“Good!”

Feng Jiang nodded, drew back his gaze, and lowered his eyes to the woman in his arms.

Qiao Mu nodded, about to say something, when Feng Jiang lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.

Qiao Mu froze for a moment, then quickly responded, wrapping her arms around him in return.

Just like that, the two of them lost themselves in the kiss for at least the time it takes half an incense stick to burn.

By the time they parted, everyone else had already left the underground chamber.

News of the Night Prince’s grand wedding had long since spread across the entire nation.

By now, the capital was filled with local officials, nobles, and foreign envoys who had come to offer their congratulations.

With things as they were, Feng Qiongcang’s State-Protecting Army could not conduct a sweeping search of the capital! No matter what, he had to preserve the appearance of harmony in the capital and maintain the impression, at least on the surface, that the entire nation lived in peace and contentment.

Should trouble break out, it would do him no good at all! Not long after the Second Prince led his troops away, the First Prince appeared on the great road leading to the palace.

Both processions were enormous, the soldiers standing tall and imposing, marching almost like a parade.

“Let’s go.”

In the crowd, Feng Jiu’er glanced at Qiao Mu beside her.

“Where to?”

Qiao Mu turned and fell into step beside her.

“Into the palace.”

Feng Jiu’er answered in a low voice. “To bring the Consort something nice.”

Inside the palace, at Feng Luan Hall —

Draped in golden robes, Feng Qiongcang sat at the highest seat in the center of the great hall.

Noble Lady Xin knelt to the side, pouring him tea, while Consort Ya and the Empress sat below, near the main seat.

Clad in full battle armor, Feng Yan hurried in from outside.

“Greetings, Father. Long live Father, ten thousand years!”

Feng Jin knelt in the hall.

“How did it go?”

Feng Qiongcang’s expression was far from good.

Just the night before, someone had broken into the secret passage, and yet they’d come away with nothing — Feng Qiongcang was already displeased about that.

And now, Feng Jin’s return, too, had ended in failure.

It was hardly surprising that Feng Qiongcang’s mood was foul.

“Reporting to Father, Your unworthy son has failed in the task entrusted to him and is willing to accept punishment!”

Feng Yan looked up, cupping his hands.

“But Third Imperial Brother openly defied Father — I beg Father to issue an order at once to capture Third Imperial Brother.”

“You went there yourself and still couldn’t bring him back — so who exactly does Father have left to send?”

Feng Qiongcang let out a cold snort.

“The mighty First Prince, and you can’t even handle a few traitors from another nation. What use is Father supposed to have for you?”

“I beg Father’s forgiveness!”

Feng Jin bent forward and struck his forehead against the ground.

The Empress rose, went to his side, and knelt.

“Your Majesty, if not for our Third Son’s sudden betrayal, our eldest son would never have fallen into such a state. Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”

Consort Ya, too, stepped forward and knelt.

“Your Majesty, the Third Prince has betrayed us, and the Second Prince has left the capital — this is precisely the moment we need capable men.”

“The First Prince has spent all these years sharing Your Majesty’s burdens, faithfully and sincerely, and everyone can see it plainly.”

“This concubine begs Your Majesty not to place the blame on the First Prince.”

“Your Majesty, please, calm your temper!”

Noble Lady Xin offered Feng Qiongcang a cup of tea.

Feng Qiongcang took the tea, raised both hands, and drained it in one gulp.

With a crack, he flung the cup into some unknown corner, and it shattered instantly.

“Your father has passed the age of fifty — I have already reached the years when one knows the mandate of heaven. Sooner or later, the great power must pass into the hands of you, my sons.”

Feng Qiongcang’s voice was low and heavy, yet full of vigor. “This year, on the fifteenth of August, is when the crown prince will be formally invested. You’d best conduct yourself well!”

“Yes!”

Feng Jin straightened his back and cupped his hands. “Your son will surely not disappoint Father’s expectations again.”

Feng Qiongcang waved a hand. “All of you may withdraw. There are matters I need to discuss with Jin’er.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

All three women rose, bowed, stepped back, and only then turned to leave.

The eunuchs followed after and took up their posts outside the great hall.

Inside the hall, only Feng Qiongcang and Feng Jin remained…

At Yaxiang Palace, a fragrant scent lingered in the air.

Consort Ya had already caught the faint fragrance while she was still walking outside the hall.

She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. “What scent is this?”

The old matron by her side shook her head and quickened her pace. “Consort, this servant will go in and take a look.”

Just then, Gong Xinyue came hurrying forward to greet them.

“Consort, you’re finally back!”

“Miss Little Feng has arrived — she said she’s brought Your Highness a very special fragrance, guaranteed to make you the center of attention at the Night Prince’s wedding tomorrow.”

“Oh!”

The old matron nearly collided with Gong Xinyue as she came rushing over.

“You’ve been in the palace all this time — why are you still so rash and flustered?”

“What do you mean, ‘center of attention’? If you don’t know how to phrase things properly, don’t speak at all!”

“My apologies! Matron Chen.” Gong Xinyue stopped in her tracks and bowed to the old matron.

“It’s Xiao You’s fault! Xiao You was in the wrong.”

Consort Ya walked up, a smile on her face. “What kind of fragrance is it? It smells rather nice.”

Gong Xinyue looked up and smiled at her. “This one doesn’t know either, Consort — you’ll see for yourself once you go back inside.”

Consort Ya extended an arm, and Gong Xinyue stepped forward at once to take her hand.

Together, the two of them walked into the hall.

Inside, a table was set with a number of candlesticks, their candles all lit.

The moment Consort Ya entered, she walked straight toward Feng Jiu’er and Qiao Mu.

“Little Feng, what mischief are you up to in broad daylight?”

Feng Jiu’er turned and stepped forward to greet her.

“Greetings, Consort.”

She bowed.

Qiao Mu, behind her, bowed as well. “Greetings, Consort!”

“No need for formalities!”

Consort Ya waved a hand and advanced with unhurried steps.

“What is this? It smells quite nice.”

Feng Jiu’er stepped up and answered, “Reporting to Consort, these are aromatic candles.”

“Aromatic candles? What an elegant name.”

Consort Ya reached out and touched one of the candlesticks lightly.

At a glance, it looked like an ordinary candlestick, yet each one was a different color.

“Actually, there’s nothing too special about it — this one simply added some fragrant herbs into the candle wax.”

Feng Jiu’er came to stand beside Consort Ya.

“The heat of the flame helps the fragrance evaporate, so the scent can travel much further.”

“Consort, why don’t you smell each one and see if there’s a scent you like?”

“Or perhaps…” Feng Jiu’er’s lips curved slightly. “See if there’s one His Majesty might like.”

“This one is merely a woman who does business — this one doesn’t know much about flattery. But having taken the Consort’s money, this one ought to help take away the Consort’s troubles.”

Consort Ya turned to glance at Feng Jiu’er, then let her gaze fall on the old matron and the maids standing a little way off, and waved a hand.

“Xiao You can stay. Everyone else, out.”

“Yes!”

The matron and the maids nodded together, stepped back, turned, and left.

Consort Ya turned back around, picked up a candlestick, examined it carefully for a moment, then asked quietly, “Does Little Feng know what’s on my mind?”

“Reporting to Consort.”

Feng Jiu’er cupped her hands.

“This one has heard that His Majesty hasn’t come to Yaxiang Palace in a long while. Is that what’s troubling the Consort?”

Consort Ya said nothing, which was as good as an admission.