Feng Jin had long since received news of Feng Jiang’s death, but without seeing the body, he still hadn’t believed it.

Only when Feng Jiang’s severed head was brought before him did a satisfied smile finally appear on his face.

“First Prince, I’ve done what you asked. What you promised me—when will you deliver?”

In the great hall, Chen Hong looked at the man seated at the head of the room, as pleased as if she were basking in a spring breeze.

Beside her sat the masked man from the night before.

Feng Jin waved his hand and said, “Take that thing away.”

To him, the head before him was nothing but a disgusting object.

He had no idea that the very man he wanted dead was sitting right there in the hall.

Jian Yi had been hidden away deep in the mountains by Feng Jiu’er, so there was no way Feng Jiang could have died so easily.

The man now seated beside Chen Hong was, in fact, Feng Jiang himself.

After learning that Chen Hong intended to use Jian Yi to kill him, Feng Jiang had chosen to fake his death.

With Jian Yi kept safe under Feng Jiu’er’s protection and unable to return and report back, it gave Feng Jiang the perfect opportunity.

He had a wife and children at home, and he wouldn’t have taken such a risk unless it was truly necessary.

But with the great battle looming, there was no time for hesitation.

If the battle were lost, it wouldn’t just be his family of three who died—everyone would perish.

Qiao Mu agreed with Feng Jiang’s plan, and Feng Jiu’er had nothing further to add.

The only thing she could do was craft the best possible human-skin mask for Feng Jiang, replacing a severed head taken from an enemy soldier with Feng Jiang’s face.

Publicly, it was announced that this was done to avenge Feng Jiang.

“Yes.” Lei Lixing cupped his hands and took the black sack away.

Feng Jiang poured himself a cup of tea, looking every bit like an outsider to the whole affair.

But the pain in his heart, no one could understand.

An elder brother is like a father—Feng Jin had always valued brotherly bonds and had taken good care of him and Feng Yan.

And yet, his elder brother wanted his life!

Had he not been sitting here, “fortunate” enough to witness this scene himself, he would never have known that the brother he respected had such a side to him.

Feng Jiang drank his tea in silence, as if the matter had nothing to do with him at all.

Lei Lixing entered, and the hall’s doors were shut behind him from outside.

Feng Jin glanced at Feng Jiang and asked, somewhat displeased, “Can this person be trusted?”

Chen Hong curled her lips and took hold of Feng Jiang’s hand resting on the table, gently rubbing his palm.

“He’s my man.” She patted the back of Feng Jiang’s hand and set it down.

“First Prince, don’t tell me you still don’t trust me?”

“This prince can work with you. Go ahead, tell me your plan.” Feng Jin waved his hand agreeably.

Chen Hong stood, cupped her hands, and sat back down.

“I need thirty thousand troops to face Feng Jiu’er head-on, capture her alive, and have her face treated for me.”

“Of course, before that, there’s an imperial edict I need.”

“Have the Emperor issue a decree granting me authority over the territory south of Songjiang.”

Chen Hong gave a cold laugh and continued, “That area south of Songjiang is already an empty shell now. Surely the First Prince isn’t unwilling?”

“What this prince has promised, I will never go back on my word.” Feng Jin raised his cup slightly.

“But you should know, right now the Feng Clan isn’t entirely mine to command.”

He took a sip of tea and set the cup down.

“The thirty thousand troops, I can give you. As for the matter of jurisdiction…”

“Is the First Prince joking? You’re already the Crown Prince-designate. Surely such a small matter isn’t beyond you?” Chen Hong scoffed coldly.

What she wanted wasn’t a few cities—she simply wanted to govern those cities under his banner.

Chen Hong’s feelings for Yue Jianfei hadn’t changed no matter how many male favorites she kept by her side.

He had to belong to her; she wanted control over everything about him.

“Or perhaps—”

“There is no ‘or perhaps’!” Chen Hong cut in sharply. “First Prince, don’t forget—if you lose this war, you’ll have nothing at all.”

“I hold an ace in my hand.” She glanced at Feng Jiang. “Whether we cooperate or not is entirely your decision!”