His finger trembled and a surge of true force flowed into Feng Zhiwei’s meridians.

By this time Feng Zhiwei had generally understood his intention. She relaxed her defenses and let his true force enter. A slight pain in her internal organs, and her own true energy immediately became chaotic.

Behind them in the room came a commotion. Someone pushed open the door and entered with a great clatter of footsteps. Someone called out loudly: “Someone’s been in this room!”

Ning Yi was already searching on his person, seeming to look for something. Feng Zhiwei smiled, then suddenly grabbed a rusty flower hoe by the wall.

“Take this—”

She let out a strange shout and with a swish brought the hoe crashing down toward Ning Yi’s head!

Opposite her, Ning Yi floated aside to evade. A smile flashed then hid in his eyes, replaced by faint surprise.

This woman—her cleverness had already exceeded his imagination. So intelligent as to be nearly supernatural!

The guards heard the sound and with a rush all surged over, calling: “There’s someone in the garden!”

A large group of guards poured out, splitting into two rows on the path leading to the rear courtyard. Princess Shaoning, the Fifth Prince, and Helian Zheng strode through the middle. The Fifth Prince laughed: “Is Sixth Brother here? The banquet is about to start and you’re still running around. Father Emperor is asking for you—quickly return with me.”

Princess Shaoning raised her brows, her gaze flashing, her smile enigmatic.

Helian Zheng frowned—he’d originally heard that Feng Zhiwei was being bullied at Noble Consort Chang’s residence and wanted to find her. The palace servants said she’d gone to the princess’s nursemaid, so he went to find Princess Shaoning. As a result, he didn’t find Feng Zhiwei but was dragged here by Princess Shaoning, and was thoroughly impatient.

Each harboring their own thoughts, their steps were nevertheless swift. Princess Shaoning smiled with slight smugness: “Why are you all standing there? Still not inviting—”

She suddenly also froze.

Ahead, in the dilapidated garden, a heated battle raged. A disheveled, yellow-faced woman wielding a rusty flower hoe, eyebrows inverted, hacking and slashing wildly, one strike here, one blow there, was chasing and trying to kill Ning Yi, all the while shouting: “Take this—you madman—”

That woman was murderous with a fierce, fanged expression, yet her strikes had absolutely no method—clearly the flailing style of a sheltered young lady throwing a tantrum.

Ning Yi had one hand clasped behind his back, frowning as he continuously evaded, his posture graceful. Everyone could see at a glance he was simply dodging, not fighting. The flowers and plants all around were being chopped to pieces by that yellow-faced woman, branches and leaves shattered everywhere in chaos, yet she hadn’t touched even a corner of his garment.

Ning Yi kept frowning and calling in a low voice: “Enough! Stop! What madness is this! What’s going on!”

“What’s going on?” Shaoning stared wide-eyed, also dumbfounded.

“Feng—” Helian Zheng also stared wide-eyed, but moved very quickly, rushing forward. “Feng Zhiwei! Why are you here! What are you doing!”

Feng Zhiwei was forcefully pulled aside by him. Unable to control the flower hoe, it rebounded upward with a “bang,” striking Helian Zheng on the head, instantly swelling into a large greenish-blue lump.

Helian Zheng cried “Ah!” and clutched his head, but didn’t release Feng Zhiwei, gripping her tightly and urgently asking: “What’s wrong with you, what’s wrong?”

“Take this, take this—” Feng Zhiwei seemed not to hear, the flower hoe in her hand whooshing fiercely through the air.

The Fifth Prince had already reacted, jumping to his own conclusion, his eyes gleaming. He said: “Is this the Prince’s betrothed? Why would the Prince’s betrothed chase and try to kill my Sixth Brother? Could it be…”

His gaze shifted ambiguously toward the interior of the room. There, tables and chairs were overturned, bedding torn apart, complete chaos.

Helian Zheng’s expression changed.

The surprise in Shaoning’s eyes gradually faded, replaced by renewed delight.

“Sixth Brother’s complexion doesn’t look good,” she immediately said. “Is something wrong?”

She’d originally thought she’d only catch Ning Yi, then pin him with a charge of “harboring resentment.” She hadn’t expected this windfall. If she could use this to provoke Helian Zheng, then the goal that failed in her previous frame-up attempt would be achieved this time!

“Demon! Evil demon!” Feng Zhiwei’s gaze was dull. Wielding the flower hoe, she looked around for a while, then suddenly brought the hoe crashing down toward Helian Zheng. “Impermanence, get away!”

Helian Zheng jumped away in alarm, then immediately jumped back to try to restrain Feng Zhiwei. But Feng Zhiwei had already run off, pointing at a guard and shouting: “Black Impermanence, you’ve also come to capture me? Go die—”

She clumsily wielded the flower hoe, killing gods when meeting gods, killing Buddhas when meeting Buddhas. Seeing she had no internal energy and her movements were foolish—clearly appearing to have no martial arts—no one attacked, all simply avoiding her.

At this point Princess Shaoning and the Fifth Prince also saw something was wrong. They exchanged suspicious glances. To the side, Ning Yi, now with his hands free, said coolly: “What chasing? This woman is simply mad! Earlier I was sheltering from rain in the Imperial Garden when this woman suddenly charged at me. Not wanting to argue with a woman or invite trouble, I kept evading. She actually chased me all the way here… She’s Prince Helian’s female companion? Perfect, perfect—please take your belongings away.”

Behind the wildly swinging flower hoe, Feng Zhiwei glared hatefully at Ning Yi in the midst of her feigned madness—you’re the thing! No, you’re not even a thing!

Shaoning opened and closed her mouth, unable to hide the disappointment in her eyes. The Fifth Prince suddenly reached out, gripping Feng Zhiwei’s wrist pulse like an iron clamp. After a brief test, he also frowned. This woman’s internal energy was indeed chaotic, her pulse movements strange, seemingly harboring symptoms of latent madness.

He turned his head, looking questioningly at Helian Zheng, thinking that naturally Prince Huzhuo would know best whether his betrothed had problems.

Helian Zheng’s gaze, however, fell on his hand gripping Feng Zhiwei’s wrist. His thick brows rose sharply. He strode forward: “Your Highness, my betrothed’s hand is mistakenly placed in yours.”

The Fifth Prince froze, hurriedly released her hand in embarrassment, his face alternating between green and red. Some guards wanted to laugh but quickly suppressed it.

Helian Zheng paid no attention to the Fifth Prince’s expression, sweeping Feng Zhiwei into his embrace in one motion. Opposite them, Ning Yi’s gaze flashed and he turned his head away.

“Does the Prince’s betrothed have a madness disorder?” Shaoning asked very directly. “Did she have it before?”

Feng Zhiwei mechanically swung the hoe, but felt some unease in her heart, not knowing what Helian Zheng would say. If he also expressed doubt, even if they got through today, there would certainly be future troubles.

“Her…” Helian Zheng pulled Feng Zhiwei tightly into his embrace, “affectionately” stroking her hair, his eyes meaningful, his voice drawn out even longer. “Her…”

Feng Zhiwei got goosebumps all over from his gaze. This boy—had he really guessed something? Was he that clever?

“Her…” Helian Zheng kept drawing it out. Those several people were left hanging, every eye burning bright. Even Ning Yi, who seemed unconcerned with his back turned, had furrowed his brow.

Feng Zhiwei could bear it no longer and silently pinched Helian Zheng hard.

Helian Zheng immediately straightened his expression and answered solemnly: “Yes.”

“Oh…” Princess Shaoning’s expression darkened.

“As you all know,” Helian Zheng continued stroking and stroking while Feng Zhiwei’s fingers pinched and pinched. His gem-like eyes sparkled brightly as he actually adopted an expression of reluctance to speak. “Last time when I went to the Qiu Mansion to propose marriage and was driven out, ahem… that, actually, was like this…”

“Oh…” This time everyone chorused “oh” together, all showing expressions of understanding.

Everyone knew about Prince Helian’s marriage proposal being driven from the Qiu Mansion, and how he hadn’t spoken for many days afterward. At the time many versions circulated, including one about Miss Feng throwing a tantrum, but no one believed it. Now that the person involved said it himself, and it matched the current situation—so Miss Feng really did have a madness disorder! No wonder Prince Helian was reluctant to speak of it.

“The Prince is truly deeply devoted to Miss Feng,” the Fifth Prince said with a dry laugh. “Deeply devoted…”

Helian Zheng chuckled: “Of course. Grassland men like the most special women.”

Opposite them, Ning Yi, who’d been silent all along, suddenly smiled. “The Prince’s taste truly is special. Admirable, admirable.”

Helian Zheng raised his lashes to look at him, that meaningful smile returning to the corners of his mouth. “Not as special as Your Highness. Admirable, admirable.”

Feng Zhiwei felt this exchange was all wrong. She had to continue arduously feigning madness, heaving ho as she raised the flower hoe, wanting to take the opportunity to break free from Helian Zheng’s wandering paw opportunistically groping her waist. But that hand clamped like an iron vice at her waist. Then Helian Zheng bent his face down, ostensibly intimately checking her forehead temperature, but used his palm to cover his mouth and whispered in her ear: “Stop pretending. Aren’t you tired?”

Feng Zhiwei’s heart jolted—so he really knew!

Helian Zheng looked at her expression, his eye corner imperceptibly sweeping toward Ning Yi, who seemed unconcerned with everything but was actually constantly paying attention here. His normally cheerful, laughing expression showed slight displeasure. He pursed his lips and pulled Feng Zhiwei even more forcefully into his embrace, especially positioning his hand on Feng Zhiwei’s waist where Ning Yi could see it clearly. Then he snatched the rusty flower hoe and casually tossed it. With a “thud,” it landed precisely at Ning Yi’s feet, missing his toes by mere millimeters.

Ning Yi didn’t move, didn’t even glance at the flower hoe, much less deign to look at him. Helian Zheng also didn’t look at him, as if he’d truly just tossed it casually. He smiled frankly at Princess Shaoning and the Fifth Prince: “My woman isn’t feeling well. I’m going to find an imperial physician.” Without waiting for their response, he swept up Feng Zhiwei and departed without his feet touching the ground.

The Fifth Prince and Princess Shaoning watched Helian Zheng sweep Feng Zhiwei away, looking at each other. After a long while, the Fifth Prince changed the subject: “Where is this place? I’ve never been here before.”

Shaoning had lost interest and remained silently unresponsive. Ning Yi, however, smiled: “Never been here before, yet could find it so quickly. Fifth Brother truly keeps close watch over his brothers.”

The Fifth Prince grew even more awkward and could only change the subject again. “I didn’t expect the Feng family’s young lady to be not only ugly but also have a madness disorder. Only wild grassland men would fancy her.”

He was usually cold by nature and didn’t talk much. Today he was just randomly finding conversation to cover his embarrassment. Unexpectedly, upon hearing these words, Ning Yi’s expression grew several degrees colder. He said indifferently: “Those in the world without eyes—many indeed!”

Then he swept his sleeves and departed.

Princess Shaoning and the Fifth Prince exchanged glances, each giving a bitter smile.

Helian Zheng dragged Feng Zhiwei all the way out. Feng Zhiwei pinched him hard: “Put me down, put me down.”

“Keep pretending—why’d you stop pretending?” After turning into a deserted corridor, Helian Zheng put her down, his hand propped against a pillar, grinning at her. “Come on, come scratch me.”

His expression was smiling, but his eyes held no mirth whatsoever.

Feng Zhiwei unhurriedly straightened her sleeves, sat down on the railing, and asked: “How did you discover it?”

“You ate a Rejuvenation Fruit, right?” Helian Zheng sat down beside her. “Don’t forget the Huzhuo territory borders Da Yue. I’ve also seen those Northern Frontier plants. I didn’t expect a surviving specimen still existed in the Tiansheng Imperial Palace. This thing is called rejuvenation, but actually can’t save lives. It only stimulates a person’s blood energy when eaten just before death, prolonging life for a brief moment. It’s generally given to dying patients with unfulfilled wishes. When ordinary people eat it, besides chaotic pulse movement and disrupted energy flow, there’s no benefit.”

Then he slowly added: “But it’s suitable for feigning madness.”

Feng Zhiwei smiled and stretched lazily: “Feigning madness truly isn’t work for normal people. So tiring.”

“Even if I didn’t recognize the Rejuvenation Fruit,” Helian Zheng stared at her intently, “I absolutely wouldn’t believe you’d suddenly go mad.”

“Oh?”

“Someone like you—how could you possibly go mad?” Helian Zheng pursed his lips. “You’d drive the whole world mad before you’d go mad yourself.”

Feng Zhiwei laughed heartily and patted his head. “Child, thank you for resolving things today.”

“This is what any man should do.” Helian Zheng smoothly grabbed her hand, attempting to nuzzle it against his cheek. “Only that bastard Ning Yi isn’t a man!”

“Oh?” Feng Zhiwei turned to smile at him, lightly flicking his eyelid with her finger. Helian Zheng’s lashes fluttered wildly and he had to release her hand.

“The Rejuvenation Fruit—he told you to eat it, right? Doesn’t he know this thing harms the body? The pretend madness—he told you to do it, right? Fine for him, he’s free. But what about you afterward? You Central Plains women—don’t you value reputation most?”

“Since you know Central Plains women value reputation most, why did you just confirm I have a madness disorder?” Feng Zhiwei didn’t answer but asked instead.

“Because you needed it.” Helian Zheng’s answer was simple and straightforward.

Feng Zhiwei’s heart trembled. She then collected her expression and smiled: “The Central Plains also has a saying: ‘Of two evils, choose the lesser’—meaning between two bad outcomes, choose the one that’s comparatively less severe. Things in this world fundamentally can’t all be perfect.”

She silently circulated her internal energy. Though the Rejuvenation Fruit had disrupted her energy flow, the surge of true force Ning Yi had sent over was vast and profound, quickly calming the fruit’s harmful effects and actually benefiting her stagnant meridians.

Regardless, in this matter, Ning Yi had done his utmost. In such an extraordinary situation, this was equally her choice.

Hesitation brings chaos. No amount of compassion could affect decisions about the larger picture.

Ning Yi was this kind of person. So was she.

“You’re just protecting him.” Helian Zheng stood up, very dissatisfied, cursing: “Adultery!”

Feng Zhiwei looked at him, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, and could only change the subject: “My skirt is dirty again. What should I do?”

“You should go back to the princess’s bedchamber,” Helian Zheng said. “Earlier Nanny Chen already cleaned the stains from your skirt and roasted it dry by the stove. You can just go change back into it. At the evening banquet, we can still appear as a matching pair.”

His eyebrows danced with delight: “A perfect couple!”

Feng Zhiwei, who’d already turned around, stumbled.

After changing clothes it was nearly time for the evening banquet. Originally the feast was to be set inside Langya Hall, but after the heavy rain the skies cleared. The stone-ground floor outside the spacious Langya Hall was washed clean as water, fresh breezes coming, verdant green colors lush—it had more charm than the stuffy interior. The Tiansheng Emperor was moved on impulse and had all the inner court birthday celebration tables set on the plaza before Langya Hall. The main table was positioned in the Zhishuang Pavilion by Wancui Pool on the plaza’s front. Countless melon-shaped palace lanterns hung all around, their light bright, illuminating people’s faces like flushed from wine.

Facing the fresh breeze, beside the jade-green waves, the white stone ground reflecting sky light and water shadows—people at their tables felt as if on a boat. Such expansive elegance made the wine quite enjoyable to drink. Feng Zhiwei sat beside Helian Zheng, very satisfied.

Of course, if the gazes from all directions hadn’t surrounded them so spectacularly, she’d be even more satisfied.

Miss Feng has a madness disorder. Previously when Prince Huzhuo proposed marriage she’d had an episode. Just now in the palace she’d had another episode targeting Prince Chu. This news had sprouted wings in just one hour and flown into everyone’s ears.

The various princes and nobles, the inner and outer court ladies, looked at Feng Zhiwei with eyes full of curiosity, looked at Prince Huzhuo with eyes full of incomprehension and sympathy.

Not understanding how he could fancy a woman both mad and ugly, sympathizing that grassland barbarians truly had poor brains, even their taste abnormal.

The unwed young ladies’ gazes were far less tolerant and gentle—each one like knives frozen in ice water. Helian Zheng was outstandingly handsome, conforming to many sheltered young ladies’ dreams of admiring heroes. Although they only loved dreaming and wouldn’t necessarily love marrying off to the grasslands as one of ten, seeing beautiful things occupied by others was always unpleasant. Especially when that grassland beauty was planted in a cow dung pile like Feng Zhiwei—this was the greatest insult and disregard to the capital’s noble beauties. It could be borne—what could not be borne?

The young ladies were very sorrowful. The young ladies clutched their hearts and knitted their brows, pulling out small mirrors from their sleeves to examine themselves under the tables—seeing my flower-like beauty and palace-style moth eyebrows, how could I lose to that sickly yellow face with inverted eyebrows?

Feng Zhiwei appreciated those various gazes, drinking wine impassively, thinking the speed and ability of such rumor spreading—if applied to warfare or political struggle, how wonderful it would be.

The birthday celebrant hadn’t yet arrived. The head position remained empty. The first seats below were occupied by the Second Prince and his wife, followed in order by the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Tenth Princes. Except for the still-young Tenth Prince and Ning Yi, the others all had consorts. It was said Ning Yi had delayed marriage partly because his health wasn’t good—he claimed not to dare delay any good woman—and partly because he often frequented brothels and small establishments. The great families also feared his “health in that aspect also wasn’t good.” Thus he’d drifted along until now. After the Crown Prince’s downfall, as Ning Yi’s power gradually grew, marriage discussions also picked up momentum. Currently it seemed the leading candidates were Vice Minister Hu Shengshan’s granddaughter, Noble Consort Chang’s niece and pearl of Marquis Gaoyang Chang Xingshui, and Minister of Personnel Hua Wenlian’s daughter Hua Gongmei.

The unwed daughters of high officials and young ladies from families of third rank and above in the capital were positioned on the west side outside the hall, screened by low gauze curtains—merely symbolic. What was more peculiar was that no screen was set up facing the direction of the princes, meaning if Ning Yi wanted to see all the young ladies clearly, it would be very easy. This arrangement was somewhat irregular. The deep meaning within truly invited contemplation.

Feng Zhiwei looked at the screens that might as well not exist, her smile enigmatic, wondering which was Miss Hu and which was Miss Chang. At the head table, Ning Yi sensed Feng Zhiwei’s gaze sweeping over and raised his eyes. His flowing gaze turned, and all the seated noble ladies felt he was looking at them, couldn’t help but thrust their chests higher.

Brother Ning’s gaze truly embraced all rivers with inclusive acceptance, fluttering flowers leading the fashion… Feng Zhiwei smiled faintly and withdrew her gaze to pour herself wine.

Mm, this “Ancient Moon Pure” truly lived up to being imperial tribute wine—mellow and fragrant, with a sweet aftertaste.

Helian Zheng saw that Feng Zhiwei could actually drink alcohol, and drank with elegant bearing, liked her even more, and hurried to personally pour for her, attentively saying: “Drink more, drink more. Even the imperial palace doesn’t often bring out this wine.”

Palace banquet wine was rationed—one pot per table—to prevent people from lacking self-control and getting drunk and disgracing themselves. Helian Zheng poured cup after cup for Feng Zhiwei. Her cup constantly full, his own constantly empty. While pouring he swallowed saliva, while swallowing saliva he gritted his teeth and continued pouring.

Nearly three-quarters of the pot gone, Helian Zheng poured again. Feng Zhiwei raised her cup, tilted her head back and drained it in one gulp. Her eyes were as clear as when drinking the first cup. Helian Zheng stared pitifully at the empty cup, revealing a tragic expression.

How come she’s not drunk yet, how come she’s not drunk? He’d sacrificed the fine wine, resisting temptation without drinking just to get her drunk—how come she wasn’t drunk yet yet yet yet yet!

“Prince.” After draining another cup, Feng Zhiwei suddenly said in a low, smiling voice, “Forgot to tell you a secret.”

“Ah?” Helian Zheng leaned his head over.

“This purity of wine.” Feng Zhiwei pointed at the wine pot, smiling gently. “Under normal circumstances I can drink two pots.”

Helian Zheng: “…”

The two were there with heads together in intimate conversation, looking very close. Opposite them, Ning Yi put down the wine cup he’d already raised to his lips. His flowing gaze swept over once more. This time all the noble ladies felt he seemed to be looking at them coldly. Their thrust-out chests swished back down.

The noble ladies were wounded by Ning Yi’s gaze. Turning to see Feng Zhiwei here enjoying the Prince pouring wine with a self-possessed, unconcerned attitude—in their eyes this added fuel to the fire. This ugly woman—the cow dung had monopolized the fragrant grass and was actually complacently shameless! Actually enjoying the Prince pouring wine without even a trace of grateful, favored expression!

Once people are wounded, naturally they seek opportunities to vent. The assembled nobility and gentry they dared not provoke, but an ugly mad woman of ambiguous origins could still be bullied.

“Eunuch Wang!” Because Feng Zhiwei’s seat accompanied Helian Zheng’s side, beside the Tenth Prince, with the inner court ladies’ gauze screen on her flank, from behind one screen a woman suddenly stood up proudly, calling to the palace’s managing eunuch. “The air here is foul and stinking. Please move my table.”

Feng Zhiwei toyed with her wine cup, tilting her head to smile at that haughtily postured woman. Mm, quite beautiful, probably also a talented lady. One could tell from the arrogant aloofness between her brows—talented ladies all had that universally detested expression.

As soon as that woman finished speaking, someone else immediately stood up, heavily sweeping her sleeves. “Also please, Eunuch, move my table. The mad woman is truly suffocating!”

Feng Zhiwei looked again and was delighted. Even better—an acquaintance. Third Miss Qiu from the Qiu Mansion, Qiu Yuluo. Really putting her through hardship—her position was still miles and miles away, how could she possibly suffocate you? Also, you’re glaring at me angrily, yet why are your eye corners glancing toward the head table?

With someone leading, the young ladies immediately began popping up one after another, expressing to the managing eunuch their requests to change tables, fully demonstrating their noble character and principles, their unwillingness to share a hall with a mad woman. The popular sentiment was so turbulent, the appeals so fervent, even their family elders couldn’t restrain them.

Qiu Yuluo’s attitude was most extreme, expressing that allowing such a mad woman to pay respects to the Emperor and Empress in the golden hall would be an irreparable insult to the Tiansheng Imperial Court’s dignity. She stood in the center, not even glancing at Feng Zhiwei, so angry her chest heaved, waves surging. So angry her cheeks flushed, face like peach blossoms. Even several princes with wives couldn’t help but glance over—then were smilingly pinched by their consorts.

Among the princes, only Ning Yi didn’t glance at the surging, peach-blossom Sister Qiu, much less show any sign of being moved or shocked by the young ladies’ startling performance. He chatted with the Seventh Prince at the next table, carefully pulling out an exquisite spring palace picture from his sleeve. The two brothers used the wine pot to hide it, looking with burning gazes, before being discovered by the Seventh Prince’s consort and getting embroiled in an under-the-table dispute.

Qiu Yuluo was very disappointed. When people are disappointed, they easily become emotional. Once emotional, they lose control. Miss Qiu pushed aside the managing eunuch who kept trying to persuade her, pushed aside her mother Lady Qiu who sternly ordered her to sit down, and moved to shift the table herself. “If you won’t move it, I’ll move it myself.”

Where could she move it? Everyone’s table was pre-assigned. This was just making a gesture. Qiu Yuluo knew this in her heart too. She bent down to slightly lift the table, preparing to make a show of it, letting Prince Chu see her unique personality, then let it go.

She’d just bent down when the eunuch naturally went to block her. Suddenly someone came over carrying a wine pot, smiling: “Don’t block her, don’t block her. I also think it’s very stinking here—everyone’s wearing several pounds of powder. Truly suffocating.” Then directing the eunuch: “Go, move a position for this young lady who weighs seventy pounds in flesh, thirty pounds in powder, forty pounds in jewelry, one hundred fifty pounds total… Um, I think that place is very good—windy, high, open and refreshing, convenient for viewing scenery, viewing people, and being viewed… right there.”

Everyone followed his pointing finger—

The roof of Zhishuang Pavilion…

Feng Zhiwei at her original seat raised her wine cup, smiling coldly as she added fuel to the fire: “Prince, your arithmetic is truly poor. It’s clearly one hundred forty pounds.”

“There’s also ten pounds of pimples.” Helian Zheng lifted his wine pot toward a tiny, barely visible blemish on Qiu Yuluo’s forehead covered by powder, smiling. “To the pimple.”

Complete silence filled the hall, shocked into forgetting to react by Prince Huzhuo’s vicious tongue despite his poor command of the Han language.

Qiu Yuluo, to whom Prince Helian had casually added several dozen pounds and whose thoughts had been exposed, froze there, mortified to death, her expression ashen, fingers spasming, not knowing how to move. Helian Zheng had already grabbed the wine pot and swaggered back, smiling smugly at Feng Zhiwei. Feng Zhiwei sighed, thinking how come you didn’t give me a chance to perform? But Brother Helian’s eloquence was actually quite impressive…

Silence all around made Qiu Yuluo’s expression appear even more pitiful and helpless. At the head table, the Seventh Prince watched, feeling somewhat sympathetic, and looked questioningly at Ning Yi. Ning Yi, however, said indifferently: “A woman who doesn’t know her place—what kind of occasion is this? Who is she saying stinks? I’ve long heard some women in the capital mock the Huzhuo tribe as grassland barbarians. Today someone actually dares embarrass the Prince? If Father Emperor heard these words, he’d immediately blame them.”

The Seventh Prince was startled. He managed half the internal and external court affairs and couldn’t ignore this. He immediately gave his consort a look. The consort understood and beckoned Feng Zhiwei over.

This was appeasement and consolation, expressing the imperial family’s attitude toward Prince Huzhuo’s female companion, thereby expressing respect for Prince Huzhuo. Feng Zhiwei had no choice but to go up. The consort held her hand, praising her hair then her clothes, praising her clothes then her fingers—just not praising her face.

Feng Zhiwei listened meekly and obediently, thinking: Praise my face, praise my face, praise my face. I’ll admire you if you can praise my face—

Then she heard the consort say sweetly: “…Your complexion is truly good. Though not so white, it’s evenly yellow.”

Feng Zhiwei trembled.

The Seventh Prince sprayed out a mouthful of wine with a “pft.”

At the next table, Ning Yi began coughing.

After a long while, Feng Zhiwei blinked and with the greatest self-control answered: “Not as evenly white as yours.”

The Seventh Prince’s consort trembled.

Wine sprayed across the Seventh Prince’s table like a rainstorm of pear blossoms.

Ning Yi coughed fiercely.

After a long while the Seventh Prince laughed: “What an interesting person.” The Seventh Prince’s consort then took Feng Zhiwei’s hand. “I truly do like you. Why not sit beside me?”

This was an honor. Feng Zhiwei was about to politely decline when she heard Ning Yi at the next table say indifferently: “Seventh Brother’s table is already crowded enough. How can it fit another person? Better to sit at my table—it’s empty anyway.”

As soon as these words left his mouth, all the young ladies who’d been listening with pricked ears stared at each other in astonishment, hardly believing their ears. Qiu Yuluo collapsed into her seat, soul-lost, expression deathly gray.

Everyone stared at Feng Zhiwei with wolf-like eyes, not understanding how this ugly madwoman had not only won Prince Huzhuo’s favor but could actually make the dissolute yet actually arrogant Prince Chu look favorably upon her!

What they sought from Prince Chu with one glance but couldn’t obtain—she’d received Prince Chu’s invitation yet showed such an ugly expression!

Feng Zhiwei’s expression was indeed ugly. She glared at Ning Yi, thinking you can actually say such shameless words.

“You can actually say such shameless words—” In an instant Feng Zhiwei thought she’d accidentally spoken her thoughts aloud. Looking back, she discovered Helian Zheng had timely emerged again, grinning as he took her hand. “My betrothed—how does it look if she sits with you? You’ve summoned half the capital’s women and still want to provoke my woman? If you have this energy, better go deal with your powder dolls.” Saying this, his chin nodded toward Qiu Yuluo and the others’ direction, laughing heartily as he pulled Feng Zhiwei away.

His status was noble, and as a grassland man his nature was familiar and unrestrained by formalities. Even the Emperor gave him three points of courtesy, let alone these princes. The princes all chuckled, teasing Ning Yi. Ning Yi smiled without speaking, his gaze crossing the crowd to collide with Helian Zheng’s as he turned back midway.

Walking to the side, Feng Zhiwei suddenly felt sparks crackling beside her…

After this commotion, how would the young ladies dare say another word? Qiu Yuluo sat down with a deathly gray expression. Lady Qiu wanted to reproach her but couldn’t bear it. After a long while she sighed and whispered in her daughter’s ear: “Yuluo, listen to me—never provoke your Sister Feng.”

Qiu Yuluo bit her lower lip without speaking. Lady Qiu looked worriedly at her daughter, thinking this child hadn’t experienced storms and didn’t know the stakes. What kind of formidable person was this Feng family girl? Leaving the mansion not long ago, penniless in white robes, she’d actually mixed herself into a red-hot imperial minister close to the Emperor. Even the newly prominent imperial merchants Yan family and Chunyu family were on good terms with her. Not long ago, she’d even moved Young Master Qiu from his position at Tiger Might Great Camp to place him under Chunyu Meng at Changying Guard—clearly telling the Qiu Mansion that even if she couldn’t move the Qiu Mansion, she could move Young Master Qiu. Also, when the master first went on expedition, she’d returned. Who knew if she’d caused trouble there too. Thinking that she could even meddle in such military and state affairs, Lady Qiu felt chilled to the bone.

She patted her daughter’s hand, preparing to properly persuade her when they returned home. To the side, a woman suddenly leaned over and said in a low voice to Qiu Yuluo: “Yuluo younger sister, right? Don’t be sad. That mad woman will get what’s coming to her soon.”

Qiu Yuluo’s eyes brightened, looking at her hopefully. “Sister Hua has a method?”

That woman was precisely the one who’d first attacked, saying Feng Zhiwei was foul—Hua Gongmei, daughter of the Minister of Personnel. Only her nature was more cunning than Qiu Yuluo’s. Seeing the momentum wrong, she’d stopped first. This Miss Hua, the capital’s famous beauty plus talented lady, lightly bit her pearly teeth on her lower lip and whispered a few sentences in Qiu Yuluo’s ear. Qiu Yuluo’s face showed a trace of excitement. “The Noble Consort is proficient in literature and most detests the unlearned… Sister must devise a method to make her commit a taboo and seek her own death.”

Hua Gongmei smiled without speaking, pride between her brows.

If discussing talented women of the realm, who else but her?

Let this ugly woman who’d stolen the limelight today fall from the clouds into the dust!

Just as they were speaking, the Emperor and Noble Consort arrived. Everyone rose to pay respects. Music and dance commenced. They all toasted to the birthday celebration. Noble Consort Chang today had gained such tremendous face and was in excellent spirits, ordering the Fifth Prince and his consort to toast the guests on her behalf. The assembled pearl-adorned, jade-decorated noble ladies—who would refuse this imperial favor? Each drank until their cheeks flushed wine-red, pleasantly intoxicated beyond self-control. The water pavilion’s breezes carried wine fragrance everywhere—prosperous, elegant, and flowing.

After three rounds of wine, several princes exchanged glances and successively presented gifts. The Fifth Prince had already previously sent that pair of rare golden-thread monkeys, which the Noble Consort greatly loved and had brought to the birthday banquet as well. As her birth son, naturally no one competed with him. The Second Prince presented a pair of jade peaches, carved with extreme refinement, though rare but not extraordinary. The Seventh Prince sent a set of precious ancient texts, matching his reputation as the scholarly prince and suited to the Noble Consort’s preferences. Princess Shaoning sent the famous zither Lü Qi. The Tenth Prince sent a Huai embroidered screen. The Noble Consort praised each one by one, showing pleased expressions.

Only when Ning Yi’s birthday gift was presented did Noble Consort Chang’s smile freeze for that briefest moment.

It was a yellow poplar root carving. The carving work differed from ordinary imperial objects that emphasized beauty—the blade technique was expansive with unique style. It carved Tiansheng’s famous Wuyang Mountain in the South Sea. With just a few strokes, it captured vast mountains, sea of clouds, pine waves, bright sun—grand scenery and expansive mood all within.

The Tiansheng Emperor quite liked this gift, holding it in his hands and fondling it for a long while, joking with the Noble Consort: “You have so many good things there. How about letting me have this one?”

The Noble Consort looked at the root carving. An unnatural expression appeared on her meticulously made-up face, then she smiled: “Your Majesty always teases this concubine. What good things does this concubine have that aren’t all yours?”

Ning Yi at the base of the steps smiled: “Father Emperor wants all the good things. Look at Mother’s reluctant expression—you also have the heart to take it.”

The Tiansheng Emperor laughed heartily: “You monkey brat, such a smooth tongue!” Saying this, he also let go. Noble Consort Chang smiled and ordered someone to collect the root carving, giving Ning Yi a meaningful glance.

Ning Yi’s smile remained unchanged.

Feng Zhiwei withdrew her gaze from the root carving, pondering that tomorrow when free she should investigate the Chang family of the South Sea.

The princes’ gift presentations complete, following previous years’ Noble Consort birthday banquet procedure, opportunities would be given for young ladies to display their talents. This was also an unwritten palace custom—in the past, princes’ consorts were mostly selected at similar occasions.

Ning Yi and Ning Ji had not yet taken principal consorts, so today was also essentially a large-scale matchmaking banquet.

Feng Zhiwei suddenly understood. No wonder today’s young ladies were so completely assembled, dressed so flamboyantly.

She suddenly recalled her experience as a brothel attendant, feeling the tables of women behind the gauze screens looked very similar to the Orchid Fragrance House girls dressed up and waiting in small rooms for clients, while those two at the head were like wealthy, generous patrons.

Status was different, circumstances similar. The young ladies looking at the golden prospects had blue-glowing eyes.

Feng Zhiwei thought happily and couldn’t help but smile.

Her smile was subtle, but Ning Yi’s gaze immediately swept over, glancing indifferently, his brow slightly furrowing.

What was wrong with this woman? Knowing this was a disguised consort-selection banquet, still so happy?

He suddenly felt somewhat ill-tempered.

“…There should always be some stakes to make it interesting.” At the head, the Noble Consort consulted with the Emperor. The Tiansheng Emperor smiled and ordered someone to bring small gold ingots and gold-threaded pouches for rewarding people. “Let the children play nicely, amuse you.”

The Noble Consort then instructed the various princes and princesses: “Don’t be stingy either, or people will laugh.”

The princes all smiled and opened their purses, but everyone’s eyes were fixed on Ning Yi and Ning Ji, especially Ning Yi.

Ultimately everyone else was just window dressing. Today only what Ning Yi brought out was what people truly cared about.

Ning Yi kept smiling without speaking. Princess Shaoning covered her mouth and smiled: “I’m quite poor. I was hoping Mother would reward me with some, so I won’t join this excitement. But Sixth Brother is very wealthy—managing the Ministry of Revenue, who isn’t a god of wealth? I think today he should also bring out the luan pendant to see who’s fortunate enough to obtain it.”

At these words all the young ladies showed delighted expressions. The Tiansheng princes all had luan pendants bestowed at birth for future consort establishment. But in the past, princes didn’t necessarily use the luan pendant as stakes at banquets. After all, meeting just once, talent couldn’t represent everything—casually using the luan pendant as stakes would be too reckless. Everyone quickly thought through the reasoning, excitement gradually fading, settling back properly.

“Managing the Ministry of Revenue is Father Emperor’s assignment. As an elder brother, I only receive the same monthly stipend as you, not a fen more.” Ning Yi glanced at Princess Shaoning, his smile faint. Shaoning’s expression stiffened—as a first-rank princess, her monthly provisions and fiefdom were excessively generous. When the Crown Prince was present no one questioned it, but now the court already had dissenting voices. Several censors had even memorialized, citing the example of Da Cheng dynasty’s kingdom-disrupting Yicheng Princess, saying imperial daughters’ bestowals exceeding imperial sons’ were not the court’s fortune, requesting her fiefdom and guards be reduced. Ning Yi’s barb here—she immediately dared not continue.

“However…” Ning Yi suddenly smiled. “Younger sister’s latter statement finally got something right for once.”

Holding a faint smile that could topple nations, he withdrew from his breast a pendant of translucent jade, gently placing it in the tray held up by a kneeling eunuch.